No, this 'Babi' will Not 'Balik Cina'

Written by Farish A. Noor
Sunday, 10 August 2008

This is a good article!!! Very Funny!!

Bar Council's forum: More shelling for police

As reported by Malaysiakini

Aug 12, 08 5:43pm
Twelve non-governmental organisations today signed a joint statement, denouncing the high-handed action taken by Muslim protestors and the police to stop an open discussion on legal issues related to the conversion to Islam.

Organised by the Bar Council and held last Saturday, the open forum entitled ‘Conversion to Islam’ was forced to end early on the advice of police after an unruly demonstration outside the meeting hall threatened to get out of hand.“The blatant double standards employed by government and police in dealing with the protestors and the forum subject raises questions about the even handed and fair treatment accorded to all religions,” the NGOs said in their joint statement.The NGOs also blasted the police for bowing to pressure from the protestors instead of protecting the Bar Council.Some Muslim groups have vigorously opposed the dialogue on the fear that it could be used as a platform to provoke sensitivities and criticise their religion. The government too has been reluctant to promote open interfaith dialogue on the grounds that it could incite racial discord.

The NGOs however rebutted that while it was necessary for Malaysians to be mindful of religious sensitivities, extreme acts aimed at curbing legitimate public discussion should not be condoned.“In the Bar Council’s case, the forum was aimed at helping clarify legal and administrative provisions on religious conversion issues which could have provided useful inputs on helping resolve recent controversial developments,” the group said.“In fact, the organisers had taken the initiative to invite distinguished speakers from the Federal Territory Religious Affairs Department and Institute of Islamic Understanding Malaysia, although both withdrew after the forum was demonised by some quarters,” the NGOs lamented.The group also expressed disappointment that parliamentarians from PAS (Sallahudin Ayob) and PKR (Zulkifli Nordin) were actively involved in the protest.“Finally, we note with concern and condemn the petrol bombs attack directed at the previous house of Bar Council president Ambiga Sreenevasan. We hope that there is no connection between that act and the role of the Bar Council in organising the seminar and call on the authorities to fully investigate that action and bring the perpetrators to book,” said the NGOs.

Abusive language 'un-Islamic'Meanwhile, Pergerakan Progresif Mahasiswa Islam (Promis) and Jaringan Rakyat Tertindas (Jerit) have also condemned the aggressive nature of the demonstration.“The use of abusive language, aggression and threats to halt the forum are un-Islamic, undemocratic and goes against the principles of Islam,” Promis said in a statement.“We also condemn the act of passing judgment on the forum based on assumptions only.”Promis said instead of disrupting the dialogue, the protestors should have first attended the forum to find out if it was really aimed at insulting the religion.“If they (the leaders) were not even inside, how would they know if the forum was aimed at attacking Islam. It would have been better if the protestors attended the forum and gave their own views and opinions instead of sullying the image of Islam,” it added.In a separate statement, Jerit said: “Freedom of religion is fundamental human rights enshrined in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (Article 18) and guaranteed by the Federal Constitution (Article 11).“This basic constitutional right should not be overruled by the authorities or by mainstream interpretation of religion.”

Criticisms from MCA MCA politicians also spoke out against the conduct of the protestors, with the party's Wanita deputy chief Chew Mei Fun stating that issues should be allowed to be discussed."We cannot just treat every issue as sensitive. In fact the Bar Council forum was a platform for various groups to engage in discussion in a peaceful manner in seeking a solution."The organizers did not intend to confront anybody but to hear the different perspectives and sought to find a solution to avoid these issues from repeatedly occurring," said the former PJ Utara MP.

Meanwhile MCA publicity bureau chief Fu Ah Kiow was of the opinion that the government had taken too long to resolve the various religious conflicts in the country."This issue has been in existence even before the Shamalah case and the government has taken too long to resolve this issue. People want to see action. They don't only want to hear promises by the government."Where a spouse or family member has embraced Islam, the conversion effectively has an effect on the non-Muslim family members since it involves human rights with regards to the welfare of family members who have not converted."There are custodial problems where minor children are involved, and inheritance issues too," said the former deputy minister.

MCA Youth legal bureau head Gan Ping Sieu said their movement strongly supported the Bar Council in holding such forums."The bureau hopes that Bar Council will continue to conduct similar programs to discuss conversion issues in the future and it is not afraid to state its stand on the matter."At the same time, the bureau also advises political leaders not to issue irresponsible statements in trying to distort the real issue at hand," said Gan.Former MCA vice president Chua Jui Meng said the protests which shortened the forum was an embarrassment to the political leadership and police force of the country."The fact remains that on one side the Bar Council was lawfully holding a forum in its own premises and on the other was a mob hurling racial abuses which were seditious and unlawful," said Chua."

The rakyat will also wonder why the police force, which have proven so effective in dispersing demonstrations of over 10,000 people before were this time unable to contain a 300 strong mob."The rakyat will certainly expect to see arrests and prosecutions being made against those involved in this protest," said the former health minister.Pua critical of MCA reactionIn reaction, Petaling Jaya Utara MP Tony Pua was somewhat critical of MCA.In his statement, the first-time MP said: "We have read with interest that the MCA leadership has come out strongly via statements to the media the party was "extremely upset at the protesters' actions".

But Pua noted that following last Saturday's incident both the prime minister and his deputy had spoken out against the forum."The Prime Minister, the Deputy Prime Minister and other top leaders from UMNO has been unapologetic and even threatening in their condemnation of the forum conducted by the Bar Council," said Pua."Therefore, while we welcome MCA's views on the controversy, they must face up to their responsibility to challenge the views of the Prime Minister and Umno, who are clearly abusing the race and religious card recklessly to create an atmosphere of fear."

It is noteworthy that while the protesters were condemned, no comments were forthcoming on the opposing views espoused by the Umno leaders.Pua argued that without doing so, it would appear that Barisan Nasional is perpetuating its system of divide and rule, where Umno stokes the racial and religious sentiments of Malays while MCA plays its subservient role to placate the minority communities."That will only strengthen the case that MCA has lost it total relevance in Barisan Nasional."

What kind of country am I leaving in?!?!

From the news I have read today make me very sad to be a Malaysian!

1. Our police force has lost all credibility in the eyes of Malaysian and the World!
- Primary schoolboy alleges ‘torture’ by police
- Drugs stolen from Police Station! (hahahahahaha!)

- Double standard of the Police and their non-action during the Bar Council Forum.
(why did they not take our the tear gas and water cannons this time?!?)
Also see TheStar, Niamah!

2. My country's Prime Minister that is not open and tolerant and if I say anything more about him, he might just lock me up in ISA!

Just check out what he said (reported in TheStar) and make up your own minds!
He said...
“I hope such an incident won’t repeat itself. Last Saturday’s forum is proof that issues relating to religion and race are sensitive in the country.

(This is an obvious statement lah! We all know that lah! That is why it is very important to dicuss it in a proper manner instead of standing outside shouting and threatening people and calling peoples pigs lah!)

“Thus, it’s important for us to control and restrain ourselves from discussing such matters.
“It’s better not to hold such forums in the future,” he told reporters after chairing the first Economic Council meeting.

(If we cannot discuss this and hold forums then where can we voice our grievance!! On the streets ah!! Cannot also! Your policemen will shoot us with water cannons! Maybe if we demonstrate while holding a kris and an UMNO flag then the police will help us instead of shooting us with tear gas!!)

Is this what our Prime Minister wants us to do?!?!?! See his true colours here!

3. Our Prime Minister has no objection to the use of Internal Security Act and Sedition Act against those who organize such forums like the Bar Council but when it comes to real racist like the 35-year-old history teacher from SM Telok Panglima Garang, the govt does not purnish them but instead rewards them!!! (See here, and Malaysiakini)

4. And finally... The Election Campaign of UMNO has made a mockery of our Election Process!

Bar Council Forum on Article 121 (1A) - Islam Conversion

The following blog site is a really good place to read in detail with regards to what the Bar Council Forum is really about!

Please take time to read about it so as not to become an ignorant, redical, caveman!
ENjoY!! - Tony Pua's Blog!

If you wonder what happen to Dr Mohamed Osman Abdul Hamid (the Dr who examined Mohd Saiful just hours before he lodged a police report)

As reported in Malaysiakini,

Doc stands by 'no sodomy' findings

The Pusrawi Hospital doctor, Dr Mohamed Osman Abdul Hamid, who examined Mohd Saiful Bukhari Azlan just hours before he lodged a police report stood by his findings in a statutory declaration.

On June 28, Saiful first visited the Pusrawi Hospital and later Hospital Kuala Lumpur before filing a police report accusing PKR de facto leader Anwar Ibrahim of sodomising him.In the Pusrawi medical report - which was leaked to the media - it is stated that the examining physician found no evidence of sodomy.
"For the record, however, I would like to confirm that I strongly stand firm on my findings," said Mohd Osman in the Aug 1 statutory declaration that was made available to Malaysiakini.Mohd Osman also claimed that additional paragraphs and words were added to his police statement.Previously, Hospital Pusrawi stated that Mohd Osman, a medical officer, had not carried out a sodomy-related examination on Saiful - as it would require a gut specialist. ‘I did not leak report’ In his six-page statutory declaration, Mohd Osman laid out his medical credentials of 30 years and described how he first encountered Saiful. [See statutory declaration in full]
“He was initially attended to by another female doctor but subsequently referred to me as the patient requested to be examined by a male doctor. “Through my experience, I have encountered many similar complaints and I therefore proceeded with the appropriate examination on the patient,” said the doctor. He proceeded to conduct a rectal examination and recording his findings in Pusrawi Hospital’s “standard medical examination folder”.The following widespread circulation of the report in verbatim - in the press and the Internet - shocked Mohd Osman.He said that he only knew of the leaked medical report after he had gone on leave. According to hospital authorities, Mohd Osman has been on leave since mid-July.“I would like also to stress that I have no knowledge of the person responsible for leaking the report to any third party.” Police recorded statements twiceIn his statutory declaration, Mohd Osman also recounted three visits by two police officers from two different police districts - to record his statement. He said that in July 2008, his statement was recorded by one ASP Rosmi Mat Derus from the Brickfields criminal investigation department (CID). Mohd Osman explained that ASP Rosmi wrote down about nine or 10 pages of statements in Bahasa Malaysia and produced a printed copy the following week for his signature.The doctor, who is from Burma, admitted he did not understand most of what was written in the statement as he is not proficient in Bahasa Malaysia. When confronted with the printed copy, Mohd Osman had to make amendments with the policeman’s assistance. “I also pointed out to him that certain facts which has not been discussed in the previous meeting were introduced in the typed statements. “The facts I queried was why the name of Dato Seri Anwar Ibrahim appeared in several paragraphs when it was never brought up during the first interview, neither did the patient ever confide in me the identity of the alleged perpetrator. “He (ASP Rosmi) replied that Anwar is the accused and I already by then knew Anwar was the accused after reading the newspaper,” he added. Mohd Osman said that he had hesitated to sign the printed statement, but had done so “as I did not want to have any issues with the police”. Left country with familyMohd Osman described that a week later, one DSP Choo from the Dang Wangi CID also recorded his statement. “She asked me to explain, all over again, and I complied by explaining everything that I knew in detail the whole procedures in relations to the examination on the patient,” he said. “At the onset of the interview, she impressed upon me that I will be charged if I refuse to cooperate with the police. “The seemingly constant and unending police investigation and being aware of the high-profile nature of the case has disturbed me tremendously and I become worried for my safety and that of my family. “Approximately one week after the third visit by the police, I decided to apply for leave and left Malaysia with my family,” he said. He was scheduled to resume his duties at Pusrawi Hospital on Aug 1 - incidentally the day he signed the statutory declaration - but cannot be contacted and has gone missing.“I think he is afraid to return to duty,” said Pusrawi Hospital medical director Dr Kamaruddin Ahmad, according to mStar online yesterday.

See his actual SD here!!!

Do non-Muslim still dare to marry Muslim in this country?!?

I am not trying to stir any religious problems here but after reading the Malaysiakini news below I don't think many non-Muslim will dare to marry a Muslim in Malaysia!

If only certain narrow minded cavemen in this country will stop being so insecure about their own faith! (and that's include the very disappointing PKR’s Kulim Bandar Baharu MP Zulkifli)

Moments of chaos during forum
K Pragalath Aug 9, 08 6:31pm
Chaos erupted in the Bar Council auditorium today when several demonstrators entered the venue to disrupt a forum on religious conversion. One of the demonstrators, wearing a green and white Malay Student Front (GPMS) shirt, started the verbal melee when he grabbed hold of a microphone and lashed out at the crowd of about 100 participants. “I represent Umno. Stop this forum” declared the unidentified individual who also uttered “Don’t insult Islam” and “You! Chinese, Indians, go to hell!”.

The individual’s tirade however earned him a loud reprimand from renowned International Islamic University law lecturer Dr Mehrun Siraj who took to another microphone. “Open discussion is the way to discuss the issues between Muslims and non-Muslims. Don’t insult Islam,” she said amidst the shouts of the protesters.

‘Protest welcomed’ The GPMS representative were among several leaders of a protest against the forum, that was held outside the Bar Council headquarters in Kuala Lumpur. Another protest leader who entered the auditorium to disrupt the forum were PKR’s Kulim Bandar Baharu MP Zulkifli Noordin.

Bar Council president Ambiga Sreenevasan was compelled to cut short the half-day forum at 10am following advice from the police.“I’m closing this forum officially... we have no issues with anyone who has a different point of view. We respect everyone’s views in this building. That is what the Bar Council is about,” she said to rousing applause from the participants.

Earlier, in officiating the forum, Ambiga had told participants that the protesters had a right to voice their views provided that the forum is allowed to continue. “Demonstrators are exercising their freedom of expression. We will certainly not lodge police reports against them,” she said, adding that they were open to share their views within the forum as well.

Testimonies prior to the disruptions, the forum went ahead when three women brought on stage to share their experience with legal wrangling resulting from religious conversions. One woman brought on stage, an ethnic Chinese, narrated how her father had met an Iranian woman before embracing Islam and marrying the woman without the family’s knowledge. “Mother was devastated. She did not know what she did wrong... He was married to mum for 30 years. During the divorce process, he agreed to give mother our house.” “One day, the hospital called and informed of his passing. It was during the divorce process... The authorities did not recognize my mother as his wife and me as his daughter. Our property was gone. Home didn’t belong to us.“It is not fair. It is not justice,” said the woman in between sobs.

A German woman, known only as Anita, who shared her story later said that she had a civil marriage with a Malay Muslim man in England, who claimed to be an atheist at the time. When the couple returned to Malaysia, Anita said she was ‘converted’ during a Muslim marriage, which eventually ended in divorce and she would have to remain a Muslim.

“Why does the family take it upon themselves to convert Western girls who come here? People should be able to choose. Why is it so rigid? Relationship is supposed to be free,” she said.

Another woman who shared her story to the participants was Marie Rayappan whose family was caught in a tussle over her deceased father - Anthony Rayappan’s - remains with the religious authorities. Subashini’s case. The second session of the forum involved a panel discussion on the custody battle between R Subashini and her former husband T Saravanan@Muhammad Shafi Saravanan Abdullah.

In 2006, Saravanan had converted to Islam, taking the name Muhammad Shafi, sought a divorce and applied for custody of the couple’s two children through the Syariah courts. Subsequently, Subashini filed for an injunction against Muhammad Shafi’s action at the Syariah Court but was rejected at all levels up to the Federal Court.

The forum panel consisted of lawyers Haniff Khatri Abdulla, K Shanmuga and Ravi Nekoo and moderated by activist Zarizanana Abdul Aziz.Two other panelists - Federal Territories Islamic Department (Jawi) Syariah prosecutor Dr Mohd Naim Mukhtar and Institute of Islamic Understanding (Ikim) representative Dr Wan Azha Wan Ahmad - pulled out of the event at the last minute.

Shanmuga argued that Muhammad Shafi should have sought a divorce at the civil court as their marriage was a civil marriage. “In this case, because of the conversions, jumping spouses say that the new rule rules,” said Shanmuga, who is Subashini's lawyer. Haniff Khatri however argued that by virtue of embracing Islam, Muhammad Shafi had a right to seek recourse at the Syariah Court. “He had the urge to convert at the age of 19.

Syariah principles must be advanced as long as it doesn’t infringe the rights of the non Muslim. There are principle guidances in Islam,” said Haniff Khatri, who is Muhammad Shafi's lawyer. The last speaker Ravi concurred with Shanmuga and advised that all converts who embrace Islam finish their obligations at the civil courts before moving to the Syariah Courts. “There cannot be two conflicting orders in one case,” he said.

News I read that I am concern about today!

1. Why isn’t Saiful charged too? asks PKR leader
(YA! Why isn't he charge?!?)

2. Anwar’s supporters to be dealt with professionally
(Hahahahaha!!!Home Minister Datuk Seri Syed Hamid Albar said.
“We are used to dealing with anger and emotions because we always acted professionally in a very restrained way." Hahahahahaa!!! Funnie joke!! I still remember how "professional" and "restrained" they were arresting Anwar the last time!)

3. 980 millions just for the Police to communicated better?!?!
(Another example for the police being "professional"!!! No wonder ACA is investigating them! If they want better communication, a cheaper way is to recruit policemen that can write and speak english instead of just UMNO suppoters!!

4. Another Blogger held for sedition!!
SH*T! Better not speak bad about the police or they will catch you!!! (Like this poor blogger!)

5. Police investigating doctor's SD
(Pray for the poor doctor that he will not become another innocent victim of stupid politics!)

6. Najib: Bar Council forum can incite emotions
(After 50 years of independence yet we are still so narrow minded and immature ah?!?? Opps sorry! Not Malaysian! Just certain UMNO members!!!)

NOW FOR THE NEWS THESTAR DID NOT PUT UP!

1. Enough in doc's SD to drop case
(That will be the day when I see a headline like this publish in the STAR!)

2. 'Conversion' forum goes ahead
(Thumbs Up to the BAR Council!! We need ppl in this country to stand up and be counted!)

3. 'Comfortable number' for Sept 16!
(I hope this happens!...Gee I wonder why TheStar did not report this news)

4. Pakatan states fume at being excluded from Sukma meeting
(So much for being fair and unbais!! BN SCUM!)

5. Ex-Indonesian president, former US top judge back Anwar
(Let see how many main stream media highlight this news!)

The difference between Malaysiakini and TheStar reports!

Attached below is a cut and paste Malaysiakini news on the former Umno youth exco member Mazlan Harun reporting to the ACA against our PM and his deputy!

Read that first then read a similar report taken from TheStar Online and see if you can see the difference! Most of the facts are there but base on the way it is written you should be able to tell who is more independent in their reporting and who is more bias in their report!

Enjoy!

ACA report against Abdullah, Najib
Syed Jaymal Zahiid Aug 5, 08 12:36pm
An Umno veteran today lodged a complaint against party president Abdullah Ahmad Badawi and deputy president Najib Abdul Razak with the Anti-Corruption Agency (ACA) for alleged abuse of power.

The complainant, former Umno youth exco member Mazlan Harun (left), claimed that both Abdullah and Najib - who are prime minister and deputy respectively - had abused government machineries to garner support among Umno members in a bid to sustain their positions in the coming party elections.
The complaint was based on an open letter written by Umno Petaling Jaya Selatan division chief Zahar Hashim and addressed to the party’s secretary-general, demanding that both Abdullah and Najib be disciplined for allegedly abusing their power.
In a blog that published the letter, the Umno president and his deputy were accused of using a government agency under the Information Ministry called the Special Affairs Department (Jasa) as their party campaigning platform.
"Abdullah met with Umno leaders through Jasa in Kuala Lumpur and gave them money and kain pelikat (sarong) or batik while providing them with four-star hotel accommodation as well as entertainment," read the blog.
Explicitly campaigning
Zahar said a memo dated July 8 - issued by the Umno headquarters in Kuala Lumpur - had invited all Umno division, branch, Putera, Wanita and Puteri wing leaders nationwide to attend a closed door briefing on July 10 at the party headquarters.
At that briefing, Zahar in his letter accused Abdullah and Najib of explicitly campaigning for themselves in view of defending their number one and number two positions respectively at the party polls scheduled for December this year.
"The content of their speeches clearly reflected abuse of power and were intended at persuading division leaders (to support their party positions)," Zahar said in the letter.
According to Zahar, holding gatherings and giving out ‘pocket money’ to party members are clear violations of party guidelines and both the president and deputy president are not exceptions to the rule.
He said both Abdullah and Najib went against guidelines which they themselves had helped compile. "Is this what they mean by leadership by example?" asked Zahar.
The letter also slammed the planned handover of power by Abdullah to Najib in two years time as a ‘political bribery of the highest order’ though it did not specify why such a move was considered a form of political bribery.
Internal feuds?
Mazlan, when met later, refused to reveal the details of his report, saying he wants the matter to be investigated by the ACA.
"Let’s leave it to the ACA to investigate. I am lodging the report so that there will be no abuse of power in the party and so that the party elections will be held in a fair and free manner," he said.
Asked if the report was an indication of internal feuds in Umno, Mazlan said that his actions were merely a ‘democratic process’, adding that the report was not lodged against Umno as a whole, but against individuals within the party.