Saturday, July 29, 2006

MORE Pics – 5000 PROTESTERS at KLCC against US Condoned ISRAELI Policy; LED by UMNO Deputy YOUTH Head, KHAIRY JAMALUDDIN, Son-in-Law of PM ABDULLAH

Above:The banners expressing their anger at the collusion
of US with Israeli in the Middle East Conflict

Below: The ultimate insult - setting the US Flag on fire

An estimated 5000 people protested nosily against the US led Israeli policy in West Asia and tried to barge in into the venue for the Asian Regional Forum (ARF) at the Kuala Lumpur Convention centre. The group was led by Deputy UMNO Chief Khairy Jumalludin, the son-in-law of the Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah.


Opening his big mouth , the seasoned protestor
Khairy Jamaluddin shouting:
I am still waiting, I am still waiting for the
representative of the
United States to come out

The protest members consist of Barisan Youth members marched on to the forum venue after Friday prayers at the KLCC mosque nearby.

The likes of Tony Blair (above)and Condolezza Rice
(below) were
paraded around, flogged and set on fire


The FRU held back the crowd at the main entrance to the forum venue. US and Israeli flags were also burned and other effigies of Bush and Condolezza were also flogged and later burned. Khairy asked Rice to come out and listen to the grouses over the situation in Lebanon.

Twice Khairy were permitted to enter the venue but was evicted out by the tight US security agents within minutes of entry. However, due to his persistence he was allowed in alone at about 5.00 pm to hand in the memorandum to Rice (not directly)

Above: 1st eviction by the US Security Agent:
He was able to bypass the FRU possibly
because by thowing his weight around but
the US personnel have none of his antics.
Below: 2nd eviction: He tried a second time
and met the same fate



From the STAR

Umno Youth protest By ROYCE CHEAH

KUALA LUMPUR: Umno Youth deputy chief Khairy Jamaludin and a group of protesters tried to force their way into the Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre yesterday to hand over a memorandum to US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice.

They were, however, prevented from doing so by members of the Federal Reserve Unit (FRU). But Khairy was later allowed into the centre where he presented the memorandum to a US representative.

He told reporters inside the centre that the memorandum expressed the feelings of the Malaysian people.

The United States is abetting the violence by Israel against Lebanon and is part and parcel of what is happening to the Lebanese and Palestinian people,” he said.

Rice is here at the invitation of the Malaysian Government.

“It is their decision but the majority of the Malaysian people do not want her here, as the United States is not doing anything to stop the genocide in Lebanon and the Gaza Strip.

“This is not a religious issue or Islam against the West or against christianity. This is a humanitarian issue where many people are dying.

“What we are seeing today is nothing less than genocide. It is nothing less than murder by the Israeli forces of innocent people.”

Earlier, shortly after Friday prayers at the KLCC mosque, about 2,000 protesters chanting anti-American and anti-Israel slogans had marched to the convention centre, where the 39th Asean Ministerial Meeting was in progress.

The demonstration, organised by Umno Youth together with the youth sections of Barisan Nasional component parties, was to protest against US support of Israel and Israeli attacks on Lebanon and Palestine.

The demonstration lasted three hours and even a heavy downpour failed to deter the protesters.

Khairy, with his left arm in a sling, gave a 30-minute speech decrying the attacks and demanding that the United States get Israel to cease its attacks.

He said Israel was using weapons and ammunition provided by the United States. He gave Rice five minutes to come out and receive the memorandum.

When there was no sign of this happening, Khairy together with about 200 supporters pushed their way past the FRU line. In the commotion, some supporters, including Khairy, fell.

Other police personnel moved in to form a human chain in front of the entrance to the convention centre.

Despite this, Khairy and a handful of supporters managed to get through. They squatted outside the entrance for two hours.

Besides Khairy, the others who waited outside included Umno Putera chief Datuk Abdul Azeez Abdul Rahim and Datuk Norza Zakaria, political secretary to Finance Minister II Tan Sri Nor Mohamed Yakcop.

Khairy was finally allowed into the building and was seen being taken to the Police Control Centre. He came out about 20 minutes later and told his supporters that the memorandum was with Rice.

At a press conference after he emerged, Khairy said: “Today, Malaysia’s youth have told the United States that the violence must be stopped and that Rice’s presence in Malaysia is not welcomed. She is only here because of the courtesy and honour of the Malaysian Government.

She has no right to be here because the United States has done nothing to stop the genocide against Palestine and Lebanon,” he said.

When pressed whether he had personally handed the memorandum to Rice, he said he could only confirm that the memorandum was in her hands.

Wanita Umno will write to the United States and United Nations offices here to protest against Israel’s military action in south Lebanon.

Its chief Datuk Seri Rafidah Aziz, who is International Trade and Industry Minister, said the wing condemned the violence and inhuman conditions subjected to the Lebanese in the fighting.

The NST account, mentioned a parallel protest at the American Embassy. No satellite pictures are available, perhaps view them at the PAS Website

Thousands protest against Israeli aggression

29 Jul 2006 ;By Arman Ahmad


KUALA LUMPUR: Several thousand people protested against US policy in the Middle East and brought their case to the doorsteps of the Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre — where US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice was huddled in discussions.

Led by deputy Umno Youth chief Khairy Jamaluddin and Barisan Nasional Youth leaders, the demonstrators broke through barricades, forcing riot officers, backed by mounted police, to form a human chain to keep them out of the centre where the Asian Regional Forum was in progress.

They shouted "Allahu Akbar" (God is Great) and "Down with
Israel, down with America" as they punched their fists in the air. They also paraded effigies of US President George W. Bush, Rice and British Prime Minister Tony Blair with Zionist symbols on their foreheads.

There were scuffles between Federal Reserve Unit personnel and the demonstrators before Khairy and several Umno Youth leaders were allowed past the barrier. They demanded to meet a
United States representative to deliver a memorandum.

"I will not leave until I have handed over the memorandum to the representative of the
United States. I will not leave," he said.

The protesters then sat in front of the entrance and refused to budge until their demand was met.
At
4.45pm, the standoff ended after a US official accepted the memorandum.

Earlier, Khairy said all Malaysians — irrespective of race and religion — condemned the Israeli violence. He blamed the
United States for providing weapons to Israel and sanctioning the violence.

"From the people of
Malaysia, we do not welcome you here. You may be invited by the Government, but we do not welcome you here," he said, referring to Rice.

"What we are seeing is nothing less than genocide and murder of innocent people. This is not a religious issue — an issue of Islam against the West or Christianity. This is an issue that involves humanity because we are watching innocent people die.

"
Israel says it is targeting Hizbollah, but why do we see a ratio so staggering? One Israeli killed for every 10 Lebanese. Are you really targeting Hizbollah?"

Outside the US Embassy, nearly 2,000 Pas and Pas Youth members gathered to protest against the Israeli bombings in
Lebanon and Gaza.

*************************************************************

"She has no right to be here....." said Khairy and what did our Foreign Minister Datuk Seri Syed Hamid Albar said about the presence of Condolezza Rice

Her presence here was very good for us. She is able to feel and see what we think about the whole conflict”

Despite hearing the strong views of the other Asean forum members, the top US diplomat she was unable to determine how soon she will return to the Middel east


US Secretary of Sytete Condolezza Rice said:

I will of course asses whether or not it is time to return to the Middle East. Certainly it will be very clear I will return to the Middle East but the question is when it is right for me to return”

Meanwhile the Toll of the Lebanon Invasion is escalating

The Israeli bombardment has killed at least 423 and displaced 750,00 people from their homes and caused billions dollars of damages.

Emile Lahoud, the President of Lebanon said:

I will assure you whatever it does, it will not reach its goal. They will not take away the weaponry of Hizobollah


..and the destruction continues..

Above: The bombed out 7-storey building in Southern
Lebanon: Below: Rescue workers looking for possible survivors
The destruction in the surburbs in southern Lebanon

Dr MAHATHIR-SPRAYED with PEPPER IRRITANT Before SPEECH on ARRIVAL; “DESPERATE ATTACK, Our PEOPLE NON-VIOLENT”; 4 Confirmed ARRESTED

(see update Aug 04 2006 at bottom)
Later at a separate function at a hotel in Kota Bahru, Dr Mahathir said he believed there are some people who were not keen to let him speak.


“I am disappointed. This is not our style; we
live in a nation where people are non-violent”

The Kelantan Police chief confirmed 4 persons have been arrested in conjunction with the attack on Tun Dr Mahathir at 7.30 pm. The four are being held at the Kelantan Contingent police Headquarters to facilitate police investigation into the case.

There were conflicting reports in the 11.00 am incident just after arriving at the Sultan Petra Ismail Airport in Kelanta.n

It seems all the earlier reports on the internet were not so accurate. The spraying happened within a few seconds and "eye witness" accounts can be misleading as no one is that observant compared to a video recording, which can provide the split images to show that exact moment.

An example from Malaysiakini (which was updated)

He was then escorted by several men in jackets to a waiting Mitsubishi Pajero arranged by former Kelantan Umno strongman Ibrahim Ali. It was at this point when Mahathir and Ibrahim Ali were sprayed with mace.”

The former premier was apparently about to give a speech”

The STAR was also faulty;

"incident took place just as Dr Mahathir was entering a 4WD vehicle together with Ibrahim"

Another one….

“The former PM was about to alight from his car when the attack took place minutes ago. He fainted and was sent back to his hotel”.

And Malaysia Today

“When Mahathir arrived he was ushered into Datuk Ibrahim Ali’s Pajero. Datuk Nik Safia then sprayed mace into the Pajero and grabbed the shocked Mahathir and bundled him into his (Datuk Nik Safia) own car and zoomed off.”

Even the Deputy IGP Tan Sri Musa Hassan’s version as dished out by Bernama is not exactly what happened.

“He said while they were accompanying Dr Mahathir to the awaiting car, there was a slight argument between the two groups to usher him to the car belonging to Ibrahim's group. Each group tried to usher Dr Mahathir to their car.

"At that time, a man was spraying some form of substance at Datuk Ibrahim Ali's face and accidentally sprayed on Tun Dr Mahathir's face and his aide's," said Musa.

the NST give a more accurate report of what happened as evidenced by the following sequence 1-4 of photos and the one below them


1 - Dr Mahathir was already inside the "open air" 4-wheel drive vehicle holding the Megaphone (with his Right hand) ready for his speech, image from video.
Picture Below : Immediately after the attack, he was holding his breath with his left hand

2 - Still holding the Megaphone, he was grimacing in irritation and pain when out of the car
3 & 4 With the spectacles off and in discomfort he was lead away by aides
(see Dr Mahathir own words (at the end) to confirm this situation at the time of attack; even the deputy IGP was misled)

The moment immediately after the attack

The NST account

Former PM Dr Mahathir sprayed with pepper ;28 Jul 2006
Sulaiman Jaafar and Sharifah Mahsinah

KOTA BARU:

Former Prime Minister, Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad, had to abandon his plan to address the crowd on arrival at the Sultan Ismail Petra airport here today after he was attacked with a chemical, believed to be pepper spray.

Dr Mahathir, who is on a one-day visit here, was standing through the sunroof of a four-wheel drive vehicle and about to start his speech when an unidentified man sprayed the chemical.

The former Prime Minister, who was seen coughing, was then taken away by organisers to a car and whisked to his hotel. The attacker escaped in the crowd.

Several other people, including the Kelantan People's Action Council (MTRK) president Datuk Ibrahim Ali, one of the organisers of the visit, were also hit by the spray.

Earlier, a crowd of about 1,000 greeted Dr Mahathir who arrived on a private jet about
10.45am.

On arrival in a private jet, he was mobbed
by the crowd present - sourrounding him




Dr Mahathir told reporters at his hotel later that it was his first experience and he felt pain in his eyes, nose and throat.

"I know there are plans to stop me from speaking but to do this, I think is a sign of desperation. I will continue to speak, I don't give up so easily," he said.

Dr Mahathir said he did not want to point fingers but the fact is that those involved do not have to resort to such action to stop him.

He reiterated that he is an Umno man and support Umno strongly and is not on the other side of the fence.


Above: The Malaysiakini Headline

'I was PM for the country, not my family' Jul 28, 06 5:06pm

Former premier Dr Mahathir Mohamad was approached by reporters while having lunch at the Renaissance Hotel in Kota Bahru, Kelantan.

Responding to questions, Mahathir said he will not be deterred by the attack on him this morning. He added that 'desperate people' were responsible for the incident.

The former premier also continued his criticism against the current administration.

* Have you experienced something like this (the attack) before?
Mahathi
r: Never. First time experience [...] Itulah orang desperate (These are desperate people). Tak mau dengar apa yang saya cakap (They don't want to hear what I have to say)

* Were you shocked?
Well I have never experienced this before. I knew there were some plans to prevent me from speaking. I'm not allowed to speak to Umno people at all [...] But this I think is a sense of desperation. They have a lot to hide. That is why they don't want to hear.

If there is nothing to hide, they can always explain. But it is clear they are desperate enough to use physical means.

* Will you continue...
They have a lot to hide. They don't want people to speak; they don't want people to listen. I will continue. I don't give up easily.

* Is this the work of 'government people'?
I don't know who, but whoever did it, tried to prevent me from talking. May be it's those people I have been accusing.

* These people were responsible for what happened earlier?
We cannot say who was responsible, but the bottom line is, even if you want to stop me, this is not the way. We are not a violent country. If they don't want to listen, then don't listen. If they want to put up banners, go ahead.

* On Umno?
I'm an Umno man. I support Umno strongly. But today, the leadership is what is wrong. One must remember that Umno had got rid of leaders who somehow did not adhere to Umno's principles...Dato Onn (Jaffar), Tunku Abdul Rahman, they did great service, then they do something that is against Umno's struggle.

* Do you feel unappreciated?

[...] It's ok if they don't appreciate me but don't do things that will ruin Umno, the people and the country [...]

* There are those who accuse you of destroying the unity in Umno
Unity in Umno has a specific direction, the direction is to champion the party's ambitions. In Umno, it is normal for leaders to have differences. I was challenged by Tengku Razaleigh (Hamzah). I was challenged by Anwar (Ibrahim), of course Umno breaks up but in the end, Umno will reunite to fight for the Malays, the Muslims and the nation. I am worried if Umno is united for something bad, that I will oppose, unite for something good.

* You said Umno members must speak at the proper forum but now you speak outside the party
I am not talking outside of the party, I want to talk inside the party, but they don't allow me to do so.

* If Umno gives you a chance to talk, will you change your approach?
Give me a chance to talk, but this does not mean I cannot talk to others. Tengku Razaleigh was free to campaign here and there then. For me it was nothing. Anwar also campaigned outside of Umno.

* Are there evidence that the prime minister gave contracts to his family
members
?
There are evidence in the newspapers. For example Scomi (owned by Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi's son Kamaluddin) gets contracts. ECM-Libra (linked to Abdullah's son-in-law Khairy Jamaluddin). The finance minister (Abdullah) should not give things to his son-in-law. I was the prime minister for the country not for my family.


from Bernama

Immediate Arrest Order On 'Spray' Culprit ; July 28, 2006 19:13 PM

KUALA LUMPUR, July 28 (Bernama) -- Deputy Inspector-General of Police Tan Sri Musa Hassan said he had ordered an immediate arrest of the culprit who sprayed a form of substance at Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad in Kota Baharu Friday.

He in their investigation, police had identified the man who had sprayed at the former prime minister who arrived at the
Sultan Ismail Petra Airport Friday morning for a one-day visit to Kelantan.

In a statement, Musa said the incident happened following an argument between two groups which organised two events to welcome Dr Mahathir to the state, one led by former Pasir Mas MP Datuk Ibrahim Ali and another by former Kuala Krai Umno deputy chairman Datuk Nik Sapeia Nik Yusoff.

He said while they were accompanying Dr Mahathir to the awaiting car, there was a slight argument between the two groups to usher him to the car belonging to Ibrahim's group.

"Each group tried to usher Dr Mahathir to their car.

"At that time, a man was spraying some form of substance at Datuk Ibrahim Ali's face and accidentally sprayed on Tun Dr Mahathir's face and his aide's," said Musa.

He said Dr Mahathir was later ushered by his aide to another car to take him to his hotel.

Musa also denied reports on the Internet that Ibrahim's eyes had been sprayed by men in jackets believed to be from the police special operations force.

He described reports on the net as defaming the police and the government.

Musa warned that the police would take stern action against anyone who spread lies on the Internet and the mass media.

Update by The Star Newsdesk

KOTA BARU: A man sprayed Mace at Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad moments after the former Prime Minister arrived at the airport here Friday morning.

In Putrajaya, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi said he was angry over the incident and ordered the police to conduct an immediate investigation and to take stern action against those responsible for the act.

According to police, former Umno strongman Datuk Ibrahim Ali took the brunt of the spray on his face while Dr Mahathir and his bodyguard were also affected.

The 11am (0300GMT) incident took place just as Dr Mahathir was entering a 4WD vehicle together with Ibrahim.

Dr Mahathir, who was seen taking off his glasses and wiping his eyes, was rushed from the vehicle by his other security personnel to a car nearby, which then drove away.

Deputy Inspector General of Police Tan Sri Musa Hassan told The Star that his officers have identified the man who sprayed the mace and expect to make an arrest soon.

Musa said the police were investigating the incident under Section 328 of the Penal Code.

The section reads: "Whoever administer to or causes to be taken by any person any poison or any stupefying intoxication or unwholesome drug or other things with intent to cause hurt to such person or with intent to commit or facilitate the commission of an offence or knowing it to be likely that he will thereby cause hurt shall be punished with imprisonment for a term which may extend to 10 years and shall also liable to fine"

Later at a press conference, Dr Mahathir described the attack as an attempt to stop him from speaking out.

Describing how he felt, Dr Mahathir said: “It felt something like a sore throat, my eys were stinging, I could not see clearly and removed my glasses.”

The former premier said he would continue with his scheduled talks Friday.

Dr Mahathir was on a one-day visit to Kelantan and was scheduled to attend a dialogue and dinner organised by the Kelantan People’s Action Council headed by Datuk Paduka Ibrahim Ali.

Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi said he was angry over the incident and ordered the police to conduct an immediate investigation and to take stern action against those responsible for the act.

"I regret and am very angry such an incident has happened," he said, adding that those responsible for the incident should be severely punished.

He said the matter should be immediately resolved to avoid negative implications and misconception among the public.

The Prime Minister also feared that certain quarters would take advantage of the incident by disseminating rumours, especially through the Internet.

********************************************

Update: Jul 29; 21.30

A 53 year old businessman with the title of Dauk believed to have spray a from of substance from a canister on Tun Dr Mahathir at the airport yesterday has been remanded for three days. The remand order by the Magistrate’s court in Kota Bahru will be to further investigation. The case is being investigated under Section 328 of the Penal Code which carries a maximum jail sentence of up to 10 years and fine.


Meanwhile the Kelantan Police Chief, Datuk Zulkifli Abdullah said that the businessman was arrested at his house in Pasir Tembu at about
10.00 pm last night by a police party.

He added that so far the police have taken statements from 27 witnesses including 7 members of the 8th Brigade Army here who were commissioned by one of the organizer for the event attended by Dr Mahathir. All witnesses who have given statements to the police will undergo the process of identifying the suspect.

The police would probe the case from various angles to determine the motive of the incident including the scuffle between rival groups to determine the right to escort Tun Mahathir to his destination.

Meanwhile PM Datuk Seri Abdullah said that any UMNO member found to be involved in the spraying incident will be subjected to party discipline. This party action will be apart from the legal action against them



This is an offence and if he is an UMNO member this incident will come under disciplinary regulations of the party. All positions held must be surrendered and the person may be expelled from the party.

He was also asked whether the move by Padang Besar division in Perlis, which was reported to be inviting Dr Mahathir to officiate its divisional meeting on Aug 26, would be in breach of party rules.

Only Supreme Council members, menteris besar, cabinet ministers from Umno and divisional heads are allowed to officiate divisional meetings on a non-election year.

Abdullah said: "If this is the regulation, then it should be abided. That has been explained by Datuk Seri Radzi Sheikh Ahmad as Umno Secretary General. If that is the decision, how could we give an exception to any party. I think it is only logical enough."

Abdullah said rules which had been in existence for a long time, must be complied with by all Umno divisions. He said Umno leaders should take advantage of divisional meetings to explain various issues to party members.

This includes making the Ninth Malaysia Plan's implementation a mission for all levels of society as the nation moves ahead towards achieving Vision 2020.

"All these must be understood and this is the opportunity available for party members to use the limited time for Umno to hold divisional meetings, and listen to explanations by their leaders," said Abdullah. -- BERNAMA

Update 2: Jul 30, 1am

as explained by Dr Mahathir on actually how it happend- the spraying and it confirms the earlier internet stories as incorrect
Mahathir Says Incident In Kelantan Scary ;July 29, 2006 18:38 PM

LANGKAWI, July 29 (Bernama) -- Former Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad Saturday described the incident in which he was hit by pepper spray in Kelantan Friday as very scary.

It was frightening because he had difficulty breathing, could not speak and his throat felt painful while his eyes, nose and lips were smarting, he told reporters after visiting several development projects here.

He said that according to the schedule arranged for his arrival at the airport in Kota Baharu, he would speak from the sunroof of a Pajero vehicle to thank those who received him and then change to another vehicle.

"As I was entering the Pajero, a sturdy man pulled me roughly and with force to stop me from entering the Pajero but I went in anyway. Then, when I stood up to speak, the spray hit me.

"I thought initially it was police tear gas but this was colourless unlike tear gas," he said.

A 53-year-old businessman with the title of "Datuk" was arrested last night over the incident.

Dr Mahathir said he believed the spray was a type commonly used by women to protect themselves against sexual attackers and it was easily available in the market.

He said he would cooperate fully with the police in their investigation, adding the incident was an effort to prevent him from speaking at gatherings scheduled during his one-day visit to Kelantan.
********************************

Update Jul 31 18:45
July 31, 2006 18:41

Datuk warded in Hospital on Sunday
Remand On spraying Datuk Extended Till Tuesday; July 31 2006 18.41

KOTA BAHARU, July 31 (Bernama) -- The police were granted a 24-hour extension to remand a "Datuk" to assist in investigations into the spraying of tear gas on former prime minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad on Friday.

Magistrate Mohd Nazri Ismail granted the extension at the Raja Perempuan Zainab II Hospital at about 1pm Monday.

Kelantan Police Chief Datuk Zulkifli Abdullah said police needed the extension to complete the investigation report on the incident.

"The three-day remand order obtained on Saturday ends Monday but we still need some time before we can submit the investigation papers to the deputy public prosecutor for prosecution," he told Bernama.

The "Datuk, also an Umno member, was admitted to the hospital after he complained that he was unwell Sunday morning. The police arrested him at his house in Pasir Tumboh, near here, at about 10pm on Friday.

Update Aug01 06; 10.00 am
Ibrahim Ali's version of the attack via Malaysiakini
http://www.malaysiakini.com/news/54735

Spray attack aimed at 'silencing' Dr M Jul 31, 06 6:31pm

Former Kelantan Umno strongman Ibrahim Ali claimed that Friday's 'spray attack' was aimed at preventing former premier Dr Mahathir Mohamad from addressing the crowd at the Sultan Ismail Petra airport.

Speaking at a press conference in Kuala Lumpur today to clarify the incident, Ibrahim denied reports that he was the target of the attack.

He said if the assailant had intended to attack him, the person would not have waited until both Mahathir and him entered a waiting four-wheel drive vehicle.

In view of this, he concluded that the spray attack was aimed at stopping Mahathir from thanking the crowd for his reception through the sunroof of the vehicle.

'It was sabotage'
Recalling the incident, Ibrahim said suddenly several hands were stuck through the vehicle's window and then he heard the sound of spraying similar to that of an aerosol can.

Following this, Mahathir dropped the loud-hailer on Ibrahim, who was suffering from severe chest pains, followed by coughing and eye irritation.

"I thought I was having a heart attack," exclaimed Ibrahim, adding that he was semi-conscious when dragged out of the four-wheel drive.

The former deputy minister said he was oblivious that Mahathir had been dragged away immediately after the attack in a black car allegedly arranged by former Kuala Krai Umno leader Nik Sapeia Nik Yusoff.

"(The attack) was meant to either sabotage or delay the (Mahathir) events," he said in response to a question.

He also accused Nik Sapeia of attempting to delay the events by various means, but stopped short of holding him responsible for the spray attack.

Meanwhile, it has been reported that the police have extended the remand of a 'Datuk' who was arrested in connection with the incident till tomorrow.

The unknown 'Datuk' - who is believed to be a former Kelantan Umno leader - is presently undergoing treatment at a hospital in Kota Bharu.

Men in black

In a related development, Ibrahim said a powerful third-party may have hired the seven soldiers to act as Mahathir's bodyguards during his visit to Kelantan.

"They were big sized [...] wearing black jackets. I thought they were officers from the police department, but I couldn't be bothered (then)," he said, adding that he was busy making preparations for Mahathir's reception at the time.

Ibrahim, who co-organised the event, said the men in jackets descended from several black cars parked right next to his convoy of vehicles meant to take Mahathir to a hotel from the Sultan Ismail Petra airport.

According to Kelantan police chief Zulkifli Abdullah, the seven were questioned by the police and it was confirmed that they were hired for the event.

The New Straits Times reported today that acting Eighth Brigade commander Lt Kol Norizan Ahmad said the seven soldiers had abeen placed under camp detention pending investigation.

UPDATE Aug 01 06, 19.00 hrs

The Datuk arrested in conjunction with the chemical spraying incident on Tun Dr Mahathir has been released on bail pending "a decision the Deputy Public Prosecutor". His Passport however has been seized to prevent him from leaving the countryand here is the official ACCOUNT From Bernama:

Left: The Datuk smiling and waving to supporters:
Right: Making the 100 m dash to his waiting car. Inserts: Images at the time of arrest

NB His lawyer later clarified that the Datuk was not on bail but released with NO Conditon

August 01, 2006 18:49 PM

Businessman In Pepper Spray Incident Released On Bail

KOTA BAHARU, Aug 1 (Bernama) -- A businessman who was detained for investigation into the pepper spray incident on former Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad last Friday, was released on police bail Tuesday.

Magistrate Nazri Ismail, sitting in chambers, issued the order after the 53-year-old Datuk, was brought to the Magistrate's Court about 1 pm Tuesday.

Police also obtained an order to impound the businessman's passport.

The businessman was admitted to the Raja Perempuan Zainab II Hospital Monday when he complained of being unwell and was discharged at 11.30am today and was then taken to the Kota Baharu police station before being taken to court.

Acting Kelantan CID chief Supt Shafie Ismail, when contacted, confirmed the businessman's release.

He also confirmed that a police report was lodged by the businessman against Kelantan People's Action Council (MTRK) chairman Datuk Paduka Ibrahim Ali.

In the report, which was lodged at 12.30pm Tuesday, the businessman wanted the police to investigate accusations made by Ibrahim against him.

In last Friday's incident, Dr Mahathir was forced to cancel his speech to a crowd who had waited for his arrival at the Sultan Ismail Petra Airport when someone sprayed pepper on his face.
####################

UPDATE: Aug 04 2006 14.10pm

Pepper spray incident sparks a new debate; 04 Aug 2006
KOTA BARU: The pepper spray incident here last Friday has taken on a life of its own.

It has now opened a debate
on who was responsible for former prime minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad’s transportation arrangements when he arrived at the airport here.

This was the issue which led to a dispute between two groups, resulting in Dr Mahathir getting a dose of the pepper spray.

Businessman Datuk Nik Sapeia Nik Yusof, who was arrested in connection with the incident, said yesterday that it was his job to arrange for Dr Mahathir’s transportation from the Sultan Ismail Petra Airport to the Renaissance Hotel here.

Nik Sapeia, who was freed from police custody on Tuesday,
denied suggestions that he was at the airport to hijack Dr Mahathir’s visit to Kelantan.

The 53-year-old former Umno division leader’s claims contradicted previous statements by the event organisers such as Datuk Ibrahim Ali, who said Nik Sapeia was not part of the planning committee.

Nik Sapeia said:

"It was a verbal agreement between me and one of the organisers, (Tan Sri) Abdullah Ahmad.

"I was supposed to provide the transport from the airport to the Renaissance, Abdullah was to handle transportation from the Renaissance,
while Ibrahim was only supposed to greet Dr Mahathir," he said.

He was speaking to reporters at his house in Pasir Tumboh after announcing a RM10,000 donation to the New Straits Times Press (M) Berhad Lebanon Fund.

It was reported that a scuffle broke out between the supporters
of two groups, one aligned to Nik Sapeia and the other to Ibrahim, when Dr Mahathir arrived at the airport.

They were fighting for the right to pick up Dr Mahathir.

Just as Dr Mahathir was ushered into a four-wheel drive with Ibrahim, a man pepper sprayed the latter and accidentally hit the former prime minister.

Ibrahim yesterday reiterated that Nik Sapeia was not part of the organising committee.

"He just showed up at the airport with some black-jacketed men, and started acting like Dr Mahathir was in Kelantan for his own programme."

Nik Sapeia countered:

"I do not want to comment other than to say that everyone in
Malaysia knows who Ibrahim Ali is."

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5000 PROTESTERS at KLCC against US Condoned ISRAELI Policy; LED by UMNO Deputy YOUTH Head, KHAIRY JAMALUDDIN, Son-in-Law of PM ABDULLAH

Friday, July 28, 2006

MORE Pics – PROTEST against CONDOLEZZA RICE Presence at ASEAN CONFERENCE in KL Annual Asean-U.S Dialogue and the Asean Regional Forum

Th protesters with the placards and shouting "US, Get Out"

Protesters shouting "US, Get Out, US, Get Out"

More than 200 activists and opposition groups opposed to US decision on the Middle East protest Condolezza Rice US Secretary of STATE presence at the conference in KLCC - waiving banners and chanting anti-US slogans -US GET OUT

Tian Chua from Keadilan party adddressing the
protesters under the watchful eyes of the FRU


The protesters were blocked from entering the KLCC Conference Venue. They called for Rice to be barred from attending the conference over US Support for Israeli offensive against Palestine and Lebanon. A memorandum was later conveyed to the Asean delegates calling for louder Asean voice to end the West Asian conflict.
United States Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice arrived at the Royal Malaysia Air Force base in Subang for the annual Asean-U.S Dialogue and the Asean Regional Forum. Rice, who is on her first visit to Malaysia, was received by U.S Ambassador to Malaysia Christopher J. LaFleur

KUALA LUMPUR, July 27 (Bernama) -- United States Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice arrived here Thursday for dialogues with her Asean colleagues and partners in the Asean Regional Forum (ARF), which she skipped last year.

The special
US Air Force jet that flew her here touched down at the Subang airport at 2.20pm.
Rice, who is on her first visit to
Malaysia, was received by Foreign Ministry officials.

She was accompanied by European Union Council Secretary-General Javier Solana and Canadian Foreign Minister Peter Mackey.

Fresh from a diplomatic mission in
West Asia where Israel is waging war against Lebanon, Rice is expected to brief the Asean foreign ministers at the Post-Ministerial Conference (PMC) on the latest development and steps to end the conflict.

She will do the same when she calls on Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi, who is also the Asean chairman, at Parliament House later today.

Rice will discuss the issue with Abdullah as chairman of the Organisation of the Islamic Conference (OIC) which is concerned with the tension in the region.

Besides meeting the Asean foreign ministers, Rice will sign the Framework Agreement for the Plan of Action to implement the Asean-US Enhanced Partnership.

United States Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice (left) shakes hand with Malaysia Foreign Minister Datuk Seri Syed Hamid Albar after the signing ceremony of the Framework Agreement for the Plan of Action to Implement the Asean-U.S Enhanced Partnership on the sidelines of the 13th Asean Regional Forum at the Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre (KLCC). The five-year pact, also signed by all 10 Asean foreign ministers, will boost trade, investment and political ties which could pave the way for the Asean-U.S free trade agreement.


Tomorrow she will participate in the ARF, where she is expected to raise issues of cooperation on non-proliferation of weapons of mass destruction, counter-terrorism and maritime security.

She will also seek further international response to
North Korea's missile launching, Iran's nuclear programme and the national reconciliation process in Myanmar.

Rice and Malaysian Foreign Minister Datuk Seri Syed Hamid Albar will also sign an agreement on the Mutual Legal Assistance Treaty to enhance cooperation in tackling cross-border criminal activities, mainly through the exchange of intelligence between the legal authorities of both countries.

Reining In All Forces In Lebanon Key To Ending Conflict, Says Rice

By Jamaluddin Muhammad and Abdul Muin Abdul Majid

KUALA LUMPUR, July 27 (Bernama) -- United States Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice said that the ability of the Lebanese government to control all forces and arms in that country was key towards resolving the Lebanon-Israel conflict.

"There should be no militias," she told a press conference at the end of the Asean-led Post-Ministerial Conference (PMC) here Thursday, apparently alluding to Hizbollah fighters in
Lebanon battling the Israeli army for the past two weeks. The bloody fightings have claimed about 400 lives on both sides of the divide.

She said reigning in the forces and arms in
Lebanon as well as having United Nations-mandated international troops in the country formed a basis for seeking an end to the crisis.

Expressing her country's deep concern over the humanitarian situation in
Lebanon, Rice said she was ready to go back to West Asia "at any time that I think we can move towards a sustainable ceasefire that can end the violence."

Hizbollah and
Israel have been trading fire power following reports that the fighters had captured two Israeli soldiers in a cross-border raid on July 12.

Hizbollah claimed that they were retaliating over the abduction of Lebanese and Palestinians, including Palestinian ministers, by the Israelis.

Israeli forces have also launched attacks on
Gaza in Palestine after one of its soldiers was kidnapped by Hamas.

Rice had attended a crisis talk on Lebanon in Rome and also met key players in the West Asian conflict zone before flying to Malaysia to attend the PMC involving talks between Asean and its dialogue partners and the Asean Regional Forum (ARF), a multilateral security forum in the Asia-Pacific region.

Elaborating on
US concern over the humanitarian aspect of the conflict, she said: "We are working urgently to try and make possible for aid supplies to get to the people of Lebanon. We are of course concerned about the deaths of innocent civilians -- Israelis, Lebanese and Palestinians"

She reiterated commitment "to urgent work to try and bring a resolution of that conflict."

Asked whether she would try to broker talks between Prime Ministers Fouad Siniora and Ehud Olmert of
Lebanon and Israel, Rice responded that she had yet to determine her further travels after Malaysia.

Meanwhile, European Union (EU) foreign policy chief Javier Solana said that part of the solution to the Lebanon-Israel crisis might be the deployment of international forces alongside the Lebanese army to enable Beirut to have full control of the geography and security of the country.

This, he said, would include the southern part of
Lebanon and its northern boundaries with Syria.

"For that, we will be willing to help the UN Security Council adopt a resolution in that direction," he said.

Israel has alleged, among others, that arms are smuggled into the hands of the Hizbollah via the Lebanese border with Syria.

While security of
Lebanon is largely maintained by the Lebanese army, the southern part of the country is controlled by Hizbollah. Solana said: "If that resolution exists, we hope it (deployment of international force) will be possible.

"The Europeans would be willing to take some responsibility, not alone but with other bodies as well. The Europeans are ready to contribute to that force," he added. Meanwhile in the evening it was dinner time and she mamaged to entertain dinner guest with he playing the piano.

Rice Rises To The Occasion At Gala Dinner; July 27, 2006 22:04 PM

KUALA LUMPUR, July 27 (Bernama) -- United States Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice rose to the occasion at a gala dinner tonight for delegates of the annual meeting of Asean foreign ministers and their dialogue partners as well as the Asean Regional Forum (ARF) here.

An accomplished pianist, Rice played the piano for 10 minutes at the dinner, which was hosted by Foreign Minister Datuk Seri Syed Hamid Albar at a hotel here.

The Asean foreign ministers entertained the dinner guests with a rendition of the Asean theme song, "Asean Our Way".

The guests were also entertained to cultural dances and a performance by Malaysian artistes Syafinaz and Nassier Wahab. Among the guests were Asean Secretary-General Ong Keng Yong and Timor Leste Prime Minister Dr Jose Ramos-Horta and his officials who are here to attend the ARF meeting.




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