The dilemma of Yellow color & the word "Clean"

“We don’t pick our victims, and we don’t pick the circumstances under which these cases come to us.”

“As prosecutors, our duty is to do what is right.”

--- Cyrus R. Vance Jr., the Manhattan district attorney, which is handling the sexual assault case against Dominique Strauss-Kahn

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Malaysians have more worries than before - they can't wear anything yellow in public - shirts, shoes, pants, tie and even underwear.

If you do, you can be arrested and detained under sections 3(1) and 4(1) of the Emergency (Public Order and Prevention of Crime) Ordinance 1969.

Section 3(1) provides for the arrest and detention of any person without warrant or trial under grounds contained in 4(1) that the person is acting in a manner prejudicial to public order, to suppress violence, or prevent other crimes for any period not exceeding two years.

The nationwide Royal Malaysian police force had associated wearing the yellow T-shirts or shoes with sedition, provocation and prejudice, or acting in a manner prejudicial to public order. Inspector General of Police Ismail Omar said anything which could be construed by the police as seditious or has elements of threats would face the repercussions. (Reference: Malaysiakini Report)

Even those who wear t-shirts for a gotong-royong event in Taman Pelangi, Johor, were arrested. (Reference: Reported by Malaysiakini)

"Negara Bersih, Rakyat bertuah" -'A clean nation, a fortunate people'. Oh, sorry, it's yellow!!! The gotong royong group should have use black or red, not yellow.

Last week the police had called national laureate A Samad Said to give a statement over his poem recital during a Bersih 2.0 event. He is being investigated under Section 4(1)(b) of the Sedition Act 1948 and Section 27(5) of the Police Act 1967 which is related to unlawful assembly.

If you are arrested for yellow shirts or shoes, you may even be charged for waging war on the Yang diPertuan Agong.

30 Parti Sosialis Malaysia (PSM) members, including Sungai Siput MP Dr Michael Jeyakumar were investigated for “waging war against the Yang DiPertuan Agong.” Deputy Penang police chief Datuk Abdul Rahim Jaafar said remand orders would be applied to detain the 30 activists under Section 122 of the Penal Code.

The group of 30 people were detained, including 14 women and aged between 16 and 64, while traveling in a bus from Sungai Petani towards Penang to attend a function. Out of the 30 the police detained six Parti Sosialis Malaysia (PSM) members and they will be charged under the Emergency Ordinance for waging war against the King.

Deputy Inspector-General of Police Datuk Seri Khalid Abu Bakar said the six, including Sungai Siput MP Dr Michael Jeyakumar Devaraj, have been found to be involved with foreign and subversive elements. (The Star Reported & also reported at The Malaysian Insider)

Under Section 122 of the Penal Code, “Whoever collects or attempts to collect men, arms or ammunition, or otherwise prepares to wage war with the intention of either waging or being prepared to wage war against the Yang di-Pertuan Agong or any of the Rulers or the Yang di-Pertua Negeri or abets the waging or the preparation of such war, shall be punished with imprisonment for life or imprisonment for a term not exceeding twenty years, and shall also be liable to fine.”

Section 122 was used to prosecute militant terrorist group Al Ma’unah who were involved in an audacious arms heist at an army camp in 2000 and a tense stand-off in the jungles of Perak in 2000. Now it will be used more freely.

Anything can be seditious now. It's such sensitive to the Barisan Nasional government ... anything, albeit with exceptions; such as Ibrahim Ali's rhetorical call for crusade against Christians, and a group of silat experts who warn those July 9 participants that they should expect violence. Malay daily Utusan Malaysia carried a report saying that more than 50,000 Silat exponents are prepared to “wage war” with Bersih activists.

It was also reported that Mahaguru (grandmaster) of the Pertubuhan Seni Silat Lincah Malaysia (PSSLM) Omardin Mauju threatened to “wage war” against Bersih activists and he will be meeting with 180 silat lincah masters from across the country (Reported at: freemalaysiatoday.com and Reported at Malaysia-Today)

BTW, Prime Minister Najib Razak said: "Practitioners and members of the silat martial arts can be regarded as the third line of defence prepared to safeguard the nation's sovereignty from enemies" (Reference: Silat 'warriors' third line of nation's defence: Najib) I'm sure the reference of "Enemy" is not Singapore, or America or China. Your guess is as good as mine.

It can be observed that government of Najib is getting paranoid and distressed, with the police suffering from nostalgia and defective vision and insane delusion - they captivated illusory enemies. Even those lawyers who had represented plaintiff or defendants on legal issues related to religion 0r the constitutional rights of individuals can be classified as an enemy of Islam or anti-Islam. (Reference: Reported at The Malaysian Insider)

Datuk S. Ambiga may lose her Malaysian Citizenship because she is Bersih 2.0 Chairperson. Malacca Chief Minister Ali Rustam has called on the federal government to strip S Ambiga of her citizenship for being the chairperson of Bersih 2.0 (Reference: Reported at Malaysiakini and at youtube)

I think Ambiga will not lose her citizenship; she will only be required to stay at the new Kamunting detention centre which was only renovated lately. I told Ambiga that the newly renovated place is quite nice and she would likely be the first guest of honor soon; she agreed.

"Some people want us (government) to use whatever power at our disposal," PM Najib said (Reference; 'Emergency ordinance used as preventive measure')

Some people, boss? Siapa? Ali Rustam? Ibrahim Ali? Mahathir? We Malaysians should be worried over these "some people".

Uthaya released; a new Indian paradigm

The BN government must be applauded for releasing most of the detainees under the ISA. But, BN may stand to regret for releasing Uthaya.

Uthaya was just a normal Indian in those days. Syed Hamid Albar made him a hero for the Indians and his unconditional release amid the duress he went through, being thrown out of the detention camp for reasons that he refused to sign an unconditional release letter, would served as a stigmata accompanying a new spiritual idol.

Uthaya went home, driving from Kamunting with convoys and outriders numbering more than 100, an event which we would observed reservedly for kings and prime minister (and of course, the exceptional Mat Rempit events). But Uthaya had this distinction accorded. In fact when he greeted his supporters, they even bow down to him and kiss his feet. This "Feet Kissing" sents my cognitive faculty to ponder the writings of the days of Jesus Christ and Prophet Muhammad. Period.

Would Uthaya, the spiritual idol worshiped by the Indians, bore the stigma of MIC's natural demise and give rise to a new Indian hope, a new expectations and a new social paradigm?

Whatever it may be, it should give the Indians a far greater hope than before.

Will he becomes the One Black Malaysia or One Feared Malaysia?

The social landscape is set for complexities and divergence.

Pak Lah to PPP: get out of BN if you wish

Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi tells Kayveas and his PPP that they can leave Barisan Nasional if they wish. He reiterated that the government has no intention to amend the ISA.

Kayveas has his shoes stuck in his mouth!!!


Read more at Malaysiakini , NST or The Star

Islam supports ISA?

32 Muslims Organization and Malay Organizations have got together under the Related Bodies Cooperation Network (Pewaris) marched to the Jalan Tun Razak Police Station in a demonstration to support the use of the Internal Security Act (ISA) against those rakyat, who were in their opinions, are elements threatening the country's harmony and who they think are elements who stirred racial sentiments.

Pewaris is also preparing a memorandum to be submitted to the Home Minister Syed Hamid Albar and the Yang di-Pertuan Agong.

At the Jalan Tun Razak Police Station they made reports directed at those who spoke out against the ISA and the Fatwa against Tomboys. The report were also directed at Hindraf and those who question Malay Rights or rights which they believed belongs to the Malays.

At the same time, the police today moved in to disperse a group of people who had gathered at a field in Ampang Jaya since 8pm for the launch of an anti-ISA campaign.

In the process, it is learnt that about seven people have been arrested for failing to disperse.

Police light strike force unit started dispersing the crowd - numbering less than 100 - at about 9.26pm just as PAS vice-president Mohammad Sabu started to address the crowd.

The campaign was organised by the Abolish ISA Movement (GMI). It was to be launched by Opposition Leader Anwar Ibrahim.

GMI chairperson Syed Ibrahim Syed Noh was also present at the venue since early evening.

GMI secretary E Nalini said that among those arrested were three PAS leaders from Kuala Lumpur and Selangor.

Read more here and at Malaysiakini.

Linguistic Deception

"We had asked him to surrender his passport to the Malaysian High Commission, but he did not do that. How can his passport be cancelled when he never did so? In order to cancel a passport, we need to stamp it as 'cancelled'."

- Datuk Seri Syed Hamid Albar, Home Minister
in response to accusations that he lied about the cancellation of Waytha Moorthy's passport.

Analogy:

How could you say the politicians are corrupt when they merely assisted the businessmen to get government projects and no physical money were transacted at the time of award. There may be money transaction thereafter or before, but not at the time of award.

How can there be a case of sodomy when there is consent and the two had done it eight times in places both decided to meet?

How can there be, if we apply the linguistic philosophy of Albarism?

Zaid Ibrahim writes open letter to PM

Extracted from Zaid's open letter:

From: Zaid Ibrahim

To: Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi

Our earlier prime ministers, Tunku Abdul Rahman, Tun Razak and Tun Hussein Onn were truly leaders of integrity, patriots in their own right and most importantly, men of humility. They believed in and built this nation on the principles and values enunciated in our constitution.

Tunku stated clearly that the Act was passed to deal with the communist threat.

“My cabinet colleagues and I gave a solemn promise to Parliament and the nation that the immense powers given to the government under the ISA would never be used to stifle legitimate opposition and silent lawful dissent”, was what the Tunku said.

Our third prime minister, Tun Hussein Onn, reinforced this position by saying that the ISA was not intended to repress lawful political opposition and democratic activity on the part of the citizenry.

The events of the last three weeks have compelled me to review the way in which the ISA has been used. This exercise has sadly led me to the conclusion that the government has time and time again failed the people of this country in repeatedly reneging on that solemn promise made by Tunku Abdul Rahman.

This has been made possible because the government and the law have mistakenly allowed the minister of home affairs to detain anyone for whatever reason he thinks fit. This subjective discretion has been abused to further certain political interests.

History is the great teacher and speaks volumes in this regard. Even a cursory examination of the manner in which the ISA has been used almost from its inception would reveal the extent to which its intended purpose has been subjugated to the politics of the day.

Mr Prime Minister, the results of the last general election are clear indication that the people of Malaysia are demanding a reinstatement of the rule of law. I was appointed as your, albeit short-lived, minister in charge of legal affairs and judicial reform.

With your blessing, I attempted to push for reform. High on my list of priorities was a reinstatement of the inherent right of judicial review that could be enabled through a reversion of the key constitutional provision to its form prior to the controversial amendment in 1988.

Mr Prime Minister, I remember very clearly what you once said: "that if one has the opportunity to do what is good and right for the country, then he must take on the task." I respect you deeply for that and if I were confident that I would have been able to do some good for Malaysia, I would have remained on your team.

Sir, you are still the prime minister and you still have the opportunity to leave your footprint in Malaysian history. I urge you to do so by repealing the ISA once and for all.

Let us attempt to fulfil that solemn promise made by our beloved first prime minister to the people of this country.

Yours sincerely

Zaid Ibrahim

Source: Malaysiakini.com

Please read his full article which is lengthy.

Petrol bomb thrown into Teresa Kok's home

Two Molotov cocktails were thrown into the family home of Teresa Kok at Jalan Ipoh early this morning.

However, no one was hurt in the incident.

Teresa’s parents and her siblings were in the house at the time.

“About 2.55am, we heard a loud ‘bang’ and my son (Sow Kuen) went to check and saw a man wearing a red t-shirt riding off on a motorcycle," Teresa's father told police.

"A warning letter containing threatening words and vulgarities was also attached to one of the bottles which was left outside the house."

There were nails inside the bottle. However, the petrol bombs did not explode.

Teresa's father Kok Kim Tong said he was informed by the police that had the bottles exploded, the nails would act like bullets and could be deadly. Teresa’s mother, Poon Seh Kwon, 71, was at her husband's side during the media briefing.

Teresa's family members are very shaken and now fear for their lives.

"I view this act as most despicable and criminal designed to instill fear, anxiety in me and to prevent me from performing my duties as an elected representative.

"I also attribute this despicable act to certain media groups and blogs that have deliberately demonised and portrayed me as chauvinistic, anti-Malay and anti-Islam," she said.

Teresa said the attack could be related to her recent detention under the ISA on Sept 12.

During her detention, Teresa also lodged police reports against Umno-owned daily Utusan Malaysia, its senior editor Zaini Hassan and former Selangor menteri besar Dr Mohd Khir Toyo for accusing her of involvement in the issues.

“I hope the police can give extra protection to my family members and also to all political leaders. If this can happen to me, it can also happen to anyone,” she asserted.

Source: Malaysiakini

I'm sorry Teresa; I'm not too sure you will get proper protection. You are not Saiful!

The dog got insulted by the egg

Report lodged against Teresa Kok for insulting egg

KUALA LUMPUR (Sept 24, 2008) : The Seputeh Umno Youth division lodged a police report today against Seputeh MP Teresa Kok, claiming she had insulted the Royal Malaysian Police and the egg, which is an essential food of the underprivileged.

The division’s deputy head Alawi Dahalin and several other members lodged the report at the Brickfields police station.

Alawi said he had heard Kok complain about the food she was given while detained under the ISA, at a press conference at the DAP headquarters in Petaling Jaya, shown on the night news on TV on Sept 20, a day after she was released from custody.

He said Kok had said the food she was served was "fit only for dogs".

"By saying this, she had insulted the police and the poor. Eggs are an important food for low-income earners and the poor. As an elected representative of the people she should not have said that," he said.

Source: Sun2surf.com

What an insult to Malaysians from Umno. Is that statement insulting the police and the poor? Those guys have replaced their brains with their kidneys and their thoughts are shit organs. The world populace are reading our Malaysians intelligence level and we have so many of those aligned with the oligarchy making such farcical, frivolous, ignoramus, imbecile, inane, loony, ludicrous, patsy, porcine, preposterous, sycophantic, tawdry, twaddle, incendiary, rigmarole ... you can find so many words to characterized them!!! No wonder this nation is down in the abyss!

Fear Factor (1)

“We should not be fighting over power. We should be sharing it. If we continue to fight then others will come in and take over from us (Umno)”

- Senator Tan Sri Jins Shamsuddin

??? Who are the others who will come in and take over from Umno? MCA? Gerakan? MIC? DAP? PKR? PAS? Communist? American? Japanese? Chinese? Indians? Singh? Umno ex-leaders? Mahathir? Who??? Would those "suspected who" be arrested under the ISA for threatening Umno?

Gombak Action Committee lodged a police report against Anwar Ibrahim yesterday alleging that he was a threat to national security and the country’s stability.

Its secretary-general, Mohd Mustafa Latiff said Anwar had given a “negative impression” of the government with his takeover plan.

“We urge the police to investigate him. He should be investigated under the Sedition Act and Internal Security Act for his misleading crossover statements.”

It is truly scary nowadays! Anyone can make police report and that unfortunate soul may just end up in Kamunting. All it takes is for Syed Hamid to issue a detention order. All that is needed is for someone within Umno to instigate another from Umno to make a police report and claim a person to be a threat to national security.

National security is now a new vocabulary. Political dissent and differences are classified as "negative impression" and will be construed as posing a threat to national security. Virtually, anything dislike or differed with the oligarchy will now be construed as a national security problem. Democracy means abide by the whims and fancies of what those in power and those with power wanted and preferred.

Fear factor rules the nation now!

Say NO to ISA!

We Malaysians must voice out loud to the government that we had elected them to represent us , and we want our MPs to get the ISA law abolished immediately. We do not want such a draconian law and we want our government to abolish it right away. We also want all those detained under the ISA to be sent to the courts to determine their crimes or freedom.

The voices of the citizens must be heard loud and clear. We want immediate actions to be taken to free those detained or to sent them to the courts for a judicial decision. No executives can be allowed to usurp the power of the judges in determining the crime of an individual.

The peoples' voice must be loud enough! Dear Citizen, we must be united in our stand on the total rejection of the ISA law. We want the government to listen to us. Let's speak it out loudly to the PM, DPM and Home Minister. Let's get all the political parties in BN and PR to voice our objections to this draconian law and we want it abolished right away.

Utusan is fearful to us

At the press conference in DAP headquarters today, Teresa Kok was asked by an Utusan reporter if she was willing to take a lie detector test to convince Malaysians that she had no part in the azan controversy.

Utusan never asked Khir Toyo to take the test.

Utusan never asked Ahmad Ismail to take a test.

Utusan never asked those who accused her to take the test.

Will Utusan also request Karpal Singh to take a test?

Would they have the influence to compel?

Karpal Singh has filed a RM10 million defamation suit against Utusan Malaysia for allegedly misquoting him on a matter related to Islam.

An article dated Aug 25 in the Malay daily reported that Karpal Singh was against Islam as the official religion in his opening speech at the 15th DAP Congress on Aug 24.

On Aug 26, Utusan carried a front-page apology to Karpal and retracted the report, admitting that it was a 'grave mistake.

Teresa Kok is also suing Utusan for RM30 million for libel and tarnishing her image.

We are fearful of those powerful guys there. Did they act like God, Judge and Jury and are so powerful? They are Tuan. You may get arrested under the ISA for some reports.

Aren't they becoming satanical and fearful?

We need to pray for peace.

Zaid confirmed: He RESIGNED!

De facto Law Minister Zaid Ibrahim has decided to stick with his decision to quit in protest of the government invoking the Internal Security Act.

"My decision (to quit) remains," he told a press conference at his office in Putrajaya this morning.

Zaid added that he has not made a decision on leaving Umno and joining PKR.

The minister said he wants to keep an open mind about this.

Source: Malaysiakini

Zaid wants to thank Pak Lah for giving him a 2-weeks holiday. He thinks he doesn't need it and he doesn't want to waste government's money. He had enough rest and is still restless because of the ISA thing.

He believed he could not do his job well to reform the Judiciary system. There are just too many of the other ministers who are far more influential and far more powerful within the cabinet who would never allow him to do his work to reform the system. The others preferred a dysfunctional system as they see the opportunities and benefit of such a system. They preferred it because they believed Pak Lah cannot control them in such a system. They thrive and excel in such a system.

I think Zaid will join Pakatan Rakyat; but this is just my opinion.

Zaid Ibrahim: Resignation rejected

Prime Minister Abdullah has rejected Zaid Ibrahim resignation as the de facto law minister.

Zaid was called to a meeting at Seri Perdana with PM from 3pm to 5pm.

At the meeting the PM rejected his letter and told him to take two weeks’ leave instead.

It not known whether Zaid has changed his mind but he has called for a press conference on Tuesday.

Penang CM Lim Guan Eng urged the public to stand by Zaid who “is willing to give up his position because of his principles.”

“We also call on other Ministers and Barisan leaders who criticised the ISA to emulate Zaid’s move and resign as a matter of principle,” he added.

The call for others to resign was echoed by independent MP Datuk Paduka Ibrahim Ali who said that others who disagreed with the use of the ISA should follow Zaid’s footsteps.

The Government cannot function effectively if some members do not toe the line, Ibrahim said.

Ibrahim, the Pasir Mas MP and a former ISA detainee, also proposed that to prevent the ISA from becoming politicised, an impartial committee should be formed to determine if the Act should be invoked.

Source: The Star

Law Minister Zaid 'tenders resignation'

Pre-emptive strike by Zaid Ibrahim: Resign!

According to a reliable source, Zaid's resignation letter was delivered to the Prime Minister's Office at around 2pm today.

Zaid had earlier said that he would try to meet Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi some time this week to discuss the matter.

Malaysiakini was informed that Zaid did not meet with his boss before the letter was submitted to the PM's office in Putrajaya this afternoon.

Syed Hamid Albar disagreed with Zaid over the detention of the threesome - Teresa Kok, Raja Petra and Tan Hoon Cheng.

This is what Syed Hamid tells Zaid Ibrahim:

Penahanan tiga orang di bawah Akta Keselamatan Dalam Negeri (ISA) kelmarin adalah keputusan kerajaan dan ia tidak sepatutnya dipersoalkan oleh mana-mana menteri termasuk Menteri di Jabatan Perdana Menteri, Datuk Zaid Ibrahim.

Menteri Dalam Negeri, Datuk Seri Syed Hamid Albar memberi peringatan itu sebagai reaksinya kepada kenyataan Zaid di Kota Bharu hari ini bahawa kerajaan tidak sewajarnya menggunakan ISA untuk menahan mereka sebaliknya perlu diadili mengikut sistem perundangan negara.

Menurut beliau, tindakannya meluluskan penahanan di bawah ISA itu adalah bagi pihak kerajaan yang memerintah, selaras dengan kedudukannya sebagai menteri Kabinet, bukannya ‘orang di luar kerajaan’.

Sehubungan itu, beliau mengingatkan bahawa Malaysia akan berdepan krisis pemerintahan jika setiap menteri yang ada pandangan tersendiri mula mempersoal dan membahaskan tugas menteri yang lain secara terbuka melalui media.

“Zaid ada dalam Kabinet, jika dia ada pendapat yang tersendiri, dia seharusnya membawa kepada Perdana Menteri.

There are just too many of the ministers who do not share Zaid's philosophy of justice. Zaid is a lone ranger. His boss could not defend him. His boss wanted judicial reform but cannot accept change and he is surrounded by a bunch of idiots. So either Zaid follow them and stick to the old policies of korek, korek and korek or alternatively pack his bag and to leave in the name of jurisprudence.

However, we commoners will continue to support a good man, a man who stood by his integrity and who would stand up to face the loss of power and position to affirm his ideology of justice and fairness. We salute Zaid!

Source: Malaysiakini & The Malaysian Bar

Quote for Today:

"Everybody has a life span and when the time comes, everybody must exit gracefully. Umno is no longer a safe port, having been worn out by abuses, corruption and money politics. It's a case of the birds have come to roost, and what you sow may be what you reap."

- Tan Sri Navaratnam. (source: Malaysiakini)

****

Zaid Ibrahim threatens to quit over ISA detention

De facto Law Minister Zaid Ibrahim today threatened to resign if the government continues to use the Internal Security Act, which allows detention without trial, against political dissidents.

Zaid Ibrahim called for the immediate release of Teresa Kok and Raja Petra Kamaruddin.

"We have a government that commits to laws and reforms, we can't be using old-style politics or resort to creating fear. We have laws and they (the detainees) should be charged in court.

"I'll try to meet with Prime Minister this week to convey to him my position. If (he considers) my position untenable, I will leave," he told Malaysiakini.

Zaid said ISA should only be used to curb terrorism, which was the reason why it was first enacted.

"The problem with the ISA now is that it is used against certain people, it is a very unjust law," he added.

The ISA is a relic from the British colonial era, used to combat the communist insurgency. The Act is now repeated invoked by the government to stifle dissent.

Commenting further, Zaid said: "I am very sad that people like Teresa, whom I know personally, can be seen as a threat. I can't see how a journalist doing her duty, or even Raja Petra, can be seen as a national threat.

"If their statements upset certain people, let the police investigate," the minister said, adding that he did not see the need for the government to use such a "strong-arm tactic" against political dissidents.

Zaid lamented that the latest ISA arrests dealt a blow to his six-month-long task of trying to regenerate the judiciary.

The minister conceded that his views on certain matters do not go down well with his cabinet colleagues.

"I don't want to make it difficult for him (Abdullah). If my views are inconsistent or unsuitable (to that of the cabinet's), I can leave the government.

"It (the crackdown) is a setback (on my work). The government wanted to change certain things, otherwise they don't need me (to be in the cabinet)," he said. 

Source: Malaysiakini

Let us indicate out support for Zaid Ibrahim's stand on the ISA. Zaid's strong message to the PM must be lauded and he needs the peoples' support so as to sent a strong message to the PM to cause him to change and stay relevant.

All bloggers are exalted to post this article to show their support. We need this message to be ringing aloud and truculent.

Related ISA News!

Human Resources Minister Dr S Subramaniam said as a government sensitive to the feelings of the people, it cannot be blind to the fact that a significant proportion of the rakyat abhor the ISA and would prefer it not be used.

"We have adequate laws in the country to deal with all forms of errant, irresponsible, and dangerous behaviour. Why not use them? 

"The prospect of a person being detained without a chance of being heard and to defend himself is against the grains of present day popular belief," he added.

Malaysiakini: Another minister questions ISA dragnet

***

Masjid Kinrara siad Teresa was not involved but Syed Hamid says otherwise

Masjid Kinrara, the mosque which is embroiled in an azan controversy, said DAP parliamentarian Teresa Kok was not involved in the petition to lower the volume of its loudspeakers.

According to Abdul Rahman Nasir (left), who is head of the mosque committee, Kok had never set foot in Masjid Kinrara to present the residents' petition. Kok was arrested under the Internal Security Act for allegedly causing tension and conflict among races as laid out in the notice issued by the Special Branch police to her next of kin.

Former Selangor Menteri Besar Dr Mohd Khir Toyo has earlier alleged that Kok had submitted a petition calling for the mosque to "tone down" the azan. Early this week, Umno-owned Utusan Malaysia has picked on Khir Toyo's comment and highlighted the issue.

Home Minister Syed Hamid Albar said Teresa had started a very sensitive issue with the question of the azan and that's why she was arrested under the ISA.

Syed Hamid Albar has implied that Sin Chew Daily reporter Tan Hoon Cheng was also to be blamed for the public furore over the ‘Chinese squatter’ remark.

“The whole thing was started by her, (so) it was best that we talked to her,” Syed Hamid said.

Syed Hamid said the ripple effects from Tan’s article had caused “the polemic and fear” thus warranting investigations by the police.

“That information is from her and it was published. (Since) it has been published, it is best that we get to the bottom of it by getting the information from her," Syed Hamid said.


Source: Malaysiakini: Kok not involved in azan petition, says mosque; Minister: Journalist to be blamed too

Gerakan acting present Tan Sri Dr Koh Tsu Koon has called on the government to either amend or abolish the Internal Security Act.

He said the existence of the act painted a very negative perception of the country to the outside world, adding that it was also irrelevant considering the country had a sound judicial system in place.

“It is time this act be seriously looked at. Gerakan strongly urges the government to abolish the ISA once and for all.

“There is no reason why anyone should be subject to the provisions of this act which simply means detention without trial when the authorities can use the judicial system instead,” he said after opening the state Gerakan convention here.

Koh said the judicial system was far more transparent in terms of the legal and social aspects as compared to the ISA. “When you detain someone under the ISA, it gives room for people to draw all kinds of conclusions and provides plenty of room for manipulation.

"Gerakan, for one, is against taking action against the Press as this is clearly against the freedom of expression which is provided for under the Federal Constitution,” he said.

Koh Tsu Koon said it was ironic that the “man who burnt down the house was still free, while the person who cried fire” had been detained.


Source: NST: Gerakan calls for ISA to be amended or abolished

The MCA has expressed shock that former Bukit Bendera Umno division chairman Datuk Ahmad Ismail, who made racist remarks has not been taken to task but reporter Tan Hoon Cheng, who wrote about the incident, has been arrested instead.

“The perpetrator who vowed to conduct a nationwide roadshow on his remarks without any remorse is still at large,” MCA vice-president Datuk Ong Tee Keat said in a statement yesterday.

He said anybody in his right mind would certainly be stunned by such an arrest targeted at the reporter and not the perpetrator.

MCA vice-president Datuk Seri Dr Fong Chan Onn said he disagreed with the use of the ISA on Tan.

“As a reporter, Tan was only carrying out duties assigned to her. Her story had gone through the due editorial process before it was printed,” he said.

Source: The Malaysian Bar


Wanita MCA chief Datuk Dr Ng Yen Yen said MCA had all the while asked the Government to review the law, which many had deemed as draconian.

“ISA must be used only for national security with the confidence of all Malaysians.

“But, if at all the ISA is seen to create more non-confidence and confusion among Malaysians, then the Government must review it,” she said.

“We (the MCA) will definitely, after this (episode), be even more vocal and more determined to ask for a review of the ISA,” she said.

In IPOH, former MCA vice-president Datuk Seri Dr Chua Soi Lek said there was no reason for Tan to be detained under the ISA.

”It has shocked society at large. People are disappointed and regret what has happened to the reporter when all she had done was report what (Bukit Bendera Umno division chief) Datuk Ahmad Ismail uttered.

”Perhaps, the police could have held her for questioning but to use the ISA on her, many feel the matter has gone overboard,” he said.

MCA Youth’s secretary-general Dr Wee Ka Siong strongly condemned the use of ISA on Tan. He said there was no justification for Tan’s detention under the ISA.

"We are disappointed as the person who made the remark was not arrested but the person who reported the matter was arrested,” Dr Wee said.

Party president Datuk Seri Ong Ka Ting said journalists were just carrying out their duties and should not be detained under the Act.

“We have principles and we are standing by it. We are drawing a clear line that the MCA is against the use of ISA on any journalists, more so in this case,” Ong said.


Source: The Star


Even brainless guys knows how to create stupid excuses. The man who created the polemic and fear - Khir Toyo, Ahmad Ismail and Utusan Malaysia - they were safe and sound asleep with their wives and children. Instead, Teresa Kok was accused of alleged sedition and she was arrested; Tan Hoon Cheng was reporting what she heard and was arrested under the ISA. Where is the rule of law and the rule of natural justice?

***

Pak Lah: Don't fear telling the truth! OMG!

The media need not be apologetic in reporting the truth, said Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi on the 3rd Sept 2008 as reported in the NST.

Sin Chew Daily reporter Tan Hoon Cheng reported what she had heard, truthfully and in her honest opinion of which many other reporters had testified to the honest opinions of the facts.

She was detained under the ISA for the act of telling the facts of the truth.

Seputed MP Teresa Kok was accused of having told a mosque in Kota Damasara to do away with loud speakers during the azan (morning call for prayers) as it was a disruption to some people living in the area.

Masjid Kota Damansara officials have clarified that their mosque that it was a damaged amplifier that resulted in the calls to prayers to be made without the aid of a PA system. Secretary of the mosque Ahmad Redzuan Samsudin said a police report was lodged on Wednesday against former Selangor menteri besar Dr Mohd Khir Toyo for claiming pressure from non-Muslims and a state exco-backed petition had forced them to stop making the azan through the loudspeaker.

“Last Saturday (Aug 30), lightning during a thunderstorm had struck and damaged the PA system. Thereafter, we borrowed equipment from the SMK Kota Damansara in Section 10, but problems with the wiring further delayed us from sounding the azans through the loudspeaker. “There was no pressure from non-Muslims,” said Redzuan when contacted.

The police report, lodged by mosque head Hassan Basri alias Basri Mohd at the Kota Damansara police station, quotes the latter as saying: “I see all of this as slander and an attempt to give rise to prejudice among the various races in Kota Damansara, an act of provocation to divide the community.”

Teresa was arrested and detained under the ISA for the alleged offense. All it takes is for someone to alleged you had committed an offense, and the ISA is your outcome.

This is the dilemma Malaysians face under the fragile system. We hope the government would not resort to undemocratic acts to preserve their positions. They should be courageous to face the political onslaught from their nemesis.

My Prayer

I pray that Allah will protect the people from the evils of Satan and those with similar character of Satan.

Oh God, please also do not allow lightning to strike the PA System; otherwise the loud speakers may not work and the people will find reasons to blame others.

Oh God, other than the loud speakers, please also protect the other facilities of the mosques from harm and danger; otherwise there is a Khir Toyo and Utusan Malaysia who will put the blames on your other people.

Thank you God and Amen.

***

Operasi Lalang II

1) Raja Petra Kamarudin

2) Tan Hoon Cheng (Sin Chew Daily)

3) Teresa Kok

3-ISA-ed! There should be more!