Malaysian political magazine seized

By Desmond Ang for Radio Australia

Malaysian authorities have confiscated hundreds of copies of a new political cartoon magazine, dismaying media rights campaigners.

Copies of the pilot issue of Gedung Kartun were seized by home ministry officials on Wednesday in a raid on the magazine's Kuala Lumpur office.

Officials say the bi-weekly magazine did not possess a permit and was confiscated under the country's media licensing scheme.

Media rights groups say the seizure was politically motivated - the magazine's cover featured Malaysia's Prime Minister Najib Razak waving a Mongolian flag.
The magazine, due on newsstands next month, seeks to feature Malaysian issues through the eyes of cartoonists.

Editor Zulkifar Anwar Ulhaque told Radio Australia's Connect Asia the aim was to provide an alternative and humorous angle for readers.

He said he did not want to discuss the meaning of depicting the Prime Minister with a Mongolian flag - that was the cartoonist's view of an issue in national politics and it was up to readers to interpret.

Mr Ulhaque said inside the magazine was work commenting on the case of Teoh Beng Hock, a regional assemblyman's political secretary, who was being investigated by the Malaysia Anti Corruption Commission. He was later found dead.

The magazine also touched on the country's Internal Security Act "and then political issues involving the prime minister and his wife".

"There are some cartoons that show the Prime Minister being controlled by his wife, so [those] kind of issues, public issues of what people talk at coffee shops.
"Cartoonists just take that and make cartoons out of it."

With 400 copies confiscated, some news stall owners have decided against selling it in any case.

Mr Ulhaque says he applied for a publication licence, was told in a phone call it was approved, and got a licence number.

"Only thing we don't get is the official letter from the minister ... For them, they say we can't publish without getting official letter from the ministry."

Gayathry Venkiteswaran, executive director of the Centre for Independent Journalism Malaysia, says the action by the home ministry could be politically motivated.

"We have a government that is very sensitive today about the prime minister so we believe that the licensing is one issue, but fundamentally it's about the content."

All publications in Malaysia require a permit, which "is controlled and issued by the home ministry, who can enforce editorial changes to the content", Ms Venkiteswaran said.

She said the tactic was part of a pattern by Malaysian leaders.

"You can trace it back to Mahathir in 1981," she said.
"On one hand, as a policy you want to give an indication that you are open and freer, but when it comes down to specific issues, there is censorship."

The Malaysian ministry of home affairs declined to comment to Radio Australia.

http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2009/08/28/2670019.htm?section=world

Comment: As usual all kinds of printed media need to be licensed in Malaysia, but unfortunately Gedung Kartun defies the ruling. As a consequence they are not allowed to be distributed. I guess both sides need to adjust their principles. As rule of law says license is important, Gedung Kartun should abide this order. On the other hand, Malaysian authorities should also relook at many draconian laws in this country. We are now in the 21st century and media freedom is not only a privilege but a basic need to a democratic society. If the government had nothing to hide the media should get more space. Really hope one day this conscience will develop in Malaysia. How in the world are we goinmg to get the developed nation status when this small space is still being curbed.

Kes Teoh: Surat misteri Khir-SPRM dibawa ke balai

Salhan K Ahmad
Ogos 21, 0912:27pm
Malaysiakini.com

Ahli Parlimen Kapar, S Manikavasagam hari ini membuat laporan di balai polis Brickfields berkaitan surat misteri yang muncul Rabu lalu di inkues kematian Teoh Beng Huat. Manikavasagam berkata, beliau juga menerima salinan surat tersebut, yang mendakwa wujud perbuatan rasuah antara seorang pegawai tinggi Suruhanjaya Pencegahan Rasuah Malaysia (SPRM) dengan bekas Menteri Besar Selangor, Datuk Seri Dr Mohd Khir Toyo.

“Kandungan surat tersebut menyatakan terdapat unsur-unsur penyelewengan salahlaku dan kegiatan rasuah oleh pegawai atasan SPRM Selangor,” dakwanya dalam laporan polis berkenaan. “Saya percaya surat ini ditulis oleh orang dalam SPRM kerana dia kelihatan mengetahui secara terperinci mengenai apa yang berlaku,” katanya kepada wartawan selepas membuat laporan berkenaan pagi ini.

Dakwaan dalam surat berkenaan antara lain mengaitkan seorang pegawai kanan SPRM terlibat dalam usaha memulakan siasatan ke atas pemimpin-pemimpin Pakatan Rakyat Selangor. Surat yang ditulis dalam bahasa Malaysia itu juga menyebut, pegawai SPRM itu telah menyoal-siasat Teoh pada hari kematian pembantu politik berkenaan.

Manikavasagam juga berkata laporan polis hari ini dibuat atas kesedarannya sendiri tanpa menerima arahan daripada pemimpin-pemimpin PKR.Surat tersebut dialamatkan kepada Menteri Besar Selangor, Tan Sri Khalid Ibrahim; dan salinanya dihantar kepada Ketua Pembangkang, Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim; Ahli Parlimen Seputeh, Teresa Kok, Manikavasagam, setiausaha perhubungan PAS Selangor dan beberapa pihak lagi, termasuk akhbar Suara Keadilan dan Sinar Harian. Dihubungi media apabila ditanya, beliau berkata tiada apa-apa perbincangan dibuat dengan mana-mana pihak yang dikatakan menerima surat berkenaan.

“Saya tidak bercakap dengan sesiapa mengenai surat ini. Saya tidak sebarkan surat ini, dan saya tidak tahu bagaimana surat ini sampai ke tangan media,” katanya lagi. Beliau telah mengedarkan salinan surat bertarikh 5 Ogos itu kepada media hari ini. Jelasnya lagi, beliau menerima surat sepanjang lima halaman itu pada 14 Ogos lalu di pusat perkhidmatannya di Kapar, Selangor. Jelasnya, sebaik menerima surat berkenaan, beliau hanya membaca beberapa bahagian kandungannya tetapi mengenepikannya kerana khuatir ianya mungkin surat layang seperti yang pernah diterima olehnya sebelum ini berkaitan siasatan ke atas kematian VP Sujatha.

Manikavasagam juga berkata, pada awalnya beliau tidak membaca surat berkenaan sepenuhnya kerana ia dialamatkan kepada Khalid. “Saya tidak baca kerana ia dialamatkan kepada menteri besar. Saya cuma baca sebahagian, kemudian saya simpan,” katanya.

Beliau bagaimanapun meneliti kembali kandungan surat berkenaan semalam apabila ditanya oleh beberapa orang wartawan, sama ada beliau menerima surat tersebut.Jelasnya lagi, Malaysiakini, Malay Mail dan The Star telah menghubunginya untuk mendapatkan penjelasan mengenai surat misteri itu. “Tapi setelah saya baca kandungan surat ini (sepenuhnya, semalam), saya rasa perlu buat laporan polis kerana dakwaan ini serius,” katanya lagi.

************************************

Salinan surat boleh dibaca dari beberapa blog utama analisis politik negara. Salah satunya dari laman web berikut: http://www.tranungkite.net/v9/modules.php?name=News&file=article&sid=2063

Komen:

Kes Teoh Beng Hock mungkin boleh membuka lebih banyak kes yang berangkai-rangkai sebelum ini. Kes ini belaku di Selangor. Surat yang dikirim mengait-ngaitkan dengan pemimpin Selangor dan pegawai tinggi SPRM Selangor. Memang orang ramai puzzled atau tidak tahu banyak tentang ini. Hukum Karma nampaknya memain peranan penting di sini. Semakin disembunyi semakin ia sukar ditahan.. perlahan-lahan ia menyusup keluar juga. Kita tunggu kebenaran surat ini.. jika tidak ada angin... tidak akan pokok bergoyang..

On Malay Heroes and Traitors

M. Bakri Musa Aug 13, 0911:14am

It is truly beyond belief that the Deputy Prime Minister (DPM) of a supposedly civilized nation like Malaysia would see fit to label the leader of its loyal opposition a traitor, as Muhiyyuddin Yassin did recently in referring to Anwar Ibrahim. I expect such infantile name calling and boorish behaviour from the likes of Umno Youth leaders and mainstream media editors, not from a DPM.

Muhiyyuddin has yet to learn that as DPM he is leader of all Malaysians, not just of Umno and Barisan supporters. He has yet to grasp the reality that he is no longer a parochial party politician but now a national leader. This transition to the second highest office in the land, and literally a heartbeat away from being prime minister, appears to be beyond him.

Muhiyyuddin as DPM does not necessarily alarm me except that our recent history has shown that even those less than top class as DPMs do ascend to the highest post in the land.Were he to succeed likewise, it would truly be hard the country. As he has so clearly demonstrated, his character does raise questions about his ability to lead the country.

In calling Anwar a traitor to Malays, and presumably also to Malaysia, Muhiyyuddin is treating the millions of Anwar supporters, Malays and non-Malays alike, also as traitors. In so doing Muhiyyuddin exacerbates the already deepening and increasingly dangerous polarization of Malaysians, especially Malays.

This is no way to further the aspirations of "1Malaysia. "With the economy tanking and the escalating health threat from the H1N1 influenza, I would have thought he would have his hands full helping Prime Minister Najib Razak.

More specifically, as Education Minister he has enough on his plate in rescuing our pathetic national schools. As such he would have little time to indulge in such behaviour. As DPM and also the minister in charge of education Muhyyuddin has all the opportunities to prove himself a hero. If Muhiyyuddin truly believes that Anwar is a traitor, and thus a threat to the nation, then he should act on his conviction.

There are enough statutes on the books to deal with traitors. That Muhiyyuddin is satisfied only with name calling reveals certain negative traits of character. Part of A Greater Problem Alas Muhiyyuddin is only part of a much greater problem, and that is the pathetic lack of talent in Umno, and thus the government. As non-Malays still see Umno as representing the Malays, many would not unreasonably conclude that the Malay race itself lacks talent.

Consequently no amount of special privileges, enhanced opportunities, and molly coddling would or could change that reality. That is the scary and destructive assumption. More pertinently, that hurts - deeply. One cannot really fault these non-Malays for their erroneous conclusion.

After all, hardly a day goes by without us hearing something silly coming from these senior Umno leaders. A few days ago there was Information Minister Rais Yatim wanting to censor the Internet.

A few months back there was his predecessor Zainuddin Maidin foaming at the mouth eager to demonstrate his utter stupidity in front of a worldwide Al-Jazeera audience by complaining about those 'traitorous' Hindraf demonstrators and defending the abusive behaviour of the police.

I yearn to hear something sensible emanating from these top Umno leaders. In my earlier book The Malay Dilemma Revisited, I suggested that then Prime Minister Mahathir revamp Umno's top leadership by totally bypassing the next (now the current) generation of leaders as represented by Muhiyyuddin Yassin, Rais Yatim, and Zainuddin Maidin. Mahathir then was (and perhaps still is) the only Umno leader capable of undertaking such a massive transformation of his party.

Had he done that, he would have spared the nation the agony of half a decade of wasted opportunities under Abdullah Badawi, Mahathir's chosen successor. Mahathir is today pathetically reduced to a cranky old man continually bitching on the sidelines. And if I may add, ineffectually too!

Mahathir's recent passionate calls for not abandoning the teaching of science and mathematics in English were essentially ignored by Muhiyyuddin and the Cabinet.

Mahathir's success in bringing down Abdullah was an aberration, contributed greatly by Abdullah's own ineptness. With Najib and Muhyyuddin however, we have a pair of politicians not at all shy in abusing the powers of the state to silence their critics.

The only difference between the two is that Najib is more polished and thus presents a seemingly more sophisticated image, while Muhiyyuddin is the direct opposite. With Muhyyddin set to succeed Najib, and tired characters like Rais Yatim, Hishamuddin and Nazri Aziz permanently ensconced in the Cabinet, the future for Malaysia is bleak. Umno is incapable of self-renewal. The party's upcoming October General Assembly purportedly to revamp its Constitution will not alter anything.

Increasing the number of delegates to select the top leaders, one of the proposed changes, will only result in more sharing the loot.

As they all have the same insatiable appetite for avarice, 'money politics,' Umno's notorious euphemism for corruption, would only expand. There is no reason for Malaysians to remain fatalistic and meekly accept such a fate.

We are a democracy; citizens have the power the change their government, and thus alter the fate of our nation. So come the next election throw them out, the whole lot of them. Once these characters are out of power, watch them resort to ugly name calling.

At least then those tirades would be directed at their fellow Umno leaders. They deserve that, and each other.

Comment:

Politically DPM is looking for trouble I am afraid. In most by election campaigns from Permatang Pauh to Bukit Gantang, Anwar seldom touch on the DPM.., instead issues of Altantuya and PM were more often mentioned. DPM was not in his target list. The DPM should be thankful for that since if he is in the list, that means trouble since that chap is opening 'his closet exposing all the skeletons'. Thus why declare the war..? Once this starts.. the public is going to know more and more. Knowing the crowd that he can pull I think all 'skeletons' that have been hidden all this while will emerge. When this happens, the public will start thinking.., the pot is calling the kettle black... you know some of the stories I guess..

Pakatan teruskan projek Putera-AMCJA

Pakatan teruskan projek Putera-AMCJA

Hishamuddin Rais Ogos 6, 09 8:23pm

Sesebuah negara bangsa pada hakikatnya hanya wujud di dalam fikrah warganya. Ia hanya wujud di dalam imaginasi. Negara dan bangsa wujud apabila ada imaginasi kolektif yang dikongsi bersama oleh para warganya. Imaginasi kolektif ini juga wajib dibantu dengan cita-cita, mimpi dan harapan bersama. Tanpa perkongsian imaginasi, tanpa mimpi dan tanpa harapan bersama, tidak mungkin negara bangsa boleh wujud dengan kompak. Di negara kita, pada hakikatnya masih belum wujud lagi satu negara bangsa yang boleh dipanggil "Bangsa Malaysia" - ini bermakna identiti negara bangsa kita belum menggenap dan membatu. Kita boleh memahami kenapa perkara ini berlaku. Pertama, Malaysia satu konsep yang baru. Ia wujud sebagai satu projek kolonial. Kedua, selama 50 tahun lebih, upaya membina negara bangsa telah gagal. Kegagalan ini hasil daripada falsafah dan pandangan dunia parti politik yang memerintah. Ketiga, patahnya pandangan dunia yang cuba melintasi konsep negara bangsa melalui takrifan agama dan kaum. Sebagai sebuah projek kolonial – British memastikan kumpulan politik yang menggantikan kuasa mereka tidak akan melihat penjajah sebagai musuh. Tidak dapat tidak, badan politik yang dipilih oleh British untuk mengambil alih pentabiran Tanah Melayu adalah badan politik yang akan terus bersetia bawah payung British. MCA, MIC dan United Malays National Organisation dipilih oleh British pada 1956 bukan kerana mereka mendapat sokongan menyeluruh atau organisasi mereka kuat tersusun. Badan-badan politik ini diangkat, disokong dan didukung kerana kesetiaan mereka kepada kepentingan British. Kumpulan yang memanggil diri mereka Perikatan menggunakan kaum sebagai asas gerakan dan sokongan mereka. Sekali imbas memang dilihat amatlah logik badan politik ini berpandukan kepentingan kaum masing-masing. Logik ini bergerak untuk jangka masa pendek dalam usaha menyediakan ruang selamat ketika British berundur daripada diserang oleh rakyat yang menuntut kemerdekaan. Untuk jangka panjang, kita sedang melihat dan merasa musibah garis politik yang silap. Garis politik yang berasaskan perkauman ini mula dimunculkan dan dipupuk oleh British pada 1946. Garis politik inilah yang mencengkam kita hingga ke hari ini. Harus disedari bahawa tiga badan politik ini bukan protagonis awal yang bangun menentang British dan menuntut kemerdekaan. Mereka ini - dalam istilah teater - hanyalah pelakon tambahan di permulaan perjuangan melawan British. Kesatuan Melayu Muda, Parti Kebangsaan Melayu Malaya, Parti Komunis Malaya, Angkatan Pemuda Insaf, Angkatan Wanita Sedar, Hizbul Muslimin antara protagonis awal. Protagonis-protagonis ini mengambil dasar melawan British dan telah mengajukan garis politik yang progresif. Pandangan dunia progresif kumpulan ini cuba memandu warga Tanah Melayu pada ketika itu untuk lari daripada asas kaum kepada asas kebangsaan. Ia terbukti dengan draf Perlembagaan Rakyat PUTERA/AMCJA 1947 yang mentakrifkan sesiapa sahaja yang ingin bermastautin di Tanah Melayu pada ketika itu akan dipanggil "Melayu". Projek politik ini cukup radikal. Ia bertujuan memastikan kelahiran satu negara bangsa - Tanah Melayu yang berbagai-bagai bangsa tetapi satu warga negara bangsa. Projek ini telah digagalkan oleh British. Penjajah melihat projek me-Melayu-kan semua bangsa ini amat berbahaya dan bertentangan dengan kepentingan ekonomi kuasa imperial Anglo pada ketika itu. Jika semua orang ditakrif sebagai Melayu, maka strategi "pecah dan perintah" akan kantoi. Apa yang berlaku pada 8 Mac tahun lalu adalah tanda jelas bahawa warga negara kita ini mahu menghidupkan kembali semangat yang terangkum dalam projek Perlembagaan Rakyat 1947. Selama lebih 50 tahun projek untuk mendirikan negara bangsa ini telah tergelincir daripada landasan politik. Lima puluh tahun dalam sejarah tamadun manusia hanyalah sedetik. Dalam pembinaan negara bangsa, 50 tahun juga telalu singkat. Tetapi dalam kehidupan seorang insan, 50 tahun mungkin lebih setengah hayatnya telah berlalu. Justeru kejayaan mengembalikan projek negara bangsa ini wajib dijaga, dikawal rapi agar ia tidak tergelincir sekali lagi. Konsep yang diajukan oleh PUTERA/AMCJA dahulu, kalau diamati, nyata asasnya masih kukuh dan boleh diguna pakai walaupun Tanah Melayu telah menjadi Malaysia. Kalau dahulu cadangannya untuk melahirkan Bangsa Melayu, hari ini kita berniat untuk melahirkan Bangsa Malaysia. Jangan silap faham, Bangsa Melayu atau Bangsa Malaysia ini hanyalah imaginasi yang dibangunkan. Ia hanyalah konsep. Negara bangsa ini juga konsep yang boleh dikonstruksi. Konsep ini wajib disepadukan dengan konsep Ketuanan Rakyat. Ketuanan Rakyat serampang dua mata. Pertama, ia bertujuan membunuh konsep Ketuanan Melayu yang diuar-uarkan oleh United Malays National Organisation. Kedua, Ketuanan Rakyat sebagai satu konstruksi sosial, imaginasi dalam usaha kita bersama untuk melahirkan Bangsa Malaysia. Sayugia diingati – membina negara bangsa bukan tugasan yang mudah. Manusia bukan batu bata yang boleh disusun dengan senang. Tetapi bukan mustahil jika pemimpin badan-badan politik dalam Pakatan Rakyat memiliki pandangan progresif berjangka panjang. Kesilapan dan musibah durjana api perkauman yang kita hadapi selama 50 tahun ini wajib kita jadikan pedoman. Badan politik – malah badan atau kumpulan apa sahaja – yang berasaskan satu kaum telah dibuktikan sebagai jalan salah untuk melahirkan negara bangsa. Malaysia sebagai negara majmuk – pelbagai suku bangsa, kaum, bahasa, agama – wajib menampilkan pemimpin politik dan pembuat pandangan yang memiliki pandangan dunia yang luas yang dapat melintasi batas-batas sempit. Selama lebih 50 tahun lepas kita telah berada dalam kereta api yang gerabaknya bukan sahaja berkelas-kelas dan dipisah-pisah, malah landasannya pun salah. Menuju entah ke mana! Sesudah 8 Mac, semua warga telah masuk kembali ke dalam gerabak kereta api Pakatan Rakyat. Sesiapa yang sedang berada di dalam gerabak kereta api ini tidak banyak memiliki pilihan melainkan belajar untuk kembali mengenali satu sama lain sekali lagi. Kali ini kita tahu Pakatan Rakyat ini sedang bergerak untuk melahirkan projek negara bangsa yang telah disabotaj oleh British pada 1947. Di luar landasan kereta api, pasti ada anjing yang akan terus menyalak tetapi kereta api ini akan terus meluncur mara. Komen: Dukacita saya masih pesimistik..

Internet should not be censored, says Dr M

KUALA LUMPUR, Aug 8 — Former prime minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad said today the Internet should not be censored in any way, and it is wrong to do so although some things need to be disciplined.

“For example, there is too much violence coming through on the Internet.
That, I think, we have a right to ban but as far as political thinking, if you are not instigating violence and things like that, I think the Internet should not be censored in any way,” he said.

He was speaking to reporters after delivering his speech at the Third Annual Malaysian Student Leaders Summit here.

He said that during his time of administration, he had given the undertaking that the government would not censor the Internet when it started the Multimedia Super Corridor (MSC) years ago.

“So maybe that was an undertaking given by me during my time. I don't know whether that will commit the present government,” he added.

Yesterday, Information Communication and Culture Minister Datuk Seri Dr Rais Yatim said the government was looking to put up Internet filter to stop access to undesirable websites.

However, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak said the government had no intention of monitoring and censoring the Internet contents as the move would not only be ineffective but would also cause public dissatisfaction.

Meanwhile, commenting on the Selangor government's decision yesterday for self-regulation on the sale of alcohol, Dr Mahathir said Malaysia was a multiracial country and people should not curb other races from doing the things permitted by their race and religion.

“We also should not try to impose one's religious views or values on other religions,” he added. – Bernama

Comment: I guess the info minister needs to reconsider his intention. The current and ex premier oppose the move. There are many other things that need more attention rather than this cheap popularity stunt... If they think BN or Umno can be revived by filtering the internet... than u are sorely wrong I'm afraid. People left BN for many reasons. Study the blunders made by your friends..

PERSIDANGAN

MALINDO NUSANTARA I

Web:http://persidanganmalindonusantara1.blogspot.com/

Tarikh : 17-18 November 2009, Masa Sidang – 2 hari
Tempat: Universitas Andalas, Padang, Sumatera, Indonesia.
Anjuran UKM-Univ. Andalas Padang, Sumatera

Tema:
Dinamika pembangunan sosial-ekonomi-politik
nusantara kontemporer dan cabaran abad-21

Subtema
i. Gerakan sosial politik semasa
ii. Persekitaran lestari
iii.Pendidikan dan pembangunan sumber daya manusia
iv. Autonomi daerah dan desentralisasi
v. Politik serantau
vi. Isu-isu global semasa

Yuran penyertaan dari Malaysia: RM300
Yuran penyertaan tanpa bentang: RM200
Yuran pelajar (Siswazah) Malaysia: RM200
Yuran pelajar tanpa bentang: RM100
Yuran peserta antarabangsa USD200.00

Peserta digalakkan membuat pembayaran sebelum atau pada 2 November 2009 untuk membolehkan kertas kerja dimasukkan dalam PROSIDING. Cara pembayaran akan dimaklumkan kelak.

Tarikh akhir penerimaan abstrak 30 September 2009
Tarikh pengumuman abstrak yang diterima/tolak 5 Oktober 2009
Tarikh akhir Penerimaan kertas kerja lengkap: 2 November 2009

Format penulisan
a. Abstrak – sekitar 200 perkataan
b. Kertas lengkap: 10-15hlmn (1.5 spacing), font Times New Roman, saiz 12
c. Butiran diri diperlukan semasa menyerahkan abstrak: nama, tajuk kertas, email, institusi, alamat, nombor telefon.

d. Rujukan menggunakan sistem Harvard
i. Contoh: (Almond 2004: 52)
ii. Nota kaki boleh digunakan untuk penjelasan lanjut sesuatu perkara
iii.Eg. Rujukan/Biblio: Nama. Tahun. Tajuk. Tempat penerbitan. Penerbit
iv. Bahasa: Bahasa Melayu, Indonesia atau Inggeris

Sila email abstrak dan kertas kerja lengkap anda kepada email berikut;
su_hana71@yahoo.com

Prosiding akan disediakan dalam bentuk CD

Sebarang Pertanyaan, sila email:
su_hana71@yahoo.com
atau
kartini_khalid@hotmail.com

pls take note of the underscore

'Istana Khir': New stop on tourist trail

Malaysiakini, Lee Way Loon Aug 3, 095:40pm

Some 50 voters from Sungai Panjang and Sekinchan turned tourists today, as they stopped by the super-luxury mansion of former Selangor menteri besar Dr Mohd Khir Toyo.

They arrived in Shah Alam by bus at 10.50am, led by DAP 's Sekinchan state assemblyperson Ng Suee Lim as a self-professed “volunteer tour guide”.

The group was not allowed to enter the property, but appeared excited as they took photographs at the Balinese-style wooden gate at the entrance.

Two police officers stood by in a patrol car, but did not interfere in the photo session.

Ng said the trip was organised by Sungai Panjang and Sekinchan residents to allow those interested to get a first-hand look at the mansion. They paid RM50 to cover transportation and lunch.

“The residents want to know how Khir, as a dentist, has managed to build a 'palace' like this. So after this trip, I believe the residents can tell their families and friends the truth about (it),” he said.

Describing the property as a new tourist attraction, he said the tour was arranged in response to the state government's call to promote tourism in Selangor.

Sungai Panjang resident Chua Muk Lim (left) told the press that he decided to join the tour after reading about the 'palace' in the news.

“Based on my observations today, I am not sure whether this 'palace' costs RM24 million, but I can tell you that it is very luxurious although I only managed to see the wooden door,” he said.

Ng had earlier questioned how Khir, the Sungai Panjang state assemblyperson, was able to pay RM24 million for the mansion.

Khir, however, has since clarified that the property costs RM3.5 million and that he is financing it through a bank loan. He also laughingly challenged Ng to sell it at RM24 million, in return for a 50 percent commission.

Five 'interested buyers'

Ng said he has been officially appointed as Khir's agent in selling the property, based on a letter dated July 8, which promised him a fee of RM12 million.

According to Ng, the letter states four criteria:

• The mansion must be sold at RM24 million.
• The buyer must pay a 10 percent deposit.
• The buyer must show that he/she can afford payment before checking the mansion.
• Ng must find a buyer within a month from July 9.

Ng said that, if Khir is sincere, he should be open to showing the mansion to interested buyers.

“He should also remove the requirement for the deposit, as this is not the norm in the housing market,” he said.

Ng claimed he has found at least five interested buyers to date, with one being based in Kuala Lumpur.

“He told me that the mansion would be a ideal purchase as it is located in the high-end residential area in Shah Alam,” he added.

Comment: Teoh Beng Hock was only a witness for a RM2,500 case... but unfortunately he lost his life for that. He was not a suspect.., he was only a witness. We are still puzzled as to how the MACC prioritise cases. This is a real big issue that MACC should not simply ignore. The people will judge and it does not stop there. Internet and blogs are playing important roles in 'promoting this tourist spot'. It will help Selangor's tourism sector in a way.. and I wonder how people can simply live in such a place or palace like this when folks are observing now and then..