CPM giveup armed struggle, not ideology

We should continue to view with suspicion the aspirations of ranking members of the Communist Party of Malaya (CPM) to return to society and take part in politics within the framework of the Constitution of Malaysia.

This is because the attitude of CPM leaders themselves who continue to hold to the teachings of Karl Marx.

According to the teachings, communists will make use of anything including the use of force to achieve the objectives of their struggle. Chin Peng in his book 'Chin Peng: My Side of History', said: "Every generation shapes its dreams. …But you pay for your dreams. We certainly paid for ours. …I do not regret having fought for what I considered - and still consider – a just cause.” (Chin Peng, 2003:9).

There are two categories of CPM members who want to rejoin society - those with ranks and those without.

Ordinary CPM members indeed aspired to give their struggle and return to Malaysia and live a normal life as they realised the failure of the communist struggle the world over. As far as the ranking ones are concerned once a communist they will remain a communist and will continue to hold to the communist ideology.

And, most of the former members of the disbanded CPM who have applied to return to Malaysia do not have clear proof of nationality.

But the fact that most of the members of the CPM were predominantly Chinese only served to worsen ethnic relations within the country. As such, the healing process of reorienting some members of the CPM back into the mainstream of society will take time. The main thing is that the CPM issue is now more or less behind us.

We must remember that the CPM have only given up their armed struggle, not their ideology.

Read here

Former CPM member blog - http://matamin.blogspot.com/

REMINDER:

Any constructive criticism and comment that would contribute to fair, frank and informed discussion on this posting to help achieve our national objective will be most appreciated. We need to have more open exchange of ideas on this sensitive but important subject in the context of the national vision and security.

Audit report on PKFZ

The Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) will study the audit report on the Port Klang Free Zone (PKFZ) which was received today for further actionT. The report was received from the Chairman of the Port Klang Authority (PKA), Datuk Lee Hwa Beng, today.

The investigation report prepared last year had been sent to the MACC Legal and Prosecution Division for further action. Lee handed over the audit report on the PKFZ to the MACC following the controversy on its viability and the cost of developing the project which had escalated to RM4.6 billion.

The audit report on PKFZ by PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC) This report is confidential to Port Klang Authority (PKA) but was pasted in its entirety on the Port Klang Authority (PKA) website yesterday. The cost of the project had risen to RM7.453 billion, including interest costs, compared with its original price tag of RM1.957 billion.

The audit report entitled "Position Review of Port Klang Free Zone Project and Port Klang Free Zone Sdn Bhd" noted that the cost of the project, excluding interest, was at RM3.522 billion. Investigation into the 405-hectare PKFZ trans-shipment hub was initiated after it was revealed that its development cost jumped from below RM2.5 billion to RM4.6 billion.

The reports said that PKA may not have received value for money due to its heavy reliance on Kuala Dimensi Sdn Bhd (KDSB) as turnkey developer.

The strategic intent of the Project was to transform ort Klang into a national load centre and regional transshipment hub. However significant project coasts, weak governance and weak project management have severely undermined the viability of the Project. It is imperative that Port Klang Authority (PKA) takes immediate actions to restructure the MOF soft loan of RM4.632 billion to avoid a potential default in 2012..............

......Cashflow projections prepared by PKA management show that PKA would be in a cumulative cash deficit position between 2012 and 2041, after paying two instalments to MOF. Should PKA fail to meet the Ministry of Finance (MOF) soft loan instalments as scheduled and if these instalments are deferred to match its projected cashflow, it would incur additional interest cost of approximately RM5 billion. This would further increase the outlay of the project to RM12.453 billion.

Others is:
* There could be potential conflicts of interest arising from the involvement of parties who had prior association with either the land or KDSB.
* The land was acquired at special value which exceeded market value.
* KDBS may have overcharged PKA for interest by between RM51 million and RM309 million in connection with the purchase of the land.
* The RM1 billion development contract was awarded to KDSB before a projek masterplan was finalised.

Read full report at www.pka-report.com

REMINDER:

Any constructive criticism and comment that would contribute to fair, frank and informed discussion on this posting to help achieve our national objective will be most appreciated. We need to have more open exchange of ideas on this sensitive but important subject in the context of the national vision and security.

No to Chin Peng

The government is firm on its decision not to allow the former Malayan Communist Party (MCP)leader, Chin Peng to return to this country.

Deputy Home Minister Datuk Wira Abu Seman Yusop said this was in accordance with the Federal Court''s ruling on April 30 to uphold the High Court''s decision.

"The High Court was correct to compel the 85-year-old Chin Peng to furnish his birth certificate and citizenship to prove that he was a Malaysian citizen before allowing him to proceed with his application for a declaration that he could reside here," he said in a statement.

Based on the court''s decision, Chin Peng''s failure to produce his birth certificate or citizenship had denied him his right to stay in Malaysia.

Chin Peng''s return could also create dissatisfaction among the public especially those who had suffered the atrocities committed by the communist terrorists.

Lebai also believe that the CPM was merely 'temporarily suspending' its armed struggle but through infiltration and subversion with the help of communist surrogates, would create a 'new revolutionary situation' which would be expedited and aggravated by any future economic recession in the country.

The CPM has only given up militant struggle. It has not declared that it had abandoned its political aim of taking over power in Malaysia. The activities can be revived under the guise of human rights and democracy. No Communist Party in the world would simply vanish into thin air.

It is a brilliant example of the classic communist tactic of taking one step backward to go two steps forward. The communists should never be under-estimated. They will never give up easily.

History is likely to repeat itself unless timely and positive actions are taken to prevent any recurrence. To be fore-warned is to be fore-armed. The people of our country are facing the danger of allowing themselves to be lulled into an unrealistic sense of complacency which the communists and their surrogates are making every effort to foster and disseminate.

It is, therefore, imperative that we should heighten our vigilance to detect and smash all communist plots in order to safeguard the welfare and well-being of our people and to ensure security, peace and stability in our country on the basis of social justice and the democratic principles. We cannot afford to be complacent.

Young intellectual Malaysians should not allow themselves to be subverted by the "human rights" movement against their own country. As citizens it is our duty to fight against the misuse of all laws. God has created all countries differently. We cannot copy or imitate the system of another country.

Today, whilst facing the economic problem, Malaysians should be reminded of how much luckier and prosperous their lives are compared with those of their parents and grandparents during the emergency years. They should be reminded of the sacrifices made by those who lived and fought through the emergency to ensure that we would have a free, democratic and independent Malaya, instead of a communist Malaya.


REMINDER:

Any constructive criticism and comment that would contribute to fair, frank and informed discussion on this posting to help achieve our national objective will be most appreciated. We need to have more open exchange of ideas on this sensitive but important subject in the context of the national vision and security.

An open letter to Malaysian Indians (Hindraf)

To begin with, this picture is not from Malaysia. It is from Chennai, the capital city of southern Indian state of Tamil Nadu. According to flickr, this photo is part of their most interesting 50 sets. It says a lot about the pain, and struggle of Dalit community in India, above all in Tamil Nadu.Died the night before: A family mourning death of a child on the street in Triplicane area in Chennai. The family is homeless, the live on the sidewalk. There were heavy rains for several days, it was relatively cold, the child got serious fever and died soon. You can see it @ flickr.com © Maciej Dakowicz.

An open letter to Malaysian Indians

By CyberGhandi

I stand against any discrimination of any human being in any parts of the world. But when it comes to HINDRAF outrage in Malaysia there are some questions one should ask to Hindu Rights Action Force officials.

As an Indian, I believe ethnic Indians in Malaysia; still enjoy more rights than Indian citizens who is living in their own country. Since the living standards of Malaysia are far higher than India, I also agree that Hindus in Malaysia need a better deal.

As a community with migrant history, majority of Malaysian Indians are Hindus while it also include a minuscule of Muslim, Christian and Sikh presence. The so called “Indian” heritage in Malaysia cannot be limited with Hindu minority in Malaysia.

Unlike Malaysia, discrimination against Indian citizens in India has a multitude of factors. One is the religion and the other is caste factor.

In India, religious discrimination is worst against Muslims followed by Sikhs, Christians, Buddhists, and Jainism. The traces of Hindu caste system can be visible among India’s minority communities too. Due to Hindutva’s burgeoning alliance with Zionism, Jews are not attacked or either they are helped to migrate to their dreamland, Israel.

Hindutva patriots will never question patriotism of Indian Jews. In 2005, Business Week reported that India became Israel’s largest importer of weapons, accounting for about half of the $3.6 billion worth of weapons exported by the Jewish state.

But in terms of Caste discrimination, it totally alienate lower caste Hindus, Dalits and Tribal or aborigines, who together contribute the largest segment of Hindu religion. Caste system is a part of a Hindu belief that people inherit their stations in life based on the sins and good deeds of past lives.

For the past 60 years the higher caste Hindu elite, effectively ruling this nation under the false cover of democratically elected government. Since majority of Indians are illiterate, it is easy to manipulate their votes offering food kits, liquor, subsidies, and even free Television!

Crime-politics nexus also influences the democracy in India. Most of the ministers in elected democratic governments are from criminal background. They are entering into the political arena, influencing the decision-making at the highest level in their own favor and thereby increasing corruption through patron-client relationship. The reason for this pervasive political corruption, in spite of six decades of democracy, is because we, in India, do not elect representatives but patrons. The rich and the avaricious as well as the poor and the stricken, vote on this principle. Lack of transparency within the bureaucracy is also another important factor responsible for promoting public corruption.

Any attempts from the state to introduce an affirmative action plan to help the down trodden of India, primarily defeated by upper caste student agitations in the campus. In a country where more than 92 % children cannot progress beyond secondary school, a support base for the backward communities in campus is beyond imagination. Furthermore, Indian judiciary is loaded with upper caste judges and they will spoils any affirmative action of the state by restricting reservation quota.

On the other hand, India contributed about $14.5 billion to the US economy through the expenditure on tuition and living expenses by sending the students to US. As a country, it dominated with one in seven (14.4 percent) of the total of 582,984 international students. [The Open Doors 2007, US Department of State's Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs Report] In the same period, Australia earned about 500 million Australian dollars from the export of educational services to India. Please note that Government of India’s spending on education is lesser than one-fifth of its defense budget!

The dominant group of Hindu nationalists come from the three upper castes ( Brahmins, Kshatriyas, and Vaishyas ) that constitute only 10 per cent of the total Indian population. But, they claim perhaps 80 % of the jobs in the new economy, in sectors such as software, biotechnology, and hotel management. Thus, Hindutva storm troopers promote enormous blogs, web campaigns and forums to control the media to implement their own political will. India’s fake super power status is also something created by this elite group of Hindu caste who don’t want to care the alienated Hindu classes and minorities.

Let us begin with the educational statistics from Tamil Nadu State itself.

Out of 427 faculties available in Chennai IITs (Tamil Nadu) 400 are from Brahmin caste and only 4 of them are Dalit. Every year, Government of India spend a whopping amount of $ 2000 million for the expenses of IITs (Bombay, Delhi, Gawhati, Kanpur, Kharaghpur, and Madras). But, Indian IITs function as a free educational institute dedicated to the upper class Hindus. Even though IITs are proclaimed as institutions with national importance, 96% of the IIT graduates usually migrate to west or find a job with a multinational corporate company.

According to the Indian census of 2001, the total population was 1.028 billion. Hindus numbered 827 million or 80.5 %. About 25 per cent (24 million) of those Hindus are belonging to Scheduled Castes and Tribes. About 40 per cent (400 million) are “Other Backward Castes”. Even though, 15 per cent are belonging to Hindu upper castes, they inherited civil service, economy and active politics. And thus the caste system virtually leaves lower caste Hindus in India to an oppressed minority.

Udit Raj, the prominent Dalit intellectual from India, recalls caste issues in Malaysia in his book,
“Caste Hindus can give up anything, including their life, but caste attitude. In 1998, when I was invited to attend the first Dalit International Convention at Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, it was unbelievable at first sight, but became a reality, when I attended. About 150 years back, British took Indians to Malaysia as labourers and assistants and eventually Indians made their homes there. More than one million Hindus are living there, but are still maintaining their caste identity. Dalits living in Malaysia have lots of grievances, which is not a contribution of the concerned soil, but virus went with them. So far, no medicine has been manufactured that can kill the caste virus” ” Dalit & Religious Freedom, 2005“, chapter 38.

Considering the media manipulation techniques, time line and nature of the Hindu outrage in Malaysia, there are many reasons to believe that HINDRAF and Uthay Kumar is closely associated with RSS, a Hindu Taliban who already spoiled India’s social fabric with fascist propaganda and communal riots. Watch Hindutva role in Communal Riots

Mr. P. Waytha Moorthy, the Chairman of Hindu Right Action Force, in fact is the Malaysian representative of global ‘Hindutva’ brother hood called Vishva Hindu Parishat. He also work with Hindu charity institutions like Hindu America Foundation and UK based SEWA International , both of them are in control of their parent demon, RSS . Both of these charity organizations were involved in funding anti minority riots in India. Hiring such a hate monger and ardent admirer of Aryan Hindu supremacy to solve issues of Malaysian Tamils will back fire soon. Tamil values are much closer to Dravidian culture and it will never tolerate the Aryan ideas of racial purity and dictatorship of Brahmins.

Instead, Tamil Hindus should find ways for peaceful dialogue with Malay organizations and concentrate more of their energy for caste and poverty eradication. The thoughts of Thanthai Periyar E.V. Ramaswamy should be their guide light, than the false propaganda war initiated by Hindutva and its militant mafia gang, RSS.

Do you know why? RSS is the Hindu-supremacist organization that has fueled a rise in anti-Dalit, anti-Muslim, anti-Christian and anti-Sikh violence. The former ruling party, the BJP is the political arm of the RSS and helped fascism to spread across civil, judiciary, defence and educational streams of the society. According to National Crime Records Bureau, there was 1822602 riots in 2005 alone. [ Incidence Of Cognizable Crimes (IPC) Under Different Crime Heads, concluded, Page 2] NCRB website

Under India’s notorious caste system, upper caste Hindus inherited key positions and controls all the governmental branches. Violence against victims largely goes unpunished due to the support of this upper caste crooks.

The man, who killed Mahatma Gandhi in January 1948 for seeking conciliation with Minorities Nathuram Vinayak Godse, was a Brahmin and at one time belonged to the RSS. That’s part of the Sangh’s legacy. And it has not only spawned the VHP, but numerous other radical organizations backing the RSS, notably the Shiv Sena (Shiva’s Army) party of Bal Thackeray, a self-declared Hitler fan.”

Since Indian community issues in Malaysia is considered as a ‘Minority vs majority‘ issue, let us also compare the statistics of Indian Muslims, in India it self. Unlike Malaysian Hindus, Indian Muslims have not arrived from outside.

Recently, Justice Rajinder Sachar Committee report admitted that 138 Million Muslims across India are severely under-represented in government employment, including Public Sector Units. Ironically, West Bengal, a communist ruled state reported 0 (zero) percent of Muslims in higher positions in its PSUs! It has found that the share of Muslims in government jobs and in the lower judiciary in any state simply does not come anywhere close to their population share. The only place where Muslims can claim a share in proportion to their population is in prison! (Muslims convicts in India is 19.1%, while the number of under trials is 22.5%, which exceed their population ratio) . A note sent on January 9 by the army to the defence ministry in 2004 says that only 29,093 Muslims among a total of 1.1 million personnel — a ratio of 2.6 %, which compares poorly with the Muslims’ 13 % share in the Indian population. Officially, Indian Army don’t allow head count based on religion.

A Muslim child attends school for three years and four months, compared to the national average of four years. Less than two percent of the students at the elite Indian Institutes of Technology comprise of the Muslim community.

Please note that, Malaysian Indians are not the original inhabitants of the country; but Indian Muslims are from the same racial and ethnic groups as their compatriots. And still they face discrimination in the world’s largest democracy called India. (Ref. Indian Express, The Missing Muslims)

81 % Malaysia’s ethnic Indians are mostly from the southern Indian state of Tamil Nadu, an impoverished land lagging with illiteracy and feudalism fueled by Delhi’s north favored rule. The traditional Hindu caste system compelled caste minorities including Dalits to move even to Sri Lanka. But unfortunately, this Tamils are currently in extreme war with their own hosts, Sinhalese!

Does Tamil community in Malaysia want to do the same rebellion to their own host, the Malays?

The Tribune News paper has a story about Malaysia’s care to India. “In 1971, Malaysia sent a team to enquire about the welfare of its pensioners residing in Punjab. Further, pensions paid in that country are free of income tax,” The Tribune, February 20, 2003, Chandigarh, India.

Do HINDRAF want to trouble the interests of Malaysian Indians by misleading Tamil Hindu community against such generous government like of Malaysia? Can we expect proper pension from India Government?

The Human Development Report for 2007-08 released by the UNDP ranked India 128 out of 177 countries, working it out through measures of life expectancy, education and income. Malaysia ranked 63 and listed at under High Human Development category. The report found that India’s GDP per capita (purchasing power parity) is $3,452, far below Malaysia’s $10,882. Read the statistics from UNDP website

Indian workers form the third largest foreign work force in Malaysia, with 140,000 of them seeking out a living there. Most of these migrant workers are the relatives of ethnic Indians who comprise 7% of Malaysia’s population of around 24 million.

Every year, more than 1 million Indian citizens are forced to leave their country in search of better life.

Indians form about half of the 2.6 million expatriate workers in the United Arab Emirates’ private sector which includes Hindus, Sikhs, Muslims and Christians. In 2006, India received the highest amount of remittance globally from migrants, 27 $Billion. The large part of it came from the Gulf expatriate workforce.

Further, Indian government expects overseas Indians to pump in about US$500 billion into the FOREX reserves of the country in the next 10 years, making them the single largest source of foreign receipts. Do Indian Government want to hurt their own economy by interfering in Malaysian affairs?

Migrated Hindus from India constitutes 1 million or 0.4 per cent of US population now. With the approval of U.S authorities, they built around 1,000 Hindu temples throughout the US. The generosity of the American administration did n’t stop Hindutva idiots from bashing Christian around the globe.

In Tamil Nadu, last year, 250 temples were brought down to earth following High Court orders in Madurai. The reason was those temples were built on public property. There were no protests. Tamil Hindus there thought such a drive was carried out in the interest of people at large.

Like India, thousands of smaller Hindu temples, often originating in the placement of a deity under a tree, should have mushroomed across Malaysian rubber plantations and the rural countryside. As the Hindu community grew, some of them may be converted to larger structures and government should have brought down in public interest. But why so much huge and cry in Malaysia alone?

By falsely claiming of “Ethnic cleansing against Hindus in Malaysia”, HINDRAF officials are working against the interests of India’s peaceful migrant community around the world. While Dalits, Lower castes, Sikhs, Chrisitans and Muslims are the daily victims of Hindutva’s communal riots in India, Tamil Hindus in Malaysia haven’t faced any single riots orchestrated by Malay Muslims.

Remember that India, as a country cannot offer you food or job. Tamil politicians are engaged in lip service.

Tamil Nadu records the highest poverty level among other southern states of India. One of the major problems faced by the state is rural women’s disempowerment and girl-child discrimination. Nearly 45% of the AIDS patients in India live in Tamil Nadu, although there has been some decline in the HIV prevalence in the state due to improved efforts.

Leaders with Dravidian origin have limited say in India’s central government which is ruled by majority north Indian Aryans. They consider TamilNadu as the bastion of opposing imposition of north Indian rule and its Hindi language in its territories. South Indians mostly consider English as their national language than Hindi. This north and south division has a long history in India and will continue to go on for ages, as long as people in India continue to remain emotionally myopic, narrow minded and accepting of propaganda and social myths. Govt. of Tamil Nadu website has something to say about Politics of Dravidian thoughts.

Hindutva vs Tamil culture

Before the invasion of Aryans, Tamils have practiced a dual spirituality called Saivism and Thirumalism . But Brahmins enslaved Tamils with cultural and spiritual corruption.

The Hindu nationalist movement headed by Brahmin chiefs grew up in the 1920s with the establishment of Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS ) The RSS gradually established a network of local branches that met daily for training sessions on martial arts. With ideological sermons making Indian identity synonymous with Brahmin culture it floated new motto even to the south, “Hindu, Hindi, Hindustan” (one people, one language, one country).

In 1965, after a 15 year gap, Hindi was declared as the solitary national language of India. This led to violent protests in Tamil Nadu and so many deaths of tamilians.

In 1996, Inspired by Hindu myths, a Marathi Hindu mafia leader called Bal Thackeray floated ‘Shiv Sena‘ a political party to drive out south Indians from the industrial city of Bombay. Shiv Sena means Army of Shiva, (referring to Hindu King, Shivaji) succeeded in its aim with the help of Hindu militants who unleashed several communal riots in the city.

In 1991, a Tamil Tiger suicide bomber killed India’s Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi ( A north Indian brahmin with aryan heritage) at an election rally outside Chennai. Those scars against Tamils are still run deep in north India, especially in a government dominated by Gandhi’s Italian-born widow Sonia.

When it comes to recording Indian history, the north of the country often ignores or overlooks events in the south. Tamils consider Vellore revolt as the first organized revolt against British in India, while Delhi officially consider it started with Sepoy Mutiny of 1857. Unlike north Indian Hindus, Tamils consider Lord Rama as the villain and Ravana as the hero. In such many ways, Tamil history and politics are in contradiction with India’s official version, which is in fact authored and promoted by Aryan north. The division within India’s caste maniacs is so deep and it cannot overcome to help anyone outside their circle.

Do the ethnic Indians in Malaysia want to come back to India? I bet none of them will come back to this sinking ship called, India. Instead of asking for more rights they should come out of their caste system and narrowness. Let them learn to respect their hosts, the Malaysian people who provided better opportunities than their caste maniac“Mother India”. Only such an attitude and kindness will bring them prosperity. Let them not forget the millions of impoverished Indian citizens living in their own country. Read more about Our Shining India

What make people move to out of India? Read the Real Indian facts

What if you come to Tamil Nadu and join with 1,60,000 Sri Lankan Tamil refugees ? Read this Report from Asian Centre of Human Rights

REMINDER:
Any constructive criticism and comment that would contribute to fair, frank and informed discussion on this posting to help achieve our national objective will be most appreciated. We need to have more open exchange of ideas on this sensitive but important subject in the context of the national vision and security.

Provokasi Hindraf semakin bahaya

Akhbar hari ini melaporkan beberapa pertubuhan bukan kerajaan (NGO) mendesak kerajaan bertindak tegas terhadap pemimpin pertubuhan haram Hindraf yang sengaja membuat provokasi bagi membangkitkan kemarahan rakyat dan mengancam keselamatan awam.

Pemimpin Hindraf yang terus membuat kenyataan bersifat provokatif dan enggan menghadiri sesi perjumpaan dengan Lembaga Penasihat ISA seperti ditetapkan sebelum pembebasan mereka, dua minggu lalu.

Mereka mahu tindakan segera diambil terhadap pemimpin pertubuhan haram itu, yang jelas cuba menggugat kestabilan negara dengan mengeluarkan kenyataan keterlaluan, berbaur perkauman dan mencabar kedaulatan undang-undang.

Antara lain, Pengerusi Hindraf, P Waythamoorthy yang kini tinggal di luar negara, turut mengugut kerajaan supaya menarik balik arahan mewajibkan abangnya, P Uthayakumar, menghadiri sesi itu atau sekali lagi berdepan dengan protes jalanan di seluruh negara.

Timbalan Pengerusi II Majlis Permuafakatan Ummah (Pewaris), Rahimuddin Md Harun, berkata kerajaan juga wajar mengkaji kemungkinan pemimpin Hindraf cuba membawa ideologi Harimau Pembebasan Tamil Eelam (LTTE) ke negara ini.

Presiden Angkatan Belia Islam Malaysia (Abim), Yusri Mohd, pula berkata jika unsur ekstrem yang dibawa pemimpin Hindraf tidak segera dibendung, lama-kelamaan ia akan berleluasa dan menjadi ancaman besar kepada negara.

Presiden Pertubuhan Pribumi Perkasa Malaysia (Perkasa), Datuk Ibrahim Ali, berkata, kerajaan perlu segera bertindak tegas terhadap pemimpin Hindraf kerana mereka kini sudah terbukti melanggar undang-undang.

Ketua Penerangan Pertubuhan Profesional Melayu dan Pewaris Bangsa (Prowaris), Zulkifli Ahmad, pula berkata peruntukan ISA mungkin terlalu lembut dan tidak berkesan untuk mengubah tindak tanduk pemimpin Hindraf.

Lebai juga senada dengan pemimpin NGO berkenaan dan berpendapat tindakan ugutan oleh pemimin Hindraf itu adalah satu provokasi yang bahaya serta boleh mengancam perpaduan, keselamatan dan ketenteraman negara ini. Amat tidak wajar bagi golongan atau individu berkenaan membuat provokasi seperti itu sewenang-wenangnya tanpa memikirkan nasib masa depan negeri dan rakyat.

Lebih dikesali ialah ada provokasi itu dibuat oleh wakil rakyat yang mendakwa bertindak sebagai jurucakap parti yang memerintah negeri. Rasanya pemimpin berkenaan, dan partinya amat memahami kesan tindakan mereka di segi undang-undang serta perlembagaan negara ini.

Berdasarkan kedudukan itu, maka lLebai menganggap tindakan ituboleh dianggap secara terang-terangan mencabar kedaulatan undang-undang dan Perlembagaan Negara. Lebai anggap tindakan berkenaan sebagaisatu lagi ujian besar terhadap kesetiaan rakyat dan ketegasan undang-undang negara ini.

Dan, yang jelas ialah ia boleh ditakrifkan sebagai usaha pihak berkenaan mencari publisiti murah dengan menimbulkan isu-isu sensitif agar mereka dapat menyemarakkan sentimen serta emosi rakyat. Inilah taktik yang kerap dimainkan oleh pembangkang di negara ini. Namun Lebai yakin sebahagian besar rakyat negara itu tidak menyedari atau mengetahui keadaan sebenarnya.

Mereka hanya terikut-ikut kerana terpengaruh dengan kata-kata semangat serta janji kononnya tindakan berkenaan adalah untuk menjamin kebajikan masa depan mereka. Golongan itu hanya melafazkan janji-janji manis semata-mata, tetapi tidak pernah membayangkan kehidupan yang pahit akibat ketelanjuran itu.

Lebai juga berharap jika tindakan provokasi oleh pemimpin Hindraf atau mana-mana pemimpin, itu bercanggah dengan perlembagaan, maka golongan atau individu yang sengaja bertindak demikian juga menyalahi undang-undang serta perlu diambil tindakan sewajarnya.

Terlanjur bercakap mengenai perkara ini, Lebai juga terbaca dalam laman web ipohmalay dan Lebai juga ada berikan komen. Lebai mendedahkan kepada pemilik laman blog itu mengenai tindakan-tindakan termasuk Timbalan Ketua Menteri II Pulau Pinang P Ramasamy yang banyak menulis kepada http://www.tamilcanadian.com/. Dalam tulisan-tulisannya, Ramasamy yang juga bekas profesor di Univeriti Malay banyak menimbulkan provokasi antara bangsa Melayu dan kaum minoriti Tamil di Malaysia.

Selain, dilihat menyokong pertubuhan pengganas LTTE di Sri Lanka, tulisan Ramasamy itu juga cuba menimbulkan kemarahan kaum Tamil terhadap orang Melayu. Perlu diingat bahawa bangsa Melayu adalah Islam dan tidak semua kaum Tamil beragama Hindu. Jika provokasi itu, terus dinyalakan Lebai bimbang ianya boleh mencetuskan api dan akan bertukar menjadi pergaduhan etnik/agama. Jadi lebih baik pihak berkuasa Malaysia membuka mata dan tidak membiarkan nasi menjadi bubur.

Pihak berkuasa hendaklah mengambil tindakan tegas bagi memastikan ia tidak dijadikan mainan politik oleh golongan tertentu. Jika tiada langkah segera diambil untuk membenterasnya, pemikiran begini akan mudah merebak dan menjangkiti pihak lain, terutama rakyat umum. Jika pihak berkuasa tidak bertindak segera, Lebai yakin perkara ini akan berterusan.

Bagi bangsa Melayu dan umat Islam, ingatlah kalimah Surah Al-An'aam ayat 121 yang bermaksud: "Sesungguhnya syaitan-syaitan itu membisikkan kepada pengikut-pengikutnya supaya mereka membantah (menghasut) kamu; dan jika kamu menurut hasutan mereka (untuk menghalalkan yang haram itu), sesungguhnya kamu tetap menjadi orang musyrik."

This is my evidence: Aminah....

Independant candidate for the Penanti by-election Aminah Abdullah today she had been offered the post of Penang Municipal Council president and RM80,000 in compensation if she would withdraw from the May 30 Penanti by-election.

"I was also offered other attractive benefits," she said. If she did contest and won, she would have been given the Deputy Chief Minister 1 post,

Aminah said that two “top PKR leaders” had approached her at her home in Jelutong on May 13 to make the offers, which she alleged had come with the blessings of PKR leader Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim.

Claiming she had as evidence, audio on CD and a video-clip on a handphone, Aminah, 56, said she would be lodging a report with the Election Commission on Tuesday at 11am.

Aminah later made a report at the Central Seberang Prai district police headquarters, saying she feared for her safety.

"I have all the evidence on CD and will distribute this to the media soon to tell the people the truth about this man named Anwar Ibrahim,” Aminah said, accompanied by her husband Mohd Rofi and her eldest daughter Hernanie, 25.

Meanwhile, State Deputy Police Chief, Datuk Tun Hisan Tun Hamzah said:

"Aminah had lodged a police report that she was offered a reward as compensation to withdraw her candidacy in the by-election at the Seberang Perai Tengah District Police Headquarters at 11.34 am today.

"We give an assurance to all candidates contesting in the by-election, including Aminah who fears for her safety after making the police report on the offer, that their safety will be safeguarded," he said .

Tun Hisan said Aminah''s allegation had also been forwarded to the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) for further investigation.

Not ready to consider all citizens as Bumiputeras

Once again, the outlawed Hindu Rights Action Force, or Hindraf, appeared to be playing up sensitive issue when M Manoharan come out with an idea - "I want to meet the prime minister to propose that we accord Bumiputera status to all Malaysians born here after August 31, 1957 to dismantle racial barrier."

- Report by barkingmagpie and Rockybru

This is not the first time, political parties or NGO's raise this issue. Last few years, Gerakan call for the Government to give Bumiputera status to all Malaysians born in the country after Independence irrespective of their race or religion.

First of all let me reminds you - The rakyat should be proud that the international community recognised Malaysia as an independent nation capable of infusing itsmulti-racial society with the spirit of unity and tolerance and thereby building a strong foundation for development.

Actually, our country is not ready to consider all its citizens as Bumiputeras, as the Malays are still lagging behind in the economic field. The main stumbling block to atruly one Malaysian race is the fact that there is still economic disparity among the races.Yes! Umno and BN intend to move towards a one Malaysian race, but it is not going to happen in one or two years. The time is not ready yet for such matter to be considered.

Although Umno is for Bumiputeras (including Sabahan), it has always struggled for the interest of all Malaysians. As a result of our struggle, it is not only the Malays that have progressed but the non-Malays, including Indians, have also benefitted.

The matter that Manoharan raise concerning the position of the Malays is sensitive as it is a constitutional issue. All this while, we have been doing well with the present policies. That reflects the fairness of the policies. The non-Bumiputeras are not being left behind.

This is difference, from the privilege given to the Portuguese community to purchase of Amanah Saham Nasional and Amanah Saham Bumiputera units - did not automatically classify them as Bumiputeras. The privilege is a special matter.

And also, a Sabah Chinese whose mother or father is a Bumiputera or who is married to one can apply for Bumiputera status in the State, because this was stated in the State constitution.

We must think widely because there are the pessimists, the optimists and the passive on-lookers when it comes to speaking on or even dealing with issues of national unity but thankfully for Malaysia, there are many who are concerned. It is a concern of not just the government but also individuals and groups of society who not only speak out when they feel people are being side-tracked from a harmonious way of life but go out and organise activities that indirectly foster cooperation and peaceful coexistence of the various communities.

Thankfully for Malaysia, there are people who recognise the need to cherish the peace and harmony in the country by avoiding confrontational and sticky situations.

Thank You

Reminder:

Any constructive criticism and comment that would contribute to fair, frank and informed discussion on this posting to help achieve our national objective will be most appreciated. We need to have more open exchange of ideas on this sensitive but important subject in the context of the national vision and security.

Allow Chin Peng to return???

Posted Date 19/05/2009:
Press Statement by Penang Gerakan Chairman Datuk Dr Teng Hock Nan


Former communist leader Chin Peng should be allowed to return to Malaysia on humanitarian grounds, especially when he is no more a security threat to the country, said Penang Gerakan chairman Datuk Dr Teng Hock Nan.

“Communism all over the world including China and Russia has transformed and is moving towards economy-based struggles and extreme communist terrorism practiced in the 50s is non-existent now,” said Dr Teng in a statement.


Echoing the call by Penang-based Citizens International chairman S.M. Mohamed Idris to the government to allow Chin Peng to return to the country, Dr Teng urged Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak to use his good offices to take a re-look at Chin Peng’s case.

Chin Peng, who was born in Sitiawan, Perak, has brothers and sisters, and close relatives who are staying in Butterworth, Perak and all over Malaysia.

“He is now 85years’old and wishes to return to Malaysia, his birthplace. He had even appealed to the High Court to allow him to return but the appeal was rejected.

“The government should fulfill his wishes,” said Dr Teng, adding that Chin Peng’s family would be very happy to see him back.

S. M. Mohamed had told a Press conference yesterday that the struggle waged by the liberation movement led by Chin Peng, Rashid Mydin, Abdullah C.D, Shamsiah Fakeh and others had contributed to the independence of Malaya.

S.M. Mohamed described Chin Peng as a Malaysian patriot who fought the British colonialists from the age of 15 and “sacrificed everything he had to free this country from British control, domination and exploitation.” Mohamed also said an appeal letter would be sent to Najib.

Chin Peng is currently living in exile in Bangkok. He failed in his last bid to live in Malaysia after the Federal Court on April 30 upheld two lower courts’ decisions compelling him to produce his identification documents before he could enter the country.

Umno Cheras division has described a Gerakan Penang''s suggestion that former communist leader Chin Peng be allowed to return to the country as unbecoming of a Barisan Nasional member.

Umno Cheras division head Datuk Syed Ali AlHabshee said the genocide committed by the Malayan Communist Party on the people could not be forgiven and many soldiers had been killed and maimed by the insurgents.

"Chin Peng had left a black spot in the history of the country. It was rather strange for Gerakan to make the suggestion in the light of the present political scenario," he said.

Association of Former Elected Representatives (Mubarak) president Tan Sri Abu Zahar Ujang said it sent shockwaves down his spine to think of the implication if the government agreed to the suggestion.

"Although the government is open and liberal, we should not forget the history of the communist insurgency," he added.

Majlis Muafakat Ummah (Pewaris) deputy president Rahimuddin Md Harun described the suggestion as preposterous and off tangent.

"It is like adding salt to injury. Does he (Dr Teng) forgets history? The government should not entertain such request," he added.

Last year, an international lawyers’ group urged Malaysia on Tuesday to allow a former communist guerrilla leader to return home and end his decades-long exile.

Chin Peng (pix), now in his 80s, has been denied the right to go back to Malaysia on “very technical grounds,” said Jitendra Sharma, president of the Brussels-based International Association of Democratic Lawyers.

“Under international governance and under the U.N. Declaration of Human Rights, every person has a right to return to his country,” Sharma said.

“If Chin Peng has not been allowed to come in, the issue is political. ... He has had no opportunity to establish his right.”

In 2007, a Malaysian court dismissed Chin Peng’s application for a hearing on his case because he could not produce his birth and citizen certificates to establish that he is Malaysian.

But defense lawyers argue that Chin Peng, whose real name is Ong Boon Hua, does not have those certificates because authorities took them away before the 1948-57 communist insurgency, which Chin Peng led against British colonialists.

Chin Peng’s lawyers appealed the court ruling and said that Chin Peng is of Malaysian origin and he does not need to prove it with a birth certificate or citizenship papers.

Chin Peng’s counsel Raja Aziz Addruse argued that the High Court was therefore, wrong in compelling Chin Peng, 85, to produce his identification documents before he was allowed to proceed with his legal action against the Malaysian Government. (Read here)

The Malaysian Bar website also pickup this story. Go here

Sharma said his association hopes for a favorable outcome for Chin Peng.

"His petition that has been dismissed on grounds which are not legally sustainable should be restored and then he should ultimately be allowed to return,” Sharma said.

Chin Peng fled to China in 1960 and later to southern Thailand after his Marxist-Leninist insurgency waned in Malaysia, which gained independence from Britain in 1957.

In 1989, Malaysia signed a peace treaty with the communist insurgents that secured their loyalty and allowed them to return, but Chin Peng has not been able to come back.

Although the insurgents’ fight is credited with helping Malaysia, then known as Malaya, achieveindependence, some 10,000 people are believed to have been killed during that period, the most brutal in the country’s modern history.

Malaysian leaders say they fear that allowing Chin Peng back could upset those who lost relatives or friends in the conflict.

RPK son pleaded guilty to theft charges

A 32-year-old son of blogger Raja Petra Raja Kamaruddin pleaded guilty in the Magistrate''s Court here today to four counts of stealing and possessing stolen goods, worth RM17,870.

On the first count, Raja Azman Raja Petra, 32, from Bukit Rahman Putra, Sungai Buloh near here, was charged with stealing a black Yamaha RXZ, registration number BJQ 9597 belonging to a production operator, Mohd Syaiful Setapa, 24, at No: 65, Jalan Batas 2, 19/6B, Section 19 here at about 9.30am last March 20.

The second charge was for breaking into Mohd Syaiful''s house and stealing the victim''s wallet, which contained his identity card, RM20, road tax, ATM Maybank and BSN cards, and driving licence at the same address, time and date.

On the third count, Raja Azman was charged with stealing a Nokia handphone, a Seiko watch and a motorcycle chain, all worth RM3,850, belonging to a student, Saipul Adli Mohamed Yunus, 21, at house No: 16, Jalan Sastera, U2/1K Section U2 here at about 10am on April 24.

Raja Azman, who was arrested on May 6, was also charged with possessing a stolen motorcycle, worth RM6,000, belonging to student Ahmad Firdaus Jalaluddin, 23, infront of house No: 3, First Floor, Block 1, Apartment Kinrara Court, Puchong near here at about 10.40pm last May 5.

Magistrate Norkamilah Aziz set bail at RM10,500 in one surety for all the charges and fixed June 19 for sentencing.

Deputy public prosecutor Siti Syakimah Ibrahim prosecuted while Raja Azman was unrepresented.

Urgent notice

Malaysia Airlines has located and grounded its crew members who were on the same flight from United States as the student who contracted influenza A (H1N1).

15 crew members on the plane were taken off the roster for a seven-day home quarantine as a precautionary measure.

The 21-year-old student flew on Malaysia Airlines Flight MH091 from Newark, New Jersey, to KLIA via Sweden.

Malaysia Airlines confirms that Flight MH091 from Newark, arriving at KLIA on May 13 at 7.15am, was on transit at Arlanda, Stock-holm, where 80 passengers disembarked.

From Arlanda, 199 people, including 184 passengers and 15 crew members, arrived in Kuala Lumpur.

The national carrier has since been in contact with Swedish authorities to provide them with the passenger list for monitoring purposes.

The Health Ministry had also earlier advised passengers who disembarked from the flight in Kuala Lumpur to call the ministry at 03-8881-0200 or 03-8881-0300; or go to any hospital, clinic or health office for follow-up action.

No one above the law

SEPANG: Inspector-General of Police Tan Sri Musa Hassan yesterday told the Bar Council to do some soul-searching before questioning the arrest of the five lawyers on May 7.

"First we should ask these questions, are lawyers above the law? Are they immune from actions if they commit an offence?"

"If they commit an offence, can it be said that they were trying to carry out their professional duties and responsibilities? These questions should be answered first," Musa told reporters at the Kuala Lumpur International Airport.

"If the Bar Council wants to be a pressure group, then they might as well become a non-governmental organisation. Lawyers are supposed to be professionals," he said.

"I will not allow Malaysia to become another Thailand. No organisation or body or person will be allowed to threaten national security and public order," Musa vowed.

On Friday, the Bar Council held an extraordinary general meeting and motions were passed demanding the resignations of Home Minister Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Hussein and Musa.

A resolution was also passed to submit a memorandum to Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak and to ask Chief Justice Tan Sri Zaki Azmi and the Human Rights Commission to look into the arrests of the five lawyers.

The five lawyers were arrested for gathering in front of the Brickfields police station to provide legal aid to those nabbed during a candlelight vigil in support of Bersih activist Wong Chin Huat.

For me, the police did the right thing - to detain those who were at the scene.

I welcomed any police action in bringing to book the unscrupulous and crooked lawyers. I'm concerned as the public and are keen to ensure the profession maintains its respectability. Errant lawyers must face the consequences. Even, Bar Council can take action under Section 88A of the Legal Profession Act 1976, if their members breaking the law.

Every Malaysian citizen is protected under the law and the constitution which must be respected by all citizens. No one is above the rule of law which must be respected by all to ensure peace and stability in the country.

If any wrong had been done, there was a machinery and procedure provided by law to deal with it. A police investigation should be carried. Steps should be taken to see if those responsible could be brought to book and to ensure that such lawless behaviour was not repeated.

How about lawyers who alleged offences such as criminal breach of trust, misappropriation of clients' money and for forgery?

There has to be discipline in the Bar Council. But, the Bar Council appears to have no idea what to do next. Sometimes, the Bar Council's reaction is drastic and inequitable. Yet again, when they are unable to control the disciplinary procedures, they devise a scheme to include the layman. Some disciplinary matters are complex.

Allegations concerning breach of ethics are not always clear and many lawyers have to seek clarification from an ethics committee which do not always act clearly. How then can a layman cope? If a system does not appear to work, then examine it. Do not rush in where angels fear to tread.

The previous system did not work because busy practitioners did not have quality time to investigate. Each inquiry involved seven lawyers. The disciplinary committee had three lawyers sitting as committee members, the secretary, the lawyer who is facing the inquiry and his counsel and also the complainant's counsel.

These lawyers also had to attend court regularly. For the committee to hear a case, it took a while to find the dates when the seven lawyers could attend the inquiry. No wonder it could and did take some committees almost a year to complete an inquiry which was actually a few days' hearing.

Anifah slams Anwar – full transcripts

Secretary Clinton With Malaysian Foreign Minister Y.B. Datuk Anifah bin Haji Aman

SECRETARY CLINTON:
Good afternoon. I want to thank Foreign Minister Anifah for being here today. He has traveled a far distance from Malaysia to participate in meetings both here at the State Department and at the United States Senate. And President Obama and I look forward to working with the new Malaysian Government, and we see many opportunities for engagement between our two countries.

I am especially delighted because I think that the role that Malaysia is playing and can play, regionally and even globally, on a number of important issues is significant, and therefore we want to broaden and deepen our strategic cooperation.

Before providing a readout of our meeting, however, I wanted to speak to the case of Aung San Suu Kyi. I am deeply troubled by the Burmese Government’s decision to charge Aung San Suu Kyi for a baseless crime. It comes just before the six-year anniversary of her house arrest, and it is not in keeping with the rule of law, the ASEAN charter, or efforts to promote national reconciliation and progress in Burma.

We oppose the regime’s efforts to use this incident as a pretext to place further unjustified restrictions on her, and therefore we call on the Burmese authorities to release her immediately and unconditionally, along with her doctor and the more than 2,100 political prisoners currently being held.

I have a great admiration for Aung San Suu Kyi, for her sacrifices and her love of her country. There are certainly political differences that exist in any society. The minister and I understand that. But we all should be striving to enhance the rule of law. And the ASEAN charter, which the minister and I spoke about in our meeting, sets a very clear direction for all the countries in the region to be headed.

The minister and I concluded a very productive meeting. We discussed a number of issues that matter to the people of Malaysia and the United States, including strengthening regional institutions like ASEAN, combating piracy and terrorism, finding solutions to the global financial crisis, dealing with refugee flows, and so much else. Malaysia is our strong and steady partner on these and other issues. And I want to also welcome the minister’s wife, who is here with us today.

Malaysia’s efforts to combat piracy in the Gulf of Aden are very effective. Malaysia has had military vessels deployed there since last fall. They have a lot of experience and expertise in combating piracy. And we’re very pleased that Malaysia will be hosting a meeting on piracy in about a week and that Malaysia will attend the meeting of the Contact Group for Piracy off the Coast of Somalia. We look forward to Malaysia’s membership in this important body and to benefitting from their advice and counsel.

I reiterated to the foreign minister that the United States is solidly committed under the Obama Administration to strengthening our relationship with Southeast Asia. As you know, I visited the region on my first trip overseas as Secretary of State. I will return this summer for the ASEAN Post-Ministerial Conference and the ASEAN Regional Forum meetings.

Malaysia is the United States’ 16th largest trading partner, and we are Malaysia’s largest. The United States appreciates this strong trade and economic relationship which has created tens of thousands of jobs in Malaysia and the United States, and we do look forward to closer cooperation.

I also told the minister that we will reach out to his government for lessons learned in the Malaysian financial crisis of about 15 years or so ago. We all have to learn from each other as we work through this global economic recession.

And I especially look forward to working on regional and international issues of common concern, such as trafficking in persons and the humane treatment of refugees and stateless persons.

You know, from U.S. Peace Corps volunteers in Malaysia in the 1960s and ‘70s, to the large number of Malaysian students currently studying in the United States, we have a long history of people-to-people ties. So I’m not only here on behalf of our government, Minister Anifah, I am here on behalf of the people of the United States who wish to strengthen these ties for the future.
So, again, welcome.

FOREIGN MINISTER ANIFAH:

Thank you. Thank you very much, Secretary Clinton, for welcoming me to the State Department. It is my first visit to Washington, D.C., and I am indeed delighted to be here, and also happy to be calling you in your capacity as the Secretary of State.

And Malaysia and the U.S. has enjoyed excellent relations, covering practically in all areas, including trade and investment, security and defense, and also education and many more areas. And we – our – my visit here today is to hopefully to bring this relation to a higher level. And we believe that there’s ample room, as Her Excellency has been saying, the issues they will discuss, including piracy.

And also, we are also very concerned as to what’s happening in Burma, in Myanmar, and we hope to use the ASEAN Forum to put forward and to – also to discuss further, and if it’s necessary, upon my arrival in Malaysia I will immediately contact the secretary general of ASEAN if it is possible to have a meeting immediately to address the issues which is also of concern to ASEAN members.

And also, Excellency, we are looking forward to your visit in July for the ASEAN Regional Forum in which I think it will be very, very useful and helpful for us to work further in our relationship and therefore the – what have considered that the relationship between United States and Malaysia as mature, friendly.

And also, as I said earlier, we want to bring a new level in this new Administration which we hope that we can positively contribute through our experiences in the financial crisis and also our experiences in tackling piracy in the Straits of Malacca, and I would be very pleased to send our delegates to the Contact Group meeting which will be held very soon. And we appreciate all the efforts that have been made together and I feel that Malaysia could contribute effectively towards that causes and common causes with United States and also Malaysia.

Thank you.

SECRETARY CLINTON:

Thank you, sir.

MR. KELLY:

The first question, Mr. Carmichael from AFP.

QUESTION:

A quick follow-up first for both of you on the case in Myanmar, or Burma. The Amnesty International says that the only way to really put pressure on the regime is for ASEAN members and China and Japan to act, but so far there’s been no reaction, no strong reaction, from either of these countries.

And the other question is on Sri Lanka. Beyond the increasingly tough U.S. and high-level rhetoric, what concrete measures are you planning to take? The IMF is considering a $2 billion loan, and the British have proposed investigating the possibility of war crimes.

SECRETARY CLINTON:

Well, first, with respect to Burma, we are reaching out to our ASEAN partners like Malaysia. I hope to be speaking myself to the secretary general. We think that this does rise to the level of the kind of regional statements of concern that we would ask for.

We will also raise this with our other – other nations like China and see if we can’t, on a humanitarian basis, seek relief for Aung San Suu Kyi from this latest effort to intimidate and perhaps even incarcerate her.

With respect to Sri Lanka, we have been very clear in our statements, the most recent one by the President, that we have called for a humanitarian cessation of the hostilities and humanitarian relief to be provided to the perhaps as many as 50,000 people – we don’t have exact numbers – who are trapped in the fighting. We’ve called on both sides to cease their hostilities, and we’ve asked that both sides permit humanitarian relief to be delivered, and at the very least, a high-level humanitarian mission to make an assessment of what relief is necessary.

Obviously, this is a very troubling humanitarian crisis, and we have been focused on it and trying to convince both sides to cease their hostilities.

We have also raised questions about the IMF loan. At this time, we think that it is not an appropriate time to consider that until there is a resolution of this conflict. And that’s what we’re focused on trying to help bring about.

FOREIGN MINISTER ANIFAH:

Thank you. And as I said earlier, you know, it is – I just got a report early this morning of what’s happening in Myanmar. And therefore, this is why we use a process of engagement, and we do not want to leave Myanmar in isolation. And we will use the good office of the ASEAN Secretariat to immediately engage in and to finding solutions to this matter, and if it is possible, this – the ASEAN+3, which includes China – we would also be, if it’s necessary to engage in, to seek their views and assistance in trying to solve the problem.

And insofar as Sri Lanka is concerned, I will be attending a (inaudible) meeting in London, where we’re going to discuss the issues on Fiji, and also to possibly include Sri Lanka issues. And I think it will be very, very useful and helpful in trying to see and assess the situations and to find solutions to what is happening there. Thank you.

MR. KELLY:

Next question from this lady, (inaudible) in Malaysia.

QUESTION:

Madame Secretary, Foreign Minister, with the new leadership in Malaysia and the U.S., what can be – what changes can be expected in bilateral relations?

SECRETARY CLINTON:

Well, we are going to start a consultative process of engagement to determine how we can move our relationship forward. We think there are many opportunities for us to cooperate on regional and international problems more closely. We also think we have things to learn from Malaysia, for example, how they handled the economic crisis. The minister offered assistance in Afghanistan and Pakistan, if the U.S. can work with Malaysia to figure out how best to deliver that.

We are both concerned about refugees fleeing from Burma and other displaced persons. We need a system to work with that. We want to do more on preventing the trafficking of persons through Malaysia, or to or from Malaysia. Education exchanges, scientific and technical exchanges, greater trade opportunities. I think that there’s a very long list of an agenda that can be comprehensive that we are going to be looking to build up and then act upon with Malaysia.

FOREIGN MINISTER ANIFAH:

As Secretary Clinton was saying, we have covered quite a wide range of subjects where Malaysia can also assist and through our experiences, especially in the financial crisis and also the piracy. And as I’ve informed just now, that we will be having international conference on piracy on the 18th of this month where 46 international speakers will be involved, including from the United States. And we feel that it is very, very important, and we place this high priority in order to solve the piracy in the Gulf of Aden, because it affects – it does affect the economy of the region and maybe the whole world.

And therefore, we want to share our experiences that we have gone through in the Straits of Malacca, as I said earlier. And there are instances whereby we have to seek the U.S. assistance in providing some assistance to Pakistan and Taliban in capacity building, especially our expertise in Islamic banking, and also to offer places of educations to Malaysia. And I think with the assistance from the United States and the cooperations that we have together, I think we’ll be able to contribute effectively towards this cause.

MR. KELLY:

The next question, Mr. Mohammed from Reuters.

QUESTION:

Secretary Clinton, just a quick one on North Korea. North Korea today said that it plans to try the two American journalists who have been held since March on June 4th. Any comment on that? And Ambassador Bosworth, before leaving Tokyo, said to the press that he thought everybody, meaning the other five, was quite relaxed or fairly relaxed with where the process is right now. I was a little surprised by that statement. It was almost as if you aren’t looking to find ways to entice the North Koreans back to the table.

And then one on Malaysia.

SECRETARY CLINTON:

I can’t keep track of all these questions. (Laughter.)

QUESTION:

You can do it. Opposition leader – or opposition figure Anwar Ibrahim faces charges again, and I believe a trial later this summer, on charges that the State Department itself in the annual human rights report said are politically motivated. Did you raise his case specifically in your meeting today?

And, Mr. Minister, if you would care to comment on that case and specifically on the American position that the charges against Mr. Ibrahim are politically motivated.

SECRETARY CLINTON:

Well, with respect to the latter question, we raised rule of law issues and the larger questions concerning the institutional reforms that Malaysia has been pursuing. We’re on record as to our opinion as to that particular case, and I think that speaks for itself.

With respect to North Korea, actually, the trial date being set we view as a welcome timeframe. We believe that the charges are baseless and should not have been brought and that these two young women should be released immediately. But the fact that they are now going to have some process we believe is a signal that there can be, and I hope will be, a resolution as soon as possible.

I met with Ambassador Bosworth upon his return from the region. I think what he was conveying is the consensus among the five parties – Russia, China, Japan, South Korea and ourselves – that North Korea knows what we expect of them. There was a process that they agreed to with obligations they were committed to fulfilling. We intend to continue with the Six-Party process. We are all in agreement on that. And I think that, in and of itself, is quite an accomplishment because, obviously, each of these countries has a different experience and perspective of North Korea. But we are united in our belief that we have to be patient. We have to be very clear as to what our expectations regarding North Korea are. And we intend to have an open door for a return to the Six-Party Talks. And China, which is the chair, has made it clear as well to the North Koreans that they wish to see this begin again.

So we are – the ball is in the North Korean court. And we are not concerned about chasing after North Korea, about offering concessions to North Korea. They know what their obligations are. They know what the process is. And we are all urging that they return and begin once again to act with us to move the agenda forward.

FOREIGN MINISTER ANIFAH:

I’d like to address the comment on Anwar Ibrahim. You know, we have utmost faith in our judicial system. And recently, as late as a few days ago, the court has declared that the chief minister of a particular state which comes from the opposition as election of a chief minister which is a rulings against the government. And insofar as Anwar Ibrahim is concerned, (inaudible) he – we know him very, very well. And he has – more or less, what he has said, especially overseas, most of the things are untrue; for example, like the involvement of our honorable prime minister and the murder of a Mongolian citizen. And he has repeatedly said before the elections that he will provide evidence and yet, until today, he has not given anything.

And also just for the information of the audience here that, you know, he also said that he will form a government on 16 September and he has changed the dates many time. And he was trying to entice the members of parliament. And I was personally offered to jump into the oppositions and offered a very lucrative position, and also to be told it’s like a deputy prime minister. And these are not known to the world at large. And he has started, you know, trying to buy into other, you know, legislative members. And I think what he is doing – he has not accepted the result of what – the last elections. And we have lost five states and we willingly and accept the people’s verdict. And all the time we leave it to the people to decide, and which, on the other hand has not been able to accept.

And it’s also my concern and that of our government that it is what he has been doing overseas to tarnish the image of Malaysia, which impinge trade and indirectly and directly, you know, bring hardship to the people of Malaysia, which he said he’s very, very concerned about. And therefore, it is our wish and hope that he will respect the democratic system in Malaysia, which is very open and which, I think, we have conformed to the wish of the people. And we have repeatedly told him that if he believes that he is the rightful prime minister, or his party has been sidetracked, then it is – wait for the next election. And he has continuously gave wrong impressions and accused all the government officials of being corrupted, which is part and parcel of the system (inaudible). And the people have rejected him in Malaysia, and is a proof that he has not been able to accept.

Thank you.

MR. KELLY:

The last question goes to (inaudible) news.

QUESTION:

Thank you. Hello, Madame Secretary and Dr. Anifah. Malaysia has a strong presence in the Organization of Islamic Conference. And I’m just wondering what role Malaysia can play in improving U.S. relations with Islamic countries.

SECRETARY CLINTON:

That’s an excellent question. And we intend to engage with the Organization of Islamic Countries. I think it’s clear from President Obama’s early months in office that the Obama Administration is reaching out to the Islamic world. Obviously, there’s a lot of diversity, and we understand that and accept and respect it. But we do want to work through organizations such as the OIC, and so we intend to do so, and both on a bilateral basis and then multilateral.

We would very much like to have the advice and the assistance of countries like Malaysia in how we can work more effectively with nations around the world. We’re interested in doing that with all nations. It’s not based on any kind of ethnic or religious or racial or any other characteristic. We won’t agree with everyone; no nation does. But we want to try to find as many areas of agreement as possible and narrow the areas of disagreement.

And where we have the opportunity, as I think we do through the OIC, we will be seeking out partners like Malaysia to guide and counsel us in the best way to make it clear that the United States wishes all countries well. We care deeply about building a world of peace and security, of prosperity. We would like to see the entire world improving and having the chance for many, many millions more people to live under democratically elected governments, to live under the rule of law, to have a chance to see their children fulfill their God-given potential. That is what the United States wants to promote. And we are looking for ways to make that clear and to have our values understood, to defend our interests and our security where we must, especially against extremism who threaten all countries and all faiths. So we think that there is a lot of opportunity ahead of us.

Thank you. Thank you all very much.

FOREIGN MINISTER ANIFAH:

Thank you.