"Doses Of Venom"

"Doses Of Venom"

Malaysia's prime minister broke his silence to hit back at his predecessor's allegations of corruption and nepotism, calling them "doses of venom" and shattering hopes for a swift resolution to a bitter political feud.

Former Malaysian leader Mahathir Mohamed has for months levied a litany of insults and criticisms at his hand-picked successor, Abdullah Ahmad Badawi, and appears bent on seeking his ouster.

For months, Abdullah held his silence despite his former mentor's vitriolic outbursts, while the rift raised fears of political and economic instability in the Southeast Asian nation.

The two men held a closed-door meeting on Sunday, which many had hoped would lead to a reconciliation. But two days later, Mahathir held a press conference in which he repeated the allegations against Abdullah. This appeared to be the final straw for the prime minister.

Abdullah said Thursday he had expected Mahathir to wait for his response to the allegations before saying anything publicly. But "he repeated again with stronger doses of venom ... what else can be done? He wants to continue," Abdullah said, according to national news agency Bernama.

Mahathir governed Malaysia for 22 years before handing over power to Abdullah, a hand-picked successor, in October 2003. But about a year ago Mahathir began expressing unhappiness with Abdullah's style of government, and alleging that the premier's son-in-law, son and cronies were using their position to enrich their businesses and gain political influence.

Abdullah denies the allegations, and until Thursday had let his ministers rebut Mahathir. Thursday's comments were his first direct attack on Mahathir, indicating that his patience is wearing thin and that he may be getting ready for an all-out conflict.

Bernama quoted Abdullah as saying that he is "sad and disappointed" with Mahathir's latest attack.

Although Abdullah appears to have the backing of his Cabinet ministers as well as the ruling United Malays National Organization party, Mahathir may also wield considerable behind-the-scenes clout in UMNO.

His relentless campaign against Abdullah indicates that he wants to oust the prime minister even if it risks a split in UMNO. Such instability in the country could jeopardize investor confidence and hurt the economy.

Abdullah denied Mahathir's allegations that Malaysia has become a police state. The elder statesman claimed that he is being prevented by the government from speaking publicly, especially at UMNO functions.


Malaysian PM Rejects Corruption Claims

Malaysia's prime minister on Thursday hit back at months of allegations of nepotism and corruption by his predecessor, calling them "doses of venom," and deepening a political feud that has gripped the Southeast Asian country.

Former Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad has levied a series of criticisms and insults in recent months at Malaysia's current leader and his former protege, Abdullah Ahmad Badawi, leading many to believe Mahathir was seeking Abdullah's ouster.

Mahathir repeated the nepotism and corruption allegations at a news conference Monday after the two held a private meeting that many had hoped would lead to a reconciliation. Mahathir has never offered proof to back up his allegations.

Abdullah denies the allegations, and until now had maintained a dignified silence, letting his ministers criticize Mahathir instead. His comments Thursday were his first direct attack on his former mentor, indicating that his patience may be wearing thin.

Abdullah said he had expected Mahathir to wait for his explanation about the allegations before saying anything publicly. But "he repeated again with stronger doses of venom ... what else can be done? He wants to continue," Abdullah said, according to national news agency Bernama.

Abdullah said he is "sad and disappointed" with Mahathir's latest attack, according to Bernama.

Mahathir governed Malaysia for 22 years before handing over power in October 2003 to Abdullah, his hand-picked successor. But Abdullah's decision last year to scrap a Mahathir-initiated project to build a bridge between Malaysia and Singapore opened the floodgates of criticism.

Mahathir has alleged that Abdullah's son-in-law, son and cronies were using their position to enrich their businesses and that they had become political power centers.

On Monday, Mahathir suggested for the first time the prime minister may be personally guilty of nepotism and corruption. He cited a recommendation letter Abdullah wrote for a relative's companies that obtained contracts in the U.N.'s oil-for-food program in Iraq, which was later widely discredited for corrupt deals worldwide.

At the time, Abdullah was deputy prime minister under Mahathir, who claimed he had no knowledge of wrongdoing. Abdullah has said he wrote the letter but did not benefit from the deal.

During his time in office, Mahathir cracked down on suspected Islamic militants operating in the Muslim-majority country, making Malaysia a key U.S. ally in the war on terror. However, Mahathir's frequent criticisms of President Bush's foreign policies and anti-Semitic comments caused many in the West to distance themselves from him.


Dr M: "I'm being made out to be of unsound mind."

Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad today disseminated a statement to all Malaysians via blogs and e-mail, saying he had to criticise Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi because no one else was able to.

He also said a "climate of fear" had enveloped the country and "no one dares to comment, criticise or oppose anything that is done by the prime minister."

The former premier addressed the statement to "Citizens of Malaysia", and signed off as a "Malaysian Citizen and Commoner".

It was released to selected English and Malay blogs, and sent to the e-mail of friends and supporters, after midnight Thursday, Mahathir's aide Sufi Yusoff said. It was not sent to any of the print media.

"The statement is addressed to all Malaysians and it would be disseminated faster via the blogs and e-mail," Sufi told theSun.

He said the media could pick up the statement from any of the blogs. "We are not controlling the dissemination of the statement. We want it to snowball to reach as many people as possible."

Among these blogs is Malaysia Today which is run by Raja Petra Kamarudin, formerly the webmaster for the Free Anwar (Ibrahim) website, who was detained under the Internal Security Act during Mahathir's premiership.

Mahathir, who has been openly attacking Abdullah for the past six months over issues such as the cancelled bridge between Malaysia and Singapore, and the issuance of Approved Permits for imported cars, has continued his criticism of Abdullah in two press conferences despite a meeting with Abdullah on Sunday (Oct 22).

Abdullah said on Thursday (Oct 26) he was sad and disappointed that Mahathir continued to spew "stronger doses of venom" against him despite the four-eyed meeting where the former premier spoke for an hour-and-a-half.

Abdullah had also said that he was sad that Mahathir had continued with his tirade without giving him enough time to reply.

In his latest statement, Mahathir also charged that the mainstream media, including radio and television, were not allowed to admonish the prime minister.

"Their media make out that my criticisms of the prime minister are despicable and reprehensible," he said.

"The questions and issues I raised have not been answered. What is being questioned is my right to comment and criticise.

"Attempts are made to disparage me so badly that I am made out to be of unsound mind. Repeatedly, allegations were made that the administration during my time was worse," he added.

Mahathir said in a situation where no one - from Cabinet ministers to Umno, Parliament, state leaders, royalty and beggars - could criticise the prime minister, he had to voice his criticisms on issues that concern religion, race and the country.

He also said anyone who attempted to hold a function that may involve criticising the prime minister would be harassed and threatened by the police and government leaders to force them to cancel the function.

Additionally, he said, the "Internet and websites would be electronically bugged and action taken against anyone who criticises the Prime Minister".

"I myself have been blocked using all sorts of means to stop me from criticising the Prime Minister," Mahathir said.

To a question whether Malaysians could expect more statements from Mahathir, Sufi said statements would be made "as and when it was necessary".



Full statement by Dr Mahathir bin Mohamad :

Ladies and Gentlemen
Citizens of Malaysia,

Why did I criticise the Prime Minister?

Because no one else is able to criticise the Prime Minister. He cannot be criticised by his Deputy, his Cabinet Ministers, Umno Supreme Council members, Menteri Besar, Chief Ministers, Members of the Dewan Rakyat, Members of the Senate, Members of the State Legislative Council, Umno members at all levels, Government Officers and anyone from royalties to beggars.

The mainstream media including radio and television are not allowed to admonish the Prime Minister. Pre-paid telephones are now required to be registered so that anyone who transmits SMS will be known by the Government and action can be taken.

The Internet and the websites will be electronically bugged and action taken against anyone who criticises the Prime Minister.

Anyone who attempts to hold any function that may involve criticising the Prime Minister will be harassed and threatened by the police and Government leaders to force them to cancel the function.

I myself have been blocked using all sorts of means to stop me from criticising the Prime Minister.

1. I cannot be invited by Umno, non-Government organisations, associations of Government officers or non-Government officers, universities or any other institutions.

2. Umno members and the public are prevented from and advised against attending any functions or meetings where I am to speak.

3. All sorts of threats are meted out by police and political leaders to scare anyone who refuses to comply.

4. Everytime anything that involves the public takes place, the Deputy Prime Minister and certain other quarters will forcefully advise that any criticism, comment or debate should stop.

Actions that are taken or threatened to be taken include sacking, transfer to remote areas like in Sabah, retraction or cancellation of contracts, harassment by the banks, call-up by the police, the Anti-Corruption Agency and other Government enforcement agencies, detained and interrogated repeatedly.

A climate of fear has enveloped this country.

No one dares to comment, criticise or oppose anything that is done by the Prime Minister.

In a situation where no one can criticise the Prime Minister, I have to voice my criticisms on matters that do not concern my personal being, but only those that concern the interest of the religion, race and country.

Because of this I am abused by the Prime Minister's henchmen including component party leaders, the mainstream media that is controlled by Kali and Brendan and all other Government apparatus.

The questions and issues I raised have not been answered. What is being questioned is my right to comment and criticise. Attempts are made to disparage me so badly that I am made out to be of unsound mind. Repeatedly, allegations were made that the administration during my time was worse.

Their media make out that my criticisms of the Prime Minister are despicable and reprehensible.

Muslims should know that even the Imam can be corrected by those he leads in prayers if he reads or does something wrong.

Saidina Abu Bakar, Islam's first Caliph, had asked to be corrected if he does something wrong, not by foreigners but by the Muslims themselves.

But the current Prime Minister cannot at all be commented upon, criticised or advised. He is almost a saint who is free from any human weaknesses or wrongs.

My meeting with him should be kept secret from the rakyat. And because we have met, I can no longer criticise whatever is done by the Prime Minister.

Because of my statement that I would continue criticising if something that is not good for the religion, race and country is done by the Prime Minister, all sorts of condemnations and insults are thrown by these hatchetmen and the mainstream media towards me.

Because all avenue for criticising the Government has been shut, therefore I am forced to come up with this written statement so that it is not spun by anyone.

Sincerely,











Dr Mahathir bin Mohamad
Malaysian Citizen and Commoner
October 27, 2006

Malaysian Islamic Opposition Party Wants Security Law Scrapped

Malaysia’s Islamic opposition party urged the government yesterday to repeal a decades-old law that allows it to indefinitely detain suspects without trial, and which was used to hold the party leader’s son for five years.

Nik Adli Nik Aziz, who was arrested in 2001 under the Internal Security Act for alleged links with a Muslim extremist group, was released on Wednesday.

The ISA is a colonial era law that allows the government to hold anyone suspected of offenses deemed as threatening the country’s security without trial.

Nik Adli’s arrest was politically motivated and aimed at tarnishing the image of the Pan-Malaysian Islamic Party, or PAS, which is led and spiritually guided by Nik Adli’s father, Nik Aziz Nik Mat, said party treasurer Hatta Ramli.

Ten other suspects held under the ISA, most of them PAS members, were also released along with Nik Adli on Wednesday.

“His release showed the government has no proof to implicate him in anything. The ISA has been used by the authorities as a tool to intimidate the people. It was a scare tactic, a threat,” Hatta told a news conference.

“The ISA was used to tarnish the image of PAS and its leaders. It was an attempt to brand PAS as a terror group.”

Hatta said he believed public pressure and growing anger over the ISA detentions forced the government to release Nik Adli. But he said Nik Adli’s movement is curtailed as he cannot travel outside his hometown in northeast state of Kelantan and barred from going out at night.

The party estimates there are still more than 80 ISA detainees, including those held for security offenses not related to Islamic extremism.

“We demand that all ISA detainees be freed immediately without conditions or be charged before a court of law. PAS also demands that the ISA be abolished immediately,” said party information chief Ahmad Awang at the same news conference.

He said the government had criticized the United States for detaining terror suspects without trial at the Guantanamo Bay camp but practiced a “double-standard” by having its own such camp in Kamunting in northern Perak state for ISA detainees.

Government officials have insisted the ISA was necessary to protect national security and ensure stability.

Local rights groups yesterday also joined in calls for the ISA to be abolished.

“Any detention under the ISA is illegitimate because it violates fundamental standards of human rights,” Amnesty International Malaysia said in a statement.

Lim Guan Eng, secretary-general of the opposition Democratic Action Party, said the continued detention of dozens of others under the ISA was a “mockery of justice.”

Nik Adli’s father is also chief minister of Kelantan, the only Malaysian state to be ruled by PAS. The other states are controlled by the ruling multiethnic Barisan Nasional coalition.

Nik Adli was detained on suspicion of having ties with Kumpulan Militan +Malaysia+, or KMM, a militant group known to be linked to the terror outfit Jemaah Islamiyah, the Southeast Asian affiliate of Al-Qaeda.

Hundreds of people were arrested in a sweep against KMM members in 2001.

The crackdown intensified after the Sept. 11 attacks in the United States, destroying the KMM-JI network.


Malaysian minister placates US couple harassed by Islamic officials


Malaysia’s tourism minister was to meet and placate an elderly American couple harassed by Muslim religious officials on the northern tourist island of Langkawi, a report said on Friday.

Randall Barnhart, 62, and his wife Carole, 61, were rudely awakened in their rented apartment in the early hours of the morning earlier this month by religious officials conducting a raid on ‘khalwat’ couples.

Under Islamic law, which operates alongside the civil code in multicultural Malaysia, ‘khalwat’ -- close proximity between a man and a woman who are not married -- is forbidden.

The couple, who were on a six-week sailing holiday in Malaysia, have been married for 42 years and are Christians.

Tourism Minister Adnan Mansor expressed concern that the incident on Langkawi, an idyllic island off Kedah state promoted as a sailing hub, would affect the country’s image.

‘I have communicated with Barnhart through emails and plan to meet him soon,’ Adnan was quoted as saying by the New Straits Times newspaper.

Barnhart complained to police and the US embassy over the raid, which saw the officials yelling and pounding on the couple’s door at two in the morning.

Barnhart, who answered the door, said the officials demanded to see his ‘woman’ and insisted on being shown their marriage licence and passports, according to the newspaper.

He said his wife was terrified by the incident and insisted on going back to the United States.

Barnhart asked for an apology from Kedah state’s religious department and compensation of 4,315 ringgit (1,183 dollars), the newspaper said.

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For sins of the few, don't blame all

By Marwan Al Kabalan, Special to Gulf News


In an article published by the Washington Times, a conservative US newspaper, and which appeared on several websites around the world, Andrew C. McCarthy and Herbert London launched the most vicious attack against Islam heard so far in western academic circles.

The article drew significant attention because the two writers are public opinion leaders in their societies.

McCarthy is a senior fellow at the Foundation for the Defence of Democracies; whereas London is president of the Hudson Institute. The two academic institutes are extremely influential in the US, especial among the right and the conservative circles.

In In Defence of Liberty, McCarthy and London started their critique of Islam by a quote by a prominent Muslim intellectual, Abdul Rahman Al Rashed, general manager of the Al Arabiya news channel.

"It is a certain fact that not all Muslims are terrorists, but it is equally certain, and exceptionally painful, that almost all terrorists are Muslims," Al Rashed wrote in Asharq Alawsat in 2004. Indeed, Al Rashed wrote that famous article in condemnation and as a reaction to the violence which plunged Iraq after the fall of the Saddam regime.

The two US writers took that quote out of context so that it appeared as an admission by a Muslim writer linking Islam to terrorism.

They then jumped to the conclusion that "radicalism is actually mainstream in much of the Islamic world. This is due primarily to the refusal of many Muslims - not just Muslim terrorists but millions of Muslims - to accept the cardinal principles of enlightened liberty and democracy".

Proof of support

In search for proof to support this claim, which they found "abundant in both Sunni and Shiite Islam", McCarthy and London cited many prominent Muslim scholars and intellectuals from Ayatollah Ali Al Sistani, Iraq's highest Shiite authority, to Mohammad Sayyid Tantawi, the Grand Imam of Al Azhar University in Egypt, to Mustafa Bakri, a secular member of parliament in Egypt, all criticising America and inciting violence against the West.

These attacks, though rhetorical, according to the writers, "are actually elements of an imperialistic social system antithetical to equality, liberty, separation of church and state, and other core western values".

The conclusion was that "the United States is in the midst of a long war for the survival of our way of life". The writers ended the article, as usual, by making recommendations for policy makers, the core of which is to take punitive measures against Islam and Muslims inside the US and outside.

While we don't mean to be apologetic or defensive in refuting this argument, we think that it is spurious and carries no real substance.

The writers; like many of their US fellows, have made gross mistakes and have indeed twisted facts in a clear effort to advance the claim that the core values of Islam promote violence and extremism.

To begin with, it should be clear, even to the casual observer of Middle Eastern politics, that Islamism as a political phenomenon is reactive, not proactive, movement. It emerged as a response to external threats and to the failure of Arab secular elites to deal more effectively with questions of development and democracy.

Argument

As for the argument that Islam and democracy are incompatible, many western writers have studied Islamic law and have found no evidence to support the claim that Islam was more antagonistic to democracy than any other religion, including Christianity.

The authors of In Defense of Liberty have clearly ignored the fact that several Islamists in Turkey, Morocco, Kuwait, Egypt and Palestine, to name but a few, have accepted democracy in theory and practice and that some of the true democrats in the Middle East are Islamists.

Clearly, the two US writers have adopted a one-size-fits-all policy towards the Islamists of the Middle East. The scale of failure in Iraq, Afghanistan and in the "war on terror" may have created the sort of atmosphere that made it almost impossible for some in Washington to distinguish between terrorism and Islamism.

This is the most dangerous error any potent scholar might make. Seeing Islamism as monolithic and inherently anti-western, anti-modernisation and, hence, anti-democracy movement will indeed complicate US policy.

After all, America cannot afford antagonising the whole Islamic world and should not enter into a war with Islam; a war that some in Washington wish and seek.

Dr Marwan Al Kabalan is a lecturer in media and international relations, Faculty of Political Science and Media, Damascus University, Syria.


Malaysia Mahathir Ahmad Badawi Doses of Venom PM Malaysia Islam Gulf News Terrorists America