The Shepherd's Boy and the Wolf

A Shepherd-boy, who watched a flock of sheep near a village, brought out the villagers three or four times by crying out, "Wolf! Wolf!" and when his neighbors came to help him, laughed at them for their pains.

Remember this story ?

Accordingly to Malaysiakini, Opposition leader Anwar Ibrahim walked out from the Turkish embassy in Kuala Lumpur at 6.45pm today where he took refuge after being hit with sodomy accusations. He was accompanied by his wife, lawyer and being guarantee of safety from 3 ministers.

It is not clear if Anwar was seeking political asylum but, in a late posting on his blog, Anwar said he would remain there until the government guaranteed his safety as well as that of his family

Top Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR) officials did not dismiss a possible standoff between Anwar and the authorities who want to interview him in connection with the alleged sodomy of his 23-year-old aide.

In an earlier posting from the embassy, he stated that he had evidence to prove that the two had allegedly fabricated evidence in cases launched against him in 1998.

I am issuing this statement from within the embassy of the Republic of Turkey in Kuala Lumpur. I was transported to the embassy earlier this morning fearing that my personal safety was in danger. I thank all those who offered to assist me in this time of need and am grateful to the Turkish Ambassador for extending an invitation to seek refuge within the Embassy.

Since the March 8th elections, numerous credible sources from within the government and military intelligence have advised me that certain agents from within Barisan Nasional leadership have initiated plots to cause harm to me or my family or my supporters. I have been told that my assassination has not been ruled out as means to subvert the people’s will and bring an end to the transformational changes taking place in Malaysia.

Notwithstanding the threats which are intended to silence my voice, I intend make public new evidence implicating that the Inspector General of the Police Musa Hassan and the Attorney General Gani Patail engaged in criminal acts of fabricating evidence in cases launched against me in 1998.

The allegations that have been made against me on Saturday are nothing more than a replay of the events which transpired in 1998 when I was sacked from the office of the Deputy Prime Minister, jailed and beaten, and then charged and convicted by a kangaroo court for crimes which I never committed. This charade was orchestrated by a corrupt Barisan Nasional leadership which made use of the entire apparatus of the state power including its control of the judiciary, the police force, and its grip on the mainstream media. These actions are being repeated today to undermine the forces of reform and renewal which were unleashed in the March 2008 elections.

I would like to assure my family, friends and supporters in Malaysia that I am safe and remain committed as ever before to continuing the struggle for a free and just Malaysia.

ANWAR IBRAHIM

Deputy Prime Minister Najib Razak today guaranteed Anwar's safety, saying it wasn't government policy to harm politicians.

``We can assure him of his personal safety,'' said Najib. ``He has never been harassed while he was going around campaigning as an opposition leader.''

`Not Political'

Najib also denied Anwar's assertion that the sodomy charge was a government conspiracy. ``This is not a political prosecution. It's a question of the law,'' he said.

"This sodomy allegation is a devastating development that can radically affect Anwar’s ambitions to win state power and implement the fundamental reforms the country needs," said a senior political scientist with the National University of Malaysia, who declined to be named for fear of reprisal from the authorities.

"Luckily the credibility level of the present government and especially the police is rather low and most people will reject the allegations unless hard evidence is offered," he said. "My fear is that national politics will plunge into turmoil as Anwar fights to defend his reputation," he explained. "There will be so much distraction that the reform agenda will be sidelined."


Meanwhile, Anwar said the allegations were aimed at derailing his spectacular political comeback as the figurehead of the opposition which made unprecedented gains in March elections, and came just as he was about to re-enter parliament.

"This is their intention. You know we will announce a by-election this week. I will contest in the by-election, the police knew that," he said. [...]

"Umno members and MPs have promised to come out and campaign for me so they come out with these sexual allegations to stop me from securing power," he said.

(Source: Screenshots)

Police To Probe Sodomy Allegation On Anwar

A police report has been lodged against PKR de facto leader Anwar Ibrahim for allegedly sodomosing one of his aides - the second time that such an accusation had been made in over 10 years.

The report was lodged by the 23-year-old victim at the Jalan Travers police station at 6pm.

KL police chief DCP Muhammad Sabtu Osman has confirmed that the report had been made.

- Malaysiakini.

Anwar Ibrahim, the Malaysian opposition leader who once was the country's deputy prime minister, has been accused of sodomising a male aide.

Police are investiagting the complaint, Ku Chin Wah, Kuala Lumpur's police chief for criminal investigations, said on Saturday.

Anwar's lawyer has denied the allegation and Anwar himself called it a "complete fabrication".

The opposition Keadilan party said that Saiful Bahari, one of Anwar's aides, had been arrested on Saturday and "forced" to make a statement saying Anwar had sodomised him.

The police declined to identify who had made the complaint.

Anwar Ibrahim has issued a statement on the latest police report lodged against him - that he had sodomised his special assistant Saiful Bahari.

Anwar says this will not prevent him from releasing the dossier to the public - that the IGP and AG had fabricated false evidence against him in his 1998 sodomy trial.

The police report lodged against me earlier today is a complete fabrication. I believe we are witnessing a repeat of the methods used against me in 1998 when false allegations were made under duress. This is clearly a desperate attempt by the Barisan Nasional regime to arrest the movement of the Malaysian people towards freedom, democracy and justice.

The report has been organized by interested parties to attack me in retaliation for evidence I have recently obtained implicating IGP Musa Hassan and the AG Gani Patail in misconduct including fabrication of evidence in the cases launched against me in 1998-1999. This vile attack will not prevent me from releasing this dossier to the public.

I urge the Malaysian people to stand against the repressive forces that will be unleashed by the government in the coming days and weeks. We expect the media, the judiciary and the police force to all come under the direct and unchecked control of the executive.

My fellow Malaysians - we took a bold step forward on March 8th towards a new dawn for freedom and justice for all of our citizens. This people’s movement for change must go on with all of our strength and conviction.

ANWAR IBRAHIM

Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi says he is leaving to the police to investigate to determine the authenticity of the sodomy allegation against Parti Keadilan Rakyat de facto leader Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim by a 23-year-old youth claiming to be his aide.

"What Anwar has said is not for us to decide. He will surely deny. Normally, it's like that. The accused will normally deny the allegation,"


Anwar sodomising again?…...

I worries for the Nation..

While I am not surprised by the latest police report, I am worried about the impact of this latest police report. Allow me to explain why.

Pak Lah is not Mahathir..

While Mahathir is respected as being one of the intelligent leaders the world ever produces, he is a political maverick. He was able to handle Anwar case calmly and was able to bring the nation back on its track despite the financial crisis.

The same cannot be said about Pak Lah. Our present PM is indeed a nice man but being a nice man is not enough to lead a nation. I am worried that Anwar supporters will start a riot. Compared to before, today five states government are behind Anwar and this can only creates more problems. I am worried that the Government of the day may not be able to handle a nationwide riot.

If in the Mahathir- Anwar crisis, the people was angry but they were not actually burden but today the people is angry. They are burden by the high cost of living. I believe many people out there believe Anwar story that he could actually brings down the cost of fuel and i.e. the cost of living. I am afraid that the people that is worst affected by the fuel price hike may just use this latest situation to release their steam.

Anwar and his people are not about to sit down and do nothing with this new allegation. Based on what was reported in M/Kini and M/Today, there are already people gathering in Shah Alam. I urged all people to remain calm. I urge all state government to remain neutral. The new allegation is a personal matter between two individuals.

Whom am I referring to? While some would postulate that is a matter between Saiful and Anwar but if you stretch your imagination a little bit more then you will realized that it is probably a political game between the nation power brokers. There is a malay proverb that says “ Bila Gajah bergaduh, Pelanduk mati tersepit”. Use your imagination and Pak Lah is not one of the
“Gajah” and the people is the “Pelanduk”. By the way, isn’t Gajah is the official mascot of the state of Pahang.

I urge all Malaysian to remain calm. I want to give the same advice that I gave to my troops while I was serving the Army during the height of Anwar – Mahathir crisis. My men listen to me that time and I hope all readers would spare some thoughts on what I am about to say.


Read more here.

“C4 expert” and Lt-Col Norhayati Hassan sue RPK

Two people named in Raja Petra Kamarudin’s statutory declaration on June 18 as having been present at the murder scene of Mongolian Altantuya Shaariibuu are suing the Malaysia Today editor for defamation.

They are Lt-Col Aziz Buyong, described by Raja Petra Kamaruddin as a “C4 expert” in the statutory declaration, and Lt-Col Norhayati Hassan.

The two together with Datin Seri Rosmah Mansor, wife of Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak, were said in the statutory declaration to have been present when the Altantuya was blown up with C4 explosives.

In a two sets of a three-page letter to RPK from legal firm Gab, Rao & Chuah, RPK was asked to issue an apology to the clients, pay RM1 million in damages in which the money will be donated to charitable foundation. The lawyers have given RPK seven days to reply, or else ....!

Action may be taken against blogger Raja Petra Kamarudin if the Attorney-General finds that there are elements of slander against the government in a statutory declaration made by him on June 18.

Federal CID director Datuk Bakri Zinin said the allegations made by the editor of the Malaysia-Today website in the declaration were very serious.

"Investigations are ongoing and we have recorded several statements except from one person. We waiting to take further action," he told reporters at his office here Friday.

So far, among those whose statements have been taken are Datin Seri Rosmah Mansor who is the wife of Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak and Umno Youth deputy chief and Rembau Member of Parliament, Khairy Jamaluddin.

In the declaration filed at the High Court here, Raja Petra named three individuals, including Rosmah, as being present at the scene where Mongolian woman Altantuya Shaariibuu was murdered in 2006.

He (Raja Petra) further claimed that Khairy had in his possession a military intelligence report about the presence of Rosmah, bomb expert Col Aziz Buyong and his wife Norhayati, who is an aide to Rosmah, at the place where Altantuya's body was blown up with explosives in Puncak Alam, Shah Alam in Oct 2006.


What is so subjudice to discuss about Raja Petra’s SD?

These morons claims subjudice as it is for one's own political convenience without even understanding the meaning or what sub judice all is about.

The whole purpose of subjudice is to avoid circumstances where the court process will be affected by such comment or affected by pressures generated by such comment, to the detriment of public justice. Yes undertand this concept. This concept is only applicable if we are talking about a jury trial that we, the society have gladly abandoned over a decade ago due to our ignorance.

Trial of jury is alike a freedom of speech or freedom of religion in a democracy process.

Are you telling the Malaysian public and its honorable elected representative that, it is sub judice because a non jury judge sitting deciding on the law and fact can be influenced and hindered to provide an impartial and proper verdict on their extremely precious comments. Gosh!!!!, they must really think that we are suckers and of course the judge is the ultimate sucker.

The sub judice rule is understandable and acceptable where a jury is sitting in the issue, but the defence of sub judice by these morons are not acceptable when the issue is before a judge sitting alone. It is really pathetic and sad that these morons think that extraneous comments on Raja Petra's SD on the case or the issue can actually affect their learned judge. A judge is a judge, he/she is a judge because of the faith that the society have in him/her to execute his/her judgement based on the intention of the law and facts that reflects his/her conscience for the well being of the society and naturally public interest.

In Malaysia, it is very easy to shut and clamp down everything down on the pretext of law although the law supposedly serves the goodwill of the society. Raja Petra through his unorthodox method raises public interest in a court without jury and his interference with the administration of justice to seek the truth is a welcome act for the society as the society continues to educate itself with the thought to act against these dogmatic practices that defeats the goodwill of our society.

What Raja Petra has brought about is of public interest in seeking the truth so let's act and support Raja Petra in unraveling the truth for our society collectively rather than continuing being in the sideline.

R. Shan (Human Being)
(Source:Malaysia Today.)

Set up Royal Commission on Sabah migration issue

From The Star Online :

A royal commission needs to be set up to study the migration issues in Sabah and be acted upon with greater emphasis on human rights and humanitarian concerns, said Amnesty International Malaysia.

In a statement Friday, its campaigns coordinator K. Shan said the simplistic and arbitrary action to crackdown irregular migrants in Sabah would only elevate the ongoing human rights and humanitarian concerns in the state to a serious crisis level.

"Amnesty International, in its monitoring of the situation in Sabah, has recorded an existence of a very high number of asylum seekers and refugees who have fled from the conflict ridden state of Mindanao.

"We have also recorded a high number of stateless people and migrants, including children, who have lived in Sabah for more than 10 years," he said, adding that the unilateral action by the Government may result in serious human rights violations.

Therefore, he said, a royal commission must be set up immediately for specify actions, in compliance with human rights and humanitarian standards, to be taken in an utmost transparent and accountable manner.

"We urge Malaysia, as a member of Asean and the United Nations Human Rights Council, to demonstrate strong commitment in upholding the highest standards in the promotion and protection of human rights," he said, adding that the country must also be responsive to crises happening in the region.

He said Amnesty International had raised serious concerns with regards to the Government's mass expulsion.

"These include the risk of mass expulsion without examining the individual circumstances of undocumented migrant workers and stateless people, the risk of cruel inhuman or degrading treatment during arrest and detention and the risk that all detainees, especially women and children, may suffer other human rights violations," he said.

In a bid to eliminate a major sore point roiling the state of Sabah, Deputy Prime Minister Najib Tun Razak announced Wednesday that the government intends another of its sporadic attempts to rid the East Malaysian state of illegal immigrants.


The question is whether the attempt is more political than economic.

An official estimate a whopping 2.3 million registered foreign workers are trying to make a living in Malaysia, a nation of 26 million people. Most observers believe the total, including illegal migrant workers, is far higher.

We must solve the problem of illegal immigrants in a humane manner. We must treat them as human beings and not animals. The amnesty offer must be a once in a lifetime offer and not to be repeated for another 15 years at the earliest.

As with most countries, when hard times start to appear – and Malaysia’s economy is starting to turn down – migrants get the blame for rising crime, stealing jobs from the locals, cultural pollution, overloading school systems, not carrying their share of the tax burden and even spreading HIV, almost none of which is true.

The question is whether Malaysia will ultimately back away from the plan. After driving out hundreds of thousands in 1994, it eventually begged them to come back – legally – to take jobs that Malaysians wouldn’t take.

Read more here.

Yet another Case of Hindu to be buried as Muslim

B.Elangesvaran, aged 34, hanged himself on June 22. After the autopsy, the Parit Buntar hospital in Penang did not give his body back to his family, because the Islamic religious department says that the man had converted to Islam, and must be given an Islamic funeral.

S. Selvam, 48, a former mee goreng (fried noodles) seller, filed the summons at the High Court registry here on Wednesday, naming the state Islamic Religious Affairs Department, the Perak Islamic Religious Department and the Parit Buntar Hospital director as defendants.

He is seeking a declaration that B. Elangesvaran, 34, was a Hindu when alive and when the latter allegedly committed suicide four days ago.

He is asking the court for an injunction to restrain the defendants, their workers or agents, from claiming Elangesvaran's body.

Selvam also wants an injunction to stop the first and second defendants from claiming Elangesvaran's body and from interfering with the release of the deceased's body to him to perform the last funeral rites according to the Hindu custom.

In his statement of claim, Selvam represented by R.S.N. Rayer, said Elangesvaran had committed suicide by hanging himself at a house in Bagan Serai, Perak on June 22.

He claimed that after the post mortem, a hospital staff informed the deceased's family that the body could not be released to the family as the deceased had converted to Islam at the Penang Religious Affairs Department.

Selvam said he had contacted the Perak Islamic Religious Department (Parit Buntar is in Perak) for confirmation and proof of his brother's conversion but the department had failed to provide him with any official documents with the deceased's signature or thumbprint as proof of his conversion.

“I was only served with a police report alleging that my brother had embraced Islam at the Penang Islamic Religious Deparment in Lebuh Pantai and a letter, with some scribbling allegedly done by Elangesvaran, that he had converted.

“The letter, however, did not contain my brother's signature or thumbprint or the signatures of any witnesses to indicate that he had embraced Islam as required under the tenets of Islam,'' he said.

Selvam claimed that since the religious authorities could not provide him with the necessary documents to show that Elangesvaran had legally and rightfully embraced Islam, the defendants had no right to claim his brother's body, which is currently being kept at the Parit Buntar Hospital mortuary.

He is also seeking damages, costs and other relief deemed fit by the court.

The defendants, who were served with the summons Wednesday afternoon, have 14 days to file their notice of appearance.

- The Star

A. Vaithilingam, president of the Malaysian Consultative Council of Buddhism, Christianity, Hinduism, Sikhism and Taoism, notes how "people who never knew him want to bury him, and are not permitting his family to take care of this". "It's the same old story. ... Every time there is a problem, the government makes a statement to ease tension and then forgets all about it".

- From Asia News.it

The question is complex in part because the judicial system provides both tribunals for non-Muslims and Islamic sharia to handle legal questions for the Muslim faithful, where the rights of non-Islamic minorities are often sacrificed.

“total lies, fabrication and total garbage.”

“total lies, fabrication and total garbage.”

Datuk Seri Najib Razak has dismissed Raja Petra Kamarudin’s statutory declaration implicating his wife as having had a hand in the murder of Mongolian translator Altantuya Shaaribuu as “total lies, fabrication and total garbage.”

The Deputy Prime Minister said the allegations in the statutory declaration were a “desperate and pathetic attempt to discredit and taint my political image.”

Meanwhile, Khairy Jamaluddin said he had never received or kept any military intelligence report from anyone including the Prime Minister as alleged by blogger Raja Petra Kamarudin in his statutory declaration on June 18.

He said he had informed the police the same thing that he had not received any military intelligence report on the killing of Altantuya from the Prime Minister or anyone else.

Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi said yesterday he has been informed by the Attorney General's office that they will conduct an investigation into Raja Petra's declaration.

DAP supremo Lim Kit Siang urged Abdullah and Najib "to have new advisers after another round of savage but avoidable battering to their credibility with delayed denials".

He wrote in his blog today that if Abdullah and Najib had instantly responded to Raja Petra's "mind-boggling" allegations five days ago, "there would have been no need for me to invoke Standing Order 18 for an emergency debate of a matter of urgent, definite public importance”

By the way, a joke making its rounds is that “badawi” may soon be accepted as a neologism by Oxford Dictionary to mean “to start something full of promise but end in disappointment, failure and/or disaster”. So, an example of its usage would be “France badawied their Euro 2008 campaign.” :)

Singapore gets Pedra Branca: What's next?

I Made Andi Arsana, Yogyakarta
(The Jakarta Post)

A big decision has been made. The International Court of Justice (ICJ) decided to award contested Pedra Branca (PB) island to Singapore on May 23, 2008. This was not a complete defeat for Malaysia since it gained Middle Rocks. Meanwhile, the sovereignty of South Ledge remains undecided.

The 28-year ownership dispute over these three islands in the eastern entrance of Singapore Strait was brought to the ICJ in 2003 by Malaysia and Singapore. Public hearings were held in The Hague, the Netherlands, on Nov. 6-23, 2007, where the two claimants presented their arguments. The ICJ decision was made by majority vote six months later. The future of Pedra Branca was central to the dispute, so the decision may be viewed as a victory for Singapore.

This case reminds us of the earlier dispute over the islands of Sipadan and Ligitan, decided in 2002 between Indonesia and Malaysia. Then Malaysia won. Now Malaysia has lost. However, no matter what the result is, there is significant progress whenever territorial disputes are resolved between nations. It is interesting to know how the ICJ finally determined the sovereignty of these disputed islands.

The court initially concluded that the sovereignty of PB was historically with the Johor Sultanate, which is now part of Malaysia. After studying the history of Johor Sultanate and the Dutch and British positions on control of Southeast Asia, and also the role of the East India Company, the court concluded "the Sultanate of Johor had original title to Pedra Branca" (para. 69 of the judgment). This conclusion was implicitly an objection to Singapore's previous argument that PB was terra nullius (ownerless), so that it was eligible for "lawful occupation".

However, this initial conclusion did not lead to a decision to award PB to Malaysia. One of the reasons is the letter dated on Sept. 21, 1953, sent by the acting state secretary stating that "the Johore Government does not claim ownership of Pedra Branca" (para. 196 of the Judgment). This letter was a reply to a letter sent previously by the colonial secretary of Singapore to the British adviser to the sultan of Johor concerning the status of the island.

This letter of Sept. 21, 1953, became the key to the Court reaching its conclusion that the sultan of Johor had disclaimed sovereignty over PB hence that sovreignty reverted to the United Kingdom and "the authorities in Singapore had no reason to doubt that the UK had sovereignty over the island." (para. 233 of the Judgment).

The reasoning of the court in making their determination may be debatable, but the decision is final and binding. Like it or not, both parties should accept it. This principle, of binding acceptance of the final judgement was, of course, agreed prior to bringing the case before the court. If the decision is irrevocable, so what is next? The interesting next step to watch for is the delineation of maritime boundaries in the Singapore Strait in the aftermath of the ICJ decision.

It has been widely understood that the strait where the three islands are located is a busy shipping route. Therefore the certainty of sovereignty and sovereign rights over maritime area around the features is undoubtedly important. Hence, the delimitation of maritime boundaries among three relevant parties: Indonesia, Singapore and Malaysia is important. This will, hopefully, generate a definitive line dividing maritime areas under each country's jurisdiction.

It is worth recalling that Indonesia and Malaysia agreed seabed boundaries in the area in 1969, generating a line starting from point 11 (around 12 km to the east of PB) heading northeast in the South China Sea. In 1973, Indonesia also concluded a maritime boundary with Singapore. Put simply, there are now some outstanding pending boundary segments that these three neighboring states need to settle.

In a technical perspective, a line delimiting maritime space in the area can be constructed by the equidistance principle (or median line) considering that it also deals with territorial sea (up to 12 nautical miles from baseline/coastline of each state) as indicated in article 15 of the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS).

The equitable solution for delineating the maritime area beyond 12 nautical miles, notably the exclusive economic zone and continental shelf, is suggested on the basis of articles 74 and 83 of UNCLOS (and equidistance is not always necessarily equitable). For this purpose, Indonesia, Malaysia and Singapore will need to sit together multilaterally or bilaterally for negotiation purposes.

Some relevant considerations may include:

First, the fact that these three features are small and in an "inconvenient" position that may complicate the delimitation.

Second, the possibility that these three features may generate further maritime claims (upon territorial sea, exclusive economic zone and continental shelf).

Third, the existing maritime boundaries among the three neighboring states. No matter how difficult it is for the three states to delimit their maritime boundaries, an immedediate delineation process will, undoubtedly, be better for all. Certainty in maritime boundaries will provide each state with clarity in utilizing and managing maritime resources. The good will and good faith of the neighboring states will be the key for future delimitation.

The writer is a lecturer in the Department of Geodesy and Geomatics, Gadjah Mada University, Yogyakarta. He is currently an Australian Leadership Award Scholar (PhD candidate) at the University of Wollongong. This is his personal opinion.



By the way, Prime Minister Abdullah Badawi says his deputy Najib Razak not involved in Mongolian model Altantuya's murder.

Another shit-for-brains suggestion:"Malaysian body bans lipstick, high heels to prevent rape at work"

Malaysia Boleh !!!

Abdullah and the Chorus Line

As expected Barisan Nasional party leaders, Cabinet Ministers and assorted beneficiaries of the Dato Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi flip-flop regime lined up metaphorically behind him to shout their support for the leader over the intransigence of Dato Yong Teck Lee and the Sabah Progressive Party.

The SAPP's motion of no confidence will not bring down Dato Abdullah's Government even if the opposition were to throw in their votes behind SAPP. The likelihood is that the opposition will not. They know it would be an exercise in futility. In any case the Speaker will not allow the motion or debate on it. So it looks like the SAPP is going to get nowhere.

But Dato Seri Abdullah and the Chorus Line should not gloat. They should realise that every time Dato Seri Abdullah demonstrates his grip over UMNO and Barisan Nasional, everytime the Chorus Line trotted their piece, they evoke disgust among the public.

UMNO may have 3.5 million members but even if all of them voted there would still be constituencies where they would not win. Their success depended much on non-member supporters. Dato Seri Abdullah had no way of bribing or threatening them.

He could not summon them to be told to support BN candidates or himself.

These people had become alienated from the BN. And the muzzled ordinary UMNO and BN members had also been alienated.

Assuming that Dato Seri Abdullah could control the 3,000 UMNO branches, the 200 UMNO divisions and the 2,500 specially selected representatives at the UMNO General Assembly there would still be more than a million ordinary members of UMNO who could not be bribed or threatened.

Every time Dato Seri Abdullah came up with ridiculous policies and commit administrative and political flip-flop the Chorus Lines, the Supreme Council and the Division heads may shout their support but the majority of the rank and file would become more disgusted. And they would resolve not to vote for UMNO or the BN.

- Dr M


Prime Minister Ahmad Abdullah Badawi won parliament backing on Monday for a government decision to sharply raise fuel prices, despite mounting public calls to quit over the measure.

Deputies of the ruling Barisan Nasional coalition closed ranks behind Abdullah as an opposition bid to turn a parliament debate on inflation into a no-confidence vote fell through.

A government motion on price increases was approved with 129 lawmakers voting for it and 78 lawmakers opposing it, giving a temporary respite to the premier who is also battling a challenge to his leadership from within his own party.

A loss of the vote would not have brought down the government or overturned the price hike. But it would have been a major embarrassment for Abdullah, who has faced calls from his own party members to step down for returning the Front to power with a vastly reduced majority in the March 8 elections.

Meanwhile, Lim Kit Siang has submitted an emergency motion to the Speaker on RPK's allegations.

The explosive statutory declaration submitted by Raja Petra Kamaruddin is set to be even more fiery now.

The Attorney General and Inspector General of Police have served notice that they will be calling up RPK. So will the three persons implicated by him.

Tan Sri Gani Patil has said that the allegations were "highly inflamatory" - which means if the allegations cannot be proven, even if there is a qualification of being "reliably informed", the consequences can be heavy.

Mahathir Warns Of Implications If Article 121(1) Restored

MINISTER in the Prime Minister's Department Datuk Zaid Ibrahim is seeking to restore the original wording of Article 121(1) of the Federal Constitution.

He said he suggested this to the cabinet last week but was unsure when it would happen.

Article 121(1) originally read: “Subject to Clause (2), the judicial power of the Federation shall be vested in two High Courts of coordinate jurisdiction and status, namely...”

Zaid said the article was amended after the judicial crisis in 1988 to remove “... the judicial power of the Federation shall be vested...”.

It now reads: “There shall be two High Courts of coordinate jurisdiction and status, namely...”

With the separation of powers of the executive, legislature and judiciary in the country, it would strengthen and enhance the judicial system, he said.

“According to the original article, judges are free to make decisions in a transparent and orderly manner and, with this, outside influence can be controlled,” he said.

“The proposal to restore the original wording of Article 121(1) has received support from Chief Justice Tun Abdul Hamid Mohamad. I will also convince other parties and the powerful people.”

Meanwhile,former prime minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad said Minister Datuk Zaid Ibrahim and the government should be held responsible if the move to restore the original wording of Article 121(1) of the Federal Constition leads to adverse consequences.

In issuing the reminder, former prime minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad said the government he led had reasons when it amended the article.

"If he (Zaid) feels the amendment is no longer needed, it is up to him. If there are adverse implications, someone has to be held responsible.

"We cannot do something and after that, when something bad happens we absolve ourselves of respossibility," he told reporters after delivering a speech titled "Malaysia's Hope" at the Red Crescent Society hall here Saturday.

Dr Mahathir amended the article after the judicial crisis in 1988, during which Lord President Tun Salleh Abas and two Supreme Court judges were sacked while three others were suspended.

He said the restoration of the article's original wording was to ensure the judiciary was free from outside influence and it was not intended to reduce the prime minister's power.


Article 121

121

(1) There shall be two High Courts of co-ordinate jurisdiction and status, namely -

(a) one in the States of Malaya, which shall be known as the High Court in Malaya and shall have its principal registry at such place in the States of Malaya as the Yang di-Pertuan Agong may determine; and
(b) one in the States of Sabah and Sarawak, which shall be known as the High Court in Sabah and Sarawak and shall have its principal registry at such place in the States of Sabah and Sarawak as the Yang di- Pertuan Agong may determine;
(c)(Repealed),

and such inferior courts as may be provided by federal law and the High Courts and inferior courts shall have such jurisdiction and powers as may be conferred by or under federal law.
(1A) The courts referred to in Clause (1) shall have no jurisdiction in respect of any matter within the jurisdiction of the Syariah courts.
(1B) There shall be a court which shall be known as the Mahkamah Rayuan (Court of Appeal) and shall have its principal registry at such place as the Yang di-Pertuan Agong may determine, and the Court of Appeal shall have the following jurisdiction, that is to say:

(a) jurisdiction to determine appeals from decisions of a High Court or a judge thereof (except decisions of a High Court given by a registrar or other officer of the Court and appealable under federal law to a judge of the Court); and
(b) such other jurisdiction as may be conferred by or under federal law.

(2) There shall be a court which shall be known as the Mahkamah Persekutuan (Federal Court) and shall have its principal registry at such place as the Yang di-Pertuan Agong may determine, and the Federal Court shall have the following jurisdiction, that is to say:

(a) jurisdiction to determine appeals from decisions of the Court of Appeal, of the High Court or a judge thereof;
(b) such original or consultative jurisdiction as is specified in Articles 128 and 130; and
(c) such other jurisdiction as may be conferred by or under federal law.

(3) Subject to any limitations imposed by or under federal law, any order, decree, judgment or process of the courts referred to in Clause (1) or of any judge thereof shall (so far as its nature permits) have full force and effect according to its tenor throughout the Federation, and may be executed or enforced in any part of the Federation accordingly; and federal law may provide for courts in one part of the Federation or their officers to act in aid of courts in another part.

(4) In determining where the principal registry of the High Court in Sabah and Sarawak is to be, the Yang di-Pertuan Agong shall act on the advice of the Prime Minister, who shall consult the Chief Ministers of the States of Sabah and Sarawak and the Chief Judge of the High Court.


Repealed Former 121.

1. Subject to Clause (2) the judicial power of the Federation shall be vested into High Courts of co- ordinate jurisdiction and status, namely-
* (a) one of the States of Malaya, which shall be known as the High Court in Malaya and shall have its principle registry in Kuala Lumpur; and
* (b) one in the States of Sabah and Sarawak, which shall be known as the High Court in Borneo and shall have its principle registry at such place in the States of Sabah and Sarawak as the Yang di- Pertuan Agong may determine;
* (c) (Repealed);and in such inferior courts as may be provided by federal law.

2. The following jurisdiction shall be vested in a court which shall be known as the Mahkamah Agung (Supreme Court) and shall have its principle registry in Kuala Lumpur, that is to say-
* (a) exclusive jurisdiction to determine appeals from decisions of a High Court or a judge thereof (except decision of a High Court given by a registrar or other officer of the court and appealable under federal law to a judge of the Court);
* (b) such original or consultative jurisdiction as is specified in Articles 128 and 130; and
* (c) such other jurisdiction as may be conferred by or under federal law.

3. Subject to any limitations imposed by or under federal law, any order, decree, judgement or process of the courts referred to in Clause (1) or of any judge thereof shall (so far as its nature permits) have full force and effect according to its tenor throughout the Federation, and may be executed or enforced in any part of the Federation accordingly; and federal law may provide for courts in one part of the Federation or their officers to act in aid of courts in another part.

4. In determining where the principal registry of the High Court in Borneo is to be, the Yang di- Pertuan Agong shall act on the advice of the Prime Minister, who shall consult the Chief Ministers of the States of Sabah and Sarawak and the Chief Justice of the High Court.

(Source)

SAPP supreme council backs motion

Sabah Progressive Party (SAPP) supreme council has endorsed the decision to support a vote of no confidence against Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi in Parliament on Monday.

The council, however, did not make any decision on its position in the Barisan Nasional.

-Malaysiakini


From Wong Chun Wai:

"Datuk Raymond Tan, left before the press conference started just minutes ago. The Deputy Chief Minister did not respond substantially to the waiting media as he walked out of the room but is likely to meet the press later. If it's true that Tan convinced the PM that he could get the others to be on his side, then he has failed. But it comes as no surprise to most politicians and the media in Kota Kinabalu that Yong has the backing of most members in SAPP. While Yong is known for his gung-ho politics, Tan is perceived as an introvert. The two are opposites."

More here.


SAPP

Tiny SAPP (Sabah Progressive Party) wants to move a motion of no-confidence in Dato Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi. Apparently SAPP is still confident in Barisan Nasional.

As expected we hear the usual chorus of pledges by the other BN parties to support Abdullah.

When will BN party leaders wake up to the fact that the majority of Malaysians do not want Dato Seri Abdullah as Prime Minister? It was this inability to appreciate the feelings of the people that led to the disastrous 2008 election results by them.

The peninsular BN parties should realise that they have become irrelevant.

Ignore the people and you will find yourself totally rejected.

On Friday, the Anti-Corruption Agency (ACA) swung into action and announced it will question Yong over the allegations. This is swift retribution coming from Abdullah, who has long smiled and shrugged off attacks and insults from those who feel he is unfit to helm the country.

But Yong's unprecedented move was the tipping point for Abdullah after many weeks

of attacks and calls to step down from his Umno presidency and as prime minister for the poor election results from sections of his Umno party and trenchant critic Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad.

Since assuming the top post, Abdullah had to suffer insults of being a sleepy head incapable of leading the country apart from slurs to his family name and his family including son Kamaluddin and son-in-law Khairy Jamaluddin – both said to be influential figures in his administration.

The ACA investigations is seen as Abdullah's warning to rivals and opponents that he will not hesitate to use his incumbency as prime minister and party president even if severely weakened by rising unpopularity and the poor election results that saw the Barisan Nasional lose its two-third majority.

- The Malaysian Insider


And "Why MCA not leaving BN?"

Congratulations to SAPP

Congratulations and salutations for the firm bravery of SAPP and its two Members of Parliament for defending the rights of Malaysians, and especially those of Sabahans.

I have had two discussions previously with Dato' Yong Teck Lee, President of SAPP. The core issues at hand are those of good governance and dedication to the principles of accountability.

KeADILan's commitment to Sabahans, bumiputera and otherwise, include 20% oil royalties to Sabah, Sarawak and Terengganu, as well as proportionate and just represenation for Sabah and Sarawak.

I am happy with these early actions and call upon other friends to act quickly in order to guarantee stable politics and efficient economic management that will lead to dynamic growth and equitable distribution.

Anwar Ibrahim

Sure, you must be happy, very very happy now, DSAI, you don't ?

Barisan Nasional supreme council today resolved not to take action against Sabah Progressive Party until it gets an "official statement" for its planned no-confidence vote against the prime minister - Malaysiakini.

At the meeting, all BN component party leaders were asked and subsequently agreed to ensure that all the BN Members of Parliament from their respective parties were present throughout the Parliament session and follow the instruction of the BN whip and reject any motion on the vote of `no confidence' against Abdullah.

All Barisan Nasional (BN) component parties (except one) strongly criticised the statement by Sabah Progressive Party (SAPP) president Datuk Yong Teck Lee that the party had lost confidence in the leadership of the Prime Minister, describing it as lacking principles, unethical and going against the BN's spirit of consensus.

Meanwhile, Abdulah said the BN would not be issuing a "show cause" letter to Yong or SAPP "because they have not done anything wrong".

"This is not his party's stance," said Abdullah.

"The statement was made by Yong Teck Lee. That is why we're not taking action against the party."

"We cannot simply take action against any one party...We have to be correct...against any leader...or component party," Abdullah said.

PM faces no-confidence vote !

Sabah Progressive Party (Sapp) today announced that it would move a no-confidence motion against Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi when Parliament resumes on Monday.

"We have lost confidence in the prime minister of Malaysia," party leader Yong Teck Lee told a news conference in Kota Kinabalu, the capital of Sabah state on Borneo island.

The lawmakers must first convince Parliament's speaker to allow a no-confidence vote, but their biggest challenge will be getting enough legislators to support the motion.

The move would be a first in Malaysia's political history: No Malaysian prime minister has ever faced a vote of no-confidence presented by a member of his own coalition before.

The question now is whether the Dewan Rakyat Speaker would allow the motion to be tabled and if allowed, whether there would be enough MPs to support the motion

The vote of no confidence against Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi cannot be tabled on Monday as this has to be done in accordance with the Standing Orders of the Dewan Rakyat, said Datuk Seri Nazri Aziz

The Minister in the Prime Minister's Department who is in charge of Parliament said that under Standing Orders rule 27, a notice for any motion had to be given in writing 14 days in advance.

"So far, no such motion has been given as yet," he said when contacted.

Alternatively, Nazri said the vote of no confidence could be tabled through an emergency motion under Standing Orders rule 18(1).

He said this however had to fulfil three criteria -- it has to be a definite matter, urgent and of public interest.

According to a statement released in the SAPP's website, the party explained why there were launching the vote of no confidence against Abdullah.

"We must make the stand before the window of opportunity closes by August after which “Sabah would be forgotten again. The nation’s attention would switch to MCA and Umno elections, people will be pre-occupied with the fasting month, Hari Raya, school exams and year end events. Political fatigue in the national mainstream over Sabah issues would set in,” the party said. “The momentum to recover Sabah’s autonomy, get 20% oil royalties and return of Labuan would be lost.”
SAPP also claimed that "unfair" federal laws, excessive taxes and structural imbalances in the economy will remain entrenched, entrenching Sabah as the poorest state subservient to the central leadership.

“Labuan bridge, poverty eradication and rural development will remain elusive,” the party said. “Racial politics and wasteful monopolies will continue as usual. The illegal immigrant problems will reach boiling point. Grown up street kids, illicit drugs and crimes will continue to strike fear among the people.

“Police and law enforcement will remain understaffed and under-resourced. In other words, Sabah will lose out badly again. We will not get this window of opportunity for another 50 years, if ever again. In fact, we have now become suspicious of their delaying tactics.”

"This is why we need an immediate declaration of no confidence against the PM to tell the BN Government that we can no longer tolerate their insensitive attitude towards Sabah issues that are real and serious," the pasrty said.

No matter what spin is applied Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi today suffered a blow to his stature as the leader of Malaysia.

It does not matter whether Parliament Speaker Tan Sri Pandikar Amin Mulia will allow the two Sabah Progressive Party (SAPP) MPs to table a motion of no confidence against the prime minister on Monday.

It does not matter that the procedure to table a motion has not been followed (14 days notice must be given). It does not even matter whether the motion is defeated soundly on the House floor as it is likely to be.

By announcing their plan to table a motion of no confidence, Datuk Yong Teck Lee and the SAPP have already achieved what they set out to do - embarrass and humiliate Abdullah.

The message that Yong wants to send to the rest of Malaysia is that the PM is weak and he should be replaced as the head of Barisan Nasional.

100 days after the political tsunami

PAS National Youth deputy chief Azman Shapawi Abdul Rani said the wing was drawing up an agenda to implement Islamic laws in the five opposition-held states.

Now, Selangor PAS Youth movement has submitted a memorandum to the Selangor Mentri Besar’s office to protest against plans to have Malaysia rock queen Ella and dangdut singer Mas Idayu perform at the Sultan of Selangor Cup on July 6.

"Selangor PAS Youth protests performances by Ella, Mas Idayu" - The Star.

"State PAS youth chief Sallehen Mokhyi said the movement felt that performances by the two singers were inappropriate at the event that would be attended by many youngsters."

"He said PAS fully supported sports-related activities as they were important in building good moral values but felt that the two performers would have an opposite effect on the minds of the youngsters who attended the event."

"He said the movement had no objections to musical performances if the performers were replaced with other singers who were more “acceptable”."

“Ella and Mas Idayu’s dressing and performances do not follow the values of the Islamic and Malay cultures and we (the youth movement) cannot turn a blind eye to the effect it will have on the spectators,” he told reporters Monday at the state secretariat building here.

"Ella and Mas Idayu are to perform during a one-hour musical performance to kick-start the event together with David Arumugam of Alleycats."

"Sallehin said the youth movement would be forced to hold a peaceful gathering to protest the performance by the two singers if the state government did not stop their performance."

"He said he hoped that Khalid would act accordingly and not cause dissatisfaction among the Pakatan Rakyat coalition members in the newly-formed state government."

Meanwhile, Malaysia's highest court has allowed opposition leader Anwar Ibrahim to challenge his 1998 dismissal as a deputy prime minister, a surprise decision that his lawyer described Tuesday as "very significant."

The Federal Court's three judges decided unanimously Monday that Anwar would be allowed to appeal earlier court verdicts dismissing his contention that then-Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad fired him unlawfully, according to his lawyer, Karpal Singh.

Set a Guinness World Record !

The official date for the launch of Firefox 3 is June 17, 2008.

Set a Guinness World Record

Enjoy a Better Web


Sounds like a good deal, right? All you have to do is get Firefox 3 during Download Day to help set the record for most software downloads in 24 hours - it’s that easy.





New Features

Firefox 3 sets the innovation bar very high with exciting new features, including one-click bookmarking, the smart location bar and lightning fast performance.

Security

Keeping you and your personal information safe is our top priority. Firefox 3 includes phishing and malware protection, plus our new instant site ID info.

Productivity

With features like built-in spell checking, session restore and full zoom, Firefox 3 makes it possible to work faster and more efficiently on the Web.

Customization

Your taste and needs set you apart from the rest. With Firefox 3 you can choose from over 5,000 add-ons that help you customize your browsing experience.

Malaysian Islamist leader wants a return to mutilation ?

PAS National Youth deputy chief Azman Shapawi Abdul Rani said yesterday that the wing was drawing up an agenda to implement Islamic laws in the five opposition-held states.

The hardline Parti Islam se-Malaysia, which made strong gains in March elections, has enacted laws in five states to punish rapists and adulterers with stoning to death.

“LET HE WHO IS WITHOUT SIN, CAST THE FIRST STONE”

Thieves would have hands and arms cut off.

100 days gone, of the political tsunami spawned by Election 2008 on March 8.

PAS Syariah laws, not again!- Wong Chun Wai

"The Islamist party refrained from talking about syariah laws in the elections and many Malaysians, especially non-Muslims, voted for them because they were regarded as a better choice than the BN. But some little Mullahs in PAS have forgotten that many of their candidates won because of non-Muslim votes"

"PAS Youth moots Islamic law in Pakatan states" - Malaysiakini.

"PAS Youth is keen on implementing hardline Islamic laws that ban gambling, limiting sale of liquor and introducing dress code for office workers in all Pakatan-ruled states."

Fuel Price Hike May Derail Poverty Eradication Plans

Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Badawi's scramble to stem the widening fallout from his high-stakes gamble to raise fuel prices is exposing his government's shortcomings in crisis management.

What's more, the policy flip-flops and the raft of poorly-designed counter-measures have only brought into focus the distortions in the Malaysian economy and Datuk Seri Abdullah's reluctance to confront the powerful vested interest groups that profit from it.

"Abdullah's fuel-hike move falls short"

- The Malaysian insider.

"If Malaysians were beginning to feel a tad sympathetic to the many challenges facing Abdullah's government, last week's fuel hike only served to bring to the fore concerns that dominated the public mood just before the early March national election - anger over the rising cost of living, the perception that the Barisan Nasional coalition government is insensitive to the plight of most Malaysians and widespread corruption in government."

"By shocking Malaysians with the roll-back on subsidies, Abdullah had hoped to divert public attention away from the crisis gripping his United Malays National Organisation party which leads the Barisan government."

"Abdullah said that his ministers would take a 10 per cent cut in their monthly entertainment allowances."

"But Malaysians didn't even know that the prime minister got a monthly entertainment stipend of RM18,865, his deputy RM15,015 and his Cabinet ministers RM13,320 a month each."

"Malaysians also didn't know that their ministers and their families were entitled to one all-expense paid holiday annually to any destination."

"As inflation picks up, economic growth falters and the drudge of having to make ends meet for ordinary Malaysians take its toll, Abdullah will have to wake up to the reality that the Malaysia he inherited more than four years ago has changed radically."

The sharp increase in fuel prices can derail the government's target to wipe out abject poverty or reduce the number of the poor to 2.8 per cent from 3.6 per cent by 2010.

Economists believe the 41 per cent hike in petrol and 63.3 per cent in diesel prices in the wake of skyrocketing global oil price has somewhat "threw a curve ball" at the plan.

"Fuel Price Hike May Derail Poverty Eradication Plans, Say Analysts "- Bernama

The economists, however, were doubtful on the prospect, arguing that based on today's purchasing power, more Malaysians could slip into the poverty bracket, if not below.

Bank Islam Malaysia senior economist Azrul Azwar Ahmad Tajudin said the people's purchasing power had shrunk significantly following the revised fuel subsidy which saw petrol price rising by 78 sen and diesel RM1.

"As in previous occasions, higher fuel price means increase in prices for everything, from food to other necessities including services.

"For the poor, the recent fuel price hike comes as a double whammy of sort. For the past one year, they have been struggling to make ends meet with the rising food costs. Now they are hit once more with more expensive fuel while there is zero growth in their income," he said.

Based on the 2005 calculation, poverty line for the whole nation is RM691, while for the peninsula is RM661, Sabah (RM888) and Sarawak (RM765). The figures are based on a family of five.

He believed the government could still provide a "comfortable" subsidised fuel for the people if the quantum of Petronas' profits allocated for subsidy was based on the global market price.

"At the moment, the government has not explained the formula in calculating the percentage given by Petronas from its profits. They just tell us the total amount.

"In this case, I suggest maybe the government can consider using a quantum based on the market price. Let's say, if it's US$40 per barrel, maybe Petronas should pay 40 per cent and if it's above US$80, they pay 75 per cent.

"I believe if this is done accordingly, the people can still enjoy comfortable fuel prices," he said.

What I want for Father's Day this year!

What I want for Father's Day this year!

Fuel Price Hike ? No, thanks.

I heard Dr M, his wife and his children have USD 199.45 million and S $ 42,000,000 in fixed deposit in the Israeli National Bank in Singapore.

Okay, just a portion of the money, say 10 % will do, that's what I want for Father's day this year. 10 % only mah, not too much lah !

Kids, you hear this ?

Telecom services top innovation rankings

DiGi and Maxis score with new mobile offerings, while Nestlé wins most-admired prize with its traditional brands

By PETER JEFFREY, WSJ

Malaysia will spend 500 million ringgit (147 million dollars) to build 1,250 telecommunication towers over the next two years to increase nationwide mobile phone coverage.

Energy, Water and Communications Minister Shaziman Abu Mansor said the government would begin building the towers from next month, adding that construction was scheduled to be completed by the end of 2010.

'By then, 97 per cent of the country would have mobile phone coverage,' Shaziman was quoted as saying by the Star online news portal.

Currently, 92 per cent of the country's land area has mobile phone coverage, he said

Meanwhile, DiGi took Malaysia's top prize in the featured category, "Innovative in Responding to Customer Needs," in The Wall Street Journal Asia's Asia 200 survey of readers. DiGi was named the most innovative Malaysian company in the 2006 survey as well. It ranked fourth in this survey's overall assessment, down from third place.

A total of 2,477 executives and professionals participated in the survey, which was conducted last year between May 11 and July 3. On behalf of The Wall Street Journal, market-research firm Colmar Brunton polled subscribers as well as other businesspeople in the 12 Asian-Pacific countries.

Maxis was second in the overall most-admired rankings after topping the list in 2006. Maxis is the biggest of the top three Malaysian mobile players by subscribers. It is this survey's No. 2 Malaysian innovator.

DiGi is small by comparison -- its annual revenue is less than Maxis' operating profit. But it is competitive. Its overall mobile market share by revenue has grown to 26% from 16% four years ago.

While DiGi focuses on the Malaysian market, Maxis owner T. Ananda Krishnan has taken his company private, largely to facilitate regional expansion. Allan Khoo, head of brand and marketing communications at Maxis, says that since the brand was established, in 1995, it has been based on "value, innovation and trust," attracting a customer base that now numbers 10 million in Malaysia. Mr. Khoo points to Maxis' mobile-data business as an example of the company's own innovation.

"Maxis has the largest and most-visited mobile [wireless application protocol] portal in Malaysia, with over 200 products and services, including the largest catalog of mobile music and games, mobile TV channels and other infotainment services, like football updates, news alerts and services to check traffic," he says, also noting Maxis' service for international remittance over mobile phones. "What all this technology translates to is simply this: The phone is not just a phone, but an extension of our customer's personality and lifestyle," driving Maxis to innovate.

Read here for more.

Malaysia Improving In Corruption Index ?

Excerpts from Bernama :

"Malaysia has made a headway in the battle against corruption, but the country can do better, according to an analysis in a United Nation's Development Programme (UNDP) report."

The report, presented by Transparency International (TI) Malaysia president Tan Sri Ramon V Navaratnam here today, stated that Malaysia ranked sixth according to the World Bank and TI, but ninth according to the International Country Risk Guide (ICRG).

Navaratnam said this was the first time a report on how corruption impacted human development had been delivered.

Although the World Bank's Control of Corruption Index (CCI) and TI's Corruption Perception Index (CPI) showed higher progress, the ICRG, which perceives corruption from business and trade aspects, reflected a steady deterioration over the last decade from 4.00 in 1996 to 2.38 in 2006.

And to make things worse, UNDP reported that corruption hit the poor hardest, especially through what had been termed as "petty" or "street" corruption where low-level officials (in permit registration, licensing, police) could harrass the people for extra money to "grease the wheels".


M'sia's corruption at critical level: watchdog

"Corruption deeply entrenched in the negotiation of contracts, says member of graft watchdog."

-AFP

CORRUPTION in Malaysia has reached a critical level as the country falls in international rankings, a graft watchdog announced on Thursday, warning the government to act or lose its competitiveness.

The UN's Asia-Pacific Human Development Report highlighted an International Country Risk Guide finding which saw Malaysia decline from a score of 4.00 in 1996 to 2.38 in 2006, with a lower score representing greater corruption.

'It is worrying because it is a business index which reflects on our domestic investment, foreign direct investment and confidence in the economy,' said Ramon Navaratnam, country head of graft watchdog Transparency International.

'Corruption is at a critical level here,' he said.

He said corruption in Malaysia was deeply entrenched in the negotiation of contracts. Bribes were paid to government officials to speed up trade licences, for police protection and for loan transactions.

More here