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Hari ini dalam sejarah Umno

— Aspan Alias
The Malaysian Insider
May 11, 2012

11 MEI — Hari ini, pada tahun 1946, Umno ditubuhkan dengan presiden pertamanya Datuk Onn Jaafar untuk menyatukan semua persatuan-persatuan dan pertubuhan yang mempunyai matlamat yang satu, iaitu untuk mencapai matlamat yang satu, iaitu untuk menyambung usaha-usaha pejuang kemerdekaan sebelumnya. Parti Umno wujud diatas penyatuan pertubuhan-pertubuhan yang bercambah semasa itu dan penubuhan Umno ini merupakan lonjakkan kepada kekuatan rakyat Malaya khususnya orang Melayu untuk membuat persediaan bagi mencapai kemerdekaan negara dari pentadbiran penjajahan Inggeris.

Di rengkaskan sejarah, Umno wujud diatas kesedaran yang negara tidak lagi dapat menahan keinginan untuk menerima penjajahan Inggeris dan kesedaran untuk bersatu ini dirasakan lebih mendesak apabila Inggeris cuba untuk mewujudkan negara “unitary” di Semenanjung Malaya ini dan di tadbir oleh Malayan Union (MU) dengan pusat pentadbirannya di Kuala Lumpur.

Dengan penubuhan Umno itu, maka cita-cita Inggeris untuk menjadikan negara ini sebagai negara “unitary” telah dapat dipatahkan dan digantikan dengan sebuah negara Persekutuan dengan Perjanjian Persekutuan pada 2hb Februari 1948 yang lalu. Maka penubuhan negara Persekutuan ini adalah hasil dari kerja keras dan perjuangan Umno bersama dengan Raja-Raja Melayu yang telah berunding tidak berhenti-henti dengan pihak British sehingga wujudnya sebuah negara Persekutuan.

Maka negeri-negeri yang masing-masing mempunyai pentadbiran mereka sendiri dibawah naungan Raja-Raja mereka telah bersatu dibawah satu negara Persekutuan yang dinamakan Persekutuan Tanah Melayu. Kesemua negeri-negeri Bersekutu dan tidak Bersekutu telah bersatu dibawah satu Persekutuan dan negeri-negri ini di sertai sekali oleh dua buah negeri Straits Settlement, Melaka dan P. Pinang, untuk bersama dalam negara Persekutuan yang baru diwujudkan itu. Continue reading “Hari ini dalam sejarah Umno”

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Despicable, contemptible behaviour must be condemned

— P. Ramakrishnan
The Malaysian Insider
May 11, 2012

MAY 11 — Aliran is shocked and alarmed by the puerile and infantile behaviour of Perkasa, whose members numbering about 30 held an atrocious “funeral rite” in front of the Penang chief minister’s house in Pinhorn Road yesterday.

They also put up a garlanded framed photograph on the gate of the house “to signify his ‘death’ to the Malay community”.

These desperadoes resorted to hooliganism and rowdyism in their conduct by throwing posters of the CM in front of his gate and littering the road by strewing the same posters on the road while on motorcycles on their way to Komtar to continue their demonstration there.

This dastardly act surely cannot be condoned by Islam and other traditions and all right-thinking Malaysians from all walks of life.

What these people did — and had done in the past — is a threat to our communal harmony. They are trying to undermine our unity for their political agenda. They tend to evoke hatred and dissatisfaction among the various communities unnecessarily and without just cause. They are playing with fire without a care and their irresponsible conduct can undo the peace that is prevalent now.

Conducting funeral services and carrying coffins around and presenting faeces as chocolate cake are not the conduct of the brave and the sane. This is the behaviour of the irrational and the irresponsible. Continue reading “Despicable, contemptible behaviour must be condemned”

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Bar EGM denounces police brutality at Bersih 3.0

By Clara Chooi
The Malaysian Insider
May 11, 2012

KUALA LUMPUR, May 11 — The Malaysian Bar has approved a resolution condemning the police for using “excessive” and “indiscriminate” force to disperse Bersih 3.0 protesters on April 28, despite objections raised by a minority group of lawyers at today’s extraordinary general meeting (EGM).

The resolution, passed by way of voting this evening, also demands apologies from the home minister and Inspector-General of Police to the public and members of the media over the conduct of the police during the rally.

According to Bar Council president Lim Chee Wee, only 16 of the 1,270 Malaysian Bar members in attendance today had opposed the resolution, which contained findings of alleged police brutality against protesters and members of the media.

A total of 939 votes were recorded in support of the resolution. There are some 14,000 members in the Malaysian Bar.

Commending today’s high turnout at the EGM, which exceeded the turnout of some 800 members during the Bar’s annual general meeting (AGM) in March, Lim said it was clear that members viewed the events surrounding Bersih 3.0 seriously.

“The fact is, there was widespread reports of police brutality and excessive, disproportionate use of tear gas and water cannons in KL, which only started after the alleged reported breach of the barricades at Dataran Merdeka after 3pm… prior to which, there was a carnival-like atmosphere,” he told a press conference after the three-hour EGM. Continue reading “Bar EGM denounces police brutality at Bersih 3.0”

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Bersih, opposition spun our Bill out, decries EC

By Kuek Ser Kuang Keng | 4:17PM May 10, 2012
Malaysiakini

The withdrawal of Election Offences Amendment Bill is the result of the government succumbing to the “spin and lies” created by Bersih and the opposition, said the Election Commission deputy chairperson Wan Ahmad Wan Omar.

“They spun and twisted (the amendment), made nonsensical stories creating the perception that the Bill is bad…

“To satisfy all quarters, so they won’t be people saying it is fraud, the government took the best way… that is to discuss among BN, the opposition and the EC.

“If that is the best way the Parliament wants, never mind… the EC will just do it,” he said during a luncheon talk today in a Kuala Lumpur hotel.
Continue reading “Bersih, opposition spun our Bill out, decries EC”

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Hanif – face reality that you have shot yourself in the foot disqualifying you from heading a credible and impartial probe into Bersih 3.0 violence

Let me tell former Inspector-General of Police Tun Hanif Omar frankly: “Tun, face reality that you have shot yourself in the foot disqualifying you from heading a credible and impartial probe into Bersih 3.0 violence.”

Hanif should stop being obstinate on the matter or he would only end up in severely embarrassing and dishonouring himself, the Bersih 3.0 probe, the Najib administration and most important of all, Malaysia’s international image and standing.

Haniff had asked his critics to check his track record in previous investigating committees before questioning his integrity to lead the independent panel to probe police brutality during the Bersih 3.0 rally, citing the case of the fatal shooting of 14-year-old Aminulrasyhid Amzah and his role in the Special Commission to Enhance the Operations and Management of the Royal Malaysian Police in 2004.

I had said publicly that I do not cast any aspersion on his integrity as a distinguished public servant and a Malaysian patriot, but on the question on the suitability of his heading a credible and impartial probe into Bersih 3.0 violence, regardless of whether the victim is police personnel, media representative or peaceful protestor, he had irremediably stained and disqualified himself because of his highly biased and prejudicial statements about the Bersih 3.0 “sit-in” in Dataran Merdeka on April 28.

If Hanif stands by his prejudicial statements against Bersih 3.0, he should appear before the Bersih 3.0 probe as a “star witness” to substantiate his allegations and definitely not as a Chairman to probe into the truth or otherwise of his allegations. Continue reading “Hanif – face reality that you have shot yourself in the foot disqualifying you from heading a credible and impartial probe into Bersih 3.0 violence”

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UMNO has reduced politics in Malaysia to its lowest depths as illustrated by two disgraceful events yesterday – Perkasa “funeral rite” in front of Lim Guan Eng’s house and invasion of Bersih 2.0 co-chairperson Ambiga’s privacy

UMNO Baru is celebrating its 66th anniversary although it is only 24 years old as it was legally registered in 1988 after the officially-engineered deregistration of the original UMNO and which was why the first and third Prime Ministers, Tunku Abdul Rahman and Tun Hussein Onn refused to be members of UMNO Baru.

Be that as it may, it is indisputable that UMNO today has reduced politics in Malaysia to its lowest depths as illustrated by two disgraceful events yesterday – the Perkasa “funeral rite” in front of Penang Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng’s house in Penang and the invasion of Bersih 2.0 co-chairperson Datuk Ambiga Sreenevasan’s privacy.

In the former case, a group of 30 Perkasa members showed up at about 10.20 am and in a 15-minute demonstration in front of Guan Eng’s house in Pinhorn Road, Penang, threw posters of Guan Eng at his front gate and placed a framed photo of him with a garland of flowers to signify his “death” to the Malay community.

What is most deplorable is the total failure of action by the police authorities.

The Perkasa “funeral rite” is nothing less than a “death threat” to Guan Eng.

Is it conceivable that if such a “funeral rite” or “death threat” demonstration had been staged by protestors outside the residence of the Prime Minister, Datuk Seri Najib Razak, Deputy Prime Minister, Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin, Cabinet Ministers or those of UMNO/Barisan Nasional Mentris Besar/Chief Ministers, the police would have been equally passive and indifferent? Continue reading “UMNO has reduced politics in Malaysia to its lowest depths as illustrated by two disgraceful events yesterday – Perkasa “funeral rite” in front of Lim Guan Eng’s house and invasion of Bersih 2.0 co-chairperson Ambiga’s privacy”

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Hands raised against Hanif’s appointment

By Aidila Razak | 11:34AM May 11, 2012
Malaysiakini

It was a sea of raised hands yesterday when DAP parliamentary leader Lim Kit Siang asked an audience of about 2,000 people at the Subang Jaya 3C complex “who opposed the appointment of Hanif Omar” as chairperson of the investigative panel on police brutality during Bersih 3.0.

Asked why, some of those present at the second stop of PKR’s post-Bersih nationwide tour Merdeka Rakyat, yelled out “because we cannot trust him”.

“Why can’t we trust him?… After what he has said he should in fact be the star witness of the inquiry and not the chairperson,” the Ipoh Timor MP said.

Most of the audience had also raised their hands when asked if they had participated in the April 28 Bersih 3.0 rally.
Continue reading “Hands raised against Hanif’s appointment”

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Bersih chief: It’s an invasion of my privacy

By Nicholas Wong | May 10, 2012
Malaysiakini

Bersih co-chairperson Ambiga Sreenevasan today criticised Ikhlas for setting up a burger stall outside her home in protest of traders’ loss of income during the April 28 Bersih rally.

Speaking to reporters, she described the incident as an invasion of her privacy and her home, calling it a “terrible precedent” for the country.

“If the authorities accept this then ministers had better be careful, because people will be standing outside their houses next,” said Ambiga (left), adding that the she would let the public judge the situation for themselves.
Continue reading “Bersih chief: It’s an invasion of my privacy”

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Perkasa holds ‘funeral rite’ in front of Guan Eng’s house

By Susan Loone and Low Chia Ming | May 10, 2012
Malaysiakini

A group of 30 members from Malay rights pressure group Perkasa held a “funeral rite” in front of Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng’s house in Pinhorn Road today, to show their dissatisfaction at the latter’s rule in Penang since 2008.

The group led by state Perkasa Youth chief Risuan Asuddin showed up at about 10.20am and threw posters of Lim at his front gate and placed a framed photo of him with a garland of flowers to signify his “death” to the Malay community.

The group stayed around Lim’s house for about 15 minutes to express how Lim had neglected the community before convoying to Komtar, the state’s administrative centre, where Lim’s office is situated.
Continue reading “Perkasa holds ‘funeral rite’ in front of Guan Eng’s house”

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Anwar: Hanif must step down as panel chief in Bersih 3.0 probe

By Shazwan Mustafa Kamal
The Malaysian Insider
May 11, 2012

PETALING JAYA, May 11 — Tun Mohammad Hanif Omar must step down as head of Putrajaya’s independent panel probe on the Bersih 3.0 violence, Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim said last night.

The PKR de facto leader said this was necessary to ensure the panel was completely fair and neutral in its investigations into incidents surrounding the April 28 rally.

Former Inspector-General of Police Hanif was delusional in thinking Bersih 3.0 would bring a resurgence of communist threat, said Anwar.

“Tun Hanif still thinks he is the Inspector-General of Police fighting the communists, need to fight Chin Peng to the end… eh it (the communist threat) is already over,” Anwar said at a Pakatan Rakyat (PR) ceramah attended by over 1,000 supporters.

“I am asking that Tun Hanif withdraw as chairman. Do not fool the people. You know you are not neutral, insulting Bersih… the other panel members should also step down,” Anwar demanded.

DAP parliamentary leader Lim Kit Siang echoed Anwar’s remarks, saying that Hanif’s appointment was the “worst” decision the Najib administration had made in three years.

“Tun Hanif should be a star witness in the enquiry, not the chairman… save the enquiry from embarrassment,” the Ipoh Timor MP said to loud cheers from people at the ceramah.

“Tun Hanif says Bersih 3.0 was a plot to overthrow the present government… where is the proof?

“Rational Malaysians won’t accept this explanation… that there were pro-communist elements during the rally,” said Lim. Continue reading “Anwar: Hanif must step down as panel chief in Bersih 3.0 probe”

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Plain meaning of ‘independent’

by Clive Kessler
Malaysiakini
May 10, 2012

Excuse me, but as a puzzled outside observer I just do not understand.

Or perhaps it is the case that others do not understand the “plain meaning” of everyday words?

Yesterday Hanif Omar was named to head an “independent” commission of investigation into the events of April 28.

Yet several days ago he joined forces, and combined his voice, with two other former inspectors-general of police to call for action against the leaders of the Bersih movement for mounting a “coup attempt”.

“Independent”? Continue reading “Plain meaning of ‘independent’”

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We should say yes to La Rue’s offer

— Khoo Ying Hooi
The Malaysian Insider
May 10, 2012

MAY 10 — Malaysia is one of the 47 members sitting in the United Nations Human Rights Council (HRC) for the second term covering 2010-2013. When our Foreign Affairs Minister, Dato’ Sri Anifah Aman opined that there is no necessity for outsiders, in this context, the Special Rapporteur on the Promotion and Protection of the Right to Freedom of Opinion and Expression, Frank William La Rue to investigate the Bersih 3.0 rally that took place on April 28. He is stretching the truth way a little because, I quote, “We are a sovereign nation. We are capable of doing our own impartial investigation and we have faith in the authorities and the police. For responsible Malaysians, I don’t think this is an issue. We don’t need someone to investigate what transpired in our country. We have seen it on television and there are people who were actually on the spot who witnessed what happened.”

He also added that “The government is going to appoint a panel to investigate; therefore I do not see the necessity. I mean, maybe it’s possible, but I do not see the necessity for any outside organisation to determine whether we are free or fair.”

In declaring its intention for its candidature, the Malaysian government circulated a memorandum dated March 9, 2010, outlining its human rights record and its pledges and voluntary commitments. As the member of the HRC, Malaysia’s voluntary commitments and pledges include “deepening and widening our cooperation with and support for the work of various UN actors and mechanisms involved in the promotion and protection of human rights such as the … Special Procedures of the HRC,” which includes Special Rapporteurs, Working Groups, and Independent Experts.

If we take a peek to the UN General Assembly resolution A/RES/60/251, it states clearly that members of the HRC shall uphold the highest standards in the promotion and protection of human rights; fully cooperate with the HRC; and be reviewed under the Universal Periodic Review (UPR) mechanism during their term.

However, the way Anifah Aman described the Special Rapporteur and the HRC which we are a member, as the “outsider” and the “outside organisation” is detrimental to the country. It doesn’t reflect the commitments that the government has promised to the HRC and it is obviously just another diplomatic exercise. Continue reading “We should say yes to La Rue’s offer”

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Durian runtuh or durian mengkal?

— Sakmongkol AK47
The Malaysian Insider
May 10, 2012

MAY 10 — FELDA settlers were described as “shedding tears of joy” by Bernama Online following the prime minister’s announcement that they were to expect a windfall of RM15,000 each following the listing of FELDA Global Venture Holding (FGVH).

Let me simplify the issue at hand. This is a bare knuckle fight between the bad guys (FGVH) and the good guys (the settlers). Let’s face it, if Najib sides with the settlers he would ask FGVH to issue 80 per cent of the shares to the settlers and settlers’ interests. Instead the settlers get the smaller portion while the bulk goes to his corporate buddies.

What did he agree to? This man who proclaims people first, performance this and that? Close to two billion shares are offered at RM4.65 per share which will see FGVH collecting some RM9 billion. How is the earnings distributed? Sixty per cent to the minister in charge of FELDA who is Najib. Forty per cent to FELDA? Out of the RM3.6 billion, FELDA uses RM1.69 billion to pay the durian runtuh? And the remainder has to be used to pay off debts owed by FELDA such as the RM3 billion to EPF? Then how much is left with FELDA to run the business that it owns?

Is RM400 million a year sufficient for FELDA to finance its operations and carry out its social responsibilities in FELDA schemes involving 220,000 people? Continue reading “Durian runtuh or durian mengkal?”

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Besok perayaan ulang tahun Umno, walaupun Umno itu sudah tiada

— Aspan Alias
The Malaysian Insider
May 10, 2012

10 MEI — Dengar khabarnya Umno akan “celebrate” ulang tahun yang ke 66 besok dengan perhimpunan ahli parti yang besar-besaran. Katanya Umno berumur 66 tahun besok, 11hb Mei. Upacara sambutan besaran-besaran ini akan menjadi seperti pelancaran untuk menghadapi pilihanraya yang bakal diadakan sekejap sahaja lagi.

Saya lebih tertarik jika Umno hanya mengadakan doa selamat besar-besaran untuk Umno yang telah mati itu bukannya merayakan hari lahirnya. Parti itu telah mati dan semua orang tahu siapa yang merancang kematiannya dan kenapa kematian Umno itu amat perlu bagi seorang pemimpin pada tahun 1988 dahulu. Tidak payah diulangi lagi kerana blog inilah yang telah mengulangi kejadian itu berpuluh-puluh kali sebelum ini. Umno sekarang sepatutnya merayakan ulang tahun yang ke 24 sahaja kerana itulah umur sebenar parti Umno yang sekarang ini.

Sepatutnya ulang tahunnya dirayakan pada bulan Februari yang lepas. Tetapi Umno terpaksa mengambil dan menukar tarikh lahirnya ke11 Mei kerana itulah tarikh lahir Umno yang sebenarnya. Saya dan siapa pun tahu kenapa Umno memilih 11 Mei itu sebagai hari ulang tahun parti itu. Sebabnya senang; kerana Umno asal itu merupakan parti tulin perjuangan untuk orang Melayu dan rakyat Malaysia amnya. Umno baru ini ingin menumpang “kekeramatan” Umno lama itu maka ia memilih untuk menggunakan tarikh kelahiran parti yang telah mati dibunuh pada tahun 1988 dahulu sebagai tarikh ulang tahun parti yang baru berumur 24 tahun itu. Continue reading “Besok perayaan ulang tahun Umno, walaupun Umno itu sudah tiada”