Monday, May 26, 2008
SPM top scorers complain to MPs - The Sun
By Giam Say Khoon and Humayun Kabir
KUALA LUMPUR (May 26, 2008): Four students from Selangor and Johor, who scored 11 or 12 As in the SPM, today brought their grouse to Parliament about not getting the Public Service Department (PSD) scholarship, joining an annual list who bring up the same complaint.
The students were accompanied by Pulau Jerejak assemblyman Sim Tze Tzin to Parliament and were received by Yusmadi Yusof (PKR-Balik Pulau).
They were Chew Kin Cheng, who got eight A1s and four A2s; Tan Kian Hin with nine A1s and two A2s; Tiow Zyn Ann with eight A1s and three A2s; and Lim Soon Seng with 10 A1s and two A2s.
In a press conference in Parliament lobby, Yusmadi said: "Our brightest students often do not get the opportunity to go for higher education to bring out the best in them. Eventually we would only encourage mediocrity and our nation would lose competitiveness in the process."
Yusmadi added that there was a rot in the selection system as no one seemed to know the details of the selection.
"The selection has failed us year after year. Often, the officials explained the system in general terms. However, we demand to know more. It should be transparent and fair," he said, adding that the social background of an applicant should also be taken into account as those in need should be given the priority.
[More at http://www.sun2surf.com/article.cfm?id=22662]
RM2mil worth of stolen microchips, components recovered - The Star
By Looi Sue-Chern
GEORGE TOWN: Police have busted a microchips theft gang here and recovered RM2mil worth of microchips and electronic components.
Balik Pulau OCPD Deputy Supt Lai Fah Hin said six men, aged between 30 and 50, were arrested in Bayan Lepas, Sungai Nibong, Taman Bagan in Butterworth, Bukit Mertajam and other locations last week.
"We believe the microchips and electronic components were sold to regular buyers," he said, adding that those arrested were buyers and factory staff, including a factory security supervisor and guard.
He added that police investigations since a month ago had led to the recovery of most of the stolen goods at locations in Bayan Lepas and Bukit Mertajam.
"The police recovered the stolen microchips in Permatang Damar Laut in Bayan Lepas; one box of electronic components in Sungai Nibong; two boxes and a sack of components in Bukit Tengah, and 10 sacks in Taman Limau Manis in Bukit Mertajam.
"This is the largest bust by the Balik Pulau police this year," he told a press conference Monday at the Balik Pulau police headquarters.
[More at http://thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2008/5/26/nation/20080526183958&sec=nation]
‘No snoop squad in MCA’ - The Star
By Hah Foong Lian
IPOH: Allegations of a snoop squad set up to spy on rivals of MCA president Datuk Seri Ong Ka Ting are baseless, said party secretary-general Datuk Seri Ong Ka Chuan.
“It is totally baseless and has nothing to do with the party,” said Ong when asked about on-going investigations being conducted by a three-man panel of inquiry into the matter.
“I am the secretary-general of the party and as far as I’m concerned, it does not exist,” he said yesterday after closing the Ipoh branch Malaysian Red Crescent Society youth training camp.
The three-man panel of inquiry headed by Tan Sri Dr Sak Cheng Lum and assisted by party veteran Tan Sri Michael Chen and senior lawyer Roger Tan has been set up to investigate allegations on the existence of such a squad.
Ong pointed out that the party leaders had been very open-minded by forming a panel to investigate the allegations.
“By right, it is something we can just ignore but we formed a committee so that people’s doubts can be cleared,” he said.
[More at http://thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2008/5/26/nation/21361631&sec=nation]
Nothing sexy about girls’ school uniform - The Star
PALOH: There is nothing sexy about the school uniform now worn by girls in government schools, says Education Minister Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Tun Hussein.
He said he personally felt it was unfair to blame the students or their uniform for sexual crimes.
“From what I have seen, clothing is not the main consideration of those who commit despicable acts. Usually, there is an underlying problem, such as a disease, that makes them behave that way,” he said.
The National Islamic Students Association of Malaysia recently condemned the uniform as being too sexy and encouraging rape and pre-marital sex.
Hishammuddin said although he believed that changing the school uniform would not reduce sex crimes committed against schoolgirls, he would refer the matter to experts within his ministry to listen to various ideas before making a decision.
He also said that the uniform, which has been there for so many years, would not change very much in the next few years.
[More at http://thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2008/5/26/nation/21361461&sec=nation]
Be prepared for snap polls, officers told - The Star
PUTRAJAYA: The Election Commission (EC) has informed its officers to be prepared for a snap election, said chairman Tan Sri Abdul Rashid Abdul Rahman.
Stressing that he was not one to speculate, Abdul Rashid said the EC was prepared “for anything” and was capable of handling a snap election as it had all necessary infrastructure in place.
In an interview with mStar Online yesterday, he revealed that after the post-mortem of the 12th General Election, he had instructed all returning officers (RO) to be prepared for any eventuality.
Similarly, the 140,000 people involved in the general election have also been advised to not refuse when called upon again for duty in the event of a snap election.
“But I don’t want to speculate, and it is not for us to speculate, but we are prepared for anything. In the past two months of meeting with the ROs, I’ve already told them to be prepared as it may be called anytime,” he said.
Abdul Rashid was responding to talk on recent events that have led to speculations of Umno members defecting from the party en masse and even party hopping following Barisan Nasional's dismal showing in the elections.
[More at http://thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2008/5/26/nation/21359051&sec=nation]
Sunday, May 25, 2008
Gerakan Rebrands Itself to gain more support! - TheStarOnline.tv
Gerakan Acting President Tan Sri Dr Koh Tsu Koon launched a rebranding exercise in conjunction with the party's 40th anniversary on Sunday.
Najib Tells People To Make Unity Main National Agenda - Bernama
PUTRAJAYA, May 25 (Bernama) -- Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak Sunday launched National Unity Month with a call to the people to make unity the main national agenda, saying it was an important basis for a nation's success.
The deputy prime minister said the people were not prohibited from having differences of opinion but they should express them with consideration.
"They must be aware of the racial sensitivities. They must not hurt the feelings of other communities. They must ensure that their demands are reasonable," he said at the launch at the Putrajaya International Convention Centre, here.
Najib said every community would not necessarily get to fulfill all its demands, and must continue to maintain a give-and-take attitude.
The very existence of the Federal Constitution reflected the spirit of compromise and placed unity as the main basis of the nation, he said.
Najib said the spirit of consensus among the people was clearly evident, for example, in the presence of vernacular schools which did not exist in Singapore, Thailand and Indonesia.
Speaking to reporters later, Najib said unity among the people was getting more resolute.
He said the concept of "bangsa Malaysia" (Malaysian race) was in the minds of the people regardless of race because the people regarded an individual based on his or her nobility of character rather than racial background.
[More at http://www.bernama.com/bernama/v3/news.php?id=335290]
Stay Away From Middle Rocks For A While - Najib - Bernama
PUTRAJAYA, May 25 (Bernama) -- Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak Sunday advised Malaysians to stay away from Middle Rocks for a while until further advice from the government.
He said the country's technical committee was still preparing the recommendations, following the International Court of Justice ruling on Friday that Malaysia had sovereignty over Middle Rocks and the recommendations were expected to be ready in two weeks' time.
"The best thing is, wait for the technical committee to come up with its recommendations and then we will advise accordingly.
"Otherwise, there will be some confusion on the ground," he told reporters after launching the national-level Unity Month Celebration at the Putrajaya International Convention Centre here.
Najib was asked to comment on conflicting news reports that local fishermen could now operate freely in the waters off Middle Rocks while another news report advised them to stay away from Middle Rocks for the time being.
[More at http://www.bernama.com/bernama/v3/news.php?id=335280]
‘Sexy’ school uniforms to stay - The Star
By Meera Vijayan
PALOH: The Education Minister dismissed talk that the current uniform worn by girls in government schools, which has been in use for decades, was too “sexy” and that it contributed to rape and other immoral acts.
Datuk Seri Hishamuddin Tun Hussein said the uniform would probably not change much in the next few years.
He said that he personally felt it was unfair to blame the students or their uniforms for sexual crimes committed against them.
“It is unfair to punish women and children for the clothes they wear for the act of the rapist,” he said, adding that he could not allow such stereotyping to continue.
“Clothing is not the main consideration for those who commit despicable acts like these,” he said, in reference to the National Islamic Students Association of Malaysia’s condemnation of the uniform for being too sexy.
[More at http://thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2008/5/25/nation/20080525133437&sec=nation]
Government to review fuel subsidy - The Star
PEKAN: The Government will review its fuel subsidy as the global crude oil prices had pushed subsidy costs beyond its budget for development programmes.
Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak said yesterday the Government was looking for appropriate measures to ensure the increase of fuel prices will not burden the lower and middle-income groups as well as not cause the price of other goods to increase.
He added that the Cabinet Committee on Inflation would meet on Tuesday to find ways on what would be the best measures to solve the problem.
Najib said it was hoped the outcome from the meeting would be the new model for government subsidies.
In principle, it will be appropriately applied to the lower-income group while the higher-income group or those who used more fuel would have to pay more, he said.
“Currently there is no indication that fuel prices will go down and once the price is down, the Government will review again,” he said after witnessing the ceremony of the “berkhatan”, “berkhatam al-Quran” and “bertindik” for students in SK Sri Maulana, Kampong Pulau Jawa.
[More at http://thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2008/5/25/nation/21359168&sec=nation]
Dr Mahathir on loyalty to party and Umno chief - The Star
PETALING JAYA: Criticising or pressuring the Umno president to step down does not mean one is disloyal to the party, said former party president Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad.
Dr Mahathir went on to question the rationale of some claims that those who were not loyal to current president Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi were not loyal to Umno.
“Is Umno Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi and is Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi Umno?
“Only those with individualistic interest will spread and support the concept that Umno is Datuk Seri Abdullah and not being loyal to Abdullah meant that members were not being loyal to Umno,” he said in his latest blog posting at www.chedet.com on Friday.
Dr Mahathir also cited past incidences where Umno leaders disagreed with the party presidency due to their loyalty to the party.
“Tun Razak and several Umno leaders disagreed with Yang di-Pertua Umno Datuk Onn Jaafar’s suggestion to open to all races which eventually caused Datuk Onn to back down.
“In 1969-1971, they also disagreed with Tunku Abdul Rahman’s leadership in the party and he stepped down. But does this mean that they did not love the party or were disloyal to it?” he asked.
[More at http://thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2008/5/25/nation/21347400&sec=nation]
Saturday, May 24, 2008
Police Report Lodged Against Tun Dr Mahathir Over Lingam Video Clip - Bernama
KUALA LUMPUR, May 24 (Bernama) -- A police report was lodged by Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR) against former prime minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad and five others alleged by the Commission investigating the V.K.Lingam video clip to be involved in lobbying for the appointment of judges.
The five other individuals are lawyer Datuk V. K. Lingam, business tycoon Tan Sri Vincent Tan, former chief justices Tun Ahmad Fairuz Sheikh Abdul Halim and Tun Eusoff Chin, and Putrajaya member of parliament Datuk Seri Tengku Adnan Tengku Mansor.
The police report was made by PKR Youth chief Shamsul Iskandar Mohamad Akindi at the Dang Wangi Police Station, here Saturday afternoon.
"The police report is to enable the PDRM (Royal Malaysia Police) to initiate investigation on the individuals concerned and submit the report to the Attorney-General for further action.
"This is important to regain the confidence of the people and the world in the country's judicial system which had been declining of late," he said when met by reporters after lodging the police report.
"The report by the Commission suggested that the Sedition Act 1948, Legal Profession Act 1976, Official Secrets Act 1972, the Penal Code and others be enforced on the individuals concerned for obstructing justice," he said.
[From http://www.bernama.com.my/bernama/v3/news.php?id=335237]
Malaysia Loses Pulau Batu Puteh Not Due To Weak Arguments, Says Rais - Bernama
From Nor Faridah A. Rashid
THE HAGUE, May 24 (Bernama) -- Malaysia's failure to get sovereignty of Pulau Batu Puteh was not due to the weakness of its arguments presented before the International Court of Justice (ICJ), Foreign Minister Datuk Seri Rais Yatim said Friday.
"The fact that we have lost Pulau Batu Puteh is not due to the weakness of our arguments but to the lack of exercise by the authorities (on that island) for some 100 years," he told Malaysian journalists at the Malaysian embassy here.
He said that what was important to note was that the explanation given by the ICJ in its decision to award sovereignty was based on the fact that beginning from 1850 until 1953, Malaysia did not, in terms of evidence, effect any action or grounds which could be accepted as proof of sovereignty, be it in terms of occupation, conducting checks or supervision activities on Pulau Batu Puteh.
The Court had also emphasised that the map drawn up and produced by Malaysia in 1962, 1965, 1974 and 1975 had actually reflected on Singapore's claim, he said.
Rais said that another reason was the letter written by the Johor Acting State Secretary dated Sept 21, 1953 which the Court regarded as proof that there was a handover of power and sovereignty over the island.
The letter stated that "Johore Government (did) not claim ownership" of the island. Singapore had argued that the letter had expressed disclaimer of title of Pulau Batu Puteh.
[More at http://www.bernama.com/bernama/v3/news.php?id=335064]
Mukhriz refuses to back down - NST
ALOR STAR: Jerlun MP Datuk Mukhriz Mahathir has refused to heed calls to stop exerting pressure on Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi to resign as prime minister and Umno president.
He insisted that he had not contravened the Umno constitution and was merely expressing his views on ways to strengthen the party.
Mukhriz was commenting on calls made by the Jerlun Umno division at a special gathering organised by division chairman Datuk Abdul Rahman Ariffin on Thursday night.
"I respect the division's views but I would never budge (from asking Abdullah to resign as prime minister and Umno president)."
About 200 people, including the division's committee members and its 156 branch chairmen were present at the meeting
Mukhriz said while he accepted the views of others, he did not expect them to always share his views.
[More at http://www.nst.com.my/Current_News/NST/Saturday/National/2248975/Article/index_html]
Karpal : Probe Dr Mahathir’s allegation - The Star
GEORGE TOWN: DAP chairman Karpal Singh has lodged a police report against Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad over his remark that certain judges had approached the former Prime Minister to lobby for promotion.
He said any judge seeking promotion, or anyone who had lobbied Dr Mahathir to be appointed a judge, had committed an offence under the Anti-Corruption Act 1997.
“Dr Mahathir himself may have fallen foul of Section 17 of the Act for not having lodged a police report on the overtures of the judges or persons concerned.
“I raised this matter in Parliament on Thursday and even Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department Datuk Nazri Aziz agreed that such acts could amount to corruption,” he told reporters before lodging the police report at the state police contingent headquarters in Penang Road yesterday.
On May 17, Dr Mahathir was reported as saying that he was prepared to be charged in court so that he could reveal many things about the judiciary, including lobbying.
He also said that he wanted to reveal about judges who had come to him to lobby, adding that if lobbying were wrong, then these judges should be investigated.
[More at http://thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2008/5/24/nation/21351070&sec=nation]
A sad Abdullah accepts ICJ ruling - The Star
TOKYO: Malaysia accepts the decision of the International Court of Justice on Pulau Batu Puteh, said Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi.
Expressing sadness over the court's verdict in handing over sovereignty of the island to Singapore, the Prime Minister said what was significant was that the decision was made at the international level.
“There will be people who will be emotional, especially in Johor. I can understand this. But, the important thing is we have done this through the available legal channel,” he told Malaysian journalists accompanying him on his working visit to Japan.
He said Malaysia was grateful that the ICJ had awarded Middle Rocks to the nation, adding that the next step was for officials from both sides to meet to decide on the maritime demarcation line as soon as possible.
“Any discussion to be held or action to be taken with Singapore must be done in a peaceful manner and with understanding from both sides. We do not want any conflict to arise,” he stressed.
The Prime Minister also said that action must also be taken to determine the location of South Ledge.
[More at http://thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2008/5/24/nation/21356063&sec=nation]
Decision resolves 28-year-old dispute - The Star
PETALING JAYA: The 28-year dispute over the ownership Pulau Batu Puteh is over with the International Court of Justice awarding it to Singapore.
However, the court in The Hague awarded Malaysia the ownership of Middle Rocks, a group of rocks located 0.6 nautical miles (1.1km) south of Pulau Batu Puteh, or Pedra Branca as it is known in Singapore.
The ICJ did not determine the ownership of South Ledge, a smaller group of rocks 2.1 nautical miles (3.8km) south of Pulau Batu Puteh, stating that its sovereignty would depend on whose territorial waters it was located in.
Case acting president and ICJ vice-president Judge Awn Shawkat AlKhasawneh delivered the decision, which is binding and not subject to appeal.
The 300-page judgment took about two hours to be read. The judgment was telecast live by RTM1.
Twelve of the courts 16 judges ruled in favour of Singapore on the question of the sovereignty of Pulau Batu Puteh.
[More at http://thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2008/5/24/nation/21353526&sec=nation]
Three reasons why island went to Singapore - The Star
PETALING JAYA: Failure to show ownership over Pulau Batu Puteh, maps that indicated Singapore's sovereignty over the island, and a reply from a Johor state official saying that the state did not have sovereignty over the island were some of the reasons why Malaysia lost its case.
International Court of Justice case acting president Judge Awn Shawkat Al-Khasawneh, when delivering the court's decision in The Hague yesterday, said Johor initially had sovereignty over the island.
However, Johor and subsequently Malaysia lost its ownership to Singapore because of those reasons.
“The Court recalls their (United Kingdom and Singapore) investigation of marine accidents, their control over visits, Singapore’s installation of naval communication equipment and its reclamation plans, all of which include acts à titre de souverain (acts consistent with sovereignty), the bulk of them after 1953,” said Awn Shawkat.
He said Malaysia did not respond to Singapore’s conduct on the island, including the flying of its ensign, except for the republic’s installation of naval communication equipment.
“Further, the Johor authorities and their successors took no action at all on Pedra Branca/Pulau Batu Puteh from June 1850 for the whole of the following century or more,” he said.
[More at http://thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2008/5/24/nation/21354853&sec=nation]
