Posts Tagged ‘Pakatan Rakyat’

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Hudud splits Pakatan

January 9th, 2009
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Well well well, Anwar’s support for Hudud law for Muslims only creates a storm for DAP, especially Karpal Singh.

PKR will not reject outright PAS’ plan to implement hudud law, said its de facto leader Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim.

He also dismissed Karpal Singh’s remark that such legislation was unconstitutional, saying that the DAP chairman was making a general statement.

He said there was no need to reject the proposal as it was only applicable to Muslims.

What was needed, said Anwar, was an in depth discussion among Pakatan Rakyat partners on contentious issues which had resurfaced following a debate between PAS vice-president Datuk Husam Musa and Umno Youth deputy head Khairy Jamaluddin.

“Hudud is not something new. There is allocation for it in Islam. This is what PAS has been saying all along, that it is solely for the Muslims,” he told reporters after launching the PKR main operation room for the Kuala Terengganu parliamentary by-election yesterday.

According to Anwar, all opposition parties understood Islam and that its legislative aspects should not just be confined to Syariah family or civil law.

Describing himself as a practising Muslim, Anwar stressed there was no blanket answer on hudud and that he would not emulate what former Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad did, which was to oppose and reject outright hudud law when PAS first proposed it without fully understanding the issue.

He said detailed discussions on the issue could clear the air.

He also urged all dissenting voices to study the specific proposal and its provisions closely before opening their mouths.

TV3 Nightline showed a press statement from Karpal who claimed that for Hudud to be implemented, the status of country should changed to islamic state. However, since Malaysia is secular (well actually its neither there nor here), implementing Hudud is unconstitutional. Malaysiakini extract below:

PKR leader Anwar Ibrahim’s statement that people should not worry about PAS’ intention to implement hudud laws as it would only be applicable to Muslims, was today called a fallacy by DAP stalwart Karpal Singh.

He said this was because Anwar’s statement was “diametrically opposed to PAS’ avowed aim to turn Malaysia into an Islamic state” which Karpal believes would also mean the indiscriminate implementation of hudud laws.

“This has been PAS’ stand from its inception as is clearly reflected by the statements by former and present leaders of PAS.

“In fact, (PAS spiritual leader) Nik Aziz is on record to have said on Dec 22 last year that PAS would implement hudud laws with or without the support of DAP and PKR,” said Karpal in a statement today.

Both News Straits Times and The Star on Dec 23 reported on Nik Aziz’ persistence that his party would pursue the implementation of hudud laws even without the support of its other Pakatan Rakyat coalition members.

He was also quoted as saying that he could not understand why DAP was rejecting hudud laws when he believed they were similar to western laws.

“In light of this statement, there is a fallacy in Anwar’s assertion that hudud laws would only be applicable to Muslims,” Karpal reasoned.

“The pre-requisite of implementing hudud laws is the setting up of an Islamic state and as such, it is wrong for Anwar to imply that the implementation of hudud laws would not affect everyone including the non-Muslims.

“It is important for Anwar to know exactly what PAS intends to do in calling for the setting up of an Islamic state,” Karpal added.

… Meanwhile, Karpal said PAS president Hadi Awang should clear the air as to whether hudud laws were intended to be made applicable to both Muslims and non-Muslims in the event PAS succeeded in setting up an Islamic state.

“In the public interest, he should do so,” said the veteran DAP leader.

Nevertheless, Karpal reiterated DAP’s stand that the country is not an Islamic state and that the implementation of hudud laws would be “unconstitutional”.

Looks like Pakatan had fallen into BN’s trap.

For me, even though they claim Hudud will be only for muslims, sooner or later it will start to interfere in everybody’s lives. That’s inevitable since the nature of their religion is intrusive (my opinion). As it is, we have lots of problem with syariah laws and implementation by the relevant departments.
Having hudud will mean a death trap of sorts for the rest of malaysians people. Personally, i think even the more liberal muslims will not support it. imagine those famous personalities can’t wear strapless gowns at high class dinners. Muslim college students have to cover up (i still having shock over the way some of them dress at a certain uni in cyberjaya – MAIS officers will have a good time there), mat rempits having their body parts chopped off if found guilty of robbing (ok, i’m over-reacting here!).

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Silibin versus Patto

November 16th, 2008
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First, let’s look at two different statistics:

NST:

He pointed out yesterday that during a month-long survey conducted by the state DAP, only 12 out of 100 respondents living in Jalan Silibin had voiced their reservations over the renaming of the road.

He said 55 residents and business operators had supported the renaming while 37 others were neutral in the matter.

55+37+12 = 114. This is more than 100 possibly because the combination of residents and business owners, but still need to clarify why 114 responses exist.

The Star:

He said of the 74 respondents interviewed, 55 supported the idea while 12 disagreed and seven were neutral.

“We made sure we got the views of a multiracial group of people so that all races were represented,” he said.

55 + 12 + 7= 74. Perfect fit.

But how can the Star and NST report two different set of numbers? Who to believe?

Let’s see both side of the arguments:

For change
– honor the late Patto
– the late Patto served Silibin area before
– The hassle for residents is minimal. (well, then perhaps the state government can cover the cost of the changes – MyKad, business cards, letterheads etc.).
– Jalan Silibin is not that well known, unlike Jalan Alor which is world famous
– No record of the history or origin of the name “Silibin” – claims Kulasegaran.
– 70% of residents affects agree to the change

Against change
– Its a hassle and unnecessary expense
– Will affect businesses
– Can rename a monument or park, or name a road in new housing area.
– Silibin has lots of historical significance.

A group of businessmen even sent a petition to Perak Menteri Besar protesting the proposed change.

I think there should be a study on the historical significance or origin of “Silibin”. It should be having some history behind it. Secondly, since 30 percent are opposing, perhaps the state government can hold a public forum to get more responses (being a transparent state, its should do so). The state can also identity other sites/roads that can be named after the late Patto. Being a caring government, it can reimburse the affected businesses and residents if the name is changed.

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PKNS for Malays or for all Selangorians?

October 29th, 2008
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I’m disgusted with the comments from PKNS staff-bodies and also the information revealed by MB Khalid Ibrahim. Selangor, being the most modern state, its coffers being filled by sweat and toil of all its rakyat (plus millons of foreign workers) and PKNS is for Malays? I think all those staff should be sacked. There are thousands of other Selangorians who are looking for work. Let them work for development of the state.

 

The worse is the racist attitude of their staff who oppose the appointment of current Finance and Corporate deputy general manager Low Siew Moi, 57, (trained accountant working for PKNS for 35 YEARS!) who will have her annual contract extended to replace the existing GM – Datuk Harun Salim, whose annual contract expires this Thursday. His contract is not extended, as he is 60. Harun retired in mid-2003 and will have to leave the government entity in compliance with the Public Services Department’s age requirement.

 

Low is to be given a one year contract.

 

According to the 6 staff bodies:

In their joint memorandum dated Oct 25 to Khalid, the staff associations said: “PKNS was established for Malays and to fulfill the Malay agenda. Because of this, the organisation needs to be led by a Malay.”

The document was signed by the respective heads of associations of senior officers, executive officers and workers; the sports and recreation club; Islamic association, and staff welfare body.

“The associations, unions and welfare bodies do not deny the capabilities of Low Siew Moi (left) in the management of finance,” they said.

“However, leading PKNS would need certain leadership criteria, among them, rapport with all staff and associations and ability to communicate with different levels of personnel.”

The memorandum stated that, as PKNS conducts activities that are spiritual in nature, its leader must understand and practice Islamic values.

“In other words, the one who will become the general manager will be the ‘imam’ for all the staff,” the signatories said.

Urging Khalid to retract Low’s appointment, they said they would only extend full support if current deputy general manager in charge of administration and development – Md Nasir Md Arshad – is promoted to general manager.

Since when is PKNS is for Malays? All Selangorians must make a police report against this seditious statements which threaten racial harmony. This is what happens when the organisation is being monopolised by certain race only. Other people don’t exist in their eyes.

 

This is another classic example of making use of religion for discrimination. If want to have an imam, hire one specifically la. Don’t bog down the leader with extra work. Or when it comes to religious events, ask a representative to attend. All this petty excuse of serve to increase the contempt and anger against government bodies like PKNS. Let us not go into government agencies.

 

The staff also issued a veiled threat to MB Khalid that they won’t support the Low if she is appointed. Isn’t that considered treason or something? The staff have a responsibilty to the rakyat, not to pick sides or decide who can lead them.

 

The reason given by Khalid is that they cannot afford to have both Low and Harun to retire at the same time. He said its for one year while they look for a ” bumiputra person with high calibre and ethics and someone who is committed to lead the state’s business arm.”. As Haris Ibrahim asked : Is it not enough that the individual is a person ‘with high calibre and
ethics and someone who is committed to lead the state’s business arm’? Why need to have a racist and discriminative policy? Isn’t this depriving other Selangorians of getting the job? If this is not discrimination, what is?

 

Khalid also revealed two other facts:

 

1. a group of senior officers have 30% shares in PKNS subsidiary – PKNS Infra Sdn Bhd, which will possibly lead to biased decision, cronyism, corruption, etc. Is this what PKNS’s version of Islam and spirituality all about?  Can the staff bodies answer this?

 

2. 75% of projects awarded by PKNS were given to non-bumiputra firms either directly or indirectly. Now, there’s two things here. Firstly, since the staff bodies boldly claim that PKNS is for Malays and Malay agenda, how can this happen? So, they are not doing their jobs (their version)? Secondly, what’s wrong with work being done by non-bumiputras? As long as the job is done correctly, people will be happy. The old way of allocating to bumiputra should be discarded. The Pakatan Rakyat government should encourage award of project based on competency, capability, track record. Don’t be like previous leadership.

 

 

If PKNS is only to serve bumiputra businessmen, then better Selangorians boycott PKNS. Why should we support racist organisations?

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Statistics on Temple demolition in Selangor

October 28th, 2008
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The statistics mentioned by Xavier Jayakumar at Selangor state assembly:

A total of 96 Hindu and 37 Buddhist temples were demolished in Selangor between 2004 and 2007.

State exco member Dr A. Xavier Jayakumar said the move was carried out by the local authorities.

However, so far this year, 54 new applications had been approved by the committee task with regulating non-Muslim places of worship.

Among the applications are for 25 Hindu temples, 19, Buddhist temples and 10 churches.

Dr Xavier, who was answering a question from Lee Ying Ha (PR-Teretai), said although the applications had been approved by the committee, they would still need to be approved by the state executive council before the new places of worship could be built.

96 temples/4 years = 20 temples per year demolished. That’s about one temple every two and half weeks. Is it consistent with HINDRAF’s claims?

There’s also a catch with the approvals given by PR government. The non-muslim religious affairs committee (3 people: Xavier, Ronnie, and Teresa – WHO STILL HAVE NOT replied to my email) gave the approval. Its like a first round. The second round is the state EXCO.

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religious structures in Selangor limited to 10000 square feet

October 25th, 2008
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I’m wondering if NST wrote this wrongly. It says that Dr Xavier said the state government had approved a policy whereby religious structures of any religion other than Islam must not exceed 10,000 sq ft in size .

This seems to be a ridiculous rule indeed. Why would there be a limit? Logically, the community that wants to build a place of worship will know its own financial strength and the viability of such places. Secondly, religious buildings/structures can double up as tourist attractions. So, limiting the size is inappropriate.

Secondly, those owners of illegally built places of worship will be fined continuously until government recognition is received. This is also illogical. If the owners are in the dark about existence of such places on their lands, or if such places are in process of getting recognition, the fines should be waived.

The Selangor government in July instructed all local authorities in the state to fine owners of houses of worship built illegally, said State Health, Plantation Workers, Poverty and Caring Government Committee chairman, Dr Xavier Jayakumar.
The fines needed to be settled continuously until the owners received government recognition for the houses of worship, he said when answering a question from Sulaiman Abdul Razak (BN-Permatang) in the State Assembly here today.

By the way, I’m still waiting for Jayakumar et. al.’s reply to my email on temple demolition report.

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