MIC sues RoS

KUALA LUMPUR: A Central Working Committee (CWC) member of the MIC yesterday filed a judicial review in court, seeking the Registrar of Societies (RoS) and its director-general Mohammad Razin Abdullah, to retract directives sent to the MIC.

Ramalingam who is also the MIC Strategic Director filed the ex-parte application for the court to set aside directives from the RoS to ask the MIC to conduct fresh elections for three vice presidents and 23 CWC positions.

The judicial review was filed at the High Court here through Messrs Selvam Shanmugam & Partners.

In the suit, Ramalingam named the RoS and Mohammad Razin as respondents and sought a review of the RoS’ action through four directives dated December 5, 2014, December 31, 2014, January 6, 2015 and February 6.

Ramalingam claimed the directives sent by the respondent should be deemed mala-fide and ultra vires.

On January 3, MIC president G Palanivel in a surprise move named Ramalingam as the new Strategic Director of MIC replacing Vell Paari.

The MIC internal crisis started following its election of three vice-presidents and 23 central working committee members in 2013 during the Party’s Annual General Meeting.

The election, after allegations of malpractice, was declared null and void by the RoS via a directive on December 5, 2014.

Source : Bernama

Suffering in silence, DCA man wants to talk about MH370

PETALING JAYA: On January 29, the announcement by the Department of Civil Aviation’s (DCA) director general that Malaysia Airlines flight MH370′s disappearance on March 8, 2014, was an “accident” provoked anger among relatives of passengers on board the crashed plane.

While they vented their anger, DCA deputy director with air traffic management, VPR Nathan, was forced to stay silent about his wife, Anne Daisy, who was also on board MH370, due to the nature of his job reported The Malay Mail.

Currently on secondment with the International Civil Aviation Organisation based in China, Nathan, 58, who has been with DCA for 30 years, was devastated when his 56-year-old wife vanished along with the plane while on the way to visit him.

His two daughters, Grace Subathirai, 27, and Azelia Shalini, 22, were also forced to stay in the background following the disappearance of their mother.

But Grace, had continued to support the families of the other 238 victims through her work with support group, Voice 370.

Palanivel to go ahead with suit against RoS

KUALA LUMPUR: The Malaysian Indian Congress (MIC) President G. Palanivel has instructed lawyers to proceed with a suit against the Registrar of Societies (RoS) “given the current situation” i.e. including a third party, Barisan Nasional (BN) Secretariat, being directed to intervene in the party’s affairs.

The suit also follows the failure of RoS to retract the directives to the party over the disputed 2013 polls and accept the MIC President’s proposals to resolve the woes besetting the party.

The suit is also to determine that the RoS has no powers to act or give directives to the party. The RoS attended a meeting called by the 2009 interim central working committee (CWC) members last Friday.

Palanivel was making his stand in a statement carried by the Star Online.

The decision to allow the BN Secretariat to intervene in the party and “clean it up”, stressed Palanivel, contravenes the MIC constitution and the Societies Act, 1966. “Elections must be conducted under the MIC Constitution and by-laws.”

“Any other course of action, as proposed, will be ‘illegal, null and void’. BN has no jurisdiction to take over the administration of the party or conduct its elections.”

MIC being a BN component party is beside the point, the MIC President implied. “MIC is a political party in its own right, governed by its Constitution, and BN should respect that.”

He was expressing gratitude that the MIC grassroots and leaders would not allow “this grave act of injustice – intervention — to take place”.

He was also expressed his disappointment with his deputy, S. Subramaniam, who conceded at a meeting on Monday with BN Chairman Najib Abdul Razak that the BN Secretariat could intervene in the MIC as directed. Palanivel wasn’t able to attend the meeting because he reportedly had to rush his wife, Kanagam, to hospital. S. Sothinathan, who was asked to represent him, was not allowed into the meeting.

MIC Segamat division chairman A. Nadarajah, echoing the views of MIC Johore leaders, said the BN Secretariat should not have been allowed by the meeting to intervene in the absence of the party’s President.

Negri Sembilan MIC chief A. Ganesan, likewise, criticized the decision as “not good for the MIC”.

Pahang MIC chairman, K. Tamil Selvam, said the Secretariat can act as observers or be a mediator, and not take over anyone’s role.

Malacca MIC chairman M.S. Mahadevan sees the BN Secretariat’s intervention as “more trouble for the party”.

Penang MIC chief M. Karuppanan, in welcoming the involvement of the BN Secretariat and the Prime Minister, said the BN as the parent body can play an advisory role.

Source : http://www.freemalaysiatoday.com/category/nation/2015/02/17/palanivel-to-go-ahead-with-suit-against-ros/

BN secretariat to handle MIC polls

PUTRAJAYA: A high-level meeting today proposed the setting up of a special secretariat by the Barisan Nasional (BN) to help the crisis-plagued MIC to clean up its divisions and branches and hold fresh party elections, said BN secretary-general Tengku Adnan Tengku Mansor.

It was proposed that the secretariat be chaired by BN executive secretary Abu Khamis and its members be drawn from non-Indian BN component parties such as MCA and Gerakan, he said.

Tengku Adnan said the proposal was made at a meeting attended by BN chairman Najib Abdul Razak; BN deputy chairman Muhyiddin Yassin; MIC deputy president Dr S. Subramaniam and himself.

He said MIC president G. Palanivel did not attend the meeting, held at the Prime Minister’s Office, but sent a text message to Najib saying that his wife had chest pains.

Palanivel sent MIC vice-president S. Sothinathan to represent him, but the latter was not allowed into the meeting.

“The proposal was accepted by Dr Subramaniam. Palanivel has yet to state his agreement. We hope that the matter can be agreed to by today,” Tengku Adnan told a special news conference here.

He said the BN top leadership wanted to meet with only Palanivel and Dr Subramaniam, and not Sothinathan, to help resolve the MIC crisis.

“After the meeting, I informed Sothinathan, who was waiting outside the meeting room, of the proposal to set up the secretariat. He said the proposal would make the president powerless.”

Tengku Adnan said it was also proposed that the MIC 2009 central working committee (CWC) be taken into account until the fresh elections, and that all the nine president-appointed posts in the 2009 CWC not be considered.

“It was also proposed that during the period of the fresh elections, the president cannot appoint anyone to the nine posts,” he said.

Source– BERNAMA

Palanivel claims deputy blocked rep from PM meet

The spat in MIC has reached new heights, with president G Palanivel accusing his deputy S Subramaniam of sidelining the former’s representative in a meeting with Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak this morning.

Palanivel - who could not attend the meeting himself because he was caught up with an emergency concerning his wife - had sent S Sothinathan as his representative to the meeting with the premier to discuss the issue between MIC and the Registrar of Societies (ROS).

Sothinathan (right), however, was blocked from entering the meeting and only notified of the proceedings after it ended.

“Sothinathan was not allowed to be in the meeting, and only the deputy president was met by the prime minister and others present.

“He was only informed of the proposals - but more like decisions - as announced by (Federal Territories Minister) Tengku Adnan Tengku Mansor after their meeting with the deputy president,” Palanivel said in a statement today.

He also flayed Subramaniam for allegedly "selling out" to third parties who seek to intervene in MIC matters.

“The deputy president of MIC may be willing to allow third parties (BN) to run MIC and lose our self-dignity and respect, but I will not.

“BN has no jurisdiction whatsoever to take over the administration of the party elections in direct contradiction to the provisions of the MIC constitution, as well as the Societies Act 1966.

“I am still shocked that the deputy president can agree, in my absence, to let others run MIC. It is totally disgusting the extent that one can go to further one’s political agenda,” Palanivel - who is also the natural resources and environment minister - added.

'Palani prolonging crisis'

Meanwhile, Subramaniam in a separate statement, shot back at Palanivel, blaming him for the current crisis that MIC is in.

“Palani's statement questioning my committment to uphold the party’s image and dignity is unwarranted. I would like to remind Palanivel that he is responsible for all the party’s current problems.

“Many of the irregularities of the party election can be directly or indirectly related to him. His inability and refusal to address the issue has led to the current crisis,” the health minister said.

Palanivel’s accusation of Subramaniam (left) allowing third parties to intervene in MIC politics also warranted a further tongue-lashing from the deputy president.

“His decision to take this matter to court is an attempt to prolong the crisis and further destabilise the party.

Subramaniam declares open battle for MIC

KUALA LUMPUR: It’s open warfare for leadership of the troubled Malaysia Indian Congress as deputy president Dr S Subramaniam declared his candidacy for the top post today.

Coming on the heels of an apparent nod in his direction by Barisan Nasional chairman Najib Razak yesterday, his announcement puts embattled party leader G Palanivel under more pressure.

Subramaniam’s announcement, for the first such contest since 1993, comes days head of a meeting that Najib had said he would hold with the MIC leaders.

On Saturday, when the Barisan chairman had been asked if he would meet Palanivel , Najib had reportedly said: “On tomorrow, Monday or Tuesday, with Datuk Subramaniam, one more time” without mentioning Palanivel.

Other reports later said that Palanivel and Subramaniam would both meet Najib, and Palanivel told Bernama in Cameron Highlands today that it would be a closed-door meeting with Subramaniam present.

However, the apparent hint by Najib in mentioning Subramaniam by name, coupled with an announcement by home minister Ahmad Zahid Hamidi last week that the MIC must hold elections at all levels, casts doubts about Palanivel’s standing with the Umno leadership.

The registrar of societies later confirmed Zahid’s announcement.

Tens of thousands bid farewell to Tok Guru

It is a sombre day in Kelantan as thousands flock to Pulau Melaka to pay their last respects to PAS spiritual leader Nik Abdul Aziz Nik Mat, who had led the state as menteri besar for 23 years.

People have been makinng a beeline outside his house since last night, resulting in a sudden surge of vehicles in the sleepy hollow of Pulau Melaka.

Authorities have cordoned off the area, thus those visiting his home would have to make a 3km trek on foot.

The authorities have been providing a shuttle service from the Sultan Muhammad IV stadium in Kota Bharu from 7.30am.

LIVE reports follows:

---

Reporting and photos by Nigel Aw, Zulaikha Zulkifli and Lim Huey Teng.

11.30am: While Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak was spotted in a police car heading from Nik Aziz's house to the burial ground some 500m away, PAS president Abdul Hadi Awang was spotted leaving the area riding pillion on a motorcycle.

11am: Funeral rites are almost complete and the crowd is slowly dispersing.

10.40am: The casket bearing Nik Aziz remains is seen being carried by his family members along Jalan Long Sulaiman to the burial site nearby.

PAS leaders including Dr Hatta Ramli and Dzulkefly Ahmad are spotted leading the group.

At times the crowd would rush forward to see Nik Aziz's remains, creating a chaotic scene due to the pushing and shoving.

10.32am: The congregation trickling out to the burial ground is asked to make a path for an entourage to pass through.

Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak is seen in one of the police vehicles heading towards the burial grounds.

10.18am: There is little police presence among the 10,000 congregation. Some are seen shaking the policemens' hands to thank them for their service.

10.00am: The sea of well-wishers start moving to the burial ground 600 metres away.

The thousands in white skull caps walking silently to pay their last respects paints a touching picture.

Curious onlookers have climbed onto cars and abandoned houses to catch a glimpse.

9.45am: PKR legal bureau chief Latheefa Koya says PKR de facto leader Anwar Ibrahim's family has requested that Anwar be let out of prison today to pay respects to Nik Aziz.

Section 377C more serious than 377B, says AG

Opposition leader Anwar Ibrahim, who was convicted and sentenced to five years’ jail for sodomising his former aide was charged under Section 377B of the Penal Code, a less serious offence than section 377C.

Attorney-general Abdul Gani Patail said the Penal Code provided two instances where a person could be charged with sodomy; Section 377B where “with or without consent” is not an ingredient, and Section 377C where the act of sodomy is committed without consent or against the will of the other person.

“The other distinguishing feature is the punishment where the law imposes a minimum sentence of five years under Section 377C,” he said in a statement in Kuala Lumpur last night.

Section 377B has no minimum term of imprisonment, he said.

He said the public prosecutor opted to charge Anwar under section 377B and that was purely based on the prosecutional discretion sanctioned by Article 145(3) of the federal constitution.

“The public prosecutor who is exercising such discretion will have regard to the facts and circumstances of each case and certainly not at his whims and fancies,” added Abdul Gani.

He said as such, it was inappropriate for Bar Council president Christopher Leong to say that the opposition leader should have more properly been charged under Section 377C.    

“In point of fact, it appears that the president of the Malaysian Bar instead, is suggesting that he (Anwar) should be charged under Section 377C which is a more serious offence and which would have exposed Anwar Ibrahim to a minimum sentence of five years and a maximum of 20,” he said.

On Tuesday, the Federal Court upheld the Court of Appeal judgment to sentence Anwar to five years’ jail for sodomising Mohd Saiful Bukhari Azlan at a condominium in Bukit Damansara in 2008.

The attorney-general in the statement also clarified that the perception of certain parties that Anwar had been charged and convicted for a ‘victimless offence’ was clearly insupportable.

“Mohd Saiful Bukhari Azlan was the person who suffered. He provided sworn testimony to a court of law of the acts he suffered which are matter of judicial record,” he said.

On why Mohd Saiful was not charged with abetment, Abdul Gani explained that the case was akin to that of corruption, where in almost all corruption cases, the receiver was charged while the giver was used as a witness against him.

He also denied that the provision 377B of the Penal Code, under which Anwar was charged, was a rarely used provision.

He said based on the Attorney-General’s chambers and police statistics, a total of 171 cases were charged under the provision from 2010 to 2014. Last year, 34 of the cases were charged.

Meanwhile, a total of 489 cases were charged under Section 337C in the past five years.

Abdul Gani said Anwar was also accorded the right to a fair trial and afforded every opportunity to exercise his constitutional rights before the court of law throughout the six-and-a-half-year-long proceedings.



Source- Bernama

The 'one in a million' has left us

Kelantan has lost one of its greatest sons and a voice of moderation in Pakatan Rakyat has fallen silent.

Nik Abdul Aziz Nik Mat was revered and respected, even among non-Muslims.

He would be best remembered as a voice of defiance against BN since 1990 when the east coast state went to the opposition alliance of PAS and Semangat 46, before there was Barisan Alternatif or Pakatan.

With this victory, Kelantan under Nik Aziz had to face a cut in federal funds which were supposed to be allocated to the state government.

Despite this setback, Nik Aziz managed to persevere with the limited funds the state had, and went on to rule for more than two decades.

Popularly referred to as "Tok Guru", he was known for his humble ways, opting to stay in his modest house in Pulau Melaka and not in the Kelantan MB official residence.

He continued to conduct religious classes on a weekly basis despite being the MB at the famous Siti Khadijah market.

In leading a modest lifestyle despite running the state, he garnered the respect of Malaysians as a clean and honest politician.

Nik Aziz initially studied in Besut, Terengganu, before furthering his studies at Universiti Deoband, India and Universiti Lahore, in Pakistan.

He then furthered his studies at the famous Islamic institution Al-Azhar university in Egypt. He obtained a basic degree in the Arabic language and a Masters in Islamic Law.

A PAS member since 1967, he first contested for the Kelantan Hilir parliamentary seat now known as Pengkalan Chepa, and until 2013, he contested in the Chempaka state seat.

PM stops speech to announce Nik Aziz's death

Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak who was giving a speech at the 15th Cheras Education Foundation anniversary celebration stopped abruptly for a few moments when notified of former Kelantan menteri besar Nik Abdul Aziz Nik Mat's death.

Najib who was informed by Federal Territories Minister Tengku Adnan Tengku Mansor paused for a few moments before informing those present at the anniversary celebration about the death and offered the 'Al-Fatihah' prayers for the PAS spiritual leader.

The prime minister also offered his condolences through his Twitter account saying "Innalillahiwainnalilahirajiun. I am saddened by the demise of Tok Guru Datuk Nik Aziz Nik Mat. May his soul rest in peace, 'Al-Fatihah'.”

Deputy Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin also offered his condolences to the family of the late Nik Aziz through his Twitter account.

"Moga roh beliau ditempatkan bsama hamba2Nya yg soleh," tweeted Muhyiddin.
  
The former Kelantan menteri besar and PAS spiritual leader passed away at his house in Pulau Melaka, Kota Baru at 9.40pm tonight.

 

Source : http://www.malaysiakini.com/news/289144

Tok Guru Nik Aziz dies

KOTA BARU: The spiritual leader of PAS and former Kelantan menteri besar Nik Abdul Aziz Nik Mat has succumbed to his illness at age 84.

PAS information chief Mahfuz Omar told the press that Nik Aziz passed away at his residence in Pulau Melaka, Kota Baru at 9.45pm. He was suffering from prostate cancer.

At 8.30pm this evening, Nik Aziz was brought home from Hospital Universiti Sain Malaysia (HUSM) in Kubang Kerian after he was taken off respiratory support.

Earlier this afternoon, his son Nik Mohamad Abduh confirmed his father was in a critical state after doctors tried treating an ulcer.

“My father’s health was critical after doctors treated his ulcer last night,” Nik Abduh said.

Many had gathered at his home upon his return from hospital this evening including vice-president of PAS Husam Musa.

Nik Aziz, was born on January 10, 1931 to a single father, who was an aspiring blacksmith in his hometown of Pulau Melaka, Kelantan.

The second of five siblings, he furthered his studies at Darul Uloom Deoband in Uttar Pradesh, India for five years, obtaining a Bachelor of Arts in Arabic Studies and a Master of Arts in Islamic jurisprudence from Al-Azhar University, Egypt.

He was able to converse in Arabic, English, Tamil and Urdu.

He joined PAS in 1967 and helmed the Kelantan government for 23 years as Chempaka assemblyman under the Pengkalan Chepa constituency.

Nik Aziz retired in 2013 and was replaced by his deputy, Ahmad Yakob.

He leaves behind his wife Tuan Sabariah Tuan Ishak and 10 children.

Source : http://www.freemalaysiatoday.com/category/nation/2015/02/12/tok-guru-nik-aziz-dies/

PM stops speech to announce Nik Aziz's death

Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak who was giving a speech at the 15th Cheras Education Foundation anniversary celebration stopped abruptly for a few moments when notified of former Kelantan menteri besar Nik Abdul Aziz Nik Mat's death.

Najib who was informed by Federal Territories Minister Tengku Adnan Tengku Mansor paused for a few moments before informing those present at the anniversary celebration about the death and offered the 'Al-Fatihah' prayers for the PAS spiritual leader.

The prime minister also offered his condolences through his Twitter account saying "Innalillahiwainnalilahirajiun. I am saddened by the demise of Tok Guru Datuk Nik Aziz Nik Mat. May his soul rest in peace, 'Al-Fatihah'.”

Deputy Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin also offered his condolences to the family of the late Nik Aziz through his Twitter account.

"Moga roh beliau ditempatkan bsama hamba2Nya yg soleh," tweeted Muhyiddin.
  
The former Kelantan menteri besar and PAS spiritual leader passed away at his house in Pulau Melaka, Kota Baru at 9.40pm tonight.

 

Source :http://www.malaysiakini.com/news/289144

Kin of MH370 passengers to sit-in outside MAS

MH370 A group of next-of-kin of passengers of the missing MH370 have arrived in Malaysia from China and plan to protest against the announcement by the Malaysian government that the missing Malaysia Airlines aircraft was the result of an "accident".

The group of 15 relatives intend to hold a sit-in in front of the MAS headquarters and to demand to meet with the managements of MAS and the Department of Civil Aviation (DCA).

According to them, a total of 50 to 60 relatives of the MH370 passengers will be in Malaysia.

This trip was not about money, but to urge the Malaysian government to continue its search and rescue activities, said Zhang Hui Jun, 56, the mother of Li Yan, a passenger on the ill-fated flight.

"We don't want money... we definitely do not want money.

"If they give me money, I can't take it along (when I die). I don't want the money, I want my child," Zhang (right) said as she broke into tears.

'We'll try to meet Najib if MAS turns down'

Zhang Jian Yi, 59, who is from An Hui province, pointed out that their purpose of travelling to Malaysia was to meet with the MAS management and ask the Malaysian government to resume the search and rescue.

If MAS refuses to meet with the next-of-kin, protesting at the Malaysian Prime Minister’s Office would be another choice, Jian Yi said.

"If MAS doesn't show up, we will go for the DCA, go for PM's Office, go for Transport Minister (Liow Tiong Lai) and (PM) Najib Abdul Razak.

"We are the first batch (of relatives from China)... after us there will be a second batch, third batch, fourth batch, fifth batch..." Jian Yi said.

Wen Wan Cheng, father of MH370 passenger Wen Yong Cheng, said they also wanted to seek compensation from MAS and the aircraft builder Boeing.

"MAS airlines and Boeing have to provide us, the next-of-kin, the financial assistance," Wen said.

He said they would camp outside the MAS office until its management meets them.

However, questions posed to the group members showed them to have no clear duration of their stay in Malaysia or other strategies upon meeting the MAS management.

The DCA had declared that all 239 passengers and crew on board MH370 are presumed to have "lost their lives", but promised that the search for the aircraft would continue.

MH370, a Malaysian Airlines flight from Kuala Lumpur to Beijing, went missing on March 8 last year.

It is believed to have ended its flight somewhere in the Indian Ocean, near Australia. The Australian authorities are currently undertaking the search operations.


Source : http://www.malaysiakini.com/news/289023

Anwar convicted but judiciary still on trial, Singapore paper tells Putrajaya

KUALA LUMPUR, Feb 11 — Putrajaya sent a message hailing the independence of the judiciary just moments after Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim was convicted yesterday but the gesture belied Malaysians’ mistrust in the justice institution, the Singapore Business Time said today.

In an editorial piece on the Federal Court’s decision to send Anwar to jail over what the opposition leader vehemently insists was a political ploy, the BT said public confidence in the judiciary has slipped to the point that few were shocked with yesterday’s outcome.

“Mr Anwar's defence argument that the trumped-up charges were part of a political conspiracy to topple him was dismissed by the court, but the perception may still persist among pockets of Malaysians.

“It may be for that reason that the top court's decision did not surprise many the same way it did back in March 2012, when the High Court cleared Mr Anwar of the sodomy charge involving a male aide, citing lack of evidence,” the paper wrote today.

Minutes after the Chief Justice Tun Arifin Zakaria announced that Anwar’s appeal was rejected and while the court was still in session, the Prime Minister’s Office issued a statement to affirm the “independence” of the judiciary and to distance the government from the accuser, former Anwar aide Mohd Saiful Bukhari Azlan.

Renewed calls for Palanivel to go

PETALING JAYA, Feb 10 — Calls for the resignation of MIC president Datuk Seri G. Palanivel intensified as fresh investigations by the registrar of societies confirmed illegal branches were involved in the party’s 2013 elections.

Members of the Barisan Nasional component party lambasted Palanivel, insisting the natural resources and environment minister should also step down from the Cabinet following discrepancies in the elections.

Home Minister Datuk Seri Zahid Hamidi yesterday announced re-elections involving every position will be conducted between April and July. He said the 2009 central working committee (CWC) shall form the interim CWC for the purpose of the new elections.

Former MIC strategic director Datuk Seri S. Vell Paari was baffled as to how illegal branches were allowed to vote under Palanivel’s watch.

He said the president could be charged as he had breached the Societies Act 1966.

“Under article 9A (of the Act), Palanivel can be disqualified from running or holding any position in a society,” he said.

“But the question here is how were the illegal branches set up and allowed to vote? He is the president. He should know.”

According to the Act, any person who contravenes the provision shall be liable, on conviction, to imprisonment for a term not exceeding three years or to a fine not exceeding RM10,000 or both.

After Jackie Chan, fans want datukship for Kollywood superstar Rajinikanth

KUALA LUMPUR, Feb 7 — Call it a case of title envy. Fans of South Indian superstar Rajinikanth have started a petition urging Putrajaya to bestow a datukship on the actor after the same honour was extended to Hong Kong movie icon Datuk Jackie Chan.

The online petition was set up on website change.org and local fans are joining in to ask that their “talapathi”, Tamil for “leader of leaders”, be given the same treatment accorded to Chan and another Bollywood icon, Datuk Shah Rukh Khan.

“In recent years, datukship has been given to Shah Rukh Khan and also Jackie Chan. If this is possible, then we request to give datukship to Superstar Rajnikanth too. Thalaiva!!!!” read the petition started by fan Ravisankar Sellakkannu.

“If Jackie Chan can get, our Rajni deserve more,” a fan from Kulim in Kedah, Visnu Shanmugam, wrote on the petition page.

Another admirer, Padmanaban Ben from Ampang, wrote: “Superstar Rajinikanth has a huge fan following in Malaysia and he deserves to (get) this award.”

Despite Rajinikanth’s international appeal, however, the petition organiser has set a modest target in terms of the support that he hopes to raise.

The petition aims to collect just 500 signatures, but has already gained over 200 at the time of writing.

Movies by Rajinikanth, whose real name is Shivaji Rao Gaekwad, are among the most-awaited in Indian cinema and regularly reach blockbuster status upon release, thanks largely to his global cult-following.

Ex-IGP: What motive when main suspect cleared?

Quizzed on this, former inspector-general of police Musa Hassan appeared to suggest that there is no motive as far as Azilah Hadri and Sirul Azhar Umar are concerned. 

 

Referring to political analyst Abdul Razak Baginda, he said: "When the 'main suspect' has been acquitted, what motive is there to establish?"

 

"The main suspect is the one who knows best what happened,” he told Malaysiakini.

Burning questions
 

Musa appeared to indicate that both Azilah and Sirul were acting under instructions but declined to comment on this.

 

He also confirmed that police investigations had established a motive for the murder, which took place in 2006 when Musa the national police chief.

 

"But what motive is there to establish for Azilah and Sirul (to kill her), when the main suspect had been cleared?" he asked.

 

Quizzed what was the motive established by the police in its investigations, Musa declined to divulge this on the grounds that the case had already been decided by the highest court.

 

Razak Baginda, a close associate of Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak, was initially charged with abetting the murder but was later acquitted without his defence being called.

Batu Caves blackout on Thaipusam eve

Batu Caves was in darkness last night after electricity supply to the area was disrupted at 8.53pm and by midnight, supply had not been restored yet.
   
Hindu devotees who thronged Batu Caves to fulfil their religious vows in conjunction with the Thaipusam festival today, were left unprepared to face the unforeseen circumstances.
   
Batu Caves temple committee member N Sivakumar said Tenaga Nasional Berhad (TNB) was trying its best to rectify the problem.
   
In the meantime, the temple was being helped by TNB's big generator to light up the temple in the cave, but the supply was not stable, he told Bernamayesterday.
   
He said this was the first time a blackout occurred during the Thaipusam festival.
  
Meanwhile, a full moon, a spotlight and lights from the nearby stalls helped to brighten up the area which enabled the devotees to continue their religious rituals.
   
Sivakumar said the temple committee was currently trying to obtain two more generators to back up the existing TNB generator.