Kuala Kubu Baru : A Litmus Test for Malaysian Indian Support and Political Allegiances Kuala Kubu Baru : A Litmus Test for Malaysian Indian Support and Political Allegiances

  From the Lungitaiment (News & Politic Division-The Free Press) Editorial table

Source :Suara Keadilan 

In the heartland of Kuala Kubu Baru, a small town in Selangor, lies the stage for a political showdown that could potentially redefine the landscape of Malaysian politics. The upcoming by-election in this constituency is poised to serve as a litmus test, not just for the competing political parties, but also for gauging the sentiments and allegiances of the Malaysian Indian community.

Historically, the Malaysian Indian community has been a significant power base for political parties, particularly for Pakatan Harapan (PH) led by Anwar Ibrahim. However, recent waves of dissatisfaction have been palpable within this community, casting shadows of uncertainty over established political affiliations.

One of the primary grievances voiced by many within the Indian community is the perceived neglect and marginalization they have experienced under the PH administration. Despite lending unwavering support to Anwar Ibrahim and PH in the past, there is a growing disillusionment stemming from the absence of adequate representation at the highest echelons of power. The absence of a full minister from the Tamil community, the largest subgroup within the Indian demographic, has been a sore point, indicative of a larger systemic issue of underrepresentation.

The controversial removal of Ramasamy in the last state election by DAP, purportedly to appease Malay sentiments, has left a bitter taste among many Indian voters. The perceived double standard, exemplified by the retention of figures like Nga Kor Ming, known for his polarizing statements, has only served to deepen the disillusionment.

On the flip side, the entry of Perikatan Nasional (PN) into the fray presents an alternative, albeit contentious, option for the Malaysian Indian community. PN's track record of espousing hardline Malay nationalism has raised concerns about their commitment to multiculturalism and inclusivity. The recent incorporation of the Malaysian Indian Peoples Party (MIPP) into their coalition has been met with skepticism, with many fearing a repeat of history akin to the Malaysian Indian Congress (MIC) under the previous regime.

As the by-election looms large, the Malaysian Indian electorate finds itself at a crossroads, torn between historical allegiances and the pursuit of genuine representation and progress. The outcome of this electoral battle in Kuala Kubu Baru will not only determine the immediate political landscape but will also resonate as a barometer of the evolving socio-political dynamics within Malaysia.

In the quest for a truly inclusive and representative democracy, the Malaysian Indian community stands poised to make a defining statement, echoing far beyond the boundaries of Kuala Kubu Baru. The by-election serves as a poignant reminder to political stakeholders that the voices and aspirations of all communities must be heard and heeded, lest the fabric of unity and harmony be frayed beyond repair.

From the Lungitaiment (News & Politic Division) Editorial table

Read More

குழந்தைகளை இஸ்லாத்திற்கு மாற்றுவதை லோ வின் முறையீடு செய்தார்

 மலேசியா: ஒற்றைத் தாயான லோ சிவ் ஹாங்கின் மேல்முறையீட்டை மேல்முறையீட்டு நீதிமன்றம் ஒருமனதாக அனுமதித்து, நான்கு ஆண்டுகளுக்கு முன்பு பெர்லிஸில் தனது மூன்று மைனர் குழந்தைகளை ஒருதலைப்பட்சமாக இஸ்லாத்திற்கு மாற்றியது அரசியலமைப்புச் சட்டத்திற்கு உட்பட்டதாக அறிவித்த உயர் நீதிமன்றத் தீர்ப்பை ரத்து செய்தது.

நீதிபதி ஹதாரியா சையத் இஸ்மாயில் தலைமையிலான மூன்று பேர் கொண்ட பெஞ்ச், மதமாற்றங்கள் மத்திய அரசமைப்புச் சட்டத்திற்கு எதிரானது என்று கூறியது.

Read More

Sri Lanka cannot domestically deal with 'grave crimes' found in OISL report says UN Rights Chief

The OHCHR investigation into Sri Lanka (OISL) indicates a pattern of violations that suggest that crimes against humanity and war crimes were likely committed, said the United Nations Human Rights Chief upon releasing the report on Wednesday.

Speaking at a press conference at the United Nations Human Rights Council, Zeid Hussein said,

“The report draws us closer to the conclusion... that crime against humanity and war crimes.... have apparently been committed by state actors,... the LTTE and paramilitary groups.”

Highlighting a “deep mistrust” between victims and the state, and “repeated failures by the state in providing justice,” the Human Rights Chief said that a significant recommendation from the report was the set up of a hybrid court to ensure there is no impunity for crimes of “such grave nature.”

Mr Hussein added, “a purely domestic procedure will not succeed in overcoming decades of broken promises…  it is an inescapable reality that Sri Lanka’s criminal justice system is not ready to handle these types of crimes.”

He further called on Sri Lanka to show it's commitment to non-recurrence by ratifying the Rome Statute. 

Please find a link to the full report here. See summary report here.

The report found that "there are reasonable grounds to believe that gross violations of international human rights law, serious violations of international humanitarian law and international crimes were committed by all parties during the period under investigation.  Indeed, if established before a court of law, many of these allegations would amount, depending on the circumstances, to war crimes and/or crimes against humanity."

On denial of humanitarian assistance to Tamil civilians, the report added,

"OISL has reasonable grounds to believe that the Government knew or had reasons to know the real humanitarian needs of the civilian populations in the concerned areas, including from its own Government agents who were organizing assistance in the conflict zone, and yet it imposed severe restrictions on the passage of relief and the freedom of movement of humanitarian personnel"

On the nature of unlawful killings across the period of the investigation, the report added, 

"SL security forces and paramilitary groups associated with them were implicated in unlawful killings carried out in a widespread manner against civilians and other protected persons during the period covered by the OISL’s report” specifically targeting Tamil politics, humanitarian workers and journalists but also ordinary civilians."

On future processes to deal with the findings of the report, the found that,

"Sri Lanka has not acceded to several key instruments, notably the Additional Protocols to the Geneva Conventions, in particular Additional Protocol II, the International Convention on the Protection of All Persons from Enforced Disappearance, and the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court.  It does not have laws criminalising enforced disappearances, war crimes, crimes against humanity or genocide.  Its legal framework does not enable individuals to be charged with different forms of liability, notably command or superior responsibility."

Commenting on Sri Lanka's lack of cooperation with the UN, the rights chief added that, "there was no U turn in the support we had hoped would be extended to the investigation. Although some of the decisions that the current president and the government have taken clearly point in a positive direction, we all know much more still needs to be done. We believe we should have a role in assisting Sri Lanka."

Conclusions of the OISL report:

"The OHCHR investigation contained in this report was born out of the past failure of the Government of Sri Lanka to address accountability for the most serious human rights violations and crimes. Ending the impunity enjoyed by the security forces and associated paramilitary groups, as well as holding to account surviving members of the LTTE, will require political will and concerted efforts to ensure the non-recurrence of these violations and crimes.

The new Government’s commitments in this respect are welcome, but it needs to convince a very skeptical audience – Sri Lankan and international – that it is determined to show results. Prosecuting a few emblematic cases will not be sufficient; Sri Lanka needs to address the patterns of serious human rights violations and other international crimes that have caused such suffering for all communities over decades if it is to prevent them haunting its future.

The High Commissioner remains convinced that for accountability to be achieved in Sri Lanka, it will require more than a domestic mechanism. Sri Lanka should draw on the lessons learnt and good practices of other countries that have succeeded with hybrid special courts, integrating international judges, prosecutors, lawyers and investigators. Such a mechanism will be essential to give confidence to all Sri Lankans, in particular the victims, in the independence and impartiality of the process, particularly given the politicization and highly polarized environment in Sri Lanka. OHCHR stands ready to continue providing its advice and technical assistance in the design of such a mechanism.

The High Commissioner also believes the Human Rights Council has – and should continue to play – a critically important role in encouraging progress on accountability and reconciliation in Sri Lanka. As the process now moves into a new stage, he urges Council members to sustain their monitoring of developments in Sri Lanka with a view to further actions that may be required at the international level should there not be concrete results."

Source : Tamil Gurdian

Read More

Malaysia need more women in politics

Syahredzan Johan 


SOME say that we are more likely to see a non-Malay/Muslim Prime Minister than a female Prime Minister. 

Legally, there is nothing in the Federal Constitution that restricts the gender of the Prime Minister. In fact, Article 8 of the Federal Constitution guarantees equality and non-discrimination.

Compared to some other countries, the status of women in our country is arguably better. Women have reasonable access to education, for example. They are given opportunities in employment, although not as many or as favourable as men. We do not have the same degree of sexual discrimination as places such as Saudi Arabia, for example. The women of Malaysia, unlike in India, do not face the same 'subculture of oppression' (as described by a committee set up by the government of India to investigate sexual violence in the country), at least not to the same magnitude.

But the reality is that women do face discrimination in Malaysia. Maybe not overtly or codified in our laws, but certainly through a plethora of hidden and subtle forms of gender discrimination.

The root of the problem is our attitude towards women. We only accept women of a certain mould because to us, this is how a woman should be. We view women who are opinionated, assertive or 'strong', negatively. We think that women are incapable of shouldering certain responsibilities, usually connected with top leadership positions.

This patriarchal attitude is most obvious in our political culture. Politicians usually have to take up some form of leadership role. Our patriarchal mindset when it comes to leadership means female politicians have a tougher time than male ones. Female politicians are relegated to specific portfolios, which are usually seen as ‘lightweight’ ones, or those relating to women, children or family. Anything more would be unthinkable because to us, women are just not capable of being at the top of the leadership hierarchy.

It is fine for women to be ministers or excos; but only a man gets to be the prime minister, chief minister or mentri besar. The irrational objection that certain quarters had to a female mentri besar in last year's political crisis in Selangor is the perfect example of this.

On top of this, female politicians in Malaysia are expected to conform to certain established 'sensibilities'. They are expected to speak, dress and act a certain way. They are expected to only champion certain causes. Their public lives are under greater scrutiny than male politicians. We are generally less forgiving of the transgressions of female politicians compared to their male counterparts. A male politician caught in a scandal is far more likely to survive than a female politician in the same position.

The culprits are not only the men, unfortunately. When Dyana Sofya, the young DAP politician uploaded a photo on her instagram account as part of the 'Wake Up for a Good Cause' campaign to raise funds for an organisation helping abused women, a female leader from another party was alleged to have accused Dyana of 'exploiting her body'.

This politician was reported to have said that young women should not 'pose like that' to attract attention, when in actual fact there is nothing inappropriate or indecent about the photo. Some female politicians themselves perpetuate this patriarchal mindset when instead they should stick up for each other.

Yes, most major political parties here in Malaysia have a dedicated women's wing. Presumably, the formation of a women's wing was to encourage the participation of women in politics. But the existence of women's wings in politics has resulted in limiting the opportunities of women in these political parties.

The political pinnacle for a woman leader in a political party is realistically the position of the head of the women's wing, as the chances of a woman succeeding outside of the wing and within the main leadership hierarchy of the party are slim.

In spite of these challenges, a lot of women have succeeded in politics. Women such as the late Tan Sri Aishah Ghani, Tan Sri Rafidah Aziz and younger politicians such as Nurul Izzah Anwar and Hannah Yeoh have managed to carve a name for themselves at the highest level of politics, a realm usually dominated by men.

These women are role models for other female politicians and women in general.

But one Nurul Izzah here and one Hannah Yeoh there is not enough. We need to have more women in more meaningful roles in politics. To help achieve this, we need to discard our old mindset and attitudes toward women in politics. We need to start seeing the participation of women in politics beyond mere tokenism and to accept the fact that women are as capable of political leadership as their male counterparts.

At the same time, there must be bi-partisan cooperation of both sides of the political divide to change the patriarchy in politics. They can start by not attacking each other on trivial issues that actually perpetuate patriarchy. 

Only then, can we truly entertain the possibility of a female Prime Minister, Menteri Besar or Chief Minister. Happy International Women's Day!

> The views expressed are entirely the writer’s own.
Source :Star Online

Read More

Malaysia's controversial “Kita Lawan” has crossed borders and expanded into international territories.

GeorgeTown,Penang- It seems that the controversial “Kita Lawan” Assembly that will take place in Kuala Lumpur this Saturday has crossed borders and expanded into international territories.

The assembly, which is meant to protest Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim’s recent imprisonment, will make its way into several overseas locations, staging similar protests for the PKR de facto leader.

In Australia, there will be two “Kita Lawan” assemblies. The first will be held in Canberra where the starting location will be in front of the Australian Parliamentary Building, while another one will take place in Adelaide. The public has been asked to gather at 4 pm local time at both locations.

Meanwhile in London, the assembly will begin at 11 am local time at the Old Palace Yard, and in Taipei, Taiwan, the gathering will take place at the Liberty Square beginning 7 pm.

Other locations of the protest include New York City and several other cities in the U.S, Japan, New Zealand, and Europe.-MalaysianDigest

Read More

Islamic State, Saudi Arabia continue to deny Religious Freedom .

Religious freedom and free speech under attack again in Saudi Arabia, as an Indian citizen was arrested for allegedly posting a picture of Hindu symbols in Mecca’s Grand Mosque on Facebook. The Indian citizen, who was arrested by Saudi Arabia’s notorious religious police under the country’s anti-cyber crime law, claimed that he did not post the picture and only “liked” it on Facebook. Nonetheless, he could face up to five years in jail and a fine of close to $800,000. Saudi Arabia continues to repress basic human rights and religious freedom with impunity.

Read More

Theories on MH370 keep rotating.

SYDNEY: Speculation about what happened to Malaysia Airlines Flight MH370 ranges from sober, science-based arguments to outlandish conspiracy theories. Here are some of the most prominent:

Crashed in Southern Indian Ocean

Official investigators used analysis from British firm Inmarsat of “pings” to its satellite from MH370, combined with data direct from the plane before it stopped transmissions, to conclude the plane had flown south after it dropped off Malaysian military radar and crashed in the southern Indian Ocean.

The well-respected Independent Group (IG) has done its own analysis and believes the plane is probably near the current search zone, but not necessarily within it.

Just why MH370 ended up there is contested both within IG and others who support the official findings. Some plump for a hijack scenario, others point to technical or pilot error. A British captain, Simon Hardy, says the plane did a fly-by of the pilot’s home island of Penang before flying repeatedly in and out of Malaysia and Thailand to confuse air traffic controllers.

It was accidentally shot down

This theory was the thrust of the first book published on the incident, ‘Flight MH370 The Mystery’. London-based author Nigel Cawthorne said the plane may have been accidentally shot down during joint U.S.-Thai military exercises in the South China Sea. Such accidents have happened before: Korean Air flight 007 was shot down by the Soviet Union in 1983, and the U.S. Navy downed an Iranian airliner in 1988. Aviation experts are skeptical about a U.S. and Thai cover-up, proponents argue the very nature of a “cover-up” is that it is hard to disprove.

It was brought down near Diego Garcia

The former head of France’s Proteus Airlines, Mac Dugain, put forward the theory that the plane may have been shot down by the U.S. military, fearing a Sept. 11 style attack on the U.S. Navy base on the remote Indian Ocean island of Diego Garcia. Dugain pointed to the testimony of residents in the Maldives who reported seeing an airliner traveling towards the island, although their claims were widely dismissed.

It is in Russia

Former pilot and regular CNN aviation expert Jeff Wise speculates that MH370 flew north along national borders to avoid radar before landing in Kazakhstan as part of a Russian-engineered plot. Wise’s theory is dependent on somebody on board the plane tampering with key satellite transmission data to give the impression it flew south. He noted the relevant instruments could be accessed by a panel in the cabin and that there were three Russians on board. Wise acknowledges he can offer no motive to explain why Russia would want to steal a Malaysian jetliner.

It is in Pakistan for use in terrorism

A retired US lieutenant general spread the theory the plane was flown to Taliban-controlled Pakistan, to be used to carry weapons of mass destruction for an attack on Israel. The idea was given a boost by newspaper mogul Rupert Murdoch, who tweeted: “Maybe no crash but stolen, effectively hidden, perhaps in Pakistan, like Bin Laden”.

MH370 and MH17 were the same plane

This theory is based on photos of the MH17 crash site in Ukraine, which proponents argue shows that the second crashed plane was in fact MH370, a later 777 model that had some small changes to its body. How MH370 could have been hidden for six months before being substituted for MH17 – and what happened to the bodies – is not explained.

It was abducted by aliens

Self explanatory.

- Reuters

Read More

Singapore-Malaysia finger pointing on rail delay

The bottomline is that the rail line is unlikely to be operational by 2018 as originally planned.

SINGAPORE: The Ministry of Transport Singapore (MOTS) has clarified that it was not the island but its Malaysian counterpart that was delaying plans for the Rapid Transit System (RTS), a cross-border train line.

It’s unclear who is telling the truth.

The bottomline is that the rail line is unlikely to be operational by 2018 as originally planned.

“Once Malaysia decides where they want their end of the train line, the two countries can then proceed to start a joint engineering study,” said MOTS in a statement carried by The Real Singapore. “It’s not true that MOTS is holding back the RTS plans by failing to finalize plans for where the station is going to be on the Singapore side.”

The MOTS statement was apparently blaming the Malaysian side for pointing fingers at it on the same issue. The Johore Executive Committee Member for Public Works and Rural and Regional Development, Hasni Mohammad, had earlier spoken up on the same issue but blamed Singapore.

“The suggestion that Singapore has been delaying progress on the RTS link is incorrect,” said the MOTS statement. “Singapore informed Malaysia in June 2011 that the RTS terminus in Singapore would be located at Woodlands North near Republic Polytechnic.”

However, to date, Singapore has not received official confirmation of the location of Malaysia’s RTS terminus in Johor Bahru, it added. “We look forward to official confirmation from the Malaysian government on the location of the RTS terminus in Johor Bahru.”

“Singapore remains committed to working closely with Malaysia on the RTS link, which will provide a boost to cross-border connectivity.”

 

Read More

Malaysian Prime Minister's wife criticized for her luxury lifestyle

KUALA LUMPUR: The wife of Malaysia's prime minister, who is widely mocked over reports of her taste for luxury, drew fresh scorn on Tuesday after she complained about the rising cost of house calls from hairdressers and tailors. 

Rosmah Mansor, 63, is a controversial figure in Malaysia, where she is routinely portrayed by critics as out of touch with ordinary citizens struggling to make ends meet. 

The wife of Prime Minister Najib Razak handed her critics new fuel with comments on Monday lamenting the 1,200 ringgit ($330) she has to spend on house calls by stylists to dye her substantial head of hair, and 500 ringgit for tailored dresses. 

"We have to make beautiful clothes to attend functions, but the prices are way too high. For those who can afford, it's all right. But what about housewives like us, with no income?" she was quoted as saying by the Malaysian Insider news portal. 

Malaysia's minimum wage is 900 ringgit per month, though critics say it is seldom enforced. 

Rosmah made the comments at a public event to discuss the introduction of a new consumer tax in April. 

"Is this woman for real? Some families have to live on what she pays to have her hair dyed," said one Facebook user, among a flood of social media postings poking fun at her on Tuesday. 

Said a post on Twitter: "I hope to become a poor housewife of a civil servant just like you Rosmah." 

Since her husband took office in 2009, Rosmah has faced periodic criticism over reports of luxury overseas shopping sprees. 

The New York Times ran a report earlier this month detailing purchases of high-end US real estate by people close to Najib, and said it also had obtained documents showing millions of dollars in jewellery purchases for Rosmah. 

In a statement to AFP after the New York Times report, the prime minister's office said "We prefer not to comment on unsourced speculation concerning the private finances and spending of the prime minister and his family." 

Malaysian police on February 14 seized a shipment of books lampooning Najib and Rosmah by one of the country's best-known political cartoonists. 

Last year an opposition lawmaker was charged with sedition for producing a satirical video that included a character widely viewed as representing Rosmah.-The Economic Times 

Read More

Singapore Greatest leader, Lee Kuan Yew in 'stable' condition

SINGAPORE: Minister for Communications and Information Yaacob Ibrahim said he has been informed that former Prime Minister Lee Kuan Yew is in "stable" condition. 

In a post on Facebook on Friday evening (Feb 27), Dr Yaacob wrote: "I understand that many people are concerned and anxious about Mr Lee Kuan Yew's condition. I have been informed that he is stable and that the doctors are monitoring him closely. In the meantime, let us continue to give him our well wishes and keep him in our prayers.

Mr Lee has been at the Singapore General Hospital since Feb 5. He was admitted for severe pneumonia and is now in the Intensive Care Unit, breathing with the help of a mechanical ventilator. 

The Prime Minister's Office on Thursday said doctors have restarted him on antibiotics.

Read More

India's Budget 2015 at a Glance

Read More

India's new business-friendly budget to boost Investment

Indian PM Narendra Modi's government has unveiled a business-friendly budget aimed at attracting greater investment for the economy.

Finance Minister Arun Jaitley announced an unprecedented in corporate tax cut, in the government's first full budget.

But he also proposed major benefits for the poor, introducing a universal social security scheme.

India will grow at a rate of more than 8% during 2015-16, a key economic report said ahead of the budget.

The growth forecast follows the country's new way of calculating GDP which has caused some confusion.

Presenting the budget in parliament Mr Jaitley said the country was growing at a strong rate, inflation was down and foreign exchange reserves were high.

"We inherited a sentiment of doom and gloom. The investment community had almost written us off. We have come a long way since then," he said.

"We have turned around the economy, dramatically restoring macroeconomic stability and creating the conditions for sustainable poverty elimination, job creation, durable double digit economic growth."

Among the major announcements made by Mr Jaitley are:

• Five "ultra mega" power projects of 4,000 megawatts (MW) will be built to ease the energy crisis
• Spending on infrastructure will be raised by $11.3bn (£7.32bn) to boost growth
• Creating an "universal social security" that would give poor Indians access to subsidised insurance and pensions
• Implementation of a uniform countrywide goods and services tax (GST) by April 2016
• Welfare money to be paid directly into people's bank accounts to eliminate corruption and wastage
• Wealth tax to be abolished and replaced by a surcharge on the super rich
• Corporate tax to be cut by 25% over next four years

Radhika Rao, an economist with DBS in Singapore told Reuters news agency that Saturday's budget was "pragmatic, wide-ranging and inclusive given the emphasis on social safety nets".

Analysts say the government's challenge will be to balance its spending with the need for fiscal restraint.

Mr Jaitley said the government would achieve its goal of cutting the fiscal deficit to 4.1% of gross domestic product (GDP) for 2014-15 from 4.5% the year before.

Read More

Malaysian's Opposition Leader,Lim Kit Siang questions foul play among judges

KUALA LUMPUR: Questionable dealings among judges were aired after a former judge resurrected a controversial 1995 dispute over company shares, prompting the DAP’s Lim Kit Siang to demand an explanation from the chief justice, Ariffin Zakaria.
Lim asked whether a vengeful former chief justice, Eusoffe Chin, had twice blocked the promotion of an appeal court judge who stood up to him.
In a statement today Lim demanded an explanation from the current chief justice, Ariffin Zakaria, who heads the Judicial Appointments Commission, which decides on appointments to the three superior courts.
Lim said Ariffin should explain whether the controversial Ayer Molek v Insas case of 1995 was one reason for Justice Mohd Hishamudin Mohd Yunus being twice by-passed and denied elevation to the Federal Court.
Lim wanted to know if Justice Hishamuddin’s promotions were thwarted by Eusoffe Chin exacting vengeance on the judge, who had declared as invalid a decision by a superior three-man federal court bench headed by Chin.
Justice Hishamudin had ruled that the bench of Chin, an appeal court judge, and a high court judge, was improperly set up because the third judge, Pajan Singh Gill, was not legally competent to sit on the federal court bench as he was only a high court judge at the time.
Lim also referred to an article by retired appeal judge Justice K.C. Vohrah last year that Chin had tried to influence an unnamed appeal court judge who was about to hear a shares dispute between the Ayer Molek Rubber Company and Insas Bhd in 1995.
In the article, published in a Court of Appeal 20th anniversary booklet last year, Justice Vohrah had stated that Eusoff had called the judge into his chambers before the appeal was heard and when the judge entered, the CJ pointed to a pile of files on his table. “He (Eusoff) said the papers were related to the Ayer Molek case and he (the CJ) indicated that the appeal had no merit,” Malaysiakini quoted Vohrah as saying.
Vohrah was on the bench that heard the Ayer Molek case, with appeal judge NH Chan and co-opted high court judge Siti Norma Yaakob, later the first woman chief judge of the high court of Malaya.
The three judges held that lawyers for Insas had abused the High Court process, creating grave injustices; the lawyers had “brought the administration of justice into disrepute” which might “give the impression that litigants can choose the judge before whom they wish to appear”, the appeal judges held.
Lim said the Ayer Molek case was one among other cases and events in the eighties and nineties which “marked the downfall of Malaysia’s reputation for judicial independence and just rule of law”, starting with Dr Mahathir Mohamad’s sacking of the head of the judiciary, Tun Salleh Abbas, and two Supreme Court judges in 1988.
Vohrah had written that Court of Appeal decision in the Ayer Molek case was overturned by the Federal Court bench one week later; the Malaysian Bar, aghast at the Federal Court decision, said the panel headed by Eusoff was illegally constituted because the third judge on the panel, Pajan Singh Gill, was not legally competent to sit on that bench as he was only a High Court judge then.
The matter was raised in a RM100 million libel suit brought by Insas lawyer VT Lingam over an article in a foreign business magazine about the Ayer Molek case.
When the Lingam libel case came up before Justice Mohamad Hishamudin, the judge dismissed Lingam’s suit; he “stood his ground saying the Federal Court panel by Eusoff was not legally constituted” and had upheld the earlier appeal court judgement by Chan, Siti Norma and Vohrah.
Lingam and Chin later gained notoriety after photographs were published showing the pair on holiday together, leading to a royal commision of inquiry when a video tape was published apparently showing Lingam arranging for judges’ appointments. The royal commission censured both Lingam and Chin and four others including Dr Mahathir Mohamad, but no action has been taken since.
Lim questioned whether Eusoffe Chin had extracted double vengeance on Justice Hishamudin by twice denying him promotion, first in September 2013 and again in the latest batch of judicial elevations this year.-February 28,2015. Free Malaysia Today.

Read More

$137bn boost for India Railway System

NEW DELHI—India plans to spend 8.5 trillion rupees ($137 billion) over the next five years to expand and modernize its vast railway network.

While the South Asian nation unveiled a long list of upgrades for its state-run railways network on Thursday, it said it wouldn’t be increasing train fares.

“We are directing our efforts to make travel on Indian railways a happy experience,” Railways Minister Suresh Prabhu said while presenting the national railway budget for the year starting April 1.

The railways will increase spending by 52% to one trillion rupees next fiscal year. The additional spending will be funded through a mix of cost savings and higher revenues at the railways, financial support from the government, and borrowing.

Mr. Prabhu said the railways would raise 177 billion rupees through internal resources, 348 billion rupees through borrowing, and 400 billion rupees from the government.

While the government kept passenger fares unchanged, it raised freight rates by up to 10% to boost revenue. The government said revenue from both passenger and freight traffic will rise 15% to 1.84 trillion rupees next fiscal year.

Overhauling India’s railways has proved to be a tough task in the past. Previous governments have been wary of raising passenger fares to generate the resources for fear of displeasing the millions of voters who rely on the relatively cheap mode of transportation. Some 23 million Indians take trains each day. Freight rates have been kept high to subsidize the passenger services.

Markets showed little reaction to the new railway budget, with the S&P BSE Sensex edging down 0.9% on Thursday. Stocks of companies manufacturing rail coaches and other railway related stocks fell between 3% and 5%, as investors feared the higher freight rates could hurt traffic.

Still, the government is trying to send a signal that it is serious about improving the country’s infrastructure. The “rail budget lays out a clear road map to make the railways the key driver of India’s economic growth and [play] a key role in India’s progress,” Prime Minister Narendra Modi said in post to his verified Twitter account.- The Wall Street Journal

Read More

Malaysian's Prime Minister approval rating slips to 44% :Merdeka Center

Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak's approval rating dropped to 44% last January from 48% in October 2014 as more people felt his government was headed in the wrong direction in economic issuez, according to the latest Merdeka Center poll.

The independent pollster said Najib's Barisan Nasional (BN) coalition's approval rating remains at 38% in January, the same as the last poll done last October. – February 27, 2015.The Malaysian Insider

Read More

Price Of RON95 Petrol in Malaysia To Go Up!!

Kuala Lumpur- As the price of crude oil has risen to US$60 (RM216.50) from the previous price of US$48 last month, the price of petrol in Malaysia will likely reflect the higher price in the coming month. 

The current price for RON95 petrol stands at RM1.70 a litre, RON97 petrol at RM2.00 a litre and diesel sharing the samce price as RON95.

With the new hike in prices, it is estimated that the price of RON95 will likely climb higher, as the price is now derived from a managed float system that is reviewed on a monthly basis. 

This comes as the government slashed fuel subsidies two months ago, which peaked at RM20 billion ringgit per annum when the price of crude oil was high.

However, with the US producing oil at a higher rate, demand has slowed and with OPEC, the cartel of major global oil producers, having decided not to cut out the supply of crude oil produced daily, prices have dropped sharply since June last year. 

Despite the increase in price, a report by the BBC estimated that the price will recover slowly to around US$70 by 2019 market experts forecasting a price range of US$40 - US$80 in the next few years.  

- Malaysian Digest 

Read More

Malaysian State,Penang, to roll out RM27b transport master plan in 2017

Georgetown :The RM27 billion Penang Transport Master Plan will be rolled out in stages beginning 2017, the state government said.

Penang traffic management exco Chow Kon Yeow announced today that the state government had received proposals from six bidders to be project delivery partners (PDP) of the master plan.

Of the six, two are foreign consortiums and three are local public-listed construction giants, he said, without revealing the companies.

The state has appointed consultancy firm KPMG to lead the evaluation of the bids.

“By May, we should be able to decide which firm to pick and sign an agreement with.

“After that, there will still be work to refine the plans before tenders can be called to appoint companies to start the physical work. They will need to take a couple years to finalise engineering plans before rolling out the projects.

“We expect that the first project from the master plan will be able to roll out in 2017,” he said at a press conference at his Komtar office.

The closing date for bidders to submit their proposals was yesterday.

The Penang Transport Master Plan, completed in 2012, aims to resolve traffic woes in the state, especially on the island.

It involves massive infrastructure works and a comprehensive public transport system incorporating light rail transit (LRT), trams, buses and catamarans, expanding roads and building new highways.

It also includes an ambitious undersea tunnel linking George Town and Butterworth.

Instead of appointing only one PDP as initially planned, Chow said due to the size of the master plan and the many projects and packages involved, two PDPs may be appointed and split up the projects for better management.

Bidders must propose implementation plans as well as financing for the projects, he said, adding that this may include land swaps and land reclamation rights.

“This is the method used by Konsortium Zenith BUCG Sdn Bhd, which is undertaking the undersea tunnel project.

“We will have to study the proposals by the bidders first to see what funding method is viable,” Chow said.

Konsortium Zenith BUCG was awarded a 30-year concession on the tunnel. The company will also get 44.5ha of reclaimed land from the Penang government for building the tunnel.

The feasibility study for the 6.5km undersea tunnel reportedly started last month and work on the multi-billion ringgit project could begin next year.- TheEdgeMarkets.com

Read More

Deadly Swine flu outbreak in India

New Delhi-Indian health officials are struggling to contain a swine flu outbreak that has killed more than 700 people since it took hold in mid-December.

The number of cases has doubled since last week to more than 11,000.

Critics have accused the government of failing to distribute medicines, but officials insisted the situation was under control.

This year's outbreak of the H1N1 virus, which causes swine flu, is the deadliest in India since 2010.

The virus first appeared in Mexico in 2009 and rapidly spread around the world.

The northern state of Rajasthan has been worst affected.

Health authorities across India have launched TV and radio campaigns to tell people about precautions they can take to avoid the flu.

Health Minister JP Nadda attempted to rebuff reports of drug shortages.

"If any medicine store refuses to give medicines after showing a medical prescription, it should be reported to the authorities and action will be taken," he said.

He said there was no need to panic, and insisted the government was monitoring the situation closely.

Experts investigating the cause of the outbreak say low winter temperatures are to blame.

Read More