'M'sia is Zimbabwe by another name'

Hazlan Zakaria
Dec 20, 09
Malaysiakini.com

Without mincing his words, political analyst Abdul Aziz Bari likened those who hold the reins of power in Malaysia to a bunch of 'thugs'.

According to him, these individuals do as they please without proper regard for the law of the land and the percepts laid down in the federal constitution.

"We are like Zimbabwe, just with another name!" stressed the law expert.

Zimbabwe under President Robert Mugabe has earned international infamy over it's questionable policies and use of the legal system and laws to prop up the government.

Elaborating, Abdul Aziz said: "I don't know how else to call them, sometimes we need to call a spade, a spade. What we have is a state of lawlessness, it's like the law of the jungle."

He pointed to the recent overturning of the high court decision regarding the Malaysian Anti Corruption Agency's (MACC) right to interrogate beyond office hours as a glaring example.

"It is painful to hear the court of appeal decision. They are using the provision to overrule the high court, saying it is silent on the matter," he told Malaysiakini.

'Judiciary takes its cue from government'

According to the UIA law professor, the court of appeal's recent decision "is a lame decision and in itself a failure to carry out the court's role, namely to fill the gap left by parliament in the statute."

Abdul Aziz is adamant that "the high court decision is to be preferred as it is closer to justice and the spirit of the constitution."

"It is for the court to fill the gap by making a decision that is closer to fairness and justice," he added, though he bemoaned that in Malaysia, "the judiciary takes its cue from the government."

"When you have a judiciary like what we have, what can we do? In normal circumstances you go to court to compel the parties who refuse to do its legal duty to do it. But not in our case," he said.

What is worse, according to Abdul Aziz, Barisan Nasional is "undermining or simply could not care less about the constitution."

"BN has demonstrated complete disregard for the rule of law and supremacy of the constitution, either the letter or the spirit of it," he said.

Abdul Aziz contends that the Reid Commission's original intent was to propagate federalism, this he said permeates through the entirety of the constitution with the express delineation of powers to the state and the federal government.

On a micro scale, he added, this framework of federalism included the issue of the petroleum royalties and funding for states.

Umno warlords stumbling block to change

Abdul Aziz believes that the BN government is clearly going against the constitution when it set up the JPP (Federal Development Department) which is ultra vires of the defined rights of the states.

He explained that the state has rights to certain grants and funding the federal government sans such 'intermediaries'.

The use of the Emergency Ordinance to define territorial waters in the Kelantan oil royalty issue, he said, is another example of the BN government's disregard for the law.

"Why not refer to the Petroleum Act or the Law of The Sea?" he asked.

In a similar vein, he also criticised the federal government's 'play acting' in making much ado when giving assistance and aid during natural disasters to opposition held states,

"Why the furore, it is their duty anyway, as described in the constitution," he said.

According to Abdul Aziz, this rot of lawlessness goes right down to BN's core which is Umno.

He is of the opinion that the Umno warlords cannot be reformed and as long as they exists, Umno cannot be reformed.

"They simply don't want to do it," he said.

Comment:
As Lord Acton said, Power tends to corrupt and absolute power corrupts absolutely. Prof Aziz convinces the public that UMNO leaders can bring about a better Malaysia if they want, but they refuse to do so. Power interests prevail over public interests. Status quo is preserved and it is going to be there as long as UMNO remains in power. The draconian laws in this country, the injustice that u see every day and the corrupt leaders are there to preserve this 'Zimbabwe' style of ruling. Wonder how 1 Malaysia is going to be adapted to this oppresing regime.

'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..

Keluarga Teoh mahu bertemu PM

Khamis Julai 23, 2009

MStar (dari Bernama)

ALOR GAJAH: Keluarga mendiang Teoh Beng Hock yang mennyambut baik pengumuman Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak semalam mengenai penubuhan suruhanjaya diraja bagi menyiasat kes kematian mendiang berharap dapat bertemu dengan Perdana Menteri secepat mungkin.

Adik perempuan Teoh, Lee Lian, 29, selaku jurucakap keluarga itu berkata mereka mahu bertemu dengan Perdana Menteri bagi memaklumkan secara peribadi permintaan mereka supaya siasatan menyeluruh dijalankan terhadap kes kematian abangnya itu.

"Setelah diteliti, suruhanjaya dengan termaterma khusus itu hanya berkaitan untuk meneliti dan mengkaji soal siasat yang digunakan oleh Suruhanjaya Pencegahan Rasuah Malaysia (SPRM).

"Suruhanjaya itu tidak merangkumi siasatan untuk punca kematian dan pihak yang bertangungjawab," katanya kepada pemberita di kediaman keluarganya di Taman Seri Kelemak di sini hari ini.

Semalam Kabinet memutuskan satu inkues yang diketuai oleh seorang majistret akan dijalankan minggu depan bagi menentukan punca kematian Teoh, 30, yang merupakan Setiausaha Politik kepada Pengerusi Jawatankuasa Tetap Kampung Baru dan Pengurusan Kilang Haram Selangor Ean Yong Hian Wah.

Satu suruhanjaya diraja juga diwujudkan dengan termaterma khusus iaitu meneliti dan mengkaji peraturan berkaitan soal siasat yang diguna pakai SPRM.

Teoh ditemui mati di tingkat lima Plaza Masalam Shah Alam Khamis lalu selepas memberi keterangan sebagai saksi siasatan penyalahgunaan wang kerajaan negeri Selangor kepada SPRM.

Semalam,Najib turut menyatakan kesediaan untuk bertemu keluarga Teoh untuk memaklumkan hasil siasatan itu. BERNAMA

Komen: Terlalu banyak komen susulan setelah kabinet memutuskan untuk membentuk suruhanjaya penyiasat bagi kes ini. Sebelum ia dimaklumkan pelbagai pihak menuntut satu suruhanjaya penyiasatan bebas diwujudkan. Setelah disahkan oleh kabinet ia diwujudkan, berbagai pula komen lain seperti tidak percaya akan keadilan, kebebasan dan ketelusan yang akan diketengahkan.. Persoalannya kenapa suara-suara seperti ini keluar? Kenapa keluarga mendiang sendiri pun tidak yakin dan ingin berjumpa dengan PM bagi menyatakan kehendak dan kepastian mereka. Semua ini memberi gambaran demikian imej yang wujud terhadap suruhanjaya penyiasatan di negara ini. Lihat kes video Lingam sebagai contoh dan lain-lain kes lagi yang melibatkan badan penyiasat seperti ini.. Ke mana akhirnya...? Apakah semua itu disusuli dengan tindakan yang sewajarnya..??

Inert body was dropped

Posted by admin (Sangkancil)
Sunday, 19 July 2009 10:37
By SV Singam

I am no forensic pathologist. And I have no access to the crime scene. I am merely one of those much maligned armchair commentators and the only evidence I have is the image of poor brother body, lying there on the roof of what I guess to be the podium block.

But the evidence appears to be glaring!

1. THERE IS NO BLOOD! Even if Bro Teoh had hit some other part of the building on the way down and had been killed by that impact, his body would have reached the final resting point within seconds of the impact. Whether or not there were external injuries, there would certainly be internal injury and bleeding. Blood would have flowed out of his nose and mouth and, possibly, his ears. And the blood would only flow out from the body many seconds after the injuries occur, after the body had come to rest. There should be a pool of blood around his head. There is none! This is the most damning evidence.

2. The arms and legs appear to be undamaged. Had Bro Teoh been conscious when he was falling, he would most likely have been facing the ground and would have tried to stop the impact. His arms are likely to have broken at the elbows. His legs are likely to have been splayed out at awkward angles. Even if he had fallen backwards, his arms would have been splayed out and bounced into some unnatural angles. The body position shown in the photographs is too natural.

3. The tear in his trousers suggests to me that his body landed with the buttocks hanging downwards and the tear occurred at the point of impact. He dropped that way because his inert body was being held by arms and legs before being dropped.

Based on the above three points, I have to say that Bro Teoh was very likely already dead and his body was thrown down from a high floor to make it appear that the death was due to the fall.

Mischievous persons have tried to implicate triad involvement in this unfortunate death. But by hiding the truth and faking a forensic report, the authorities are only condemning themselves and their associates in crime.

Najib's Barisan Nasional government and their crony institutions, the MACC, the PDRM and the Ministry of Health have to bear full responsibility for this grisly act of manslaughter

Comment: Another theory on this matter.. for him (or them) to know and for the justice to find out.

A sad day for Malaysians

This has been going on for far too long. The MACC acts like God.
They kidnap families and torture those they arrest.
They threaten those they interrogate with death if they refuse to talk.

THE CORRIDORS OF POWER

by Raja Petra Kamarudin
Friday, 17 July, 2009 2:44 AM
READ ARTICLE ONLINE

The writing was already on the wall very much earlier. Alarm bells were wailing like banshees. But this was largely ignored. It was ignored because it was Malaysia Today that had triggered the alarm bells. Malaysia Today is not the most reliable source. It does not offer the best of information. What Malaysia Today dabbles in are rumours and innuendoes.

When the Anti-Corruption Agency, now called the MACC, kidnapped the family of a police inspector, Malaysia Today raised the alarm. They had kidnapped the wife and child of a police inspector who had investigated a Chinese underworld boss on the instructions of a higher-up with the rank of ASP.

The inspector was just doing what his boss had ordered him to do, and that was to open a file and launch an investigation into the activities of the Chinese prostitution, loan shark, drugs and gambling syndicate. And this resulted in the detention of three syndicate bosses.

What the MACC wanted the police inspector to do was quite simple. They wanted him to change his report so that the three underworld bosses can be freed from detention.

And he would have to do that if he wants to secure the release of his family.

The police inspector refused to do that. Instead, he made a police report. And so did his wife. But nothing was done about the matter. The MACC officers were not arrested and dragged to court on kidnapping charges.

The MACC then leaked information to the media that they are investigating a very senior police officer, the Director of the CCD, for the crime of not declaring RM27 million worth of assets. The fact that MACC investigations come under the Official Secrets Act was not a hindrance. After all, the OSA is only used against opposition supporters and not against those who serve those who walk in the corridors of power.

Nevertheless, the Director of the CCD was finally not charged for not declaring RM27 million in assets. He was charged for using police property for his personal reasons, something that all government officers, ministers and politicians do blatantly every day of the week. But his real crime is that he detained several Chinese underworld bosses who control the prostitution, loan shark, drugs and gambling business all over Malaysia.

Then they arrested the lawyer who acted for the CCD Director. The MACC officers came to his office on the eve of Hari Raya and handcuffed him after roughing him up like one would do to an armed bank robber. To ensure that the lawyer suffered the greatest embarrassment this Hollywood-style arrest was done in full view of the entire office.

Malaysia Today wrote about all this. Malaysia Today not only wrote about all this but Malaysia Today repeated the stories again and again to make sure no one would say they somehow missed the story. But still nothing was done. No one denied the story. More importantly, no one did anything about what Malaysia Today revealed.

The MACC has been a tool of those who walk in the corridors of power for a long, long time. Officially, Barisan Nasional has 14 component members with Umno as the lead partner. Unofficially, Barisan Nasional has seventeen component members. The Election Commission is the fifteenth component member of Barisan Nasional, the Malaysian police the sixteenth, and the MACC the seventeenth. They all serve the interests of Umno and the Prime Minister.

The writing was already on the wall very much earlier. Alarm bells were wailing like banshees. But this was largely ignored. It was ignored because it was Malaysia Today that had triggered the alarm bells. Malaysia Today is not the most reliable source. It does not offer the best of information. What Malaysia Today dabbles in are rumours and innuendoes.

“Where is the smoking gun?” they ask. “Show me the body!” they demand. No gun, no body, then no crime has been committed.

Well, today, there is a body. It is the body of a most unfortunate Chinese opposition member who was arrested and tortured by the MACC officers. Yes, he was tortured. And he was tortured because the MACC wanted him to talk.

But he could not talk. He could not talk because there was nothing to talk about. The MACC wanted him to finger his comrades in the opposition. They wanted him to implicate his friends in the opposition for various crimes that the MACC alleges had been committed by those in the opposition.

He tried to explain that he is not being stubborn. He tried to explain that no crime had been committed. He tried to explain that he could not possibly implicate his comrades in the opposition for various crimes if these crimes are merely a figment of the MACC’s imagination.

So they continued to torture him. And he could no longer stand the torture. After all, he is not the macho type of man. He is but a gentle man who only wanted to get married this weekend. That was all that he wanted.

They threatened to kill him if he refuses to talk. With tears running down his cheeks he begged for mercy and pleaded with them not to harm him. They threatened to throw him off the top floor if he refuses to talk. Sobbing like a baby he went down on his knees and begged for his life.

They dragged him across the room and opened the window. Then something went terribly wrong. It was supposed to be just a threat. They just wanted to put fear in him. They did not really want to throw him off the top floor. They just wanted him to see what the ground floor looks like from the top floor.

The unfortunate young man panicked. He went ballistic when he saw the distance he would have to travel before hitting the ground floor. He struggled. They could not hold onto him. Gravity took over and the life of this young man was prematurely snuffed out.

The MACC then announced that they had released him the night before. They failed to announce that they had not released him from custody but released him from this world. Then they suddenly found his body the day after. He jumped. He committed suicide. He took his own life. He was never tortured. He was not dragged to the window with the threat that they would teach him how to fly.

This has been going on for far too long. The MACC acts like God. They kidnap families and torture those they arrest. They threaten those they interrogate with death if they refuse to talk.

And now one young man has really died. But no one will be punished. No one will be punished because they will say the young man took his own life. Why he took his own life no one knows. He was never tortured. He was never threatened with death. He was not made to look how far down the ground floor is. He was not accidentally dropped when he panicked and struggled and they could not get a good grip on him.

That is what they will be telling you and me later today.

Comment: This is RPK's theory on this matter...it makes sense.. does'nt it? As said earlier in this blog, for them or him to know.. and for justice to find out.. A sad day for Malaysians indeed.

Last man to see Teoh: MACC threatened me

http://www.malaysiakini.com/news/108710:

Andrew Ong Jul 17, 09 4:05pm

Kajang municipal councillor Tan Boon Hwa, who was grilled by the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission on Wednesday, today shed some light on the corruption watchdog's questionable interrogation techniques. Tan said that the two officers who questioned him tried to extract false confession from him, pressuring him to deny that he supplied 1,500 national flags for a Merdeka function at the Sri Kembangan state constituency.

http://media1.malaysiakini.com/198/7010fc449022ad66720c085187980aa4.jpg
During the interrogation, Tan said the officers used the 'good cop,bad cop' technique; initially being polite but later switching to verbally abusing him and making him to stand for four hours between10pm to 2am.

Tan was questioned on the same day Teoh Beng Hock, the political secretary to Selangor executive councillor Ean Yong Hean Wah, was also interrogated by MACC.

According to Tan, he was threatened with physical violence, with one officer pointing to his forehead and allegedly saying, "You don't lie. This is my place. I can hit you. Believe me! "During interrogations, he said other officers would randomly walk into the room to mock his poor command of Bahasa Malaysia and used derogatory terms such as "Cina bodoh" (stupid Chinese) and asked him if he was a Chinese citizen.

The worst intimidation, Tan said, were threats to his family which he described as "mental torture". "They said that if I don't 'tell the truth', they will take away my wife and there would be no one to care for the children. But I did not give in," said Tan, during a press conference at the Selangor state secretariat today.

He was allowed to sleep on the carpeted floor and the interrogation continued the following morning. Teoh seen at pantry. To top it off, when he was released the following day at about 1.30pm, Tan said he was asked by MACC staff not to make an issue over their interrogation technique. "But now, I cannot keep quiet because a life has been lost," said Tan, i n reference to the mysterious death of Teoh.

http://media1.malaysiakini.com/198/b0f27cf4ca604a6ed01e51bf51b37799.jpg

Teoh, 30, was found dead yesterday on the fifth floor balcony of Plaza Masalam in Shah Alam, nine floors below the Selangor MACC office,where he and Tan were questioned. Tan said that after he was told by the MACC officers that he was free to go, he was unaware of the fact that Teoh's body had been discovered. He subsequently left the building.

Tan said the MACC raided his house on Wednesday evening without a warrant. He was then taken to the Selangor MACC headquarters at about 9pm. When asked, Tan said he did not know that Teoh was in the same building when he was brought there. The duo met only when Tan woke up at about 6am the following day while on the way to the toilet.

"He was in the pantry. I greeted him, but he replied only with a 'Umh'. But when I came out of the toilet, he was gone. He did look a little tired," said Tan. The MACC says that Teoh was released at 3.45am yesterday but he chose to "stay back and sleep on a couch, where he was last seen at 6am."

Comment: Mysterious mystery...

for him or (them) to know and for justice to find out..