PM Abdullah Lip Service to the Bar Council & Nation; Verbal expression Unsupported by Action; Hishamuddin: Keris is ON & Malay Power Push

Malaysiakini reported Probe ends, wait begins for outcome Beh Lih Yi | Oct 29, 07 12:25pm but the Panel is not telling and the protest Memo to the Panel
Protesters hand over memo to panel Beh Lih Yi | Oct 29, 07 8:16pm

Malaysiakini has no news yet on the keynote lip service address by the PM at the Dinner last night with its Malaysiakini.tv still on Ops Lalang: Pengalaman bekas wartawan Watan
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In his keynote address at the 14th Malaysian Law Conference Dinner 2007 he called on the legal fraternity to take into account the legal reality in making demands, criticisms, opinions or even accusations with careful and more comprehensive consideration. There is a need to sincerely understand and accept this unique situation which takes into account current realities.

Now who created the present realities in this present point of power sharing? In the first place if the government is sincere and appeared genuinely fair in implementing polices in the best interest of the country then every law abiding citizen would be really working hard and acting in the real interest of the country and would aspire to make the country even greater. The current successes that the Deputy PM boasted so much in France (see Previous Post H E R E ) are based on “hollow premises” without solid foundations and when the oil money is squandered away when there is not enough loot to be distributed, the collapse is no better than pack of cards. So many things that is not right and they want to sweep them under the carpet and project to the outside world that “semua OK”.

Instead of calling on the more alert and responsible bar community to face the current realities, the Government should sit up and take a lot at the rotten realities that is facing the nation at this point of time and make the necessary adjustments instead of Zam’s response threat of “strengthening Malay Political Power” and Hishamuddin blatant defiance to show the Keris in the Next UMNO Youth meeting. The Ministers are acting out of tandem what the PM is preaching.

There would be no necessity for the Bar Council to take the March and to react in such a way that they are now being accused of causing damage to the country’s reputation and in the process driving away investments. The worst scenario is that the Government doesn’t even recognize that there is a judiciary crisis. The defacto Law Minster in his Sunday interview clearly showed the type of mentality that is ruling the Nation. Yes you are in the majority with the votes from the ballot boxes (by hook or by crook); the silent majority doesn’t talk about it, the backbencher MPs are ordered not to talk about it so where is the judicial crisis he reasoned. So the minorities (1000 lawyers and many others) do not count and cannot be right or correct to perceive the current state of affairs and can be so easily rubbished off!.

When the PM speaks to a large ethnic community (see below) he emphasized “therere won't be progress in the country if all spheres are dominated by a single ethnic community” And he paid lip service to power sharing. Is the Government practicing what he is preaching? Systematically policies are made and implemented that are of disadvantage to the minority stakeholders in the Country. And we have the Minister of information condemning the DAP for taking up a stand for the ethnic minority and claiming the learned Bar members can be so easily influenced by opposition members.

The speech writers through the PM have given a number of verbal expression of agreement or allegiance, unsupported by real conviction or action; hypocritical respect: Lip service continues to be paid to resolving judicial crisiss, but there is no sense of urgency.

= == == = == =October 29, 2007 22:52 PM

Any Stand By Malaysian Bar Must Be In The Country's Best Interest

KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 29 (Bernama) -- Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi said that whatever stands taken by the Malaysian Bar must be in the best interest of the whole country instead of any internal pressure group. "For instance, when the Bar Council officially supports dissenting judgments or pushes forward its view that Malaysia is a secular state, the Bar must take care to not simply represent the views of certain segments of the society," said the Prime Minister in his keynote address at the 14th Malaysian Law Conference 2007 here. He said any miscalculation in this regard could drive a deeper wedge between the different groups in the country. "This opens the Bar Council to accusations of causing greater damage, not only to the Bar Council as a professional body, but also to the country," he said. Abdullah said as a body whose opinion was widely respected not just locally, but also internationally, the Bar Council must recognise the repercussions of its actions. "With regard to the recent `Putrajaya March', I would first take the view that a public demonstration is not like any other public social event.

"A demonstration gives the impression that a problem has reached an intractable impasse, even when, in reality, it has not," he said. Abdullah said it also sent negative vibes to domestic and foreign investors, undermining the tireless efforts of industry and government in attracting investments and subsequently, in creating employment and providing new economic opportunities. The future of the country depended on, among others, the political stability and societal peace which had been preserved for so many years, and "the creation of negative perception, through over-reaching and unfounded public accusations, is difficult to overcome," he said.

The Prime Minister said "these damaging perceptions can potentially be all that it takes for us to fall behind other countries in this increasingly competitive global environment." "We must always take the view that disagreement and differences can be solved in many ways. The government is not only willing, but is also serious in addressing the views of the legal fraternity, of which the Bar Council is a party," he said. Abdullah said a more constructive way was working together sincerely and without pre-conditions, as well as, without being suspicious of each other.

The government took the views expressed by the Bar Council seriously, and "just like the Bar, we believe in the independence of judiciary and upholding the supremacy of the Constitution." Improving the judicial service, eradicating corruption and enhancing the performance of the public sector were also among the government's national priorities, he said. The Prime Minister said he did not deny that there were imperfections and challenges that the country was facing, "while we still have some way to go, the legal fraternity should not be irrationally negative or unduly pessimistic about the progress the country has made." Abdullah said that there were many more opportunities that could be better explored together and with a greater sense of common purpose, not only for the socio-political development in the country but also to further develop the country's economy. He said the legal firms should be selling their services internationally, and in line with the government's moves in promoting new sources of growth, for example the Islamic financial services, the legal fraternity was encouraged to develop specialist legal expertise in this area. In doing so, they would be able to take full advantage of the same opportunities on offer, as bankers and other professional sectors had already done, he said.

"New business opportunities and the entry of big and sophisticated global players in niche industries and planned growth areas, such as the Iskandar Development Region, require that our legal firms have the capacity and capability to meet the increasing demands and expectations," he said. Abdullah also suggested that the Bar Council, which has more than 12,000 members and it is growing at 10 to 12 per cent annually, assisted its members, especially the small and medium-size firms, to develop business skills and specialist legal competencies, including internationally applicable ones to enable them to compete with larger local firms which were already forming alliances with major foreign firms. He also said there was a need for strategies and programmes to be formulated to ensure that Malaysian lawyers were better able to understand and face the more demanding and constantly changing global legal environment.

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October 28, 2007 01:05 AM

Consensus Necessary For Country's Progress

KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 27 (Bernama) -- Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi tonight emphasised that there won't be progress in the country if all spheres are dominated by a single ethnic community. The Prime Minister said Malaysia needed the cooperation and consensus from all the ethnic communities in the country. As such, Abdullah said the people should emulate the past leadership who placed emphasis on unity and cooperation in the development of the country. "I know every community wants to make demands but we must be mindful that we are a (multi-racial) country and, as such, whatever we do should be acceptable to all," he said at the cultural show `Malaysia Gemilang' organised by the MCA at the Bukit Jalil National Stadium, near here.

Speaking to more than 5,000 guests comprising the Chinese community, the Prime Minister said the progress and prosperity enjoyed by the people now were achieved through the wisdom of the past leaders, particularly Tunku Abdul Rahman, who advocated the concept of power sharing. "I value the principle of power sharing... I will strongly hold to this principle. Only this formula can work in a (multiracial) country like Malaysia," he said. The Prime Minister said the people should regard all communities as `friends' in all matters. Abdullah also described several Chinese community leaders including Tan Sri Lim Goh Tong who died on Oct 23 as individuals who worked hard and contributed to the country's development. He also gave his assurance that the National Type Chinese Primary School (SRJKC) examination would remain to be conducted in two languages in response to MCA president Datuk Seri Ong Kah Ting's speech earlier on the matter. "The government always gives priority to education for all communities," he said. The guests, who included the Prime Minister's wife Datin Seri Jeanne Abdullah, MCA deputy president Datuk Seri Chan Kong Choy and Gerakan acting president Tan Sri Dr Koh Tsu Koon, were entertained to culturalperformances at the event.

= == = == == = = ansd Zam's counter propaganda
October 29, 2007 18:24 PM

People Told To Be Wary Of Opposition Ploy

PENANG, Oct 29 (Bernama) -- The people have been advised to be wary of opposition propaganda, especially the DAP's, which always played on racial issues and the social contract for their own political interest. Information Minister Datuk Seri Zainuddin Maidin (ABOVE), who gave the advice, however likened the DAP's actions to the water snake, which "appears potent but has no venom". "They are only good at arousing racial sentiments and harping on issues related to the social contract to divide the people," he told reporters after attending a state-level Hari Raya celebration and "Titian Mesra" programme organised by agencies of the ministry at the RTM station here.

In light of this, he urged the people to reject the DAP in the next general election as their actions would only cause disunity and distrust among the country's multiracial population. He cynically reminded the DAP not to use racial issues to serve its own interest as this would only swing more support for Malay politics, hence strengthening Malay political power. "Malaysia is a stable and peaceful country and this has not been achieved overnight" Therefore, all parties should be more responsible and not destroy the prevailing peace and all that have been achieved by the country," he said. Zainuddin also reminded the media and Malaysian Bar Council not to allow themselves to be used by the opposition which was out looking for publicity by making various allegations, including the controversial video clip issue (video clip showing a senior lawyer in a phone conversation purportedly brokering the appointment of court judges). He said the issue was played up by Keadilan (Parti Keadilan Rakyat) which would not accept the findings of the independent panel set by the government to investigate the case.

Also present at the Hari Raya celebration were Zainuddin's deputy Datuk Seri Chia Kwang Chye, Penang Information director Masnoor Ashaari, Northern Region Broadcasting director Kham Siah Hindon Md Said, state Special Affairs Department director Ahmad Lutfi Ibrahim and Bernama
deputy editor-in-chief Zulkifli Salleh.

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ABOVE: Rubber Stamp Panel last meeting?, ACA & IGP on the Left
October 29, 2007 22:38 PM
Panel Report Based On Info From ACA, Digital Forensic Experts

KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 29 (Bernama) -- Information from the Anti-Corruption Agency (ACA) and two digital forensic experts will form the basis of the report to be prepared by a panel set up to determine the authenticity of a video clip allegedly showing a lawyer brokering judicial appointments over the telephone.

This was disclosed by Tan Sri Haidar Mohd Noor (ABOVE), chairman of the three-member panel, at a news conference today. The other panel members are National Service Training Council Chairman Tan Sri Lee Lam Thye and former Court of Appeal Judge Datuk Mahadev Shankar. "So far, no one has come forward to give information," he said after the panel met to gather information from two digital forensic experts from Cyber Security Sdn Bhd.

One of the experts was Aswami Fadilah Mohd Ariffin, chief of digital forensic of the company. "The panel is almost ready to hand over the report to the government on Nov 9. The government will determine whether to make the report public," he said at the news conference held at the head office of the Human Rights Commission of Malaysia (Suhakam), here. The eight-minute video clip was recorded four years ago and was put up on the Internet recently. It shows a lawyer brokering the appointment of judges in the year 2002. Asked about the presence of Inspector-General of Police Tan Sri Musa Hassan and ACA Deputy Director-General I Datuk Abu Kassim Mohamed at the meeting, Haidar said they were there as observers and also to watch the video clip.
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October 29, 2007 17:34 PM
Linggam Video: Decision On Panel After Report, Says Najib

PETALING JAYA, Oct 29 (Bernama) -- Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak said Monday the government will decide the fate of the Independent Panel on the Linggam video after it receives the report from the panel. "We have yet to hear the report from the panel. When we hear the report from the panel then we will decide," he told reporters after delivering a speech on "Beyond Budget 2008 - The Economic, Trade and Financial Landscape" at a luncheon organised by the Women Institute of Management here. Najib was asked whether the panel would be dissolved if no one came foward to give information on the video when the deadline is up on Nov 7.
Yesterday, Minister in the Prime Minister's Department Datuk Seri Mohamed Nazri Aziz was quoted as saying that it would be a `case closed' if no one had volunteered information to the panel by the time the deadline expired.
Najib announced on Sept 25 the establishment of the panel to determine the authenticity of a video clip of a telephone conversation purported between senior lawyer Datuk V. K Linggam and a senior judge on judicial appointments. Two days later, former chief judge Tan Sri Haidar Mohd Noor, Datuk Mahadev Shankar and Tan Sri Lee Lam Thye, were appointed to the panel and given 30 working days to complete the investigation but so far, no witness had come forward.

ABOVE & BELOW: The reporters allowed in have nothing much to report as everything is shrouded in Secrecy. Can see also the 2 silent majority, Datuk Shankar & that mum Tan Sri Lee L T

= == == coming Hishamuddin Keris wielding act is on

"It is important that we continue to do it so that the issue has not become .. it becomes desensitize Because, unless you ban the keris altogether why should we be apologetic or be defensive about it. We have made a decision and we will explain our position without any fear."

and Two more for the son-in-law

= = =Watch the 44 secs Video Clip of his declaration to show the Keris again

= == = == = == = == = = and from STS on the Royal Speech

Oct 30, 2007

Perak ruler - a former chief justice - calls for judicial reforms

By Carolyn Hong, Malaysia Bureau Chief

KUALA LUMPUR - AN INFLUENTIAL Malaysian ruler, Perak Sultan Azlan Shah, who was once a highly respected chief justice, has unexpectedly joined calls for judicial reform, noting public 'disquiet' following recent 'disturbing events relating to the judiciary'. Addressing the same Malaysian Law Conference yesterday, Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi did not respond directly to criticisms of the judiciary. Instead, he took aim at lawyers, criticising them for going overboard by holding a public demonstration last month to push for judicial reform. Malaysia's nine rulers do not usually speak out on political matters but Sultan Azlan Shah, in a speech that drew a standing ovation, had earlier spoken of the need for the judiciary to regain public confidence. He said:

I have found it necessary to speak at some length on these matters because it is my earnest hope that the Malaysian judiciary will regain the public's confidence.' He also said: 'A judiciary loses its value and service to the community if there is no public confidence in its decision making.'

ABOVE: PERAK SULTAN AZLAN SHAH as seen addressing the 14 Malaysian Law Conference and BELOW: The defacto Law Minister was there but found it difficult to understand

'A demonstration gives the impression that a problem has reached an intractable impasse even when, in reality, it has not. - PM abdullah

The Bench was rocked recently when opposition leader Anwar Ibrahim revealed an explosive video clip of a lawyer boasting about using political connections to get certain judges promoted. That only fuelled a crisis of confidence following allegations about certain judges' close ties with powerful businessmen, and heightened calls from the Malaysian Bar - which represents 12,000 lawyers - for an overhaul of the system of judicial appointments. And just last Friday, a human rights lawyer handed the King a 5,000-signature petition calling for reforms. Adding to the beleaguered judiciary's problems, the last few years have seen a growing perception that judgments involving religious disputes are being delivered along religious lines. In the face of such problems, Sultan Azlan Shah, who headed the judiciary in the 1980s, told the conference:

I am driven nostalgically to look back at a time when our judiciary was the pride of our region, and our neighbours spoke admiringly of our legal system.'

And in remarks directly addressed to serving judges, he reminded them that they are judges for all Malaysians and asked them to be sensitive and impartial when dealing with all parties, irrespective of race, religion or creed. Despite not normally rocking the boat, the sultans collectively showed their strength earlier this year when they refused to endorse a government choice for a top judicial post.

In his remarks, the Prime Minister said the Malaysian Bar should not be unduly negative, adding that the government took its views seriously. And he remained optimistic about the future, saying that the lawyers had acted prematurely by demonstrating. 'A demonstration gives the impression that a problem has reached an intractable impasse even when, in reality, it has not,' he said. Malaysia's de-facto law minister Nazri Aziz, also appeared to have brushed off Sultan Azlan Shah's criticisms, saying: 'That is an opinion of some people, not necessarily the majority.'

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