Sunday, September 25, 2016

Party Hopper - PKR MP Darell Leiking should resign? How many members have PKR lost?

PKR has lost a Member of Parliament, and in my opinion Darell Leiking should honorably resign as people voted him in as their Member of Parliament most possibly because he was a PKR member - a member of Pakatan Rakyat (PAS-DAP-PKR) coalition.

Why did he quit PKR? Presumably to join an ex-UMNO-BN leader to form some new party...so, now he is of 'like mind' with a just out 'UMNO-BN' person. Well, when it comes to principles, values and positions, things do not change so fast...

Betrayal of his constituents is hard to stomach. Did he consult his constituents before he made this move? 

Conclusion - PKR is losing members...and now a Member of Parliament, also a PKR Vice President? How many more members will PKR lose to these new ex-UMNO-BN member/s parties.

Is this also an indication that these new parties like BERSATU formed by recently ousted UMNO-BN members will not be able to pull their previous supporters in UMNO-BN to leave UMNO-BN and join them in this new political parties...we have not heard of any mass exodus of UMNO members - rather news of just a few veterans jumping to these new parties.

PKR was essentially also a party made up of ex-UMNO-BN members - and, most likely PKR will be most impacted by a large loss of members across the country...If these new BERSATU and the party being formed by Shafie Apdal will not draw BN party members to abandon their BN parties and join these new parties...then, these new parties will only depend on the already existing anti-UMNO BN voters. 

So, even if they are left out of the Opposition coalition - it will not affect the votes of the Opposition pact. 

In fact, leaving BERSATU and Shafie Apdal's new party out of the Opposition pact makes good sense. A 3-corner fight will and should merely split the UMNO-BN vote, if these ex-UMNO-BN really had true support within UMNO and BN members and supporters...?

PKR-DAP-PAS were 'selfish' and had earlier been opposed to the idea of including more political parties into its Opposition Coalition. There are are many Opposition parties that are against the UMNO-BN Coalition, and ideally all such parties should have been absorbed into an Opposition electoral pact - and maybe even an Opposition Coalition. It still can be done...

Out there we have Parti Rakyat Malaysia(PRM), Parti Sosialis Malaysia(PSM), KITA, State Reform Party(STAR), Sarawak Workers Party, Sabah Progressive Party, Human Rights Party, SUPP, etc...bringing all these parties together and developing a common ideology, policy, principles is a good idea. At the very least, an effort should be made...

Odd that PKR and the Opposition is not making so little comment about the fact that PKR lost a Member of Parliament... I wonder why? It is a big deal...

 

Penampang MP Darell Leiking quits PKR

FMT Reporters
 | September 22, 2016 
 
Penampang lawmaker stresses that decision to step down has nothing to do with party or president.

UPDATED


PETALING JAYA: Darell Leiking has resigned from PKR.

In a letter sighted by FMT, the Penampang lawmaker – who is also a PKR vice- president – resigned on Sept 21.

In the letter addressed to PKR President Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail, Leiking stressed that his decision to quit the party had nothing to do with PKR or Wan Azizah.

“In fact, as much as there are reasons for me to continue and to stand shoulder to shoulder with you and all our colleagues in Keadlian so as to fight and eventually defeat the Barisan Nasional regime led by Umno, there are also as many reasons for me to consider participating in the same political cause as I had embraced in Keadilan for Sabah thru (sic) a state based political platform to fight against the evil BN regime,” the letter read.

When contacted, Leiking confimed his resignation and said that Wan Azizah was aware of it. Leiking also revealed that Wan Azizah respected his decision.
“What is important is that we all share the same views on bringing a new landscape for Sabah and the Federation.”
News of his resignation comes in the wake of his appearance alongside former Umno vice-president Shafie Apdal at the office of the Registrar of Societies (ROS) in Putrajaya, where the latter is believed to have submitted documents to take over a Sabah-based political party.

Leiking is a first-term Member of Parliament. He won the Penampang seat after defeating Upko President Bernard Dompok in the 13th General Election.

Following the MP’s resignation from PKR, rumours are rife in Kota Kinabalu, that PKR’s Moyog assemblyman Terence Siambun will also be resigning and joining Darell.

When contacted, Terence told FMT that he was aware of the rumours, but he did not give an indication as to whether the rumours were true or not, only saying “No comment”. - FMT News, 22/9/2016

Is Zahid Hamidi trying to make 'Detention Without Trial' look good at the UN - 'deradicalisation and rehabilitation programmes'?

Is Ahmad Zahid Hamidi trying to 'sell' POTA(Prevention of Terrorism Act) and the Detention Without Trial and/or Restrictions Without Trial provisions as a positive and 'successful' solution?  Not at all clear...but maybe...

"We need to explore new solutions and continuously work to enhance our domestic legal framework in the fight against violent extremism. These continuous efforts should involve a diverse cross-section of our population," he said.

He also shone the spotlight on Malaysia's deradicalisation and rehabilitation programmes towards changing the mindsets of radicalised extremist individuals.

With a success rate of around 97.5 percent, he said, Malaysia was ready to share its experience with other nations.

Arresting, and thereafter detaining or imposing restrictions on persons without according them to the right to be heard and/or a fair trial is draconian and unjust. [Good to read Detention Without Trial in Malaysia - How many now? REPEAL DWT LAWS ...]

Read related post:- 

Detention Without Trial in Malaysia - How many now? REPEAL DWT LAWS ...

SUHAKAM:- Prevention of Crime Act (POCA) [Media Statement - 28/7/2016]

3 suspected 'IS militants' - guilty or not? Charge them and accord them a fair trial?

Worse still, is that the victims of these Detention Without Trial and/or Restriction Orders have no right to even challenge the 'Justification' or the Reasons for the Orders that deprive them their liberty and freedoms. It seems like the ISA (Internal Security Act) all over again?

How many persons are now being unjustly subjected to such Detentions and/or Restrictions?  He mentions a success rate of 97.5% - well, if it is the innocent who are being detained and/or restricted, it makes sense that 'deradicalization and rehabilitation programmes' will have such a high success rate, would it not? How really did he come to this figure?

Besides the POTA, there is also another draconian law called the Prevention of Crime Act (POCA), which also allows for similar Detention Without Trial and Restriction Orders.

Now, these Detention Orders and/or Restriction(including Police Supervision Orders) can extend for an undefined period - 2 years plus 2 years plus...

With no requirement to charge and accord a fair trial, there is no need for a thorough investigations, or the requirement to collect credible and admissible evidence...Hence, the possibility of injustice being visited on the innocent is very real...

The Commission therefore reiterates its call to the Government to review all laws that provide for detention without trial, including POCA, with a view to making them in line with human rights principles, enshrined in the Federal Constitution and the Universal Declaration of Human Rights - Razali Ismail, Chairman, The Human Rights Commission of Malaysia (SUHAKAM) - 28/7/2016

If Zahid Hamidi is talking about something else, it would be good if he could present some details to all of us , and an explanation of how he came to this 97.5% success claim??

Let's stand united against terrorists, Zahid tells UN

 Muin Abdul Majid, Bernama     Published    
 
Ahmad Zahid Hamidi has issued a clarion call for the world to unite in the fight against terror that he said has brought about instability and insecurity of nations.
 
The message that the Malaysian deputy prime minister conveyed in a speech at the United Nations today was crystal clear - only if and when the international community stands united can the terrorists be defeated.

"Malaysia joins others in calling for robust and effective international actions in our collective fight against terrorism. Such efforts must be based on and in full respect of the UN Charter and universally recognised principles of law, including international humanitarian and human rights laws," he said.

Ahmad Zahid was speaking at the General Debate of the 71st session of the UN General Assembly, where he joined leaders from all over the globe.

Terrorism, he said, had to be tackled from the ideological perspective - by countering the narratives and addressing the root causes of issues that could be manipulated to attract people into supporting terror groups like Islamic State (IS), Boko Haram and Al-Shabaab.

"We need to explore new solutions and continuously work to enhance our domestic legal framework in the fight against violent extremism. These continuous efforts should involve a diverse cross-section of our population," he said.

He also shone the spotlight on Malaysia's deradicalisation and rehabilitation programmes towards changing the mindsets of radicalised extremist individuals.

With a success rate of around 97.5 percent, he said, Malaysia was ready to share its experience with other nations.

The issue of lengthy delays in the resettlement of refugees causing hardships to host countries - Malaysia included - was also mentioned by Ahmad Zahid who urged the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) and other relevant agencies to promptly act on the matter.

On migrants, he said Malaysia recognised the contribution of the foreign work force to the country’s economic prosperity and had given serious attention to cases involving labour exploitation including forced labour.

Turning to Palestine, Ahmad Zahid said the decades-long crisis highlighted the built-in flaws in the workings of the UN where the use of the veto continued to perpetuate the longest occupation in modern history.

The deputy prime minister painted a grim picture whereby the situation on the ground in the Occupied Palestinian Territory was slowly but surely moving away from a two-state solution.

"The blockade on Gaza, the unrelenting expansion of illegal Israeli settlements, the continued construction of the illegal walls, the forced transfer of Palestinians from their homes and gross violations of human rights of Palestinians continue unabated despite mounting international pressure and criticism," he said.

Malaysia is people-centred

Closer to home, he said Malaysia's development agenda had always been people-centred, which ran parallel to the aspirations of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

He said Malaysia was in the process of formulating a National SDG Roadmap to serve as an overarching and guiding policy for the country's sustainable development.

He touched on the salient points of the 11th Malaysia Plan (2016-2020), skills development under Technical and Vocational Educational Training (TVET) initiatives and the Malaysian Global Innovation and Creative Centre (MaGIC) to make Malaysia the startup capital of Asia.

Located in Cyberjaya, MaGIC was jointly launched by President Barack Obama and Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak in April 2014.

Ahmad Zahid also highlighted Malaysia's National Blue Ocean Strategy or NBOS initiative that allows over 80 ministries and agencies to collaborate for better public service delivery.

- Bernama - Malaysiakini, 24/9/2016

Read more: https://www.malaysiakini.com/news/356857#ixzz4LEfVf600

MADPET SHOCKED AT THE EXECUTION OF AHMAD NAJIB ARIS WHEN ON THE VERGE OF ABOLITION OF MANDATORY DEATH PENALTY.

Media Statement – 24/9/2016


MADPET SHOCKED AT THE EXECUTION OF AHMAD NAJIB ARIS WHEN ON THE VERGE OF ABOLITION OF MANDATORY DEATH PENALTY.



MADPET (Malaysians Against Death Penalty and Torture) is shocked to hear that Malaysia has executed one Ahmad Najib Aris on Friday(23/9/2016), at a time when Malaysia is in the process of abolishing the mandatory death penalty, and possibly the death penalty for some offences.


Ahmad Najib Aris was found guilty of murder (Section 302 Penal Code) of one Ong Lay Kian (also known  as Canny Ong).



MANDATORY DEATH PENALTY – DENIES JUDGES DISCRETION IN SENTENCING


Section 302 provides the  mandatory death penalty – which means that once the judge finds the accused guilty of murder, the judge has no choice but to sentence the convicted to the one and only available sentence  - DEATH by hanging. 


We recall that Attorney-General Tan Sri Apandi Ali who is also the Public Prosecutor, said that ‘…mandatory death sentences were a "paradox", as it robbed judges of their discretion to impose sentences on convicted criminals….’ “If I had my way, I would introduce the option for the judge in cases where it involves capital punishment.  Give the option to the judge either to hang him or send him to prison. “Then we’re working towards a good administration of criminal justice,”. (Malaysian Insider, 13/11/2015). The Attorney General also said the he would propose to the cabinet that the mandatory death penalty be abolished.



ONLY CIRCUMSTANTIAL EVIDENCE?


Ahmad Najib Aris was found guilty of murder, for which he was sentenced to death, and also rape under section 327 Penal Code for which he was sentenced to twenty years imprisonment and ordered to be given 20 strokes of the rottan (whipping). The evidence resulting in his conviction were only circumstantial evidence.


It must be pointed out that one of evidence adduced at trial, was that the car driven ‘after the alleged abduction’ by Ahmad Najib with Canny Ong seated in the passenger seat was stopped by two police officers, who did asked for the identity cards of both the driver and the passenger, which were given. They both also later confirmed their identities to the police when asked. When later asked to step out of the vehicle, the police officers allege that Ahmad Nazri drove off.  


Of note also was the fact that the alleged victim was not seen by the said police officers to be bound or injured, and was seated in the passenger seat. The fact that Ahmad Nazri did stop the car, when the police men on motorbikes asked him to do so also raises doubts as such is generally not the conduct  of one who is in the process of committing a crime.


Now, it is important to note that the credibility of the Malaysian police is in doubt. The Enforcement Agency Integrity Commission (EAIC) in their inquiry surrounding the death in police custody of one Dharmendran a/l Narayanasamy, in their press release dated 28/4/2016,  did, amongst others state, ‘The Commission found the police report on the death of the deceased lodged by SP25, the D9 Lock-up Sentry made upon the instructions of the Deputy Head of the Criminal Investigation Department of Intelligence and Operations IPK Kuala Lumpur (SP60) and written by Sergeant Major Ali (D9 personnel) contained false / misrepresentation of actual state surrounding the death of the deceased.’ There was also finding by the EAIC that police made false entries into the lock-up diary.


In October 2015, in another death in custody inquiry, the EAIC also found that police had tampered with evidence in the Syed Mohd Azlan bin Syed Mohamed Nur case. Then, we also recall the infamous Anwar’s black eye, and how the police said one thing, and finally it was revealed that it was the police that caused it.


Hence, the alleged perceived ‘odd’ conduct of Canny Ong that allegedly moved the police to ask Ahmad Najib and Canny to step out of the car, which resulted in Ahmad Najib driving off raises much questions. Was this observation of Canny Ong’s ‘odd’ gestures true? Did Ahmad Najib really drive off to escape the police?


This Canny Ong’s case received much media attention, soon after her ‘disappearance’ and there was much public anger when she was later found murdered. There was much pressure on the police and the authorities to find and convict the person/s responsible. Would this have ‘tainted’ the administration of justice?


Doubts however also did emerge as to whether Ahmad Najib and Canny Ong had a personal relationship, and whether he really was the person responsible for the murder of Canny Ong. The absence of evidence of any struggle/protest at the alleged time of abduction, and her subsequent conduct, even in the presence of the 2 police officers, also raises concern.  


In any event, the High Court found Ahmad Najib Aris guilty of both murder and rape, and both the Court of Appeal and the Federal Court agreed.


At the High Court, when Defence was called to present their case, Ahmad Najib Aris elected to be silent. It may be simplistic to assume that this ‘silence’ indicates guilt, but there are other possibilities. Was this silence a result of a threat by others on the lives of loved ones, or maybe some ‘promises’?



ON THE VERGE OF THE ABOLITION OF THE MANDATORY DEATH PENALTY – THE RIGHT TO HAVE A REVIEW OF SENTENCE?


When Singapore abolished the mandatory death penalty for some types of murder, it also provided for re-sentencing of persons previously convicted under the said offences and were facing execution. These qualified cases were send back to the High Court, who looked again at the facts and circumstances of the case, and mitigating/aggravating factors in determining whether death sentence will be retained, or changed to a more appropriate sentence of imprisonment.


Malaysia is in the process of possibly abolishing the death penalty, starting probably with the abolition of the mandatory death penalty. Nancy Shukri, Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department and also the de facto Law Minister, was reported stating that the proposal to amend laws to abolish the mandatory death sentence was to be tabled in Parliament as early as March next year[2016].(Malay Mail, 17/11/2015).


In a Media Release dated 7/4/2016 by the ASEAN Parliamentarians for Human Rights, it was stated that ‘…in November 2015, a roundtable discussion had been held in the Malaysian Parliament by Parliamentarians for Global Action for the Abolition of the Death Penalty on initiatives, commitments and particularly reforms on the state of inmates on death row and the abolition of the mandatory death penalty.  It was co-hosted by YB Mohd Nazri Aziz as the Chair of the PGA National Group and also YB Nancy Shukri Minister Minister of Law in the Prime Minister’s Department along with Luc Vandebon EU Ambassador to Malaysia, Justice Dato Mah Weng Kwai, MPs from Malaysia, namely YB Kulasegaran, YB Shamsul Iskandar, myself and international MPs as well.


The main outcome of the meeting was that: (i) the Malaysian government pledged to introduce a bill aiming to abolish the mandatory death penalty for all offences and a review of the existing death row cases.   (ii) the Malaysian Government instate an official moratorium on executions pending the assessment of the report on effectiveness of the death penalty;…’


As such, if the mandatory death penalty is soon to be abolished in Malaysia, would not have Ahmad Najib Aris also then be given the right for his current mandatory death sentence to be reviewed. Would a re-sentencing court commute his sentence to imprisonment? Now, that Ahmad Najib Aris is dead, we will not know.


Likewise Gunasegar Pitchaymuthu, Ramesh Jayakumar and Sasivarnam Jayakumar who were suddenly executed earlier on 25 March 2016.



SUDDEN EXECUTIONS WITHOUT SUFFICIENT NOTICE DENIES ABILITY TO SAVE LIVES


It must be pointed out when there is due notice of pending executions, the Minister, the Attorney General and the Sultan of Johor, did previously acted in a praiseworthy manner in stopping executions. 

This happened in the case when Duli Yang Maha Mulia Sultan of Johor in 2014 saved Chandran s/o Paskaran from being hanged. Likewise the de facto law Minister, and  the Attorney General, did act and obtain  a stay of execution in the case of  Osariakhi Ernest Obayangbon (aka Philip Michael) in 2014.


As such, this sudden and ‘secretive’ execution of Ahmad Najib Aris should be condemned.



GLOBAL TREND TOWARDS ABOLITION OF DEATH PENALTY


On December 18, 2014, the UN General Assembly (UNGA) reaffirmed for the fifth time since 2007 the call for a stop of all executions. In 2014, 117 nation States voted in favour, 38 against, 34 abstention with  4 absentees. Every time the said resolution had been adopted, the number of votes in favour has been increasing. The global trend continues to be for abolition.


It must also be pointed out that the death penalty in Malaysia is not pursuant to some Islamic law, or subject to Islamic evidential and procedural requirements.


Research has also demonstrated that most Malaysians are in favour of abolition of the death penalty.

Currently in Malaysia, the death penalty is mandatory for 12 offences, while about 20 other offences are punishable by a discretionary death penalty. As of 16/5/2016, there are 1,041 persons on death row.



MORATORIUM ON EXECUTIONS


The Malaysian Human Rights Commission(SUHAKAM), Malaysian Bar and many others have  recommended that a moratorium on the use of the death penalty be put in place pending abolition of the death penalty.


SUHAKAM, vide statement dated 29/3/2016, also cautions ‘…that any miscarriage or failure of justice in the implementation of the death penalty is irreversible and irreparable.  Further, the rationale that the death penalty acts as a deterrent has been discredited and dismissed on several occasions….’



Therefore,


MADPET calls for the imposition of an immediate moratorium on all executions pending abolition of the death penalty, or at the very least  pending the tabling of the amendments that would most likely see the abolition of the mandatory death penalty, and abolition of death penalty for some offences. This also would justly result in a review of the death sentence of persons now on death row by reason of being convicted of offences with the mandatory death penalty.


MADPET also urges that the said laws and/or amendments to the law that will result in the abolition of the mandatory death penalty and/or death penalty be tabled forthwith at the upcoming session in Parliament in October 2016.


MADPET also urges Malaysia to vote in favour of the upcoming United Nations General Assembly Resolution calling for a moratorium of executions pending abolition of the Death Penalty, or at the very least record a vote of abstention.


MADPET reiterates its calls for Malaysia to abolish the death penalty.



Charles Hector

For and on behalf of

MADPET (Malaysians Against Death Penalty and Torture)

******************
 Relevant Posts:-


AHMAD NAJIB ARIS v. PP, FEDERAL COURT JUDGMENT,  27 MARCH 2009

An extract from the Federal Court judgment -

 '[5] On the same day, at about 11.15pm L/Cpl. Ravichandran a/l Subramaniam (PW4), a police officer together with a colleague were on crime prevention patrol duty at the Taman Perindustrian Jaya, Kelana Jaya area near Subang. There, PW4 noticed that a car had stopped beside the roadside. Half an hour later, PW4 and his colleague passed the same route again and noticed that the car P145 was still there. PW4 and his colleague stopped their motorcycle. PW4 then knocked on the glass window on the driver's side of the car P145. When the glass window was lowered, PW4 saw that the driver was a male Malay and on the passenger seat was a female Chinese. PW4 shone his flashlight towards both of them and introduced himself as a police officer and showed them his authority card. PW4 then asked for the identity cards of the driver and the passenger. When the driver gave his identity card (P12), PW4 shone his flashlight at the identity card and asked the driver for his name. The driver answered that his name was Ahmad Najib bin Aris. PW4 then looked at the identity card (P11) given by the passenger and asked "awak Ong Lay Kian?" ("You are Ong Lay Kian?"). The passenger only nodded. At that time, the driver was wearing a cap. PW4 asked him to remove his cap. After the driver had removed his cap, PW4 compared the driver's face with the photograph in the driver's identity card and found them to be the same. PW4 identified the driver as the appellant and the female Chinese as the deceased. PW4 then asked the appellant to get out of the car but the appellant refused.




[6] Meanwhile, PW4 saw the deceased gesture to him by pressing both her palms together to her chest with the palms outwards facing the appellant and then making a prayer-like gesture. The deceased made this gesture when the appellant was looking at PW4 but when the appellant turned towards the deceased, the deceased stopped her gesture. When the appellant refused to get out of the car, PW4 tried to open the door of the car but at that time, the appellant sped off. PW4 fired two shots at the tyres of the car. PW4 and his colleague also attempted to pursue the car with their motorcycles but failed. The car seen by PW4 was similar to the photographs of the car P145 which are P7A and P7B which were shown to PW4. The appellant's identity card P12 and the deceased's identity card P11 were still with PW4 when the appellant sped off in the car. PW4 then lodged a police report (P13) about the incident.'

EAIC - Polis bunuh Syed Mohd Azlan dalam tahanan, lupuskan keterangan,...??

EAIC find the police responsible for death of Dharmendra in Police Custody?

 

See earlier post:-

Ahmad Najib Executed Suddenly - When Malaysia about to abolish Death Penalty?

An anti-worker anti-Malaysian proposal by RISDA for new 'Halal' logo for products produced by Muslims only?

A new 'HALAL LOGO' to ...denote products produced by Muslims...' is certainly against the Malaysian spirit, noting that Malaysia is a multi-ethnic multi-religious nation..

The Malaysia Institute of International Islamic Cooperation (Ikiam) with the cooperation of the Rubber Industry Smallholders Development Authority (Risda) will launch a halal logo specifically for Muslim products early next year.

For workers, would that mean that all non-Muslim workers will be discriminated against, or fired as companies seek to to get there new 'Halal Logo' to demonstrate that their products are produced by Muslim workers only? 


Would these also lead to maybe banks also employing only Muslim employees later on to show customers that their Islamic financial 'products' are truly products managed at all levels by Muslims only??

The existing 'Halal' logo that assures Muslim patrons that the said food or product is suitable for consumption by Muslims is reasonable - likewise representation that a food product is made with no meat or fish, which is safe for consumption by vegetarians. Likewise a logo or representations that a particular food or product is suitable for Hindus or Buddhists or ...

MARKETING STRATEGY - The current 'Halal' certification is a good marketing strategy targeting the niche Muslim market not just in Malaysia but globally. It started with food products but now also includes other products including financial/banking products and services.

But, to move for a 'Halal' certificate that states that the products are made by Muslim workers only is really not right...it may be yet another 'marketing strategy' but it certainly is not for multi-religious Malaysia?

Further, one of the proposer of this idea is RISDA (Rubber Industry Smallholders Development Authority) is certainly not an authority just for Muslim Rubber Smallholders - but for all Rubber Industry Smallholders in Malaysia irrespective of religion or ethnicity, or am I wrong? Do we need another Rubber Industry Smallholders Development Authority for non-Muslim rubber smallholders... 

A perusal of the object of RISDA makes it clear that its target group is 'small farmers' - 'smallholders'...it is for ALL Malaysians and serve all Malaysian 'small farmers' and/or 'rubber smallholders'..., and as such this new proposal goes against the very object and principles of RISDA, and is certainly discriminatory...

RISDA Is Committed To Manage Assistance Replanting Programmes Efficiently And Effectively To Meet The Needs Of Small Farmers.

RISDA is proud to share the information with contributing something meaningful to the organization and provides information relating to the responsibility to bring progress and prosperity especially to smallholders as our main target group ...- ZAHIDI ZAINUL ABIDIN, RISDA Chairman

Maybe, the government need to tell us how many rubber smallholders are there in Malaysia today - how many of them are Muslims and how many of them are non-Muslims? 

To what extent has RISDA managed to reach and assist these rubber smallholders - 50%..70%...100%. Is RISDA only assisting Muslim rubber smallholders...and not 'non-Muslim smallholders'? 

Is RISDA biased against certain rubber smallholders...The Malaysian government has invested much resources into RISDA, and it will be shocking to now be told that RISDA was not assisting all 'rubber smallholders' - but only small holders of just one religion?

It may be IKIM who may be making such a proposal - but RISDA certainly cannot be seen to be part of such an initiative...and certainly the government should clearly oppose such a proposal...that will discriminate against not just workers but also businesses...

Whilst the Federal Constitution provides for preferential treatment for Malays and the natives of Sabah and Sarawak in certain matters, there is no justification for preferential treatment in Malaysia on the basis of religion ...on the basis that one is a Muslim..

(1) All persons are equal before the law and entitled to the equal protection of the law.

(2) Except as expressly authorised by this Constitution, there shall be no discrimination against citizens on the ground only of religion, race, descent, place of birth or gender in any law or in the appointment to any office or employment under a public authority or in the administration of any law relating to the acquisition, holding or disposition of property or the establishing or carrying on of any trade, business, profession, vocation or employment. - Art. 8 Federal Constitution
Since, this matter has come up with regard to RISDA - it may good also to know how many non-Muslim employees are there in RISDA? There are rubber smallholders who sometime are not really fluent in Bahasa Malaysia, and do all RISDA offices have staff with the required communication skills to be able to communicate with the 'rubber smallholders'? 

We also may wonder what will happen if 'non-Muslim' enterprises/businesses retaliate by employing just non-Muslim workers in businesses that produce products NOT for the consumption of Muslims? 

How many Muslim workers are working in factories that produce alcohols, in clubs that serve alcohol, in establishment involved in the gambling industry,..will lose their job? 

Really, before making such 'unsuitable for Malaysia' proposals, RISDA and other government agencies need to  also consider wider implications..especially to Malaysian workers..and Malaysia.

PRIVATE businesses can come up with whatever Business or Marketing Strategies - but the government, government agencies and/or bodies, and government owned companies(and GLCs) have a greater consideration other than simply the market or profits. 

They have to consider the country and its citizens as well. Even when it comes to 'private businesses', it falls on the government to regulate where needed for the good of country and its people... 

The relevant Minister needs to immediately clarify matters...

RISDA seriously need to reconsider this proposal... 

 

Another halal logo to be launched, for Muslim-made products only

 Bernama     Published: 24/9/2016
 
The Malaysia Institute of International Islamic Cooperation (Ikiam) with the cooperation of the Rubber Industry Smallholders Development Authority (Risda) will launch a halal logo specifically for Muslim products early next year.
 
Risda chairperson Zahidi Zainul Abidin said the halal logo would be launched at a conference to be attended by representatives from Islamic organisations within and outside the country.

He said the proposed logo to be issued by Ikiam, which would denote products produced by Muslims, would go hand in hand with the halal logo issued by the Department of Islamic Development Malaysia (Jakim).

"The need for another halal logo is to distinguish products that were produced by Muslims against that of non-Muslims besides helping Risda smallholding entrepreneurs and Muslim entrepreneurs make forays into the halal markets locally and abroad," he said.

This will also help clear misgivings over the veracity of halal products as some companies are said to have flouted the halal rules upon getting halal certification from Jakim, he told reporters after opening the state-level Risda Entrepreneurial Seminar here today.

"So, with the proposed Ikiam halal logo (going alongside Jakim's halal logo), people will be more confident (of the veracity of halal products)," he said.

Meanwhile, Zahidi said the Trans-Pacific Partnership, which is in the ratification process, holds great potentials for Bumiputera entrepreneurs, including Risda smallholders, to dominate the halal industry globally.

"At the regional level, for example, a Muslim company with 60 branches across China has recently asked Risda to supply halal products to them. So, halal business opportunity abounds," he said.

Zahidi lamented over too few Muslim entrepreneurs applying for halal certification for their products as they accounted for only 28 percent against 72 percent non-Malay entrepreneurs.

"Only 11 percent of Muslim companies were registered with the Halal Industry Development Corporation (under the International Trade and Industry Ministry) for the export market against 89 percent non-Muslim companies," he said.

On the 2017 Budget, he hopes Risda would receive the fund it had asked for as last year it received RM120 million less of the amount sought, much to the dismay of smallholders who had cut down rubber trees for replanting.

- Bernama

Saturday, September 24, 2016

Ahmad Najib Executed Suddenly - When Malaysia about to abolish Death Penalty?

See also MADPET's Media Statement 

Friday, 23 September 2016 | MYT 6:48 PM

Canny Ong's murderer hanged

Ahmad Najib Aris (center). - Filepic
Ahmad Najib Aris (center). - Filepic

PETALING JAYA: Former aircraft cabin cleaning supervisor Ahmad Najib Aris was hanged Friday at the Kajang Prison following the rape and murder of information technology (IT) analyst Canny Ong in 2003.  

A spokesman from the Prisons Department confirmed that Ahmad Najib, 40, was executed at about 6am and was buried at the Sungai Kantan Muslim cemetery in Kajang near here. 


Canny Ong 

On Feb 23, 2005, the Shah Alam High Court sentenced Ahmad Najib to death for raping and murdering Ong, 29, at KM11 of Jalan Klang Lama between 1am and 5am on June 14, 2003. 

In March 2009, a unanimous decision by the Federal Court upheld his death sentence for the crimes committed on Ong, whose charred remains were found in a manhole near a highway construction site.

His former lawyer Mohamed Haniff Khatri Abdulla said the prisons’ officials had commented in favour of Ahmad Najib's character. 

"They told me that he actually became a good Muslim. He is the one who led the prayers and used to teach the people on religion.

"He took the decision of the court as the fate of God," he said.

Ahmad Najib was also given the maximum jail term of 20 years and ordered to be given 10 strokes of the rotan for killing and raping Ong, a Malaysian who worked in the United States.  - Star, 23/9/2016


Amnesty calls for moratorium on executions

 | September 24, 2016
Amnesty International statistics from countries which have abolished the death penalty show no increase in crimes.
death penaltyKUALA LUMPUR: Amnesty International Malaysia (AI-M) have called on the Malaysian Government to impose an immediate moratorium on executions. “Authorities must also end secrecy on executions,” it said in a statement.

AI-M was condemning the execution of Ahmad Najib Aris. He was hanged on Friday after serving 13 years on death row for the rape and murder of Canny Ong Lay Kian.

“The death penalty is never an answer. Hanging a man for murder is not justice, it’s revenge,” said AI-M Executive Director Shamin Darshni Kalimuthu. “We oppose the use of capital punishment regardless of the crime committed.”

While international law allows for the death penalty for the most serious crimes, she added, the lack of transparency raises crucial concerns.

From AI-M’s experience in dealing with imminent executions, families are only informed between 72 and 24 hours before.
Also, the authorities deliberately conceal or minimise public scrutiny on imminent executions.


This is the fourth known execution in Malaysia this year.

On 25 March 2016, Gunasegar Pitchaymuthu and brothers Ramesh and Sasivarnam Jayakumar were hanged in the Taiping Prison between 4.30 and 5.30 am.

The authorities do not make public disclosures of hangings. Lawyers in Malaysia are not informed of impending executions of their clients

AI-M statistics from countries which have abolished the death penalty show no increase in the crimes previously subject to capital punishment. - FMT News, 24/9/2016


Friday, September 23, 2016

PKR MP Shamsul Iskandar should explain why apparently only 5 questions at last Parliamentary session?

In the last Parliamentary session, sadly PKR MP  Shamsul Iskandar bin Mohd Akin, also a PKR Vice President, seems to have only asked 5 questions for an oral response when he could have asked 10 questions. Why did this happen? Maybe, an explanation should be made. Was our perusal of parliamentary response wrong? Was some questions rejected? 

If you did not have any questions, MPs could ask their constituencies, civil society groups and others. For example, we still do not know the number of persons detained under Detention Without Trial laws like Prevention of Crime Act (POCA)? How many have been detained for less than 2 years, 2 years or more? How many of these were suspected criminals who could have been charged in court but was not because there was insufficient evidence to ensure convictions?

In every session of Parliament, a Member of Parliament can ask 10 questions for oral answers, and 5 questions for written answers. We looked at the last parliamentary session that started on 16/5/2016 and ended on 26/5/2016. The questions for oral answers would be listed in the daily agenda for the day - the 'Aturan Urusan Mesyuarat', so we will be able to determine whether a MP has put in the said 10 questions, and what were the questions raised. Now, if there is no time for oral answers to be given, then written answers will be furnished.

In Malaysia, it is very different to get answers from the government, and one sure way to get a response is through Parliamentary questions - it may not be a full answer, but at least it will be an answer.

See earlier relevant posts:-

Why no record of written questions and answers in Malaysian parliament website?

26 Pakatan MPs who were absent when POTA was passed in Parliament should resign?


Members of Parliament(MP) who fail to utilize the right to ask these 15 questions 'betrays' the people and/or fails to fulfill their duties as MPs. Unfortunately, we do not have the list of questions for written answers that were submitted listed in the Parliamentary website.

Most of the time, most of these questions for oral answers will not receive an oral response - so, all that the MPs get will be a written response. Now, sadly many of these MPs, even after they get the government response, they do not share it with the people - No transparency and accountability. The probable reason may be laziness - but really this is no excuse when we are all fighting for greater accountability and transparency of governments in Malaysia. 

The relevant politicians should really have a website/blog where they good easily place all the questions asked, and responses received - which could be easily accessed by constituents and the general public easily. Facebook is also OK but the problem is that access to earlier posts not so easy, compared to websites/blogs.

Alternatively, the relevant political parties could highlight all the questions and answers received in their websites. 


22 (4)  Seseorang  ahli  tidak  boleh  bertanya  lebih daripada  10  pertanyaan  bagi  Jawapan  Lisan  dan tidak  lebih  daripada  5  pertanyaan  bagi  Jawapan Bertulis  dalam  mana-mana  satu  mesyuarat  Majlis. -PERATURAN-PERATURAN  MAJLIS MESYUARAT  DEWAN  RAKYAT



As a sample, we will look at PKR MP Shamsul Iskandar bin Mohd Akin [Bukit Katil], and found that he seems to have only asked 5 questions. I perused the Aturan Urusan Mesyuarat for 16, 17, 18, 19, 23, 24, 25 and 26th May 2016 as available in the Malaysian Paliamentary Website. There is a possibility that I missed some of his questions, and I hope someone will mention that in my comment. Please go to verify this.



18/5/2016

62.PR1342-L74879
Tuan Shamsul Iskandar bin Mohd Akin [ Bukit Katil ] minta MENTERI DALAM NEGERI menyatakan berapakah permit dan lesen senjata api yang telah dikeluarkan kepada Syarikat Nilai Arms and Ammunition Sdn. Bhd. sejak Januari 2013 hingga April 2016, serta apakah kategori serta jenis senjata api tersebut.

19/5/2016
76. PR-1342-L74874
Tuan  Shamsul  Iskandar  bin  Mohd  Akin  [  Bukit  Katil  ] minta PERDANA MENTERI menyatakan statistik terkini insiden kemiskinan mengikut kumpulan etnik,  strata  dan  negeri  setakat  April  2016  serta  kesan  inflasi  daripada perlaksanaan  GST  terhadap  insiden  kemiskinan,  yang  boleh  menyebabkan kegagalan komitmen Kerajaan di dalam memenuhi kehendak Agenda Global 2030.  

24/5/2016
127. PR-1342-L74886
Tuan  Shamsul  Iskandar  bin  Mohd  Akin  [  Bukit  Katil  ] minta MENTERI TENAGA, TEKNOLOGI HIJAU DAN  AIR menyatakan tindakan Kementerian terhadap  Tenaga  Nasional  Berhad  berdasarkan  pelbagai  aduan  rakyat  di Facebook TNB Careline yang memaparkan kemarahan rakyat yang terpaksa menanggung beban kenaikan bil elektrik lewat kebelakangan ini.  

26/5/2016
83.PR-1342-L74882
Tuan  Shamsul  Iskandar  bin  Mohd  Akin  [  Bukit  Katil  ] minta MENTERI KOMUNIKASI    DAN    MULTIMEDIA menyatakan   langkah-langkah   yang diambil  oleh  Kementerian  untuk  memperbaiki  kedudukan  Malaysia  dalam Indeks   Kebebasan   Media   2015   yang   merudum   serta   cadangan   dan langkah-langkah Kementerian untuk menjamin kebebasan media.  

120.PR-1342-L74884
Tuan  Shamsul  Iskandar  bin  Mohd  Akin  [  Bukit  Katil  ] minta MENTERI SUMBER  ASLI  DAN  ALAM  SEKITAR menyatakan  langkah-langkah  yang sedang  dan  telah  diambil  oleh  Kementerian,  susulan  daripada  Perjanjian Paris    (COP    21)    dan    apakah    strategi    khusus    Kementerian    untuk mengurangkan kesan pelepasan gas rumah hijau menjelang 2030.  



I also considered the questions of another PKR MP being Abdullah Sani bin Abdul Hamid [ Kuala Langat ]and found that he had raised 9 questions during the same period..



16/5/2016
34.PR-1342-L74691
Tuan  Abdullah  Sani  bin  Abdul  Hamid  [  Kuala  Langat  ] minta MENTERI SUMBER  MANUSIA menyatakan  langkah-langkah  mengawal  selia syarikat-syarikat  mengadakan  “Lay-off” terhadap    pekerja-pekerja    ketika    syarikat  mengalami ketidaktentuan terhadap keuntungan syarikat.

17/5/2016
6.PR-1342-L74689
Tuan  Abdullah  Sani  bin  Abdul  Hamid  [  Kuala  Langat  ] minta MENTERI SUMBER  MANUSIA menyatakan  kajian  berkenaan  dengan  faedah-faedah pemberhentian kerja sementara di dalam Akta Kerja 1955.  

109.PR-1342-L74686
Tuan  Abdullah  Sani  bin  Abdul  Hamid  [  Kuala  Langat  ] minta PERDANA MENTERI menyatakan  jumlah  300  hari  diperuntukkan  kepada  penjawat  awam cuti bersalin akan dikaji semula.

18/5/2016
64.PR-1342-L74685
Tuan  Abdullah  Sani  bin  Abdul  Hamid  [  Kuala  Langat  ] minta PERDANA MENTERI menyatakan  jumlah  semakan  gaji  diperlukan  termasuk  penjawat awam seperti Pengarah dan pegawai dan bila (back dated) dikuatkuasakan.  
19/5/2016
22.PR-1342-L74687
Tuan  Abdullah  Sani  bin  Abdul  Hamid  [  Kuala  Langat  ] minta PERDANA MENTERI menyatakan  kuantiti  kumpulan  penjawat  awam  yang  berkhidmat diikat  sebagai  pekerja  kontrak  dan  mohon  dikaji  semula  kontrak  mereka  dan peruntukan  jangka  15  tahun  dimasukkan  dalam  kontrak  dan  diserap  kepada pekerja tetap seterusnya.

67.PR-1342-L74688
Tuan  Abdullah  Sani  bin  Abdul  Hamid  [ Kuala  Langat  ] minta MENTERI SUMBER  MANUSIA menyatakan  kajian  semula  terhadap  pekerja-pekerja wanita yang diberi cuti bersalin dalam Akta Kerja 1955.  

24/5/2016
55.PR-1342-L74682
Tuan  Abdullah  Sani  bin  Abdul  Hamid  [  Kuala  Langat  ] minta PERDANA MENTERI menyatakan    kaedah    kenaikan    gaji    penjawat    awam    yang  diumumkan baru-baru ini.    

25/5/2016
76. PR-1342-L74684
Tuan  Abdullah  Sani  bin  Abdul  Hamid  [  Kuala  Langat  ] minta PERDANA MENTERI menyatakan   jumlah   kenaikan   (adjustment)   terhadap   penjawat  awam di atas gaji pokok.   

26/5/2016
8.PR-1342-L74690
Tuan  Abdullah  Sani  bin  Abdul  Hamid  [  Kuala  Langat  ] minta MENTERI SUMBER  MANUSIA menyatakan  kajian  semula  penambahbaikan  berkenan dengan syarat-syarat kelayakan kesatuan.