Muzliza Mustafa, TMI

The organisers of this Saturday's Black 505 rally will face prosecution as they have not received approval from City Hall to use Padang Merbok in Kuala Lumpur for the gathering.

They will be investigated for contravening the Peaceful Assembly Act (PAA) 2012 if they go ahead with it.

This was the warning issued by Dang Wangi police chief Assistant Commissioner Zainuddin Ahmad today. He said although the organisers had been given the police the required 10-day notice, they had not received approval for the use of the field from City Hall.

The police will not make any preparations to accommodate the rally but warned they will be there to enforce the law.

The Black 505 gathering is being organised by Pakatan Rakyat to protest the alleged fraud at the recent polls.

It is also to pressure the top two in the Election Commission to resign for their alleged failure to conduct a free and fair election. 

READ MORE HERE

(The Star) - A former Umno man who joined DAP last year has now turned on the Opposition party, saying it had fielded too few non-Chinese members in the General Election. Aspan Alias was among those not picked to stand for the elections.

Aspan, a former Negri Sembilan Umno veteran, said DAP also had too few non-Chinese in key party positions.

“How can this be? If you say that you are fighting for multi-racialism, you must show it in terms of having Malays, Chinese and Indians well represented,” he told The Star.

Aspan joined DAP along with fellow Umno member Datuk Mohd Ariff Sabri Abdul Aziz, who had won the Raub parliamentary seat in the May 5 elections.

He said he signed up with DAP because he felt that Barisan had failed to develop national unity, but has since realised that DAP itself did not trust other races, especially the Malays.

“DAP attacks Barisan Nasional as racist, but many forget that DAP is racist, entirely,” he said.

“Now, I don't care if the party wants to sack me, because to me, a party is just a vehicle and my objective is more important.

“My objective is to achieve national unity,” he added.

Increasingly vocal in criticising both Pakatan Rakyat as well as Barisan Nasional in his recent blog entries (http://aspanaliasnet.blogspot.com/), Aspan said that he decided to speak up as he was worried about racial harmony in the country.

“Many people do not understand what nationhood is because to them it is just about a political struggle in order to win positions, so we need a new approach in order to bring a fresh start to the nation,” he said.

Aspan said that a national dialogue should be organised among all groups in society to foster national unity and to find a new approach in order for the country to move forward.

He suggested that Gua Musang MP Tengku Razaleigh Hamzah be invited to lead such a national dialogue as he was widely considered as a political figure who understands the issue intimately, as he had experience living through many tumultuous periods in Malaysia's history.

Meanwhile, DAP national organising secretary and the Negri Sembilan party chief Anthony Loke said that Aspan was merely disappointed that he was not picked to contest in the elections.

He also dismissed Aspan's claims, calling him “unimportant”.

“He is just an ordinary member. He can say what he wants. The party leadership will respond when necessary,” he said.

The party's disciplinary committee chief and national deputy chairman Tan Kok Wai also said that he will study Aspan's comments before deciding on any action.

A lawyer will give fresh details on the scandal at a Suaram dinner next month.

G Vinod, FMT

Suaram will make a further expose next month of allegedly corrupt dealings in Malaysia’s 2002 purchase of two Scorpene submarines.

A spokesman for the human rights movement told a press conference today that a local lawyer would reveal new details of the scandal at a fund raising dinner scheduled for July 19 at the Petaling Jaya Civic Centre.

The lawyer has been in touch with the French authorities investigating the case, according to Peter Chong, who heads Suaram’s Ops Scorpene unit.

“The French court asked our team for the contact numbers of two Malaysian lawyers who are in the know of what transpired,” he said. “One of them will be at the dinner.”

The case, which the French are investigating at Suaram’s request, threatens to tarnish Prime Minister Najib Tun Razak, who was Defence Minister at the time the submarines were purchased. The controversial murder of Mongolian national Altantuya Shaariibu has been tied to the case.

Suaram chief Cynthia Gabriel told today’s press conference that French investigators had traced the money trail to several companies located in Hong Kong and linked to “well-connected Malaysians”.

“The Hong Kong authorities are cooperating with the French team,” she added.

Responding to a reporter’s question, she said the probe was taking a long time because of the nature of the French judicial system.

READ MORE HERE

(Phil Star) - Some 400 fighters and volunteers in the Royal Security Force (RSF) of the Sultanate of Sulu have engaged Malaysian security forces in a firefight in Kampung Dengan Tungku in Lahad Datu, Sabah on Monday afternoon, Abraham Idjirani, spokesman for the Sulu sultanate, said the fresh fighting was reported to him by Agbimuddin Kiram, brother of Sulu sultan Jamalul Kiram III and commander of the RSF.

Agbimuddin reported that the RSF fighters were moving through Dengan Tungku at about 1 p.m. when they encountered the Malaysian troops.

"There was a rather long exchange of fire. The RSF later was forced back into their base in Lahad Datu," Idjirani told the STAR.

Idjirani said the RSF did not sustain any casualty during the firefight. There was no information about casualties on the Malaysian side.

"The size of the RSF force involved in the fight would also give you an idea how large was the Malaysian force they had encountered. This only shows that Malaysia is really bent not to give up its hold on Sabah," said Idjirani.

Idjirani added that the clash in Dengan Tungku was also confirmed by Hajib Mujaha Hashim, chairman of the Moro National Liberation Front's Islamic Command Council.

Meanwhile, the sultanate of Sulu met with representatives of the Bayan Muna party list led by Satur Ocampo to tap the party's help in pushing for the Sabah issue at the House of Representatives. 

Idjirani said the Sulu sultanate handed over to Ocampo several legal and historical documents detailing the sultanate's claim over Sabah.

"We handed these documents for them to study. Ka Satur has promised that the Sabah issue will be pushed by Bayan Muna and seven other allied representatives at the House of Representatives," said Idjirani. 

(Bernama) - "Going to the same school increases the chances of togetherness. I'm the product of this kind of school" 

There is a need to rewrite Malaysian history books to include problems faced in the past and steps taken by the government to solve such issues, so as to offer a better understanding of the country's history to the younger generation.

Former Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad said this move would also help Malaysia to establish a more educated society, and "thus create more vocal leaders."

It will also help unite Malaysians, create a rounded education for the young, he said in his keynote address titled Better Times Ahead for Malaysian Politics, Post General Elecetion-13 at the Perdana Leadership Foundation CEO Forum in Kuala Lumpur yesterday.

"We need to do a lot of things. We should also learn from the history of other countries such as why the Arab Spring occurred.

"Then we ask ourselves, do we want this to happen in this country? "There are some people who literally say they want to see an Arab Spring in Malaysia. They prefer to ignore stability, peace and overthrow the leaders.

"Therefore, we need to settle down and understand what democracy is and tell them to trust the government," he added.

Touching on education, Dr Mahathir suggested that having a national school under one roof for all races, can keep Malaysia peaceful, united and will help build a better future for its citizens.

"The problem we face today is that we do not come together, and barely speak or use the national language. We should use it more (national language).

"We should have less segregation in schools for example, and make it compulsory to use and learn the national language," he said.

"Going to the same school increases the chances of togetherness. I'm the product of this kind of school," he said.

On learning the national language, Dr Mahathir was curious as some foreign diplomats who worked in other countries like Indonesia could master the language of that particular country, but not in Malaysia.

He said it was because Malaysians themselves communicated in English and not in their national language, and thus forgetting that language was one of the factors that unifies society.

Malaysian student Bong Meen Szer (center) takes part in calligraphy contest at Xiamen University. She welcomed the college's plan to open a campus in Kuala Lumpur, capital of Malaysia. 

(China Daily) - Cross-border expansion signifies China's growing clout and rising world interest in country, report Luo Wangshu in Chongqing, Cao Yin in Beijing and Wang Hongyi in Shanghai.

Loke Pui Yan has been studying for her master's degree at Xiamen University in Fujian province since the autumn. The campus, which is along a beach, is a sight to behold. It is scattered with elegant historical buildings, enjoys pleasant weather and ocean breezes, and almost, but not quite, erases any feelings Loke has of culture shock and homesickness.

Although the 29-year-old Malaysian has enjoyed her studies and her stay in China, she was thrilled to learn that the college is ready to establish a campus in her homeland.

Xiamen University will be the first Chinese college to open a campus abroad to showcase its ideas and culture, improve China's image in the world and enhance relations with other countries.

Unlike Western universities, which have flocked to China, the country has come late to the party.

Now it is trying to play catch-up and ride the globalization of the education business.

Over the past decades, a large number of overseas universities have come to China to set up joint institutions and exchange programs. The Ministry of Education put the number of joint projects now at about 1,500, including Shanghai New York University, Wenzhou Kean University and Kunshan Duke University.

But the number of Chinese higher education institutes going out and establishing cooperation with overseas education bodies is small, although the Chinese government is supporting the internationalization of higher education to spread influence in the world, a process known as soft diplomacy.

Zhang Xiuqin, director of international cooperation and exchanges at the Ministry of Education, said China will support and help eligible universities to go out and globalize.

Xiamen University announced in February it will be the first one to take the step. And in May, Zhejiang University, one of the nation's top-five colleges, said it will also build a campus in London. It also has signed a Memorandum of Understanding for furthering academic collaboration with London University's Imperial College.

Innovative model

"This is indeed an exciting opportunity but needs much innovative effort," said Song Yonghua, executive vice-president of Zhejiang University, speaking of the establishment of the London campus.

He said Zhejiang University and Imperial College will start exploring the feasibility of establishing facilities in the new Imperial West campus for joint academic activities.

Xu Liping, deputy director of the South Asian Studies Center of the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences, said, "It is innovative for Chinese universities to go abroad to show their educational ideas and culture."

Most activities so far between Chinese universities and foreign institutes are too simple and superficial, and do not provide long-term development, Xu said.

Chinese universities started to expand toward the end of the 20th century. With the fast development of colleges, many universities are seeking international cooperation, including faculty collaboration and student exchange programs.

In addition to these programs, most Chinese universities reach foreign counterparts through Confucius Institutes, offering language and cultural classes.

However, setting up campuses and granting degrees is still a new field.

"Xiamen University is attempting to break through the superficial educational or teaching communications between countries," Xu said, adding it will be good for China to improve its image in the world and enhance its relationship with neighbors.

Xiamen University's 60-hectare Malaysia campus will be built in the capital, Kuala Lumpur, at a cost of about 1.26 billion yuan ($205 million).

Construction will start in January 2014 and recruitment will begin in the autumn of 2015. The first class intake will be 500 students.

The student population will number 5,000 by 2020. The campus is ambitious to become home to 10,000 students, including 9,000 undergraduates and 1,000 graduate students.

Five majors will be open to students in the first stage at the Malaysia campus: Chinese language and culture, Chinese medicine, computer sciences, economics and electronic engineering. All lectures will be in English, except for those on Chinese language and culture and Chinese medicine.

Read more at: http://europe.chinadaily.com.cn/china/2013-06/17/content_16628675.htm 

(Channel News Asia) - Both Mr Shanmugam and Dr Balakrishnan referred to the claim by an Indonesian Forestry Ministry official in the media that Malaysian and Singapore palm oil companies that had invested in Indonesia may be responsible for starting the fires in Riau.

Singapore Environment and Water Resources Minister Vivian Balakrishnan said there is a need to exert commercial pressure against companies causing the haze.

Singapore has asked Indonesia to name the errant companies involved in illegal burning.

The primary responsibility to take legal and enforcement actions against these companies lie with Indonesia - as they have clearly violated Indonesian laws within Indonesian jurisdiction.

This was highlighted in a joint statement by the Foreign Affairs Ministry and Ministry of the Environment and Water Resources.

Earlier, Foreign Affairs Minister K Shanmugam and Minister for Environment and Water Resources Vivian Balakrishnan had spoken to their Indonesian counterparts - Indonesian Minister for Foreign Affairs Dr Marty Natalegawa and Indonesian Environment Minister Dr Balthasar Kambuaya - to register Singapore's strong concerns about the worsening haze situation.

The two ministers highlighted that Singapore's PSI had breached 150 on Monday, and had entered the unhealthy zone.

The Singaporean ministers emphasised the urgency of the situation while also reaffirming Singapore's commitment to help Indonesia fight the fires in Sumatra.

Dr Balakrishnan requested that Indonesia share relevant information to improve monitoring of hotspots and land clearing activities.

This had been agreed between Brunei Darussalam, Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore and Thailand in October 2012.

Read more at: http://www.channelnewsasia.com/news/singapore/s-pore-urges-indonesia-to/714724.html 

(CNet) - Popular mobile chat app warned of possible blockage after voice and messaging app Viber was blocked last week.

Saudi Arabia plans to block WhatsApp in coming weeks if the makers of the mobile chat app don't comply with local regulations.

The warning comes after the Communications and Information Technology Commission blocked popular voice and messaging app Viber last week.

"We have been communicating with WhatsApp and other similar communication platforms to get them to cooperate and comply with the Saudi telecom providers, however nothing has come of this communication yet," Abdullah Al-Darrab, governor of the CITC, told English languageArab News.

One of the regulations stipulates that WhatsApp establish a local server that allows officials to monitor user activity, Al-Darrab told the news agency.

Read more at: http://news.cnet.com/8301-1023_3-57589517-93/saudi-arabia-may-block-whatsapp-within-weeks/ 

(The Star) - The Court of Appeal has ordered the terrorism case of former Internal Security Act (ISA) detainee Yazid Sufaat to be heard before a new High Court judge.

The panel led by Justice Abu Samah Nordin allowed the prosecution's appeal against the Kuala Lumpur High Court's decision to acquit and discharge Yazid and cafeteria helper Muhammad Hilmi Hasim of charges of promoting acts of terrorism in strife-torn Syria.

"The learned judge had erred in his interpretation of the charges. It did not refer to acts of terrorism outside the country," Justice Abu Samah said Tuesday.

He added that counsel for Yazid, Amer Hamzah Arshad had conceded that threats to security could come from within or outside the country.

"The judge also misconstrued Article 149 (of the Federal Constitution), the charge against the respondents (Yazid and Muhammad Hilmi) are within the scope of Article 149," ruled Justice Abu Samah.

The panel, which also included Justices Zawawi Salleh and Azhar Mohamed, remitted the case back to the Kuala Lumpur High Court and fixed June 24 for next mention.

The court also set Aug 5 for the case mention of religious teacher Halimah Hussein, charged with abetting Yazid in the same case.

Counsel Amer applied for a stay of proceedings, saying that the High Court had ordered all three be tried together pending the appeal.

Deputy public prosecutor Datuk Mohamad Hanafiah Zakaria raised no objection to the application, which was allowed by the panel.

The Court of Appeal had, on May 31, issued a warrant of arrest for Halimah, who is the second respondent in the prosecution's appeal and has so far failed to appear in court.

Amer had submitted that even if the case was ordered to go to trial, it should be done through the Criminal Procedure Code, not the Security Offences (Special Measures) Act 2012 (Sosma) which would deny the accused certain liberties in the trial.

"Let us see their witnesses face to face, so we can cross examine them, not have them hidden behind some veil of secrecy," said Amer.

Under Sosma, the prosecution would be allowed to use witness testimony without requiring the witness to attend court.

On Feb 8, Yazid was charged with promoting acts of terrorism in Syria.

Halimah and Muhammad Hilmi were later charged with abetting Yazid at a house in Ampang between August and October, last year.

The three were alleged to have "threatened the public in Syria" with these acts, the penalty for which is up to 30 years' jail and a fine under Section 130G (a) of the Penal Code.

They were the first people to be arrested under Sosma.

On May 20, High Court Judge Kamardin Hashim ruled that the Act could not be used against the three, as it was went beyond the scope of Article 149 of the Federal Constitution, which covered only domestic terrorism.

He said Sosma could not be used as a procedure to prove the charge against Yazid, 49, Muhammad Hilmi, 33, and Halimah, 52.

Yazid was detained under the ISA in 2001 for seven years on suspicion of being involved with the Jemaah Islamiyah militant group.

Md Izwan, TMI

Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad admitted today he might have made a mistake in giving guarantees for internet freedom, which has been blamed for empowering and enabling opposition parties to win more seats in Election 2013.

The former prime minister said if he had the opportunity to do so again he would reconsider his decision to grant absolute freedom for the internet when setting up the Multimedia Super Corridor (MSC) in 1996.

"When I headed the MSC, I was asked by an American woman whether we would block the internet.

"I told her no, we will be very free... but now I will think twice about it," Dr Mahathir said at the closing of the CEO Forum 2013 at the Berjaya Times Square in Kuala Lumpur today.

READ MORE HERE

The Malaysian Bar president Christopher Leong claims that the Bahasa Malaysia translation of the Federal Constitution is leading to a lot of misinterpretation.

G Lavendran, FMT

Malaysian Bar president Christopher Leong claims that the Bahasa Malaysia version of the Federal Constitution is causing a lot of confusion when translated.

With four days to go before the Black 505 rally in Padang Merbok, PKR is going ahead and making preparations for the event on Saturday.

Leven Woon, FMT

PKR has started making preparations to use Padang Merbok in Kuala Lumpur as the venue for the Black 505 rally on Saturday.

PKR strategic director Rafizi Ramli told FMT today that they had set up a technical team headed by the rally chief organiser Johari Abdul and PAS deputy president Mohd Sabu.

Asked what if the field is fenced up later this week, he said they would still congregate at Padang Merbok.

“Our technical team will make contingency plans, including crowd control for the day,” he said.

The Kuala Lumpur City Hall (DBKL) has reject PKR’s application to use the venue last week saying that the Olympic Council of Malaysia (OCM) need to use it on Saturday to prepare for a charity run the next day, preserve the landscape surrounding Padang Merbok and to avoid traffic congestion.

Both the parties met last Friday but failed to come to an agreement, with PKR saying they would consult the NGOs involved before making the final decision.

Rafizi said today the rally slated for noon on Saturday would not coincide with the scheduled preparations of OCM which would only begin after 6pm.

“As far as we are told by the DBKL, OCM can only put up things after 6pm. That’s no such thing that our rally will interfere with OCM’s preparations.

“Besides, they will not even use the field while the run will begin and end at Dataran Merdeka,” he said.

He also said NGO leaders such as Anything But Umno’s Haris Ibrahim and Solidariti Anak Muda Malaysia’s Badrul Hisham Shaharin had agreed to the arrangements.

Pakatan Rakyat has been organising a string of Black 505 rallies nationwide in protest of the alleged frauds in the recent 13th General Election.

(The Star) - Organisers of an Opposition rally here on Saturday say they are not out to create an “Arab Spring” and have no intention to bring down the Government.

“This is our end route to call for free and fair elections,” said social activist and blogger Badrul Hisham Shaharin.

He added that the organisers would comply with police directives at the rally and hand over any troublemaker during the event.

The so-called “black” rally at Padang Merbok, however, is deemed illegal because the organisers have allegedly failed to meet the requirements of the Peaceful Assembly Act and get approval from City Hall to use the field.

Furthermore, the Olympic Council of Malaysia had booked the field in preparation for an Olympic Run that would be held on Sunday.

Mayor Datuk Ahmad Phesal Talib had suggested that the rally be held at a stadium but the proposal has been shot down by the organisers.

(The Arab Spring refers to the wave of demonstrations that led to riots and civil wars in the Arab world since 2010, forcing governments to fall in Tunisia, Egypt, Libya and Yemen.)

Badrul Hisham, who chairs NGO Solidariti Anak Muda Malaysia (SAMM) and blogs under the name Chegubard, said some supporters planned to camp at Padang Merbok and the nearby Dataran Merdeka ahead of the rally.

“As SAMM chairman, I support this but I will meet these groups to see how we can plan this (camping out) in an organised manner,” he said.

He reiterated that the rally would demand for the resignation of the entire Election Commission and make calls for fresh polls in constituencies where there were alleged irregularities.

“Whoever believes the statements and actions of the King and his kin cannot be disputed, that means he has made a human being a God” 

(FMT) - While openly disagreeing with the Yang di-Pertuan Agong is permissible, there is a limit to it, says ex-mufti.

Openly disagreeing with the Yang di-Pertuan Agong and royal family is permissible but criticisms have to be constructive and polite, a former mufti said today.

Ex-Perlis mufti Mohd Asri Zainul Abidin said today it was not wrong to disagree with the King and kin, as they are “not Allah and the prophet (Muhammad), but human beings like the rest of us”.

Mohd Asri’s statement follows numerous reports of individuals being arrested for seditious remarks against the king Tuanku Abdul
Halim Mu’adzam Shah. However, he stressed that comments and criticisms had to be polite and respectful.

“I am a free man. I may give an opinion that is different from them, but that does not mean I do not respect them. I respect them as a
ruler, but they are not Allah and rasul (prophet),” Mohd Asri told FMT.

He explained his need to clarify the issue as he claimed both Muslims and non-Muslims alike believe Islam forbids its followers to speak out against the King.

“I am performing my role as a scholar. I do not want to intervene politically, but want to give the right opinion on Islam so that people do not misunderstand,” he said.

“Only Allah and His book (the Holy Quran) are free from criticism. Even the prophet Muhammad was faced with open criticisms and differences in opinion during his lifetime unless delivering His divine messages.

Read more at: https://www.freemalaysiatoday.com/category/nation/2013/06/18/okay-to-disagree-with-king/ 

(CNN) - A single man stood silently in Istanbul's Taksim Square for hours Monday night, defying police who broke up weekend anti-government protests with tear gas and water cannon and drawing hundreds of others to his vigil.

For more than five hours, he appeared to stare at a portrait of Kemal Ataturk, the founder of the modern Turkish state. Police eventually moved in to arrest many of those who joined him, but whether Erdem Gunduz -- a performance artist quickly dubbed the "standing man" -- was in custody was unclear early Tuesday.

Turkey has been wracked by more than two weeks of protests against the government of Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan. But many of those who joined Gunduz late Monday said they were standing only for peace, not taking sides.

"I'm standing against all violence," said Koray Konuk, one of those arrested. "I'm standing there so that the events that we've been witnessing and the events taking place over the last two to three weeks can come to a standstill."

Konuk, 45, told CNN that police put him on a bus with up to 20 other people who had joined Gunduz, but Gunduz was not with them.

"I was just standing. They arrested a man who was just standing," he said. "That is absurd."

Monday's hushed tableau came two days after police swept into Taksim Square and neighboring Gezi Park to clear out anti-Erdogan protesters. The demonstrators tried to return to the park on Sunday, only to be driven back by police.

Trade unions put fresh pressure on Erdogan earlier Monday, mounting a nationwide strike. But a crowd that marched on Taksim Square dispersed when faced with riot squads backed by water cannon.

The protests started at the end of May over authorities' plans to turn Gezi Park, central Istanbul's last green space, into a mall. They quickly turned into large anti-government demonstrations that included calls for political reforms.

'There is a level of desperation'

Read more at: http://m.cnn.com/primary/cnnd_fullarticle?topic=newsarticle&category=cnnd_latest&articleId=cnn/2013/06/17/world/europe/turkey-protests#page2 

(The Malay Mail) - Two MIC appointees in Perak govt fail to show up citing professional reasons 

THE unsettled business between MIC president Datuk Seri G. Palanivel and Perak Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Zambry Abdul Kadir (pic) regarding the position of the state legislative assembly speaker is taking a new twist.

While Palanivel is adamant his party would reject any posts in the Perak government if it was not given the speaker's chair, two of his men have been offered positions in the state government to represent the Indian community.

On Friday, in a press statement from the menteri besar’s office Lumut MIC division chief V. Elango was named adviser to menteri besar while MIC national Youth secretary-general C. Sivaraj for the position of a special officer effective last Saturday.

Both were supposed to report for duty yesterday but did not show up to sign their letters of appointment.

Both claimed that they needed more time.

“I am still attached to Yayasan Bina Upaya Darul Ridzuan as the 1Malaysia unit manager and I need to resign before I take up a new position,” Sivaraj told The Malay Mail.

He said he needed time to handover most of his responsibilities in the party to his assistant before taking up the position.

Although Elango and Sivaraj have cited professional reasons for the delay, party insiders have indicated the duo are tied down by the party’s stand.

“The party will have to deliberate on the matter before they are allowed to take any positions offered. The party is still firm on their stand in wanting the speaker's post,” he said.

It is learnt that MIC central working committee (CWC) was expected to discuss the matter today.

"That's why both are bidding for more time. They want to make sure they do not offend any side. But it will be sticky if they have to choose either one," he said.

The senior member said although most party members hoped Palanivel and Zambry would sort their differences as soon as possible, the chances are looking slimmer by the day.

“The battle is getting tougher with each one trying to outdo the other,” he said. 

(FMT) - If the grassroots insist, the MCA president may defend his post in the coming party polls.

There is a possibility that MCA president Dr Chua Soi Lek may change his mind and defend his post in the next party polls, said a MCA insider.

“In politics, anything is possible. If the grassroots want Chua to remain, he may just do that,” he told FMT.

On May 6, Chua announced that he would not be defending his presidency in the party polls scheduled to be held end of the year.

The decision was triggered after MCA performed poorly in the general election.

In addition, Chua also upheld the party’s resolution in not accepting any government posts due to the dismal performance, which caused friction among party leaders.

Describing Chua as a tactical genius, the party insider said that the former health minister had always been effective in usurping his rivals “at the last minute”.

“Look at Chua’s track record. Despite being marred with a sex scandal, he managed to become MCA deputy president in 2008 after resigning from all posts.

“And in the 2009 party polls, he managed to dislodge then party president Ong Tee Keat and former party president Ong Ka Ting to become MCA president. Don’t underestimate him,” said the source.

The party insider added that those opposed to Chua must remain on high alert as the vocal party leader had been very quiet in recent times.

“It means Chua has something up his sleeve,” said the source.

Read more at: https://www.freemalaysiatoday.com/category/nation/2013/06/18/chua-may-defend-his-post/ 

(Rappler) - Mandela chose forgiveness as a tool to liberate himself from the shackles of resentment and in so doing, inspired his fellow South Africans to do the same. He helped the African National Congress, the ruling party, to transition from a liberation struggle party to one that governs and accepts a government in which ex-revolutionaries sit alongside ex-enemies.

You have probably read the news by now.

Nelson Mandela, South Africa’s iconic liberation hero and father figure, is once again in hospital fighting a persistent lung infection. With this being his fourth hospitalization in six months, the prognosis for our 94-year-old former president is not good.

Our nation is now facing the psychological battle of acknowledging and accepting the inevitably imminent passing of our beloved ‘Madiba.’ In the face of political and economic uncertainty, South Africans are holding on to our ailing hero as the remaining thread of consistency in our miracle ‘rainbow nation’ story.

Although President Mandela left the political stage in 1999 after one term as Head of State, one would be hard-pressed to find a South African today, fourteen years later, who has not been profoundly influenced by the world’s most famous political prisoner. His 27 years spent behind bars fighting the apartheid regime followed by his reconciliatory efforts after the historic national peace and constitutional negotiations of the early 1990s, has earned him respect and admiration the world over.

For the average South African like myself, he has become the symbol of our better nature—the personification of humanity, forgiveness and non-racialism.

As a resident of Johannesburg, I often have the privilege of taking my international friends around the city when they visit. The sight I am often most excited to show off is Vilakazi Street in Orlando West, Soweto.

Why? My family’s first home was in the area and I was born into a resilient but deeply traumatized community.

Vilakazi Street also housed a powerful symbol of liberation in the form of Mandela’s first home—a very modest four room house that was often petrol-bombed and raided by members of the police force under the apartheid regime. Vilakazi Street also was and continues to be Archbishop Desmond Tutu’s residence, thus making it the only street in the world that has housed two Nobel Peace Prize Laureates.

HOME. On Vilakazi street, one can find Mandela's first home which has now been turned into a museum. Photo by Zanele Hlatshwayo

This street is steeped in history and every time I visit I am reminded of both the injustices of apartheid but also of the overwhelming ability of human beings to endure, to overcome and most importantly, to forgive. A bloodless and democratic post-apartheid South Africa has been nothing short of a miracle. We have Madiba to thank for this.

His insistence on replacing anger and resentment with forgiveness and tolerance following his release from prison elevated him to iconic status. In response to a question in 1993 regarding South Africa’s post-apartheid future, Mandela famously responded ‘I see a country for everyone, a rainbow nation, a country at peace with itself and with the world. I see no future in hate’.

This remarkable human being was able to see the humanity in the faces of the prison warders who tortured him, of the police officers who ruthlessly killed his friends and comrades and, of the indignant westerners who turned their backs on non-white South Africans at a time when they needed them most.

Mandela chose forgiveness as a tool to liberate himself from the shackles of resentment and in so doing, inspired his fellow South Africans to do the same. He helped the African National Congress, the ruling party, to transition from a liberation struggle party to one that governs and accepts a government in which ex-revolutionaries sit alongside ex-enemies.

Simply put: Mandela helped birth a unique leadership and magnanimity which astonished and impressed the international community in equal measure.

As a proud South African who grew up with Madiba as a second father, it is tempting to paint him and his role in the liberation struggle in rainbow colors. However, in the interest of remaining objective, it is important to highlight the fact that Mandela, as revered as he is, is human and thus fallible. As a disciplined and astute politician, he made decisions and compromises that were not always seen to be ideologically aligned. However, much like other global icons – like Mahatma Ghandi and Aung San Suu Kyi—Mandela believed in practical politics but still applied his values consistently.

Read more at: http://www.rappler.com/move-ph/ispeak/31429-no-future-hate-mandela-taught-us-all 

(WKRN) - The images from the video contrasted with the abbot's message on the temple's homepage that read: "The true core of those who preach Buddha's teachings is to not to own any objects at all." 

Thailand's Buddhism body said it is monitoring monks nationwide for any inappropriate behavior after a video showed monks using luxurious personal items while flying on a private jet.

The YouTube video showed one of the monks was wearing stylish aviator sunglasses, carrying a luxury brand travel bag and sporting a pair of modern-looking wireless headphones. It attracted criticism from Buddhists nationwide.

Office of National Buddhism director-general Nopparat Benjawatananun said Monday that the agency saw the video early this year and had warned the monks from a monastery in Thailand's northeast not to repeat the lavish behavior.

A country with the world's largest Buddhist population, Thailand has attempted to help Buddha's 2,600-year-old doctrine stand the test of time through a variety of means, including banning the sale of alcohol on religious holidays. The efforts, however, are sometimes tainted by the Buddhist monks themselves.

Read more at: http://www.wkrn.com/story/22615400/thai-buddhist-monks-criticized-for-lavish-behavior 

(The Star) - Ministers from several Asean countries will meet here to discuss ways to tackle the return of the haze to the region and the likelihood of it worsening due to the hot and dry weather.

Natural Resources and Environment Minister Datuk Seri G. Palanivelsaid he would chair a meeting on Aug 20 with his counterparts from Indonesia, Brunei, Singapore and Thailand.

“We will also study several proposals on early fire detection mechanisms through satellite technology and a fire danger rating system,” he said yesterday.

He said the National Haze Action Plan would come into action where key departments and agencies would move to handle the fires depending on the different alert levels based on the Air Pollutant Index (API).

Science, Technology and Innovation Minister Datuk Dr Ewon Ebin said the ministry was mulling over cloud seeding if dry weather persisted.

Satellite images from the Asean Specialised Meteorological Centre revealed that hot spots in Sumatra had increased from 46 on Friday to 136 on Sunday, while 113 were recorded as of 8.30am yesterday.

The air quality in Malaysia, however, has improved slightly, with four places recording unhealthy levels yesterday compared with six on Sunday.

The API readings showed unhealthy levels for Balok Baru (110) in Pahang and Kemaman (121) in Terengganu with other parts of the country reading good to mode- rate levels.

Under the air quality index, readings of between 0 and 50 are classified as Good, 51 to 100 (Moderate) 101 to 200 (Unhealthy), 201 to 300 (Very Unhealthy) and 300 and above (Hazardous).

In Kuala Terengganu, the levels in Paka were 92 and Kuala Terengganu at 70.

In Nusajaya, Johor Mentri Besar Datuk Seri Mohamed Khaled Nordin said the state government would keep the people posted on the matter if the situation worsens.

In Penang, state Environment Department director Datuk Hassan Matsaid the API levels on the is-land was 53 yesterday, while visibility in Bayan Lepas, Prai and Butterworth stood at between 9km and 10km. 

Read more at: http://www.fz.com/content/election-law-amendments-top-private-members-bill-proposals#ixzz2WXDljwX3

(Bernama) - The Registrar of Societies (ROS) has asked DAP to present proof of mistake during vote counting at the Central Executive Committee (CEC) elections.

Registrar Datuk Abdul Rahman Othman said this was to determine whether it was due to a computer glitch or cheating.

"We are still investigating and one of the major issue is the votes received by candidates in the party elections," he said in a statement on Monday.

DAP reportedly admitted that a mistake was made during vote counting for CEC elections last December and blamed it on technical error.

Abdul Rahman said ROS had to issue a statement to inform the public on the progress of investigation to avoid manipulation of facts such as contents of the ROS letter dated April 17, 2013.

"This act is unethical. ROS must investigate more carefully to avoid the manipulation of facts," he added.

On April 18, DAP secretary-general Lim Guan Eng claimed he received a letter from the ROS dated April 17 that DAP was not empowered to issue appointment letters to party candidates using the rocket symbol at the general election as the ROS decided not to recognise the election of CEC members.

(fz.com) - Nearly 26 staff, including managing editor Joan Lau and executive editor Leslie Lau have left The Malaysian Insider (TMI), Marketing-Interactive.com's Advertising and Marketing (A+M) portal reported today.

(Bernama) - Lawyers Datuk Seri M. Kayveas and his diplomat wife lost their appeal at the Federal Court in Putrajaya today to set aside an Advocates and Solicitors Disciplinary Board's decision which found them guilty of misconduct and fined them RM5,000 each.

A five-member panel led by Chief Justice Tun Arifin Zakaria unanimously dismissed their appeal and upheld the board's decision.

"The breach of the undertaking and stakeholding by the appellants (Kayveas and Datin Blanche O'Leary) were clearly conducted in a professional capacity that amounted to grave impropriety," said Federal Court judge Datuk Jeffrey Tan Kok Wha who delivered the judgment.

He said it was undoubted that Kayveas and Blanche, who were partners in the legal firm Blanche Kayveas & Co, were guilty of misconduct under section 94 (3) of the Legal Profession Act 1976.

Kayveas, who is also People's Progressive Party president, and once a former deputy minister in the Prime Minister's Department, and his wife, Datin Blanche O'Leary, the High Commissioner designate to Papua New Guinea, were said to have breached the terms of entrustment as stakeholders in a RM2 million property sale and purchase transaction between two companies.

The other judges on the panel were Federal Court judges Datuk Hashim Yusoff, Tan Sri Ahmad Maarop and Datuk Hasan Lah. In the judgment, Justice Tan disagreed with Kayveas's contention that he was not complicit in the breach of the agreement. He said there was not a strand of evidence that Kayveas was not complicit or was not at fault.

"In a partnership, an undertaking given by a partner in the course of practice binds all the partners. A partner remains liable on undertakings given while he was a partner, even after he has left the firm or the firm is dissolved."

"The complaint of the Bar Council was against the partners of Blanche Kayveas & Co," said Justice Tan, adding that "no fault" was not a plausible defence to misconduct.

Justice Tan said it was beyond argument that a stakeholder is a trustee and that breach of a stakeholding term was not just a breach of undertaking but also a breach of trust, adding that failure to honour an undertaking was prima facie evidence of professional misconduct.

Both Kayveas and Blanche were ordered by the board on March 17, 2005 to pay the penalty to the discipline fund. The Court of Appeal dismissed their appeal on Dec 12, 2011.

 In their submission, the couple contended, among others, that the Court of Appeal failed to consider that there was no element of dishonesty on their part.

Kayveas who contested the Pasir Bedamar state seat in Perak in the 13th general election, lost to DAP's V.R.Terence Naidu by a 13,037 vote majority.

(The Mole) - Former Umno president Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad says Umno’s top two posts should not be contested to avoid internal party squabbles.

Dr Mahathir, who is also the nation’s fourth prime minister said even though the president and deputy president post should be contested in the spirit of democracy, Malaysians do not really understand democracy.

“If (they) lose, they will withdraw themselves and form another party which will break Umno. I support contests but if there is a contest, Umno will break into two,” he was by Utusan Malaysia.

Dr Mahathir said currently there are three Malay-based parties and it may be four if Umno splits into two up, before it eventually breaks up.

“Other posts can be put up for contest but there is no need for the top posts to be so,” he said after launching a book called The Prisoners’ Diaries by Puan Sri Norma Hashim at Perdana Leadership Foundation on Monday.

Prior to this a blog post at Another Brick in The Wall have stated that having the top two posts not to be contested in Umno will only be seen as a cheap attempt at self preservation of power.

The Mole had previously reported political analysts have described that the proposals by some Umno leaders that the posts of the president and its deputy are not contested, is not reflecting the party's spirit of democracy.

Several Umno leaders have said that the position of president and his deputy, currently held by Datuk Seri Mohd Najib Tun Abdul Razak and Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin respectively, should not be contested.

They argued that it would bring disunity among members.

Kedah Umno had also reportedly supporting the proposal that the top two posts in the party should not be contested in the elections this year.

(MSN News) - Indonesian President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono has expressed concern about the alleged fraud in the Malaysian general elections and the impact of Saturday's Black 505 rally on the country, Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim said last night.

Indonesian President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono has expressed concern about the alleged fraud in the Malaysian general elections and the impact of Saturday's Black 505 rally on the country, Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim said last night.

The PKR leader told the Black 505 rally in Batu Pahat, Johor, that Yudhoyono (commonly referred to as SBY) had invited him for a briefing and confirmed he did not meet Datuk Seri Najib Razak who was also in Jakarta this past weekend. "There was no previous communication between me and President SBY and I took care to watch the Malaysian government's 'face'. I know TV3 and Utusan will spin a story about me being a foreign stooge," Anwar told the crowd that packed the rally.

The opposition leader also pointed out that other international groups were also concerned about the results of the May 5 general elections where Najib's Barisan Nasional won 133 seats, seven less than in Election 2008. Anwar's Pakatan Rakyat took 89 seats in the 222- seat Dewan Rakyat.

"The European Parliament has passed a resolution to put off signing a Free Trade Agreement with the Malaysian government until all the fraud allegations have been investigated. "Turkey fails to understand why Pakatan which won 51 per cent of total votes cannot form the federal government."

"And President SBY, wants to know how did the fraud take place. Where can our leaders hide their faces," Anwar said.

He also said the Indonesians also wanted to know what would happen on June 22 when the Black 505 rally takes place in Padang Merbok in the heart of the capital city, Kuala Lumpur. "June 22 is very critical. Everyone, from orang kampong (village folk), to fishermen, farmers and most important of all young Malaysians must come.

"The world, just like Indonesia, is watching.

"Is there going to be a protest. Is it true the people want to clean up the electoral system. Is it true they want to plug up all the weaknesses?

"If we succeed, then God willing, I am sure June 22 will mark a turning point in Malaysia's cruel political landscape," the 64-year-old former deputy prime minister said.

Anwar also told the Malaysia Chronicle portal that he did not meet Najib or had communicated through "messengers". The Malaysian Insider reported that both leaders were in Jakarta for the weekend after plans were made for a possible meeting for national reconciliation.

Anwar insisted there could be no reconciliation until concrete steps were taken by Najib to clean up the system.

"I told President SBY we are not virgins, we know the importance of stability to national security and to the economy but to wait until the next general election to push for change... we might as well wait till Judgment Day as there is no way for any party to mount a fair challenge and win, not with the current Election Commission (chiefs), who are not deserving of their high office," Anwar added.

(The Edge) - Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim has denied that he is in Indonesia for a secret meeting with Datuk Seri Najib Razak, Sinar Harian reported.

The PKR de facto leader confirmed, however, that he met with Indonesian President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono to discuss several matters including the May 5 Malaysian polls, the daily said.

The Malaysian Insider news portal had reported that a Najib-Anwar meeting had been in the pipeline over the past week, apparently as Najib was certain that his position as Umno president would be challenged in the party polls set to be held by year’s end.

According to the report, Anwar’s meeting with the prime minister was to have been arranged by Home Minister Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi, who is seen as close to leaders from both sides of the political divide.

But Anwar denied that any such meeting had been arranged although Najib was also reportedly in Indonesia yesterday.

There have been reports of political manoeuverings against Najib with a few MPs from Sabah and Sarawak as well as others having approached veteran politician Tengku Razaleigh Hamzah, complaining that they were unhappy with Najib’s cabinet appointments and the administration’s future.

Razaleigh, popularly known as Ku Li, was said to be trying to get enough numbers to be elected the prime minister when parliament commences on June 24.

Sinar Harian quoted Ibrahim Suffian, executive director of pollster Merdeka Centre, as saying that Najib’s position as prime minister is secure, especially after leading BN to victory in the May 5 election.

“With the people’s trust in him, his position is difficult to be shaken,” he said.

He added that it was unclear if Najib’s popularity increased or decreased after the election. That however has marginal impact on his standing with the Malaysian public, he added.

The daily also quoted UKM political science professor Shamsul Abadi Mamat as saying that Najib (in comparison to Razaleigh) might be hard to push aside and has influence to be reckoned with.

“Ku Li is an Umno veteran but Najib has his own influence and he is young. Therefore, maybe he has better ideas for Umno,” he said when elaborating about the possibility of Ku Li challenging Najib. 

This is to ensure only eligible Umno members can elect grassroot committee and supreme council members. 

(Bernama) - Umno will be using a card scanner system to determine the eligibility of party members in the election process this year.

Umno executive secretary Abdul Rauf Yusoh said the system will be introduced at branch and divisional elections.

The system, he said was initially confined to the supreme council election during the Umno annual general assembly later this year but it would now be introduced at the grassroot level.

“This is the first time that the system will include the divisional and branch level following the amendment to the Umno constitution on the party election process.

“The system is to ensure that only members who are eligible can attend the meetings to elect the grassroots committee and supreme council members,” he told reporters here yesterday.

According to him, the party would go on a roadshow to all the states to explain to members how the new system works.

Earlier, Abdul Rauf and Umno election committee chairman Tajol Rosli Ghazali gave a closed-door briefing on the new system to more than 5,000 Perak Umno members at Dewan Jubli Perak here.

Meanwhile, Perak Umno liaison chairman Dr Zambry Abdul Kadir said the encouraging turnout by members from 1,700 Umno branches was a good sign in preparation for the party’s annual general assembly and branch and divisional elections.

The Umno supreme council had earlier fixed July 15 until Aug 31 for the meetings at branch level while the dates for divisional meetings and the annual general assembly would be based on feedback received by the roadshow team.

(FMT) - Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak 's promise to make further changes in his cabinet later this year to accommodate unhappy BN MPs from Borneo shows how influential the two states are.

Maverick politician Jeffrey Kitingan has thrown a lifeline to beleaguered Prime Minister Najib Razak as word spreads of wheeling and dealing in the upper echelons of power over the direction of the country following last month’s general elections

The Sabah State Reform Party (STAR) chairman who has taken a hardline on any relations with peninsula or Malayan politicians interfering in Sabah and Sarwak’s affairs, scoffed at the idea of Sabah and Sarawak MPs meeting with Malayan politicians to engineer ways to remain relevant.

Jeffrey, a state assembly representative, made the comments in response to reports that MPs from the two states had met Umno veteran Tengku Razaleigh Hamzah.

He said it was clear that MPs from Sabah and Sarawak held a crucial position ever since the 2008 election as well as in the 13th General Election last month.

This could be seen, he said, when Najib and the earlier prime minister, had a free reign to appoint their cabinets as they pleased. Najib had little choice in the appointment of 21 ministers and deputies from the two Borneo States following the outcomes of the GE13.

He said Najib’s promise to make further changes in his cabinet later this year to accommodate unhappy BN MPs from the two states shows just how influential MPs from the two states can be when they use their minds.

Jeffrey pointed out that the people and their leaders in the two states needed to discard their old mentality of depending and relying on leaders from Malaya.

“With due respect to Tengku Razaleigh or better known as Ku Li who is not only eminently qualified and experienced to lead Malaysia and probably will do a better job as Prime Minister than many from Umno, he is in the wrong party and the wrong coalition.

Read more at: https://www.freemalaysiatoday.com/category/nation/2013/06/17/jeffrey-rejects-talk-of-razaleigh-plan/ 

(The Malay Mail) - FAM’s RM1k reward to nab misbehaving supporters gets flak 

IT is the role of the police, not the fans, to ensure a trouble-free FA Cup final.

THANA: FAM’s decision to reward fans is ‘joke of the year’

That seems to be the sentiment echoed by football fans when asked of FA of Malaysia’s (FAM) decision to reward RM1,000 to fans who “catch” other fans misbehaving during the match on June 29.

The decision was announced by the national body last week to ensure there will not be any crowd trouble in the stands when defending champions Kelantan take on Johor Darul Takzim FC at the National Stadium in Bukit Jalil.

This came about after crowd trouble marred the FA Cup semifinal second leg between Pahang and Darul Takzim in Kuantan on May 28. Host Pahang were slapped with a RM100,000 fine.

FADLI: RM1,000 reward could incite fans to fight

Football fanatic Mohamad Fitri Sabriudin said it was wrong to allow an unauthorised person to catch another individual. “The fans are not cops. They have no right to catch or arrest a fellow fan,” said Fitri, 19. Fitri said the logical solution is for FAM to tighten security especially within the stadium.

“There should be more police personnel stationed in and around the stadium vicinity. Also, the gatekeepers must be strict to ensure no prohibited items are brought into the stands.”

Selangor fan Mohamad Fadli Rusli was of the opinion that FAM’s ruling could provoke supporters of the opposing teams to fight.

“The police are supposed to control the crowd, not the public,” said Fadli, 34.

FITRI: Fans should not take on the role of the police

Thana Lip and Chula Song from Perlis said FAM’s decision was the “joke of the year”. “This is hilarious,” said Thana, 30.

“It is for the police to play their part in controlling the crowd. How can you ask the fans to police the fans and reward them for it?” said Song. 

(The Star) - The haze, which is affecting several parts of the country, is set to worsen with hotter and drier weather expected over the next few months.

The air quality in six towns in the peninsula dropped to unhealthy levels, based on the Air Pollutant Index (API), compared with just three on Saturday.

The Department of Environment (DOE) detected unhealthy API readings of 100 and above in Malacca (161), Bukit Rambai (135), Port Klang (104), Port Dickson (120), Muar (125) and Kemaman (108).

However, the quality of air at most other places in the country was between good and moderate.

Under the air quality index, readings of between 0 and 50 are classified as Good, 51 to 100 as Moderate, 101 to 200 as Unhealthy, 201 to 300 as Very Unhealthy and 300 and above as Hazardous.

In Malacca, the haze caused the API reading to increase from 68 to 161 over the past three days, the highest recorded in the country.

DOE director-general Datuk Halimah Hassan said the number of hot spots detected by the Asean Specialised Meteorological Centre in Sumatra, Indonesia, had increased from 46 on Friday to 101 on Saturday.

She attributed the haze to smoke from the hot spots in Sumatra being carried here by westerly monsoon winds, which began in early June.

“If the hot spots continue to increase and the direction of winds remains as it is, the situation could worsen,” she said.

She said the haze was a trans-border issue that required joint efforts by Malaysia, Brunei, Singapore, Thailand and Indonesia through the Ministerial Steering Committee on Transboundary Haze Pollution.

“The ministers are scheduled to meet in Kuala Lumpur sometime in August to discuss action plans to tackle the problem,” she said.

A Malaysian Meteorological Depart­­ment spokesman said the westerly monsoon, forecast to last until September, was expected to bring drier and hotter days with occasional thunderstorms in the evenings.

The temperature is expected to rise to between 34°C and 36°C during the period with the urban areas feeling more of the heat because of buildings and the lack of surrounding greenery.

“During the hot and dry spell, people are advised to drink more water and avoid exposure to direct sunlight,” the spokesman said.

Health Minister Datuk Seri Dr S. Subramaniam advised Malaysians to avoid unnecessary outdoor activities.

“We are monitoring the situation and will issue appropriate advisories based on the air quality levels.

“For now, members of the public, especially those with respiratory problems, should keep away from prolonged outdoor activities,” he said.

Deputy Education Minister P. Kamalanathan said his ministry was monitoring the situation closely.

“We will make the appropriate announcement when deterioration of the air quality becomes a health risk to students,” he said.

Medical officer Dr Norlen Mohamed, who specialises in community medicine, said the effects of haze on health were associated with the severity of air quality status and health conditions of individuals.

She said possible health effects include irritation in the eyes, skin and throat, breathing difficulties, upper respiratory tract infections and even heart attacks.