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NST reports Nizar announces dissolution of Perak government

February 4th, 2009
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I’m surprised to read NST update:

Nizar declares Perak Assembly dissolved
By : Bernama

IPOH, Wed:
Perak Menteri Besar made the extraordinary declaration that the Perak State Legislative Assembly has been immediately dissolved. In a Press conference held just now in Ipoh, he said he has an audience with the Sultan of Perak at 5pm to get the Ruler’s consent for the assembly’s dissolution.

But the news disappeared soon after.

However I managed to get the original version from Bernama:

Perak MB Announces State Assembly Dissolved, To Seek Palace Consent

IPOH, Feb 4 (Bernama) — Perak Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Mohamad Nizar Jamaluddin today in a drastic and an unprecedented move announced an immediate dissolution of the state assembly following political uncertainty in the state.

He told a press conference in Ipoh that he is seeking an audience with the Sultan of Perak to obtain his consent.

— BERNAMA

This is most unusual. He had not seen the Sultan yet and already make the announcement. I think he will get another tongue-lashing from the ruler.

Perak state assembly to be dissolved today

February 4th, 2009
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Malaysiakini reports as below:

Perak assembly to be dissolved today?
Feb 4, 09 12:12pm
Perak Menteri Besar Mohd Nizar Jamaluddin is expected to have an audience with the sultan within the next hour. It is learnt that he is seeking the dissolution of the state assembly.

If the sultan accedes to the request, a snap state election will have to be called in view of the present political uncertainty in Perak as a result of defections.

MB Nizar said that this would be the last option, yesterday. Looks like Pakatan has no choice. They may argue about the legality of EC’s statement or the validity of the resignation letter, but previous court cases had favored the elected representatives. So, rather than taking chances in court, the state government decides to take chance in election, if they state assembly is dissolved today.

If dissolved, it would be a election that BN won’t appreciate especially with the economic problems at hand. On the other side, the creation of dual JKKKs and and other steps by Federal government may create awareness in Perak that if the same coalitions rules both Federal and state, things will be easy (but not necessarily something which is good/right).

The Bota assemblyman may lose in coming elections, while the two ex-PKR fellow may well see the end of their political careers.

SA Vigneswaran’s MIYDF to submit recommendations

February 3rd, 2009
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After leaving MIC, SA Vigneswaran tries to remain in the picture. His Malaysian Indian Youth Development Foundation (MIYDF) is compiling a set of comprehensive, detailed and thorough recommendations to tackle the issue of ‘inadequate custodial procedures and practices’.

MCPX

According to MIYDF chairperson SA Vigneswaran, the recommendations are being compiled by the foundation’s human rights committee and would be submitted to the Barisan Nasional Backbenchers Club (BNBBC) before the opening of the Parliament session on Feb 16.

He said the compilation comprises background to the problem, the effects and the perception of the Malaysian society on the police force.

The recommendations is aimed at enhancing the effectiveness of the police force by ensuring that officers conduct the investigation professionally and within the provisions of the law.

“The important role played by the police in society is appreciated and acknowledged by the society at large.

“But notably such appreciation has waned over the years precisely because of incidents of police misconduct that went unchecked in the recent years,” Vigneswaran said in a statement.

“Therefore, those who abuse their power by using excessive or even deadly force must be held accountable. Although it is a cliche that police aggression is an inevitable byproduct for crackdown of crime, it is time, this perception is shifted.

“We should not choose between curtailing violence and treating people right, between enforcing the law and upholding civil rights. The police can strike a balance by acting within the ambits of the law, for example like in the United Kingdom,” he added.

Vigneswaran, who is the former MIC Youth chief, pointed out that the recommendations are not aimed at interfering or weakening the police force.

He said it is to instil responsibility, professionalism, and accountability in their day to day encounter with the suspect, detainee and the public in general.

Interestingly, why is the recommendations is being submitted to BNBBC? May Vigneswaran is aware of the fate of previous reports/memorandums/findings submitted to the “proper” channels? 🙂

Whatever it is, good luck to MIYDF.

Who is MIC Youth supporting for presidency?

February 3rd, 2009
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Rarely do we see MIC Youth (or any other wing) offering advice to the President, at least publicly. So, it came as a surprise when acting coordinator of MIC Youth made the following comments (Malaysiakini) :

MIC president S Samy Vellu must not only choose the right time to relinquish his post but also pick the right candidate to succeed him.

MCPX

In making this call, MIC Youth chief T Mohan said the issue of seniority should not arise when choosing a successor in order to ensure that the candidate is a person who would be able to push the party forward.

“Just because a leader has been there for a long time, it doesn’t mean that he should be handed the top post on a silver platter. MIC Youth does not believe in this practice.

“The successor should be a person who is young and vibrant,” he was quoted as saying by Tamil daily Malaysia Nanban yesterday.

However, Mohan did not mention if the Youth wing had any particular leader in mind whom it considers as the best replacement for Samy Vellu who has been at the helm for three decades.

Its interesting to note that the advisor for MIC Youth is none other than Vel Paari, Samy Vellu’s son – who is presumably  “young and vibrant”.

Current VP is Palanivel. Its expected that Dr S. Subramaniam will challenge Palanivel. Other potential candidates include Sothinathan and Dato Subra. Veterans will be Palanivel and Dato Subra. Relatively young is Dr S Subra and Sothinathan. Younger still will be Devamany and Saravanan, the two deputy ministers.

Of course, if Muthupalaniappan succeeds, all this will be meaningless!

Uthaya’s sedition trial postponed due to diabetes

February 3rd, 2009
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NST, Star, and Malaysiakini reported similar stuff:

ISA detainee P. Uthayakumar’s sedition trial has been postponed to April 28 to allow him to undergo treatment for diabetes.

He obtained a court order to refer him to a government hospital. He had initially asked to be sent to a private hospital (NST quoted Gleneagles)  but the request was rejected.

Earlier, at 10.50am, he aas brought to the KL Sessions Court at, wearing a white shirt and torn pants.

He hugged and shook hands with his mother, fiancee and supporters. Talking to reporters, he claimed he hurt his toe while in detention which is now turning black and could be amputated. He asked the prison authority to send him to Gleneagles Hospital for treatment but was ignored.

He also asked the ISA Advisory Board to release the other three lawyers, claiming that only he and his brother Waytha Moorthy were responsible for Hindraf. The rest are just legal advisors and not in charge of daily affairs.

The Star:

The ISA detainee wanted a private hospital but the court order gave him a government hospital.

He was brought to the Kuala Lumpur Sessions Court for trial for sedition for publishing material on a website alleging “ethnic cleansing” of Malaysian Indians.

Earlier Tuesday,Uthayakumar had told reporters that he had asked the prison authorities to send him to a private hospital to attend to his swollen left leg but that they had not responded.

“My foot is darkening which shows acute diabetes. It is spreading to my toes. It can be chronic and shows risk of amputation.

“So today I asked my lawyers to get a court order so that I can get medical attention in a priovate hospital,” he said.

He also told reporters that he had informed the prison authorities that only he and his brother P. Waytha Moorthy, now in self-imposed exile abroad, were responsible for Hindraf.

He said the three other lawyers detained with him under ISA – M. Manoharan, V. S. Ganapathy Rao, K. Kengadhadran – were mere legal advisers and not involved in the day-to-day operations of the now-banned Hindraf.

The sedition trial against Uthayakumar is over a letter posted on a website linked to Hindraf. The original letter, addressed to British Prime Minister Gordon Brown, highlighted alleged marginalisation of Indian Malaysians.

The letter also sought the British government’s help to move an emergency UN resolution condemning ‘ethnic cleansing’ in Malaysia.

He had been charged with sedition on Dec 11, 2007, and was on RM50,000 bail before being arrested two days later under the ISA, which provides for detention without trial.

Section 4(1)(c) of the Sedition Act 1948 carries a fine not exceeding RM5,000 or a jail term not exceeding three years, or both for a first offence.

During the last hearing on Oct 20, 2008, the court heard arguments on alleged bias by the Attorney-General.

Defence counsel M Manogaran had claimed that the AG had sought to prosecute Uthayakumar over the letter as a result of “bad blood between them”.

As such he had said that the consent form signed by the AG was invalid.

Sessions Judge Sabariah Othman then adjourned the hearing to today to hear further submissions.

More than 45 people had gathered at the court complex this morning to support Uthayakumar.