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

Syed Hamid rejects debate with Kit Siang on crime situation - malaysiakini

KUALA LUMPUR, Nov 19 – Home Minister Datuk Seri Syed Hamid Albar has rejected a challenge by DAP advisor Lim Kit Siang to engage in a public debate on the crime situation in Malaysia.

Syed Hamid said the Ipoh Timur member of parliament was just trying to gain political mileage by raising the issue.

"He likes publicity. I am not going to go into a debate with him as he has already made up his mind (about the crime rate)."

"If he wants to discuss and talk with us about the police, no problem," Syed Hamid told reporters at Parliament lobby today.

Lim threw down the gauntlet at a news conference today, saying he was challenging Syed Hamid to a public debate, to be telecast live, on whether the crime situation in Malaysia was getting better or worse. – Bernama

Suraikan Himpunan BERSIH, DAP mahu Syed Hamid Mohon Maaf - malaysiakini

TERESA Kok menunjukkan dua foto yang beliau dakwa polis melayan dengan kasar ke atas Tony Pua dan Dian Abdullah, di lobi Parlimen hari ini. - foto The Star oleh AZHAR MAHFOF

KUALA LUMPUR: Ahli Parlimen Seputeh, Teresa Kok mendesak supaya Menteri Dalam Negeri, Datuk Seri Syed Hamid Albar mengemukakan permohonan maaf kepada rakyat Malaysia kerana tindakan polis yang didakwa bertindak kasar ketika menyuraikan perhimpunan aman BERSIH di Petaling Jaya Ahad lalu.

"Oleh yang demikian kami mewakili 12 pertubuhan bukan kerajaan (NGO) mendesak agar Menteri Dalam Negeri memohon maaf dengan segera.

"Selain itu kami juga mahu Ketua Polis Selangor, Datuk Khalid Abu Bakar bertanggungjawab dalam perkara ini," katanya.

Dalam perhimpunan tersebut Ahli Parlimen Petaling Jaya Utara, Tony Pua dan Ahli Dewan Undangan Negeri (ADUN) Kampung Tunku, Lau Weng San serta 23 orang lagi ditahan bagi membantu siasatan.

Dalam sidang itu juga Teresa turut membantah kekerasan yang dilakukan pihak polis sehingga menyebabkan kecederaan seorang wanita berusia 53 tahun.

"Kita lihat dalam kejadian itu seorang wanita berusia 53 tahun yang bernama Dian Abdullah dicederakan oleh beberapa anggota polis lelaki di bahagian belakang kepalanya.

"Adakah ini caranya mereka mengambil tindakan? Tidak ada seorangpun anggota polis wanita yang ditugaskan mengawal keadaan itu," katanya.

Tambah beliau polis sepatutnya menjalankan tugas mengikut prosedur yang sepatutnya terutamanya menggunakan khidmat polis wanita bagi mengendalikan kaum wanita.

Menurutnya lagi tindakan polis mengarahkan kira-kira 200 penyokong BERSIH yang hadir pada malam itu bersurai sewaktu mereka sedang menyanyikan lagu Negaraku adalah amat tidak wajar.

Hadir sama dalam sidang media berkenaan ialah wakil NGO, Haris Ibrahim yang turut menuntut kerajaan negeri Selangor menyokong perhimpunan aman anjuran BERSIH yang akan diadakan setiap ahad bermua 16 November depan.

"Kita akan teruskan perhimpunan tersebut setiap Ahad sehingga semua tahanan ISA dibebaskan dan ISA dimansuhkan," katanya.

Dalam pada itu, Ketua Polis Selangor Datuk Khalid Abu Bakar ketika dihubungi mempertahankan tindakan polis pada hari kejadian.

"Saya bertanggungjawab untuk menjalankan tugas tanpa rasa bimbang dan pilih kasih, dan keutamaan saya ialah keselamatan dan keprihatinan terhadap ketenteraman awam dan juga peniaga-peniaga yang melahirkan kebimbingan tentang kemungkinan gangguan.

"Tidak boleh dinafikan bahawa kemungkinan ada pihak yang mengambil kesempatan dengan keadaan semasa sambil menyebabkan kekacauan," kata beliau sambil menambah tiada permit diperoleh untuk mengadakan perhimpunan sepanjang empat minggu yang lalu.

Semalam, Syed Hamid berkata, tindakan polis menyurai satu perhimpunan haram dan menahan mereka termasuk tiga pemimpin pembangkang adalah sebahagian daripada tugas memastikan ketenteraman awam terpelihara.

Dalam situasi seperti itu, katanya, polis perlu bertindak untuk mempertahankan peraturan dan undangundang bagi memastikan ketenteraman awam diberi keutamaan.

Syed Hamid berkata, beliau belum menerima laporan lengkap berhubung kejadian itu.

"Sekiranya anda ada melakukan sesuatu perkara dan polis mengambil tindakan maka jika anda tidak berpuas hati dengannya, berikan maklumat secara spesifik kepada saya dan saya akan memeriksanya," kata Syed Hamid. -- mStar

SYED HAMID: HOME MINISTRY TO APPEAL DECISION TO FREE RPK - malaysiakini

OTA KINABALU, Nov 8 – The Home Ministry will appeal against yesterday’s court decision to free Malaysia Today website editor Raja Petra Kamaruddin from detention under the Internal Security Act (ISA).

Minister Datuk Seri Syed Hamid Albar said the ministry disagreed with the court decision but it would still be respected.

“To me, if there is anyone saying the court in our country is not independent, this decision proves that the judiciary and the judicial process in the country are independent and the decisions are not always in favour of the government.

“Though we disagree with the decision, we will appeal,” he told reporters here today.
He said Raja Petra’s detention under the ISA was a preventive measure before the occurrance of a religious-based conflict and misunderstanding as a result of the editor’s write-ups in the website.

Syed Hamid said if something untoward happens following actions by certain
parties or individuals, the ISA which contains preventive laws is not effective.

“But the court has the right to interpret decisions taken by a minister according to the powers given under the law.

“The power is given under the Malaysian constitution to legislate preventive acts,” he said.

He said the ministry would also get a detailed explanation from the court so that doubts would not exist in taking certain actions under the ISA provisions, including the minister’s power to make decisions to detain someone. – Bernama

HAMID BOTAK WILLING TO BE UNPOPULAR - Malaysiakini

MARANG, Oct 18 – Home Minister Datuk Seri Syed Hamid Albar today said he did not mind being criticised by bloggers following stern actions taken by the ministry recently, including the ban on the Hindu Rights Action Force (Hindraf).

He said such actions might not be popular but were necessary to safeguard the country's well-being, unity and stability.

"They criticise me on everything ... but I have to carry on with my duty, not for my own sake, but for the country, security, unity and prosperity.

"I'm prepared to continue doing it. It's not necessary for me to do something that is popular to many," he told reporters after attending a Hari Raya celebration at the Marang Prison here today.

He was commenting on bloggers' criticism on him including the government's decision via his ministry to declare Hindraf as an illegal organisation.

Syed Hamid said the stern action taken on Hindraf was meant to preserve the country's safety and unity and prevent further controversies.

"If they organise 338 demonstrations and 17 forums which caused hatred among the races, we need to control it. The action we took was legal," he said.

He also reiterated that the attention given to the issue by Malay Rulers proved that it was serious and not created by the government nor the police.

"Don't wait for the things to happen, once it happens it cannot be remedied," he added. – Bernama

Hamid Botak

Zaid Ibrahim nak lepaskan jawatan kalau ISA masih dipergunakan sewenang-wenangnya.

Shabery Cheek mau polis jelaskan sebab-sebab penahanan pemberita Sin Chew Daily dua hari lepas.

Apa kata Hamid botak?

.Mid ai hang tau ke apa yang hang cakap masa buat PC semalam tu. Orang gelak saja hang tau tak dengan apa yang hang kata tu. Jangan ingat semua rakyat Malaysia nii ngong macam hangpa. Ada ke masuk akai yang hangpa pi tangkap si Tan tu lepas konon nya hangpa dapat maklumat Tan dalam bahaya ... Kah kah kah

Kalau ada sesiapa yang menerima apa-apa ugutan bunuh ker, ada orang nak buat tak baik ker atau apa-apa yang menyebabkan nyawa dalam bahaya lepas ni, jangan dok gatai nak pi repot, hangpa akan di ISA kan tau

Lepas tu hangpa nak maki orang, nak cerita pasai perkauman, nak kata apa pun masuk lah UMNO. Kerana bila hangpa dalam UMNO hangpa buat lah apa pun polis tak kan ambik tindakan sebab hangpa tertakluk pada undang-undang UMNO saja, macam Mad Ismail hanya di gantung keahliaan nya dari UMNO saja, pada hal Tan pemberita yang melapurkan berita kes Mad cincin besar ni merasa juga "duduk dalam" 1 malam.

Kah kah kah kah kah .... lawak dari Hamid Botak

Three publications issued show-cause letters

KUALA LUMPUR, Fri.:

Three newspapers — “The Sun”, “Sin Chew Daily” and “Suara Keadilan” — have been issued show-cause letters over articles related to current developments.

Secretary of the Publications and Quranic Text Control Unit of the Home Ministry, Che Din Yusof, said the show-cause letter to “The Sun” English language daily was over alleged manipulation and highlighting of many sensitive issues. The Chinese language “Sin Chew Daily” was given the show-cause letter for reporting a racially-sensitive controversial statement involving Datuk Ahmad Ismail, the head of the Bukit Bendera Umno Division in Penang.

The “Suara Keadilan” organ was issued the show-cause letter in connection with a report quoting sources as alleging that Inspector-General of Police Tan Sri Musa Hassan had become paralysed after undergoing coronary bypass surgery.

“The ministry issued the letters yesterday and the three newspapers have one week to reply,” he said when contacted by Bernama.

The Home Minister is empowered to suspend or revoke the publishing permit of the newspapers if they fail to provide a satisfactory explanation.

Home Minister Datuk Seri Syed Hamid Albar said yesterday show-cause letters had been issued to several newspapers but he did not name any of the publications.

He had also said that the ministry had issued letters of reminder to all media practitioners in the country seeking their cooperation in adhering to the publishing guidelines set by the government.

Syed Hamid said the reminder was issued soon after the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) withdrew its restriction on several websites, including the “Malaysia Today” blog.

- nst online