Pak Lah takes Defence, Najib takes Finance...

This was taken from Malaysia Today...

(The Malaysian Insider) In a minor Cabinet reshuffle today, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi named his deputy Datuk Seri Najib Abdul Razak as finance minister.

Abdullah, who was the finance minister, will take over Najib's defence ministry portfolio. He said he may step down sooner than 2010.

The swap was announced after today's Cabinet meeting.

Najib has also been made deputy chairman of Khazanah Nasional.

Today's announcement comes amid widespread speculation over a transition plan hammered out between the country's top two leaders for Najib to take over power in 2010.

Said Abdullah today:' "The transition is flexible. It is up to me. It will be no later than 2010 but it may be sooner."

Abdullah added that he would also offer himself as a candidate to be Umno president while Najib would stand as deputy president at this year's Umno elections.

Najib, who was also at the press conference, said: "I would like to thank the prime minister for his confidence.

"Giving me this post shows he is magnanimous, it shows his sincerity in picking me as his successor."

Sources said Datuk Seri Nazri Aziz is also expected to be named de facto law minister to replace Datuk Zaid Ibrahim, who quit this week over the Internal Security Act (ISA) arrests of DAP leader Teresa Kok and two others.

What's the matter Pak Lah... afraid of a coup d’état..?

Another blogger arrested...

My favorite blogger Sheih a.k.a Kickdefella has been arrested under Sedation Act. For more news click Nuraina's blog and Rocky Bru's. They are not using the ISA... hemmm... smart move.

No news what the charges are but I think Sheih was arrest because of his upside down flag campaign. Pak Lah called him evil guy for leading the campaign. Wonder what he thinks of this...

PM in distress

Happy Birthday Hana...

Just want to wish my wife Happy Birthday...

You are still beautiful as the first time I met you 16 years ago... :D

Love you always.

The slander @ fitnah article that gets Teresa in trouble...

Don't know who is this Zaini Hassan but if there is no truth in this article, then you are committing slander in this holy month of Ramadhan... tsk... tsk... and to think the devil is in chains during this period. Read and judge it but for me this reporter should receive the same treatment as the Sin Chew Daily News reporter Tan Hoon Cheng if you use the logic. Opsss... forgot that his life is not in danger ;) And Utusan should get a show cause letter... no?

Cuit

Azan, jawi, JAIS, Uitm dan ba-alif-ba-ya…
Oleh Zaini Hassan
email: zaini.hassan@utusan.com.my

Janganlah anggap apa yang saya tulis ini sebagai rasis atau berunsur perkauman. Dalam suasana negara yang dipenuhi dengan isu sensitif perkauman sekarang, tulisan ini hanyalah sebagai satu ingatan kepada kita semua, terutamanya umat Islam.

Saya amat tertarik untuk merujuk kepada kenyataan bekas Menteri Besar Selangor, Datuk Seri Dr. Khir Toyo yang membangkitkan mengenai “ada usaha oleh pihak tertentu (di Selangor) yang cuba menasihatkan pihak masjid dan surau supaya tidak menggunakan pembesar suara semasa melaungkan azan”.

Bagi saya petikan itu pelik bunyinya. Bagi saya ia juga amat serius. Tidak pernah dalam sejarah 51 tahun merdeka, rakyat Malaysia sedang menghadapi situasi seperti itu. Selama ini kita-Melayu, Cina, India, Sikh dan lain lain bangsa dan agama tidak pernah bercakap mengenai perkara itu. Kita hormat antara satu sama lain. Soal agama Islam terpelihara secara suci di dalam Perlembagaan negara. Justeru, petikan semacam itu tidak pernah terlintas langsung atau termimpi akan diucapkan.

Kini, ia berlaku. Ya benar, Dr. Khir bukan buat cerita mengarut. Ia benar-benar berlaku di Selangor. Orang Pas, yang kini mula menguasai jawatankuasa masjid dan surau di situ pun tercengang. Orang UMNO yang masih lagi menganggotai jawatankuasa surau dan masjid pun terkejut.

“Sampai macam itu sekali tindakan mereka,” kata seorang AJK sebuah surau di Shah Alam kepada saya Jumaat lalu. Beliau ialah sahabat lama saya, yang kami bertemu selepas solat Jumaat, lalu mengajak saya bersembang.

Sembang punya sembang, tiba-tiba beliau menyentuh mengenai soal suraunya. Katanya, kira-kira tiga bulan selepas Pakatan Rakyat mengambil alih kerajaan Selangor, seorang Exco kerajaan negeri itu, yang juga seorang Ahli Parlimen dari parti DAP membuat kunjungan ke suraunya. Yang peliknya, YB wanita itu datang pada waktu sebelum subuh.

Tanpa rasa malu-malu atau rasa bersalah, dia menasihatkan pengurusan surau itu supaya tidak melaungkan azan dengan kuat menggunakan pembesar suara, terutama pada waktu subuh. Katanya, “hasil tinjauannya” pada waktu subuh itu, cuma ada imam, bilal dan dua tiga orang sahaja makmum.

“Kalau ada macam itu jangan kasi bangun oranglah (dengan azan)…” katanya kepada imam yang ada di situ.

Semua yang ada terus “terkedu”. Mereka berpandangan antara satu sama lain. YB yang baru tiga bulan menjadi Yang Berhormat itu tahukah apa yang dia cakap. Tidak sensitif langsungkah? Tidak sedarkah dia, kira-kira 90% penduduk di kawasan itu ialah orang Melayu beragama Islam.

Jika diambil pendekatan isu yang berlaku sekarang, saya ingin bertanya, siapakah yang rasis? Siapakah yang perkauman? Dr. Khirkah, sayakah yang menulis Cuit ini? Atau, YB wanita berkaca mata itukah?

Sambil menulis kolum ini, saya menelefon seorang rakan saya, yang juga seorang YB dalam Pakatan Rakyat. Dia mengakui memang berlaku. Hasil perbualan saya, beliau berkata: “…bukan teruk lagi, dah jadi kurang ajar”.

Persoalan saya lagi, mengapa situasi seperti ini sudah mulai berlaku. Saya tidak mahu mengulas lanjut, biarlah pembaca budiman membuat analisis dan pernilaian sendiri.

Nak dijadikan cerita, tindakan YB wanita itu tidak habis di situ saja. Dia juga, dikatakan sedang ‘memaksa’ Dewan Bandaraya Kuala Lumpur (DBKL) menurunkan semua tulisan jawi di semua papan tanda jalan di Kuala Lumpur.

Sekali lagi ini cerita benar. Ia disahkan sendiri oleh rakan saya, YB dari Pakatan Rakyat itu. Sebagai ganti untuk menurunkan tulisan jawi itu, dia menuntut dinaikkan tulisan Cina dan Tamil bersama-sama tulisan rumi.

“Yang ekstremnya, YB wanita itu siap bawa ’sample’ berserta spesifikasi papan tanda jalan tulisan Cina dan Tamil itu untuk ditunjukan kepada pegawai DBKL,” kata rakan saya itu lagi.

Seperti yang saya tanya di atas tadi, tidak sensitifkah YB wanita itu? Jawapan saya ialah, dia memang sengaja tidak mahu sensitif. Melihatkan kepada senario ini, barulah kita tahu, siapa sebenarnya yang ‘menyuapkan’ ke mulut Menteri Besar Selangor, Khalid Ibrahim mengenai cadangan supaya diambil 30% peruntukan Jabatan Agama Islam Selangor (JAIS) untuk digunakan bagi kegunaan agama-agama lain. Sekarang kita juga tahu siapa yang ‘memegang tali’ untuk menyuruh Khalid membuat kenyataan supaya pintu UiTM dibuka kepada 10% penuntut bukan Melayu.

Yang jelas kita semua tahu, siapakah orang itu yang ‘berkobar-kobar’ membangkitkan isu babi Sepang, sebaik saja dia melangkah kaki menduduki bangunan SUK Selangor, tempoh hari.

Dan, sekarang baru kita juga tahu, suasana bercelaru yang sedang berlaku - yang terbaru mengenai isu perkauman atau rasis itu memang dirancang - secara sengaja, oleh pihak-pihak tertentu yang mahu melihat suasana negara dan rakyat Malaysia tidak tenteram.

Akhir kalam, semoga Allah menyelamatkan kita semua. Amin.

Yeah... hope Allah save us from guys like you... Amin.

Teresa have gave her statement in her blog denying this slander report. Read it here. In this holy month of Ramadhan... I am quite disappointed with muslims like Khir Toyo, Satim and Zaini. No maaf zahir dan batin for you guys this year...

Its high time for Pak Lah to step down... Undur Lah...

If you still have some dignity left... resign please Pak Lah aka PM in distress. I don't know what is playing inside the thick skull of yours. I don't know how you manage to carry on meeting the public with the thick face of yours. Two of your lieutenants (well not exactly lieutenants... but you get my drift) have spoken... directly or indirectly... resign gracefully now or face being remove. Your plan of handing over power in 2010 is not feasible and undemocratic. Hell... you think that the UMNO presidency is like a harta pusaka?... can be handed over to your favorite person? MT only endorse your proposal but it is up to the grassroots to decide who should lead. Please take note below:

“Article 9(3) of the party Constitution says that the party president, deputy president and all supreme council members have to be decided by the members,”

Najib is being a gentlemen by asking indirectly for you to step down now. Najib wants UMNO delegates to decide. Can't you read between the lines..? Or are you still bzzzzz..? Thought you have a lot of work to do ;) 

Muhyidin is also a gentlemen... albeit a bit more direct by merely asking you to revise the transition plan. Tak paham-paham lagi ke?

Be a gentlemen and step down gracefully. Your statement of transition plan was a done deal does not hold water. Like I said... read Article 9(3) of the party Constitution. Do you think UMNO is owned by you? I like to quote:

The people do not want us to spend all our time politicking as then there will be no solution to their problems - Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi

Stay true to your words... stop politicking and step down now... else there will be no solution to the nations problem.

I make you a deal... step down now and I will stop doing this...
Deal..?

Reporter released, when will the others..?

Sin Chew Daily News reporter Tan Hoon Cheng was released barely 24 hours after her detention under the draconian law ISA. Read here for the report. Raja Petra and MP Teresa Kok is not released yet.

Why they were detained under ISA? The STAR reports this:

PETALING JAYA: Malaysia Today news portal editor Raja Petra Kamarudin was arrested under the Internal Security Act for allegedly being a threat to security, peace and public order.

Raja Petra, 58, who was arrested under Section 73(1) of the ISA, is alleged to have posted articles deemed seditious and that also belittle Islam.

Last week, the Department of Islamic Development (Jakim) and several Muslim organisations lodged a police report against him for allegedly insulting Malays, Muslims and Islam.

On Sept 6, under The Corridors of Power article posted on Malaysia Today, Raja Petra had hinted that it might be his last article until Sept 16, if he were to be detained under the ISA. He is banking on Anwar’s Sept 16 promise for an early release from ISA.

“Yes, I too have placed not only my money, but also my freedom on Anwar. And if Anwar fails to deliver his promise on Sept 16, not only he but I as well am headed for a fall,” he said in his posting.

Raja Petra, founder of the controversial news portal, was charged in the Sessions Court on Aug 15 on three counts of criminal defamation over his statutory declaration on the murder of Mongolian translator Altantuya Shaariibuu.

Sin Chew Daily reporter Tan Hoon Cheng is believed to have been arrested over her report on former Bukit Bendera Umno division chief Datuk Ahmad Ismail’s racist remarks while campaigning for the Permatang Pauh by-election last month.

Tan, 32, is an award-winning journalist with nine years of experience. She is a Mass Communication graduate from Universiti Sains Malaysia.

DAP’s Seputeh MP Teresa Kok is also assemblyman for Kinrara and a senior executive councillor in charge of investment, industry and trade.

Kok, 43, is believed to have been picked up in connection with a residents petition in Puchong over a mosque.

Former mentri besar Datuk Seri Dr Mohd Khir Toyo had allegedly accused Kok of being involved.

She subsequently denied the allegation and demanded an apology from Dr Mohd Khir and the newspaper which reported it.

And here is the reply from the Home Minister Syed Hamid Albar (known by some as Kodomo Lion) on why these arrest were made: (taken from The Star)

Syed Hamid said the police had detained Tan because they had received information that her life was being threatened and there might be possible injury to her and the police wanted to get to the bottom of it.

Tan was the reporter who first reported on Bukit Bendera Umno division chief Datuk Ahmad Ismail’s allegedly racist comments during the Permatang Pauh by-election in which he said the Chinese were “squatters” in the country.

This caused a furore among the non-Malays and led to Umno giving him a three-year suspension for his comments and actions.

Syed Hamid said the police thought it was best to get first-hand information from Tan and thus took her in under the ISA and released her a day later after they got the necessary information and found no reason to hold her.

“I don’t think we are being unfair or that we mistreated her in any way. We acted professionally and after a day released her,” he said, when asked if Tan had posed a security threat in any way.

Asked why the police did not just ask Tan to come in for questioning instead of arresting her, Syed Hamid said it was always difficult when it came to the police when dealing with reporters.

“All of us are subject to the law. When the police feel it is best to bring the person in under ISA, they do so. I think the most important thing is not to exercise unfairness. When they got what they wanted and found they had no reason to hold her and that she’s not a security threat and not disturbing public order, they released her immediately,” he said.

On Raja Petra, he said, the blogger had been given numerous warnings as well as been charged but he continued to create tension.

As for Kok, he said, she had supposedly questioned the sensitive issues such as the azan (call for prayers for Muslims) to be stopped and that could cause ill will and disharmony.

“Based on police work, they have found there has been real fear on the ground because people are worried of what can possibly happen,” he said.

On why Ahmad was not detained for making racist comments, he explained that Umno had already punished him by suspending him for three years and stripping him from the party post while the police was also still investigating a sedition report against him.

When asked why action was not taken against other politicians like Datuk Seri Khir Toyo for racist remarks made, he said people should stop looking at things from an ethnic angle and start thinking as Malaysians.

To a question, Syed Hamid said he did not believe the Government would call a state of emergency because the country was well under control and “we have taken all sorts of preventive measures.”

Now if you believe Syed Hamid... you believe me when I told you that pigs can fly. First and foremost there is no reason for the use of ISA. Even other BN component parties are shocked (you never heard of this during Tun Dr. Mahathir's time).

To arrest the reporter and not the perpetrator..? Then release her after public pressure..? Tsk... tsk... flip flop again. And to cover up saying that her arrest was because she is in danger? Sounds not convincing.

Ahmad Ismail not detained because he has been punished by UMNO? That party matters... this is national matters... if the reporter is detained then the perpetrator should also be detained under the same reasoning. Doesn't Ahmad's life in danger also... no? He needs police protection... no? See... ISA is just for people other than UMNO. Khir Toyo wasn't detained although he was the one who make the remarks on Teresa... I rest my case... hemmm...

This looks more like a crackdown and intimidation than anything else. Down with ISA... and you guess it... PM in distress

Crappy day for RPK and others...

Meant to post this early but me being extra busy vacating my house means I don't have access to internet. Its a crappy day for RPK yesterday. He was detained under ISA section 73 at 13:10. Read here and here for more details. Two days ago they lift the ban on Malaysia Today... then they arrest him. See Pak Lah is doing his famous flip... flop... flup.... ban and then un-ban. Now he doesn't know how to handle things... he uses the ISA... the draconian act... arresting people with out trial. This is the Islam Had...hari that he is promoting.

Now the crackdown widens... MP Teresa Kok and Sin Chew Daily journalist Tan Hoon Cheng were also arrested under the Act. Read here and here on their arrest. Will this be another OPS Lalang? Only time will tell. But it seems now that Pak Lah has no balls and have to resort to ISA. Why use the ISA when you have other appropriate laws that you can use? People... this is the true Pak Lah... a plank-of-wood leader who don't know a thing about leading Malaysia. He and his minions should be thrown out of this Government. He is truly a PM in distress.Anwar... as much as I hate to say this... go on with your 916 thingy... if you can muster it... hell go for it. As long as Pak Lah is out... I'm happy...

UMNO people... do your duty... let Ku Li be UMNO President... What more signs do you guys want? Tun Dr. Mahathir has pledge support. Dulu dok cium tangan dia macam tak ingat punya... sekarang dengar le cakap dia. You want to wait for 2010? Muhyiddin also thinks its too long... too late. Don't believe Pak Lah's statement that he got plenty things to do... hell... Najib can handle what he wants to do now. Try and read from Husin Lempoyang. You get the idea why Pak Lah wants to stay longer.

Al-Fatihah for Tan Sri A Samad Ismail...

A great writer, nationalist, journalist, political activist, father and a great man. He died 17:58 yesterday. Been reading his daughters blog Nuraina and Maria for ages. Followed Nuraina's postings about Pak Samad's health since he was admitted. Yesterday was a clear sign he was losing the battle. I never have the chance to talk or hear him talk but I do grow up reading his commentaries in the newspapers. Only known he was the founder of Singapore's People Action Party (PAP) about a year ago... buta sejarah tul aku ni.

Our nation has lost a great man. May Allah bless his soul for all the kind things he has done for the country.

Tun Dr Mahathir needs help...

... to fight Pak Lah. He admits he can't do this without support especially from UMNO. Non of the UMNO leaders shows the desire to act against Pak Lah (except for Ku Li of course). He even call UMNO leaders useless as they are only interested in getting something for themselves but do not care if UMNO and this country are totally destroyed.

He also said that the Opposition will also destroy this country if they win and form the Government. Well... the opposition leader is Anwar so go figure why he said that ;) . But if UMNO leaders do not do anything to act against Pak Lah then Sept 16 will be Pakatan Rakyat's field day. 12 days to go man... we will see if Anwar can deliver. Then we can see the true colors of Anwar with power.

Anyway read Tun's posting WHY DON'T I DO SOMETHING. Resist the urge to paste his posting on my blog because... Tun's blog have reached 6 million visitors. Pak Lah tak nak block ke? Tun gave a hint that they might block his blog as he can't access his internet at home. Well Tun... welcome to Steamyx (did I spell this right? Could not even bother).

Berbatov signs for Manchester United...

In a dramatic transfer deadline day, Dimitar Berbatov finally signed for Manchester for a fee of 30.75 million pounds. The striker has signed a 100,000-pounds-per-week four year contract which he admits could have double if he were to choose Manchester City. The Bulgarian will play in the no. 9 shirt and admits he is ready to show what he is made of in the famous red shirt by proclaiming it is his time

It was a rather crazy transfer dateline with the talk of the day was the transfer of Robinho from Real Madrid to Manchester City. Yes... Man City... the Manchester Blue side football club. They were bought over by a Abu Dhabi consortium that is so rich... Abramovic looks like a kid with a piggy bank in comparison. Their aim... to finish top four of the Premiership this season... take the title in 2009-2010 season and a Champions League champion within three years.

See..? With big money you can dream big. The news that they snap Robinho after agreeing with Real Madrid price of 32.5 million pounds really drown the news of Berbatov's transfer. Man City are now a force to be reckon with as they are now willing to spend big money on players. They even wanted to buy Berbatov and value him at 60 million pounds... see below of their fantasy team as portrait by The Sun.Crazy... but as I will be living in Manchester for a couple of years... this is good :D . The Premiership trophy will never leave Manchester :D .

Perutusan Tok Guru Nik Aziz sempena Ramadhan...

Alhamdulillah kita dipertemukan kembali dengan bulan penuh rahmat dan keampunan daripada Allah Subhanawataala. Saya merakamkan ucapan selamat menyambut Ramadan al-Mubarak kepada seluruh rakyat Malaysia dan umat Islam di pelusuk dunia.

Menjadi kebiasaan kita orang Melayu mengenali Ramadan sebagai bulan puasa. Tanpa disedari sebutan yang sudah lama berakar umbi itu tidak tepat dengan pengertian sebenar Ramadan.

Ramadan bukan sekadar dihiasi dengan ibadat puasa yakni menahan diri daripada makan, minum dan apa sahaja yang membatalkan puasa kerana takrifan sebenarnya lebih luas lagi.

Puasa juga sebenarnya boleh dilakukan pada bulan lain, seperti yang menjadi amalan sesetengah daripada kita iaitu bulan Rejab dan Syaaban. Sebab itulah penggunaan istilah Ramadan lebih tepat bagi menggambarkan maksud dalam melaksanakan amal ibadat sepanjang bulan penuh berkat ini.

Ramadan juga membawa maksud bulan kebajikan di mana di dalamnya ada zakat fitrah yang menjadi kewajiban dilaksanakan setiap umat Islam. Umat Islam amat digalakkan bersedekah sebagai melengkapkan amalan ibadat puasa kita di siang hari.

Ini kerana di sekeliling kita ada mereka yang kurang bernasib baik. Maka pada kesempatan ini kita hulurkan sedikit sumbangan kepada mereka. Oleh itu saya mengajak umat Islam menggunakan kesempatan Ramadan kali ini bagi menggandakan amal ibadat serta memohonkan keampunan daripada Allah Taala.

Ryne completes a day of fasting for the first time...

Ryne... my son completes a day of fasting for the first time. He is 8 years old and already practicing to fast. By 6 o'clock in the evening he still has abundance of energy right up until break time. I remember when I was his age... could only managed half a day... tsk... tsk.

Proud of my son...