Tag: Non-Governmental Organisation (NGO)

CM: Strengthen Islamic Knowledge, Avoid Misguided Faith

2.1

SUBANG, 15 June: Chief Minister, Tan Sri Abdul Khalid Ibrahim advised the people of Selangor to strengthen and increase knowledge on Islam to avoid misguided faith.

According to him, the advice was thrown because so far, there are 27 deviant teachings that have been pronounced to have deviated from true Islamic teachings.

“I was told by the Research and Development Division of the Selangor Islamic Religious Department that such teachings which are carried and practiced by individuals or certain groups and thus some Muslims believe it and soon become followers,” he said at the opening speech of the state level Islamic Affairs Premier Forum at the Nurur Rahmah Surau in Kampung Melayu Subang.

Abdul Khalid explained that the reason some Muslims who deviate from Islamic teachings stems from them not having the knowledge or understanding of the teachings in the real sense.

“This may be due to when they were children, they did not receive education and instruction in the field of Islam due to negligence or ignorance of their own parents.

“This phenomenon is actually more prevalent among the Muslim society in our country. According to a randomised study, there are more than 60 percent of adults who do not perform the obligatory prayers, and do not even know how to read and write in Jawi,” he said.

He added that a variety of ways can be done in efforts to find mentors, among them is to listen to talks from religious teachers or speakers who are given teaching credentials from the Selangor Islamic Religious Department (JAIS).

“The State Government, through the Standing Committee for Education and Human Capital Development, since 2009, has already and are continuing to create individuals of the state who are balanced physically and spiritually through the Spies programme.

2.2

“At the same time, we will also strive to ensure that the people of all levels and backgrounds can live a good life according to what is dictated by the religion and culture,” he said.

In this regard, he said, the State Government always pays serious attention to the aspect of the development of Islam.

“Among the things emphasised is the call to nurture and strengthen Muslim unity regardless of origin,” he said.

About 1,000 attendees were present at the forum entitled ‘One Heart, Two Souls, Where are We?.

Among the invited panellists was Ustaz Haslin Baharim or better known as Ustaz Bollywood and Dr Roslan Mohamad.

Also present was the Exco for Islamic Affairs, Agricultural Modernisation and Rural Development, Salehan Mukhyi and the Deputy Director of JAIS, Zaki Arshad.

Nik Nazmi: Blocking Social Media is a Step Backwards

4

SHAH ALAM, June 11: Social media restrictions as proposed by some quarters to prevent the spread of slander, racial and religious insults as well as cursing leaders of the country is a step backwards if it is implemented.

PKR Communications Director, Nik Nazmi Nik Ahmad said that social media is a current reality and that the Federal Government should think of more proactive measures instead of blocking social media sites such as Facebook and Twitter from further use.

He said that such actions would only invite discontent among the people because social media is used by almost every citizen, from various age groups in the country.

“For me, this is a step backwards, because in my opinion, social media is reality which is currently happening.

“I am not saying that users are free to do anything, but if there are any inappropriate actions, take action on that behaviour instead of restricting social media as a whole,” he told TV Selangor.

Previously, a Non-Governmental Organisation (NGO) asked the government to block the Facebook social media website as it is done in Iran and China to curb any act or move that can adversely affect national security.

This action is due to a handful of users who are irresponsible and misuse these social media sites by making irresponsible comments.

Tony Pua Describes EAIC a Toothless Tiger

3

SHAH ALAM, June 10: The DAP Publicity Secretary today described the Enforcement Agency Integrity Commission (EAIC) as a toothless tiger and that its establishment is only cosmetic work to calm the crowd behind the insistence of the recommendations to form an Independent Police Complaints and Misconduct Commission (IPCMC) and vocal protests from the police.

Tony said this to refute claims by the Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department, Datuk Paul Low who likened the EAIC with the establishment proposal of the IPCMC.

The difference between the two is obvious in their intent. Instead, Tony insisted for the EAIC which was established in 2011 to be only given power to make recommendations to the disciplinary organs of the police and the prosecutors.

The establishment is merely intended to appease widespread insistence for the IPCMC to be established at the time.

“While the IPCMC, as recommended by the Royal Investigation Commission upon the Royal Malaysian Police (PDRM) in 2005, is clearly an agency to examine discipline and to foster professionalism in the police force.

“Obviously, the EAIC specifically designed to fail the objectives of the IPCMC,” he stressed in a media abatement.

Elaborating, Tony said that over the past three years since its inception, the EAIC which receives an annual budget of RM7 million only has one investigating officer in addition to 23 other employees; including clerks and drivers.

The statement issued by the former Chief Justice, Abdul Hamid Mohamad that until the end of 2012, EAIC only recommended one disciplinary action and issued two warnings to civil servants which also proved that the body is not effective.

“The fact that the government is not serious, with only one investigating officer to oversee 19 governmental agencies such as the Customs Department, the national Anti-Drug Agency, the Road Transport Department and so on, are evidence that the overall intent of the EAIC activities is to fail,” he added.

What is even more regrettable, explained Tony, is that the Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department so quickly adapted to the BN culture of fraud by breaking his promise to support the proposal of the IPCMC which according to him is higher in status compared to the EAIC.

Paul Low, who at the time was the President of Transparency Integrity Malaysia once said that the government’s action to liquidate the proposal of the IPCMC is a clear indicator that the government is unable to control the authorities.

In a statement yesterday, Paul Low announced that the government is taking ‘about the same’ decision to not implement the IPCMC but will conduct a lot of reshuffling to improve the existing EAIC.

Chegu Bard: My Prosecution is Linked to Umno-BN Internal Politics

2

PETALING JAYA, June 5: Chairman of Youth Solidarity Malaysia (SAMM), Badrul Hisham Shaharin, 35, pleaded not guilty at the Petaling Jaya Sessions Court today on the organisation of the People’s Voice 505 Assembly at the MBPJ East Field on 25 May.

Badrul Hisham, or known Chegubard, was charged under the Peaceful Assembly Act 2012 for failing to inform the Petaling Jaya District Chief of Police 10 days before the programme took place.

He was charged under Section 9 (1) of the Peaceful Assembly Act 2012 and if found guilty, he may be fined not more than RM10,000.

The prosecution was done by the Deputy Public Prosecutor, Wan Shaharuddin Wan Ladin, while Badrul Hishim was not represented by any counsel.

Judge Yasmin Abdul Razak set July 9 for the Deputy Public Prosecutor to submit the case documents and for Badrul Hisham to appoint a counsel.

Badrul Hisham was released without bail after Yasmin was satisfied that he was present in court willingly. She also contacted the police after the authorities failed to deliver summons to him.

Outside the court, Badrul Hisham stated that the prosecution against him has to do with Umno-BN internal political games involving the Minister of Home Affairs, Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi.

“The Umno elections will take place soon. Zahid, you do not relise that you have entered into (datuk Seri) Najib Razak and *Tun Dr) Mahathir Mohamad’s trap. You were given the post of Home Affairs Minister to damage your image.

“Today, every day, efforts to damage the image of the Minister of Home Affairs are happening. Furthermore, the people have become victims of Umno-BN political games,” he said.

According to him, Dr Mahathir wants to make his family and relatives comfortable in Umno-BN while Najib arranges strategies for the benefit of Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Hussein.

Chegu Bard Charged Under the Peaceful Assembly Act

blackout-suara-rakyat-505-01
PETALING JAYA, JUNE 4th – Solidarity for Malaysian Young People (SAMM) Chairman Badrul Hisham Shahrin is to face the Petaling Jaya Magistrate Court at 9am tomorrow for the charge under Section 9(1) of the Peaceful Assembly Act 2012.

Badrul Hisham was served the warrant summoning him to appear in court at the Media Room, PKR Headquarters.

He was served the warrant at 1.40 pm at a meeting with an officer from the Petaling Jaya Police Headquarters which lasted 10 minutes.

Badrul Hisham is allegedly involved in the organisation of the People’s Voice Assembly 505 on the 25th of May at the east field of Petaling Jaya Municipal Council.

If convicted, Badrul would be facing a fine of no more than RM!0,000.

In further explanation, Badrul suggested that he is being charged for failing to inform the police about the assembly 10 days prior to the event as stated in the act.

However, he expressed complete faith in his lawyers and the judiciary in solving the matter.

“Yesterday, a group of policemen came to my home and my mother’s home in search of me but they failed to locate me.”

“When I learnt about it today, I personally called them to arrange a meeting,” he announced to the reporters.

He also added that he felt the charge was an abuse of the current laws as the same laws are not applied to programs organised by Umno-BN.

“Why are these laws not applied to pro-BN programs?”

“I can list a thousand Umno-BN programs and yet no such action has been taken against them.”

In a comment, he said that the legal system in Malaysia is beginning to resemble a class system.

“It seems that ordinary people like me who do not support BN have legal action taken against us but followers of BN are allowed to move about freely.”

New Works Minister Asked to Explain Shah Alam Hospital

hospital-shah-alam-sketch
SHAH ALAM, JUNE 4th – The new Works Minister, Datuk Fadilah Yusof was asked to lend a helping hand in the issue of the construction of the Shah Alam Hospital which has been delayed for more than three years, for the sake of the welfare of the people.

Shah Alam Parliamentarian, Khalid Abdul Samad said that in his capacity as representative of the city, he should be given the right to oversee and supervise developments in the project.

Khalid hopes that Fadilah will be more open-minded than the previous minister and will allow him to visit the site and oversee improvements and developments in the construction.

“Last February 5th, I sent a letter to the construction contractor and in reply I was told that I needed to get permission from the Selangor branch of the Works Ministry. When the letter wass ent there, I was redirected to the Central Works Ministry.”

“When a letter was sent there, I received no reply. This is not a military centre or nuclear centre; it is a hospital. Why is it so hard for me to visit the construction site?” he said at a press conference here today.

Khalid hopes that Fadilah would have a more open policy than his predecessor on this topic.

Khalid also stressed that the hospital is being built by the money of the people and not that of Umno-BN.

“This hospital is for the people and as the people of Shah Alam’s representative, I hope for cooperation of all parties so that I may look over reports by the contractor regarding its progress.”

Khalid alleges that he has been advised that the completion of the project has once again been pushed forward from the initial date in October.

Mustafa: Pakatan Files About 35 GE-13 Petitions

5

PETALING JAYA, June 3: Pakatan Rakyat (PR) will file about 35 petitions against the 13th General Election (GE-13) results.

PAS Secretary General, Datuk Mustafa Ali said that so far, PAS already has a total of 14 petitions, while PKR has 18 and DAP has three.

He claimed that the GE-13 which was handled by the Election Commission (EC) was full of fraud and was not clean.

“In addition to peaceful rallies held to expose the grievances of the handling of the GE-13 by the Election Commission (EC), we are also preparing to file election petitions.

“All three parties, PKR, PAS and DAP have decided to do it based on identified areas,” he said in a press conference today.

“The discontent is based on facts acquired. That is why we will file the petitions and BN can also file them too.

“Surely there are things which they are not satisfied with the EC. This shows that the EC failed in handling the elections,” he said.

PKR DE Facto Leader, Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim said that based on this country’s election history, there have been one or two cases presented each time the election is completed.

“But there have never been up to nearly 90 petitions proposed to be submitted.

“This alone is enough reason for the Chairman and the Deputy Chairman of the EC to resign for being negligent and engaged in dishonesty and fraud in the elections,” he said.

226 Single Mother Throughout Malaysia Received the BSK Alimony Advance Assistance

2.1

SHAH ALAM, 31 May: A total of 226 single mothers and women all over Malaysia have received the alimony advance from the Department of Shariah Judiciary Malaysia (JKSM) worth RM550,879 as of April this year.

From the total, the Federal Territory of Kuala Lumpur registered the highest alimony advance payment with a total of RM285, 690 followed by Terengganu, RM78,590, and Selangor, RM64,250.

The alimony advance is a living assistance given to single mothers and wives abandoned by their respective husbands.

Meanwhile, their husbands have been ordered by court to pay the amount back to JKSM.

JKSM Shariah Court Judge, Datuk Seri Md Yusup Che Teh said that the amount of recoveries so far stands at RM47,800 representing 51 payers at a percentage of 8.7.

“Each department at BSK will monitor the implementation of the alimony issued by the Shariah Court to ensure that former husbands pay the set amount to their ex-wives.

“As of April 2013, the Federal Territory of Kuala Lumpur recorded the highest recoveries amounting to RM21,550

This was followed by Terengganu, RM11,950, and Penang, RM8,100,” he said in a press conference in conjunction with the BSK Transit and Presenting of Alimony Advance Launching Ceremony at the Sultan Idris Shah Shariah Court here this morning.

Also present were Department of Selangor Shariah Judiciary Syarie Chief Judge, Datuk Mukhyuiddin Ibrahim, Selangor Mufti, Datuk Setia Mohd Tamyes Abd Wahid and the Chief Executive Officer for the Selangor Zakat Board, Mohamed Izam Mohamed Yusof.

He added that a total of 1,581 cases have been registered under the Enforcement and Execution Unit for the Family Support Section Division (SBSK) throughout Malaysia as of December 2012.

From the total, he said that 824 cases have been resolved through enforcement action undertaken by state SBSK with a total percentage of 55.11 percent.

2.2

In the meantime, he also officiated the first BSK Transit services in Selangor which provides accommodation, transportation and free meals to anyone attending case proceedings at the Shariah High Court.

He explained that these services are provided to those who cannot afford it and are outside the Klang Valley, including court witnesses and those having cases at any tribunals.

“Until now, there are four BSK Transit housing units provided by JKSM at Jalan Duta Government Housing Quarters and housing areas in Precinct 9, Putrajaya.

“Selangor became the first state after JKSM successfully established the BSK Transit to help distressed parties to attend court proceedings at the Shariah Court,” he explained.

Magistrate Releases Tian, Haris and Tamrin

5

SHAH ALAM, 24 May: The Magistrates Court today set to release PKR Vice President, Tian Chua and two other political activists, Haris Ibrahim and Datuk Tamrin Abdul Ghafar from police custody.

It sparked from Magistrate Norashikin Sahat’s refusal for the police to hold them under Section 4(1) of the Sedition Act 1948.

The matter was confirmed by lawyer, R Sivarasa who is also the Subang Member of Parliament when contacted by TV Selangor.

“Yes, all three of them were released when the Magistrate found no grounds or strong evidence on the remand application by the police.

“The police requested to detain them for seven days for investigation. After hearing submissions from the counsel, the found that it had no basis (to remand) and released them immediately,” he said.

All three of them were released from police custody at around 3.15pm today.

The news of their release has also been disseminated on social media sites.

The three men were arrested under the Sedition Act 1948 yesterday in three separate locations before being put in the Jinjang Police Station Lockup in Kuala Lumpur at around pm.

Tian Chua was arrested at the LCCT at 12.30pm yesterday while waiting for a flight to Kuala Terengganu.

Meanwhile, Haris, an activist from the Anyone But Umno (ABU) movement was arrested while having lunch in Segambut after showing support for Adam Adli in court.

Meanwhile, the son of former Deputy Prime Minister Tun Ghafar Baba, Tamrin was arrested while eating in Bangsar.

Rafizi: PR Gathers Reports of Inpermanent Indelible Ink

4

PETALING JAYA, 24 May: Pakatan Rakyat (PR) is mobilising a campaign to collect police reports throughout the country regarding the impermanent indelible ink which was allegedly used in the 13th General Election (GE-13) evidence that there was fraud in the election.

In relation to that, PKR Strategy Director, Rafizi Ramli explained that the #Siasat PRU13 (Investigate GE-13) urges the people to participate in the campaign by lodging police reports.

According to him, the #Siasat PRU13 targets at least 100,000 police reports made across the country regarding the indelible ink as proof of the public’s anger towards the failure of the Election Commission (EC) to run the GE-13 transparently and cleanly.

“A copy of the police report can be emailed to [email protected] or submitted to any PR people’s representatives or at the PKR, PAS and DAP offices as well as the PKR headquarters at A-1-09, Merchant Square, Jalan Tropicana Selatan 1, 47410 Petaling Jaya or fax: 03-7885 0531.

“The indelible ink which is not permanent is a sign that the GE-13 run by the EC is not transparent and is full of fraud,” he said in a press conference here today.

The Pandan Member of Parliament said that the fact is that the EC did not fulfil its promise that the ink will remain for at least five days from the polling day has dampened the people’s confidence towards the EC under the current leadership to be responsible in running the election cleanly and fairly.

“The failure of implementing the indelible ink is a symbolism of the EC’s failure to have accountability,” he said.

Umno-BN Won GE-13 With Three Dirty Tricks

3

PETALING JAYA, 24 May: Umno-BN allegedly used three dirty tactics during the 13th General Election (GE-13) on 5 May, said DAP Advisor, Lim Kit Siang.

According to him, the three dirty tactics refers to the money politics used to buy votes, lies of allegedly being a dominant race between PAS and DAP, and scare tactics used to scare the people that the May 13 incident will repeat if Pakatan Rakyat (PR) administers the country.

“They, (Umno-BN), used money to buy the people’s votes by providing various benefits which was not only done during the campaign period but in advance of it.

“The second tactic was to lie when they said that PR could not win even if the people vote DAP and that PAS will be the dominant party and vice versa. They also claimed that PAS and PKR are mere puppets.

“The third tactic was to scare the people by saying that havoc, chaos and the May 13 incident will repeat if PR wins,” he said in front of over 3,000 supporters at the PR Thanksgiving Assembly at the Petaling Jaya City Council (MBPJ) field last night.

He added that despite PR’s desire to capture Putrajaya did not come to pass, he still urges the people to not give up and to continue to fight to demand for a clean election.

He said that the additional seven Parliamentary seats to the 89 is also evidence that the people’s uprising will begin to reject dirty politics and that the people are getting ready to make changes.

“We did not manage to change the government in Putrajaya, but there is progress (additional seats) so much so that the Prime Minister said that the GE result was a Chinese Tsunami but it was a Malaysian Tsunami.

“Although there were attempts to create antagonism between the Chinese and the Malays, it will not be a barrier for us to mobilise politics that fight for the rights of the people without corruption,” he said.

Establish Parliamentary Select Committee for Electoral Re-delimitation

2.1

PETALING JAYA, 24 May: Pakatan Rakyat (PR) will urge the Prime Minister to set up a Parliamentary Select Committee (PSC) to review the seat re-delimitation which is fairer, said Petaling Jaya Utara Member of Parliament, Tony Pua.

According to Tony, the delimitation will allow the two political coalitions, PR and Umno-BN, to discuss for a fairer and just electoral system.

He said that the proposal will be submitted by PR in the House of Representatives session which will convene in June.

“I want to suggest to the Prime Minister, Datuk Seri Najib Razak in the next Parliamentary session to prepare a select committee to conduct a study so that the country will have a fair electoral system.

“We hope that Umno-BN will hear this request,” he told more than 3,000 supporters after the PR Thanksgiving Assembly at the Petaling Jaya City Council (MBPJ) field last night.

2.2

PR will use the increase of its members in Parliament to enable for the election constituency delimitation to be done fairly when the Election Commission (EC) implements the delimitation at the end of the year.

The leader of the coalition previously issued a statement where if the matter involves additional seats, two-thirds majority consent is needed to approve the changes before being approved by the House of Representatives.

At this point, BN does not have a two-thirds majority in the House of Representatives, with only 133 seats while PR has 89 seats. Therefore it needs the support of the opposition for the purpose.

Meanwhile, Lembah Pantai Member of Parliament, Nurul Izzah Anwar said that the PR leadership will fight to the end in Parliament to oppose the fraud committed by Umno-BN.

She also urged the people to reject the government which blatantly practices racism and corruption in its administration.

“We will do everything possible to expose the fraud committed by Umno-BN. We will never bow to a government which is racist and corrupt.

“We will fight to the end and ensure that the re-delimitation of unused seats will not be used to bring victory to Umno-BN. We are a coalition that will implement reform in Malaysia,” she said.

2.3