Minister Mentor, Mr Lee Kuan Yew

At 84, the fire still burns!
By Ahmad Mustapha
Singapore’s Minister Mentor, Lee Kuan Yew, who was Singapore’s founding father, has always been very direct in his comments. This was the man who outsmarted the communists in Singapore (with the innocent help of Malaya then and the willing help of the British) and who later outwitted the British and outpaced Malaysia in all spheres.
Singapore practices corrupt-free meritocracy and Malaysia affirmative action. The former attracted all the best brains and the latter chased out all the brains. The Singapore cabinet consists of dedicated and intelligent technocrats whereas Malaysia has one the most unwieldy cabinets. Not only that, brain wise it was below par not even good for the kampong.
With that kind of composition, one that is very brainy, naturally Singapore , with no natural resources could outstrip Malaysia in every aspect of development. Malaysia, on the other hand, was too much preoccupied with its Malayness and the illusory ‘Ketuanan Melayu’ and was also more interested in useless mega iconic development rather than real social and economic development.
Whenever Kuan Yew utters anything that deemed to be a slight on Malaysia , voices were raised admonishing him. Malaysia would never dare to face reality. That Singapore had shown that it could survive was a slap on those who believed that Singapore would fold up once it left Malaysia . Therefore it was natural that these doomsayers would try to rationalise their utterances to be in their favour to combat on whatever Kuan Yew commented. Its political jealousy.
Singapore achieved its development status without any fanfare. But here in Malaysia , a development that was deceptive was proclaimed as having achieved development status. It was trumpeted as an achievement that befits first world status. This was self delusion. Malaysians are led to believe into a make believe world, a dream world. The leaders who themselves tend to believe in their own fabricated world did not realise the people were not taken in by this kind of illusion.
Lee Kuan Yew believed in calling a spade a spade. I was there in Singapore when the People’s Action Party won the elections in 1959. He was forthright in his briefing to party members as to what was expected of them and what Singapore would face in the future. Ideologically, I did not agree with him. We in the University of Malaya Socialist Club had a different interpretation of socialist reconstruction. But he was a pragmatist and wanted to bring development and welfare to the Singaporeans. Well! He succeeded.
Malaysia was so much embroiled in racial politics and due to the fear of losing political power, all actions taken by the main party in power was never targeted towards bringing wealth to all. Wealth was distributed to the chosen few only. They were the cronies and the backers of the party leadership to perpetuate their own selfish ends.
Seeing the efficiency and the progress achieved by Singapore caused the Malaysian leadership to suffer from an inferiority complex. That Malaysia should suffer from this complex was of its own making.
In a recent interview, Kuan Yew said that Malaysia could have done better if only it treated its minority Chinese and Indian population fairly. Instead they were completely marginalised and many of the best brains left the country in drove. He added that Singapore was a standing indictment to what Malaysia could have done differently. He just hit the nail right there on the head.
Malaysia recently celebrated its 50th year of independence with a bagful of uncertainties. The racial divide has become more acute. The number of Malay graduates unemployed is on the increase. And this aspect can be very explosive. But sad to see that no positive actions have been taken to address these social ills.
Various excuses were given by Malaysian leaders why Singapore had far outstripped Malaysia in all aspects of social and economic advancement. Singapore was small, they rationalised and therefore easy to manage. Singapore was not a state but merely an island.
There was one other aspect that Malaysia practises and that is to politicise all aspects of life. All government organs and machinery were ‘UMNO-ised’. This was to ensure that the party will remain in power. Thus there was this misconception by the instruments of government as to what national interest is and what UMNO vested interest is.
UMNO vested interest only benefited a few and not the whole nation. But due to the UMNO-isation of the various instruments of government, the country under the present administration had equated UMNO vested interest as being that of national interest. Thus development became an avenue of making money and not for the benefit of the people. The fight against corruption took a back seat. Transparency was put on hold. And the instruments of government took it to be of national interest to cater to the vested interest of UMNO. Enforcement of various enactments and laws was selective. Thus a ‘palace’ in Kelang, APs cronies and close-one-eye umno MPs could exist without proper procedure. Corruption infested all govt departments, the worse is the police and lately even in the judiciary.
Singapore did not politicise its instruments of government. If ever policisation took place, it is guided by national interest. To be efficient and to be the best in the region was of paramount importance. Thus all the elements like corruption, lackadaisical attitude towards work and other black elements, which would retard such an aim, were eliminated. Singapore naturally had placed the right priority in it’s pursuit to achieve what is best for its people. This is the major difference between these two independent countries.
Malaysia in its various attempts to cover up its failures embarked on several diversions. It wanted its citizens to be proud that the country had the tallest twin-tower in the world, although the structure was designed and built by foreigners. Its now a white-elephant wasting away. It achieved in sending a man into space at an exorbitant price. What for purpose? These are what the Malays of old would say “menang sorak” (hollow victories).
It should be realised that administering a country can be likened to managing a corporate entity. If the management is efficient and dedicated and know what they are doing, the company will prosper. The reverse will be if the management is poor and bad. The company will go bust.
There are five countries around this region. There is Malaysia , and then Indonesia . To the east there is the Philippines and then there is that small enclave called the Sultanate of Brunei . All these four countries have abundance of natural resources but none can lay claim to have used all these resources to benefit the people. Poverty was rampant and independence had not brought in any significant benefits to the people.
But tiny Singapore without any resources at all managed to bring development to its citizens. It had one of the best public MRT transport systems and airlines in the world and it is a very clean city state. Their universities, health care, ports are among the best in the world.
It is impossible to compare what Singapore has achieved to what all these four countries had so far achieved. It was actually poor management and corruption, and nothing more. Everything is done for the vested interest of the few.
Malaysia, Indonesia and the Philippines and the Sultanate of Brunei need good management teams. They would not be able to do this on their own steam. I would advise that they call on Kuan Yew to show them what good governance is. Why look East to Japan when it is just next door across the causeway.

Why is it so important to be just and fair?

Though the vicious can sometimes pour affliction upon the good, their power is transient and their punishment certain; and that innocence, though oppressed by injustice, shall, supported by patience, finally triumph over misfortune!
Ann Radcliffe, The Mysteries of Udolpho, 1764

58:11 \58:10\The righteous shall rejoice when he seeth the vengeance: he shall wash his feet in the blood of the wicked. 58:12 \58:11\So that a man shall say, Verily [there is] a reward for the righteous: verily he is a God that judgeth in the earth.
Psalms 58:10-11KJV

LAB comments: Of all people, our national leaders should be just and fair. When they are unjust and unfair, people suffer. The rich get richer, the poor get poorer, politicians wrest power from the people, national morality deteriorates, and God is ignored. When right triumphs at last,"the righteous shall rejoice". Be assured that there will be a day of accountability and that God judges fairly. Becareful never to side with injustice, lest you find yourself standing before an angry judge.

Want to know how to choose God's way

Live among men as if God beheld you; speak to God as if men were listening.
Seneca (5 BC - 65 AD), Epistles
- More quotations on: [God]

25:12 What man is he that feareth Jehovah? Him shall he instruct in the way that he shall choose.
Psalms 25:12 ASV

LAB comment: To fear the Lord is to recognize God for who He is: holy, almighty, righteous, pure, all-knowing, all-powerful, and all-wise. When we regard God correctly, we gain a clearer picture of ourselves: sinful, weak, frail, and needy. When we recognize who God is and who we are, we will fall at His feet in humble respect. Only then will He show us how to choose His way.My comment: Be careful to keep the fear of God in our heart in all our dealings, we will be alright.

Registration form to conference on Roadmap to LGE

ΨΨΨΨΨΨΨΨΨΨΨΨΨΨΨΨΨΨΨΨΨΨΨΨΨΨΨΨΨΨΨΨΨ
Conference on the Roadmap to
Local Government Elections
ΨΨΨΨΨΨΨΨΨΨΨΨΨΨΨΨΨΨΨΨΨΨΨΨΨΨΨΨΨΨΨΨΨ
Saturday, 26th July 2008
REGISTRATION FEE
RM 20.00
(Registration fee include seminar materials, lunch and refreshments)
REGISTRATION FORM
I/We would like to register for the Talk.
Name : ……………………………………………………………………………………
E-mail : …………………………………………………………………………………….
Name of Organization : …………………………………………………………………….
Address : …………………………………………………………………….
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Tel No : ………………….. Fax No: ………………………………….
Date : ………………….. Signature : ……………………………….
Please complete and return the registration form together with the registration fee to the Malacca Bar Secretariat to confirm attendance. For registration information, please call Mr. Lawrence Ang at 06-284 5519/ 06-286 4514 or Mr. Anthony Chua at 012-628 8779 or Ms. Lau Yi Lin at 013-374 1115.
Payment can be made by cheque or cash. Cheques should be made payable to the Malacca Bar Committee. Payment must be made in advance of the event.
There are limited places available and registration is on a first-come, first-served basis. Registration by fax will be considered as confirmed.
Completed forms to be forwarded to :-
Malacca Bar Committee,
No. 9373, Taman Indah,
Seksyen 1, Bukit Sebukor,
75150 Melaka.
Tel : 06-284 5519/ 06-286 4514
Fax : 06- 283 0755

Conference on the Roadmap to local government elections

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Conference on the Roadmap to
Local Government Elections
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SPEAKERS
Professor Abdul Aziz BARI is lecturing at the Department of Public Law at the International Islamic University.
Tan Sri Dato’ Dr CHIN Fook Weng is a national speaker for Gerakan and a former senator and Associate Professor.
Mr Derek FERNANDES is a town planning lawyer and a member of the Petaling Jaya City Council.
Dr GOH Ban Lee is a retired USM Associate Professor interested in urban governance, housing and urban planning.
Mr Andrew KHOO is the Co-Deputy Chairperson of the Human Rights Committee, with wide interests from parliamentary reform, electoral reform to Free Trade Agreements.
Mr Edward LEE is the state assemblyperson for Bukit Gasing and the President of Resident Association Section 5 Petaling Jaya.
Mr Ronnie LIU is the state assemblyman for Pandamaran, Selangor and the Selangor Government Exco member for Local Government, Study and Research Committee.
Mr Victor OORJITHAM is the Chairman of Maxwell Towers Resident Association (local joint action committee) and former local councilor for Petaling Jaya.
Mr Sivarasa RASIAH is the member of Parliament for Subang and the Vice President of Parti Keadilan Rakyat.
Moderators/Organizer Representatives:
Mr Ng Kong Peng is the current Melaka Bar Committee chairman.
Dr Lim Teck Ghee is a former UN advisor and past Director of the Centre for Public Policy Studies in ASLI. He is currently the CEO of the Centre for Policy Initiatives.
Wong Chin Huat is a founding member of Civil Society Parliamentary Initiative for Parliamentary Reform (CSI-Parliament).
CONFERENCE DETAILS
Date : Saturday, 26th July 2008
Time : 8.30am – 4.30pm
Venue : King’s Hotel, No.30, Lebuh Ayer Keroh, 75450 Melaka
REGISTRATION FEE
RM 20.00
(Registration fee includes lunch, tea and seminar materials)
PROGRAMME
8.30-8.45am
Registration
8.45-9.00am
Welcoming Speeches by the Organizers: Dr Lim TG; Mr KP Ng and Mr Wong Chin Huat
9.00-11.00am
Session 1- “Why Local Democracy?”
Moderator - Mr Ng Kong Peng
Mr Derek Fernandez – “An Assessment of the Status Quo Under the Current Laws.”
Mr Edward Lee – “The role of civil society in local governance.”
Mr Victor Oorjitham – “The Earlier Experience in the 1970s.”
Question & Answer Session
11.00-11.15am
Tea Break
11.15-1.15pm
Session 2 -“Reviving Local Elections : The State Solutions”
Moderator- Dr Lim Teck Ghee
Mr Andrew Khoo – “How the State can do it.”
Mr Ronnie Liu – “Why the State has not done it.”
Tan Sri Dato’ Dr. Chin Fook Weng- “Gerakan’s Position On Local Elections”
Question & Answer Session
1.15-2.00pm
Lunch
2.00-4.00pm
Session 3-“Reviving Local Elections : The Federal Solutions”
Moderator- Andrew Khoo
Professor Abdul Aziz Bari – “ Institutional Reforms and Federal-State Relations”
Mr Sivarasa Rasiah MP – “The Parliamentary Mechanism: Private Members’ Bill and Select Committee”
Dr Goh Ban Lee – “The Constitutional Mechanism: “National Council of Local Governments.”
Question & Answer Session
4.00-4.30 pm
-Closing & Tea
4.30pm onwards
a guided tour of the Historical City of Melaka (optional)
Co-organized by :-
• The Melaka Bar Committee
• Civil Society Initiative for Parliamentary Reform (CSI-Parliament)
• Centre for Policy Initiatives (CPI)

How to sleep well?

"It seemed the world was divided into good and bad people. The good ones slept better... while the bad ones seemed to enjoy the waking hours much more." By Woody Allen.
15:1 Jehovah, who shall sojourn in thy tabernacle? Who shall dwell in thy holy hill? 15:2 He that walketh uprightly, and worketh righteousness, And speaketh truth in his heart; 15:3 He that slandereth not with his tongue, Nor doeth evil to his friend, Nor taketh up a reproach against his neighbor; 15:4 In whose eyes a reprobate is despised, But who honoreth them that fear Jehovah; He that sweareth to his own hurt, and changeth not; 15:5 He that putteth not out his money to interest, Nor taketh reward against the innocent. He that doeth these things shall never be moved. Psalm 16 Michtam of David. Psalms 15:1-5 ASV
LAB comment: God calls us to be morally upright, and, in this psalm, HE gives us 10 standards to determine how we are doing. We live among people whose standards and morals are eroding. Our standards of living should not come from our society but from God.
My comment: We will sleep well if we keep a clear and clean conscience.

Competitive World

We live in a competitive world. People will go to wherever that give them better benifits. America is a place that has been very attractive to many people. With the people, they also bring along their talents and skills to build not only a super but hyperpower nation.
As I travel outside of Malaysia, I begin to see how badly our beloved country has been managed. We see how clean their environment, how orderly people move around. Streets with bicycle paths. The other thing is the exchange rate of our currency has gone down significantly.
For a nation to thrive and be competitive we need the best to rule. Look at BN for the past 50 years, have they put up the best to lead? Only the connected and cronies and yes men got promoted. The top posts in UMNO, MCA and other component parties have hardly been challenged, always hand picked, like Mahathir picking Ahmad Badawi, Ahmad picking Najib, now Ong Ka Ting picking Ong Tee Kiat, Samy Vellu for 32 years still holding on his presidency inspite of being voted out of the parliament in the recent GE.
With a system like that we have been perpetuating the weak to the top posts and their performance has left much to be desired.
Look at America, how though it is to be even becoming the candidate of The Democrates, the one Obama had gone through recently.

The International Trade and Industry Minister, Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin said recently that his ministry will be looking into attracting investors who are pulling out from China because of high costs there.

Has Malaysia become more competitive in the past few months since the March 8 General Election? The Prime Minister, Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi has failed to deliver his numerous long-overdue reform pledges.

This is one important reason why the Kuala Lumpur Composite Index (KLCI) has plunged to its lowest level since the 2006!
Abdullah had assured Malaysians that he had heard Malaysian voices after the GE, and would begin to implement reforms to regain public confidence in his administration.

Many months have passed and apart from rhetoric,what has Abdullah done?

In the three areas of police, judicial and anti-corruption reforms which Abdullah had mentioned specifically, Abdullah has nothing to show.

Worst still, the scandal of the two statutory declarations by private investigator Bala Subramaniam and his disappearance, the continued harassment of Anwar Ibrahim and Raja Petra Kamaruddin, the abuse of police powers and the lack of accountability by the Home Minister, Datuk Seri Syed Hamid Albar over the three-day 1,600-strong police lockdown of Kuala Lumpur and Klang Valley based on the false intelligence of a non-existing Pakatan Rakyat top leadership meeting to plan massive demonstration in Parliament, have further undermined national and international confidence in the Abdullah government.

As a result, the past few months have witnessed the continued deterioration of the crisis of confidence confronting Abdullah, although the Barisan Nasional had been returned with a majority of 58 MPs in the recent general election – with even leaders in Barisan Nasional losing confidence in Umno and BN government.

Is Malaysia going to be attractive to foreign investors? Is the nation capable of being globally competitive? Major institutional reforms and with top priority giving to meritocracy in all spheres of national endeavour are urgently needed.

"Malay unity"

The Prime Minister, Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi told us that there had been 3
UMNO-PAS “Malay Unity” talks so far.
Has he forgotten what he said, he is not only the prime minister of one race, but all Malaysian? Our aim should be to build a competative forward looking nation for Bangsa Malaysia.

Weapons, arsenals and power!

Above all, we must realize that no arsenal, or no weapon in the arsenals of the world, is so formidable as the will and moral courage of free men and women. It is a weapon our adversaries in today's world do not have.

Ronald Reagan (1911 - 2004)



20:7 \20:6\Now know I that the LORD saveth his anointed; he will hear him from his holy heaven with the saving strength of his right hand. 20:8 \20:7\Some [trust] in chariots, and some in horses: but we will remember the name of the LORD our God.
Psalms 20:7-8 KJV



LAB comment:
Nations have boasted of their power, but such power does not last. Thoughout history, empires and kingdoms have risen to great power only to vanish in the dust. David, however, knew that the true might of his nation was not in weaponry but in worship; not in firepower but in Gos's power. Because God alone can preserve a nation or an individual, be sure your confidence is in God, who gives eternal victory. Whom do you trust?
My comment:
Kingdoms, ruling regimes and individuals can come and go, let's trust God and do the work of He has placed in our hands. Only what is done for God will last.

Anwar told how he was arrested

KUALA LUMPUR, MALAYSIA; JULY 17, 2008

On Saturday, 12-07-2008, the police came to my house to serve a Section 111 Criminal Procedure Code notice, harassing my family and demanding my presence at the IPK Kuala Lumpur (Federal Territories Police headquarters) at 2pm on Monday, 14-07-2008 despite an earlier agreement with my lawyers for me to come to the IPK on Monday 14-07-2008. On the next day, Sunday, the police also served an ex-parte court order, prohibiting me from physically being within 5 km from the Parliament on Monday 14-07-2008. As you can see, my house and the IPK KL are within 5 km radius from the parliament building. The court order effectively put me under house arrest on Monday and at the same time prevented me from going to the IPK.

On Monday, 14-07-2008, the presence of police personnel outside the compound of my house strengthened our suspicions that they would be prepared to arrest me as soon as I left the compound of my residence, on the pretext of me violating the court order. The issue here, is which order should I comply with, the ex-parte court order or the Section 111 notice from the police?

On the same day, the police through the Investigating Officer, one DSP Jude Pereira wrote and faxed to my lawyer at about 1.06pm, informing that I was required to be present at the IPK KL on Wednesday, 16-07-2008 at 2.00 pm to assist with the investigation. I conveyed my agreement to the appointment and it was communicated to the police through my solicitor, Messrs S.N Nair and Partners via telephone and letter on the same day.

On Wednesday, 16-07-2008, I was at the Anti Corruption Agency (BPR) head office to record my statement pursuant to the police report lodged by me at IPK Shah Alam on 01-07-2008, against the Attorney General Gani Patail and the Inspector General of Police Musa Hassan for their involvement in the fabrication of evidence way back in 1998. To ensure that we will be able to attend the appointment with the police at 2pm, we cut short our statement at the BPR’s office, and this fact was clearly conveyed to the BPR officers present.

At about 12.45 pm, the IO, DSP Jude Pereira called Mr Nair to confirm about our attendance and Mr. Nair confirmed that we would attend that 2pm appointment. We were about to have a quick lunch at my house before proceeding to the IPK. 5 minutes later, we were ambushed by a team of masked and heavily armed police personnel near my house.

I was arrested and brought to the IPK. I cooperated fully with the police by giving my cautioned statement from 2.30 pm to about 7.30 pm. At this particular point, the IO and the other officers handling this case were doing their job professionally. I was then given assurances by Assistant Commissioner of Police Razali and later Senior Assistant Commissioner II Khor (through my lawyer) that I would be released on police bail on the same day.

However, later on, upon my return from Kuala Lumpur General Hospotal (HKL), the IO, DSP Jude Pereira informed me and my lawyers that I will be detained and put in the police lock-up overnight for the purpose of recording a further statement in the morning.

I and my lawyers protested, giving our undertaking that we will be back anytime required by the police to continue with the recording of the statement, and there was no need for me to be detained overnight, and that I should be released on police bail. The police, through the IO were adamant that I should be detained and put in the police lock-up overnight, despite them knowing about my physical condition. I had to spend the night sleeping on a cold cement floor, which aggravated my back injury which was due to the beating I received from the then IGP, Tan Sri Rahim Nor on 20th September, 1998.

This morning, after a short statement that was recorded for about 30 minutes, I was released on police bail. I was in pain and had to immediately receive some medical treatment upon my return home.

I now wish to deal with the statement of the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) Director, Dato Mohd Bakri Mohd Zinin as appeared in Utusan Malaysia today, inter alia

“Pasukan khas bertopeng polis terpaksa memintas kenderaan DSAI di Bukit Segambut di sini dan menahan Anwar ekoran tindakan Penasihat PKR itu mengubah haluan kenderaannya pada saat-saat tempoh yang diberi kepadanya untuk menyerah diri kepada polis pada pukul 2 petang ini hampir berakhir”

This is a blatant lie from the CID director to cover up their shameful act of abuse of police powers. I have given the assurances and had just informed the IO 5 minutes before the disgraceful ambush by the police through my lawyer who was with me in the same car.

In addition to the above, the Deputy Home Minister, Wan Farid said, as reported in Star Online that, I “went voluntarily to the police car without any incident.” Again, this is also a blatant lie by the government.

I take to task the IGP for this abuse of police power against me through the events I’ve narrated above. It appears that the events of the last few days, the nature of my unwarranted arrest, my overnight incarceration which was actually absolutely unnecessary, were an act of personal vengeance against me in retaliation to the reports I lodged earlier against him, which are now being investigated by the ACA.

DNA

I have reasonable grounds for having no confidence in the system. In the course of the trial of the false allegations of sodomy in 1998, DNA evidence was fabricated and used against me. The persons responsible for the fabrication then were the IGP, SAC Rodwan and the AG, are new key players in this investigation.

Until now, I have been denied access to the police report made by the accuser against me.

My accuser is still under police protection and as such, any fabrication is possible if they take my DNA. My decision to refuse a DNA test is taken through advice of my lawyers and DNA experts, both local and overseas.

ANWAR IBRAHIM

Dismay and Deja Vu for Anwar's supporters

From the South China Morning Post

KUALA LUMPUR, July 17 — Yesterday’s arrest of de facto opposition leader Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim throws Malaysian politics into dangerously familiar waters, with supporters of the popular politician accusing government figures of orchestrating a conspiracy aimed at preventing him becoming prime minister.

The accusations of sodomy echo similar charges levelled against Anwar in 1998, when he was deputy prime minister to his one-time political benefactor Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad. Then, after falling from favour, he was beaten by police and served six years behind bars. He was convicted of corruption, but eventually cleared of the sex charges.

At that time, Anwar’s political star was on the wane, but now the situation could not be more different. With 82 seats behind him in the 222-seat parliament, Anwar was just steps away, said his aides, from engineering government defections that would secure power for his coalition.

And then the fresh charges of sodomy were levelled against him by an aide on June 28.

The timing, say his supporters, can be no coincidence.

“Unless they really have a solid case that can withstand independent legal scrutiny the arrest really sinks the government’s credibility,” said Eddin Khoo, a leading writer and intellectual close to Anwar.

“The majority of the people reject the charge as a frame up and public protest across the country is inevitable. The arrest could explode in the government’s face if it is not handled fairly.”

Anwar has publicly named Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak, his rival for the prime minister’s post, as the architect of the sodomy conspiracy, a charge Najib denies. Incumbent Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi is widely viewed as a lame duck leader.

“This [arrest] is very bad … it will go down very badly with the people,” said Tan Sri Ramon Navaratnam, a former senior civil servant and the president of Transparency International, Malaysia.

“It will cause great uneasiness and uncertainty and lack of confidence in the system. There are deeply held fears about whether Anwar will get justice and fairness.”

Ramon, who is also pro-chancellor of a local university, said the arrest and a prolonged trial — if there is one — would be a big setback to the reforms Anwar had started with his coalition’s spectacular performance in the March 8 general election.

“His spectacular political comeback is also in doubt now that such a charge hangs over him like a dagger,” Ramon said.

From political oblivion Anwar led the Pakatan Rakyat coalition of three political parties to claim 49 per cent of the popular vote, 82 parliamentary seats and five state governments in the March polls.

The coalition could not muster a national majority, but considering that about 90 per cent of national seats were held by the government prior to the polls, it was a stunning rebuke for Abdullah.

Immediately Anwar — who was prevented from seeking a seat at the time of the polls due to his corruption conviction but is now eligible to contest a by-election — began wooing government lawmakers to cross over, needing just 30 to topple Abdullah. In late May he announced he had the numbers to form the government but was “waiting for the right time”.

The claim shook the government into giving out billions of dollars in development largesse to the east Malaysian states of Sabah and Sarawak, on Borneo Island, where support for Abdullah was considered weak.

But all of Anwar’s carefully laid plans began to collapse after his young aide lodged a police report that Anwar had forcibly sodomised him at a luxury apartment.

The aide, who had in recent weeks travelled with Anwar to Hong Kong, Jakarta and Singapore, claimed he was forced into sex acts with Anwar on several occasions, most recently on June 26.

Blogger RPK charged!

Today Raja Petra is charged!
After Anwar was charged!
Who is next?
I wonder PI Bala will be charged?
I am really surprised that Najib's name is not mentioned at all in the charges against Raja Petra.
The public is having a lot of questions in the mind:
Are the police acting professionally?
Are they selectively prosecuting those opposing the ruling elites?

weapons that protect us against the enemies

18:2 Jehovah is my rock, and my fortress, and my deliverer; My God, my rock, in whom I will take refuge; My shield, and the horn of my salvation, my high tower. 18:3 I will call upon Jehovah, who is worthy to be praised: So shall I be saved from mine enemies.
Psalms 18:2-3 ASV


18:2 \18:1\ I will love thee, O LORD, my strength. 18:3 \18:2\The LORD [is] my rock, and my fortress, and my deliverer; my God, my strength, in whom I will trust; my buckler, and the horn of my salvation, [and] my high tower.
Psalms 18:2-3 KJV

LAB comment:
God's protection of his people is limitless and can take many forms. David characterized God's care with 5 military symbols: God is like(1) a rock that can't be moved by anyone who would harm us. (2) a fortress or a place of safety where the enemy can't follow. (3) a shield that comes between us and harm. (4) a horn of salvation, a symbol of might and power. (5) a stronghold high above the enemy. If you need protection, look to God.
My comment:
Look like David is always involve in warfare. We may not have that many physical enemies. We have many challenges and also enemies in the spiritual sense especially when we are in the business of bringing people into His Kingdom.

Why arrest Anwar? What about investigating Najib?

Based on an allegation, the police arrested Anwar to investigate on the case of sodomy.
What about the sworn SD made by RPK that DPM and company were involved in murder of the Mongolian girl? Why don’t they get to the bottom of the allegation. Why don’t they hold roadblocks and arrest the accused like in Anwar's case? Instead they want to arrest RPK.
People will have the perception that the arrest of Anwar is politically motivated and has NOTHING to do with upholding the law.

Anwar Ibrahim released.

Anwar Ibrahim has been released on police bail this morning.
Many are asking why the police had to act in such a unprofessional way to arrest Anwar in spite of him wanting to report to the station at 2PM? By 12.55PM police commandos in balaclava yesterday went for the arrest! Can't they wait till after 2PM!?
The general perception of the public toward the police is getting from bad to worst! The other was the three-day 1,600-personnel police operation to lock up the Federal Capital and the Klang Valley to thwart a massive demonstration in Parliament on Monday when there was not a single protestor - causing great and unnecessary inconvenience and hardships to the people.
The people are still waiting whether the Royal Police Commission set up in the begining of the Abdullah premiership and which made 125 recommendations to create an efficient, professional world-class police service – with the most important recommendation for an Independent Police Complaints and Misconduct Commission (IPCMC) – has turned out to be a total waste of funds!

Anwar's arrest-police provocative, untrustworthy and unprofessional!

By Mr. Lim Kit Siang:
Anwar’s arrest – police provocative, untrustworthy and unprofessional
In arresting Anwar Ibrahim outside his Bukit Segambut home just before 1 pm today, the police are being most provocative, unprofessional and untrustworthy.
Anwar had already undertaken to report to the police at 2 p.m after he had given his statement to the Anti-Corruption Agency in the morning, and to spring such an arrest well before 2 pm outside his house has deepened public concerns and fears that the police cannot be independent, professional, responsible and trustworthy in handling the latest Anwar case.
Coming close in the heel of the three-day 1,600-member police operation inconveniencing hundreds of thousands of people in the Federal capital and the Klang Valley completely without basis or justification – purportedly on the basis of “two speeches, two blogs and two SMS” and the lie of a top-level Pakatan Rakyat leadership meeting on July 9 to plot the non-existent demonstration in Parliament on Monday – public confidence in the credibility, efficiency and professionalism of the police has reached an all-time low.

Anwar calls upon Malaysian to remain calm!

This afternoon at 1:05 PM Anwar Ibrahim, former Deputy Prime Minister of Malaysia, was arrested outside of his home in Kuala Lumpur. He was due to issue a statement at IPK KL (Kuala Lumpur Police Contingent Headquarters) at 2:00 PM based on an agreement reached with the police on Tuesday.
Anwar Ibrahim was returning from the Anti Corruption Agency to his home after giving a statement pertaining to the police report that has been filed regarding suppression of material facts in the case involving him in 1998. He was accompanied by his senior legal team, staff, and security.
As he entered the neighborhood of his home, a contingent of ten police cars, half unmarked and half patrol, forced the two cars in Anwar Ibrahim’s entourage to stop. There was a contingent of 20 balaklava-clad masked commandos (UTK) who accosted him, reminiscent of the forces sent to arrest Anwar Ibrahim at his home in September 1998.
An officer approached Anwar Ibrahim and demanded that he accompany the police in an unmarked vehicle to the Kuala Lumpur Police Contingent Headquarters. His lawyers were not permitted to travel with him to the police station.
This arrest has taken place less than fifteen hours after Anwar Ibrahim appeared live on Malaysian television for the first time since 1998 and announced to millions of viewers his intention to stand for election, and upon the formation of a new government, to lower the domestic price of fuel by 50 sen. The overwhelming majority of Malaysians expressed their support of his televised statement.
These events are deeply disturbing to us and indicate that this entire episode is a repeat of the actions taken against Anwar Ibrahim in 1998. During the last few weeks the government owned mainstream media has demonized and vilified him. His staff has been harassed and we see a conspiracy being hatched to thwart the political change that is imminent in Malaysia.
Under no circumstances will the people of Malaysia and the international community tolerate any harm coming to Anwar Ibrahim. We remind Prime Minister Abdullah Badawi of the promise he made to ensure Anwar Ibrahim’s protection.
We have been able to communicate with Anwar Ibrahim, who calls upon his supporters and the people of Malaysia to remain calm and to reject any attempts at provocation, which will give a pretext for an emergency situation to be declared.
OFFICE OF ANWAR IBRAHIM

Anwar was arrested!

Malaysiakini: Anwar arrested outside his house
Jul 16, 08 1:16pm
Opposition leader Anwar Ibrahim was arrested by the police just outside his home in Bukit Segambut, Kuala Lumpur, at 12.55pm today.
MCPX
The de facto PKR leader was on his way back to his house after being questioned by the Anti-Corruption Agency (ACA).
A team of police officers were waiting, according to lawyer R Sivarasa.
Anwar was driven away in a 4WD vehicle with tinted windows, escorted by a convoy of 15 patrol cars. They arrived at Kuala Lumpur police headquarters at 1.11pm.
It is believed that members of a special team from the serious crime division - sporting balaclavas and leather jackets - were also involved in the operation.
At 1.40pm, about 200 supporters and opposition parliamentarians were assembled outside the building. Among them is DAP leader Karpal Singh.
Anwar was to have met the police by 2pm to be questioned over the complaint of sodomy against him by a former aide, Mohd Saiful Bukhari Azlan.
According to media reports today, a warrant of arrest had already been obtained, to be used in the event of a no-show.
Anwar's wife and PKR president Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail confirmed the arrest.
She told reporters in parliament that she had received a call from Anwar and that he had complained of rough treatment by the arresting officers.“I received a call from my husband that the police picked him up just before he reached the house," she said.
"I didn't have time to ask whether there was a warrant… He's on the way - this is my guess - to the Kuala Lumpur police headquarters, where he was supposed to report at 2pm."
Anwar also told her to return to their home first in order to calm their children and come to the police headquarters later."I'm apprehensive because my husband – it's been 10 years down the road. He is not well, he has a bad back for which he has (undergone) surgery," said Azizah, who appeared visibly distraughted and numbed by the news.
"From the brief conversation, he said that they (the police) were not gentle."
It is learnt that Anwar is to be charged under Section 377C of the Penal Code which relates to 'carnal intercourse against the order of nature'.
A recent amendment to the provision reads: 'Any person who has sexual connection with another person by the introduction of any object into the vagina or anus of the other person shall be punished with imprisonment or a term which may extend to 20 years and shall also be liable to whipping.'A number of the parliamentarians and Anwar's family members have been allowed into the IPK building, while journalists are being confined to the carpark.A small team of police light-strike force personnel, accompanied by a water-cannon truck, is keeping a watchful eye on supporters who are milling outside the compound.According to PKR MP Wee Choo Keong, who is inside the building, Wan Azizah and her two daughters - Nurul Izzah and Nurul Nuha - were allowed to see Anwar on the 7th floor at about 2pm.
At 2.35pm, Wan Azizah and her daughters, as well as Anwar's lawyer Sankara Nair came out of the building.
[More to follow]

Insights for right decisions

Insights for right decisions
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July 16, 2008 at 10:45am

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16:7 I will bless the LORD, who hath given me counsel: my reins also instruct me in the night seasons. 16:8 I have set the LORD always before me: because [he is] at my right hand, I shall not be moved.
Psalms 16:7-8 KJVLAB Commentary:It is human nature to make our own plans and then ask God to bless them. Instead, we should seek God's will first. By constantly thinking about the Lord and His way of living, we will gain insights that will help us make right decisions and live the way God desires. Communicating with God allows Him to counsel us and give us wisdom.My comment:"I have set the Lord ALWAYS before me". ALWAYS is the one we find it not easy to keep! That is the ONE we must try our best to do!Show me a man or woman who can ALWAYS set the Lord before him or her, we will see an Excellent person!Let's do it

Najib: We're not responsible...

Today NST reports:
Disappearance of P. Balasubramaniam: Najib: We’re not responsible The deputy prime minister shrugged off the claims as baseless. He was speaking to reporters at the launch of Ibrahim Pahlawan Melayu (Ibrahim, the Malay Warrior), a memoir narrating the life and experiences of former armed forces chief Gen (Rtd) Tun Ibrahim Ismail. Najib, who is also defence minister, was asked on an ultimatum made by the Hindu Rights Action Force (Hindraf) for the government to "release" Balasubramaniam.Hindraf coordinator S. Jayathas, at a candlelight vigil held in Brickfields on Tuesday night, said Hindraf would organise a massive rally in three days' time if Balasubramaniam and his family were not released by then. Responding to this, Najib replied: "Then I guess you have to ask them (Hindraf)." Balasubramaniam made headlines last week with a statutory declaration linking Najib with the murdered Mongolian woman Altantuya Shaariibuu, but retracted it the next day.He and his family have since gone missing and on Saturday, his nephew lodged a report at the Gombak police station.
My comment:
Why did the reporters asked Najib? In fact there are lots of questions in the mind of the public concerning the Altantuya Murder Trial:
1. Who is the one with motive to kill Altantuya? the 2 policemen?
2. Who has the right to delete Altantuya immigration record? Why? Who is trying to cover up?
3. Who has the right to use the C4 explosives?
4. Why was the chief prosecutor of the trial was chaged at the last minute?

On and on there are alot of doubts in peoples' minds.
The credibility of our judiciary is being questioned!