2 detained from huge crowd at Kugan's funeral - Malaysiakini

KUALA LUMPUR, — A huge crowd is now following A. Kugan's funeral procession from Universiti Malaya Medical Centre (UMMC) under the watchful eyes of the police to the USJ 8 police station for prayers before the final rites at the Puchong Batu 14 crematorium this evening.

Police are providing an escort for the procession.

They had earlier arrested five men wearing Hindraf T-shirts as they threw a tight cordon around the medical centre for the suspected car thief's funeral. They only allowed some 50 people, including family and several lawmakers, to claim Kugan's body.

Lawyer Gobind Singh Deo said family and friends paid respects at the mortuary five at a time. Police had earlier chased away reporters and nearly 100 supporters around the mortuary waiting to pay respects.

The Federal Reserve Unit (FRU) and Light Strike Force had cordoned off the teaching hospital this morning but crowds, responding to text messages, have turned up for the funeral procession. Several tried to go through the barricade but police ordered them to disperse.

Police arrested two men when the crowd were dispersing just after noon. The government had banned the Hindraf movement last year, making all its symbols illegal, after it organised a massive protest in November 2007. Five Hindraf leaders are under ISA detention.

Another two were arrested later for inciting the crowd, police said. They also wore Hindraf T-shirts.

"I don't see why anyone has been arrested. We are not here to make trouble," Gobind, who is also Puchong MP, told reporters.

"They are just here to pay last respects," said Kapar MP S. Manikavasagam, who said he will lodge a police report against Selangor police chief Datuk Khalid Abu Bakar for making conflicting statements over Kugan's death.

Kugan, a 22-year-old insurance claims executive, was arrested on Jan 14 for allegedly being involved in a luxury car-theft ring. He died on Jan 20 after drinking some water, police claimed. An initial autopsy said he died of "fluid in the lungs".

But the Attorney-General's Chambers have classified the case as murder after an outcry by the family and lawmakers, and a second autopsy over the weekend found external injuries and phlegm in his lungs.

The family and authorities are waiting for detailed toxicological and tissue tests in the final autopsy report.

Critics have said Kugan's death is the latest in custody deaths in Malaysia, mostly among Indians detained by the police.

But Hindraf legal advisor S. Tanendran disagreed, saying it is a Malaysian issue, not a racial issue. "Deaths in detention happens to all races," he said.

Previous news
A second autopsy on suspected car thief Kugan Ananthan has found external injuries caused by blunt force trauma, sources told The Malaysian Insider.

The 22-year-old, who died while in police custody on Jan 20, was said to have died of cardiac arrest following the injuries, the sources said.

Initial findings also revealed Kugan was asthmatic, and his condition had caused phlegm to accumulate in his lungs.

The full report is expected to be issued within days after Universiti Malaya Medical Centre pathologists carried out the autopsy that lasted nearly 10 hours on Sunday following a dispute over earlier findings that he had died of "water in the lungs".

The Attorney-General’s Chambers have classified the case as murder and 11 policemen from the Subang USJ Taipan police station have been reassigned to desk duty pending investigations.

It is understood that closed-circuit-television-cameras (CCTV) were not placed in the police station’s lock-up despite a directive years ago that was intended to prevent claims of police abuse.

Kugan was said to be part of a syndicate involved in stealing luxury cars but his family said he has no criminal record and worked as an insurance claims executive.

Kugan will be cremated at the Puchong Batu 14 crematorium on Wednesday.

Fearing trouble, police have warned his family and friends not to turn the funeral into a protest following unconfirmed reports that a procession with banners and placards are being planned.

The police are now questioning some 21 people, including two deputy ministers, for allegedly barging into a hospital mortuary to view Kugan’s body last week. The family and the two politicians dispute the police and hospital version of events, saying they had a right to see the body.

His death is the latest over the years of suspects, mainly Indians, who had died suddenly in police custody.

Political parties across the divide have asked for an independent probe into his death and others in the past.

His family has also criticised the police for hiding behind a wall of silence over the death.

“The police never informed us that he was arrested and we only heard about it from an anonymous caller,” Kugan’s uncle V. Raviroy told The Malaysian Insider.

The 42-year-old businessman said no matter what Kugan was accused of doing; he did not deserve to die.

“Kugan was only 22, he had his whole life ahead of him, why did he end up dead in the lockup?” he lamented. (TheMalaysianInsider)

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Intel shuts down 2 plants in Penang

LOS ANGELES, — Intel Corp said yesterday it is consolidating its manufacturing operations as a part of a restructuring bid that will affect thousands of jobs from the US to the Philippines.

Between 5,000 and 6,000 employees will be affected, though some may be offered posts at other facilities, the company said.

The world's largest chipmaker is closing two assembly test facilities in Penang, Malaysia and one in Cavite, Philippines and will halt production at a plant in Hillsboro, Oregon. It will also end wafer production at a facility in Santa Clara, California. All five are older factories, the company said.

Intel currently employs about 84,000 workers. The company expects to complete the job cuts by the end of the year.

Last week, Intel posted a whopping 90 per cent decline in its fourth-quarter profit, hurt by declining demand for its microprocessors — the brains of PCs — amid the economic downturn.

The results, however, matched Wall Street's expectations as the company had twice lowered its sales forecast.

Shares of the company climbed 17 cents to US$13.43 in after-hours trading, having closed the regular session up 40 cents at US$13.26. — AP

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Najib is ready to end the special privileges for the Malays

KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 24 — Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak is ready to end the special privileges for the Malays, but stressed that this must be done gradually.

In an interview with Bloomberg Television, the Prime Minister-designate said "if we do not change, the people will change us".

"In the not-too-distant future, we will see all the elements of the New Economic Policy being replaced." He didn't say when that might occur.

"It's a huge challenge," Najib said in the interview yesterday. "There must be this political will and desire to change within Umno. I don't think we can expect people to look at us in more favourable terms unless we change, unless we rectify our weaknesses."

The Pakatan Rakyat opposition coalition used the scrapping of the NEP as a campaign pledge to inflict record losses on the ruling Barisan Nasional in the March general election.

The NEP was devised by Najib's father, Tun Abdul Razak, when he was Malaysia's second prime minister to boost the Malays' economic status — through job allocations, cheaper homes and other benefits — in a country where ethnic Chinese had long been more prosperous and remain so. About 65 per cent of country's 27 million people are Malay.

According to Bloomberg, by offering to scrap the NEP, at an unspecified time, and replace it with a needs-based system, Najib is moving closer to the stance of opposition leader Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, who also supports a system based on economic need.

Anwar is trying to seize power but said on Wednesday he is finding it difficult to woo ruling coalition lawmakers to his side.

Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi plans to step down in March and has named Najib, his deputy, as his successor. Abdullah sped up his planned 2010 exit from the political stage as racial tension increased.

Some analysts Bloomberg spoke to expressed doubt that Umno, the leading party in the ruling coalition, is ready to give up a programme that helps its members. Political consultant Karim Raslan said Umno hasn't fully accepted how much it needs to change.

"I don't see enough frankness in terms of challenges facing the party," Karim said. "Many of the party leaders feel that by replacing Abdullah they will overcome these weaknesses. I have to disagree with them. I don't see many signs of revival," Bloomberg quoted him as saying.

Najib's family has held top positions in politics and business for generations. His father led Malaysia from 1970 to 1976. Najib's cousin is the current education minister. His younger brother Nazir Razak runs the country's second-biggest bank CIMB Group Bhd.

Abdullah picked Najib to succeed him despite misgivings by some over controversies surrounding the deputy prime minister.

Najib has denied suggestions that he is linked to the murder of a Mongolian woman in 2006, and that he had an affair with the victim. A political analyst who worked for Najib is on trial for abetting two police officers in the murder.

Anwar also has accused Najib of profiting from defence contracts and of being behind criminal charges that the opposition leader had sex with a man. Anwar denies the sex charge, and Najib denies both being involved in bringing the case against his opponent and making money from defence contracts.

Bloomberg also quoted former Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad as saying that Najib has to explain all things that are said about him. "Unfortunately, we don't have any other candidate. We have no choice but to choose Najib," Dr Mahathir said.'

In the interview, Najib called the allegations against him baseless.

"I'm telling you, I wouldn't stay in office a day longer if I knew I am involved in these allegations," he said. "There's no proof, no basis. I can sue people, but it's going to be a tedious process in court." (MalaysianInsider)

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Najib - UMNO chiefs will meet to discuss possible election in December

KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 23 - A confrontation is looming in Umno over the issue of Malaysia's leadership transition.

In a sign that there has been no let-up in backroom efforts to push out Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Badawi earlier than March, his deputy, Datuk Seri Najib Razak, has said Umno chiefs will meet next Thursday to discuss bringing back the party's internal elections to December.

"We will answer all these questions on the 30th. For now, there is no change to the date (of the Umno elections)," he said on Tuesday.

He was asked by reporters whether the internal polls, which two weeks ago were delayed from December to March, would be brought back to the earlier date.

The decision-making Umno Supreme Council will meet next Thursday for its regular monthly meeting, and Najib was the first to say the issue of the December polls would be discussed.

His comments clashed with Abdullah's wish to be in power until March.

When told last Saturday that Umno vice-president Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin wanted the polls to be held in December, a visibly upset Abdullah said: "What is the meaning of all this? I am not happy with this. Is he trying to stop me from making reforms?"

Party chiefs, including Najib, had concurred with the Premier that he should be allowed to retire at the end of March.

But the deal caused unhappiness among the grassroots because it meant the period to campaign for top posts would drag on for three more months, instead of ending by Dec18, the original date of the triennial polls.

Added to this is anxiety in the Najib camp following a string of accusations against the PM-in-waiting.

Political analyst Yahaya Ismail said: "Abdullah was given 'injury time' to March to quit, but there are worries whether Umno will be stable with these accusations against Najib."

Two weeks ago, a website accused Najib of sending many text messages to the lawyer of Razak Baginda, his former adviser who is accused of abetting the murder of a Mongolian interpreter.

Najib was then accused of pushing a RM2.3 billion deal to buy new helicopters for the Defence Ministry just before he passed the position to Abdullah.

This was followed by a website's accusations of alleged past scandals. Also being circulated online were doctored pictures of him practising Hindu rites.

This week, a fake manifesto tried to portray him as an intolerant leader who would defend Malay rights to the "last drop" of his blood.

Najib, who has strenously denied the allegations against him in the manifesto, which was published by Malaysiakini, said yesterday he had accepted the apology given by the news website.

The group of leaders agitating to push Abdullah out earlier know they must carry the Umno ground along. So they are couching the power grab by saying that delaying the polls would drain money and energy.

A proposal has been put forward that Abdullah may remain as Premier until March, even though party polls are held in December.

"They say he could hang on. But once you have a new Umno president in December, Abdullah will not have the moral authority to stay around," said a Supreme Council member.

Muhyiddin is among those publicly in favour of a December poll date, leading Abdullah to accuse him of being "impatient to become the deputy prime minister".

Muhyiddin is the front runner to be Umno's new deputy president, and thus deputy PM. Supporting the Trade and Industry Minister is de facto Islamic Affairs Minister Ahmad Zahid Hamidi, a front runner in the
vice-president contest.

Backing them is former premier Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad, a bitter critic of Abdullah.

Dr Mahathir said soon after the March deal was announced that it was better for Abdullah to step down immediately as he must give Najib full authority to rehabilitate Umno.

But there is no guarantee that come next Thursday, the 40 Supreme Council chiefs will agree to bring the date for party polls forward because supporters say Abdullah will not budge.

Still, the flip-flops are a strain for some observers.

"I hope they can put aside politics and put people first. Many people are struggling with high costs, and now there is the global economic crisis," said political science lecturer Mohammad Agus Yusoff of the National
University of Malaysia. - The Straits Times

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Opposition slams Zaki's appointment as CJ

KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 22 - The appointment of a former Umno lawyer as Chief Justice after a rapid rise through the ranks, has triggered criticism about the independence of the judiciary.

Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Badawi announced Tuesday that Tan Sri Zaki Azmi had been promoted to be the country's most senior judge from his position as Court of Appeal president.

He was a legal adviser to Umno just last year when he became the first lawyer to be directly appointed as a judge in the Federal Court. Three months later he was appointed president of the Court of Appeal, the second-highest judicial posting in the country.

Zaki's phenomenal rise through the ranks in a short time has raised eyebrows in the judicial fraternity.

Besides his connections to the ruling party, Zaki also chaired the party's disciplinary committee, and used to be on the board of several companies. He resigned all posts when he became judge.

Lim Kit Siang, leader in the opposition Democratic Action Party, said Zaki's appointment was disappointing and that there were more senior judges suited to fill the post. Traditionally seniority determines the chief justice appointment, although there is no official system.

"This goes against the whole principle of proper judicial appointments and promotions," he told The Associated Press.

Lim said the opposition would not protest Zaki's appointment further and would give him a chance to prove his impartiality. But he said the opposition would remain "very vigilant" to ensure that Zaki would "rise above his past".

Bar Council president Ambiga Sreenevasan said she was concerned about Zaki's political affiliations and business connections.

"These concerns can only be dispelled by him through the conduct of his duties and by a demonstration of independence and impartiality at all times," she said in a statement.

Zaki's appointment comes amid questions about the integrity of Malaysia's judiciary, which many say has been compromised following allegations that top judicial appointments in recent years have been manipulated.

A video clip recorded secretly in 2002 - and made public by the opposition last year - showed a prominent lawyer allegedly brokering judicial appointments while talking on the phone with someone who later became the chief justice. - AP

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It's glad to be back in Parliament - Anwar

Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim ended his 10-year absence from Parliament when he was sworn in at 10.05am by Speaker Tan Sri Pandikar Amin Mulia in the Dewan Rakyat.

He can now drop the "de facto" prefix from his position as opposition leader as Pandikar Amin confirmed the endorsement by Pakatan Rakyat of his leadership immediately after the swearing-in.

"According to Standing Order 4A(3), I wish to inform that from the feedback I have received, I am satisfied that Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, MP for Permatang Pauh, has received unanimous support from opposition members to be appointed opposition leader," the speaker told the House to the loud table-thumping by opposition MPs which had soundtracked the entire swearing-in ceremony.

In asking the first question during the Q&A session, the BN's Sepanggar MP Datuk Eric Enchin Majimbun first congratulated "the honourable Permatang Pauh" and this was echoed by Minister in the Prime Minister's Department Datuk Seri Nazri Aziz.

"I would like to congratulate him on his return to Parliament and also his appointment as opposition leader," he said before answering the question.

Immediately after, DAP supremo Lim Kit Siang stood up to ask a supplementary question but prefixed it by proclaiming that the Permatang Pauh by-election was a "second political tsunami" after the March 8 general election and added that "the government will be sunk like the Titanic".

Anwar later told the press that "everyone wanted me to take an oath, so it's done", a double entendre alluding to earlier calls for him to swear on the Quran to counter sodomy allegations reiterated in a similar oath taken by his accuser Saiful Bukhari Azlan.

Saying that he was glad to be back after a decade of "being denied of my rights, although it's been good that Azizah has been holding the fort as MP for Permatang Pauh and opposition leaders," referring to his wife and PKR president Datuk Seri Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail.

"I feel I am vindicated after all these personal attacks just to deny me - at all cost, Anwar must not be allowed to return to Parliament. But the people of Permatang Pauh are wise enough to want to see me in Parliament. All their machination, the might of those in authority, the massive power and billions of dollars cannot alter the simple minds of Malaysians," he stated.

Asked about the fact that the "live" broadcast of Parliament today had only begun after his swearing in, he replied: "That's normal for these nasty machinations of the BN government. Even after I have won, they are still in a state of denial. They use their henchmen in the media, RTM and TV3 for example, not just to broadcast malicious and scurrilous attacks but to deny even what is standard procedure.

"Doesn't this sound stupid?" he added.

Nazri, however, insisted that the government had only ever agreed to broadcast the Q&A session and not specifically proceedings from 10am.

Anwar's first debate today will be to tackle the controversial DNA Identification Bill which the opposition has claimed is targeted directly at Anwar's sodomy case.

Tomorrow, he wil take his place opposite the man he seeks to depose, Finance and Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi, for tomorrow's tabling of the 2009 Budget.

Excerpt from http://themalaysianinsider.com.my/index.php/malaysia/8216-anwars-back-in-parliament

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Malaysia government backs Israel - Anwar

Opposition leader Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim has accused the government of supporting the pro-Israel lobby in the US and Jewish groups inside Israel.

"I have evidence proving that the government is backing the Jewish lobby in the US and some parties inside Israel," Anwar told IslamOnline.net in an exclusive interview.

Anwar, a former deputy premier who is contesting a by-election as the next step in his plan to become premier, declined to elaborate on the nature of the support or his evidence.

Malaysia, a Muslim Asian giant, does not have diplomatic relations with Israel.

After the Israeli withdrawal from the Gaza Strip in 2005 following decades of military occupation, it denied reports the move would change its position on relations with Israel.

"Tel Aviv has yet to fulfil certain conditions," Foreign Ministry parliamentary secretary Ahmad Shabery Cheek said at the time.

"Therefore there is no reason why Malaysia should review its current stand."

Former premier Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad, who retired in 2003 after 22 years in power, had angered Israel just before his retirement when he said that Jews rule the world by proxy, getting others to fight and die for them.

Anwar again refuted charges of sodomy made by Mohamad Saiful Bukhari Azlan, a 23-year-old former aide.

"These accusations are nothing but propaganda and mere fabrication," he told IOL.

Anwar was accused of sodomy in court this month, but the charge indicated the alleged sex act was consensual.

Mohamad Saiful said last Friday that the alleged sex act was not consensual, and that it "happened by force, without my permission."

He was photographed last week at a city mosque, swearing on the Quran that he was telling the truth.

Anwar insists the charges have been engineered by the government to prevent him from seizing power after landmark March elections.

"They are a bid by the government to ... stumble my bid to lead the country."

Anwar led a three-party opposition alliance to astonishing victories in the March general election, seizing control over five of Malaysia's 13 states and a third of the parliament seats.

Sodomy, even between consenting adults, is illegal in Muslim-majority Malaysia.

If convicted, Anwar will be handed down a 20-year jail sentence which will end his political ambitions.

The sodomy charge against Anwar, who had served in various portfolios before becoming deputy premier in 1993, is the second in a decade.

He was found guilty of sodomy in 2000 and sentenced nine years in prison but released after four after the highest court overturned his conviction.

Anwar ridiculed accusations of being a US "lackey".

"These accusations are nothing but propaganda to tarnish the opponents' reputation."

He said he has been a vocal opponent of the US-led war on Iraq and its so-called war on terror.

"But this does not mean I would engage in a war against the US."

The opposition leader also took a swipe at Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi's flagship Islam Hadhari project.

"There is only one Islam," Anwar said.

"Claiming that there is Islam Hadhari means that there is a 'bad' Islam."

Islam Hadhari is the brainchild of Abdullah, who maintains it is derived from the core principles and teachings of Islam.

It aims to present the civilised image of Islam as a faith that caters for all social, political and economic needs of the human beings.

"Action speaks louder than words," Anwar said.

"How can we propagate this project at a time we are plagued by corruption, poor education and a crumbling economic system." — The Palestine Chronicle

Excerpt from http://themalaysianinsider.com/index.php/malaysia/7961-anwar-malaysia-government-backs-israel

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BN using dirty tricks -Anwar

In the first day of campaigning, opposition leader and home boy Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim has already alleged that his former party Barisan Nasional (BN) will resort to dirty strategies to cut his majority in the Permatang Pauh by-election this Aug 26.

He claimed inside information and told the people to disregard the tricks.

"BN will campaign house-to-house to ask residents in Permatang Pauh not to go out to vote on Aug 26, saying that I have already won the by-election.

"BN will also give RM500 to each voter not to vote for Anwar Ibrahim, but my advice to you is to take the money, but vote for me," he said at a tea reception at Kampung Bagan Serai here yesterady.

The former deputy prime minister also reiterated Pakatan Rakyat tpromises when it formed the government, cutting pump prices by 70 sen and freeing the five Hindraf leaders currently detained under the Internal Security Act (ISA).
Anwar is facing BN candidate Datuk Arif Shah Omar Shah and Angkatan Keadilan Insan Malaysia (Akim) president Hanafi Mamat in a three-cornered fight for the seat that he had held between 1982 and 1999 when he was convicted of corruption.

Meanwhile, Umno information chief Tan Sri Muhammad Muhd Taib said BN had a stronger chance of wresting the seat from PKR following the entry of Akim into the picture.

The Rural and Regional Development Minister's views,were shared by Penang MCA liaison chief Datuk Liow Tiong Lai who said Hanafi would be able to attract a segment of PAS supporters as many of them were unhappy with Anwar, Bernama reported.

BN Youth chief Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Hussein also felt the same but reminded the BN election machinery to work hard to ensure a BN victory.

Penang BN chairman Tan Sri Dr Koh Tsu Koon reminded the BN election machinery to double its effort especially at the grassroots level and said he hoped the people of Permatang Pauh would not be taken in by the empty promises the opposition would be making.

MIC president Datuk Seri S. Samy Vellu said the party was making every effort to get at least 2,700 of the 3,390 Indian voters in the constituency to vote for the BN.

PAS vice president Datuk Husam Musa said the by-election would be a tough battle for the PR as it had to contend with the BN's formidable election machinery but was confident the opposition coalition would prevail.

He said that Anwar's former aide Mohd Saiful Bukhari Azlan's action of swearing on the Quran at the Federal Territory Mosque in Kuala Lumpur Friday that Anwar had sodomised him, would not in anyway sway PAS members support for Anwar as it was "obviously timed to derail Anwar's plan of making a comeback".

PKR supreme council member Saifuddin Nasution Ismail described the by-election as mere formality to fill the vacancy as the constituency was a PKR fortress.

As for Penang Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng, he said that he viewed this by-election as historical one as involved a former political stalwart, referring to Anwar, who is a former deputy prime minister.

Meanwhile, former PKR Youth chief Mohamad Ezam Mohd Nor said the BN could win the seat as the mood of the people there had changed since the time he was in PKR.

"I can feel it. It is not the same as in 1999 and 2004 (when the outpouring of support for PKR was very great)," said, Ezam, who rejoined Umno recently.
Excerpt from http://themalaysianinsider.com/index.php/malaysia/7801-anwar-claims-bn-using-dirty-tricks-

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Shafee to sue commenters on RPK's Malaysia Today

Excerpt from http://www.themalaysianinsider.com/index.php/headlines/
42-lead-stories/2968-shafee-to-also-sue-commenters-on-rpks-news-portal

Having filed a defamation suit against Malaysia Today editor Raja Petra Kamarudin yesterday, Datuk Muhammad Shafee Abdullah vowed today to sue commenters he alleges have defamed him on the website.

Speaking to The Malaysian Insider today, the prominent lawyer said the landmark order would put a stop to "this nonsense of anonymous commenting with vulgarities at will".

"These monkeys are all cowards, writing nonsense under the guise of anonymity with no respect for the truth," he added.

The Kuala Lumpur High Court yesterday directed Raja Petra, popularly known as RPK, to reveal the identities of commenters who Shafee alleged had defamed him in three articles published on the website. The articles are the basis of Shafee's defamation suit against the controversial blogger.

According to Shafee, it was the first time it had happened in Malaysia but such orders have been issued in England and the US.

"I cited the specific comments and the court has approved each citation. This landmark order will make everyone responsible for what they write online," Shafee clarified.

When quizzed over what information RPK could furnish him with due to the anonymous nature of these commenters, Shafee said: "You have to register to be able to comment on RPK's site. So he will at least have their e-mail addresses. I will compel the owners of these addresses to show who has sent these comments."

The ex-parte injunction also instructed RPK to reveal his sources for the allegations made in the articles against Shafee.

"He knows these sources from my office so he should tell me who they are and why these sources are reliable. Under our law, there is no protection for whistle-blowers."

However, several lawyers expressed concern over the clash with the Bill of Guarantees stated under the Multimedia Super Corridor which protects free speech by prohibiting Internet censorship.

"Frankly, I think there might be a contravention of the Bill. But legally speaking, the order of the court supersedes it," said Sankara Nair, who is counsel-of-record for Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim.

He said that RPK's counsel could still apply to have the order set aside or varied — for example, delayed.

"It is an interesting landmark case, as getting the injunction is one matter but executing it is another," he added.

Lawyer Annou Xavier concurred that it is "enormously difficult" to track down a specific visitor as he or she could've been in a cybercafe or outside the country, saying the order impinged on free speech.

"Online anonymity is vital for the public to air opinions," he said, noting that the KL High Court was asking for the identities of commenters to be revealed before they had been found guilty of defamation.

On the issue of protection of the anonymity of whistle-blowers, he said Malaysia was still "blowing hot air".

When contacted this morning, RPK said he had yet to receive the court order and would not comment on it, saying he would reveal his next course of action as matters move along through statements on Malaysia Today.

TGBNews Copyright Reserved 2008



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Malay Muslim groups invasion caused Bar Council to stop forum

An open forum organised by the Bar Council to discuss matters of conflict in family law arising from one party's conversion to Islam today was interrupted by protesters from several Malay-Muslim movements.

In her opening speech, Bar Council president Datuk Ambiga Sreenevasan invited the protesters to join the forum and share their dissenting views.

"I'm aware this forum has drawn many criticisms from many quarters. I don't have a problem with criticism... there are demonstrators outside, you can hear them," she said.

Jerking her chin towards the windows at the back of the auditorium, she continued: "We have absolutely no quarrel with them. They are exercising their freedom of speech. We hope they'll be allowed to carry out their demonstration peacefully. We're certainly not lodging any police report."

At 9.25am, just as the forum was warming up, Ambiga informed the participants inside the auditorium that the police had advised the forum be wrapped up by 10am.

According to reports, the 100-plus protesters, who had been demonstrating outside the building since 8am, had swelled tremendously and were in danger of turning more than unruly.

[Strong police presence outside the Bar Council building.]

At 9.50am, a handful of protesters, led by Kulim Bandar Baharu parliamentarian Zulkifli Noordin from Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR), muscled their way to the front of the first-floor auditorium at the Bar Council headquarters in Leboh Pasar Besar here amid an ongoing and lively discussion on the 2006 court case of R. Subashini, whose ethnic Indian husband T. Saravanan had embraced Islam and converted their five-year-old son without her knowledge or consent.

Despite the heavy police escort, heated words were exchanged between some of the protesters and some members of the Bar Council. The word "monkey" was heard bandied about several times by both sides.

Calls for calm by the forum moderator, Zarizana Abdul Aziz, a lawyer from the Penang-based non-government organisation Women's Centre for Change, were ignored, as were calls from the floor for the protesters, hogging the central aisle, to sit down and not block the view of the forum panellists.

Surprisingly, the discussion still went on. In fact, the topic had moved onwards to the case of S. Shamala, whose husband Dr M. Jeyaganesh embraced Islam four years after their marriage and converted their two children as well.

The incident came close to turning into a real fracas when one of the protesters, a stout man in a white shirt with green lining on the sleeves, grabbed a microphone and shouted: "I represent Umno Malaysia! Close this forum right now!"

“Don’t insult Islam” and “You! Chinese, Indians, go to hell!” he shouted, reported politics 101 malaysia.

The man, who only identified himself as Jais, added: "We want to give advice; next time, don't have things like this that challenge the people of Islam."

Immediately, an incensed woman, lost within the crowd of hulking men, latched onto another microphone and hollered right back: "You represent Umno; I represent the Muslims! I'm ashamed by your behaviour! Islam does not condone this behaviour! Do not make use of Islam!"

Turns out that the chilli padi was Dr Mehrun Siraj, an outspoken law lecturer at the International Islamic University and a former member of the Human Rights Commission of Malaysia (Suhakam).

The male protesters looked fit to burst a blood vessel at her words. Fortunately, members of the Bar Council secretariat were on hand and quickly intervened before anything untoward happened in that highly charged atmosphere.

A lawyer on the sidelines shook her head and tsk-ed at the chaos in front of her. "They're bullies! Such bullies!" she said, though she did not elaborate whom she was referring to.

[Protestors gather outside to express their opposition to the forum.]


The organising committee from the Family Law Department of the Bar Council went around the room and repeatedly called on the protesters and the annoyed participants to take their seats. They too were mostly ignored.

It was only when Ambiga finally took control of the microphone and announced in a loud and exasperated voice that the crowd inside finally listened: "Ladies and gentlemen, I'm going to close this forum, right after everyone sits down. Please sit down."

The time was three minutes to 10am.

For all that the forum lasted only an hour and 10 minutes, when it was schedued to last till lunch time, Ambiga was satisfied. She found the discussion fruitful.

"It's unfortunate that we could not carry on with the forum. It's a real shame we had to stop the forum due to the advice from the police.

"I have great faith in our ability and maturity, as Malaysians, to discuss sensitive issues sensibly. I do not subscribe to the view that we cannot talk about sensitive issues, not for one minute. Not today. Maybe it was the case 30 years ago, but not today," Ambiga concluded.

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Anwar - It's difficult to face detractors and authorities

In a dramatic retelling of recent events, Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim last night shared with his supporters the difficulties he was facing with his detractors and the authorities.

With fresh accusations of sodomy blighting him, he told the audience in Benus near here that prior to his journey, he had heard rumours of his arrest earlier in the afternoon.

And painting the picture of a man who appeared to already have his hands tied, the former deputy prime minister admitted that he has had to face criticisms for every move he makes.

"If I were to run in Kulim Bandar Baharu, they would say I wanted my wife and daughter with me in Parliament," Anwar said, referring to his wife Datuk Seri Dr Wan Azizah Ismail, who quit her Permatang Pauh seat last week to make way for him in a by-election, and daughter Lembah Pantai MP Nurul Izzah.

"Now that I am running in Permatang Pauh, they say Wan Azizah has cheated and wronged the people. Why don't they let the voters decide what is right or wrong?" he thundered to the cheering crowd of a few thousand people.

The Election Commission meets later this morning to decide on the nomination and polling dates for the by-election in Permatang Pauh, which Anwar held between 1982 and his arrest in 1998.

The Parti Keadilan Rakyat de facto leader also told the story of his arrest, in terms of the orders he was asked to obey.

"They asked me go to the hospital. Why? I'm not sick. But if I don't go, they say I am not cooperating. They asked me to strip. If I refuse, I am wrong. They asked me to fill in a rape victim's form as well.

"Finally when I refused to have a picture of me taken naked, they say Anwar is not cooperative," he said in his hour-long speech.

Forty minutes into his speech, the electricity supply was interrupted and his security team immediately leapt on stage to cover their leader in the midst of the darkness.

Although no cause could be discerned, talk of sabotage has been prevalent since the audio cable was cut at a ceramah in Bagan Datoh last Friday night.

The 10-minute power outage occurred minutes after he was telling his audience about the large presence of police personnel at his regular political rallies.

"Why did they have to bring such a big team? Just one corporal would've sufficed."

He also pointed out that the government's recent announcement of a likely drop in fuel prices as a ploy to sway the by-election in Barisan Nasional's favour.

"I'm not surprised. But if they want to do it, bring it down to RM2," he said, referring to his own promise that if Pakatan Rakyat were to form the federal government, it would set the petrol price at that figure.

He also told the largely Malay crowd here that he was never worried over the Umno-Pas talks as he had a direct line of communication to Pas president Datuk Seri Abdul Hadi Awang.

Instead, he described the entire episode a plan by Pas to unveil Umno's desperation.

"Hadi assured me that Pas were committed to Pakatan Rakyat. In fact, it was all just a clever ploy.

"They flirted with Umno until it had made all these promises and announcements about giving Pas menteri besar positions and then after a meeting, Hadi announced that there was no way it would form government with Umno."

Excerpt from http://themalaysianinsider.com/index.php/headlines/42-lead-stories/2602-damned-if-i-do-damned-if-i-dont-says-anwar

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NSP - Anwar could be arrested once the Parliament approved new DNA Bill

Opposition leader Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim is unlikely to be arrested until a new DNA Bill is passed in Parliament later this month, according to influential daily Nanyang Siang Pau on Sunday.
Speculation had been rife that Anwar would be arrested and charged with sodomy last week, after it was reported that police investigations were complete. But nothing has materialised.

Home Minister Datuk Seri Syed Hamid Albar said the investigation papers were being handled by Solicitor-General Datuk Idrus Harun.

The cautious move not to arrest Anwar suggested that the police were treading carefully. Quoting unnamed sources, Nanyang said the police had gathered enough evidence, but still lacked the DNA sample.

The police could not be contacted on Sunday for comment.

Anwar, accused of sodomy by his 23-year-old former aide Saiful Bukhari Azlan, has refused to give his DNA sample on fears that it could be manipulated.

Under current laws, the police cannot force anyone to give a blood sample. That will change once the DNA Identification Bill is passed. The Bill makes it illegal for anyone to refuse DNA testing in criminal cases.

It was initially expected to be tabled in December, but Deputy Home Minister Datuk Chor Chee Heung said last month that the ministry will try to table the Bill this month.

This resulted in the government having to deflect accusations that it was fast-tracking the Bill in order to nail Anwar. Officials said the police had wanted the Bill tabled since last year, as a DNA data bank would help solve cases.

Tian Chua, information chief of Anwar's Parti Keadilan Rakyat, remains unconvinced of the Bill's urgency.

“I don't see why it's so urgent to push through this law. Even if the police has the law behind them, it's obvious they're rushing it to go after one man,” he told The Straits Times yesterday.

Nanyang also reported that the police will not move against Anwar while he is contesting the by-election in Permatang Pauh, so that they will not be accused of not allowing a fair contest.

However, the newspaper noted that if the former deputy premier is convicted of the charges after becoming an MP, he will lose his post.

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I will reduce the petrol price by 70 sen - Anwar

A few days after the government announced plans for a new petrol pricing mechanism beginning Sept 1, Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim pledged to reduce the current price by 70 sen if he is in power.

Launching his pre-election campaign here, the Parti Keadilan Rakyat de facto leader in his homecoming ceramah in the Permatang Pauh parliamentary constituency said last night that price could be lowered due to falling global oil prices.

"Three weeks ago 50 sen but now we can reduce it by 70 sen," he told his supporters of the promise that he would fulfill should Barisan Nasional MPs cross over to his Pakatan Rakyat side.

Anwar is now fully geared to contest in the constituency vacated by his wife, Datuk Seri Dr Wan Azizah Ismail, also PKR president, to make way for him to return to Parliament. The Election Commission will decide nomination and polling dates this Wednesday.

On July 15 at a televised debate with Information Minister, Datuk Ahmad Shabery Cheek, Anwar promised to cut petrol price by 50 sen through financing from a RM5 billion fund generated from the independent power producers' extra capacity as well as stopping leakages from corruption.

Last Friday Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi announced the plans to put a cap of RM2.70 a litre this year and keeping the 30-sen a litre subsidy while reviewing local fuel prices against global market price on a monthly basis.

Anwar also hit out at critics accusing him of bribing BN lawmakers and being in a hurry to be prime minister.

"Yes, I can't wait; I can't wait to reduce the petrol price. Is it wrong to promise to reduce the petrol price? We are not trying to bribe the MPs," he said.

Anwar, who is facing fresh sodomy allegation by his former male aide, dropped another hint about his future and freedom.

A section of the crowd listening intently.

"I don't know whether I will be free to campaign but according to the law, I am eligible to contest," he said.

The former deputy prime minister also told Permatang Pauh voters to be prepared for a dirty election campaign mounted by Umno.

"Do not resort to racial politics, I am warning them," he told the multiracial crowd last night. He also reminded the Malay voters not to be taken in by Umno's propaganda that he was no longer interested in defending the Malay rights.

On allegations against him that he was selling out the Malays to the Chinese and Indian communities, Anwar said: "Yes I am a Chinese agent, I am a Malay agent, I am an Indian agent; I am the people's agent."

"On polling day, you decide whether Malaysians can remain united," he said.

He also urged Gerakan and MCA to abandon Umno for the sake of the nation, adding that his plan to take over the federal government by September 16 was still on track.

Before leaving the venue, Anwar appealed to the crowd to assist in the coming by-election campaign. "I hope all of you can come and help at the operation centres," he said.

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Pak Lah warned Anwar not to bribe his BN MP

Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi has warned his rival Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim not to bribe lawmakers to defect to the opposition.

Anwar has repeatedly pledged to topple Abdullah’s administration through parliamentary defections by mid-September.

Abdullah tells The Associated Press in an interview today he has heard many stories about Anwar allegedly tempting government legislators "with monetary offers”.

Abdullah says if this proved true, it would "be the worst form of corruption to buy people to bring down the government that has been established by the will of the people."

Anwar needs 30 lawmakers to defect for the opposition to seize power. But he is fighting a sodomy accusation that could derail his career for the second time in a decade. — AP
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Azizah resigned, pave way to Anwar

In the wake of rumours on Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim's imminent arrest, his wife Datuk Seri Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail today resigned as Permatang Pauh MP to make way for him to contest in a by-election in his hometown.

Dr Wan Azizah, the parliamentary opposition leader who will keep her Parti Keadilan Rakyat president post, said she sent the resignation letter to Dewan Rakyat Speaker Tan Sri Pandikar Amin Mulia today.

Pandikar, who is in Sabah at the moment and will respond on Monday, is expected to notify the Election Commission immediately. A by-election must be called within 60 days after the notification date.

"I thank my supporters in Permatang Pauh who have stood by me in the most difficult times since September 1998 and have shared the joy of victory we all experienced on March 8," Dr Wan Azizah told a packed press conference at the PKR headquarters here today.

The three-term MP, speaking with Anwar beside her, said he would be a good choice for voters as he had articulated a vision for Malaysia that had brought hope to the people.

Anwar, who is facing fresh sodomy allegations, thanked his wife for holding the family and the party since his ordeal a decade ago. "I had intentionally wanted to contest in the Kulim Bandar Baharu parliamentary seat. Unfortunately the on-going petition in court is dragging and taking time.

"After some consultation with my legal time we realised that it cannot be resolved within one month," he said, referring to Barisan Nasional's petition to declare the parliamentary constituency in Kedah null and void after PKR won the seat in the recent general election.

In an immediate reaction, Anwar's former mentor Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad said: "A loving wife can't do anything better. I am sure my own wife will do the same."

Home Minister Datuk Seri Syed Hamid Albar also confirmed today that police have completed investigations into the sodomy accusations made by Mohd Saiful Bukhari Azlan last month. Syed Hamid said the investigation papers are with the Attorney-General's Chambers for further action.

The Malaysian Insider reported this morning that Solicitor-General Datuk Idrus Harun is expected to lead the prosecution if Anwar has a case to answer.

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Anwar to be charged for sodomy soon - MalaysianInsider

The police have completed their investigations into sodomy allegations against Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim and are going to charge the opposition icon soon for sodomising his accuser Mohd Saiful Bukhari Azlan.

Sources told The Malaysian Insider that investigators are "crossing the t's and dotting the i's" and will be relying on Anwar's DNA (deoxyribonucleic acid) samples from 1998 when he faced similar charges which cost him the chance to be prime minister.

"Nobody wants a repeat of 1998 when the prosecution had to amend the charges. Anwar has alleged that he had an alibi for the 24 hours on the day the offence took place. So the authorities have to check everything out," said an official who is familiar with the investigations.

"We understand that there is an attempt to quash credibility of the case even before the matter goes to court. The police cannot say too much because then they will be accused of trial by media and ministers cannot say much because they will be accused to interference.
"This case is built on strong scientific evidence," the official added.

Anwar has claimed that he is a victim of a political conspiracy and has refused to give a blood sample for DNA tests, saying that it could be used to fabricate evidence against him.

Waving the leaked medical report today, Anwar called on the police to drop the case, saying it was proof there was a plot to implicate him in a repeat of the 1998 case.

"How else can we fathom why the police during the last four weeks of their 'thorough and professional investigations' have overlooked such a critical piece of evidence?

"I condemn in the strongest terms their negligence, dishonesty and recklessness in humiliating the nation by dragging us all through this vile and filthy charade," Anwar said.

Police arrested him on July 16 an hour before he was due to be questioned, causing a furore as it was similar to the chain of events a decade ago when he was charged with corruption and sodomy. Anwar was convicted on both charges and spent six years in jail before being freed in 2004 when his sodomy appeal was upheld.

Earlier today. Home Minister Datuk Seri Syed Hamid Albar said police will not cease investigations into the allegations against the former deputy prime minister despite a leaked medical report that states Saiful has no medical evidence of sodomy. The former male aide to Anwar lodged a police report on June 28, alleging that he had been sodomised by Anwar in a condominium on June 26.

"This is just one aspect of the investigations. The police are piecing together evidence, let them do their job and complete their investigations," Syed Hamid said. "As it is, they haven't charged Anwar with anything yet," he added.

The Malaysia Today news portal yesterday revealed a medical report dated June 28 that indicated the lack of evidence of anal intercourse, with its editor Raja Petra Kamarudin also claiming that the examining doctor, Dr Mohamed Osman Abdul Hamid, had gone into hiding because the police had attempted to have him change his medical report to implicate Anwar.

The police have denied the allegation.

"We interviewed the doctor in the early stages of our investigations following the police report lodged by Mohd Saiful," said Deputy Inspector-General of Police Tan Sri Ismail Omar.

"But we did not arrest the doctor or detain him for three days as alleged by the Malaysia Today report. We don't have any plans to do so either," he said.

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