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Raja Petra in court to face sedition charge (updated)

Political Guru — Mon, 06 Oct 2008 07:29:31 +0000

PETALING JAYA: Internal Security Act (ISA) detainee Raja Petra Kamarudin was brought to the Sessions Court in Petaling Jaya at 8.25am Monday for his sedition trial.

Court proceedings are scheduled to start at 9am. The Malaysia Today editor, 58, who is being held at the Kamunting Detention Centre in Perak, was charged on May 6 over his online posting about the murder of Mongolian Altantuya Shaariibuu.

He claimed trial to publishing an allegedly seditious article on Malaysia Today, becoming the first blogger to be charged under the Sedition Act.

He is accused of publishing the article Let’s send the Altantuya murderers to hell which was alleged to have contained nine paragraphs of seditious words.

He is said to have committed the offence at his house in Jalan BRP 5/5 in Bukit Rahman Putra in Sungai Buloh on April 25.

If convicted, he can be fined a maximum of RM5,000 or jailed up to three years or both under Section 4(1)(c) of the Act.

Article source:

The New Straits Times

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ISA: Raja Petra under two-year detention in Kamunting

Political Guru — Wed, 24 Sep 2008 05:52:01 +0000

Counsel for Raja Petra will file a habeas corpus application next week against the detention order.

KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia Today editor Raja Petra Kamarudin was detained for two years under the Internal Security Act yesterday for writing articles considered to have maligned Islam, and being malicious and seditious.

He was sent from Bukit Aman police headquarters, where he had been held since Sept 12, to the Kamunting detention centre in Perak around 11am.

Home Minister Datuk Seri Syed Hamid Albar signed the detention order under Section 8(1) of the ISA on Monday evening on a recommendation by police.

Syed Hamid said the ministry would review the detention order at the end of the first three months and again after six months.

Raja Petra’s lead counsel, Malik Imtiaz Sarwar, said he would file a habeas corpus application next week against the new detention order.

Syed Hamid said there was strong evidence supporting action to invoke the ISA against Raja Petra.

He said the decision was made after police investigations into articles posted by the blogger on his website showed that they could incite racial and religious tension and disrupt peace in the country.

“The police gave their recommendation and provided strong basis for him to be detained under ISA. It is their right to recommend to the Home Minister to sign the two-year detention order if they found strong proof and reason.

“If they (the articles) are proven to be threatening as well as causing uneasiness among Muslims and members of the public, then it is proof,” he said.

On the fact that he had signed the order as Raja Petra’s habeas corpus application on his earlier detention under Section 73(1) of the ISA was scheduled to be heard in the High Court yesterday, he said they were not related.

“That is Raja Petra’s right and is a totally different issue.”

In the High Court, Raja Petra’s application came to a halt with judge Suraya Othman saying that it had been overtaken by events.

She fixed Oct 28 to hear submissions by Malik and Senior Federal Counsel Abdul Wahab Mohamad on the order issued by Syed Hamid.

Malik told the court that he was only informed yesterday morning by Wahab that his client had been detained under Section 8 (1).

“I was not informed of my client’s detention despite the police having my contact numbers,” said Malik.

To this, Wahab said he himself had been told of the order at the same time.

Malik replied that he was surprised that Wahab “was well-prepared with written submissions for someone who said that he was only informed about it this morning”.

He submitted that the detention order issued by the minister on Monday night was done to avoid the consequences of the habeas corpus hearing.

“Raja Petra’s detention under Section 73(1) of the Act was done without basis, unconstitutional and was done in bad faith,” he said.

He said Syed Hamid’s order “could only have been the result of the inquiry by the police”.

“Because they are inter-related, the question whether the earlier detention was lawful or not is a matter which is relevant for argument of the current order,” he added.

Suraya was herself surprised by Raja Petra’s two-year detention order, saying: “I had not expected a lot of matters to be overtaken by events.”

She said Syed Hamid’s order superseded the previous order under Section 73 (1).

Earlier, Wahab, submitting that the habeas corpus application should be dismissed, contended that since Raja Petra was no longer detained under Section 73 (1), and that the new detention order had come into operation, all issues pertaining to his earlier detention were academic.

Article source:

The New Straits Times

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Raja Petra Kamarudin sent to Kamunting to begin two-year detention under ISA

Political Guru — Tue, 23 Sep 2008 07:36:10 +0000

KUALA LUMPUR, TUES:

Malaysia Today editor Raja Petra Kamarudin was sent to the Kamunting Detention Centre in Taiping at 11am this morning to begin his two-year detention under the Internal Security Act.

Home Minister Datuk Seri Syed Hamid Albar confirmed he signed the detention order based on investigations and recommendations by the police.

Syed Hamid said Raja Petra was sent to Kamunting before his 60-day remand ended as police had found concrete evidence that his postings in the Malaysia Today blogsite, was prejudicial to the security of the country.

Raja Petra’s wife Marina Lee Abdullah said she was informed of the detention order by an officer from the Federal police headquarters through a phone call at 9am.

She added that no decision was made on her husband’s submission of habeas corpus today as judge Suraya Othman had ordered that Raja Petra submit a written submission to be heard on Oct 28.

Raja Petra, 58, was picked up at his house in Sungai Buloh at 1.10 pm on Sept 12.

Article source:

The New Straits Times

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Anwar: Public will know crossover list today

Political Guru — Tue, 16 Sep 2008 09:50:29 +0000

The crowd attending the Malaysia Day celebration organised by Pakatan Rakyat at the Kelana Jaya Stadium yesterday.

KELANA JAYA: The list of Barisan Nasional members of parliament who would cross over to the Pakatan Rakyat will be announced today, PR de facto leader Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim said last night.

Addressing more than 10,000 people gathered at the Kelana Jaya Stadium for the PR’s Malaysia Day celebration, he claimed that the opposition coalition was poised to take over the Federal Government.

“We have the numbers and we are ready. Tomorrow (today), we will announce it (the crossover list),” he said.

At an impromptu press conference later, he said he had requested to meet with Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi to request for a peaceful transition.

Earlier, a slew of PR leaders and non-governmental organisation heads took to the podium to warm up the crowd for Anwar.

Among the speakers were DAP adviser Lim Kit Siang, Selangor Menteri Besar Tan Sri Abdul Khalid Ibrahim, Penang Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng and Pas secretary-general Kamaluddin Jaafar.

Also present were PKR president Datuk Seri Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail and other senior PR leaders.

Kit Siang said it did not matter if the transition of power happened today or on another day, as the people had already decided that there was a need for change in the government.

The celebration was a peaceful affair, preceded by breaking of fast and terawih prayers for many of the Muslim supporters in attendance.

The event had a carnival-like atmosphere, particularly around the stadium perimeter with stalls offering food, drinks, miscellaneous items and PR propaganda materials to interested passers-by.

The public were also given free Malaysian flags and unity bracelets by the organisers of the celebration, which ended at around 11.30pm.

Article source:

The New Straits Times

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Abdullah surprised at Muhyiddin’s opinion

Political Guru — Fri, 12 Sep 2008 08:26:17 +0000

Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi at the MSC implementation council meeting yesterday. With him are (from left) Education Minister Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Hussein, Higher Education Minister Datuk Seri Khaled Nordin, Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak and Science, Technology and Innovation Minister Datuk Dr Maximus Ongkili.

PUTRAJAYA: Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi is surprised that Umno vice-president Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin wants him to step down before 2010.

“I am surprised a member of my cabinet came up with that kind of statement, against what had been agreed by all of us. I am not staying on just for the pleasure of staying on,” he said.

Speaking after chairing the 20th MSC implementation council meeting yesterday, the prime minister said: “The cabinet understood it (the transition plan) and had agreed. The Umno supreme council also agreed on this.

“I am very surprised that he came up with that opinion when he had agreed on that before.”

Under the succession plan, Abdullah will step down as prime minister and Umno president in favour of Datuk Seri Najib Razak in June 2010.

uhyiddin told a press conference on the sidelines of the Forbes Global CEO conference in Singapore on Wednesday that the 2010 timeframe for Abdullah to step down was too long.

Muhyiddin, who is also international trade and industry minister, said he had even asked Najib whether he wanted to wait that long as the latter would have little time to manage and restore the people’s confidence in Umno and Barisan Nasional before the next general election.

Abdullah pledged that he would try his best to fulfil his promises to the people before 2010.

“There are lots of responsibilities and projects which need to be attended to. Reform in the Anti-Corruption Agency is one of them. Police reform had started more than two years ago and matters concerning the Independent Police Complaints and Misconduct Commission also need to be looked into.

“I have also promised to eradicate hardcore poverty. There is much to be done and to expand our capacity to serve the people.

“I have made it my responsibility to undertake all these and to help Najib achieve the objectives of the programmes which I have started,” said Abdullah.

Article source:

The New Straits Times

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PM: Fuel price may drop 15 sen by year end

Political Guru — Fri, 05 Sep 2008 01:51:17 +0000

FUEL PRICE MAY DROP 15 SEN BY YEAR END: The government will reduce fuel prices by a further 15 sen by end of the year if world crude oil prices stay at US$109 (RM374) per barrel, says Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi. He was at a press conference after chairing the National Financial Council meeting at the Finance Ministry yesterday. With him are Public Service Department director-general Tan Sri Ismail Adam (left) and Second Finance Minister Tan Sri Nor Mohamed Yakcop.

PUTRAJAYA: The government will reduce fuel prices by a further 15 sen by end of the year if world crude oil prices stay at US$109 (RM374) per barrel.

“I will be happy to reduce it by 15 sen by the end of the year,” Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi said, if world prices were held down.

Abdullah said the next monthly review of fuel prices would take place either on Oct 1 or the middle of the month.

“It is very likely that the review wil be on Oct 1. We promised to review the prices every month and that is what we will do.”

He said that as prime minister, he had to “offer only the best deal for the rakyat” even as world prices continued to fluctuate.

Abdullah said this in his capacity as finance minister after chairing the National Financial Council meeting at the Finance Ministry yesterday.

Domestic Trade and Consumer Affairs Minister Datuk Shahrir Abdul Samad said on Wednesday that the government might reduce fuel prices before Hari Raya.

Shahrir said world prices were at present stable and that he hoped it would go down further.

On Aug 22, the pump price of petrol was reduced to RM2.55 from RM2.70 per litre (RON 97) and diesel to RM2.50 from RM2.58 per litre.

The new prices took effect a week before the scheduled implementation of a new price mechanism.

The government had announced on Aug 1 that pump prices would be adjusted according to world crude oil prices on the first day of each month, starting Sept 1.

A minimum subsidy of 30 sen a litre and a ceiling price of RM2.70 a litre for petrol had been fixed until at least the end of the year.

The lower petrol price was decided by the cabinet after taking into consideration the drop in world crude oil prices and rising inflation.

Malaysia’s inflation rate rose to a 26-year high of 8.5 per cent in July due mostly to rising costs of fuel and electricity.

The government had cut crippling fuel subsidies on June 5, resulting in the petrol price rising from RM1.92 to RM2.70 per litre.

Article source:

The New Straits Times

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51st Merdeka: Seven cheers for Merdeka

Political Guru — Sun, 31 Aug 2008 05:01:13 +0000

Jubilant Malaysians from all walks of life come together to celebrate the nation’s independence at Dataran Merdeka. — Picture by Effendy

KUALA LUMPUR: At the stroke of midnight, the country’s Merdeka celebrations roared to a start as Malaysians came together at Dataran Merdeka to celebrate 51 years of independence.

Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi leads the crowd in seven shouts of ‘Merdeka’ at Dataran Merdeka. — Picture by Afendi Mohamed

Datuk Seri Najib Razak celebrating with the large crowd at KLCC last night. — Picture by Yusni Ariffin

Led by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi, the crowd of 5,000 as one roared “Merdeka!” seven times, echoing Tunku Abdul Rahman’s action in declaring the country’s independence in 1957.

The prime minister was accompanied by his wife, Datin Seri Jeanne Abdullah, Unity, Culture and Heritage Minister Datuk Seri Shafie Apdal, International Trade and Industry Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin and Women, Family and Community Development Minister Datuk Dr Ng Yen Yen.

It was an eventful night, with performances that embodied everything Malaysian — our vibrant culture which co-exists with thriving modernity.

Cultural and religious differences took a back seat, as Malaysians from varied walks of life mingled and shared the limited space at the square.

Business was also thriving for the many stalls set up to satisfy parched throats and growling stomachs, as well as enterprising individuals hawking a host of items such as flags and colourful accessories.

As midnight approached, all eyes and ears were trained on Abdullah and the atmosphere became charged with anticipation as the crowd began a spirited countdown to midnight, culminating in a 10-minute fireworks display.

Celebrations were also held at the Kuala Lumpur City Centre.

It was officiated by Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak, accompanied by his wife Datin Seri Rosmah Mansor.

Housing and Local Government Minister Datuk Ong Ka Chuan attended festivities in Bukit Bintang.

Article source:

The New Straits Times

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2009 BUDGET HIGHLIGHTS: What’s in it for you

Political Guru — Sat, 30 Aug 2008 03:53:47 +0000

KUALA LUMPUR, FRI:

These are highlights of the 2009 Budget announced by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi.

Some 100,000 tax payers to be out of the tax net as rebate for taxable income of RM35,000 and below will be increased to RM400 from RM350
Tax exemption for all interest income for individuals
Reduction of import duties for consumer durables (examples: blender, rice cooker, microwave oven and electric kettle) to between 5 percent and 30 percent from 10 percent and 60 percent

Import duty exemption on several food items including vermicelli, biscuits, fruit juices and canned sweet corn
Road tax for passenger vehicles with diesel engines to be similar with petrol engines effective Sept 1, 2008
Tax exemption for employees on staff benefits such as subsidised interest on housing, motor vehicles and education loans
Bills of mobile and fixed line phones as well as internet paid by employers to be tax-exempted
Government to provide RM3 billion soft loan facility under public transportation to finance acquisition of buses and rail assets to be administered by bank pembangunan malaysia bhd
50 percent reduction in toll charges for all buses, except at border entry points, for two years effective Sept 15, 2008
Efficiency of public transportation to be improved via rm35 billion expenditure from 2009 to 2014
Farmers to benefit from proposal to abolish import duty on fertilizers and pesticides
Home ownership among civil servants to be boosted by extension of housing loans tenure to 30 years from 25 years
Government housing loan insurance panel to be expanded to all eligible insurance companies from only five insurance companies now
Excise duties on cigarattes up three sen to 18 sen per stick. Duty for 20-stick pack now up 60 sen
Highest marginal tax rate for individuals to be cut to 27 percent from 28 percent effective year of assessment 2009
Middle income group to benefit from cut in marginal tax rate to 12 percent from 13 percent
Accelerated capital allowance for purchase of ICT equipment can be claimed over one year instead of two years (86).
Import prohibition on cranes used at ports to be removed. Import duty for the cranes cut to 5 percent from 20 percent (88)
New investments by operators of four-star & five-star hotels in sabah and Sarawak to enjoy pioneer status with 100 percent income tax exemption or investment tax allowance of 100 percent for five years.
Venture capital companies to enjoy five-year tax exemption for investing at least 30 percent of their funds in start-up, early stage financing or seed capital
Local shipping industry to be promoted via a new rm2 billion fund to finance the purchase of ships and upgrading of shipyards.
Plants and machinery acquired by SMEs in the years of assessment 2009 and 2010 to be accorded accelarated capital allowance to be claimed within one year.
Local shipping industry to be promoted via a new RM2 billion fund to finance the purchase of ships and upgrading of shipyards
Plants and machinery acquired by smes in the years of assessment 2009 and 2010 to be accorded accelerated capital allowance to be claimed within one year.
Removed - import duty and sales tax on solar photovoltaic system equipment
Removed - import duty and sales tax on intermediate goods such as high efficiency motors and insulation materials
Removed - sales tax on locally manufactured solar heating system equipment
Removed - sales tax on locally manufactured energy efficient consumer goods such as refrigerators, air conditioners, lightings, fans and tvs
Exemption of 100 percent import duty & 50 percent excise duty on new hybrid CBU cars, with engine capacity below two 2,000 cc litre to be given to franchise importers. The exemption is for two years
One month bonus for civil servants, subject to a minimum of RM1,000. Payment in two instalments - September and December 2008

Article source:

The New Straits Times

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Analyst: All Umno’s own doing

Political Guru — Thu, 28 Aug 2008 05:05:25 +0000

BUTTERWORTH: A political analyst said Barisan Nasional’s loss in Permatang Pauh was Umno’s own doing.

Umno has 25,000 members in Permatang Pauh but its candidate Datuk Arif Shah Omar Shah only obtained 15,524 votes.

“Why didn’t all of them support him? Does this show weaknesses in the party itself?” Dr P. Sivamurugan of Universiti Sains Malaysia asked.

He said the constant harping on the sodomy allegation against Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim and his refusal to swear on the Quran also backfired on the coalition.

He said the situation worsened during the final three days of campaigning.
“Many of the Permatang Pauh people, including the fence-sitters, of whom a majority are Malays, cannot accept such an approach and this resulted in them showing sympathy for Anwar,” he said.

Dr Sivamurugan said the fence-sitters swayed towards Anwar after he got Pas spiritual leader Datuk Nik Abdul Aziz Nik Mat to attend his campaigning.

He said BN should have placed greater emphasis on issues faced by the locals.

He said BN’s campaign was also disorderly and Arif Shah was often seen campaigning alone.

PKR, on the other hand, he said, organised their schedule well.

Article source:

The New Straits Times

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Anwar wins Permatang Pauh seat with 15,671 majority

Political Guru — Tue, 26 Aug 2008 16:58:37 +0000

PERMATANG PAUH, TUE:

THE Permatang Pauh By-Election was won by Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim. At the end of the vote count at about 9:47pm, the PKR de facto leader received a total majority of 15,671 votes to beat BN’s Datuk Arif Shah Omar Shah.

The results at the final tally are:

Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim: 31,195 votes
Datuk Arif Shah Omar Shah: 15,524 votes
Hanafi Hamat: 92 votes
Majority: 15,671 votes
Turnout: 81.01%

BUKIT MERTAJAM: Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim has won the Permatang Pauh by-election.

The PKR de-facto leader was returned to Parliament with a majority of 15,671 votes, exceeding the 13,388-vote majority won by his wife Datuk Seri Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail in the March 8 general election.

Anwar garnered 31,195 votes to beat Barisan candidate Datuk Arif Shah Omar Shah, who polled 15,524 votes, while Angkatan Keadilan Insan Malaysia candidate Hanafi Hamat lost his RM15,000 deposit after getting only 92 votes. There were 447 spoilt votes.

“This is the people’s victory,” Anwar said in a victory speech.

“Permatang Pauh has given a clear signal to the leadership of this country. We demand change. We want freedom. We don’t want to live with corruption and oppression.

“We want an independent judiciary, we want the economy to benefit the vast majority not the corrupt few,” he added.

Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak said the result was proof that democracy was still alive in the country and there was no manipulation involved.

“As we have pointed out right from the start, we would be facing a tough challenge,” he said.

The closely watched by-election was called after Dr Wan Azizah resigned as the MP on July 31 to enable her husband to run for election.

Anwar held the seat for four terms before he was sacked from his Deputy Prime Minister’s post in 1998 under corruption and sodomy charges.

Dr Wan Azizah, who had been known as a reluctant politician, won the seat for a third term in March.

A mammoth crowd comprising PKR leaders and supporters gathered early at the tallying centre at the Tuanku Bainun Teacher Training College in Bukit Mertajam to celebrate Anwar’s victory.

Supporters in the crowd let off fireworks as returning officer Roslan Yahaya announced the results about 10pm.

Voter turnout was relatively high, at about 80% of the total of 58,459 registered voters in the constituency.

Barisan was the underdog from the start in the hard-fought by-election that Deputy Prime Minister Najib Tun Razak described as a titanic challenge.

Anwar’s convincing victory was reminiscent of his heyday, when he secured a stunning 23,515-vote majority in the 1995 general election by polling 27,945 votes. In Tuesday’s polling, 47,258 voters cast their ballots, or 80.83% of the 58,459 total number of voters.

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