Penjelasan Tentang Pakai Skirt Masuk Masjid

Kenyataan Tentang Pakai Skirt Masuk Masjid

Sebenarnya, selepas YB Teresa dibebaskan pada hari Jumaat 19hb Sep. beliau sibuk dari siang sampai larut malam dengan berbagai program kemesraan jemputan pengundi-pengundi dan penyokong-penyokong termasuk majlis berbuka puasa di perkarangan Masjid Nurrusaadah di Cheras Baru.

Selepas dibebaskan pada pukul kira-kira 1.20 ptg, beliau tidak sempat balik ke rumah pun, apa tah lagi menukar pakaian; lagipun jemputan untuk majlis tersebut di terima pada saat-saat akhir iaitu lewat petang hari itu juga.

Dalam keadaan sedemikian, pakaian beliau adalah berpatutan dan sama sekali tidak boleh dianggap “kurang sopan” atau biadap. Skirt itu pula bukan skirt pendik dan panjangnya melepasi lutut.

Lagipun, beliau berada di perkarangan masjid dan tidak masuk ke dalam bangunan masjid.

Sepatutnya, Timbalan Mufti tidak buat komen tersebut tanpa tahu-menahu keadaan sebenarnya kerana ia bakal menimbulkan prasangka terhadap YB Teresa.

Y W Yeoh Setiausaha Akhbar kpd YB Teresa Kok

Utusan Online 28hb Sep 2008
Teresa kurang sopan pakai skirt di masjid
KUALA LUMPUR 27 Sept. - Timbalan Mufti Wilayah Persekutuan, Zakariah Isa menegur Ahli Parlimen Seputeh, Teresa Kok Suh Sim kerana tidak berpakaian sopan ketika menghadiri majlis berbuka puasa bersama imam dan ahli jawatankuasa Masjid Nurrusaadah di Cheras Baru, baru-baru ini.

Beliau berkata, pemimpin bukan Islam seharusnya sensitif dengan mematuhi kod etika berpakaian ketika menghadiri majlis terutama yang dianjurkan oleh masjid.

Menurutnya, jika perlu, pegawai khas pemimpin berkenaan wajar memainkan peranan memberi nasihat yang baik tentang etika berpakaian.

“Memang nampak kurang manis kerana dia seharusnya memakai pakaian yang elok sedikit dan perlu menghormati masjid. Mungkin juga pembantunya terlepas pandang.

“Mungkin juga Teresa baru balik dari majlis lain dan singgah sebentar ke masjid itu untuk memenuhi jemputan berbuka,” katanya kepada Mingguan Malaysia ketika majlis khatam al-Quran dan penyampaian sumbangan hari raya di Masjid Al-Imam Al-Tirmizi di sini hari ini.

Beliau diminta mengulas mengenai gambar Teresa dalam laman blognya yang memaparkan beliau hanya memakai skirt dan tidak menutup aurat semasa menghadiri majlis berbuka puasa bersama imam dan ahli jawatankuasa Masjid Nurrusaadah di Cheras Baru, baru-baru ini.

Tambah Zakariah, pihak pengurusan masjid tu juga seharusnya lebih bertanggungjawab dan prihatin terhadap pengunjung bukan Islam.

Katanya, jubah seharusnya disediakan untuk mengelakkan pengunjung bukan Islam masuk ke dalam masjid dalam keadaan tidak sopan.

-Sassy MP

Pak Lah's departure may spell trouble for Anwar

SEPT 28 — With Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Badawi eclipsed, his deputy Datuk Seri Najib Razak on the rise and the Umno succession dispute all but settled, it is tough times ahead for Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, the erstwhile prime minister-in-waiting.

While meeting fund managers In Hong Kong on Thursday Anwar put up a brave front to questions on whether it is troubling him with Najib set to get the job he craves and whether the leadership transition in Umno means a strong and united Umno training its guns on him.

"No," Anwar told them. "In fact the changes makes it easier for me…nothing really has changed because the corrupt system remains, the cronyism remains and race and discrimination remains."

He went on to thrash Najib, attempting to link him to unexplained and unanswered questions over the murder of Altantuya Shaariibuu, the Mongolian woman who was blown up into pieces in late 2006 with C4 explosives.

Anwar also linked Najib with alleged "shady deals" involving multi-billion defence contracts and his inability to reform the corrupt system or give Malaysians a new hope of the future.

However after a string of successes, the political landscape is changing and turning hostile for Anwar.

His plans to seize power have been killed in its infancy and his allies DAP and PAS have got over the mesmerising effect of the Anwar-charm offensive and are now openly dragging their feet.

Worst is a potentially debilitating sodomy trial that will sap his energy, create distance between him and PAS and DAP and raising fresh questions about his ability and suitability to lead a nation from the docks.

On the deadline to seize power, Anwar has also changed course disappointing his legions of supporters and alienating fence sitters. "It is not an issue of deadlines any more…I urge Malaysians who believe in change to be patient."

Whether he has the numbers or not however will be tested when Parliament reconvenes on Oct 13 to debate and approve the 2009 budget.

If he has the numbers as he claims to have he can easily kill the budget and demonstrate to the world that he really has majority support in the 222-seat parliament.

The budget of 24 ministries have to be debated and approved and if he can kill any one of the ministries' budgets, that would be a successful vote of no-confidence against Abdullah and the BN government.

"He has 24 chances to do it," said Dewan Rakyat deputy Speaker Datuk Wan Junaidi Tuanku Jaafar in Kuching on Saturday virtually throwing the gauntlet to Anwar.

However on Oct 7 Session Court judge Komathy Suppiah will rule whether to hear the Sodomy II case or transfer it to the High Court as the prosecutors want.

There is no real issue here because a transfer is an established procedure and even if she refuses, which is really going against established norm, the government can always appeal her decision and probably have it reversed.

A higher court can reverse her decision on appeal, if necessary, even on the same day.

Anwar's lawyers have argued that the transfer was signed by Attorney-General Ghani Patail whom Anwar is suing for fabricating evidence in the 1999 sodomy case which saw him imprisoned for six years for corruption.

In 2000 Anwar was jailed an additional nine years for sodomy but the conviction was quashed in 2004 and he was freed after serving six years altogether.

Meanwhile, the political ground is slipping under Anwar with the changes in Umno's leadership and by extension that of the country.

Abdullah had been kindest to Anwar among the top Umno leaders.

Abdullah, who had also tried to use him to scare Umno into submission, is leaving for good having to make an announcement before Oct 9 whether he is offering himself to contest as Umno president.

It was also Abdullah who Anwar had hoped to confound and stampede into handing over the government to him by triggering a mass exodus, a harebrained scheme that has since died under the weight of its own implausibility.

That small window for Anwar - Abdullah's willingness to play by the rules, an inherent sense of justice and fair play - has closed with the Prime Minister's impending departure leaving Anwar without a "friend."

Anwar could have inadvertently hastened Abdullah's departure after his Information chief Tian Chua claimed Anwar and Abdullah were meeting behind the scenes to discuss a transfer of power, something that Umno veterans feared the most.

Anwar had to rubbish Chua's statement immediately but it did not help when the Umno supreme council met a day later to decide on the transition.

Abdullah's departure leaves Anwar facing the brute force of power and real politics exposed without his breastplate as the old forces that ousted him in 1998 and benefited from the political vacuum he left behind, now gather once again to stop his march to power.

While Anwar's troubles are set to mount in the power game, public perception and support for him remains strong. He is continued to be seen as the best future leader for a new Malaysia.

However the most recent poll by the Merdeka Center also shows that the racial divide between Malays and non-Malays is wider and widening with more Malays backing Umno and Najib on one side and more Chinese and Indians backing Anwar and the Pakatan coalition on the other.

A very dangerous sign in a multi-ethnic society already widely divided over race, religion and discriminatory policies.

The poll based on 1,002 people showed that 39.3 per cent supported Anwar and 33.8 per cent backed Najib.

While about 40% of those polled supported Anwar but the remaining 60% were either not in favour, undecided or marked as "don't know" - a rather high percentage compared to the 70% or more support from non-Malays he had received on March 8.

If these figures are to be accepted it means the non-Malay support for Anwar is sliding.

His constant attempts at grabbing power are causing instability, uncertainties and people, especially the middle class, tend to worry.

For now Anwar has eased off on his "take over" games and for the future he should reaslise that the March 8 vote was for change and not a personal vote for Anwar or an endorsement of his frolics.

He leads a coalition that rules five big states and he should work at change there to win public confidence and not be carried away by his own rhetoric.

-TMI

Lagi pemimpin Gerakan sertai PKR

PETALING JAYA: Lebih 20 ahli Gerakan Wilayah Persekutuan menyertai Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR) hari ini dengan lebih ramai dijangka berbuat demikian dalam beberapa minggu akan datang.

Bekas Ketua Biro Penerangan Gerakan Wilayah Persekutuan, Gan Kok Keng berkata, sekurang-kurangnya 300 orang dari empat bahagian bakal menyertai parti pembangkang tersebut.

Bahagian-bahagian itu ialah Setiawangsa, Wangsa Maju, Bukit Bintang dan Kepong.

Gan yang telah menjadi anggota Gerakan sejak 24 tahun lalu berkata, pihaknya bertindak keluar parti kerana ia sudah tidak berupaya untuk memainkan peranan yang berkesan dalam Barisan Nasional (BN).

“Kami sudah tiada ada kuasa membuat keputusan dan telah dipinggirkan dan dicela banyak kali," kata beliau pada sidang media di Ibu Pejabat PKR di sini pagi ini.

Gan menambah, tindakan tersebut juga bertolak daripada kepercayaannya bahawa pandangan yang diutarakan oleh bekas Ketua Umno Bahagian Bukit Bendera, Ahmad Ismail pada Ogos lalu bukannya pendirian peribadi beliau tetapi pandangan anggota parti berkenaan.

Turut keluar Gerakan hari ini ialah bekas Ketua Pemuda Wilayah Persekutuan, Tan Kang Ho; Ketua Biro Ekonominya, Julian Leong dan Setiausaha Wangsa Maju, Azali Omar.

Naib Presiden PKR, dan Ahli Parlimen Subang, R. Sivarasa pula berkata, tindakan ahli-ahli Gerakan itu bukan sesuatu yang boleh dilakukan dengan mudah.

"Tindakan mereka ada berani. Tiada ganjaran wang diberikan dan tiada sebarang perbincangan mengenai jawatan dalam aprti (PKR)," katanya.

Awal bulan ini, bekas Ahli Parlimen Segambut dan Ketua Gerakan Wilayah Persekutuan, Datuk Dr Tan Kee Kwong telah menyertai PKR.

"Aku Terima HABUAN Seksnya" - PKR pusat mahu Zul dipecat

IPOH: Naib Presiden Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR), Dr. Lee Boon Chye menggesa kerajaan negeri Perak memecat ahli Majlis Daerah Perak Tengah, Zul Hassan ekoran kenyataannya yang mengaku ada menerima habuan khidmat seks, tetapi disifatkan sebagai "sedekah."

Dr. Lee berkata, dari segi moral tindakan berkenaan tidak betul bagi seseorang yang memegang jawatan penting dalam kerajaan dan terlibat dalam skandal seks.

"Apabila sesuatu yang tidak senonoh ditawarkan anda seharusnya menolak tawaran itu," kata beliau selepas merasmikan kempen menderma darah di sini hari ini.

Kata beliau, Majlis Kerajaan Negeri juga wajar menggugurkan Zul daripada keanggotaan dalam Majlis Daerah Perak Tengah dengan segera sebaik apabila ia mengadakan mesyuarat dalam waktu terdekat.

Bagaimanapun beliau enggan menyatakan sama ada PKR sendiri akan mengambil tindakan terhadap Zul yang juga ahli parti tersebut.

Zul dan ahli perniagaan Fairul Azrim Ismail baru-baru ini membuat laporan di Jabatan Agam Islam Perak terhadap Mohammad Imran Abdullah yang didakwa mendorong mereka melakukan perbuatan berdosa itu melibatkan seorang wanita dari China di sebuah apartmen di Batu Ferringhi, Pulau Pinang pada 14 Ogos lalu.

Mohamad Imran merupakan pengadu dalam kes rasuah Zul dan empat yang lain.

Zul pula bersama-sama juruteknik Perbadanan Kemajuan Negeri Perak (PKNP), Ruslan Sahat, dan dua anggota exco kerajaan negeri Perak dari PKR, Kapt (B) Mohd Osman Mohd Jailu dan Jamaluddin Mohd Radzi, serta bekas Ahli Dewan Undangan Negeri Perak kawasan Bota juga dari PKR, Kapten (B) Usaili Alias, sedang menghadapi 16 tuduhan rasuah yang akan dibicarakan serentak selama tiga hari bermula 11 Februari depan di Mahkamah Sesyen di sini.

Ketika ditemui selepas membuat laporan di Jabatan Agama Islam, Zul dilaporkan mengeluarkan kenyataan kepada media bahawa "seks seperti menerima sedekah" dan mendakwa dia melakukannya dengan seorang wanita China disebabkan diperangkap Badan Pencegah Rasuah (BPR).

Kelmarin, Timbalan Pengerusi PKR Perak, Zulkifli Ibrahim menyifatkan kenyataan Zul bahawa habuan seks sama seperti menerima sedekah sebagai sekadar satu "kesilapan bahasa yang tidak disengajakan."

"Barangkali itu mungkin kesilapan dari segi bahasa dan sebagainya tapi itu bukan maksud kita menjadikan seks itu sebagai satu sedekah,' katanya.

Seorang lagi anggota parti itu di Perak, Fairul Azrim Ismail, juga mengakui melakukan perbuatan itu tetapi turut mendakwa diperangkap oleh BPR.

Dalam pada itu, laporan Bernama yang memetik Timbalan Ketua Pengarah Dewan Bahasa dan Pustaka, Kamarul Zaman Shaharudin menyebut, kesilapan menggunakan sesuatu perkataan mungkin akan berlaku kepada istilah dalam bidang tertentu, bukan kepada perkataan yang sering digunakan.

Beliau berkata, perkataan "seks" adalah contoh bahasa yang mudah dan bukan merupakan bahasa teknikal seperti yang terdapat dalam bidang teknologi maklumat atau bidang-bidang lain.

Ketika ditanya sama ada kenyataan itu tidak disengajakan, Kamarul Zaman berkata: "Pada saya itu bukan kesilapan bahasa sebab itu bahasa yang mudah."

"Mesti dia tahu apa yang dia sebutkan. Kecuali kalau itu perkataan teknikal, mungkinlah... boleh salah," katanya.

Katanya, perkataan sedekah itu diketahui umum sebagai suatu perkara yang baik dan berharap pihak-pihak tertentu tidak menyalahgunakan perkataan itu.

"Pihak berkenaan mungkin mencari sebab untuk mempertahankan diri (dengan kenyataan itu)," kata Kamarul Zaman.

Sape Punya Berita Penting?

KOTA KINABALU: Ketua Menteri, Datuk Seri Musa Aman meminta media supaya mengamalkan sikap bertanggungjawab dalam menyampaikan laporan agar rakyat tidak keliru dan merasa resah.

"Sudah tentu pihak media sentiasa memberi laporan dan membuat analisis berkenaan berita-berita yang penting yang mereka fikir perlu diketahui oleh rakyat atau umum.

"Kerajaan menghargai jasa baik pihak media dalam memberi laporan berkenaan apa yang dilakukan oleh kerajaan selama ini, tapi dalam itu kita juga meminta media dalam membuat laporan dan analisis, mestilah bertanggungjawab, professional dan beretika supaya apa juga laporan yang dibuat ianya tidak mengelirukan rakyat dan tidak menjadikan rakyat resah dan gundah-gulana," katanya semasa majlis berbuka puasa bersama media, di sini hari ini.

-mSTAR Online

TP - Wakhakhakhakhakha... orang BN pun dah tak caya dekat media BN... apa sudah jadi latok? Jaman sekarang ni semua berita pun ade value dah latok... lu mau belita baguih, lu baya lebih maaa... ni campur lagi dengan pemilihan punya kempen... mampuih lo... semua olang mau lobi looo...

RM RM RM RM RM RM RM RM RM RM RM = aku punya berita.

Wakhakhakhakhakha...!!!

GERAKAN Mungkin Sertai Pakatan Rakyat

KUALA LUMPUR: Gerakan is considering the option of leaving Barisan Nasional and joining the Pakatan Rakyat opposition alliance.

Gerakan acting president Tan Sri Dr Koh Tsu Koon said this was among three options for the party - the other two being to either stay with the ruling coalition, or leave and become independent.

“We are not ruling out any possibility at this moment. We have to assess the situation, but we are not closing any doors.

“Neither are we saying we will definitely leave. It’s something we need to assess but we cannot do it based on sentiments alone,” he told reporters after launching the KL-Federal Territory (FT) state delegates conference here on Sunday.

Dr Koh said the party was examining how the political scenario in the country would continue to change, and had been getting feedback from the grassroots.

“If you go on sentiments alone, I would say more than 60% (want us to leave), but we are taking a lot of factors into consideration, and a decision cannot be based just on sentiments.

“It’s a very trying time, and there is need for a lot of rational, objective analysis. It cannot be a straightforward simplistic decision,” he said.

In his opening speech, Dr Koh also announced that he would be contesting for the president’s post in the October party elections.

“I am offering myself for the post, but I also set a timeframe for myself, and it is unlikely that I will go beyond two terms. I would like to have younger and newer leaders to continue the process of political commitment,” he said.

Asked if he would name his deputy, he replied: “We will let the delegates decide.”

He was also asked to comment on some 20 FT Gerakan members who had defected to Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR), including former FT Gerakan information bureau chief Gan Kok Keng and former Setiawangsa Gerakan chief Li Tiam Chai.

“I feel surprised because it was only last week when Li Tiam Chai was with me in a meeting and there were no signs that he was not happy.

“We were talking about how to strengthen the party. So I am surprised but I will continue with the veterans, and new members are committed,” he said.

Dr Koh also commented on the Umno leadership transition, which he hoped would be “smooth and peaceful.”

“Even though the change in Umno leadership is an internal party matter, but we are also concerned because the Umno leader also becomes the leader of Barisan and the Federal Government,” he said.

Earlier this month, Gerakan became embroiled in the controversy over former Bukit Bendera Umno division chief Datuk Ahmad Ismail’s alleged racist remarks in which he purportedly described Malaysian Chinese as “squatters.”

Gerakan leaders had demanded an apology and for action to be taken against the Umno man, who in turn blamed Gerakan for Barisan’s poor showing in the March 8 general election, which saw the state of Penang fall to to the opposition.

The war of words even saw Ahmad’s supporters tearing down a picture of Dr Koh after a press conference.

The Umno Supreme Council subsequently suspended Ahmad from his party posts for three years, although he remains a member. No further action was taken against him.

-The Star Online

Buang Ahli Terlibat "Sedekah Seks"

IPOH: PKR vice-president Dr Lee Boon Chye has urged the Perak government to sack Perak Tengah district councillor Zul Hassan after he had admitted to having accepted sexual favours.

Dr Lee said it was “morally incorrect” for a person who holds public office to be involved in such a scandal.

“When something inappropriate is offered, you should reject it,” he said after opening a blood donation campaign here on Sunday.

He said the state executive council should remove Zul from the Perak Tengah district council as early as the next state exco meeting.

Dr Lee however declined to comment on whether the party itself would take action against Zul, a PKR member.

Zul and businessman Fairul Azrim Ismail had recently lodged a report at the state religious department against Mohammad Imran Abdullah for “encouraging them to commit a sinful act” with a woman from China in Batu Ferringhi, Penang on Aug 14.

Mohamad Imran is the complainant in a corruption case in which Zul and four others are the accused.

Zul had reportedly told pressmen: “What is important is we did not ask for the women. He (Mohammad Imran) supplied them to us.

“If people sedekah (donate), don’t you want to accept it?” he had supposedly said.

-The Star Online

Zoom! Jualan Hari Raya Waktu Tengah Malam Di Johor Baharu Berjaya

JOHOR BAHARU, 28 Sept (Bernama) -- Jualan hari raya, "Zoom! Hari Raya Midnite Sale Johor Baharu" anjuran Pelancongan Malaysia di Plaza Angsana di sini tengah malam tadi mencapai kejayaan bila ia menarik lebih seribu pengunjung tempatan dan Singapura membeli belah terutama untuk persiapan menyambut perayaan Aidilfitri.

Acara untuk hanya satu malam itu yang bersifat "experimental" dari 10 malam hingga 2.00 pagi yang dipromosi begitu agresif menyebabkan kesesakan teruk di jejambat berhampiran hingga pemandu mengambil masa 45 minit untuk sampai ke tempat parkir plaza berkenaan.

Jelas gembira dengan kejayaan itu, Menteri Pelancongan Datuk Seri Azalina Othman Said berkata jualan sedemikian akan diperluas meliputi festival lain demi menggalakkan industri pelancongan, sumber pendapatan kedua terbesar negara.

"Melihat kepada respons, saya fikir acara ini berjaya dan kami sudahpun membuat perancangan untuk meliputi festival-festival lain pada masa depan," kata Azalina selepas merasmikan jualan itu.

Jualan serupa diadakan serentak di Geylang, Singapura.

Azalina menggesa pihak berkuasa berkenaan memudahkan kemasukan pelancong Singapura ke Johor Baharu dengan tidak memerlukan mereka menggunakan pasport.

Beliau berkata pendekatan lebih terbuka seperti dilakukan negara-negara anggota Kesatuan Eropah perlu digalakkan tanpa mengetepikan keselamatan negara.

Kira-kira 100 gerai menjual pelbagai juadah perayaan didirikan di luar bangunan Plaza Angsana. Ada penjual yang menawarkan diskaun bagi barangan mereka hingga 75 peratus.

Acara itu berjalan serentak di kompleks beli belah Kotaraya dan Aeon Tebrau City di sini.

Puteri UMNO Bodek...

KLUANG, 28 Sept (Bernama) -- Puteri Umno meminta anggota-anggota akar umbi parti menghentikan segala bentuk spekulasi tentang keputusan Majlis Tertinggi (MT) Umno menangguhkan pemilihan jawatan tertingginya ke Mac tahun depan.

Ketuanya Datuk Noraini Ahmad berkata, beliau yakin keputusan pada mesyuarat khas MT dua hari lepas itu tidak akan menyebabkan ketidakstabilan dalam parti.

"Saya yakin keputusan itu tidak akan menyebabkan ketidakstabilan di dalam parti kerana ia bertujuan untuk memperkemas dan memperkuatkan institusi Umno dan Barisan Nasional (BN)".

"Keputusan tersebut telah diterima secara menyeluruh oleh anggota-anggota MT dan saya harap segala spekulasi tentangnya di peringkat anggota akar umbi dapat dihentikan," kata Timbalan Menteri Sumber Manusia itu kepada pemberita selepas menghadiri majlis penutup program Kembara Ramadan Puteri Umno Johor di sini, malam tadi.

Kemasukan EC725 Eurocopter Gandakan Keupayaan CSAR TUDM

SEREMBAN, 28 Sept (Bernama) -- Pengumuman pembelian EC725 Cougar dari Eurocopter Malaysia Sdn Bhd untuk menggantikan pesawat Nuri merupakan pemilihan yang sangat tepat untuk keperluan Tentera Udara Diraja Malaysia (TUDM), kata penganalisis pertahanan tempatan Marhalim Abas.

Marhalim yang juga Editor bebas untuk majalah Asian Defence Journal memberitahu Bernama, Eurocopter selama ini banyak menguasai pasaran komersil Malaysia dan ini merupakan kali pertama syarikat itu berjaya menjual pesawat tenteranya kepada TUDM.
"Kehadiran Eurocopter di Malaysia semakin kukuh kerana sebelum ini ia berjaya membekalkan helikopter Fennec kepada polis dan tentera laut negara ini. Helikopter syarikat itu turut digunakan oleh Malaysia Helicopter Services," katanya.

Kejayaan ini mungkin disumbang kepada kehadiran syarikat itu di Subang, Selangor yang telahpun menguasai pasaran komersil di negara in sejak beberapa tahun lepas, katanya.

Beliau menjangkakan EC725 TUDM nanti akan diberi kelengkapan senjata dan navigasi yang sama taraf dengan helikopter tentera Perancis termasuk sistem penerbangan malam yang sebelum ini tidak dilengkapkan kepada helikopter sedaia ada dalam perkhidmatan TUDM.

Katanya TUDM memerlukan sekurang-kurangnya 40 buah helikopter bagi menggantikan perkhidmatan Nuri dan yakin beberapa buah daripada helikopter EC725 yang akan diterima kelak mungkin akan diubah suai untuk menjadi helikopter Combat Search and Rescue (CSAR).

Wakil syarikat Eurocopter di Malaysia, Salleh Majid pula memberitahu helikopter EC725 mempunyai kelajuan dan perlindungan yang boleh diharapkan untuk masuk ke zon pertempuran sebagai helikopter CSAR.

"Keistimewaan helikopter ini adalah kebolehannya untuk menjadi pesawat CSAR yang sebenar-benarnya. Masuk dan keluar dengan selamat dari zon panas," katanya kepada Bernama baru-baru ini.

Katanya, TUDM sebelum ini mempunyai Nuri khusus untuk tugas-tugas penyelamat tetapi ia hanya dinaik taraf kepada Search and Rescue (SAR) sahaja kerana tidak mempunyai kelajuan dan perlindungan armor yang diharapkan.

Sumber dari industri memberitahu Bernama, syarikat-syarikat antarabangsa bersaing sengit untuk memenangi tender TUDM kali ini tetapi sejak dari awal, beliau berpendapat EC275 akan muncul sebagai pemenang kerana keupayaannya untuk terus terbang walaupun peluru berjaya menembusi bahagian enjin dan mengeringkan minyak hidraulik.

EC725 merupakan model yang ditingkatkan dari helikopter AS532 Cougar dan membuat penerbangan pertamanya pada tahun 2000 untuk memenuhi keperluan CSAR tentera udara Perancis.

Antara kejayaan helikopter ini adalah penglibatannya dalam Operasi Baliste di Lebanon pada tahun 2006 yang ketika itu ia digunakan untuk mengeluarkan rakyat dari negara Eropah semasa memuncaknya serangan Israel ke atas kedudukan Hezbollah.

Helikopter yang sama juga menyokong kedudukan tentera Perancis yang terlibat dalam peperangan menentang keganasan di Afghanistan.

EC725 boleh memecut sehingga 324 kilometer sejam dan berupaya membawa 28 tentera tidak termasuk anak kapal.

Jika memasuki perkhidmatan TUDM, ia dijangka mempunyai kelengkapan yang sama dengan helikopter milik Perancis seperti sistem amaran radar, alat umpan peluru berpandu, meriam 20mm, pelancar roket dan mesingan 7.62mm.

Ia juga mempunyai perlindungan dari tembakan mesingan ke atas bahagian penumpang.

Tahan Teresa Sekeluarga Dalam ISA! ~ ref malaysiakini

Imbas kembali berita hari Jumaat, September 12, 200 bertajuk Operasi Lalang 2: Wartawan Sin Chew ditahan.

18 jam selepas penahanannya beliau dibebaskan. rujuk - Operasi Lalang 2: Wartawan Sin Chew bebas.

Sebaik wartawan tersebut dibebaskan, Menteri terbabit iaitu Syed Botak mengeluarkan kenyataan dan alasan paling cerdik yang tak pernah diberikan oleh mana-mana menteri Kabinet sebelum ini. alasan penahanan wartawan terbabit mengikut akta ISA ialah sebahagian daripada langkah pantas polis bagi memastikan keselamatanya selepas wartawan itu menerima panggilan berbentuk ugutan. rujuk - Shabery Harap Polis Beri Penjelasan Berhubung Penahanan Wartawan Sin Chew Di Bawah ISA.

Imbas kembali berita hari Sabtu, September 27, 2008 bertajuk Kok's family home attacked.

.........24 jam atau sehari selepas berita tersebut nampaknya masih tiada apa-apa tindakan susulan dari mana-mana pihak termasuk pihak Kementerian Dalam Negeri dibawah naungan Menterinya Syed Botak...

Aku naik hairan...

Kenapa tak de tindakan? kan dah jelas lagi nyata keluarga ini sedang terancam nyawa mereka... apa Menteri Botak ni tak perasan ke ugutan yang keluarga ni terima???

Oi Botak..! Tahan depa sekeluarga demi "KESELAMATAN" diri mereka cepat..!

Kan dah terang tu keselamatan depa telah diancam siap ada nota ugutan lagi...

Oi Botak..! apa pulak alasan hang kali ni Botak...??? tahan la depa, kami nak tengok macam mana hang buat lawak bangang..!

Clock is ticking for Anwar and Umno

SEPT 28 - For the first time in many decades, Umno members are now free to nominate anyone they want for the party presidency. There is so far neither a no-contest rule nor a retain-the-incumbent directive this time around.

With Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi exiting the political stage – it doesn't matter whether it's in March next year or anytime after the Hari Raya celebration – his deputy Datuk Seri Najib Razak is set to take over.

To his detractors, Najib's inaction since the general election debacle has proven that he's too safe to bring about the expected change in the party – something to make Umno respectable again, not only for the Malays but also Malaysians at large.

The anti-Abdullah action within Umno had hoped that Najib would oust his boss to pave the way for change. But nothing happened until Friday.

For those who support Najib, they will have started daydreaming about the power and perks that come along with the Umno presidency. For them, it is inevitable that Najib will become the Umno president by March.

The first hurdle for him is to get the nominations, and this time, he has a rival in Tengku Razaleigh Hamzah.

Along with the Kelantan prince, there are strong voices of dissent in the party in wanting to abolish the quota system introduced by former leader Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad almost two decades ago.

The quota system makes it difficult for contenders at the top to get the large number of nominations required. This means the top incumbent is assured of nominations, and he too can ensure his number two get the support by indicating his choice.

Some leaders and members are demanding that the party get rid of the system to go back to the basic minimum of two nominations for every post contested. This means no one will know for sure who will be the winner as there will be quite a number of candidates.

At the moment, Abdullah and Najib are silent on the matter. Another hurdle for any challenger is money politics.

It is going to be a tough fight for Tengku Razaleigh. Unless he has the support of the revered Dr Mahathir who still commands a strong influence among members. And the possibility of getting the senior number three Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin as his running mate.

These factors will at least help Tengku Razaleigh's almost impossible challenge against Najib who has also been in the government, and who has managed to fortify his position, for more than 20 years.

At the moment, factors that can go against the Kelantan prince are his age and the fact that he holds no position in the party or in the government.

Beyond the reach of the news media radar, Umno division leaders as well as their contenders have been busy campaigning for the past few months. By next week, they will intensify further efforts to go in for the kill.

Contrary to popular belief, Umno members are still unfazed by opposition leader Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim. They are more concerned with the survival of their party to the extent that most of them neglect their BN partners.

But if Anwar can pull off a surprise before the Umno divisional meetings end in November – like persuading BN MPs to jump to his side - it's not just game over for Abdullah and Najib, it will also mean Umno will become the federal opposition party.

If not, it's game over for Anwar; and a new Umno will emerge by March next year.

-TMI

Car buyers to pay more due to interest rate hike

PETALING JAYA: Car buyers will have to pay more in monthly instalments now that hire purchare interest rates have gone up.

Just a few months ago, banks offered interest rates at around 2.5%. Now, the rates are between 3.4% and 4.7% for new cars.

Maybank hire purchase senior manager Nor Siah Othman said the bank had experienced a drop of about 40% in car loan applications in the past two months due to higher rates.

She also advised car owners to restructure their loans to stretch the monthly payments longer after a few years of repayments if they find it a burden to service their loans.

A freelance car salesman identified only as Teo said a buyer taking a RM42,000 loan would have to pay about RM54,000 over seven years - about RM4,000 more compared to the RM50,000 paid when the interest rate was 2.7%.

AmBank group public relations manager Norlidah Abd Rahman said not all banks charged as high as 4.3%.

“If the car bought now did not carry extended warranty under comprehensive insurance, the interest rate could be as low as 3.6% - 3.9% too,” she said.

A hire-purchase executive from a major bank here said the rates were not expected to fall any time soon as banks were anticipating Bank Negara to raise the interbank rate that would affect the interest rates for housing and car loans.

She added that the Hire Purchase Act did provide for a variable rate option for car loan holders based on the base lending rate used by banks mostly for housing loans.

“But most customers do not choose the variable rate; most people prefer the fixed interest rate because they are lower,” she said.

Kuala Lumpur and Selangor Car Dealers and Credit Companies Association president Khoo Kah Jin said interest rates for new cars were not that high at between 3.5% and 3.7%.

He said there was no reason for used car interest rates to be as high as 4.5% - 7.5%.

Khoo said the association had always pushed for the interest rates for used cars to be only 1% higher that of new cars.

-The Star Online

Peralihan kuasa awal bukti Abdullah ikhlas

KUALA LUMPUR 27 Sept. – Para pemimpin parti termasuk dalam komponen Barisan Nasional (BN) menyifatkan usaha Perdana Menteri, Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi mempercepatkan peralihan kuasa kepada Timbalannya, Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak membuktikan keikhlasan perjuangannya dalam parti selama ini.

Ahli Majlis Tertinggi (MT) UMNO, Datuk Seri Mohamed Khaled Nordin berkata, rakyat seharusnya menghormati keputusan Abdullah dan Najib yang menunjukkan persefahaman dalam proses peralihan ini.

-Utusan Malaysia Online

TP - Ikhlas??? amende kate? ikhlas??? I K H L A S ???

Warkhakhakhakhakhakhakha...!!!

Allow United Malays National Organisation...

Ikhlas ke tak de sokongan???

Warkhakhakhakhakhakhakha...!!! lagi mau "kaver" ka???

Cit Podah..!

Muafakat Tolak UMNO/BN

KEPALA BATAS 27 Sept. – Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi menggesa umat Islam supaya sentiasa memilih jalan bermuafakat bagi mempertahankan perpaduan serta mengelakkan sebarang bentuk perpecahan dalam masyarakat.

Perdana Menteri berkata, pendekatan bermuafakat sebagaimana dituntut agama Islam, perlu dijadikan pegangan dalam sebarang urusan bagi mengelakkan umat berpecah-belah sesama sendiri.

‘‘Inilah yang perlu kita fahami untuk memastikan kita tidak bergaduh, bercakaran dan berpecah belah sesama sendiri.

‘‘Dengan muafakat, apa yang dirancang dapat membawa kebaikan dan kemajuan, barulah kita menjadi umat yang kuat,” katanya ketika berucap selepas menunaikan solat Maghrib berjemaah di Masjid Kampung Selamat, Pinang Tunggal di sini malam ini.

-Utusan Malaysia Online

TP - Muafakat??? allooo Pak Lah... hang nak nasihat sapa muafakat -muafakat nih? hang ni buta ka bangang? rakyat Malaysia lama dah muafakat nak tolak Hang dan jugak UMNO/BN... hang baghu bangun tido ka Dolah???

Hang baca berita yang [ni] la Dolah baghu hang bukak ceghita pasai muafakat...

Aku ingat hang dah bangun... rupa-rupanya hang dok lena lagi... hampeh punya PM... mampuih tak mau, nyusahkan oghang ndak..! Ceh..!

Minyak Turun 2x, Rege Ikan Naik Lagi

KUANTAN 27 Sept. - Persatuan Perlindungan Pengguna Malaysia menggesa Lembaga Kemajuan Ikan Malaysia (LKIM) membuat pemantauan rapi terhadap para nelayan ekoran kenaikan harga ikan melampau di pasar-pasar basah sejak beberapa hari lalu.

Presidennya, Mohd. Firdaus Abdullah berkata, harga ikan yang meningkat antara 40 hingga 78 peratus itu antaranya ialah tenggiri, aji-aji, bawal hitam dan ikan merah.

Menurutnya, ikan tenggiri dan bawal hitam yang sebelum ini dijual pada harga RM16 kini naik kepada RM25 bagi setiap kilogram, sementara ikan aji-aji dan ikan merah pula mencecah sehingga RM22, bagi berat yang sama.

-Utusan Malaysia Online

TP - Minyak naik, barang naik, takrif letrik naik, air naik, rege barangan semua naik, rakyat naik minyak...

Minyak turun... situasi yang sama jugak berlaku - barang naik, takrif letrik naik, air naik, rege barangan semua naik, rakyat naik minyak lagi...

KERAjaan cakap, prihatin akan masalah dan beban yang terpaksa ditanggung oleh rakyat...

Prihatin???

Khak Ptuih..!

The Umno déjà vu

SEPT 27 — Wanita Umno chief Tan Sri Rafidah Aziz is rather prescient. At last Thursday's party supreme council meeting, the straight-talking veteran warned Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi that he may not get support from Umno divisions and drew reference to the fate that befell Tun Ghafar Baba in 1993.

Today, a day after Abdullah was forced to accept a truncated transition plan which will likely see him leave office — as Prime Minister and Umno president — next March, some of his supporters and political pundits across the county were talking about the Ghafar episode.

Like then, those in the PM's camp believe that the groundswell against him was manufactured by his political opponents. They have no doubt that his popularity in and outside the party had slid badly but it was far from the hopeless situation described by some supreme council members.

For those too young to recall, Ghafar was the incumbent deputy president but did not get enough nominations to contest against popular vice-president Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, then seen as a protege of Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad. Ghafar did not contest and resigned as deputy premier while Dr Mahathir took a month after the party polls to appoint Anwar as deputy prime minister.

It was also in the 1993 party polls that the Anwar-backed Wawasan team of Datuk Seri Najib Abdul Razak, Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin and Tan Sri Muhammad Muhammad Taib swept through to win the three vice-president's posts, leaving a bitter Tan Sri Sanusi Junid and a graceful Abdullah to make their exit from high office.

But the twists and turns of Umno's high politics go back further in history.

Tunku Abdul Rahman — who had earlier described himself as the happiest prime minister in the world — became prime minister in name after the Alliance's disastrous electoral performance in the 1969 national polls that led to the May 13 race riots. His standing within the party was in tatters as critics, led by a brash Dr Mahathir, called for his ouster.

A national operations council (NOC) was set up to replace Parliament, ironically led by Deputy Prime Minister Tun Abdul Razak Hussein with a young Abdullah as the secretary. Abdul Razak is father to Najib who has been patiently biding his time to assume the top post once held by his father.

While the Tunku had sacked his critics such as Dr Mahathir from the party while leaving the nation in his deputy's hands, Abdullah has stuck to being Mr Nice Guy, inviting his critics to confidently stay their course in the knowledge that he will not use his powers of incumbency against them.

The Tunku managed to stay as both Prime Minister and party president for two years after the 1969 debacle but Pak Lah, who had similar ideas with his June 2010 transition plan, does not appear to have such luck.

He is likely to leave next March, a year after the March 8, 2008 elections brought his high-flying premiership crashing to the ground. No thanks to unfulfilled promises while pandering to party critics who gave grudging support and took it away when it would have mattered most.

A deja vu moment, just like Ghafar's defeat and the Tunku's descent to unpopularity within the party.

Multiracial protest proved something BN don't know...

KUALA LUMPUR, Sept 27 — If Hindraf's anti-ISA rally tonight is anything to go by, a cross-section of the public is united in opposing the Act.

Despite the fact that the civil society group champions the cause of ethnic Indians they claim to be marginalised, the 2,000-strong crowd that gathered at the Court Hill Sri Ganesar Temple tonight saw a sizeable number of Chinese and Malays.

Hindraf leaders expressed their surprise as they had not expected such a large crowd. Moreover, they were glad to see Chinese and Malays supporting their cause.

"This is a signal to the government that the Internal Security Act is hated by all Malaysians," legal advisor N. Surendran had declared, a sentiment echoed by both national coordinator R.S. Tanendran and events coordinator R. Kannan.

In turn, the majority Indian protestors also began to chant loudly for the release of controversial blogger Raja Petra Kamarudin who had recently been slapped with a two-year detention order.

There were even two blind Malay gentlemen in the crowd.

"I disagree with the ISA. This is not about bringing up the opposition but the fact that the law is archaic. It is now only being used to protect the interests of Barisan Nasional," said one of them, Ramli Abu Bakar, 51.

Su-Ann Wong, 30, had come with a small group of friends to light candles along the pavement outside the temple.

"The people have never incited anything and we've voiced our concerns peacefully but the government sees us as a threat. In fact, with the ISA, it is they who are threatening us," she said.

Her friend, Andrew Ng, 36, called the Act "unacceptable" and "detention without trial does not make sense."

"It doesn't matter who is being held under ISA. I am here to show my support because we all need to make a difference to get rid of the ISA," he said.

-TMI

1 Wilayah, 1 Saluran

KUCHING, 28 Sept (Bernama) -- Radio Televisyen Malaysia (RTM) akan mewujudkan saluran bagi setiap wilayah, termasuk Sabah dan Sarawak, setelah penyiaran digital dilaksanakan secara keseluruhan dalam tempoh tiga tahun, kata Menteri Penerangan Datuk Ahmad Shabery Cheek.

Beliau berkata penyiaran digital dijangka memuatkan lebih 20 saluran yang membolehkan setiap wilayah mempunyai saluran masing-masing.

"Tidak mustahil pada masa datang kita ada TV Sarawak, TV Sabah atau TV wilayah-wilayah lain kerana kita tidak hanya terbatas kepada dua saluran lagi seperti sekarang.

"Mungkin dalam masa tiga tahun lagi, kita mempunyai TV Sarawak. Maka, berita dan isu dari Sarawak akan dimuatkan dalam saluran tersebut.

Ini termasuklah memuatkan muzik dan artis Dayak di negeri ini," katanya ketika merasmikan majlis Anugerah Muzik Dayak (DAMA) 2008 yang julung kali diadakan di sini Sabtu malam.

Shabery menyeru kakitangan RTM yang bertugas di negeri-negeri supaya melakukan persiapan dan meningkatkan keupayaan masing-masing mengeluarkan lebih banyak berita berinformasi di peringkat daerah.

"Trend dunia kini sudah berubah. TV wilayah boleh menjadi begitu berpengaruh seperti tv nasional. Penonton lebih cenderung untuk mengetahui berita-berita yang berlaku di sekitar daerah mereka berbanding isu nasional atau antarabangsa.

"Sehubungan itu, kita harus membina kandungan tempatan yang kuat dan bukan memuatkan kandungan dari luar negara seperti China, Latin Amerika atau Indonesia.

Kita harus bersiap sedia untuk memuatkan lebih berita di peringkat daerah untuk dimuatkan dalam saluran-saluran yang bakal diwujudkan," katanya.

Sementara itu, Ahmad Shabery menyambut baik usaha Dewan Perniagaan dan Perindustrian Dayak (DCCI) yang menganjurkan DAMA 2008 untuk membangunkan industri muzik Dayak di negeri ini.

Sebanyak 87 penyanyi, komposer dan penulis lirik mengambil bahagian dalam DAMA 2008 bagi meraih 29 kategori anugerah yang dipertandingkan.

Penganjuran DAMA 2008 bertujuan memberi pengiktirafan dan penghargaan secara rasmi kepada semua artis Dayak di negeri ini selain menggalakkan semua artis Dayak supaya lebih profesional dalam menyertai industri muzik.

TP - Tambah lagi Radiyo Tivi Putar Belit... RTPB Perlis, RTPB Kedah, RTPB Pulau Pinang, RTPB Perak, RTPB Kelantan, RTPB Terengganu, RTPB Pahang, RTPB Selangor, RTPB Negeri Sembilan, RTPB Melaka, RTPB Johor, RTPB Sabah & RTPB Sarawak...

Setiap negeri hanya akan disajikan dengan dakyah-dakyah & fitnah terhadap musuh politik di negeri masing-masing... dengan ini, rakyat hanya akan disajikan dengan berita politik (rekaan) dinegeri masing-masing sahaja manakala untuk berita politik (rekaan) di luar negeri masing-masing akan disekat secara halus... lost contact...

Aku kat Selangor akan tau perkembangan politik (rekaan) di Selangor je... hangpa kat luar Selangor jangan harap nak tau berita politik (rekaan) kat Selangor...

Ini lagi 1 projek "pecah & perintah" UMNO/BN...

Kelebihan pada pemerintah yang menguasa media ini ialah, depa bebas mereka-reka cerita politik di tempat masing-masing tanpa risau "pecah lobang" sebab input terhad... dalam 1 hari depa boleh main banyak isu yang berlainan... parti lawan akan hadapi kesukaran sebab kekurangan "ruang" untuk menangkis serangan...

Korang paham ke tak paham apa aku habaq ni???

Minyak Turun 2x, Barang Naik Banyak Kali...

KUALA LUMPUR, 28 Sept (Bernama) -- Lembaga Pelesenan Kenderaan Perdagangan (LPKP) kini dalam peringkat akhir kajian mengenai kenaikan kadar tambang asas teksi bagi dua kilometer pertama, kata Menteri Pembangunan Usahawan dan Koperasi Datuk Noh Omar.

Beliau berkata kajian itu membabitkan tambahan RM1 menjadikan tambang asas dua kilometer pertama sebanyak RM3. Tambang asas kini ialah RM2.

Beliau berkata, keputusan kajian itu akan diumumkan tidak lama lagi.

"Hasil kajian itu membabitkan nasihat dan pandangan dari juruperunding yang dilantik khas bagi mengkaji tambang teksi.

"Kita tidak boleh percaya seratus peratus kepada tuntutan pengusaha dan pemilik teksi kerana sebagai pengusaha mereka mementingkan keuntungan sedangkan kita di pihak kerajaan perlu melihat kepentingan dan kebajikan rakyat sama," katanya.

Noh berkata demikian pada sidang akhbar selepas melawat terminal bas ekspres sementara ke Selatan di Bukit Jalil dekat sini, Sabtu malam.

Noh berkata, kajian mengenai tambang itu turut membabitkan perkhidmatan bas berhenti-henti, bas ekspres, bas mini dan bas sekolah.

Mengenai Lesen Perubahan Sementara (LPS) yang dikeluarkan sempena musim perayaan Aidilfitri, Noh berkata sejak 15 Sept lepas hingga hari ini, LPKP sudah mengeluarkan 2,044 LPS untuk semua destinasi.

Katanya, pertambahan bas itu boleh mengelak kejadian penumpang tersadai di saat-saat akhir di samping ulat-ulat tiket tidak boleh mengambil kesempatan dari permintaan tiket yang meningkat.

TP - Minyak naik, barang naik, takrif letrik naik, air naik, rege barangan semua naik, rakyat naik minyak...

Minyak turun... situasi yang sama jugak berlaku - barang naik, takrif letrik naik, air naik, rege barangan semua naik, rakyat naik minyak lagi...

KERAjaan cakap, prihatin akan masalah dan beban yang terpaksa ditanggung oleh rakyat...

Prihatin???

Khak Ptuih..!

2,000 march against ISA

KUALA LUMPUR, Sept 27 — A Hindraf-led anti-ISA rally saw nearly 2,000 marching through the city centre tonight.

Police had denied entry into Dataran Merdeka where the group had planned to hold an hour-long candlelight vigil.

This resulted in the crowd, just about 500-strong then, deciding to move to Court Hill Sri Ganesar Temple off Jalan Pudu.

Eventually, what was planned to be an hour-long gathering in an already cordoned-off area turned into a moving roadblock that disrupted traffic for twice as long.

The orange-clad, flag-waving and candle holding protestors had made their way to the temple in three blocks via Jalan Tun Perak.

By the time they arrived, the total size had quadrupled to close to 2,000 with passersby and latecomers including a significant number of Chinese and Malay supporters joining up.

"This was a signal that the ISA is hated by all Malaysians from a cross-section of society," said legal advisor N. Surendran.

The event, which called for the abolishment of the Internal Security Act and the release of all detainees especially the Hindraf 5 and blogger Raja Petra Kamarudin, was hailed as a success by Hindraf national coordinator R.S. Tanendran, who said that the government should stop "closing its ears" to the people's wish to abolish the act.

"The people are a better judge of the Act. Who is Syed Hamid?" he told the crowd in front of the temple, referring to Home Minister Datuk Seri Syed Hamid Albar.

"He is just an ordinary man. One man cannot be the judge."

According to Hindraf national event coordinator R. Kannan, several groups had assembled around the city centre and were headed towards Dataran Merdeka. They had requested police to allow them one hour to gather after a request for a permit sent on Wednesday did not receive a response.

However, even this request was denied as the main group began to move from Leboh Pasar Besar at 7.15pm, forcing them to take a detour via Masjid Jamek.

By 7.30pm, they had arrived together on Jalan Tun Perak where they were ordered to remain outside the cordoned off Dataran Merdeka with about 10 police light reserve personnel in attendance.

More negotiations with Kuala Lumpur police from the Dang Wangi headquarters ensued between Teluk Intan MP M. Manogaran and police representatives.

The DAP legislator requested for the group to be allowed in to light their candles and say their prayers for 15 minutes but were told that they would only be allowed to remain outside the cordoned off area until 8pm.

By 7.50pm the group began marching towards the temple and continued to gather numbers resulting in staggered blockage of traffic along Jalan Tun Perak and only arrived at the temple at 8.30pm before dispersing 45 minutes later.

ASP Sydney Clyde Jeremiah confirmed that there were no untoward incidents in what was generally a "peaceful gathering" despite half a dozen light reserve and federal reserve vehicles each arriving at Dataran Merdeka after 8pm.

-TMI

2,000 sertai perarakan aman anti-ISA

Dikemaskini Kira-kira 2,000 menyertai perarakan aman di ibunegara malam ini, mendesak supaya dimansuhkan Akta Keselamatan Negeri (ISA) dan dibebaskan tahanan di bawah akta tersebut.

Pada mulanya, dua kumpulan - Barisan Bertindak Hak Hindu (HIndraf) dan gabungan NGO yang diketuai oleh Pakatan Penulis untuk Kebebasan Media (Wami) - merancang untuk mengadakan majlis memasang lilin di Dataran Merdeka pada kira-kira jam7.30 malam.

Apabila polis mengawal Dataran Merdeka, kumpulan Hindraf yang berjumlah kira-kira 500 orang, berarak menuju ke kuil yang terletak di depan pusat perhentian bas Puduraya kira-kira 1 km dari situ.

Ketika berarak ke sana, orang ramai turut menyertai mereka dan jumlahnya kemudian bertambah mencecah kira-kira 2,000 orang, dengan ramai yang membawa lilin.

Satu lagi kumpulan, yang berarak sambil membawa tanglung, kemudiannya turut menyertai kumpulah Hindraf tersebut.

Sambil berarak, mereka melaungkan “Mansuhkan ISA”, “Bebaskan Raja Petra” and “Hindraf Valga (Hidup Hindraf)”.

Akhirnya, mereka berkumpul di kawasan kuil berkenaan di mana beberapa individu menyampaikan ucapan.

Penyelaras pusat Hindraf, R Thanenthiran menggesa kerajaan memenuhi tuntutan peserta perarakan tersebut supaya membebaskan tahanan ISA.

Katanya, Menteri Dalam Negeri, Datuk Seri Syed Hamid Albar tidak boleh memutuskan seorang diri apakah yang terbaik untuk negara.

"Malam ini, kita rakyat, menjadi hakim," tambahnya.

Kemudian, ahli Parlimen Teluk Intan, M Manogaran memberitahu hadirin bahawa perhimpunan tersebut diadakan untuk mengingati ulangtahun pertama penahanan lima pemimpin Hindraf di bawah ISA dan kini ditahan di Kem Tahanan Kamunting.

"Kita akan terus mengadakan perhimpunan sehinggalah tahanan ISA dibebaskan," katanya.

Suasana Meriah

Sementara itu, perarakan itu berjalan dalam suasana meriah. Beberapa penyokong Raja Petra Kamaruddin turut menyanyikan lagu selamat jadi kerana hari ini merupakan hari jadi penulis blog tersebut.

Menjelang jam 9 malam, mereka bersurai dan tiada kejadian yang tidak diingini dilaporkan berlaku.

Thanenthiran kemudiannya memberitahu pemberita bahawa perarakan malam ini membuktikan bahawa rakyat Malaysia boleh berhimpun secara aman untuk menyuarakan isi hati mereka.

“Jika pihak polis mematuhi undang-undang, kita pun juga boleh berbuat demikian," katanya.

Dalam satu kenyataan selepas orang ramai bersurai, pengerusi Hindraf, P Waytha Moorthy mengucap terima kasih kepada pihak polis kerana membenarkan perarakan tersebut diadakan.

"Kerajaan kini seharusnya menerima hakikat bahawa rakyat Malaysia telah menghantar satu mesej yang kuat dan jelas menolak penggunaan ISA," katanya yang kini tinggal di luar negara.

Sementara itu, dua peserta buta memberitahu Malaysiakini mengapa mereka turut menyertai perarakan tersebut.

Ramli Abu Bakar, 51, berkata beliau menyokong gerakan anti-ISA sejak ia dimulakakan kerana "negara telah mencapai kemerdekaan".

"Kita telah merdeka selama 51 tahun, jadi mengapa kita perlukan lagi undang-undang itu sekarang," kata Ramli.

Rakannya, Kamal Abdu Bakar, 48, turut menyokongnya dengan berkata ISA tidak relevan lagi sekarang.

Manakala seorang penyokong Raja Petra - Sampa Lee, 60 - berkata pembebasan penulis blog itu serta tahanan ISA yang lain, akan merupakan hadiah hari jadi terbaik yang boleh diberikan oleh kerajaan.

"Ia akan merupakan hadiah terbaik untuk Raja Petra dan semua rakyat Malaysia kerana kita semua menentang undang-undang yang zalim itu," kata Sampa.

Sementara itu, Ketua Polis Daerah Dang Wangi ACP Zulkarnain Abdul Rahman berkata polis mendapat maklumat bahawa perhimpunan itu dijadualkan diadakan di Dataran Merdeka.

"Tetapi kita telah menempatkan anggota polis di beberapa jalan masuk menuju ke Dataran Merdeka dan ini menyebabkan peserta perhimpunan bertukar lokasi menuju ke kawasan berhampiran Puduraya.

"Tiada sebarang insiden yang tidak diingini berlaku dalam perhimpunan ini dan tiada sebarang tangkapan dibuat," katanya dalam laporan Bernama.