Masjid Nurul Ehsan, Taman Medan, Petaling Jaya Selatan, whose committees denied a visit by the PM, just got a new surprised -  the Sultan of Selangor is coming to their masjid!

More story by Roslan SMS

images credit to kbsb@fb

SMS regarding the death or missing of Malaysian MERCY doctors in Gaza is wildly circulating. I received one as well. First thing to do is (obviously) checking whether the news is reliable.

look at what i found:

http://www.mmail.com.my/content/39155-mercy-malaysia-denies-rumours-death-its-doctors-gaza

Gist: Mercy never send any of its doctors to Gaza this yet. So, there can't be any missing or dead Mercy doctors in Gaza

credit to Zunar for pointing this via Facebook

#1

Licence Not Issued To Ascot Sports Yet - PM

KUALA LUMPUR, June 7 (Bernama) -- The government has yet to issue or give the licence to Syarikat Ascot Sports Sdn Bhd to carry out betting operations in Malaysia, said Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak.

Najib, who is also the Finance Minister, said the government had also not finalised discussions on the licensing terms and conditions with the company to undertake bookie activities in Malaysia.

"The government is still getting feedback and views from the various quarters on the proposed licensing for a betting bookie in Malaysia aimed at reducing and subsequently eliminating unlicensed gambling in Malaysia," he said in his written reply to Tian Chua (PKR-Batu) at the Dewan Rakyat sitting, here Monday.

Tian Chua wanted to know what was the basis for the cabinet decision to revoke the gambling licence in 2004 and why was the decision being changed this year.

-- BERNAMA

#2

Assist Government To Tackle Football Betting Issue - Hishammuddin

KUALA LUMPUR, June 7 (Bernama) -- State governments must stop speculations and contribute ideas to tackle the issue over the awarding of the football betting licence, said Home Minister Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Tun Hussein.

Hishammuddin said states must start offering new ideas to assist the government to make a better decision with regard to the issue.

"Rather than making noise from the outside, state governments can offer their suggestions and ideas to overcome black economy.

"The betting licence was approved a long time ago but it was made to look like it was only recently approved. They have also painted a negative picture saying the government encourages gambling," he told reporters after receiving a delegation from United Nation's (UN) Working Group on Arbitrary Detention (WGAD) led by El Hadji Maliek Sow from Senegal, at his office in Parliament here Monday.

People must understand that the licence was issued a long time ago and the Home Ministry is doing all it can to tackle the problem and one of the initiatives taken was to ask Bukit Aman CID Director Datuk Seri Mohd Bakri Zinin and Commercial Crimes Investigations Director Datuk Koh Hong Sun to set up a special task force.

"The issue is closely related to black economy involving an estimated RM10 billion and related to illegal activities like human trafficking, illegal money laundering or Ah Long," he said.

So, apart from we increasing surveillance, monitoring and preventive measures, the state governments must also support such efforts by coming out recommendations to overcome the issue, he said.

Asked whether the government would be required to compensate those involved if the licence was withdrawn, Hishammuddin said: "The question of compensation does not arise as the licence was issued a long time ago."

The issue of legalising football betting hit a brick wall when Selangor, Penang and Kedah refused to allow such activities in their states although Ascot Sports were issued a sports-betting licence by the government.

Meanwhile, WGAD, a body mandated to investigate complaints of arbitrary deprivation of liberty is on a 12-day visit here to study the system and procedures enforced during arbitrary detention in Malaysia.

The four-member delegation will visit prisons, immigration detention camps, drug rehabilitation camps.

"Their presence here shows that Malaysia always observed human rights procedures in line with international requirements," he said.

-- BERNAMA

Who's lying? I don't know, what about you?

While you and I are busy with our work, let us enjoy this Dikir song :)

Coverage from IRIS Seismic Monitor

So said a candidate for Bagan Pinang by-election...

"Saya bukan melakukan jenayah, ini merupakan pelanggaran kod etika pemilihan, itu istilah yang pertama kita gunakan. Saya telah jalankan hukuman selama tiga tahun, jadi benda tu tak timbul lagi. Malah kes-kes jenayah pun orang boleh terima, ada yang dah jadi Ketua Menteri, ada dah jadi Menteri dan ada yang bercita-cita nak jadi Perdana Menteri lagi, semua ada, jadi apa masalah dengan saya?"

So now we know that among them, corruption is not a crime. It is just a disciplinary issue that does not conform with the code of ethics in their party electoral process. And those who are found practicing corruption can only be punished by the said party, because the pillars of this beloved country does not, by any mean, applied to them. KEDAULATAN UNDANG-UNDANG is only for other people, not for them. They can break the law all they want, and only themselves can punish them (unless any of them went against the wishes of the 'Prime Mammal', then all of his/her wrongdoings will be brought public and he/she will be dragged into the real court.

As long as everyone piously nodding to the rhythm of the big guy, no law can touch any of them.

What a world we're living in....


Wallahu'alam

UMNO announced their candidate few hours ago, and PAS will do their announcement in short while. Well, Google search engine must be flooded by queries for the name of this UMNO's fighting bull. And guess what? It's not going to be a good news for that poor guy.

UMNO's candidate in Permatang Pasir, Rohaizat Othman, is claimed to be a lawyer. Well, IS he or WAS he?

According to Malaysian Bar Council, Rohaizat had been STRUCK OFF on 7 March 2008 (One day before the 12th general election!). Rohaizad has been struck off by a DISCIPLINARY Order under Section 103D LPA 1976.

If you're satisfied, that's enough. Else, check this link for yourself:
Malaysian Bar Disciplinary Orders January-March 2008


DISCLAIMER: The excerpts of (most of)this post is deduced 100% percent from Malaysian Bar's website. There might be some misunderstanding, or even mistaken identity. Let see what the Bar council says on this.



EDIT: it's confirmed:

Source: Malaysiakini.com

Meanwhile, Rohaizat said the internal disciplinary action initiated by Bar Council on him on an allegation of unprofessional conduct had been struck off in March 2008.... Read more

"The allegation is no more an issue now," he said.

Rohaizat's name has appeared on the Bar Council report on disciplinary orders for January - March 2008.

The report revealed the case against Rohaizat had been initiated under Legal Profession Act 1986 and was struck off on March 7, a day before the last general election

Datuk Dr Hassan Ali and Ronnie Liu today made an open statement on their peacemaking.
A good development on the Pakatan side. Strike one to the manipulating media. The PR leaders should realise, the people are not hoping for them to be in sync with each other all the time, that would be too ideal and non-progressive. But what the people want is for them to use more civilized and democratic way to stop the drift. If any PR leader thinks that the only ways to go are either cutting each other's throat or give 100% loyalty and obedience to the 'supreme' leader, then these hypocrics can jump over to BN. They'll find more comfortable home and mates there.
As for Dr Hassan Ali and Ronnie Liu, thumbs up for the decision to make peace !

It has been reported that Pak Samad suggested another gathering should be organized to demand that PPSMI be taken out IMMEDIATELY.

How's that? Street protest is more popular than Akademi Fantasia nowadays. That's what you get when the voices of the people have been muted in all 'proper' channels.

I'd say "Get our towel, water and salt ready! And don't forget the mask, if you have one"

Here's another example of police brutality. But before we raise our fingers blaming the cops, please look through and listen to the video first, and then you can decide whether you want to condemn this or not. Just one note; imagine if that guy's victim is your wife (or daughter, or sister), won't you be doing the same thing as these cops (if not more)?



I condemn police brutality when it comes to political issue, that is firm. But this one is criminal issue. I'm not saying that I would commend this violent act by the cops. We did witness (or heard) several occasions where detainee was dead in the lock-up.

But look at the excerpts from what the cops said in the video:
- "Why did you do that to somebody's wife?"
- "It's lucky enough that you're getting it here, if we leave you to those people (who caught you), you might be dead by now"
- "Be thankful this is Malaysia, if this is an Arab country, you'd be sentenced to death"

Once again, I'm not in favor of violence. But the first time I watched this video, the thoughts such as 'this b*****d does not deserve to live', 'if somebody did that to my wife, i might ask the cops to trash him more than this' did pass through my mind. And while writing this post, I'm still trying to justify those passing thoughts, and it is hard to do. We are all human, after all.



So, am I pro or against this kind of police brutality? I do hope that I am against, but I'm not too sure...


Oh, yes... compare that video with this picture:


The scenes look similar, but one is a criminal; the other is innocent... one is thinking about satisfying his lust; the other is thinking about having justice for his people... one had been kicked; the other had been kicked, beaten with baton, sprayed with chemicals and shot with tear gas...

Here's my story:

Although I received reminders over and over again to come early, but I decided to leave home after Zuhur. The reasons are:
1) I know the police will start arresting even before march started. Call me a coward, but I don't want to risk getting caught before the 'fun' started.
2) This time I want to take as many pictures as possible, and from many angles. So I don't want to be in the main crowd from the beginning (which will limit the perspective which I can capture with my camera)
3) There are main crowds and small crowds. If the main crowds are planets, the small scattering crowds can be considered the satellites. I've never been in this small crowds, so I'd like to see how it is like to be in one

The Masjid Jamek and Bandaraya LRT stations are closed due to 'technical' problem, so I took the train to Plaza Rakyat instead. I arrived at 2.25pm. Since I'm already 15 minutes late for Masjid Jamek's crowd, I decided to take some detour first. I checked up Mydin, Kota Raya and Petaling Street. Life was as usual in the places, as if nobody noticed there are something big is happening in a very close proximity. Then I went to Central Market to see what it is like for the 'white' street demonstration. To my surprise, except several uniformed policemen, the area was full of shoppers! There's nothing that indicated that this place is holding a large 'illegal' gathering. And the cops were as laid back as they can be in a peaceful time.

Losing interest, I made my move to, finally, Masjid Jamek. When I arrived there, the main crowd already left the premise. There were still some people gathering here and chit-chatting about the event.

I saw the uniformed cops and FRUs blocking the road at one end. This is one of the questions I always find myself asking. How did the small crowds managed to merged with the main crowds despite this kind of blocking? It is not easy, especially when the cops are shooing everyone away from the area. I went to take a look first.

Seeing that the main crowd from Masjid Jamek was not heading towards the direction os Istana Negara (They were at Jalan Tun Perak), I deduced that they were going to SOGO, where the PR leaders are. So I took another way to SOGO avoiding the police blockade. I arrived at Jalan TAR where many people were gathering. There's faint smell of tear gas lingering. Seemed like the battle was already on. Far behind me, the FRU tanks and trucks were stationed. Cops were trying to arrest some of the protesters, to be jeered and cursed by the shouting crowd. Then came the dreaded siren. A water cannon truck sped up the street and started showering the protesters with the chemicals. Everybody ran into alleys and backstreets for cover.

I continued moving towards SOGO. Police arrests can be seen along the way. And some of the protesters were taking a breather, especially the elderlies.

At SOGO, as in Masjid Jamek, it seemed like the main crowd already left, or leaving. I can see them from afar. As much as I want to join them, there was a blockade between me and that crowd. The foot policemen were retreating, which means one thing: making way for tear gas and water cannon. I took the opportunity to slip past them, heading towards the main crowd. Not even halfway, the tear gas canistered were fired, falling several yards in front of me. I ran and took a detour circling the SOGO complex with my eyes burning. Lucky I had my pinch of salt and two small bottles of mineral water with me.

I arrived in front of MARA, where the frontline of the crowd, especially the Unit Amal, were calling for people to regroup. More canisters of gas were shot. Having one of them fell just in front of me, I quickly grab my camera and tried to take a video. Unfortunately, another one of the canisters came and got me by surprise. Though as much I tried to record the event, the resulting video were as crappy as it can get. Amidst the confusion, I didn't realise that the water cannon were speeding from my back. Only when I took a glance back I saw the truck was less than 50 meters behind me. There was no cover around me so I pushed the record button on my camera, hoping something decent will come out (unfortunately, it didn't), and made a dash to the nearest cover around 20 meters ahead. Before I managed to get into a shelter, the chemicals from the water cannon hit me on my face, from the left side. Adrenaline helped me a lot to continue running. Once I reached safety, my eyes were itchy. And worse than that, they were blurry. That's when I realised I lost my glasses along the run. The crowd had retreat further, and the FRU had slowly taken over the place. Going to look for my glasses means I have to search amidst the FRU. I had no choice, I need my glasses. Several good fellows helped me during the rush. Once my glasses are found (it was right at where my face was hit by the water cannon), I went around the building for another breather.

Several minutes later, I continued towards Jalan Raja Laut. Seeing where the crowd was heading, there's only one possible place to go: PAS HQ. At the cost of the time spent looking for my glasses and the breather, I once again fell behind the FRU, and missed some more actions.

More tear gas can be seen shot at the crowd heading to Jalan Raja Laut. The FRU trucks were regrouping. Again, there's a blockade between me and the crowd. I looked around for a way to get past the blockade, and my luck was with me. Several press members were there, and the cops were letting them loose. So I walked beside a guy with 'PRESS' tag hanging from his neck, while pretending to be busy checking my camera. I casually walked pass the blockade, stopping sometimes to take some pictures. Once ahead of the blockade, I made my way towards the crowd. Looking back at the place where I was several minutes before, I saw a lot of people had been stopped by the police from continuing to Jalan Raja Laut. Smiling, I knew I was lucky to get through them.

Crossing the busy traffic light, the main crowd were already far ahead. Nevertheless, a lot of people were still gathering here. Some were talking furiously, some were resting. Some were keeping a watch at the FRU 100 meters away. Many were busy with their mobile phones, sending messages and calling their friends and family, maybe. My family didn't know I was here, only some of my friends knew, but I'm not into sending them the updates.

Then the FRU started to march again. Same routine: troops march>tear gas>water cannon. and arrests along the way. I made another run, this time straight to the destination: PAS HQ. In front of PAS HQ, there was speech going on. I couldn't get a good angle to see who was speaking behind the megaphone, but from the voice, I think it was Hj Mat Sabu (anyone can confirm this for me?). The speech was ending, with several shouts of 'Mansuhkan ISA', 'Hidup Rakyat' etc, the crowd were told to disperse peacefully.

So here it is, THE END. Everybody's heading back. Nothing choatic seemed to happen. Unfortunately, the FRU didn't think so. Out of surprise, another batch of tear gas were fired onto the street,and including the backstreets. It was a little havoc at this point. I went up the bridge to get a better picture. An old man and his daughter slumped at one corner. Obviously the tear gas got them. Someone passed them a bottle of water (I finished my ration on the way, unfortunately). I gave them the salt that I was carrying and told then to put some on their tongues. They seemed better, so I left the bridge after several shots of pictures.

Once down, my face started to sting. The tear gas was still lingering so I dashed to the backstreet. Bad decision, since they fired the tear gas into the backstreet as well. Without water and salt, a small towel was my only defense, and the pain was unbearable. I walk in circles, trying to put my mind away from the pain. Thank God, after several minutes it was gone.

I walked back to Jalan Raja Laut. Luckily, 7-Eleven kept operating even during the chaos. The only shop that was operating (they lived up to their 24hour status, kudos to 7-Eleven!!!). I bought a soy milk and two small mineal waters. The crowd had been reduced to very small number. Uniformed policemen were takig charge of the street, arresting more people. I waited across the street from PAS HQ. After a while, the FRU dismissed their formation and went into the trucks. Nevertheless, it didn't seem like they're going back soon. Everybody understood what is happening: They are waiting to arrest the PR leaders.

A long wait, the came several cars screeching and abruptly stopped in front of PAS HQ. several plainclothed men stormed the entrance of PAS HQ, followed by the media and uniformed cops. The plainclothed men were SB, by the way. They tried to get in, but the building were barricaded by PR supporters from the inside. SB went away empty handed.

Another long wait, I sat at the stairs of PAS HQ, looking at the police patrol cars and FRU trucks on standby, readying for the arrest. Nothing was happening. At 5.30pm, I couldn't take it anymore. My face was still burning and I really needed a bath. I made my way towards PWTC station to catch a train home.

It was painful, it was tiring, and it was a hassle. But it was worth it. And I'd do it again.. and again



-L

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Videos:

Video Himpunan Mansuhkan ISA

Pictures:

Part 1 Part 2 Part 3 Part 4 Part 5

Part 6 Part 7 Part 8 Part 9 Part 10

Part 11 Part 12 Part 13 Part 14

And here's a compilation of rejected videos:
(The part where you can only see rubbish scenes are the ones I'm running and geeting hit with water cannon and tear gas)

Here's some videos from the Himpunan Mansuh ISA on 1 August 2009. For pictures, click on the links below:

Part 1 Part 2 Part 3 Part 4 Part 5

Part 6 Part 7 Part 8 Part 9 Part 10

Part 11 Part 12 Part 13 Part 14



Video 1: The main crowd already left the area. Latecomers are blocked by the police from joining the rest of the protesters.



Video 2: Patrol car jeered by protesters at Jln TAR. Someone gave a speech in a pantun manner while the crowds regroup before proceeding



Video 3: Police started arresting protesters at Jln TAR and received shouts and screams from the crowd



Video 4: Jln TAR just before water cannon



Video 5: Water cannon hits Jln TAR



Video 6: Jln TAR after water cannon



Video 7: Protesters taking refuge in back alleys



Video 8: Police standing back for tear gas



Video 9: FRU regrouping between assaults at LRT Bandaraya. They just finished one assault and preparing for another



Video 10: FRU marching towards protesters



Video 11: Resounding crowds in front of PAS HQ, Jalan Raja Laut



Video 12: Protesters are dispersing. PR leaders and the press went inside PAS HQ. Everybody thought it was a peaceful end, unsuspecting that FRU is about to launch another tear gas and water cannon assault



Video 13: SB arrived in several cars trying to arrest PR leaders, assisted by uniformed policemen. PR leaders are in PAS HQ, barricaded by the supporters from inside

(for now, pictures only. Stories and videos will follow soon)

(for now, pictures only. Stories and videos will follow soon)

(for now, pictures only. Stories and videos will follow soon)

(for now, pictures only. Stories and videos will follow soon)