Batu Caves Quiet Sunday 02 Dec 07; ZAM: No More Protests Slams Bar Council Freedom Walk; Nazri: No Marginalization; Najib: Stability Takes Priority

UPDATE:

December 03, 2007 15:30 PM
Don't Interfere In Our Affairs - Syed Hamid

KUALA LUMPUR, Dec 3 (Bernama) -- Malaysia has every right to handle its own internal issues as it sees fit and other nations should respect the sovereignty of the country, Foreign Minister Datuk Seri Syed Hamid Albar said Monday. He said that regardless of ethnic origin, Malaysians have been Malaysians for the past 50 years.

Thus, they are subjected to Malaysian laws and legislation, he told reporters today when asked about concerns raised by India regarding the treatment of Malaysian Indians following an illegal rally organised by the Hindu Rights Action Force (Hindraf) last month. "This is Malaysia. We'll deal with our problems and issues according to our laws. Other countries should be mindful of our rights," said Syed Hamid. Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi had said that Hindraf was spreading blatant lies with the intention of arousing hatred among multiracial Malaysians.

= = == == A saving face way out - so as not to aggravate the bad situation
Monday December 3, 2007; MYT 4:13:26 PM

Devamany let off the hook; By FLORENCE A. SAMY

KUALA LUMPUR: Cameron Highlands MP K. Devamany who landed in hot water over his controversial statements in Parliament recently has been let off the hook without any suspension or warning. Devamany had a 20-minute meeting with Chief Whip and Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak Monday morning to explain himself. Devamany had spoken up in Parliament last month seemingly sympathising with the Hindraf (Hindu Rights Action Force) rally.

The MIC backbencher told Najib Monday that he regretted his statement but when pushed further by reporters he declined to say whether he was sorry over what he said. "He was very nice to me. I told him I regret the statement. "He advised me on what happened. I truly believe that unity, peace and stability is paramount in the country and cannot be compromised. "Najib has expressed concern over the plight of the Indian community which will be addressed by the Government and MIC through the Barisan Nasional spirit," he told reporters at the Parliament lobby Monday. Devamany thanked Najib for meeting him and explained to the Chief Whip concerns on the ground of the Indian community.

ABOVE: Nazri Change of Heart? Election Damage Control? Even Holding Hands! What he said on TV Only

“There is no suspension, nothing. This will go to show that you know, the Barisan National, we allow you as MP to speak accordance to your conscience at the same time to maintain decorum and to ensure unity for Barisan National in the Parliament”

Also at the press conference was Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department and Deputy Chief Whip Datuk Seri Nazri Aziz (ABOVE) who confirmed that no suspension or warning had been given to Devamany.

= == = == PM doing development at Very high inflated cost!

December 03, 2007 11:58 AM
Nation's Success Key To Countering Baseless Accusations - Abdullah

ABOVE Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi pow-wow with his deputy, Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak after monthly assembly.Looking on are Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department Datuk Dr Maximus Ongkili (left) and Chief Secretary to the Government Tan Sri Sidek Hassan (right)

PUTRAJAYA, Dec 3 (Bernama) -- The government's success in developing Malaysia is a key element in efforts to counter baseless accusations levelled by the Hindu Rights Action Force (Hindraf) aimed at creating chaos in the country, said Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi. The prime minister said that successful development efforts seen in Malaysia would invoke confidence among the people that the government was serious in undertaking initiatives to develop the country for the well-being of the people irrespective of race. "Our success in developing the country will be an important factor as it allows the people to see what's happening around them...it's the most influential factor for the people," he told the monthly assembly for Prime Minister's Department staff here Monday.

In this connection, Abdullah said the public sector should strive to improve the public service delivery system as civil servants played an important role to ensure the successful implementation of development initiatives. Enhanced efficiency will not only improve the integrity of the civil service but also spell success in efforts to develop the country, he said. Hindraf organised an illegal assembly here recently, accusing the Malaysian government of carrying out ethnic cleansing of Indians in the country. Abdullah said no one in their right mind would believe that the government had such a policy. The people value peace and progress enjoyed by the country thus far, he said.

"They're not stupid, and they have not allowed themselves to be hoodwinked for the past 50 years," said Abdullah, adding that many were unhappy with Hindraf's actions. The prime minister said efforts to bring about greater progress to the country would continue despite the fact that the poor made up only 5.7 per cent of the population. The government aims to eradicate hardcore poverty by 2010. Abdullah said Hindraf had gone overboard in making wild accusations and causing chaos to further their narrow political interests. He said that while police were tasked to maintain public order in the country, the government would not allow lies to spread among the people.

According to him, some people were ignorant of what the government was doing for them, prompting them to act based on their emotions. Abdullah stressed that the government would continue efforts to bring further progress to the country and its people regardless of race and religion.

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Batu Caves Quiet Sunday 02 Dec 07; ZAM: NO MORE Street Protests; Slams Bar Council Ulterior Motive People's Freedom Walk; Nazri – Minority Not Marginalized; Najib: Stability Takes Priority; Zahid: Foreign Media Misled by Opposition

ABOVE & BELOW: It was all quiet in Batu Caves on Sunday morning as Hindraf leader adviser P. Uthaya Kumar was spotted with a small group of supporters when he arrived for a religious ceremony
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ABOVE & BELOW: Copies of Memo were distributed
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ABOVE: He left shortly after distributing copies of the Memo to the British Government. BELOW: Followed by his supporters
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ABOVE & BELOW: But the Police were jittery and a few patrol cars were at hand to keep a watchful eye. No untoward incidents happened.

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November 02, 2007 14:07 PM
Don't Hold Any Form Of Street Protests Now, Says Zam
KUALA LUMPUR, Dec 2 (Bernama) -- Don't hold any form of street protests now as the move will only stir up uneasiness among the people and harm racial unity in the country, says Information Minister Datuk Seri Zainuddin Maidin. He said street rallies, regardless of whatever reasons given, should not be permitted. The Minister was responding to the Bar Council's plan to organise a "People's Freedom Walk on Dec 9 in conjunction with the World Human Rights Day. Bar Council president Ambiga Sreneevasan had said they met the police on Friday to discuss how best to organise the Human Rights Day march.

Zainuddin questioned the Bar Council's real motive to organise the walk, which according to him was "only a front under the guise of human rights." "Any form of street rallies for whatever reasons should not be allowed now as they will only tarnish the nation's image in the eyes of the international community. "I believe the Bar Council's intention to hold the People's Freedom Walk is to condemn the government under the guise of human rights," he told Bernama. Zainnuddin said for whatever reason or excuse the Bar Council wants to hold the walk, the people knew the hidden agenda behind the move. "Solutions cannot be found to human rights issues merely by staging street protests.

Moreover, such protests will only worsen the current situation in the country," he said. Zainuddin said two street rallies held in Kuala Lumpur last month by two non-governmental organisations calling themselves "BERSIH" and Hindu Rights Action Force (Hindraf) had only created adverse effects and aroused the people's anger. The minister also chastised an English daily for publishing reports promoting the Bar Council's plan to organise the "People's Freedom Walk". He said the daily was not bothered about racial unity in the country. The newspaper had given details on the time to gather for the walk and also encouraged the people to bring along posters.

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December 02, 2007 12:26 PM
Government Never Ignored Minority Races In Malaysia, Says Nazri

KANGAR, Dec 2 (Bernama) -- The Government has never forsaken the interests and welfare of minority races in Malaysia, what more launching an "ethnic cleansing" to wipe them out from the country. Minister in the Prime Minister's Department Datuk Seri Mohamed Nazri Abdul Aziz said all races are given due protection under the law and adequate avenues to seize opportunities available in the country. The Government has never imposed restrictions on their freedom to embrace the religion of their choice and practise their respective cultures and traditions, he told reporters after launching the state-level Thai Loy Krathong festival in Pengkalan Asam here last night. The minister said the well-being of the minority Thai community in Malaysia was also given due protection by the Government.

"Although there are only about 60,000 Siamese in the country, the Government had never ignored their interests and welfare. This showed there was no racial discrimination in Malaysia," said Mohamed Nazri, who is also Malaysian Siamese Association patron. "I intend to ask for a bigger allocation from the Culture, Arts and Heritage Ministry and the Tourism Ministry to preserve the Siamese art and culture which have been well accepted by Malaysians," he said. Mohamed Nazri said every year he gave RM25,000 financial aid for the Siamese community to carry out their arts and cultural programmes including to buy costumes.

On allegations by the Hindu Rights Action Force (Hindraf) that Indians in Malaysia are being marginalised, prompting them to stage an illegal rally in Kuala Lumpur on Nov 25, Mohamed Nazri said the Indian activist group's irresponsible action had only made things difficult for the Indian community in this country. Hindraf did not represent Malaysian Indians, he added. Malaysian Siamese Association president Senator Siw Chun a/p Eam said the Thai community was happy in Malaysia as their interests were never neglected by the Government. In fact, the Government gave full freedom for the Thais to practise their cultures and traditions, she added. Various activities were held for the Loy Krathong celebrations jointly hosted by the association and the state government including Loy Krathong beauty pageant in which local beauties were pitted against Thai girls. Last night, thousands of krathong flowers were set adrift in the Perlis River, marking the climax of the festival, also attended by Thais from neighbouring Thailand.

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December 01, 2007 23:34 PM
National Stability Takes Priority In Hindraf Issue - Najib

HONG KONG, Dec 1 (Bernama) -- Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak says the government will give priority to national stability and public order in dealing with the Hindu Rights Action Force (Hindraf) issue. He also said that Hindraf's latest move to try to lobby foreign support would only make the situation worse. It was as though they were challenging the government to use the Internal Security Act, he added. "I regret the action taken by Hindraf leaders because the issues raised are domestic but why they want to internationalise them?," he told Malaysian reporters here today.

Asked what would be the government's reaction if more street protests are held, he said: "If they keep challenging, one day they will cross the line. "But it is up to the authorities to determine the appropriate action on Hindraf," said Najib who leaves for home tomorrow after a three-day visit here. He said many quarters urged the government to be firm but using the Internal Security Act could become an international issue. There were also people waiting to exploit the situation whatever enforcement measures were taken, he added. "Nonetheless, internal stability takes precedence alongside national harmony and public order," Najib said.

According to reports, Hindraf chairman P. Waythamoorthy has left Malaysia for India, Europe and the United States to seek support for its cause. Najib said this clearly showed that Hindraf was politically motivated and the group's move was to try to tarnish the country's image. Other countries had no rights to intervene in Malaysia's internal matters, he said. Meanwhile, asked on what he would say to K. Devamany when they meet on Monday, Najib said he would listen to what the Barisan Nasional member of Parliament for Cameron Highlands had to say. In the Dewan Rakyat recently, Devamany was said to have criticised the government on wealth distribution and linked it to Hindraf's protest on Nov 25

= == = == = == =December 02, 2007 01:27 AM

Opposition Using Foreign Media To Disparage Government - Zahid

KUANTAN, Dec 1 (Bernama) -- Opposition party leaders have been found using the foreign media to disparage the government, Deputy Information Minister Datuk Ahmad Zahid (ABOVE) Hamidi says. He said he knew of this from reports and newspaper cuttings sent to him by a number of colleagues in Indonesia since recently. He said the opposition leaders' action was inappropriate as it would not only confuse readers but also create suspicion on government policies as well as the country's economic and political situation. "The disparaging reports on Malaysia create suspicion among foreigners because they think what is told by the opposiiton leaders is true," he told reporters after launching the Paya Besar election machinery here today. He said opposition parties deliberately used the foreign channel knowing that the foreign media had the tendency to splash bad reports on Malaysia. Zahid said opposition party leaders should solve their problems with the government politically instead of disparaging their own country. "I hate those who run down their own country to others... it is unpatriotic," he added. He said the move by opposition leaders was weird because foreign nationals would not going to vote in Malaysian elections. To enlighten the foreign media on the real situation in Malaysia, he said the Information Ministry and the Tourism Ministry planned to invite newspaper editors from neighbouring countries to come here.

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December 01, 2007 22:59 PM
Tengku Adnan Denies Making Statement On Weapons Discovery In Batu Caves
KUALA LUMPUR, Dec 1 (Bernama) -- Tourism Minister Datuk Seri Tengku Adnan Tengku Mansor has denied making a statement on the discovery of several weapons in Batu Caves as alleged through the short-messaging service (SMS). "I have not made such a statement nor have I sent an SMS to anyone on the matter," he told Bernama here today. Meanwhile, Gombak district deputy police chief Supt Abdul Karim Abu Hassan when contacted said police had not received any report or information on the weapons discovery. "It's not true. There are people trying to worsen the situation by spreading such stories. However, we will investigate the matter," he said. Prior to this, Education Minister Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Tun Hussein also became victim of a malicious SMS message on a statement allegedly made by him regarding Indian and Chinese votes.

= == = == =tragic news
December 02, 2007 14:17 PM

Three Paratroopers Drowned During LIMA Training Session

LANGKAWI, Dec 2 (Bernama) -- Three paratroopers, two of them women, drowned while 11 others were injured during a training session that went awry at the Langkawi International Maritime and Aerospace (LIMA) 2007 exhibition here today. A police spokesman said strong winds pushed them away from the intended landing spot in the 10.30am incident. "Strong gusts of wind pushed them out to sea near the Kuala Muda beach, not far from the Langkawi International Airport," he said. Meanwhile, Langkawi OCPD Supt Mohamed Ali Jamalludin identified the victims as Siti Hajar Yaakob, 24, Nurul Wahida Yusof, 20, and Raymond Duncan, 25. He said the bodies were now at the Langkawi Hospital morgue and would be released to the military after post-mortem.

A check showed that the hospital was guarded by military personnel and the morgue was off-limits to members of the media. Royal Malaysian Air Force public relations officer Major Zulkiflee Abdul Latiff said those involved were among 138 members of the 10th Para Brigade who were training for the opening of LIMA 2007 tomorrow. He said that erratic wind patterns during the exercise caused some of them to stray off course. "The search and rescue team was mobilised. The rest of the paratroopers are safe," he said in a statement, adding that further updates would be provided from time to time. Mohamed Ali said that some of the paratroopers became entangled in tree branches near the beach.

The injured were being treated at the Langkawi Hospital, he added.

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Watch Video Clip (2min 46s) –SAMY & Government Failed the Indian Community; Over past 2 Months He submitted Reports after ; Meetings, were called and KIV; Hindraf: Special Committee – an Eyewash?

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previous post Hijacked, see HE RE

Video –SAMY & Government Failed the Indian Community; Over 2 ...

2 hours ago Malaysiakini has lead weekend story Experts: BN to suffer poll losses and this would not be surprising now that Hindraf has woken up the Indians to realize that they have been misled and hoodwinked for the past 50 years. ... Democrats @ 2008 Presidential Election - http://democrats.independent2008.net