Mind games by an old master

I would be happier leading open-minded Chinese than narrow-minded Malays," Tok Guru Nik Abdul Aziz Nik Mat said with a smile.

"If you want to listen to me, thank you. If not, then I'm sorry", Tok Guru said.

"Islam means you should ask questions. If you don't understand (our policies), ask," he added.

Read the article HERE

Manik Urai Malay dilemma

Your choice - vote PAS or new bridge

Deputy Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin today gave voters in Manek Urai a rather stark choice - choose either PAS or a new bridge for the state constituency.

Muhyiddin told the 12,293 voters that should they back Barisan Nasional they would get a 300-metre bridge connecting Manek Urai Baru and Manek Urai Lama in Kuala Krai.

“We can build it (the bridge), insya'Allah, but there is a condition. It is easy - all you need to do is to 'pangkah' (vote), but you must vote for BN. If not, there would not be any new bridge. If you want the bridge, vote BN,” Muhyiddin said.

The new bridge will replace the existing single-lane bridge, which was built in the 1990s (left).

Muhyiddin said the federal government would also consider building a new mosque in Kampung Temalir, a village which is located in the Manek Urai constituency.

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Source: Malaysiakini

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Insya'Allah, we will have a new bridge!

Insya'Allah, we may have a new mosque in Kampung Temalir.

Insya'Allah, we may have a third bridge connecting to Singapore.

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Hudud law is recession sensitive

PAS president Datuk Seri Abdul Hadi Awang said that the current economic situation could delay the implementation of Hudud Law.

Abdul Hadi said that for hudud to be implemented, people must have proper education, jobs as well as economic mobility.

“The current economic situation and the fact that there is unemployment among Malaysians prevent the hudud from being implemented,” Abdul Hadi said.

He was speaking to reporters after launching the party’s membership drive campaign yesterday.

Abdul Hadi said hudud laws would only apply to Muslims.

Source: The Star Online

I agree that people must have proper education with regards to the Hudud Law; but economic mobility affects Hudud Law implementation? Hudud hit by the economy? That's what the Star paper headlined. The caption is puzzling~!

For the non-Muslims they need not fear the Hudud Law as it does not apply to them in accordance to the Islamic Law principles. I think Hudud Law is more effective in dealing with corruption; this is a hypothesis and we can do further research on the subject matter.

PAS Kelantan donate RM5,000 to Hindraf

PAS lends support to 10 detainees
Malaysiakini

PAS Kelantan today donated RM5,000 cash to the families of the 10 detainees for Deepavali. The money was delivered by its vice-president Husam Musa.

Husam also attempted to visit the 10 detainees but was denied permission by the police.

Commenting on Hindraf’s objectives, Husam said there was a need for “social re-engineering”, without reviewing the social contract, to resolve the woes of the Indian community such as in areas of education, welfare and business.

Accompanying Husam was PAS Youth chief Salahuddin Ayub who said that the government was wrongly portraying Hindraf and its supporters as anti-Malay and anti-Islam.

“I came from Kelantan today to express our sympathy to our fellow Malaysians who have been bullied by the Barisan Nasional government,” Husam said, when meeting family and friends of the 10 individuals who have been remanded at the Putrajaya district police headquarters.

The 10 were arrested while accompanying six-year old W Vwashnnavi, the daughter of Hindraf chairperson P Waythamoorthy, and her mother K Shanti to the Prime Minister’s Office in Putrajaya.

Asked to elaborate on his “bully” remark, Husam said the government had used the authorities to suppress legitimate grievances by a marginalised community instead of understanding the issues raised.

“This will hurt the feelings of the Indian community,” he said.

Source: Malaysiakini

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Tok Guru: PAS didn't want to build an Islamic Nation

Pas"s spiritual leader Datuk Nik Abdul Aziz Nik Mat declared:

"You will not find it stated in any book you buy from Pas that we want to build an Islamic nation".

The 77-year-old Tok Guru said in his address at the Bandar Perda mosque here where he was to lead the Muslim community in a -solat munajat-, special occasion prayers asking for God"s blessings in tomorrow"s by-election.

Source: Malaysian Insider

Dr M: About Cat & Goat crossbreeding

Umno will not able to rule this country with only Pas as its partner, Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad said today, adding that a merger is akin to a cat and goat crossbreed.

But to merge the two parties, he said, ”It is like crossbreeding a cat and a kambing (goat). We know that it is now a science but it is a difficult science and we have not been able to make such a clone yet."

"I would like to see how Pas gives up hudud law (Islamic criminal law) and Umno embraces it," he mused.

"Umno must not forget its partners MCA, MIC and Gerakan although they are only a shadow of their former selves. Tunku Abdul Rahman once said that if MCA only has three members, he will still stand by them," the outspoken former prime minister told reporters at his 86th floor office in the Petronas Twin Towers.

"So any negotiation must involve their partners as well. Sabah and Sarawak feel they deserve better treatment. And if there is any goodies being given to Pas, they wouldn't like that," said the retired politician.

Source: The Malaysian Insider

Crossbreeding a cat and a goat?

Umno, the cat; PAS the goat?

What will we get?

Tale: Bears' intelligence & Caring Individual

A guy went into the woods to live with bears. He believed the bears had intelligence and souls and were caring individuals.

The man wanted to project onto these bears human characteristics, just like we do to our pets, and just like we project onto our people the characteristics we want them to have.

The man grew his hair, made himself smell like bears, and actually did move into a cave with a big family of bears. He made this into the relationship with the bears that he wanted to have with them.

One day, with no apparent provocation, the bears ate this guy.

His family and the people making the documentary were properly horrified, and much moaning and hand-wringing went on.

"Why, oh why would the bears do such a thing?'

Because they are bears! And wild bears' relationship with dull-witted, foolish, and slow humans is: they're food!

"The only sensible question should have been: "Why did the bears wait so long to eat him?"

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Adopted from the Book No B.S. Ruthless Management of People and profits by Dan Kennedy; Entrepreneur Media Inc. 2008: p15

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Truth #1: You don't expect you won't be bitten by that snake which had bitten you once before when you think you could sleep with the same snake in the same hole.

-adapted from the profound words of Tok Guru Nik Aziz

Double Tongue or Talk Twice?

Drama Quiz:

Take 1:

Talks by Umno and PAS leaders on Malay or Muslim unity will not be at the expense of non-Muslims, Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak said.

“When we talk about Malay or Muslim unity, I must stress that it is not exclusive. It is not at the expense of non-Muslims,” Najib said.

Take 2:

Abdul Khalid Samad, who is also the PAS MP for Shah Alam, who attended the PAS-Umno Selangor dialogue claimed that the meeting was coloured with a racial agenda - to halt the predominantly Chinese DAP from making inroads into the Selangor government.

Take 3:

Umno supreme council member Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi said he would bring in more allocation for the state should PAS agree to form a coalition government with Umno.

"I promise to negotiate with the Prime Minister for more allocation to develop the state,” he told reporters

Ahmad Zahid said Tajol Rosli had asked him to relay the intention to form a coalition government with PAS before Nizar’s swearing in as Mentri Besar. It was, however, rejected by the Perak PAS leadership, he added.

Take 4:

Kedah Mentri Besar Datuk Seri Azizan Abdul Razak said Perak Umno had gotten “carried away” with the discussions between PAS and Umno when it suggested the two parties team up and form the state government.

“Perak Umno was carried away with the discussion held between the two parties on ways to unite the Malays.

Take 5:

MCA Vice-President Ong Tee Keat said the proposal for Umno and PAS to be merged into one political party was a non-starter.

Ong Tee Keat said the idea of dissolving both PAS and Umno to form one party was a statement by PAS spiritual leader Datuk Nik Abdul Aziz Nik Mat to dispel apprehension within his own party.

Take 6:

MCA Secretary-General Ong Ka Chuan said it was Umno’s responsibility to explain to other Barisan component parties the issues discussed during the high-level talks with PAS.

Take 7:

MCA Youth chief Datuk Liow Tiong Lai said Umno should take into account the feelings of fellow Barisan parties before holding any discussions with PAS.

“Whatever the discussions, Umno should consider the feelings of the other parties in Barisan. And there are many parties in the coalition,” he said.

Philosophy of Idealism or Objectivism?

Sun Tze at work?

Or Machiavelli's strategic control?

Sunday Picture News

There are suggestions from Umno circles that ACA should come under the direct control of Umno executive committee to make the agency more effective and efficient and thus ensure the rights and special privileges under Article 153 is protected and made sacred.

QUOTE OF THE DAY

"The perceived threats to Malay special rights and the sanctity of Islam is an imaginary perception concocted by Umno and its supporters to reaffirm their hold on the communal-based politics in the country."

If the party, at this crucial juncture, cannot fathom the real causes of its lost of popularity and accept that the BN coalition is now near defunct, it should not be trusted fully to run this country with the hope of providing a brighter future for all Malaysians.

If the lack of support of Malay voters for Umno and its coalition parties is seen as a sign of Malay disunity, then shouldn't the self-proclaimed wira-wira bangsa (communal champions) in Umno evaluate what were the main causes?

Three words can sum up the main causes - arrogance, ineptness and inefficiency.

In short, the Malay voters were not misguided and influenced to ditch Umno. They did so because there were evidences of poor leadership, political arrogance, power abuse, corruption, nepotism and inept governance. These make up a powerful cocktail can even knock out an elephant.

It is time for Umno leaders to sober up. They must take cognisance of the importance of promoting true inter-ethnic harmony, good governance, prudent socio-economic management and a progressive democracy to stay relevant and become powerful again.

Fixation over ethno-nationalism to fire up communal fervour, hoping to turn this negative energy into political support will eat away whatever goodwill left with the party and the BN coalition.

- Khoo Kay Peng

Is there Malay disunity?

Malaysiakini.com

***

PM admit it wasn't about Islam; it was about Power-sharing

Prime Minister finally admitted that it truthfully wasn't about Malay unity nor Islam unity on the dialogue between Umno and PAS on the March 10 meeting. It was about POWER SHARING DEAL with PAS!

So, do not twist and manipulate in the name of one’s religion for the sake of political gain or personal profit. This principle is affirmatively enunciated by none other than the prime minister himself (refer to his earlier statements here).

The official agenda was to discuss issues concerning the unity of Islam and the Malays. There is never an issue about Umno and PAS having dialogues to promote unity and to promote Islam and nobody is against it. But to use the reasons of religious unity in order to strike a power deal to gain control of a state is in essence an act of contriving and iniquitous; and this is blasphemous. It is not wrong for a political party to seek alliance so as to form a government but as Muslims they should be honest about it and not lie about it by misusing the name of Islam. Do not forget that Umno also tried to lure the Indians and Chinese state assemblymen from Perak to defect to BN and they can't contradict themselves and sell their souls by claiming it to be in the interest of Islam; it can only be for the interest of retaining power and political domination. (Remember that Tajol Rosli had announced that DAP and PKR ADUNs will be defecting to BN before August 31).

AS reported at Malaysiakini, Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi today said Umno had offered to share power with PAS in Selangor after the general elections as it was within its right as the incumbent state government.

"Maybe at the early stages when it was undecided on who would form the government at that time because Umno had the highest number of seats in Selangor," he added.

"So, at that time Umno felt that it has a right to seek the opportunity to form the government and to negotiate with any party to form the government," he told reporters.

Previously, Umno leaders said the talks were limited to the subject of Malay unity and Islamic matters and not political cooperation.

This is the first time that Abdullah, who is also Umno president, had admitted to the possibility of a political alliance with PAS on the subject of Selangor.

Former Selangor MB Dr Mohamad Khir Toyo was the first Umno politician to admit that the offer was made shortly after the March 8 polls.

Source: Malaysiakini: PM confirms power share deal with PAS

Tok Guru: DAP tidak pernah tipu PAS

DAP tidak pernah tipu PAS.

Begitulah pengakuan Tuan Guru Nik Aziz semasa ditemubual akhbar Siasah.

Apabila ditanya Siasah bagaimana Pas boleh berbaik dengan DAP sedangkan dengan UMNO tidak, Tuan Guru Nik Aziz menyatakan:

"DAP tidak pernah tipu kami, semasa dia hendak keluar dalam pakatan Gagasan Rakyat sebelum ini mereka memberitahu dengan terbuka. Biar pun DAP keluar dari gagasan tetapi tidak macam PAS keluar dari BN sehingga pecah tiga parti itu.

Umno bawa PAS masuk dalam Barisan Nasional maka kami setuju, kemudian apabila sudah tidak perlukan lagi dia tendang kami keluar."

(Source: Siasah edisi 20 - 26 Julai).

During a press conference at the PAS headquarters in Kuala Lumpur today PAS Youth chief Salahuddin Ayub affirmed that PAS will not turn its back on principles even if Umno offered the Islamic opposition party the prime minister's position.

"We will definitely oppose anyone who tempt us into accepting positions because we belong to a principled party," he said.

Salahuddin stressed that PAS is governed by values and a strong mandate from voters.

"We are not interested in any of their (Umno) offerings even if they offer me the post of prime minister," he said.

"(If) We accept this (the positions) today, in future the coming generations will curse, hate and no longer respect us," he added.

Source: Malaysiakini: 'Even PM post cannot tempt us'

This is the true values of PAS and this is what Islam is: Integrity, Humility and Virtuousness.

There's a lot Umno had to learn, in particular, Khir Toyo and Pak Lah.

For if PAS could uphold these principles and that such principles becomes the core shared values of all the Muslims, which in turn would gain confidence and built trust and respects from the non-Muslims, then all the citizens would be ready to accept an Islamic State. Islamic state must abide by the values and principles as enunciated in the Quran minus those selfish and self-styled morality and behaviorism. People must be motivated and educated through love and respect for each other when promoting the rules of morality and conduct; not by enforcement, undue influence or the use of coercion.

PAS invites Vigneswaran & MIC members to join

PAS today invited former MIC Youth chief SA Vigneswaran, who had quit the BN-based party on Sunday, to come and join it along with his supporters.

The invitation was made through the PAS Supporters' Club today.

"Let us join forces and battle for equality and justice for all races in this country," said PAS national committee for unity chief Khariul Faizi Ahmad Kamil in a statement today.

Khariul also welcomed other MIC members to join PAS.

Meanwhile, at the Dewan Rakyat Datuk Tajudin Abdul Rahman (BN - Pasir Salak) urge education minister to only help non-bumiputra students, who achieved academic excellence but not at the expense of jeopardising scholarships awarded to bumiputras.

“By all means, we help them but not at the expense of bumiputra students. I do not agree to increase the ratio of scholarships to non-bumiputra students.

“The ratio of 80% for bumiputra students should remain. I am ready to face the Education Minister for (saying) this,” he said, when debating on the motion on the mid-term review of the Ninth Malaysia Plan.

Source: TheStar Online

When did the 80% rights exists? How could that percentage be maintain if the number of scholarships are a fixed quantum and the number of scholarships for non-Bumis to be increase without a reduction in the percentum for Bumis? If ever the quota system is exercised it should have been 60%-25%-10%-5%. How about those with CGPA of 0.8 and 1.0 being granted scholarships by Umno or DPM?

Trusting PAS and it's Islamic policies has far more integrity than Umno and it's kleptocratic system. In reality, it's rhetorics from Umno reps only; they can never help the Malays except for a few. In the end, the Malays are the ones that would suffer heavily under such mediocre system which do not promote competency and lacks integrity.

One thing is certain: globalization is driving competitiveness and competency to such a high level that those left far behind would never ever be able to catch up, even given the gravy train.

Those who had been discriminated over the decades had build up a system of self-reliance and competencies to deal with the situations and to face global opportunities. Through hardwork, frugality and persistence, and under oppressive and suppressive policies and dictates, they had built a strong culture of self-dependence and self-support; they would not be cowed and bullied by oppressive policies and suppressive political dictates. They had continued to forged ahead and face the world of reality with their competency and integrity. In the years to come, and with an impending recession looming, the pain of reality will surface and would hurt most those who lacks capabilities, competencies and integrity and those who had relied on handouts and rent-seeking.

PAS Youth drops threats of protest

The youth wing of Islamic party PAS said today it will not hold a protest against two women who were to sing at a football match after the Selangor sultan criticised their plan.

PAS Youth chief, Salahuddin Ayub, said the leadership had decided it would not hold a protest but would send a letter to the state government.

"We want the organisers to make sure the concert will not promote negative culture among the young," he said today.

"We are very concerned since social ills like drug abuse among the young is increasing."

Source: PAS Youth drops plan to protest female singers

**

Now, we hear of rational thinkers. Why couldn't they be rational in the first place? Salahuddin said PAS wants the organizers to make sure the concert will not promote negative culture. That is surely a good way of doing things.

Is it because of the Sultan's disappointment or is it because they had think through the issue and believe it is a much better way to express it by way of exhortation and advising? Whatever, I think this way is harmonious and far effective than threats or coercion. It is good for the people to promote high morality and good behavior, and leaders must treat others with respect by being intellectual in their approach. Exhortation is always an effective way to communicate.

Sultan angry with PAS Youth

An upset Sultan of Selangor has threatened to call off future Sultan of Selangor Cup matches if the protest by the state PAS Youth against two artistes performing for the event went ahead. Sultan Sharafuddin Idris Shah described the protest over rock queen Ella and dangdut singer Mas Idayu as “hypocritical” and “trivial”. He said there were more important issues that the party could focus on.

On Monday, Selangor PAS Youth submitted a memorandum to the Selangor Mentri Besar’s office to protest against plans to have Ella and Mas Idayu perform at the match on July 6. State PAS Youth chief Sallehen Mokhyi said the movement felt that performances by the singers were inappropriate as it would be attended by many youngsters.

The youth wing threatened to stage a demonstration at the Shah Alam Stadium if Ella and Mas Idayu were allowed to performed.

The Sultan said yesterday Ella and Mas Idayu were chosen because they were good entertainers and that the organisers felt that they would be able to entertain the people before the match began. The other singer is David Arumugam of Alleycats.

“The organising committee even planned for the performance by the singers to end before the maghrib prayers. They are performers suitable for the family and I don’t know what the fuss is all about,” he said.

The Tuanku said Selangor did not comprise of “just PAS and Muslims,” adding that the state had many political parties and people of other races and faith. He said Pakatan Rakyat was a multi-racial coalition and the sensitivities of other races must be taken into account. “The idea of holding the performance is to create goodwill and bring the people together before the match. Sports and music bring people together,” he said.

Source: Sultan to PAS: Call off protest or I call off

DAP accepts Islam as Official Religion

The DAP accepts Islam as the country’s official religion as long as PAS has no plan to turn the country into an Islamic state or introduce hudud laws, its chairman Karpal Singh said.

He said that he had, at no time, belittled Islam and DAP had no quarrel with PAS except for its fundamental ideology to turn Malaysia into an Islamic state and introduce hudud laws.

Karpal Singh said the DAP accepted Islam as the official religion of the country as guaranteed under the Federal Constitution.

“PAS must accept and face reality and not depart from what the Constitution provides and the views of former prime ministers Tunku Abdul Rahman and Tun Hussein Onn.

“There’s no doubt that the Chinese and Indians in Kelantan are happy, but that doesn’t mean that they subscribe to the creation of an Islamic state or the introduction of hudud laws,” he said in a statement yesterday.

Source: DAP only has qualms about Islamic state

I do not fear Islamic State; many Chinese and Indians too did not fear Islamic State and Hudud Law. We fear those enforcers and syariah officers who thinks they are God's protector and tried to intimidate others using Islam based on their own interpretation and their own set of moral behaviors. I can kiss in the park because I believed it is not morally wrong; I can walk and hold hands in the public park because I believed it is my rights to do so and there's nothing immoral. But a Chinese boy and a girl was caught by Muslim Moral Enforcers at the KLCC park and charged in the court for close proximity; they were not indulging in any behaviors that are outlawed by the civil law; they are Chinese and it is morally right for them within their belief system.

Now, the syariah lawyers association wants to Federal Constitution to be amended so that the non-Muslims can be charged in the civil courts for behaviors not allowed by state Islamic councils.

But civil laws are universal and moral laws are differing. I respect your moral code if it is applied to your community but I expect you will also respect my own belief system and moral standards as long as I did not intrude in your personal life but you can't impose a code on me without impinging on my liberty in the name of yours.

PAS Leaders shows the Islamic Way

The day Catholics welcomed a man from PAS in Shah Alam

PAS MP Khalid Samad gets standing ovation from 2,000 Christians attending a congregation at the Church of Divine Mercy in Shah Alam.

On March 27, YB Khalid Abdul Samad became the first elected Muslim Member of Parliament to step into the Roman Catholic Church of the Divine Mercy.

Perhaps more stunning is that Khalid is from Parti Islam SeMalaysia and was the one to initiate contact. And he reassured the Christians in attendance that they could continue to use the word “Allah” in their worship without fear of persecution.

Khalid said that in all Arabic-speaking communities, “Allah” just means “God”, therefore it is not “unique to Islam”. He had once attended church in the Middle East and heard a Christian priest preach in Arabic with no trouble.

“For us, the problem is we're not an Arabic-speaking country. Therefore some people question why non-Muslims have to use this word when it is not really necessary. People then make all sorts of speculations about ideology. But there's no reason for the word to be banned from Christian worship. We're quite happy if people use it.

“It's not just my personal opinion but is consistent with the party's view. Basically it shouldn't be any problem. And I made it quite clear to the people in church that night,” Khalid explained.

The parishioners were especially impressed that Khalid was the one who approached them.“It was his own initiative. He contacted our parish priest, Father Paulino Miranda, and said he wanted to come and talk to us,” Joseph Victor, chairman of the church's parish pastoral council told The Malaysian Insider on behalf of Father Paulino who is away on sabbatical till April 18.

“That's a good sign. Everybody was very happy. This is the first time a Pas MP is coming to a Catholic church. It shows they're not against Catholic churches,” he added.

A 9-minute video clip of the dialogue has been made availble on YouTube (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vpwAAWPK6pQ).

SHAH ALAM is not the only place in Selangor nor Khalid Abdul Samad the only representative of Parti Islam SeMalaysia (Pas) who is actively engaging non-Muslim constituents since forming the state government last month.

His fellow Pas colleague and MP for Kuala Selangor, Dr Dzulkefly Ahmad, has been making inroads among the non-Muslim Malay communities in his constituency since March 16, barely 2 weeks after the 12th general elections.

He may have even set the precedent for being the first elected Muslim MP, let alone from Pas, to attend Mass in a Roman Catholic church.

Dzulkefly, who is also the head of the Pas Research Centre, the party think tank, candidly admitted he had gone for Sunday service at St Paul The Hermit in Ijok on March 16.

He remembers the date well because it was the week preceeding Good Friday, which coincidentally falls the day after Prophet Muhammad's birthday and a significant event on the Islamic calendar.

It was even reported in Harakah, Pas's official publication. Surprisingly, no Muslim from his organisation kicked up a fuss about it.

Dzulkefly told The Malaysian Insider he had made it his personal manifesto, not just the party's, to fight for the rights of all religious adherents in his constituency to be able to practice their worship freely.

“The right to worship is enshrined in the Federal Constitution. I just wanted to make a personal commitment to ensure that everyone can practise their religious worship,” he said.

He explained that he had been engaging the Chinese and Indian communities in his constituency which make up 40% of the electorate since the start of the election campaign. Many of them, especially the Indians who were of Hindu and Christian faiths, had approached him for help.

“Quite a number of churches in my parliamentary constituency are all in bad shape. For over 20 years, they've not been allowed to rebuild or erect a new building for worship

“After all, as I told the church people when I was there and quoted a verse from the Quran, we are all a brotherhood of men. God created us all,” he said.

“Islam encourages and enjoins a mutual respect and understanding. When people are religious, then they will be against all forms of discrimination and social ills, including corruption. It's for the betterment of society,” he added.

Source:

Source: The Malaysianinsiders

The day Catholics welcomed a man from PAS in Shah Alam
Dzulkefly may be the first Muslim MP at a Catholic Mass

When would Umno leaders learn to respect others? Remember the Umno MP from Johor who kick a fuss about the missionary schools, the cross and statute of Mother Mary? Remember the Umno chief minister who stop the Ma Zu statute project in Kudat, Sabah because he says the Imam of Kudat complain? Tok Guru approved the construction of a Buddhist Temple in Tumpat and allowed pork to be sold openly in Kelantan. PAS is an Islamic party and Kelantan is an Islamic State.

Samy begins talking Aloud

Samy calls for Hindraf 4's release

In a dramatic about-turn, MIC president S Samy Vellu today called for the release of the four Hindu Rights Action Force (Hindraf) leaders held without trial under the Internal Security Act (ISA).

"The government has to make a decision. Kenghadharan is very sick, Manoharan is an elected member. So I think it is quite reasonable. I am going to ask PM (to release them) and meet the Internal Security Minister (Syed Hamid Syed Albar).

He said Ganabatirau, and Vasantha Kumar were "not very much involved (in the rally), so the government has to make a decision."

If he (Abdullah) wants to release all (five) of them, it is up to him. We have no objection. We also don't want them to be kept inside for too long a period," he said.

The fifth Hindraf leader under detention is P. Uthayakumar.

He also urged Hindraf chairperson P Waythamoorthy - who is currently in London on self-exile - to return to the country and be reunited with his family, saying that the latter should not be a political refugee.

Describing it as being motivated by "fairness", he said: "At the same time, we feel that as Indians, we have to do something about this."

"I made some moves on this earlier, but I didn't tell anybody. I will now make a very strong move to see what can be done," he added.

Source: Malaysian Bar Council and Malaysiakini

MIC members join PAS

Meanwhile, The Kampung Jebong MIC branch in Simpang here was officially dissolved when 110 of its members quit the party to become members of "Kelab Penyokong PAS" (PAS Supporters Club).

Branch chairman M. Muninathan, accompanied by committee members, submitted their application forms to Bukit Gantang MP Roslan Shaharom at a village temple here on Saturday night.

Roslan said the welfare of the former MIC branch members and members of the Indian community would be taken care of.

"We will take care of you because any problems affecting the Indian community will also affect members of the other communities," he said.

Roslan said he was indebted to the Indian community here as more than 95% of Indian voters within the Bukit Gantang parliamentary constituency had voted for him in the recently-concluded general election.

Source: TheStar Online: MIC branch dissolved, members become PAS supporters

The Virtue of PAS Leadership

PAS vice-president Datuk Husam Musa said although there was no formal electoral pact with DAP, PAS had decided to offer a post in the exco line-up to the DAP in Kedah State Government.

PKR was also prepared to accept V. Arumugam into the party and offered him an exco position in order to have an Indian representative in the Kedah State Government.

In Perak, PAS assured the people of Perak that the new government will not be a PAS government. State PAS commissioner Ahmad Awang said PAS would just be a partner of the new ruling coalition government even if the new Mentri Besar were to be from PAS.

Ahamd said: "This is not a PAS government. It is mixed government of the people in which PAS is a part of."

"Similarly, if the Mentri Besar was from the DAP or PKR, the government would not be a government of either party."

"We will not discriminate against other races or religions. We realise that we only hold 6 state seats as compared with 18 by the DAP and 7 by PKR."

Datuk Husam Musa also assured the people of Perak that there would be no major policy changes, especially social ones. "The most important thing is to have a prudent and clean government to bring justice to the community of all races."

"We do not want to form a coalition government for only one term but hope that it will be one that lasts 50 years and beyond."

Maybe, PAS should organized a special trip for the Non-Muslim people of Perak to visit Kelantan to see for themselves how the Chinese and Indians in the state are faring, how they are having peaceful and prosperous lifestyle under the Islamic state concept and have nothing to fear about the Islamic laws for as long as they did not commit crimes sanctioned by all religion.