Shadow Policy Committee

By Clara Chooi A renowned Islamic scholar silenced arguments today over the controversial “Malay supremacy” concept, charging that it was un-Islamic and akin to the Jewish’s “ chosen race” claim. Former Perlis Mufti Dr Mohd Asri Zainul Abidin wrote today that the act of placing the Malay race as more supreme than the others was against the teachings of Islam, which preaches tolerance and the equality of all races. “If someone considers himself more noble simply because of race or ethnicity factors, or considers others lower than himself because they are not of the same race, such belief is wrong and goes against the teachings of Islam. “Should this be the case, it can be likened to the Jewish claim that they are the 'chosen race',” he said. The outspoken scholar added that such “pride” was rejected by Islam. Dr Mohd Asri's view on the contentious concept is a direct blow to Malay rights group Perkasa, whose leaders have been blaring the “Malay supremacy” rhetoric to push fo...

By Lau Weng San It is quite disturbing to read statement from several MCA leaders attacking Selangor State Government by implying that the Pakatan Rakyat (PR)-led state government only approves 12 Chinese applicants for study loan, when MCA leaders are not prepared to reveal how many study loans were offered to Chinese in states ruled by Barisan Nasional (BN). In fact, I was the first assemblyman who helped promoting the study loan scheme offered by the state government as early as in August 2010. All elected representatives in Selangor received letters and brochures from the state government requesting helps from elected representatives to promote such scheme and to recommend suitable students to apply for the study loan irregardless of race and religion. This prompted me to request for more details about the almost-interest-free study loan in August 2010. I also called a press conference to promote the study loan, which is opened to applicants from all races provided that the applica...

The concept of Malay supremacy must be abandoned so that the younger generation would grow up with the right vision, says Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR) president Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail. "Malay supremacy is the slogan used by a small 'elite' group of Malays who deceives the larger group of the community to satisfy their personal interests," she said, adding that the small group comprised those who committed bribery, corruption, criminal breach of trust and other crimes. Dr Wan Azizah said that a nation and the people would only gain respect when they have dignity. "So, if a nation wants to grow, it must preserve and maintain its dignity, and this includes the Malays." She also said that after 53 years of independence, the fate of the Malays and the bumiputra in Malaysia were still neglected, and they were still plagued by social, educational, economic and cultural ills. She said the current government had neglected the Orang Asli in Malaysia, who were no...

By Adib Zalkapli As expected, the PKR annual congress renewed its support for Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim to continue leading the party, declaring today that the opposition leader should not be forced to go through a party election. Anwar had refused to contest the presidency which has been held by his wife Datuk Seri Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail since the party’s formation 11 years ago. Faris said Anwar did not appoint himself de facto leader. “There are those who question Anwar’s legitimacy to make decisions, who make us doubt his leadership. Some had questioned his competency to be the de facto leader,” said Faris Musa when tabling the motion to debate the president’s address. “He did not appoint himself to be the de facto leader. We put him there,” he told the congress. Faris later asked the 1,200 delegates to stand up as a show of support to Anwar as the de facto leader. “Let us give our undivided support to Anwar Ibrahim,” said Faris to loud cheers from the crowd. Another delegate,...

By Regina William The Penang state government has issued a stop work order on the RM12.485 billion MMC-Gamuda JV Sdn Bhd double tracking project. Chief Minister and DAP Secretary-General Lim Guan Eng said on Friday, Nov 12 the stop work order will be in force until MMC Gamuda fulfills certain assurances sought by the state government following floods in Kedah which have been attributed to the double-tracking project. Both the Housing and Local Government minister Datuk Seri Kong Cho Ha and Kedah Mentri Besar Datuk Seri Azizan Razak had been quoted saying the double tracking project had worsened the floodings in the state. "These statements are not politically motivated and non-partisan as both sides of the divide have expressed the same views. "We want assurances with attached conditions from MMC Gamuda that they will be willing to break any part of the tracks which prevents the flow of the flood waters. "They must also bear full responsibility and all costs if that happ...

Utusan Malaysia’s editorial describing the May 13, 1969 riots as a “blessing in disguise” could set off another wave of racial riots in the country, said Pakatan Rakyat (PR) lawmakers today. Labelling the article as “seditious”, several PR MPs are also considering lodging police reports against the Umno-owned daily. The Utusan Malaysia editorial today described the May 13 racial clash as a sacred day for Malaysia and warned DAP to recognise its significance. “Utusan Malaysia, which is a racist mouthpiece for Umno, has put in a framework to put some sort of meaning and interpretation to May 13. I would like to remind Utusan Malaysia that May 13 was paid in blood, and as much as there was Malay blood there was also Chinese and Indian blood being spread over those many days of chaos,” said DAP MP Jeff Ooi. Ooi also questioned the juxtaposition of the Utusan Malaysia piece today with the Malay daily’s assertion of non-Malay dominance in the Malaysian economy currently. “Are they then setti...

The DAP claimed today of links between MCA’s bid for Tanjong Plc’s gaming business and its previous pro-sports betting licence position. MCA was supportive of tycoon Tan Sri Vincent Tan’s Ascot Sports’ attempt to get a sports betting licence earlier this year. DAP MP Anthony Loke demanded that MCA president Datuk Seri Dr Chua Soi Lek clarify the news report carried by The Malaysian Insider this morning. “Did they (MCA) support sports betting in the past because they were planning or hoping to buy into the gaming business? Was that why the MCA supported the government’s intent to legalise sports betting? Come clean on this. “MCA president Chua Soi Lek must confirm this news report. What moral authority does the MCA have left, with taking over a gaming business?” said Loke. The MCA is said to be in the mix to buy Tanjong Plc’s gaming business, valued at about RM2.5 billion, along with the Cheng family, Filipino tycoon Roberto ‘Bobby’ Ongpin Jr and some international private equity firms....

The anti GST campaign is now on. Let us all support this noble drive in order to protect our people's welfare and rights. Do not let the combination of BN-Umno violate our basic human rights. Fight the GST! Protect our families and children!

Penang police have given assurances that the safety of places of religious worship in Penang are secure and under control. Penang state government is deeply concerned about press reports that places of religious worship in Penang has been targeted by terrorist militants with links to Al Qaeda and Jemaah Islamiah (JI). As Penang possesses the largest number of temples in Malaysia, it was reported in English papers that some of the prominent ones such as the internationally renowned Kek Lok Si Temple in Ayer Itam has been targeted by militants led by Indonesian Muslim cleric Abu Bakar Bashir. I had spoken to Penang CPO Dato Wira Ayub Yaakob and he said that there have been increased surveillance and patrols by the police in places of religious worship since reports surfaced last week, particularly around Kek Lok Si, Guan Yin Temple. More police personnel had also been sent to Penang, including a helicopter patrolling Penang. The helicopter will be on air until August 14 to ensure heighte...

The Penang state government will call for an all party meeting to mobilize and unite support amongst all penangites against the proposed RM9.40 toll rate for both the Penang first and second bridge. I'm surprised at Gerakan’s opposition to the increase in toll rate to RM9.40 by 2013 for both bridges when the Cabinet, including Gerakan president Tan Sri Dr. Koh Tsu Koon, has already approved the toll increase. Does it mean that Barisan National component party do not know what they are doing in Cabinet or the tail does not know what the head is doing. Or is this another example of double faced politics. However the Penang State Government welcomes all political parties and organizations who oppose the Penang bridges toll increase. We are willing to invite the Barisan National component parties to this anti RM9.40 Penang Bridge Toll Rate Meeting even though they may have supported this in Cabinet. The Penang State Government opposes the RM9.40 toll rate because of the lack of transpa...

Penang Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng has expressed concern over inconsistencies between the number of voters registered by the Election Commission (EC) and the number of residents recorded iin certain areas. The DAP secretary-general said his office has detected that there are, in two instances, more voters than the total residents recorded by the National Registration Department (NRD). “You cannot have more voters than residents,” Lim told reporters yesterday, urging the EC to clarify and act on the “phantom voters” it had recorded. He cited EC figures of 1,600 Indian voters in Terengganu, even though the NRD has recorded only 1,441 Indian residents there. In another instance, the EC stipulated there are 116,907 Malay voters in Sabah when only 115,349 Malays were recorded by the NRD as residents in the state. He said the anomaly was spotted after the DAP checked on electoral data released by the EC, which was published in The Edge recently. “Why is the EC not hiring a ‘ghost-buster’ to ...

The Penang state government has set up a legal advisory committee with former Bar Council president Yeo Yang Poh as the chairman to look into the legal aspects of carrying out local government elections. Chief Minister and DAP Secretary-General Lim Guan Eng said Yeo, who is also the deputy chairman of the Penang Pardons Board, will work with a legal team to pave the way to bring back the polls and decide on the state government's next course of action. "The committee will look at the various legal points raised in the 10-page reply from the EC on why the local government election cannot be held. "The EC had also pointed out in the reply that the state government should have raised the matter with the local government council chaired by the deputy prime minister as it was the right avenue to decide on this matter. "The state government via the state local government exco chairman Chow Kon Yeow had twice written to the local government committee, on July 1...

The Penang state government today questioned the neutrality of the Election Commission (EC) after it turned down the request for local government elections without consultation with the state. Penang Chief Minister and DAP Secretary-General Lim Guan Eng said the state had requested to discuss the local polls request with the EC via a letter dated March 4 after its executive councillors on March 3 unanimously agreed to hold local elections for the Penang Municipal Council (MPPP) and Seberang Perai Municipal Council (MPSP). He maintained that Article 113(4) of the Federal Constitution empowered the EC to conduct elections apart from those involving state and parliamentary elections, stressing that the Penang government also was relying on provisions in the Local Government Act 1976 and the Local Government Elections Act 1960 in restoring the local government elections. "The Local Government Elections Act 1960 has not been repealed. If the EC is unsure whet...

By: Lim Guan Eng, DAP Secretary-General, Penang Chief Minister and MP for Bagan It saddens me that less than one week after the arson attempts on two suraus in Muar, more despicable incidents took place in the Klang Valley today, whereby the heads of wild boars were found at the Masjid Jumhuriyah in Taman Dato Harun and the Al- Imam Tirmizi mosque at Taman Sri Sentosa near Old Klang Road this morning. This reminded us of the infamous “cow head” incident that took place last year in Shah Alam where irresponsible parties tried to fan religious and racial sentiments by hurling insults against fellow Malaysians who are Hindus. Such actions were condemned by Malaysians of all religious backgrounds and similar condemnation must be directed against the culprits who caused today's “pig-head” incident in mosques. Prime Minister, Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak had downplayed the various attacks on places of worship in the country since early this month as “minor aberrations”. It is not i...

The Pakatan Rakyat has agreed to a common policy to form a Royal Commission to deal with religious issues. According to its Common Policy Framework document released today, the coalition of three parties will also defend the position of Islam as the religion of the federation, as provided for by the constitution. “Pakatan Rakyat vows to set up a comprehensive mechanism to provide just resolution to cases which involve the overlap of civil and syariah laws, including a Royal Commission to deeply study all relevant issues,” said the policy statement expected to be endorsed by some 1,500 coalition PR convention delegates later today. The proposal is seen as a giant step forward for PR as similar proposal — to set up the Inter Faith Commission (IFC) by the Malaysian Consultative Council Of Buddhism, Christianity, Hinduism and Sikhism (MCCBCHS) in 2001 has been fiercely opposed by many Islamist groups including PAS, a PR leading partner. Today, PR also pledged to organise more dialogues an...

Penang should be granted equal treatment in preferential airport charges and benefits as enjoyed by the Malacca Airport, said Chief Minister and DAP Secretary-General Lim Guan Eng. "Penang as a Unesco World Heritage Site just like Malacca should also be given such incentives,” he said during the Penang Development Corporation and InvestPenang appreciation dinner at Bukit Jambul Country Club yesterday. Malacca Chief Minister Datuk Seri Mohd Ali Rustam had earlier said he received a letter from Transport Minister Datuk Seri Ong Tee Keat for the Malacca Airport to enjoy benefits under the Government’s incentive schemes to promote tourism in Malaysia. This includes a RM25 incentive for each incoming passenger for the first 12 months for new airlines flying to new routes or increasing flight frequency. Another benefit is the RM10 to RM15 incentive for each incoming passenger after the period, depending on the performances of the air carriers. Also included is a deferment of landing cha...

The Penang state government and Gerakan continued bickering over the decision to turn down a US$3bil (RM10.1bil) investment deal because the state government could not guarantee 1,000 electric and electronic (E&E) engineers required by the company. In a statement yesterday, Penang Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng’s special investment officer Jeffrey Chew lashed out at Gerakan for using hit-and-run tactics and practising a “promise first hope later” attitude. "The Penang state government is not as irresponsible as Gerakan in making empty promises that would jeopardise our credibility,” he said, adding that the state government could incur loses as much as US$3bil to compensate the investors should it be unable to fulfill its own guarantees. Chew said this in response to criticism from Penang Gerakan chief Datuk Dr Teng Hock Nan who said the state could not afford to turn away investors. Chew said the Malaysian Employers Federation, among other bodies, had detailed the shortage of E...