PKR expects more election victories

By Adib Zalkapli
SHAH ALAM, Nov 29 – Parti Keadilan Rakyat declared that the opposition coalition Pakatan Rakyat expects to win more seats in Parliament.

PKR vice president Azmin Ali said the party is now preparing to face by-elections in Pensiangan and Kuala Terengganu.

An election court in September quashed Tan Sri Joseph Kurup's victory, who won uncontested in the March 8 general election and a by-election is expected pending an appeal by Barisan Nasional.

Yesterday, two term Kuala Terengganu MP Datuk Razali Ismail passed away while playing badminton.

"I believe Kuala Terengganu will become Pakatan Rakyat's seat," said Azmin at a public rally here today.

"The seat belongs to Pas. We accept the decision made by the Pakatan leadership and will fight to ensure our victory," he added.

In the last general election Pas candidate Mohamad Sabu was defeated by 628 votes. An independent candidate, Maimun Yusuf lost her deposit.

The PKR election director also told thousands of party supporters at Malawati Stadium that the party has activated its machinery to face the Sarawak state election.

He said that people's mood in the state has changed compared to during the last state election in 2006.

"We were chased out by the people then, as we are a Peninsular political party, but now they have become receptive to our struggle," he said while praising Ngemah state assemblyman Gabriel Adit who joined the party two weeks ago.

Prior to Adit's admission into the party, Dominic Ng of Padungan was PKR's sole representative in the Sarawak assembly.

Azmin also reiterated the party's stand that it would continue its struggle to topple the BN government and declared that the opposition coalition would take over Putrajaya soon.
"After March 8, the people keep asking for a change, we heard them during the Permatang Pauh by-election. We won with a bigger majority. The Malays who were threatened chose to be with us," said Azmin. -- TMI

Wan Azizah says Najib will be no different from Mahathir - malaysiakini

Wan Azizah wants members to go back to the basics of ‘justice for all’. — Picture by Choo ChoyMay

By Debra Chong
SHAH ALAM, Nov 29 – PKR president Datuk Seri Dr Wan Azizah Ismail today likened the incoming administration of Datuk Seri Najib Razak to something "which is no different from the old regime" of Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad.

Articulating a widely held view that the impending departure of Datuk Seri Abdullah Badawi next March has already seen a return of "Mahathirism," she said the new administration will bear many similiarities with that of Dr Mahathir's.

She told more than 2,000 party faithful assembled for the PKR congress here that she expected more arrests under the Internal Security Act (ISA), more corruption and the continued erosion of public institutions, all of which she said were the hallmark of the Mahathir era.

"The transition plan between the prime minister and his deputy will not bring any positive changes to the damage done to the judiciary, the police, the Anti-Corruption Agency and parliament," she said.

The PKR No.1 also reminded party members to go back to the basic principle of fighting for "justice for all" now that the opposition was only one step away from defeating the formidable Barisan Nasional government.

She said that the party must lead the opposition towards forming the next federal government. She noted that the half a million-strong multiracial and multireligious party held a very important position in the three-party opposition.

Welcoming a large group of delegates and observers from Sabah and Sarawak, she stressed it needed to grow stronger and include all the different races and places.

Wan Azizah said she expected the party to pull off what she said would be an incredible performance at next year's Sarawak state election

"The party constitution must be updated and its leadership more visionary, sensitive and responsible," the party president told a stadium full of delegates and observers at its fifth national congress here today.

The soft-spoken lady then announced a special party convention for next February, to take place just before Abdullah's promised handover of office to Najib.

Wan Azizah said that PKR must lead the opposition in forming the next federal government even though it was younger than Pas and DAP.

The party is only 10 years old but it has half a million members, she said, adding that a large number of Malaysians had given it their votes in the last general elections because they believed in its multicultural message.

The March victory had united the opposition, giving them more chances to truly represent the people, said Wan Azizah. While Pakatan Rakyat has yet to be made a formal coalition, she said it was commited to fight for the rights of all races.

They had signed a "communique" affirming their commitment to the provisions in the Federal Constitution including the positions of the Malay rulers, the special status of Malays, the national language and Islam, she said.

"We are even ready to restore the immunity of the rulers based on the spirit of Constitutional Monarchy," Wan Azizah declared.

Dubbed "Ibu Reformasi", the wife of Opposition icon Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim stressed the party must grow stronger and include all the different races and places. --TMI

Anwar needs to restore faith in party - malaysiakini

KUALA LUMPUR, Nov 28 - The Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR) will have to address public disillusionment when it meets for a party congress today, after opposition leader Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim failed to topple the government as he had boldly predicted.

The three-day congress comes as Anwar's Pakatan Rakyat (PR) coalition - comprising the PKR, the Islamist Parti Islam SeMalaysia (Pas), and secular Democratic Action Party (DAP) - experienced a seriesof missteps.

One of the latest is the attempt by Pas to ban the sale of alcohol in Selangor state, a move that raised the ire of DAP leaders. Earlier, the appointment of a Chinese to head the Selangor Development Corporation also came under fire from some quarters within the opposition coalition.

Observers feel that Anwar would do well to use the congress as a platform to restore the faith of his supporters. About 2,000 delegates from 160 divisions are expected to attend.

While Anwar may try to put Sept 16 - the deadline he set for taking over the government - behind him, it seems inevitable that delegates will raise this issue.

"There is a lot of disappointment that the Sept 16 takeover never happened," a PKR member said.

"We expect questions from members on crossovers and Sept 16," PKR lawmaker Yusmadi Yusoff said.

An issue that may be raised at the conference is the problem of finalising the coalition's official charter despite more than eight months of discussion. The stalemate could be seen as a sign that the ideologically diverse coalition is facing serious problems.

PR secretariat member Dr Dzulkefly Ahmad said there were some sticking points within the charter that the partners could not agree on. He did not reveal what these were.

The Straits Times did learn that DAP had approved a draft version of the proposed charter. Dr Dzulkefly, who is the research head for PAS, said the charter should be finalised by January.

"We are very sure of our differences and we will not be compromising on those. But those ideological differences will not get in the way of our coalition. If that were the case, then Pakatan would have broken up early on."

Other topics likely to be raised include strategies to move the party forward, and ways to sustain the support of younger members, who comprise about 70 per cent of its numbers.

As for Anwar's chance of becoming premier, observers say he will likely wait until the next elections due in 2013 for a shot at toppling the government.

Critics say the window of opportunity for him appears to be shrinking, especially after unpopular Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Badawi confirmed he would hand over power to his deputy, Datuk Seri Najib Razak, sooner than planned.

Some said the early handover has removed all sense of instability within the ruling Barisan Nasional, but opposition lawmakers insist this is not true and that PR still has much public support.

They say Najib carries too much baggage, ranging from allegations of links to the high-profile murder of Mongolian woman Altantuya Shaariibuu, to claims of defence deal kickbacks.

Analysts said PR's popularity has not waned yet, and the party may be able to salvage public sentiment if it can manage the five opposition-held states well.

"Assurances of cooperation, systematic efficiency and commitment to carrying through issues should be made this weekend. Clear policy strategies on the economy would also help boost public confidence in theability of Pakatan to manage an upcoming crisis," political analyst Tricia Yeoh said. - The Straits Times

Guan Eng says MPSP losses show BN mismanagement - malaysiakini

By Shannon Teoh

GEORGETOWN, Nov 27 - The Penang state government today disclosed details of the Seberang Perai Municipal Council's (MPSP) RM223.7 million losses in reserve funds since 2000.

"The public shall judge whether such expenditures benefited public interest or is just another sad example of Barisan Nasional's cronyism, mismanagement and money politics," Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng said of the previous Gerakan-led administration.

A statement from Lim, who is also DAP secretary-general, claimed that from an accumulated surplus of RM 230.1 million on Jan 1, 2000, a budgeted reserve of only RM6.4 mllion will remain at the end of this year.

It said that Penang Gerakan chairman Datuk Dr Teng Hock Nan, who is also the former state local government and traffic management committee chairman, claimed that the money was used for various projects to benefit the people.

These include cleanliness campaigns, anti-mosquito programmes and landscaping, as well as the building of two markets, a multipurpose hall in Butterworth and two modern sports complexes in Kepala Batas and Bukit Mertajam, the acquisition of land for infrastructure development and a sanitary landfill in Pulau Burung due to closing of dumping site at Ampang Jajar and extra expenditure on house-to-house collection of solid wastes from thrice weekly to four times a week.

Lim however, said that RM84.3 million was spent on a new MPSP headquarters in Bandar Perda despite the state government having allocated to MPSP a 30 acre site in Ampang Jajar.

Other contentious items are the "constituency funding" of RM 50.3 million, where RM 300,000 is given yearly to each BN assemblyman in Seberang Perai and another RM8.6 million to MPSP councillors.

"This is no different from money politics as the roads are still filled with potholes and drains blocked," Lim rebuked.

"Clearly MPSP's coffers were depleted by irresponsible spending that only benefited the few cronies of BN. Teng should explain the necessity of these contentious items," he added. -- TMI

18 years' jail for housewife who abused maid - malaysiakini

KUALA LUMPUR, Nov 27 - The Sessions Court here today sentenced a former flight attendant to 18 years in prison for scalding her Indonesian housemaid with hot water and an iron in one of the country’s worst cases of maid abuse.

Sessions Court Judge Akhtar Tahir found Yim Pek Ha guilty of three counts causing hurt to Nirmala with a hot iron and hot water at Villa Putera, Jalan Tun Ismail here in January, March and April 2004.

Yim was sentenced to 18 years' jail for each of the three counts, the sentences to run concurrently. She was acquitted and discharged of a fourth charge of causing hurt with a metal cup at the same place on May 17 2004.

Akhtar ordered Yim to start serving the sentence immediately.Bonat had said she was beaten and burned for mistakes she made during her five months in Yim’s home. She said that on one occasion her employer took a hot iron and pressed it against her breasts after complaining that clothes had not been properly ironed.

The case sparked national outrage that focused attention on the plight of Indonesian migrant domestic workers after Malaysian newspapers published photographs in 2004 of a then 19-year-old Bonat showing burns and bruises over much of her body.

Akhtar rejected claims by defence lawyers that the injuries were self-inflicted and said he wanted to impose a “deterrent sentence” to show that “sadistic behavior ... cannot be tolerated in a civil society.”

Yim, 40, was charged on three counts of causing injury to Bonat. She had faced prison sentences of up to 20 years on each count.

Yim sobbed uncontrollably and hugged her family after the judge read his verdict.
Yim’s lawyer, Jagjit Singh, said they would appeal the verdict. He called the sentence “excessive” because there was “no loss of life, no disfigurement, no scars” in the case.
Bonat did not attend the hearing because she had returned to her hometown in Indonesia’s East Nusa Tenggara province.

Shanti Utami Retnaningsih, an Indonesian Embassy official, said the verdict should send a “very strong message to other employers not to abuse their maids.”

Indonesian officials and human rights groups have urged Malaysia’s government to strengthen laws to protect some 300,000 Indonesian domestic workers.

Indonesian diplomats say at least 1,500 maids seek help at their offices across Malaysia each year. Most complain of unpaid wages, but some also claim they were physically abused. - AP - TMI

Adun PAS Nafi Wujud Desakan Supaya Nik Aziz Berundur - malaysiakini

KOTA BAHARU, 26 Nov (Bernama) -- Pengerusi Kelab Penyokong Kerajaan Negeri Kelantan, Zulkifli Mamat hari ini menafikan wujudnya desakan daripada kalangan Anggota Dewan Undangan Negeri (ADUN) Pas supaya Menteri Besar Datuk Nik Abdul Nik Mat berundur dari jawatannya.Malahan beliau, yang juga ADUN Pulai Chondong, berkata pihaknya mahukan Mursyidul Am Pas itu agar dipanjangkan umur supaya boleh mentadbir kerajaan negeri lebih lama.

"Sepatutnya Tok Guru (Nik Abdul Aziz) memerintah lebih lama lagi. Tiada pakatan untuk gesa tok guru berundur sama ada secara sulit atau tidak," katanya kepada pemberita selepas taklimat Homestay anjuran Majlis Tindakan Pelancongan Negeri Kelantan di sini.Beliau berkata demikian ketika mengulas kenyataan Menteri Besar Datuk Nik Abdul Aziz Nik Mat yang "tidak sabar" untuk melepaskan jawatan itu jika Anggota Dewan Undangan Negeri Kelantan daripada Pas memintanya berbuat demikian semalam.

Sebelum ini, sebuah akhbar mingguan melaporkan bahawa beberapa wakil rakyat daripada parti itu mahu beliau meletak jawatan "pada masa gemilang beliau" dan memberi laluan kepada pemimpin muda parti itu bagi menerajui kerajaan Kelantan.Malahan, menurut laporan Mingguan Watan itu, golongan berkenaan mahu Nik Abdul Aziz yang dianggap sudah berumur dan mengalami masalah kesihatan, menyediakan pelan peralihan kuasa segera kerana kerap berlaku mesyuarat penting membabitkan keputusan segera kerajaan negeri terpaksa ditangguh kerana beliau berada di hospital.

Sementara itu, ADUN Pas Bukit Tuku, Abdul Fatah Haron meminta pihak yang membuat dakwaan itu agar tampil ke hadapan agar bersuara mengenai gesaan itu."Tidak ada sebab kami mahukan tok guru berhenti. Tok guru memang dikenali sebagai bapa perpaduan. Kami tidak mahu dia berhenti," katanya.

ADUN Tawang, Hassan Mohamood berkata isu gesaan itu tidak pernah dibangkitkan di kalangan ADUN Pas kerana mereka akan menyokong Nik Abdul Aziz sehingga akhir hayatnya."Kita sokong Tok Guru sampai mati. Semua terus sokong," katanya sambil menyifatkan gesaan itu datang daripada pihak luar dan bukan di kalangan ADUN Pas.-- BERNAMA

Pakatan moves toward formal coalition - malaysiakini

By Shannon Teoh

KUALA LUMPUR, Nov 27 - Pakatan Rakyat (PR) will soon announce its official charter, setting out the tenets for alliance to become a formal political coalition and alternative to the Barisan Nasional (BN).

The Malaysian Insider understands that the charter will establish a presidential council, with each PR coalition member allocated three seats each in what will be its highest decision making body.

PR came into being in April following DAP, Pas and PKR’s stunning performances in the March general election.

However, it has never been officially registered.

Speaking to The Malaysian Insider yesterday, PR secretariat member Dr Dzulkefly Ahmad confirmed that the seven-point charter only required some “finishing touches.”

“It will articulate our common objectives and vision at federal and state levels and enshrine the rights guaranteed in the Federal Constitution,” the Pas research chief said, calling it “the last nail” in formalising PR.

The charter appears to deal specifically with concerns on the ground by different ethnic groups fearful of being sidelined by a PR government.

Among the highlights are the safeguarding of Bumiputera rights under Article 153 of the constitution and also religious freedom under Article 11.

Other key areas touch on PR’s political thrust, such as the commitment to transparency and the rule of law, and the Malaysian Economic Agenda that promises to ensure that the marginalised poor of all communities are protected instead of the Bumiputera-affirming New Economic Policy in practice now.

DAP publicity chief Tony Pua told The Malaysian Insider that the charter was finalised last week and it is now simply awaiting approval.

“It will be the basis of a common platform, very much like how an election manifesto governs an electoral alliance, this will be the guidelines for Pakatan Rakyat,” the Petaling Jaya Utara MP said.
Dzulkefly, who is also Kuala Selangor MP, added that the next item on the road map would be increasing the frequency of secretariat meetings leading up towards a January retreat for PR leaders which he described as a “coalition building workshop.”

Opposition Leader Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim had also touched on this retreat yesterday, which among other things, would firm up policies in the administration of PR-ruled states.

The de facto PKR leader said that PR was progressing steadily and that state-level secretariats are also being formed to ensure better cooperation within the tripartite coalition.

He said this to reporters in Parliament to rebut suggestions that DAP and Pas were still at odds in certain issues.

Yesterday, the Chinese vernacular press reported that Pas Selangor was trying to control sales of alcohol in the state, a move which has irked the secularist DAP.

There have also been flashpoints with regards to Bumiputera quotas, the appointment of a non-Muslim to head the Selangor Development Corporation (PKNS) and protests by the Islamic party against certain concerts deemed immoral.

The Malaysian Insider understands that despite having announced the coalition nearly eight months ago, the three partners have been apprehensive in registering PR as an official organisation, with the lessons of the aborted Barisan Alternatif which was formed in 1999, still fresh in their minds.

Back in 1999, the Barisan Alternatif alliance had been strained by Pas’s commitment to forming an Islamic state which led to DAP withdrawing in Sep 2001.

However, as Pas has softened its stance and presented a more moderate front, the electoral pact for the March 8 general elections has continued beyond that with the formation of five joint state governments and a unified force of 81 MPs in Parliament.

The main obstacle towards registering PR as an official coalition is a legal requirement in the Societies Act, where seven parties are required to form a political coalition.

As of now, PR can in fact, boast of five members as Parti Socialis Malaysia and the Malaysian Democratic Party are nominally under the umbrella of PKR.

This, however, is a mere technicality and the approval of the charter will be the clearest sign yet of the commitment towards a cohesive opposition coalition. -- TMI

Palestine motion unites MPs against Speaker - malaysiakini

By Shannon Teoh

KUALA LUMPUR, Nov 26 — With plenty of political mileage to be gained, an emergency motion on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict by Dr Mohd Puad Zarkashi (BN-Batu Pahat) brought MPs from both sides of the aisle to their feet to implore Deputy Speaker Datuk Ronald Kiandee to allow it to be debated.

The motion to censure the Israeli government over its recent aid blockage into the Hamas-run Gaza Strip was rejected by Kiandee.

This led to not just Puad’s Umno colleagues, Kinabatangan MP Datuk Bung Mokhtar Radin and Sri Gading MP Datuk Mohamed Aziz appealing the decision, but the entire pack of Pas MPs as well.

The issue of Palestine is a highly emotive issue within the Malay-Muslim ground, with Pas lawmakers always keen to show their commitment towards the cause.

Umno’s Puad is also widely seen to be “auditioning” for a place in Datuk Seri Najib Razak’s future Cabinet when the Deputy Prime Minister takes up the premiership in March.

“Israel’s use of blockades to stop the movement of Palestinians in and out of the Gaza Strip, is causing them to face starvation and is resulting in a humanitarian crisis,” said Puad.

Not to be outdone, Opposition Leader Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim also got in on the act.

“It is an opportunity to decide together without political consideration,” he said while also congratulated Puad on the motion.

Outside the House, he told reporters that as Parliament represented all parties and hence, the people, it is different from a government decision.

“It is cruel to stop food supplies. If African countries do it, they are roundly criticised but Israel gets away with it,” he said, adding that the international community must pressure the Israeli government on this matter.

Anwar’s statement runs contrary to accusations from his detractors that he is an “agent” of Zionists.
Pas deputy president Nasharudin Mat Isa also told reporters that it was a missed opportunity to present a unanimous message from Parliament on the conflict.

The Bachok MP added that the Deputy Speaker’s statement that the issue could be raised in the ongoing debate was off the mark as the current committee stage of the budget debate only offered limited space.

Pas research head Dr Dzulkefly Ahmad also contended that the House was perhaps not aware of the gravity of the situation.

“It is a longstanding conflict so perhaps the sensitivity has waned. But in the last 15 days, there have been 16 dead as the blockade has resulted in 750,000 refugees,” the Kuala Selangor MP said. -- TMI

Kempen 'anti-Dr Asri' buang masa saja... - malaysiakini

Oleh ZIEMAN

KUALA LUMPUR: Pandangan berani beliau beralaskan ilmiah, hukum dan logik tentang 'yoga' telah membuat beberapa pihak tidak senang dengan Mufti Perlis, Dr Mohd Asri Zainul Abidin.

Ada yang melahirkan ketidakpuasan hati dengan pendirian Dr Asri dan mempersoalkan kredibiliti beliau mengkritik fatwa 'yoga' yang diharamkan oleh Majlis Fatwa Kebangsaan, seolah-olah wujud satu kempen 'anti-Dr Asri' yang cuba memberi gambaran buruk tentang tokoh agama yang berasal dari Mengkuang, Pulau Pinang ini.

Bagaimanapun, ketika ditemui tengah hari tadi, Dr Asri yang akan menamatkan khidmat sebagai Mufti Perlis Ahad ini, bagaikan sudah lali dengan kempen yang dikatakan itu.
"Saya dah lama tahu pasal kempen ni. Saya tak kisah pun. Kempen macam ni semua buang masa saja.

"Sebenarnya bukan pasal kes yoga saja. Saya rasa mungkin mereka-mereka takut saya berhenti jadi mufti dan muncul dalam bidang politik," katanya.

Ditanya tentang PhD beliau yang bukan dalam jurusan agama dan kononnya beliau tidak layak memberi pandangan tentang fatwa yoga, Dr Asri berkata: "Kalau saya yang ada PhD pun dikatakan tidak layak memberi pendapat tentang fatwa yoga, macam mana dengan mufti-mufti negeri lain yang tidak ada PhD?"

Dr Asri membuat tesis 'Pengajian Hadis' berjudul "Sabab Wurud Al-Hadith" dalam bahasa Arab di Universiti Islam Antarabangsa Malayasia (UIAM).

Tesis yang dicetak oleh Dar al-Kutub al-'ilmiyyah di Lubnan itu turut diterjemah dan diedarkan di peringkat antarabangsa.

Dr Asri berkata, sesiapapun boleh menyiasat latar belakang akademik beliau, tambahan pula tesisnya dibuat di UIAM dan kemudiannya beliau diterima bekerja sebagai pensyarah di Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM), Pulau Pinang - dua institusi yang terkenal di Malaysia.

Tambahnya, "Biarlah orang nak pertikaikan. Selagi orang pertikaikan apa yang saya kata, orang tahu saya masih wujud. Siti Nurhaliza pun orang pertikaikan dia kahwin, sedangkan bukan dia cakap apapun, tak usik siapa-siapa lagi..."

Semalam, Dr Asri telah menegur pihak Majlis Fatwa Kebangsaan supaya memberi alternatif pada fatwa yoga dengan membuang unsur yang bertentangan dengan agama Islam.

Beliau menasihatkan agar Majlis Fatwa tidak terlalu kaku dalam mengeluarkan fatwa dan memberi alternatif yang memisahkan amalan yoga yang mengandungi unsur agama dengan amalan yoga untuk kebaikan kesihatan. Ketua Pengarah Jakim, Datuk Wan Mohamad Sheikh Abdul Aziz juga turut mengkritik pandangan yang dikeluarkan Dr Asri atas kapasitinya sebagai Mufti Perlis.

"Adakah Jawatankuasa Fatwa Negeri Perlis sudah berjumpa sebelum Mufti menyatakan tidak bersetuju? Perkara ini perlu dibincangkan dahulu sebelum dinyatakan setuju atau tidak setuju," soal Datuk Wan.

Mengulas lanjut, Dr Asri berkata: "Itu adalah pandangan Mufti dan bukan keputusan Majlis Fatwa Perlis. Kalau macam tu, Mufti tidak boleh mengajarlah...

"Saya bukan kata fatwa itu salah. Memanglah apa saja perlakuan yang menyerupai agama lain itu haram. Kita sepatutnya pisahkan bacaan atau mentera dalam senaman yoga itu sendiri. Jangan ada sebarang unsur-unsur syirik yang menyamai agama lain.

“Tanggalkan yang bertentangan sahaja, samada pergerakan, bacaan atau kepercayaan. Kekalkan pergerakan yoga yang baik untuk kesihatan.

"Mungkin boleh diperbetulkan atau dikemaskinikan 'wording' dalam fatwa itu," kata beliau lagi.
Menurut Dr Asri, banyak lagi amalan sukan yang diambil daripada budaya lain seperti tai chi, judo, wushu, taekwando dan silat.

"Semua sukan ini bukan asal usul Islam tetapi diamalkan kerana ianya baik untuk kesihatan. Kenapa tak kaji amalan-amalan lain yang ada unsur Hindu seperti tepung tawar, bersanding, merenjis. Semua ini boleh dibahaskan...," kata Dr Asri. -- mStar

MBI Siasat Wujud Terowong Bawah Tanah Di Ipoh

IPOH, 26 Nov (Bernama) -- Majlis Bandaraya Ipoh (MBI) akan menyiasat kewujudan sebuah terowong yang dipercayai menghubungkan empat buah bangunan warisan dibina dalam lingkungan dua kilometer persegi di sini.

Datuk Bandar Ipoh, Mohd Roshidi Hashim berkata, dipercayai terowong berkenaan dibina semasa zaman penjajahan British dan dakwaan tersebut dipercayai berasas memandangkan keempat-empat bangunan ini dalam rekabentuk yang seakan-akan sama.

"Terowong yang dikatakan dibina sekitar tahun 1900, dipercayai menghubungkan Bangunan Stesen Keretapi, Dewan Bandaran Ipoh, Balai Polis Ipoh dan bangunan Mahkamah Tinggi Ipoh yang terletak berhampiran.

"Kita akan siasat perkara ini dan jika dakwaan ini benar, terowong ini bakal dijadikan satu lagi tarikan kepada pelancong yang datang ke bandar raya ini," katanya kepada pemberita selepas mempengerusikan mesyuarat bulanan MBI di sini, Rabu.

Beliau berkata MBI bersedia bekerjasama dengan Kementerian Perpaduan, Kebudayaan, Kesenian dan Warisan yang mempunyai kepakaran dalam bidang membangunkan semula warisan sejarah.Mohd Roshidi berkata bahagian Kejuruteraan Bangunan MBI akan menyiasat terowong berkenaan berpandukan sebuah pintu masuk yang terletak di Bangunan Dewan Bandaran.

"Terdapat maklumat mengatakan pintu tersebut menuju ke laluan terowong berkenaan tetapi sehingga kini belum ada kakitangan yang dibenarkan masuk disebabkan faktor keselamatan," katanya.Katanya MBI akan membuat taklimat khas kepada kementerian itu mengenai penemuan tersebut dan satu kertas kajian akan disiapkan bagi perbincangan khusus mengenai kewujudan terowong ini.-- BERNAMA

Wanita PKR: Isu letak jawatan, peringatan kepada pemimpin kerajaan

oleh ARIFFUDDIN ISHAK

KUALA LUMPUR: Usul supaya pemimpin Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR) meletak jawatan sekiranya terlibat dengan skandal seks dan rasuah seharusnya turut menjadi peringatan kapada pemimpin kerajaan peringkat pusat.
Ketua Wanita PKR, Zuraida Kamaruddin berkata, perkara tersebut sebenarnya turut ditujukan kepada pemimpin-pemimpin negara kerana isu berkenaan dilihat begitu penting untuk ditangani.
"Cadangan ini pada dasarnya adalah secara menyeluruh kepada semua pemimpin-pemimpin negara ini termasuk Perdana Menteri, Timbalan Perdana Menteri dan menteri-menteri.
"Tapi permulaannya kita mahu PKR menjadi contoh terbaik dalam menangani isu-isu sedemikian kerana hal yang berkaitan dengan rasuah dan skandal seks melibatkan soal integriti," katanya kepada mStar Online.
Kelmarin, Zuraida berkata beliau akan mengusulkan agar setiap Ahli Parlimen dan Ahli Dewan Undangan Negeri (ADUN) daripada parti itu menandatangani kontrak bahawa mereka akan meletak jawatan jika terlibat dalam amalan rasuah atau skandal seks.
Jelas beliau, Pergerakan Wanita PKR mahu masyarakat melihat mereka menjadi pelopor kepada usaha mewujudkan sebuah institusi politik yang bersih dan bebas daripada gejala tidak sihat seperti itu.
"Isu rasuah dan skandal seks adalah perkara pokok, tapi sebenarnya kita mahu ia diteruskan sama ada bagi jenayah-jenayah lain seperti terlibat dengan pembunuhan dan sebagainya," katanya.
Tambah ahli Parlimen Ampang itu, usul sedemikian dilihat sebagai serampang dua mata iaitu bukan sahaja mahu memastikan para pemimpin PKR bersih dari masalah sedemikian, malah turut berpeluang menarik minat pengundi wanita untuk menyokong parti itu.
"Kami juga telah menjalankan kajian mengenai keinginan wanita, dan kami dapati mereka mahukan pemimpin yang bebas daripada masalah rasuah, tidak terlibat dengan skandal seks serta tidak mempunyai masalah etika," katanya.
Oleh yang demikian jelas beliau, pengundi-pengundi wanita sudah pasti akan terus menyokong PKR kerana menjadi dasar parti itu untuk meningkatkan integriti para pemimpinnya.
Sementara itu, Fuziah Salleh (PKR-Kuantan) berkata cadangan usul tersebut tidak menjurus kepada mana-mana kepimpinan secara khusus.
"Jangan cakap kita tujukan kepada PKR atau Pakatan Rakyat sahaja, kita tujukan kepada semua peringkat daripada Perdana Menteri, menteri, wakil rakyat Barisan Nasional (BN) dan juga Pakatan Rakyat.
"Jadi apabila usul itu dibawa ia tak terbatas, PKR mahu memberi contoh yang baik, tapi mahu semua sekali mematuhinya," katanya.
Bagaimanapun beliau menafikan bahawa usul sedemikian ditimbulkan ekoran daripada wujudnya gejala rasuah dan skandal seks dalam PKR.
"Bukan sebab ia wujud dalam PKR, ia bukan asasnya.
"Tapi kita nak cakap jangan nak tunjuk orang sahaja, kita sebagai kerajaan menanti pun kena letakkan standard," katanya.
Jelas beliau usul tersebut akan dibawa menerusi Kongres Wanita PKR yang akan diadakan pada 28 November ini untuk dibahaskan sebelum dibawa ke Kongres PKR yang akan diadakan pada 29 dan 30 November ini. -- mStar

Apakah Pas menuju pertarungan hebat? - malaysiakini

NOV 25 — Apabila Zubaidah Abu Bakar menulis dalam NST Isnin (24 November) lepas, orang-orang Erdogan mula dipancung di Selangor, ramai yang terkejut dengan berita itu. Ini kerana, bagi kebanyakan orang yang mengikuti politik Pas dengan baik, isu ini sudah selesai pada 12 Oktober lalu. Di mesyuarat Lajnah Politik (lajnah paling berkuasa dalam menentukan hala tuju politik Pas), sudah berlaku genjatan senjata. Namun jika benarlah apa yang ditulis itu sebagai tindakan memancung kumpulan Erdogan, ia satu yang dikesali.

Ekoran tulisan Zubaidah itu, saya diperkenalkan dengan satu blog baru muncul oleh penulis The Star, Joceline Tan. Blog itu bernama scandalasia.blogspot.com.

Tolak ketepi bahasa-bahasa kasarnya, ramai yang terkesan dengan kandungan tulisan pertama dalam blog ini. Ia memberikan satu imput yang sangat bernilai untuk mereka yang ingin faham dengan apa yang berlaku dan pemikiran yang bersimpang siur dalam Pas.
Hasilnya, Joceline berpendapat, boleh jadi pertandingan yang akan berlaku dalam Pas tahun depan lebih sengit dari apa yang berlaku dalam Umno kini.

Inilah persepsi pihak luar terhadap Pas. Benar atau tidak, persepsi tetap persepsi. Ia bakal membawa kepada kotak undi jika tidak ditangani dengan baik oleh pimpinan Pas.

Dengan apa yang berlaku di Selangor, orang sudah membuat andaian bahawa akan berlaku perpecahan dalam Pas. Ia adalah pertembungan antara kumpulan yang dinamakan Erdogan dengan kumpulan penyokong kepimpinan ulama yang memimpin Pas sekarang.

Tindakan Datuk Dr Hassan Ali sebagai pesuruhjaya Pas negeri mengenepikan Khalid Samad dan Shaari Sungib dari barisan kepimpinan utama Pas Selangor telah menyebabkan keyakinan orang terhadap persepsi adanya dua kumpulan dalam Pas ini semakin kuat.

Tambahan pula dengan rekod-rekod kenyataan Hassan Ali dan Khalid selama ini. Hassan dianggap berbeza dengan Khalid dalam mengendalikan isu perlantikan Madam Low sebagai pemangku Pengurus Besar PKNS. Hassan membantah secara terbuka perlantikan itu dengan mempersoalkan “kenapa tidak melantik dua lagi timbalan pengurus besar” (yang Melayu) dianggap tidak menyokong perlantikan Madam Low kerana kecinaannya.

Khalid pula dalam kenyataan berkata, ketidaksetujuan beliau terhadap perlantikan itu kerana “mahu darah baru dari luar untuk memperkukuhkan PKNS”.

Bagi saya, isu hubungan Hassan dengan Khalid ini menjadi runcing bukan kerana erdorgan atau tidak. Ini kerana, isu ini sudah selesai dan tidak perlu berbangkit lagi. Isu sebenarnya, bagi saya, adalah hubungan tidak rapat antara Hassan Ali sebagai Exco kerajaan negeri Selangor dan juga pesuruhjaya Pas Selangor dengan Menteri Besar Selangor, Tan Sri Khalid Ibrahim.

Sejak awal lagi, nampak sangat hubungan kedua-duanya tidak berapa baik. Sejak isu konsert Mas Idayu lagi nampak hubungan antara keduanya kurang baik. Kebetulan pula Khalid Samad ini baik dan rapat dengan MB Selangor itu.

Banyak situasi berlaku yang menunjukkan hubungan kurang baik antara Hassan dengan kedua-dua Khalid ini. Misalnya, Hassan Ali selalu sahaja merungut dan melaporkan beliau tidak mendapat kepercayaan penuh Khalid Ibrahim. Tidak dilantik sebagai Pengerusi Majlis Agama Islam Selangor, tidak dilantik sebagai Pengerusi Lembaga Zakat dan sebagai sebagainya. Dalam situasi sebegitu, Khalid Samad pula dilihat mempertahankan MB Selangor itu.

Menurut ceritanya, perkara ini selalu berlaku dalam mesyuarat yang disertai Hassan dan Khalid Samad itu. Yang terakhir adalah Dewan Harian Pas Selangor yang membawa kepada keputusan menggugurkan Khalid Samad itu.

Bagi Khalid Samad, Hassan Ali sepatutnya mempergunakan hubungan baik beliau dengan MB Selangor itu untuk kepentingan Pas, Pakatan Rakyat dan kerajaan Selangor. Tetapi, baginya, Hassan Ali tidak menggunakan peluang itu.

Kini, apa yang dibimbangi berlaku sudah berlaku. Hassan telah mengeluarkan Khalid dan Shaari dari inner circlenya. Beliau telah membawa dua pemimpin yang dianggap banyak bersama beliau selama ini ke dalam inner circle beliau itu.

Yang membuatkan saya tidak risau dengan apa yang berlaku adalak kenyataan Khalid Samad dan Shaari Sungib selepas mereka berdua dipecat. Shaari dengan jelas berkata, beliau menerima tindakan itu kerana itu hak pesuruhjaya manakala Khalid pula berkata, beliau boleh bermain dipadang yang lebih luas dengan tindakan ini.

"Kalau sebagai timbalan pesuruhjaya, saya hanya boleh aktif bercakap dalam mesyuarat Dewan Harian sahaja, masa mesyuarat Perhubungan (yang lebih ramai ahlinya), saya kena pertahankan keputusan harian.

"Kini saya bebas untuk bercakap kepada ahli mesyuarat yang lebih besar dengan disertai oleh lebih ramai ahli tanpa terikat dengan keputusan Dewan Harian," kata Khalid Samad.
Dewan Harian Pas Selangor dianggotai 10 anggota iaitu pesuruhjaya, timbalan pesuruhjaya (tiga orang), ketua-ketua dewan Pemuda, Ulama dan Muslimat, setiausaha perhubungan, bendahari dan ketua penerangan.

Kalau masing-masing mengambil positif perkara ini, percayalah apa yang dinyatakan oleh Joceline Tan “pertarungan yang lebih hebat dari yang berlaku dalam Umno akan berlaku dalam Pas tahun depan” tidak akan berlaku.

Namun, semuanya terserah kepada mereka yang terlibat. Mereka yang melihat boleh menelah sahaja apa sebenarnya yang berlaku dan membuat persepsi masing-masing. Tuan ampunya dirilah yang lebih tahu apa yang mereka hendak sebenarnya. -- The Malaysian Insider

TGNA can’t wait to step down if Pas wants him to - malaysiakini

KOTA BARU, Nov 25 – Kelantan Menteri Besar, Datuk Nik Abdul Aziz Nik Mat, said he “can’t wait to” relinquish his post if Kelantan Pas state assemblymen asked him to do do.

“If Pas people tell me to step down, I’ll step down this evening,” he told reporters here today when asked to comment on a report in a weekly paper that several state assemblymen from the party wanted him to step down “in his glory days” and give way to younger leaders in the party to lead the state government.

According to the Mingguan Watan report, the group of assemblymen wanted Nik Aziz, who they felt was old and faced health problems, to prepare a power transition plan urgently as many a time important meetings for a swift state government decision had to be postponed as he was in hospital.

Nik Aziz, 77, who has been menteri besar since 1990, said till now no such call had been made to him directly.

He said if the persons who made such a suggestion were not brave enough tosay it to him directly, they should shut up.

Nik Aziz said he held the menteri besar’s post due to the insistence of Pas members who wanted him to continue to helm Kelantan.

“They don’t let me step down,” he said.

Asked about his successor if he relinquished the post, Nik Aziz said: “I may have a candidate but how can I say who it is.”

He said he left the issue of a successor to the party. – Bernama

Perak ACA investigates Umno money politics - malaysiakini

IPOH, Nov 25 - The Perak Anti-Corruption Agency has opened investigations into allegations of money politics during the recent Umno divisional elections, its director Bahri Mohamad Zin disclosed today.

Bakri declined to reveal how many cases were being looked into but said the investigation papers had all been sent to the ACA headquarters for further action.

“No arrests have been made so far. It all depends on whether there is enough evidence," he told reporters here after opening a seminar on corruption prevention through the control system.
He said the complaints received during the Umno divisional elections in Perak from Oct 9-Nov 9 were the same as in previous elections where payment in cash as inducement was involved.

On a report lodged by Ipoh Timur Pas Youth of corruption in the approval of government allocations for putting up permanent buildings on private and wakaf (endowment) land, Bahri said it was being investigated.

“We will see whether there were elements of corruption.We will be taking statements from the parties involved,” he said, adding that government allocations could not be simply used to put up buildings on private land, the status of which was unknown. - Bernama

Ketua Jakim bidas MAZA isu alternatif yoga - malaysiakini

Oleh ZANARIAH ABD MUTALIB

PETALING JAYA: Ketua Pengarah Jabatan Kemajuan Islam Malaysia (Jakim), Datuk Wan Mohamad Sheikh Abdul Aziz hari ini berkata, cadangan mengadakan alternatif untuk penganut agama Islam yang mengamalkan yoga tidak boleh menjadi penghalang kepada Majlis Fatwa Kebangsaan membuat keputusan untuk mengharamkan amalan sukan itu.

"Fatwa akan dikeluarkan jika kajian yang dijalankan mendapati sesuatu perkara itu boleh menggugat akidah. Alternatif itu soal lain," katanya ketika dihubungi mStar Online, hari ini.
Beliau berkata demikian ketika mengulas kenyataan Mufti Perlis, Dr Mohd Asri Zainul Abidin supaya Majlis Fatwa tidak terlalu kaku dalam mengeluarkan fatwa dan memberi alternatif yang memisahkan amalan yoga yang mengandungi unsur agama dengan amalan yoga untuk kebaikan kesihatan.

Ditanya sama ada Majlis Fatwa akan mempertimbangkan cadangan itu, Wan Mohamad berkata: "Tanyalah Mufti Perlis apa (alternatif) yang dicadangkan. Kalau beliau kata ada, eloklah bentang apa alternatif itu.

"Fatwa dibuat dengan kajian mendalam, bukan beri kenyataan macam tu saja...," katanya.
Beliau berkata, mufti bagi setiap negeri perlu bertanggungjawab memelihara akidah umat Islam dan memberi panduan bagi membezakan yang betul dan yang salah jika sesuatu perkara itu jelas merosakkan akidah.

Ketika ditanya cadangan Persatuan Peguam Syarie Malaysia yang mendesak kerajaan menggunakan peruntukan undang-undang di bawah Enakmen Kesalahan Jenayah Syariah dan Kanun Keseksaan bagi bertindak ke atas pihak yang mempertikaikan institusi fatwa, Wan Mohamad berkata, hal itu terpulang pihak berkuasa negeri selepas memutuskan sama ada mewartakan pengharaman yoga atau sebaliknya.

"Kalau sesuatu negeri sudah mengeluarkan fatwa, memang dalam undang-undang sedia ada sudah termaktub (boleh dikenakan tindakan) mengikut semangat undang-undang negeri.
"Ini jelas kerana menentang fatwa lebih-lebih lagi yang telah diwartakan, mereka ini bukan hanya menentang fatwa tetapi juga menentang keputusan yang telah diperkenan oleh Sultan atau Raja negeri berkenaan," katanya.

Bagaimanapun, Wan Mohamad berkata, mengenakan tindakan memang merupakan satu cara untuk mengelakkan orang ramai daripada mempertikai fatwa, namun apa yang lebih penting katanya, pemahaman orang ramai kepada fatwa itu sendiri.

"Lazimnya, pihak berkuasa negeri tidak akan mengambil tindakan terburu-buru dan kalau kita tengok rekod tindakan yang diambil setakat ini hanya kepada kumpulan yang menyebar ajaran sesat.

"Jika setakat tidak memahami fatwa, banyak lagi langkah yang boleh dibuat pihak berkuasa agama negeri," katanya.

Ditanya kemungkinan terdapat negeri yang tidak mengharamkan yoga, Wan Mohamad berkata, beliau tidak boleh mengulas mengenai hal itu kerana pihak berkuasa agama bagi semua negeri masih belum membincangkannya.

"Kita tengok dulu mereka bincang. Semasa Majlis Muzakarah Kebangsaan pada Oktober lalu di Kota Bharu, semua mufti negeri menjadi ahli," katanya.

Sementara itu, Bernama melaporkan Wan Mohamad berkata Jakim meminta jawatankuasa fatwa di setiap negeri mengadakan mesyuarat membincangkan keputusan pengharaman yoga kepada umat Islam oleh Majlis Fatwa Kebangsaan sebelum dipesembahkan kepada sultan untuk perkenan dan diwartakan.

Katanya, pelaksanaan fatwa tersebut perlu mengikut proses undang-undang sebelum diwartakan di negeri masing-masing.

"Kita dapati bukan terdapat perbezaan pandangan tetapi bagaimana fatwa itu dilaksanakan, dan oleh itu jawatankuasa fatwa negeri perlu bermesyuarat terlebih dahulu sebelum dipersembah kepada sultan," katanya kepada pemberita selepas mempengerusikan Persidangan Ketuaketua Eksekutif Majlis Agama Islam Negeri di Ipoh, hari ini.

Sabtu lepas, Majlis Fatwa Kebangsaan mengeluarkan keputusan fatwa mengharamkan senaman yoga kepada umat Islam kerana satu daripada prosesnya turut membabitkan bacaan mantera.
Ketika ditanya mengenai bantahan kaum lain mengenai fatwa pengharaman yoga kepada umat Islam itu, Wan Mohamad berkata fatwa berkenaan adalah tertakluk kepada orang yang beragama Islam sahaja. -- mStar

Salehuddin: Tiada cadangan peralihan kuasa DSAI dan DSWA - malaysiakini

KUALA LUMPUR: Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR) tidak bercadang mengadakan peralihan kuasa antara penasihat parti itu Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim dengan presidennya Datuk Seri Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail pada kongres nasional tahunannya Sabtu ini.
Setiausaha Agung PKR, Datuk Salehuddin Hashim berkata, perkara itu tidak timbul meskipun Dr Wan Azizah telah melepaskan jawatannya sebagai Anggota Parlimen Permatang Pauh pada 31 Julai lepas bagi memberi laluan kepada suaminya, Anwar, untuk bertanding.
"Cadangan itu tidak ada sama sekali dalam kongres nasional kita nanti. Kenapa nak tukar pula? Dia (Dr Wan Azizah) adalah orang yang sesuai untuk mengendalikan parti," katanya kepada pemberita di Ibu Pejabat PKR di sini hari ini ketika diminta mengulas desas desus kononnya ada cadangan untuk peralihan kuasa antara kedua-dua pemimpin itu pada kongres parti kali ini.
Pemilihan parti akan hanya berlangsung pada tahun 2010.
Sementara itu, Salehuddin berkata secara peribadi beliau bersetuju dengan usul Wanita parti itu yang mahukan manamana Anggota Parlimen atau Anggota Dewan Undangan Negeri (ADUN) yang terlibat dengan skandal seks dan rasuah meletak jawatan.
"Pada dasarnya ia baik tetapi perlulah dibuktikan dahulu yang mereka ini bersalah. Tak boleh letak jawatan begitu sahaja," katanya.
Dua anggota Exco Kerajaan Negeri Perak PKR Kapten (B) Mohd Osman Jailu dan Jamaluddin Mohd Radzi kini menghadapi tuduhan rasuah di Mahkamah Sesyen Ipoh berhubung projek pembangunan di Seri Iskandar yang bernilai RM180 juta.
Selain itu, Anwar juga sedang menghadapi tuduhan di Mahkamah Sesyen di sini kerana didakwa meliwat bekas pembantunya Mohd Saiful Bukhari Azlan pada 26 Jun lepas.
Kongres Nasional PKR yang dijadualkan berlangsung di Stadium Melawati Shah Alam, Selangor pada 29 dan 30 November ini, akan disertai 1,900 perwakilan daripada 180 bahagian di seluruh negara.
Angkatan Muda Keadilan dan Wanita PKR akan mengadakan kongres nasional tahunan masing-masing pada 28 November juga di Shah Alam. -- BERNAMA

MAZA: Isu Haram Yoga, Fatwa Jangan Kaku - malaysiakini

Oleh ZIEMAN
KUALA LUMPUR: Mufti Perlis, Dr Asri Zainul Abidin hari ini mula menegur Majlis Fatwa Kebangsaan tentang isu pengharaman yoga yang diumumkan baru-baru ini.
Walaupun pada dasarnya, beliau bersetuju ada unsur agama lain dalam yoga, pergerakan senaman itu menurut beliau tidak seperti air yang sudah tercemar yang sukar untuk dipisahkan.
"Majlis Fatwa jangan hanya mengharamkan saja tapi berilah alternatif. Banyak lagi amalan-amalan sukan yang diambil dari budaya lain seperti tai chi, judo, taekwando. Semua sukan ini bukan asal usul Islam tetapi diamalkan kerana ianya baik untuk kesihatan," jelas Dr Asri dalam satu temubual telefon sebentar tadi.
Dr Asri difahamkan tidak hadir dalam mesyuarat Majlis Fatwa Kebangsaan berkenaan kerana dikatakan kurang selesa dengan sikap diskriminasi JAKIM kepadanya dan kenyataan Pengarah JAKIM yang tidak berapa senang dengan pandangan alternatif beliau.
Pun begitu, ini tidak menghalang beliau untuk memberi satu lagi pandangan tentang fatwa 'yoga'.
"Pengamal-pengamal yoga yang beragama Islam sepatutnya ada alternatif dengan diberikan satu versi amalan yoga yang terpisah dengan pergerakan yang terlalu jelas menyamai agama lain, bacaan-bacaan yang bertentangan dengan agama Islam dan kepercayaan karut. Versi yoga yang disyorkan ini seharusnya mengekalkan pergerakan yang baik untuk kesihatan.
"Tanggalkan yang bertentangan sahaja, samada pergerakan, bacaan atau kepercayaan. Kekalkan pergerakan yoga yang baik untuk kesihatan," jelas Dr Asri.
Kata Dr Asri lagi, Majlis Fatwa Kebangsaan sepatutnya tidak terlalu kaku.
"Fatwa yang dikeluarkan pada zaman sekarang hendaknya jangan terlalu kaku. Berilah alternatif yang memisahkan amalan yoga yang mengandungi unsur agama dengan amalan yoga yang baik untuk kebaikan kesihatan. Sekiranya ada kelebihan dari segi kesihatan dan ianya memanfaatkan, itu boleh dikekalkan.
"Pergerakan manusia itu tidak semestinya berkaitan dengan agama. Sama seperti amalan judo, misalnya. Apa yang tidak sesuai, dihapuskan saja dan diambil manfaatnya. Kita kekalkan pergerakan yang meafaatkan badan," jelas Dr Asri.
Beliau juga berharap Majlis Fatwa memberi ruang untuk umat Islam melihat alternatif.
Sabtu lepas, Pengerusi Majlis Fatwa Kebangsaan Pengerusi, Prof. Datuk Dr. Abdul Shukor Husin mengumumkan Majlis Muzakarah Kebangsaan (yang bersidang pada 22 hingga 24 Oktober di Kota Bharu) bersetuju memutuskan bahawa apa jua bentuk amalan yang mengandungi unsur-unsur tersebut adalah dilarang kerana bertentangan dengan Islam.
Umat Islam negara ini diminta tidak mengamalkan senaman yoga yang didapati mengandungi unsur-unsur keagamaan, mentera dan pemujaan.
Tambah beliau, amalan fizikal senaman yoga tanpa unsur-unsur tersebut pada zahirnya tidaklah menjadi kesalahan.
Namun, beliau menasihati umat Islam agar meninggalkan amalan tersebut kerana dikhuatiri akan menghakis akidah mereka.
“Tiga perkara yang boleh menghakis akidah umat Islam adalah kepercayaan di hati, menerusi perkataan dan perbuatan.
“Memandangkan terdapat elemen tersebut dalam amalan yoga, maka umat Islam wajib memelihara akidah mereka daripada terhakis. Saya nasihatkan mereka tinggalkannya (yoga) dan pilih senaman lain seperti berbasikal,solat, zikir dan sebagainya,” kata beliau pada sidang media hari itu.
Selain Malaysia, amalan yoga telahpun diharamkan di Singapura dan Mesir, katanya.
Abdul Shukor berkata, pada peringkat ini, program kesedaran mengenai amalan itu akan diperluaskan ke seluruh negara melalui Jabatan Kemajuan Islam Malaysia (Jakim).
Jelasnya, pelaksanaan dari dari sudut undang-undang terletak di bawah bidang kuasa kerajaan negeri.
“Kuasa perlaksanaan dari sudut undang-undang terletak di bawah bidang kuasa kerajaan negeri. Setelah ia diwartakan barulah kita boleh tahu apa tindakan yang boleh dikenakan ke atas mereka yang masih mengamalkannya,” katanya.
Awal bulan lalu pensyarah Fakulti Pengajian Islam, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, Prof Zakaria Stapa menasihati orang Islam yang mengamalkan senaman yoga supaya menghentikannya kerana bimbang boleh memesongkan akidah.
Menurut Zakaria, yoga yang berasal daripada masyarakat Hindu, menggabungkan unsur keagamaan dan penyembuhan jiwa.
"Mereka mengamalkan yoga kerana percaya boleh menyatukan mereka dengan Tuhan," katanya.
Yoga adalah amalan kesihatan yang diperkenalkan sekitar 3,300 sebelum Masihi, dikatakan dapat membantu melambatkan proses penuaan, mengurangkan risiko diabetes, darah tinggi, lelah dan penyakit berkaitan jantung. -- mStar

Yoga "Haram" - Sultans flex their power - malaysiakini

COMMENTARY
By Leslie Lau
Consultant Editor

NOV 25 — As disputes between the various communities in Malaysia grow, and amid the constant tug-of-war between conservatives, moderates and liberals over social and religious values, the stature and position of Malaysia's royal households have shifted upwards.
Yesterday, the Sultan of Selangor Sultan Sharafuddin Idris Shah made it clear that his authority as head of Islam in the state would not be usurped by the National Fatwa Council.
Referring to the council's fatwa declaring yoga haram, the Sultan said he hoped future edicts which affected the general public would be referred to the Rulers Conference prior to being announced.
He also said the state fatwa committee would meet on the yoga issue and make recommendations to him.
In Perak, a state government official also retracted yesterday an earlier statement that the state would adopt the fatwa, saying royal consent was first needed.
The move taken by the two Sultans is seen by some quarters as taking a stand against the kind of creeping conservatism that could affect race relations in the country.
But it is also a reflection of a lack of political leadership.
Since the March 8 general election when the Barisan Nasional lost its two-thirds majority in Parliament, the Sultans have begun playing a more significant role.
In states like Perak, Selangor and Terengganu, the Sultans played a key role in determining the leadership of the state governments.
The Raja Muda of Perak, Raja Nazrin Shah, has grown in stature, especially among the more moderate and liberal groups in the country.
Last week, he made the kind of speech which is usually expected from political leaders in an attempt to calm the roiling debates over race relations.
He called on Malaysians to embrace multiculturalism and pointed out that society must reject radicalism and extremism.
Members of the royalty appear to have come forward to fill a vacuum created since March 8 in which Umno, MCA, MIC, Gerakan and other BN parties have found it rough going dealing with a much more significant opposition in Pakatan Rakyat.
The power struggles within Umno and MCA have also released a wave of strident, aggressive and more racial approaches as the two major parties try to retreat to their core support and race ideologies.
While there may still be some apprehension over a more active royalty, and their actual constitutional role, it is clear now that public support for them is growing.
The credibility of political leaders in the country has taken a severe battering recently, and their standing among the public remains low.
Ultimately they have their work cut out for them if they are to reclaim the leadership role from some of Malaysia's more socially-conscious Sultans. - The Malaysian Insider

Kit Siang insists Azalina must account for Pempena - malaysiakini

By Shannon Teoh

KUALA LUMPUR, Nov 24 — The DAP continued to apply pressure on Tourism Minister Datuk Seri Azalina Othman over the Pempena Group scandal today, insisting she explain the losses incurred by the ministry's subsidiary.

In a press statement, DAP parliamentary leader Lim Kit Siang challenged Azalina to be accountable for the RM54.4 million investment portfolio by the ministry's subsidiary after audit firm PricewaterhouseCoopers reported that the company should divest its holdings in five companies, resulting in an immediate loss of RM20 million.

"Today I am giving her adequate notice to prepare for a full and adequate accounting in Parliament to show that she is fully aware of her responsibilities to live up to the principles of accountability... although there are ‘Little Napoleons’ in the Pempena Group of Companies who behave as if public funds are their private property which they need not account to anyone," he said.

Lim asked Azalina to respond in Dewan Rakyat if she received a request on Oct 15 from Pempena executive chairman Chew Mei Fun, who is also Wanita MCA chief, and Pempena chief executive officer Datuk Idrus Mohd, for an RM5 million annual injection for two years to keep the outfit afloat, an allegation which Chew has denied.

The Ipoh Timur MP also noted that Azalina has pledged that "there would be no cover-up of the goings-on in Pempena" and that those who had "cheated the government in any way" would be "severely dealt with" and expressed shock and sadness that "so much money had been invested in Pempena but the companies that promised profits did not deliver."

Azalina was referring to the RM11 million invested in the taxi company Pempena Executive Taxi (PETS), which has failed to pay the hire purchase loan for the taxi instalments, and the financial woes of the various projects under the Malaysian Kitchen programme.

"However the review into these selected Pempena companies conducted by PwC specifically excluded 'any investigative audit or forensics work' but merely 'a high-level business review’," Lim said.

As such, Lim questioned if there is a cover-up in not allowing an investigative audit or forensics work to uncover fraud, irregularities and improprieties in Pempena. - The Malaysian Insider

Can Mahathir Cure UMNO of Money Politics? - malaysiakini

Commentary

from Business Times Singapore

KUALA LUMPUR, Nov 24 - Malaysia's dominant United Malays National Organisation (Umno) has already nominated the candidates who will contest party elections for every post from the deputy president downwards. Unfortunately, there's more than four months of campaigning before the actual polls itself.

The reason for the delay is Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi. Abdullah has declined nominations for the Umno presidency but he still wants to be Prime Minister until March so the party's Supreme Council, not without reservations, postponed the polls to that month while allowing nominations to begin in September.

Deputy Prime Minister Najib Razak is already premier-elect because no one secured enough nominations to challenge him for the presidency. But there are fights everywhere else with three candidates jostling for the deputy presidency; eight for the three vice-presidential posts; and contests for both the head of the Youth and Women's wings - unseen in Umno for a long, long time.

Some might say that this is a healthy development for a political party that claims to champion democracy. But this is Umno - where money politics has been on the rise since the late 1980s. The fear is that a successful candidate may actually have been the best that money can buy and it is a concern that is grounded in not inconsiderable evidence.

Most of the evidence is anecdotal but it is widely believed. Tengku Ahmad Rithauddeen, a former foreign minister and current head of the party's disciplinary committee, has labelled the party "sick" and in need of"strong medication".

Former prime minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad thinks that he knows the medication required. Writing in his blog last week, Dr Mahathir threatened to publicly reveal the people whom he alleges are involved in money politics.

There is considerable irony is his threat. It was under his 22-year tenure that corruption flourished and took root within the party. Dr Mahathir tried with words to root it out - scolding, cajoling, imploring, begging, even crying on occasion. He would have been better served by coming down hard on offenders, using some of his formidable powers that he amassed when he was premier.

Be that as it may, Dr Mahathir, 82, is now fed up and thinks that the time is ripe for stern action. He has proposed to do several things. He said that all reports on money politics submitted to him would be forwarded to the Umno Disciplinary Committee and the Anti-Corruption Agency. "If these two means are futile, I will reveal the names of those involved together with reports in my blog," he wrote.

Dr Mahathir has already endorsed both Najib and International Trade Minister and Umno vice-president Muhyiddin Yassin for Umno president and deputy respectively. But Muhyiddin faces a two-cornered challenge from Malacca Chief Minister Ali Rustam and Land and Regional Development Minister Muhammad Muhammad Taib. Both are candidates whom Dr Mahathir scornfully described as "jokers" before they received enough nominations to qualify as aspirants to the post of deputy president.

His appraisal of them didn't stop them from receiving quite decent support for a deputy presidential bid. Truth be told, there are no lack of stories about most aspirants - except Najib, who does not have to - judiciouslyusing money to help their causes.

There is only one thing wrong with the former premier's threat. He is an interested party as his youngest son Mukhriz Mahathir is among three candidates eyeing the Umno Youth chief's post. So he will have to be seenas impartial and come out with everything he knows or risk a backlash with those he named pointing fingers elsewhere.

That could be a disaster for a party that's trying to regroup and re-invent itself for the future. But that's just the talk. There has been no corresponding walk and Umno has shown no desire to change. Who knows?Dr Mahathir's "surgery" may be just what the doctor ordered. - The Malaysian Insider

Penang to proceed with multilingual road signs despite sabotage - malaysiakini

PENANG, Nov 23 –The Penang government will not back down from its decision to use multilingual road signs in the heritage enclave of George Town despite attempts to sabotage the effort, Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng said today.

“Two signs at Lebuh Acheh were splashed with red paint by irresponsible persons this morning,” he told reporters.

He said the multilingual road signs, in English, Tamil, Mandarin, Arabic and Jawi besides Bahasa Malaysia, could assist many foreign tourists to explore George Town as a multi-racial, multi-cultural and multi-religious city.

The move to put up the road signs on Friday had created a controversy as certain quarters have opposed it.

On George Town’s status as a World Heritage Site, he said the status would be unaffected by the upcoming high-rise hotel projects in the area.

He said that if the explanation given by Teng Chang Yeow, chairman of the State Heritage Steering Committee for the Unesco World Heritage Listing of George Town, was anything to go by, the development was approved with Unesco’s knowledge.

“As Unesco is aware of it, it means we have not contravened the conditions,” he said. – Bernama

Perhimpunan mansuh ISA disuraikan, 7 penyokong ditahan - malaysiakini

Oleh NURUL AIN MOHD. HUSSAIN
KUALA LUMPUR: Perhimpunan mansuhkan Akta Keselamatan Dalam Negeri (ISA) anjuran Pakatan Rakyat yang diadakan di Dataran Majlis Perbandaran Ampang Jaya (MPAJ) disuraikan atas arahan pihak polis.

Kira-kira tujuh orang penyokong parti itu ditahan gara-gara tidak mahu bersurai daripada perhimpunan berkenaan.

Terdahulu, pada 9:30 malam ketika Naib Presiden PAS, Mohamad Sabu ketika berucap kepada penyokong yang hadir meminta mereka bersurai. Beliau dalam ucapannya berkata:

“Tetapi permit tidak dikeluarkan lebih kurang dua hari yang lalu.Maklumlah Malaysia masih lagi negara jakun. Perhimpunan aman masih memerlukan permit.”

Menurutnya, Pakatan Rakyat akan mengadakan satu lagi perhimpunan di Stadium Selayang namun tarikh tersebut akan diputuskan nanti.

“Kita akan buat satu himpunan besar di stadium Selayang. Tarikhnya akan kita hebahkannya melalui media massa dan akhbar-akhbar kita,” katanya.

Beliau yang juga dikenali sebagai Mat Sabu berkata menjelang bulan Mac tahun hadapan mereka berharap ISA akan dapat dimansuhkan.

Kata-kata beliau itu diikuti dengan laungan mansuhkan ISA, jahanam undang-undang jakun, jahanam undang-undang rimba, laungan tersebut diikuti dengan takbir “Allahuakbar” daripada penyokong yang hadir.

Sebaik sahaja selesai Mat Sabu berucap kira-kira 40 anggota polis anti-rusuhan (FRU) mula bertindak menyuraikan orang ramai.

Biarpun hujan turun dengan lebat penyokong-penyokong yang hadir enggan berganjak, sehingga tercetusnya pergaduhan di antara pihak polis dan penyokong pembangkang.

Pergaduhan yang tercetus menyebabkan anggota polis anti-rusuhan terpaksa mengambil tindakan tegas menahan penyokong yang masih berdegil.

Kejadian tolak-menolak di antara polis anti-rusuhan dan penyokong parti pembangkang berlaku kira-kira 5 minit.

Pada ketika inilah kira-kira tujuh orang penyokong ditahan oleh anggota polis anti-rusuhan.
Difahamkan mereka dibawa ke Balai Polis Ampang untuk disoal siasat.

Dianggarkan kira-kira 100 penyokong hadir pada perhimpunan berkenaan.

Menurut Setiausaha Gerakan Mansuhkan ISA (GMI), E. Nalini, tiga daripada mereka yang ditahan itu ialah Ketua Unit Amal PAS Wilayah Persekutuan (WP), Saifuddin Abdullah, Ketua Pemuda PAS WP, Kamaruzzaman Mohamad dan Ketua Penerangan Pemuda PAS Selangor, Mohd Sany Hamdan.

Kempen tersebut dianjurkan oleh GMI dan dijadual dilancarkan oleh Ketua Pembangkang, Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim.

Turut hadir dalam perhimpunan berkenaan adalah Ahli Parlimen Ampang, Zuraida Kamaruddin dan Ahli Parlimen Kubang Kerian, Salahuddin Ayub.

Perhimpunan disuraikan sepenuhnya kira-kira jam 11 malam.

Sebelum itu, bermula jam 7:30 malam polis mula mengadakan sekatan di Jalan Pandan Indah menuju ke padang Majlis Perbandaran Ampang Jaya (MPAJ).

Sementara itu, di kawasan Dataran MPAJ kelihatan empat trak polis serta sebuah van polis bergerak diletakkan di kawasan berkenaan.

Dalam pada itu, Anwar yang juga Ketua Umum PKR, Presiden PAS, Datuk Seri Hadi Awang dan Penasihat DAP, Lim Kit Siang tidak hadir ke perhimpunan berkenaan.

Perkara tersebut disahkan oleh Ketua Penerangan Parti Keadilan Rakyat, Tian Chua.

Beliau yang dihubungi oleh mStar Online sebentar tadi mengesahkan perkara tersebut.

“Memang betul Datuk Seri (Anwar) dan yang lain-lain tidak dapat hadir, mereka sudah bersiap mahu ke tempat ceramah tapi pada saat-saat akhir mereka telah dimaklumkan oleh penganjur, polis mahu suraikan perhimpunan ini. Jadi mereka tidak dapat hadir,” katanya kepada mStar Onlinehari ini.

Beliau turut mengutuk tindakan polis menaan penyokong yang hadir dan meyifatkannya sebagai tindakan yang tidak wajar.

“Kenapa perlu tahan mereka (penyokong)?. Mereka tidak buat apa-apa pun. Kenapa polis perlu bertindak kasar terhadap mereka? Tindakan mereka (polis) ini langsung tidak masuk akal,” katanya.

Menurutnya, pihak polis tidak bersikap adil dan pilih kasih kerana dalam satu ceramah berkenaan ISA yang diadakan oleh Majlis Permuafakatan Ummah (Pewaris) pihak polis tidak langsung bertindak menyuraikan perhimpunan berkenaan.

“Kenapa perlu bersikap pilih kasih dalam hal ini. Mereka (Pewaris) juga adakan ceramah sentuh tentang ISA. Tapi mereka tidak ditahan, polis hanya memantau sahaja perjalanan ceramah tersebut, ini satu perkara yang sangat tidak adil,” katanya.

Ditanya apakah PKR akan mengambil tindakan untuk membawa isu tersebut ke peringkat yang lebih tinggi, Tian Chua berkata:

“Setakat ini apa yang boleh dikatakan, kami mengutuk dengan sekeras-kerasnya tindakan mereka menahan penyokong kami dan tidak membenarkan ceramah secara aman diadakan.
“Masalah ini sangat serius, tindakan selanjutnya mungkin kami akan bincangkan dalam mesyuarat parti yang akan datang,” ujarnya.

Jumaat lalu, polis menolak permohonan pihak penganjur untuk mendapatkan permit untuk mengadakan perhimpunan malam ini. -- mStar Online

Adnan Yaakob: I Was Slandered By A Blogger - malaysiakini

Pahang hires pensioners to battle bloggers

TEMERLOH, Nov 23 – The Pahang government has appointed three pensioners as bloggers to thwart slanderous comments and allegations posted on the Internet.

State Information, Science, Technology and Innovation Committee chairman Datuk Mohd Sharkar Shamsudin said the bloggers, who would be paid allowances, would be provided with computers and the Internet access in their homes.

The pensioners can capitalise on their experience to explain the actual situation to the people besides providing feedbacks and opinions to the government, he told reporters after attending the Senior Citizens Day organised by the Pahang Chapter of the Malaysian Government Pensioners’ Association here today.

“More bloggers will be appointed. We value pensioners’ thoughts in our efforts to improve the state’s economy and prosperity and unity of the people,” he said.

Pahang Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Adnan Yaakob told the state legislative assembly recently that he was slandered by a blogger. – Bernama

Syed Hamid suggests bloggers formulate own code of ethics - malaysiakini

KUALA LUMPUR, Nov 22 – Home Minister Datuk Seri Syed Hamid Albar today suggested that bloggers set up their own code of ethics to ensure that they are accountable for what they write in their blogs.

He said this is important because most bloggers are not journalists who are trained to write in a fair and balanced manner.

Syed Hamid said that the proposed code should merely be in the form of regulations instead of a legislation or a new law.

He said blogging is a powerful tool that can influence and shape the perspective of readers on various issues.

"Indeed, they (bloggers) can unite the community or divide them. Like any Malaysians, bloggers too have the responsibility in preserving national security and stability," he said when opening the Bloggers Buff 2008 Conference, here today.

Syed Hamid said even professional journalists are guided by their own professional code of conduct, and thus there is no reason why bloggers should not have their own code of ethics.

He said blogs stand out from other media because readers can react to a posting as soon as it has been published in the blog.

"The comments and talkback sessions have unfortunately provided a channel for people to spread hatred and racial sentiments," he added.

Meanwhile, National Alliance of Bloggers (All-Blogs) protem president and journalist Ahirudin Atan said that bloggers should come out with their own code of ethics without interference from the government.

"Bloggers have the power of influencing opinions, and if it (the power) is abused it can create enmity among friends," he said during the conference.

He also said that anonymous comments should be treated like "surat layang" (poison pen letters) and bloggers and readers alike have the right to ignore the messages. – Bernama

TGNA enggan campur tangan isu ladang babi di Kedah - malaysiakini

KOTA BHARU: Mursyidul Am PAS Datuk Nik Abdul Aziz Nik Mat hari ini menegaskan beliau tidak mahu campur tangan berhubung cadangan negeri Kedah untuk mewujudkan ladang babi moden di Bukit Selambau, di negeri itu.
Ketika diminta mengulas mengenai perkara itu, Nik Aziz yang juga Menteri Besar Kelantan berkata cadangan berkenaan merupakan urusan kerajaan negeri Kedah dan berharap ia dapat diuruskan dengan sewajarnya.

"Cadangan untuk buka ladang babi tu merupakan urusan negerinya (Kedah), kita tak masuk campur, pandai-pandailah urus,' katanya kepada pemberita selepas merasmikan majlis Perwakilan Tahunan Negara ke-83 Persatuan Bekas Tentera Malaysia di sini, hari ini.

Beliau berkata tumpuannya kini hanya untuk menjaga Kelantan dengan tidak membenarkan babi dipelihara secara komersial, sebaliknya hanya diternak secara kecil-kecilan sebagai bekalan makanan penduduk bukan Islam.

"Di Kelantan saya sekat awal-awal lagi supaya tiada babi diternak secara komersial, sebaliknya kita hanya benarkan ia diternak sekadar di belakang rumah, bukan untuk berniaga," katanya.

Dalam perkembangan lain Nik Aziz turut bersetuju dengan cadangan Presiden Persatuan Bekas Tentera Malaysia (PBTM) Datuk Muhammad Abdul Ghani yang mahu kerajaan turut melantik senator di Parlimen daripada kalangan bekas anggota tentera.

"Tentera berhak bersuara dalam Parlimen berhubung sesuatu isu berkaitan dan saya rasa atas faktor itulah wakil daripada kalangan mereka diperlukan dalam Parlimen," katanya. BERNAMA

Mahathir's threat could break up Umno - malaysiakini

COMMENTARY

NOV 22 — Buy a ticket, take a seat and watch Umno implode. The fuse will be lit the day former Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad goes ahead with his threat to name those he alleges are involved in money politics, known everywhere else around the globe by its more recognisable name — corruption.

Dr Mahathir, who witnessed the rise and rise of corruption during his 22 years as party president and who seemed powerless to do anything meaningful to stop cash becoming the only lubricant to move party members, believes that he needs to do something drastic.

So a few days ago he announced that all reports on money politics submitted to him would be forwarded to the Umno Disciplinary Committee and the Anti-Corruption Agency. "If these two means are futile, I will reveal the names of those involved together with reports in my blog, '' Bernama reported him saying.

Most Malaysians who have witnessed the growth of corruption in Umno will surely support the move to name and shame the crooks, regardless of nagging questions on why Dr Mahathir never showed a similar commitment to haul up the crooks when he held all the levers of power. Better late than never.

The main issue with Dr Mahathir's tactics rest on this one question — is he an honest broker? He has already endorsed Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin as the most qualified candidate to be the Umno deputy president, and cast some aspersions on Tan Sri Muhammad Muhammad Taib and Datuk Ali Rustam. Also, his natural choice for the position of Umno Youth chief is Datuk Mukhriz Mahathir.

Is he only going to forward reports of incidence of corruption involving those who are not on his slate of chosen few? Is he going to name only those candidates who have upset him, gone against him?

Truth be told, every candidate who has offered himself for a position in the party elections could be found guilty of buying support. Some of them have sponsored programmes for party members; some have offered money for petrol and other costs incurred by their colleagues in the division; some have purchased vehicles for power brokers in the party; some have paid between RM300 and RM3,000 per member to snare nominations.

It is pervasive. And the interesting part is that every candidate seems to have a solid anecdote or evidence of his opponent/opponents involvement in money politics. So if Dr Mahathir goes ahead and names and shames a select few on his blog, you can bet that these "crooks'' will retaliate by naming their partners in crime.

This scenario will be:

? Disastrous for a party that already suffers from a serious image problem and is trying to rebuild its standing among Malaysians, especially non-Malays.

? Heaven sent for the opposition alliance which seems to have lost some of its buzz in recent weeks.

? Troublesome for Datuk Seri Najib Razak who wants to inherit a united party, not one is the throes of a dirty linen campaign.

Yes, buy a ticket, take a seat and watch Umno implode. --The Malaysian Insider

Time running out for Pak Lah to reform judiciary - malaysiakini

KUALA LUMPUR, Nov 22 — Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi has placed judicial reform at the top of his must-do list before handing over power to his deputy Datuk Seri Najib Razak next March. But unless he pushes for sweeping changes at the Attorney-General's Chamber, the powerful office of the Malaysian government's chief legal adviser and prosecutor, lawyers and political analysts say Abdullah's pledge will join the long list of unfulfilled promises that has come to distinguish his premiership.

“The government needs to review the vast scope of the AG's powers and bring more transparency to the office. Without this, whatever reforms will be cosmetic at best,” says Datuk Zaid Ibrahim, the country's former de facto Law Minister. He resigned from the Cabinet recently because of the opposition he faced from within the government to bring about reforms in the judiciary and the national legal system.

Unease over the AG Chambers is a widely share sentiment among many Malaysians. But that these things are now being said by a one-time member of the Abdullah administration underscores the growing concerns over the country's justice system.

Close associates of Abdullah say the Premier is aware that he needs to push for an overhaul of the AG's Chambers. But, like Zaid, he, too, is facing opposition from several senior Cabinet members and the current Attorney-General Tan Sri Abdul Gani Patail, associates say.

“The PM knows what needs to be done but he has yet to indicate how far he plans to go with the overhaul of the AG's office,” says a close associate of Abdullah, who has been involved in private discussions about judicial reforms.

The powers of the AG have long been a subject of debate, particularly because he has the sole discretion to initiate or discontinue legal proceedings in any case other than religious ones.
These powers, coupled with his role as the government's chief legal adviser, have often led to accusations of conflict of interest, especially in cases where the AG must decide whether to institute criminal proceedings against members of government.

The political dimensions of several high-profile cases in Malaysia over the past decade — such as the cases against opposition leader Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim — have led critics to allege that the government has used the AG's Chambers to go after its opponents.

The AG's handling of the ongoing trial of the murder of a Mongolian model, which implicated several people connected to the office of Deputy Prime Minister Najib, has revived those criticisms.

The High Court recently acquitted a political analyst and close friend of Najib of abetting the murder of the Mongolian woman by two policemen. Prosecutors from the AG's Chambers decided not to appeal against the verdict.

“The AG's Chambers has a huge reputation for being sore losers, and it always appeals against the majority of decisions that go against it. Not doing so this time is very surprising,” says veteran lawyer Tommy Thomas.

Lawyers also say that an overhaul of the public prosecutor's office is urgent because the setback in the Mongolian murder trial joins a string of high-profile court defeats the AG's Chambers has suffered.

The prosecution has failed to secure convictions in several murder trials in recent years, and the cases remain unresolved.

Lawyers say Abdullah should consider making the AG answerable to Parliament. He should also consider establishing a position similar to that in other Commonwealth countries where the power to review evidence and conduct the prosecution of offences is held by a director of public prosecution.

“There is currently no formal mechanism requiring the Attorney-General to account for his conduct,” wrote Raja Aziz Addruse, one of Malaysia's leading constitutional experts.
“There has been no call for him to account for the failure of a number of high-profile prosecutions, which commenced with much fanfare but ended as a waste of public funds.” — Straits Times

No return to Mahathirism - malaysiakini

By Bruce Gale

NOV 22 — Is Malaysia about to get another taste of Mahathirism? There are many who think so, and it is easy to see why. On Oct 9, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi announced his decision to hand over power to his deputy, a man Malaysia's former strongman has long championed for the top job. The handover is expected to take place after Umno holds its elections in March.

Former Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad had been calling for the resignation of Abdullah for months. His attacks on the Prime Minister became more shrill after national elections earlier this year resulted in the government losing its two-thirds majority in Parliament for the first time since 1969. Five states also fell under the control of opposition parties.

Once dutifully ignored by both the political elite and the local press, Dr Mahathir is again being feted at Umno party functions. The former prime minister is also getting plenty of media attention after appearing to give his blessing to the new leadership now coalescing around Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak.

“The country is witnessing the return of Mahathirism, with the former prime minister seen as having become the single most powerful and influential individual” in the ruling party, argues opposition veteran Lim Kit Siang of the DAP.

But while Dr Mahathir would probably find the idea of being the power behind the throne attractive, it is difficult to imagine things working out like that. After all, Dr Mahathir's attacks were not the only — or even the most important — reason Abdullah lost support within Umno.

And however much Najib might want to avoid alienating his influential supporter in the early months of his administration, one of the first things the new prime minister can be expected to do is demonstrate that he is no pushover. Thus, while Najib may meet Dr Mahathir from time to time, he will also be anxious to demonstrate that

it is he — and not the latter — who is running the country.

Indeed, this may be exactly the approach his party colleagues expect. After months of indecision in the face of the challenge posed by opposition leader Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, Umno leaders would almost certainly welcome a strong prime minister.

But some would argue that this is exactly what they mean by a return to Mahathirism — strong leadership. After a brief flirtation with a more tolerant political atmosphere under Abdullah, they argue, Malaysia is about to revert to the political repression and media censorship that characterised Dr Mahathir's 22-year rule.

Those who believe that Najib will take this path point to the use of the controversial Internal Security Act in September against two journalists and a Selangor executive councillor.

“Abdullah doesn't have that in him. On his own, he would not have done it, so he must be under tremendous pressure. Those measures are an indication of what's to come,” former de facto Law Minister Datuk Zaid Ibrahim told Agence France-Presse earlier this month.

But there is more to Mahathirism than mere authoritarianism.A vocal critic of Western-style globalisation, Dr Mahathir has long had harsh words for US-dominated international financial institutions. When in office, he was also known as an economic nationalist whose approach to development involved the identification and support of key businessmen whom he believed shared his nationalist vision.

Determined to turn the country into an industrialised nation, he poured huge amounts of money into controversial projects for electricity generation, car manufacture, steel production, and an Internet-based “multimedia supercorridor”.
One of Dr Mahathir's main complaints about Abdullah was that he cancelled or downgraded many of these schemes. The fact is, however, that Najib is unlikely to reverse Abdullah's decisions on these schemes. This was illustrated last month, when Najib backed the decision of state-owned car manufacturer Proton to sell its stake in heavily indebted subsidiary MV Agusta Motors Spa.

Dr Mahathir, who is Proton's adviser, enthusiastically supported the US$112 million purchase of a 57.7 per cent stake in the motorbike manufacturer in 2004. Proton sold the stake in 2006 for a nominal €1 to an Italian company, saying the acquisition had been a blunder. Rejecting Dr Mahathir's call for an investigation into the sale, Najib — who is also currently Finance Minister — told Parliament that Proton sold the company to avoid being saddled with further losses.

As prime minister, Najib may seek to keep Dr Mahathir engaged. But he will probably keep him at arm's length. With wide experience in government, strong links to royal houses in Johor and Pahang, and a political pedigree few of his contemporaries can match — his father was Malaysia's second prime minister, Tun Abdul Razak — Najib is unlikely to be intimidated by what remains of the former strongman's charisma. And with a major global recession looming, he will have plenty of reason to distance himself from Dr Mahathir's controversial and sometimes offbeat views on economics.

Will Malaysia return to Mahathirism? Not likely. — Straits Times

Fatwa council bans yoga for Muslims - malaysiakini

KUALA LUMPUR, Nov 22 — The country’s top Islamic body has issued an edict banning Muslims from practising yoga.

The body says the globally popular practise of yoga has elements of Hinduism that could corrupt Muslims. Yoga originated in India.

National Fatwa Council chairman Abdul Shukor Husin says yoga involves not just physical exercise but also includes spiritual elements, chanting and worship.

He told reporters today "it is inappropriate. It can destroy the faith of a Muslim."

The fatwa council's decisions are not legally binding on Muslims, who comprise nearly two-thirds of Malaysia's 27 million people, unless they are enshrined in national or shariah laws. However, many Muslims abide by the edicts out of deference. — AP

Micheal Jackson converts to Islam - malaysiakini

Jackson is due to give evidence on Monday in a £4.7million (RM25 million) lawsuit brought by Prince Abdulla Al-Khalif of Bahrain. — AP pic

LONDON, Nov 21 — Michael Jackson has become a Muslim — and changed his name to Mikaeel. The skint superstar, 50, donned Islamic garb to pledge allegiance to the Quran in a ceremony at a pal’s mansion in Los Angeles.

Jacko sat on the floor wearing a tiny hat after an imam was summoned to officiate — days before the singer is due to appear at London’s High Court where he is being sued by an Arab sheikh.

A source told last night how Jacko, brought up as a Jehovah’s Witness, decided to convert as he used a studio at the home of his chum to record a new album.

The star — whose hits include “The Way You Make Me Feel” — was spotted looking “a bit down” by a producer and a songwriter who had both embraced Islam.

The source said: “They began talking to him about their beliefs, and how they thought they had become better people after they converted. Michael soon began warming to the idea.

“An imam was summoned from the mosque and Michael went through the shahada, which is the Muslim declaration of belief.”

Mikaeel is the name of one of Allah’s angels.

“Jacko rejected an alternative name, Mustafa — meaning ‘the chosen one’”.

British singer Yousef Islam, 60 — who was called Cat Stevens until he famously converted — turned up to help Jacko celebrate.

It was his pals David Wharnsby — a Canadian songwriter — and producer Phillip Bubal who counselled Jacko.

The pair’s new names are Dawud Wharnsby Ali and Idris Phillips.

Jacko now prays to Mecca after the ceremony at the Hollywood Hills home of Toto keyboard player Steve Porcaro, 51, who composed music on the singer’s Thriller album.

Jacko, who rarely ventures out without a mask, is due to give evidence on Monday in a £4.7million (RM25 million) lawsuit brought by Prince Abdulla Al-Khalif of Bahrain.

The sheikh claims he bankrolled the singer’s lavish lifestyle in exchange for an exclusive recording contract. The billionaire sent songs for him to record but claims he was blanked.

He told the court yesterday: “Many times he confirmed to me he would pay me back.” — The Sun - The Malaysian Insider

Penang to go ahead with multilingual road signs

PENANG, Nov 21 — The Penang government will proceed with its decision to use multilingual road signs and street names to promote Georgetown as a World Heritage site.

Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng said it was merely adding English, Tamil, Chinese, Arabic and Jawi in the signboards while retaining Bahasa Malaysia in deference to the national language.

“We want to boost Penang tourism and this is part of our effort to attract more tourists to visit Penang after the recognition by Unesco as a World Heritage site,” he told reporters after the installation of five signboards in different languages along Lebuh Acheh today.

He said the multilingual road signs could assist foreign tourists in exploring Penang.

He pointed out that multilingual signboards had been put up in many cities, including Kuala Lumpur, which had added Arabic and Jawi on its road signs.

“We cannot be a closed society if we want to survive and compete globally,” he said, adding that each of the signboards cost about RM300.

Asked to comment on Malacca Chief Minister Datuk Seri Mohd Ali Rustam remark that he should be aware earlier of the Unesco guidelines on World Heritage sites, Lim said Mohd Ali’s words could not be trusted.

“Mohd Ali said that (Bollywood heart-throb) Shah Rukh Khan will come to Malacca on Nov 29 to receive his Datukship but it was called off. This shows that the Mohd Ali does not mean what he says and does not say what he means,” he said.

Last Wednesday, Lim was reported as having said that the guidelines were not widely known and the state government only became aware of them when Georgetown’s Unesco status was approved. — Bernama

Islamic councils say courts have no right to decide on ‘Allah’

By Debra Chong

KUALA LUMPUR, Nov 21 — The ongoing lawsuit filed by the Catholic Church in Malaysia seeking a judicial review of the government decision to ban it from using the word “Allah” is not a matter that can be decided by the courts, says lawyer Mubashir Mansor.

“We are making an application under Section 84 of the Courts of Judicature Act for the High Court to stay the effect of the proceedings in order to state a case to be determined by the Federal Court on the effect of relevant provisions of the Federal Constitution,” he said.

“The effect is whether or not the present issue is justiciable, something that should be decided by a court of law.

“We are saying that this issue is not,” he added.

Mubashir is acting on behalf of three state Islamic councils, namely Malacca, Penang and Terengganu, which are seeking to intervene in the case.

He told reporters at the High Court here that he would be filing his application to the Federal Court in Putrajaya in the next two weeks.

A total of eight Muslim organisations today joined the Home Minister and the federal government as respondents in the suit filed by the church on the right to use the word in its publication and practices.

The other five are the Federal Territory Religious Council, Selangor Religious Council, Kedah Religious Council, Johor Religious Council and the Malaysian Chinese-Muslim Association.

The Malaysian Gurdwaras Association, representing the Sikh community, had also sought to be included in the court case for the right to use "Allah" in their religious practices.

Justice Lau Bee Lan, of the KL High Court of Appellate and Special Powers Division, fixed Feb 27 for mention to enable the various Muslim organisations time to file their affidavits.

The Catholic Church's official publication, The Herald, had in May this year won the right to challenge the Home Minister's decision to ban it from using the word "Allah" as a synonym for God in its Malay-language section.

The counsel for the church, Porres Royan, said that the church had previously objected to the inclusion of these parties seeking to intervene in their case, but had changed its mind.
Asked to comment on Mubashir's claims, Porres replied that he did not understand what they wanted.

He affirmed that the church merely wanted the Home Minister's decision overturned.

"The Home Minister decided that we cannot use the word 'Allah'," he said.

"We are saying that decision is wrong," he concluded. -- The Malaysian Insider