HRP lodges third police report against gov't

The northern branch of the Human Rights Party (HRP) has lodged a police report in Penang against the country's top leaders for violating the constitutional right of young Indian Malaysians to education.Lodged at the Patani Road police headquarters yesterday, the report named Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak, Deputy Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin  and Higher Education Minister Mohamed Khaled Nordin as key violators.

Mugilan claims GAS still alive

KUALA LUMPUR, June 30 — MIC rebel V. Mugilan refuted today suggestions that the Gerakan Anti Samy Vellu (GAS) movement had run out of steam and was headed for a split among its three key leaders.
He also renewed his attack on MIC president Datuk Seri S. Samy Vellu and accused him of mismanagement and other improprieties involving millions of ringgit in funds belonging to the MIED, the education arm of the Barisan Nasional (BN) Indian party.

Indians undergoing indirect ethnic-cleansing

Being a Muslim and from a favored ethnic community of the present day government, a question doodles on our Muslim brothers' minds constantly and that is whether Indian Malaysians do indeed suffer subtle genocide/ethnic cleansing in Malaysia. As a Muslim and more so as a Malaysian, one would find a plentitude of historical facts about the Indian community but however the contribution of these Indian Malaysians are being slowly eradicated depicting them as the new underclass society that is not worth their existence in Malaysia.

Noh: RM20m for small-scale Indian entrepreneurs

PETALING JAYA, June 29 — The government has allocated RM20 million under Tekun (Tabung Kumpulan Usaha Niaga) for small-scale Indian entrepreneurs.Agriculture and Agro-based Industry Minister Datuk Seri Noh Omar said about 700 small-scale Indian entrepreneurs throughout the country had been given loans to develop their business.Tekun Nasional has received assistance from Yayasan Strategik Sosial (YSS) in providing such loans to Indian entrepreneurs, he told reporters after opening Tekun Nasional’s 2010 Excellent Service Awards here today.

Samy’s ‘missing Maika certs’ raise more questions

KUALA LUMPUR: Former MIC central working committee (CWC) member G Kumar Aamaan is curious to know how party president S Samy Vellu and his son Vell Paari could have lost their Maika share certificates.“It is no paltry sum we are talking about. The lost shares certificates are worth RM1,015,000 and RM447,375 owned by Samy Vellu and Vell Paari respectively.“Have they lodged a police report on the lost certificates? I am also surprised that Tamil Nesan is the only daily that carried the news,” he said.

KP Samy: MIC president's daily misleading Indians

KUALA LUMPUR: Sacked MIC central committee member KP Samy today lashed out at a local Tamil daily for branding a gathering on July 4 at Dewan Hamzah, Klang as an anti-Barisan Nasional event.

“Tamil Nesan carried a quarter-page advertisement on June 24 and June 26 urging Indian Malaysians not to take part in the gathering, calling it an anti-BN gathering.“The advertisement is misleading and we want to know who placed the advertisement in the first place and why Tamil Nesan saw it fit to accommodate it,” said Samy.

MIC plans to send 5,000 'troops' to gate-crash GAS rally

KUALA LUMPUR: The MIC plans to send 5,000 members to gate-crash the Gerakan Anti-Samy Vellu (GAS) rally slated at Dewan Hamza, Klang, on July 4. Selangor MIC Information chief Siva Subramaniam said the police must not allow GAS to gather on that day.“If the police insist on giving them a permit, then we have no choice but to bring our people there to ensure GAS does not slander MIC and party president S Samy Vellu,” he said after filing a report at Klang police station.

MIC against move to scrap UPSR exam

KUALA LUMPUR: MIC president S Samy Vellu said the party is against any move to abolish the Ujian Pencapaian Sekolah Rendah (UPSR) examination. “I appeal to the Deputy Prime Minister and Education Minister MuhyiddinYassin not to proceed with the proposal as it will be a grave mistake,” he said in a statement today.He said the examination was aimed at assessing the students’ capabilities and achievements throughout their primary level education.

City Hall destroys yet another place of worship

KUALA LUMPUR: Kuala Lumpur City Hall (DBKL) enforcement officers today demolished a place of worship and also deprived the land owner of her livelihood by destroying her jasmine farm in Setapak.

Kasiyammah Perumal, 55, said that about at 10.30am a group of DBKL enforcement officers in three vans arrived at her farm and wanted to demolish the place of worshship.

Ex-Hindraf leader lands KSSB director post

KUALA LUMPUR: Former Hindraf leader V Ganabatirau has been appointed as the director of Selangor state-owned sand mining company Kumpulan Semesta Sdn Bhd (KSSB).Contacted today, the lawyer told FMT that he was surprised by his appointment, which he came to know after he returned from a trip to India two days ago.

Hawker trouble in Brickfields' Little India

KUALA LUMPUR: Hawkers along Jalan Chan Ah Tong in Brickfields are unhappy over City Hall's decision to give the area a RM35 million 'face-lift' and transform it into a new Little India.As part of its plan, about 68 hawker stalls will be moved to a temporary site nearby, very much against their wishes, and then will be relocated at a new site which will cater for all hawkers in Brickfields.

Maika: A story of shattered dreams

KUALA LUMPUR: G-Team Resources today extended to July 13, its deadline for Maika shareholders to submit their forms to redeem their share cash value.However, most shareholders who spoke to FMT said the heartache of this entire episode runs deeper than just getting their money back, albeit lesser than what they invested.“It is the suffering we have had to endure the past 28 years,” said an emotional P Maniam. “I bought the shares for RM1,000 in 1984, which was a big sum for me as I was merely an odd-job worker.”“As far as I remember, I received dividends twice. After that, only the yearly prospectus was sent to my home,” said the 58-year-old senior citizen from Sungei Way.

'Social service shortchanging Maika shareholders'

KUALA LUMPUR: Sacked MIC veteran V Subramaniam wants the government to intervene in the Maika Holdings purchase to ensure that investors are not taken for a ride. “Right now, the poor Indian investors who suffered from this scandal for 26 years are being shortchanged with the 80 sen per share deal,” said the former Petaling Jaya MIC division chief.

Anti-Samy VCDs out next week

Gerakan Anti-Samy Vellu (GAS) is gearing up to release its 30-minute VCD on why the MIC head must step down sooner than he intends.Sacked MIC Youth deputy head leader and central working committee member V Mugilan (far right in pix) said editing of the footage has been completed.“The VCDs will be distributed next week, in conjunction with the next GAS gathering,” he said in Kuala Lumpur today. Thousands of copies of the VCD – in Tamil and English – are to be distributed nationwide, targetting the Indian community in particular.

Maika shareholder: 'How did they come up with 80 sen offer?'

PETALING JAYA: An irate shareholder has questioned tycoon G Gnanalingam’s offer to buy out financially-troubled Maika Holdings for RM100 million in view of the fact that the company’s accounts had not been audited since 2007. The deal, according to S Nadarajah, also contravened regulations listed by the Securities Commission.“There was an annual general meeting in 2007 but the AGM was nullified by the court due to the way it was conducted. "Since then, no AGM has been called to pass its resolutions.

Pudu Jail’s final curtain

KUALA LUMPUR, June 22 – The mural wall of the 115-year-old Pudu Jail was demolished last night amid protesting honks of cars along Jalan Pudu.Demolition of the 394-metre Pudu Jail wall fronting Jalan Pudu started at 10.10pm as hundreds of onlookers shouted their dismay while snapping last photographs of the historic wall.However, work halted about 20 minutes later as a large crowd ignoring the moving excavator walked through the gap in the wall and casually strolled on the wide path between the decaying mural and a newly-constructed wall near the deserted prison building.

Pudu prison won't be turned into heritage site

KUALA LUMPUR: Although the Pudu Prison is more than 100 years old, it would not be turned into a heritage site, said Deputy Finance Minister Awang Adek Hussin. "Firstly, it's because the government's view is that the Pudu Prison is not something to be proud of and secondly, it is not suitable to be turned into a heritage site despite its age," he said when replying to a supplementary question from Fong Kui Lun (DAP-Bukit Bintang), who wanted to know whether the ministry planned to build a museum at the Pudu Prison site, at the Dewan Rakyat sitting today.

Hindraf briefs Downing Street on Indian woes

Hindraf supremo P Waythamoorthy briefed the British government recently on alleged serious violations of human rights in Malaysia, especially on minority Indian community.He highlighted the Malaysian government's alleged deliberate attempts to deny Indian students their right to public university education despite attaining top results in qualifying examinations.Waythamoorthy said he also submitted a copy of Hindraf’s Human Rights Report to Prime Minister David Cameron’s representatives during a 20-minute deliberation at 10 Downing Street in London.

Dad: Son beaten like a cow, framed for engine theft

The father of Royal Malaysian Air Force (RMAF) sergeant N Tharmendran today alleged that his son was tortured into confessing to the theft of two jet engines while under remand. “They beat him like a cow,” said N Nagarajah, 71, after lodging a police report on the matter at the Brickfields police headquarters today.Nagarajah was accompanied by human rights lawyer N Surendran and three PR members of parliament - DAP's M Manogaran (Teluk Intan) and PKR's S Manikavasagam (Kapar) and Low Gwo Burne (Kelana Jaya).Nagarajah (left) claimed that two RMAF officers, a Major Azam and a Major Ismail, had beaten and mistreated his son over a period of nearly three weeks from July 2 to 17 last year.

MIC will block GAS leaders from returning to party

KUALA LUMPUR, June 17 — MIC is working to quash any appeal and bolster its case against four members who were expelled from the party for asking Datuk Seri S. Samy Vellu to resign.Last month, V. Mugilan was stripped of his MIC Youth deputy chief post while V. Subramaniam was sacked as Petaling Jaya Selatan division head. G. Kumar Aamaan and K. P. Samy were also removed from MIC’s Central Working Committee (CWC).

Warren Buffett, Bill Gates ask billionaires to give away wealth

NEW YORK, June 17 — Investor Warren Buffett and Microsoft founder Bill Gates announced yesterday that they are asking hundreds of billionaire Americans to give away at least 50 per cent of their wealth to charity.Buffett, who made his fortune with insurance and investment company Berkshire Hathaway Inc, Gates and his wife, Melinda, have held a series of dinners with a couple dozen rich Americans in the past year to urge them to make a philanthropic pledge.

Param in UN panel on Israel-Palestine rights abuses

KUALA LUMPUR: Renowned jurist and human rights expert, Param Curamarasamy, has been appointed by the United Nations Human Rights Council as part of a committee to monitor Israeli and Palestinian investigations into violations of international humanitarian and human rights law.

Talent Corp to woo 700,000 skilled M'sians overseas

Talent Corporation, to be established next year under the Prime Minister's Department, will spearhead initiatives to attract the estimated 700,000 skilled Malaysians currently working abroad.Minister in the Prime Minister's Department, Nor Mohamed Yakcop, said the entity, apart from its main objective to identify the nation's skill shortages in key sectors as well as attract and retain required talents, could also help Malaysia to become a developed country by 2020.

Miba: Nothing much in 10MP to help Indians

The Malaysian Indian Business Association (Miba) expressed disappointment with the newly unveiled 10th Malaysian Plan (10MP) today, claiming that it does not address the problems faced by the Indian community. Saying that there is nothing much in the 10MP to enhance the economic position of the Indians, MIBA president Sivakumar S Packirisamy said the mere extension of funds to Tamil schools and Tekun Nasional funds through the Malaysian Indian Congress (MIC) is not going to create any major impact on the lives of the Indians.

The cycle of despair

PETALING JAYA: With 10 years to go before Malaysia becomes a developed nation, life for the urban poor has remained the same as it was when Dr Mahathir Mohamad announced Vision 2020 nearly 20 years ago.They continue to struggle for their daily bread and to suffer the heartbreak of knowing that life will not get any better for their children because there is not enough money to educate them.

MIED 'can be sued' for alleged mismanagement

The Maju Institute of Educational Development (MIED) can now go ahead and sue its chairperson and eight trustees for alleged mismanagement, resulting in financial losses.The Kuala Lumpur High Court judicial c ommissioner Mah Weng Kwai allowed ex-MIC Youth chief A Vigneswaran's application to name MIED as the plaintiff in his proposed suit.

Samy to do a number on Palanivel?

PETALING JAYA: Another controversy is taking shape in MIC over the formation of new Youth branches, which certain quarters claim could be the essential ingredient in a plot to oust deputy president G Palanivel.

Talk on the ground, said a source, is that the mission to form these branches is being spearheaded by MIC president S Samy Vellu's most trusted lieutenant, his son Vell Paari.He said the plan to form the 1,000 new branches was being done on the pretext of expanding MIC's appeal to Indian youths and to give them a platform in the party.

PM: Complete 'Little India' by November

KUALA LUMPUR – Make sure the "Little India" project in Brickfields is up and running by November.

This is the Prime Minister's directive to Raja Nong Chik Raja Zainal Abidin, the Federal Territories and Urban Wellbeing Minister.If it is not ready by then, Raja Nong Chik and those involved in the project will have a lot of explaining to do, says Najib.He wants the project to be rushed to completion ahead of Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh's (pic) visit to Malaysia in November to coincide with the launch of Little India. He views the project as an important milestone to establish closer ties with his Indian counterpart.

MIC lauds compulsory Tamil, Mandarin classes proposal

The MIC supports a proposal to make the teaching of Tamil and Mandarin compulsory in schools.
Party vice-president SK Devamany said that in a multi-racial country.like Malaysia, it was important that multi-lingualism formed the backbone of the nations's education system to maintain racial harmony.

Ex-ISA detainee Vasantha arrested at Najib's launch

Former ISA detainee K Vasanthakumar was arrested today while attempting to hand over a memorandum on the plight of Indian Malaysians to Prime Minister Najib Razak at a private function.The activist, along with 10 others, was trying to approach the premier, who was on his way out after passing out 50 scholarships to Indian students, the result of collaboration between the Sri Murugan Centre and the 1Malaysia Development Berhad in Brickfields this afternoon.

Parents claim BN MP called them 'keling'

KUALA LUMPUR: One of the parents present at the ruckus in Parliament's open senate lounge yesterday has claimed that a Barisan Nasional MP called them “keling”.According to DAP's Sungkai assemblyman A Sivanesan, the parent told him that one of the three BN MPs at the lobby had remarked: “Keling semua ini buat apa kat sini, bilik dah gelap ni, apa mereka mahu” (what are they doing here, the room has become dark, what do they want).

10MP big numbers that don’t add up

KUALA LUMPUR, June 11 — Datuk Seri Najib Razak yesterday announced the 10th Malaysia Plan (10MP) to transform the country into a high-income nation, but failed to shed light on how this would be achieved.Yesterday’s announcement did not reveal details that will attract RM115 billion yearly over the next five years, needed to grow private investments almost six-fold and the economy by six per cent annually until 2015.The prime minister said that the RM230 billion five-year plan will have 52 high-impact projects costing RM62.7 billion — more than five times the 22 projects costing RM12 billion proposed in the Ninth Malaysia Plan.

Najib's plan: Pakatan MPs' thumbs down, MIC's thumbs up

KUALA LUMPUR: Pakatan Rakyat leaders were not impressed with the 10th Malaysia Plan (10MP) unveiled by Prime Minister Najib Tun Razak in Parliament today. Many of them felt that the economic blueprint was merely a rehash of previous plans, while some panned the objectives as being too far-fetched.
DAP's chief economist Tony Pua said maintaining the 30 percent Bumiputera equity target was an extension of the race-based affirmative action under the New Economic Policy (NEP).

GAS head lets loose, yet again

Leaders of Gerakan Anti-Samy Vellu (GAS) have accused MIC president S Samy Vellu of accumulating millions of ringgit in a Credit Suisse account under the alias of Dr Stansilau Van-Velau Sitten. Holding up the documents at a press conference held in Petaling Jaya today, former central working committee member and ex-MIC Youth deputy head, V Mugilan (left), claimed that he possessed a telegraphic transfer statement proving that Samy Vellu had a total of US$815,900 (RM2.7million) in Credit Suisse as of 1982.

Hindraf takes its human rights fight to UN

GEORGE TOWN: The Hindu Rights Action Force (Hindraf) has lodged an official complaint to the United Nations on alleged discrimination against Indian students in the country. P Waythamoorthy, Hindraf’s London-based leader, accused the Umno-dominated federal government of denying deserving Malaysian Indian students any form of financial assistance to continue tertiary education in a letter to the UN on June 7.

‘Little India’ won’t sideline Brickfield’s diversity

KUALA LUMPUR, June 9 — The “Little India” development project in Brickfields here will not sideline the colonial, Chinese and Buddhist cultural heritage that has long existed in the area, said Federal Territories and Urban Wellbeing Minister Datuk Raja Nong Chik Raja Zainal Abidin.“The cultural aspects of buildings, arches, street decorations and stalls in the area will be preserved although the project stresses on Indian culture,” he said.

Rosmah hands over donation to Turkish embassy

KUALA LUMPUR, June 9 — Datin Seri Rosmah Mansor, wife of the prime minister, today handed over a Malaysian people’s contribution of US$45,000 (RM149,709) for the families of the nine Turks killed during an Israeli raid on a humanitarian aid ship bound for Gaza on May 31.

Samy Vellu’s day of reckoning

 June 9 — July 10 is fast emerging as D-Day for embattled 74-year-old MIC president, Datuk Seri S. Samy Vellu.That is when he has been told he must leave, in more ways than one – obliquely, politely and even roughly to his face.But the veteran politician is holding on against all odds and wants to stay another year — or at least until September 2011 — to give time for him and his cabal to presumably re-organise the party and hand over power to his chosen successor.

Hindraf: Police most corrupt organisation in Malaysia

The Malaysian police comes under severe bashing in the Hindraf Human Rights Report 2009 that was presented to the United Nations in Geneva last week. The ad hoc human rights movement, led by London-based P Waythamoorthy (right), labels the police as the most corrupt organisation in Malaysia. It attributes this state of affairs to allegations that the powers-that-be expect the force to do its unlawful bidding, in return for looking the other way on police corruption.

PM's approval rating at record high

Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak's approval rating has hit a record high at 72 percent, up from 69 percent in April, according to independent pollster Merdeka Centre. The highest approval rating was noted among Indian respondents (80 percent), followed by Malays (77 percent) and Chinese (58 percent). The upward trend in Najib's approval rating was consistent for all three races since Merdeka Centre began gauging his popularity in March last year.

Kaum India pertaruh nasib kepada RMK-10

9 JUN — Lebih dua juta masyarakat India di negara ini sekali menaruh harapan dan keyakinan tinggi terhadap kepemimpinan Perdana Menteri, Datuk Seri Najib Razak apabila membentangkan Rancangan Malaysia Ke-10 (RMK-10) di Parlimen esok.Dalam erti kata lain, mereka sebut “Puthiya Nampikai”, yang bermaksud “harapan baru” dalam bahasa Tamil.

Outlawed Hindraf to hold inaugural convention

GEORGE TOWN: The Hindu Rights Action Force's (Hindraf) inaugural national convention in August will revisit the alleged marginalisation of the Malaysian Indian community. It will bring into the spotlight Barisan Nasional’s perceived discrimination of the community and Pakatan Rakyat’s failure in delivering on its promise to the Indians.Similar to its historic rally on Nov 25, 2007, the August convention is expected to attract, not only the nation but also global attention on the perceived violation of the community’s basic human rights in the country.

Poll shows discontent over Aminulrasyid case

Nearly 60 per cent of respondents in a new poll by Merdeka Center were dissatisfied with the police handling of the April shooting of a 14-year-old-boy in Shah Alam.Aminulrasyid Amzah created headlines when he was shot in the head following a car chase with the police on April 26. The shooting sparked outrage nationwide and anger over the incident had also spilled over into cyberspace.

Witness: Handcuffs worn by Kugan not found

The Petaling Jaya Sessions Court was told that the handcuffs placed on A Kugan's wrists throughout the police interrogation could not be found after the detainee was reported dead at the police station in January last year.ASP Mohd Marzuki Mohd Mokhtar, 32, said he too did not know where the key to the handcuff was and confirmed that he had no further knowledge on the matter.

MAIS rubbished MyKad, court told

SHAH ALAM: Selangor religious officers behaved rudely when trying to claim the remains of a Christian who had converted to Islam and later renounced it, a daughter of the deceased told the Shah Alam High Court today. Mary Rayappan was testifying at the hearing of a suit her family has brought against the Selangor Islamic Council (MAIS). They are claiming RM12 million in damages, saying they were traumatised by their tussle with the religious authority over the remains of Rayappan a/l Anthony.

'Ghost' of Altantuya stuns Hishammuddin

KUALA LUMPUR: An opposition MP left Home Minister Hishammuddin Hussein momentarily stunned when he asked him how travel records of murdered Mongolian translator Altantuya Shaariibuu was erased from the Immigration Department records in 2006.

GAS to release VCD on why Samy Vellu must go

Leaders of the Gerakan Anti-Samy Vellu (GAS) said the movement will soon release a 30-minute VCD on why MIC chief S Samy Vellu must step down sooner rather than later.Thousands of copies of the VCD - in both Tamil and English - will be distributed to Indians and other members of the public within two weeks, they told a press conference in Petaling Jaya this afternoon

Let he who is without sin stone Samy

KUALA LUMPUR: Let he who is without sin cast the first stone, said the Lord Jesus Christ to a group of Pharisees who caught a woman in the act of adultery and had reminded the prophet that under Mosaic Law she should be stoned to death.This is hardly a case of biblical equivalence, but the moral of the story remains the same. There are now many bent on stoning MIC president S Samy Vellu, whose sins, according to his accusers, range from corruption to tyranny.

Second GAS rally delayed

PETALING JAYA, June 8 — A second rally against MIC president Datuk Seri S. Samy Vellu in Klang on June 13 has been postponed for another three weeks.But leaders of the Anti-Samy Vellu Movement, better known by its Malay acronym GAS, said they may spring a surprise rally elsewhere in the meantime.

ISA amendment to be tabled in July

The Home Ministry is expected to table amendments to the Internal Security Act 1960 (ISA) and two other acts in Dewan Rakyat next month.Deputy Home Minister Abu Seman Yusop said the two acts are the Dangerous Drugs Act (Special Preventive Measures) 1985 and Emergency Ordinance (Public Order and Prevention of Crime) 1969.

PM: The world must act against Israel

Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak's emergency parliamentary motion to condemn Israel's attack on a Gaza-bound humanitarian aid flotilla has called on the international community to act against the Zionist regime for war crimes.The motion urged the international community, particularly Turkey - whose nationals comprised the majority of the nine people killed last week - to initiate legal action against Israel.

DPM: Volunteers ready to testify before ICC

SEPANG: Deputy Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin said he was confident the 18 Malaysian volunteers who took part in the humanitarian aid mission to Gaza last week were ready to testify about Israel's actions against their peace flotilla before the International Criminal Court (ICC) at The Hague.

Hasmy Agam named Sukaham chairman

KUALA LUMPUR, June 7 — Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak tonight announced the appointment of new members of the Malaysian Human Rights Commission (Suhakam) with Tan Sri Hasmy Agam becoming the new chairman.

Mugilan slams MIC leaders for linking MCA over GAS

KUALA LUMPUR: Former deputy MIC Youth chief V Mugilan, who was sacked from the party for being “disloyal”, today slammed MIC leaders for, first, linking Umno and now MCA to his Gerakan Anti-SamyVellu (GAS) movement. “It is stupid to point fingers and blame others for decisions that GAS takes.

Ex-PKR MPs form Independent bloc

KUALA LUMPUR, June 7 — Five ex-PKR-turned Independent MPs today announced the formation of an Independent Consensus (Konsensus Bebas) in Parliament, in a move that could benefit Barisan Nasional (BN) because of their animosity toward Pakatan Rakyat (PR).Bayan Baru MP Datuk Seri Zahrain Hashim, Nibong Tebal MP Tan Tee Beng, Bagan Serai MP Mohsin Hj. Samsuri, Kulim-Bandar Baharu MP Zulkifli Noordin and Wangsa Maju MP Wee Choo Keong said that the consensus will be a ”third force” whereby it offers “the rakyat an effective voice in Parliament.”

Kamalanathan and Wong sworn in

Two new members of Parliament were sworn in today as the Dewan Rakyat resumed its second season and 12th sitting of the year today. Hulu Selangor's P Kalamanathan (BN) and Sibu's Wong Ho Leng (DAP) took their oaths before Dewan Rakyat speaker Pandikar Amin Mulia.

Six M'sians on board seized Rachel Corrie released

Six Malaysian peace activists aboard the seized Gaza-bound aid ship MV Rachel Corrie were released by Israel at the King Hussein Bridge on the Israel-Jordan border at 5.20pm Malaysian time today.
The Malaysian volunteers on the humanitarian aid vessel to Gaza consisted of Parit Member of Parliament Mohd Nizar Zakaria,

Mugilan to sue Tamil daily over 'Anti MIC' claim

Former MIC leaders V Mugilan and G Kumar Amman are taking issue with Tamil Nesan Daily for reporting his Gerakan Anti-Samy Vellu (GAS) movement as the “MIC Anti Group” on the front page, with pictures of the duo crossed out.In a joint press statement today, Mugilan (left) stressed that they were against only “the individual and his outmoded leadership, not the party which we are still very (much) part and proud of.”

India tells Penang DCM: Stay out!

NEW DELHI – Tamil Nadu state police hope Penang Deputy Chief Minister II P Ramasamy will keep away from the upcoming World Tamil Conference in India because he is seen as a sympathiser of the Tamil Tigers.
The meeting in Coimbatore in Tamil Nadu from June 23 to June 27 is expected to draw hundreds of delegates from India and outside. Home Ministry sources say the police force is against Ramasamy's participation.

Major changes to MIC in six months, says Samy Vellu

KAJANG: Major changes are expected to take place in the MIC in the next six months, including an overhaul of the party’s machinery, party president S Samy Vellu said today. Without elaborating on the changes, the MIC supremo said he was determined to hand over a stable party with an efficient and effective machinery to his successor.

Dr M wants Samy out, but mum on Taib

Former prime minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad thinks that MIC president S. Samy Vellu should quit his post altogether and vamoose "if he knows what's good for him".The only reason he gave is that he  is no longer in government and neither are the others who were once with him. So, by this simplistic logic, Samy should do the same disappearing act as well and not unnecessarily clutter Mahathir's neat picture of the world.

Hindraf lodges UN complaint against Putrajaya

Hindraf will actively lobby several countries to grill Malaysia when its human rights record comes up for review next year at the UN Human Rights Council (UNHRC) in Geneva, Switzerland. These countries include Israel and Germany, which reportedly fiercely criticised Malaysia during the last Universal Periodic Review in February 2009. “The Malaysian government must be held accountable for the unfulfilled promises and pledges it made last year,” said Hindraf chairperson P Waythamoorthy (right). “A little more than six months remains for the next review,” he added.

Palanivel's new post good for Indian community, says Samy

MIC president S Samy Vellu has described the appointment of his deputy, G Palanivel, as Deputy Plantation Industries and Commodities Minister as a golden opportunity that could help the Indian community.
He said this was important for them as the majority lived and worked in estates.

Israeli flag burned over flotilla raid

Some 5,000 Malaysians including opposition leader Anwar Ibrahim rallied Friday outside the US embassy where the Israeli flag was burned in protest over the Gaza aid flotilla raid.Protesters from both the ruling party and the opposition alliance yelled slogans and waved banners after marching from a Kuala Lumpur mosque, virtually closing down the main thoroughfare the embassy is situated on.Some demonstrators burned the Israeli flag while others brandished posters that said "Destroy America, Destroy Israel - Long Live Islam" and "Allah will destroy you Israel".

'NEM, Dr M stumbing blocks to cabinet revamp'

PUTRAJAYA: Prior to the cabinet reshuffle, speculation was rife that several big names, including from Umno, would be axed because Prime Minister Najib Tun Razak wanted a tighter, cleaner and leaner cabinet to work towards redeeming Barisan Nasional's glory in the next general election.However, the reshuffle failed to live up to expectations.Apart from the exclusion of former MCA president Ong Tee Keat and the inclusion of several new faces from MIC and MCA, it was nothing more than a tweaking exercise.

Aussie expert: I'm hamstrung without documents

The defence in the Anwar Ibrahim sodomy trial has applied for the supply of all clinical notes, reports, materials, specimens and other notes put up by the three Hospital Kuala Lumpur doctors.It also wants the complete medical history of the alleged victim, Mohd Saiful Bukhari Azlan, compiled during his examination at the hospital.In addition, the lawyers want the prosecution to hand over the standard sexual assault equipment and kits used in the examination.

Sacked CWC member: Why I decided to appeal my sacking

PETALING JAYA: MIC central working committee member G Kumar Aamaan today went to great lengths to explain to his supporters his reason for appealing against his sacking from the party. Kumar who was sacked on May 24 along with KP Samy, another CWC member, for urging party president S Samy Vellu to step down from his post, was given 14 days to appeal.

MACC quiet on Bala interview offer

The Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) is keeping everyone guessing on whether or not it will take up the offer to interview private investigator P Balasubramaniam in London next month.MACC investigation director Mustafar Ali said they will announce their decision in due time, without elaborating any further.“I try to focus on my press conference today, on givers (of bribes). I believe if I were to mention PI Bala, it's going to be highlighted tomorrow,

PM’s cabinet tweak unimpressive, analysts say

KUALA LUMPUR, June 4 — Two new ministers and four new deputy ministers take their oaths of office today but Datuk Seri Najib Razak’s move to appoint those who lost in Election 2008 to the executive have not impressed political analysts.Three of the newly appointed deputy ministers had to take their oath as senators first, to be part of a wider reshuffle in Najib’s Cabinet tweak, his first since taking power in April 2009. His Cabinet now has three senators as full ministers while 11 senators are deputy ministers.

Defence's cross-examination of HKL doc put off

The controversial sodomy trial is to resume today with the defence team cross-examining Hospital Kuala Lumpur surgical specialist Dr Mohd Razali Ibrahim. Dr Mohd Razali had testified yesterday that the four cotton swab samples taken showed signs of semen.The defence will be assisted by forensic expert Dr David Wells, an associate professor in criminology at the University of Melbourne, who arrived from Australia yesterday. Dr Wells is division head of clinical forensic medicine at the Victorian Institute of Forensic Medicine.

Key posts for Zaid, Jui Meng in PKR reshuffle

KUALA LUMPUR, June 4 — PKR is likely to appoint Datuk Zaid Ibrahim and Datuk Chua Jui Meng to key posts within the national leadership, as the party seeks to widen its appeal ahead of the next general election.The two former Barisan Nasional heavyweights currently hold no posts within PKR apart from their role in the party’s powerful political bureau. Zaid, who lost the Hulu Selangor by-election, now leads the Pakatan Rakyat secretariat working to formalise the coalition between PKR, DAP and PAS.

Semen find a Bollywood drama, says Anwar

Opposition leader Anwar Ibrahim, facing his second sodomy trial in 12 years, pointed out that today's testimony by a Hospital Kuala Lumpur (HKL) doctor that a semen sample was found in his accuser's anus could be challenged.He also painted a picture that the DNA specimen recovered or whatever semen sample found could have been planted.Anwar revealed that Australian forensic specialist Dr David Wells had described the procedures employed by HKL to be irregular."The doctor did say on assumption of the discovery of semen [...] all this is based on assumption on this and that. He only said 'this is our conclusive finding' but on the assumption of the presence of the semen sample," said Anwar (right).

KJ: Thanks for support, but please zip it

Umno Youth chief Khairy Jamaluddin has urged his supporters in the youth wing to stop commenting on his exclusion from the new cabinet lineup and concentrate on their duties.“Thank you for trying to show support but just do your work and don't get sidetracked by this," Khairy (left) told Malaysiakini.“I hope that everyone respects the Prime Minister's vision with regards to the change in cabinet and I don't want to hear any comments from Umno Youth leaders,” he added.

Woman dies in fire as BHP staff refuse to loan fire extinguisher

When a Perodua Myvi caught fire this morning on Jalan Cheras, bystander Teo Chai Yong rushed to a nearby BHP petrol station for help. He little expected that his request for a fire extinguisher would be refused by the two BHP staff on duty and as his pleas fell on deaf ears, the Myvi’s female driver died as the car burned.

Rafidah defends Samy Vellu, calls detractors ‘ungrateful’

KUALA LUMPUR, June 3 — A veteran Umno leader has broken the party’s silence over the fiasco surrounding MIC party president Datuk Seri S. Samy Vellu by calling his detractors “ungrateful” and lacking in grace.Tan Sri Rafidah Aziz, who used to sit in the Cabinet with Samy Vellu for decades before the 2008 general elections, has come out in full support of the party president and urged all quarters to respect his exit plan.

By picking Palanivel, isn't Umno apologizing to Samy Vellu

The recently-launched Gerakan Anti-Samy Vellu movement to dislodge the long-standing MIC president will fail “as sure as the sun will rise”, Indian leaders believe.“Whatever GAS, methane, propane or rocket fuel they use, Samy will stay put and Umno will have to continue to bow to him and his terms,” Padang Serai MP N Gobalakrishan told Malaysia Chronicle.

Stop the fighting, says Ampang division to Mugilan

KUALA LUMPUR: The Ampang MIC division has thrown its support behind embattled party president S Samy Vellu, saying Gerakan Anti-SamyVellu (GAS) was redundant.Division information chief S Puvendhiran said Samy Vellu's exit was now a non-issue and continued rallies were unnecessary.He was referring to GAS’s proposed gathering in Klang on June 13.

Karpal: The semen could be anybody's

A doctor who examined the young man accusing Opposition Leader Anwar Ibrahim of sodomy testified today there was evidence of sexual penetration even though he found no injuries.Anwar, a former deputy premier who was sacked and jailed on separate sex and corruption counts a decade ago, has insisted the charges have been concocted in a conspiracy to end his political career.

'We didn't tell Kapar MP not to attend inquiry': MACC

The Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) has denied that it stopped Kapar MP S Manikavasagam from attending an inquiry by the Selangor Select Committee on Competency, Accountability and Transparency (Selcat) into a case on sand theft.

Sodomy II: HKL doc testifies, semen found on swabs

Anwar claims he was meeting with people in the unit next to the one where Saiful had testified that the opposition leader propositioned him for sex after he delivered a document.

Unholy Perkasa ties: 'Have the guts to quit UMNO

GEORGE TOWN: A human rights leader today challenged Barisan Nasional component parties to leave the federal ruling coalition over Umno’s unholy political alliance with the Malay supremacist NGO, Perkasa.

The Hindu Rights Action Force (Hindraf) supremo P Waythamoorthy said it would be politically correct if the other 12 BN component parties take Umno to task for its shameful link with the racist Perkasa.

Make Khairy a minister, says Sabah Umno Youth

Sabah Umno Youth has urged premier Najib Abdul Razak to seriously consider a cabinet post for the movement's national chief Khairy Jamaluddin. Sabah Umno Youth chief Azman Ruslan said Najib's decision to overlook Khairy for a cabinet position can erode the youth support for the Barisan Nasional. "The youth wing chief (right) must be given recognition," said Azman when contacted.

Man wants police to probe son's death in Kluang prison

JOHOR BARU: A man today asked the police to carry out detailed investigation into the death of his son, R Aruljothi, 24, who was said to have hanged himself while in custody at the Kluang prison in January.
P Regispran, 59, said until today he was not satisfied with the cause of his son's death because his son had never complained of any problem since being detained at the prison in September 2008.

Najib: I won't join anti-Israel procession

PETALING JAYA: Prime Minister Najib Tun Razak today said that he would not be joining a procession and "round-table" conference on Friday organised by the opposition to protest the Israeli assault on the Gaza-bound aid ships on international waters.

PM to solve PSD scholarship, matriculation woes

PUTRAJAYA: Prime Minister Najib Tun Razak will resolve the controversy over the awarding of the Public Service Department (PSD) scholarship, especially the overseas programme, and the entry into matriculation programme in local universities, said MIC vice-president Dr S Subramaniam today.

GAS predicts Samy's axe to fall on Palanivel

PETALING JAYA: The Gerakan Anti-Samy Vellu (GAS) movement believes that the MIC president is now sharpening his axe to slay deputy president G Palanivel. Their prediction is based on Palanivel's appointment as a deputy minister for plantation industries and commodities, which they noted did not reflect MIC's hierachy.Speaking at a press conference here this morning, GAS leaders V Mugilan and KP Samy said the new appointment was contrary to what Samy Vellu had said in the past.

Brother-in-law says Saiful's testimony misleading

 A 27-year-old man today refuted a testimony by Mohd Saiful Bukhari Azlan in court earlier this week that he had run away with Saiful's sister.Faez Khairi (right, in photo) said Saiful's sister, Saidati Adha, willingly followed him to southern Thailand and married him."I understand that Saiful had given testimony in court on Monday, where he said Saidati had run away with me and (that) my marriage is illegal."

'Help students, or we'll torch 1M'sia logo'

KUALA LUMPUR: The Human Rights Party (HRP) has warned that it will torch a 1Malaysia logo if the government does not respond to its demand to help the Indian students who scored top marks in the Sijil Pelajaran Malaysia examination.Last Saturday, the party issued a three-day ultimatum to Prime Minister Najib Tun Razak's administration to help the students who have been denied entry into tertiary institutions despite numerous appeals.

Samy will not be target of next GAS attack rally, says organiser

Gerakan Anti-Samy Vellu (GAS) or the anti-Samy Vellu movement will hold off all attacks on MIC president Datuk Seri Samy Vellu until the next planned rally in Klang on June 13. K.P. Samy said he is the chairman of GAS’s rally in Klang but refused to speculate on the possible turnout.“Don’t ask about the crowd, we are small boys... but come and see on that day and judge for yourself. According to the president (Datuk Seri Samy Vellu), we are small boys, small town, and small people.

PM: Tee Yong chosen based on merit

Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak today defended the appointment of Labis MP Chua Tee Yong as deputy agriculture and agro-based industries minister. Najib said that he had screened through a list of potential appointees and found that Tee Yong had fulfilled the criteria to fill the post. “We went through the list, and it doesn't matter that his father is the president (of MCA),” said the premier after his walkabout in SS2, Petaling Jaya .

Mugilan appeals sacking, GAS stops criticising Samy

Former MIC Youth deputy chief V Mugilan said today that he had submitted an appeal against his sacking from the party to MIC's Central Working Committee (CWC)."If my appeal is accepted, I will do my best to serve the MIC and BN."If it is rejected, I will accept it but I won't be joining the opposition," he told a press conference in Petaling Jaya.

Soi Lek defends son, denies deal with Najib

KUALA LUMPUR, June 2 — MCA president Datuk Seri Dr Chua Soi Lek today defended his son’s appointment as deputy minister in yesterday’s Cabinet reshuffle and denied there was any form of nepotism involved or a pre-arranged agreement with the prime minister.Instead, the former health minister claimed that he had submitted Chua Tee Yong’s name to the prime minister for consideration as the latter was one of the only two MPs in MCA who did not have and have never held any government post.

Home alone, elsewhere

LINGGI, June 2 — Teenager Jiegandran Panir Selvam has been grounded. Not by his parents, but by the home ministry.Arrested at 17, he was taken by the police and locked up for 60 days under the Emergency Ordinance before being banished. He was then brought to this sleepy hollow and left to fend for himself for the next two years.“I am a labourer,” Jiegandran told The Malaysian Insider in a low voice.

Cabinet to table motion condemning Israel

The cabinet today resolved to table a motion at the Dewan Rakyat to strongly condemn the attack by Israeli security forces on a ship carrying humanitarian aid for Gaza.The Prime Minister's Office said in a statement that the motion would be tabled on Monday.

Sand mining scandal inquiry starts

SHAH ALAM – A public inquiry on a mining scandal was told that Selangor had managed to control the theft of state land and river banks after setting up Kumpulan Semesta Sdn Bhd (KSSB).
One company monopolised sand mining in the state before 2008 but the monopoly was broken with 28 companies involved in the business now, said executive committee member Yakob Sapari.

Mugilan's Facebook 'hacked': MIC Youth files report

KUALA LUMPUR: MIC Youth information chief S Subramaniam has lodged a police report against Gerakan Anti-Samy Vellu (GAS) leader V Mugilan over the latter's allegation that his Facebook account was hacked.In his report lodged with the Sentul police yesterday, Subramaniam accused Mugilan of attempting to tarnish the MIC leadership's image.

GAS wooing the wrong crowd

KUALA LUMPUR: The Gerakan Anti-Samy Vellu (GAS) movement, which held its first gathering here on Sunday, needs to woo MIC branch chairmen and party divisional delegates, not the Indian community.

The campaign, spearheaded by former MIC Youth deputy chief V Mugilan, should leave the community out of the picture as the aim of GAS is to oust a party leader and not someone elected by the community."Samy Vellu was elected democratically by MIC members. Gathering some 5,000, 10,000 or 15,000 people just does not serve the purpose.

Anti-Samy movement out of gas?

KUALA LUMPUR – The Gerakan Anti-Samy Vellu (GAS) rally on Sunday, aimed at sending MIC president S Samy Vellu a strong message that it was time to step down, failed to achieve that effect, measured by the modest size of the gathering.Instead, Samy Vellu has scored another point against the dissidents who want him to call it a day.While GAS chairman and sacked MIC deputy youth chief V Mugilan (pic) claimed the rally was a success,

New lease of life for Palanivel

KUALA LUMPUR, June 1 — After more than a month after being excluded from contesting in the Hulu Selangor parliamentary by-election, MIC deputy president Datuk G. Palanivel has been given a new lease of life with his appointment as Deputy Plantation Industries and Commodities Minister in a Cabinet reshuffle today.

Tee Keat dropped in Cabinet reshuffle

KUALA LUMPUR, June 1 — Datuk Wira Chor Chee Heung was appointed the new Housing and Local Government Minister while Datuk Seri Kong Cho Ha replaced Datuk Seri Ong Tee Keat as Transport Minister in a minor Cabinet reshuffle today.Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak announced the appointments today, which are seen as a reflection of the recent MCA elections which saw Ong lose the presidency to former Health Minister Datuk Seri Dr Chua Soi Lek.

Walcott left out of final squad

Arsenal's Theo Walcott will not be going to the World Cup in South Africa after England manager Fabio Capello omitted the winger from his final 23-man squad.Walcott scored a memorable hat-trick as England secured a crucial 4-1 World Cup qualifying victory against Croatia in Zagreb, but that was back in September 2008 and he has struggled for form since.