Sivarasa and Sankara on Anwar's Police Bail

Sivarasa and Sankara Nair on Anwar's Police Bail

Lt Jen Dato Mohd Salleh's Press Conference

Director of Military Intelligence of Malaysia, Lt Jen Dato Mohd Salleh Hj Ismail gave a press conference at the TM Multimedia College today. The PC was aimed in general at the Malaysian public in view of the recent political developments especially so that the Military Inteligencia was named in a Statutory Declaration recently. It did not help their case with Dato' Seri Anwar Ibrahim claiming that his life was in danger and cited 'Intelligence' sources for his claim.
Since the Bersih rally, rumours of the Military's involvement in one way or another has been cited in a few blogs. Right after the press conference, during a short 10 minute question and answer session, Lt Jen Dato Salleh also refuted claims that one armoured division was deployed to Kuala Lumpur in support of the mammoth gathering last November. The General admitted that though movement of armoured divisions were common in exercises, it has not been a practice that division commanders take orders directly from His Majesty The King or any Royal head of State.
He further stated that military movement are the responsibility of Division Commanders.

Below is the 8 point statement that the General released.

1. The week’s events are being seen in the light of political developments in the country and for many almost a repeat of 1998 that was a shocking breach in Malaysian political culture and something many never wish to revisit. Because of this, we are dealing with a similar set of issues: firstly, the disbelief and anger of the majority of Malaysians; secondly, executive interference with the judiciary, the police and Malaysia Armed Forces (MAF) specifically, the Military Intelligence; and thirdly, the personalities of the key players which are Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi and Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak. Throughout the weekends, Malaysians were exposed to accusations by various parties which claim wrongdoing by others and this was compounded by various counter accusations to discredit and tarnish the reputation and image of opposing party.

2. This chain of events started with the allegations made by a well known blogger, Raja Petra Kamaruddin (PRK) through his statutory declaration on purported facts related to the murder of the Mongolian translator, Altantuya Shaariibuu in October 2006. Apart from naming the three individuals which he claimed that were present at the scene during the murder of the Mongolian translator in the document, he also accused the Prime Minister, Dato’ Seri Abdullah Badawi had received a military intelligence report about the murder. This later followed by the police report which made by Parti Keadilan Rakyat de facto leader, Dato’ Seri Anwar Ibrahim (DSAI) assistant, which accused DSAI of sodomising him on 26 June 2008.

3. DSAI seek ‘safe haven’ at the Turkish Embassy when he was informed that his life is in danger and he claims received information from foreign military intelligence (neighbouring countries) and therefore he seek ‘help’ at the Turkish Embassy. DSAI ‘refuge’ at the Turkish Embassy has attracted much attention from the international community and this has complicated matters further. A day after he left the Turkish Embassy, DSAI made a police report alleging the tampering of evidence in the case where he was punched by the former Chief of Police. Yesterday, DSAI again made headlines when he presented a statutory declaration by a former Special Branch police officer in which he stated the DPM had relationship with Altantuya.

4. These developments point to a new trend in which Malaysian politics is embracing. It feeds on the rakyat’s sympathy by creating various stories/accusations which have not been confirmed. In addition, these developments have caused dilemmas in our society and can lead to a chaotic situation which can affect the nation’s security. This is not the Malaysian culture and the Malaysian way of life.

5. Malaysians are confused and tired of all these accusations and allegations which are based on fabrication of facts and can affect the strength of Malaysia’s national power. There are reports of foreign military intelligence’s involvement in plotting the downfall of the country’s leadership and this is not true. As the Director of Military Intelligence (DMI), I can assure all Malaysians that this allegation is not true. Based on our relationships and networkings, I am confident of the country’s security and now is an opportune time to invest in Malaysia. Furthermore, there is no military intelligence report on the murder case of Altantuya. This is strictly a matter for the police department and its enforcement agencies to look into.

6. As the DMI, I believe that facts which are confusing Malaysians will cause more anger and will lead to more street demonstrations. This will also lead to chaos in the country. Malaysians have to believe in the leadership and discard all their fears as the present government is strong and able to proceed with the democratic process. It is of paramount importance that all Malaysians know that our military intelligence is always monitoring the security of the nation as some parties, intentionally or unintentionally wants to see the country in tatters.

7. Irresponsible parties are using confusing facts for their own personal interests or agendas. These facts are hard to believe thus, the rakyat will lose confidence. Many incidents or reports involved the role of the military and military intelligence. Here, I have to stress that these reports which are made by unknown parties are immoral. These irresponsible groups take pleasure in seeing the Malaysian society in ruins and encourage the culture of accusations among each other. This will lead to the detriment of the country’s economy and stop the progress of the nation. In the end, all Malaysian will be at the loosing side.

8. As the DMI I feel I have to stress that the military intelligence report which was mentioned in RPK’s statutory statement is not true. Since I took over my position as DMI, it has not come to my attention that this report existed. As for DSAI’s statement that he alleged foreign military intelligence sources informed him about his safety is also not true.

OFF AIR for Now....

Yew Tube will be not be able to post any videos for now (two outstanding videos - Media Walk and Save the Lake) as the capacity of the hard drive is full and not able to do any tranfers yet due to time constraints!
Please do visit by end of the week once a new Hard drive is installed.....
:) Thanks for your support!

DBKL's Demolition Day

Read here for full report.
Read here for YB Wee Choo Keong's leadup to the demolition, here, here and here.

Fund Raiser at Damansara Village Restaurant

It started as a noble idea to help its own staff and their families, mainly Myanmarese who endured the recent cyclone that claimed no less than 70 thousand lives. Fortunately, the staff of Damansara Village Restaurant were not directly affected by the cyclone, but by then another tragedy had struck China.
Proprietor of the Restaurant, Patrick Teoh had by then met with his employees and it was decided that a nights collection will be set aside in aid of these unfortunate victims. And so the call went out to colleagues and business associates, friends and families, and bloggers, of course.
It turned out pretty good, a total of Rm24, 632.17 was collected on 20th of May 2008.
When asked what was the amount he had hoped to collect, Patrick gave a modest figure of Rm15,000.00. Complements must go the management for not deducting cost for the night.
The food was excellent, so fresh that the prawns was still jumping from the plates.
Such is the fare tha Damansara Village offered.

For a more complete report, do go to Damansara Village's official blog here.

Malaysian Artistes For Unity

The arts scene, Malaysia. Not many make it to the top, and when people do, most are quick to chide them.
Malaysian Artistes for Unity is one project that these 'big' names got in on, and for gratis!
You really do not hear of these things these days! A brainchild of songwriter Pete Teo, Malaysian Artistes for Unity was announced some six weeks ago. A trailer was uploaded on you tube in April, and had gotten some 8000+ views. With some 120 volunteers from all walks of life, and thousands of hours of production, throw in some 16 singers, and 50 odd personalities, and some big name actors and what they got was one fantastic song and video.
The aim of this project, MAFU is to incite the 'one Bangsa Malaysia' goal, something that most Malaysians aspire for, but may have lost the plot. Pete was quick to ward off any complements, asserting that this project is for one for the country. No race, no colour, no religion (not in his own words) but the ultimate goal of bridging these obstacles in this nation we all love.
'Here In My Home' was put together in less then 6 weeks, and is now available for download for FREE (both song and video) from its website.
At the press conference announcing the project and release of both the song and video, Pete Teo (Project Producer), Yasmin Ahmad (Director), Ho Yuhang (Director), Jason Lo , Sandy Monteiro , and Chan Fong was at hand to provide the media with the project brief as well as information that Maxis had agreed to provide free data uploading via its network for its subscribers without charge.
A project by who's who in the Arts, for Malaysians who are keen to bridge the divide is what I will sum this up to be. And I can already see this group of noble artistes going places, perhaps on the next Bangsa Malaysia roadshow.......two have said yes!
Syabas to them, and now lets, see you 'here in my home'!



'Here In My home' video posted in you tube by Yew Tube!

Of Candle Light Vigils and Police Harrassment

Candlelight vigils are held mostly in most parts of the world by civil society, generally without disturbance or violence. However, in Malaysia, mostly, these vigils are often interrupted by the Police. On the 7th of May, outside the Sungai Buluh Prisons, a group opf about 60-80 people were gathered in solidarity with Raj Petra Kamarudin, who was held in remand after his failure to raise bail in his recent charge of sedition by the Malaysian Government. The night passed without any untoward incident, with an address by Selangor State EXCO member YB Ronnie Liu, as well as a short speech from both Haris Ibrahim and Marina Lee Abdullah, wife of RPK. There was heavy Police presence, as well as off duty prisons officials, but the evening genrally got on without any problems.
On Thursday, 8th of May, another vigil was held in the Dataran Merdeka, or Independence Square. There was heavy Police presence as expected, coupled with the Federal Reserve Unit, normally tasked with crowd and riot controls. There was also heavy machinery parked around the area, tear gas cannon and all. The evening started without much problem, until 8.15pm, when Lawyer Haris Ibrahim was taken away by Police (Arrested, according to Haris) from the Square. He had been accused of ignoring police warnings, and subsequently removed from the area. Read here for other witness accounts of the night. Confusion arosed at first of Haris was indeed arrested, as not much information was attainable from Police personnel present in the square. It is a practice by Police not to divulge information to anyone after such incidents. In fact, previous accounts had also lead certain parties to lodge kidnapping reports against the police for not disclosing information of the detainees. However, Lawyers Malik Imtiaz, through many telephone calls had coordinated with Lawyer Edmund Bon and Viswa on Haris's whereabout, that they were at the IPD Dang Wangi police station to meet Haris an hour after the incident. Haris was subsequently 'released' and it was eventually clarified that he was never arrested at any one point!
The point here is that the police could have just allowed the gathering seeing that those present was really there to show support for those wrongly held (including those under the ISA detention). A strong show of force by the boys in blue, but was it really necessary?

Raja Petra's morning run around at the courts

Raja Petra Kamarudin, better known as RPK was charged in the Petaling Jaya Sessions court on Tuesday, 6th of May 2008. He was earlier asked to present himself at the Kuala Lumpur court complex, and he arrived at around 8.50am. Seen at the car park was lawyer Haris Ibrahim, and his wife, Marina. Other notable bloggers who was also there to meet him was Zorro.
At 8.50am RPK was yet to be made known of the charges that he was to face.
On entering the court outer perimeter, a throng of reporters and photographers were there to greet him. He entered the court building around 9.05am. Surrounded by supporters as well as Pakatan Rakyat's Members of Parliament, and bloggers as well as supporters, RPK had to wait to 10.30am before he was further told that his charges was to be read out in the PJ sessions court.
He eventually arrived in the PJ Sessions court at around 11.00am and proceeded to the waiting room. It was at around 11.55am when YB Gobind Deo and YB Karpal Singh arrived and acted as hid co counsel. Other lawyers in his initial team are YB Lim Lip Eng, YB William Leong, K.Balaguru. RPK was subsequently charged under the Sedition Act, and was granted bail of RM5,000.00. However, he could not raise bail and Balaguru issued a statement that appealed to his supporters to help him by contributing RM1 each to his bail. (a total of about RM30,000 was raised through a designated CIMB account as well as through paypal).
RPK was brought to the Sungai Buluh Prison for remand due to his inability to post bail.
(As of 4.00pm on 7th May 2008, RPK has yet to post bail, and reliable sources informed that he has declined to meet visitors, including his wife. However, he did receive a pair of glasses that was handed over to prison officers. The Star newspaper also provided the same update)
Video report attached.

Blogger 'King' RPK summoned for questioning by Police

Blogger RPK of Malaysia Today received a morning call on the 2nd of May 2008 by seven police personnel, arriving in two cars and three motorcycles. The officers who were in plain clothes proceeded to remove a computer and a laptop from his home. Speaking to Marina, his wife, we were also told of the Police's intention to question him and his interview was originally planned on the 3rd of May at 11.00am. However, he was later told to present himself on the afternoon at 4.00pm through a phone call received at about 3.00pm. Under advice, he could have declined the time, however RPK chose to meet the police to assist them in their investigation, wanting to get it over with. Arriving at the Bukit Perdana commercial crimes division, he went in around 3.50pm accompanied by YB William Leong of Selayang who is also a lawyer. RPK emerged from his Police interview some two and a half hours later. Welcoming him at the entrance of the police complex was his wife Marina, and some blogger friends, including Rockybru, Nuraina Samad, Zorro, Shanghai Fish, and some supporters too.
YB Wee Choo Keong, MP for Wangsa Maju attempted to meet RPK during the interview as his lawyer but was denied entry by the Police. It was understood that the Police were questioning RPK based on a report on RPK's posting on Altantunya, titled "let's send the murderers of Altantunya to hell". In the course of the interview, the Police even threatened to charge RPK for his refusal to answer any questions, and his refusal to make a statement. Eventually, RPK emerged 'victorious' giving an interview to pressmen at around 6.50pm. Read other eyewitness accounts here, here and here.

Prime Minister Abdullah's address to the BAR Council

Read accompanying report here, here or here.

Hill Slope Developments and the destruction of Ampang Hills

Ampang Jaya, more accurately, the vicinity of Bukit Antarabangsa, Ukay Heights, Bukit Malawati, and Ampang Hills. On December 11, 1993, round about 1pm, block 1 of the apartment complex known as Highland Towers collapsed. The tragedy claimed 48 lives. A tragic turn of events that could have been avoided had the developers and local council been more careful. (look here for case documents) A long legal battle ensued, but in reality, those who fought it had no consolation in sight. Families and friends lost.
That was back in 93. 2008 brings a new challenge. Resident associations around these same area are up against the might of another developer, in the form of MAA Assurance. The Resident Association of Taman Hijau, the area closest to the proposed development, informs myblog-tv that the MPAJ(Ampang Jaya Town Council) had already issued a town planning permission to the developers on March 17 2008. This despite appeals from the association(s) and countless letters written to the President informing them of the resident's protestations.
Myblog-Tv visited the areas surrounding the Ampang Jaya hills and found many development notices (up to 5 notices). Given the topographical orientation of this area, it is not surprising that the homeowners had turned up in great numbers to voice their frustrations. YB Elizabeth Wong, Selangor State Exco member for Environment, Consumer Affairs and Tourism was present to hear the grouses of the residents, as was Member of Parliament Gombak, YB Azmin Ali and YB Zuraida, MP of Ampang. Elizabeth informed all present of the State's decision to halt and reject all category 3 & 4 hill slopes (above 29 degrees).
Development must be carried out responsibly, and not at the expense of nature. It took thousands of years to grow, and only days to cut down. Perhaps MAA must relook into their plans for a private and exclusive bungalow enclave, ironically, a company responsible for ensuring the safety of others is now putting these residents in jeopardy.
go here for more details from those living in the area.


This is what the residents had to say. (due to the length of the video, you tube has not approved the final version yet, please return to view again, Thanks)

Malaysian Blogggers in Singapore Round Table

What was the role of Internet and bloggers in the recent 12th Malaysian general Election?
That seemed to be the flavour of the day, when the Institute of Policy Studies, Lee Kuan Yew school of Public Policy invited Malaysian bloggers to their facilities in a roundtable discussion with policymakers and bloggers as well as government officials of the Singapore Government past April9th 2008.
The impact of ICT in the General Elections- A lesson for Singapore, was to see Malaysian bloggers Media Consultant RockyBru, Blogger turned Parliamentarian Jeff Ooi, Lawyer and Blogger Haris Ibrahim, Webmaster and Blogger Nat Tan as well as Chief Editor of Malaysiakini Steven Gan engage the IPS invitees in a closed door session.
As agreed between the bloggers and the host, only the points shared by the bloggers was to allowed to be posted. Not surprisingly to us, seeing as our friends across the causeway was bent on keeping whats out, in!
As such the video coverage that was to have been, did not. We do apologise for the low quality content relied on notes taken. Let's hope that next time round, our host will be more eager to share with others what they would have learnt, if any.

SUARAM Forum

Is it a challenge or a complement to Democracy? The subject of debate is the intervention by the Monarchs in the recent aftermath of the elections. More from SUARAM website.
Chaired by Wong Chin Huat, the panelist included Malik Imtiaz, President of HAKAM and Lawyer, Gobind Singh, Elected Member of Parliament for Puchong, Prof Abdul Aziz Bahri, Constitutional Law Professor and Lecturer at the Islamic International University, Dr Syed Husin Ali, PKR Stalwart, and Dr Dzulkifli Ahmad, Newly Elected Member of Parliament for Kuala Selangor.
Dissecting the State constitution and evaluating the turn of events, much was said about the intervention of the Monarchy. Even citing the monarchy of other countries, it seems that this was an issue very much in the minds of the citizenry.
However, as pointed out by those in the panel, the Sultan was well within the confines of the law.
A question and answer question ensued, but due to the lack of time only 5 questions was taken from the floor.

UMNO's Bethrayal - Why I lodged Police Report against Pak Lah

Tuesday - 1st April 2008. Pavillion Kuala Lumpur.
Its not an April fool's joke, as some may think. Rather, it was Johari Ismail (photos here when he held his initial press conference on Nov 6th 2007), an active UMNO member of the Kampung Tahang Rimau branch in Johor, at the launch of his book (as the title suggested).
Asked why he did what he did, Johari replied that he made the report in view that the Prime Minister issued a directive to stop Tun Dr Mahathir from being nominated as a candidate. Such act, as he saw it, was unfit of that of a leader. On the other contents of the book, Johari also touched on the Iskandariah Region (WPI). Citing that the formation of such a region with access to foreign nationals unrestricted will be threat to National Security.
Speaking at the launch was Tan Sri Abdul Aziz Tapa, an UMNO stalwart, considered by most as part of the founding members. Tan Sri Abdul Aziz touched on the subject of betrayal too. However, he cited the results of the recent General Election as a catalyst, and perhaps its time to reevaluate the party. Betrayal or not, what will happen in the next few weeks or months leading to the AGM would be one that most people would be interested in, UMNO members or not.

PAS MP of Shah Alam YB Khalid Abd Samad visits Church of Divine Mercy

YB Khalid Abd Samad, MP of Shah Alam, a member of Parti Islam Malaysia engages the churchgoers of the Roman Catholic Church of Divine Mercy Shah Alam.
The church took 26 years to build due to various objections and regulation changes that resulted in it being completed in 2005. The church is a factory uilding converted to a place of worship in the Industrial zone of Glenmarie Shah Alam. YB Khalid asked that he meet the people to quell fears and answer any questions on the direction of PAS and matters relating to the new Selangor State Government. For more details to his Q&A session, go here.

myblog-TV

Having spoken to many people in recent weeks, I am convinced more now than ever that this is the right time to launch this new blog.
Myblog-TV aims to provide information through video coverage and interviews on current affairs and issues to all discerning blog readers here in Malaysia, the land we so love. The impact of bloggers and online news, both for and against is a healthy forum that we should all engage in. However, being homosapiens, we have the tendency to take sides. Myblog-TV aims to remain neutral. With this in mind, the videos , filmed and hosted (by youtube for economic reasons) remains a media for you, the reader to watch and make your own judgements.

Due to the limitation of youtube, only 10 minutes of videos will be posted. Full length videos via CD rom can be requested via email to request.myblogtv@gmail.com and instructions will be sent to you upon request.

This blog TV is not possible without the support of the certain individuals. A big thank you goes out to these well wishers. An on loan prosumer Video cam is on hand and ready!

Currently, myblog-TV is able to cover events in the Peninsular only. This call also goes out to bloggers who wish to provide coverage within their local area. The minimum requirement is prosumer/HD ready camera equipment with sufficient sound pick up equipment in order to enable good quality delivery via the existing network.

Wish us luck, will you?