Altantuya murder: There was a "motive", but it can't be revealed or Putrajaya will crumble

By J.D Loverencriar 

The long awaited but only just concluded verdict by Shah Alam High Court Judge, Mohd Zaki Md Yasin on the Mongolian Altantuya case is not only causing a spasmodic arrest within the legal circuit in Malaysia but is also the very talk of the simpletons – Ahmad, Muthu and Ah Beng nationwide.

Legal students and practicing professionals are shocked at the Judge’s conclusion. Teaching lawyers will have nightmares in trying to make sense of the verdict that has completely negated “motive” from murders.

The learned Judge is reported to have said that “motive, although relevant, has never been the essential to constitute murder.”

Now even High School students are asking if motive is not essential then what is, in so far as a murder goes? Just the act of killing? Or just the person who carried out the actual killing?

Malaysia's legal standards under the spotlight

The Judge’s verdict also places Malaysia’s legal standards on the global legal table of scrutiny. It has far reaching ramification not only from the socio-political perspective of human rights but also from socio-economic as well as judicial dimensions.

Indeed we have with this concluding verdict demonstrated to the world in no uncertain terms that the way we interpret the law around here need not conform to what universally acceptable law books teach and how justice is dispensed in the democratic worldover.

In our own backyard, this verdict also delves a lethal blow to the government of the day. Voters will all the more connect one plus one and make three. The BN party will be the one that must now carry this yoke of suspicion transpiring from the conclusion of the judge.

Why would 2 special squad cops want to do such a thing without 'motivation'

Citizens are asking a simple yet profound and logical question: How could two trained, disciplined and uniformed members of the elite forces who are known and reputed to carry out their duties to the last letter of command have killed (murdered) a helpless, unarmed, defenseless and solitary woman?

People are asking, even the very murder was planned to completely annihilate all traces of evidence by blowing a fragile female lass with deadly military grade C4 explosives and yet “motive’ is not “essential”?

The Judge stated that ‘motive (is) relevant’. But he went on to disqualify the crucial importance of motive in this case.

And so the citizens are now asking why. Why is motive not essential in this grisly, brutal and heinous crime against humanity when all indicators bleep that motive was the cause of the murder? They are reasoning at kopitiam outlets in the big cities and the humble warongs in villages that how could two salaried, uniformed and specially tasked armed personnel carry out this murder of helpless lady with whom they had no relationship with nor knowledge of?

But there was a "motive"

People are saying that there was a motive for the act of killing to take place. And they want the law to establish that motive so that the person or persons who are party to the crime will be dealt with by the law adequately and with fair justice.

But alas, “motive” has just flown out of the window of Malaysia’s judiciary. The precedent has been set. The rakyat are drawing down their blinds. There is now a foregone conclusion in the minds and hearts of the citizens here – a verdict that will be almost insurmountable in the resurrection of Malaysia’s justice system and its reputation.

Some citizens are even going the distance to say that if this transpired in another civil and democratic nation, by now the entire legal fraternity would have downed their tools of trade and demanded right-thinking action. Will this happen in Malaysia? Only time can tell. But in the meantime the credibility of leaders and political parties and government systems have been dealt a lethal blow by this verdict on the Altantuya case.

Malaysia Chronicle

(http://www.malaysia-chronicle.com/index.php?option=com_k2&view=item&id=29613:when-%E2%80%9Cmotive%E2%80%9D-flew-out-of-the-window-of-justice-in-malaysia&Itemid=2)

The 10 mistakes of Najib Razak

By Lim Kit Siang

Four days after the Prime Minister, Datuk Seri Najib Razak extended an apology for past Barisan Nasional (BN) mistakes resulting in its loss of several states and electoral seats in the last general elections, it remains a mystery and state secret  what were the mistakes Najib was apologizing for.

Nobody knew what past BN mistakes Najib was confessing and apologizing, allowing the Deputy Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yasin to immediately dismiss the need to find out what these “mistakes” were arguing that  “the crucial thing now was to look ahead” and the UMNO Information chief Datuk Ahmad Maslan to make nonsense of Najib’s “apology” by declaring that  “UMNO needs mandate to fix its mistakes”!

Does Najib himself know what past BN mistakes he was confessing and apologising for in Kedah last Saturday or was it a meaningless political rhetoric just to win votes?

While Najib mull over  and decide what were the past BN mistakes which he is prepared to confess and apologise, let him apologise for his own mistakes first, especially those committed during his 35-month premiership.

Apologize for himself, not just BN

Najib’s mistakes alone run into scores. Off-hand, just to mention ten, as follows:

1.    Illegal, undemocratic and unconstitutional power grab of the Pakatan Rakyat Perak State Government led by  Mentri Besar Datuk Seri Nizar Jamaluddin which he orchestrated and executed two months before he became Prime Minister.

2.     His failure to defend his 1Malaysia policy to create a Malaysia where every Malaysian regards himself or herself as Malaysian first and race, religion, region and socio-economic status second when his Deputy Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin declared right from the beginning that he was Malay first and Malaysian second.

3.     The politics of hypocrisy where he preached the virtues of moderation in international forums while allowing the rise of extremism, ethnic and religious, in the country spearheaded by UMNO mouthpiece, Utusan Malaysia resulting in worsening racial and religious polarisation in his 35 months as Prime Minister with unprecedented political rhetoric of racial hatred and religious intolerance founded on lies and falsehoods and the outsourcing of the politics of extremism by Umno to Perkasa.

4.     His speech at the UMNO General Assembly in 2010 warning of  “crushed bodies, lives lost” (“walau berkecai tulang dan juga badan, walau bercerai jasad dari nyawa”) to defend UMNO in Putrajaya. Is Najib prepared to apologise and retract this threat  by declaring that in keeping with his aim to make Malaysia “the best democracy in the world”, he and all UMNO leaders will fully and peacefully accept the electoral verdict of Malaysians in the next general elections, including a change of government in Putrajaya?

5.     Increasing incidence of political violence against opposition politicians and civil society activists like the UMNO Youth and Perkasa attack on anti-Lynas protestors at the Penang Speakers’ Corner injuring two reporters, while the police looked on and did nothing.

6.     Worsening corruption in Malaysia with the Transparency International (TI) Corruption Perception Index (CPI) 2011 falling to the worst-ever ranking of No. 60 and lowest-ever score of 4.3, placing Malaysia at the most corrupt level in the nation’s 55-year history under six Prime Ministers.

7.     The death Teoh Beng Hock and the failure to take action against his killers from the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC), as well as to bring to book persons responsible for the death of Ahmad Sarbaini Mohamad at the MACC premjises, V. Kugan in police custody and all other cases of custodial deaths.

8.    The return of the politics of Mahathirism, with the present generation of Malaysians still paying for the financial scandals of  Tun Mahathir’s 22 years as Prime Minister, as in the recent third and latest RM840 million bailout of former Malaysian Airlines (MAS) chairman Tajudin Ramli with his out-of-court settlement with Danaharta and GLCs.

9.    Continued politics of corruption, cronyism and patronage as in the award of RM2.2 billion Kinrara-Damasara Expressway (Kidex) to two companies, Emrail Sdn Bhd and Zabima Engineering Sdn Bhd linked to Umno lawyer Datuk Hafarizam Harun and wife of former Chief Justice,  Tun Zaki Azmi and the RM7.1 billion West Coast Expressway from Banting to Taiping awarded to Kumpulan Europlus Bhd for a 60-year concession period.

10. The refusal to set up a Royal Commission of Inquiry into the long-standing problem of illegal immigrants in Sabah which have made Sabahans strangers and minorities in their own land.

There is a long list of “mistakes” made in the past 35 months for Najib to apologise on his own behalf, without yet going into the past BN mistakes resulting in the BN debacle in the last general elections in 2008.

Where will Najib begin?

Lim Kit Siang is the DAP adviser and MP for Ipoh Timur

We are driving towards somewhere nice (^^,)LOL~~

by Eunice Tan

"Malaysia adalah sebuah negara yang CUKUP indah, tetapi ada BANYAK masalah."

~Tengku Razaleigh Hamzah through "UNDILAH" video clip~

Though it may sound bitter, I have to agree with the statement at this stage. This essay is my attempt to summarise "Masalah Malaysia" + possible solutions to curb the masalah, based on the car analogy. It is hoped that in the end this essay may inspire us to become MORE aware of our role(s) and hence, focus on our role(s) to help the car to be driven towards somewhere nice? :)

Let's first see how "check and balance" system should work in Malaysia, which can be illustrated through the car analogy. 

(google image "check and balance" as reference to what I am talking about) 

Our country = car

The national policies = roadmap

legislative branch = those sitting at the 2 front seats of the car (ie BN and PR)

executive branch = wheels and engine 

judiciary branch = petrol

I hope we all are clear with the car analogy? 

Good. :)

Then let's move on to the identify "Masalah Malaysia" + possible solutions for each masalah.

Masalah #1:

Instead of making the existence of PR to strengthen the legislative branch, some people make it something to weaken the legislative branch. The one in the driver seat is supposed to focus on driving the car but instead, wasting so much time quarreling and belittling the one sitting next to him, falling asleep or doing anything which can distract himself from focusing. The one sitting next to the driver on the other hand just like to indulge in distracting the driver by whining, criticising and complaining so much about when is his turn to take over the driver seat. Has he forgotten that without a clear roadmap, it's very likely for him to drive the car towards a dead end if he were to be in the driver seat? Or perhaps both sitting at the front seats have forgotten that: the only reason they can sit at the front seats is because of the existence of every component of the car, AS WELL AS the passengers?

Solution:

BN and PR have to realise that regardless who is in the driver seat, they are BOTH sitting at the front seats of the car - they are the ones in the car who are in the best position to see the road ahead. The one in the driver seat should just focus on driving and improving his driving skill + roadmap from time to time. The one sitting next to the driver, should just focus on looking at the road ahead, study the roadmap and come out with a better one if he can. He has to realise that he will sure get his turn to be in the driver seat, when the passengers feel that the current driver is not doing his job properly, AND that they feel that the he has at least mastered the existing roadmap. 

Regardless of who's in the driver seat, can't these 2 work hand-in-hand if they really have the heart to bring the car to somewhere nice? (",)

Masalah #2:

The wheels and engine used are not being properly maintained, while the company supplying petrol to the car can't seem to keep up with their quality. Worse still, both the driver and the one sitting next to him are too "BUSY" to check on the engine, wheels and the petrol used. Also, the driver seems to prefer petrol, engine and wheels which are expensive but with doubtful quality. But we can't blame those who are in charge to maintain the petrol, engine and wheels, can we? When there're no better resources, when the workers working to maintain the quality of engine, wheels and petrol are not doing their job based on work ethics, how can we expect the car to have good petrol, engine and wheels? 

Solution: 

BOTH sitting at the front seats of the car should be more alert and diligent to check on the car's wheels, engine and petrol company from time to time. The passengers should feedback and suggest ways to improve the performance of the wheels, engine and petrol from time to time. To the ones who are in charge to maintain the quality of engine, wheels and petrol: Just be more diligent and do your job based on work ethics even if people have no time to check on you la ya? =)

Masalah #3:

The passengers in the car either pour too much emotions on the issues which can distract the driver, or don't care to alert those who are sitting at the front seats at all even if they notice something's wrong with the car (or is it because the driver refuses to listen because he thinks he knows best?). While some on the other hand, are just too vulnerable to notice what's happening because their presence have been ignored and taken for granted for too long......

Solution:

We need more passengers who are alert of threats and care about where the car is heading. If they wanna stay in the car, ideally they should just keep quiet - haha, applicable if and ONLY if the car is in good condition and is on the right track. If they think they wanna do something to empower both who are sitting at the front seats, make sure they do it without creating chaos in the car. While on the other hand, the driver has to be more open to feedbacks from the passengers and solve any problems promptly according to right priority.

The passengers of the car should be more accepting of one another. They should mutually respect one another regardless of their difference in race, religion, socioeconomic background, opinion and personality. Difference is something to be celebrated, not a factor to segregate! They should also be more aware of one another's well-being, help and support those who are in vulnerable and deprieved state, especially those who are still tinggal atas pokok/dalam gua.......

Sometimes, we will have a bunch of passengers who are just uncomfortable or feel wasted to be in the car. Instead of forcing them to stay in the car, why not they be given more freedom to get down from the car so that they can involve themselves in grassroots movements, NGO, charity bodies, which can act as the insurance, lubricant for the engine, any other maintenance work for the car. And if they want to, they can also involve themselves in building good roads, road lights and bridges for the car. Of course, they have to be reminded that the only reason they get off the car is to further help maintaining the performance of the car and protect the car from any external threats. 

Now here comes another problem:

Should we let too many passengers get off the car, especially when they are getting off to board onto another car(s)?

Before we label those who opt to migrate to other countries as "irresponsible and unpatriotic traitors", let's consider the following:

Would you prefer a Malaysian who is working

a) in a company located in a FOREIGN country which can help improve Malaysia's reputation/economy (especially a company which has links to Malaysia)

OR 

b) IN Malaysia but in fields which can jeopardise Malaysia's reputation/economy (eg spies to sell Malaysia military top secret to other countries)? 

We need passengers who can go out there and exchange ideas with passengers in other cars about ideas to improve our car, right?

We also need passengers who can go out there and promote the beauty of our car to passengers from other cars to form friendship and collaboration, right? =)

Yes! You and I have role(s) to play! It doesn't matter if we choose to be in part of the front seats, the engine, the wheel, the petrol, the lubricant, the road builder or just a passenger. The point is: we must work towards bringing the car to somewhere nice. 

http://www.peterpatau.com/2009_01_04_archive.html

Wait a minute!

Are we supposed to be that naive to think that there won't be other cars on the road which we are driving on?

Yeap, you are right. What we are facing is actually THIS:

http://www.autoevolution.com/news-image/how-to-avoid-city-traffic-jams-35319-2.html

So I hope all of us here are MORE aware of our role(s) by now?  =)

Together, let's help the car to be driven towards somewhere really nice. (^^,)LOL~~ 

Inspiration credits to:

1. Zee Kin's statuses

 - http://www.facebook.com/taizeekin/posts/10150663012725306- http://www.facebook.com/taizeekin/posts/10150684319710306?notif_t=feed_comment_reply 

2. Winds of change may blow hot air by Chandra Muzzafar @ http://thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=%2F2012%2F2%2F16%2Ffocus%2F10742741&sec=focus#.Tz2RPxpQnto.facebook

3. You know nothing, west Malaysians by Erna Mahyuni @

http://www.themalaysianinsider.com/opinion/article/you-know-nothing-west-malaysians/

4. The Malaysian Man by Henry Yew @ http://www.ukeconline.com/CEKU/?p=781

5. Losing Sight of Our Vision 2020 by Yizhen Fung @ http://www.themalaysianinsider.com/opinion/article/losing-sight-of-our-vision-2020/ 

6. "UNDILAH" video clip @ http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-1hllAhSXLA

7. "INTEGRITY: YOU KNOW IT BUT DO YOU HAVE IT?" by Tun Abdul Hamid Bin Haji Mohamad (Former Chief Justice of Malaysia) @ Madeline Berma's note:  http://www.facebook.com/note.php?note_id=368907839804039

8. PEMANDU official website on GTP and ETP 

- http://www.pemandu.gov.my/

- http://www.pemandu.gov.my/gtp/perspectives/index.html

9. Model of Vicious Cycle Affecting Every Country in this world @ http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10150574071733678&set=a.382563788677.164024.821563677&type=3&theater

10. It’s an election handout by Jian Wei Ang @http://www.themalaysianinsider.com/opinion/article/its-an-election-handout/

Last updated on 24/2, 8.30am Malaysian time => It's a public jam that we are facing.

Daphne Iking to Douglas six degrees of separation

by Helen Ang

One of Lim Guan Eng’s fanboys has responded to this blog. But before I reply him, some illustrations.

Nor Aliah Lee

Below is actress Nor Aliah Lee, pictured with her ex-husband, the famous film director Aziz M. Osman in March 2008. They divorced in May 2007. During their marriage, the Chinese convert (formerly Vianney Anastasia Lee) wore tudung.

As can be seen in the mStar red dress photo, she took off the tudung after her divorce. TheNona magazine cover of December 2011 credits her as Datin Nor Aliah Lee now, and the tudung is back on.

Another convert celebrity is Daphne Iking, now Dahlia after her second marriage. From the poster (left), it appears that she’ll be in Kota Bharu next month speaking at an event moderated by Ustaz Amin Idris of the Islamic TV channel al-Hijrah.

Malaysians adapt. DAP 2.0 clearly and most quickly adapted post GE12.

A disclaimer is necessary here: It’s not my hair and it’s not my religion. I’m not judgmental either way whether a Muslim woman wears tudung or not. Up to her lah and I can respect an individual’s personal choice.

But we shouldn’t try to bury history and the fact that most locals didn’t used to wear tudung litup. Think of all the various traditional art forms and the Malay women who danced them through the ages.

Like Ridhuan Tee who's more Melayu than the born Melayu

In Malaysia, because appearances (religious garb) can lend a positive impression, some DAP politicians are hijacking religion and what’s worse, the religion is not even theirs.

Worst of all, most recently at the Feb 18 grand debate, the DAPpers claimed that Chua Soi Lok is disrespectful of Islam. They said this in order to score brownie points with the Malay electorate. Yet these are the same people who refuse to respect the essence of Allah.

Below is a screenshot of the letter to the editor written by Douglas Tan – one of Guan Eng’s chiefest cheerleaders in cyberspace.

It was published in Malaysiakini today under the title ‘Not anti-government, but pro rakyat‘. The same article also appears in his blog as well as in the other usual opposition watering holes like Malaysia Chronicle where he is a columnist, I should expect.

My posting which Douglas declares he finds “generally offensive” is this one — ‘Jangan biar Umno sampai jadi macam DAP‘.

He alleges that I “condemned” him for his Christian faith. You can read for yourself(click above) as to whether his accusation contains any merit.

Whatever I’ve written that alludes to the DAP evangelists and their online flagbearers – such as Thomas Lee who’s the Penang government media consultant and Jackson Ng, an alumnus of a Penang La Salle mission school – is in the context of how their party is exploiting the Christian vote.

And secondly, how some evangelist politicians and their followers have a moral superiority complex and are too fond of casting stones at perceived sinners, especially the MCA president. Portraying the other side as morally inferior has become a leitmotif of their political vocabulary.

The upshot is that Christianity is being made to play a political role for DAP today just as Islam has done for PAS.