Maid in Terengganu

If you are looking for maids you don’t have to recruit them from other countries. Just get them from Terengganu,

Blogger Tehsin Muhktar, who alerted me to the Star report “Maid (s) in Terengganu” says "it’s so sickeninglah”. She's rather pissed off with what she described as another insanely stupid idea. You can read her entry here .

Terengganu is believed to be the state with most number of single mothers. And the state government thinks training 20,000 single mothers to be maids is a good way of helping them.

In case, you missed the story, here it is:

KUALA TERENGGANU: The Terengganu state government has come up with a programme to train single mothers to be turned into skilled domestic helpers.

The training, including childcare, to start next year will allow Malaysian families to source domestic help from their own backyard.

Terengganu is believed to be the state with most number of single mothers, at more than 20,000.

State Education, Higher Education, Human Resource, Science and Technology committee chairman Ahmad Razif Abdul Rahman said the state government has asked the Terengganu Skill Development Centre (Tesdec) to prepare the training module.

“Suggestions would also be given to Tesdec to acquire and emulate the training system of Indonesia and other neighbouring countries,” he said after opening an employment carnival at Gong Badak here on Tuesday.

For a start, the trained domestic helpers would be placed at homes in his constituency of Seberang Takir, Ahmad Razif said.

“This placement of domestic helpers at homes in Seberang Takir will be the pilot project, and it would expanded to all homes once fine-tuned,” he said.

Ahmad Razif said employers would also feel more relaxed knowing that their maids were locals and lived close to their homes.

“This would also help single mothers to continue being self reliant and to reduce their financial burden,” he said.

Ahmad Razif said the Terengganu government could help other states train their single mothers if the scheme proves effective here.

Poster: Courtesy of Tehsin

Anwar to contest Permatang Pauh -Malaysiakini

Jul 31, 08 3:16pm

BREAKING NEWS! Anwar Ibrahim will contest a by-election in the Permatang Pauh Parliamentary seat which will be vacated by his wife, PKR leader DrWan Azizah Wan Ismail.

Wan Azizah told a packed press conference this afternoon that she will be resigning her position as member of parliament for the seat but will retain her post as PKR president.

"I have submitted my resignation letter to House speaker today," she said.

A calm Wan Azizah told the journalists that the people in Permatang Pauh have a special affinity to Anwar, who have been their elected representative eviously.

Anwar said that other party leaders had offered their seats to him but he preferred Permatang Pauh.

He said that, among others, Selangor Menteri Besar Khalid Ibrahim had offered him his Bandar Tun Razak seat, just as party vice president Azmin Ali had offered his Gombak seat.

"After discussion with party leaders, I have decided to go for Permatang Pauh," he said.

He added that he had informed his decision to PAS president Abdul Hadi Awang who had given his full support.

Anwar, who is seeking a parliamentary comeback after an absence of 10 years, has been shopping for a seat to contest after the expiry of a five-year ban from active politics.

The Election Commission will be required to call a by-election within 60 days.

Permatang Pauh has been held by Anwar for 17 years since he joined Umno in 1982.

Wan Azizah took over as MP for the seat after her husband was sacked from Umno in 1998, and was subsequently jailed on charges of corruption and sodomy.

In the 2008 general elections, she won the seat for a third term with a majority of 13,388. Anwar had earlier said that he would contest in Kulim-Bandar Baharu seat if a court orders a by-election in the Kedah seat.

The High Court is to hear a challenge on Aug 19 asking it to invalidate the result in the seat that was won by his PKR in March 8 general elections. However, uncertainty over possible delays in the court decision was a key factor in the change of mind.

In resigning her seat, Wan Azizah could be slapped with a five-year ban from running in another election. Her decision today will likely mean an end to her 10-year political career.

Anwar was also asked what would happen if he is to be charged with sodomy in relation to the police report lodged by his former aide, Mohd Saiful Bukhari Azlan on June 28.

"What charge?" he retorted.

"They have nothing to charge me with. They have been fishing for almost a month now and they haven’t caught any fish yet. Maybe they would catch a coconut and assume it’s a fish."

However, there are fears that he could be arrested. (read here)

"They may arrest him in the next 48 hours. It is aimed to prevent him from contesting a by-election," Tian Chua, PKR information chief, told AFP.

The government responded to today's announcement by saying it did not fear Anwar's possible return to office.

"We are not worried ... we will face it ... he is not a threat. It is a democratic process, good luck to him," Home Minister Syed Hamid Albar told reporters.

Syed Hamid confirmed that police have completed their investigation and have submitted their findings to the Attorney General’s Chambers to determine if a criminal charge should be levelled against the PKR leader.

Even if he was arrested and charged, Anwar can still run in the by-election as he would only be disqualified if he was found guilty and slapped with at least a two-year jail sentence and/or fined more than RM2,000.

Present at the press conference to show support were also two of Anwar’s daughters, Lembah Pantai MP Nurrul Izzah and Nurul Nuha as well as PKR deputy-president Dr Syed Husin Ali and vice-presidents R Sivarasa and Azmin Ali.

Other who were there included Cheras DAP MP Tan Kok Wai who was there to represent the party leadership.

http://malaysiakini.com/news/87047

Read Rocky'sBru2 Husam welcomes Anwar back in Parliament : here

Saiful to come out soon and wants ...

...all quarters to "leave the matter to the police, says his lawyer. - Malaysiakini

"(He will appear) once he is ready. I will keep all of you informed," his lawyer Zamri Idrus told a press conference at a hotel in Kuala Lumpur Wednesday.

Zamri said this when asked why Saiful did not attend the press conference.

Continue below:

Prior to taking questions, Zamri read Saiful's handwritten note which called on Anwar and the public to not interfere with police investigations into the matter.

Saiful, who is Anwar’s former aide, urged his former boss not to 'dolak dalik' (twist and turn) the issue.

In the three-paragraph note, Saiful, 23, also said he was waiting for the police to complete their investigations and bring the perpetrator to book.

"I wish to state that there are no reasons for me to falsely accuse Anwar in this matter," he said.

After reading Saiful's statement, Zamri said his client merely wants all quarters to "leave the matter to the police." - Click here to continue...

Source: Malaysiakini

Related artice: 'Not sodomy-related? Let's not be anal' here.

Hospital: It wasn't a sodomy examination

Hospital Pusrawi today clarified that its medical officer, Dr Muhammad Osman Abdul Hamid, did not conduct a sodomy-related examination on Mohd Saiful Bukhari Azlan, according to a Malaysiakini report.

The hospital revealed that Muhammad, a Burmese national, is not a specialist but only a general practitioner stationed at the Emergency Unit.

In a five-paragraph statement distributed to reporters, the hospital's general manager,Wan Mahmood Wan Yaacob, also said that it has not released any official reports pertaining to the case.

Also present was hospital's medical director Kamaruddin Ahmad.

After examining Saiful, he said, the doctor advised the former to undergo an examination by a specialist at a government hospital.

Below's the (updated) Malaysiakini report:

"There were no further examinations carried out (on Saiful at Pusrawi) in relation to the sodomy complaint," he added.

Hospital Pusrawi was thrust into the limelight following media reports on the findings of the doctor who examined Saiful on June 28, hours before he filed a police report accusing opposition stalwart Anwar Ibrahim of sodomising him.

In his report, the doctor stated that he found no evidence of sodomy.

Quizzed on the authenticity of the report leaked to the media, Wan Mahmud replied: "Looks the same, contents are the same."

"It looks genuine," added Kamaruddin.

Kamaruddin also said that efforts to contact Mohamed has failed as he was on leave and was expected to be back next Monday.

He revealed that he last spoke to Mohamed two weeks ago. He also added that they had discussed about the the police questioning Mohamed."He was not detained by the police and the police were nice to him," he stressed.

Below are excerpts from the question-and-answer session with Wan Mahmood and Kamaruddin:

Q : Are the reports circulating in the net false?

Doctor (Mohamed Osman) did not conduct a thorough check-up (for sodomy) - that's under house rules. We have yet to verify the contents of the medical report. We have established an internal investigation group to verify if the contents of the original report are similar with the one that has been circulating around. We deny that Pusrawi has issued the report to any party.

Where is Dr Mohamed Osman now? Are you in contact with him?

Dr Mohamed Osman, he is on leave. No, not at the moment. We don't know where he is.

Do you know why he went on leave? When did he go on leave?
On Friday.

As your press release states that the doctor did not perform a check-up for sodomy, what check up did he conduct? Did the doctor have a look at Saiful's anus?

Saiful complained of anus pains so we did what is standard procedure.

(Did Saiful complain of) tummy ache or anus pain?

First, he complaint of tummy ache then he said that he had some pain in his anus.

In the report, it is stated that Saiful had not experienced any bleeding in his stool.

I am not sure of that.

How was the circulating report leaked? What actions will be taken?

That is what we are investigating now. God willing, we will find out how the report was leaked. Appropriate action will be taken. We will consult with our legal team on the next course of action.

The investigation is set up first to see if the leaked report is the same as the original and secondly, we would investigate who possibly could have leaked it.

If you have not been in contact with the doctor, how do you know that the doctor did not conduct a medical check-up for sodomy?

We based our decision on the medical report he wrote.

So are there two different reports? Are they (the report that is circulating) the same (as the original)?

It is the same report.

You do have the original report, so is it (the copy that is circulating) the genuine report?

I cannot say if it is the genuine unless someone confirms, the committee. Maybe, maybe not. It looks the same but it is not the original copy, that is with me.

Looks the same but it is not the same because we have the original copy.

So the report that was leaked is not from Pusrawi? Even if the letterhead is the same?

Yes, we deny that (leaking it). Not officially from us.

Are the contents the same? It is the original copy from Pusrawi?

Yes.

Did you talk to the doctor before he went on leave? When was the last time you spoke to him? What did you speak to him about?

I can't remember, maybe two weeks ago. We just spoke about what happened about the Saiful's case. The police questioning him (Dr Mohamed Osman).The police were nice to him.

Did Dr Mohamed Osman check Saiful?

The doctor's name is on the report.

When will you get the results of the (internal) investigation?

I think in about a week.

Is there a more detailed report than the one that is circulating?

None, I don't think so.

But there were no signs of sodomy.

The doctor advised the patient to go to a government hospital, HKL.

‘TRO sodomy' was written in the medical report's in bracket, does that mean sodomy had occurred?

I am not sure what is written in the bracket.

Can you tell us a little about the doctor? His credentials?

He is qualified. He has been in Malaysia for 10 years. He has been with us since January.

He (Saiful) was not examined for sodomy, but (how come) the doctor said that there was no signs of sodomy.

He came complaining of pain in the anus, so that's a part of the routine, you look for pus, bleeding.

How is this different from an actual sodomy check-up?

He came complaining of anus pain not complaining of sodomy. So the doctor performed a check-up for anus pain not sodomy.

What led the doctor TRO (to rule out) sodomy? Why?

Because Saiful mentioned that he was sodomised. Sodomy check-up has to be done by a specialist not a medical officer. You need a gut specialist. We don't have one in Pusrawi.

Does that mean that Dr Mohamed Osman is not qualified to make any conclusions?

He is not qualified to make any statements, any conclusions (with regards to sodomy).

Does the hospital stand by the medical report signed by Dr Mohamed?

I have not seen the report anyway.

You have spoken to Dr Mohamed who has confirmed that he examined Saiful and confirmed that he has signed this medical report, why is the hospital still not convinced that it is the genuine medical report? Why is it taking so long to match the copy with the original copy?

We just realised this. When? Two days ago. It is just like VK Lingam said, "It looks like me, sounds like me but it is not me".

Have you been in contact with him?

No.

How is the medical check-up for sodomy issued? Is it just an external check-up or an internal check-up?

I can't answer that, I am not an expert on that division. We usually advice these police cases to go to general hospitals.

You are not disputing whether the medical report is real. You are disputing if Dr Mohamed has the qualifications to ascertain that (sodomy had occurred). Basically you are discrediting your own medical staff?

No, but not when concerning this case.

Is he suspended?

No, he is on leave.

When is he expected to come back?

He is to return to work on Monday. He joined us in January 2008. We have tried but we cannot reach him, he is not contactable.

Do you think he'll be back?

He is a good doctor but his examination is not conducive on sodomy.

If the contents of the reports are the same are you acknowledging that the report could have been from Pusrawi?

It could have been. It is the same.

There are two different writing on the medical report.

Yes, there are two different. The patient arrived to see a doctor, and he meet with a female doctor first. After he complained of his anus pain, than he was passed on to a male doctor (Dr Mohamed).

Was that person who leaked (the report) paid?
Anything is possible.

Is this the first time Saiful has seek medical check-up at Pusrawi?
Yes, it was his first time according to our reports.

Is Pusrawi's ethics been compromised?
We can give assurance that our ethics are protected but this is a high-profile case.

Source: Malaysiakini

Read Rockybru's Who is Pusrawi Hospital's Dr Osman, really? here

Related articles read: here, here and here.

An angry Uncle “Pet” wants to see the other Pet(ra)...

...and rubbishes the leaked medical report.

A 20-something close relative of Mohd Saiful Bukhari Azlan who wants to be known only as "Uncle Pet" (pic left) has dismissed the medical report (posted on several online news portals), which claim that his nephew had not been sodomised, according to a report by Malaysiakini.

Pet was commenting on the medical report from Hospital Puswarii, signed by Dr Mohamed Osman Hamid, ruling out that Saiful had been sodomised.

The young uncle also wants to see the controversial but popular blogger, Raja Petra Kamarudin (RPK), for making a personal attack on him.

RPK had alleged in a posting dated July 26 in Malaysia-today that Pet had raised Saiful and questioned his manhood, calling him an uncle "who looks and acts like his auntie".

"Pilih apa gelangang yang you mahu (Choose wherever you want). He called me an auntie and so on and so forth. Come and see me if he wants to know me better. Because I want to see him too," said Pet.

Here's the rest of the report:
From Malaysiakini

Responding to a leaked medical report from Hospital Pusrawi (Pusat Perubatan Islam) Monday, the young uncle - known only as Uncle Pet - said the new revelations were aimed at diverting public attention away from the alleged crime.

While he conceded that Saiful had initially gone to Pusrawi before heading to Hospital Kuala Lumpur, he dismissed the initial findings, saying that Pusrawi "did not have a forensic department" of its own.

"Before HK, he went to Pusrawi lah," said Pat.

"But Pusrawi cannot do the forensics. Anyway those were just notes (referring to the medical report) and not a report.

"Then, he (the doctor) suggested that we go to HKL for a proper report," he added.

Pet was equally unconvinced with the way the Pusrawi report concluded that his nephew had not been sodomised.

"We invited him (Anwar) to swear on the Quran and he twisted things around. We as Muslims should be brave because it's the truth and be afraid if we are guilty," said Pet.

Angry with the other Pet (Raja Petra Kamarudin), Uncle Pet, who declined to give his real name, turned angry at this juncture, pointing to the lies alluded to him on a blog.

"One more thing, for Raja Petra (Kamaruddin) if he hears this. I want to see him," said Pet.

"Have you read what Petra wrote about me in his blog?" he questioned.

"He has attacked me personally, saying that I sodomised my nephew.

"I think he wants to provoke me."

Uncle Pet then challenged the Malaysia Today editor to see him personally.

"Pilih apa gelangang yang you mahu (Choose wherever you want). He called me an auntie and so on and so forth. Come and see me if he wants to know me better. Because I want to see him too," said Pet.

Controversial but popular blogger Raja Petra, in a posting dated July 26, reasoned that Anwar may have been released on police bail because the semen sample found on Saiful belonged to his uncle.

The article entitled 'The Malay unity sodomy conspiracy', also alleged that Pet had raised Saiful and questioned his manhood, calling him an uncle "who looks and acts like his auntie".

Watch the 4-min video of interview with Uncle Pet

http://www.malaysiakini.com/news/86911

Related articles: Anwar: It confirms plot to frame me here and
Anwar slams cops for "overlooking" medical report here

Lawyer: 'Regrettable' but leaked report valid - Malaysiakini

From Malaysiakini

Beh Lih Yi Jul 29, 08 6:48pm

While the leak of sodomy complainant Mohd Saiful Bukhari Azlan’s medical report is ‘regrettable’, the report’s contents are admissible evidence in court regardless of how they were exposed, said a senior counsel today.

"The courts have always taken the position that evidence that is relevant is admissible even though it has been wrongly exposed," Sulaiman Abdullah, one of the lawyers representing PKR leader Anwar Ibrahim told reporters in Petaling Jaya.

"The situation now is that everybody knows about this medical report and while an invasion of doctor-patient confidentiality has occurred, it’s regrettable [...] but you cannot run away from the fact that it’s now very clear that there is no sodomy involved," he stressed.

"That is what the police are investigating and that is what the police should concentrate on," Sulaiman, who was present at a press conference called by Anwar today, added.

Copies of the two-page medical report, which had been circulated on the Internet, were distributed to the media at the press conference today with the medical terminology explained in layman’s terms.

The report outlined the results of a thorough medical examination on Saiful which found no indication he had been sodomised four hours before he lodged a police report against Anwar alleging the same on June 28.

Saiful was examined by Dr Mohamed Osman Abdul Hamid, the medical officer on duty at Hospital Pusrawi in Kuala Lumpur at the time.

An internal inquiry by the hospital is underway to determine how the medical report was leaked.

Twenty-three year old Saiful is claiming that his ex-boss Anwar had sodomised him two days before he went to the police. The police are investigating Anwar on this matter.

‘Do what is right and just’

Sulaiman saluted Dr Mohamed Osman Abdul Hamid whom he described as a ‘brave doctor’.

"We salute the brave doctor involved who has been put under tremendous pressure - according to reports - to falsify (the medical) document with fictitious facts.

"He has stood firmly by his professional ethics and religious obligations to speak the truth," said the lawyer.

Sulaiman reminded the authorities not to target the messenger, but to focus on the message.

"Look at the message that is implicit in that document no matter how it surfaced in the public domain and act according to that message," he said, adding that Anwar will also pursue his qazaf complaint filed with the syariah court earlier this month.

Qazaf is a request for a inquiry based on Islamic methodology into ‘false allegations’ pertaining to adultery or sexual misconduct.

At the press conference, Anwar also commended Mohamed Osman’s courage in standing firm as well as the whistle-blower who leaked the report.

"I will appeal to many others, doctors in particular, to do what is right and just," said Anwar.

Source: Malaysiakini

By-election: Ezam willing to take on Anwar- Malaysiakini

Former PKR Youth chief Ezam Mohd Nor is prepared to contest against his ex-mentor Anwar Ibrahim if a by-election is called for the Kulim-Bandar Baru parliamentary seat, according to a report by Malaysiakini.

“If the Umno leadership decides to give me the mandate to contest against Anwar, I will be prepared (to do so),” Ezam said.

Anwar, the PKR de facto leader, has confirmed that he would contest in the Kulim-Bandar Baru parliamentary by-election in Kedah if the court orders for one to be held. The seat is the subject of an election petition to be heard in court on Aug 19.
.
“saya berani mencabarnya secara habis-habisan," katan Ezam ketika diminta mengulas kenyataan Anwar bahawa beliau akan bertanding di kerusi tersebut jika kemenangan PKR dalam pilihanraya umum 8 Mac diisytiharkan tidak sah.“ Malaysiakini - Ezam teringin cabar Anwar di Kulim .

In his ceramah in Kulim Saturday night the opposition icon said that he aims to return to parliament for the first time in a decade later this year if a court orders a by-election For Kulim seat, which is near his hometown of Permatang Pauh. (Malaysiakini and Defiant PKR supremo woos Kulim voters here ).

Incumbent Zulkifli Nordin from PKR faced a petition filed by Barisan Nasional candidate Datuk Abdul Aziz Sheikh Fadzir that he failed to submit his expenditure statement when he contested for the Kuala Langat parliamentary seat in 2004.

Zulkifli won the parliamentary seat in the March 8 general election with a majority of 5,600 votes.

No evidence of sodomy

Below is an exerpt from Raja Petra Kamarudin’s latest entry in Malaysia-Today in which he says a doctor who examined Saiful said that he (Saiful) was never sodomised by the PKR de facto leader Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim or anyone else.

Why is the government still pursuing the case against Anwar? And why are they looking for the doctor who has now gone underground with his whole family? He asked.

NO HOLDS BARRED
Raja Petra Kamarudin

On 21 July 2008, I published an article in this same column called HOW, YET AGAIN, THEY ARE TRYING TO FABRICATE EVIDENCE AGAINST ANWAR.

In that article I mentioned as follows:

You see, they asked a certain doctor from a certain hospital to conduct an examination on Saiful. The doctor did so and he came out with a report that said there is no evidence Anwar had ever penetrated or sodomised the young man. The police then picked up the doctor and detained him for three days. As much as they tried to force him to change his report to implicate Anwar he refused to do so.

Until today, the doctor stands by his report that there is no evidence Anwar had sodomised Saiful. He knows he is going to be made to pay for this but he doesn’t care. He is not going to change his report and say that Anwar sodomised Saiful whatever they do to him. Exasperated, the police had to release Anwar on personal bond or police bail. The doctor refuses to doctor his report and neither does Anwar want to volunteer his new specimen.

And who is the doctor now in hiding, you may ask?: Continue here if you would like to know.

Also in Malaysiakini: Doctor: No evidence of sodomy here and the BM version Doktor: Tiada kesan Saiful diliwat here

Related article: Malik Imtiaz's Why Has Anwar not been charged? here

The NST online - Police: Website's Report an attempt to sabotage investions, confuse public here

Johorean's turn to lead Umno – Malaysiakini

The time is ripe that a leader from Johor - Umno’s birthplace - be nominated as party president, said Desa Jaya Umno branch head Abdul Muhamad Talib Ngah – Malaysiakini.

Abdul Mohamad is referring to Johore-born party vice-president Tan Sri Muyiddin Yassin who he says is the person fit for the post.

“He has shown that he has the capabilities to perform his duties entrusted upon him thus far,” Muhamad Talib told Malaysiakini.

Such duties include those within the party and the government, he said.

Muhyiddin was the Minister of Agriculture before he was appointed to his current post as the international trade and industry minister.

Muhammad Talib said that his branch has unanimously passed a motion recommending Muhyiddin as the party president on July 19. It was unanimously carried by the 81 members present.

He stressed that the motion was tabled without any ‘influence’ from any groups. The Desa Jaya branch is the only branch to nominate Muhyiddin thus far.

Here's the Malaysiakini BM version.

'Giliran orang Johor jadi presiden' - Malaysiakini

Sudah tiba masanya jawatan presiden dan timbalan presiden dipertandingkan, kata ketua Umno Cawangan Desa Jaya, Abdul Muhamad Talib Ngah.

"Dan sudah tiba masanya orang Johor dicalonkan memegang jawatan presiden. Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin layak memegang jawatan tersebut."

Ini kerana beliau telah membuktikan kemampuannya melaksanakan tugas-tugas yang telah diamanahkan kepadanya selama ini," kata Abdul Muhamad Talib.

Tugas-tugas yang diamanahkan itu merangkumi dalam parti dan juga dalam kerajaan.

Muhyiddin sekarang adalah naib presiden Umno dan memegang portfolio Menteri Perdagangan Antarabangsa dan Industri.

Sebelum ini, beliau telah diamanahkan memegang jawatan Menteri Pertanian dan Asas Tani.

Umno bahagian Johor Bahru diketuai oleh Menteri Perdagangan Dalam Negeri dan Hal Ehwal Pengguna, Datuk Shahrir Samad.To continue click here

(I doubt that Muhyiddin will get enough nominations to qualify him to contest for the number one post. Anyway, decisions by Umno branches have little impact on nominations for top party posts. It is the decision at division level that is important. But will he dare challenge the party president - if he had the numbers? He did say in May that he was ready to move up the hierarchy and has slammed the party's restrictive quota system which prevents members from contesting for posts without a specific number of nominations. I believe he was being cautious when he said he would consider many things, including having to face “incumbents and the powers-that-be”, before making a decision. )

Rais warns: Don’t “stir a hornet's nest"

Excerpts from

Singapore has been told not to test Malaysia through its claim of an
exclusive economic zone (EEZ) around Pulau Batu Puteh as such action is tantamount to "stirring a hornet's nest", Foreign Minister Datuk Seri Rais Yatim said Saturday.

He said Malaysia would be firm with the island republic and repetition of the EEZ claim by Singapore leaders would only invite problems."If you want to negotiate, lets negotiate.

There is no need to encroach, no need to test the market or our waters," he told reporters after the general meeting of the Senior Citizens Club and a health awareness programme in Kampung Simpang Durian here.

He said he himself was puzzled over Singapore's claim which should not have been made as the technical committee, formed after the International Court of Justice's
decision to award the island to the republic, was still in the midst of resolving outstanding issues.

He said that if Singapore did not accept Malaysia's views and was adamant in claiming territorial waters or an EEZ, Malaysia would not hesitate to take legal action against the island state.Rais, however, believed that Singapore's claim was more of a political statement made by its Senior Minister of StateBalaji Sadasivan. – Full report here

Here’s the report from Malaysiakini

Rais: Jangan 'jolok sarang tebuan'

Singapura diminta supaya tidak menguji Malaysia melalui tuntutan Zon Ekonomi Eksklusif (EEZ) di Batu Puteh kerana tindakan itu umpama "menjolok sarang tebuan", kata Menteri Luar Datuk Seri Dr Rais Yatim.

Katanya, Malaysia akan bertegas dengan republik itu dan jika kenyataan tuntutan EEZ itu diulangi lagi oleh pemimpin republik itu, ia hanya akan mengundang masalah.Nak berunding buat cara berunding, tidak payah cabul mencabul, tidak payah "test market" atau uji perairan kita," katanya kepada pemberita di Jelebu hari ini.

Bernama melaporkan Rais berkata beliau sendiri berasa pelik dengan tuntutan Singapura itu yang jelas tidak sepatutnya dikeluarkan semasa pakar-pakar dalam jawatankuasa teknikal kedua-dua negara sedang menyelesaikan isu-isu yang berbaki selepas pulau itu diserahkan oleh Mahkamah Keadilan Antarabangsa (ICJ) kepada republik itu. – Malaysiakini. Full report here

(How come Rais didn’t see this coming? Didn’t he say that the verdict by the ICJ in which we lost Pulau Putih to Singapore was a win-win situation. Malu teramat sangat - when we actually lost sovereignty over the island. )

Police quiz Sivarasa on PI's statutory declaration

Lawyer R. Sivarasa spent almost four hours yesterday giving statement to the police on the ongoing probe into private investigator P Balasubramaniam. - Malaysiakini

Sivarasa was accompanied by his lawyer, Oh Choong Ghee, to the Commercial Crimes Investigation Department (CCID) in Jalan Dato Onn in Kuala Lumpur.

Speaking to reporters later, Sivarasa, who is the PKR vice-president and Subang MP said he was questioned about Balasubramaniam’s statutory declaration which linked Deputy Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak to murdered Mongolian Altantuya Shaariibuu.

He said he was asked on Balasubramaniam's claim that he made his statutory declaration under duress.

Balasubramaniam had retracted the statutory declaration after just one day and stated that all allegations concerning the deputy premier were inaccurate.

“But I told them that he made it voluntarily and it was done truthfully,” he told reporters.

The contents of the first statutory declaration was revealed at a press conference called by PKR de facto leader Anwar Ibrahim.

Sivarasa said he informed the police of his confidence that the first statutory declaration was true and recorded voluntarily.

Malaysiakini (BM) - Akuan Bala: Sivarasa disiasat polis:

Peguam penasihat PKR dipanggil polis pagi ini berhubung siasatan akuan berkanun pertama penyiasat persendirian yang mengaitkan timbalan perdana menteri dengan pembunuhan Altantuya Shaariibuu.

Sivarasa Rasiah, yang juga naib presiden PKR, bagaimanapun berkata beliau tidak tahu-menahu sebab beliau disiasat tentang akuan P Balasubramaniam.

Peguam Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim itu berkata kemungkinannya kerana beliau pernah hadir di sidang media mengumumkan akuan yang menggemparkan itu pada awal bulan ini - termasuk mendakwa Datuk Seri Najib Razak mengadakan hubungan seks dengan wanita Mongolia itu. Full report click here

Actually, the 14 Mercs are for visiting foreign dignitaries...

...says the Prime Minister.

Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi has clarified that the 14 Mercedes E200 Kompressors purchased by the Terengganu government for RM3.43mil would be used for visiting foreign dignitaries. (read here)

He said that this was the decision he reached with Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak after speaking with Terengganu Mentri Besar Datuk Ahmad Said on Thursday.

However, earlier Friday, Ahmad said, "We (Abdullah and Najib) reached a consensus on the matter during the meeting at Putra World Trade Centre (on Thursday). The matter has been solved."

The Terengganu government was criticised recently after it purchased 14 Mercedes E200 Kompressors for RM3.43mil.

Ahmad said both leaders have told him that the matter is solved and should be laid to rest. (Read the Star online PM okays Merc for T’ganu State Government here. Malaysiakini had the same report T’ganu gets PM’s nod for Mercedes, here .

Datuk Ahmad, in the earlier report, was quoted as saying that the Mercedes-Benz saga has ended after he met with the Prime Minister and his deputy, Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak on Thursday.

“The matter has been solved. I can't elaborate further," he said Friday after opening the Seri Kandi's Annual General Meeting at his official residence here.

Asked whether the Mercedes Benz E200 K could be now regarded as official cars for state executive councillors and ex officio, Ahmad quipped ``Make your own presumption. I was told the matter has been solved."

Ahmad described his meeting with both Abdullah and Najib as cordial.

"I explained my rationale for switching the Proton Perdanas to Mercedes-Benz and they have accepted it.

"I told them that the state government has not spent extravagantly and the decision to procure the Mercedes was done after two years of evaluation," he said.

(sources: The Star, Malaysiakini)

( Two different versions on the outcome of the meeting the trio had. If the PM had said they were for foreign dignitaries how did this bloke get it wrong? Makes one wonders what actually transpired in the meeting. Who has flipped and flopped? Is the State Government getting another fleet for the excos now that their new gleaming new Mercs will be taken away? Have the Perdana V6 been sold off/traded in for the Mercs? Does that mean the Federal Government is buying them (the Merc lah)? This is what happens when bad decisions are made.)

ACA begins Probe into high cost of Proton Perdana maintenance

From the Star online

The Anti-Corruption Agency (ACA) has started a probe into the alleged high costs of maintaining the 16 Proton Perdana V6 Executive cars used by Terengganu executive councillors.

ACA officers yesterday visited the State Secretariat and State Treasury at Wisma Darul Iman here to question senior officials over the issue.

It was learnt that three ACA officers interviewed several senior state finance officials between 4.20pm and 6pm.

Three other ACA officers questioned four drivers from 10am to 1.15pm at the State Secretariat on the 15th floor of the building.

The officers removed several documents, including servicing bills of the Proton Perdanas.

State Secretary Datuk Mokthar Nong confirmed that the ACA had interviewed several state government officials.

“We will render all assistance to the ACA to facilitate its probe and I am willing to surrender all documents to them,” he said.

It was reported that the Terengganu state executive councillors would go ahead and use the newly-purchased Mercedes E200 Kompressors bought to replace the Proton Perdanas. click here to continue...

Read this: Foolish to be extravagant now here, RM235,000 spent to maintain Idris’ Perdana V6 here and BPR ambil keterangan pemandu exco T'ganu here.

Rice urges “transparency” in sodomy probe - Malaysiakini

US Secretary of State Condoleeza Rice Thursday urged Malaysia to ensure a “:transparent” investigation into sex misconduct allegations against opposition leader Anwar Ibrahim. – Malaysiakini.

She also rejected Malaysia's claim that the Anwar case is an internal affair.

"The United States has long spoken and will continue to speak up about cases that we think need to be thought about in terms of the political circumstances,'' said Rice, who is here (Singapore) to attend a regional security conference.

"We want to see transparency and for rule of law to be completely followed there,'' she told reporters just before going into the 27-nation meeting. "We are always going to speak up on human rights cases, political cases, but we do so in a spirit of respect for Malaysia.'' (Read here, here and here )

Here’s our Foreign Minister's reply:

Foreign Minister Datuk Seri Dr Rais Yatim said Malaysia's legal procedures "are an internal matter and hence, other countries must respect our actions taken in accordance with our own laws."

Rais said he had briefed US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice on Malaysia's laws and the legal procedures pertaining to Anwar's case.

Rais said he also referred to Rice his letter sent to her early this month, expressing Kuala Lumpur's disappointment over the statement made by a US Department of State official on the sodomy allegation against Anwar, the Parti Keadilan Rakyat advisor and former deputy prime minister.

He said Malaysia had refuted spokesman Tom Casey's allegation that it was practising a system that came out of political pressure, which resulted in criminal action against Anwar. (click here)

(The government has earlier this month accused the U.S. of meddling the country’s affairs when Tom Casey made similar comments on Anwar's case. The latest comment by Rice is not going to help Anwar in any way. He has already been branded a snitch - an agent of the US. Going to be a rough ride for Anwar.)

Court rejects bid to call Najib as witness – Malaysiakini

The Shah Alam High Court has dismissed an application by lawyer Karpal Singh to call Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak and two senior police officers to testify as witnesses in Mongolian Altantuya Shaariibuu’s murder trial. – Malaysiakini

The High Court also dismissed an application to recall private investigator P. Balasubramaniam to give evidence after hearing objections from all parties.

Justice Mohd Zaki Md Yasin rejected the motion filed by Karpal Singh, saying he was of the view that such applications must be made by the prosecution or the defence.

Karpal Singh, who is holding a watching brief for the family of the slain Mongolian woman,
had applied to summon Deputy Supt Musa Safri, lawyer Dhiren Rene Norendra and and a police officer identified only as deputy superintendent of police Idris to testify as witnesses.

"Section 425 of the Criminal Procedure Code (CPC) is divided into two limbs. The first limb is discretionary, (and) can be made upon application. The second limb is imperative, when the court feels it is essential to the justice of the case. Under the first limb it must be upon application of the parties of the trial.

"The victim to my mind is excluded. As to the second limb, to my mind the case of Om Prakash is readily distinguishable. This application under the first limb and the alternative player for the case to be put on hold are rejected," Mohd Zaki said.

On July 21, Karpal filed a notice of motion to call Najib and three others to testify and recall Balasubramaniam, who was the first prosecution witness, in the murder trial.

Earlier in his submission, Karpal said the family of Altantuya had the right to ensure justice was done in this case and it was imperative that this application be heard and a decision made.

"In the interest of justice, the DPP (Deputy Public Prosecutor) should support the application," Karpal said.

DPP Tun Abd Majid Tun Hamzah said the victim (Altantuya) had no locus standi and the two statutory declarations were hearsay. He also objected the application.

Lawyer Kamarul Hisham, who is representing accused Corporal Sirul Azhar Umar said that in English common law, it was always the province of the public prosecutor which witnesses were to be called.

Sources: Malaysiakini, the Star, Bernama
Full report Malaysiakini (in BM) - Mahkamah tolak permohonan panggil Najib: here

Mat Taib wants to stand for post of UMNO VP – Malaysiakini

The “I no speak English” former Selangor Menteri Besar has offered himself to stand for the post of Umno vice president at the party December elections.

Menteri Kemajuan Banadar dan Wilayah Tan Sri Muhammad Muhd Taib hari ini menawarkan diri untuk bertanding jawatan naib presiden Umno dalam pemilihan parti disember ini. - Malaysiakini, Muhd Taib tanding naib presiden.

“Saya ingin memperkemaskan parti untuk berdepan dengan cabaran baru khasnya untuk membantu Datu Seri Abdullah Badawi dan Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak memulihkan kekuatan Umno menjadi saluran perdana perjuanan orang Melayu,” katanya dalam satu sidang akhbar di Shah Alaam hari ini (Selasa)

Muhammad juga ketua penerangan Umno berkata Umno memerlukan pasukan kerja yang ikhlas berjuang untuk kepentingan parti dan masa depan orang Melayu, khususnya untuk menambah baik kehidupan orang Melayu di luar Bandar dan penyusunan semula masyarakat untuk megeluarkan orang Melayu daripada kemiskinan. Cont click here

Translation:

(Rural and Regional Development Minister Tan Sri Muhammad Muhd Taib today offered himself as a candidate for the Umno vice-presidency in the party election in December.

"I intend to strengthen the party in the face of new challenges, particularly in helping Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi and Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak in regaining Umno's strength as the prime conduit in championing the Malay cause," he said at a media conference, here today.

Muhammad, who is also Umno information chief, said the party needed a working team who were sincere in championing the interest of the party and the future of the Malays, especially in improving the living condition of the rural Malays and the restructuring of society to take the Malays out from the clutches of poverty.)

(Excerpts from Malaysiakini and Bernama)
Related article by Bigdog - Wajar kah Umno bagi peluang kepada pemimpin beraspirasi macam Mike Tyson?

(This is an Umno leader who was caught red handed with millions in his bag in Australia but was let off on technical ground and who has made a come back. Right, thanks to Pak Lah. Now he wants to contest for the VP post to”membantu” the boss to whom he is eternally grateful for putting him in the cabinet through the back door. Should he? He he he… as one blogger says the quality of Umno leaders has gone rock bottom now that he is joining the fray of 15 others for the post. And should you Umno fellers vote him in, you sure are scraping the barrel! By the way Tan Sri, what happened to your mansion opposite the Subang Golf Club which was up for sale some time ago? I notice that it’s still unoccupied. No takers? I say that going-price of RMX million was just too highlah.)

Raja Petra sued by army couple - malaysiakini

A husband and wife team of ranking army officers filed a defamation suit agants popular blogger Raja Petra Kamaruddin over his statutory declaration which implicated them in the murder of Mongolian national Altantuya Sharibuu, reports Malaysiakini.

Lt-Kol Abdul Aziz Buyong and Lt-Kol Norhayati Hassan have filed the suit through the law firm of Gan, Rao and Chuah at the KL High Court on Tuesday.

Among others, they are each seeking RM1mil in damages and an injunction to restrain Raja Petra from repeating his defamatory statements.

In the statutory declaration he signed on June 18, Raja Petra claimed to have knowledge that two lieutenant colonels and Datin Seri Rosmah Mansor, wife of Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak, were present when Altantuya’s body was blown up on Oct 19, 2006.

Rosmah has since denied the allegation, but said she would not sue for defamation.

Najib had dismissed Raja Petra's statutory declaration as “total lies, fabrication and total garbage” and said his wife had given her statement to the police.

On July 6, Raja Petra was questioned under Section 112 of the Criminal Procedure Code as a witness in connection with a police report lodged against him by the Attorney-General's Chambers over his statutory declaration.

About a week later, he was charged with three counts of criminal defamation but refused to make a plea to the charges, claiming that they were defective and smacked of mala fide (malice).


Sources: Malaysiakini and the Star

Altantuya murder: Notice filed to summon DPM, missing PI - Malaysiakini

Malaysiakini reported that prominent lawyer Kapal singh has filed a court application Monday seeking to summon Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Najib Tun Razak and private investigator P. Balasubramaniam to testify at the Altantuya Sharibuu trial. (here)

The application, which was filed with the Registrar’s Office in the High Court also asked the court to summon Brickfields police's criminal division head DSP Musa Safri, CID chief DSP Idris Adul Karim; and lawyer Dhiren Rene Norendra.

Karpal Singh said the application was made on the grounds of public interest as in the first SD, the former policeman linked Najib to the murdered Mongolian woman.

On July 4, in a complete turnaround, Balasubramaniam filed another SD retracting the earlier sworn document.

This is to get the court to re-evaluate Balasubramanim’s evidence given in court in view of the conflicting SDs that throw a shadow of doubt over the evidence he gave in court as a key witness, he added.

Karpal Singh said the court has to ascertain if the evidence given in the first SD was true and if it was, then the court has a duty to summon Balasubramaniam and Najib to give evidence.

Source: Malaysiakini; The Star

Nik Aziz says no to "muzakarah" between PAS and Umno

Pas spiritual leader Datuk Nik Aziz Nik Mat is opposed to any Umno-Pas cooperation on Malay unity calling the efforts a "trap" set by Umno.

He also said that trying to be friends with the party is like "sleeping with the enemy" and has called for a stop to any muzakarah (discussions) between the two parties as it could cause a split in PAS.

Describing the attempt by Umno to have the muzakarah purportedly to strengthen Malay solidarity as merely a gimmick but aimed at causing the fall of PAS, he said:

"I want to ask the PAS leaders (reported to have held talks with Umno) whether they are interested in safeguarding PAS and Islam. Trying to be friends with Umno is like 'sleeping with the enemy'," he told a press conference here Monday. (read here)

The Kelantan Menteri Besar was commenting on remarks by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi Sunday that high-level talks had been taking place between Umno and PAS on matters relating to Malay unity and strengthening Islam. (read the Star here, the NST here, the sun here and Malaysiakini PM sudah jumpa pemimpin tertinggi PAS : here)

Datuk Abdullah, however, said Datuk Nik Aziz was not among the PAS leaders in the talks.

And the party vice-presiden Husam Musa has dismissed the so-called unity talk between the Umno President and “high-level" leaders as nothing more than an effort by Datuk Abdullah to create disunity within PAS by planting seeds of destruction.

How much truth is there in Pak Lah’s statement asked Husam. Husam: PM mahu pecah belah PAS - Malaysiakini.

“Naib Presiden PAS, Datuk Husam Musa berkata, Perdana Menteri, Datuk Seri
Abdullah Ahmad Badawi mahu menabur benih perpecahan dalam PAS apabila menyatakan beliau telah pun tiga kali bertemu pemimpin peringkat tertinggi PAS."

Pengumuman sebelah pihak oleh Abdullah tentunya ada motif tersirat. Jujurkah Abdullah bila beliau umumkan pemimpin 'decision-makers' PAS telah tiga kali menemui beliau?”

Translation:
(Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi wants to throw the seeds of destruction when he said that he had met with high-levell Pas leaders three times.

“The one-sided announcement by Abdullah certainly has a hidden motive. How sincere is Abdullah when he announced that the “decision-makers” in PAS have met him three times?)

For full report click here

PKR leader's second session with ACA – Malaysiakini

PKR de facto leader Anwar Ibrahim was at the Anti-Corruption Agency (ACA) headquarters in Putrajaya this morning for the second round of questioning over his police report alleging fabrication of evidence regarding his 'black eye' incident in 1998. – Malaysiakini

He arrived at the ACA HQ at 9.50am to continue giving his statement on the alleged fabrication of evidence in the 1998 incident. (read here)

Musa was the investigating officer and Gani led the prosecutor in the case in which Anwar had been beaten up by the IGP then, Tan Sri Abdul Rahim Noor.

Anwar, who was accompanied by lawyers R.Sivarasa and Param Cumaraswamy, emerged from the ACA office at 1.15pm.

Extracts from : Malaysiakini and the Star

PM: IGP, AG barred from Anwar probe – Malaysiakini

The Inspector-General of Police and the Attorney-General will be excluded from an investigation against opposition leader Anwar Ibrahim who has been accused of sodomy. (Malaysiakini - IGP, AG barred from Anwar probe: PM and the Star here )

The Prime Minister said Tan Sri Musa Hassan and Tan Sri Abdul Gani Patail will not be part of the investigating team.

Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi said the two were excluded because Anwar had earlier lodged a police report against them, alleging that they had fabricated evidence against him in the infamous “black eye” incident in 1998. (read here Anwar lodges report against IGP and AG ).

“They would not be taking up any role in the investigating team,” he said yesterday.

In the 1998 investigation of sodomy charges against Anwar, Musa was the senior investigating officer while Abdul Gani was the head of prosecution.

During the press conference, Abdullah was also asked if the two should be suspended pending the outcome of the investigation.

“They are not involved directly, the investigating officer has not made any reference to them, so I do not see why they should be suspended,” he said

A new Mercedes to replace Perdana V6 for T'ganu State Excos

Exco Terengganu dapat Mercedes E-200 Kompressor ganti Perdana V6

I got this piece of gem from blogger Jelapang who picked up the story from Utusan Oline.

‘‘Setelah dibuat kajian, kerajaan negeri mendapati untuk tujuan jangka panjang, penggunaan kereta baru ini adalah lebih baik menggantikan Perdana V6 Executive yang digunakan sejak lebih empat tahun lepas.” - Setiausaha Kerajaan Negeri Datuk Mokhtar Nong.

Translation:
(“After having made a study, the state government finds that in the long run, it is better to use a new car to replace the Perdana V6 Executive which has been in use since more than four years ago.” - State Secretary Datuk Mokhtar Nong.)

And guess how much did it cost the state government for the fleet of 14 units of Mercedes E200 Kompressor? A whopping RM3.43 million.

The full report from Utusan online: here
Also, Rockybru's Progress in Terengganu



(What''s going on in his head? Certainly the timing is NOT right... not NOW when the rakyats are suffering because of inflation and increasing cost of living. And here we have the the State government spending ...on what? New cars for the State excos to replace their 4 1/2 year-old Perdanas? Yet the PM and DPM have the audacity to ask us to change our lifestyle. This is sheer wastage and excesses using the taxpayers' money and blatant case of abuse of power. That allocation could have been put to better use!)

No Terengganu Awards this year

For the first time ever, the Terengganu palace would not be handing any form of awards in in conjunction with Sultan Mizan Zainal Abidin’s birthday. - Malaysiakini

No reason was given, though the birthday celebration will be held on a moderate scale.

"The palace official had informed about this matter about one month ago but I was not told the reason for not having the ceremony," State Secretary Datuk Mokhtar Nong said in Kuala Terengganu on Saturday.

Mokthar said he was also unsure whether the ceremony would be held at a later date and had also not received the names of award recipients, so far.

"Sermons will be conducted in all mosques throughout the state while a ceremony will be held at Istana Maziah at 12.30pm," he added.

(Source: The Star and Malaysiakini)
Related article: Rockybru's "Young Datuk, Old Datuk"

(Congratulations to Tuanku Mizan. I hope this will set the trend for other states to follow. No more awards to any Dick ,Tom and Harry and, yes, to cronies too, The way Datukships has been generously dished out in the past to undeserving recipients has made a mockery of the awards and rendered them valueless. Awards should ONLY be given to those who have served the country well and to those who have made outstanding contributions in their respective fields in a way which has been of significant benefit to the nation.)

PM to Anwar: give sample for DNA test

...because the existing DNA sample too old

The authorities require fresh DNA sample from the PKR de facto leader - who now stands accused of a sodomy charge - because the sample extracted 10 years ago was too old and fresh DNA sample from Anwar was necessary to facilitate investigations, Datuk Seri Abdullah Badawi said.

“The DNA sample the authorities have is too old so they need a new sample. What is wrong with that? (Oh yeah? Go and read what forensic experts say about DNA samples: Malaysiakini - "... Expert: Specimen can be conserved for years."

“If he insists that he is not involved (in sodomy as alleged), give the sample now and we will see the results as proof,” he said. (The Star: here , Malaysiakini : here and Malaysiakini (BM) PM: Dana yang ada, sudah lama: here)

Abdullah also guaranteed Anwar's safety in facing investigations into the sodomy allegation and urged him to allow the authorities to take a sample for DNA test.

Abdullah said no one should believe there was a conspiracy against Anwar although he could not stop the international perception that this was happening.

“They said it is something like what had happened before. If one wants to believe, how do we control such things?

Related articles :Malaysiakini: Anwar risau DNA dimanipulasikan . and Let cops decide, so shut up Pak Lah!



(I know, I know. Two entries on the same subject in one day? Aiyo, tok mommy. No more modal ke? Lol. I cant help it when we have our flip-flop leader commenting on something that is current and in the process puts his foot in his mouth - yet again. Sorry, Pak Lah, you aint no doctor. If you ask me, I’ve enough of the going-ons in this country and to make matters worse we have our half past six ministers commenting on topics they are ignorant of. )

Good reasons to fear planting of DNA Evidence - Malaysiakini

R.Sivarasa, the lawyer of Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, issued a press statement yesterday which, among others, explained why the PKR de facto leader refused to allow his blood to be taken for a DNA profiling during a medical check-up at the Kuala Lumpur hospital Wednesday while under detention. Anwar has expressed the fear about the possibility of his DNA sample being fabricated and manipulated. Sivarasa quoted the 1998 episode. His statement was carried by Malaysiakini.

Here’s excerpt of the Statement:

In 1998-1999 trials, Anwar experienced the phenomenon of fabrication of DNA evidence. We had SAC Rodwan illegally removing DNA samples from forensic custody. In cross-examination of the prosecution’s witnesses it was exposed that DNA taken from blood samples was planted on the infamous mattress.

When confronted with this fact the prosecution amended its charge and persuaded the judge, Augustine Paul (now Federal Court judge), to expunge the entire DNA evidence from the record, preventing Anwar Ibrahim’s lawyers from responding.

The persons who were implicated in the fabrication of evidence during Anwar’s 1998-1999 trials, namely (attorney-general) Gani Patail, (police chief) Musa Hassan, and Rodwan (Mohd Yusof) are the same players who are involved in the current case. Today they are in much more powerful positions within the law enforcement apparatus.

Anwar has even more reason to believe of the probability that DNA evidence will be fabricated once again. This is reasonable because the complainant remains in police custody since June 28,2008 and the police are also in possession of Anwar’s DNA from the earlier case.

Our client’s concerns are therefore not resolved, as Syed Hamid believes, by his handing over a DNA sample through his own doctor or through an international
forensic expert.

It would have to be independently verified first that all medical examinations and sample taking relating to the complainant were done professionally and without any interference from the police before Anwar will consider participating in any DNA analysis.

We also reiterate that there has yetto be any credible justification for resorting to DNA analyses when the policereport made by the complainant remains shrouded in secrecy and no evidence substantiating the allegations are made available

Full statement here

Treat Anwar with respect and decorum…

...says deputy Prime Minister Datuk Najib Razak when commenting on the arrest of Anwar Wednesday by Special Squad cops with bala-clavas.

"Police must always treat Parti Keadilan Rakyat advisor Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim with 'a degree of decorum and respect that he deserves."

Najib said he did not want the people to have apprehension about how the police were handling Anwar's case (read here ).

During a press conference at his residence in Bukit Segambut yesterday, Anwar slammed CID director Datuk Bakri Zinin for ‘unprofessionally’ taking him into custody on Wednesday.

"I was ambushed and taken into police custody.

‘Why was I treated like a major criminal and a public enemy," he asked.

Anwar said he had to spend the night sleeping on a cold cement floor, which aggravated his back injury which was due to the beating he received from the then IGP, Tan Sri Rahim Nor on Sept 20, 1998

Describing his overnight detention as a case of 'vendetta' , he said he was put in a police lock-up "fit for a dangerous criminal'' and used a towel brought by his wife Datuk Seri Dr Wan Azizah Ismail as his mattress.

And during a medical check-up at the Kuala Lumpur Hospital (KLH), Anwar said he was stripped naked and his private parts examined. Malaysiakini - 'I was stripped naked, my private parts examined' ,

"They also measured the necessary parts," Anwar quipped.

However, he put his foot down when they came for his blood for DNA profiling. (Full report in Malaysiakini - Anwar dibogel, diperiksa alat sulit : Here)

Meanawhile, Pas President Datuk Haji Hadi Awang says he supports Anwar ‘s decision for refusing to give DNA sample. ( Malaysiakini: Pas sokong Anwar eggan beri DNA ).

Presiden PAS, Datuk Seri Abdul Hadi Awang menyokong keputusan Penasihat Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR) Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim yang enggan membenarkan Hospital Kuala Lumpur (HKL) mengambil sampel DNA kerana dikhuatiri akan dimanipulasi pihak berkuasa.

Anwar giving a press conference at his house in Bukit Seagambut hours after he was released on bail yesterday. On the right is Datuk Seri Wan Azizah Ismail. Extreme left is daughetr Nurul Izzah.

(Najib’s in damage control mode. Good reminder to the police, though. With an already dented image, arresting Anwar the way they did, wont endear them to the public but will instead confirm the perception of "them men in blue" as a bunch of bullies.)

It's RPK's turn ...arrested, charged & released

From The Star Online :

Raja Petra charged, released

KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia Today editor Raja Petra Kamarudin was charged at the Jalan Duta magistrate's court here for defaming Datin Seri Rosmah Mansor, the wife of Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak.

Raja Petra refused to enter a plea. He was released on RM2,000 bail after his wife Marina Lee signed the papers at 3.05pm.

He was arrested Thursday morning under Section 500 of the Penal Code for criminal defamation.

The charge was being made over his June 18 statutory declaration on the murder of Mongolian translator Altantuya Shaariibuu in 2006.

Now, who's next?

Other sources: Malaysiakini Raja Petra arrested, charged in court
Malaysiakini : Petra diseret ke mahkamah
Earlier story: Raja Petra ordered to report to police

Anwar free on police bail - Malaysiakini

Anwar released Update:
Read here

Malaysiakini BREAKING NEWS! : PKR de facto leader Anwar Ibrahim has been freed on police bail this morning. He was seen leaving with his family and lawyers in a car at 9.45am.

• Lawyer talked to police this morning
• Police bail given without suspect charged

Also here: The full report (in BM ) by Malaysiakini : Anwar dibebaskan dengan ikatjamin

Here's an earlier report from Reuters:

KUALA LUMPUR (Reuters) - Malaysian opposition figure Anwar Ibrahim has received police bail and will leave police headquarters soon, his lawyers said on Thursday.

"Anwar is granted police bail now," lawyer Sankara Nair told reporters in a mobile phone text message. "(He) Will leave in a while from police headquarters."

Saiful Izham, another Anwar lawyer, confirmed police bail had been granted and said Anwar would go home immediately.

(Reporting by Jalil Hamid; Writing by Liau Y-Sing; Editing by Jerry Norton) - Reuters

Malaysiakini - PKR supremo detained overnight

Malaysiakini reported that PKR de facto leader Anwar Ibrahim will be spending the night in police custody. However it could be not be ascertained whether he would be held at the Kuala Lumpur police headquarters or a different location.

Below is the same report in BM - Anwar bermalam dalam tahanan polis - which can be read here

Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim akan bermalam dalam tahanan polis selepas beliau ditangkap tengah hari tadi, demikian dimaklumkan oleh ketua penerangan PKR Tian Chua.

Isterinya dan presiden PKR Datuk Seri Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail hadir di ibu pejabat polis kontinjen (IPK) Kuala Lumpur kira-kira jam 11.25 malam.

Naib presiden PKR Mohamad Azmin Ali, bersama seorang lagi naib presiden Sivarasa Rasiah dan ahli parlimen Balik Pulau, Yusmadi Yusoff juga masuk ke bangunan IPK - tidak lama selepas Anwar dibawa pulang dari hospital Kuala Lumpur pada 10.35 malam.

Sebelum itu, 10 kenderaan polis mengiringi Anwar ke hospital dari ibu pejabat polis itu pada jam 8.35 malam dan sampai kira-kira 10 minit kemudian.Anwar dimasukkan ke wad diraja dengan kawalan kira-kira 40 anggota polis untuk rawatan biasa.

Mohamad Azmin dan Yusmadi kelihatan masuk ke wad itu jam 10 malam. Sebelum itu, Mohamad Azmin bersama ketua perhubungan PKR Pulau Pinang, Datuk Zaharin Mohd Hashim bertemu perdana menteri Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi di bangunan Parlimen.

Pertemuan bermula jam 9 malam, yang melibatkan menteri di Jabatan Perdana Menteri Datuk Seri Mohamed Nazri Abdul Aziz, berlangsung kira-kira 45 minit. Mohamad Azmin berkata Abdullah memberi jaminan "tiada kejadian mata lebam"
seperti 1998.

Malaysiakini - Anwar arrested outside his house

1. Anwar being taken to the police HQ 2. Wan Azizah & family arrive at police HQ 3. Supporters protesting

Pic above: courtesy of politickler

Update: 10:00pm
Anwar taken to Hospital Kuala Lumpur (HKL) about 8.35pm Wednesday for DNA testing after spending about seven hours at the city police headquarters. The Star

Anwar arrested: Update

Please go to Haris Ibrahim's The People's Parliament: (Here) for the latest on Sdr Anwar.

(Pic right: Courtesy of Haris Ibrahim : A small crowd of supporters outside the IPK, Jalan Hang Tuah)

Malaysiakini breaking news :
Jul 16, 08 1:16pm
Opposition leader Anwar Ibrahim was arrested by the police just outside his home in Bukit Segambut, Kuala Lumpur, at 12.55pm.

The de facto PKR leader was on his way back to his house after being questioned by the Anti-Corruption Agency (ACA).

A team of police officers were waiting, according to lawyer R Sivarasa.

Anwar was driven away in a 4WD vehicle with tinted windows, escorted by a convoy of 15 patrol cars

Malaysiakini BM version: Anwar ditahan polis bertopeng here

Here's from another source:

Malaysian opposition leader Anwar arrested

KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysian opposition leader Anwar Ibrahim, who has been accused of sodomising a male aide, has been arrested outside his home, his lawyer said Wednesday.

"The police came and took him away," said lawyer Sankara Nair, who said he witnessed the arrest."

He had just arrived home when about 10 officers detained him at the gate of his home," he told AFP.

Nair said the police did not specify what the opposition leader was being charged with, but that he would be taken to the Kuala Lumpur police headquarters.Anwar's Keadilan party, which leads a three-member opposition alliance, issued an immediate call for his supporters to rally outside the headquarters in the city's downtown.... more here

And the verdict...

... a good forum and healthy discourse towards addressing the propaganda against the Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR), says its de facto leader, Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim.

Bravo to Anwar for refusing to bite Shabery’s bait - who on several occasions took potshots at the former DPM - and remainig focussed on the topic of discussion, “Hari ini membentuk kerajaan, esok turun harga minyak.”

Shabery Chik, you can tender in your letter of resignation as Information Minister.

Shabery (frothing from the mouth - he he he) thinks a debate is a forum where you can hit your opponent below the belt. That was what he did.

As for the winner...well, you be the judge.


Related articles: The Sun here
Anwar Ibrahim vs Shabry Cheek here
Malaysiakini : Debat Bersejarah Anwar -Shabery here
The Great Debate: here