9月開跑，中國簽證將分8大類

2013-07-23 09:31

（中國‧北京22日訊）中國將於9月1日起，實施《中華人民共和國外國人入境出境管理條例》，制定這一條例是為了規範簽證的簽發，以及外國人在中國境內停留居留的服務和管理。

新華社報導，根據現有入境出境管理法實施細則，外國人申請入境的事由，將普通簽證分為D字、Z字、X字、F字、L字、G字、C字、J字8類，分別對應定居、工作、學習、訪問、旅遊、過境、乘務、記者等事由。其中，F字簽證和L字簽證涵蓋多種入境事由，不利於外國人入境後的服務和管理。

精細化管理入境事由

為了使簽證類別能夠準確反映外國人入境事由，實現外國人入境後的精細化管理，條例在保留現行簽證分類基本不變的基礎上，重點對現行F字簽證、L字簽證作了拆分，並新增加了R字簽證，普通簽證類別由目前的8類調整為12類。

條例規定，外國人持簽證入境後，按照國家規定可以變更停留事由、給予入境便利的，或者因使用新護照、持團體簽證入境後由於客觀原因需要分團停留的，可以向停留地縣級以上地方人民政府公安機關出入境管理機構申請換發簽證。申請人所持護照或者其他國際旅行證件因辦理證件被收存期間，可以憑受理回執在中國境內合法停留。

條例還規定，公安機關根據實際需要可以設置遣返場所。依照出境入境管理法第六十條的規定對外國人實施拘留審查的，應當在24小時內將被拘留審查的外國人送到拘留所或者遣返場所。

條例要求，外國人被決定限期出境的，作出決定的機關應當在注銷或者收繳其原出境入境證件後，為其補辦停留手續並限定出境的期限。限定出境期限最長不得超過15日。

中國國務院總理李克強日前簽署第637號國務院令，公佈經國務院第15次常務會議通過的《中華人民共和國外國人入境出境管理條例》。

條例規定，在簽證簽發管理和外國人在中國境內停留居留管理工作中，外交部、公安部等國務院部門應當在部門門戶網站、受理出境入境證件申請的地點等場所，提供外國人入境出境管理法律法規和其他需要外國人知悉的信息。

来源：http://news.sinchew.com.my/node/312461?tid=1

Alvivi are not "children of a lesser God' - Bishop slams government's double standards

Monday, 22 July 2013 17:03

Weighing on the case of two bloggers hauled to court on a charge of insulting Islam, Bishop Paul Tan cautioned that double standards are immoral as this is an affront to justice.

While retribution was swift in this case, the head of the Johor and Malacca Catholic diocese lamented the lack of action when other faiths are derided.

Tan cited the controversies involving Perkasa leaders Ibrahim Ali and Zulkifli Noordin.

Both had earned the wrath of the bishop when Ibrahim called for the torching of the Bible carrying the word "Allah" and Zulkifli for belittling the Hindu faith.

"While we abhor the disparaging of any faith, the government must show that it works without fear or favour in acting against all those who do so.

"In the case of (bloggers) Alvin Tan and Vivian Lee, retribution was swift, but I note with regret that such action was never taken against Zulkifli and Ibrahim," Tan told Malaysiakini.

Infamous for posting photos of their sexual romps online, the bloggers landed in hot soup over a Facebook photo that was deemed offensive to Muslims.

The couple was slapped with three charges, including one under the Sedition Act, last week and denied bail.

'Children of a lesser god'

The bishop said while Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak promoted his 1Malaysia campaign nationwide, attempts to foster racial ties would come to naught if the law was applied on an unequal basis.

"To prove that all citizens are equal before the law, the authorities must charge Zulkifli and Ibrahim, failing which it would create the impression that non-Muslims (in Malaysia) are considered children of a lesser God.

"We cannot tolerate anyone belittling another's belief, for such action not only stokes religious tension, it also transgresses the fundamentals of our beliefs, which stress on the importance of according mutual respect," Tan added.

He also expressed regret that Alvin Tan and Vivian Lee, or Alvivi as they are together called, were denied bail, even after having apologised for their actions.

On the other hand, the vocal bishop said Ibrahim, who never apologised, still walked free while in the case of Zulkifli, an apology was deemed sufficient.

Police last week revealed that investigations against Zulkifli were dropped on the instructions of the attorney-general.

Najib later named Zulkifi as the BN candidate for the Shah Alam parliamentary seat in the 13th general election, while Deputy Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin, in defending the candidature, stressed that the Perkasa leader had apologised for his action.

As for Ibrahim, police have said there was no instruction from the AG for them to act.

Source: http://www.malaysia-chronicle.com/index.php?option=com_k2&view=item&id=132952%3Aalvivi-are-not-children-of-a-lesser-god-bishop-slams-govts-double-standards&Itemid=2#ixzz2ZmnPIXRk

Appalled by Umno leaders’ stand, Christians ask Cabinet to enforce 10-point solution to Allah issue

BY V. ANBALAGAN, ASSISTANT NEWS EDITOR
JULY 20, 2013
LATEST UPDATE: JULY 20, 2013 06:26 PM

Malaysia's largest Christian group wants Putrajaya to enforce an agreed 10-point solution on the usage of the Arabic word "Allah" by the community, saying today it was appalled by statements made by two Umno leaders on the matter.

Christian Federation of Malaysia (CFM) chairman Rev Dr Eu Hong Seng said statements by Kedah Mentri Besar Datuk Mukhriz Mahathir and Urban Well-being, Housing and Local Government Minister Datuk Abdul Rahman Dahlan "were untenable and in flagrant disregard of the 10-point
solution decided by the Cabinet in April 2011".

"The use of the word “Allah” in the Al-Kitab is NOT and has NEVER been an error of printing as claimed by the Honourable Minister. Such a suggestion is insensitive, insulting and inflammatory.

"We reiterate that it is the express right of the Christian community to use the word 'Allah'," Eu said in a statement today.

"It is offensive and unacceptable for the Honourable Minister to attempt to justify the call by Ibrahim Ali to burn our Holy Scripture by saying that our Holy Scripture contains errors in printing," he added.

Eu pointed out that the 10 points were specifically communicated to the CFM in a letter dated 11 April 2011 from Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak. The letter was enclosed in the statement.

"It is offensive and unacceptable for the Minister Datuk Abdul Rahman Dahlan to attempt to justify Ibrahim Ali's call to burn our Holy Scripture by saying that our Holy Scripture contains errors in
printing," Eu said.

He said Mukhriz was reported to have forbidden non-Muslims from using the word “Allah” in his state as it is unconstitutional.

"The Federal Constitution gives the right to every individual to profess and practise his religion and also gives every religious group the right to manage its own religious affairs," he added.

Eu said the cabinet must honour and enforce all aspects of the 10-point solution and ensure it is followed all levels of government and authorities.

"The rights guaranteed to all religious communities under the Federal Constitution must be respected in all states in our beloved country, including Kedah," he said.

In the 10-point resolution, the cabinet, through its minister Datuk Seri Idris Jala, assured the sizeable Bumiputera Christian population in Sabah and Sarawak that they were free to bring in and use their
bibles in Malay as well as in indigenous languages.

The Court of Appeal will hear on August 22 the government's appeal to a High Court decision in 2009 that allowed the Catholic Church to use the word in its Bahasa Malaysia publications.

The controversy was reignited this past week when Vatican City's first Apostolic Nuncio or ambassador to Malaysia, Archbishop Joseph Marino, voiced his support for the CFM’s stand. He has since offered his apologies if his support to use the word had offended Malaysians.

Several right-wing Malay Muslim groups have asked Putrajaya to expel the envoy for his remarks despite the apology. – July 20, 2013.

Source: http://www.themalaysianinsider.com/malaysia/article/appalled-by-umno-leaders-stand-on-allah-issue-christians-ask-cabinet-to-enf

Bersih, Pakatan want electoral roll subject to court oversight

BY BOO SU-LYN
JULY 18, 2013UPDATED: JULY 18, 2013 04:19 PM

Ambiga said if the Election Commission wanted transparency, it would not need the contentious section 9A to protect the electoral roll from judicial oversight.KUALA LUMPUR, July 18 — Pakatan Rakyat (PR) launched an online campaign today to abolish section 9A of the Elections Act 1958 that prohibits the courts from reviewing the electoral roll.

Bersih co-chair Datuk Ambiga Sreenevasan lent her support to the campaign, saying that if the Election Commission (EC) wanted transparency, it would not need the contentious section 9A to protect the electoral roll from judicial oversight.

”The problem we have with 9A is that the EC is the sole custodian of the electoral roll,” said Ambiga at a joint press conference with DAP MPs Charles Santiago, Lim Kit Siang and Lim Guan Eng in Parliament here today.

Santiago pointed out that section 9A was introduced after the 2001 landmark court ruling on the Likas by-election in Sabah, where the Kota Kinabalu High Court ruled that the electoral roll for the Likas state constituency contained phantom voters and declared the 1999 polls to be null and void.



"It is clear that section 9A was introduced to enable BN (Barisan Nasional) to protect their phantom voters," said the Klang MP.



"Once an electoral roll is gazetted, it cannot be challenged in court," he added. "The Election Commission has absolute power in controlling the electoral roll, even beyond that of the judiciary."



Santiago said that the "Mansuhkan 9A" (Abolish 9A) campaign was started by him, PAS' Sepang MP Mohamed Hanipa Maidin and PKR's Lembah Pantai MP Nurul Izzah Anwar.

Both Santiago and Nurul Izzah lost their bids in court before the May 5 polls to review the electoral rolls in their respective constituencies.



The two opposition lawmakers said there were phantom voters in the gazetted electoral rolls, but the Kuala Lumpur and Shah Alam High Courts ruled against their favour, citing section 9A of the Elections Act.



PR researchers have alleged there are tens of thousands of phantom voters registered on the electoral rolls in states such as Sabah and Selangor.

The EC has disputed the claims, saying that the high percentage of discrepancies in the electoral roll was “normal”.



"Section 9A is an ouster clause as it contravenes the Doctrine of Separation of Powers," said Santiago.

"The role of the judiciary as the arbitrator of rights and duties is completely removed."



The petition is accessible at mansuhkan9A.

Source: http://www.themalaymailonline.com/malaysia/article/bersih-pakatan-want-electoral-roll-subject-to-court-oversight

Church right to say Allah describes God, says Vatican’s first envoy to Malaysia

BY JENNIFER GOMEZ
JULY 11, 2013

In his first interview with the Malaysian media, the first resident diplomat sent by the Vatican to live and work in this country spoke on the controversial issue of the use of the Arabic word "Allah" to describe God in any religion.

Archbishop Joseph Marino said he supports the stand of the Catholic Church in Malaysia.

He applauded the arguments made by the Christian Federation of Malaysia to use "Allah" in its texts to refer to God as very well done.

Archbishop Marino is the Apostolic Nuncio to Malaysia. This position, also often known as a papal nuncio, is the Vatican equivalent to an ambassador.

This is the first time the Vatican has opened what is the equivalent to an embassy in Malaysia.

The diplomat said the only way to stop deterioration in race relations in Malaysia is through dialogue, saying it would work out if people sat down and talked.

On his experience being the former nuncio in Bangladesh, Archbishop Marino said the people in that Muslim country have great respect for Christianity. - July 11, 2013.

Source: http://www.themalaysianinsider.com/malaysia/article/church-right-to-say-allah-describes-god-says-vaticans-first-envoy-to-malaysia/

CHAIN OF COWARDICE: Taib Mahmud scared of Sarawak Report and Najib scared of Taib!

Friday, 05 July 2013 19:37Written by Malaysia Chronicle

MP for Pandan Rafizi Ramli slammed Sarawak Chief Minister Taib Mahmud for barring UK journalist Clare Rewcastle Brown from entering the state, warning the move would tarnish Malaysia's image as a moderate nation whilst confirming to the world that the corruption-taintedTaib had "a lot to hide".

Rafizi said that the ham-fisted action went against Prime Minister Najib Razak's promise of greater democracy, but does not expect the Malaysian premier - who is in London for a working visit - to be able to do anything to 'save face' for himself or the country.

"The prime minister is so weak he is powerless with Taib Mahmud. If Najib has his way, Taib Mahmud would not be the chief minister now. But obviously if Najib were to be tough on Taib, for sure, we would have a new government because Taib's party is in control of a lot of seats - directly and through all the small parties (in Sarawak). So don't expect any bravado from Najib," Rafizi told a press conference on Friday.

"It is so embarrassing because you have one person who is brave enough to travel from London to defend herself (against a legal suit filed against her in Sarawak). She entered the tiger's den so to speak, even though to the whole world, there is already a big question mark on the independence of the Malaysian courts. The fact that the Sarawak state government does not dare to allow a lone crusader who believes and is fully convinced of the righteousness in what she does will send a strong message to the whole world, not just Malaysia, that the Sarawak government has a lot to hide.

"Clare is a personal friend and she is one of the most persistent people I know. So if Taib Mahmud thinks by not allowing her to enter Sarawak, he can silence her, he is wrong. He will only embolden her to travel around the world and campaign around the world. Taib has just plunged himself and his government into further international 

Source: http://www.malaysia-chronicle.com/index.php?option=com_k2&view=item&id=124311:uk-journalist-barred-taib-must-have-a-lot-to-hide-dont-expect-any-bravado-from-najib&Itemid=2#.UdfMrvk_u0o

Election officer arms PKR’s Rafizi with another dart for Election Commission

BY YISWAREE PALANSAMY
JULY 05, 2013

PKR strategy director Rafizi Ramli said the call by a senior election officer in Sabah to re-register voters was further proof that the electoral system was flawed.

"I want to hear what the Election Commission chairman and his deputy have to say to this," he said.

Rafizi was commenting on the on-going Royal Commission of Inquiry on illegal immigrants in Sabah where the state's election director Datuk Md Idrus Ismail, when giving evidence, said the 13 million voters nationwide must be registered again as the electoral roll was tainted.

Rafizi, who is also Pandan MP, said this clearly showed that the organisation and execution of the 13th general election was highly questionable.

"There are many questions being raised on the ballot paper, the ballot boxes and the indelible ink.

"All these have resulted in the public losing confidence in the electoral system and in the conduct of the polls," he told reporters at the PKR headquarters in Tropicana, Petaling Jaya.

At the same event, PKR candidate for the Tapah parliamentary seat K. Vasantha Kumar said the fact that the presiding officer at the Tapah seat was a MIC division chief is also grounds to question the contest.

"According to election laws, a presiding officer must not hold any political positions but this was not the case in Tapah." he told The Malaysian Insider.

He has also listed, among others, the murder of his former political aide, K. Murugan, 36, as another reason to petition to nullify the result.

Vasantha lost to Barisan Nasional's Datuk M. Saravanan, a MIC vice-president.

He claimed that three ballot boxes which contained early and postal votes for the constituency were removed three days before polling day from the Tapah police station.

"The boxes are for the Tapah parliament seat as well as for the Chenderiang and Ayer Kuning state seats which amounted to 2,195 votes," Vasantha said.

He said that his campaign workers who happened to be at the station questioned the removal of the boxes but were told not to interfere.

"There were six people who loaded the boxes onto a lorry." he said.

Vasantha alleged that the Tapah police station chief had also allowed for the boxes to be removed.

"We have facts and photographs to prove our case."

According to election law, the boxes can only be taken from the police station on polling day. – July 5, 2013.

Source: http://www.themalaysianinsider.com/malaysia/article/election-officer-arms-pkrs-rafizi-with-another-dart-for-ec/

Controversial Bill on conversion of minors withdrawn

UPDATED @ 08:04:51 PM 05-07-2013

BY JENNIFER GOMEZ AND LEE SHI-IAN
JULY 05, 2013

The Cabinet has decided to withdraw the proposal allowing for the conversion of minors to Islam by a single parent.

In a statement today, Deputy Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin said the cabinet made the decision to withdraw the proposed Administration of the Religion of Islam (Federal Territories) Bill 2013, to ensure that any religious decision made is fair to all, the New Straits Times reported.

“We also want to give time to the government and all parties to review the bill holistically and will only re-table the bill once we achieve a consensus,” he said.

While welcoming the withdrawal of the controversial unilateral conversion Bill, some quarters hope that the government would not attempt to introduce another Bill with the same clauses.

Malaysian Consultative Council on Buddhism, Christianity, Hinduism, Sikhism and Taoism (MCCBCHST) deputy president Jagir Singh said it was only right to withdraw the Administration of Religion of Islam (Federal Territories) Bill 2013 so that it did not affect the unity of the country.

He, however, hopes that the offending clauses will not resurface in another Bill.

"The efforts of all the stakeholders have not been in vain as the Cabinet has taken all the feedback into consideration in withdrawing the proposal allowing for the conversion of minors to Islam by a single parent," said Jagir who is also the Malaysian Gurdwaras Council president.

In a statement earlier today, Deputy Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin said the Cabinet had decided to withdraw the proposed Bill which was tabled for first reading in parliament last week, to ensure that any religious decision made was fair to all.

Muhyiddin said they wanted to give the government and all stakeholders more time to review the bill holistically. It will be retabled once a consensus has been reached.

Catholic Research Centre director Fr. Clarence Devadass said they hoped that the process of consultation could begin now with the involvement of all relevant parties.

"We are very glad that the government has heard the voice of the people," he said.

Former president of the Kuala Lumpur Catholic Lawyers Society Francis Pereira said the Bill had clearly not promoted national unity in any way.

"We are relieved that the government has decided to withdraw the bill as it had caused anxiety among non-Muslims in Malaysia."

MIC president Datuk G. Palanivel expressed his satisfaction at the Cabinet's decision.

He said the Cabinet had deliberated long and hard before deciding to withdraw it.

"It was a fair move taking into consideration the sensitivities of various stakeholders and groups. MIC still stands by its statement that the consent of both parents are needed for the conversion of children to Islam," Palanivel added. - July 5, 2013

Source: http://www.themalaysianinsider.com/malaysia/article/controversial-bill-on-conversion-of-minors-withdrawn/

After Ferrari, Maserati speed into ether, DAP questions AES integrity

BY SYED JAYMAL ZAHIID
JULY 04, 2013

KUALA LUMPUR, July 4 — A Ferrari and a Maserati Gran Turismo caused a stir in November after they were reportedly caught topping 200kph by the contentious Automated Enforcement System (AES), but their mysterious disappearance now from the system’s records has raised a DAP lawmaker’s suspicion.

DAP MP Teo Nie Ching today pointed out the wide coverage of the two events by Chinese vernacular press in November last year, which reported the Ferrari as being photographed going 243kph along the North-South Expressway. The Maserati went even faster: 268kph.

She noted that one report had Road Transport Department assistant director of enforcement Ahmad Nasir Abdul Gani had confirming the capture of the speed demons by the AES.

But she added that a written reply to her question in Parliament seeking the outcome of the two cases show that both have now vanished from the records, with officials denying that either incident was ever recorded.

- See more at: http://www.themalaymailonline.com/malaysia/article/after-ferrari-maserati-outruns-enforcement-dap-questions-aes-integrity#sthash.ZshzqTJk.dpuf

Source: http://www.themalaymailonline.com/malaysia/article/after-ferrari-maserati-outruns-enforcement-dap-questions-aes-integrity

Not an act of God, but the folly of zealots - S.Ramakrishnan

JULY 04, 2013

The freedom to practice one's religion is a fundamental liberty enshrined in the Malaysian Constitution. But hardly two months after the 13th general election UMNO is tabling the highly controversial conversion bill despite opposition and reservation from within BN component members. 

The image that the country is trying hard to push, that Malaysia is truly Asia, with a plural and diverse population, is just the diametric opposite of the increased radicalization of UMNO. 

This is truly worrying and the future has a dark horizon looming. 

Umno has once again shown its true colours: that they care two hoots about non-Malays and non-Muslims and Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib’s Razak's National Reconciliation effort.

Amending a legislation to legalize the conversion of a minor who has neither free will nor knowledge about the religion he/she has been converted to tantamount to bullying and forcing the issue down the throats of minorities. Under the new legislation, a parent or guardian can convert a minor. 

Allowing even guardians to convert a child is a flagrant abuse of power and is against the free choice option of children. 

Logically, all conversion should be after 18 years old where the person knows and understand what he is going into.

The tabling of the Administration of the Religion of Islam (Federal Territories) Bill 2013 in Parliament last week, which allows only one parent's consent, or that of the guardian, to convert a minor to Islam has been done with no consideration for the feelings and wishes of minorities. 

The consent of both the parents is a must and no two ways about it. 

This is what the cabinet in 2009 decided and why the change now?

Even the Grand Mufti of Egypt Ali Gomaa, one of the most respected Islamic scholars in the world today, wrote under the sub-heading "Freedom of religion in Islam", "The essential question before us is can a person who is Muslim choose a religion other than Islam? The answer is yes, they can, because the Qur'an says, 'Unto you your religion, and unto me my religion,' [Qur'an, 109:6], and, "Whosoever will, let him believe, and whosoever will, let him disbelieve,' [Qur'an, 18:29], and, 'There is no compulsion in religion. 

The right direction is distinct from error' [Qur'an, 2:256]."  But the UMNO leaders with the holier than thou attitude, may not agree with grand mufti of Egypt.

By persisting to table this sensitive and distasteful bill in parliament, UMNO is trying to whip up Malay Muslim chauvinism to instill fear and reprisal on non-Malays for voting Pakatan Rakyat in GE13. 

With large number of young Malays and urban voters supporting Pakatan Rakyat, such tactics by UMNO will only bring their own downfall sooner.

UMNO and their supporters instead of countering fundamentalism are themselves becoming more radicalized. 

The largest and dominant political party is being increasingly insensitive to minorities which does not augur well for the future of Malaysia remaining a land of plural and diverse tolerance or even being truly Asia. 

Malaysians are now turning towards Pakatan Rakyat leaders to bring about the inclusiveness and provide the constitutional guarantees to all citizens. 

Do unto others what you want others do to you.

* This is the personal opinion of the writer or publication and does not necessarily represent the views of The Malaysian Insider.

Source: http://www.themalaysianinsider.com/sideviews/article/not-an-act-of-god-but-the-folly-of-zealots-s.ramakrishnan/

Hasty laws, nasty consequences - Child Conversion Bill

JULY 02, 2013

Elections can come and go but some things will never change: for one, the deeply flawed and arbitrary manner in which laws are cobbled together in Malaysia.

Take the controversial Section 103 of the Administration of Islamic Law (Federal Territories) Bill. Listening to Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin defend the Bill in the Parliament lobby yesterday was a cringe-worthy experience.

He said that the Cabinet was aware of the objections raised by Barisan Nasional (BN) component parties and non-government organisations and would take it into account in discussions to follow. The Deputy Prime Minister assured all that the Cabinet would be just.

This sounds like a perfect case of putting the cart before the horse. This is how the process of legislation should be done- first a period of consultation and feedback; drawing up a draft of the Bill and circulating it to relevant parties for more feedback and only when there is a consensus of sorts should it be tabled in Parliament.

Muhyiddin and his friends in Cabinet cannot claim to be blind-sided by the furore this amendment has caused.

Upko leader and former Minister in the Prime Minister's Department Bernard Dompok said that he voiced his objections early on the Bill and was surprised that it had made it to Parliament.

Muhyiddin denied that the government was going back on its word by allowing the minor based on the consent of just one parent. This assurance was offered in 2009 by the then de facto Law Minister Datuk Seri Nazri Aziz in the wake of a controversy of body snatching case and the conversion of children by a father who embraced Islam..

The DPM said that the amendment had to be done in line with a recent court case.

Puzzling reasoning when you consider the fact that Parliament is the highest decision-making body in the land. Not the courts.

Despite any court decision, Parliament  can choose to make law based on public or national interest. That is a parliamentary democracy.

Hurrying through ill-advised legislation is bad but taking cover behind a court decision for ill-advised legislation is shocking.

Source: http://www.themalaysianinsider.com/sideviews/article/hasty-laws-nasty-consequences-the-malaysian-insider/