Selangor Sultan leaves it to MB on Eli issue

/* February 25th, 2009 by poobalan | View blog reactions No comments »
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PRESS STATEMENT BY THE SULTAN OF SELANGOR

Following is the full statement by the Sultan of Selangor, Sultan Sharafuddin Idris Shah, over the controversy involving Bukit Lanjan state assemblyman Elizabeth Wong, issued by his private secretary, Datuk Mohamad Munir Bani.

I am pleased to inform that Yang Amat Berhormat Tan Sri Dato” Abdul Khalid Bin Ibrahim, the Dato” Menteri Besar Selangor has sought an audience with His Royal Highness, The Sultan of Selangor, on Wednesday, 25th February 2009 and duly informed His Royal Highness on the political development and the issue which involved Yang Berhormat Elizabeth Wong Keat Ping, the Selangor State Assemblyman for Bukit Lanjan who is also the State Selangor Exco Member. His Royal Highness, The Sultan of Selangor, has commanded me to inform that His Royal Highness could not offer any guidance or advice to the Yang Berhormat Dato” Menteri Besar of Selangor in the matter related to the issue of Yang Berhormat Elizabeth Wong Keat Ping as it was still under police investigation and it involved her political position. It is His Royal Highness” stance as the Sultan of Selangor to be above politics. His Royal Highness believes that whatever decision that is going to be made by the Yang Amat Berhormat Dato” Menteri Besar of Selangor will made with accurateness, fair and with wisdom by taking into consideration the interest of the Rakyat in particular and the State of Selangor generally. His Royal Highness is upset and worried as of late the intrusion of someone”s privacy and private rights was being used to destroy one’s dignity and reputation. It is a sad thing as one”s life and private rights were being made public and subject to public scrutiny by publicising in the mass media. To Yang Berhormat Elizabeth Wong, His Royal Highness felt sad and sympathised with her as to the unfortunate event she had suffered and hoped that Yang Berhormat Elizabeth Wong will remain calm and be patient in continuing withher life henceforth.

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only Malaysian father…

/* February 24th, 2009 by poobalan | View blog reactions No comments »
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If I remember correctly, there’s no gender discrimination in the registration / immigration rules/acts (need to check).

But why is it the statement below was made?

The Education Ministry will soon issue a circular to all schools nationwide, advising them to accept all ‘stateless’ children, even if they have no birth certificate, so long as the father is a Malaysian citizen.

MCPX

However, the advice will come with a caveat: the children must have already applied, through the Malaysian parent, to the National Registration Department (NRD) for a birth certificate, citizenship or MyKad.

“A birth registration certificate will be issued to the child which will state that the child is not a citizen…,” deputy minister Wee Ka Siong said while on an official visit to Kota Kinabalu over the weekend.

“This will not be a problem as long as the father is a Malaysian citizen. The status of the mother is not important (whatever country) she is (originally) from…”

However, Wee could not categorically confirm, despite persistent questioning by the media, whether children of non-citizen fathers and Malaysian mothers will be accepted into government schools.

He merely said: “Malaysia definitely supports the Unesco policy of ‘education for all’.

Is this written down in law or just some SOP which worked it way in to the system? Aren’t we propagating equal gender rights?

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Lim Guan Eng to sue Utusan over inter faith council

/* February 24th, 2009 by poobalan | View blog reactions 2 comments »
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Well, Malaysiakini report says that Penang Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng has denied a report in Utusan Malaysia today that the state had established an inter-faith council last year.

“These are lies…we have no such council,” he told reporters in Parliament today.

Thus, his lawyers will be file a defamation suit against the daily.

“And if they have any evidence of us setting up such a council, then bring it to the court,” he said.

The paper published the news on front page today:

Utusan Malaysia today published a front-page lead stating that the DAP-run government in Penang was insulting Islam with the setting up of the inter-faith council.

The daily quoted the Penang Islamic Council chief Shabudin Yahaya as saying that the inter-faith council must not be allowed to be established as it would place Islam on par with the other religions.

This, said Shabudin, was an insult to Islam.

The daily said that the inter-faith council was headed by Lim and three-Malay members as well.

Original Malay version:

DAP hina Islam?

Oleh HASNURUL MOHAMED
utusanpenang@utusan.com.my

NIBONG TEBAL 23 Feb. – Penubuhan Majlis Perundingan Antara Agama oleh kerajaan negeri Pulau Pinang mesti dihentikan kerana ia meletakkan Islam sama taraf dengan agama-agama lain.

Yang Dipertua Majlis Agama Islam Negeri Pulau Pinang (MAINPP), Shabudin Yahaya berkata, cubaan menyamakan Islam dengan fahaman agama lain ternyata menghina Islam dan tindakan seperti itu mesti dihentikan.

Katanya, MAINPP berasa cukup tersinggung apabila ada beberapa ahli jawatankuasa (AJK) majlis tersebut terdiri daripada orang Melayu.

‘‘Saya difahamkan ada tiga orang AJK Melayu beragama Islam duduk dalam majlis tersebut yang kononnya mahu menuntut kesamarataan agama.

‘‘Ini sesuatu yang cukup menakutkan kerana agama Islam dipandang sama seperti Buddha yang diasaskan oleh manusia bernama Gautama Buddha, disamakan juga dengan Kristian, Taoism dan Bahai,” katanya.

Beliau berkata demikian kepada Utusan Malaysia ketika diminta mengulas ucapannya semasa majlis penyerahan Dana Zakat Program Didik Cemerlang Akademik 2009 di Sungai Dua di sini semalam.

Ketika berucap pada majlis tersebut, Shabudin melahirkan rasa kurang senangnya terhadap penubuhan Majlis Perundingan Antara Agama Pulau Pinang yang bertujuan meletakkan semua agama, termasuk agama Islam sebagai sama rata dengan agama-agama lain.

Majlis tersebut ditubuhkan tahun lalu iaitu selepas kerajaan pakatan pembangkang yang diterajui Ketua Menteri, Lim Guan Eng mula memerintah negeri itu.

Majlis itu dipengerusikan Guan Eng sendiri. Mengulas lanjut, Shabudin yang juga Ahli Dewan Undangan Negeri (ADUN) Permatang Berangan, Tasek Gelugor berkata, agama Islam itu tinggi dan tidak ada yang lebih tinggi daripadanya.

Looking through my archives, I found that Guan Eng did mention setting up a council, but the name is different:

We have also formed an inter-religious council called Majlis Silaturahim to promote goodwill and understanding among all religions

Its from the Star article dated 23 June 2008.

Is there a difference between “inter faith council” and “inter-religious council”, or in Utusan’s report “Majlis Perundingan Antara Agama” which translates to inter-religious consultation council”?

BTW, isn’t the Majlis Agama Islam Pulau Pinang under Penang state government authority?

Any comments?

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Abdul Ghapur stands up for Kugan in parliament

/* February 24th, 2009 by poobalan | View blog reactions 2 comments »
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One month has passed by as pointed out by Abdul Ghapur Salleh (BN-Kalabakan) since Kugan died in custody. He is the rare voice from BN side to express some sort of disappointment over the pace of investigation. He also was disatisfied that police were investigating Murugiah and Devamany, citing that he would have been at the scene if was informed earlier.

One month has passed since the controversial death of 23-year-old car theft suspect A Kugan in police custody, but his spirit still lingers on in Parliament today as a BN MP stood up in protest over the issue.

MCPX

Abdul Ghapur Salleh (BN-Kalabakan) has expressed his disappointment over the investigation into Kugan’s death as no one from the police force has been charged so far.

He stressed that an independent inquiry should be set up to investigate the police officers who are alleged to be involved in the case.

The independent inquiry, he explained, could be set up by anybody as long as it runs impartially and is not bias in favour of the police.

“We cannot defend the police who are criminals. Even if the Indian boy (Kugan) was a criminal, it was not up to the police to punish him,” the outspoken MP told the House during his Royal Address speech.

Abdul Ghapur also expressed his dissatisfaction over the police investigations into two deputy ministers – SK Devamany and T Murugiah. The two were investigated over the “barge-in” at the mortuary last month.

“They were there to help the family and also to express their sympathies, but why were they investigated? Police are the ones who should be investigated here!

“If I knew about it (Kugan’s custodial death) in the first place, I would have joined them!” exclaimed Abdul Ghapur.

… Met later in the lobby, Abdul Ghapur said the government would have to pay a big price if it does not do something to solve the matter.

“Otherwise, the next (political) tsunami will sweep us all,” he said, adding that people would start losing confidence in the police force and the BN government would lose the federal government in the next general election.

When asked as to why Kugan’s custodial death has got his attention rather than previous similar cases, Abdul Ghapur said Kugan’s case was such a “high-profile” one that it was constantly highlighted in the media.

“We also want the police to behave. So, we must have an independent investigation and the investigator must report the outcome to the public,” he said.

Abdul Ghapur further agreed that the Independent Police Complaints and Misconduct Commission (IPCMC), as recommended by the Royal Commission “would be the perfect body” in investigating such cases in the future.

While its heartening to see an MP focusing on the lack of investigation (even though its for political reasons), one wonders if anything will change.

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Karpal shouldn’t waste time with Samy

/* February 23rd, 2009 by poobalan | View blog reactions 1 comment »
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I think Karpal Singh should not be wasting his time nor energy advising Samy Vellu. He’ll be better off worrying about impending court cases or by-elections. No one can beat Samy Vellu. Gerakan fella already got his share, next will be Karpal.

DAP chairperson Karpal Singh today trained his sights at long-time MIC leader S Samy Vellu, urging the latter not to seek re-election for the party post which he had held since 1979.

“I would advise Samy Vellu to step down as president of the MIC. He does not have the moral right to even consider standing for re-election as president of the MIC,” Karpal said in a statement.

Karpal added that Samy Vellu should “repent for the woes brought about by his leadership on the Indian community”.

He also said that Samy Vellu has no rights to seek the support of the Indian community which he took for granted.

Karpal, himself a veteran politician, said that the results of the last general election proved how Samy Vellu fared amongst the community.

“He had boasted that no one could dislodge him as the member of parliament for Sungai Siput.

“The boast was blasted to smithereens by the voters in Sungai Siput and for good reason,” added Karpal.

In general election, almost the entire MIC leadership was defeated, leaving just three parliamentarians from the party. As a result Samy Vellu also lost his place in the cabinet.

Karpal added that Samy Velly had failed the Indian community which has been sidelined by the government.

“He was more interested in the enhancement of his own interests and those of his cronies.”

Karpal further said that Samy Vellu’s retirement will be one in disgrace, adding that he should have stepped down when the time was up.

The veteran lawyer, who has long crossed horns with Samy Vellu, also urged MIC members to leave the party to join the DAP or the PKR.

These two parties, he said, can effectively advance their (the Indian community’s) interests.

Karpal’s attack on Samy Vellu had come in response to the latter’s recent decision to contest for the top post in the party during the presidential election in April.

The contests for all other party posts in MIC will be held in September.

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