Perhimpunan Perdana Sambutan Hari Malaysia
Pakatan Rakyat bersama dengan Kerajaan Negeri Selangor akan menganjurkan Perhimpunan Perdana Sambutan Hari Malaysia pada 15 September (Isnin) di Stadium MBPJ Kelana Jaya, Selangor, bermula dari jam 7 malam.
Program bermula dengan Majlis Buka Puasa, Solat Maghrib, Isya, Tarawikh dan diikuti dengan ucapan pemimpin Pakatan Rakyat. YB Lim Kit Siang dan YB Tuan Guru Dato’ Seri Hadi Awang akan menyusul selepas Solat Tarawikh di lapangan stadium. Program kemuncak adalah perutusan YB Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim sempena Hari Malaysia 16 September.
Pihak polis Selangor telah meluluskan permit. Semua dijemput hadir.
Pejabat Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim
Malaysia’s Anwar leads criticism of govt crackdown
From AFP
KUALA LUMPUR (AFP) — Malaysian opposition leader Anwar Ibrahim on Saturday led demands for the government to end a crackdown that saw the arrests of an opposition politician, a blogger and a journalist.
The arrests on Friday under tough internal security laws raised fears that the ruling Barisan Nasional coalition will launch a widespread campaign against dissent as it faces an opposition bid to seize power within days.
Rights groups have condemned the use of the Internal Security Act (ISA), which allows for indefinite detention without trial, and the United States summoned Malaysia’s top envoy in Washington in protest.
Anwar, who is trying to sign up enough defecting lawmakers to topple the government, said it was running scared after March general elections that handed his opposition alliance unprecedented gains.
“Instead of pursuing a reform agenda it has chosen to burn the country to save itself and to maintain its odious grip on power,” he said in a statement.
The three arrested have been accused of inciting ethnic tensions in the multicultural country, but Anwar accused the government of stirring up a phony racial crisis in order to deflect attention from its own problems.
“We ask the government how far it is willing to go to usurp justice and destroy the institutions of good governance in its attempt to drive the Malaysian people against each other,” he said.
Anwar insisted he has the support to seize power, but indicated that the timing of his parliamentary coup, slated for next Tuesday, could be affected by the ruckus.
“The priority is political stability. It’s not an issue of deferring, we have the numbers to move,” he told a press conference, adding he was “mindful” that he too could be targeted with arrest.
Home Minister Syed Hamid Albar denied the detention sweep was aimed at suppressing dissent and said the police had moved to secure public order as tensions rose and people started to hoard food.
“This country is multiracial and their relations can be fragile,” he told a press conference. “If the police feel public order is under threat or possible conflict could occur in the country, they will take preventive action.”
Syed Hamid said that the journalist, 32-year-old Tan Hoon Cheng from the Chinese-language Sin Chew Daily News in northern Penang state, was released Saturday afternoon.
“She is not a security threat,” he said, adding that one of the reasons she was taken into custody was because “we received reports her life was threatened.”
Tan was thrust into the national spotlight after reporting on an outburst from a ruling party member who called ethnic Chinese “squatters” and was disciplined by the ruling party which represents Muslim Malays.
The arrest drew rare condemnation from the Malaysian Chinese Association, the second-largest political party in the Barisan Nasional, which said the ISA may need to be abolished.
“MCA is dismayed, disappointed and shocked with the ISA detention of Tan Hoon Cheng,” said Ng Yen Yen, head of the MCA’s women’s wing.
Syed Hamid said investigations would continue into the other two detainees and “if there is no reason to hold them they will be released within 60 days.”
Opposition lawmaker Teresa Kok, 43, from the Chinese-based Democratic Action Party, a member of Anwar’s opposition alliance, was arrested over allegations that she complained about the noise of morning prayers at a mosque.
She has said the accusation is “preposterous”.
The third detainee is Malaysia’s leading blogger, 58-year-old Raja Petra Kamaruddin, who has repeatedly targeted government figures on his website “Malaysia Today”.
He has already been charged with sedition and defamation after linking Deputy Prime Minister Najib Razak and his wife to the sensational murder of a Mongolian woman.
Three Malaysian newspapers — Tan’s Sin Chew Daily News, The Sun, a free English-language daily, and Suara Keadilan, which is published by the opposition — were also Friday threatened with suspension.
“This, together with the arrest of Raja Petra under the ISA, may be viewed as a chilling message that our fundamental freedoms are not secure,” said Ambiga Sreenevasan of Malaysia’s Bar Council.
Kenyataan Akhbar Pakatan Rakyat
Penahanan ISA Tindakan Zalim
13 September 2008
Kepimpinan Pakatan Rakyat yang bertemu hari ini membantah sekeras-kerasnya tindakan terdesak kerajaan yang menangkap beberapa individu iaitu YB Teresa Kok, Raja Petra Kamarudin dan Tan Hoon Cheng di bawah akta zalim Akta Keselamatan Dalam Negeri (ISA). Kami mendesak pihak kerajaan agar membebaskan segera semua tahanan tanpa syarat. Sekiranya terdapat sebarang bukti mengenai sebarang kesalahan jenayah, ia harus dibicarakan di mahkamah terbuka.
Tindakan tangkapan ini terutama apabila pemberita yang menjalankan tugas ditangkap dan bukannya individu yang mengeluarkan kenyataan, adalah bukti manipulasi UMNO yang menggunakan isu kaum untuk menakutkan rakyat. Bahkan komponen Barisan Nasional sendiri tidak menyokong tindakan kejam ini. Kami mendesak kerajaan mengotakan janji mereka bahawa tidak akan ada lagi tahanan ISA selepas ini.
Kami berharap tindakan kerajaan ini bukan merupakan percubaan awal untuk menangkap lebih ramai ahli politik pembangkang dengan tujuan menggagalkan usaha Pakatan Rakyat membentuk kerajaan dalam masa terdekat.
Suasana tidak stabil yang nampaknya sengaja ditimbulkan oleh pihak kerajaan mengundang rasa tidak tenteram di kalangan rakyat terbanyak dan boleh mengancam keselamatan negara. Sehubungan itu Pakatan Rakyat bersetuju untuk mengambil beberapa tindakan:
1) Mencadangkan pertemuan tertutup antara wakil Pakatan Rakyat dan YAB Perdana Menteri dalam masa terdekat bagi membincangkan soal keselamatan negara dan masa depan politik Malaysia.
2) Mengadakan himpunan secara aman bersama Kerajaan Negeri Selangor di stadium Kelana Jaya pada malam 15 September 2008 bagi merayakan Hari Malaysia.
YB Dato’ Seri Anwar Ibrahim
Ketua Umum
PKR
YB Lim Kit Siang,
Ketua Ahli Parlimen
DAP
YB Dato’ Seri Abdul Hadi Awang
Presiden
PAS
ISA Detention is Despotic Attempt
The Pakatan Rakyat leadership who met today vehemently opposses the desperate move by the government in detaining a few individuals, namely YB Teresa Kok, Raja Petra Kamarudin and Tan Hoon Cheng, under the draconian Internal Security Act (ISA). We demand for the immediate release of all detainees without any conditions. If there are any evidence to implicate them, they should be tried in open court.
The detention especially on the reporter on duty instead of the individual who issued the statement, is a proof of UMNO’s incessant manipulation of the racial sentiment to raise fear among the people. Even the Barisan Nasional components themselves are not supporting such a devious act. We demand that the government stick with their promise that there will be no more ISA detentions after this.
We hope that the government action is not a beginning of mass arrest of opposition leaders in their attempt to thwart the of Pakatan Rakyat to form a government.
The image unstable situation is staged by the government to plant fear and anxiety in the people and can be a cause for national unrest. Therefore the Pakatan Rakyat has agreed to take several actions:
1) To propose for an urgent closed door meeting between our representative and the Prime Minister to discuss about national security and the future of Malaysian politics.
2) To organise together with Selangor State government a peaceful gathering at Kelana Jaya Stadium on the eve of September 16th to celebrate the Malaysian Day.
YB Dato’ Seri Anwar Ibrahim
Ketua Umum
PKR
YB Lim Kit Siang,
Ketua Ahli Parlimen
DAP
YB Dato’ Seri Abdul Hadi Awang
Presiden
PAS
ISA: Anwar mahu jumpa Pak Lah
Malaysiakini : Abdul Rahim Sabri
Ketua Pembangkang, Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim berkata, beliau sedang membuat temujanji untuk mengadakan pertemuan dengan perdana menteri secepat mungkin bagi membincangkan tentang penahanan ISA dan masa depan politik Malaysia.
Beliau yang juga penasihat PKR memberitahu satu sidang media di ibupejabat PKR bahawa beliau berharap dapat bertemu dengan Abdullah secepat mungkin.
Dalam sidang media itu, Anwar menjelaskan bahawa keputusan untuk berjumpa dengan perdana menteri telah dipersetujui secara bersama oleh kepimpinan Pakatan Rakyat yang bermesyuarat hari ini.
Beliau mendakwa penahanan ahli parlimen Seputeh, Teresa Kok adalah salah satu cara untuk menakut-nakutkan ahli parlimen dan rakyat dan jelas ia melanggar hak asasi seseorang.
Penahanan Teresa dan dua orang lagi - Blogger Raja Petra Kamaruddin dan wartawan Sin Chew Daily Tan Hoon Cheng - dibuat menjelang tarikh Anwar merancang mengambil alih kuasa pada 16 September depan. Tan dibebaskan hari ini.
Anwar mendakwa sejumlah ahli Parlimen BN akan menyertai Pakatan - cukup untuk menubuhkan kerajaan baru.
Ditanya cadangan pertemuan dengan Anwar itu ada kaitan dengan peralihan kuasa, Anwar menjawab, ianya mengenai masa depan negara tanpa bercakap khusus mengenai peralihan kuasa.
Katanya, kepimpinan Pakatan mendesak kerajaan supaya membebaskan Teresa dan Raja Petra.
Menjawab soalan, Anwar tidak menolak kemungkinan penahanan lebih ramai pemimpin Pakatan.
Anwar juga berkata, rancangan peralihan kuasa pada 16 September tidak ada kaitan dengan penahanan ISA, apabila ditanya sama ada beliau akan menangguhkan rancangannya itu untuk meredakan ketegangan politik ekoran kemungkinan ada lagi tangkapan yang akan dibuat.
“Keutamaannya ialah kestabilan politik. Ianya bukan isu penangguhan, kita mempunyai jumlahnya untuk bergerak dan kita akan bergerak mengikut mandat. Kita tidak mahu membenarkan kerajaan mewujudkan ketidakstabilan politik dengan menggunakan isu kaum,” tegasnya.
Katanya, selain kestabilan politik, satu lagi isu utama yang perlu ditangani Pakatan ialah sejumlah besar ahli Parlimen BN berada di luar negeri, selepas mereka dihantar mengikuti lawatan sambil belajar mengenai pertanian di Taiwan.
Beliau yang juga ahli Parlimen Permatang Pauh kesal dengan Umno yang didakwanya memainkan isu perkauman dan jelas mereka berada dalam keadaan terdesak.
Rakyat gelisah
Sehubungan itu, penasihat PKR itu menyatakan komitmennya bersama pimpinan Pakatan untuk tidak membenarkan kerajaan mewujudkan sesuatu yang boleh menimbulkan rasa kegelisahan di kalangan rakyat.
Katanya, beliau bersama pimpinan yang lain akan sentiasa mengadakan perbincangan mengatur langkah seterusnya sekiranya Raja Petra dan Teresa tidak dibebaskan.
Dalam sidang media yang sama, Setiausaha Agung PAS, Datuk Kamarudin Jaafar menyifatkan penahanan Raja Petra dan Teresa di bawah ISA sebagai satu tindakan yang kejam dan zalim.
Beliau kesal dengan tindakan kerajaan pimpinan Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi menahan mereka dalam bulan Ramadan yang sepatutnya beliau menjaga kemuliaan bulan tersebut.
“Tetapi Ramadan tahun ini perdana menteri menahan orang yang tidak bersalah,” kata Kamarudin.
Sementara itu, Setiausaha Agung DAP, Lim Guan Eng, dengan nada kesal dan sedih menyalahkan kerajaan yang tidak menghormati keselamatan awam dan tidak menghormati wartawan.
Desak bebas tanpa syarat
Beliau juga berasa sedih kerana kerajaan tidak membebaskan Teresa yang telah dipilih oleh rakyat sebagai ahli parlimen dan sebagai exco kerajaan negeri Selangor.
Ekoran itu, beliau menyifatkan penahanan Raja Petra dan Teresa sebagai penghinaan terhadap demokrasi di Malaysia dan sebagai tindakan membalas dendam kepada Pakatan yang berhasrat untuk mengambil alih kepimpinan negara.
Oleh yang demikian, dalam satu kenyataan akhbar bersama yang diedarkan semasa sidang media itu, kepimpinan Pakatan mendesak kerajaan membebaskan semua tahanan tanpa syarat.
“Sekiranya terdapat sebarang bukti mengenai sebarang kesalahan jenayah, ia harus dibicarakan di mahkamah terbuka,” jelas kenyataan itu yang ditandatangani bersama oleh Anwar, pemimpin DAP Lim Kit Siang dan Presiden PAS, Datuk seri Abdul Hadi Awang.
Selain itu, antara langkah lain yang diaturkan oleh kepimpinan Pakatan Rakyat ialah mereka akan mengadakan himpunan secara aman bersama kerajaan Selangor di Stadium Kelana Jaya pada malam 15 September ini bagi merayakan Hari Malaysia.
Stop playing the race card: Anwar
PETALING JAYA: Pakatan Rakyat wants Umno to stop playing the race card for the sake of political stability, Opposition Leader Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim said.
Anwar said the opposition coalition did not want to allow the Government to create uncertainty or instability by using the race card whenever they were pushed into a corner.
“This is clearly an act of desperation. We urge the Government to respect the laws of the land,” he told reporters Saturday at an impromptu press conference at the PKR headquarters here.
Anwar said this when referring spefically to the detention of Seputeh MP and Selangor senior executive councillor Teresa Kok under the Internal Security Act (ISA), while also condemning the arrests of Malaysia Today editor Raja Petra Kamaruddin and Sin Chew Daily reporter Tan Hoon Cheng.
Anwar said the race card was used when detaining Kok and it was the Government’s way of suggesting that the Malays should not express their concern about such action.
“I am a Malay and a Muslim and I think it is grossly unjust for any Malay or Muslim to condone injustice,” he said.
When asked if the opposition would have to defer its Sept 16 plan to take over the government, Anwar said of utmost importance now was national unity and political stability.
“This is why we are now demanding for an urgent closed-door meeting between our representative and the Prime Minister to discuss national security and the future of Malaysian politics.”
Anwar said deferring the takeover date was not an issue as he claimed that the opposition had the requisite number of MPs, but added that the use of the ISA was definitely to intimidate the rakyat and the opposition.
“We will move (to take over the government) in accordance with the constitutional provision and the mandate that we have.”
On whether he had heard that more opposition MPs would be arrested, Anwar said he had heard of the possibility of a second wave of arrests.
“We are mindful of that fact but we should not feel threatened. It is Umno and Barisan Nasional that should feel threatened by public sentiment clamouring for change.”
Anwar added that he wanted the crackdown to stop and promised that all ISA detainees would be released when the opposition forms the government.
Anwar: Rakyat yang bangkit bersuara ditindas
Ketua Pembangkang, Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim mendakwa, kerajaan Barisan Nasional yang diketuai Umno, menggunakan kuasa kuku besi untuk menindas dan membungkam rakyat Malaysia yang berani bangkit bersuara demi kebenaran dan integriti.
“Mereka teguh menyuarakan ketidakpuasan hati mereka terhadap segala penyalahgunaan kuasa, korupsi dan politik perkauman yang sering dimainkan oleh elit pemerintah,” katanya dalam satu kenyataan hari ini.
Anwar turut mengulangi kecamannya terhadap ISA dan penggunaannya untuk menahan penulis blog serta aktivis terkenal Raja Petra Kamaruddin, Ahli Parlimen Seputeh yang juga exco kerajaan Selangor, Teresa Kok dan wartawan Sin Chew Daily, Tan Hoon Cheng.
“Pada 8 Mac dan kemudiannya pada 26 Ogos, rakyat Malaysia menyuarakan hasrat mereka agar terbentuknya sebuah kerajaan yang bertanggungjawab dan mampu untuk memenuhi aspirasi rakyat.
“Barisan Nasional yang diketuai Umno sudah sekian lama mengabaikan tanggungjawab ini,” kata Anwar yang juga penasihat PKR dan ahli Parlimen Permatang Pauh.
Bagaimanapun, tegas Anwar, mereka gagal untuk memenuhi tuntutan perubahan, malah sanggup untuk menggadaikan negara ini bagi menyelamatkan diri sendiri serta untuk mengekalkan kuasa mereka.
“Kita tertanya-tanya sejauh mana kerajaan ini sanggup untuk menidakkan keadilan, menghancurkan institusi kenegaraan dan mengadu domba rakyat Malaysia yang berbilang kaum.
“Kami secara tegas menolak politik perkauman yang dimainkan oleh ahli politik Barisan Nasional yang diketuai Umno, apa yang berlaku jelas merupakan satu usaha mereka untuk mengalih perhatian rakyat
dari masalah dalaman Umno yang kian memburuk.
Masyarakat berbilang kaum
“Kami pimpinan Pakatan Rakyat bertekad serta berjanji bahawa kami tetap komited untuk membina masyarakat berbilang kaum yang teguh.
“Kami ingin menyorot pandangan semua kepada kenyataan Pakatan Rakyat yang dikeluarkan pada 8 September lalu.
“Kenyataan itu membuktikan iltizam kami untuk menjunjung jaminan yang termaktub di dalam Perlembagaan termasuklah kedudukan Islam sebagai agama rasmi, hak rakyat Malaysia untuk mengamalkan
agama masing-masing, Bahasa Melayu sebagai bahasa kebangsaan dan hak kaum masing-masing untuk menggunakan bahasa ibunda mereka dan kedudukan Raja-Raja Melayu serta kedudukan istimewa
orang Melayu dan bumiputera lainnya.
“Kami menggesa kerajaan untuk memberi jaminan kepada rakyat Malaysia bahawa operasi yang bermotifkan politik ini sudah berakhir,” katanya.
Anwar berkata, sebagai rakyat negara ini yang bertekad untuk mematuhi semangat keperlembagaan, “kita sudah tidak mahu lagi hidup di dalam ketakutan”.
“Kami menggesa sesiapa sahaja yang ditahan dibawah ISA mestilah dibebaskan segera.
“Kami juga menawarkan sokongan yang tidak berbelah bahagi kepada rakan-rakan kita yang ditahan serta keluarga mereka tatkala melalui saat-saat sukar ini,” katanya.
Sidang Media Pakatan Rakyat
Pihak kami ingin memohon maaf kerana Sidang Media sebentar tadi terpaksa dibatalkan atas sebab-sebab yang tertentu. Harap Maklum.
PEJABAT DATUK SERI ANWAR IBRAHIM
Kenyataan Media Berkenaan Tahanan ISA, 13 September 2008
Kerajaan Barisan Nasional yang diketuai UMNO menggunakan kuasa kuku besi untuk menindas dan membungkam rakyat Malaysia yang berani bangkit bersuara demi kebenaran dan integriti. Mereka teguh menyuarakan ketidakpuasan hati mereka terhadap segala penyalahgunaan kuasa, korupsi dan politik perkauman yang sering dimainkan oleh elit pemerintah.
Saya mengulangi kecaman saya terhadap ISA dan penggunaannya untuk menahan penulis blog serta aktivis terkenal Raja Petra Kamaruddin, Ahli Parlimen Seputeh yang juga Ahli Majlis Mesyuarat Kerajaan Negeri Selangor YB Teresa Kok dan wartawan Sin Chew Daily Tan Hoon Cheng.
Pada 8hb Mac dan kemudiannya pada 26 Ogos, rakyat Malaysia menyuarakan hasrat mereka agar terbentuknya sebuah kerajaan yang bertanggungjawab dan mampu untuk memenuhi aspirasi rakyat. Barisan Nasional yang diketuai UMNO sudah sekian lama mengabaikan tanggungjawab ini. Mereka gagal untuk memenuhi tuntutan perubahan, malah sanggup untuk menggadaikan negara ini untuk menyelamatkan diri sendiri serta untuk mengekalkan kuasa mereka.
Kita tertanya-tanya sejauh mana kerajaan ini sanggup untuk menidakkan keadilan, menghancurkan institusi kenegaraan dan mengadu domba rakyat Malaysia yang berbilang kaum.
Kami secara tegas menolak politik perkauman yang dimainkan oleh ahli politik Barisan Nasional yang diketuai UMNO, apa yang belaku jelas merupakan satu usaha mereka untuk mengalih perhatian rakyat dari masalah dalaman UMNO yang kian memburuk. Kami pimpinan Pakatan Rakyat bertekad serta berjanji bahawa kami tetap komited untuk membina masyarakat berbilang kaum yang teguh.
Kami ingin menyorot pandangan semua kepada kenyataan Pakatan Rakyat yang dikeluarkan pada 8hb September lalu. Kenyataan itu membuktikan iltizam kami untuk menjunjung jaminan yang termaktub di dalam Perlembagaan termasuklah kedudukan Islam sebagai agama rasmi, hak rakyat Malaysia untuk mengamalkan agama masing-masing, Bahasa Melayu sebagai bahasa kebangsaan dan hak kaum masing-masing untuk menggunakan bahasa ibunda mereka dan kedudukan Raja-Raja Melayu serta kedudukan istimewa orang Melayu dan bumiputera lainnya.
Kami menggesa kerajaan untuk memberi jaminan kepada rakyat Malaysia bahawa operasi yang bermotifkan politik ini sudah berakhir. Sebagai rakyat negara ini yang bertekad untuk mematuhi semangat keperlembagaan, kita sudah tidak mahu lagi hidup di dalam ketakutan.
Kami menggesa sesiapa sahaja yang ditahan dibawah ISA mestilah dibebaskan segera. Kami juga menawarkan sokongan yang tidak berbelah bahagi kepada rakan-rakan kita yang ditahan serta keluarga mereka tatkala melalui saat-saat sukar ini.
ANWAR IBRAHIM
Ketua Pembangkang
Ketua Umum, KeADILan
*
The UMNO led BN government is again using the brute force of the ISA to assault those brave and courageous Malaysians who speak out in the name of truth and integrity about the abuses of power, corruption and racism perpetuated by the ruling clique.
I reiterate my unequivocal opposition to the ISA and condemn the unjustified and illegal detention of blogger and social activist Raja Petra Kamaruddin, Seputeh MP and Selangor State Executive Committee Member YB Teresa Kok and Sin Chew Daily reporter Tan Hoon Cheng.
On March 8th and again on August 26th, the Malaysian people expressed their support at the polls for a government that is more accountable and that fulfills its mandate as representative of the people. The UMNO-led BN government has ignored this call. Instead of pursuing a reform agenda it has chosen to burn the country to save itself and to maintain its odious grip on power.
We ask the government how far it is willing to go to usurp justice and destroy the institutions of good governance in its attempt to drive the Malaysian people against each other?
We vehemently reject the racial politics used by politicians in the UMNO-led BN government as an attempt to deflect from internal strife within UMNO, and promise that leaders in the Pakatan Rakyat are committed to and capable of building a peaceful, democratic, multiracial society.
We allude to the statement issued by Pakatan Rakyat on 8 September reiterating our full commitment to constitutional guarantees including the position of Islam as the religion of the federation, the freedom to practice other religions, Bahasa Melayu as the national language and the freedom to practice mother tongue languages, and the status of the Malay kings and the special position of the Malays and bumiputera.
I urge the government to assure the Malaysian people that this politically motivated operation is over. As citizens of a nation that professes to adhere to the spirit of its Constitution, we refuse to live another night in fear.
Those who have been detained under the ISA should be released immediately. We will offer every conceivable support to our friends and their families as they face this ordeal.
ANWAR IBRAHIM
Opposition Chief
De-facto leader, KeADILan
Not all Arabs are descendants of the Prophet - Another Reason of Raja Petra Arrestment
Raja Petra Kamarudin
“Raja ada di mana?”
It was my old friend from the Parti Keadilan Nasional days, Zahid Md Arip, on the line. He did not have to even mention who was calling. His very loud “Sang Terubung Raja Petra Anak Raja Bugis” was a good enough introduction. And there was no mistaking who I was speaking to. Zahid had a certain ‘trademark’ that could almost be patented like the sound of a Harley Davidson exhaust pipe.
“I’m at the Bangsar Shopping Centre,” I replied in Bahasa Malaysia.
“How long are you going to be there?” he asked, also in Bahasa Malaysia.
“Not sure. Maybe another hour or so.”
“Can we come and see you? Someone wants to meet you. His name is Datuk Kamal Amir. Hold on, I’ll pass the phone to him.”
“Hello, Kamal Amir here. I would be most honoured if I can meet you. Can we have tea today?”
“Sure, no problem. What time you want to come here?”
“Where are you now?”
“Bangsar Shopping Centre.”
“Wah. Itu tempat orang kaya,” Datuk Kamal Amir joked. “I can be there in one hour. Is that too late?”
“Actually I’m almost finished. But never mind. I will wait for you.”
“Where to meet?”
“Come to the Dome.”
“Who was that?” my wife asked me.
“Not sure. Someone called Datuk Kamal Amir. Zahid’s friend.”
“Who is he?”
“Not sure. Must be someone important though. Zahid only mixes with important people.”
Zahid is the late Tun Ghafar Baba’s grandson and onetime Acting Youth Chief of Parti Keadilan Nasional during the time Ezam was in prison. He is one of those dubbed ‘The Dirty Dozen’, the twelve Parti Keadilan Nasional Youth leaders who crossed over to Umno just before the 2004 general election.
Politically, Zahid is ‘the enemy’. But I still maintain a cordial relationship with him in spite of our ‘political differences’, as I do with his uncle, Tamrin Ghafar, who I have no problems with and meet from time-to-time in the Bangsar Village for tea and sandwiches.
It was more than an hour before Zahid arrived and I was already feeling quite bored with all the waiting. Datuk Kamal was not with him. “Datuk is still in a meeting,” said Zahid. “He is coming along shortly.”
Datuk Kamal arrived about half an hour later. I expected someone big and intimidating, the sort of image you would expect from an Umno datuk. But Datuk Kamal was a small and very decent-looking sort of fellow. Not at all the normal Umno slime-ball and scumbag I had expected.
We hit it off in a mere five minutes and thereafter were chatting away as if we have known each other for years. They say the first few minutes are crucial. Either you take to each other or you do not. That goes for interviews as well. You have to impress the interviewers on the first take. The first impression counts and 50% of whether you get the job or not would depend on this. Thereafter, how you conduct yourself would either seal the job or you get shown the door.
We talked about everything in general and nothing in particular. It was, after all, a first meet, sort of a ‘getting to know you’ session.
“Hai, Datuk,” Datuk Kamal waved at someone walking by. The Datuk waved back and smiled and tried to hurriedly walk off. “Marilah duduk sebentar,” Datuk Kamal said while gesturing to an empty chair beside me.
This Datuk appeared hesitant and looked like he was not sure whether to accept the offer or instead just give an excuse and scurry out of there. But those who know Zahid would know that he is one persistent fellow who never takes ‘no’ for an answer. There was no way this Datuk was going to ‘escape’ and he knew it. So he sat down, whether that was what he really wanted to do or not.
I was introduced to this new Datuk. “Inilah Datuk Syed Rahman,” Datuk Kamal said as I shook hands with him. Datuk Kamal probably saw in my face that the name did not ring a bell. He looked Indian, as some Arabs do, and if I had not been told he was a ‘Syed’ I would have thought he was just another of those millions of Mamaks running around all over the country and making a nuisance of themselves.
“This is the Honorary Consul of Mongolia,” Datuk Kamal said. My face still did not show that I recognised this Arab. “You know, the Altantuya murder case.”
“Oh, that’s right.” Now I know whom this Datuk Syed Rahman is. He is that man always on TV beside Dr Sharriibuu Setev, Altantuya’s father. I inched closer to Datuk Syed Abdul Rahman Alhabshi, now that I knew who he is.
“Interesting,” I said. “I’m sure you can tell me a lot about the Altantuya murder which the newspapers are not reporting.”
“That would be dangerous talking to you,” Datuk Syed Rahman replied. “You will quote what I say in Malaysia Today.”
“No, I won’t mention your name,” I joked. “I’ll just say the Honorary Consul of Mongolia who wishes to remain anonymous.” There was laughter all around the table.
Datuk Syed Rahman started off by saying that the IGP had called him and told him that if Najib ever becomes the Prime Minister then he had better leave the country. “But I don’t care. I have told the Mongolian government that I want to buy a piece of land there and move to Mongolia. I don’t mind even giving up my Malaysian citizenship and settle down in Mongolia. So I don’t care what they want to do to me.”
“Why not then reveal what you know?” I asked. “What is stopping you from talking?”
“It is not that I’m scared. It is just that the court case is going on so it would be sub judice for me to talk about the issue. Plus, as the Mongolian Consel, I need to be professional and not simply talk.”
Nevertheless he did talk, and talk a lot on top of that, after I assured him that nothing would be reported in Malaysia Today and that his name would not be mentioned.
But that was before this. Now that he has gone on national TV and has acted very unprofessionally and unbecoming of a man of his status by ‘spilling his guts’ and lying on prime-time TV, then my ‘deal’ with him is now off. He has opened his mouth and has ‘testified’ on TV about what he knows about the Altantuya murder. I was prepared to keep his secret as long as he too keeps his secret, secret. But since he has now revealed all, then I too should not be bound by any ‘official secrets’ since these secrets are no longer secrets.
Datuk Syed Rahman’s shocker was about them finding the remains of seven or eight people at the murder site. “What? Seven or eight people? You mean Altantuya was not the only one murdered and dumped at that site?”
“Those two UTK are assassins. Their job is to get rid of people. And that murder site is the place where they get rid of the bodies by blowing them up.”
“Wow! This is dynamite.” For once I was flabbergasted and there is very little that can shock me.
“Not dynamite. C4,” joked Datuk Syed Rahman.
“Tell me,” I moved closer to Datuk Syed Rahman. “Did Najib order her murdered?”
“No, not Najib, Rosmah. She ordered the murder.”
“What? Rosmah?” I could not believe it. Datuk Syed Rahman smiled; pleased that at least for once someone could shock Raja Petra who never normally gets shocked by anything.
Datuk Syed Rahman related in great detail what really happened. And what he related was a far departure from what transpired in the trial. Unfortunately, because commenting on an ongoing trial is considered sub judice and can attract a jail sentence, I am certainly not at liberty to also reveal in great detail what this Arab told me. And what he told me was very different from what he said on TV last night.
Maybe one day, when the trial is over, I will be ‘free’ to talk about what Datuk Syed Rahman revealed in the Dome of the Bangsar Shopping Center that day, more than a year ago. But whether I will be ‘free’ in the real sense of the word or whether I will be speaking from behind the high walls of the Sungai Buloh or Kajang Prison is left to be seen. Maybe, after 16 September 2008, I will know.
In the meantime stay tuned to learn more about what the Honorary Consul of Mongolia, Datuk Syed Abdul Rahman Alhabshi, revealed in 2007 in the Dome of the Bangsar Shopping Centre. The story is nothing short of what Hollywood movie scripts are made of.
I promise to be a good, non-hypocritical Muslim - Article that Cause Raja Petra Arrested
Muslims do not know how to be Muslims. Muslims do everything Islam is against. Muslims are hypocrites. That is what ails Malaysia. That is the sickness of our society.
NO HOLDS BARRED
Raja Petra Kamarudin
I promise that, under a Pakatan Rakyat government, Malaysians will never again be subjected to such gross abuse of executive power as we are again witnessing today (7 August 2008). Arbitrary arrest and detention, frivolous investigation and malicious prosecutions shall be a thing of the past. Police officers and prosecutors who launch conspiracies to defame and humiliate the innocent will be severely punished. The use of police powers as well as that of the office of the Attorney General to persecute political opponents will be criminalised so as to ensure a healthy and vibrant democracy where dissent is not only tolerated but also nurtured.
In this regard, every Malaysian’s fundamental liberties will be treated as sacrosanct and safeguarded by a truly independent judiciary guided by principles of utmost integrity and an adherence to the spirit of the federal constitution.
The politically motivated trial launched against me will, Insha’Allah, be the last of its kind. No Malaysian will suffer from this cruel injustice ever again.
Yesterday’s events confirm my innocence from the charges that recently surfaced. The medical report and Statutory Declaration by Dr. Osman Abdul Hamid of the Pusrawi Hospital that surfaced on Thursday shatter lingering doubts as to whether the alleged act ever took place. Dr. Osman’s statement also confirms what we have already stated regarding deplorable actions by the police to fabricate evidence in a manner identical to the manipulation of my case in 1998. Anything short of a thorough investigation into the mishandling of this investigation would further tarnish the credibility of the police.
The doctor’s personal safety is a matter of deep concern to us. Material witnesses in high-profile cases in Malaysia, such as the PI Balasubramanian, have gone missing in the past. I applaud those brave individuals who have demonstrated their commitment to freedom and justice by coming forward with important evidence and I call upon the authorities to ensure their protection.
Yesterday, in court, we learned that the prosecution’s case has, in a manner similar to the botched trials of 1998, shape-shifted from a charge of assault to one of a consensual act. The conspiracy launched against me in the final week of June 2008 is falling apart. There is a hasty attempt by some to patch up glaring holes in the complainant’s testimony. This will certainly fail given the preponderance of evidence confirming my innocence.
The Prime Minister has actively involved himself in this matter in an attempt to derail the process of transformational change in Malaysia and stave off his own political demise. But in soiling his hands with this sordid matter he has deepened the crisis within his own administration. His most ardent supporters among the Malays have also expressed their disgust with the matter. Furthermore, Prime Minister Badawi now faces investigation by the Anti-Corruption Agency for his involvement in corruption and money politics.
The shadow of corruption and mismanagement of the economy darkens the legacy of his Premiership. Prime Minister Badawi has still offered no convincing explanation over the huge profits reaped by his family in the Oil-For-Food scandal at the expense of dying Iraqis.
I advise those around him to leave the sinking ship of his leadership while there is still a chance to do so.
Pakatan Rakyat’s reform agenda is firmly back on track and the New Dawn for Malaysia is well within reach. We will mount a unified campaign to win in Permatang Pauh with a solid majority encompassing that constituency’s diverse population. I look forward to entering Parliament on August 27th with the support of my friends in the coalition.
ANWAR IBRAHIM
That was Anwar Ibrahim’s statement yesterday. It did not come with any heading. But if it did it could have been appropriately headlined: I promise to be a good, non-hypocritical Muslim.
Yes, that short sentence — I promise to be a good, non-hypocritical Muslim — which I have chosen as the title of this piece, aptly describes what Anwar’s statement could have been called had he chosen to give it a heading. This is the crux of the problem. This is what ails our society. This is the root cause of the breakdown in morality and lack of values prevalent amongst those Muslims who walk in the corridors of power.
Corruption, exploitation, abuse of power, political persecution, arrogance, racial discrimination, no respect for fundamental liberties and human rights, and much more, are not the problem. These are merely symptoms of another problem. These are just the end-result of the real problem. The problem that breeds all these symptoms of what ails this country is that Muslims do not know how to be Muslims.
Sure, I know, you are going to now scream, “Why target just the Muslims? There are also bad Jews, Christians, Hindus, Buddhists and whatnot. So why just target Muslims for criticism? Why not also whack the Jews, Christians, Hindus, Buddhists and whatnot?”
The Jews, Christians, Hindus, Buddhists and whatnot do not run this country. The majority of the 1.2 million leaders and civil servants are Muslims. The policies and direction of this country are charted and guided by the Muslims. It is the Muslims who practically have absolute say in how this country is run and in what happens in this country. At best, those not of the Muslim faith are merely running dogs of the Muslims. These running dogs lie to their people by claiming that they are looking after the interest of their community whereas they are really selling their community down the drain and subjecting their community to the whims and fancies of the Muslims who are running this country.
Listen to how Muslims talk. They foam at the mouth in defence of Islam. They slander and defile other religions. They declare all other religions as false and their holy books as fakes. They profess only Islam as the true religion, Muhammad as the final and legitimate Prophet, and the Quran as the only authentic book still in existence. Then they do everything that Islam is against without blinking an eyelid as if this is what God Himself prescribed.
No, the non-Muslims do not moralise like the Muslims do. The non-Muslims are not patronising like the Muslims are. The non-Muslims do not talk down to those of other religions like the Muslims do. The non-Muslims do not preach that those not of their religion are the enemies of God who should not be taken as friends the way the Muslims preach.
Yes, there are good Muslims and there are bad Muslims. There are also good people of the other religions and there are bad people of the other religions. But only Muslims pretend to be good when they are actually bad. Only Muslims talk about their religion non-stop while going against everything their religion stands for.
Anwar described at great length what ails our country. Anwar described in great detail what ills our society is suffering from. But all that could have been explained in just one sentence. Muslims do not know how to be Muslims. Muslims do everything Islam is against. Muslims are hypocrites. That is what ails Malaysia. That is the sickness of our society. And that is why Malaysia is a lost cause as long as we have the majority 1.2 million leaders and civil servants coming from just one faith, the Muslim faith.
