Malaysian top news headlines

A compilation of the Bersih 2.0 rally’s eyewitness accounts was launched today, in commemoration of the rally that took place on July 9, and to counter the negative news about the event played up by the BN controlled mainstream media at the time.What people says?

David Dass It is sadly ironic to listen to people speak of their joy at discovering the spirit of being Malaysians and of being free when confronting the police with their tear gas and water cannons. There is something wrong with the image. Let there be no doubt in the minds of our leaders. The majority of Malaysians support Berseh and their demands for fair and free elections. The fact that people took to the streets speaks volumes for the importance and urgency of the demands of Berseh. The Government has been caught on the wrong foot. It does not want to be seen to be responding to pressure. especially when that pressure also comes from opposition political parties. But the Government should not refrain from doing the right thing because opposition parties will take credit for such ‘victory’. The victory will be that of ‘right’ over ‘wrong’ and not of one party over another.The decision to repeal the ISA is a right move. The removal of the need to renew a newspaper licence annually is another.

Senior Hindraf activist, K Balakrishnan, 53, was detained at 11am when the police attempted to block a delegation marching to the Kinta Palace to hand over a petition on the freedom of religion to the Sultan Azlan of Perak.

It’s learnt that an argument occurred between the police and activists when almost 300 Hindraf activisits, who have gathered at the Royal Casuarina Hotel, some 150m from Kinta Palace, were told to disperse.

The activists, including Hindraf legal advisor Uthayakumar and involuntary conversion ‘victims’ S Banggarma, Rani and Regina, started to gather at the vicinity since 10am.

In the midst of the fierce argument, Balakrishnan, who is popularly known as Capt Bala, was handcuffed and whisked away by the police to the Ipoh city police headquarters.

Hindraf activists also accused the police of assaulting Balakrishnan wife, Shanti, during the commotion.

Earlier police blocked all access roads leading to Kinta Palace to prevent Hindraf activists from handing over the petition to Sultan Azlan.

Following a lengthy heated discussion, the police told Hindraf local leaders that only four activists would be allowed to handover the petition to the palace.

This offer was declined by the Hindraf leaders who wanted the whole delegation to be allowed access to the palace, failing which, for a palace official to be asked to come to meet the delegation.

Police reports against cop

When the police turned down this request, the activists then placed the petition on top of a police patrol car, seemingly requesting the police to submit the petition to the Perak ruler on their behalf.

However, a police officer, only known as Sergeant Major Jamal, took the petition and threw it to the ground.

In the ensuing argument between Jamal and Uthayakumar, the activists saw Jamal threatening the Hindraf leader.

“This is an out-leashing of police terror on a vulnerable rakyat. This is the bloody impunity of the police in Malaysia.

“They can do whatever they please because there has been no accountability for them,” said Perak Hindraf coordinator P Ramesh.

The situation was brought under control after police whisked away Jamal and took away the copy of the petition.

The activists then dispersed from the area and several of them lodged police reports against Jamal at the city police headquarters.

Bernama meanwhile reported that a man was detained for hurling abusive words at a senior policeman during the gathering.

Ipoh deputy police chief Supt Ibrahim Abu Bakar said in the 11.40am incident, the man had used abusive language against Ipoh Tarffic and Public Order chief DSP Rodzi Rejab.

Forum disrupted

Last night some 70 police personnel stopped Hindraf from holding a public forum following the opening of the organisation’s Ipoh service centre in Buntong by Uthayakumar.

Some 300 Hindraf activists attended the function.

Seeing the police harassment, Ramesh said the organisers decided to end the function fearing a possible police barge into the gathering, which included elderly people, women and children.

On positive note, Uthayakumar was impressed with the crowd’s defiance against police presence.

“There were times Indians would just disperse instantly upon seeing the police. But today (yesterday), they were defiant and ready to stand up for their rights,” said Uthayakumar, also the pro tem secretary-general of Human Rights Party.

It is indeed sad that our leaders, instead of trying to win the minds and hearts of the people, have resorted to such a destructive move.

Ichigo: The greatest crime a democratic country can commit is to create chaos and unrest against its own citizens. The rally is just a cover or excuse to incite hatred among the Malay community while cowing the other communities into toeing the line.

It is indeed sad that our leaders, instead of trying to win the minds and hearts of the people, have resorted to such a destructive move. The fact that Dr Mahathir Mohamad – who was once my favourite leader – is involved, further saddens me.

How I wish Dr M acts as a father figure to all Malaysians, regardless of races.

Baiyuensheng: I am beginning to feel sorry for these people. The ghosts of May 13 will never get to rest unless the government acknowledges the crime committed.

Dood: Naturally, such a rally will be approved, and even sanctioned, by Umno/BN/Perkasa and, of course, the police. The usual excuses (which only seem to work when used by their pals) are that the people need to speak and show their support or have some avenue of expressing their concern over the opposition’s lies/manipulation/disrespect/insult to race/insult to religion/insult to the royal institution or what have you.

Never mind that the date is chosen deliberately to be provocative or that the events that will surely go on that night will be highly incendiary, racist and bigoted in nature.

If any non-Umno/BN/Perkasa group were to hold something similar or on that date, you can bet that threats of ISA will be invoked and the cops will all be on standby with their roadblocks and water cannons.

And this Mahathir – even in his retirement years, he is not contented with all the foundations he has set up to create the racist society that is Malaysia today. He still wants to meddle and whip up racist sentiments. He, along with all the other Umno/BN/Perkasa folk, will certainly be reviled by future, enlightened generations of Malaysians.

Mikey: Bring it on, Dr Mahathir. Your slide from ex-premier and statesman to gangster head is complete. We have all learned and move on from May 13. Unfortunately, you and your goons still wallow in it.

Hundreds of people held protests against the Kelantan Menteri Besar Datuk Nik Abdul Aziz Nik Mat regarding its intention to call the prime minister and Umno worsen.

They gathered about half an hour starting 10 this morning in front of the complex state administrative Kota Darul Naim, which houses a large office minister, to submit a memorandum to the secretary that PAS leaders Annual Bakhri Haron.

Memorandum demanding that Nik Abdul Aziz apologized to Datuk Seri Najib Razak and also urged mursyidul pm PAS resigns.

Led the deputy head of Umno Pasir Mas, Che Johan Che Pa, a group of protesters that melaungkan insistence that Nik Abdul Aziz minister relinquish large, besides banners that claim the same.

Che Johan told Malaysiakini, the rally was organized by the group Jemaah People Caring Kelantan (JRPK).

It is understood he also accompanied the group members of the Youth and Puteri Umno.

He, as chairman of the organization’s sponsors, said the new JRPK established two months ago and has 100 members in every part of Umno.

Added, the rally was attended by members, including fishermen associations, societies and associations boxing pull beca.

“We give 24-hour period to Nik Abdul Aziz to pull back the statement and prayer that Datuk Najib and his followers destroyed,” he said when contacted after the rally.

“Nik Aziz also been ruled too long until the deviation occurs in the Kelantan Menteri Besar Corporation (PMBK),” said Che Johan again.

PAS leaders say the curse is threatening to make it as a reaction against the central government refused to provide oil to the Kelantan royalty, but pay ehsan about RM1 billion.

Nik Abdul Aziz then explained that prayer is only asking God to give the correct mind Najib gas and petroleum royalties to the state.

Pemuda PAS Kelantan last night to make a complaint when the police broke ura-ura a rally will be held where the alleged organized JRPK.

Plan that reportedly held demonstrations spread through SMS messages from yesterday.