What’s the difference between Barca, MU, Chelsea, Liverpool? — goals

For the first time since 2005, the Champions' League final was won by the team that actually played better on the night.

Because as all football fans know, playing better doesn't guarantee winning and the past four finals either saw very balanced tussles or "injustice" being done.

On that fateful night in Istanbul, Liverpool were torn apart yet managed "six minutes of madness", a phrase immortalised by a stunned Carlo Ancelotti who saw his Milan team fail to put away a 3-0 lead, and then two point-blank chances in extra time, and three penalties in the shootout.

The next year, Arsenal had led despite having their goalkeeper sent off in the 18th minute and defended manfully only to for their defence to collapse in the last quarter of an hour.

Milan had their revenge on Liverpool in 2007, being put to the sword by the Reds but seeing a deflection off the back of Filippo Inzaghi giving them the lead before finishing 2-1 winners.

Last year, an evenly contested match ended up with John Terry being given the chance to win it with the last penalty against Man Utd. But disappointment turned to anguish for Chelsea as their captain slipped as he took the kick, seeing his shot come off the post and then in sudden-death kicks, Nicolas Anelka failed to convert.

It has happened time and again, teams snatching defeat from the jaws of victory. It's a point I've been trying to make in this column for the whole season, and has won me the adoring criticism of readers, partly for supposedly finding excuses for a Liverpool team that has failed to capitalise on early season promise, and partly for suggesting that Man Utd were lucky with "timely" rather than "favourable" decisions by referees.

But credit to most Manchester United fans, they have accepted that Barcelona were the better team on the night, even if not accepting the Catalans are the better team fullstop.

After all, if Sir Alex Ferguson could think his team was the better one after being mauled 4-1 by Liverpool, then his conceding that Pep Guardiola's men were better is already a shocking event.

To be fair though, Man Utd could so easily have picked up their fourth European title. For 10 minutes, only one team had showed up, with Cristiano Ronaldo determined to show that he is worthy of the title of world's best player.

But what happened? A goal happened, is what.

And then suddenly it was all Barcelona. There is no scientific way to explain it, but it happens all the time. Team gets a goal and the entire dynamics of the game, or even the entire competition changes.

The goal could and should have been avoided though. Anderson let Andres Iniesta — who Wayne Rooney later called the world's best player — waltz past him, then Nemanja Vidic was bamboozled by a simple cut-in from Samuel Eto'o, who then toe-poked it past Edwin van der Sar at his near post.

Three mistakes. If only one were avoided, the Devils would probably have continued their barnstorming start to the game. Instead, it was a footballing lesson, as Victor Valdez was only really troubled once more in the game, and that came after Lionel Messi had put Barca two ahead, capping a performance that won the overhyped Ronaldo-Messi contest.

On its own, it may seem like a simple truism to say that goals decide games. But often, it has shifted the momentum tremendously even across a 38-game league.

When Liverpool trailed to MU but then had Fernando Torres humiliate Vidic for the equaliser, it shifted the game and, indeed, put the entire title chase back on track. But the same title hunt by the Reds was doused when starlet Federico Macheda scored late goals in consecutive matches to give the Devils one-goal wins.

That same chase ended for good when MU pulled a controversial goal back against Tottenham after going two down.

They say the table doesn't lie, and rightfully, for taking their chances, and winning more games, Man Utd are the champions. But the table also tells us that Liverpool has the best goal difference.

What it tells us is that there is no such thing anymore in football about someone "deserving to win" or not. Someone just wins, fullstop.

If we boil it down to man management, then it's a big salute to Fergie who has rotated his team better than Rafa Benitez has. There is no point smashing teams by four or five goals and then drawing three games in a row like Liverpool have done.

The Man Utd rotation model of putting out a team that can just about grab the one-goal win is certainly what all managers hope they can achieve, given the 60-odd games teams now need to play across the season.

It has been a season where Barca have become champions of Europe by humbling Man Utd, but were said to have been gifted the semifinal against a better Chelsea side who were denied five penalty appeals. It has been a season where Liverpool completely a rare league double over Man Utd.

But in the end, it is Man Utd and Barca who have the important trophies, because they got their goals at the right time. (TMI)

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Ex-cop implicates Abdul Gani, Musa in Anwar black-eye case, clears Dr M

KUALA LUMPUR — Datuk Mat Zain Ibrahim, the police officer who investigated Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim’s black-eye beating in 1998, has accused the country's top lawyer and police chief of fabricating evidence in the assault but cleared Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad of any wrong-doing.

He claimed he was told by the then prime minister to ensure there was no cover-up in the investigations, according to a statement of claim made by him in a suit filed against the opposition leader.

But the former investigator now implicates Attorney-General Tan Sri Abdul Gani Patail and Inspector-General of Police Tan Sri Musa Hassan in what he claims was an attempt to introduce a medical report which he found suspicious.

According to his statement of claims which was obtained by The Malaysian Insider, the medical report prepared by a Dr Abdul Rahman Yusof from Hospital Kuala Lumpur had suggested Anwar’s injuries were self-inflicted.

Instead, Mat Zain asserts in his statement of claim that he had taken all possible steps to prevent the medical report prepared by Dr Abdul Rahman from being included in his investigation papers.

Mat Zain filed a RM30 million defamation suit against Anwar last year after the Pakatan Rakyat leader claimed that Abdul Gani, who was a senior deputy public prosecutor then, and Musa, who was an investigating officer, had fabricated evidence against him in the black-eye assault.

Tan Sri Rahim Noor, the Inspector-General of Police in 1998, later admitted he had assaulted Anwar following a Royal Commission of Inquiry probe in 1999.

Besides Mat Zain, Musa has also filed a defamation suit against Anwar.

The statements of claim made by both Musa and Mat Zain have been admitted as part of an affidavit filed by Anwar for his Sodomy II trial which starts in July.

Anwar had claimed trial last August to sodomising his former aide Mohd Saiful Bukhari Azlan, his second sodomy case in a decade.

Mat Zain, who declined comment on the details of his lawsuit, told The Malaysian Insider however that he had decided to sue Anwar to clear his name because unlike Abdul Gani and Musa he had not been officially cleared of the allegations of abuse of power.

Yesterday, Mat Zain, who retired as the Kuala Lumpur CID chief, claimed there was a high-level plot using a bankruptcy notice to destroy his credibility ahead of several cases including Anwar’s sodomy trial.

State news agency Bernama had on Wednesday reported that Mat Zain was declared a bankrupt on April 21 for failing to settle a RM250,000 loan and was served with the notice on May 26. The news was carried by several Malaysian publications including The Malaysian Insider which subscribes to the Bernama service.

“I say with certainty that there are very powerful hidden hands that wanted it so. Their reasons are to destroy my credibility and/or to paralyse my capabilities and prevent me from giving evidence against Attorney-General Tan Sri Abdul Gani Patail and IGP Tan Sri Musa Hassan for fabricating evidence in the ‘black-eye’ case of 1998 involving Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim,” said Mat Zain in a statement.

Mat Zain claimed the bankruptcy notice is related to his appeal to the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) advisory board to clear his name after the anti-graft agency cleared only Gani and Musa from charges of fabrication lodged by Anwar.

“I have reasons to believe that the prosecution team anticipated that Anwar will certainly raise at certain points of his trial the issue of fabrication of evidence in the black-eye case. My evidence would be vital at this stage. Their only option is to destroy my credibility.”

In his statement of claim, Mat Zain points out that he had been instructed by Rahim, the IGP then, to head an investigation into Anwar’s allegation on Sept 27, 1998 that he had been assaulted while in police lock-up.

Anwar had been detained by police on Sept 20,1998, just 18 days after he had been sacked by Dr Mahathir as deputy prime minister. The widespread public protests and his subsequent sodomy trial led to the birth of the Reformasi movement.

In his suit against Anwar filed last August, Mat Zain states that he had accompanied two forensic specialists — Dr Halim Mansar and Dr Zahari Noor — to conduct a medical examination on Anwar on the day he started his probe.

He met Rahim later that night and was instructed by his boss “to leave no stone unturned” to protect the integrity of the police.

On Oct 16, Mat Zain claims he was told by the Attorney-General then to liaise with Abdul Gani on all matters related to the probe.

Ten days later he met with Abdul Gani at the latter’s office and was then introduced to Dr Abdul Rahman. The medical expert then signed a medical report and handed it over to Mat Zain.

Mat Zain then claims that he had objected to Dr Abdul Rahman’s report because it also contained personal attacks against Dr Halim, one of the original medical experts in the case.

He claimed further that on further enquiries, he had discovered that Dr Halim had previously lodged a police report against Dr Abdul Rahman for “criminal intimidation.”

On Oct 28, 1998, Mat Zain said he had come to the conclusion that Dr Abdul Rahman had never examined Anwar. He also claimed to have discovered that Abdul Gani had been present on the 30th floor of Bukit Aman on the night that Rahim assaulted Anwar.

Two days later, Mat Zain claimed that he submitted to Abdul Gani his investigation papers which asserted among other matters that Anwar’s injuries were consistent with an assault and that they were not self-inflicted. Mat Zain also asserted that he believed Rahim was the person who had assaulted Anwar.

The two men — Mat Zain and Abdul Gani — had a heated argument over the findings of the probe, according to the statement of claim.

Later that year on Dec 12, Musa, who is now the IGP, had asked Mat Zain to attend a meeting at Bukit Aman with Abdul Gani and Dr Abdul Rahman. At the meeting he was asked to accompany Dr Abdul Rahman for a visit to the lock-up in which Anwar had been held.

The next day, Mat Zain claims he took Dr Abdul Rahman to the lock-up, but points out that he left the doctor on his own in the room.

On Dec 31, 1998, Mat Zain claims that his investigation papers were returned to him. The papers included a second undated medical report by Dr Abdul Rahman.

In the second medical report, Mat Zain claims it was stated he had accompanied Dr Abdul Rahman and aided in a reconstruction of events, which he says was not true.

The initial police investigations prompted Dr Mahathir to suggest Anwar's black-eye could have been self-inflicted, an allegation that was later found to be untrue.

Mat Zain claims that he investigated the black-eye incident without fear or favour and had his statement recorded five times by the precursor to MACC, the Anti-Corruption Agency (ACA) when Anwar lodged a report on July 1, 2008 that Abdul Gani, Musa, Mat Zain and Dr Abdul Rahman had falsified a medical report on the assault case.

But MACC chief commissioner Datuk Seri Ahmad Said Hamdan announced on March 3 that a three-member independent panel led by the Solicitor-General had scrutinised the investigation papers and cleared Abdul Gani and Musa of criminal wrongdoing, prompting Mat Zain to later appeal the findings. (TMI)

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Jaya Supermarket collapsed

PETALING JAYA: 1:15am: One of the six construction workers trapped in the rubble of once popular Jaya shopping centre in Section 14, Petaling Jaya that collapsed yesterday evening somehow survived, and even managed to call his employer, pleading to be rescued. The worker was lucky as the disaster killed three fellow workers and badly injured two others. The unidentified worker is also trapped with four others whose fate is yet unknown. Rescuers ascertained a second body under the rubble after repeated calls to his handphone was chillingly unanswered.The building, which was about to be demolished at 6pm, crumbled suddenly just as nine workers were loading scaffolding at the site in the 4.45pm incident. Workers involved in the mishap are all Indonesians.

The dead has been identified only as Maskor, 28, while the two injured are Sale, 48, and Suryano, 32. It is learnt that Maskor was Suryano’s younger brother. The injured were despatched to the Universiti Malaya Medical Centre.

A Petaling Jaya City Hall official said the incident was unfortunate for the nine workers as the demolishing of the building was only going to take place after 6pm.

A spokesman from the demolition company said the structure of that part of the four-storey building which collapsed was unbonded, while the undamaged part was bonded.

Petaling Jaya police chief Assistant Commissioner Arjunaidi Mohamed said search and rescue operation would continue until the six workers are found.

Fifty workers were at the site in different sections when the incident occurred. Apart from the one dead, two injured and six trapped, the others were unharmed.

About 100 personnel from police, fire and rescue department were at the scene yesterday. Police had cordoned off the site and traffic had been diverted.

Firemen were studying the building plans at 8pm to find out how they could get to the six workers who were still trapped.

The SMART team was also deployed to the scene. At 9pm, firemen and the team entered the site again to search for the bodies after it was deemed safe.

Three excavators were seen on the top of the debris after the building collapsed.

Police said the rescue operation might take a day or more. (NST)

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Mat Zain claims defamation plot ahead of Anwar case

KUALA LUMPUR— Datuk Mat Zain Ibrahim, the police officer who investigated Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim’s black-eye assault in 1998, today claimed a high-level plot using a bankruptcy notice to destroy his credibility ahead of several cases including the opposition leader’s sodomy case in July.

State news agency Bernama yesterday reported that Mat Zain was declared a bankrupt on April 21 for failing to settle a RM250,000 loan and was served with the notice on May 26. The news was carried by several Malaysian publications including The Malaysian Insider which subscribes to the Bernama service.

“I say with certainty that there are very powerful hidden hands that wanted it so. Their reasons are to destroy my credibility and/or to paralyze my capabilities and preventing me from giving evidence against Attorney-General Tan Sri Abdul Gani Patail and IGP Tan Sri Musa Hassan for fabricating evidence in the “black-eye” case of 1998 involving Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim,” said Mat Zain in a statement.

Mat Zain, who went on optional retirement in 2001 as the KL CID chief, said he believed the bankruptcy notice is related to his appeal to the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) advisory board to clear his name after the anti-graft agency cleared only Gani and Musa from charges of fabrication lodged by Anwar.

“I have reasons to believe that the prosecution team anticipated that Anwar will certainly raise at certain point of his trial the issue of fabrication of evidence in the black-eye case. My evidence would be vital at this stage. Their only option is to destroy my credibility.

“Though this publication may cause some inconvenience to me and my family, but I take it as a blessing and that it will only enhance my resolve to disclose the whole truth of the “black-eye” episode.

“Believe me, that this is not the only case the duo had their fingers in. There are others which are as sensational. The truth shall prevail,” Mat Zain said.

He claimed that he investigated the black-eye incident without fear or favour and had his statement recorded five times by the precursor to MACC, the Anti-Corruption Agency (ACA) when Anwar lodged a report on July 1, 2008 that Gani, Musa, Mat Zain and Dr Abdul Rahman Yusof had falsified a medical report on the assault case.

But MACC chief commissioner Datuk Seri Ahmad Said Hamdan announced on March 3 that a three-member independent panel led by the Solicitor-General had scrutinised the investigation papers and cleared Gani and Musa of criminal wrongdoing, prompting Mat Zain to later appeal the findings.

“However, I am justified to state that the Prime Minister was never told the true and entire facts of this issue. Should the truth be told, I believe the PM would have taken the appropriate actions,” Mat Zain said.

He disclosed that he has instructed his lawyers to look into the bankruptcy matter as he had never received any notice of a hearing related to a suit by businessman Yap Thoong Choan, 72, of Damansara Heights, filed on Aug 10, 2004, against Mat Zain at the Bandar Baru Bangi Sessions Court claiming the remaining RM250,000 of a loan which was not settled.

He said in his statement of claim that Mat Zain, 60, had taken a RM500,000 loan via an agreement signed by both parties on Feb 22, 2002, and it was agreed that the loan was to be settled on or before Aug 21, 2002.

Yap said that so far, Mat Zain had settled RM250,000 of the amount. A letter of demand for the remaining RM250,000, dated July 14, 2004, was sent to Mat Zain but he failed to pay up. The Shah Alam High Court on April 21 this year issued a bankruptcy notice on Mat Zain ordering him to pay the RM250,000 with interest and costs, bringing the total to RM288,824.92 .

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Manek Urai vote on July 14

PUTRAJAYA— Polling for the Manek Urai by-election is set for July 14 while nomination day falls on July 6, Election Commission Chairman Tan Sri Abdul Aziz Yusof announced today.

The election was called following the death of five-term Kelantan state lawmaker Ismail Yaacob last Friday.

Ismail, who was recently elected the Kuala Krai PAS deputy chief, first won the seat in 1986. In last year’s general election, he defeated Barisan Nasional’s (BN) Zulkepli Omar by 1,352 votes.

Ismail did not contest the 2004 election when Zulkepli won by 53 votes.

Manek Urai, which is about a two-hour drive from Kota Baru, comprises an electorate that is almost exclusively Malay, with other races making up less than one per cent of the 12,292 voters.

A largely forested area, Manek Urai is one of the four state seats in the Kuala Krai parliamentary constituency. The other three are Mengkebang, Guchil and Dabong.

The last by-election in Kelantan was held in 2005 for the Pengkalan Pasir state constituency, which saw BN wresting the seat from PAS. (TMI)

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Nik Aziz - BN no better than communist

PENANTI— PAS spiritual leader Datuk Seri Nik Abdul Aziz joined an all-star ceramah session last night as Pakatan Rakyat stepped up efforts to wrap up the by-election and bag the win.

Nik Aziz went straight for the Barisan Nasional (BN) jugular and mocked prime minister and BN president Datuk Seri Najib Razak’s decision not to allow former communist leader Chin Peng to return to Malaysia, describing it as hypocritical.

“Chin Peng wants to come back and somebody asked me what I thought about it so I said if BN wants to reject the communists, then the same can be said about nationalists,” he said.

The statement was made in reference to his belief and past statement that Umno should replace its nationalist trait with Islam as the main ideology.

Nik Aziz, who vehemently opposes the “cooperation with Umno” idea supported by some of his own party members, had stated in the past that the Islamist party will only work together with its rival if the latter discards its nationalist ideology.

But judging by how the charismatic PAS leader pounded BN last night, this “cooperation” is a long way off.

BN was accused of total evil, reigning with treachery, manipulation and corruption. He urged Penanti voters to rise against the BN rule and vote for PKR candidate Mansor Othman this Sunday.

The other big names at the ceramah were Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR) de facto leader Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim who also asked voters to send a strong signal to BN.

He also blasted BN for their decision to contest in Manek Urai, slamming the decision as a reflection of their arrogance and hypocrisy.

“When they did not want to contest at Penanti, they said they wanted to focus on improving the country’s economy and not play the political game supposedly created by me.

“But it seems that the economy of the country, in fact the world, has been solved since BN now has the time to contest there,” he said.

The Manek Urai by-election in Kelantan will be the seventh since the March 8 polls. The state seat was vacated following the death of its assemblyman, Ismail Yaakob.

Also present at the ceramah was PKR vice-president Azmin Ali. (TMI)

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Dr Khir slams govt over toll issue in Klang Valley

KUALA LUMPUR: The government must view proposals to reduce toll rates substantially very seriously or even abolish toll so as to avoid criticism from the people, said former Selangor Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Dr Mohamad Khir Toyo.

"Some are saying that if the government had the interest of the people at heart, some of the toll collection in the Klang Valley must be abolished as it results in hardship and traffic congestion," he said in his blog www.drkhir.com.

He added that the pressing toll issues involves a number of toll highways in the klang valley, especially those in densely populated areas which cause massive traffic congestion while toll collected for short stretches, are high.

Among them are the Lebuh Raya Damansara-Puchong (LDP), Lebuh Raya Bertingkat Ampang, Lebuh Raya Sungai Besi (Besraya), Lebuh Raya Cheras-Kajang and Lebuh Raya Shah Alam (Kesas).

Apart from traffic congestion and high toll rates, the collection of toll in the klang valley where people have to use highways like Kesas and LDP to work daily, was also not sustainable and becomes a burden to the people, he said.

"The people are willing to share part of the cost for using facilities and infrastructure like the North-South Expressway which provides a comfortable ride whenever they used it.

"But what really irks the people is whenever they leave the house for work or other purposes daily, they end up paying toll at two or three places and then again the rates are high. Some may have to make a few trips daily," he said.

Dr Mohamad Khir who is also the Sungai Panjang state assemblyman said on average, a worker spends about one-third of his earnings on toll and petrol, every month.

"That is excluding maintenance for children, house, car, education, increase in price of goods, electricity tariff. All these certainly takes its toll on the people and that is the cause of their frustration and anger towards the government," he said.

For a worker who stays in Shah Alam and uses the Kesas to work in Bukit Jalil, he or she would have to spend RM8.40 a day for toll for one round trip and that amounts to about RM200 a month, while those staying in Sunway and work in Putrajaya, end up paying RM6.40 a day.

"That is excluding petrol, car maintenance and food," he said. (Bernama)

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Anwar sued Anifah for RM100m

KUALA LUMPUR— Opposition leader Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim is filing a libel suit against Foreign Minister Datuk Anifah Aman today.

Anwar’s lawyer Sankara Nair told The Malaysian Insider that the suit will be filed at 2pm at the Kuala Lumpur High Court.

Anifah has refused to apologise. – Bernama pic

On May 16, Anifah who is also MP for Kimanis, told a group of foreign reporters in the United States that Anwar had offered him the deputy prime minister's position if he agreed to cross over to Pakatan Rakyat (PR) after the March 8 general election last year. He was speaking at a joint press conference at the State Department in Washington with US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton.

He also alleged Anwar was “trying to buy other legislative members”.

When Anwar strongly denied the accusations and threatened legal action unless Anifah issued an apology, the latter refused.

"Oh yes, I have no problem with that, as the foreign minister I have better things to do, Anwar is the least of my concern."

On May 18, Sankara said that the allegations made by Anifah were “baseless, untrue, defamatory and made with malicious intent to tarnish Anwar’s reputation”.

The lawyer then sent Anifah a letter of demand for an immediate apology, pending which RM100 million would be sought “for the injury caused to our client’s reputation”. (TMI)

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Aminah is so poor that she can fork out RM80K for election but cannot buy a video cam

GEORGE TOWN : Independent candidate for the Penanti state by-election Aminah Abdullah was interviewed by the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) for more than five hours yesterday over her claims that she was offered cash and posts if she dropped out of the contest.

Aminah(right), hands over an envelope containing an audio CD and photographs of a meeting between her and two PKR members, to the Penang Election CommissionÕs chief administrative assistant in George Town, Noormah Shaari.

Aminah, 56, said she met with state MACC director Latifah Md Yatim and other officers of the commission from about 4.30pm to 10pm at the commission office in Butterworth.

"They told me to come in for a while but kept me there for a long time," she said.

Aminah said this to reporters after handing over a voice recording and photographs of her meeting with two men, who she said were PKR members, to the Election Commission office here today. She was accompanied by her husband Mohd Rofi Osman.

She handed over the items to the EC’s chief administrative assistant in Penang, Noormah Shaari.

Aminah, the PKR Penang Wanita chief from 1999 to 2007, when she quit the party, had alleged on Monday that the men offered her the Penang Municipal Council president's post if she withdrew from the by-election, or the post of deputy chief minister (I) if she contested and won.

She also said the men offered her RM80,000.

Aminah said there were two subsequent meetings with PKR members that she had also secretly recorded but had yet to burn into CDs.

Queried by reporters, Aminah admitted that she did not expect there was bribery involved.

In the recording, a person is heard asking her how much she was spending for the by-election and she said RM80,000. The person then suggested that she could be compensated if she pulled out.

She said she did not think her secret recordings amounted to breach of trust.

"Last time, at PKR meetings, they also secretly recorded the discussions," she said.

"I didn’t want to expose this but the Penang PKR chairman (Datuk Zahrain Mohamed Hashim) challenged me to show proof."

Asked how PKR supreme council member Cheah Kah Peng, whom she had called a friend, would feel about being recorded secretly, she said: "Kasihan dia (pity him) … when all this is over, I will call him to clarify."

Asked why they did not take a video of the meeting, Mohd Rofi said: "We don’t have video. This independent (Aminah) is poor."

Asked how she was able to fork out RM80,000 if she was poor, Aminah said she used her savings and former PKR members also supported her. (TheSun)

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PDRM ask Interpol assistance in seeking RPK

KUALA LUMPUR– Malaysian police are now seeking the help of Interpol to apprehend fugitive blogger Raja Petra Kamarudin, Inspector-General of Police Tan Sri Musa Hassan said today in the first official acknowledgement that RPK has fled the country.

RPK, as he is popularly known, went on the lam last month when he failed to turn up for his sedition trial. Today a second warrant of arrest was issued against him for failing to turn up for his criminal defamation trial.

Despite being a fugitive, RPK continues to taunt the authorities and remains a thorn in the side of the administration of Datuk Seri Najib Razak.

Both his sedition and criminal defamation trials are related to his allegations that Najib was involved in the murder of Altantuya Shaariibuu, the former mistress of the prime minister’s associate.

RPK continues to write regularly on his Malaysia Today website, giving his take on political developments and criticising the police and the Barisan Nasional (BN) government.

Since skipping trial, the blogger who remains hugely popular has also been engaging in a war with some of his fellow bloggers. He has been attacking several bloggers whom he had once been friendly with, identifying them as pro-Barisan Nasional bloggers.

According to a recent news report, police here believe RPK is now in Brisbane, Australia, together with his wife.

Besides the latest arrest warrant issued today, Sessions Court judge Mohamad Sekeri Mamat also issued a show-cause notice to RPK’s wife, Marina Lee Abdullah, as his bailor for not being in court as well.

Raja Petra, 59, had on July 17 last year claimed trial to three counts of criminal defamation over his statutory declaration on the murder of Altantuya Shaariibuu.

He is alleged to have defamed Najib’s wife Datin Seri Rosmah Mansor by claiming she was involved in the murder.

RPK has claimed through his website that he would not be attending the trials as he fears being arrested under the Internal Security Act (ISA).

(TMI)

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PKR admit meeting Aminah but not to bribe

UPDATED

By Syed Jaymal Zahiid

PENANTI, May 26 – The two PKR leaders accused of attempted bribery by independent candidate Aminah Abdullah today admitted that the voices in the recording were indeed theirs.

Supreme council member Cheah Ka Peng and special officer to a Penang PKR exectuive councillor Peter Lim said the meeting, as claimed by Aminah, did take place at the latter’s house on May 13.

They, however, rubbished claims made by the former Penang PKR Wanita chief that they had tried to bribe her with a top post at the Penang City Council if she withdrew from contesting in the by-election.

They also denied trying to persuade her to rejoin the party and offering her the deputy chief minister (DCM) post.

Aminah claimed that the offer was done with the approval of party leader and opposition icon Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim.

“It was just a meeting of a jovial nature. We categorically deny the allegations made by her. The recording is misleading,” Cheah told a press conference adding that he felt betrayed by Aminah’s act of secretly recording their meeting.

“The meeting was done in our own personal capacity and not endorsed by any organisation.

“We are close friends for over a decade now. We always visit her during Hari Raya and we were there at her daughter’s engagement ceremony,” he said.

However, Cheah gave a vague answer when asked if the DCM post offer was part of their “jovial conversation” saying only that the topic came out “after she had thrown the question (in).”

He also refused to answer questions on the content of the compact disc which contains the audio recording saying it was best if the press asked Aminah instead of him as it was she who had made the allegations.

“Why don’t you ask her instead since she is the one raising the accusations,” a visibly annoyed Cheah said.

He added that the matter will now be dealt with by PKR party lawyers. A notice demanding Aminah retract her allegations and apologise has already been issued today.

The supreme council leader then appealed to the press to focus on the issues pertaining to the by-election instead of Aminah’s alleagtions which he described as nothing more than a political stunt.

But whether Cheah likes it or not, the issue has escalated to a different level now that the Malaysian Anti Corruption Commission (MACC) has stepped in.

Aminah today revealed that she was interviewed by MACC officers at their office in Butterworth yesterday.

She had also submitted the audio recording and pictorial evidence of the meeting to the Elections Commission this morning. (TMI)

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If I were PM - DSAI

KUALA LUMPUR — One way he would improve racial ties in Malaysia if he were prime minister, said opposition leader Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, would be to stop awarding scholarships to the children of government ministers.

Describing his experience when his eldest daughter Nurul Izzah — now Member of Parliament for Lembah Pantai in Kuala Lumpur — went to university, Anwar said he was told he needn’t pay her fees as she was “automatically” given a scholarship.

But Anwar, who was then deputy prime minister and finance minister, persisted and the university eventually accepted his payment.

“This has to be stopped,” he said of the practice, which has angered families of poor Chinese and Indian students who qualified for assistance but did not receive it.

Speaking at a lunch yesterday organised by the Foreign Correspondents Association of Singapore, Anwar touched on a variety of topics, including racial harmony, Malaysia’s New Economic Policy (NEP) and his long-time political foe, former prime minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad.

Lauding the efforts of Penang Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng, Anwar said the secretary-general of the DAP sets a good example of how to work with different races.

“Here is a Chinese leader who talks about the Malay problem, the Indian problem,” he said. “If we do this, we will win every by-election and general election.”

Anwar was also sceptical about Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak’s pledge that the controversial NEP would be reviewed. The policy gives privileges in government contracts, jobs, business, property purchases and education to Malays, and has resulted in a lack of opportunities for the minority races.

“He announced it here in Singapore, that he wants to dismantle the NEP, (but) nothing has happened since. You dismantle it in place of what?” asked Anwar. “Do you still continue the old ways of disbursing funds to selected companies and to your cronies?”

The opposition, on the other hand, outlined a plan several years ago to replace the NEP, said Anwar, one that would make Malaysia compete aggressively with economies like South Korea and Taiwan.

On Mahathir, Anwar said the former prime minister performed “remarkably well” in terms of reforming the country. He pointed out that the elder statesman had risen to prominence, though he did not come from an influential political family.

Anwar was heir apparent to Dr Mahathir until he was sacked in 1998 after being hit with sodomy and corruption charges. He served six years in jail for corruption but was later cleared of sodomy. The pair has been trading barbs over the years through the media.

Replying to a question on what he would say about Mahathir if he were writing his biography, Anwar said: “He had a very strong passion and desire to undertake necessary changes to make Malaysia great. I was persuaded to join (Umno) because of that.”

However, with time, Dr Mahathir became “too confident” and thought of Malaysia as his “own property”.

“I believe Malaysia has to move on beyond not only Mahathir,” Anwar said, “but also beyond old, obsolete policies and parties such as Umno and BN.” — Today

Click this link to read more!

Anwar: Najib’s tough stand masks fear

The government’s crackdown on dissent in recent weeks reflected the hardline political stance of the current Putrajaya administration, charged Opposition Leader Anwar Ibrahim.

The PKR chief pointed out that the police force’s tough action to clampdown on peaceful gatherings, candlelight vigils, protests and even DVD screenings demonstrated the intolerant politics of Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak

Condemning yesterday’s police raid on DAP headquarters in Petaling Jaya, he said it reflected Barisan Nasional’s fear on the emergence of Pakatan Rakyat as genuine and viable alternative government-in-waiting.

He said the DAP’s office was raided merely because the party was part of Pakatan set up.

“That’s the only crime DAP has committed,” Anwar, the Permatang Pauh member of parliament, told some 5,000 people at a Penanti by-election rally in Berapit, Penang last night.

The Pakatan leader said the series of arrests on civilians, lawyers, human rights activists and politicians in recent weeks have testified Najib’s hardline stance to clampdown on constructive dissent and criticism.

“He is playing it rough and tough. Why he is so rough? Does he have something to hide?

“This country shall be administrated according to the rule of law, not the law of Umno jungle,” he told a cheering crowd.

We will not be cowed

Police raided the DAP main office in search of documents believed to be related to the arrest of 16 party activists in Ampang on Thursday night for holding a candlelight vigil.

dap raid 230509 computerThis is the first time in DAP’s 42-year history that the police have raided the party headquarters.

A furious DAP secretary-general Lim Guan Eng slammed the Selangor police for conducting the raid and said the security force should have better used its resources to combat rising crime rate in the state.

“We did not steal, rob or kill anyone with C4 explosives. We had only exercised our rights to express our struggle to restore democracy in Perak.

“The police raid is uncalled for,” blasted a furious Lim at the same rally.

However, Lim, the Penang Chief Minister, warned the federal government that the DAP and Pakatan, and general public would not be cowed by the police intimidation.

“We will not compromise on our stance and struggle to restore democracy and hold a fresh state election in Perak.

“We will fight on,” he told an applauding crowd.

The police crackdown

Since May 5, the police have made 126 arrests - starting with Bersih activist Wong Chin Huat for urging people to wear black to protest the Perak government takeover by Barisan Nasional.

In three previous vigils, police arrested 27 people, including the still-detained 16.

A fourth candlelight vigil scheduled to take place outside DAP service centre in Cheras last night was aborted after the police issued severe warnings that all participants would be arrested.

Almost 70 people including Pakatan elected representatives were detained on May 7, after gathering outside the Perak secretariat building.

Five lawyers were arrested by Brickfields police after attempting to provide legal assistance to the 15 who were nabbed during a candlelight vigil in the federal capital in support of Wong, who himself was detained under the Sedition Act.

A police team also raided and seized DVD screening the May 7 Perak assembly fiasco, audio-visual equipment, and detained a technician at a DAP dinner in Sitiawan two weeks ago.

Anwar called on Penanti voters to give PKR a massive win in the by-election to send a strong message that “the people are against hardline politics.”

“Penanti by-election shall be a referendum on Najib’s rough politics and Perak political impasse,” he thumbed home his message.

Penanti poll will see PKR candidate Mansor Othman squaring it up against independent candidates Nai Khan Ari Nai Keow, Aminah Abdullah and Kamarul Ramizu Idris in a four-cornered fight.

Polling is on May 31.

Courtesy Of Malaysiakini

Click this link to read more!

NHB : I just love a good fight

Rusdi Mustapha said some nasty things about me. Maybe I should allow you to be the judge as to whether what he said is true or not. My comments to his comments are in brackets/italics. Read on and you decide if what Rusdi said is the gospel or a load of bullshit.

NO HOLDS BARRED

Raja Petra Kamarudin

RPK is now a fugitive and, thus far, still a liar!

This has to be said!

I for once (it should be ‘I for one’, not ‘I for once’) do not believe Raja Petra Kamarudin (RPK) ran away, rather than face the court, because he is afraid his Royal family will punish him for being a treacherous to his royal brethren! I for once (same here) do not believe he skips his court hearings because he is afraid, as he puts it, the police will arrest him and throw him in the dungeon.

(The IGP and Minister BOTH made public announcements that the police do not intend to re-detain Uthayakumar. Why do they refuse to also announce that they do not intend to re-detain me? Furthermore, they appealed against the Shah Alam High Court’s decision to release me from ISA detention while they refuse to appeal the same court’s decision to acquit Razak Baginda of the charge of abetment to murder.)

He took off because he is in a fix for he cannot come out with any shred of evidence on any of his serious allegation he made against Prime Minister Najib Razak and his wife Rosmah Mansor!

(If Superintendent Gan would just reply to all the questions posed by my lawyer, YB Gobind Singh Deo, in my sedition trial, then the evidence that Rusdi seeks would be available. Of course I can’t come out with a shred of evidence when they cover up that evidence and refuse to allow it to surface in the trial. Why not Rusdi suggest instead that Supt. Gan reply to the questions so that this evidence that he seeks would be available?)

However, I would also like to believe this man RPK could be suffering from a psychiatric disorder called "Munchausen Syndrome", a malady which is named after a 16th century German Baron Karl Friedrich von Münchausen. According to a definition, Münchausen Syndrome "is a psychiatric disorder wherein those affected feign disease, illness, or psychological trauma in order to draw attention or sympathy to themselves. It is in a class of disorders known as factitious disorders which involve "illnesses" whose symptoms are either self-induced or falsified by the patient. It is also sometimes known as hospital addiction syndrome or hospital hopper syndrome."

(Would Rusdi like to deny that he came to meet me at the Havana Club at midnight some time in 2007 to offer to pay me off to stop writing about Najib and his link to the Altantuya murder? Would Rusdi like to deny he asked me to name my price? Would Rusdi like to deny he phoned me the next day and scolded me for telling Dr Mahathir about it? Would Rusdi like to deny that he phoned me and scolded me for telling Dr Mahathir because Najib screwed him good and proper after Dr Mahathir gave him a piece of his mind? An Umno man by the name of ‘Man Cowboy’ was there that night. Would Rusdi like to deny that as well?)

For the record, RPK has hurled a lot of serious unfounded accusations against the Prime Minister and his wife for being involved in a death, mind you in a death, of a foreign national. That, to me is a very serious accusation. Thus far he has accused the PM of being involved, and the PM's wife had supervised in the killing of a foreign national.

(The transcript of the exchanges of text messages between Najib and lawyer Shafee Abdullah is re-produced below. This was first published in Malaysia Today when I was under detention in Kamunting. So it could not have been me who published it since I did not have internet access in my jail cell. Najib never denied this. He just said that it is a private matter so he need not explain anything.)

RPK also said he has a witness, a Lieutenant Colonel in the military intelligence, who said this witness saw the whole thing, which led him to write a piece in his website accusing the PM's wife supervise the killing. Serious stuff!

(While under ISA detention and during my interrogation I informed Datuk Zambri Ahmad of the Special Branch that my source was Kol. Azmi Zainal Abidin of Military Intelligence. Zamri said he knows Kol Azmi personally. Why do they refuse to ask Kol. Azmi to openly and publicly deny this? Is it because they did speak to Kol. Azmi and he actually confirmed it? And was this also why they quickly packed me off to Kamunting the next day without allowing me to sign my statement cum confession?)

Well so far this has happened! This Lt Col has since said it was a total hogwash and a fabrication on the assertion on RPK's part that he saw the whole thing where a foreign national was blown up and the wife of the PM was there, and he told RPK! We, Malaysians, were led to believe RPK has a concrete proof to the fact! Well, instead of showing the proof so that the PM and his wife can be charged then if found guilty to be hanged or jailed for being involved in a murder, RPK scoot off and ran away!

(What if I can produce the official and signed records of the security personnel to confirm that TWO senior officers from the military went to Najib’s house the night of Altantuya’s murder and did not leave until the next morning? What happened in those many hours they were in Najib’s house? Does Rusdi really want these records made public? Will Najib be able to explain it if I do make them public?)

Then he has the audacity to tell the whole world, in his website Malaysia Today, that he could not attend his court hearings where he has to answer to some very serious accusation he made to the Prime Minister of this country and his wife, because the police will arrest him and hos (I think he meant ‘his’) Royal brethren will kidnapped (bad grammar) and tortured (also bad grammar) him if he were to appear in court at PJ which is in the state of Selangor?! What an insult to our intelligence eh!

(I never said that. What I did do was I published the two e-mails from my Aunty Fuziah below. Rusdi himself has previously posted an article in his Blog where he said that the Sultan of Selangor called me gila. In fact, Rusdi added, the Selangor Royal Family regards me as a sort of outcast of the family. This is what Rusdi himself posted in his Blog. He said this, not me.)

The sad part is what he wrote for his reason why he ran away to be a fugitive instead of facing the music is that many people still believe in his lies!

(Rusdi had better check whether I am running away from something or running towards something. Read my story about crossing the bridge and tricking the guard into thinking you are coming from one direction whereas you are actually coming from the opposite direction.)

Well, I do not how it works but if he is in London, England, I am sure he can be extradited, and if he is in Segambut hiding at YB BABI's house I am sure he has to come out sooner or later.

(Well, let’s see you try to get me. I plan to be the longest fugitive on the run in Malaysian history. And I am going to conduct this guerrilla warfare and keep hitting Umno till it destructs in a heap.)

When that happens I think the Malaysian government will be firmed (bad grammar again) enough to take stern action and do the necessary in finding him guilty of lying and then booked him with the maximum years allowed by the law for his crime against the natural order of logic! This man RPK, he is one totally illogical sad dude I have ever come across!

(You have to catch me first.)

Enough already!

Rusdi Mustapha

*************************************************

Dear Peter,

I am sending you this letter as you have not responded to my telephone calls nor to my telephone message inviting you to the house on Saturday afternoon to talk over family matters particularly in connection with the open letter to Datuk Seri Mohammad Nizar Jamaluddin which you posted in your blog on 2nd March 2009.

As you already know, I admire your ability to write and express your thoughts, ideas and comments about events in your blog especially your mastery of the English language. I have also often reminded you that truth should always prevail in communicating these things to the public. It is also not for you to decide “what is clearly lawful”.

Had Tok Uda been alive, he would have considered the content and manner of what you wrote in the open letter to Datuk Seri Mohammad Nizar Jamaluddin, as a betrayal of the code of conduct and values which he had subscribed to, cherished and passed on to us. And for this, to have come from his favourite grandson would certainly have made him collapse in a state of shock.

While Tok Uda, as a true royalist had demanded loyalty and the upholding of family honour, tradition and adat, he had, on many occasions also emphasized that we are entitled to our own personal views, accepted our sense and spirit of adventure, freedom of thought and action as you may well have known from the family history. But “RESPECT FOR THE LAWS OF THE COUNTRY” or “UPHOLDING LAW AND ORDER “ was his cardinal principle, to be dearly valued and respected by the family at all times.

I believe that in the case of the open letter, you have crossed the line. Such writings would appear to be seditious. Therefore, for the sake of Tok Uda, and, in upholding the family honour, I feel that the only discourse open is to diffuse/redeem this and for you to apologize through your blog to the rulers and the public.

We all love you Peter in our own small ways but I have this task to keep the family together, so help me Peter. And so help me too, Ya-Allah.

With my personal good wishes and love to you and Marina and the family,

I remain,

Yours,

Aunty Fuziah
14 March 2009

*************************************************

Dear Peter,

Assalamualaikum,

It would appear that you have misinterpreted my letter of 14 March 2009 to you.

In all fairness to your readers, I urge you to post the full text of the letter in your blog.

Thank you and Wassalam,

Yours,

Aunty Fuziah
20 March 2009

*************************************************

The text messages were transmitted between Najib's personal mobile phone (+6012 2143177) and Shafee's mobile phone (+6012 3257052).

Wednesday 8/11/2006

Najib to Shafee (S2N)

Date: 8/11/2006 02:59:31

Dato Seri, The Razak Baginda thing is troubling me. Can I help? Salam, Shafee

Najib to Shafee (N2S)

Date: 8/11/2006 03:45:05

I will speak with u later tonight.

S2N

Date: 8/11/2006 03:45:31

Thank you

S2N

Date: 8/11/2006 06:28:56

Met the investigating officer today. Position is serious for RB. The 3 are highly implicated. RB's case can be fought. There are redeeming features for him. But we need to meet Dato Seri as there are other looming issues at large. But not to worry. Salam > Shafee

N2S

Date: 8/11/2006 21:06:11

I have spoken to IGP. U can represent n meet RB in court.

Thursday 9/11/2006

N2S

Date: 9/11/2006 12:45:30

If RB's remand is upto Sunday, does it mean that he has to be charged by Fri or be released? i hope it is looking better for him.

S2N

Date: 9/11/2006 13:11:23

3 things can happen. Firstly, they can ask for more time for detention. We will resist. Second, they have to release him by Friday or thirdly charge him by Friday. Police took him to his office for document search. Nothing incriminating found. Now they are recording stmt from him. Later search in house. Under control so far Dato Seri. Salam, shafee

S2N

Date: 9/11/2006 14:09:03

Dato Seri, Re RB need to meet up with you today. shafee

N2S

Date: 9/11/2006 14:17:47

630 pm at my house in PJaya this evening.

S2N

Date: 9/11/2006 14:18:21

Thank you

Friday 10/11/2006

N2S

Date: 10/11/2006 15:14:3

Any news about RB ?

S2N

Date: 10/11/2006 15:19:40

Dato Seri, Negotiating for conditional release. If not police need 2 or 3 more days extention. I suspect its an exercise in public relation as they do not want public to think a VIP was given an easier time. Being a vip under these conditions is a liability. Otherwise we are on track according to plan. Salam, Shafee

N2S

Date: 10/11/2006 15:27:01

Thanks, he is very stressful according to his wife n would be a huge help if he could get a conditional release latest by sun.

N2S

Date: 10/11/2006 21:35:52

Saw the news on tv. RB was sent for DNA. Not sure it was neccessary.

S2N

Date: 10/11/2006 21:40:19

Unnessasary. But I think its on his lung infection. He has just been sent again to HUKM. Will know more later from inside contacts.

Saturday 11/11/2006

S2N

Date: 11/11/2006 03:17:56

Dato Seri, I was at ghkl ccu 4th floor.RB was admitted due to lung infection:mild pneumonia and asthmatic. This was the pain he was suffering in the chest and unexplained coughing for months. He is under an able physician Dato Dr Jeyaindran Sinnadurai(head of Dept of Medicine)Its good he is resting there than in the lockup. Dna was done to eliminate that he was at scene of crime (paternity can be ruled out as well).Need to see Dato Seri on some concerns. Salam. Shafee

N2S

Date: 11/11/2006 08:54:17

ANy chance of a release by sun ?

S2N

Date: 11/11/2006 08:58:14

Police should release him by then except that I think the police is disturbeb by Media and public pressure. Other factors need be coomunicated to Dato Seri in person. Investigation wise we are on track for release.

S2N

Date: 11/11/2006 09:26:52

It is clear that the Police will ask for extention t'row. I will resist strongly in view of the fact that the last few days investigation on RB have completed investigations that require RB's presence in custody. Secondly, from yesterday the Police has done nothing much with him except to do the dna. Thirdly, I am concerned with the Police carelessness yesterday in allowing the 3 other suspects to be freely mixing and therefore tainting their subsequent stmnts as they could be 'group coached'. But it also show Police no longer need to isolate the suspects. Even RB was handcuffed to the C/I. Salam. Shafee

N2S

Date: 11/11/2006 11:46:48

I Can see u today at my Taman duta hse at 6 pm.

S2N

Date: 11/11/2006 11:59:08

OK Dato Seri. Insyaallah I will be there.

Sunday 12/11/2006

S2N

Date: 12/11/2006 13:53:41

2 days extention to Tuesday. They must release him by then maybe conditionally. Police asked for full 14days.He has message.

S2N

Date: 12/11/2006 14:06:23

Will give Dato Seri in a while

S2N

Date: 12/11/2006 15:10:17

0320949418

Monday 13/11/2006

S2N

Date: 13/11/2006 15:53:36

Am in his office now. Another search. AG will be unwilling to charge and lose a case yet again. It is a good idea to suggest to AG to hood on and let investigtion proceed with Razak Released on Bond.

N2S

Tel: 60122143177

Date: 13/11/2006 16:23:29

How was the search ?

S2N

Date: 13/11/2006 16:25:56

We provided them everything, including old pda and note books and a couple of bills. Nothing incriminating.

Wednesday 15/11/2006

S2N

Date: 15/11/2006 13:21:32

Things going as expected.2 male officer charged for murder in common intention. Razak's name not in. Lady officer released but rearrested under Emergency Ordinance to be used as Crown witness (exactly as predicted). I am expecting RB to be released on Bond. 4 of my lawyers are watching brief the proceedings in the murder case. Rb matter prob t'row. Pl call. Shafee Ps coming back now from Taipei.

N2S

Date: 15/11/2006 23:31:09

So hopefully he will be released tmrw?

S2N

Date: 15/11/2006 23:34:38

Dato Seri, I am driving up from S'pore, no more flight to KL tonight. Hope for th best. Any indication? Shafee

N2S

Date: 15/11/2006 23:36:52

Not heard anything untoward yet.

Thursday 16/11/2006

S2N

Date: 16/11/2006 10:52:43

Anything Dato Seri? I am already in Court.

N2S

Date: 16/11/2006 10:53:50

Pls do not say anything to the press today. i will explain later. RB will have to face a tentative charge but all is not lost.

S2N

Date: 16/11/2006 10:54:30

OK, TQ

Friday 17/11/2006

S2N

Date: 17/11/2006 10:50:30

Dato Seri, Its important you speak to Yusoff Zainal Abidin as he knows the law a lot better in the Chambers. I am confident he is concerned with the negligible evidence agst Razak. The Raja Mahani and Tengku Ariston cases ought to be the guiding critera for AG. They cannot afford another scandallous loss by the Prosecution as in Norita, Ariston, Dato Balwant etc.

N2S

Date: 17/11/2006 11:39:46

OK will try. Meanwhile try to console the wife. She is hysterical.

S2N

Date: 17/11/2006 11:41:29

I know Dato Seri.I will do everything I can.Salam, Shafee

S2N

Date: 17/11/2006 12:57:49

Dato Seri, Razak has not been sent to Hospital. He is clearly not well. He is refusing to take Prison's medicine for fear of sabourtage. The chief Physician of GHKL Dato Dr Jaya Sinnadurai is shocked that they have not brought Razak back to GHKL. I have spoken to Haji Darussalam, Sg Buloh's Prison Director. Can You sound this to Dato Radzi Shek Ahmad? Need to see you of s'thing that I think had happened that led to her death. Utterly shocking if I am right. Shafee

S2N

Date: 17/11/2006 15:45:34

Dato Seri, I am at Sg Buloh Prison. I have organised Razak to be in HUKL, He is on his way there now. The Pengarah Hj Darussallam and deputy Supt Gunasegaran very helpful. Shafee

N2S

Date: 17/11/2006 21:27:02

My regards to him. He Is always in my thought.

S2N

Date: 17/11/2006 21:34:44

Will tell him

Sunday 19/11/2006

S2N

Date: 19/11/2006 16:25:08

Dato Seri, I need Dsp Musa, your ADc to call me to clarify a point. He is not answering Shafee

Monday 20/11/2006

S2N

Date: 20/11/2006 13:02:33

Any developement Dato Seri? Shafee

N2S

Date: 20/11/2006 14:30:20

Not yet.

S2N

Date: 20/11/2006 14:30:38

Thank you

S2N

Date: 20/11/2006 21:05:17

Dato Seri.Razak is being transfered to Sg. Buloh t'row. Can Dr. Jaya do anything?

N2S

Date: 20/11/2006 23:04:50

When is he being transffered?

S2N

Date: 20/11/2006 23:05:48

T'row

N2S

Date: 20/11/2006 23:07:01

What time?

S2N

Date: 20/11/2006 23:08:01

Probably late morning

Thursday 23/11/2006

N2S

Tel: 60122143177

Date: 23/11/2006 13:46:51

Your message read" Najib released on personal bond!".

S2N

Date: 23/11/2006 13:50:00

Razak released on Bail of 1 million. On personal bond undertaking. Shafee?I am terribly sorry for that mistake. Whole night tak tidur preparing. My profuse apologies Sir. salam. shafee

N2S

Date: 23/11/2006 14:00:25

ALhamdullillah , at least he is on bail. Big relief for him n family.

S2N

Date: 23/11/2006 14:02:02

Dato, I need to brief you urgently b4 you speak to him. Shafee

N2S

Date: 23/11/2006 14:12:32

OK but not intending to speak to him as yet.

Saturday 2/12/2006

S2N

Date: 2/12/2006 18:59:15

Dato Seri, Got some info that are troubling. Quite serious. Are you in Taman Duta? Can we meet? Salam, Shafee

Courtesy Of Malaysia Today

Click this link to read more!

DNA way to check halal claims

KUALA LUMPUR: Are food and cosmetic products which claim to be halal really so? A Malaysian company may just have the solution for a quick answer.

Olipro Biotechnology's por-cine gene chip is said to be the first of its kind in the world that detects pork DNA or pork contamination in processed food and cosmetic products
.
Biotechnology’s porcine gene chip can detect porcine elements in four to six hours.

Olipro chief executive director Diong Sing Peng said the device could detect porcine elements in four to six hours.

"This is useful to manufacturers of halal products. Many are unaware that processed food and cosmetics could contain elements of porcine."

Diong said this may not be the manufacturer's fault as the ingredients to make products came from all over the world.
"The factory that does meat packing could be packing several types of meat as well, so chicken or beef could get contaminated."

He said the test kit could detect up to one billionth of a gm of porcine elements in any material.

He said the product, which was a result of 21/2 years of research, could raise the standards of halal certification.

It was recently launched at the Halal Industry's Development Corporation's World Halal Research Summit by the prime minister's wife, Datin Seri Rosmah Mansor.

Diong said: "Malaysia is the hub of halal food.

"It would be great if we could integrate a logo that says porcine-free or lab-tested to increase consumers' trust in products."

He said the company's next device could help detect what type of animal DNA was used in the production of a particular food, pharmaceutical or cosmetic product. (NST)

Click this link to read more!

Courts don’t decide who will form state govt

BUKIT MERTAJAM: Pakatan Rakyat (PR)'s embattled Perak Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Mohammad Nizar Jamaluddin said it is the people, not the courts, who will ultimately decide who will form the state government.Nizar said this to reporters at an impromptu press conference outside the nomination centre for the Penanti by-election this morning.

He, along with several other PR leaders, had earlier accompanied Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR) candidate Mansor Othman to the centre at the National Youth Skills Institute (IKBN) to file in his nomination forms.

Yesterday, the Court of Appeal set aside the 11 May High Court ruling that Nizar was the rightful MB of Perak, and stated that Barisan Nasional's Datuk Seri Dr Zambry Abdul Kadir was rightfully sworn-in by the Perak Sultan.

Nizar once again reiterated that he plans to appeal the decision, and added that he was waiting for the grounds of the judgment to be released first.

"The courts only interpret the law. So the courts are not Pakatan's only avenue in this case. Because the courts do not determine who is the government; ultimately it is the people who will decide," he said when asked about the case.

Nizar, who is also PAS member of parliament for Bukit Gantang, also reiterated that he was open to talks with the Barisan Nasional over how to solve the Perak crisis.

"If (Prime Minister Datuk Seri) Najib (Razak) is open to discussion with the PR, then PR are open to it as well. We welcome it," he said.

When asked what his few hours back as MB was like after the High Court judgment, and before Zambry managed to get a stay order on the decision, Nizar smiled and said the civil servants were very jubilant and according him full status and respect as MB.

"This must mean for the past three months they were miserable," he quipped.

Nizar, 52, was appointed menteri besar on 17 March last year after the Pakatan Rakyat (PR) won 31 seats in the 12th general election.

He was ousted after the Zambry was sworn in as Perak menteri besar on 6 Feb. This was following the BN takeover of the state government, which was caused when three Pakatan Rakyat (PR) assemblypersons opted to become BN-friendly independents, leading to the PR losing its majority in the state assembly.

Nizar sought an audience with the Sultan of Perak Sultan Azlan Shah on 5 Feb to request the dissolution of the state assembly, but was turned down and instead ordered to step down as menteri besar. Subsequently, Nizar filed a suit against Zambry.

On 13 Feb, Nizar filed a judicial review and sought a declaration from the courts that he is at all material times the menteri besar of Perak. He also sought a declaration that Zambry has no right to hold the office of menteri besar.

On 11 May, the Kuala Lumpur High Court ruled that Nizar was the rightful menteri besar of Perak. High Court (Appellate and Special Powers Division) judge Datuk Abdul Aziz Abd Rahim ruled that there was no provision in the state constitution for the menteri besar to be fired or for the post to be vacant in the event that the menteri besar refused to resign.

However, on 12 May, the Court of Appeal in Putrajaya granted Zambry a stay of execution on the High Court decision pending an appeal.

The next day, Nizar applied to the same court to set aside the stay order.

But in its judgment on 22 May, the Court of Appeal allowed Zambry's appeal against the High Court decision, and dismissed Nizar's application (TNG)
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Raja Petra does not turn up in court, again

Malaysia Today editor Raja Petra Kamarauddin failed, again, to appear for his sedition trial at the Sessions Court here on Friday.

DPP Shah Rizal Abdul Manan told judge Aslam Zainuddin that the arrest warrant issued on April 23, when he also did not turn up in court, had yet to be executed on him.

He also said a notice for the editor’s wife Marina Lee Abdullah to summon her to explain Raja Petra’s absence at the sedition trial was also not executed.

Raja Petra’s lead counsel J. Chandra applied to the court to adjourn sine die (idefineitely) for the case until the police succeeded in arresting his client.

However, the judge set July 17 for mention saying it would be decided by the trial judge Rozina Ayob.

On April 23, the Petaling Jaya Sessions Court had issued a warrant of arrest against Raja Petra Kamarudin after he failed to turn up for his sedition trial.

Judge Rozina Ayob issued the order after lead prosecutor DPP Shahidani Abd Aziz applied for the arrest warrant against the news portal editor for his absence.

DPP Shahidani had said the prosecution had no choice but to get the order to proceed with the trial.

Rozina also issued a show cause notice for Raja Petra’s wife, Marina Lee Abdullah, as his bailor for failing to inform the court about Raja Petra’s non-attendance.

Raja Petra's lawyer J. Chandra informed judge Rozina Ayob that his client did not turn up in court on the grounds he was on a self-imposed exile from the state for “reasons that are well known.”

Chandra then went out to explain that for over a month now, Raja Petra, 58, has posted articles or comments on issues in relation to the Selangor royal house that have angered some members of his own family who have demanded an apology.

Raja Petra explained why he did not turn up at the court in Malaysia Today, “my family then gave me an ultimatum. I was to either make that public apology or else my family would insert an advertisement in the mainstream newspapers practically distancing itself from me, which could be interpreted as disowning me ....

“I went into exile outside Selangor ... . It has to be noted that this has always been the punishment for any member of the Selangor Royal Family who is considered durhaka (traitorous) since the beginning of the Selangor Sultanate more than 250 years ago.”

He also wrote that another reason why he did not attend court was the he did not expect to get a fair trial.

In court on April 23, his lawyer Chandra added, “You have to bear in mind that he is a member of royalty and this self-imposed exile is a punishment he has handed out to himself.”

Rozina said Raja Petra had never produced a written order over the matter.

To this, Chandra said his client would appear in court “when the times permitted and the matter resolved”.

DPP Shahidani Aziz then asked for a warrant of arrest to be issued against Raja Petra and a showcause notice for his wife and bailor Marina.

The judge granted both and set May 22 for mention.

Speaking to reporters later on April 23, his lawyer Gobind Singh Deo had said the defence had been unable to contact Raja Petra for some time and his last conversation with him was during a habeas corpus appeal against the editor at the Federal Court.

Raja Petra, a former Internal Security Act detainee, had on May 6 2008 claimed trial to publishing a seditious article on his Malaysia Today news portal on April 25 of that same year.

He is accused of publishing the article Let’s send the Altantuya murderers to hell on the website www.malaysia-today.net. The charge under Section 4(1)(c) of the Sedition Act 1948 carries a maximum fine of RM5,000 or three years' jail or both upon conviction. (M2day)

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RTD has no special plans to get heavily tinted taxis off the road

LADIES, your safety is in your hands.

That was the response of Road Transport Department director-general Datuk Solah Mat Hassan to our front-page report yesterday highlighting that women were now afraid to board tinted taxis following the highly publicised rape of a 17-year-old girl in a heavily-tinted taxi in broad daylight by a man dubbed the Scorpion.

Bad enough that the RTD can't deal with rogue taxis, now they don't seem to take seriously the threat faced by women passengers.

We reported that women are now arming themselves with self-defence products, are shunning cubs driven by foreigners and reluctant to board empty buses.

Our checks yesterday revealed that many heavily-tinted public transport vehicles were still on the road.

"Women passengers should take their safety into their own hands. If they see a heavily-tinted cab and think that it looks dangerous or find that there is a reason to suspect the driver, then don't take it," he told Malay Mail yesterday, when asked when RTD would be acting against heavily-tinted cabs.

"We don't have any special operations for this (catching drivers of heavily-tinted cabs). We only have our routine enforcement operations where of course, one of the things we look out for is whether the level of tinting is within regulations or not.

"However, we also need the public to cooperate with us on this. If they see a cab which looks to have flouted the law, inform us. Then we can act and conduct inspections on the reported vehicles," he said.

The indifferent attitude of the authorities has prompted an outcry from community leaders and NGOs who demanded that the authorities get their act together and put an end to the blatant disregard for passengers' safety.

Even Subang Jaya assemblyman Hannah Yeoh had said in our report that she "didn't feel safe taking public transportation".

"It's a problem in Malaysia. Every one of us has heard of somebody becoming a victim of crime while taking public transportation. I really feel the authorities must buck up. Honestly, a lot of women are very afraid to go out these days," she said.

Yeoh's concern is justified as the victim of the Scorpion had boarded a cab in SS14, Subang Jaya before she was taken to a yard at a condominium at Kelana Jaya where she was raped.

The suspect, a married man with two children, was picked up from his home in Persiaran Kewajipan, also in Subang Jaya. The victim had told police that the man had tattoos on his shoulders, one of which was a scorpion. (MMail)

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No laws exist to remove MBs, says Nizar's lawyers

PUTRAJAYA- Lawyers acting for Pakatan Rakyat (PR) Mentri Besar Mohammad Nizar Jamaluddin today told the Court of Appeal there were no laws to remove any heads of government in Malaysia.

Sulaiman Abdullah said that even if a mentri besar chooses not to resign after losing the support of fellow lawmakers there was noting that could be done.

He said following arguments by lawyers representing Barisan Nasional (BN) MB Datuk Zambry Abd Kadir and the Attorney General would lead to more absurdity.

He said it would mean the King could tell the prime minister that he should step own because he had lost the confidence of members of parliament.

The grounds against removal, he said, were laid out in the Sarawak case of Stephen Kalong Ningkan v the Government of Malaysia 1968.

"The state constitution confers no power on the Governor to dismiss or by any means to enforce the resignation of a chief minister, even when it has been demonstrated that he has lost the confidence of the majority."

In his argument he described the situation as a serious lacuna or a grey area, adding that the matter had never been addressed.

In that case, Stephen Kalong was reappointed as Chief Minister in Sarawak.

However the federal Government imposed emergency rule and amended the state constitution to remove him.

However the amendments during the emergency rule were allowed to lapse after his removal.

Similarly the Perak Constitution does not confer power to dismiss the mentri besar.

There is also no discretion to appoint two people as mentri besar.

Sulaiman said the issue of whether a mentri besar had the support of his fellow lawmakers is not for either the people or ruler to decide but for the "elected pool" in the legislature.

Sulaiman argued that a mentri besar does not hold office at the pleasure of the ruler although he has absolute discretion to decide who should be mentri besar after an election.

He added a mentri besar could at any time seek the dissolution of a legislature and did not have to wait for the end of a five year term.

Ranjit Singh, who also acted for the PR man, told the court that Nizar's state of mind when he met the Perak Sultan to ask for the assembly to be dissolved was of great importance.

During the meeting on Feb 4 Nizar told the ruler the assembly was "deadlocked" with both BN and PR having 28 assemblymen, following the resignation of three independents.

He said Nizar never told the Sultan that he had lost the majority as claimed by the State Legal Advisor and the dissolution was sought under Article 36(2) of the Perak constitution.

Article 36(2) is a general provision for dissolutions which was also written in a draft proclamation which the ruler refused to sign.

This counters arguments by Zambry's lawyers who say Nizar had sought the dissolution under Article 16(6) which provides that the mentri besar should resign if he has lost the majority in the legislature and if the ruler does not allow for fresh elections. (TMI)

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Hearing begins on Perak MB crisis

PUTRAJAYA— The Court of Appeal this morning started hearing Barisan Nasional’s Datuk Seri Dr Zambry Abd Kadir appeal against the High Court ruling last Monday that declared Pakatan Rakyat’s Datuk Seri Mohammad Nizar Jamaluddin the rightful Perak mentri besar.

The Kuala Lumpur High Court had on May 11 ruled that Nizar was the rightful mentri besar as the state assembly had not moved for a vote of no confidence to remove him.

The following day Zambry filed an appeal and obtained a stay order from Court of Appeal judge Ramly Ali who had sat as a single judge.

Following this Nizar filed his own application to set aside the stay order granted to Zambry.

Nizar's application is to set aside the stay order obtained by Zambry against the High Court ruling which had declared Nizar as the legitimate mentri besar.

He had also requested that the matter be heard by a five-member Court of Appeal panel, instead of the usual three, as it was a matter of public interest and touched on constitutional issues.

However, Nizar failed to get his request. It is learnt that his letter of request did not reach the Court of Appeal president Alauddin Md Sheriff on time.

This morning, the parties agreed that Zambry's appeal will be heard first.

The three-member panel hearing the matter comprises Justices Abdul Raus Sharif, Datuk Zainun Ali and Ahmad Maarop.

This legal battle between Nizar and Zambry is largely seen by many as the final judicial attempt by either party to stamp their authority as the rightful and legitimate Perak menteri besar.

The hearing is expected to take a few days before the court makes a ruling on both the matters before it. Go to this link to get the latest updates from the Appeal Court (TMI)

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DAPSY slams arrest of leaders at candlelight vigil

KUALA LUMPUR — Police tonight continued their tough stance against protests as they arrested Serdang MP Teo Nie Ching and Teratai assemblywoman Jenice Lee at a candle-light vigil in Seputeh.

DAP Socialist Youth executive secretary Lim Zhen Hui confirmed Teo and Lee were among those arrested at the start of the vigil.

“DAPSY staunchly condemns the arrest of DAPSY leaders and members at a candlelight vigil in Seputeh earlier tonight,” Lim said in a statement.

“At a time when the people of Malaysia are mourning the accelerated death of democracy in this country fuelled by the shameful events in Perak, the police has reinforced the idea that democracy does not exist in this country.

“DAPSY demands the immediate release of all DAPSY leaders and members that were unjustly locked up tonight, and calls for the government to revive the democratic process to save the face of our nation that has been tainted by numerous scandals and instances of human rights abuse,” Lim added. (TMI)

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BN will not contest in N12 Penanti By Election

KUALA LUMPUR-BARISAN Nasional will not field a candidate for the Penanti by-election, Prime Minister and Barisan Nasional (BN) Chairman Datuk Seri Najib Tun Abdul Razak announced today.

The BN supreme council, he said, had unanimously decided on skipping this by-election as the coalition believed the vacancy “is not provided for in the Constitution” and the situation was being used by Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR) to resolve its internal problems.

Najib, who is also Umno president, was speaking at a press conference, after chairing his first BN supreme council meeting since taking office on 3 April. The meeting at Menara Datuk Onn in Kuala Lumpur lasted more than two hours. Najib said the matter had been discussed 'at length' and all the BN component parties had agreed on the decision.

"The Supreme Council made the decision as the seat fell vacant not because it was due to a provision in the constitution, that is, the vacancy was because Parti Keadilan (Rakyat) wants to resolve its internal problems. ... it is also a political ploy by the opposition."

“Because the BN gives priority to serving (the needs of) the people and on efforts to revive the country's economy, we have decided not to field a candidate to contest the Penanti by-election," he announced.

The BN decision today was unanimous although earlier there were BN component parties which had expressed differing opinions on the matter, he said. "We decided through consensus...we don't want to dance according to the tune of others, because we know that this is a political game," Najib said.

Asked whether BN's non-contesting was a sign that it feared being defeated, Najib said it was untrue as BN would still have to face voters in Penanti come the next general election. He also said this was not the first time BN was not contesting a by-election. In 1975, it did not put up a candiate for the Menglembu by-election.

On the reaction of traditional BN supporters in the constituency, the Prime Minister said, "We will still serve the voters in Penanti and Permatang Pauh according to our channels. I know they (BN voters) understand. The interest of the party as a whole is greater," he said.

Asked if the BN would boycott the by-election, he said: "No. It's just that we are not fielding a candidate in Penanti."

The Penanti by-election was called following the resignation of PKR assemblyman and former Penang Deputy Chief Minister I Mohammad Fairus Khairuddin, 33, who resigned on 16 April. Two day after, Najib had said there was a possibility of BN not contesting the by-election, stating it was a political ploy by the opposition and “a sheer waste of public funds”.

The BN chairman then said he would get the consensus of the BN component parties on the matter before any decision was made. Fairus, citing his resignation as “in the interest of the party”, had also said he wanted to pursue further studies. He had stepped down from his Deputy Chief Minister post on 8 April following allegations of non-performance in public office as well as corruption claims.

The Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) had investigated and cleared him of any alleged links to illegal quarrying activities.

Meanwhile, the Election Commission (EC) has sold four nomination forms for the Penanti by-election, said its director, Morat Pora. "The forms are sold for RM20 each. However, we don't know who these forms are for because anyone can buy them," he told Bernama here today. He said one of the forms was bought by Aminah Abdullah, who had declared that she would contest in the by-election.

He was unsure if PKR candidate, Dr Mansor Othman, was among those who had bought the forms. Nomination is this Saturday with polling on May 31.— BERNAMA

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BN’s other Perak dilemma: what to do with the three ‘frogs’?

IPOH – Just what should Barisan Nasional do with Messrs Hee, Osman and Jamaluddin? This question is increasingly being debated and discussed among top Umno/Barisan Nasional officials as the Perak power grab continues to dominate the headlines in Malaysia, much to the chagrin of the Najib administration.

BN officials say that as it stands today, the thinking is still to allow the courts to decide whether Datuk Seri Zambry Abdul Kadir or Datuk Seri Nizar Jamaluddin is the rightful Mentri Besar of Perak, and then move a motion of no-confidence against the popular PAS politician, and continue ruling Perak.

But if the public sentiment in the state remains toxic even after the court ruling and if the Sultan of Perak comes under sustained pressure from the Opposition, public and civil society and dissolves the state legislature, the nascent political careers of Hee Yit Foong (Jelapang), Osman Jailu (Changkat Jering) and Jamaluddin Mohd Radzi (Behrang) could come to a abrupt end.

The Malaysian Insider has learnt that senior BN officials believe that one way out of the Perak quagmire is to persuade the three Pakatan Rakyat defectors to vacate their seats and contest by-elections in Jelapang, Changkat Jering and Behrang.

The winner will have a clear majority in the state assembly and will be able to form the state government. In addition, the move to have by-elections in the three constituencies may assuage Perakians who feel that they should have the last say in the government which represents them as well as dissipate some of the anger being directed at Sultan Azlan Shah for refusing Nizar’s request to dissolve the state assembly in February.

Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak and several other senior BN leaders have been briefed of this “limited election” option but there is some opposition against taking this route.

A senior party official, familiar with discussions told The Malaysian Insider: “there is a view that if BN sacrifices the three representatives, then no lawmaker will ever think of defecting and joining the BN in future. We are confident that we can win in Changkat Jering and Behrang because Malay voters are with us but the perception of forcing the three to retire may not be good for BN.”

But he concedes that if the Sultan decides to dissolve the state assembly and calls for state elections, BN is going to face a dilemma over fielding Hee, Osman and Jamaluddin as BN candidates in their constituencies.

The defectors could face a severe backlash from voters who believe that the trio changed their political colours out of self-interest and not due to ideological differences with the DAP or PKR.

Fielding Osman and Jamaluddin could prove tricky as both lawmakers have been charged in court with corruption. Jamaluddin won the Behrang seat on March 8, 2008 with a 1,027 majority, Osman the Changkat Jering seat by a 1,102 majority.

Yet, dropping the three will be viewed as capitulation and acceptance of the Pakatan Rakyat position that the defection was illegal and unconstitutional.

The senior party official said: “as it stands today, the BN position is that we will go for a vote of no-confidence. Any elections, even a limited one, could be complicated.”

A key complication: what to do with Messrs Hee, Osman and Jamaluddin? (TMI)

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