Jakim contradicts PM

On April 19, Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi said the government would introduce a regulation requiring non-Muslims wishing to convert to Islam to inform their family before doing so.

He said this would prevent problems of families disputing the conversion of their loved ones when they die.

He made this announcement after meeting with Islamic religious authorities, giving the impression he had spoken about this to them and had obtained approval.

His basis for such a regulation was to ensure people would not be going at each other over this matter, as it is happening now. In a nutshell, Abdullah wanted a harmonious relationship between all.

However a report in the Star today gives a different picture altogether.

Surprise! Surprise! Now senior Jakim leaders are saying converts need not inform family, and openly rejected Abdullah’s proposal.

This rejection was mentioned by the Malaysian Islamic Development Department (Jakim) director-general Wan Mohamad Sheikh Abdul Aziz himself, saying that it was the joint view of state legal advisors, muftis, syarie judges and Islamic department directors.

And their basis for this - nothing to do with human relations but instead it was based on the Quran!

It seems the holy book does not provide anything that “compel a person wishing to convert to Islam to inform the family before doing so”. Instead they want the need to inform loved ones should be left to the discretion of the person wishing to convert.

So in one hand we have a premier who is thinking about maintaining a racial harmony and thinking like a leader for all Malaysians and on the other a group of religious old-schools who simply refuse to move away from the interpretations of their holy book.

Malaysia for Malaysians? Fat chance if this continues.

Rompin’ MP shouldn’t get off easily

I don’t care if the victim has withdrawn her police report against a former minister for alleged sexual harassment. It is the duty of the police to call in the former minister, who is also an MP, for questioning.

There can be many reasons for the victim to have withdrawn her report. She could also have cited various excuses for lodging the report in the first place.

Of course it is within her right now to say that there was a misunderstanding over the ex-minister’s behaviour and that she was "sensitive and moody" at the time of the incident and as such she had felt offended at that time due to her “complicated mood”.

She had added she had known the former minister over the past five years and was used to his rough ways, and he had acted in jest without any bad intention.

Based on her statutory declaration which she signed to withdraw her report, it can be alluded that:

1. the MP is known for such behaviour against her in the past, and,
2. that she had in the past experienced his rough ways and his “jest without bad intention”.

However, sexual harassment is still sexual harassment and an offence even if it was done in jest!

I am glad the KL police chief had said that they would still question the MP, which they had done yesterday. They have also spoken to some witnesses apparently.

Now if they think he had acted against the law in sexually harassing the woman, they should pass the file to AG for action. And on the other hand if the victim had indeed lodged a false report, action should be taken against her as well.

I think the public perception at the moment is that she has been either forced or has been bought over to withdraw the report.

The police can clear this perception by completing their probe on her report and making public their finding, all in the spirit of the new found reform agenda of the prime minister.

[Rompin’ (or romping) means, among others, to play or frolic boisterously.]

So who will Benitez buy?

The speculation has started as to who Liverpool will buy for the next season.

One piece of good news is that manager Rafa Benitez looks set to continue helming the team despite the ongoing power struggle between the American owners.

So, to kickstart the list of potential Liverpool players for the 2008/2009 season, here are some favourites being linked by the British media with the club. Mind you, the season is still three games away to official come to close.

Incoming: Gareth Barry (Aston Villa), Michael Johnson (Manchester City), David Bentley (Blackburn), Antonio Valencia (Wigan) - all midfielders/winger; and defenders Fernando Amorebieta (Athletic Bilbao) and Philipp Degen (Borussia Dortmund).

Outgoing: Peter Crouch, Jermaine Pennant, Steve Finnan and John Arne Riise.

Let’s see how much of these become reality.

Ex-minister in sex harassment scandal

This is a Bernama report:

“Police are investigating a woman's claim that a former minister molested her at a five-star hotel near KL Sentral last week.

Kuala Lumpur CID Chief SAC II Ku Chin Wah said the woman, in her 30s who works at the hotel, lodged the report at the Brickfields police station on Friday.

The incident allegedly took place on April 14, he told reporters at the Kuala Lumpur Police Contingent Headquarters today.

Ku refused to divulge more details but did say that the ex-minister was currently abroad and police would summon him for questioning on his return.

He said police were investgating the case under Section 354 of the Penal Code which carries up to 10 years jail or a fine or whipping or any two.”

From my sources: the incident happened at the Havana cigar club in Le Meridien Hotel near Kl Sentral. Apparently he was drunk and when this girl served drinks to him, he tried to touch her hand, and then followed her to caressed her buttocks.

The girl shouted and an angry scene arose after her boyfriend, who also works there, confronted the ex-minister. The couple finally lodged a report on Friday.

So who is this sex deviant?

Well, lets look at the clues:

- A sitting MP but dropped in the new cabinet line up.

- He headed a very important space-age ministry before the March 8 general election.

- A very cocky fellow who before being appointed a minister sat in a powerful parliament committee.

- Cigar-loving Umno person

- Was embroiled in a racist controversy last year - for making a nasty, demeaning remark to a student overseas for which he was forced to apologise to the student.

Enough-lah....It should be clear now who this Jinjang Joe is!

An interesting press conference

If you are a football fan, you would be aware of the bizarre press conference given by Chelsea manager Avram Grant – who is under pressure for underperforming although his team is within a striking distance with league leaders Man U – after his team’s narrow 1-0 win over Everton last Thursday.

Below is the full transcript of the press conference. Read and have some laugh, at the expense of Chelsea and Avram.

A deserved win, Avram?
Grant said: 'Yes.'

What particularly pleased you about the performance?
'I'm pleased.'

What in particular pleased you?
After an eight second delay: 'I don't know.'

Is it a relief to win here?
'Yes.'

You seem lost for words by the performance. Are you more satisfied with the performance or the victory?
'Both.'

You seem distracted. Do you have a problem?
'No problem.'

Is there an issue?
'No. I'm ok. I have nothing to say.'

Do you have a message for the Chelsea fans?
'You represent the Chelsea fans?'

They must believe you are still in the title race, do you have a message for them?
'No message.'

Does this result mean you are back in it now?
'I don't know.'

How many steps have you climbed to undertake this press conference?
'I don't know.'

You seem less voluble than usual. Is it because of Sky TV moving the game to a Thursday?
'Maybe it's because of you. I don't know. I am ok.'

You are saying that you don't know if you are still in the title race?
'No.'

Is it easier to say nothing Avram?
'I don't what to answer. It is a good question. I don't know what to answer.'

Is this because of Sky?
'No. Sky is ok. I enjoy watching them.'

Is it a protest against newspapers?
'No. Why?'

Why else would you come in and refuse to answer our questions?
'I answer every question.'

You are two points behind Manchester United and you don't know if you are still in the title race?
'No.'

Have you told the players that you don't know if you are back in the title race?
'What I tell the players is something else. You want me to tell you what I say to the players?'

We just want you to answer the question really. Are you in the title race?
'I don't know.'

Would you not like to gain some positive publicity for the result rather than this bizarre silence?
'I'm sorry. You can write whatever you want and I can answer what I want.'

Do you feel under pressure to deliver a trophy? Is that the reason for the monosyllabic answers?
'No.'

Are you upset? Do you feel you have been misrepresented?
'Maybe I have said because it is a bad season.'

Did Michael Essien faint?
'He had some problems, but he is ok.'

Michael Ballack?
'Injured.'

What's his problem?
'Ask the doctor.'

He's not here Avram.
'Well call him then.'

Have you ever played the yes/no game Avram?
.....

This was definitely not in the same class as the previous manager Mourinho, the publicity-loving chatterbox. No wonder reports say that the club owners are looking for another manager.

I just hope the apparent disarray in the squad affects their performance against Liverpool in the Champions’ League semis on Tuesday!

‘Have they forgotten us?’

I didn’t expect such complaints to come out against the new state government in Penang.

Suddenly the high-expecting makkal sakthi people are wondering if all their hard work has been misplaced and taken for granted by the new administration.

Their complaints in particular are on:

1. The lack of non-Chinese staff in the CM’s office

2. The number of Indian reps in the two local councils in the state - about three or four at most and that too given to people closely aligned to a certain state/party leader. No makkal sakthi grassroots leader has been recognised, they claim.

3. The new state leaders are also paying less attention to the Indian issues now, in fact at times not bothering to take part in open dialogues in trying to solve issues which they said they would do before being voted in.

4. A seasoned journalist also said that the newly appointed leaders have become so elusive that its difficult to get hold of them.

Well, I would still say that we should give the new state government some time to settle down and get on with their own policies. It’s only been more than a month now since they took over.

I am sure they would not be chauvinistic as they are labelled now. We wait in full patience. After all, they too are fully aware of the power of the makkal!

First sign of repression?

This was the question posed by opposition leader Lim Kit Siang after the banning of popular Tamil daily Makkal Osai today.

He asked if the daily was denied the renewal of its KDN due to prominence in its coverage for the Pakatan Rakyat.

“Is this the first sign of repression and crackdown on human rights and the little space opening up in the printed media after the March 8 political tsunami?” he asked in a statement today.

Insiders say there are many reasons for that - but chiefly it was for being anti-establishment.

Apparently the ministry was upset that daily gave wide coverage to Anwar (including the Black 14 rally and the police probe that followed) and Makkal Sakthi issues.

The publication of Uthayakumar’s photographs from the Taiping hospital is also said to have riled the ministry.

And finally it seems there was a business competitor who had fed information about Makkal Osai’s misdeeds to the ministry.

I am sure the cabinet had discussed this matter this morning. Is this how the PM is going to regain the trust and support of the Indian community?

As it is I think the one-month suspension of Makkal Osai last August for publishing an offending photo of Jesus caused some resentment towards the government - perhaps it was even the start of such a feeling against the BN.

The government must be smart enough to just renew the KDN and let the daily do its business.

Witnessing an historical event

Place: Sultan Sulaiman Club (Kelab Sultan Sulaiman), Kampung Baru, KL.

First historical event:

On March 1, 1946, the first Pan-Malayan Malay Congress was held at this club, gathering Malays from all 11 states in the peninsula, representing 41 associations and parties that opposed Britain's Malayan Union plan.

This is the place of birth of Ketuanan Melayu (Malay Supremacy).

It was also here Datuk Onn Jaafar proposed forming the first mass-based Malay party, the United Malays Organisation (later Umno).

Second historical event:

On April 14, 2008, some 20,000 people gathered at the club to listen to Anwar’s first speech after his Pakatan Rakyat’s overwhelming victory in the March 8 GE.

I was there and it was an electrical atmosphere with Anwar making use of all his oratory skills to entice, engage and keep the crowd asking for more.

And just like 62 years ago, once again the club saw the birth of a new political concept - Anwar’s Ketuanan Rakyat (People’s Supremacy).

And I think unlike Onn Jaafar, Anwar is not at risk of being alienated for suggesting a multi-racial party in Malaysia.

In fact, based on the crowd reaction last night, he might just be able to achieve the multi-racial concept in Malaysian political landscape.

(pix courtesy of jimin lai)

Watch Pak Lah fall (2)

Looks like it is gonna happen sooner than later.

First we had a handful of powerful leaders calling for his resignation (led by Dr M no less).
Abdullah said he was not convinced as he had the people’s mandate.

And then you had individual leaders making similar noises.
Abdullah said these were the minority within the party.

Then came the divisions in Kedah, Penang basically asking him to step down in favour of Najib.
Abdullah said he has some unfinished task in hand and that the people had not rejected him.

The biggest blow, as I see, finally came from Johor divisions, who couched their call for his resignation in a civilised manner - they asked for a succession plan.
Abdullah was in a corner by now, accepting that BN’s defeat was his fault but still determined to hang on.

Then came the clincher - his so-called ally Muhyiddin Yassin first telling on Friday that Abdullah has agreed to discuss succession plan with Najib and then again over the weekend hammering the nail by adding that it was time for a leadership change in Umno to save the party from becoming irrelevant.

Abdullah is silent on these, perhaps realising too late that even his allies are now against him.

Today, former Selangor MB Khir Toyo urged for a quick hand over and urged for an open contest in party polls in December. And another ally, Rais Yatim, also wants Abdullah to be swift with his succession plan.

I am sure more will come out in the open in the next few days/weeks to force Abdullah to step down, perhaps forcing him to announce his intention in the next month or so and officially giving up to Najib in December!

Anwar’s goal: MP or PM?

This is part of an interview which PKR leader Anwar Ibrahim gave to The Jakarta Post today, which I found rather interesting.

Q: You will be eligible again to be voted as state official this month. Do you have any plans to become a parliament member in the next election to pave your way to become prime minister?

A: April 14 is the date when my ineligibility period ends, a period which was imposed on me by corrupt judges who were politically steered. But I've never been worried about or paid attention to that situation, and I've been campaigning all along.

I do have an option (to become a parliament member and run for premiership), but I am not making it my personal agenda. It is more crucial for now to manage the opposition coalition and I will deal with my personal goals in the coming years. I'm in no rush.

I was particularly drawn to this line: “I do have an option (to become a parliament member and run for premiership)...I will deal with my personal goals in the coming years. I'm in no rush.”

He says he is in no rush. Betulkah ini? I guess we may know a bit more of his immediate plans right after April 14.

note:

I just found out that PAS president Hadi Awang was admitted to hospital in Kuala Terengganu this morning, suffering from a mild stroke. He won both the Marang parliamentary and Ru Rendang state seats in the general election.

Imagine the irony if his seats were to fall vacant for Anwar to contest after April 14. Anyways, according to PAS sources, the tok guru is fine!

Powdering up for TV appearance

Did you read that the traditional Wednesday cabinet meetings are now to be held on Fridays? What to make of this switch? For me, it shows the lowest level our BN reps can come to.

So low, to the extent of rescheduling the all-important Wednesday cabinet meetings to Fridays so that they can be ‘seen’ doing their job on live parliament telecast.

The question now is this. Fridays, being a holy day for Muslims, mean a limited working day. And then it is also the day for MPs to head back to their respective constituencies.

With all these, can the ministers give us an assurance that they would not be rushing their cabinet meetings to fulfill their religion and constituency obligations? When would they be holding their post-cab meetings and the usual press conferences that follow? Mondays?

Definitely not an effective method of governance.

Also it is uncertain if this arrangement is only during the parliament sittings or throughout the year. I await our beloved PM’s comments on this matter.

The full Bernama report on this can be found here:

Below is the excerpt

“KUALA LUMPUR, April 8 (Bernama) -- The Cabinet meetings usually held on Wednesdays will be moved to Fridays to enable ministers to be present at parliament sittings, said Minister in the Prime Minister's Department Datuk Seri Mohamed Nazri Abdul Aziz.

He said it also had to do with the planned 30-minute live telecasts of Parliament proceedings from the end of this month.

"Before this, during question time (Q&A) deputy ministers or parliamentary secretaries answer for ministers because they (ministers) sometimes are unable to be present.

"Now with this live telecast move, the ministers themselves will provide the answers as the people will be closely watching the proceedings," said Mohamed Nazri on the "Bersemuka Dengan Media" talk show programme on the RTM1 television channel tonight.”

How very true...

Click on the image for a better view.

The myth of 8 glasses of water

According to a latest study, there is no evidence that you need to drink eight glasses of water a day for your kidneys to flush more toxins from the body.

In fact, researchers say the kidneys don’t function effectively with too much of water to filter.

Their advise is to drink only when you are thirsty and that should be enough. Well, tell that to my urologist who blasted my bladder stone!

By the way, here is the article:

Study pours cold water on drinking eight glasses a day

WASHINGTON (AFP) - - Drinking enough to quench your thirst is sufficient for the body's needs, and there is no evidence to support the common advice to drink eight glasses of water a day, according to a new study.

"Just drink when you are thirsty," was the advice from a study published Thursday in the Journal of the American Society of Nephrology.

Doctors from the University of Pennsylvania said "there is simply a lack of evidence in general" that everyone should drink the recommended 1.5 litres of water a day.

Researchers Dan Negoianu and Stanley Goldfarb had examined the theory that drinking more water helped the kidneys flush more toxins from the body.

"So the question is does drinking more water increase these normal important functions of the kidneys. And the answer is no," Goldfarb told NPR radio.

"In fact, drinking large amounts of water, actually and surprisingly, tends to reduce the ability of the kidney to function as a filter."

Water has also been touted as an ideal aid to those who want to lose weight. But while drinking more helps dieters feel full, no clinical study has proved that it will help keep the weight off.

"There were some studies that suggested that in fact, calorie intake was reduced when individuals were given water prior to eating. Other studies suggested that it wasn't," Goldfarb added.

Increased water intake was only really justified in extreme cases, such as for athletes, people living in hot, dry climates and those suffering from particular illnesses.

Read the original article here

Now, everyone wants them released

MIC president S Samy Vellu is under fire for asking for the release of Hindraf 5. Rightly so, I think.

What took him so long to finally make that call? Some of his party supporters defend him by saying that he is at least pushing for the release now. To me, this is shallow thinking, precisely why MIC lost horribly in the general election.

As an Indian-based party, MIC and Samy Vellu should have nipped the community problems way before it came an Hindraf cause.

And then when Hindraf took off, the party should not have seen them as criminals or outcasts. It should have embraced them and worked with them - within the BN system - to solve the issues.

What happened was the opposite. The party and it president refused to acknowledge the existence on Hindraf, played down the role played by the Hindraf leaders and even justified their detention under the ISA for allegedly being linked with LTTE.

And now suddenly for the president to call for their release is comical, to say the least.

I would see Samy Vellu’s sudden change of mind on the Hindraf leaders as one calculated to fool the community again. An attempt for him to win again the trust of th Indian community.

I don’t think the community will buy this, again!

The same goes to the other BN component parties - Gerakan and MCA - who suddenly feel that the Hindraf 5 should be released. Where were they when the Hindraf rally happened on Nov 25 or when ISA was used on the 5 on Dec 13?

Why is it that only after losing the Indian voters in the general election do these parties think they need to do something for the Indian community?

They are still hellbent on taking the community on a ride, I’d say.

Watch Pak Lah fall

Will he be forced to go or would he persevere and stay on?

I am talking about the mounting pressure on PM Abdullah to leave the scene and let others to take over. The pressure is so bad that Abdullah has to openly assuring Malaysians that he has NOT resigned.

Bernama quoted him last night as saying:

"I am here. I am here. They speculate that I want to run away. Why should I resign?"

"My government has got a strong majority (although) not the two-third majority. Why must I run away from my entrusted responsibilities."

Now lets look at the situation:

1. He has internal Umno problems - arising from people dropped from the candidate’s list for the general election right up to those upset with the undue influence of his son-in-law Khairy on ALL matters.

2. The pressure from veteran Umno leaders are getting hotter by the day. While his predecessor Mahathir has been openly targeting him, there are others who act in the darkness, ready to stab at any moment.

These factors will come into play as the Umno party polls on Dec 16 draw closer. By then many alliances and partnerships will be formed to challenge the top post, especially from Tengku Razaleigh.

Abdullah will have to be at his best, give away so much concessions and win new loyalists to win support and retain his post. As it stands, these look remote!

However things might not wait till December.

I am anticipating an earlier exit, If Abdullah do succumb to all pressure.

The exit could take place within the next 4 to 6 months and for that to happen, Anwar Ibrahim will be the final nail in Abdullah’s coffin.

Anwar’s political ban expires on April 15, after which he is free to contest in a by-election. More importantly he would be free to head his government, with the help of several party-hopping MPs.

With Anwar gathering force and support to form an alternate government, Umno will have to consolidate and regroup to counter the Anwar factor.

As it stands a weak Abdullah is seen as the cause for the weak Umno. A stronger Umno needs a stronger leader who could bring together all the party warlords to stop Anwar from taking control of the government.

The new man could be Najib, could be Razaleigh or even Muhyiddin. And their ultimate cause would be to safe the party from losing all control to Anwar.

To stop that form happening, even dumping a sitting (sleeping) president would be fine with party delegates and members. You just watch it!