Philippine's people power leader Aquino dies

Corazon Aquino (1933 - 2009)

The unassuming widow whose "people power" revolution toppled a dictator, restored Philippine democracy and inspired millions of people around the world, died Saturday morning after a battle with colon cancer. She was 76.

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The woman who led the Philippines people power movement in 1986, former president Corazon Aquino, has died (Saturday morning) at the age of 76 from cancer, her family has announced.

Ms Aquino was the first female president in the Philippines and made history in 1986 when her so-called yellow revolution forced dictator Ferdinand Marcos out of office, after almost 20 years in power.

She was married to Senator Benigno 'Ninoy' Aquino who had opposed Marcos and was assassinated in 1983 as he returned from exile.

Until that time, Ms Aquino had no public role in politics.

During her presidency from 1986 to 1992 she faced a number of attempted military coups. Her attempts to implement political and economic reforms failed and she eventually stepped down.

While she was not altogether successful in making the changes she promised during her presidency, Ms Aquino continued to be popular among the Filipino people long after she left office in 1992.

Ms Aquino was born in 1933 into one of the richest families in the Philippines.

In March 2008, she was diagnosed with colon cancer. (source ABC News)

BN to contest in Permatang Pasir

Barisan Nasional (BN) will contest in the upcoming Permatang Pasir by-election following the death of PAS assemblyman Mohd Hamdan Abdul Rahman.

Umno president Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak said they would field a candidate since the seat has become vacant.

“It is in line with our stand that Umno and Barisan will contest if the seat is vacant due to reasons related to the Constitution,” he said Friday night after chairing the Umno supreme council meeting.

PAS spiritual leader Datuk Nik Abdul Aziz Nik Mat had said earlier that the party would contest the state seat, which he said was a PAS stronghold.

Permatang Pasir is one of three state seats in Permatang Pauh - the parliamentary constituency held by PKR de facto leader, Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim. It is the sole PAS seat in Penang.

The upcoming by-election will be the third by-election in the Permatang Puah constituency in less than one year - the first being Datuk Seri Anwar's victory in August last year after his wife, PKR president Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail, quit the seat.

The Election Commission (EC) is expected to announce the nomination and polling dates for the Permatang Pasir state by-election by Aug 10.

PAS wants all members at anti-ISA rally

PAS has made it compulsory for all of its members to participate in an anti-Internal Security Act (ISA) rally organised by GMI (Gerakan Mansuhkan ISA) or the “Abolish the ISA Movement,” in Kuala Lumpur tomorrow.

GMI plans to have 100,000 people march to the Istana Negara to hand over a memorandum urging the Yang Di-Pertuan Agong to dissolve the Act.

PAS vice-president Salahuddin Ayub claimed that the party's spiritual leader Nik Abdul Aziz Nik Mat and president Abdul Hadi Awang have given the nod for the rally who, according to him, had also decreed that the rally would not be haram or forbidden by Islam.

"Whether the gathering is deemed haram (by others) is immaterial because our top leadership has already given their blessing," Salahuddin told a press conference in Kuala Lumpur today.

Salahuddin was responding to an article published in Berita Harian today which featured several religious authorities condemning the proposed gathering as being un-Islamic.

"I urge PAS members not to be influenced by fatwas (edicts) issued by other parties."

Some 50,000 PAS members are expected to take part in the gathering at several locations in the city, including Masjid Jamek, Kompleks Sogo and Masjid Negara.

PAS president Datuk Seri Abdul Awang, DAP’s Lim Kit Siang and opposition leader Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim are expected to lead the protest.

Another group of protestors, the pro-ISA group known as Majlis Permuafakatan Ummah (Pewaris), will also be staging a rally to show support for the security law tomorrow.

The pro-ISA rally organisers say they will gather at Padang Merbok and the Central Market before heading towards Dataran Merdeka.

Despite stern police warning to call off the gatherings, both groups remain adamant.

GMI and Majlis Permuafakatan Ummah (Pewaris) have separately said that they would go ahead with their gatherings.

Police have not granted permits for any of these gatherings. Yesterday Home Minister Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Hussein had also warned that stern action would be taken against either group if they disturbed the peace.


Police, in the meantime, have set up roadblocks ahead of gatherings planned by the two groups.

Roadblocks have been set up along Jalan Tun Razak, Taman Connought, Jalan Loke Yew, Jalan Travers and several other entry points into the city by police here.

Inspector-General of Police Tan Sri Musa Hassan said his men would screen motorists.

All those planning to attend the illegal gatherings must be prepared to face stern action from us, regardless if they are for or against the use of the ISA.

"We will not compromise as far as security is concerned,’’ he said.

“We apologise if this inconveniences members of the public who are against such illegal gatherings,” he added

Picture; courtesy of the Star : Police road block along Jalan Cheras near Taman Midah.

PAS Permatang Pasir state assemblyman dies

Permatang Pasir state assemblyman Mohd Hamdan Abdul Rahman from PAS has passed away at the National Heart Institute in Kuala Lumpur from heart failure early this morning, Malaysiakini reports.

Mohd Hamdan, 60, had been an elected representative of Permatang Pasir for three terms since 1999. He was also a former state PAS chief for 14 years.

Mohd Hamdan’s body is expected to arrive in Permatang Pasir by 2pm today and will be buried at the Permatang Pasir Muslim cemetery after the Asar prayer.

The Election Commission will now have to call for another by-election within 60 days - the eighth by-election since March 2008 general election - now that the seat has been left vacant with Mohd Hamdan's death.

Permatang Pasir is one of three state seats in Permatang Pauh - the parliamentary constituency held by PKR de facto leader, Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim. It is the sole PAS seat in Penang.

The upcoming by-election will be the third by-election in the Permatang Puah constituency in less than one year - the first being Datuk Seri Anwar's victory in August last year after his wife, PKR president Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail, quit the seat.

The other state seat in Permatang Puah, Seberang Jaya, is held by Arif Shah Omar Shah from Umno - the man who was defeated by Datuk Seri Anwar in the by-election for the parliamentary seat.

In KOTA BARU, PAS spiritual leader Datuk Nik Abdul Aziz Nik Mat said the party would contest in the by-election for the Permatang Pasir state seat, which he said was a PAS stronghold.

In the last general election Mohd Hamdan, who bagged 11,004 votes, defeated Ahmad Sahar Shuib from Umno (5,571) by a majority of 5,433 votes.


Al fatihah.

Kosmo! apologises to Yasmin’s family

Kosmo! has apologised to the family of the late filmmaker, Yasmin Ahmad, for publishing a "salacious" article about her one day after her burial.

The tabloid, published by the Utusan Melayu group, apologised on its front page Thursday in a banner headlined: Keluarga Yasmin, Kosmo! mohon maaf (The Yasmin family, Kosmo! seeks forgiveness).

"On Monday 27 July, Kosmo! published a report regarding filmmaker, Yasmin Ahmad, who had just passed away," Kosmo! said.

"The report entitled Takdir Yasmin (Yasmin's divine destiny) has received mixed reactions. Kosmo! is concerned about these reactions." (read Journo to Journo: How Low Can You Go?)

"As a newspaper which is close to its community, Kosmo! wishes to ask for forgiveness from the family of the late Yasmin, her friends and readers who are offended by the report."

The iconic filmmaker and highly acclaimed advertising practitioner died at the Damansara Specialists Hospital here at about 11.25 p.m. Saturday (25 July).

Yasmin, 51, collapsed while she was presenting a working paper at Sri Pentas, the headquarters of the private television station TV3 on Thursday and was rushed to the Damnsara Specialists Hospital. She suffered from a stroke and brain haemorrhage and died some 48 hours later and was buried on Sunday.

Kosmo!'s report touched off a storm of protest from her friends in the media and advertising industry who called for a boycott of Utusan's publications and that of Chinese daily Kwong Wah Jit Poh (which also published a similar report on the same day) over what they say is "salacious gossip."

A letter was drafted Wednesday by former and current senior journalists protesting against Kosmo!'s story. The letter was addressed to Utusan chairman Tan Sri Hashim Makaruddin and a copy was expected to be sent to the Home Minister.

(Source: MySinchew)

Unidentified DNA Trace Found On Teoh's Blazer, Inquest Told

SHAH ALAM, July 29 (Bernama) -- The DNA trace of an unidentified man was found on the back of the blazer and belt of political aide Teoh Beng Hock who fell to his death at the Plaza Masalam here on July 16, the inquest into Teoh's death was told today before it was adjourned to Aug 5.

Government-appointed lawyer Tan Hock Chuan, who is assisting the inquest conducted by coroner Azmil Muntapha Abas, told the court the "mystery man" had yet to be identified although samples of DNA were taken by the Chemistry Department from 102 individuals.

Tan said that besides the DNA trace of the "mystery man", Teoh's DNA trace was also found on the blazer and belt.

"Samples were taken from 102 individuals to determine whether their DNA profile matched the unidentified DNA trace. The DNA profile reports of 90 of the individuals are ready while the remaining 12 have yet to be obtained.

"I was also informed by the investigating officer that two people had declined to have their DNA samples taken," he said. Continue reading here

Related story:
MACC and DAP: Finding the inconvenient truth

Teoh's inquest postponed to Aug 5

From the Star online

SHAH ALAM: The inquest into the death of political aide Teoh Beng Hock at the Magistrate's Court here has been postponed to Aug 5 at the request of lawyers representing the family, the Selangor Government and the Bar Council.

Coroner Azmil Muntapha Abas granted the request after hearing arguments from Gobind Singh Deo who had said that the lawyers needed time to study all relevant documents, as well to grant the Malaysian Government time to consider the family’s request that a Royal Commission of Inquiry be established to investigate the death.

Azmil Muntapha had earlier granted lawyers appointed by the family and the Selangor Government “interested party” status, allowing them to question witnesses during the inquest, which was expected to last 15 days.

The Bar Council had also led a team to hold a watching brief and who requested “interested party” status.

Tan Hock Chuan, acting for the Attorney-General, said he had no objections regarding the first two groups but said the lawyers holding a watching brief for the Bar Council did not fall within the applicable provisions to be granted such a status.

The Bar Council lawyers, led by Hisyam Teh, told coroner Azmil Muntapha that there may be questions that they would want to ask the witnesses and assured him that all these questions would be relevant.

Coroner Azmil Muntapha, who is also the Shah Alam High Court deputy registrar, finally allowed them to participate, and to question witnesses. Continue here ...

Related Stories:
Teoh's inquest to last 15 days
Najib assures Teoh’s parents of thorough investigation

Inquest on Teoh's death begins tomorrow

A coroner's inquest into the death of political aide Teoh Beng Hock kicks off at the magistrate's courts tomorrow, amidst calls for a Royal Commission of Inquiry to look into his death.

Subpoenas have been sent out to 77 people to appear as witnesses in the inquest to be conducted by a magistrate sitting as coroner over the nxt two weeks.

Police said subpoenas had been sent to 77 witnesses whom they have interviewed in the investigations into Teoh's death.

Selangor police chief Datuk Khalid Abu Bakar said of the 77 subpoened, 28 are
Malaysian Anti-Corruption Corporation Commission (MACC) personel.

It is up to the coroner's court to decide who among them are required to give their testimony.

Read NST online here.

Suspended CCID acquitted of abusing powers

Suspended Bukit Aman Commercial Crimes Investigation Department director Datuk Ramli Yusuff (right) was acquitted by the Sessions Court in Kota Kinabalu on a charge of abusing his powers two years ago.

Sessions Court judge Supang Lian, in her ruling yesterday, held that Ramli had no case to answer as the prosecution had failed to establish a prima facie case against him and ordered the RM20,000 bail and all evidence to be returned to Ramli.

Ramli, 56,was charged under Section 15 (1) of the Anti-Corruption Act for abusing his public office through the unauthorised use of a police Cessna Caravan aircraft for pecuniary gain.

The charge provides for a jail term not exceeding 20 years and a minimum fine of RM10,000 on conviction.

Ramli was also charged with failing to declare the ownership of 20,000 Telekom Malaysia Berhad shares, 154,000 Permaju Industries Berhad shares and interest in two office properties worth RM1,032,840 at Megan Avenue II, Jalan Yap Kwan Seng, held by Bonus Circle Sdn Bhd, in which his sisters are directors.

He is alleged to have committed the offences at the office of the Anti-Corruption Agency’s deputy public prosecutor in Putrajaya on Sept 17, 2007.

On April 25, 2006, Ramli had also allegedly breached the Public Servants Rules and Regulations which prohibit him from being involved in business.

The offence, under Section 16 of the Penal Code, alleged that he was a director of Kinsajaya Sdn Bhd.