Taib – ‘This Book Is Bad For My Business Reputation’ (OOOPS!)

Sarawak Report

The Governor of Sarawak, Taib Mahmud, has embarked on a high stakes and high risk strategy to ban the book that lifts the lid on timber corruption in Sarawak.

And today, in Tokyo, the Malaysian delegation to the International Tropical Timber Organisation’s (ITTO) annual conference moved to remove observer status from the NGO Bruno Manser Fund (BMF).

The BMF Director, Lukas Straumann, is the author of “Money Logging – On The Trail Of The Asian Timber Mafia”, which has also been barred from the conference.

Irresistible men

MARIAM MOKHTAR

Some women find men in uniform attractive. They will stop, stare and feel weak at the knees. Is it the straight back, the posture, the puffed-out chest, the shiny badges, or the tilt of the beret? Is it because the organisation they represent signifies safety and strength?One uniformed Malaysian has the opposite effect on many Malaysians. He is the Martabat Jalinan Muhibbah Malaysia (MJMM) president, Abdul Rani Kulup Abdullah. He is often photographed in a dark olive uniform, with a red beret and sunglasses. Many of us try to stifle our sniggers. Some men look good in uniform, but Abdul Rani makes us laugh. We tend to ignore his messages, and focus on his outfit. He makes a mockery of himself.

One does not have to wear a uniform to make women swoon. Firemen in their overalls and hard hats, or builders with their tool pouches can also have the desired effect.

Zahid declares Penang’s PPS illegal, assets to be seized

TMI

Members of Penang’s Voluntary Patrol Unit (PPS) during a state-level Merdeka parade last August.

Home Minister Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi has declared Penang’s Voluntary Patrol Unit (PPS) an illegal organisation, and its assets and properties will be seized, the Home Ministry said today.

Its secretary-general Datuk Seri Mohamad Khalid Shariff said Zahid made the declaration yesterday, invoking Section 5(1) of the Societies Act 1966, which empowers the minister to declare an organisation illegal.

NGO wants probe on Taib book

Joe Fernandez

GASAK believes that Sarawak Governor Abdul Taib Mahmud was trying to hide something from the public but stopped short of calling on him to step down and clear his name.

The Sarawak People’s Movement or Gerakan Anak Sarawak (GASAK) wants the authorities concerned to probe the contents of a recently released book, Money Logging: On the Trail of the Asian Timber Mafia, by Swiss author and human rights campaigner Lukas Straumann.

The author, who also heads the Swiss-based Bruno Manser Fund as Director, claims in his 300-page book that Sarawak Governor Abdul Taib Mahmud, his four children and his siblings have stakes in 333 companies in Malaysia and in another 418 spread around the globe.

Probe Taib on claims in book, urges NGO

Mkini

A Sarawak NGO has lodged several police reports against state governor Abdul Taib Mahmud after the release of a new book that made corruption allegations against him.

Gerakan Anak Sarawak (Gasak) said it had lodged 13 police and Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) reports against Taib, who was state chief minister for 23 years.

The book, entitled ‘Money Logging: On the Trail of the Asian Timber Mafia’, alleges Taib was involved in corrupt practices in the timber industry when he headed the state as chief minister and resource planning and management minister.

Group urges police, MACC to investigate Taib over book’s expose

TMI

Members of Sarawak-based Gasak at the Miri central police station today after lodging a report against former Sarawak CM, Tun Abdul Taib Mahmud.

A Sarawak-based group today lodged two police reports against Tun Abdul Taib Mahmud for alleged corruption and abuse of power, based on a newly-launched book which reveals in detail the former chief minister’s alleged misdeeds.

The Sarawak People’s Movement (Gasak) also lodged a report with the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) on the allegations in “Money Logging: On the Trail of the Asian Timber Mafia”, against Taib, who is now the Sarawak governor, this morning.

The power behind the throne

Shane Fuentes

The bottomline is that anyone who defies the religious authorities would be labelled as not Muslim.

Malay political leaders on both sides of the political divide are afraid of the religious authorities and this can be seen in the manner they express themselves at different forums in different languages.

“The real power in our lives emanates from the religious authorities,” writes Zaid Ibrahim in The real power in Malaysia, in his blog Zaidgeist. “Our leaders are like the Imperial Chinese eunuchs who would always obey the Emperor for the privilege of living in the Palace and having control over state finances.”

The joke is on United People’s Party

Jimmy Adit

United People’s Party (UPP) eyeing the proposed new state seats and leaving it to the Barisan Nasional leaders to decide? Is that a joke or just plain mockery?

If he means it as a mockery, UPP chief Datuk Seri Wong Soon Koh certainly knows how to mock the BN, especially the state BN. He is purposely going fishing and testing the waters to see if anybody in the ruling coalition dares to tell it to his face that he and UPP are not even in BN so how is it that they want a piece of the pie?

Disgruntled employee Taib’s undoing

Robert Ng

Sarawak Governor Abdul Taib Mahmud’s secrets became public after Ross Boyert, CEO of Sakti International Corporation, filed a suit in Court.

Money Logging by Lukas Straumann, the Director of Bruno Manser Fund in Switzerland, appears to be another fiction hot from the mill, until you begin to realize that the characters mentioned are real people.

For over 12 years, Ross Boyert – “the man who held the key to Sarawak Governor Abdul Taib Mahmud’s secret real estate empire” – managed his family’s properties in northwest USA as CEO of Sakti International Corporation.

Malaysia’s road to perdition

THE MALAYSIAN INSIDER

Malaysians should respect each other’s faith and their rights to practise their religious beliefs

There is no delicate way to put this: Malaysia is on a downward spiral, led down the dangerous path by overzealous religious authorities, misguided or plain stupid individuals and groups.And perhaps more alarmingly, the government of the day is either allowing this implosion of a blessed country or has become a clueless bystander to the dismantling of multiracial and multi-religious Malaysia.

Not a day seems to go by without some new group seeking to change the complexion of Malaysia.

The meteoric rise and scary influence of the ulamas

Mariam Mokhtar

When the ulamas read about the overwhelming response, from Muslims, to the “I want to Touch a Dog” event, alarm bells started ringing. They were spooked. The event, which was organised by Syed Azmi Alhabshi, a pharmacist in his 30s, had been extremely popular. What transpired was more than just touching dogs; it was Malaysians showing unity, understanding and interest for one other, with the help of the dog.

The show of harmony was a snub to the ulamas, the conservative Muslims and the Umno-Baru lapdogs. The leader of any country, would have been envious of the bond between Malaysians; any leader, perhaps, but not a Malaysian leader.

Sarawak’s Masing remains outspoken, says good for Malaysians

ELIZABETH ZACHARIAH

Sarawak minister Tan Sri Dr James Masing says Malaysia cannot afford not to have a moderate society.

Sarawak minister Tan Sri Dr James Masing has vowed to continue speaking up against injustices in the country even if it means going up against his Barisan Nasional (BN) colleagues and leaders, all for the good of the people.

The outspoken Land Development Minister, who is also a fierce critic of Putrajaya, said he will never change despite receiving brickbats from BN leaders, who have accused him of being the opposition tool to destroy the ruling coalition.

James Masing an unwitting tool of Pakatan Rakyat, says former minister

LEE SHI-IAN

Former minister Tan Sri Zainuddin Maidin says it was unwise for Tan Sri James Masing to confuse the seizure of Christian materials containing the word allah with growing religious extremism in the country.

Outspoken Sarawak minister Tan Sri James Masing is unaware that he has become a tool for Pakatan Rakyat, and should not cause confusion with his comments, a former minister said today.

Tan Sri Zainuddin Maidin wrote in a blog posting that as the minister responsible for national unity, Masing should be more responsible with his comments.

Bibles belong to the Christians, Azmin tells Selangor sultan

ANISAH SHUKRY

Selangor Menteri Besar Mohamed Azmin Ali speaks on the Bible-seizure issue at the DAP’s fund-raising dinner at the MBPJ Civic Hall in Petaling Jaya yesterday

The Malay- and Iban-language Bibles seized by the state religious authority in January do not belong to the Muslims and must be returned to the Christians, Selangor Menteri Besar Mohamed Azmin Ali said yesterday.Azmin told some 1,000 DAP supporters at the party’s fund-raising dinner that he informed the Selangor palace of this, with the hope that the prolonged issue will finally be resolved.

Masing wants Maidin banned from Sarawak

Joe Fernandez

“Those who support extremists like Perkasa, Pekida and ISMA should have the laws thrown at them.”

Parti Rakyat Sarawak (PRS) President James Masing wants former Federal Minister, Zainuddin Maidin, to be barred from Sarawak for consistently espousing extremist views and keeping company with blacklisted groups like Perkasa, Pekida and ISMA whose leaders are also no longer welcome in Sarawak.

“Those who support these extremists should have the laws thrown at them,” said James, who is also Land Minister, in calling for a stand against bigotry and extremism. “If I am tool of someone, it is because I am a tool of moderation, justice and fair play in Malaysia.”

NGO: Brighter future for Sarawak under Adenan

Mkini

The Bruno Manser Fund (BMF) has waged a long campaign against former Sarawak Chief Minister Abdul Taib Mahmud and rampant logging in the state.With Taib now relegated to a largely ceremonial role as the state’s governor, BMF executive director Lukas Straumann said his Swiss-based NGO is looking forward to working together with his successor, Adenan Satem.

Although the people put in power during Taib’s administration are still in place, there are encouraging signs from Adenan, he said, such as his signing of an integrity pledge.

“The most striking difference is that the new chief minister is not involved in the private businesses of his family members.

Christians too have the right to worship, Nik Nazmi tells Muslim group

ANISAH SHUKRY

PKR Seri Setia state assemblyman Nik Nazmi Nik Ahmad says the construction of the church in Petaling Jaya will proceed as long as it follows the proper procedures.

Christians have a right to their own places of worship, and allowing the construction of a church in Petaling Jaya will not make the Malays any less Muslim, PKR Seri Setia state assemblyman Nik Nazmi Nik Ahmad said today.

He said that Muslims should have no issue with the construction of the four-storey Praise Emmanuel Assembly church in his constituency, as non-Muslim places of worship have co-existed peacefully even during Prophet Muhammad’s time.

Tindak puts electoral maps online for public scrutiny

Koh Jun Lin

The NGO Tindak Malaysia will be releasing maps of Malaysia’s electoral boundaries to the public in digital format for the first time, in an effort to urge the Election Commission (EC) to be more transparent.The idea is to show the public that if self-funded volunteers can create maps that minimise malapportionment and make it publicly accessible, they should expect the EC to do so too with the millions of ringgit at its disposal, said Tindak Malaysia founder PY Wong.

“These are reasonable expectations as citizens. You should expect the EC to put these maps online so that everybody can have access.

12mil Malaysians denied of RM2,083 each in 2013

Mkini

What use is the Bantuan Rakyat 1Malaysia (BRIM) when we have lost RM2,083 each in 2013?

It was raised in Parliament by the Temerloh MP Nasrudin Hassan. RM25.1 billion left the Malaysian shores as millions of registered foreign workers remitted that amount back to their countries in 2013.

What it translates to is that 12 million Malaysian workers were denied of RM2,083 each of savings for that same year.

And if three members of a family are part of our 12 million working population, each family would have lost RM6,249. It is a tidy amount for a nice family getaway once a year. No?

The world is watching Najib’s double-speak

Alyaa Alhadjri

Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Abdul Razak must stop his double-speak on Malaysia’s aim to be a regional leader for global moderation as the international community is “not blind nor deaf” to the fact that he has failed to address mounting racial-religious tension back home.

Regional human rights organisation Forum-Asia Human Rights Defenders programme manager Dr Renato Mabunga told theantdaily that it is “very clear” to observers that Najib’s speeches in Malaysia has been the opposite of what he had said at various international forums following Malaysia’s election as a non-permanent member of the United Nations Security Council.

Azmin may help PR score points with Christians

FMT

He seems confident of a good outcome on the Bible issue.

Pakatan Rakyat will definitely score points with Malaysian Christians if Selangor Menteri Besar Azmin Ali manages to resolve the year-long issue of the seized Malay and Iban translations of the Bible.

It will especially benefit the coalition’s image in Sabah and Sarawak, where there are large populations of Christians. State elections are due in Sarawak in the middle of 2016.

Refusal to act on Ibrahim Ali shows Putrajaya’s indifference to E.Malaysia, says Guan Eng

HIMANSHU BHATT

Penang chief minister Lim Guan Eng says Putrajaya’s inaction on Datuk Ibrahim Ali suggests the views of East Malaysian leaders carry less weight than those of Umno supporters.

Putrajaya’s non-action on Datuk Ibrahim Ali over his bible-burning call has cast doubts whether the views of Sabah and Sarawak leaders are given any importance compared to Umno supporters, says Penang chief minister Lim Guan Eng.

In making this assertion, Lim said the Attorney-General’s failure to charge Ibrahim, who is president of a Malay rights outfit Perkasa, was due to the Cabinet’s indifference towards the rights of non-Muslims.

Minister: Re-open probe on Ibrahim’s Bible threat

Mkini

Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department Joseph Kurup today called for the case against Perkasa president Ibrahim Ali on his remark about burning the Bible be re-opened.

Kurup said an investigation into the matter “is necessary to ensure unity” in the country.

“I want the case re-opened and reviewed to ensure unity and battle the rising religious intolerance,” he told the Dewan Rakyat while wrapping up the budget for his portfolio today.

“I also want the case reviewed to appease the anger of the people,” he added.

Life without Anwar

Scott Ng

For PKR and Pakatan Rakyat, Sodomy 2 is a turning point.

Anwar Ibrahim will today meet with one of three fates: a conviction, which will see him back behind bars and barred from politics for what is likely to be the rest of his natural life; a delay in the Federal Court decision, which will keep him and the rest of the nation in suspense for some time; or freedom from his shackles and another chance to wrest control of Malaysia’s ultimate political power.

Whichever of these outcomes comes to pass, one thing is becoming exceedingly clear – the age of Anwar Ibrahim is over.

Azmin takes seized Bibles issue to Selangor palace

TMI

State Islamic authorities in Selangor raided the premises of the Bible Society of Malaysia in Petaling Jaya last January, seizing hundreds of copies of Bible containing the word ‘Allah’.

The issue of the seized Malay and Iban-language Bibles has once again been referred to the Selangor palace, this time by Selangor Menteri Besar Mohamed Azmin Ali, seeking a solution to the case which has dragged on for almost a year.

Azmin said he also had meeting with the Selangor Islamic Affairs Department (Jais) and the Selangor Islamic Affairs Council (Mais) on the matter.

Electoral NGO comes up with ‘fairer’ redelineation maps for voters

EILEEN NG

Tindak Malaysia founder P. Y. Wong says the organisation wants to lower barriers to democratic engagements.

With the Election Commission (EC) expected to embark on a redelineation exercise soon, electoral reform group Tindak Malaysia has put up maps of constituencies online that showed fairer distribution of voters.

With the exception of Labuan and Putrajaya, the NGO had uploaded maps for all federal and state seats on its website tindakmalaysia.org for the public to access and download.

When it is the law’s fault and not the judge’s

Roslan Bistamam

A flashback to the time when Gopal Sri Ram sent Lim Guan Eng to jail.

Lim Guan Eng’s three-year conviction for sedition has been hailed as a great injustice and an attack on free speech. Until today, DAP supporters still talk about the 16-year-old story of how Lim sacrificed himself in defence of a Malay girl.

The fact that Lim is Chinese and the girl he spoke up for is Malay is being touted as evidence that the Penang Chief Minister is not a racist. Are they suggesting that Lim did this because he is Chinese and she is Malay and not because he wanted justice for the girl?

Draconian laws and the use of repression

Stephen Ng

The decline of the British influence in India was the result of using draconian laws to suppress the Indian subjects.

When Mahatma Gandhi fought against the colonial power, he used passive resistance. Hundreds, if not thousands of Indians were thrown into prison, but they did not resist.

Finally, the British knew that they could no longer cling on to power, and India achieved its independence in 1947.

Customs dept blamed, ‘Allah’ books released

Mkini

Home Minister Zahid Hamidi has ordered the release of Christian materials which used the word ‘Allah’ that were confiscated at Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA).

He also distanced his ministry from the seizure, stating that it was the Royal Malaysian Customs Department’s action which comes under the Finance Ministry.

“Those materials were from Indonesia and were transiting KLIA to be brought to Sabah.

“As the materials are for use in Sabah, the Home Ministry is of the opinion that they should be returned,” Zahid (left) told a press conference in Kuala Lumpur today.

Third reminder for gov’t to return Christian CDs

Mkini

Sarawakian Christian Jill Ireland yesterday sent a third letter of demand asking the government to return religious CDs seized from her in 2008.

The letter gave the Home Ministry and the government seven days to comply with the Kuala Lumpur High Court’s July 21 decision.

The court ruling said the government has to return eight religious CDs it had seized six years ago containing the word ‘Allah’, and to pay RM5,000 in legal costs.

Muslims in Sabah, Sarawak will never endorse bible-burning call, Dr M told

The Malay Mail

A Sabah leader said no Muslim in Sabah or Sarawak would ever endorse the idea that it is “acceptable” to suggest torching Christian scriptures.

Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad’s claim that Datuk Ibrahim Ali’s call to burn bibles was not seditious does not go down well with Muslims in east Malaysia, a Sabah Umno leader said.

State Legislative Assembly Speaker Datuk Seri Salleh Said Keruak said no Muslim in Sabah or Sarawak would ever endorse the idea that it is “acceptable” to suggest torching Christian scriptures, regardless whether it is deemed a respectful way of disposing their own holy book, the Al-Quran.

Why do these Malaysians have to seek political asylum abroad?

Alyaa Alhadjri

As I write this, I am in the midst of making last minute (as always) preparations to leave for a one month journalism fellowship in the Philippines.

Saying goodbye is not difficult as we are, after all, in the days where (almost) everybody is contactable either through basic communication channels or via social media, no matter where we go.

And be it a working trip, studies, holiday, pilgrimage or other reasons for travelling and staying outside of our own country, most of us can look forward to the day that we will be returning home.

AG’s statement on Bible-burning boggles the mind

Stanley Isaacs

Section 3(3) of the Act makes it abundantly clear that “intention” (however good) is irrelevant.

The recent public statement by the Attorney-General giving his reasons for not prosecuting Ibrahim Ali for sedition has not in any way allayed the discontent of many people including even a cabinet minister.

They cannot understand, and rightly so, why this man is being protected from prosecution.

On the contrary the reasons given by the AG is nothing but mitigation for the man whose outburst was a call to Muslims in this country to commit a serious crime under the Penal Code.

Likewise on the Sedition Act, Bar Council

Faidhur Rahman Abdul Hadi

Finally, the executive body of the Malaysian Bar, the Bar Council, has broken its two-day silence over the question of whether it is acting hypocritically and applying double standards in the appointment of a retired Federal Court judge, Datuk Seri Gopal Sri Ram, as lead counsel for Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim’s case which is, as at the time of writing, still being argued before the Federal Court.

The press release, published on the Malaysian Bar’s website, is short in length, concise in message and unapologetic in tone, and defends this silence by deferring to a Federal Court decision in September 2013. Therein the court decided that there was nothing presently in law that prohibited a retired judge from appearing as counsel in court. Never mind the fact that the resolution was passed at the Malaysian Bar AGM held on March 15, 2014 and is thus subsequent to this court decision. This, the Bar Council claims stoically, is why, despite the Bar’s concerns on this issue, it has chosen to remain silent all this while.

Graft and abuse of funds are Malaysia’s bane

Stephen Ng

The gross domestic product (GDP) per capita for Singapore in 2013 was recorded at US$36,897.87, compared to Malaysia’s US$6,990.25. In 1960, Malaysia’s GDP per capita was US$815.29 in 1960, compared to Singapore’s US$ 2,529.86.

In short, Malaysians are still trapped in the middle income level, or earning only three times more than the average Singaporean in 1960, compared to Singaporeans who are earning nearly five times more than what we are earning now.

The figures shows how Singapore, which started off with very little resources, has performed so much better compared to Malaysia’s per capita income within the span of 50 years.

HOW FAR IS THE RACIAL/POLITICAL DIVIDE ACTUALLY A RELIGIOUS DIVIDE?

Raja Petra Kamarudin

So all these vices, ‘vice promoting’ events, and places of vices, must be banned. Those who resist are enemies of Islam and hence enemies of the Malays as well. Malaysia is divided into two: between those who uphold Islam and those who ‘insult’ Islam. And when we divide Malaysia between Muslims and those perceived as anti-Islam we also divide Malaysia into Malays and those seen as anti-Malays.

When they look at the race problem that is plaguing the country, the older generation would look at what it used to be back in the 1950s and 1960s, what we call ‘zaman Merdeka’ or the Merdeka era, and would compare it with the Malaysia of today, 60 years on.

PKR MP asks if Sarawak seat increase a ploy to placate rogue BN reps

The Malay Mail Online

The planned increase of 11 seats in the Sarawak state assembly raises the question of whether it is a ploy by the ruling Barisan Nasional (BN) to accommodate a clutch of elected representatives who recently formed the breakaway Parti Tenaga Rakyat Sarawak (Teras), an opposition man said today.

PKR’s Sim Tze Tsin said the timing of the redelineation exercise — which will increase the number of state seats to 82 — appears to be too convenient, since Teras counts nine state assemblymen among its ranks.

“With the addition of 11 DUN (state assembly) seats, it is as though the EC (Election Commission) is proposing a ‘peaceful solution’ to settle the political clash between Sarawak BN and Teras which has nine assemblymen,” he said at a news conference at the Parliament lobby.

Pastor aims wrath at Gani and Nancy

FMT

Sabah church chief Dusing calls the two ‘obnoxious’ for defending Ibrahim Ali.

A Christian leader today condemned Attorney General Abdul Gani Patail and de facto Law Minister Nancy Shukri for what he described as their “obnoxious” defence of Perkasa chief Ibrahim Ali’s call for the burning of Bibles.

The two must be held responsible for racial and religious tension that may result from their stand on the issue, said Jerry Dusing, president of the Sidang Injil Borneo or the Evangelical Church of Sabah.

Can Malaysia have a Jokowi?

MARIA CHIN ABDULLAH

As politics unfold in Indonesia, many are impressed with their responses towards democracy building. On Oct 20, Indonesians witnessed a peaceful transfer of power with the inauguration of the seventh president of Indonesia.

Joko Widodo, better known as Jokowi, had defeated Prabowo Subianto by 6.3 percent in the presidential election on July 9, 2014. While Prabowo had initially submitted an election petition to challenge the results, he had gracefully accepted the court’s ruling when it rejected all his complaints. This sealed the Jokowi-Jusuf Kalla team’s presidential victory in the eyes of the law and the voters.

RM4bil a small fraction of Taib’s family fortune

Koh Jun Lin

Just a small fraction of companies linked to the family of Sarawak governor Abdul Taib Mahmud gives them a fortune amounting to almost RM4 billion, says Bruno Manser Fund (BMF) executive director Lukas Straumann.

Based on the research by his Swiss-based NGO, Straumann said in Petaling Jaya today, Taib’s four children and his siblings own a total of 333 companies in Malaysia and 418 around the world.

Of these, the family stake in the top 14 Malaysian-based, Taib-linked companies amounts to RM3.95 billion. This is based on information provided by the Companies Commission of Malaysia (CCM).

Sarawak leader says Christian items grab reflects rising religious extremism

DESMOND DAVIDSON

Pastor Maklin Masiau (in red shirt) serves the rural areas of Sabah and Customs seized 574 books and 419 CDs containing the word ‘Allah’. The move has angered leaders in Sabah and Sarawak who claim that Putrajaya is ignoring the 10-point solution on the use of ‘Allah’ in Christian literature.

While the latest seizure of Christian materials containing the word “Allah” at klia2 in Sepang last week appears to be resolved, Sarawak’s outspoken minister Tan Sri Dr James Masing views the episode as ominous and portends growing religious extremism in the country.

The seizure is not the first in Malaysia, despite the ruling Barisan Nasional (BN) government’s pledge in 2011 to allow such materials in states where Islamic law was silent on the matter.

Seizure of Christian materials a violation of Malaysia Agreement, says pastor

DESMOND DAVIDSON AND JENNIFER GOMEZ

Maklin Masiau, a pastor whose Christian books and CDs containing the word ‘Allah’ were seized by Customs officers at klia2, has urged his friends and well-wishers to remain calm.

The pastor whose Christian books and CDs containing the word “Allah” were seized by Customs officers at klia2 in Sepang last Saturday, said he has been cheated of his rights as a Sabahan to practise his religion as promised in the Malaysia Agreement.

The Customs notice of the seizure of Christian books and CDs. – The Malaysian Insider pic, October 31, 2014.Maklin Masiau, who was detained and questioned for 40minutes by the Customs officers before his books and CDs were seized, said he was now prepared for the protracted process of getting the authorities to release the materials.

Again, Putrajaya shows its bark is worse than its bite

THE MALAYSIAN INSIDER

Before the issue of the seized Malay and Iban-language bibles is resolved, the Customs Department confiscated some 300 Christian CDs and books containing the word Allah yesterday.

In most countries, civil servants who do not obey cabinet directives are disciplined. But in Malaysia, cabinet ministers have to appeal or cajole civil servants to follow government directives or the law.

The latest is the Royal Malaysian Customs Department’s move to seize some 300 Christian CDs and books containing the word Allah from Sabahan pastor Maklin Masiau in klia2 last week.

Pastor set to take on Home Ministry

Joe Fernandez

“I have been cheated as a Sabahan to practise my religion as guaranteed under the Malaysia Agreement.”

A pastor who was detained for 40 minutes at KLIA2 last Sat and had his religious books and CDs seized by the Customs Department has vowed to take the Home Ministry to Court, if necessary, on the matter. He was advised by Customs to deal with the Home Ministry to seek the return of the items seized from him.

“I know the football game has just started,” wrote Maklin Masiau, the pastor, in a posting on his Facebook page, indicating that he was prepared for the long drawn process of getting his materials back from the authorities.

Native rights NGO renews anti-Taib campaign with tell-all book

Hazlan Zakaria

In a renewed offensive, Basel-based native rights NGO Bruno Manser Fonds (BMF) is taking the fight to expose alleged corruption and abuses by Sarawak Governor Tun Abdul Taib Mahmud to the shores where his supposedly ill-gotten gains are allegedly buried.

Their weapon of choice in this battle is a new book titled “Money Logging: On the Trail of the Asian Timber Mafia” which is claimed to “read like a thriller”, a detailed x-marks the spot account of where the bodies are supposedly buried, figuratively of course.

The 300-page paperback focused on the governor’s alleged eco-crimes and other mishandling which had negatively impacted both indigenous natives and the environment during his nearly three decades of rule over the state as chief minister.

To all religious and racial bigots, MYOB

Ng Kee Seng

As a journalist with 35 years’ experience, I find it extremely difficult to write this piece without using “I”.

I always avoid using “I” in my writing because it is truly too “oneself”.

However, I have to give it an exception when it comes to religious and racial bigots who cannot stop MYOB (Mind-ing Your Own Business).

I guess I have to write it the “I” way because the police and the Umno-led Barisan Nasional government just refuse to stop the faeces spewed by bigots to threaten national unity.

Sending a dangerous signal

Lim Mun Fah

The Attorney-General’s Chambers’s (AGC) claim that Ibrahim has “defended the sanctity of Islam” has indeed caused a major stir. Not only is it absurd, it may also bring an extremely negative impact to the country.

No one can stop Perkasa president Datuk Ibrahim Ali from defending the sanctity of Islam. As a matter of fact, there are so many devout religious believers who would do everything to defend the sanctity of their faiths, which is seen as a truly sacred obligation. The question is: How are you going to put this into practice? Are you going to do this peacefully or violently?

Malaysians place health over wealth

BERNAMA

A survey by AIA shows 68 per cent of middle-class Malaysians rated being healthy as one of their top life goals.

Malaysia’s middle class places health, happiness in marriage and a better life for their children before wealth accumulation as their primary goals and motivations in life.

According to a survey commissioned by AIA on the “Hopes and Aspirations of the Middle Class in Malaysia”, 68 per cent of Malaysians rated being healthy as one of their top life goals, 38 per cent valued having a happy marriage or relationship while 35 per cent put comfortable retirement as their top priority.

Will BN heed Ku Li’s warning?

J. D. Lovrenciear

UMNO’s own Ku Li warns of imminent economic collapse unless we do something drastic today.

For quite a while Malaysians have been crying out over the uncontrolled, escalating cost of living. When opposition political parties joined the chorus or stood up to champion the rakyat’s misery, the government of the day slammed the politicians for misleading the rakyat and “politicising” the issue.

Now UMNO’s own veteran blue-chip Ku Li has voiced his concerns, warning of an imminent economic collapse if the government of the day continues recklessly with its economic and financial agendas.

Sarawak leaders want AG’s head

Joe Fernandez

AG sending signal that anyone can say anything, even seditious, “in defence of Islam”.

Sarawak leaders across the political divide want Attorney-General (AG) Gani Patail sacked for bringing public disrepute to the AG’s Chambers in the manner he handled the Bible burning case of Perkasa Chief Ibrahim Ali.

The consensus of opinion in the local media is that Gani has not only created a dangerous precedent by refusing to press charges against Ibrahim for his inflammatory call but contradicted the government’s emphasis on moderation.