Sabarimala yatra

In Bhagawat Gita, Lord Krishna declared: "The one who loves everyone, treats both pleasure and pain with equanimity, is friendly to all beings, compassionate, ego-less, patient, always contended, self-controlled, determined, and who dedicates his mind and intellect to me is dear to me and is my true devotee.”

Ayyappa Vratham is a set of spiritual exercises to enable one to begin the journey towards becoming a true devotee. The ultimate purpose of Ayyappa Vratham is self-transformation. The process helps the Sadhaks -seekers of the Divine - to realize that we are part of the divinity. For the benefit of new devotees and the next generation of young devotees, in what follows, we describe the importance, significance, and the benefits of Ayyappa Vratham.

Why Observe Ayyappa Vratham?

Ayyappa Vratham is a good entry point to the spiritual world, particularly to those who are used to rituals as the basis for devotion. According to the Sanadhana Dharma, followed in India based on the Vedic traditions, man (jeevaatma) seeking the union with God (paramaatma) is the ultimate spiritual purpose of human life. 

However, there are several margas - pathways-to reach God-Raja Yoga, Bhakti Yoga, Karma Yoga, and Gnana Yoga among others. Ayyappa Vratham probably falls under the Bhakti Yoga but uses elements from other yogic pathways as well. Using devotion to bring out the divinity in human is the aim of Ayyappa Vratham. In under-taking the Vratham, we follow several rituals to signify the transformation of human nature to the divine nature.

Before looking at how Ayyappa Vratham helps us to transform ourselves and go towards Godhood, it will be useful to consider basic definition of Godliness. In practical terms, to have the union with God is to say, that we have godly qualities. What are the main characteristics of Godly qualities? 

God is love and love is God -some will say. God is peaceful - some will say as they seek God to have their own peace. Others will say God is truth and they seek God by seeking truth and or being truthful. And yet others will say that God is righteousness. In observing Ayyappa Vratham we are expected to show love to everyone as God is in everyone, be peaceful with ourselves and with others, be truthful, follow righteousness and of course non-violence.

While opinions vary on how one sees God, everyone will agree that God is more powerful than man is. This is partly because God can control the nature both internal and external, better than man can. 

External nature is the elements like earth, wind, rain, sun etc. Internal nature of man is the qualities that man is not in full control yet strives, as a spiritual seeker, or a Sadhak to have control over the senses. 

In observing Ayyappa Vratham we try to have this internal control so we can go towards attaining godly qualities. In essence, Ayyappa Vratham is a "dress rehearsal" for preparing ourselves to be in union with God himself by surrendering his thoughts, words, and deeds and leading an austere life. In other words, cleansing oneself of all impurities.

A Journey Towards God

Human birth is the most important and difficult to attain of all living creatures. To be born as human is in itself a blessing. The desire to reach God using this human form is another blessing bestowed on us by God. With both human form and the desire to go towards Him, we need a marga to reach God. 

In Vedic philosophy and in Sanadhana Dharma there are many ways to seek union with God. Ayyappa Vratham and the journey to Sabarimala is one,and perhaps, the most realistic way to reach him in this Kali yuga. In order to reach union with God, through any marga, we need to observe basic discipline in life. Ayyappa Vratham trains us to follow this discipline.

Guruswami: In Vedic samparadhya, to reach God we need the guidance of Guru. Guru is one who has been there and done that. Guru is one who can guide us, monitor our transformation and correct the mistakes we make on the way to attaining union with God . 

Thus, submission to Guru-swami is the key. Humility and humbleness is a hallmark of a Sathvic person. Ayyappa Vratham teaches us to be in submission to Guru and to fellow devotees. We consider Lord Ayyappa as Guru of all the Guruswamies.

41 Days of Mandala Vratham: Ayyappa Vratham observed for 41 days amounts to one mandalam period. This is the most essential first step to make the pilgrimage to Sabarimala. The idea is to follow the discipline continuously for a certain period so that it becomes habit. 

As they say, discipline on a daily basis forms the good habit; good habit forms good character and good character determines our destiny. During this Vratham period, we attain basic purity of body, mind and spirit which is necessary for any devotional effort. 

Before starting the Vratham, we take permission from parents, seek the guidance of a Guruswami, and ask his permission and take permission from our Kuladeivam, family deity for blessings and protection.

Mudra or Thulasi Mala

Ayyappa Vratham is initiated with the invocation of God through adornment of the Thulasi mala. Lord Ayyappa is called Manikandan as the King Rajasekara Pandiyan found Him in the forest as a baby with manimala around his neck. Wearing Mudra mala symbolizes beginning of the Vratham. 

Mudramala reminds the devotee that he is God himself and to others it indicates that the devotee is in Vratham. The Mudra mala is removed when the Vratham is over after 41 days and after the devotee has the dharshan of Lord Ayyappa climbing 18 steps with the irumudikettu on his head.

Colour Dhothi or Mundu: During the Vratham, the devotee lives like a Sanyasi and adorns black,blueor Sefton colour clothes as the all colour mentioned above denotes detachment from worldly things. There is no desire for dressing up.They do not cut hair, shave facial hair nor cut nails during the 41 days. 

The effort is made towards keeping oneself clean. Hence, they take bath twice a day both in the morning and in the evening before the prayers during which the devotees try to chant 108 namas or saranams.

A key essential of Ayyappa Vratham is the Sathvic lifestyle

Simply put it is lifestyle of a sadhu. Sadhus keep their body, mind and soul clean, eat vegetarian food, and refrain from any bodily or mental pleasures and constantly think of God. Learning to lead a Sathvic life is a first step to recognize the devotional path. We do not hurt anyone by word, deed, or thought. 

Sathsang - Association with godly people helps in maintaining Sathvic lifestyle. Ayyappa congregations are a unique opportunity to associate with other Ayyappans who are also in Vratham and share the knowledge and experience. 

Devotees see each other as Ayyappan himself and see God in every other creature. This association with other devotees is important for going through the daily tribulations in life as well. In sum, they withdraw themselves from worldly affairs except for serving God and their fellow human beings and paticipate in spiritual activities like satsangh, prayers and bhajans. An essential part of Ayyappa Vratham is brahmacharyam. 

This is to not only keep our body and mind clean, but needed as basic requirement to get way from materialistic world. Brahmacharyam also helps us to conserve and concentrate all our physical energy and translate it to spiritual energy. We treat every woman as our mother during the Vratham.

Namasmaranam or saying "Swami Saranam" is important aspect of Ayyappa Vratham. "Swami Saranam" -Surrendering everything to God - is the moola manthram and moksha manthram of Ayyappa devotees. Some consider saying Swami Saranam is so powerful that it is equivalent to chanting Veda. 

Thinking about God all the time and chanting his name is a sure way towards God. It is also recommended as the easiest way to godliness. Yet in our daily life it is not often that we chant God’s name consciously. 

When devotees wear Mudra mala, they are often reminded if not all the time that they are to call his name all the time. They say "Swami Saranam" before starting and ending a conversation with anyone. 

This is another way to remember his name and at the same time to see God in others. In fact, they say Swami Saranam whenever their thought takes them away from the thought of God or when a distraction comes in the way or when they make a mistake during the Vratham. 

This is not only to ask forgiveness but also to remember God all the time. Therefore, Namasmaranam is the way of life when the devotees are in the Ayyappa Vratham. This, indeed, needs to continue forever by all of us even when we are not in Vratham as Vratham is only a rehearsal period for how we should actually lead our life as a devotee of Ayyappa.

Namasangeerthanam is another way to chant God's name and remember God by singing his glory. Music has a tendency to to be etchedin our minds for days after we hear it. Hence, we should hear lots of bhajans, and songs that praise God so that they will always keep ringing in our heads and are better than any other meaningless music. By joining a group that sings Bhajans, we cultivate a habit of regular praying. Ayyappa Bhajans are regularly conducted in devotees homes and temples, which are the only places Ayyappa devotees, visit during the Vratham period.

Practice of reduction and eventual removal of kama, krotha, mada, maathsarya, lobha, moha is another key objective of Ayyappa Vratham. These are considered enemies of a spiritual man. Ayyappa Vratham is also an opportunity to practice moderation. Removal of desire, attachment to sensory world, yearning to harm or cause ruin to others, jealousy, and ego is the path to liberation from the cycle of birth and death. Ayyappa Vratham helps in avoiding these six obstacles.

lrumudikettu and journey to Sabarimala: At the end of the 41 days of Vratham period, we prepare irumudi to take it to the temple and dedicate it to Swami. The two bags represent the paavams and the punniyams each we have earned with our worldly activities and we surrender it to God and attain freedom from all Karmas good and bad.

As Lord Krishna declared in Bhagawat Gita and believed by ancient hindu sages, periodic fasts or vrathams purify the human mind and body. By adhering to an austere way of life observing tapas, observing daily prayers (in the morning and evening), participating in Sathsang and house pujas, doing community service through annadhanam, visiting temples regularly, imbibing in the spiritual literature, showing love and compassion to everyone and avoiding the six spiritual enemies as mentioned above, man trascends his earthly limitations and changes for the better.

Fans thrilled as superstar Rajinikanth lands in M’sia

Malaysian fans of Tamil movie star Rajinikanth are thrilled to bits to learn he is in Malaysia after social media went abuzz with news, pictures and videos of the superstar arriving at Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA) at 5.45pm yesterday.

The much-loved actor is here with a film crew to shoot the gangster movie “Kabali”, most of which will be done in Malacca.

According to the Indian Express, the film is directed by Pa Ranjith and will feature Rajinikanth in the lead role, playing a gangster said to be based on a real life don.

Rajinikanth’s supporting cast includes Radhika Apte, Kalaiarasan and Dhanshikaa in what the news portal described as “important roles” with the latest addition being actress Ritwika, last seen in the director’s Tamil drama “Madras.”

The movie, Rajinikanth’s 159th film to date, is produced by Kalaipuli S Thanu and expected to hit the screens on April 15, 2016.

Source : http://www.freemalaysiatoday.com/category/nation/2015/10/27/fans-thrilled-as-superstar-rajinikanth-lands-in-msia/

Crown prince raps FAM for scoring own goals against nation

After the recent 10-0 drubbing at the hands of UAE, Malaysian football has landed under the microscope.

Early this week, disgruntled fans forced the match with Saudi Arabia at the Shah Alam Stadium to be cancelled after flares and fireworks were thrown onto the pitch.

Though the fans were criticised, Johor crown prince Tunku Ismail Sultan Ibrahim said it is the Football Association Malaysia (FAM) which has embarrassed the nation for more than three decades, since the time of the former president.

FAM was previously led by Pahang ruler Sultan Ahmad Shah. The association is currently under the leadership of his son and crown prince, Tengku Abdullah (photo), who has since announced that he would relinquish the post.

In an interview posted on the Johor Southern Tigers football team Facebook page, Tunku Ismail said: "Even though I am strongly against the behavior of the fans, I understand their frustrations as the governing bodies never made the efforts to change and improve Malaysian football."

"This is because FAM's biggest problem is that it is run by people who have no clue about football and they are there for their own personal interests.

"In regards to the media reports on fans, I have a message to certain journalists. I know that FAM employs certain journalists to cover stories on the team when they are overseas. I also know when they do follow the team, these journalist are given free airfare, pocket money as well as money for shopping.

"So to those journalists, please stop sucking up to FAM and put the blame on the fans and labeling them as the destroyers of Malaysian football. FAM is the reason the country's football is in shambles," he added.

To another question on what he would do should be become FAM president, the Johor prince said topping the list would be to "clean up every single mess".

"After 31 years, I may need to take one year to do the cleaning up," he added.

'FAM needs right people'

Secondly, Tunku Ismail (photo) said, he would employ the right people who can contribute to football, not only in FAM but in all its affiliates.

He added that those who make the cut must be dedicated and passionate in wanting to improve football.

"We also have to improve the national team. We can't have the NFDP (National Football Development Programme) coming up and choose to neglect the national team and abandon the players while we wait for the NFDP to flourish in the future.

"You have to fix the problem at hand now. Remember 50 percent of something is better than 100 percent of nothing. So get a foreign coach for the national team now while we wait for our youth to develop and flourish in the future," he argued.

Third on the list for Tunku Ismail is to improve all Malaysian football competitions.

"When you improve competition, leagues become more competitive and this will indirectly make the national team perform better," he said.

Fourth, which the crown prince cited as the most important, is youth development and football infrastructure development.

"Education and the upbringing in football is very important. So I would urge all teams participating in the country to invest more in their youth development and upgrade football infrastructure.

"I can assist them to do this by giving 80 percent of their broadcasting rights to the teams participating in our tournaments.

"Whatever they make from their sponsorships is a bonus for them. Currently, FAM absorbs 100 percent of he broadcasting rights they received from Astro," he said.

'Prioritise local players over foreigners'

Tunku Ismail said he would also urge all teams participating in the country to spend wisely and priority should be given to local players.

"Today we see several teams struggling to pay their players because they prioritise the foreigners,” he pointed out.

Fifth, Tunku Ismail said, the referees should be under an independent body and not under FAM, to avoid conflict of interest.

"Sixth, I would also work hand in hand with the authorities such as MACC and the police to avoid corruption altogether, including football officials, players and referees around the country. It would be tough, but we have to do it," he added.

Despite outlining his plans, Tunku Ismail however stated he was not the right man for the job.

"I believe I made a statement before this that I wasn't interested in being president of FAM. If they would have me there, I hope they can change the constitution of FAM. You must understand the people there are elected members. Most of them are there for the wrong reasons and not there for football.

"How can I work like this? In Johor for instance, I have total control from the high ranks all the way to the bottom. In FAM, I may be sitting together at the same table with those I can't work with and I can't kick them out as they are all elected.

"The whole country knows that I am very direct. I prefer to be direct than diplomatic. I prefer the man who handles FAM to be impartial, neutral and do not display any favoritisms towards any teams participating in the country and obviously not corrupt.

"To my fellow Johoreans and the Malaysian people. Unlike some people, I am not suitable to be FAM president. It is because of one reason and one reason only. I love Johor, and I would always be biased should there be any issues associated with Johor.

"Therefore, because of this conflict of interest, I am not the right candidate to take over," he added.

Source :  https://www.malaysiakini.com/news/311962#ixzz3lPpUCQC6

100 not out for champion of Malayalee community

Anthony Cruz Pereira, one of the founding members of the All Malaysia Malayalee Association (AMMA), is looking forward to celebrating his 100th birthday with family and friends on September 13.


The AMMA patron was one of the instrumental figures helping to form the society for the welfare of the Malayalee Catholic community in Malaysia.

Despite wearing a hearing aid and loss of his sight, Pereira was upbeat on the plans for his birthday bash that will be held on Saturday September 12, a day before his actual birthday.

I’m excited to see my niece and nephews that have come from as far as Australia. I will also be donning a white suit for the occasion,” he said.

Pereira fondly remembers how the society started from humble beginnings in 1954, when they used to visit the Malayalee communities around the country.

“The association was formed all over Malaysia. We use to help the Malayalee community by providing tuition for poor children.

We also taught them how to read and write in Malayalam,” he said. His daughter Susan Periera said that as recognition for his efforts, her father was given a standing ovation at the association’s first annual delegates’ conference at the Hotel JayaPuri in 1975.

 “My father was also given a garland by former Sarawak chief minister Tan Sri Abdul Taib Mahmud, and presented a golden shawl and garland by then-MIC Deputy President Datuk S. Subramaniam in Seremban,” she said, adding that he was active in the association till the late 1980s.

 “The society was formed in 1958, which was known as the Malayalee Catholic Welfare Society of Malaysia. My father was the founding secretary and later he went on to become the president,” she said.

Susan said that her father was very active in church after his retirement from the National Electricity Board in 1978, now Tenaga Nasional Berhad (TNB).

 “When he retired he dedicated his time to the National Society of St Vincent De Paul (SVDP) of St Joseph’s Church.

They used to visit hospitals and give out groceries to more than 50 poor families every month. He dedicated 22 years’ service to the SVDP until he retired in 2002,” she said. Pereira was born in Cheria Thoppe, Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala, India on September 13, 1915.

He was the only son of Cruz Pereira and Carmel Pereira. He has three sisters Cecelia, Susanna and Victoria.

After having completed his senior secondary school, he joined the Royal Indian Air Force and served his country for two years.

He then moved to Ceylon (now Sri Lanka) and worked in the air force there for a couple of years before moving to Bombay (Mumbai).

Pereira then got married to Josephine Netto at the Church of Eygpt in Santa Cruz, Bombay in 1948. After which, Pereira then uprooted from Bombay and moved to Singapore in 1952.

He worked with ICI there for two years, before moving to Malaya in 1954. He worked in Layola High School in Sentul until he joined the National Electricity Board (TNB) and served until his retirement in 1978.

 Pereira has been blessed with two children Christopher and Susan. His son Christopher got married in 1986 and passed away in 1993, leaving behind wife Merry and daughter Natasha.

His daughter Susan was married to Guna in 1989 and they have three children Michael, Christina and Joshua. Pereira celebrated his golden wedding anniversary in St Joseph’s Church Sentul in 1997, but his wife Josephine passed away in 1999. – September 10, 2015. -


Source : http://www.themalaysianinsider.com/citynews/greater-kl/article/100-not-out-for-champion-of-malayalee-community#sthash.KdYaPP2y.dpuf

No end in sight for MIC conflict

With the two rival MIC factions having chosen their respective presidents, the internal strife engulfing the party looks all set to be a protracted affair.

Dr S Subramaniam won the top party post for the 2013-2016 term unopposed during the presidential nomination last Friday. Eleven days earlier, on Aug 9, G Palanivel was declared head honcho during a separate presidential nomination held by his faction.

Both factions, say political analysts, have justified their actions, and while the Subramaniam-led faction has the backing of the Registrar of Societies (ROS), the other group claims its proceedings are in line with the Societies Act 1966.

The analysts also feel that recourse to the courts appear to be the only means to resolve the current dispute, adding that supporters of both factions should leave it to the court to decide who the rightful president is.

The MIC crisis was triggered after Palanivel and Subramaniam developed differences of opinion over a notice issued by the ROS last Dec 5 directing the party to hold fresh elections. The ROS had also declared the MIC's 2009 central working committee (CWC) as the valid interim CWC, but only for the purpose of conducting new elections.

The crisis escalated when ROS director-general Mohammad Razin Abdullah, in a letter dated June 25, said that Palanivel was no longer an MIC member as per Article 91 of the MIC constitution.

The article stipulates that members who resort to court action without first referring to the CWC will cease to be a member of the party.

(On Feb 24, Palanivel and three others filed judicial review proceedings to quash the ROS directive to the MIC to hold fresh elections. Their application was rejected by the High Court here on June 15, while their appeal against the court ruling was dismissed by the Court of Appeal on July 13. They have now filed an appeal in the Federal Court.)

Someone must go to court

Universiti Sains Malaysia lecturer Asso Prof Sivamurugan Pandian felt that one of the factions may have to go to court to challenge the other faction's presidential nomination and election.

His view was echoed by MIC veteran leader K Vijayanathan, who said: "Somebody must go to the court, unless there is intervention by a neutral party which can mediate and put some sense into them. We can't have two presidents running the party."

Sivamurugan said the conflict between the two factions was likely to continue even after fresh party elections have been conducted due to the presence of two presidents.

"But it's clear that ROS will only recognise one president, that is Subramaniam," he told Bernama recently.

Vijayanathan, who was a CWC member during the 1970s and is now election committee chairperson for the Palanivel camp, said the former natural resources and environment minister was now awaiting the Federal Court's decision on the appeal against the ROS directive to the party to hold fresh elections.

"We've to see what the highest court in Malaysia has to say about ROS issuing such a notice," he said.

Vijayanathan, who is a lawyer by profession, said both factions had flouted the MIC constitution by holding separate presidential nominations and elections.

"The constitution doesn't provide for two presidential elections," he said.

ROS no right to interfere

He also insisted that challenging the ROS directive did not necessarily warrant the termination of party membership of those who took the matter to court.

He agreed, however, that the much-debated Article 91 of the MIC constitution made it clear that internal disputes should be settled within the party and not be taken to court.

"However, my personal view is that the ROS directive runs counter to Section 18B and 18C of the Societies Act 1966 which, when interpreted, states that the ROS has no right to interfere in a political party's internal affairs," explained Vijayanathan.

Section 18B refers to the circumstances under which no election in any political party can be declared invalid, while 18C states that any decision made by a party is final and conclusive and that "such decision shall not be challenged, appealed against, reviewed, quashed or called in question in any court on any ground, and no court shall have jurisdiction to entertain or determine any suit, application, question or proceeding on any ground regarding the validity of such decision".

"It is clear from these provisions under the Societies Act that the ROS cannot issue a directive to MIC to hold fresh elections," said Vijayanathan.

He, however, added that the best way to end the turmoil was for the leaders of both factions to "lay down their arms", resolve the various issues and work at uniting the Indian community.

"Do they want to see a party that is fractured for years to come or do they want a party that is strong? We have lost one cabinet post and if we continue like this, the MIC may lose the sole cabinet post it now has," he warned.

Never ending saga

Vijayanathan also pointed out that the presence of two presidents was creating a great deal of confusion among the party's branch chairmen throughout the country, as most of them have no issues with either Subramaniam or Palanivel.

He also said that the current feud was nothing new as far as the party was concerned as the MIC had a chequered history of similar rivalry between its top two leaders.

"It has been happening since the time the party was established. The first president, John Aloysius Thivy, had problems with Budh Singh in the 1940s. Then when Budh Singh became president, he had some issues with KL Devaser.

"And once Devaser became president, he had problems with VT Sambanthan who, in turn, had problems with V Manikavasagam. He (Manikavasagam) had issues with S Samy Vellu who, as we all know very well, later didn't get along with his deputy S Subramaniam," he related.

Vijayanathan opined that the party's never-ending saga of rivalry could be attributed to the inability of the top leadership to reach a compromise.

Source: Bernama

PM confirms wreckage from MH370

MH370 Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak has confirmed the wreckage found on the South Indian island of Reunion is that of MH370.

"Today, 515 days since the plane disappeared, it is with a heavy heart that I must tell you that an international team of experts have conclusively confirmed that the aircraft debris found on Reunion Island is indeed from MH370.

"We now have physical evidence as I announced last year that flight MH370 tragically ended in the Southern Indian Ocean," he said.

Najib hoped the confirmation would give closure to the families of those who perished in the tragic accident.

"It is hoped that this confirmation no matter how tragic and painful will at least bring certainty to the families and loved ones of the 239 people on board MH370.

"They have our deepest sympathy and prayers," the premier said, adding that the nation mourned with them.

He then assured that Malaysia would do all it can to find out the truth behind the tragedy.

He also thanked all those involved in the search.

Malaysia Airlines also extended its sympathy to the families of the passengers and crew on board the ill- fated flight.

The national airline hoped more parts of the plane can be found to help solve the mystery of the Boeing 777's disappearance.

MH370 dissappeared while flying from Kuala Lumpur to Beijing in the early hours of March 8, 2014.

The plane made a turn back shortly after flying over the east coast, and flew past Penang before disappearing from radar.

A frantic search for the flight initially focused on the South China Sea, before satellite data analysis suggested that the plane crashed in the South Indian Ocean.

A multi-nation search commenced off the western coasts of Australia, but had yet to find anything.

The wreckage found on Reunion is the first solid piece of evidence proving that MH370 did indeed crash in the South Indian Ocean.

Soon after Najib's announcement, French prosecutor Serge Mackowiak confirmed that the wing fragment discovered on the remote island was from a Boeing 777.

However, he stopped short of confirming the flaperon was from MH370, and only said initial test results showed there were "very strong indications" the debris was from the plane.

Mackowiak said confirmation would only come after further tests on the fragment were carried out starting Thursday.


Source : http://www.malaysiakini.com/news/307504

MACC: RM2.6b a donation, not 1MDB funds

The Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) has found that the RM2.6 billion purportedly deposited into Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak's personal banks accounts came from donation.

"The investigation report related to the RM2.6 billion has been referred to the attorney-general.

"Investigations have found the RM2.6 billion which was allegedly deposited into the prime minister's accounts is the contribution of donors and not from 1MDB funds," said the commission in a statement.

MACC's statement comes amidst hints by BN leaders in recent days that the RM2.6 billion might have been donations.

BN strategic communications director Abdul Rahman Dahlan had said that Najib, as Umno president, is allowed by the Umno constitution to act as atrustee for the party.

Following this, Umno supreme council member Azalina Othman said there was nothing wrong with political parties receiving foreign funding.

Najib himself spoke about political funding as well, pledging to disclose Umno's source of funding if DAP did the same.

Three companies in the clear?

Earlier today, PKR secretary-general Rafizi Ramli predicted that Putrajaya might claim that the RM2.6 billion was funded by well-heeled Middle Eastern figures.

Questions about Najib's bank accounts arose from the Wall Street Journal report on July 3.

Quoting Malaysian investigators, WSJ said that RM2.6 billion was traced to Najib's private accounts which have since been closed.

The report claimed that US$681 million was transferred into Najib's bank accounts in two tranches in March 2013, two months before the general election.

The money originated from a Tanore Finance, incorporated in the British Virgin Islands.

The WSJ said another three tranches involving RM42 million were transferred from SRC International into Najib's accounts.

SRC International is owned by the Finance Ministry, which Najib heads.





Source :http://www.malaysiakini.com/news/307196

Former Indian president A P J Kalam dies aged 83

NEW DELHI: India’s former president and top scientist A. P. J. Kalam, who played a lead role in the country’s nuclear weapons tests, died on Monday, a hospital official said. He was 83.

Kalam collapsed during a lecture at a management institute in the northeastern Indian city of Shillong, and was declared dead on arrival by doctors at Bethany hospital.

“We tried to revive him but couldn’t,” John Sailo, the hospital medical superintendent told AFP, without giving further details about the cause of his death.

India declared seven days of national mourning for Avul Pakir Jainulabdeen Abdul Kalam, who served as India’s 11th president between 2002 and 2007, as is standard after the death of a former leader.

His body will be flown to New Delhi on Tuesday, local media reported.

India’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi plaid tribute to Kalam, who was elected to the top post during the previous Bharatiya Janata Party rule, saying he had “always marvelled at his intellect, learnt so much from him”.

“India mourns the loss of a great scientist, a wonderful president and above all an inspiring individual,” his office said in a statement.

An acclaimed scientist and author, Kalam was known as the “people’s president” during his time in office and continued to reach out to young people with his scientific lectures after leaving office.

Home minister Rajnath Singh described him as “an inspiration to an entire generation” in a post on Twitter.

Born to a poor family of boatman in Rameswaram, a coastal town in southern Tamil Nadu state on October 15, 1931, Kalam sold newspapers as a child to help his family financially.

He rose through the ranks to become a top scientist at India’s defence research organisation, where he worked for four decades helping to develop the country’s home grown weapon’s programme, earning him the moniker “India’s missile man”.

He also played a pivotal role in India’s nuclear weapons tests in 1998.

After his presidential term, Kalam returned to academics and regularly delivered lectures at top Indian universities. He also published a best seller autobiography entitled “Wings of fire” in 1999.

Source– AFP

MIC crisis: What injunction, asks Palanivel

KUALA LUMPUR, July 8 — Datuk Seri G. Palanivel has refused to accept a High Court injunction stopping him from carrying out duties as MIC president until he receives a letter from the court.

“I have not been served with any court order or any court document,” he said, adding that he was aware of the injunction obtained against him.

Palanivel said even if he received any court papers, it would not mean he would take it lying down.
“If and when the court papers are served on me, I will obtain legal advice and deal with the matter accordingly,” he said in a statement yesterday.

The High Court granted an injunction on Monday after Ampang Jaya MIC branch chairman Datuk N. Muneandy filed an application on Friday with the consent of the party’s 2009 interim Central Working Committee (CWC).

The order also stops Palanivel from holding gatherings in the party and from approving resolutions on behalf of MIC.

MIC communication and public relations bureau head Datuk Seri S. Vell Paari said Muneandy’s lawyers had been trying to hand over the court documents to Palanivel since yesterday morning.

“They went to his house, his car was there but apparently he was not in, so a family member came out of the house and collected the documents,” he said.

“She identified herself as Palanivel’s wife’s sister.”


Vell Paari said Muneandy’s lawyers received a call from a legal firm representing Palanivel at about 3pm and asked that the documents be sent to their office.



Source : http://www.themalaymailonline.com/malaysia/article/mic-crisis-what-injunction-asks-palanivel

Palanivel's 'CWC' sets its own polls dates

The MIC faction led by G Palanivel has announced their own central working committee (CWC) election dates, slated for September.

This was decided after his committee held a meeting today.

Another faction led by Dr S Subramaniam had announced earlier that the CWC election would be completed by October.

For now, it would appear that MIC is headed towards having two separate annual general meetings and two elections.

Subramaniam claimed that the Registrar of Societies had recognised him as the acting president of MIC and that Palanivel was no longer a party member.

However, Palanivel told reporters today that Subramaniam had taken the letter out of context, but did not elaborate on the matter.

Previously, Palanivel had claimed that the CWC had resolved to suspend Subramaniam's party membership for a year.

MIC's ongoing leadership crisis can be traced back to December last year, when the ROS nulified the results of the 2013 CWC election and ordering fresh elections.

Following this, Palanivel had took the ROS to court to challenge the ROS decision. Subramaniam's faction claimed that Palanivel had automatically ceased to be a party member as Article 91 of the MIC constitution forbids any member from taking party matters to court.


Source : http://www.malaysiakini.com/news/303488

Palanivel calls Subra chicken-hearted

Insisting once again that he is the president of MIC, G Palanivel has launched a broadside on his deputy Dr S Subramaniam, who claims to be the acting number one.

Palanivel also accused Subramaniam of not having the gumption to face him in the party elections.

"Let me make it absolutely clear that I am the president of MIC and there shall be no doubt whatsoever on this.

"I have been a member of MIC since I was 18 years old and there is no way I am going to allow Subramaniam, who is so scared to face me in the elections, to unilaterally and unlawfully claim that I am no longer a member of MIC," he said in a media statement.

Palanivel (photo) also claimed that Subramaniam had "misled" the public to think that the Registrar of Societies (ROS) has recognised that he (Palanivel) is no longer an MIC member as per Article 91 of the MIC constitution and that RoS has attached the list of office bearers of the alleged 2009 Interim Central Working Committee (CWC) of MIC.
 
"From the reading of the letter, it is clear that the letter from ROS  has been taken out of context.

"ROS has merely noted the wrong contents of the letter dated June 17, 2015 sent by Subramaniam and his group to RoS.

"ROS has not made any determination on its own on the application of Article 91 of the MIC constitution. ROS knows that it has no such jurisdiction to interpret the MIC constitution," Palanivel added.

Will take all necessary action

Palanivel also believes that the ROS had attached the list of the alleged office bearers of the 2009 interim CWC purely based on the letter from Subramaniam to the RoS.

“It was not ROS' own conduct of determining who are the lawful office bearers, which is beyond its jurisdiction.

He added that the ROS should not have acknowledged unilaterally whatever Subramaniam and his group had written to them.

“More so when I had on June 16, 2015 written to the ROS immediately to put ROS on notice of the illegality of the notice and the meeting held by Subra on June 16.

Palanivel said he would take “all necessary action” against Subramaniam and, if necessary, also against the ROS to protect his and the party's interests.

“I will not allow third parties to dictate on the internal affairs of MIC. I will not allow people like Subramaniam and his group to pawn MIC's affairs to third parties for their own political agenda,” he said.

The natural resources and environment minister said he had spoken to Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak (photo) and had given his proposals for the elections of the party to be conducted.

“I am awaiting the response of the prime minister who I believe was receptive of my proposals for an amicable resolution,” he said.

Urging party members and leaders not to be disheartened with the current situation, Palanivel also assured them that he was taking all necessary action to undo all the “illegal things” being done by Subramaniam and his group.

“With the overwhelming support of all the members and leaders of MIC who are behind me, we will surely come out of this situation with the integrity and dignity of the party intact,” he said.

The ROS had said that Palanivel was no longer a member of MIC and that Subramaniam is the party's new acting president.

This was stated in a letter from registrar Muhammad Razin Abdullah to the party's CWC that was elected in 2009, which RoS recognises as the party's rightful office-bearers.

The letter also states that Subramaniam has the mandate to lead the CWC in conducting a re-election of the party leadership.


Source : http://www.malaysiakini.com/news/303162

ROS confirms Palanivel is out of MIC

The Registrar of Societies (ROS) has recognised that G Palanivel is no longer a member of MIC and that Dr S Subramaniam is the party's acting president.

This is stated in a letter from ROS to the party's central working committee (CWC) that was elected in 2009, which ROS recognises as the party's rightful office-bearers.

The letter also states that Subramaniam has the mandate to lead the CWC in conduting a re-election of the party leadership.

Palanivel, who was elected party president in 2013, had mounted a legal challenge against a ROS directive to hold the 2013 CEC election again.

This followed complaints from some party members that there were irregularities during the election held in December 2013.

Article 19 of the MIC constitution stipulates that any member who takes party matters to court will automatically lose their party membership.

Palanivel's legal challenge was unsuccessful and the court also denied his application for a stay on the execution of its decision.

The latest correspondence by the ROS means that Palanivel will soon have to step down as a minister in the Prime Minister's Departmentm, since his appointment is based on his membership in MIC as a member of the BN coalition.

Palanivel was acting MIC president since late 2009 and was formally elected to the position in December 2013.

Since the suit was filed on Feb 24, 2015, Palanivel will go down in history as the shortest-lived elected MIC president, having served only 14 months.


Source : http://www.malaysiakini.com/news/303078