Philosophy Politics Economics |
| Posted: 18 Mar 2011 10:05 AM PDT I read with shock and horror the report in Utusan Malaysia today, quoting the Defence Minister, Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi who said: "Dia [Tony Pua] dulu ditangkap di Singapura, dibawa ke mahkamah, tetapi sebab hubungan dia mungkin baik dengan pejabat tertentu di sana, beliau dilepaskan (dan) tidak dapat jadi ahli Parlimen (di sana)"I cannot believe that a senior ranking Minister and the highest ranking vice-president of Umno would stoop so low as to spin venomous lies beyond imagination against me and my character. The above falsehoods is clearly an attempt to divert the public and the media's attention away from the mega-procurement deals which the Defence Minister signed last month, amounting to RM13.55 billion. Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi has to date failed to provide clear and detailed explanation for the RM6 billion purchase of 6 offshore patrol vessels (OPVs) from Boustead Holdings Bhd as well as the RM7.55 billion purchase of 257 8x8 armoured wheeled-vehicles (AWVs) from DRB Hicom Bhd, whether to the media or in Parliament. I had at various times called the Minister to explain in detail what exactly are we purchasing, at prices seemingly much higher than other countries. What's more, both of these contracts were awarded without any competitive tenders. However, instead of being accountable to the rakyat, the Minister has chosen to spread malicious lies to tarnish my character and reputation as a diversionary tactic. In fact, his attempt to deflect the call for answers on the above military transactions with frivolous personal accusations leads me to believe that the Minister has something to hide from the people. Let me make it clear in no uncertain terms that:
What's more I've never even taken up permanent residency in Singapore or any other country, unlike certain Barisan Nasional Ministers. The insinuation by the Minister that I am now a "Singapore agent" due to a deal with Singapore authorities is downright evil. The story painted by the Defence Minister is so outrageous and incredible that perhaps he will make a better spy fiction writer like John Le Carre, than he is as the country's defence minister. I call on Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi to retract his statement and make an unreserved public apology within 24 hours or I will instruct my lawyers to file a defamation suit against him next week.  |
| Hishamuddin Must Apologise to Malaysians Posted: 18 Mar 2011 01:41 AM PDT DAP condemns the violation and defacement of the Al-Kitabs impounded by the Home Ministry in Port Klang and calls for the Home Minister to apologise to Malaysians nationwide on its complete lack of sensitivity We read in horror in yesterday evening's news in The Malaysian Insider and Malaysiakini which reported that "Al-Kitab defaced" and "Port Klang's BM Bibles 'violated'". The Bible Society of Malaysia has claimed that the 5,100 bibles which were seized two years ago have been stamped by the Home Minister with a serial number space and the text '"Al Kitab Berita Baik" ini untuk kegunaan penganut agama Kristian sahaja dengan perintah Menteri Dalam Negeri'. The action above has been done without any consultation or agreement from the importer or the Church. We condemn the complete lack of sensitivity of the Home Minister, Datuk Seri Hishamuddin Hussein in the actions taken by the Ministry which had added salt to injury already suffered by the Christian community in Malaysia. Firstly, their bibles have been impounded for no valid reasons, restricting their freedom of religion and now, their holy book is being treated as anything but holy by the authorities. In addition, the insistence on serial numbers to "control" the circulation of these bibles are as if they are subversive documents which are a threat to national security. The titular head of the Malacca-Johor diocese, Catholic bishop Paul Tan Chee Ing have denounced the condition as "crass forms of censorship redolent of the communist era". The actions by the Barisan Nasional Government to date proves that the call for "1Malaysia" which promotes a multi-racial and multi-religious inclusive society under our federal constitution which guarantees freedom of religion under Article 11 which provides that every person has the right to profess and to practice his or her religion and (subject to applicable laws restricting the propagation of other religions to Muslims) to propagate it, is but an empty slogan. We call upon the Home Minister to immediately apologise to all Malaysians for insulting the faith of the Christian community, and provide an unconditional guarantee that such incidences, including the arbitrary confiscation of Al-Kitabs will never again happen in the future.  |
| Bung Mokhtar Escapes Unpunished Posted: 17 Mar 2011 08:11 PM PDT An enraging joke Tarani Palani | March 16, 2011 KUALA LUMPUR: Tasteless and inane jokes are quite common in the Malaysian Parliament, but Kinabatangan MP Bung Mokhtar Radin might have gone too far in his attempt at comedy yesterday. Tony Pua (DAP-Petaling Jaya Utara) was definitely not amused by Bung's reference to him as a "Singapore agent". Pua told reporters today that he did not enjoy having his loyalty questioned. Bung Mokhtar's unfunny statement was a rejoinder to Arau MP Ismail Kassim's complaint that foreigners were referring to rambutans as the Singapore lychee. He interrupted Ismail, telling the latter to talk to Pua, the "Singapore agent". And he laughed at his own joke. Several opposition MPs were up in arms over the remark. Fong Po Kuan said it was a serious allegation and demanded a retraction. Deputy Speaker Ronald Kiandee said the comment was made in jest and managed to restore calm to the house. Pua, who was not in the house when the incident took place, tried to raise the matter this morning, but was greeted with laughter from the government backbenchers. Speaker Pandikar Amin Mulia said he could not overrule the decision made by his deputy. Pua told reporters later that he was not amused, that to be accused of a serious crime was no laughing matter. "If I am a real Singapore agent, then I am subjected to the death penalty," he said. He said Bung Mokhtar should have been subjected to some punishment. "When Anwar linked Umno to Apco, he was suspended," he said.  |
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