| ||
| SHAH ALAM - Political parties and the public have condemned the cow head demo in Shah Alam on Friday saying that if no action is taken against those responsible, there will be racial discord in the country. Klang MP Charles Santiago said that parading the head of a chopped cow to dramatically protest the re-location of a Hindu temple to Section 23 is strangely unusual. “We have never seen such an overt display of religious discord in Malaysia, unless it is orchestrated by the ruling Umno, despite the escalation of racial tension in the last few years,’’ he said in a statement.
Threats of bloodshed Santiago added that Selangor Menteri Besar Khalid Ibrahim has been portrayed as a traitor to Islam and over the last few weeks Pakatan Rakyat politicians in Selangor have been targeted by the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) for alleged corrupt pratices. Police watched as the protesters chanted slogans and condemned the Selangor government as being insensitive to Islam claiming that the noise from the temple could disturb their prayers. After placing the cow’s head at the gate of the State Secretariat building the protesters spat and stomped on the cow’s head and said that the animal’s head was for Santiago. Selangor Police Chief Khalid Abu Bakar disappointed that his men just stood and watched the “parade” has said that he would definitely take action if a police report is lodged. Santiago added that he was stumped that opposition politicians are quickly nabbed for making statements allegedly threatening national security but the CPO is waiting for a police report.. “ One protester is reported to have challenged the state government to go ahead with the re-location, warning that it would guarantee bloodshed and racial tension,” he said. A local resident of Section 23, where the temple is to be built, was quoted as saying that some of those who had protested were not even from their area. Santiago claimed that Umno was playing dirty politics as they were desperate to see the toppling of the Pakatan-led Selangor state government. He condemned the lack of action on the part of the police, who he said were accomplices to the act that is totally disrespectful to the Hindus. MCA: It's a barbaric act MCA NGO Liaison Bureau Chairman Ti Lian Ker said in a statement that the recent act of displaying a cow head and holding the government to ransom is an act of treason and sedition. “I call upon all political parties to dissociate themselves from such a barbaric act and to condemn this despicable act in the spirit of our coming Independence Day celebrations, “ he said. No responsible citizen should support or justify such acts which tantamount to a war cry in a peaceful and peace loving country like Malaysia. Ti added that “religious freedom is enshrined in our Federal Constitution. We have laws and order governing our religious practices. Nobody should challenge or undermine the due process of the law. There are no laws or regulations by racial or religious sentiments or by numbers based on racial composition of an area. The barbaric mob act of displaying the head of a cow and threatening bloodshed is a felony”. MIC presidenti S Samy seeing red over the issue has called upon the Indians to remain calm saying that the cow was sacred to the hindus and regretted the action by the Malay Muslims. |
Saturday, August 29, 2009
Political parties condemn cow head demo
The demostrators marched to the State Secretariat building after Friday prayers carrying the severed head of a cow and demanding that the Hindu temple should not be re-located in their neighbourhood. 
All should condemn act of provocation, says Ti
The Star
Sunday August 30, 2009
All should condemn act of provocation, says Ti
PETALING JAYA: All political parties should condemn the acts of provocation displayed by the group protesting the relocation of a temple in Shah Alam, said MCA non-governmental organisation liaison bureau chairman Datuk Ti Lian Ker.
He said the protesters’ actions were seditious in nature and absolutely abhorrent.
“I call upon all political parties to disassociate themselves from and condemn this despicable act in the spirit of our coming National Day celebrations,” he said in a statement here yesterday.
Information, Communication and Culture Minister Datuk Seri Dr Rais Yatim said Muslims should put aside their differences during Ramadan.
“Those who took part in the protest should not forget that there are laws in our country and they have to abide by it.
“There are proper channels for them to express their disagreement,” Dr Rais added.
The Malaysian Hindu Sangam has asked its members to remain calm and not to carry out any demonstrations against Friday’s protest. However, the association wanted the police to take immediate and stern action against those responsible, said its adviser Datuk A. Vaithilingam.
“We are very disturbed with what happened, it was most despicable.
“The Inspector-General of Police should immediately order the arrest of those who are easily identifiable from the pictures and video and charge them in court,” he said yesterday.
The association’s president Mohan Shan also called for stern action by the police.
“We hope the temple issue is settled as soon as possible without being politicised,” he said.
Thursday, August 27, 2009
Permatang Pasir result a big boost for PAS, PR
TheEdge
Tags: Barisan Nasional Mohd Salleh Man Pas Permatang Pasir by-election Rohaizat Othman
Written by Yong Min Wei & Lam Jian Wyn
Wednesday, 26 August 2009 00:29
KUALA LUMPUR: Barisan Nasional’s (BN) moral victory in the Manek Urai by-election last month does not appear to have rejuvenated the coalition’s political clout and campaign machinery as it went down tamely to PAS by a 4,551-vote majority in the Permatang Pasir by-election yesterday.
The result was seen as a big boost for PAS compared with the razor-thin 65-vote majority in Manek Urai as voters seemed least distracted by Kedah’s Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR) assemblyman Mohd Radzhi Salleh quitting the party as well as showing little interest in the pledge by Deputy Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin to adopt the constituency as its golden child (anak emas) should BN win.
The Permatang Pasir battle saw PAS Penang commissioner Mohd Salleh Man garnering 9,618 votes to defeat BN’s Rohaizat Othman who obtained 5,067 votes after 73% of the electorate cast their votes.
While the death of political aide Teoh Beng Hock was rarely brought up in the campaign, the opposition pact was certainly riding on the disbarment of Rohaizat to fish for votes, especially when revelations from the Bar Council and the candidate’s previous legal firm partner put his character and credibility into question.
In fact, several Umno veterans publicly questioned the choice of the party’s candidate, forcing BN to be on the defensive and claiming Rohaizat was a victim of circumstances.
The latest win by Pakatan Rakyat (PR) meant that the opposition pact now leads BN 6-0 in by-election face-offs in the peninsula following the March 8, 2008 general election. BN abstained from contesting in Penanti but won Batang Ai in Sarawak earlier this year putting the overall PR versus BN score at 6-1.
Opinion research firm Merdeka Center’s programme director Ben Suffian felt that BN’s play on race was becoming tiresome, turning off voters in the process.
“The BN led into the campaign by calling Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim a traitor — it didn’t work because it (Permatang Pasir) is his stronghold.
“The racial card does not bring anything new to pragmatic and non-ideological voters. Given that it has been an opposition domain for the past 15 years, it shows that Permatang Pasir residents have been left out by their co-religionists,” he said.
He also called the national coalition’s campaign “lacklustre”, given their poor choice of candidate which saw Rohaizat’s entire campaign defending himself, as well as their focus on more typical issues such as the economic recession, income and rural constituencies.
He added that PAS’ campaign was commendable given that the by-election fell on a working day during the fasting month, where many voters could not come home to cast their ballots. He also stressed that the results should be interpreted in terms of percentages.
Political analyst Wong Chin Huat, who is a Sunway Monash University lecturer, echoed this perspective, calling the absolute figures “misleading”. It’s a great, great indicator,” he said.“In the bigger picture, the question is ‘Why do we need Umno?’ The argument where ‘if you vote for me, I can get federal government support,’ is old and doesn’t work anymore,” he said.
MCA central committee member Datuk Ti Lian Ker said the voters in Permatang Pasir could have reduced PAS’ majority by more than 900 votes if the BN had been more careful with its selection process of its candidate, adding that the public expectation on the quality of the ruling coalition’s candidate was always higher.
“There is always a moral stigma on BN’s candidate. They (the voters) were not very comfortable with the candidate. In order to gain more confidence from the voters, BN cannot belittle the voters,” he told The Edge Financial Daily yesterday.
Nevertheless, Ti said the reduced majority showed that the winning momentum for PR was slowing down, stressing that it was the best time for BN now to “take stock” and make drastic changes to tackle issues of abuse of power while promoting transparency and integrity in its administration.
“Generally, the result is still a good sign as it shows the people still think of BN. They know BN is the party that is serious to govern. It’s just that they have not swung back to BN,” said Ti, who is chairman of MCA NGO liaison bureau and a former three-term state assemblyman.
Meanwhile, DAP international secretary Liew Chin Tong said it was a “sweet victory” for PR despite facing attacks on racial grounds by the BN which included labelling DAP as anti-Islam and that DAP had caused disputes in Islamic issues in Selangor.“We have stood our ground and in fact the margin for the vote majority only declined by some 1%,” he said.According to the Bukit Bendera MP, PAS, which garnered a 5,433-vote majority in the 12th general election, had secured a 32.7% margin from the voter turnout while its popularity had only dipped marginally from the current voter turnout in the by-election, thus, it did not necessarily mean PR had lost some 900 of its base voters.
Tuesday, August 25, 2009
马华关丹区会主席拿督郑联科指出，
他说，雪州禁售啤酒类，行动党及公正党的律师团在那里？
他在其部落格中说，保障非回教徒权益的宪法既已存在，
他说，法律拟定者勿忘记对人民的责任，他们是由人民选出来的，
“行动党已经出卖我们的权力及自由，从独立迄今，
他说，行动党险象环生处在回教党的政治压力下，
“请问在民联政府下拟定的法令条文，还有安全保障吗？”
民联是双面人，当国阵或领袖出现问题时，他们就会打出“道德牌”
他指出，当巫统领袖提出大部分巫裔政治观点时，
他说，即使安华在槟州政府没有职位，
Friday, August 21, 2009
DAP should stop trying to please PAS, says Ti
The Star
http://thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2009/8/20/nation/4556016&sec=nationThursday August 20, 2009
DAP should stop trying to please PAS, says Ti
PETALING JAYA: The DAP should stop bending backwards to please PAS and stop doing damage control by political posturing and diversions, said MCA non-governmental organisation liaison bureau chairman and central committee member Datuk Ti Lian Ker.
The relationship between the DAP and PAS should also be reviewed as PAS policies and political views have disregarded the sanctity of law in this country.
“The rule of law must apply uniformly and there should not be multiple rules and regulations in 1Malaysia,” said Ti in a press statement yesterday.
He said the DAP was actually surrendering fundamental rights and liberties safeguarded by the law by agreeing to a separate set of unlawful “laws” under the pretext of self-regulation.
“The precedent of surrendering civil rights and liberties under the pretext of self-regulation means surrendering and conceding to PAS’ non-tolerant and non-accommodative rule, with no regard or respect of the multi-racial aspect of Malaysia,” he said.
“Will the DAP surrender our liberties on customs, values and practices such as our manner of clothing or entertainment, all in the name of self-regulating, and respect for PAS political will?” Ti asked.
Thursday, August 20, 2009
Ti: Positive result good for BN
The Star
Friday August 21, 2009
Ti: Positive result good for BN
PETALING JAYA: The outcome of the feud between MCA president Datuk Seri Ong Tee Keat and businessman Datuk Seri Tiong King Sing will show whether Malaysians wanted transparency and accountability or otherwise, a MCA central committee member said.
Datuk Ti Lian Ker, who is a three-term assemblyman, said Malaysians were changing their mindset and approach to politics and this could influence the outcome of the spat between Ong and Tiong, who is Kuala Dimensi CEO.
“A positive outcome is going to bring many positive vibrations, values and culture to a sinking Barisan Nasional,” he said in his blog.
Ti said the demand for change of the political ethos was not only found in MCA but also many educated and professional Malays.
“They are craving for a system of accountability and transparency,” he said.
Ti said many had predicted that Ong would be at the losing end in the feud as Tiong was known to be politically connected to powerful personalities.
“Knowing that his opponent is both financially and politically powerful did not slow him down or put him in fear.
“He has been projecting a sense of calmness that no MCA president has ever shown when under siege,” he said.
Ti pointed out that past MCA leaders with “wills of steel” such as Tun Dr Lim Chong Eu and Datuk Neo Yee Pan had fallen.
“They all fell under different circumstances and to different forces but history has shown that strong MCA leaders cannot stand the onslaught of taikos, towkays and big boss.
He said Ong was ridiculed by the business circle.
“The taikos and the towkays were all predicting his downfall. The talk is that they are putting a collective stake of RM100mil to see his fall.
“There was talk that MCA members and leaders will sell their soul to bring him down. Will MCA walk down the aisle of further indignity?,” he said.
Ti said more “punches” would be coming and this was the time and opportunity for MCA to redeem themselves as a political party.
http://www.thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2009/8/21/nation/4560895&sec=nation
Friday, August 14, 2009
Carnival of school creativity
Adult fun: Ti enjoying a slimy experiment while Dr Hermann looks on.
The Star
Friday August 14, 2009
Carnival of school creativity
By KEVIN KAM
KUANTAN: The EMaS (E=English, M=Maths and S=Science) Fest organised by BASF Petronas Chemicals Sdn Bhd with the collaboration of the Kuantan district education office was aimed at creating a platform for students to learn through creative activities and relate to their school syllabus.
The event at Taman Pertanian Jubli Perak in Indera Mahkota here was launched by special officer to the Mentri Besar (Chinese affairs) Datuk Ti Lian Ker.
“The importance of English cannot be understated in a globally-challenging environment.
“As such, the EMaS Fest is timely and in line with the Government’s aspiration to develop world-class education and develop students’ full potential in English, Maths and Science,” Ti said in his speech.
Enlightening: Nanda explaining the importance of the eco-system to a student. More than 1,600 students from 40 secondary schools participated in the event.
Games, riddles and puzzles related to English, Science and Maths were aplenty.
Students who registered for the activities were given a passport with which they could travel from booth to booth to complete tasks and earn passport stamps to qualify for a certificate.
BASF Petronas had a booth called Kids’ Lab where simple experiments related to everyday life could be conducted by students to understand the role of chemistry in improving the quality of life.
“With the supervision of well-trained facilitators, the students are guaranteed lots of fun and hands-on experience in chemical experiments,” said the firm’s managing director Dr Hermann Brandt.
“We make the learning of chemistry very interesting,” he said.
Prizes in cash, vouchers and hampers were presented to the outstanding booths.
The most creative activity (English) prize went to SM Tengku Panglima Perang.
Its booth named To Be or Not To Be – Learning English Through Literature had book characters such as Mathilde and Madame Forestier coming alive to teach students the many elements of literature.
“We are happy to see them learn English while being exposed to elements of poetry like personification and alliteration,” said teacher Saminder Kaur said.
SM Tengku Afzan won the most creative activity (Maths and Science) prize with its Water Surface Tension experiment.
Engaging: Students attempting to solve a puzzle at a booth. Participants were invited to do the experiment while being briefed on the science behind it.
SM St Thomas bagged the most attractive booth title.
Using Michael Jackson’s Earth Song as a visual stimulus, their booth incorporated all the three fields of English, Maths and Science.
Students who participated in games at the festival were tested on their knowledge of the eco-system and attitude towards the environment with emphasis on the use of English.
“The Rubik’s Cube puzzle at our booth was a hit with the students,” said SM St Thomas principal P. Nanda Kumaran.
Monday, August 10, 2009
取缔啤酒越法越权
取缔啤酒越法越权
马来西亚关税法令允许罐装瓶装啤酒的销售，零售酒精浓度底的饮料是不需要特别执照的。市政局在法令许可下针对啤酒作出的取缔动作可是轻慢不慎重。说喝酒对身体不好？喝酒败坏道德？ 我们应强调酗酒醉酒是个人选择的问题，是自制的问题，而不是许不许可喝酒的问题。就是说，若以个人的基本信仰或价值观不准许饮用酒精饮料，那人应该身心适应无酒精的生活，而不是被周围有喝酒的人引诱而难受。
试问马来西亚是一等级的国家吗？若是，国民也应该彰显出相当的个人素质--戒酒人士以不饮酒作为他们的行为标志，同时饮酒人士适量饮酒维持健康振作精神。只要人喝酒而不是酒喝人，只要不制造纠纷和平的喝酒，我国法令所给的自由是不容许任何人凭种族或宗教理由践踏的。
再试问杂货店在马来甘榜里零售啤酒在法律上有问题吗？答案是绝对合法的！有没有销量是经济小题。技术性的问题大部分出在市议会上门扫酒导致合法经营的便利店不方便卖酒，这不是极大的不便吗？
顾虑到少数回教徒卖酒喝酒的问题，执法机构应当明确这罪案是信徒本身不谨守戒令，就应当对个人施行回教法令所提供的惩罚，而不是以滥权的方式来给大众一个下马威！
参阅 Beer raid by council conflicts with federal laws，Rule by law, not sentiments。
Friday, August 7, 2009
Rule by law, not sentiments
Friday August 7, 2009
http://thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2009/8/7/nation/4472676&sec=nationRule by law, not sentiments
By ISABELLE LAI
PETALING JAYA: PAS cannot extend the provisions of the Syariah Enactment and impose it on non-Muslims, said MCA non-governmental organisation liaison bureau chairman and central committee member Datuk Ti Lian Ker.
“We are ruled by law and not sentiments based on race or religion,” he said, adding that PAS was effectively extending Syariah laws on non-Muslims under the pretext of Muslim sentiments.
He referred to recent calls by Selangor PAS exco member Datuk Dr Hassan Ali that a blanket ban be imposed on the sale of beer by convenience stores in Muslim-majority areas.
Ti also referred to Dr Hassan’s argument that non-Muslims could easily buy their beer from the many shops outside Muslim-majority areas as arrogant and non-tolerant of the rights of non-Muslims as provided for by law.
He added that Dr Hassan’s argument discarded the existence of DAP as a political partner.
“The Syariah Enactment is enforceable only on Muslims. Non-Muslims have their civil and criminal laws and it is clearly provided that non-Muslims can buy and sell beer without any restrictions or licences,” he said in a press statement yesterday.
He added that as PAS could not respect an express provision of the law, “how can we ever trust PAS to rule the nation and be fair to the non-Muslims? How can DAP falsely assure the community into voting for PAS?”
“The rule of the majority must be with due respect to the minority. The continuous insistence by PAS that the minority give in and sacrifice our rights and liberties in the name of respect to the majority is tantamount to bullying,” he said.
He added that PAS cannot rule the country based on the sentiments or emotions of a few aggressive intolerant leaders who are out to be heroes in their communities.
“What if this Muslim neighbourhood decides to chase out non-Muslims from the neighbourhood one day? What about the right, liberties and sentiments and feelings of non-Muslims?”
Ti said Selangor exco member Ronnie Liu should advise his Pakatan partners (PAS leaders) to concentrate on their dakwah activities and not impose additional restrictions or prohibitions on others.
MCA slams PAS for infringing rights of non-Muslims
PETALING JAYA (Aug 6, 2009): MCA today hit out at PAS’s outcry and use of "Muslim sentiments" on the "brewing beer conflict" in the Pakatan Rakyat-ruled Selangor and for infringing on the rights of non-Muslims.
|
|
In calling for a blanket ban on beer sales in Muslim-majority areas, he said: "PAS is effectively extending syariah laws onto non-Muslims on the pretext of Muslim sentiments.
"We are ruled by law and not sentiments based on race or religion. PAS cannot in effect extend the provisions of the Muslim enactment and impose it on non-Muslims," said Ti.
Referring to the civil law for non-Muslims, he said it clearly allows non-Muslims to buy and sell beer in cans and bottles without any restrictions or licence.
"If PAS cannot respect an express provision of the law, how can we ever trust PAS to rule the nation and be fair to non-Muslims? How can DAP falsely assure the community into voting for PAS?" asked Ti.
He said enforcement officers cannot act based on the sentiments of a Muslim-dominated neighbourhood.
He also slammed Selangor executive councillor Datuk Dr Hasan Ali for his statement on Tuesday asking non-Muslims to travel outside Muslim majority areas to buy beer and blamed Barisan Nasional for failure of such implementation.
 An MBSA officer confisticating the beer cans and bottles in a 7Eleven outlet in Section 8, Shah Alam. |
He said Hasan’s arguments that non-Muslims have to drive further away to buy beer "is retarded and discards the existence of DAP as a political partner".
"(Selangor executive councillor) Ronnie Liu should advise Pakatan Rakyat (PR) partners, PAS leaders, to concentrate on the dakwah activities and not impose prohibitions and penalties on non-Muslims," he said.
On Tuesday, Hasan had urged Selangor Mentri Besar Tan Sri Khalid Ibrahim to impose the beer ban in Muslim-majority areas in Selangor and called for Liu’s portfolio be reviewed after accusing him of "interfering" in local council enforcements on the sale of beer .
The controversy had resulted in a gag order by Khalid on all the state excos until today when he will announce a solution for the problem.
DAP adviser Lim Kit Siang, when contacted, said he would issue a statement later on the matter.
