PITA POLITIK (66): WHY THE DOUBLE STANDARD TO UNITY?

Dato' Nik Aziz Nik Mat: Why the double standard? (NST)

Pas to call for hudud, qisas if merger happens

Menteri Besar Datuk Nik Abdul Aziz Nik Mat is worried that parties against the proposal will sabotage it.


KOTA BARU: Pas will propose the implementation of hudud and qisas if the proposed Pas-Umno merger materialises.

Speaking after launching a building fund for the Baraah mosque, here yesterday, Pas spiritual leader Datuk Nik Abdul Aziz Nik Mat said the proposal was in line with Islamic principles and could be implemented if both parties, which are currently having discussions on Malay and Muslim issues, agreed to form a new political entity.

In Islamic law (syariah), hudud refers to mandatory corporal punishments for certain crimes, including theft, robbery, illicit sex, alcohol consumption and apostasy.

Qisas (law of retaliation) refers to offences that involve bodily injury or loss of life. The punishment for these offences is death or imprisonment, but compensation in the form of money or property is accepted if the victim's guardian forgives the offender.

Nik Aziz, who is also menteri besar, said in the muqabalah spirit between Pas and Umno, any new political entity must be based on Islam, including implementing hudud.

"What worries me is that if the pact materialises, there'll be people trying to sabotage it by putting up a candidate who is against the proposal."

He said all quarters, including Malays, Chinese and Indians should hold discussions and give their views towards better understanding of Islam.

However, he said what was important was ensuring the success of the Pas-Umno dialogue before discussing the future of the Muslim community.

In Putrajaya, Information Minister Datuk Ahmad Shabery Cheek said Nik Aziz's suggestion could be an excuse not to continue with the muqabalah.

"It is just a proposal by one leader and we should not take it as a final decision but I wonder what is the intention of raising hudud?

"Does Pas want to talk to Umno honestly or not? If one is not sincere, one can come up with a hundred excuses.

"If hudud is a condition Pas wants to set in order to continue with the talks, why do they only set conditions when talking to Umno but not with their Pakatan Rakyat partners?" Ahmad Shabery, who is also Kemaman Umno division deputy head, said.

He also questioned whether DAP had a "secret pact" with Pas on accepting hudud, since DAP had previously stated its objection to the proposal.

Ahmad Shabery said the issue of Pas re-joining Umno was not on the cards as the talks were about Malay unity. (NST Online, 31 July 2008)

Comment:
A state with a population as homogeneous as Kelantan should have no problem accepting Hudud and qisas, I guess. However I presume Kelantan is already implementing such laws and that is mainly the reason why we never hear anybody in the state, committed of crime, however petty the crime is being stoned to death or has his or hands amputated. Kelantan ia a free-crime state at least in the last decade.

Since the formation Pakatan Rakyat government in Kedah, Penang, Perak and Selangor in March 08, Nik Aziz might have been a very busy man formulating specific terms to implement hudud in these states. I'm sure the pre-conditions imposed by Nik Aziz to join Pakatan coalition have been agreed upon and consensus reached." Unless someone is practising double standard here. No hudud and qisas for Pakatan but a must for BN (read: UMNO).

Food for thought: Why is Nik Aziz so opposed to the idea of establishing a "Brotherhood in Islam" with another Islam-centred party and yet so warmed to welcoming another opposed to Islamic ideology? I could not think of any better reason other than political. And rightly so!

PITA POLITIK (65): A MATTER OF DEADLINES!

Perak State Opposition leader, Dato' Seri Tajul Rosli Ghazali meeting with some Perak UMNO leaders.


2008/07/29
'PKR reps in Perak getting restless'

PETALING JAYA: Parti Keadilan Rakyat elected representatives in Perak are getting restless.

They are uncomfortable with their leaders who they said had lost their focus in serving the people.

Former PKR Youth head Mohamed Ezam Mohd Nor said the disgruntled members had been discussing with him their frustration.

He said PKR members from other states were also talking to him about the same problems. "I do not deny discussing with some of them as they are my friends. This is happening not only in Perak but also in the other states."

Ezam, who rejoined Umno in June, was asked to comment on talks that he was acting as a mediator in getting the Pakatan Rakyat assemblymen in Perak to cross to Barisan Nasional.

Perak Barisan Nasional chairman Datuk Seri Tajol Rosli Ghazali had earlier this month said that the Pakatan Rakyat state government would fall come Aug 31.

However, Ezam denied he was playing the role of mediator in getting these assemblymen to defect.

On Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim's intention to contest the Kulim-Bandar Baharu parliamentary seat in a by-election, Ezam said he was prepared to stand against him.

"I am ready to contest against Anwar if that is the wish of the party's leaders."

Anwar announced at a rally in Kulim on Sunday night that he would contest if the current MP Zulkifli Noordin loses an election petition. The ruling is expected next month.

PKR spokesman Tian Chua was quoted by Associated Press as saying that Zulkifli would resign as MP to force a by-election.

Ezam also said that he believed Anwar's statement that Pakatan Rakyat would be able to form the Federal Government on Sept 16 was merely a political diversion.

"Anwar is merely making up the story. There are not more than five MPs who would cross from BN to Pakatan. I challenge Anwar to name the states these politicians are from. This would give more credence to his claims." (NST Online)

Comment:

Well, let's wait for the two targeted dates: Before 31 August Perak current state government will fall and before 16 September Pakatan Rakyat will take over the Federal Government.

The political "teka-teki" is getting more exciting!
The strategy to win the heart of the rakyat continues...

PITA POLITIK (64): SPENDING A LITTLE EXTRA OR JUST PLAIN "MISCHIEFS"?

Terengganu's MB, Dato' Ahmad Said.(NST's headline)

Politicians lash out at media

KUALA TERENGGANU: Some politicians here have hit back at the news coverage of the Mercedes Benz E200 Kompressor issue.

They accused reporters of asking "dumb" questions.

"Questions must be of national or international interest. Let there be some class," a state politician said when a reporter asked Menteri Besar Datuk Ahmad Said to comment on a statement by Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak that Terengganu should leave out issues not related to the car purchases.

Ahmad had asked the Anti-Corruption Agency to investigate the maintenance cost of Terengganu's fleet of Perdanas.

He then asked the agency to probe certain projects in the state, although he agreed with Najib's advice.

Terengganu's decision to buy 14 Mercedes Benzes for RM3.43 million to replace its Proton Perdanas became an issue as state governments are only allowed Proton cars for official use.

Another politician joined the fray. "What is the role of the media? Do you think that RM3 million is a big deal in the state? What do you think?"

Reporters later got hold of Information Minister Datuk Ahmad Shabery Cheek who defended the media.

"The reports may have sparked a controversy but it must not be seen in a negative light. Sometimes, a politician wants to do what is best but it ends up as an issue." (NST Online, 28 July 2008)

Comment:
Now, the journalits have been accused of asking dumb questions on the Mercy-Proton issue in Terengganu. But don't the journalists have the right to ask such "dumb" questions especially when such questions are relevant to the interest of the Rakyat. Another "dumb" question, if we can call the question dumb: Is it not proper for any MB or his excos to take any action before looking into the do's and don'ts when they are officially appointed to the posts. Another "dumb" question: Have they received any legal advice with regard to the nation's general order, involving state adminitrators? More dumb question: Have they got permission to act on something beyond their power. Every politician knows that no one must not deviate from their oath to erve the people's interest, and not making political or economic "mischiefs".

The dumb question now is: Is the maintenance excuse merit the purchase of such vehicles, or someone is just doing what we call "act first, ask later."

Anyway, what the hack. After all you won't mind spending a little extra since you are now recognized as a new member of the rich state club of the nation. After all, what is three millions compared to billions you will be receiving.

So, coming back to the dumb question raised by thee politicians to the media, who is dumber: Journalists or politicians when we very well know that the rakyat's interest is at stake here.

PITA POLITIK (63): SIAPA PEDULI ISU BAHASA LA NI!?

Uthaya Sankar SB: Kepetahannya berbahasa Melayu perlu mendapat pujian.

BISIK-BISIK AWANG SELAMAT
AWANG memandang serius percubaan demi percubaan untuk menggugat semangat perlembagaan dan kontrak sosial termasuk dalam isu bahasa.

Baru-baru ini, sekumpulan pemuda Gerakan bertindak memasang enam papan tanda bahasa Mandarin di beberapa jalan di Pulau Pinang.

Selain itu, kerajaan campuran negeri itu berhasrat memasang papan tanda jalan dalam pelbagai bahasa. Malah ada yang mahu bahasa Punjabi turut digunakan.

Semua tindak-tanduk itu jelas mengetepikan Bahasa Malaysia sebagai bahasa kebangsaan sebagaimana terjamin dalam Perlembagaan.

Awang ingin bertanya apa makna menjadi warganegara jika kita tidak menghormati bahasa kebangsaan, yang merupakan ciri-ciri asas kewarganegaraan di mana-mana negara sekalipun?

Lagipun apakah semua hal di Malaysia mesti mempunyai empat atau lima set bahasa? Cukuplah sekadar perbezaan aliran sekolah, siaran televisyen dan radio, itupun boleh dipersoalkan jika mahu.

Maka kedudukan Bahasa Malaysia tidak boleh disamakan dengan bahasa lain. Itulah realiti di negara ini dan janganlah bersikap umpama kaduk naik junjung.

Awang – Di mana bumi dipijak... (Utusan Malaysia Online)

Komen:
Siapa peduli! Tidak ada ketegasan langsung dari pihak pemimpin sampai kepada rakyat akar umbi. Baik Pm, TPM, Menteri Pelajaran, malah semua menteri, terutama Melayunya, tak kisah nak guna bahasa Melayu. Agaknya bahasa Melayu itu terlalu lokal,kolot dan penuturnya udah ketinggalan zaman. Lihat sahajalah dalam sebarang sidang media yang diadakan oleh PM, TPM, menteri, pentadbir dan pemimpin negeri, semacam ada perlumbaan hendak menunjuk-nunjuk siapa yang lebih petah dan hebat berbahaa Melayu. Kadang-kadang naik meluat kita mendengar gaya tutur mereka. Bunyinya hebat yang tak hebat. Biarlah sebutan dan nahunya bertabur, ia tak penting. Bahasa Inggeris mesti digunakan. Kadang-kadang macam orang cakap Melayu tapi bahasanya tidak pula bahasa Melayu.

Jadi orang surrat khabar tak payahlah lagi nak sebut fasal peruntukan dalam Perlembagaan, kontrak osial dan egala macam fasal. Tidak ada gunannya lagi. Orang TV pun begitu. Lihat sahajalah, pagi-pagi lagi jam 6.30 telah ada perlumbaan membaca tajuk dan isi berita dalam bahasa Inggeris. Kalau betul sebutan tak apa, ini entah apa-apa. Kadang-kadang telinga yang mendengar pun malu nak memasukkan bunyi-bunyi sebutan itu ke dalam gegendangnya.

Kini dah ada pula orang pasang pelbagai bahasa kepada papan tanda. Di Pulau Pinang, telah ada papan tanda dalam bahasa yang bukan kebangsaan. Baguslah, tidak lama lagi Pulau Pinang akan pasang papan tanda dalam semua bahasa demi kefahaman semua kaum. Kalau ada yang masih rindukan bahasa kebangsaan, marilah ke Thailand untuk lihat bahasa kebangsaan rakyatnya dimartabatkan sepenuh-penuhnya. Paling-paling di negara itu kerajaannya masih tebal dengan semangat kebangsaannya. Mereka tetap gunakan bahasa Thai di papan tanda dan banyak tempat lain. Tidak pula timbul orang tak faham bahasa. Atau kita ke Indonesia untuk melihat semangat begitu.

telinga pun dah naik "loya" mendengar pemimpin Melayu sendiri bercakap dalam bahasa Inggeris di depan wartawan yang kebanyakannya Melayu. Dalam hal ini kadang-kadang ramai juga terpegun mendengar Harjit Singh, Uthaya Sankar SB, Sharmila Kaur, atau Ivan To di TV 1, atau Karam Singh Warya or Ann Raj di TV3 membaca berita melalui ruangan "akhbar Hari Ini" dengan petah tanpa dipengaruhi pelat Indianya. Berbeza sekali dengan dua pembaca berita dalam ruangan "akhbar hari ini" yang sama di TV3.

PITA POLITIK (62): "THE THORN IN THE FLESH" OF UMNO POLITICS

The Scrap from New Straits Times


The recent UMNO's "Baca Yasin" night in Kuala Lumpur.

Thursday July 24, 2008
State exco members will use newly-purchased Mercedes cars


KUALA TERENGGANU: Terengganu executive councillors will go ahead and use the newly-purchased Mercedes E200 Kompressors although a Treasury condition says members of the administration can only use Proton Perdana executive cars.

Mentri Besar Datuk Ahmad Said said the government would stand by its decision to use the Mercedes as official cars for exco members and other state government officials.

However, Domestic Trade and Consumer Affairs Minister Datuk Shahrir Abdul Samad said Terengganu could have misunderstood the condition imposed by the Treasury regarding the type of cars it could purchase.

“There is a clause by the Treasury that members of the administration can only use the Proton Perdana executive cars,” said Shahrir in Putrajaya yesterday.

“Even Cabinet stated that there were no changes to the conditions imposed by the Treasury that those in the administration, like me, can only have the Proton Perdana,” he said, adding that locally-assembled cars were meant for those who were not in the administration.

Stating that the matter was discussed by the Cabinet yesterday, Shahrir, who had a press conference at his office, said the Prime Minister would announce the Cabinet's decision on the issue later.

Later yesterday, Ahmad said the state government was willing to auction off all the 14 Mercedes E200 Kompressors if the Federal Government scrapped the use of the German-made cars.

“We will do it on condition that the Federal Government bears the maintenance cost of the national car fleet.

“If they (Government) tell us to dispose of the Mercedes cars we will do so, but the state government cannot go on absorbing the high cost of maintaining the Proton Perdana cars,” he said.

Earlier in the day Ahmad had claimed that the decision to use the German-made cars was in accordance with a 2008 Treasury circular on the usage of official cars by state governments.

He said paragraph four of the circular states that exco members, state secretaries, state financial officers, state legal advisers and state Treasury officers were eligible to use Mercedes-Benz cars. (The Star Online)

Comment:
There is a general saying that one action leads to the other. Political analysts aren't so sure if among the UMNO circle there are those who now believe that the Terengganu MB is becoming what the Malay proverb says "a thorn in the flesh" to the Federal Goverment.


UMNO Vice-President Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin, vying for the Deputy.


A newspaper cutting on Tengku Razaleigh Hamzah's nomination for the Gua Musang UMNO Division

Some UMNO leaders will now say the "weak" and undecisive central government leader (s) will embolden individual state governments, especially those controlled by BN, to make state decisions, contrary to collective or cabinet decisions made in Kuala Lumpur. Such ineffective central control will lead to further political chaos. More importantly, the PM succession plan for a 2010 premier hand-over to his deputy would be in jeopardy. At the moment the Rakyat are looking forward to two important deadlines: The 16 September date for the Pakatan Rakyat's move to take over control of the Central Government and the December 2008 outcome of the UMNO Elections.

Meanwhile political leaders to watch for the coming few months: UMNO's Tengku Razaleigh Hamzah, Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin and Dato' Mukhriz Tun Mahathir; PKR de-facto leader Dato' Seri Anwar Ibrahim, and of course the independent Tun Mahathir Mohamad. Toining them, to a lesser extent, wiill be Dato' Ahmad Said of Terengganu and Dato' Seri Yong Teck Lee of SAPP, Sabah.

PITA POLITIK (61): THE PEDRA BRANCA SECOND PHASE

Position of Pedra Branca (New Straits Times)


The verdict of Batu Puteh Case as reported by The Star.
2008/07/23

Singapore claims waters around Pedra Branca
By : From Sajahan Abdul Waheed in Singapore

SINGAPORE wants to claim a territorial sea and an exclusive economic zone (EEZ) around Pedra Branca -- going back on its word to discuss with Malaysia territorial issues and activities around the rocky outcrop.

Foreign Minister Datuk Seri Dr Rais Yatim did not hide his disappointment with the announcement by Singapore's Senior Minister of State Balaji Sadasivan that the republic had a territorial sea limit that extended up to a maximum of 12 nautical miles and an EEZ, claiming that this was consistent with the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea, to which Singapore was a party.

Rais said: "Malaysia will have to study if the matter is intimi-dating.

"This thing is new to us. We have a joint technical committee with Singapore and this matter should have been discussed first.

"It should not be done unilaterally. It should take into account the spirit of Asean solidarity and understanding.

"It is not a simple matter as it involves the Law of the Sea and specific issues and we need expert views on this," Rais, who is attending the 41st Asean Ministerial Meeting here, said in an immediate response to Malaysian media.

Pedra Branca was awarded to the republic by the International Court of Justice in May. However, the court awarded Middle Rocks to Malaysia, with ownership of the third marine feature in the area -- South Ledge -- to be decided based on the territorial waters of which it is located.

Following the court's decision, a joint committee was set up to carry out consultations on activities in the locality of the three marine features. The committee is jointly headed by Malaysia's Foreign Ministry secretary-general Tan Sri Rastam Mohamed Isa and his Singaporean counterpart.

It is believed that the committee will also have to agree on whether the three features are merely rocks or islands. This is because an island, defined as being able to support habitation and sustain economic life, can claim its own territorial seas and EEZ, whereas other marine features can only claim territorial sea.

Sadasivan, when replying to questions in Parliament, said that the precise coordinates of Singapore's territorial sea and EEZ would be announced at an appropriate time.

Sadasivan said should the limit of its territorial sea or EEZ overlap with the claims of neighbouring countries, Singapore would negotiate with those countries with a view to arriving at an agreed delimitation.

Malaysia had asserted that it would continue to look for further evidence on the Pedra Branca case with a view to seeking a revision of the judgment of the ICJ.

In reference to this, Balaji said under ICJ's statute, a party could apply for a review of a judgment if "it is based upon the discovery of some fact of such a nature as to be a decisive factor, which fact was, when the judgment was given, unknown to the court and also to the party claiming revision, always provided that such ignorance was not due to negligence". (NST Online)

Comment:

As expected Singapore has started it again. Imagine the territorial rights of Singapore's Batu Puteh or Pedra Branca extending the 12-mile sea limit and subsequently its right to reclamation. This will also mean that the Singapore border westward would be shifted closer to the Malaysian shore. What would happen then if the reclamation is meant to be none other than a non-civilian presence. When it comes to EEZ, one would wonder when Singapore will start its first offshore oil drilling, and so closed to Pengerang, on the Malaysian side.

Analysts are of the opinion that the second phase of the Batu Puteh conflict has just begun. And yet Malaysia is too preoccupied with maintaining the so-called "spirit of ASEAN solidarity and undertanding." Malaysia must and should understand when it comes to sovereignty and country's individual rights, nothing is more important than a sense of patriotiam and self-preservation. That is just what Singapore is doing.

How about getting somebody with historical background expertise, roaming the world to get the hard evidence in some forms or otherwise to reexamine and reopen the Pedra Branca Case. And give all the necessary resources to do it, no matter what it takes and how much it costs.

PITA POLITIK (60): WHY THE DOUBLE STANDARD, DR. RAIS?

Foreign Minister Dato' Seri Dr. Rais Yatim

Tuesday July 22, 2008
No offence in Hsien Loong’s remark, says Rais

SINGAPORE: Malaysia does not take offence to a comment made by Singapore Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong on the country’s political situation, said Foreign Minister Datuk Seri Dr Rais Yatim.

“I can only say that he is making the statement based on his observation from news items appearing in dailies and television,” said Dr Rais.

He said the statement was not “value judgement” in nature, adding that Lee’s comments and observations were sincere and Malaysians should not take them to heart.

Dr Rais was speaking to the media after attending the 41st Asean Ministerial Meeting (AMM) here yesterday.

Lee, in his speech at the opening of the AMM, said that besides cross-border issues, several countries were also preoccupied with pressing domestic problems.

“Malaysia and Thailand have held elections in the last year, but both are still managing unsettled political situations,” Lee had said.

On another matter, Rais said Malaysia wanted to propagate the inclusion of “Asian values” into the Asean human rights body instead of transporting the Western interpretation as a whole.

“We have values that we can introduce as part of human rights, such as caring and respective for the elders and our way of musyawarah (consultation),” he said.(The Star Online).

Comment:
Why the double standard? We seem to take offence when the US Administration makes remarks on the Anwar's alleged Sodomy Case but not doing so to that made by Singapore PM on Malaysian so-called political instability. Probably our foreign minister sees nothing significant or sinister about the remarks neither it is an act of interference or provocation.

The Rakyat should know better. Remember when Singapore was in the early stage of joining Malaysia in the 1960s. There was this Radio Malaysia Singapore's programme called "Apa Orang Lain Kata (What Other People Say)". People in the senior citizen group , aged late 50s and above would never forget how the news about Malaysia were being slanted in favour of Singaporean leaders. The Johoreans, epecially, undoubtedly will not forget that.

PITA POLITIK (59): OF OBAMA AND MALAYSIAN LINK

USA Presidential hopeful Barack Obama is linked to Malaysian Sabah.

Monday July 21, 2008
Obama has links to Malaysia
By SOO EWE JIN

PETALING JAYA: Dr Konrad Ng is amused that his Malaysian roots got noticed halfway round the world, thanks to his link to Democrat candidate Barack Obama.

An assistant professor at the University of Hawaii in Manoa (UHM), Ng, whose family originally comes from Sabah, is married to Obama’s half-sister Maya Soetoro.
Maya and Obama have the same mother. In an e-mail interview with The Star, Ng, 34, said that his father, Howard, was born in Sandakan and his mother, Joan, in Kudat.

“I have many relatives who live throughout Malaysia, especially in Kuala Lumpur, Kota Kinabalu and the two towns where my parents came from,” he said.

His parents subsequently settled in Canada and Ng was born there.

Maya was born to Lolo Soetoro, an Indonesian businessman, and Ann Dunham, a white American cultural anthropologist, who is also Obama’s mother.


The family tree: Dr Konrad Ng, Maya, Howard and Joan posing for a picture. Maya, who is Obama’s half sister, is married to Ng whose parents originally came from Sabah.

Ng said his parents return to Malaysia once every one to two years.

“It remains an important place of origin to them. In addition to a large, extended family, they have many good friends in Malaysia. I try to visit Malaysia every few years; it is a special country and feels familiar to me,” said Ng.

Maya, who was born in Jakarta, also cherishes her Indonesian roots.

According to Ng, she is active in the local Indonesian community and continues to speak Indonesian when she can. She visits Indonesia every few years.

Ng described Obama as exceptionally brilliant.

“He has a thorough understanding of the challenges we face and sound judgment on how we should address these challenges.

“Barack is a dedicated family man and cares deeply about transforming the world into a better place so that all families will have the same opportunities to do better.

“South-East Asia is a place of connection for him and a region that he understands well. It gave him numerous examples of alternative modes of communication and perspective.

“Maya, Barack and I have talked about the beauty of South-East Asia and our mutual desire to visit again,” he said. (The Star Online)

Comment:
Surprise, surprise!! After Indonesia, Malaysia is now linked to USA presidential candidate from Democratic presumptive nominee Barack Obama. If ever Obama wins this November USA Election, Malaysia should hope that the first Black American President would consider visiting Malaysia (especially Sabah) officially or privately.

Let's also hope there will not be another "dinner blunder" when Al Gore visited Malaysia when he represented President Bill Clinton in the APEC Summit in Kuala Lumpur some time back. Anyway Obama is no Hispanic.Remember the "infamous" dinner at the hotel in Sri Kembangan near The Mines.

PITA POLITIK (58): OF GLITTERS AND DEAFENING SILENCE

Friday July 18, 2008
Anwar ‘no’ to foreign forensic expert



Anwar wants transparency and professionalism

KUALA LUMPUR: Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim will not agree to the idea of a foreign forensic expert of his choice to draw a DNA sample from him, said lawyer R. Sivarasa.

“They (the police) fail to understand Anwar’s concern as explained this afternoon. It does not address the possible fabrication of DNA (test results) starting with Saiful (Bukhari Azlan) himself,” he said yesterday.


Stating his case: Anwar during the press conference at his home in Bukit Segambut. With him are his wife Datuk Seri Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail (right), his daughter Nurul Izzah (standing, left) and one of his lawyers R. Sivarasa (seated on his right). - CHUA KOK HWA / The Star

To a question whether Anwar and his lawyers would consider allowing the international expert to carry out the DNA test, he said they could “start to look at that” as the expert might be able to advise them.

However, he said this would not make a difference if there was a possibility that the samples would be tampered with.

He said they would resist any legal action for Anwar to provide a DNA sample because the law does not provide for it.

At his press conference earlier, Anwar had said that if there was “compelling evidence one, two, three and four which needs an international expert,” then he would be willing to submit to DNA testing.(The Star Online)

Comment:

Now, who dictates whom? Funny, is'nt it?

Hey! I mean it's just like watching a heavyweight being pitted against a lightweight in a boxing arena in town. Anyone betting? Irrespective of whether one is from the high profile than the other. everyone should be given equal rights. As of late some say someone is getting all the spotlight glitters, while on the other side some say they still hear a deafening silence. The people are getting more tired and confused as the days go by. A common middle-aged housewife, waiting for the train commuter at the Kepong Central Railway Station asked,"Who started all these ah..?

PITA POLITIK (57): "CAT-AND-MOUSE GAME?!!

Thursday July 17, 2008
CID chief explains why Anwar was arrested earlier



Anwar arrested

KUALA LUMPUR: Police arrested Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim an hour before the 2pm deadline as they feared that he would not show up.

Federal CID director Commissioner Datuk Mohd Bakri Zinin said Anwar was supposed to go directly to the Kuala Lumpur headquarters immediately after giving his statement to the ACA in Putrajaya.

“However, we were informed that after he left the ACA headquarters in Putrajaya he re-routed and headed back to his house in Segambut,” he said.

“He was arrested as we had reason to believe that he was not going to show up at the KL police headquarters,” he said.

Anwar, who had left the ACA headquarters at 12.20pm, was arrested for investigation under Section 377C of the Penal Code for carnal intercourse against the order of nature.

He was there from 10am yesterday in connection with reports he had lodged against the Inspector-General of Police and the Attorney-General.

Comm Bakri said police arrested him near his house as they wanted to avoid any untoward incident or commotion had they arrested him at his house.

“We wish to point out that Anwar had initially agreed to meet us on Monday but he failed to keep his appointment,” he said.

Anwar will be taken to the hospital here for a routine check-up which was a required procedure, Comm Bakri added.

He said that besides the check-up for record purposes, the police had also extended other facilities including allowing his family members and lawyers to visit him.

“He is also allowed to go for his prayers. We will accord whatever facility the law allows ... that we can assure.(The Star Online)

Comment:
Regular commuters from Putrajaya to KL City Centre will not argue that it may take about two hours to reach KL City Centre, taking into account the current and unpredictable traffic situation.
So. is there any other reason, other than this mind game of "cat-and-mouse scenario" between the police and the suspect, or expecting another international headline?

PITA POLITIK (56): MENCARI KEBENARAN ATAU MENCIPTA PERSEPSI?

Jangan letak syarat jika ikhlas

Oleh ZAINU'L AZHAR ASH'ARI

ALOR STAR 16 Julai - Pas tidak harus meletakkan sebarang syarat bagi bermuzakarah jika parti itu benar-benar berminat untuk mengutamakan perpaduan umat Islam di negara ini, kata Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak.

Timbalan Perdana Menteri menegaskan, Pas juga tidak harus mengaitkan muzakarah dengan pelbagai perkara lain termasuk kononnya permintaan untuk bermuzakarah harus datang daripada akar umbi parti.

"Kalau hendak bincang, tak semestinya kita tetapkan syarat, yang penting sama ada kita ada keinginan atau fikirkan sesuatu langkah yang baik untuk kepentingan negara, maka kita boleh adakan perbincangan.

"Sebenarnya apa sahaja yang datang daripada akar umbi, tidak kira di mana sahaja, akhirnya akan diterima oleh pemimpin di peringkat berkenaan dan kita tidak boleh membelakangkan suara ahli," katanya.

Beliau menyatakan demikian kepada pemberita selepas majlis Perjumpaan Badan Perhubungan UMNO Negeri Kedah dan Kepimpinan UMNO Bahagian bersama Timbalan Presiden UMNO di sini hari ini.

Najib diminta mengulas kenyataan Mursyidul Am Pas, Datuk Nik Abdul Aziz Nik Mat bahawa sekarang bukan masa sesuai untuk parti itu bermuzakarah dengan UMNO yang sedang berhadapan kemelut kepimpinan.

Menurut Menteri Besar Kelantan itu, kesediaan bermuzakarah oleh Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi adalah pendirian peribadi Perdana Menteri itu semata-mata dan bukannya kehendak akar umbi UMNO.

Mengenai pertemuan dengan UMNO bahagian berkenaan, Najib berkata, ia memberi peluang kepadanya untuk menerangkan perkembangan mutakhir dalam parti dan kerajaan.

Beliau berkata, perkembangan mutakhir itu khusus melibatkan pelan peralihan kuasa, kenaikan harga minyak dan kesannya serta soal struktur parti.

"Saya juga berpeluang menerangkan bagaimana harus UMNO menghadapi cabaran yang akan datang terutama di negeri-negeri yang dikuasai pembangkang," katanya.(Utusan Malaysia Online, 17 Julai 08)

Komen:
Kelihatannya rakyat (baca: yang mewakili kerajaan dan pembangkang) betul-betul dipaksa bermain politik oleh pemimpin-pemimpin masing-masing. Jika benarlah seperti yang dilaporkan media, mungkin ramai yang tertanya=tanya, mengapa perlu ada syarat untuk bermuzakharah? PAS diberitakan mahu pertemuan hendaklah mendapat isyarat daripada akar umbi. Sedangkan UMNO kata tak perlu.

Rakyat menjadi bingung. Bertemu sahajalah,dan mereka tentu kata "Seiapa sahaja boleh bertemu. Nak buat macam debat Anwar-Shabery boleh. Nak buat antara dua pemimpin yang sama setara pun boleh.

Kata seorang penganalisis yang kebetulan wartawan Melayu di KL,"Kalau nak orang Melayu bersatu semula janganlah kira sangat fasal ideologi atau fahaman politik. Betulkanlah cara berfikir orang Melayu. Ketepikanlah segala macam kecenderungan yang banyak dipengaruhi oleh fahaman. Melayu itu kan Melayu. Tak ada Melayu UMNO, Melayu PAS atau Melayu PKR. Buanglah titik-titik hitam dalam Qalbu dan putihkanlah yang hitam-hitam itu."

Bersemangat benar wartawan yang seorang ini, yang menurutnya telah berkecimpung dalam bidang ini sejak tahun 50an lagi. Katanya lagi, "Bosan benar saya dengan sikap kebudak-budakan pemimpin politik ini. Nak satukan orang Melayu pun kena paka pakai syarat. Mana pergi semangat Melayu yang menentang Malayn Union dulu? Mana pergi perjuangan kemerdekaan dulu? Aku memang tak faham dan mungkin tak akan faham jika pemimpin masih bercakaran dan pengikut pula menggalakkannya. Dah naik muntah dengan karenah dia orang ini. Titik."

Dalam politik semua serba mungkin. "Dah nak muntah" pun alah satu yang serba mungkin itu. Tujuan utama sekarang ini ialah perang atau kempen mengubah persepsi rakyat. Melalui kempen ini maka tak hairanlah timbul pelbagai kegiatan seperti "main hulur tali" atau "main hulur masa". Ada pula kegiatan "cat-and-mouse game."
Yang "mudah dipersukar-sukar." Orang komunikasi kata ini kempen "mencipta pandangan umum (creating public opinion)." Mungkin lebih tepat "mencipta persepsi rakyat". Tetapi ada pula pendapat yang mengatakan bahawa ada keinginan untuk menjadikan isu nak menyatukan orang Melay ini digunakan untuk nak tunjuk "Kalau kamu hendak kamu ikut cara aku."

PITA POLITIK (55): LIVE DISCUSSION OR DEBATE?

Dsto' Seri Anwar Ibrahim, the de-facto-leader of PKR

Tuesday July 15, 2008
Anwar-Shabery discussion live on three stations at 9pm
By NIK NAIZI HUSIN


KUANTAN: The fuel price debate between Information Minister Datuk Ahmad Shabery Cheek and Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR) de facto leader Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim will be aired live on TV9, Astro Awani and Bernama TV.

Ahmad Shabery said he preferred it not to be aired by RTM as this could be seen as him trying to seek popularity.

However, RTM could air the debate live if its director-general wished to, especially because RTM is available throughout the country, he told reporters after the official opening of the new state broadcasting complex here yesterday.

The debate is organised by news portal Agenda Daily and will take place at Dewan Bahasa dan Pustaka in Kuala Lumpur at 8.30pm today.

Ahmad Shabery said the debate had to be aired live so that the public would not have the perception that it was being doctored before going on air.

“The debate is to have a clear picture of the government's decisions and policies as well as to correct public perception on the matter,” he said.

He said all this while, the Opposition, and particularly Anwar, had been giving misleading information.

“As Information Minister, it is my responsibility to inform them on what is right,” he added.

Meanwhile, PKR vice-president Azmin Ali said the party was ready for the debate but was not sure if Barisan Nasional was ready.


DS Anwar Ibrahim wants the Prime Minister or DS Najib Tun Razak (above left). How about DS Hishamuddin Tun Hussein, The BN Ketua Pemuda? Aren't they good enough?“

In fact, Anwar wants to debate with Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi or Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak or both of them, and not the Information Minister.

“We are prepared to go on,” he said at the Parliament lobby yesterday.

Anwar has reportedly promised to reduce fuel prices if the Opposition formed the government. (The Star Online)

Comment:
IT'S ON!
There will be some excitement, especially among the media community. Some say that the country is going into a new era of "open-ness" which it has never been before: A government minister versus a de-facto-leader of an opposition party.

A media analyst wished that "this debate" would set a precedent of more things to come in the near future which will lead to a two-party system of partisanship. He said, "In USA the people have enjoyed lively debates between Democrats and Republicans, Great Britain between Conservative and Labour, I see no reason why we cannot enjoy the same debate here in our country, especially during the Election season or during the time of crisis like today. I think we, the Malaysian people are matured enough to have this live debate. Let's hope one day we will have this kind of debate will culminate into a political culture, especially beween Barisan Nasional (BN) and Pakatan Rakyat (PR), and which will fuether enhanced our political maturity at large."

If the USA took 200 years to build up its political maturity, here in Malaysia we are only taking it in 50 years. Isn't it spectacular and something to brag about?

Tonight's moderator, Dato' Johan Jaaffar of DBP.

Tonight's moderator is a columnist and Chairman to the Dewan Bahasa dan Pustaka Board of Directors. He might be a neutral person and the live event will take place in Dewan Bahasa dan Pustaka. However, the analyst said knowing the moderator's background, he would prefer rather a moderator chosen from the list of veteran and experienced journalists, who would be well-known for his or her "without fear or favour" stuff. When asked who that person would be, he just winked and smiled.

PITA POLITIK (54): THE ISSUES OF MALAYS AND RAKYAT

The Malayan Union struggle in the early fifties saw solid Malay support against the then British colonial power

Monday July 14, 2008 MYT 5:29:54 PM
PM welcomes PAS' willingness to discuss Malay issues
By JANE RITIKOS


PETALING JAYA: Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi has welcomed PAS' statement that it is willing to hold discussions with Umno on Malay issues and Islam, describing it is "a good and important move".

Abdullah, who is Umno president, said that there were issues that the two parties which represent the Malays need not bicker about, especially those relating to the race and Islam.

"If we have more understanding on these issue than the Malays will also have less problems," he said in response to PAS president Datuk Seri Abdul Hadi Awang interview with Harakahdaily in which the latter said PAS was willing to sit down with Umno to discuss issues of mutual interests.

Abdullah, who was speaking to reporters after opening the National Summit on Urban Poor and Low Income groups Monday, said everyone would agree that more should be done for the good of the Malays by addressing issues affecting them.

However, he said the Malays too, had to take into consideration the interests of non-Malays.

He acknowledge that there was previous talk of a similar discussions between the two parties and hoped that it would come true this time. (The Star Online, 14 July 2008)

Comment:
An encouraging start for the willingness of two main political parties, being at loggerheads since Dato' Asri's leaderhip some decades ago. The two parties were once in coalition before and who knows, time will be on their sides whether their leaders would come out of their senses and will say "enough is enough. Let's return to the fold and give the rakyat what they deserve."

After all aren't these leaders' objective is to serve the people, irrespective of their ideologies or whatever. Unless, of course, if they have some other objectives in mind. How encouraging would it be when the leaders of two political parties shaking and holding hands, forgeting the past and looking forward to the future. The Rakyat should be seeing leaders like Hishamuddin Tun Hussrin and Sallahuddin Ayob, or Hadi Awang and Abdullah Ahmad Badawi, or Najib and Nik Aziz sitting together, discussing the Rakyat's issues. Let's earnestly hope so! And as a starter the Malay unity is to be their common issue to work on.

PITA POLITIK (53): WILL THEY EVER LISTEN?

The current sixth UMNO Preident is Dato' Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi. Will Dato' Seri Najib Tun Razak become the seventh President? Tun Mahathir seems to predict otherwise.


In the recent news on what Tun says of Najib (The Star Online)

Friday July 11, 2008
Dr M: Najib will never become PM

KUALA LUMPUR: Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak will never become Prime Minister, former Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad said.

Writing in his blog chedet.com, Dr Mahathir predicted that more accusations would be thrown at Najib to put him down until he would be deemed unfit to serve as Deputy Prime Minister.

“Someone who is considered more loyal to Datuk Seri Abdullah Badawi will be replacing him (Najib). However, the replacement candidate will not take over the top post in 2010 as he is inexperienced.

“Abdullah will be more than willing to remain in the post until the 13th general election,” wrote Dr Mahathir.

He also wrote that Abdullah did not practise what he preached when he gathered Umno division leaders and told them not to challenge him for the presidency.

“As usual, as in Umno administration under Abdullah, when a directive is given to obstruct an action, the president does not see himself subjected to it,” he said, adding that Najib would be assured that there would be no challengers for his job.(The Star Online)

Comment:
I just wrote an e-mail to a friend journalist a few minutes ago saying: "Pasal Pak Lah, Pakcik tak pasti ia akan ikut rancangan. Dengan Pak Najib, dengan macam masalah sekarang. Masalah Altantunyanya, Anwar Ibrahimnya, Balanya. Apa saja boleh berlaku. Itu sebabnya Mahyuddin kata (perubahan) lambat sangat. Dia pun nak jadi Timbalan juga.

Inilah penyakit UMNO. Dahlah teruk kena belasah masih juga (pemimpinnya)nak rebut jawatan. Mahathir satu hal lagi. Dah keluar UMNO janganlah UMNO dikacau lagi. Belum lagi cerita Anwar nak jadi PM 16 September (depan). Maka tak hairanlah sdr. pening kepala, bukan kelapa ya!
salam

I'm sure majority of the people will scream: ENOUGH IS ENOUGH.The government (federal and state levels) have passed the 100 days ruling the nation. What have they achieved? Bickering and more bickerings. Will they (the current and ex-government and party leaders) ever listen to the will of the rakyat?

PITA POLITIK (52): PERSONALITY CLASH - POLITICAL OR PERONAL?

(A scrap from the weekly tablod, Wasilah, on the latest of what is going on in Dewan Bahasa dan Pustaka (DBP).)
Comment:

According to someone in DBP he heard a TV newscaster mentioning Dato' Dr. Firdaus Abdullah's name as Prof. Dato' Firdaus Abdullah. He said, "Don't tell me our Ketua Pengarah has returned to lecturing. Is he no more with DBP?"

I'm sure there is an explanation to this. He said, "Our Chairman, Dato' Johan Jaafar will be looking into it. After all some say Dato' Johan's position as chairman has been extended for another two years."

So, What say GAPENA and the whole bunch of Malaysian writers who rely heavily on DBP for their books and royalties. Or even more, what say the ministry in-charge of DBP? Pretty certain, there are lots of important executive decisions to be done which are still unattended due to the absence of the Director General.

PITA POLITIK (51): OF HEARSAY AND POLITICAL MOTIVE. SO SAYS DR,M.

Tun Mahathir (left) and Dato' Seri Anwar: Once considered to be an inseparable duo in UMNO politics.

2008/07/08

Attacks against Najib hearsay, says Dr Mahathir


KUALA LUMPUR: Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad yesterday claimed that allegations against the deputy prime minister are hearsay and were done with a political motive.

"I don't know why he (Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim) should go after Datuk Seri Najib Ra-zak.

"It wasn't Najib who reported his (alleged) behaviour. I think he has always been attacking Najib. Maybe he thinks that Najib is standing in his way of becoming deputy prime minister (or) prime minister.

"Anwar cannot join Umno. I don't think Umno will accept him. The allegations against him (Najib) are hearsay. There is no proof," said the former prime minister after he paid a courtesy call on Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, who is here for the sixth Group of Eight Islamic Developing Countries Summit.


Tun Mahathir urges Najib to go for the top UMNO post, even though the former is no more an UMNO member.

Dr Mahathir was commenting on various allegations made by Anwar, the Parti Keadilan Rakyat de facto leader, who linked Najib to the murder of Mongolian Altantunya Shaaribu.

Three people, including political analyst Abdul Razak Abdullah Baginda, are facing charges for the offence.

Last week, Mohd Saiful Bukhari Azlan, 23, who was employed as one of Anwar's aides, lodged a police report stating that he was sodomised by Anwar.

Dr Mahathir said: "There is a concerted campaign against Najib. I don't know why. Not just by Anwar, but (blogger) Raja Petra also, and others.

"Somebody is working behind this, maybe to undermine Najib's possibility of challenging the prime minister."

Asked what he thought of the political situation, he said: "I think they (the present administration) don't want to talk about politics. They want to work so I'm going to look at them working." -- Bernama as quoted by NST Online.

Comment:
One political analyst in Kuala Lumpur urges people to read Mahathir's lips, when he says, "Somebody is working behind this, may be to undermine Najib's possibility of challenging the prime minister." Currently the prime miniter is Dato' Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi. The recent Penang and Perlis UMNO meeting endorsed Abdullah and Dato' Seri Najib Tun Razak for the top two posts of UMNO President and Deputy President respectively. Presumably more endorsements will come from other states in the coming weeks. If the endorsement trend gets its way Mahathir's effort to push aside Abdullah in favour of Najib will prove futile. So, the analyst says Mahathir might be hinting that there is another "hidden hand" at work in this Najib Episode. and that is the reason why this analyst wants us to read Mahathir's lips.

Now, the quetion is "whose hand is this?" The anwer: Your guess is good as mine. Read my lips!

PITA POLITIK (50): WAR OF WORDS IN THE KINTA VALLEY

Former Perak MB, Dato' Seri Tajol Rosli Ghazali addressing his supporters in Perak.

2008/07/06

Perak PR govt will 'fall by Aug 31'
By : Brenda Lim

IPOH: Come National Day on Aug 31, the Pakatan Rakyat (PR) government in Perak will fall, claimed Perak Barisan Nasional chief and former menteri besar Datuk Seri Tajol Rosli Ghazali.

"It's not easy, (but) I'm very confident," he said, predicting that BN would resume its rule over the state, but declined to reveal details.

He said several PR assemblymen were approached and given the chance to join BN, adding that they should be crossing over.

When asked about his confidence, he said: "Have I ever spoken (of this) before?"

PR has 31 assemblymen to BN's 28, with 18 from DAP, seven from PKR and six from Pas.

It was only a matter of waiting for the first state representative to join BN, he said after a closed-door meeting dubbed "An Evening with Ezam Mohd Noor" here yesterday.

Ezam, the former PKR youth chief who rejoined Umno, would give courage to other PKR members to do the same, he added.

Meanwhile, Ezam said he was informed by sources in PKR that the PR alliance would fall apart earlier than expected.

"I have many friends in PR and they have voiced discomfort and suspicion concerning the state government."

He said he placed more confidence in Tajol Rosli's prediction rather than PKR adviser Anwar Ibrahim's claim that PR would form the federal government by Sept 16.

He said Anwar was not fit to lead the country as he no longer had the spirit of a statesman, where one would put the nation's interest ahead of his own.

PKR's efforts to hold a gathering of one million people to protest the hike in fuel prices today was only a cover for the party's weakness.

"Everyone knows PKR has a weak structure and many problems at branch and division level.

"To cover it up, they are organising demonstrations because demonstrations are easy to do." (NST Online, 7 July 2008)

Comment:
Now, it's between the current MB's words and the former's. Whose words will prevail come Independence Day. With Ezam Mohd Noor behind the former Perak MB, one would understandably anticipate the precarious position the Perak State Government is in. And, the war of attrition continues.

PITA POLITIK (49): MALAYSIA THE LAND OF COMMISSIONS AND INQUIRIES!!

Tan Sri Isa suggests an independent commission to investigate allegation.

2008/07/06

Set up commission for sodomy case, says Isa

SEREMBAN: The only way to bring a conclusive end to the latest allegation against former deputy prime minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim is to form an independent commission to investigate charges he had sodomised his aide, said a former Umno vice-president.

Tan Sri Mohamed Isa Abdul Samad believes that only a commission would be able to convince critics and the public that any outcome from investigations on the allegations was arrived at without interference from the Barisan Nasional government.

Mohamed Isa said this was because Anwar had confused the public by accusing the authorities and BN leaders of being biased against him.

"Therefore, I urge the government to set up a commission with members comprising lawmakers, academicians, religious leaders, professionals as well as civil society leaders to investigate the allegations in a transparent and fair manner," Mohamed Isa, a former Negri Sembilan menteri besar, said in Sena-wang.

He said Anwar, the de facto leader of Parti Keadilan Rakyat had done three things which had skewed public perception of the police probe into the allegations.

"First, he claimed the allegations themselves are part of a conspiracy to halt his rising political career.

"Then, as soon as the police report was lodged, Anwar immediately claimed that the inspector-general of police and attorney-general had tampered with an investigation into his assault by former inspector-general of police Tan Sri Abdul Rahim Noor 10 years ago.

"Thirdly, when there is a sworn statement that favours Anwar, it is used to show that there is a conspiracy against him. But when the person who made the statement explains that he did it under duress and retracts his earlier statement, government leaders are said to be behind this."

In the event that the justice system does not side with Anwar, it will be said there was a conspiracy, said Mohamed Isa.

"Anwar and his party members have created the belief that the judiciary system in the country can be manipulated by the government and he can gain sympathy from his favourite nation, the United States. (NST online, 6 July 2008)

Comment:

In no time Malaysia will be transformed into a country full of independent and royal commissions. Presumably, to most the set-up of these comissions would be considered the best option possible to solve problems. Don't be surprise when people will be asking to set independent inquiries to probe teething problems like the best possible way to for a cleaner public toilets and so forth. And who knows there will be suggestion for an etablihment of an independent commission to look into problems of selecting good restaurants along the North-South Expressway.

What a joke!!

PITA POLITIK (48): WHERE'S PI BALA?

Saturday July 5, 2008 MYT 10:17:56 PM
Police looking for Balasubramaniam
By LOURDES CHARLES


KUALA LUMPUR: Police are searching for private investigator P. Balasubramaniam who has been missing since Friday.

Deputy Inspector-General of Police Tan Sri Ismail Omar said the search is on for Subramaniam after his nephew R. Kumaresan lodged a missing person's report on Saturday.

Ismail said the police are eager to contact Balasubramaniam to assist in investigations into the two statutory declarations he made.

"We have no idea where he is and we appeal to anyone who knows of his whereabouts to contact us and this includes his lawyer who was last seen with him.

"We will be calling up several people to assist us to locate the private investigator," he said, quelling rumours that police had something to do with his sudden disappearance.

Ismail said Balasubramaniam's statement was vital if police wanted to get to the bottom of the allegations in his statutory declarations.(The Star Online 5 July 2008)

Comment:
This really is a high-powered drama unfolding. And more conspiracy and counter-conspiracy theories emerge. The end game? "Cotto mate kudasai" and everyone will want to see how the drama ends.

PITA POLITIK (47): MENGAPA ANWAR TIDAK PAK LAH?

pak Lah (kiri) Tun Mahathir dan Dato' Seri Anwar: Siapakah yang diusukai Pentadbiran Amerika Syarikat!

Hisham pelik AS hanya minat pasal Anwar

Oleh AMRAN MULUP

KUALA LUMPUR 1 Julai – Ketua Pergerakan Pemuda UMNO, Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Tun Hussein melahirkan rasa pelik dengan sikap Amerika Syarikat (AS) yang hanya campur tangan dalam kes-kes mahkamah di Malaysia apabila ia melibatkan Penasihat Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR), Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim.

Menurut beliau, sikap AS yang hanya menjurus kepada pihak tertentu jelas mempunyai tujuan tersembunyi.

“Kenapa AS hanya bersikap campur tangan dalam kes-kes yang melibatkan Anwar? Kenapa mereka tidak cuba campur tangan dalam hal-hal lain dan kes orang lain?

“Bagi saya, sikap AS ini memang agak pelik dan menjadi tanda tanya... nampaknya mereka memilih kes dan isu tertentu,’’ katanya di sini hari ini.

Hishammuddin mengulas kenyataan pentadbiran AS semalam yang menyatakan ia menentang siasatan atau pendakwaan ke atas Anwar yang bermotifkan politik.

“Sudah pasti (kita) akan menentang sebarang penguatkuasaan undang-undang atau prosedur kehakiman atau apa juga yang tidak mengikut undang-undang.

“Perkara utama bagi kami adalah kedaulatan undang-undang mengatasi politik,’’ kata jurucakap Jabatan Negara AS, Tom Casey.

Pentadbiran AS memberikan reaksi itu selepas seorang pembantu Anwar, Mohd. Saiful Bukhari Azlan, 23, menuduh Anwar, 60, meliwatnya beberapa kali, satu tuduhan yang dinafikan oleh Anwar.

Ini merupakan kali kedua bekas Timbalan Perdana Menteri itu didakwa terlibat dalam jenayah seks luar tabii selepas tuduhan sama 10 tahun lalu yang turut mendapat simpati AS.

Menurut Hishammuddin, Washington tidak mempunyai hak untuk campur tangan dalam urusan perundangan negara lain termasuk dalam kes dakwaan liwat melibatkan Anwar.

AS, katanya, tidak boleh mempertikaikan kewibawaan perundangan Malaysia serta siasatan yang dijalankan oleh pihak berkuasa negara ini dalam kes tersebut.

“Pemuda UMNO menentang sekeras-kerasnya campur tangan AS ini,’’ tegas Menteri Pelajaran itu.

Beliau memberitahu, Pemuda UMNO mahu siasatan dakwaan liwat melibatkan Anwar dijalankan dengan ketelusan dan keterbukaan tanpa pembabitan pihak lain.

“Pemuda juga mahu pemeriksaan kesihatan ke atas Mohd. Saiful Bukhari Azlan yang mendakwa dirinya diliwat oleh Anwar dijalankan dengan telus dan terbuka.

“Kalau boleh hasil laporan penuh pemeriksaan tersebut perlu didedahkan kepada umum,’’ katanya. (Petikan Utusan Malaysia, 3 Julai 2008)

Komen:
Apa yang hendak dipelikkan Dato' Sri, dasar Amerika Syarikat kan begitu. Amerika bergantung kepada kelompok pelobi untuk menentukan dasarnya terhadap sesuatu negara dan membuat keputusan. Yang kita pelik sepatutnya ialah kenapa kerajaan tak anggup mewujudkan kelompok pelobi atau kelompok pencipta pendapat umum yang boleh mempengaruhi atau membentuk/mencipta pendapat umum rakyat dan pentadbiran Amerika Syarikat sehingga boleh menyebelahi kerajaan dan akhirnya "favourable" terhadap negara. Mialnya, bagaimana pandangan kerajaan boleh mempengaruhi dasar luar Amerika Syarikar terhadap kerajaan. Bagaimana Petadbiran Amerika boleh diyakini untuk menerima pandangan kerajaan.

Untuk mencipta pandangan umum memanglah memerlukan kos. Tetapi sudah tentu kos itu berbaloi daari segi jangka panjang dasar luar negara. Inilah yang kurang, terlalu amat kurang. Pernahkah pemimpin kerajaan terfikir bahawa pemimpin tertinggi kita diberi layanan yang super baik oleh Pentadbiran Amerika Syarikat? Masalah kelompok pelobi atau dengan perkataan mudahnya "kerja-kerja perhubungan awam (PR)" untuk mencipta pendapat umum di negara "Pakcik Sam" itu berada di paras sifar. Hanya mengharapkan kedutaan Malaysia di Amerika Syarikat boleh berbuat demikian? Mereka diplomat bukan pelobi atau pekerja PR.

Takkanlah Hishamuddin tak terfikir siapa Pak Sheik (Anwar) dalam kalangan rakyat Amerika, terutama dalam kalangan Pentadbiran Bush. Tidak kiralah sama ada Pentadbiran itu daripada kalangan Parti Republikan atau Demokrat. Barangkali Malaysia boleh belajar banyak daripada Israel atau Mesir! Atau dari Lubnan atau Iraq sajalah!