Keluarga fail habeas corpus bebaskan Raja Petra

14-09-2008 03:03:37 PM
Oleh G. MANIMARAN



MARINA Lee Abdullah menunjukkan makluman penahanan Raja Petra Kamarudin di bawah Akta Keselamatan Dalam Negeri, kelmarin.


(Dikemas kini) PETALING JAYA: Keluarga Raja Petra Kamarudin (gambar) akan memfailkan permohonan habeas corpus untuk membebaskan pengendali laman web Malaysia Today, yang kini ditahan di bawah Akta Keselamatan Dalam Negeri, awal minggu depan.


Isteri beliau, Marina Lee Abdullah ketika dihubungi berkata, beliau telah mengadakan perbincangan dengan peguamnya semalam dan perbincangan susulan akan diadakan esok bagi menguruskan permohonan habeas corpus.


"Sudah tentu, sudah tentu (akan membuat permohonan habeas corpus)... kandungan belum dimuktamadkan lagi, saya akan mengadakan perbincangan dengan peguam (esok)," kata beliau hari ini.


Kata beliau, sehingga hari ini beliau tidak memperoleh apa-apa maklumat mengenai perkembangan penahanannya.


Raja Petra ditahan di rumahnya di Sungai Buloh, di bawah Seksyen 73(1) ISA, yang membolehkan seseorang itu dikenakan tahanan maksimum 60 hari.Beliau dibawa keluar dari rumahnya pada pukul 1.50 tengah hari kelmarin.


Sebelum ini, Raja Petra pernah ditahan menikut ISA pada April 2001 kerana penglibatannya dalam gerakan reformasi dan ditahan selama 53 hari di Pusat Tahanan Kemunting, Taiping.


Pihak berkuasa berkata, Raja Petra ditahan berkaitan artikel yang disiarkan dalam laman webnya yang bertajuk "I promise to be a good, nonhypocritical Muslim" dan juga "Not all Arabs are descendants of the Prophets".


Kedua-dua artikel itu didakwa menggunakan ayat yang menghina orang Islam dan Nabi Muhammad S.A.W.


http://mstar.com.my/

Yee mi berkuah

SELAIN mi kuning, bihun dan kuey teow, yee mi sangat popular sebagai salah satu hidangan semasa berbuka puasa. Namun, ramai yang masih tidak yakin bagaimana hendak membuatnya.


Yee mi adalah sejenis mi kering dan boleh disimpan lama pada suhu bilik. Bentuknya bulat dan disusun menegak di dalam plastik lutsinar.


Kita mungkin tidak asing dengan sizzling yee mi yang dihidangkan di atas hot plate. Ia mudah dibeli di mana-mana medan selera yang besar.


Walaupun masakan kali ini nampak seperti itu tetapi rasanya berbeza dan ia agak mudah disediakan.


Yee mi amat senang digunakan kerana anda hanya perlu merendamnya di dalam air mendidih. Setelah ia nampak lembut, tuangkan ke dalam bekas penyejat untuk membuang airnya.


Kemudian kecaikan dengan garpu atau kayu penyepit. Anda boleh juga menggaulkannya dengan sedikit minyak masak. Ini untuk mengelakkan ia melekat.


Ternyata yee mi lebih cepat lembut berbanding pasta yang perlu direbus sekurang-kurangnya selama 15 minit. Sekiranya tetamu datang ke rumah secara tiba-tiba, anda boleh menyediakan hidangan ini dalam masa tidak sampai 20 minit.


Yee mi juga tahan lama dan harganya juga berpatutan.


Seperkara lagi adalah yee mi tidak mudah kembang walaupun terendam lama di dalam kuah. Ini berbeza dengan mi kuning atau bihun.


Seandainya sukar membeli yee mi, anda boleh gantikan dengan mi kuning atau mi siput. Bagi yang inginkan kelainan, boleh juga gunakan pasta seperti makaroni dan lain-lain.


Semua sos yang diperlukan untuk hidangan ini boleh dibeli di mana-mana pasar raya. Jika sukar mendapatkan sos Hoisin, anda boleh gantikan dengan taucu. Ambil kira-kira tiga camca besar taucu, kemudian jiruskan air untuk membuang lebihan garam.


Cincang halus taucu dan tambahkan air untuk mendapatkan 80 ml (lebih kurang sepertiga cawan). Masakan tidak perlu ditambah dengan garam kerana taucu sudah masin.


Seandainya anda inginkan kuahnya pedas, tambah beberapa sudu pes cili atau serbuk cili. Masukkan ketika menumis bawang. Ini penting kerana pes cili itu hendaklah betul-betul masak sebelum memasukkan ayam.


Jika suka daging, anda perlu menambah air biasa ke dalamnya dulu. Bila mendidih, perlahankan api dan tutup periuk. Proses ini dinamakan merenih. Namun, perlulah dikacau sekali-sekala.


Bila daging sudah empuk, barulah ditambah dengan bahan sos. Daging juga boleh direbus secara berasingan sehingga empuk. Air rebusannya mesti dicampurkan ke dalam kuah supaya kuah menjadi lebih sedap.


Untuk menjimatkan masa, mungkin anda perlu menggantikan ayam atau daging dengan udang atau sotong. Malah isi ikan merah dan tenggiri juga sesuai untuk digunakan. Semuanya terpulang pada bajet masing-masing.


Isi kupang akan memaniskan lagi kuah. Ia sudah siap dijual tanpa kulit dan anda boleh terus gunakan. Sekiranya hendak digantikan dengan kerang, juga boleh.


Sekiranya anda ingin menghidangkan masakan ini di dalam majlis, anda perlu mencelur sawi. Ini adalah supaya ia boleh dihidangkan secara berasingan. Selain sawi, boleh gunakan kubis dan lobak merah.


Untuk menyedapkan hidangan, sediakan campuran cuka, air, gula, garam dan hirisan cili merah. Campurkan cili padi jika anda suka pedas. Taburkan bawang goreng dan hirisan daun bawang supaya hidangan lebih menyelerakan.




http://www.kosmo.com.my/

Cacing mamah besi cuci tanah

LIVERPOOL - Penyelidik Universiti Reading mendapati cacing tanah yang memamah logam besi dapat membantu tumbuhan untuk membersihkan pencemaran di dalam tanah.

Kajian menunjukkan banyak perubahan berlaku pada logam setelah cacing itu menghadam dan mengeluarkan najis sekali gus memudahkan pokok untuk 'mencuci' besi yang bertoksik di kawasan sekitarnya.

Penemuan unik itu didedahkan pada Festival Persatuan Sains British di sini kelmarin serta berpotensi membersihkan kawasan tercemar akibat industri berat, pembinaan bangunan dan perlombongan.

"Cacing ini menghasilkan metallothinein, sejenis protein yang boleh mereputkan logam menjadi selamat dan sesuai dianggap sebagai wira ekologi untuk abad ke-21," kata Mark Hodson. - Agensi

http://www.kosmo.com.my/

Saudara jauh zirafah muncul

LONDON - Seekor haiwan nadir Afrika yang selama ini gemar hidup rahsia dan dianggap seumpama legenda kuda bertanduk Unicorn berjaya dirakamkan saintis Britain.

Kamera tersembunyi dipasang Persatuan Zoologi London (ZSL) di sebuah hutan di Republik Demokratik Congo mengenal pasti mamalia liar itu sebagai okapi, saudara jauh zirafah.

Namun pengurus program pemuliharaan hutan ZSL, Dr. Noelle Kumpel bimbang mengenai nasib haiwan comel itu yang kini diancam oleh perang saudara dan pemburuan haram untuk makanan.

"Okapi ialah haiwan pemalu dikenali melalui belang hitam seperti zebra dan kali terakhir dikesan 50 tahun lalu di Taman Negara Virunga tetapi dianggap pupus sejak 1900," katanya. - Agensi

http://www.kosmo.com.my/

Pokok purba dalam lombong

WASHINGTON - Sebuah lombong arang batu yang terbiar di Illinois didapati mengandungi sebidang fosil hutan purba seluas ribuan hektar sekali gus menjadi fosil rimba terbesar di dunia.

Ia ditemui secara tidak sengaja oleh pasukan penyelidik arkeologi bersama Amerika Syarikat dan Britain serta dipercayai berusia lebih 300 juta tahun, menurut Dr. Howard Falcon-Lang.

Kesan daun, ranting dan batang jelas kelihatan pada siling dan dinding lombong terletak di sempadan negeri Illinois, Indiana dan Kentucky yang menyamai saiz bandar raya Bristol di Britain.

"Penemuan ini agak luar biasa kerana kami melihat landskap hutan paling besar zaman purba yang terpelihara secara geologi biarpun tenggelam akibat banjir besar," katanya. - Agensi

http://www.kosmo.com.my/

Pemain Pulau Pinang pula merana

Oleh AZELI ALI













SEORANG pemain skuad bola sepak Pulau Pinang meluahkan perasaan kecewanya kepada media selepas gaji mereka tidak dibayar oleh FAP sejak empat bulan lalu.


TERPAKSA berniaga di Bazar Ramadan.


Itu yang terpaksa dilakukan beberapa pemain skuad bola sepak Liga Super Pulau Pinang bagi mencari pendapatan akibat tidak menerima gaji sejak Mei lalu.


Selepas penderitaan pemain Perak dan Pahang sedikit terubat dengan bayaran gaji yang tertunggak selama ini, pemain Pulau Pinang terus menderita.


Ini kerana gaji mereka masih belum dibayar sejak empat bulan lalu menyebabkan kehidupan harian mereka agak terhimpit dan tertekan.
Akibatnya ada di antara mereka yang menghadapi masalah bayaran kereta dan sewa rumah yang tertunggak.


Persediaan menyambut Aidilfitri juga dalam keadaan yang serba tidak menentu.


"Gaji terakhir yang kami terima ialah untuk bulan April manakala sejak Mei hingga Ogos lalu, kami terus terumbang-ambing tanpa pendapatan.


"Kalau sebulan mungkin kami boleh bertahan tapi ini dah masuk empat bulan, sampai bila harus bersabar dan menderita seperti ini," kata seorang pemain yang tidak mahu namanya disiarkan ketika ditemui semalam.


Tambahnya, ada di antara mereka yang mula dilanda kebimbangan kerana kereta sudah beberapa bulan tak berbayar dan menjelang lebaran, langsung tiada persiapan dibuat.


"Kami juga ada tanggungan termasuk anak isteri dan keluarga tapi macam mana nak sambut raya kalau kami betul-betul tiada duit," ujarnya.


Rakannya berkata, mereka sudah lakukan yang terbaik dan termampu demi menaikkan nama Pulau Pinang dalam saingan Liga Super dan Piala Malaysia tetapi akhirnya mereka yang menjadi mangsa.


"Dahlah kereta tak berbayar, ada antara kami juga mula diusir dari rumah sewa kerana gagal membayar sewa rumah.


"Kami tak tahu lagi apa nasib kami dan ke mana arah tuju kami musim depan kerana rasanya dah tawar hati untuk terus menabur bakti di Pulau Pinang jika perkara ini berterusan," katanya.


Seorang lagi pemain mahu Persatuan Bola Sepak Pulau Pinang (FAP) mendengar rintihan pemain dan melakukan sesuatu bagi meringankan beban yang mereka tanggung selama ini.


"Kalau tak dapat bayar semua, paling kurang ada sedikit sagu hati untuk kami menyambut puasa serta perbelanjaan harian selain membayar hutang yang ada.


"Jangan sampai nanti ada pemain yang terpaksa meminjam dengan ah long disebabkan masalah ini yang akan memalukan FAP sendiri," ujarnya.


http://www.kosmo.com.my/

ISA: Zaid Ibrahim sanggup letak jawatan

Beh Lih Yi Sep 14, 08 3:30pm


Menteri di Jabatan Perdana, Datuk Zaid Ibrahim yang menjaga hal-ehwal perundangan, sanggup meletak jawatan jika kerajaan terus menggunakan Akta Keselamatan Dalam Negeri (ISA) yang disifatkannya sebagai 'tidak adil'.


Ahli politik BN yang lantang bersuara itu juga mendesak supaya ahli parlimen DAP, Teresa Kok dan blogger Raja Petra Kamaruddin yang ditahan di bawah ISA dibebaskan segera.


Wartawan Sin Chew Daily Tan Hoon Cheng turut ditahan di bawah ISA tetapi telah dibebaskan semalam.


"Kita mempunyai sebuah kerajaan yang komited kepada undang-undang dan pembaharuan, kita tidak boleh menggunakan politik gaya lama atau bertindak mewujudkan ketakutan.


"Kita ada undang-undang dan mereka boleh didakwa di mahkamah.


"Saya sedang berusaha untuk bertemu Perdana Menteri (Abdullah Ahmad Badawi) minggu ini untuk menyatakan pendirian saya itu kepada beliau.


"Jika (beliau menganggap) pendirian saya itu tidak dapat dipertahankan, saya akan letak jawatan," katanya ketika dihubungi Malaysiakini dari Kota Baru hari ini.


Beliau telah mengadakan sidang akhbar di kediamannya di Kota Bharu hari ini di mana beliau becakap mengenai perkara yang sama.


Bernama memetik beliau Zaid sebagai berkata, penggunaan ISA hendaklah dikhususkan untuk pengganas, komunis dan pihak yang cuba menjatuhkan kerajaan secara paksa.


"Tujuan asal (ISA), digunakan terhadap pengganas bersenjata, orang yang hendak menggulingkan kerajaan secara paksaan...komunis. Jadi, kita perlu tetap dengan itu," katanya.


Zaid berkata negara mempunyai banyak undang-undang yang boleh digunapakai bagi menangani isu-isu seperti ketegangan kaum dan mengancam keselamatan negara.


"Di dalam negara kita ada banyak undang-undang yang boleh digunakan oleh pihak polis untuk menahan mereka tanpa menggunakan ISA.


"Kita ada undang-undang Akta Hasutan dan Kanun Keseksaan yang boleh menjelaskan kepada rakyat kenapa mereka boleh dikenakan tindakan undang-undang tanpa menggunakan ISA," katanya.


Zaid juga berkata banyak lagi pendekatan yang boleh digunakan untuk mengurangkan perbezaan kaum atau isu perkauman termasuk melalui sesi dialog dan perbincangan secara aman.


Mengenai pencalonannya untuk bertanding jawatan Ketua Umno Bahagian Kota Bharu, Zaid berkata beliau kesal dengan tindakan bahagian yang membatalkan mesyuarat peringkat cawangan yang mencalonkan dirinya.


"Tapi ianya sudah menjadi syarat jadi saya perlu patuh kepada keputusan bahagian. Saya tidak akan merayu. Sehingga kini saya sudah mendapat 20 pencalonan," katanya.


Jawatan ketua Umno bahagian itu dijangka menyaksikan perebutan antara pemangku ketua, Datuk Mohd Fatmi Salleh dengan Zaid yang merupakan ketua bahagian itu sebelum beliau digantung keanggotaannya selama 18 bulan bermula 1 Januari 2007.


http://www1.malaysiakini.com/

Inflation bites into Ramadan celebrations across Asia

Agence France-Presse - 9/14/2008 3:02 AM GMT


In Muslim households across Asia, the inflation crisis is casting a shadow over the holy month of Ramadan, and making the nightly ritual of breaking the fast a more meagre affair.


From Afghanistan to Malaysia, the high prices of food are forcing the poor to go without, and curtailing the lavish evening buffets which the well-off have flocked to in better economic times.


In markets and bazaars, the mood is sombre as traders complain they have few customers for their traditional Ramadan fare, as people cut back on treats and delicacies.


"Our business strategy this year is just to stay afloat," said Azahari Wahab as he prepared "ikan bakar" barbequed fish over a wood fire at a Ramadan street market in the Malaysian capital Kuala Lumpur.


"I have been trading in bazaars for the past 20 years and this is the worst year for me. We usually prepare about 100 kilogrammes of fish a day but this time it is down to 30-40 kilos," he said.


As well as the lack of customers, he said the price of his ingredients had risen "more than 100 percent", as he packed a cooked fish heaped with spicy dressing in a banana leaf.


The fasting month, which culminates with joyful Eid al-Fitr celebrations, is a time of reflection during which Muslims abstain from eating, drinking, smoking and sex from dawn to dusk.


In Afghanistan, one of the world's poorest countries, the markets are packed with festive foods but the price of wheat alone has doubled over the past year and few can afford the pickles, sweets and special breads.


"We didn't have enough food before Ramadan anyway. For us, it's the same," said bus driver Mohammad Gul. "For the poor, it's always Ramadan."


In a crisis compounded by the Taliban-led insurgency that has hampered development and the delivery of food aid, the British charity Oxfam has warned that up to five million Afghans face severe food shortages as winter looms.


"The food prices are very high," said civil servant Ghulam Haidar in the capital Kabul. "It's very difficult for poor people to buy them... the prices are scary."


Indonesia, the world's largest Muslim nation, saw a spike in the price of food in the lead-up to the fasting month, putting pressure on families already hit hard by sharp rises in subsidised fuel prices.


Families in Jakarta have said rising food and fuel prices are limiting spending power for the nightly festivities.


"I used to serve dessert for my family to break the fast before we had the main meal consisting of rice. But as everything has become very expensive we can't afford it anymore," said Nena, a mother of six.


Across the region, at five-star hotels and government functions, sumptuous spreads are still on offer but there are fewer takers and prices have been slashed.


"Business is quite slow this year compared to last year, at least 20-30 percent less," said Rosihan Anuar Ahmad, sales director at Kuala Lumpur's glitzy JW Marriott where the buffet is half what it costs at other hotels.


"We are pricing our buffet strategically to attract customers to come and dine here and we are banking on big companies to treat their staff to a Ramadan dinner," he said.


In Bangladesh, where food prices traditionally spike during Ramadan, the government set up 7,500 special markets in the lead-up to the holy month, selling subsidised rice and other staples as the country grapples with food prices 45.5 percent higher than a year ago.


"We've tried not to put up prices of common items so that poor people will still come," stallholder Mohammad Shukkor Miah said at Chawkbazar in the old quarter of the capital Dhaka.


"We have about half as many customers and our profits are lower. We have had to put up the price of specialty items and fewer people are buying those."


The traditional purchase of new clothes for Eid has been one of the first things to be sacrificed by Muslim families battling the tough economic times.


"We are not getting good response this year. There is a drastic decline of customers in bazaars," said Irfan Beg, owner of a large garment store in the Pakistani capital Islamabad.


"Last year we had to hire extra salesmen to meet the Eid rush but there are very few customers in the market this year. People say they cannot buy traditional "iftar" items, how can they think of the Eid luxuries?"


While national leaders and newspaper editorials recommend the faithful hold more simple celebrations this year, some feel that financial constraints should be put aside during the holy season.


"What is Eid without the food, cookies and clothes? It is a time to celebrate and thank Allah for his blessings," said Raina Samat, a 23-year-old sales assistant in Kuala Lumpur.


burs-sls/sst


http://news.my.msn.com/

Malaysia's Anwar leads criticism of government crackdown

Agence France-Presse - 9/13/2008 12:17 PM GMT





Malaysian opposition leader Anwar Ibrahim on Saturday led demands for the government to end a crackdown that saw the arrests of an opposition politician, a blogger and a journalist.


The arrests on Friday under tough internal security laws raised fears that the ruling Barisan Nasional coalition will launch a widespread campaign against dissent as it faces an opposition bid to seize power within days.


Rights groups have condemned the use of the Internal Security Act (ISA), which allows for indefinite detention without trial, and the United States summoned Malaysia's top envoy in Washington in protest.


Anwar, who is trying to sign up enough defecting lawmakers to topple the government, said it was running scared after March general elections that handed his opposition alliance unprecedented gains.


"Instead of pursuing a reform agenda it has chosen to burn the country to save itself and to maintain its odious grip on power," he said in a statement.

The three arrested have been accused of inciting ethnic tensions in the multicultural country, but Anwar accused the government of stirring up a phony racial crisis in order to deflect attention from its own problems.


"We ask the government how far it is willing to go to usurp justice and destroy the institutions of good governance in its attempt to drive the Malaysian people against each other," he said.


Anwar insisted he has the support to seize power, but indicated that the timing of his parliamentary coup, slated for next Tuesday, could be affected by the ruckus.


"The priority is political stability. It's not an issue of deferring, we have the numbers to move," he told a press conference, adding he was "mindful" that he too could be targeted with arrest.


Home Minister Syed Hamid Albar denied the detention sweep was aimed at suppressing dissent and said the police had moved to secure public order as tensions rose and people started to hoard food.


"This country is multiracial and their relations can be fragile," he told a press conference. "If the police feel public order is under threat or possible conflict could occur in the country, they will take preventive action."


Syed Hamid said that the journalist, 32-year-old Tan Hoon Cheng from the Chinese-language Sin Chew Daily News in northern Penang state, was released Saturday afternoon.


"She is not a security threat," he said, adding that one of the reasons she was taken into custody was because "we received reports her life was threatened."


Tan was thrust into the national spotlight after reporting on an outburst from a ruling party member who called ethnic Chinese "squatters" and was disciplined by the ruling party which represents Muslim Malays.


The arrest drew rare condemnation from the Malaysian Chinese Association, the second-largest political party in the Barisan Nasional, which said the ISA may need to be abolished.


"MCA is dismayed, disappointed and shocked with the ISA detention of Tan Hoon Cheng," said Ng Yen Yen, head of the MCA's women's wing.


Syed Hamid said investigations would continue into the other two detainees and "if there is no reason to hold them they will be released within 60 days."


Opposition lawmaker Teresa Kok, 43, from the Chinese-based Democratic Action Party, a member of Anwar's opposition alliance, was arrested over allegations that she complained about the noise of morning prayers at a mosque.


She has said the accusation is "preposterous".


The third detainee is Malaysia's leading blogger, 58-year-old Raja Petra Kamaruddin, who has repeatedly targeted government figures on his website "Malaysia Today".


He has already been charged with sedition and defamation after linking Deputy Prime Minister Najib Razak and his wife to the sensational murder of a Mongolian woman.


Three Malaysian newspapers -- Tan's Sin Chew Daily News, The Sun, a free English-language daily, and Suara Keadilan, which is published by the opposition -- were also Friday threatened with suspension.


"This, together with the arrest of Raja Petra under the ISA, may be viewed as a chilling message that our fundamental freedoms are not secure," said Ambiga Sreenevasan of Malaysia's Bar Council.


http://news.my.msn.com/

Malaysia releases ethnic Chinese journalist

Agence France-Presse - 9/13/2008 9:35 AM GMT





Malaysian authorities said Saturday that a journalist for a Chinese-language newspaper, whose arrest triggered a furore in the ruling multiracial coalition, has been released.


Tan Hoon Cheng, 32, was one of three figures detained Friday under draconian internal security laws that allow for detention without trial, along with an opposition politician and a prominent blogger.


Home Minister Syed Hamid Albar denied that the crackdown was aimed at suppressing dissent as the opposition tries to seize power, and said Tan was released on Saturday afternoon after she "cooperated with the police."


"She is not a security threat," he said, adding that one of the reasons she was taken into custody was because "we received reports her life was threatened."


Tan, a reporter for the Sin Chew Daily News in northern Penang state, was thrust into the national spotlight after reporting on an outburst from a ruling party member who called ethnic Chinese "squatters."


The politician was disciplined by the United Malays National Organisation (UMNO), which represents Muslim Malays who dominate the population, and the action against Tan triggered widespread disbelief.


The arrest drew rare condemnation from the Malaysian Chinese Association (MCA), the second-largest political party in the Barisan Nasional coalition.


"MCA is dismayed, disappointed and shocked with the ISA (Internal Security Act) detention of Tan Hoon Cheng," said Ng Yen Yen, head of the MCA's women's wing.


"ISA now faces improper implementation ... we should respond to the public view to review and even abolish the ISA," she said in a statement.


http://news.my.msn.com/

Hasrat Orang Asal hantar memo tidak kesampaian

Abdul Rahim Sabri Sep 13, 08 12:46pm

Hasrat sekumpulan Orang Asal dari Semenanjung, Sabah dan Sarawak untuk menghantar memorandum kepada Yang di-Pertuan Agong tidak kesampaian apabila mereka tidak dibenarkan oleh pihak polis berarak ke Istana Negara pagi tadi.

Kumpulan seramai kira-kira 120 orang diketuai oleh Presiden Jaringan Orang Asal SeMalaysia (JOAS), Andrian Lasimbang.

JOAS adalah gabungan 21 pertubuhan komuniti Orang Asal seluruh Malaysia yang mewakili pelbagai suku kaum Orang Asal.

Jaringan ini menyediakan perwakilan Orang Asal di peringkat kebangsaan, serantau dan antarabangsa.

Mereka berkumpul di perkarangan Galeri Annexe di belakang Pasar Seni mulai jam 10 pagi - tempat berlangsungnya bengkel dan pameran perjuangan orang Asal SeMalaysia dari 9 hingga 13 September.

Mereka mula bergerak menuju ke Istana Negara pada jam kira-kira 10.15 pagi tetapi dihalang oleh pihak polis, yang mendakwa mereka tidak memohon permit untuk berbuat demikian.

Andrian kemudiannya berunding dengan pihak polis meminta supaya mereka dibenarkan berarak ke Istana Negara untuk menyerahkan memorandum tersebut.

Memorandum itu antara lain menuntut hak Orang Asal dan polisi pembangunan untuk menghormati Orang Asal di Malaysia yang termaktub dalam Perlembagan Persekutuan.

Tidak dibenar berarak

Andrian dan wakil Suaram, S. Arutchelvan, berunding dengan ASP Sydney Clyde Jeremiah bagi mendapatkan ruang untuk berkumpul dan membacakan memorandum tersebut kepada hadirin.

Bagaimanapun ASP Sydney mengarahkan kumpulan tersebut bersurai. Selepas kira-kira 15 minit, polis tetap tidak membenarkan mereka berarak ke Istana Negara.

Berikutan itu, kumpulan tersebut berpatah balik ke kawasan Galeri Annex di mana sidang media diadakan oleh Andrian, bekas presiden JOAS, Tijah Yok Chopil dan pengarah eksekutif Borneo Resource Institute, Mark Bujang.

Sementara itu, dalam sidang medianya, seorang ahli jawatankuasa jaringan tersebut, Colin Nicholas menjelaskan bahawa pihaknya memaklumkan kepada pihak polis dan Istana Negara dua minggu lalu berhubung rancangan mereka untuk menghantar memorandum tersebut.

Beliau mendakwa, pada mulanya, rancangan mereka dibenarkan tetapi semalam, pihaknya dimaklum oleh polis yang permohonan mereka ditolak.

Ekoran itu, tambah Nicholas lagi, pihaknya membuat rayuan dan pihak polis membenarkan semula perarakan itu selagi ia tidak bersangkutan dengan politik.

Nicholas percaya, pihak polis tidak membenarkan mereka berarak ke Istana Negara hari ini mungkin kerana perkembangan semasa, khususnya penahanan pemilik blog Malaysia Today, Raja Petra Kamaruddin, wartawan Sin Chew, Tan Hoon Cheng dan Ahli Parlimen Seputeh, Teresa Kok di bawah ISA semalam.

Ekoran itu, mereka tidak meneruskan rancangan mengadakan perarakan ke Istana Negara.

Hantar memorandum

Berikutan itu, presiden JOAS, Andrian melahirkan rasa sedih kerana pihaknya tidak dibenarkan menghantar memorandum tersebut kepada pihak Istana Negara.

Menurutnya, beliau akan berbincang dengan rakan-rakan dalam kumpulan tersebut mengenai cara terbaik untuk menyerahkan memorandum tersebut Yang di-Pertuan Agong.

Bercakap kepada pemberita, Andrian menjelaskan tujuan utama pihaknya menghantar memorandum tersebut adalah untuk mendapat perhatian dan pembelaan daripada pihak kerajaan.

Memorandum itu juga antara lain bertujuan untuk meraih sokongan dan bantuan umum supaya Orang Asal di Malaysia tidak dipinggirkan dalam arus pembangunan negara.

Beliau juga menuntut pengiktirafan daripada kerajaan Malaysia agar menghormati adat istiadat dan cara hidup mereka di kampung-kampung.

Perarakan itu. tambah Andrian, juga dirancang sebagai salah satu siri kempen untuk memberi kesedaran akar umbi tentang adanya satu deklarasi membela hak-hak Orang Asal .

Deklarasi tersebut dikenali Deklarasi Pertubuhan Bangsa-bangsa Bersatu terhadap Hak Orang Asal (UN-DRIP).

Mereka bersurai secara aman selepas sidang akhbar itu selesai dan tidak ada sebarang kejadian atau tangkapan dilaporkan.

http://www1.malaysiakini.com/

Malaysia activists denounce arrests under draconian law

Agence France-Presse - 9/13/2008 6:34 AM GMT


Malaysian activists and political groups Saturday denounced the arrests of an opposition politician, a prominent blogger and a journalist under a tough security law, while Washington also weighed in.


The arrests come at a time when the opposition in Malaysia is trying to seize power from Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi, who has come under mounting pressure to quit the ailing administration.


The three were arrested Friday and are being held under the Internal Security Act (ISA), Ismail Omar, deputy inspector-general of police, was cited as saying by the official Bernama news agency.


The ISA, which human rights groups have pushed to have abolished, allows for renewable two-year periods of detention without trial and is normally used against suspected terrorists.


Following the arrests, the United States summoned Malaysia's top envoy in Washington for a second time in a month to protest at the apparent crackdown on dissent.


"Peaceful expression of political opinions is a fundamental right and critical to a democracy," a US State Department official told AFP.


Reacting to mounting criticism, even from within the ruling National Front coalition, Home Minister Syed Hamid Albar said 32-year-old journalist Tan Hoon Cheng would be freed later Saturday.


"After police take her statement... she will be freed later today," the minister, who ordered the arrests, was quoted as saying over national television.


The journalist's arrest also drew rare condemnation from the Malaysian Chinese Association, the second largest political party in the National Front.


"MCA is dismayed, disappointed and shocked with the ISA detention of Tan Hoon Cheng," Ng Yen Yen, head of the MCA's women's wing, said in a
statement, calling for the ISA to be scrapped.


GMI, a rights group campaigning for the end of the ISA, said in a statement pressing for the immediate release of the three detainees its use in this instance was "totally unjustified and indefensible."


Malaysia's leading blogger, 58-year-old Raja Petra Kamaruddin, who has targeted government figures on his website "Malaysia Today", has been charged with sedition and defamation after linking Deputy Prime Minister Najib Razak and his wife to the sensational murder of a Mongolian woman.

The home minister justified the arrest Friday saying the offending articles had insulted Islam and the Prophet Mohammed -- a criminal offence in predominantly Muslim Malaysia.


Hours later, police arrested Tan, a reporter for the Chinese-language Sin Chew Daily News in northern Penang state. She had reported on an outburst from a ruling party member who called ethnic Chinese "squatters".


Opposition lawmaker Teresa Kok, 43, from the Chinese-based Democratic Action Party, a member of the opposition alliance, was the third to be arrested under the ISA.


Kok has been defending herself against allegations that she complained about the noise of morning prayers at a mosque in her electorate. She has said the accusation is "preposterous".


Malaysia's resurgent opposition is led by the flamboyant Anwar Ibrahim, who is plotting to topple the government as soon as next week. He Friday condemned the three detentions under the ISA as "draconian and unjustified."


Anwar himself is facing trial on sodomy charges, allegations he says are politically motivated.


Three Malaysian newspapers -- Tan's Sin Chew Daily News, The Sun, a free English-language daily, and Suara Keadilan, which is published by the opposition -- were also Friday threatened with suspension.


Ambiga Sreenevasan, of Bar Council Malaysia, said she was alarmed that the three newspapers have been censured over their news coverage.


"This, together with the arrest of Raja Petra under the ISA, may be viewed as a chilling message that our fundamental freedoms are not secure," she said.


http://news.my.msn.com/

US summons Malaysian envoy over crackdown on dissent

Agence France-Presse - 9/13/2008 2:30 AM GMT


The United States summoned Friday Malaysia's top envoy in Washington to protest its crackdown on dissent at a time when the opposition was attempting to take over power in Kuala Lumpur.


Ilango Karuppannan, the charge d'affaires of the Malaysian embassy, was summoned to the State Department after an opposition politician, a prominent blogger and a journalist were held under a law allowing indefinite detention without trial, a diplomatic source said.


The move came amid fears in Kuala Lumpur that Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi's government was planning a larger crackdown as opposition leader Anwar Ibrahim scrambled to oust the government with parliamentary defections.


"Peaceful expression of political opinions is a fundamental right and critical to a democracy," a State Department official told AFP.


"The United States believes that the Malaysian government should provide due process and treatment consistent with Malaysian law and international standards," said the official, speaking on condition of anonymity.


"We expect that democratic countries that purport to advocate free expression of political views will not curtail such freedom," the official said following the trio's arrest.


This is the second time Ilango was summoned to the State Department in a month.


The last time he was hauled up when Anwar was charged with sodomy, an accusation the opposition leader said was concocted by the government after it was humiliated in March elections,
Malaysia's Foreign Minister Rais Yatim had slammed Washington previously for interfering in the country's "domestic" affairs.


But US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice said Washington would continue to speak out on cases involving human rights and politics although it did so "in a spirit of respect for Malaysia".


Those arrested under Malaysia's Internal Security Act (ISA) Friday were top blogger Raja Petra Kamaruddin, opposition MP Teresa Kok and Sin Chew Daily News journalist Tan Hoon Cheng.


Three Malaysian newspapers -- the Sin Chew Daily News, The Sun which is a free English-language daily, and Suara Keadilan which is published by the opposition -- were also Friday reportedly threatened with suspension.


"The United States firmly believes that freedom of the press and freedom of speech are fundamental to a vibrant democracy," the State Department official said.


Rights groups condemned the arrests, saying it was an abuse of power by Abdullah's government.


Amnesty International wants the United States to consider raising the case at the current UN General Assembly, where a special forum was to scrutinize human rights situation of member nations, said the group's Washington-based Asia Pacific advocacy director T. Kumar.


"It appears that the Malaysian government is engaging in a witch hunt against peaceful dissent," he said. "The government should release all ISA detainees and not use the law as a tool to maintain political power."


Human Rights Watch, an independent US group, said Malaysia risked "irreparable harm" to its "already fragile reputation" if those arrested were not freed.


"The Malaysian government apparently thinks it can only maintain power by jailing journalists and opposition politicians," said Elaine Pearson, the group's deputy Asia director. "Such tactics have no place in a modern democracy."


http://news.my.msn.com/

Malaysian opposition says power takeover may be delayed

Agence France-Presse - 9/12/2008 7:05 AM GMT

Malaysia's opposition admitted Friday it might not meet its goal of seizing power by next week as it sent a delegation to pursue potential defectors from the government on a trip to Taiwan.

Opposition leader Anwar Ibrahim has repeatedly said he is "on track" to topple the ruling Barisan Nasional (BN) coalition by next Tuesday, but his party said in a statement that it could be delayed.

"The process of transformation to a new government... is proceeding smoothly and we believe that Barisan Nasional will be replaced in a very short period," the statement said.

"The date might be delayed from September 16... but the agenda is still going on," it said, adding that one complicating factor had been the government's move to ship lawmakers overseas this week.

The ruling coalition sent 46 parliamentarians on a controversial and hastily arranged "study trip" to Taiwan, in what Anwar has said is an attempt to "corral and seclude" parliamentarians amid the high-stakes negotiations.

Leaders of Anwar's Keadilan party, which fronts the three-member opposition alliance, were headed there Friday to meet up with the delegation, in a "gatecrashing" move that is likely to irritate the government.

"We are looking forward to meeting with BN MPs and to have discussions and meals with them," Keadilan information chief Tian Chua, who is leading the four-person team, told AFP.

"Our team will also meet with Taiwan's government and opposition parties to brief them on the political situation in Malaysia," he added.

Anwar needs 30 of the 140 coalition lawmakers to defect in order to form a new government. Most of the potential crossovers are believed to be from the Sabah and Sarawak states on Borneo island.

"They play all sorts of political games so don't get carried away... I don't think BN MPs will defect," deputy premier Najib Razak told reporters.

The opposition alliance gained unprecedented ground in March's general elections, securing a third of parliamentary seats and five states from the coalition, which has ruled since independence from Britain half a century ago.

Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi has faced repeated calls to quit since the polls debacle, and in recent days his plan to hand over power to his deputy by mid-2010 has come under renewed scrutiny.

Trade Minister Muhyiddin Yassin -- who is seen as a potential challenger -- this week said Abdullah should consider stepping down earlier to allow a new leader to address the issues that have eroded government support.

On Friday, Najib was also lukewarm over the 2010 plan that he had earlier backed wholeheartedly, and said it would have to win the support of the ruling party's 191 divisions in December internal elections.

"His statement shows a change in stance from what he said in July when he appeared to be fully behind the plan," said Tricia Yeoh from the Centre for Public Policy Studies.

http://news.my.msn.com/

Raja Petra Kamaruddin arrested

KUALA LUMPUR, September 12, 2008 (AFP) - Prominent Malaysian blogger Raja Petra Kamaruddin, who has targeted government figures on his website, was arrested Friday under internal security laws, his wife said.

Raja Petra, founder of the controversial Malaysia Today website, has already been charged with sedition and defamation after linking Deputy Prime Minister Najib Razak and his wife to the sensational murder of a Mongolian woman.

The blogger's wife Marina Lee Abdullah said he was arrested by police at his home under legislation that allows for detention without trial.

"They came here and arrested him under the Internal Security Act for inciting hate in his articles on Islam," she told AFP.

The Internal Security Act, which human rights groups have pushed to have abolished, provides for renewable two-year periods of detention without trial and is normally used against suspected terrorists.

It has also been used to lock up opponents of the government, and last year five Hindu rights activists were detained after mounting an anti-discrimination protest that targeted government race policies.

AFP

MSN Malaysia reports: Home Minister Datuk Seri Syed Hamid Albar was quoted by The Star website stating that Raja Petra had been detained under Section 73 (1) of the ISA as he had been deemed a threat to security, peace and public order. He said that under the section Petra would be held for 60 days.

“The police will do an assessment during this period and if they feel he should be held more than 60 days, the police will then refer to me,” he said.

Petra's arrest comes a day after the Cabinet ordered the Multimedia and Communications Commission (MCMC) to reinstate access to all blocked websites, of which Malaysia Today was one.

The star also reported Energy, Water and Communications Minister Datuk Shaziman Abu Mansor as saying, “Instead of blocking access to offensive websites, the Cabinet wants authorities to investigate and act quickly against the owners of these sites."

The minister also added that the government was asking the MCMC to "closely cooperate" with the authorities in monitoring any website or blog to ensure that it does not contain "seditious, racist or religiously insensitive remarks."

http://news.my.msn.com/

Sajian dulang

Oleh JOHANNA A. SOBREY
johanna.sobrey@kosmo.com.my



Anda penggemar makanan Asia? Jom singgah dan nikmati apa yang disediakan di Kafe Delicious.

KAFE Delicious yang menawarkan pelbagai menu seperti pasta, sandwic, salad, hidangan tempatan dan pencuci mulut kini tampil dengan hidangan istimewa bersempena bulan Ramadan.

Disediakan dalam satu set untuk dua orang, sajian dalam dulang itu meliputi sembilan lauk-pauk yang memenuhi selera.

Menurut Chef Eksekutif The Delicious Group Sdn. Bhd, Wan Mohd. Sabri Wan Sidek, buat kali pertama kafe itu menyediakan sajian istimewa untuk berbuka puasa.

"Kami masih mengekalkan menu-menu sedia ada, cuma kali ini kami menyedia bagi pelanggan yang inginkan suatu kelainan pada waktu berbuka," kata beliau.

Mengapa set ini diperkenalkan? Wan Mohd Sabri berkata, pelanggan yang lebih menggemari makanan Asia tidak semestinya tertumpu pada hidangan tempatan.

Kesembilan-sembilan hidangan yang disajikan dalam satu dulang itu termasuklah tulang rusuk lembu menumis-reneh, udang goreng bersama pucuk paku dan sambal belado, salad mi tongfen (glass noodle), otak-otak daun pisang dan ikan kurau kering masin.

Selain itu, ulam dan sambal belacan, emping melinjo, acar limau dan acar Nyonya melengkapkan sajian.

Dulang lauk yang dilapik dengan daun pisang itu turut disajikan bersama nasi putih, air sirap dan buah kurma.

"Sebagai pelengkap hidangan, pelanggan boleh memilih mana-mana hidangan pencuci mulut.

"Selain itu, jika mereka mahu, terdapat juga agar-agar istimewa, Delicious Jello yang berharga RM9.90 untuk mengumpul dana bagi Persatuan Kebajikan Kanser Payu Dara," katanya.

Sabri berkata, pilihan hidangan yang menarik pelanggan lauk tulang rusuk lembu yang ditumis-reneh selama lima jam bagi memastikan kelembutan daging dan kelazatan rempahnya dirasai.

Persekitaran santai di Delicious dengan dinding putih digabung dengan bantal berwarna firus dan biru,memberikan suasana selesa untuk menikmati hidangan.

Tempat duduknya juga selesa dan dekorasi unik seperti sangkar burung putih di siling.

Sejarah Delicious bermula apabila Benjamin Yong, pengasas Delicious pulang dari Australia setelah memperoleh ijazah dalam bidang psikologi. Beliau kemudian bergabung tenaga bersama ibunya, Helen Read, pengasas rangkaian pakaian Ms Read dan Abby Leong, rakan Read.

Delicious yang kini berusia empat tahun itu kini boleh didapati di tiga lokasi utama ibu kota iaitu di pusat beli-belah Bangsar Village II, Bangsar; One Utama, Damansara Utama dan The Marc Service Residence, Jalan Pinang.

Hidangan set Ramadan Delicious itu disediakan pada harga RM89.90++ untuk dua orang.

http://www.kosmo.com.my/

‘Saya tetap suami dia’ - Tertekan selepas isteri mengaku sudah berkahwin lagi

Oleh HISHAM IDRIS
berita@kosmo.com.my



AHMAD keluar dari bangunan Jabatan Hal Ehwal Agama Terengganu di Kuala Terengganu semalam.


KUALA TERENGGANU – Sebelum ini, pahitnya bermadu hanya dirasai oleh isteri apabila suami mereka berkahwin lagi.


Tetapi bagi Ahmad (bukan nama sebenar), 58, beliau menderita ‘dimadu’ apabila isterinya didakwa mempunyai seorang lagi suami.


Ahmad mendakwa, isteri yang dipanggil Ju dan dikahwini sejak 1995 itu, secara senyap-senyap telah berkahwin dengan seorang lelaki lain lebih setahun lalu.


Menurutnya, perbuatan Ju sudah menjadi buah mulut rakan-rakan dan hanya terbongkar empat hari lalu apabila beliau bertanya kepada anak sulungnya berusia 11 tahun yang mengetahui ‘rahsia besar’ ibunya.


Jelasnya, pada mulanya isterinya yang berumur 43 tahun itu enggan mengakui perkara itu, tetapi selepas didesak barulah dia mengaku telah berkahwin dengan seorang lelaki lain.


“Yang menghiris hati saya apabila isteri saya mengaku menjadi isteri kedua suami barunya yang sudah mempunyai 10 orang anak,” katanya kepada Kosmo! di sini semalam.


Lelaki yang menampung hidup dengan menjual kereta terpakai itu mendakwa, dalam tempoh tersebut Ju telah menggilirkan hari untuk bersamanya dan suami barunya.


Ahmad berkata, Ju tinggal bersamanya dari Isnin hingga Khamis, manakala Jumaat hingga Ahad pula bersama suami keduanya.


“Selama ini saya tak tahu perkara ini sebab isteri saya bekerja di Kuala Terengganu dan ada kalanya dia tinggal di rumah orang tuanya.


“Rupa-rupanya selama ini dia tinggal bersama lelaki itu sedangkan saya menyangka dia di rumah ayahnya,’’ kata Ahmad yang mempunyai tiga orang anak dengan Ju.


Ditanya sama ada beliau mengenali ‘madunya’ itu, Ahmad menjawab: “Tak, saya tak kenal, tapi menurut isteri saya dia bekerja di Kuala Terengganu dan lelaki itu kenal saya.’’


Ahmad mengakui selama ini tidak ambil peduli apabila ada rakan-rakan bertanya mengenai rumahtangganya kerana mereka mendakwa kerap melihat Ju bersama seorang lelaki lain.


“Anak saya juga beritahu, emak mereka suruh memanggil lelaki itu sebagai Bak (panggilan untuk ayah) sama seperti mereka memanggil saya. Saya adalah Bak 1, lelaki itu pula Bak 2,’’ katanya.


Mengenai perasaannya dimadukan isteri, Alias berkata, beliau kini buntu dan sedar perbuatan isterinya menyalahi hukum agama.


http://www.kosmo.com.my/

Malaysian blogger arrested under tough internal security law

Agence France-Presse - 9/12/2008 6:18 AM GMT


Prominent Malaysian blogger Raja Petra Kamaruddin, who has targeted government figures on his website, was arrested Friday under internal security laws, his wife said.


Raja Petra, founder of the controversial Malaysia Today website, has already been charged with sedition and defamation after linking Deputy Prime Minister Najib Razak and his wife to the sensational murder of a Mongolian woman.


The blogger's wife Marina Lee Abdullah said he was arrested by police at his home under legislation that allows for detention without trial.


"They came here and arrested him under the Internal Security Act for inciting hate in his articles on Islam," she told AFP.


A Home Ministry official said he was not immediately able to comment on the case.


The Internal Security Act, which human rights groups have pushed to have abolished, provides for renewable two-year periods of detention without trial and is normally used against suspected terrorists.


It has also been used to lock up opponents of the government, and last year five Hindu rights activists were detained after mounting an anti-discrimination protest that targeted government race policies.


Abdul Razak Baginda, a close friend of the deputy premier, has been charged with abetting the murder of 28-year-old Mongolian woman Altantuya Shaariibuu, whose body was blown up with explosives.


Two police officers from an elite force, whose duties included guarding the prime minister and his deputy, were also charged with the killing.


http://news.my.msn.com/

Malaysian opposition pursues MPs to Taiwan

Agence France-Presse - 9/12/2008 4:14 AM GMT


Malaysia's opposition admitted it might not meet its goal of seizing power by next week as it sent a delegation to pursue potential defectors from the government on a trip to Taiwan.


Opposition leader Anwar Ibrahim has repeatedly said he is "on track" to topple the ruling Barisan Nasional (BN) coalition by next Tuesday but his party said in a statement that it could be delayed.


"The process of transformation to a new government... is proceeding smoothly and we believe that Barisan Nasional will be replaced in a very short period," it said.


"The date might be delayed from September 16... but the agenda is still going on," it said, adding that one complicating factor had been the government's move to ship lawmakers overseas this week.


The ruling coalition sent 46 parliamentarians on a controversial and hastily arranged "study trip" to Taiwan, in what Anwar has said is an attempt to "corral and seclude" parliamentarians amid the high-stakes negotiations.


Leaders of Anwar's Keadilan party, which fronts the three-member opposition alliance, were headed there Friday to meet up with the delegation, in a "gatecrashing" move that is likely to irritate the government.


"We are looking forward to meeting with BN MPs and to have discussions and meals with them," Keadilan information chief Tian Chua, who is leading the four-person team, told AFP.


"Our team will also meet with Taiwan's government and opposition parties to brief them on the political situation in Malaysia," he added.


The leader of the government tour, Tiong King Sing, told the New Straits Times he was not worried about the opposition plans.


"They can send their leader, they can send whoever they want. It is up to them," he told the paper. "We have no fear."


Anwar needs 30 of the 140 coalition lawmakers to defect to form a new government. Most of the potential crossovers are believed to be from the Sabah and Sarawak states on Borneo island.


The opposition alliance gained unprecedented ground in March's general elections, securing a third of parliamentary seats and five states from the coalition, which has ruled since independence from Britain half a century ago.


http://news.my.msn.com/

Ketenangan Nora selepas 'berhijrah'...

Ditulis oleh WAHIDA ASRANI
Tuesday, 09 September 2008





Transformasi imej yang dilakukan oleh Nora sempena hari lahirnya yang ke-35 pada Julai lalu sememangnya dilihat penyanyi itu sebagai satu fasa baru dalam kehidupannya.


Malah, akui isteri kepada komposer terkenal Johan Nawawi ini, dia berasa cukup tenang dengan 'penghijrahan' tersebut apatah lagi tatkala ini umat Islam sedang mengerjakan ibadah puasa.


"Saya tampil dengan imej seperti ini sejak 26 Julai lalu. Tapi kalau diikutkan sebenarnya, sejak 10 tahun dulu hati saya sudah terdetik untuk pakai tudung...ketika mula-mula berkahwin lagi.


"Tetapi, perkara ni kita tak boleh main-main. Saya ingin lakukan secara ikhlas. Sewaktu usia saya sudah menghampiri 35, saya bertanya lagi pada diri sendiri sama ada saya sudah bersedia atau tidak.


"Akhirnya saya rasa inilah masa yang sesuai untuk saya lakukan. Malah, Johan juga tidak mengetahui niat saya ini sehinggalah pada hari lahir saya lebih sebulan yang lalu.


"Begitu juga dengan anak-anak saya. Pada awal dulu, saya tidak begitu tahu cara nak memakai tudung dengan betul. Jadi, anak-anaklah yang menjadi 'pengkritik' saya," ujar Nora yang ditemui pada rakaman program Akademi Nasyid Aidilfitri, baru-baru ini.


Menurut penyanyi ini lagi, dia tetap bersyukur kerana transformasi dirinya itu diterima ramai. Malah, tawaran untuk menjayakan show juga cukup banyak diterima oleh Nora ketika ini.


"Saya tidaklah kekok sangat dengan imej baru ini. Tapi, memang mana-mana saya pergi sebelum ini ada yang bertanya sama ada saya pakai tudung betul-betul atau hanya kerana majlis-majlis tertentu.


"Apapun, saya harap selepas ini peminat mahupun mereka di luar sana sudah tahu tentang perubahan imej saya. Saya pun bukanlah buat perubahan yang mendadak sangat.


"Alhamdulillah, show raya tahun ini agak banyak. Saya akui, sejak bertudung ni, saya lebih banyak terlibat di dalam program-program di saluran TV9 kerana mungkin bersesuaian dengan konsep stesen televisyen itu," tutur Nora.


Katanya, dia tidak menghadkan mana-mana program untuk disertainya. Malah, dari segi lagu juga, Nora tidak membataskan sebarang lagu asalkan ianya kena dengan imej barunya sekarang.


"Bagi saya, jika lagu-lagu tersebut boleh mendatangkan kesedaran, saya memang akan lakukan. Cuma sekarang ini, saya tidak bolehlah seperti dulu...nyanyi lagu yang rancak-rancak sangat.


Bercerita mengenai perkembangan seninya ketika ini, kata Nora, tiga buah single telah pun disiapkan yang mana dua daripadanya sudah pun dikeudarakan di stesen-stesen radio iaitu Cinta Sebenarnya dan Oh Asmara.


Sebuah lagu lagi, Puisi Hidup pula merupakan hasil ciptaan buat pertama kalinya oleh Nora dan liriknya nukilan suaminya sendiri.


"Kali ini, saya pula yang buat melodinya dan Johan yang menulis lirik. Sebenarnya, Johan ingin menghasilkan sebuah lagu untuk ayahnya, tetapi dia cukup sukar untuk mendapatkan idea bagi melodi lagu tersebut.


"Secara kebetulan, saya terfikir melodinya dan daripada situ, kita masukkan muzik dan Johan menghasilkan liriknya," kata Nora.


Pada masa yang sama, penyanyi ini juga sedang ligat menjalankan perniagaan kuih-muihnya yang sudah tujuh tahun dilakukannya.


"Sebelum ini, saya buat secara kecil-kecilan saja. Tetapi setelah saya muncul di dalam program Wanita Hari Ini tidak lama dulu memperkatakan tentang bisnes tersebut, sambutan yang saya terima memang di luar jangkaan.


"Saya jalankan bisnes itu bersama seorang partner dan kami menjual kek lapis dan cookies yang ada diantaranya saya lakukan sendiri.


"Untuk tempahan atau sebarang maklumat tentang bisnes ini, boleh layari www.nora.com.my ," kata Nora yang akan pulang beraya ke Kelantan pada Hari Raya kedua nanti.


http://buletinonline.net/

Ahmad Ismail suspended for racist comments

KUALA LUMPUR, September 10, 2008 (AFP) - Malaysia's premier said Wednesday that a senior member of the ruling party had been suspended for three years for "stoking racial tensions" by making incendiary comments about ethnic Chinese.

Ahmad Ismail, a member of the United Malays National Organisation (UMNO), which leads the ruling coalition, had called Chinese "lodgers" and warned of repercussions if they tried to seek political power.

The furore has highlighted rifts between majority Muslim Malays and the ethnic Chinese and Indian minorities, and caused uproar in the ruling Barisan Nasional (BN) coalition of race-based parties.

"The supreme council has found that Ahmad Ismail's statement and actions have caused much anger and protest from the BN component parties," Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi said after a meeting of the policy-making body.

"We have decided that he will be suspended from the party for three years," he told a press conference.

AFP

http://news.my.msn.com/

Tauhu guna logo halal palsu? Kilang proses tauhu kering terletak berhampiran kandang ternakan babi

Oleh JUNHAIRI ALYASA dan SHAH NIZAM OMAR

khas@kosmo.com.my

INILAH kilang memproses tauhu kering di Cheras yang terletak berhampiran kandang ternakan babi.

KUALA LUMPUR - Percaya atau tidak, anda mungkin pernah terbeli tauhu kering yang diproses dalam satu kawasan ladang menternak babi di kawasan Cheras yang sejak sekian lama berada di pasaran.

Memang mengejutkan, tetapi tidak siapa yang akan mengambil peduli lebih-lebih lagi jika terdapat logo halal Jabatan Kemajuan Islam Malaysia (Jakim) pada pek bungkusan itu.

Difahamkan, tauhu kering itu telah berada di pasaran sejak empat tahun lalu dan telah mendapat sambutan ramai terutama daripada pengguna beragama Islam.

Menjijikkan. Itulah yang dapat dirumuskan ketika wartawan Kosmo! menyelinap masuk ke kilang membuat tauhu kering di sebuah premis di Cheras itu semalam.

Bukan sahaja kotor dan tidak terurus, kandang babi yang cuma dipisahkan oleh sekeping dinding cukup memualkan.

Bau busuk tersebut sekali gus menjawab persoalan yang selama ini menghantui penduduk setempat memikirkan apakah kegiatan di sebalik kawasan berdinding zink itu selain beberapa ekor anjing juga kelihatan bebas keluar masuk ke tempat membuat tauhu kering itu.

Dalam kawasan berpagar yang sama juga, terdapat sebuah kilang yang memproses kayu yang mengeluarkan habuk tidak terkawal dalam ruangan yang amat terhad.

Selepas beberapa jam menyelinap, wartawan Kosmo! turut mengekori sebuah van dan mendapati ia membawa tauhu kering yang telah siap dibungkus ke sebuah kedai berhampiran sebelum diedarkan ke tempat lain.

Apa yang menyedihkan, dipercayai logo halal Jakim itu palsu juga tertera pada bungkusan tauhu yang yang dibungkus dalam kuantiti besar untuk pemborong.

Bukan itu sahaja, alamat syarikat yang mengeluarkan bahan makanan tersebut juga tidak sama dengan kilang yang mengeluarkannya.

Difahamkan, kilang tersebut mampu mengeluarkan 5,000 hingga 10,000 bungkus tauhu kering setiap hari dan pasarannya bukan sahaja di Lembah Klang malah ke seluruh negara.

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'Syak bekas pembantu rumah'

SHAH ALAM - "Sebelum kejadian, isteri saya ada terima satu SMS (khidmat pesanan ringkas) misteri daripada bekas pembantu rumah warga Indonesia yang telah kami berhentikan.


"SMS itu menyatakan rasa tidak puas hatinya kerana diberhentikan dan dihantar pulang ke Medan, Indonesia pada Sabtu lalu," kata Mohd. Yusof Abdul, 66.


Mohd. Yusof adalah suami kepada Raja Noriana Raja Ahmad, 41, yang maut dalam kejadian samun di sini awal pagi semalam.


Menurutnya, SMS tersebut berbunyi 'saya tidak puas hati, saya ada banyak kawan di Malaysia'.


"Saya tidak tahu apa kaitan SMS itu dengan tragedi yang mengorbankan nyawa isteri saya," katanya ketika ditemui di Bilik Mayat Hospital Tengku Ampuan Rahimah (HTAR), Klang.


Mohd. Yusof yang juga merupakan bekas pegawai polis Cawangan Narkotik, Bukit Aman berpangkat Asisten Supritendan memberitahu, beliau mengesyaki bekas pembantu rumah berusia 30-an itu bersubahat untuk menyamun rumahnya pada 1 September lepas.


"Saya syak dia yang buka pintu supaya penyamun boleh masuk, tetapi saya tidak ada bukti kukuh untuk menuduh dia," katanya.


Mohd. Yusof turut mengesyaki bekas pembantu rumahnya itu juga pernah mencuri wang dari dompetnya sepanjang tujuh bulan bekerja dengannya.


"Disebabkan itu, saya ambil keputusan untuk hantar dia pulang ke negara asalnya Sabtu lalu," jelasnya.


Mohd. Yusof yang menikahi Raja Noriana yang merupakan perkahwinan ketiganya pada tahun 2003, menyifatkan isterinya itu seorang yang penyayang, baik hati dan disenangi ramai.


Menceritakan kejadian, Yusof memberitahu, dia dan isterinya menjerit selepas terkejut melihat kelibat dua penjenayah yang memecah masuk rumahnya.


"Akibat jeritan yang kuat, anak sulung saya terus terjun keluar dari tingkap biliknya kerana ketakutan," ujarnya.


Bagaimanapun katanya, beliau dan isteri yang tidak sempat melarikan diri terus diikat di tangan, kaki dan mulut di ruang keluarga, sementara seorang lagi anak perempuannya diikat di biliknya.


"Ketika polis masuk ke rumah, penjenayah hanya sempat menarik isteri saya dan dibawa ke bilik tidur utama untuk dijadikan tebusan," ujarnya yang memberitahu sempat menendang salah seorang penjenayah berkenaan.


Menurut Mohd. Yusof, beliau dan anak keduanya sempat menyelamatkan diri ketika polis menyerbu masuk rumah.


"Selepas itu saya tidak tahu apa yang berlaku sehinggalah isteri saya yang cedera parah diusung keluar untuk dikejarkan ke hospital," jelasnya.


Sementara itu, Puteri Akila, 16, pula memberitahu, jeritan ibunya meminta dia turun ke tingkat bawah untuk menyelamatkan diri masih terngiang-ngiang di telinganya.


"Saya juga dengar suara lelaki (penjenayah) mengarahkan semua yang berada dalam rumah termasuk polis keluar atau mengancam untuk membunuh ibunya.


"Selepas itu saya tidak lagi dengar suara bonda sehinggalah dua penjenayah itu ditembak mati," jelasnya sambil mengalirkan air mata.


Menurutnya lagi, dia yang tidak sempat melarikan diri bersama kakaknya diikat dan disuruh diam di biliknya dan hanya berjaya keluar selepas polis menyerbu masuk rumah.


"Nasib baik kakak lari dulu kerana dia yang menghubungi polis, kalau tidak
tak tahu apa yang akan terjadi kepada kami sekeluarga," tambahnya.


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Tragedi ngeri waktu sahur

Oleh NORLIDA AKMAR IDROS
norlida.idros@kosmo.com.my



ANAK bongsu mangsa, Puteri Akila (tengah) ditenangkan ayahnya, Mohd. Yusof Abdul sewaktu menunggu keputusan bedah siasat di HTAR, Klang semalam.


SHAH ALAM - Hajat satu keluarga untuk bersahur bersama tidak kesampaian apabila rumah mereka yang baru diduduki kurang dua minggu di Seksyen 13 di sini dipecah masuk oleh sekumpulan penyamun warga Indonesia awal pagi semalam.


Lebih malang, seorang ibu kepada dua orang anak, Raja Noriana Raja Ahmad, 41, (gambar) yang dijadikan tebusan dalam kejadian sekitar pukul 3 pagi itu turut terbunuh.


Raja Noriana yang juga seorang ahli perniagaan sebuah ejen pelancongan meninggal dunia pada pukul 9.30 pagi di Pusat Perubatan Selangor di sini akibat cedera parah selepas ditikam di leher, belakang serta dikelar di rusuk kiri.


Difahamkan, ketika keadaan kelam-kabut tersebut anak perempuan mangsa sempat membuat panggilan kecemasan untuk memaklumkan kejadian tersebut.


Ketua Polis Selangor, Datuk Khalid Abu Bakar berkata, polis menerima laporan mengenai kes samun itu kira-kira pukul 4.45 pagi.


"Ketika polis dari IPK (Ibu Pejabat Polis Kontinjen) Selangor dan IPD (Ibu Pejabat Polis Daerah) Shah Alam sampai di tempat kejadian, kita dapati ada dua lelaki sedang cuba memecah masuk rumah dan kedua-duanya berjaya diberkas.


"Bagaimanapun, selepas itu kita sedar ada dua lagi penyamun berada di dalam rumah dan mereka menjadikan isteri kepada pemilik rumah sebagai tebusan," katanya kepada pemberita di lokasi kejadian.


"Penyamun menuntut kita (polis) sediakan sebuah kereta dengan dipandu salah seorang daripada dua rakannya yang ditahan polis untuk membawa mereka keluar dari situ bersama tebusan.


"Bagaimanapun, kita tidak menuruti kehendak penyamun itu dan rundingan berlangsung selama hampir tiga jam iaitu dari pukul 5.30 pagi hingga 8.20 pagi," ujarnya.


Kata Khalid, polis terpaksa menyerbu masuk rumah berkenaan apabila menyedari penyamun bertindak ganas mencederakan tebusan.


"Kita telah menembak mati dua penjenayah, sementara tebusan yang ketika itu cedera parah akibat dikelar dikejarkan ke Pusat Perubatan Selangor, Shah Alam," jelasnya yang memaklumkan Raja Noriana meninggal dunia selepas dimasukkan ke pusat perubatan tersebut.


Jenazah kemudiannya dibedah siasat di Hospital Tengku Ampuan Rahimah (HTAR), Klang.


Khalid memberitahu, suami mangsa, bekas pegawai polis dan dua anak perempuannya yang diikat tangan dan ditutup mulut berjaya melarikan diri ketika polis menyerbu masuk.


"Anak sulung mereka yang berusia 20 tahun melarikan diri dengan terjun dari tingkap biliknya menyebabkan kakinya patah," katanya.


Seorang daripada penjenayah itu mempunyai pasport Indonesia yang tamat tempoh pas lawatan, manakala seorang lagi memiliki kad pengenalan negara berkenaan.


Sementara itu, seorang pengawal keselamatan tapak perumahan berkenaan, Man Bahadur, 22, seorang rakyat Nepal turut ditahan kumpulan penjenayah terbabit.


Dia yang baru menamatkan tugas, diikat kedua kaki, tangan dan mulutsebelum diselamatkan polis.


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Dr Mahathir persuaded to rejoin UMNO

Malaysia's former prime minister, Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad, has reportedly decided to rejoin the country's ruling party after being wooed by senior UMNO figures.

Mahathir, 82, retired as PM after 22 years in office in 2003. He dramatically left the United Malay National Organization on May 19th, 2008, after openly and repeatedly criticising the performance of his successor, Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi.

The Star newspaper reported that the retired premier is throwing his support behind a former rival, Gua Musang MP, Tengku Razaleigh Hamzah, who is vying for the post of UMNO president in the party’s internal elections in December.

The national daily said it received its information from former UMNO secretary-general Tan Sri Sabaruddin Chik, who was at a private meeting at Mahathir’s Cyberjaya residence on Saturday.

It quoted Sabaruddin as saying Mahathir’s return to UMNO had been the sole focus of the meeting, which was also attended by UMNO vice-president Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin, Razaleigh and former secretary-general Tan Sri Sanusi Junid.

Sabaruddin stated that he and Muhyiddin, who is also Trade and Industry Minister, went along to the gathering with the intention of returning the former prime minister to the party fold.

The minister’s presence at the meeting has fuelled speculation over whether Mahathir intends to run with Razaleigh for the party’s two top posts, a prospect Sabaruddin neither confirmed nor denied.

In stepping down, Mahathir had said he would not return to the party until there was a leadership change.

However, according to Sabaruddin this new development should not come as a shock.

“Why is it surprising that Dr Mahathir wishes to rejoin UMNO? He only wants to save UMNO and the Barisan Nasional.”

The decision on readmission rests on the party’s supreme council.
There has been no direct comment from Dr Mahathir on the claims.

MSN Malaysia

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Malaysia's Anwar fights bid to move sodomy case to High Court

Agence France-Presse - 9/10/2008 4:26 AM GMT

Malaysian opposition leader Anwar Ibrahim, who faces trial on sodomy charges, fought Wednesday to prevent the politically-charged case from being moved to the High Court.

Anwar has rejected the allegations levelled by a 23-year-old former aide -- the same charge that saw him jailed a decade ago -- as a government conspiracy to derail his plan to topple the ruling coalition.

His supporters fear authorities might be able to manipulate the case more easily at the High Court, and that seeking a transfer is little more than a delaying tactic.

At a Sessions Court hearing, defence lawyers opposed an application to transfer the case filed by Attorney-General Abdul Gani Patail, who Anwar is suing in connection with his original trial on sodomy and corruption charges.

"For Gani to sign the order is ridiculous, he's an interested party and it is an ambush," Anwar told reporters after the hearing.

In a win for the defence, the Sessions Court judge made the unusual decision of setting a September 24 hearing for the opposition to present its case against transfer to the High Court.

Instructions from the attorney-general are not usually disputed, and the prosecution objected to the timing of the hearing, which will take place after the September 16 date by which Anwar is aiming to seize power.

"Two weeks is too long a time. This is a public interest case," government lawyer Yusof Zainal Abidin said.

Anwar's lawyer Sulaiman Abdullah accused the government of delaying tactics, and said there was no need to shift the case as sodomy trials are usually held in the lower court.

"It is going to be a waste of time if they transfer to the High Court, because they have to start the whole process again, and explain to the new judge what it's all about," he said.

"This is selective justice. People that they don't like go to the High Court."
The opposition and several lawyers at the hearing said there were concerns the government could manipulate the case in the High Court.

"They will push it to a judge who will be favourable to the prosecution," said one lawyer, a senior member of the Bar Council who did not want to be named.

Anwar said he was "very much" on track to carry out his plan to oust the government by September 16, by securing the support of at least 30 defectors from the ruling coalition.

"We are still working on it, we are in touch with the possible defectors, it is on track," he said.

Anwar's opposition alliance made huge strides in March general elections, securing five states and a third of parliamentary seats in an unprecedented challenge to the coalition that has ruled for half a century.

Security at the court complex in Kuala Lumpur was extremely tight, with 600 police and a water cannon at the ready. The riot squad, armed with tear gas launchers and batons, were in full force.

Anwar's Keadilan party had warned that street protests could break out if the 61-year-old opposition leader was stripped of bail and sent to jail for the duration of the trial, which is expected to run for several months.

"This is not a trial of Anwar but of the people's demand for a new government," said one of the supporters, 34-year-old engineer K. Ragunath.

"The government wants to stop Anwar from taking power by charging him falsely and I think it is wrong, we want justice for Anwar."

Norhayati Aulkifli, a 22-year-old student wearing a Muslim headscarf, said, "we want to see real change in Malaysia and we believe only Anwar can deliver that."

"We want an end to corruption and crime, and to have an honest government."

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Malaysia faces race row over 'anti-Chinese' comments

Agence France-Presse - 9/9/2008 12:28 PM GMT


Malaysia's premier insisted Tuesday that his multi-racial coalition would not be torn apart by a rift over a ruling party member's incendiary comments about ethnic Chinese.


Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi also promised "stern action" against the politician who triggered the uproar, which highlighted tensions between majority Muslim Malays and the ethnic Chinese and Indian minorities.


It has also triggered unprecedented criticism from Chinese-based parties within the Barisan Nasional coalition, which is led by Abdullah's United Malays National Organisation (UMNO).


Ahmad Ismail, an UMNO leader from northern Penang state, sparked the row by describing ethnic Chinese as "lodgers", and escalated the situation Monday with an outburst in which he warned the community not to seek political power.


"The patience of the Malays and Muslims has a limit. Do not push us to the wall, as when we turn back we will be forced to push the Chinese in the interests of our own survival," he told a press conference.


"The Chinese should not try to be like the Jews in America -- it is not enough they control the economy, now they want political control," he said.

Malays are dominant in politics in Malaysia, while ethnic Chinese are prominent in business. Past violence between the two communities has made discussion of racial issues extremely sensitive.


Abdullah said after a meeting of the coalition's Supreme Council that party leaders had expressed "regret and anger" over the comments and that UMNO would make a decision on Ahmad's fate on Wednesday.


"Immediate action will be taken because any delay could make more people angry... tough action will be taken," he told reporters.


However, he insisted Barisan Nasional "will remain united and we will face all the challenges together".


"You want to see BN falling apart? We will never allow that to happen. We are like a football team, we are very aggressive but we are aiming at one goal and we want to win," he said.


Ahmad was defiant as he left a meeting with the premier earlier, saying Malays were "frustrated" and that Malay "dignity" was at stake.


"Half the Chinese say I'm a racist but most Malays say I'm a nationalist defending my race," he told reporters.


"What I see now is a rise of the Malay people, and I feel we should capitalise on the strength, the support we get from the Malay people... I know they are with me."


Koh Tsu Koon, from the Gerakan party which bore the brunt of Ahmad's criticism, said he accepted the premier's assurances that the comments did not reflect the views of UMNO.


He said there had been a "commitment that this issue will not be repeated or allowed to happen again".


The row has erupted as opposition leader Anwar Ibrahim -- whose Keadilan party is the first pan-racial party in Malaysian political history -- attempts to woo the support of enough coalition lawmakers to topple the government.


In March elections he won a third of parliamentary seats, in the most serious challenge ever faced by the coalition, which has ruled for half a century.


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Malaysian opposition warns protests if Anwar bail revoked

Agence France-Presse - 9/9/2008 8:37 AM GMT


Street protests could break out if opposition leader Anwar Ibrahim is stripped of his bail and sent to prison at a court hearing Wednesday on sodomy charges, his party said.


Anwar has dismissed the allegations -- the same charge that saw the former deputy premier jailed a decade ago -- as an attempt to derail his campaign to topple the government with the help of defecting lawmakers.


Last month he pleaded not guilty to the charge that he sodomised 23-year-old former aide Mohamad Saiful Bukhari Azlan, describing the allegations as "malicious" and a "slander."


He will appear in the Sessions Court for a hearing that his lawyer said could see the case moved to the High Court, or could possibly hear a petition to revoke his bail.


"If there is an application to withdraw the bail Wednesday, we will oppose it," lawyer Sankara Nair told AFP.


If government lawyers succeeded in such a move, 61-year-old Anwar would be detained in jail during a trial expected to last for several months, he added.


Tian Chua, information chief of Anwar's Keadilan party, said that hundreds of supporters were expected to converge on the court in Kuala Lumpur and warned against any move to revoke the bail conditions.


"It will spark public outrage. There could be street protests," he told AFP Tuesday.


Despite the serious allegation hanging over him, which carries a penalty of 20 years imprisonment, Anwar won a landslide by-election victory last month which returned him to parliament after a 10-year absence.


After March general elections that handed the opposition a third of parliamentary seats, he is now campaigning to secure the support of the 30 lawmakers from the ruling coalition he needs to form a new administration.


Sankara urged the authorities to drop the "trumped-up" charges.


"We fear Anwar will not get a fair trial since the charges are politically motivated," he said.


Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi, who is under pressure to quit over his failure to check Anwar, has denied the government concocted the allegations against Anwar.


He has also vowed to thwart Anwar's bid to oust his coalition by September 16, a goal that political observers say will be very difficult to achieve.


Anwar's original sodomy conviction was overturned by the nation's highest court in 2004.


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Malaysian MPs sent overseas amid opposition takeover bid

Agence France-Presse - 9/8/2008 6:15 AM GMT





Dozens of lawmakers from the ruling coalition left Monday for Taiwan on an educational tour, in an apparent bid to prevent them from joining an opposition push to topple the government.


The opposition led by Anwar Ibrahim, who has vowed to unseat the coalition by September 16, said the trip was an attempt to "corral and seclude" parliamentarians amid the high-stakes negotiations.


Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi, whose ruling party leads the Barisan Nasional (National Front) coalition, has vowed to thwart Anwar's plan to secure the 30 lawmakers he needs to form a new administration.


"Some National Front leaders are getting cold feet and more than a touch of panic," said Lim Kit Siang from the Democratic Action Party, which is part of the three-member opposition alliance.


"All in all, it is a national shame that the MPs should be treated like delinquent children who have to be packed off overseas and secluded from mischief, treating the National Front MPs as no better than chattel," he added.


But Tiong King Sing, chairman of the government backbenchers' club that organised the hastily arranged tour, defended it as an educational programme.


"It is not a forced trip. We are going to Taiwan to obtain some ideas on how to bolster our agriculture output. It has nothing to do with September 16. They can do what they want to do on that date," he told AFP.


Tiong said 50 MPs were participating in the eight-day tour, and that dozens had left on Monday. The Star newspaper said in an SMS alert that 41 had departed.


There are a total of 140 coalition lawmakers in parliament, and most of the would-be defectors were believed to be from the East Malaysia states of Sabah and Sarawak on Borneo island.


Anwar said he was on track to meet the deadline, though political observers have expressed scepticism he can recruit enough defectors by that date.


The 61-year-old opposition leader said government attempts to compel lawmakers to leave the country would not work.


"We have seen some very positive signs, but we have also seen the desperate acts by the government, threats and using institutions to discourage them," he said in Jakarta.


The opposition alliance gained unprecedented ground in March general elections, securing a third of parliamentary seats and five states from the coalition, which has ruled since independence from Britain half a century ago.


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