Yes, Negara-Ku has an Agenda, Ambiga tells Utusan

BY ANISAH SHUKRY

Published: 13 July 2014

Newly formed Negara-Ku’s agenda is to promote unity, peace and harmony, and those who criticise it are trying to deflect Malaysians from issues of racism and extremism, Datuk Ambiga Sreenevasan said today.

“Of course, Negara-Ku has an agenda. It is an agenda for unity, peace and harmony,” Ambiga told The Malaysian Insider in a text message.

“Everyone who loves this country should support this agenda. Those who criticise it are merely trying to deflect from the pressing issues of racism and extremism that threaten the fabric of our nation. What is their agenda, I wonder?”

The former Bersih co-chairperson was responding to Awang Selamat’s column in Utusan Malaysia today slamming the newly formed non-governmental organisation (NGO) as a smokescreen to further Ambiga’s political ambition.

Awang, a pseudonym for Utusan’s collective editors, had demanded that the Registrar of Societies (RoS) reject any formal application from Negara-Ku unless its name was changed to “AgendaKu”.

"Let it remain an illegal body, unless the name is changed to AgendaKu. That is more befitting Ambiga's record and reputation," said Awang today in Mingguan Malaysia, the Sunday edition of Utusan Malaysia.

Ambiga said she and national laureate Datuk A Samad Said were only patrons of the movement, and that she had never claimed it was her own personal initiative.

“It is a movement of the people set up by concerned citizens and NGOs and chaired by the respected Zaid Kamaruddin.

“We accepted the honour of being patrons because the cause is timely and most worthy.”

The former Bar Council president said any action taken by RoS must be within the boundaries of the law.

She said checks by Negara-Ku’s members found there was nothing unlawful in adopting such a name.

“We have examined it ourselves and can see no legal impediment to our use of the name Negara-Ku (not Negaraku).

“Nevertheless, we continue to be inspired by our beautiful national anthem that unites all Malaysians.”

She said Negara-Ku was an initiative by concerned citizens unable to remain on the sidelines while leaders did nothing to stop certain quarters from destroying the nation’s harmony.

The new movement was launched on Thursday to heal Malaysia and restore hope, given the recent challenges that continue to threaten the peace and harmony of its multi-ethnic and multi-faith society.

Touted as the "people's movement to reclaim our nation", it is chaired by Zaid, the secretary-general of Ikram, and its patrons are Ambiga and Samad.

Some 68 civil society groups and NGOs have endorsed Negara-Ku, which is aimed at mobilising and empowering people to return to the basics of the Federal Constitution, Malaysia Agreement and Rukunegara.

Ambiga had previously said the movement sought to provide the correct information to meet the challenges facing Malaysian society.

This would be done through videos, social media and forums and talks “to get people to listen, to question and to think," she said recently.

Awang Selamat today said Negara-Ku was a desperate platform to restore the image of the opposition pact, namely PKR and DAP.

It said that after failing many times to garner the support of the rakyat, including through the Bersih rallies, Ambiga was now hiding behind the name Negara-Ku, which was similar to the national anthem.

"The excuse that this NGO supposedly wants to encourage harmony, tackle extremism and racism is just a smokescreen. It is disgusting.

"In Malaysia, anybody can form an NGO but do not use the name Negaraku, especially for political purposes. Do not think you are so honourable, for I worry that this will attract extremism.

"Many know who Ambiga is. The anger of Malaysians, particularly Muslims, over numerous issues has yet to die down," he said in the column titled "Agenda Ambiga?" – July 13, 2014.

Source: http://www.themalaysianinsider.com/malaysia/article/yes-negara-ku-has-an-agenda-ambiga-tells-utusan

After Muhyiddin’s May 13 caution, Penang DCM says ‘Bring it’

BY BOO SU-LYNJuly 7, 2014

KUALA LUMPUR, July 7 — Penang Deputy Chief Minister II Dr P. Ramasamy has challenged Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin to “bring May 13”  after the deputy prime minister reportedly warned that a repeat of the 1969 race riots could not be ruled out. 

Saying that Malaysians in general did not wish to see a recurrence of the deadly inter-ethnic clashes, the Penang lawmaker criticised “irresponsible” leaders for fomenting the religious and racial tension currently stewing in the country.

“MIC might be scared, Gerakan might be scared, MCA might be scared, but I tell you, if you want to bring May 13, you bring it,” Ramasamy told a press conference here yesterday.

“Don’t talk. All the time talking May 13, May 13. Bring-lah May 13. You start May 13. This will be the first time the government starts May 13. You think what? You think we’re scared ah?” he added.

Muhyiddin, who is also Umno deputy president, reportedly said on Friday that a repeat of the May 13 race riots could occur if the country’s ethnic communities continue to criticise one another.

Malay-language daily Utusan Malaysia reported Muhyiddin as saying in Johor that ethnic tensions that were allowed to simmer would lead to unrest when the various communities start to eye each other with suspicion.

“Because of that, there exists all kinds of assumptions when ethnic ties become strained and unhealthy. This can cause that event and I do not want to mention the particular date,” he was quoted as saying.

Muhyiddin did not mention the date specifically but Utusan Malaysia inserted May 13, 1969 to his quote in parentheses.

The Umno deputy president also said he has been receiving text messages from those expressing concern about the welfare of the Malays, the country’s dominant racial group, and Islam.

Muslims and Christians have been pitted against one another due to the government’s decision to prohibit the Catholic Church from using “Allah”, the Arabic word for God, in its weekly newsletter.

Malay concerns over the Bumiputera special privileges have also bubbled to the surface in recent months after Putrajaya’s National Unity Consultative Council (NUCC) proposed three draft bills to replace the Sedition Act.

Among others, the laws and the members of the NUCC responsible for drafting them have been accused of being anti-Malay.

Hundreds of Malaysians are believed to have died during the May 13, 1969 clashes between the Malays and the Chinese. Although ostensibly triggered by the results of Election 1969, it was rooted in ethnic tensions between the two communities.

Source: http://www.themalaymailonline.com/malaysia/article/after-muhyiddins-may-13-caution-penang-dcm-says-bring-it

阿末扎希不怕国会弹劾动议？

林吉祥 2013年5月20日 晚上8点23分

阿末扎希不怕在国会面对弹劾动议？那么就要求首相在第十三届国会的第一周预留一整天的时间来辩论针对他的弹劾动议！

新任内政部长阿末扎希今天反问：“有什么好怕？”并表明自己已做好准备面对他在《马来西亚前锋报》发表“选民不满我国的选举制度大可移民外国”的言论，而在国会面对的弹劾动议。

阿末扎希真的不怕面对弹劾动议吗？

若是如此，我挑战阿末扎希要求首相纳吉在第十三届国会的第一周预留一整天的时间来针对这项弹劾动议进行全面辩论，并在星期三新届内阁第一次会议的结束时宣布这项决定。

然而，我并不认为会有如此的宣布，因为不只阿末扎希会害怕面对弹劾动议，就连纳吉和全体内阁部长都担心且极度害怕这项弹劾阿末扎希的动议。

这是因为如果国会进行记名投票决定有关弹劾阿末扎希的动议的话，我不会感到惊讶若国阵的133位国会议员里有数位议员会以缺席的方式来切割和驳斥阿末扎希的“移民论”。

事实上，大部分内阁部长一定都在祈祷让阿末扎希这项议题尽快被人淡忘，同时不会有针对阿末扎希的弹劾动议，因为他们都知道无法像新任青年及体育部长凯里那样，用“个人观点”来否认阿末扎希的言论。

这毕竟是纳吉自己亲自在星期四长达两个小时的新届内阁简报会上，在正副部长宣誓过后，亲手“谋杀”了凯里那苍白无力的借口。

这与纳吉在上个星期四向新届内阁部长所发出的清晰且明确的指示完全背道而驰。首相强调人民给予政府的信任及信心的重要性，并立下条例指“内阁成员提出的任何课题，不是以个人名义提出的，而是代表政府的共同立场。”

纳吉说：“无论做什么，我们都必须是以政府名义进行，而不是好像处於各自的隔间里，各自为政。”

听到吗，凯里？除非内阁在星期三公开地、集体地否定阿末扎希在上个星期四通过《前锋报》发表的言论，否则新任内政部长呼吁不满我国目前的选举制度的大马公民“移民外国”，就是内阁和政府的官方立场。

这就是为什么在国会谴责阿末扎希，如同谴责纳吉和整个内阁没有公开否决阿末扎希的立场。

在第十三届全国大选，逾560万名选民，其中大部份是巫裔选民，投下神圣一票支持民联以对抗国阵。

阿末扎希或纳吉凭什么权威和权力，呼吁马来西亚人民，包括马来人丶华人丶印度人丶卡达山人和伊班人，如果他们不喜欢当前的选举制度，可以“移民外国”？
 
马来西亚人民不喜欢当前的选举制度，主要是因為它不公平和不民主，一个获得51%选票支持的政治联盟被剥夺了担任首相的职务，但它却落入一个只有47%选票支持的联盟手中，人民有权不高兴丶不满意丶不忿和愤怒，并且想改变政府。如果阿末扎希不喜欢这样，那么他大可“移民外国”！
 
面对自己严重口误所带来的压力，必定已导致阿末扎希情绪失控，并且使他以非常幼稚的方式作出公开回应。
 
例如，他用以牙还牙的回应方式，反驳民联领袖安华依布拉欣用“这个国家不是你爸爸所拥有的”对他的嘲弄，即：
 “这个国家也不是（安华的）爸爸的。这既不是我爸爸的国家，也不是他爸爸的国家。”

这是一个完全愚蠢和无知的回应。

安华或任何一个人作出这一类评论的意思是“这不只是你爸爸的国家，也是我爸爸的国家，也就是说这是属于我们所有人的国家！”

这句话不应被降低至“这不是你爸爸的国家，这既不是我爸爸的国家，也不是他爸爸的国家”般不合情理。它应该被理解为“这个不只是你爸爸的国家，也不只是我爸爸的国家──这是我们所有人的国家。”

阿末扎希沦落至如此胡言乱语，竟然还大言不惭地说自己不担心在国会里遭到谴责，真让人感到可悲和可怜！

注：作者林吉祥是民主行动党国会领袖兼振林山区国会议员。

来源：http://www.malaysiakini.com/letters/230697

国阵执政 55 呢还喊拯救国家！？

执政55年还喊 拯救国家！？

• 辜瑞荣
• 2012年11月30日 下午2点12分
• 
  

“马来西亚前锋报今天报道巫统全国大会主席讲词的头版大标题是‘拯救国家’（SELAMATKAN NEGARA）。这是看来很可笑的，但是也是值得令人深思的大标题．”马来西亚人民党全国副主席辜瑞荣在文告中说。

“可笑，因为一个已经执政一个国家55年的政党竟然在55年后高喊要拯救国家。值得令人深思的是，国家需要拯救意味着这个国家已经面对危机，而必须拯救，也就是说需要进行改变，否则这个国家前途暗淡无光，人民必将生活在苦难中。”文告指出。

“的确，越来越多马来西亚人已经认识到，这个国家确确实实在国阵－－巫统的５５年执政下，国家社会百病丛生，需要动大手术才能获得挽救，这是首相那吉自己也清楚看到的，所以，他的巫统大会演辞标题也打着‘有改革能力的领导，迈向国家宏愿’KEPIMPINAN TRANSFORMATIF MENUJU WAWASAN NEGARA。”

辜瑞荣问到，“是谁造成马来西亚今天面对的危机局面？首相那吉能够讲到做到‘有改革能力的领导，迈向国家宏愿’。”

“答案是明显的，当前国家危机是国阵55年的长时间执政造成的。在国阵－巫统执政下，尤其是经过马哈迪医生22年执政时建立的寻租朋党经济体制，是国家面对危机的根本根源。”

“在处理这个危机时，首相只突出个人形象来赢回已经失去的民心，而不用国阵－巫统这个招牌。首相了解，国阵－巫统是改革不了的。所以，那吉上任时提出经济改革便受到内部的抗拒和强烈反对，他就悄悄放弃，转向废除过时且不得人心的法律条文，如废除内安法令。这样做能够突出改革者形象，又能保存寻租朋党体制和朋党利益。否则，他要面对前首相阿都拉下场。”

马来西亚人民党因此呼吁人民大胆进行改变，推选其他替代力量取代国阵－巫统，才能改变寻租朋党制度，才能改变人民苦难的命运。

来源：http://www.malaysiakini.com/letters/215553

Utusan report a ‘complete lie’, say clergymen

UPDATED @ 05:02:37 PM 08-10-2012

October 08, 2012

KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 8 — Two senior Christian leaders denied today they had attacked Penang Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng for using the church for politics as reported by a Malay paper yesterday, saying their quotes had been taken complete out of context.

Mingguan Malaysia, the weekend edition of Umno-owned Utusan Malaysia, had quoted former Council of Churches Malaysia (CCM) president Reverend Thomas Philips and Lutheran Evangelical Church Bishop Solomon Rajah as saying the church is no place for politics in a news article criticising Lim.

“It’s a complete lie,” Thomas, a priest of the Mar Thoma Church, told reporters today.

Mingguan Malaysiahad claimed Lim(picture) delivered a political speech at a church to garner votes for the upcoming elections. 

The news report had also quoted Solomon and Thomas as allegedly criticising Lim for using churches as a place to win votes.

Thomas, a former vice-president of the Malaysian Consultative Council of Buddhism, Christianity, Hinduism, Sikhism and Taoism (MCCBCHST), said today that a female reporter had called him last week to talk generally about politics in the church.

“My response was it is very hard to define what is politics. All religions teach us to fight against injustice, corruption, abuse of power... and all these things. 

“For some people, these are political values. For some, these are religious values and that’s why the church continues to uphold these values,” he told The Malaysian Insider when contacted.

Thomas said he received many calls yesterday from people asking him about his remarks, and that he was shocked by how the story had been written.

Solomon said he thought Utusan Malaysia was doing a survey about church leaders’ opinions on politics and the church.

“I merely gave a general view on the subject. I said the church should not be dragged into politics.

“During the interview never for once did I condemn or speak ill of Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng,” he said.

In a statement, the CCM urged Utusan Malaysia “to make an apology to both Bishop Dr Solomon and Rev Dr Thomas Philips for misrepresenting their views.”

“This apology should appear in print in their newspaper as soon as possible. The Council of Churches views with great concern the way certain media are seeking to draw the church into partisan politics,” said Reverend Hermen Shastri, the general-secretary of CCM.

Penang church pastors also yesterday refuted allegations that Lim had engaged them in political talk during the recent dialogue session, the latest black mark against the Umno daily in its reporting of the state chief minister.

The DAP secretary-general has been under fire by Umno leaders and Utusan Malaysia columnist Awang Selamat for allegedly telling Christians to stand up to injustice.

“There were no political speeches made during that luncheon dialogue session between the state government and us,” the national co-ordinator of the National Evangelical Christian Fellowship, Pastor Sam Surendran, told a press conference yesterday.

“I was present at the lunch dialogue session and all the pastors here also attended the session and we are refuting any claims that the chief minister had delivered any politicial speeches on that day,” he said.

The dialogue session was held on Friday afternoon between the state government and the pastors of Penang churches to discuss any issues the churches had.

Source: http://www.themalaysianinsider.com/malaysia/article/utusan-report-a-complete-lie-say-clergymen/

前锋报影射林冠英教堂宣扬政治，2牧师澄清，谈话遭扭曲

 2012-10-08 10:18

（檳城7日讯）《马来西亚前锋报》星期刊今日封面以《不要牵扯教堂》的標题，影射檳州首长林冠英在基督教堂內宣扬政治后，两名被引述谈话的教会领袖已经直接或间接联络林冠英，澄清他们的谈话被该报扭曲。

林冠英今日下午与教会领袖召开紧急会议后，召开新闻发佈会声明10月4日的对话会没有提到政治课题，同时强调活动是在属於中立场所的檳州爱心大厦內举行，不是报导影射在教堂举行对话会。

森姆：对话会充满建设性

出席上述对话会的马来西亚福音联谊会（NECF）北马区协调员森姆说，林冠英没有在会上发表政治演说，更没有宣扬政治，他形容对话会充满建设性，也顺利反映教会面对的门牌税、土地、墓地等问题。

“报导影射在教堂举行对话会並宣扬政治是谬论，而且，檳州的教会非常欣慰州政府愿意主办对话会，由最高行政长官与我们对话。所以，我们希望其他州政府也能够仿傚，瞭解教会面对的问题。＂林冠英本月4日在檳州爱心大厦与教会领袖举行常年对话午宴，获得约300人出席。

《马来西亚前锋报》星期刊今日在封面刊登路德福音教堂主教所罗门拉惹牧师和马来西亚基督教堂理事会会长托马斯牧师的谈话，指教堂不是宣扬政治的场所。

报导也指林冠英在活动上要求基督徒对“不公正＂事件出头，形容这是民联领袖惯用的政治字眼。

今日与林冠英举行会议的教会领袖计有爱檳城网络主席Isaac Chan、经济组主任拿督陈福星、檳城牧师团契主席郑荣辉、乔治市浸信会黄国安牧师等人。

林冠英：托马斯指被报章利用

林冠英透露他与托马斯通话后，对方澄清接受前锋报记者访问时，记者没有说明所针对的课题和对象。

“托马斯牧师强调是在新闻见报后，才发现谈话遭扭曲，还被报章利用来影射我。至於我有没有在对话会上宣扬政治，相信当天出席採访的记者最清楚。＂他说，所罗门通过（木威区国会议员）倪可汉和（士布爹区国会议员）郭素沁，要求他们转告其谈话同样被前锋报扭曲。

他强调对话会当天提起的“不公正＂字眼只是一个笼统说词，完全没有针对任何事情，並谴责前锋报的“谎言暴力＂。

廖炎发：基督徒须仗义执言

乔治市浸信会的廖炎发说，基督徒本来就被教导为不公正事件仗义执言，这是最基本的宗教价值观，况且，首长（林冠英）提到的“不公正＂可以代表任何意思。

他说，州政府有意与教会对话会时，各个教会都觉得很高兴，毕竟基督教徒的人数开始增长，一些教会现有的地方不敷应用，需要新地点设立宗教场所，有的教堂更面对墓地有限的情况。

来源：http://www.sinchew.com.my/node/263849?tid=1

安华不赞成同性恋

安华，我们的第七任首相，不赞成同性恋是正确的作法，基督徒支持你！

-----------------------------------------------

安华起诉《前锋报》誹谤案‧安华妙语反击提问‧法庭充满火药味

2012-07-19 11:40

• 
  安华（右）率先为本身起诉《马来西亚前锋报》誹谤一案出庭供证；公正党副主席蔡添强（左）及梳邦区国会议员西华拉沙（左2）现身以示支持。（图：星洲日报）

（吉隆坡18日讯）国会反对党领袖拿督斯里安华起诉《马来西亚前锋报》等两造誹谤一案今日首日开审，率先“出场”的安华在供证期间多次与辩方律师展开舌战，以致庭內一番刀光剑影。

现年64岁的安华是诉方第一证人，他在接受答辩人代表律师拿督费鲁斯盘问时，皆以妙语反击，对於律师的各项提问，一概以冷嘲热讽回击，令整个庭內充满浓浓火药味。

法官要求双方停战

双方在数小时的审讯中犹如展开一场斗智斗力的比赛，就连承审本案的法官拿督星甘也忍不住多次打岔，要求双方熄火停战。安华是因不满被指为同性恋权利的拥护者而於今年1月20日入稟高庭起诉持有《马来西亚前锋报》的马来前锋报（马）有限公司及其集团总编辑拿督阿兹依沙，索偿5千万令吉。

他在供证时说，《马来西亚前锋报》於今年1月17日在封面及第十页分別刊登题为“推翻安华——哈山”和“寄生虫侵蚀伊斯兰党，安华必须被拒绝”的报导中，旨在威胁与终止其政治生涯。

他强调，大部份的大马公民皆是反对同性恋的穆斯林，身为国家反对党领袖，他是巫统在来届大选中的“主要绊脚石”之一；他深信，巫统及其控制的报章——《马来西亚前锋报》近乎每日对他作出恶意的誹谤，藉由人身攻击来达到政治的目的。

他说，在报导见报后，他曾通过律师致函答辩人要求道歉及撤回报导，惟对方拒绝这么做。

他指出，答辩人在刊登任何上述誹谤性报导前，完全没有给予他任何解释或评论的机会，鑑此，除了要求5千万令吉的赔偿外，他也向答辩人索取加重及惩戒性赔偿、堂费，同时，要求高庭发出禁令，禁止答辩人本身或通过任何代理，继续刊登或发表誹谤他的言论。

否认要把同性恋合法化

安华否认，他在接受英国广播公司（BBC）访问时，曾透露本身將会把同性恋合法化。

他强调，答辩人严重扭曲他在接受访问时所发表的言论、断章取义，以达到炒作新闻的目的。

他解释，他在访问期间指大马需重新检討一些已过时的法律，因为穆斯林及非穆斯林皆普遍相信及全力支持男人与女人之间的神圣婚姻。

“不过，这样的举止（检討过时法律）不应被视为一种惩罚……我们需检討它们（过时法律），我们不在公眾领域及领土上宣扬同性恋。”

安华指出，从伊斯兰教角度来看，无论是在公开场合或隱蔽地点，任何色情活动，如同性恋、性滥交、喝酒、赌博等都是受到严厉禁止的，且惩罚不变。

他说，他在访问中所谈及的是身兼执法者的政府在伊斯兰教角度上，针对民眾在非公开场合上犯下上述罪行的责任。

他表示，这並非其个人的意见，因为有关言论也获得世界著名及受尊重的学者，如玛华迪和尤索夫卡拉达威博士的支持，同时，可在宗教礼仪、修养与情操书籍中找得到。

保护神圣婚姻
同性恋应受歧视

安华坦承，为了保护婚姻的神圣，同性恋应受到歧视。

不过，他强调，政府应修改过时的法律，以避免无辜的人受到惩罚，因为用这样的法律来惩罚无辜的人是不应被纵容或容忍的。

安华是在被控肛交案获释后接受英国广播公司访问。

他在接受费鲁斯盘问时坦承：“我们不给予同性恋空间，是为了维护婚姻的神圣性，而法律的制定应以相信男人与女人之间的神圣婚姻作为基础。”

针对为何他认为刑事法典第377条文（进行违反自然性行为）是一项“过时”

的法律时，安华语带讽刺的说，有关条文极少获得援引，並只在一些具有政治议程的情况下派上用场，所以应该受到检討。

他表示，民联原则上同意应重新检討整个国家的法律，並进行大改革。

將证明巫统如何控制前锋报

费鲁斯挑战安华出示证据，究竟巫统如何控制《马来西亚前锋报》，並证明巫统主席拿督斯里纳吉有委任代表进入《马来西亚前锋报》董事部。

对此，安华说，他会在近期內向法庭提供具体证据。

曾经出任巫统署理主席的安华说，根据本身在巫统的经验，巫统主席將委任一名代表进入《马来西亚前锋报》董事部，以控制该公司的运作。

费鲁斯以没有实际证据为由，要求法官刪除安华针对巫统的部份口供，法官表示，他將视安华是否能够提出证据再定夺。

此案於8月13日继续审讯。

来源：http://www.sinchew.com.my/node/254795?tid=1

Utusan -- Puppet Paper of UMNO

Anwar: Utusan takes orders from ‘President of Umno’

By Lisa J. Ariffin

July 18, 2012

Anwar told the court today that he “knows for a fact” that Utusan Malaysia takes orders from Umno. — file pic

KUALA LUMPUR, July 18 — Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim said today it was “public knowledge” Utusan Malaysia was Umno-owned and that it took orders from the party’s president.

Anwar was testifying today in his defamation suit against Utusan Malaysia, which had in January accused the opposition leader of being a proponent of gay rights, claiming he had said as such during a BBC interview early this year.

The opposition leader made this statement despite agreeing with defence lawyer Datuk Firoz Hussein that the local newspaper was managed by public-listed Utusan Melayu (Malaysia) Bhd.

“I know for a fact that Utusan Malaysia receives instructions from Umno. I was deputy prime minister. I used to sit in their meetings and therefore, I have evidence,” he said.

“When there is a decision to appoint or to remove the editor-in-chief, the president will give orders,” he added.

Asked if he had any current evidence of Utusan receiving orders from Umno since leaving the government in 1998, Anwar answered: “Yes, if I can get hold of it in the next sitting.”

The PKR de facto leader then added, “I don’t remember the name of the person who sits on the board (selected by Umno president Datuk Seri Najib Razak), but I will give later”.

Anwar agreed that in other countries, local newspapers may choose to support political parties of their choice, but pointed out Utusan had slandered him for the past 14 years.

“They have every right to do so, but do not slander. By all means support, but don’t slander,” he said.

Utusan had previously quoted Anwar as saying during the BBC interview that laws on gay rights in Malaysia were considered “archaic” and “not relevant” when asked whether he was prepared to push for the idea of anti-discrimination as far as gay rights were concerned.

Anwar agreed today in court that homosexuals should be discriminated against to protect the sanctity of marriage, but pointed out that archaic laws should be reviewed to prevent innocent people from being punished.

Earlier this year, Anwar was acquitted of a charge of sodomising former male aide Mohd Saiful Bukhari Azlan, with the High Court ruling that the prosecution had not done enough to prove Anwar had committed sodomy against Saiful.

The hearing adjourns on August 13.

Source: http://www.themalaysianinsider.com/malaysia/article/anwar-utusan-takes-orders-from-president-of-umno/

Anwar agrees to discrimination against gays to protect sanctity of marriage

No place for Homosexual Marriage, at least in Malaysia. Anwar Ibrahim, our PM-in-waiting, you have the True Christians' support.
--------------------------------------

UPDATED @ 03:02:32 PM 18-07-2012

By Lisa J. Ariffin

July 18, 2012

KUALA LUMPUR, July 18 — Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim agreed at a High Court hearing today that homosexuals should be discriminated against to protect the sanctity of marriage, but pointed out that archaic laws should be reviewed to prevent innocent people from being punished.

Anwar was testifying today in his defamation suit against Umno-owned newspaper Utusan Malaysia, which had in January accused the opposition leader of being a gay rights proponent, claiming he said so during a BBC interview early this year.

Utusan had previously quoted Anwar (picture) as saying during the interview that laws on gay rights in Malaysia were considered “archaic” and “not relevant" when asked whether he was prepared to push for the idea of anti-discrimination as far as gay rights were concerned.

To defence lawyer Datuk Firoz Hussein's question of "Should we discriminate against homosexuals?", Anwar answered: "Yes".

"We don't give space to homosexuals and uphold the sanctity of marriage," he said, adding the law must be "crafted in a way we must believe the sanctity of marriage between a man and woman".

"We do not promote homosexuality," he added.

However, he insisted archaic laws against homosexuals have to be reviewed "so innocent people will not be punished".

"To use this sort of legislation to punish innocent people should not be condoned or tolerated".

Asked why he considered existing laws against unnatural sex under Section 377 of the Penal Code to be “archaic”, Anwar said “because it is hardly used and only used for political reasons”.

“It is used without enough proof, it is used not because of  respect of law but only for politics,” he said.

“So it needs to be reviewed... To have witnesses and enough evidence before being brought to court,” he added.

The Permatang Pauh MP then said “Generally in PR (Pakatan Rakyat), we agree on the review and total reform of laws in the country”.

Earlier this year, Anwar was acquitted of a charge of sodomising former male aide Mohd Saiful Bukhari Azlan, with the High Court ruling that the prosecution had not done enough to prove Anwar had committed sodomy against Saiful.

Source: http://www.themalaysianinsider.com/malaysia/article/anwar-agrees-to-discrimination-against-gays-to-protect-sanctity-of-marriage/

Utusan the Spinning King, a chess manipulated by Barisan Nasional

By Lim Kit Siang

Today is a day of infamy for Malaysian journalism – with the UMNO publication Utusan Malaysia defending the indefensible instead of apologizing for being the foremost “Lies-paper” in Malaysia in the past three years under the premiership of Datuk Seri Najib Razak.

At a forum on social media organized by Biro Tata Negara (BTN) of the Prime Minister’s Department and the 1Malaysia Social Media Convention secretariat, Utusan Malaysia’s deputy chief editor Mohd Zaini Hassan claimed that media practitioners are allowed to spin the facts to paint a “desired picture” to the reader and to launch a “gentlemanly attack” against the Opposition.

Claiming that there are three categories of “fact, spin and blatant lies”, Zaini purports to distance himself from “lies” but gives his approval to “spin”, saying: “Spin we can; no matter how we spin a certain fact to be biased in our favour, that’s okay.”

Zaini is insulting the intelligence of Malaysians in trying a “spin of all spins” attempting to pass off lies and blatant lies as mere “spin”!

Spin must clearly be delineated from lies and blatant lies. Spin occurs when facts are linked in a deceptive way that attempts to portray an individual or organization in the best or worst possible light.

But what Utusan had been most guilty off in the past three years is not just deception through “spinning” certain facts while omitting other facts, but the retailing of downright lies and falsehoods.

A good case in point are the “blatant lies” in the Utusan Malaysia front-page story on Monday, July 9, 2012 that the DAP would contest 90 of the 222 parliamentary seats to dominate Pakatan Rakyat and appoint the Prime Minister in the 13th general election.

This was part of an irresponsible, unprincipled, malicious and anti-national campaign by UMNO propagandists to stoke baseless racial suspicion, distrust and fear that the Malays will lose political power if UMNO is defeated and the Barisan Nasional replaced by Pakatan Rakyat in the 13th general election as there is simply no kernel of truth in such a claim.

What is even more disgusting and totally against all tenets of ethical and responsible journalism is that Utusan completely ignored the denials issued by DAP and Pakatan Rakyat leaders debunking the Utusan front-page lies the very same day of their publication, including my media statement that although final seat allocations between Pakatan Rakyat parties have still to be fully completed, “DAP is not contemplating contesting more than 60 parliamentary seats or less than 28 per cent of the total 222 parliamentary seats.

Utusan Malaysia completely ignored these denials and through planted reports and articles in the past four days tried to keep alive the lie that the DAP would contest 90 seats – including a report on Wednesday, 11th July 2012 quoting the Home Minister Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Hussein attacking the DAP for wanting to contest 90 seats in the 13GE (as if Hishammuddin does not know nor care that the DAP had pronounced the Utusan report a lie!)

Utusan resort to such blatant lies is not to launch a “gentlemanly attack” on the Opposition, but a most irresponsible, mischievous and diabolical attack, as when Utusan on another occasion front-paged another lie that the DAP wanted to establish a Christian Malaysia and appoint a Christian Prime Minister.

Malaysian taxpayers are entitled to know why is UMNO/Barisan Nasional government giving its blessing to such unethical and dishonest journalism by being involved in the social media convention through the Biro Tata Negara of the Prime Minister’s Department, not only to disseminate unethical and dishonest principles of journalism and its application in the social media, but to carry out what is clearly divisive and destructive social activities which could only undermine inter-racial harmony, national unity and 1Malaysia nation-building.
Most importantly, is this confirmation that Biro Tata Negara (BTN) of the Prime Minister’s Department is back in business as the most

divisive and destructive brain-washing centre in the country, dividing instead of uniting Malaysians regardless of race, religion, region, class, age or gender despite earlier assurances that BTN is being reformed into a truly Malaysian rather than racist institution?

Source: http://blog.limkitsiang.com/2012/07/14/day-of-infamy-for-malaysian-journalism-utusan-malaysia-defending-the-indefensible-instead-of-apologizing-for-being-foremost-lies-paper-in-malaysia/#more-19644