Beware!!! Govt Online Censorship ahead if we don't fight now!!

As I had expected Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak is worse than Dr Mahathir Mohamad in enforcing stringent controls over the media.

(From Malaysiakini)
Yesterday, the Home Ministry announced that the Printing Presses and Publications Act (PPPA) - the mother of all censorship laws -would be amended to cover online content. Its secretary-general Mahmood Adam said the changes will plug loopholes in the law.

Among other things, the ministry is looking at the definition of "publication" and whether it should include Internet content, blogs or Facebook for the law to keep pace with the changing landscape of the digital era.

Mahmood (left) said the ministry was working with the Attorney-General's Chambers to study the proposed amendments.

"We hope the amendments will be tabled in Parliament by March, because we need to overcome weaknesses, especially those involving multimedia content," he said.

"We have to expand the Act so that it does not only cover the print media, because the landscape is totally different now, especially with the intrusion of digital technology," he said.

It is expected that online news websites, as with the traditional media, will required to apply for government-issued publication licences

There is no doubt that Malaysiakini and other online media have gained from the 'loophole', derived from Mahathir's pledge not to censor the Internet in 1995 as he kick-started the Multimedia Super Corridor project.

Since his retirement in 2003, Mahathir has himself turned blogger.

Free of censorship, the online media went on to lay the foundations for the 'political tsunami' in 2008, resulting in then prime minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi conceding that the government had “lost the Internet war”.

While the traditional media and online media are both kept in check by some 35 laws which restrict freedom of expression in Malaysia, there is one crucial difference between the two.

The online media, unlike its print and broadcast cousins, does not need government approval to put out the news or to go back to the Home Ministry each year to renew the publishing and printing permits. It is this which keeps editors and journalists in the traditional media on a short leash.

It is likely that, should the proposed amendments become law, the online media too will be required to apply for a licence.

This will be the final nail in the coffin for press freedom. The little freedom of expression that Malaysians have enjoyed online over the past 16 years will end.

The licensing regime will enable the government to apply political pressure to the online media, and worse, allow the all-powerful home minister to declare news websites illegal. Don't forget that under the PPPA, the minister's decision cannot be challenged in court.

This is why Najib is worse than Mahathir when it comes to media operations.

Instead of freeing up the traditional media by doing away with the licensing regime under the PPPA, Najib and his cousin, Home Minister Hishammuddin Hussein, are taking the regressive step of controlling the online media.

The timing and the speed of the amendment - it is expected to be tabled in Parliament by March - shows that the government has the upcoming general election in mind.

However, in a move to do damage control, Home Minister Hishammuddin Hussein told reporters yesterday that discussions on the amendment were still in the "very early" stage.

Deputy Minister in the Prime Minister's Department Liew Vui Keong said today that here is no indication that any amendment will be made to the Printing Presses and Publications Act 1984 (PPPA) during the March sitting of Parliament.

Asked whether he was aware of any plan to table amendments to this law during the coming sitting, the de facto deputy minister of law and parliamentary affairs said: "Not at the moment."

So who is lying?? Find out here!

Whatever it is the move to amend the PPPA to include the online media must be defeated. Otherwise, Malaysia will return to the bad old days when the government had complete monopoly on truth.

If you can't win my reason, then try money!!

Recently Porn star Chua Soiled Lek made some stupid commence about the opposition candidate wearing gloves and not shaking hands with guys. I am not a Malay and I frankly don't think it is an important issue! In any case MCA has been going back on old issues to scare the Chinese with the Islamic state issue.

I think everyone in MCA is a dumb dinosaur! Don't they get it that those issue no longer scare the younger votes?!? Why can't they concentrate on real important issues like TBH case, the integrity of the candidate and etc???

Well I guess they went on to plan B!

Bribe the VOTES!! It is no surprise that Malaysian now call by-election, buy-election!!

The following is a report from Malaysiakini!

This blatant act is terrible!!!

I hope the people of Tenang take the goodies but vote the opposition!!

The people of Tenang have been receiving windfalls since the by-election was called, including money and gifts from government agencies and related agencies, all claiming it is just business as usual. BN representatives say the goodies are merely "regular assistance due to underprivileged residents" from the various government agencies. Regardless of the reasons given, how to receive "election goodies" has become the hottest topic in Tenang coffeeshop talk.

Malaysiakini interviewed several voters who had received such "assistance", based on tip-offs from the local people. A 40-year-old single mother residing in Labis, who requested she not be named as she feared reprisal, showed Malaysiakini a RM50 hamper, an ang pow packet with RM200 and 12 feet of fabric that she received in a function at the Labis municipal council hall last week. ""I don't know who was the organiser. I think there were more than 100 beneficiaries.

The organiser gave out RM200 cash, hampers and fabric. The cash was put in a white envelope,” she said. According to her, Labis MP Chua Tee Yong and Johor exco Tan Kok Hong of the MCA were present as VIPs and one of them called on those present to support the BN candidate. Tan when contacted denied that the goodies were from MCA, saying that they were provided by the Welfare Department. "This is not vote-buying. We did not do so. These activities are carried out by the relevant government agencies throughout the year. How can we direct the department around?" he said.

Cash for flags

Another female voter also claimed that her neighbour was given RM1,000 cash for putting up four BN flags and a banner with Najib's portrait in his house compound throughout the campaign period. Another woman voter said her neighbour was given RM1,000 cash for putting up four BN flags and a banner with Najib's portrait in his house compound throughout the campaign period. She said the kindergarten in which her nephew is studying has called parents to inform them that families earning below RM2,000 are entitled to RM450 cash.

However Malaysiakini could not verify this claim with the relevant authorities. However, ever since the by-election for Tenang was called, it has been observed that many government agencies have focused their programmes and assistance schemes in the constituency. Najib, in his visit to Tenang on Tuesday, announced an allocation of RM1.31 million to upgrade all the mosques, surau and religious schools in the three Felda settlements in the constituency.

Yesterday Rural and Regional Development Minister Shafie Apdal also promised 20 new free houses to tthe people of two orang asli villages in the constituency. What makes this even more interesting is that MCA president Chua Soi Lek - who holds no government post - has also announced that Tenang New Village will get a new basketball court.

Meanwhile, Bernama reported today that Agriculture and Agro-based Industries Minister Noh Omar has dismissed the notion that the ministry's programmes in the Tenang state constituency were instant projects implemented because of the by-election.

He said the programmes were on-going, such as the ministry-with-the-people programme, which is held monthly. "For example, last year we had more than 15 programmes, none of which had anything to do with elections," he told reporters after launching a young entrepreneurs development programme at the Labis square in Tenang.

What is wrong with this project?

Taken from Malaysiakini

This is quite a standard practice in Malaysia on how some corrupt UMNO and BN cronies cheat money and resources from the Rakyat without people knowing. Just ask Taib!

Petaling Jaya Utara parliamentarian Tony Pua has ticked off the government for entering into yet another deal by awarding a project worth hundreds of billions of ringgit without an open tender.

Worse still, said Pua, the government is paying for the project estimated to be worth RM600 million to RM700 million by offering the developer a parcel of land worth at least RM970 million.

The project to build the 1National Institute of Health (1NIH) was awarded to Sentosa Jitra Sdn Bhd, a 50 percent associate of SP Setia Sdn Bhd.

The SP Setia statement said the ministry's integrated research complex will be built in Shah Alam and paid for by way of a "land swap for government land measuring 40.22 acres along Jalan Bangsar".

"Maybank Investnment Bank has estimated the value of land obtained by SP Setia to be worth... up to RM1.8 billion," said Pua.

"ECM Libra also estimates the gross development value (of the land) to be around RM8 billion."

The 1NIH project, he added, is a "mirror image" of the RM682 million contract awarded to Naza TTDI to build the Matrade International Convention and Exhibition Centre, which was paid for with land valued at least RM970 million.

"Government losses from (the Matrade and 1NIH projects) come up to RM1.28 billion combined and would have more than offset the 'savings' generated from the most recent rounds of subsidy cuts on essential goods, estimated to be about RM1 billion," he said.

"Cancel project and call open tender'

The DAP parliamentarian said that, what the federal government has done is in contrast to the way the Penang government awarded a RM300 million project to build a convention centre, also won by SP Setia, but through competitive bidding.

In this case, the developer would only be paid RM50 million by the state government, but it would be allowed to recoup its investment through the management and operation of the centre for 30 years.

"We call upon Najib to cancel the (SP Setia) transaction and instead call for an open tender to build the proposed 1NIH.

"The government must conduct an open auction for the prime land in Bangsar, not only to ensure that the rakyat's interests if prioritised, but also to prevent the (reform programmes) from becoming... dead and buried."

YES! I believe all Malaysian would like to see this debate!!!

Anwar has responded to Najib criticism!!

He has challenge Najib to an economic debate!!

I am sure most Malaysian will be interested and in favour of this debate!

Lets pressure Najib to accept this debate and see what our country's top leaders are really made off!

Ding!! Ding!!! Ding!! The ball is in your court Najib!

Pakatan Rakyat de facto chief Anwar Ibrahim today challenged Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak to a national debate to see who offers the better economic policies for Malaysia.

Anwar said it is only proper for Najib to take him up on his "invitation", as the premier had publicly questioned and ridiculed Pakatan's policies and figures outlined in their ambitious 100-day economic transformation plan.

The PKR advisor said the prime minister's attack yesterday on Pakatan's economic policies was unfounded.

The BN's own policies are the very reason the country's national debt has hit RM362.39 billion or 53.7 percent of the gross domestic product (GDP), said Anwar, a former finance minister.

Anwar said that by addressing just two of the many problems at hand - corruption and leakages, and cutting subsidies for independent power producers (IPP) - Pakatan could help the country save RM51 billion.

Training his guns on the IPPs, he said Petronas is forced to subsidise the top five IPPs a total of RM19 billion annually for gas used in power production, enriching a select few cronies while bleeding the rakyat dry.

“You don't subsidise a billionaire, (but) this is what's happening in this country,” he said at a press conference at the PKR headquarters in Petaling Jaya today.

Anwar pointed out that Pakatan pledges to also launch an “all out war” against corruption at all levels in the government, starting with the political leadership - a move that would save the country RM28 billion based on the Auditor-General's estimates.

“Similarly, we will undertake an overhaul of the toll concession system to return the RM4 billion worth of compensation paid to concessionaires back to the national treasury.

“These two quick actions will yield an additional RM51 billion financial muscle for a Pakatan federal government to implement our 100-day reform programmes, the cost of which is only a third of the amount,” he said.

Education, subsidies the focal points

Anwar said their 100-day reform plan will only cost an additional RM19.2 billion, which equals the amount the government spends on corporate subsidies for the IPPs.

From the reform budget, Pakatan promises to implement a RM500 monthly teaching allowance for teachers and education officers costing an estimated RM3.2 billion annually, on top of a RM4 billion budget for a restructured fuel subsidy system that targets the lower income groups.

The reform plan also pledges to continue LPG subsidies to the tune of RM4 billion every year, while the government will only have to fork out an extra RM8 billion to acquire minority shareholding to launch a restructuring of the toll system under PLUS - estimated to cost a total of RM23 billion based on the current offer made by Khazanah and EPF.

In an immediate response to the debate challenge, Umno Youth chief Khairy Jamaluddin tweeted:

"Is that all you've got, Sir? Retweeting someone else's words. You and me, Dato' Seri. On the economy. Let's debate."

This invited a quick retort from an Anwar supporter: "Why would Anwar want to debate an outgoing MP? Besides, not even a minister and 4th floor."

Marriage and other Sarawak Land Scandal!

Sarawak Chief Minister Abdul Taib Mahmud, 74, who married a 28-year-old Syrian national a month ago, is expected to hold a wedding party on Saturday.

Taib, whose Polish-born wife Laila died of cancer in April 2009, had set tongues wagging when he held a closed-door wedding ceremony on Dec 18.

The akad nikah, held at his official residence in Jalan Demak in Kuching, was attended by 200 guests including family members, close relatives and friends.

According to Sarawak Report, a website which has exposed a string of alleged corruption cases involving the long-time chief minister and his family, Taib will formally announce his marriage on Jan 15.

"Indeed, Taib's failure so far to officially present and acknowledge his wife in the normal fashion has made it inevitable that people have been left speculating over the speed and secrecy of this event," said the website. Sarawak Report questioned the lengthy period of silence and the lack of official confirmation of the marriage.

"A wedding should be treated as a public celebration and not a secret scandal...," it said. According to Bernama, Taib today confirmed that a banquet will be held on Saturday to mark his marriage.

Taib, 74, who seemed to be in a jovial mood, appeared to be protective of his wife, Ragad Waleed Alkurdi (left).

"Leave her alone for some time because she is trying to adjust," he told journalists.

Asked if Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak, who will be on a working trip to Sarawak this weekend, would attend the banquet, Taib said: “I don't know. I've got to check. I just came back.”

The wedding bash is expected to be held at the Dewan Santapan of the old state legislative assembly complex in Petra Jaya.

Not much is known about the bride but she is believed to be a former flight attendant. Sarawak Report has posted a number of photos of the couple, who appeared at the wedding of Deputy Chief Minister Alfred Jabu's daughter, Barbara Dubah.

I am not saying what Taib is doing is wrong but I can't help find similarities with him and Hugh Hefner (84)/Crystal Harris (24). Well there is one difference. At least Hugh Hefner is not shy about it!!

Another explosive scandal

Meanwhile, the website revealed yet another explosive scandal - this time allegedly involving newly-wed Barbara (right) and his brother, Gerald Rentap. The siblings, along with cousin Robert Lawson Chuat, jointly own a company called Herba Aromatics, which is said to have sold a recently acquired piece of land to federal agency Felcra for RM7 million. Sarawak Report alleged that Herba Aromatics has obtained the 2,000 ha plot for a song from Taib, who is also planning and resources minister. "This land was 'purchased' from the state in 2008 for an agreed price of just over RM1 million and is located in Lidong Road area, Betong," said the website.

It is alleged that the native owners of the land was paid a miserly RM500 per door (of the longhouse). Moreover, Herba Aromatics has yet to make all the necessary payments for the land over the past two years. "Did the chief minister perhaps tell Jabu's (left) children that they didn't need to find the money to pay the state of Sarawak until after they had sold it on to somebody else at a much higher market price? Would that sale perhaps have been to Felcra for RM7 million? "Sarawak Report demands that the Land Registry makes clear whether Jabu's children have yet paid all the money owing for this land, and if so when?"

Another one bites the dust!

I just one to place this Malaysiakini article on my blog to remember this guy because he will probably not see justice against the people who killed him!

The witness who allegedly saw a man being beaten to death in a police lock-up has lodged a police report. A

ccompanied by Lawyers for Liberty representatives N Surendran and Fadiah Nadwa Fikri, the witness, A Sargunan (right), lodged the report at the Dang Wangi district police station this afternoon.

In his police report, Sargunan, who is also victim M Krishnan's friend, said that they were in a mutual friend's house in Cheras when the police stormed in late at night on Jan 2. The police allegedly made both of them lie on their stomachs, then started kicking and stomping on their backs with boots on. They were taken to the Bukit Jalil police station for alleged drug-related offences. Sargunan, a 34-year-old taxi driver, also said Krishnan had confided in him over how the police had beaten him up and showed him his bruises on his ribs in the lock-up. “Krishnan said he was in extreme pain and could not breathe and then he started vomiting,” said Sargunan in his police report. Over the four days that they were detained, Sargunan said that Krishnan had pleaded with the police to take him to hospital for treatment. Sargunan claimed that Krishnan was instead dragged out of the lock-up and beaten up before being thrown back into the lock-up.

Krishnan died at the Bukit Jalil police lock-up last Friday. While his family claimed that he had been assaulted - based on bruises and cuts on the body - the police and the hospital have claimed that he died due to a stomach ulcer. Surendran had insisted that the police should allow the family to have a second autopsy done on Krishnan. “They had lied to us, saying that we can have a second post-mortem on Krishnan only to renege on their words at the last minute, asking us to get a court order for it instead," he said.

“There is no reason for us not to have a second post-mortem unless they have something to hide." He also claimed that the hospital is in cahoots with the police to pressure the family into taking the body back for the funeral.

He said the hospital had called Krishnan's widow this morning to ask her to remove the body “immediately” before they start imposing a storage charge of RM30 a day. “They simply want to prolong the pain and mental anguish of the family,” he said. Spectacle outside station

The event was not free of drama when Krishnan's friends and relatives converged in front of the police station in the heart of Kuala Lumpur, waiting for Sargunan to show up. About 20 of them unfurled a banner saying 'Justice for the Death of Krishnan', while an equal number of police officers moved in to order the crowd to disperse. After the brief stand-off and negotiations between the police officers and Subang MP R Sivarasa and Kapar MP S Manikavasagam, who were also there, the crowd was allowed to stay. Sargunan arrived about an hour after the stipulated time, with Surendran saying that the former had gone into hiding for fear of being arrested by the police. “What if he gets arrested and waylaid by the police for some other charges?” said Surendran, referring to the case of K Selvach Santhiran. Selvach had testified at the inquest for R Gunasegaran - who had died in police custody - but was later arrested by the police without trial under the Dangerous Drugs Act. He has been in detention since last October.

PLEASE!! PLEASE ALL GOD FEARING MALAYSIAN!!! VOTE BN OUT SO THAT WE CAN REFORM THE POLICE INSTITUTION AND GET JUSTICE FOR THESE VICTIMS!!!

What the @#*!! is an open verdict?!?

Coroner Azmil Muntapha Abas has returned an open verdict into the death of DAP political aide Teoh Beng Hock, whose body was found on July 16, 2009.

He ruled out suicide or homicide as the cause of death. He also said,

"I rule out verdict of suicide,” he told a packed courtroom.

Azmil said there exists sufficient evidence to show that Teoh's neck injury was pre-fall but "no evidence to confirm that this injury facilitated or contributed to Teoh's demise".

Azmil said that pathologists Dr Pornthip Rojanasunand and Dr Shahidan Md Noor both found evidence of bruising to the deceased's neck.

Both found that the neck injury could have caused a reduction of oxygen to the brain, leading to “celebral edema, mild or moderate hypoxia, confusion, fainting and decreased motor control”.

“(Dr Shahidan) submitted that the consequences of such an injury raise serious doubts as to the capability of the deceased exiting the window unassisted, both physically and mentally,” said the coroner.

“Evidence showed that Teoh did not have these injuries when he went into the MACC office, and you and I know he never left the MACC office.

“So how did he come by these injuries and who is responsible? These questions are of grave significance!!

Teoh, 30, was found dead on July 16, 2009 on the fifth floor landing of Plaza Masalam, Shah Alam, after overnight interrogation by the Selangor Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission at its office on the 14th floor of the building.

The inquest, which began on July 29, 2009, has been fraught with controversy, with expert witnesses giving contradicting evidence on the circumstances of Teoh's death.

Thai pathologist Dr Pornthip Rojanasunand testified that she was certain that it was not a case of suicide as the second autopsy conducted found neither defensive injuries on the deceased limbs nor a fracture on the skull typical of suicide by jumping.

She disagreed with British pathologist Dr Peter Vanezis, who testified that the fracture found on Teoh's left ankle showed that he landed on his feet, and that he was concious when the fell.

Coroner Azmil Muntapha Abas states that 37 witnesses testified including 12 expert witnesses. He adds that his duty is to determine how Teoh died, where he died, when he died and "if any person is criminally concerned in the cause of death".

He notes that Teoh died about 11.15am on July 16.

"Teoh was alive upon impact on the fifth floor. The cause of death was multiple injuries sustained by fall."

Teoh's handwriting samples were never obtained so it cannot be proved that he wrote the 'final note'; the coroner also said the MACC relied heavily upon to prove suicide on grounds that Teoh had felt guilty.

"I can only conclude that the note was authored by Teoh but cannot say it was a suicide note.

Teoh's sister Lee Lan is inconsolable, crying incontrollably. Her parents appear devastated but stoic.

The family of deceased political aide Teoh Beng Hock will turn to Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak to make good of his word and instruct the opening of a Royal Commission of Inquiry, following the open verdict delivered in the inquest today.

“We want Najib to open a Royal Commission because we are unsatisfied with the verdict. So much evidence pointed to homicide so why couldn't the coroner find in that favour?

Soon after Teoh's death, Najib has promised the family that he will instruct a Royal Commission of Inquiry to be held on the matter if the family found the inquest, which began on 29 July, 2009, unsatisfactory.

My Comments on this!

If TBH did not commit suicide, and it was not an accident! Then what else is there but murder!!

The only proper question is WHO!?!? This is a dumb verdict!! It is a simple yes or no verdict!!

I hope all Malaysian who are not satisfied with this verdict will show Najib and BN how to give a proper verdict!

KICK BN OUT!!!

Click here to see how DUMB the MACC Lawyer were in this case!!

x-top cop: DNA evidence faked in Sodomy I

A former investigating officer in Anwar Ibrahim's 'black-eye' case has claimed that the DNA evidence was fabricated during the first sodomy trial in 1998.

Former Kuala Lumpur CID chief Mat Zain Ibrahim mentioned this in passing in an open appeal letter to solicitor-general Idrus Harun. A copy was made available to the media today.

Mat Zain did not provide details, but hinted that this had been sufficiently explained in his Dec 27, 2010 13-page letter to the inspector-general of police (IGP), that was also forwarded to the prime minister and to Idrus.

“In my letter, I explained that any investigation of the information must refer to the investigation papers of the black-eye incident because of overlapping incidents. The main players in the black-eye case and the DNA fabrication are the same,” he wrote.

The black-eye case refers to Anwar's assault at the hands of former IGP Abdul Rahim Mohd Noor(left in photo) on Sept 20, 1998.

Based on the findings of a subsequent royal commission of inquiry, Rahim was charged in court with the assault and pleaded guilty.

Mat Zain said the main purpose of his letter was to point out to Idrus that Home Minister Hishammuddin Hussein and de factoLaw Minister Mohd Nazri Abdul Aziz had made misleading statements to Parliament about his allegations.

“I believe that (you) are aware that the statements of the two ministers contained important facts and/or information that was untrue and/or confusing and/or was distorted.

“I also believe that (you) are aware that the attorney-general, whether intentionally or otherwise, had caused Hishammuddin and Nazri to make confusing statements in Parliament.

“In my words, they have given the wrong information to the public. As a result, both ministers might be at risk of legal action.”

He argued that the two ministers were not the competent authority to speak on the attorney-general's behalf.

Mat Zain has been on a campaign to clear his name after Anwar had mentioned him, among others, in a 2008 police report accusing the authorities of tampering with evidence in the black-eye case.

Others mentioned in Anwar's police report are Attorney-General Abdul Gani Patail, former IGP Musa Hassan (left) and one Dr Abdul Rahman Yusof. Abdul Gani and Musa have been clearedof wrongdoing by the authorities but the status of Mat Zain and Abdul Rahman is unclear.

Mat Zain's series of letters urging the police and the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission to clear his name have led to him accusing Abdul Gani and Musa of fabricating evidence in the black-eye case.

In particular, Mat Zain claimed that the duo were instrumental in producing three medical reports by Abdul Rahman which offered varying conclusions.

Lingering questions

Mat Zain urged Idrus to exercise his powers to initiate investigations to answer several questions once and for all, including:

• Whether it is true that there were three different medical reports on the black-eye incident produced by Abdul Rahman.

• Whether it is true that the first medical report dated Oct 26, 1998 was not submitted to the royal commission.

• Whether Abdul Gani, and/or Musa, and/or Abdul Rahman, and/or Mat Zain were involved in producing the three medical reports.

“I believe that (you) cannot deny that you received the three medical reports prepared by Abdul Rahman (that was attached to) my letters dated April 15, 2009 and May 7, 2009,” Mat Zain wrote.

“I believe (you) are not someone who would trash such documents, but rather would verify the veracity of the documents.”

He concluded by explaining the significance of only unveiling this letter today.

“On Jan 5, 1999 then attorney-general Mohtar Abdullah issued a press statement prepared by Abdul Gani (left) on the police investigations into the black-eye incident.

“I cannot forget this historic date. The Jan 5, 1999 press statement destroyed the credibility of the Royal Malaysian Police, especially the team investigating the black-eye incident.”

That press statement had also caused cabinet to mistakenly believe that the police were unable to police itself and thus a royal commission of inquiry was established to take over investigations.

However, Mat Zain pointed out that the royal commission had found that the police were capable of performing investigations “without fear or favour” as noted in commission's final report.

“I believe that (you) and senior officials in the Attorney-General's Chambers are aware that the Jan 5, 1999 press statement was the main evidence that can be used to lay criminal charges against Abdul Gani and his accomplices in relation to false and fabricated statements,” he added.

During Anwar's first sodomy trial, Abdul Gani was the senior DPP leading the prosecution team, while Musa was the investigating officer.

Both quickly rose up the ranks and helmed their respective organisations after Anwar was jailed.

The sodomy conviction was eventually overturned on appeal.

From Malaysiakini!

I would have done the same thing if I was in BN's shoes!

YES!! If PKR came to power they should do the same thing and withhold their MP's funding just like what they are doing to you now!

Got this from Malaysiakini

The Kuala Lumpur High Court has fixed Feb 8, to decide if permission should be granted to Sungai Siput MP Dr Michael Jeyakumar's application for a judicial review.

The application is against the federal government withholding RM1 million entitled to the opposition-held parliamentary constituency.

Other than Jeyakumar (right), several Pakatan Rakyat MPs were also present holding watching briefs, as the case also affects their constituencies.

They include Nurul Izzah Anwar (Lembah Pantai), Dr Mohd Hatta Ramli (Kuala Krai), Khalid Samad (Shah Alam), Tian Chua (Batu), Dzulkifli Ahmad (Kuala Selangor), Mohd Yusmadi Yusof (Balik Pulau) and Liew Chin Tong (Bukit Bendera).

Jeyakumar was represented by former Bar Council chairperson S Ambiga. Lawyers holding watching brief for the Pakatan Rakyat MPs included Ranjit Singh and K Shanmuga.

Ambiga (left) refused to divulge details of what was submitted as it was a chambers matter.

After the submissions, Jeyakumar told journalists outside the courtroom that the money was public funds which MPs are entitled to.

“The federal government in its response said RM2 million had been given to my constituency, but it could not reveal where the money had gone, with the exception of saying it was given to two schools and an orphanage,” he said.

“This is improper as it is public funds, and I as the elected representative should be informed as to where the money has gone to.”

Jeyakumar said the senior federal counsel told the court it was the prime minister's prerogative to disburse the funds as he so chose and the court could not interfere in the process.

Every year, he said, the government allocated more than RM222 million to the 222 parliamentary constituencies for their development.

“Every BN MP got it but why not the Pakatan Rakyat MPs? All this should be done transparently.”

For judicial review applications, leave (permission) had to be gained before the application can be heard. If leave is not granted, then the whole application will not be heard.

First MP to file suit against federal gov't

In October last year Jeyakumar, from Parti Sosialis Malaysia, became the first elected representative to take the federal government to court for withholding funds allocated to his constituency.

In his application, Jeyakumar, who wrested the seat from former MIC president S Samy Vellu in 2008, said he had not seen any of the funds allocated to Sungai Siput since he took over.

He also claimed that by withholding the funds, the respondents were going against Article 8(1) of the Federal Constitution, which provides that all persons are equal before the law and entitled to its equal protection.

In his application, he noted that in this context, Article 8 (1) provided that the Special Constituency Allocation be exercised equally and equitably among all Members of Parliament regardless of political affiliation.

He named the director-general of the Implementation Co-ordination Unit of the Prime Minister's Department, the director of the Perak State Development Office and the government of Malaysia as respondents.

Jeyakumar is applying for the respondents to explain their authority in disbursing the funds from the Special Constituency Allocation at their discretion and to specify the procedure for allocation of funding since 2008.

He is also applying for the disbursement of funds to be done equitably among all parliamentarians, and for damages and costs, which are to be assessed.