No Permit, No Talk But PAS Mohd Sabu willing to talk about Policeman who chased Public with a Gun; BERSIH: A Royal Commission of Inquiry necessary

No Permit, No Talk But PAS Mohd Sabu willing to talk about Policeman who chased Public with a Gun; BERSIH: A Royal Commission of Inquiry necessary
ABOVE & BELOW: Malaysiakini Report with (Video Clip) highlighted BERSIH demands (details H E R E) for an Investigation of the Batu Buruk riots. Suhakam is going on a fact-finding mission into the Batu Buruk clash next week but that does not guarantee a public inquiry will be conducted.

= = = == = == In the meantime, the CPO of Trengganu is under tremendous pressure from the State Government that he had to call a press briefing that he is getting tough with -NO Permit No Ceremah" and this will be strictly enforced to the big disadvantage of PAS who has been doing almost daily talks to hammer at the UMNO led government in Trengganu.
But permit or not permit PAS vice President Mohd Sabu is willing to talk about "a plainclothes policeman had chased the public with pistol "
September 13, 2007 18:39 PM
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No Permit, No 'Ceramah', Say Police

KUALA TERENGGANU, Sept 13 (Bernama) -- Terengganu police will no longer compromise with political parties holding "ceramah" (talks) without a permit to prevent untoward incidents, like the riots in Batu Buruk and Jalan Sultan Mahmud on Saturday.

State police chief Datuk Ayob Yaakob (ABOVE) said the police had been lenient all this while by not taking action against the opposition parties for holding their ceramah in various parts of the state despite them not having the permit to do so. "There is ceramah every night and not all are issued permits, but we have been tolerant.

This will stop because from now on, all ceramah must have a permit," he told reporters after briefing government officers at Wisma Darul Iman here today, on the riots. Among those present were State Secretary Datuk Mokhtar Nong, and state executive councillors and elected representatives. Ayob said police had rejected an application for a permit from the organisers of Saturday's gathering because the venue was inappropriate since it was in an area where there were government quarters and was also near the palace. In that incident in Jalan Sultan Mahmud, more than 600 people, believed to be supporters of the opposition parties, rioted after police ordered them to disperse from the illegal gathering.

Four policemen were injured in the ensuing clashes, during which the Jalur Gemilang was set ablaze. Two people were also admitted to the hospital due to gunshot wounds. One of them, a 21-year-old man, who was admitted to Sultanah Nurzahirah Hospital for injuries on the neck, was discharged today. The other man, aged 38, who was injured on the chest, is still at the Universiti Sains Malaysia Hospital (HUSM) in Kubang Kerian, Kelantan. It is learnt that police today recorded statements from a Kuala Terengganu PAS leader on the riot. Ayob said police were trying to identify the person who burned the national flag during the riot, adding that police had obtained pictures of the incident.
He denied allegations by the opposition that it was a policeman who had set fire to the Jalur Gemilang. Following the incident, police detained 22 people, who have all been released on police bail.
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Batu Buruk: PAS veep ready to testify

KUALA LUMPUR, Sept 13 (ES) - Islamic Party of Malaysia (PAS) vice president Mohamad Sabu (ABOVE) is willing to testify that a plainclothes policeman had chased the public with pistol well before skirmishes broke out in a reported "riot" in the northeastern state of Terengganu on Sept 8. Mohamad who was standing near a group of policeman, overheard one of its members in plainclothes with a pistol in his hand asking the others; "Where is the man with the torn shirt?" Met after a coalition of political parties, non-governmental organizations and trade union calling themselves BERSIH made their demand for the National Human Rights Commission (SUHAKAM) to hold an immediate enquiry on the incident here today, Mohamad said he chided the policeman holding the pistol. "Oh! You have a pistol (and is out) to kill people!," he narrated what he told the policeman, who subsequently got away in a crowd of other policemen present there.
Mohamad said the episode illustrates that the police had chased the public with weapons since 10pm on the day of incident, well before the tear gas and water cannons were unleashed at the public who were prevented from reaching a venue for an event to press for a free and fair election. "This meant that they (the police) took out their pistols not because of they were in danger (as reportedly claimed)," he said."It's up to an enquiry (to find the truth)," he said. Mohamad also related his observation during BERSIH presentation to SUHAKAM commissioner Datuk N Siva Subramaniam for a public inquiry. Others speaking during the presentation were Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR) vice president Sivarasa Rasiah, PAS think tank director Dzulkifli Ahmad and Suara Rakyat Malaysia (Suaram) executive director Yap Swee Seng.

Formation of a Royal Commission of Inquiry sought

Two people were shot at with live bullets on the day of incident with the police claiming it was an act of self-defense by a police personnel. Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi had dismissed the incident as the opposition “pre-meditated” plan to garner support in the run up to the general election speculated to be held between November to before April next year. BERSIH however is adamant that an independent commission including a Royal Commission of Inquiry be formed to investigate the incident.

ABOVE: Sivarasa, a committee member of Bersih presenting Bersih's case to Suhakam's Commissioner Siva Subramaniam (BELOW)

The event on Sept 8 was intended to educate the public on the pressing need for a free and fair election in the country. Several similar events however had been organized and had proceeded on smoothly nationwide. Among others BERSIH demanded that indelible ink be used during polling day to prevent multiple voting, the cleaning up of the electoral roll deemed to be littered with phantom voters, the abolishment of postal ballots and equal access to the media controlled by the ruling party.

BERSIH hopes in the long term to replace the first-past-the-post electoral system in the country, which is prone to gerrymandering with proportionate representation system. –ES

= = == and the temporary Good News for 4 more months perhaps

September 13, 2007 18:37 PM

No Fuel Price Hike, Government Will Honour Promise, Says PM

ABOVE: PM Abdullah: A promise is a promise "we would not increase the price of oil again for the rest of the year, that is the year of 2007,"

KUALA LUMPUR, Sept 13 (Bernama) -- The Government will honour its promise to the people not to hike fuel prices despite world oil prices soaring to a record high of US$80 per barrel today, Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi said Thursday. "We are observing the situation now, we know this is going to be a very serious development, it must have some impact on our development, but we are also mindful of the fact that sometime ago we issued a statement that we would not increase the price of oil again for the rest of the year, that is the year of 2007," the Prime Minister told reporters. Abdullah, who earlier attended the National Small and Medium Scale Enterprises Development Council meeting at Bank Negara was responding to a question whether the government was considering an upward revision of fuel prices following latest developments in the world oil market.

The Prime Minister also said the government had not decided on other options to tide over with the fuel price surge. "We are studying carefully and analysing at the same time the extent of the negative impact it would have (on the country)," said Abdullah, who is also Finance Minister. Asked whether the people could expect another oil price increase next year, Abdullah said in jest: "Next year, we think about it next year."

ABOVE & BELOW: Keep on pumping until end of year 2007 then "Next year, we think about it next year." says PM Abdullah

He, however, gave an assurance that whatever decision taken by the government would be in the best interests of the economy and the people. In March last year, the government raised prices of petrol, diesel and liquefied petroleum gas, assuring the people that there would not be another increase this year. To another question, Abdullah said the government would only do away with the diesel subsidy if they could come up with a mechanism to help certain low- income groups who needed the fuel for their businesses. He said that although the suggestion to abolish the subsidy came from the people in light with rampant smuggling of the fuel, the government still had to consider the impact of the move on other groups such as fishermen.

"I consider discussions on diesel subsidy abolition due to smuggling of the fuel as reflective of the people's wish in wanting the government to make an important decision on this matter.” But on the other hand, the fishermen, for instance, need diesel (for their boats). If diesel prices are too high, it will be a burden to them. "So, we are thinking whether we can use another mechanism to help the fishermen, majority of whom are poor," he added when responding to a question whether the government would consider scrapping diesel subsidy as suggested by some economists recently.

= = = = = see the latest UPDATES on the QUAKE that rocked parts of Malaysia H E RE

MORE PICS – 8.4 Quake Off Sumatra (7.10pm M’sian Time; 13-Sep 07) Felt Across Malaysia; 2^nd Quake – 7.49am, Thurs Similar effects on Tall Buildings & the High waves in Kedah