Samy Vellu willing to be MIC's dove, but...

Former MIC president S Samy Vellu is offering to be the middleman to broker peace between the rival factions in the party that he once led for three decades.

However, Samy said, he would only assume this role if requested to by Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak, who is also BN chairperson.

"We cannot cross the line and say that we want to be the middleman.

"But if they want me to do so, then I will be the middleman," he told reporters after attending a seminar at Universiti Malaya this morning.

Samy, who is also the government's special envoy on infrastructure to India and South Asia, reminded politicians that they should first think about the plight of the Indians, instead of power.

“I hope the MIC crisis will be resolved as soon as possible because it is not good for the Indian community.

“Politicians should think about the community first, rather than about who will obtain power. Anyone can be in power if they are chosen by the rakyat,” he said.

IGP: We’ll never know why ‘rogue cops’ killed Altantuya

It appears that inspector-general of police Khalid Abu Bakar has joined the long queue of those in the dark about the motive behind the grisly murder of Altantuya Shaariibuu.
 
He broached this issue in response to political analyst Abdul Razak Baginda, who yesterday described the killing of his Mongolian lover as the work of “rogue policemen”.
                       
Razak Baginda (left), who was acquitted of abetting the murder of Altantuya, bolstered his argument by citing cases of police custodial death in an exclusive interview with The Malaysian Insider.
 
However, Khalid stressed that while “rogue elements” existed in all organisations, not all cases of custodial deaths were due to police brutality.
 
“These are only one or two cases (where police caused the death). This happens everywhere. So his blanket statement is unacceptable,” he told Malaysiakini.
 
The police chief was referring to many cases where post-mortem reports revealed the detainees had died of illnesses.      
 
As for the Altantuya murder, Khalid said the long court process ended with the verdict that she was killed by two police commandos, Sirul Azhar Umar and Azilah Hadri, who have since been expelled from the force.
 
“But as many observers pointed out, the court did not determine a motive in the case concerning Altantuya.
 
“Hence, I suppose we will never know why the ‘rogue policemen’ acted as such,” he said.
 
In its 2012 decision, the High Court ruled that the motive for the brutal murder was “not essential” to the case.

DCA declares MH370 crew, passengers presumed dead

The Department of Civil Aviation (DCA) today declared that all 239 passengers and crew on board missing Malaysia Airlines Flight MH370 are presumed to have 'lost their lives'.

DCA director-general Azharuddin Abdul Rahman made the announcement via a live telecast on RTM1 this evening (pix, below).

"It is therefore with the heaviest heart and deepest sorrow on behalf of the Malaysian government, we officially declare MH370 an accident," he said.

However, he added that the search operations for the plane would continue.

MH370, which was en route to Beijing from Kuala Lumpur, went missing last March 8 and its disappearance has been classified as one of modern aviation's greatest mysteries.

Acknowledging that the declaration would be difficult for the loved ones of the passengers and crew, Azharuddin, however, said it was important for families to try to resume their normal lives.

MH370: China wants M’sia to pay compensation

BEIJING: China on Thursday called on Malaysia to fulfill its obligation of compensation to families of MH370 passengers and to continue the search for the plane immediately after Malaysia declared MH370 an accident.

“At this moment of sadness, the Chinese government expresses its deep sorrow for the misery of those on board, and offers its profound sympathies and sincere condolences to their families,” said Foreign Ministry spokesperson Hua Chunying in a statement.

“We call on the Malaysian side to act on the commitments made in the statement (of declaring MH370 an accident), fulfill its obligation of compensation, protect the lawful rights and interests of the families and provide them with support and assistance,” Hua said.

“We also call on the Malaysian side to remain fully committed to the search and investigation efforts and keep the families updated on the latest progress,” Xinhua.net quotes her as saying,

The Chinese government will work closely with the governments of Malaysia and Australia, and will actively participate in the search and investigation efforts, provide the families with all the necessary services and uphold their lawful rights and interests, said Hua.

Malaysian Airlines flight MH370 with 239 people on board, disappeared shortly after taking off from Kuala Lumpur on March 8 en-route to Beijing.

The Director General of the Malaysian Department of Civil Aviation Azharuddin Abdul Rahman announced Thursday that flight MH370 has been declared an ‘accident’.

Source : http://www.freemalaysiatoday.com/category/nation/2015/01/29/china-wants-malaysia-to-pay-compensation-to-mh370-families/

DPM enters MIC fray, PM-Dr M 'another story'

With infighting raging and MIC on the brink of being de-registered, the BN leadership has decided to step in.

The ruling coalition's number two Muhyiddin Yassin, however, balked at making a similar commitment with regard to the ongoing spat between Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak and former PM Dr Mahathir Mohamad.

"That's another story," Muhyiddin replied when asked.

As for MIC, Muhyiddin (left) said he has discussed the matter with Najib and a meeting would be held soon with the component party's senior leaders.

"With the current situation, we need to intervene. I think if left on its own, there doesn’t seem to be a solution," he said, calling for calm between the rival factions.

"So the BN leadership, the prime minister and myself will intervene for the good of the party and BN," Muhyiddin told a press conference today.

MIC 'not focused'

He said the BN leadership was taking the matter seriously as MIC was an important component party in the coalition, which required its support and confidence.

Kin: Don't jump the gun on MH370’s fate

A support group for the kin of those onboard of the Malaysia Airlines flight MH370 which went missing on March 8 last year, has cautioned the government not to “jump the gun” in making any announcements on the fate of the plane, as the search process is still going on.
 
There is talk that the authorities are going to make a major announcement tomorrow on the fate of MH370, which had 239 passengers and crew on board.  
 
It disappeared en route from Kuala Lumpur to Beijing after departing from Kuala Lumpur International Airport around midnight.
 
Voice370, the Association for Families of the Passengers and Crew on Board MH370, said it was baffling that the government could make such an announcement when Phase 1 of the search is still going on.
 
“We, the next of kin of MH370 victims, are perplexed as to why the Malaysian authorities are jumping the gun in wanting to make any announcements, while the search is a long way from completion.
 
“At the very least, we expect them to have the patience to wait for the first phase to be completed,” the group said in a statement today.
 
The group added the Australian based Joint Agency Coordination Centre (JACC) had reassured them that the search in the Southern Indian Ocean is progressing as planned and almost a third of the area has been covered.
 
“They have assured us that there will be no let up until the 60,000 square kilometres targeted under Phase 1 is searched.
 
 “We have stated it before and reiterate it again, that we are prepared for any eventuality, including the fact that our loved ones may never come back.
 
“However, almost all families are unanimous in our stand that we do not want to declare our loved ones dead, without a shred of evidence,” the group said.



Source : http://www.malaysiakini.com/news/287635

Hold fresh elections for all posts, Palanivel told

KUALA LUMPUR: A Central Working Committee (CWC) member P. Kamalanathan suggested fresh elections for all posts including party president and deputy would be the best solution to solve the party crisis.

In a press conference here, he said this solution, in his opinion, would resolve and put a stop to the matter.

“Although it’s not suggested by the Registrar of Society (ROS), this problem must not go on until it damages the 68 year-old party’s image,” he said.

On December 5, the ROS directed the MIC to hold re-elections for the posts of three vice-presidents and 23 Central Working Committee seats within 90 days, following complaints of abuse of power and misconduct during its polls, which contravened the party’s constitution and the Societies’ Act.

The ROS also advised MIC against holding its annual general meeting until the issue was settled.

Kamalanathan who is also the Deputy Minister of Education appealed to the party President G Palanivel to immediately stop all unilateral decisions made by him for the sake of the party and the Indian community.

“The promises made during the December 18 meeting to meet the ROS with his deputy Datuk Seri Dr S. Subramaniam and form a committee, were not kept and the president’s decision has created further rifts.

“I hope Palanivel can call for a meeting to explain to us what is happening. I still trust him and the deputy to solve the problem,” he added.

Asked on proposed Emergency General Meeting to put non-confidence vote against Palanivel, Kamalanathan said the party members still respect the president to manage and solve this on going crisis efficiently.

He also expressed disappointment over an incident this morning whereby two elected office-bearers were denied entry into the MIC headquarters.

Yesterday morning, MIC vice president M Saravanan and Wanita MIC Chief Mohana Muniandy were barred from entering the MIC headquarters by several individuals, believed to be from security companies.

Source: Bernama

Tempers flare as MIC veep barred from HQ

About 20 "thugs" today attempted to stop MIC vice-president M Saravanan from entering the party headquarters to hold a press conference on the party's current crisis.

The men claimed that they were appointed by party president G Palanivel and secretary-general G Kumar Aaman a day before to ostensibly guard the building.

Upon hearing this, some 200 people who accompanied Saravanan to the party headquarters began yelling abuses aimed at Palanivel, including "Palanivel sudah mabuk (Palanivel is drunk)".

The ruckus lasted for about an hour before police forced one of the ring leaders to leave the area and thus dispersing the crowd, including those guarding the entrance.

However, the drama did not end here.

Saravanan's press conference was eventually held 30 minutes later than scheduled, where he received two death threats through the phone.

Saravanan had played the conversation through speakers and allowed the press to listen in.

The caller, speaking in Malay, had threatened to shoot Saravanan.

"Come here then," replied Saravanan nonchalantly. "The reporters want to see you shoot me".

Threats of more protests

During the press conference, Saravanan threatened to organise a march to Palanivel's house should the latter fail to organise an emergency meeting to iron out the party's current problems.

The party has been directed by the Registrar of Societies to hold re-election for all three vice-president's position and 23 central working committee members by mid-February.

However, Palanivel disputing ROS' claims and has not yet indicated that the elections will be held.

Detractors claim that Palanivel is putting the party at risk of deregistration.

"What is wrong with you Palanivel? Do you know what is going on? MIC has been destroyed today and Palanivel's leadership destroyed the party," he said.

He claimed that if the matter is not resolved, he will organise a demonstration comprising 1,000 MIC Youth members, which will involve a march to Palanivel's house.

"Or, I will get 15 CWC members and do my own reshuffle, as it is allowed in the (party) constitution," he said.



Source : http://www.malaysiakini.com/news/287613

Sirul won’t return, says his lawyer

SHAH ALAM: Fugitive Sirul Azhar Umar has told one of his lawyers he will not return to Malaysia for his hanging, according to Sinar Harian.

The Malay daily said it conducted an interview yesterday with lawyer Hasnal Rezua Merican, soon after he had seen his client, who is detained by Australian authorities, apparently for an immigration offence.

Speaking from Sydney, Hasnal said, “Sirul has said he won’t return. Anybody in his situation would not want to return.”

Sirul, along with fellow policeman Azilah Hadri, was sentenced to death last January 13 for the 2006 murder of Mongolian national Altantuya Shaariibuu. Sirul was not in the Federal Court when the sentence was pronounced, having left for Australia last October.

Hasnal said he and Sirul did not discuss the question of extradition. “The issue of extradition has not arisen yet,” Sinar Harian quoted him as saying.

Malaysia is unlikely to be successful if it applies for Sirul’s extradition because Australia has abolished the death penalty.

Hasnal said he discussed with Sirul the question of how to free him from Australian detention, adding that he believed his client had not broken any Australian law. Sirul was arrested in Brisbane on January 21.

Hasnal also said Sirul told him he would not meet or deal with anyone from Malaysia except through his lawyers. His other lawyer is Kamarul Hisham Kamaruddin.

Source : http://www.freemalaysiatoday.com/category/nation/2015/01/28/sirul-wont-return-says-his-lawyer/

Palanivel wields axe after Samy’s derogatory statement

KUALA LUMPUR: MIC President G Palanivel has announced key changes at the State Liaison Committee level, including Ramasamy Muthusamy taking over from him as the Chairman of the Perak State Liaison Committee, hardly 24 hours after former MIC President S Samy Vellu pointed out that “the MIC President is not God”.

Among other changes, Ganesan Arumugam will take over the position of S Sothinathan as the Negeri Sembilan State Liaison Committee Chairman. Sothinathan was a one-time protégé of Samy Vellu.

“Sothinathan has very magnanimously agreed to relinquish his position as Negeri Sembilan State Liaison Committee Chairman, at my request, to concentrate at the national level,” said Palanivel in a statement.

Rajoo Vyraperumal will replace Tapah MP and Deputy Minister of Youth and Sports M Saravanan, known to be close to Samy Vellu, as the new Wilayah State Liaison Committee Chairman.

“Nedunchelian will take over the previous position of Rajoo as the Wilayah State Liaison Committee Deputy Chairman,” said Palanivel. ”Jacob Samuel, as the new Selangor State Liaison Committee Secretary, replaces Parthiban.”

Samy Vellu: The MIC president is not God!

KUALA LUMPUR: Former MIC President Samy Vellu conceded on Tuesday that he was very “afraid” and “worried” for the Malaysian Indian Congress (MIC) in the wake of in-fighting in the party by a “selfish leadership which only will destroy the party”.

Speaking to reporters after the launch of the Nepal Investment Summit 2015 at the Pullman Hotel, Bangsar, Samy Vellu said, “I was there (MIC) for almost 29 years. I respected everybody.”

“The way that things are going now, nobody cares for the party. They only care about themselves,” said Samy Vellu. “My request to the president (G. Palanivel) is, please save MIC.’”

Samy Vellu said that in order to save the party, everyone has to be heard, to reach a consensus for the right, legal way to move forward.

Referring to a recent statement by Palanivel, who declared a recent meeting by MIC Deputy President S. Subramaniam as illegal as it was not sanctioned by him (Palanivel), Samy Vellu chuckled, “I don’t think he understands what he’s doing.”

“As a head of a branch, he (Subramaniam) has the right to attend any meeting. He doesn’t need anybody’s approval.

“The President of MIC is not God, just a man.”

According to Samy Vellu, during his time as president, he faced a lot of disagreements within the party, and meetings as well as press conferences against him were common, but he made it a point to reach out and reconcile with his rivals to seek a common ground.

“That’s politics. It’s to show kindness and to pull them to our side,” he said.

Samy Vellu was also highly critical of the  “hunger strike” by recently appointed Secretary General, G. Kumar Amaan in front of the Registrar of Societies office in Putrajaya.

“He brought shame to MIC.”

He pledged that he would not interfere in MIC affairs and expressed the hope that the next generation of MIC would sort out their differences, “before it’s too late”.

“MIC has the trust of the Indian community, but MIC has not been justifying that trust from the community, with the recent events,” he lamented.

Source : http://www.freemalaysiatoday.com/category/nation/2015/01/27/samy-vellu-the-mic-president-is-not-god/

Najib's silence on MIC fiasco is deafening

ANALYSIS One and a half months after MIC was ordered by the Registrar of Societies (ROS) to conduct re-elections for its central working committee and vice-president posts, the party is yet to show any indication of adhering to the order.

In fact, party president G Palanivel has, until today, refused to acknowledge errors in the 2013 MIC elections, creating a major fallout within the party with people who want the crisis to be resolved quickly.

The fiasco inside

Palanivel had now effectively alienated his own deputy president S Subramaniam, vice-president M Saravanan, and also the current youth chief C Sivaraajh.

The fallout had become so intense that threats of legal action and police reports have been lodged by the warring factions against each other in BN's third largest component party.

On paper, MIC only has over 40 days to conduct a re-election in order to avoid risking de-registration.

They had spent the initial 50 days of ROS' grace period bickering and exposing the widening rift within a party that has been weakened by its two last electoral performances.

But, as the crisis drags on, Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak had offered nothing but silence on the issue.

Hindraf urges boycott of Thaipusam at Batu Caves

KUALA LUMPUR: Hindraf Makkal Sakthi, an ad hoc apolitical human rights group working across the political divide, has called on Hindus this year to boycott Thaipusam at Batu Caves if the Committee insists on desecrating an ancient Hindu rite and practice, “paal abishekam”, by employing motorized equipment to shower the milk from the devotees onto the deity.

“They should observe Thaipusam at other temples in the country which observe the right practices according to Hindu rites.”

“Hindraf is totally mystified and appalled by the attitude of the Batu Caves Committee,” said Hindraf Chief P. Waythamoorthy in a statement. “The Committee should continue with the usual practice instead of employing the motorized abishekam.”

Waytha said the matter was brought to Hindraf’s attention through a video on You Tube which has since gone viral.

Waytha alleged that the Committee had no regards for the feelings of thousands of devotees who had undertaken severe penance to participate in showering their “paal kadum” (pots of milk) in the final ritual, abishekam, during Thaipusam.

“The purpose of showering the milk on the deity (abishekam) is a process of cleansing oneself of sins and to satisfy any debt bondage to the deity,” explained Waytha. “This practice is observed worldwide in India, Fiji, Sri Lanka, South Africa, USA, U.K, Australia and Singapore, among other places, during the Thaipusam month.”

In these countries, he added, millions of people bring along their “paal kadum” for the satisfaction of their milk being showered individually by the priests who normally chant mantras as they do so. “There are no mantras chanted under the motorized method intended to be practiced in Batu Caves.”

The belief between an individual and the deity is personal in nature, stressed the Hindraf Chief, “and therefore motorizing the showering of the deity or motorized abishekam is clearly an absurd method by the Batu Caves Committee”.

It not only desecrates Hindu rites, he reiterated, but also insults the individual devotee who had painstakingly undertaken severe penance to fulfill their devotion to the deity.

Source : http://www.freemalaysiatoday.com/category/nation/2015/01/26/hindraf-urges-boycott-of-thaipusam-at-batu-caves/

The fast that turned into a farce

MIC’s G Kumar Amaan launched a hunger strike on Thursday, which he vowed to continue “until his last breath” because he was willing to die for the Indian community.
 
His fast was called off the next day - less than 30 hours after he began.
 
Instead of drawing support, the short-lived hunger strike garnered ridicule, which observers claim highlighted MIC’s irrelevance to the Indian community.
 
Sharing his opinion on this, Parti Sosialis Malaysia (PSM) secretary-general S Arutchelvan said that the Indian community has other more pressing issues to be concerned with.
 
“Did the Indians come out in droves to support the strike? It didn’t seem that way,” he told Malaysiakini.
 
This, he said, reflected their disinterest in the woes afflicting the party, which detractors have long accused of failing to represent the community effectively.
 
“I think the Indian community has more important issues to deal with, such as (securing) their daily income,” he pointed out, adding that the hunger strike did not serve any purpose for their betterment.
 
However, Arutchelvan disagreed with MIC deputy president Dr S Subramaniam who described hunger strikes negatively, claiming that it is a practice imported from India.
 
The PSM leader said such strikes are a “powerful weapon”, provided that it is used for a cause that has great impact for the people.
           
Different leagues
 
As for Kumar citing Mahatma Gandhi as his inspiration for the hunger strike, Arutchelvan stressed that the two are in different leagues.
 
“If you look at Gandhi and his ideals, his hunger strike saw the whole nation backing him and even his adversaries were concerned for his health.
 
“It was a powerful weapon to fight the colonial powers, and it was a non-violent action which showed the strength of numbers,” he said.
 
Kumar (left), who was appointed as secretary-general by MIC president G Palanivel, kicked off his hunger strike outside the Registrar of Societies (ROS) headquarters in Putrajaya two days ago.
 
He had demanded the removal of ROS director-general and his investigation officers, blaming them for the party’s current re-election woes.
The ROS, which has refused to recognise Kumar’s appointment, had ordered the party to re-elect its vice-presidents and central working committee (CWC) members.
 
However, the hunger strike was called off yesterday after Kumar was instructed by his boss, Palanivel, to end it.



Source : http://www.malaysiakini.com/news/287224

MIC sec-gen could run foul of law with hunger strike

KUALA LUMPUR, Jan 24 — Datuk G. Kumaar Aaman could have bitten off more than he could chew with his hunger strike outside the Chancery Row building in Putrajaya, which houses the Registrar of Societies' (RoS) office.

The police have gotten involved and Kumaar could end up behind bars if he is found guilty of attempting suicide with his hunger strike since Thursday.

Deputy Inspector General of Police Datuk Noor Rashid Ibrahim said the cause of Kumaar's strike was political and though the police would give him and his supporters space to sort out their issues, the police would monitor the situation closely.

He said if Kumaar continues with the hunger strike and the police finds him in poor health and endangering his life, they would take action.

“If a person threatens to kills himself, it is an offence under Section 309 of the Penal Code,” Noor Rashid told Malay Mail.

Under Section 309, a person who attempts suicide faces a one-year jail sentence, a fine or both.
He said the police would also find out if Kumaar was holding the strike in a public place.

“If he is holding the strike in a public place, then it is his right.”

Kumaar held the hunger strike to demand a meeting with RoS director general Mohammad Razin Abdullah, who had refused to recognise his appointment as MIC secretary-general.

Kumaar had said he would only survive on liquids and would end his fast when Mohammad Razin agrees to see him.

Mohammad Razin yesterday maintained that Kumaar's position as a MIC central working committee member and his claim as the party's secretary-general was not valid because of the unresolved dispute over the election some of MIC's top office bearers.

“RoS has no objections about meeting him (Kumaar) but not in his capacity as secretary-general. For this purpose, he has been asked to present a letter from the president for an appointment to be fixed but until the day he went on hunger strike, RoS has not received the letter,” he said

Mohammad Razin also rubbished allegations that his investigating officers had abused their power when investigating MIC.

“Investigations were carried out transparently in accordance with the Societies' Act 1966 based on the facts and explanation given by all parties involved, including the election committee.”

Yesterday, MIC president Datuk Seri G. Palanivel issued a statement saying he had asked Kumaar to end his hunger strike.

“Even though it was his personal decision, I have now requested him to end the hunger strike for the sake of MIC's and Barisan Nasional's image. I had just spoken to him and I am glad that he has agreed to accede to my request,” he said.


However, the situation was very much different at Chancery Row building last night as Kumaar was apparently continuing with his hunger strike.


Source : http://www.themalaymailonline.com/malaysia/article/mic-sec-gen-could-run-foul-of-law-with-hunger-strike

Thai Velli

Thai Velli 

The Vedic Tamil month of Thai is considered as an incomparable month to worship Goddess Ma Shakti which falls between mid January to mid February.

Poojas are done with much significance to please the Goddess on the four Fridays of this month.

Prayers are offered by devotees to Goddess to bless them with creativity, strong will power and knowledge.

For people who are wondering on the question on how to be successful in life, should pray to the all powerful Ma Shakti to get her divine blessings.

The importance of 4 Fridays

Each Friday in the month of Thai has its own importance and significance as these days are auspicious for Shakti, the omnipresent.

Ma Shakti portrays herself as three forms for her devotees:
Icha shakti
 Kriya shakti
Gnana Shakti.

Icha Shakti:

The word “icha shakti” means will power. It relates to a person’s creative drive, desire and motivation. One can modify his or her lcha Shakthi through their longing for God. The embodiment of Icha Shakti is Melur Thiruvudai Amman who would provide answers to all your questions on how to be successful in life.

Kriya Shakti:

Kriya Shakti represents the power of action. It is the ability to act efficiently to fulfill the desires and it relates to the physical body. Performing divine activities will help you improve your Kriya Shakthi. Thirumullaivayil Kodivudai Amman represents Kriya Shakti who will guide in all your endeavors.

Gnana Shakti:

Gnana shakti denotes the power of knowledge. It leads to divinity and is the key to wisdom and is the ultimate ability to know the soul or Athma
Goddess Parvati characterizes Gnana Shakti who blesses you with knowledge. She is also the Goddess of splendor who would intensify your everlasting looks.Mangadu Kamakshi is the fourth Friday in Thai Velli.

🌞 It is a manifestation of all the three forms of Ma Shakti and offering special prayers on this day will remove the obstacles in marriage, career, finance etc. and will help you to be successful in life. 🌞

MIC chief roasts deputy as a 'rumour monger'

The rift in MIC is widening, with president G Palanivel breaking his silence to swipe back at his deputy Dr S Subramaniam for making allegations to the media on his inaction on the directive from the Registrar of Societies (ROS).

ROS in a series of letters to MIC has asked it to re-elect its vice presidents and central working committee (CWC) members.  

"Office-bearers of MIC, including the deputy president, one of the vice-presidents and others are spreading numerous allegations and misinformation to the media in respect of the issues of the elections raised by the ROS.

"The only thing that I have not done is to discuss the party's internal matters in the media as being done by the others, including the deputy president and one of the vice-presidents," Palanivel said in a statement today.

He said he was aware of meetings organised by Subramaniam and others in relation to the ROS issue and that these meetings were not sanctioned by him.

The Cameron Highlands MP added that he has done what was required of a president to keep the party afloat despite there being claims that he has remained silent on the issue.