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more on Krishnasamy assassination

January 12th, 2008
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Tenggaroh state rep gunned down

By : Sheridan Mahavera, R. Sittamparam, Kamachy Habimanan and Dean Dinesh

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JOHOR BARU: Tenggaroh state assemblyman and Johor MIC deputy chairman Datuk S. Krishnasamy was murdered gangland-style yesterday at the MIC headquarters here.

Krishnasamy, 61, was shot once in the neck at point-blank range by an unknown gunman just as he entered the lift on the ground floor of the building at 2pm. He had been dropped off by his driver and was on his way up to the second floor for a meeting. Witnesses in the building in Jalan Segget heard a shot that sounded like a firecracker but thought nothing of it.

Two party members waiting for the lift were shocked to discover Krishnasamy lying face down in a pool of blood as the doors opened.

V. Kamala, a secretary, was on the fifth floor with Johor MIC Puteri chief R. Vitiya Mohan. They were on their way down to the second floor for the meeting. “The doors opened and Vitiya almost fainted when we saw a man lying in blood. We did not know who he was as we could not see his face. We did not dare go near the body. “The doors closed and we took the stairs down,” said Kamala at the crime scene.

On its way down, the lift stopped on the second floor where Sri Gading division chairman V. Murugan also saw the body. “I thought it was Datuk (Krishnasamy) because I recognised his shirt. But I was not sure. I was in shock and before I could do anything, the lift doors closed and I took the stairs down.”

By this time, a small group of people had gathered around the lift as it had reached the ground floor. Krishnasamy’s driver confirmed that it was him and an ambulance was called. Another witness, Taman Datuk Chellam MIC branch chairman Arumugam Suppiah, said he could see a bleeding wound in Krishnasamy’s neck.

Johor deputy police chief Datuk Mohd Mokhtar Mohd Shariff said a task force of senior investigators had been formed. “What is important is that this matter is left to the police and I urge others not to speculate on the motive. Let us do our jobs. If anyone has information, please call us.”

Krishnasamy’s body was brought to the Sultanah Aminah Hospital for a post-mortem. His body was later taken to his home in Segamat.The funeral service will begin at 2pm. The cortege will leave the house at No 5, Jln Putra 1/40 Bandar Putra at 4pm for burial in Tangkak. For further details, contact 012-7205891 or 016-7289194

Johor rep was shot point blank in the eye

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JOHOR BARU: A man in his early 30s has been identified as the main suspect in the murder of Datuk S. Krishnasamy. Johor police chief Deputy Comm Datuk Hussin Ismail said the man is Indian, medium-built and about 152cm tall. An eyewitness saw the man, who was dressed in a black shirt and jeans, running away from the state MIC headquarters in Jalan Segget here, carrying a package and a helmet, he said. “The man fled the scene in a red motorcycle heading towards Jalan Wong Ah Fook,” he told reporters at a press conference at the state police headquarters here late last night. 

DCP Hussin said police recovered a slug believed to have been fired from the murder weapon. “We are analysing the slug to trace the weapon used. We are exploring all angles in the investigation,” he said. 

DCP Hussin said police also found no trace of a struggle during the incident. “Post-mortem results showed the victim was shot once below the left eyebrow and the bullet went through to the back of his head. “He was shot point blank,” he said, adding that nothing was taken from Krishnasamy. The police have blocked all exit points in the state to prevent the suspect from escaping. “The task force for this case will go all out to nab the suspect,” DCP Hussin said. 

He said a man who was about to enter the lift on the ground floor of the building found Krishnasamy slumped and bleeding when the lift doors opened.  The man called the police who arrived at the scene within minutes, led by state deputy police chief Senior Asst Comm I Datuk Mokhtar Mohd Shariff.  There were no closed-circuit television cameras installed in the six-storey building.  It is learnt that the security guard on duty was away delivering files to another building. 

DCP Hussin urged anyone with information to contact Johor Baru (South) CID Chief Deputy Supt Norhashim Mohamad at 07-223 2222 or the police hotline at 07-221 2999. 

Johor MIC deputy chief Krishnasamy killed by hitman

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JOHOR BARU: Tenggaroh state assemblyman Datuk S. Krishnasamy was shot dead point blank by a gunman in a lift at the state MIC headquarters in Jalan Segget here.  

The State MIC deputy head was shot once below the left eyebrow, a mark of a professional hitman. The bullet went through to the back of his head. Police are looking at all angles and have not ruled out political or business rivalry, or even money lending and gangsterism as motives. The brutal murder occurred at 2.30pm just as Krishnasamy arrived at the party headquarters for a committee meeting and had entered the lift.  The killer is said to have followed him in and shot him while they were in the lift.  

Eyewitnesses saw a man, dressed in a black shirt and jeans, running away from the building carrying a package and a helmet. He then rode off towards Jalan Wong Ah Fook on a red motorcycle. 

Johor Police Chief Deputy Comm Datuk Hussin Ismail told a late night press conference that the suspect was in his 30s, medium-built, about 152cm tall and was an Indian. Cops have thrown a dragnet around the state to prevent the killer from escaping as Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi expressed his outrage and demanded that the killer be caught quickly.

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Leaders condemn assemblyman Krishnasamy murder

January 12th, 2008
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PM, DPM, SV, and others expressed shock over the assassination of Tenggaroh state assemblyman Datuk S Krishnasamy.

Leaders condemn rep’s murder

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KUALA LUMPUR: Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi has expressed shock over the murder of Tenggaroh state assemblyman Datuk S. Krishnasamy in Johor Baru yesterday, describing it as a cruel and despicable act. The Prime Minister said he wanted the perpetrators of the crime brought to justice swiftly. “I am shocked and saddened by the killing of Datuk Krishnasamy. This is a cruel and despicable act. I wish to express my condolences to Datuk Krishnasamy's family,” he said. 

Krishnasamy, 62, who was the Johor MIC deputy chairman, was shot dead in the lift of the Johor MIC headquarters. He was found slumped in a pool of blood by Johor MIC Puteri chief R. Vithiya Mohan. The motive for the murder is not known. 

A witness said he saw a man leaving in a hurry from the building on a motorcycle shortly after he heard what sounded like a gunshot. In Putrajaya, Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak called on the public to cooperate with the police to solve the murder. “I am saddened and shocked by the news and on behalf of the Government I express our condolences to Krishnasamy's family,” said Najib. He said the police had briefed him and said they would speed up investigations to determine the motive of the killing. 

MIC president Datuk Seri S. Samy Vellu also expressed shock over Krishnasamy's death. “We have lost a strong and capable leader. I regret the loss of a very hardworking leader who has done a lot for the Malaysian Indian community,” he said. Samy Vellu, who is Works Minister, said Krishnasamy was a close friend, a hard worker and a high performer in politics. “He maintained his constituency well and was constantly in touch with the grassroots members. His death will be a great loss to the community,” he said. 

In Johor Baru, Mentri Besar Datuk Abdul Ghani Othman expressed shock over the incident and conveyed his condolences to Krishnasamy's family. Abdul Ghani described Krishnasamy as a good assemblyman who was committed to his work and serving the public. 

State MIC chairman Datuk K.S. Balakrishnan, who was also scheduled to attend the meeting at the MIC headquarters, described the death as a big loss to MIC. State MCA acting chief Tan Kok Hong said Krishnasamy was a good fried. “I have known him since 1995 and we had a good working relationship,” said Tan. Pengkalan Rinting assemblyman Low Teh Hian said Krishnasamy always sat beside him during the state assembly sessions.  “He cared for people of all races. Money was always allocated to Chinese schools and temples in his constituency,” he said.  

State Wanita Umno chief Halimah Sadique said Krishnasamy was an outstanding leader and his death was a great loss for the Mersing constituency. “Whenever we had election campaigns, we could see that he was well-loved by the people,” she said when conveying her condolences to Krishnasamy’s family on behalf of the state Wanita Umno. 

Abdullah shocked, condemns killing

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KUALA LUMPUR: Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi has expressed shock over the murder of Tenggaroh state assemblyman Datuk S. Krishnasamy in Johor Baru this afternoon, and described it as a cruel and despicable act. 

He said he wanted the perpetrators of the crime to be brought to justice swiftly."I am shocked and saddened by the killing of Datuk Krishnasamy. This is a cruel and despicable act," he told Bernama."I also wish to express my condolences to Datuk Krishnasamy's family." he added.

In Putrajaya, Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak extended his condolences to the family of the late Krishnasamy. Najib called on everyone to co-operate with the police and not speculate over the incident. "I have been told by the inspector-general of police that every effort is being made to track down the killer," he said. Najib said although this was not the first time that an elected representative had been shot dead, it was not a culture. "We have to establish why this happened. We want to establish the motive."

Samy Vellu: We have lost a warrior

source

KUALA LUMPUR: MIC leaders are shocked and outraged over the brutal slaying of MIC Johor deputy chief Datuk S. Krishnasamy.

Krishnasamy, 61, who was also the Tenggaroh state assemblyman, was at the Johor MIC headquarters to attend a meeting when unidentified gunmen shot him at close range while he was in the lift. Krishnasamy died shortly after the incident yesterday afternoon.

MIC president and Works Minister Datuk Seri S. Samy Vellu, who was in India attending the Pravasi Bharatiya Divas 2008 meeting, expressed shock over the murder. "I am saddened by his sudden death. Such incidents should never have taken place," Samy Vellu said in a statement.
 

"We have lost a warrior who fights for the people. Krishnasamy was a capable and dedicated leader. "He was also a personal friend and he had always been a people's person," said Samy Vellu. In extending his condolences to Krishnasamy's family, Samy Vellu said he was leaving it to the police to investigate the killing.

MIC vice-president Datuk S. Veerasingam condemned the incident as ruthless and inhumane.  "This is not the first time such an incident, involving an MIC member, had taken place. I do not understand why such things happen," said Veerasingam.

Putera MIC leader P. Kamalanathan, who was also a personal friend of the victim, said Krishnasamy was one of the most vocal politicians who had championed youth programmes in the party and in Johor. "He had always supported the MIC education bureau by voicing education-related matters and took a personal interest in helping deserving youth to succeed," said Kamalanathan.

Krishnasamy, a former contractor, had been actively involved in politics since 1995 and won the rural state seat of Tenggaroh for three terms.  He was also a member of the MIC central working committee. Krishnasamy is survived by his wife, N. Sornavalli, and four children.

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Christian children books seized

January 11th, 2008
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I'm confused. What business does a Muslim have reading Christian children books until he/she can complain to the authorities? The report say Islamic authorities (which jokers is it this time?) made the complaint. Why would an authority on Islam go and poke its nose into a different religion matters? Surely they have better things to do like snooping on promiscuous couples, investigating deviant teachings, or checking on mosques' sermons? I'm sooo confused!

Christian children books seized
http://www.malaysiakini.com/news/76951
Chua Sue-Ann | Jan 11, 08 5:13pm

The Internal Security Ministry has confiscated English language Christian children’s books said to contain offensive caricatures of prophets from several bookshops in three states.

Malaysiakini learnt that these books have been seized from three MPH bookstores in Johor Bahru, Senawang in Negeri Sembilan and Ipoh, Perak. It is unclear if other book retailers have had similar raids.

The raids were conducted by state enforcement officials of the Publications and Al-Quran Texts Control Department under the Internal Security Ministry.

Negeri Sembilan and Malacca department director Faizah Nor Sidek confirmed that a total of 29 books were seized in mid-December from the Senawang MPH outlet.

According to Faizah, her department acted on a complaint from Islamic authorities.

“The illustrations of prophets in the Christian children’s books are said to offend the sensitivities of Muslims,” she said when contacted today.

The six titles have been sent to the department’s headquarters in Putrajaya for investigation.

Faizah said that the department had issued an official notice of confiscation to the bookstore’s management and will communicate the headquarter’s final decision to them.

Director of the Perak department Mohamad Zaid also confirmed that more than 10 books have been taken off the shelves in the Ipoh Kinta City branch on Jan 3.

According to Zaid, enforcement officers received information from headquarters to remove the children’s books.

MPH bookstores management declined to comment, saying that they will wait for the Internal Security Ministry’s official decision.

Officials from the Publications and Al-Quran Texts Control Department headquarters were unavailable for comment.

Christian publications in limbo

These confiscations come amidst other controversial restrictions towards Christian publications.

Customs authorities seized six titles of Christian children’s books last August on the grounds that the Bahasa Indonesia publications contained certain words that were exclusive to Islam.

The words in contention are ‘Allah’ (God), ‘Baitullah’ (House of God), ‘Solat’ (prayer) and ‘Kaabah’ (The Sacred House).

Sabah Sidang Injil Borneo Church – who sought to import these books for their Sunday school classes – have a lawsuit pending against the government and the prime minister, who is also the internal security minister.

The hearing has been postponed to Jan 15 to allow relevant parties to seek a resolution to the issue.

The suit, filed by church president Pastor Jerry Dusing, is seeking the return of the consignment of materials that were confiscated by Custom officers at the Low-cost Carrier Terminal on Aug 15.

The church also want the court to rule on the constitutional right and legitimate expectation to the use of the term 'Allah' as a translation for God in Christian publications as well the right to import such publications.

Last month, controversy erupted over the Internal Security Ministry’s directive to the Catholic church’s weekly publication Herald to stop using the term ‘Allah’ when referring to God or risk having its printing license unrenewed.

The ministry has since renewed the weekly paper’s printing license after public outcry over the issue.

However, the paper will persist with its lawsuit against the government to challenge the prohibition from using the word ‘Allah’.

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MIC Assemblyman shot dead

January 11th, 2008
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 Got a call on this a few minutes ago. Confirmed by article on MK

MIC leader shot dead in Johor

http://www.malaysiakini.com/news/76947
Jan 11, 08 3:32pm
MIC Johor deputy chief and Tenggaroh state assemblyperson S Krishnasamy was gunned down by unidentified assailants at the MIC Johor headquarters this afternoon.

When contacted, his staff confirmed that Krishnasamy, 58, died shortly after the 2pm incident. The politician was shot twice at close range.

Unconfirmed reports claimed that the three-term assemblyperson was shot after two men approached him near a lift in the party headquarters, where Krishnasamy was supposed to attend a meeting.

Krishnasamy, a contractor, leaves behind widow Sornavalli and four children.

He was also elected as a member of MIC’s powerful central working committee in 2000, 2003 and 2006.

Krishnasamy is the second MIC politician to have been shot dead in recent years. In 2000, then Kedah state assemblyperson for Lunas Dr Joe Fernandez was shot dead in Bukit Mertajam by unidentified men.

Contacted later, Kahang (Johor) state assemblyperson S Ramis described Krishnasamy’s death as a great loss to the party.

“He was a bold and daring man who worked hard for his constituents and the Indian community. This is a big loss. He was one of the potential leaders to lead the state MIC,” he said.

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Penang Hindu Endowment Board under attack

January 11th, 2008
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Political meddling in Penang Hindu temples
http://www.malaysiakini.com/news/76923
Athi Veeranggan | Jan 11, 08 10:46am

A Hindu organisation has taken the Penang Hindu Endowments Board to task for acting beyond its jurisdiction and becoming a political tool of the MIC and Gerakan.

The United Hindu Religious Council (UHRC) president S Mugunthan alleged that the board's nine commissioners were appointed yearly based on their political affiliation rather than their knowledge on Hinduism and administrative skills.

He said that the political-based appointment for the board's commissioner position had become a norm since the 1980's.

"It is obvious that the present commissioners were appointed due to their political allegiance with certain parties or leaders notably the MIC and Gerakan,” he said.

Sources close to the endowments board told Malaysiakini that MIC president and Works Minister S Samy Vellu and Gerakan president and Penang Chief Minister Dr Koh Tsu Koon were the most powerful influence behind the appointment of the commissioners.

The source revealed that MIC and Gerakan had been using the commissioners’ position as a political gift to their local leaders.

The present chairman of the endowments board is the state MIC deputy chairperson and executive councillor PK Subbaiyah.

Over the past 20 years or so, many commissioners were appointed from political ranks of MIC and Gerakan.

"This is unwarranted," added Mugunthan.

The statutory powers

Under the Section 3(1) of the Hindu Endowment Ordinance 1906, the state governor on the advice of the state executive council shall appoint a board of commissioners, in which one of whom shall be a government officer.

Under Section 6 of the HEO, the board of commissioners shall appoint an endowment management committee consisting members of public professing the religion applicable to the endowment.

UHRC deputy president K Suppayah, who was appointed as assistant secretary to the commissioner board for more than 20 years (1970-1993), said there was no provision under the ordinance that empowered the board to appoint the management committees to manage any Hindu temples, organise Hindu religious festivals, govern tanneer panthals (refreshment sheds), collect donations and charge devotees with prayer fees of any form.

"The board is only a trustee of Hindu endowments of five temples," he said, while stressing that he had clarified the matter with the Attorney-General Chambers.

At present Hindu endowments belonging to the Waterfall hilltop Sri Balathandayuthabani Kovil , Sri Ramar Kovil in Dhoby Ghaut, Sri Kunj Bihari Krishan Mandir, Lebuh Queen's Sri Maha Mariamman Kovil and Butterworth Sri Maha Mariamman Kovil come under the jurisdiction of the endowments board.

Although it's merely a board of trustees to safeguard and manage the endowments of the five Hindu temples, the statutory body has, however transformed itself into a religious authority to appoint, control and dictate the management committees of the five temples, religious festivals and tanneer panthals (refreshment sheds).

"This clearly contravenes Article 11 of the Federal Constitution which was unambiguous that the government shall not handle religious affairs pertaining to religions other than Islam.

"Since the board is a statutory body, it shall not encroach into Hindu religious affairs," said Suppayah, while adding that the management of the five temples should be left to Hindu public, especially Hindu organisations.

Legal action possible

If the letter of law were to be enforced strictly, the board had no powers to manage temples, interfere in organising of the Thaipusam or Chitra Paruvam festivals and tanneer panthals.

As such, the board would have no authority to stop tanneer panthals from playing their own music during the Thaipusam festival and install a 3km-long single public address system between the Waterfall hilltop temple in Jalan Air Terjun and the Jalan Brown – Jalan Utama.

It also cannot impose charges on devotees for prayers of any form at the five temples.

Technically and ideally, said Suppayah, either existing Hindu organisations shall be allowed or new independent organisations shall be registered to manage each of the temples and organise religious festivals and functions associated with the temples.

"However, the board has now usurped a non-existent power by directly interfering with Hindu religious," he said.

Mugunthan said his council would carry out awareness campaign on the real position and powers of the endowments board since many Hindus were either ignorant and naive about the whole issue.

He did not rule out legal redress on the issue to stop the board from overstepping its judicial boundary thus committing unlawful acts.

"We have to take court action to right the wrong then we will do it," he said.

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