Saiful tidak didakwa – Syed Hamid

KUALA LUMPUR 7 Ogos - Bekas pembantu peribadi Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, Mohamad Saiful Bukhari Azlan tidak akan didakwa bersama Penasihat Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR) itu atas tuduhan liwat.

Menteri Dalam Negeri, Datuk Seri Syed Hamid Albar berkata, Mohamad Saiful tidak akan didakwa kerana dia kini menjadi saksi utama atas tuduhan meliwat yang didakwa dilakukan oleh Anwar.

‘‘Dia (Mohamad Saiful) adalah orang yang mendakwa Anwar telah melakukan sesuatu ke atas dia.

‘‘Dia adalah pengadu serta menjadi saksi utama dan tidak mungkin akan didakwa,’’ katanya.

Beliau berkata demikian pada sidang akhbar selepas menandatangani Memorandum Persefahaman (MoU) dengan Menteri Imigresen dan Kewarganegaraan Australia, Senator Chris Evans berhubung kerjasama antara Malaysia dan Australia, di sini hari ini.

Syed Hamid berkata, adalah tidak wajar orang yang membuat laporan polis mendakwa kejadian itu berlaku, turut didakwa di mahkamah.

‘‘Contohnya, dalam kes rasuah, orang yang didakwa menerima sogokan kebiasaannya akan dituduh dan bukannya orang yang memberi serta membuat laporan,’’ jelasnya.

Syed Hamid menegaskan, setakat ini, Anwar tidak bersalah sehingga beliau dapat dibuktikan sebaliknya oleh mahkamah.

Sehubungan itu, dalam kes membabitkan Anwar, kata beliau, segalanya dijalankan mengikut lunas-lunas yang tepat.

‘‘Perkara paling penting diambil kira adalah proses yang sewajarnya dan andaian tidak bersalah hanya dapat ditentukan menerusi proses perundangan dan institusi yang berfungsi di negara ini,’’ katanya.

Menurut beliau, itu adalah cara sistem perundangan di negara ini dan perkara lebih penting adalah wujudnya keadilan.

Sehubungan itu, Syed Hamid meminta orang ramai tidak membuat sebarang spekulasi mengenai kes tersebut dan memberikan kebebasan kepada mahkamah untuk membuat keputusan yang adil.

-Utusan

Government to have ‘reach-out’ fund for international law research

PETALING JAYA: The government will commit a sum out of the Foreign Ministry’s RM10mil “reach-out” fund to develop a stronger discipline of international law in Malaysia.

“There has been a crying need for us to conduct research in international law,” said Foreign minister Datuk Seri Utama Dr Rais Yatim.

He told a press conference this after opening the inaugural Malaysian International Law Symposium, jointly organised and sponsored by University Malaya’s Law Faculty and the Institute of Ocean and Earth Sciences, the Asian Society of International Law and the Japan Foundation, at a hotel here yesterday.

“We do have little problems, for example, in the interpretation of human rights; what is more important is the tenets of human rights and tenets of international law ought to be the bread and butter of some of the (university) faculties in the country and also for us in the ministry.”

Earlier, he also launched the Malaysian Chapter of the Asian Society of International Law and the Malaysian Society of International Law.

Dr Rais declined to disclose the amount for research but said the Division of International Law would have substantive links with universities towards the “development of a more robust discipline in international law.”

“We have also expanded the Public Diplomacy section of the ministry in line with our policy to reach out to the people of Malaysia as well as to those outside,” he added.

-TMB

Charge Saiful in Syariah court, says Anwar

KUALA LUMPUR, Aug 8 — There's no need for Mohd Saiful Bukhari Azlan to be charged in court for consensual sodomy but he should be brought to the Syariah court, said Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim.

The Parti Keadilan Rakyat de facto leader, who was charged under Section 377B of the Penal Code at the Sessions Court here yesterday morning, said it was not necessary for his accuser to be dragged to the civil court because the alleged sodomy did not happen.

Section 377B refers to consensual sex against the order of nature including sodomy.

"It didn't happen, so I'm not interested. But charge him in the Syariah court. I have lodge a report for false accusation," he told hundreds of his supporters who attended a solat hajat (prayers of need) at his house in Segambut last night.

Anwar lodged a report with the Kuala Lumpur Islamic Religious Department (Jawi) on July 9 challenging the 23-year-old Saiful, his former aide, to produce four witnesses to the alleged sex attack under the provision of qazaf (false accusation), an offence which carries a three-year jail term or a RM5,000 fine or both.

After the prayers at his home, Anwar addressed thousands of his supporters at a ceramah in Taman Medan here late last night, telling them they should not worry about the sodomy trial, claiming it was all based on lies, and instead focus on the Permatang Pauh by-election.

"This will be the last case of such cruelty. After this, I will take action against anyone who tries such a thing," he said, referring to an imminent takeover plan of the federal government.

Anwar on stage speaking at the Taman Medan ceramah late last night. — Picture by Choo Choy May

He insisted that the timing of the charge was planned to distract from the issues of the by-election.

"But it's not up to Dollah Badawi to decide who can represent the people but the voters themselves," he said to back his claim that the Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi was behind the Sodomy II charge.

"One day he says it is rape, the next it's not. It changes according to his fancy, how shameful."

He revealed that the Pakatan Rakyat election agenda would focus on the economy.

"Investors are scared to invest in a country with a 'correct, correct, correct' judiciary," he said, referring to the Lingam video scandal, "and where ministers can't even debate properly," a reference to his opponent Information Minister Datuk Ahmad Shabery Cheek who debated with him last month and "where there are reports of corruption against the prime minister and his deputy by their own party members," in reference to Umno veteran Datuk Mazlan Harun's recent report to the Anti-Corruption Agency.

He predicted that Barisan Nasional would harp on him being a "Chinese tool" but that he would reply that "Yes, I am a Chinese tool. I am an Indian tool, I am a Malay tool, I am a tool of all Malaysians."

To assist him in retaining the Permatang Pauh seat which was vacated by his wife Datuk Seri Dr Wan Azizah Ismail for him to take over, Anwar planned to ask each voter in the constituency to donate RM1 to his campaign.

"Not only because I don't have the money to compete with BN but these donors will each become stakeholders in the campaign to take over Putrajaya," he said, adding that the Pakatan Rakyat's prime minister-in-waiting would not forget the contributions of the people.

He also announced that PKR vice-president Azmin Ali would be the by-election campaign manager.

Azmin told reporters after the ceramah that the Pakatan Rakyat would ignore the BN's propaganda on the sodomy charge and focus on the theme of taking over the government.

"This is not just about winning one seat. It is a symbol for change."

He added that about 10,000 new young voters had been identified in the electoral roll and the PKR Youth wing would be mobilised to establish relationships with them.

"We will also have a team that will be checking for phantom voters and also to ensure that voters make it to polling centres. We know of a stealth campaign by BN to tell voters not to turn up as the majority is already so great that it would not make a difference. This is a dangerous propaganda coupled with the decision to set the polling day for Tuesday, a working day."

The night's event also saw Gerakan Youth chief for Petaling Jaya Selatan, C.C. Lee, introduced as the latest grassroots leader to cross over to PKR.

-TMI

Schools involved to close on Aug 26

PUTRAJAYA: Schools involved in the by-election on Aug 26 will only be closed on that day, but must turn over their premises to Election Commission workers the evening before.

EC secretary Datuk Kamaruzaman Mohd Noor said over 20 schools will be needed for the by-election and assured that they would not be inconvenienced except for having to close on polling day, which is a Tuesday.

The by-election will be held on the second day after schools reopen following a one-week holiday beginning Aug 16, which is nomination day.

"More than 20 schools will be involved but we are still in the midst of planning logistics. They will not need to close on Monday but they must surrender their premises to the EC on Monday evening for us to make preparations," Kamaruzaman said when contacted yesterday.

He dismissed the perception that polling on a Tuesday might deter voters from casting their ballots, saying that weekday polling was nothing unusual.
"We've done it before in previous by-elections," he said.

As to why Saturday or Sunday was not selected for polling day, he said it was to fit the commission's decision of granting a 10-day campaign period.

"The commissioners decided that 10 days is sufficient based on feedback from several parties, not too long and not too short."

Seven days is the minimum campaign period under election law. Kamaruzaman said as secretary, he could only answer questions on policy and would not speculate as to the commission's reasons for choosing a weekday polling day for what is expected to be a highly-charged by-election with Parti Keadilan Rakyat de-facto leader Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim contesting.

Meanwhile, Education director-general Datuk Alimuddin Mohd Dom said there would be replacement classes for students in the schools affected but he would wait to get more information from the EC before deciding.

-NST

Provokasi terhadap kesabaran Melayu

• Bisik-Bisik Awang Selamat
• Puteri minta pertimbang sensitiviti orang Islam
• Nik Aziz persoal sikap Majlis Peguam
• Persatuan Ulama beri amaran
• Pas bantah forum Memeluk Islam
• Jangan anjur program sensitif secara terbuka - Najib

KUALA LUMPUR 7 Ogos - Forum Memeluk Islam yang akan dianjurkan Majlis Peguam pada Sabtu ini disifatkan provokasi terhadap kesabaran masyarakat Melayu selain mengundang keresahan dan rasa tidak tenteram orang Islam.

Exco Pemuda UMNO Malaysia, Datuk Pirdaus Ismail berkata, walau atas alasan apa sekali pun forum berkenaan diadakan kesabaran orang Islam tetap terusik.

''Tindakan Majlis Peguam merupakan pendekatan yang sama dengan usaha segelintir pihak yang suka mengganggu ketenteraman awam menerusi kenyataan sensitif, forum, penerbitan, laman web dan demonstrasi jalanan.

''Hal ini menunjukkan anasir luar sudah menyusup masuk untuk menggugat kestabilan dan keamanan negara,'' kata beliau dalam kenyataannya, di sini hari ini.

Sementara itu, Presiden Persatuan Peguam Syariah Malaysia (PGSM), Zainul Rijal Abu Bakar berkata, tindakan Majlis Peguam seolah-olah mencemar kehormatan Perlembagaan Persekutuan negara.

''Saya tidak menghalang usaha untuk berdialog, namun dialog anjuran Majlis Peguam seolah-olah prejudis, berat sebelah dan ada agenda tersembunyi.

''Mereka hanya memperjuangkan hak bukan Islam bagaimana dengan hak orang Islam. Tidak semua orang bukan Islam teraniaya seperti didakwa Majlis Peguam apabila pasangannya memeluk Islam ada yang mendapat pembelaan yang sewajarnya,'' katanya.

Tambah Zainul Rizal, mengenai perbezaan bidang kuasa Mahkamah Sivil dan Syariah, ia bukanlah satu kekurangan dalam perundangan Malaysia.

Mengenai hak ibu atau bapa bukan Islam yang membawa anak mereka memeluk Islam bersama-sama pula, beliau menjelaskan, Perlembagaan Persekutuan membenarkan salah seorang iaitu ibu atau bapa membawa anak kecil mereka mengikut agama mereka.

''Perlembagaan tidak menetapkan agama seseorang anak itu perlu ditentukan oleh kedua-duanya, tetapi salah seorang iaitu ibu atau bapa.

''Oleh itu, dalam kes Subashini yang menjadi rujukan Majlis Peguam, tindakan bekas suaminya yang memeluk Islam bersama salah seorang anaknya yang berusia empat tahun adalah sah mengikut undang-undang,'' kata Zainul Rijal.

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Bisik-Bisik Awang Selamat

LANGKAH Majlis Peguam untuk menganjurkan forum bertajuk Memeluk Islam pada Sabtu ini, mencetuskan gelombang bantahan daripada pelbagai kalangan umat Islam.

Para pemimpin UMNO, Pas, persatuan ulama dan badan-badan bukan kerajaan bersatu pendirian mendesak dibatalkan forum tersebut yang dikhuatiri menggugat keharmonian rakyat pelbagai kaum dan agama di negara ini.

Rata-rata bantahan itu bersandarkan hujah bahawa perkara tersebut amat sensitif dan tidak wajar dibincangkan secara terbuka.

Ia juga dilihat sebagai cubaan mempertikaikan kedudukan Islam yang sudah termaktub dalam Perlembagaan Persekutuan.

Awang harap badan guaman itu akur dan tidak mengambil mudah kemarahan serta rasa tidak puas hati umat Islam berhubung isu tersebut.

Pendirian Majlis Peguam untuk meneruskan forum berkenaan biarpun setelah diberi amaran oleh Menteri Dalam Negeri, Syed Hamid Albar agar tidak bermain api, dikhuatiri mengundang masalah besar.

Persoalannya lagi mengapa Majlis Peguam memberi perhatian keterlaluan kepada isu-isu sensitif menyentuh kepentingan umat Islam dan Melayu?

Awang – Bimbang ledakan emosi.

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Puteri minta pertimbang sensitiviti orang Islam

KUALA LUMPUR 7 Ogos - Tindakan Majlis Peguam menganjurkan forum Memeluk Islam hanya akan mengundang reaksi negatif masyarakat berbilang agama di negara ini.

Ketua Penerangan Puteri UMNO, Datuk Shahaniza Shamsuddin berkata, perbincangan satu pihak ke atas agama pihak lain boleh membawa suasana kurang senang dalam masyarakat.

Malah katanya, perkara yang ingin dibincang dalam forum itu juga sebenarnya sudah jelas kedudukannya dan tidak perlu dipersoalkan lagi.

"Perkara ini telah tertakluk dalam bidang kuasa majlis agama Islam negeri-negeri. Maka tidak perlu untuk Majlis Peguam campur tangan," katanya kepada Utusan Malaysia, di sini hari ini.

Beliau berkata, Majlis Peguam perlu bersifat terbuka dan mendengar keluhan pelbagai pertubuhan bukan kerajaan (NGO) yang mahukan forum itu dihentikan.

Katanya, adalah dikhuatiri akan ada pihak lain pula mula menganjurkan forum yang mungkin menyentuh sensitiviti masyarakat bukan Islam pula pada masa hadapan.

"Umpamanya, bila kita persoal perkara sensitif, pasti ada kecenderungan pihak lain untuk turut mempersoalkan kita pula," katanya.

Justeru beliau menyarankan kepada Majlis Peguam agar mengambil tindakan yang wajar memandangkan penganjuran forum itu mendapat tentangan banyak pihak.

Forum pada 9 Ogos itu dijangka menyentuh peruntukan Perlembagaan Persekutuan mengenai Islam yang menetapkan Mahkamah Tinggi tidak boleh membuat sebarang keputusan melibatkan bidang kuasa Mahkamah Syariah dan umat Islam di negara ini.

Forum itu juga akan membincangkan keperluan mengkaji semula beberapa kes berkaitan pertukaran agama di negara ini.

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Nik Aziz persoal sikap Majlis Peguam

KOTA BHARU 7 Ogos - Majlis Peguam tidak wajar meneruskan forum Memeluk Islam kerana mereka tidak mempunyai alasan yang kukuh, kata Mursyidul Am Pas, Datuk Nik Abdul Aziz Nik Mat.

Beliau yang turut mempersoalkan tindakan Majlis Peguam yang berkeras mahu menganjurkan forum awam Memeluk Islam berkata, program seumpamanya tidak wajar ia terus dilaksanakan.

"Saya tidak faham mengapa dia (Majlis Peguam) nak anjurkan forum ini, apa tujuannya kerana telah berjuta-juta manusia di dunia ini memeluk Islam sekian lama, jadi kenapa pula mereka perlu bising sekarang.

"Saya lebih setuju jika dibuat satu forum khas tentang mana yang lebih baik dan logik antara agama Islam dan agama lain. Ini lebih baik dan bermanfaat," katanya ketika ditemui selepas mempengerusikan mesyuarat Perbadanan Menteri Besar Kelantan di sini hari ini.

Beliau berkata demikian ketika diminta mengulas pendirian Majlis Peguam yang akan terus menganjurkan forum berkenaan Sabtu ini.

Pelbagai pihak hari ini dilaporkan mendesak supaya forum itu dibatalkan kerana ia menyentuh sensitiviti umat Islam dan peruntukan Perlembagaan Persekutuan mengenai Islam.

Sementara itu, mengulas mengenai pilihan raya kecil Parlimen Permatang Pauh 26 Ogos ini, beliau yakin Penasihat Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR), Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim akan memenanginya.

Katanya, sokongan dan kepercayaan rakyat terhadap Anwar tidak akan terjejas walaupun hari ini beliau telah dihadapkan ke mahkamah atas tuduhan liwat.

Beliau berkata, rakyat telah bijak untuk menilai sendiri kebenaran dan kepimpinan Anwar selama ini yang telah terbukti amat berwibawa sehingga dikenali di pentas antarabangsa.

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Persatuan Ulama beri amaran

PUTRAJAYA 7 Ogos - Penganjuran forum awam bertajuk Memeluk Islam oleh Majlis Peguam Sabtu ini terus menerima bantahan apabila Persatuan Ulama Malaysia (PUM) mengeluarkan amaran supaya program tersebut dibatalkan.

Setiausaha Agungnya, Dr. Roslan Mohd. Nor menegaskan, forum itu jelas mempunyai agenda untuk mempertikaikan kedudukan Islam seperti mana termaktub dalam Artikel 121 (1A), Perlembagaan Persekutuan.

Menurutnya, langkah majlis itu mahu membahaskan hukum-hukum Islam, sistem perundangan dan hak-hak orang Islam dalam Perlembagaan Persekutuan tanpa merujuk kepada pihak berkuasa serta dikendalikan secara bertanggungjawab pasti akan mencetuskan kekeliruan terhadap Islam.

''PUM berpandangan tindakan berkenaan adalah suatu usaha terancang yang disusun oleh pihak tertentu secara berterusan untuk mempertikaikan hak-hak yang terkandung di dalam Perlembagaan terhadap Islam.

''Sehubungan itu, PUM memberi amaran agar Majlis Peguam menghentikan penganjuran forum berkenaan atau menghadapi tindakan penentangan serius oleh umat Islam di negara ini," katanya dalam kenyataan di sini hari ini.

Utusan Malaysia hari ini melaporkan pelbagai pihak mendesak Majlis Peguam supaya membatalkan penganjuran forum awam bertajuk Memeluk Islam kerana ia dikhuatiri menggugat keharmonian rakyat pelbagai kaum dan agama di negara ini.

Reaksi itu susulan amaran Menteri Dalam Negeri, Datuk Seri Syed Hamid Albar terhadap Majlis Peguam semalam supaya badan itu tidak 'bermain api' dengan menganjurkan forum awam bertajuk Memeluk Islam pada Sabtu ini.

Forum itu dijangka menyentuh peruntukan Perlembagaan Persekutuan mengenai Islam yang menetapkan Mahkamah Tinggi tidak boleh membuat sebarang keputusan melibatkan bidang kuasa Mahkamah Syariah dan umat Islam di negara ini.

Forum itu juga akan membincangkan keperluan untuk mengkaji semula beberapa kes berkaitan pertukaran agama di negara ini.

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Pas bantah forum Memeluk Islam

KUALA LUMPUR 7 Ogos - Pas membantah keras keputusan Majlis Peguam untuk meneruskan penganjuran forum awam bertajuk Memeluk Islam kerana jelas ia boleh mencetuskan ketegangan agama dan kaum di negara ini.

Presiden Pas, Datuk Seri Abdul Hadi Awang berkata, usaha Majlis Peguam itu yang hanya bersumberkan kepada fahaman sekular sudah tentu akan terseleweng daripada pemahaman sebenar mengenai Islam.

Keadaan tersebut jika dibiarkan, katanya, akan merugikan negara dan oleh itu demi kestabilan hubungan agama serta kaum, Pas menggesa pihak Majlis Peguam membatalkan forum berkenaan.

''Forum ini jika diteruskan mampu mencetuskan syak wasangka yang akhirnya boleh mengakibatkan berlaku ketegangan hubungan antara penganut Islam dan penganut pelbagai agama dalam negara.

''Sekiranya ini yang berlaku, ia sudah pasti akan menjejaskan keharmonian negara dan akan merugikan semua pihak,'' kata beliau dalam kenyataannya, di sini hari ini.

Beliau mengulas keputusan Majlis Peguam untuk meneruskan Forum Memeluk Islam pada 9 Ogos ini meskipun Menteri Dalam Negeri, Datuk Seri Syed Hamid Albar telah memberi amaran kepada majlis itu supaya tidak 'bermain api'.

Setiausahanya, Lim Chee Wee berkata, forum tersebut tidak sensitif kerana ia hanya bertujuan untuk mengkaji kesan yang dihadapi pasangan dan anak mereka apabila salah seorang daripada mereka memeluk agama Islam.

Rentetan daripada kenyataan Syed Hamid itu, pelbagai pihak mendesak Majlis Peguam supaya membatalkan penganjuran forum awam bertajuk Memeluk Islam kerana ia dikhuatiri menggugat keharmonian rakyat pelbagai kaum dan agama di negara ini.

Abdul Hadi berkata, Pas mengakui mengenai hak kebebasan bersuara iaitu memberikan jaminan kepada semua pihak untuk berdialog dan berbincang berhubung isu-isu kepentingan umum.

''Namun, ia tidak boleh menyentuh isu-isu berkaitan dengan hak dan kepentingan Islam. Agama Islam adalah sesuatu yang mutlak yang dijamin oleh Perlembagaan Negara dan dipelihara oleh perlembagaan negeri-negeri,'' katanya.

Dalam perkembangan sama, beliau berkata, Islam adalah agama yang menjanjikan kebaikan buat semua pihak dan sehubungan itu, sebarang perbincangan mengenainya perlu melibatkan pihak yang memiliki ilmu dan kuasa.

Kata Abdul Hadi, Islam berdiri berasaskan kepada sumber-sumbernya sendiri dan setiap perbincangan wajib berteraskan sumber ilmu serta hukum yang telah ditetapkan.

''Atas asas ini juga, Pas berpandangan inisiatif Majlis Peguam yang jelas bersumberkan fahaman sekular hanya akan menyebabkan penyelewengan pemahaman terhadap Islam.

''Yang jelas, ia boleh mencetuskan konflik dan akhirnya ketegangan yang tidak memberikan manfaat kepada mana-mana pihak,'' katanya.

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Jangan anjur program sensitif secara terbuka - Najib

SUBANG 7 Ogos - Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak berkata, Majlis Peguam tidak wajar menganjurkan forum awam 'Memeluk Islam' Sabtu ini kerana agama merupakan isu sensitif.

Timbalan Perdana Menteri berkata, program seumpama itu hanya akan menaikkan emosi pihak yang merasakan apa yang dibincangkan bertentangan dengan pendirian mereka.

Sehubungan itu, katanya, Majlis Peguam perlu melihat kembali tindakan mereka menganjurkan forum berkenaan kerana ia sangat sensitif kepada umat Islam.

"Saya tidak fikir sesuai (penganjuran forum memeluk Islam), perkara sensitif seelok-eloknya dibincangkan secara tertutup," katanya pada sidang akhbar selepas melancarkan Vista Jet dan pembukaan Operasi Pangkalan Hadapan (FBO) SkyPark Malaysia, di sini hari ini.

Turut hadir Menteri Pengangkutan, Datuk Ong Tee Keat dan Presiden MIC, Datuk Seri S. Samy Vellu.

Jelas Najib, kerajaan tidak pernah menghalang sebarang bentuk perbincangan kerana ia satu perkara yang sihat, tetapi jika ia membabitkan isu sensitif hendaklah dilakukan secara tertutup.

Ditanya adakah beliau mahukan Majlis Peguam membatalkan terus penganjuran forum itu, Najib menyerahkannya kepada badan berkenaan untuk memutuskan langkah seterusnya.

''Tidak tahulah, mereka (Majlis Peguam) ada fikiran sendiri,'' katanya.

Jumaat lalu, Majlis Peguam mengumumkan ia akan mengadakan satu forum pada 9 Ogos ini mengenai Islam yang akan turut menyentuh Artikel 121 (1A) Perlembagaan Persekutuan.

Forum itu dijangka menyentuh peruntukan Perlembagaan yang menetapkan Mahkamah Tinggi tidak boleh membuat sebarang keputusan yang melibatkan bidang kuasa Mahkamah Syariah dan umat Islam di negara ini.

Forum itu juga akan membincangkan keperluan untuk mengkaji semula beberapa kes berkaitan pertukaran agama di negara ini.

Gesaan supaya forum itu dibatalkan telah ditimbulkan banyak pihak, tetapi setakat ini, Majlis Peguam masih mengambil ketetapan untuk meneruskannya.

Selain teguran daripada Kementerian Dalam Negeri, pelbagai pertubuhan bukan kerajaan (NGO) Melayu dan Islam di negara ini turut meminta agar forum itu dibatalkan.

Namun, Majlis Peguam semalam memberitahu Utusan Malaysia bahawa forum itu akan tetap diteruskan kerana tujuan ia dianjurkan telah disalah tafsir banyak pihak.

Selain forum terbaru ini, Majlis Peguam pada akhir Jun lalu turut menganjurkan satu lagi program bertajuk Kontrak Sosial yang turut mengundang kecaman banyak pihak.

-TMB

Syed Hamid: Saiful not charged because he is key witness

• Why isn’t Saiful charged too? asks PKR leader
• It’s 1998 once more - almost
• Anwar’s lawyer: Judge and prosecution team were fair this time around
• Five witnesses were with Anwar at material time, says Sankara
• US to monitor legal proceedings
• Ministry to explain sodomy charge overseas

KUALA LUMPUR: Mohd Saiful Bukhari Azlan is not being charged because he is the key witness in the sodomy case against PKR de facto leader Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, said Home Minister Datuk Seri Syed Hamid Albar.

He said that in a criminal justice system, when a person comes forward to report on a matter, the person would be protected.

“Usually, the victim is given protection,” Syed Hamid said after the MoU signing ceremony between Malaysian and Australian Governments on immigration cooperation here yesterday.

He also said that Anwar was innocent until proven guilty by the court.

“However, it doesn't mean that we can't take action against him just because he is a VIP.” He also advised the public not to jump to conclusions before the case is decided by the court.

Asked on former US vice-president Al Gore's statement issued in Nashville, Tennessee, Syed Hamid said the was not surprised.

“He has been criticising us all this while. He should be happy that the case is now going to court. Even so, Anwar has been granted bail and he can stand in the Permatang Pauh by-election.

“Let the court decide. The bottom line is, justice will be served,” he said.

Earlier, Syed Hamid had briefed the Australian delegation on the case.

According to Australian Immigration and Citizenship Minister Senator Chris Evans, the Australian Government had been assured that proper judicial process would be followed.

At the Jalan Duta courts, immediately after he was released on bail, Anwar had asked why Saiful had not been charged as well since the alleged sodomy act was said to be consensual.

“If it is “suka sama suka” (consensual), why was I the only one being charged? If it is consensual, both should be charged,” he added.

---

Why isn’t Saiful charged too? asks PKR leader

KUALA LUMPUR: PKR adviser Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim pleaded not guilty to sodomising his former aide Mohd Saiful Bukhari Azlan over a month ago.

The party’s de facto leader denied having committed the offence at Desa Damansara Condominium in Jalan Setiakasih, Bukit Damansara, between 3.01pm and 4.30pm on June 26.

The news that got many excited yesterday however, was that he walked out of court after posting a non-surety personal bond of RM20,000.

At the outset yesterday, when his name was called at 10.10am yesterday for the charge to be read out to him before Sessions judge S.M. Komathy Suppiah, Anwar who will turn 61 on Sunday, smiled and walked slowly to the dock under the watchful eyes of those in the packed courtroom.

Upon hearing the charge, Anwar said: “It is malicious slander and a betrayal. I am not guilty.”

Solicitor-General Datuk Idrus Harun, who led a four-man prosecution team, asked for bail to be set at RM20,000 in one surety and Anwar’s passport be surrendered to the court but lead defence counsel Sulaiman Abdullah went further to request for his client to be released on a personal bond.

Sulaiman said the nine-man defence team objected to the court retaining the passport saying there would be no possibility of Anwar absconding.

“Anwar is contesting for the Permatang Pauh parliamentary seat and has a strong possibility of going to Parliament. This morning it was announced that he would be made the Opposition Leader. It is inconceivable that he will not turn up in court for his case,” he said.

Sulaiman urged the court to consider Anwar’s public standing and the fact that he had cooperated with the authorities during investigations into the case.

Komathy then asked investigating officer DSP Jude Pereira, who is also Brickfields CID chief, if Anwar had been cooperative, to which, DSP Pereira said “Yes”.

She then asked Idrus whether there was a possibility of Anwar absconding or tampering with the witnesses, to which he said: “It is difficult to say but the possibility is always there.”

Sulaiman then argued that the case was an ideal one to grant a bond to let Anwar know that the law was on his side.

“This case is a rare case, but of course the second or third time,” he said drawing laughter from people in the public gallery. Anwar also smiled.

Anwar smiled as the judge, who granted the bond, inquired whether his birthday would be on Sunday. He confirmed it and thanked the judge for the bond, causing all his supporters in the courtroom to applaud and cheer loudly.

Komathy also set Sept 10 for mention pending any application to transfer the case to the High Court.

Speaking to reporters later, Anwar who signed his bond papers at 11.12am, said his case is not a normal case and that the defence would ask for a copy of the police report on the allegations against him.

He also asked why Saiful was not charged for the offence.

“Just imagine if Saiful had to sit in the same dock with me, what to do?” he asked as he winked at reporters and laughed aloud.

He also said that he had been teased and advised by his friends that he should learn a lesson not to have a “young, smart and handsome man around me”.

“I was told that I couldn’t bring a pretty girl. She (his wife Datuk Seri Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail) will object.

“I cannot bring a young man or old man. I can only bring an 80-year-woman on a wheelchair. I will be safe. If it's a pretty girl, Azizah will strangle me,” he said with laughter.

---

It’s 1998 once more - almost

KUALA LUMPUR: It was almost like 10 years ago, only this time things were less tense because the players knew what to do.

The charging of Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim here yesterday again saw a zealous police watch, hundreds of staunch supporters chanting Reformasi!, a high-level prosecution team keeping a stoic silence and battery of top-notch lawyers defending Anwar.

The media too, both local and international, turned out in full force at the Jalan Duta court to cover the event.

Police had turned the court into a high-security area by sending a large team of personnel, including FRU troops, to guard the court and the surrounding area well before the crowds started coming in around 9am.

Many at the court were heard grumbling about the heightened security because it hampered work.

Across the city, others complained about the police blocks which caused huge traffic jams.

However, there was “bright” side to all the drama. The event became a reunion of sorts for many who had also been involved in Anwar's earlier sodomy charge 10 years ago.

“How unfortunate that we have to meet under such circumstances. How have you been these last 10 years?" and “She was there in the court in 1998 and now we are meeting again under similar conditions'' were the common exchanges heard among the crowd.

A composed and smiling Anwar, the de facto PKR leader who stands accused of committing an unnatural sexual act, started his journey from his home in Bukit Segambut at 9.30am, accompanied by wife Datin Seri Dr Wan Azizah Ismail.

He arrived at the courthouse at about 9.40am, to loud chants of Reformasi! He continued to be the centre of attraction as he walked to Sessions Court 1 on the fourth floor, accompanied by party vice-president Mohd Azmin Ali, as a team of lawyers and supporters jostled to be near him.

Opposition party leaders were also present. The DAP father-and-son teams of Lim Kit Siang and Guan Eng, as well as Karpal Singh and Gobind Singh said they were there to support Anwar. PAS vice-president Datuk Husam Musa, who was there, said the trial must be fair.

Businessman Datuk Soh Chee Wen said he was in court to show support to a long-time friend. “We’ve been friends for more than 10 years. I believe friends should have some sense of honour. This is a high profile case but I still show my face because I want to lend him my support,” said Soh.

Anwar then emerged with Dr Wan Azizah and daughter Nurul Izzah after signing a personal bond. He proclaimed he was innocent and urged the supporters who had been chanting Reformasi! to be calm.

Anwar also chose to walk to the main gate in a show of thanks to his supporters, after which he was chauffeured home.

---

Anwar’s lawyer: Judge and prosecution team were fair this time around

KUALA LUMPUR: Supporters of Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim and PKR including his family members and lawyers commended the court for acting fairly at his latest sodomy case.

They claimed victory in round one of the trial after Anwar was released on a personal bond pending hearing.

“It is a good action by the judge. He does not have to pay money for his release,” Anwar's wife and PKR president Datuk Seri Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail said.

Dr Wan Azizah said she had been concerned as her husband suffers from back pain.

One of his lawyers, Sankara Nair said that although the offence could allow for discretionary bail, the defence team had been apprehensive because Anwar was denied bail at his earlier sodomy trial 10 years ago.

“I believe, with the prosecution team not opposing bail, this court, and this judge, has been fair,” Nair said.

DAP adviser Lim Kit Siang said he welcomed the decision to allow Anwar bail on a personal bond, but said there should not have been any charge in the first place.

Lim urged the Attorney-General's Chambers to reconsider and drop the charge.

“Malaysia does not need another cause celebre. It is not good because the whole country is put in the dock,” said Lim.

Party secretary-general Lim Guan Eng said the hearing was a first round victory for Pakatan Rakyat and he hoped that the trial would proceed fairly, so the truth would be known and those responsible charged.

PAS vice-president Datuk Husam Musa said it was welcome indeed for the court to be “seen to be fair”. He wanted such fairness to be the hallmark of the entire trial.

---

Five witnesses were with Anwar at material time, says Sankara

KUALA LUMPUR: Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim's defence team will produce at least five witnesses claiming they were with the PKR de facto leader at the material time of the unnatural sex charge.

“We have a water-tight alibi. In fact, we told the police about the alibi on July 10 at the police station. The police had also investigated and taken statements from all the witnesses that we named,” said Sankara Nair, one of Anwar's counsel.

He added the defence team was perplexed about why the police insisted on wanting to charge Anwar although alibi and witnesses had been produced.

Sankara claimed it was a frivolous and unnecessary charge which was politically motivated.

“There were people around him at the material time. Datuk Seri Anwar had said he was there at the condominium, but he had people around him because they were having a meeting,” Sankara told reporters outside the Sessions Court after Anwar was charged with committing consensual unnatural sex with his former aide Mohd Saiful Bukhari Azlan.

Saiful had on June 28 lodged a report against Anwar for sodomy.

He added that the medical report from Hospital Pusrawi – which allegedly found no medical indication that Saiful had been sodomised – was also strong supporting evidence.

Asked if the defence team was prepared if the prosecution piled on additional charges later, Sankara said the possibility was open because “there is a very powerful machinery out there.”

However, he said the charges would normally be filed together.

---

US to monitor legal proceedings

KUALA LUMPUR: The United States will closely monitor legal proceedings involving Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim's sodomy case.

The US Embassy, in a statement issued yesterday, urged that the rule of law be upheld.

It said the transparent and impartial application of the law in the case was crucial in order for continued confidence in Malaysia as a democratic country.

The statement said Anwar's past sodomy conviction pointed to a flawed legal process that led to the conviction being overturned later by the court.

---

Ministry to explain sodomy charge overseas

PETALING JAYA: The Foreign Ministry will organise a series of information sessions overseas on the sodomy case against PKR adviser Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim.

“We are preparing the facts,” said minister Datuk Seri Dr Rais Yatim.

“This will give the true picture so there will be no misconceptions that can hurt Malaysia’s image.

“Any judgment or directive by a court or the legal department should be upheld; foreign countries should understand the Malaysian legal system and that we do uphold the rule of law,” he told reporters at a press conference after opening the inaugural Malaysian International Law Symposium.

On the statement of former US vice-president Al Gore that the Malaysian government was involved in “character assassination to silence an effective leader of the political opposition,” Dr Rais said Gore should respect the laws of other countries.

“I think he should concentrate on his environmental pursuits instead of interfering. Anyway, he has gore-d us before,” punned Dr Rais, referring to the Apec Business Summit meeting in 1998 where Gore upset ministers when he praised the “brave people of Malaysia” fighting for reform and then walked out of the dinner.

Asked whether the Foreign or Home Ministry would be organising the consultation and preparing the state report for Malaysia’s Universal Periodic Review at the United Nations Human Rights Council next year, he said:

“Various departments are engaged in this exercise. The Home Minister will be annexing certain documents and I believe the Home Ministry will also be producing certain reports to augment the submission.”

Asked about Malaysia’s Olympic athletes who might be thinking of politicising the Tibet issue in China, he replied: “Do the sports, not the politics.”

-TMB

Anjing punya pasal kah?

Blogger Hasbullah Pit bagi tau penangkapan Bakaq a.k.a Penarik Beca , ikut laporan BERNAMA adalah disebabkan oleh artikel yang berkaitan dengan polis

Artikel Bakaq tu sekadar menyoroti tulisan RPK dan sekadar bertanya :Kenapa Tak Usik Raja Petra ?

Bakaq, hang ingat tak hari tu mata Anwar lebam sebab depa kata Anwar panggil Rahim Nor ‘Anjing’ . La ni Bakaq , hang kena cekup, aku rasa pasai hang pi ubah suai logo Polis Diraja Malaysia (PDRM) tu kut!

Awat polis kita sensitif sangat pasai anjing ni? Bukankah PDRM kita memang ada banyak anjing?

Yang terbaru melibatkan salah urus RM98 juta juga ada kaitan dengan pembelian anjing :

Dakwaan tersebut berpunca daripada kegagalan mematuhi ‘ standard operating procedure’ (SOP) dalam mengendalikan pembekalan termasuk kes pembelian beberapa ekor anjing sewaktu Pilihan Raya bulan Mac.

-ALHUSSEYN

Penangkapan Penarik Beca Sudah boleh Di Slashdotkan

Menurut Catatan UmmiAnni, Tersiar akan satu berita dari BERNAMA (BERNAMA ditulis huruf besar kerana ianya akronim) tentang penangkapan Bang Bakaq a.k.a Penarik Beca adalah disebabkan oleh artikel yang berkaitan dengan polis.

Pegawai Penyiasat Siasatan Siber dan Multimedia Jabatan Siasatan Jenayah Komersial (JSJK), Supt Victor Sanjos berkata Abu Bakar ditahan pada pukul 10 malam tadi di rumahnya di Taman Koperasi Polis di sini bagi membantu siasatan mengikut Seksyen 4(1)(c) Akta Hasutan 1948.

Abu Bakar dalam blognya menyiarkan artikel yang memaparkan logo Polis Diraja Malaysia (PDRM) yang telah diubahsuai serta komennya mengenai kredibiliti Musa, termasuk dakwaan "Musa dikawal kumpulan kongsi gelap Cina," kata Sanjos kepada Bernama di sini Khamis.

Kalau begitu, artikel yang dimaksudkan ialah yang ini. "Kenapa Tak Usik Raja Petra?"

Di dalam catatan Bang Bakaq itu, Bang Bakaq hanya memetik apa yang diperkatakan oleh Raja Petra.
Yang peliknya pautan asal tentang "E-Power Force Solution" yang berada di laman web Raja Petra telahpun tiada.

Bang Bakaq telah membuat pautan kepada http://malaysia-today.net/blog2006/corridors.php?itemid=6061
sebagai "sumber"nya, akan tetapi laman itu sudah tiada.

Mengapa laman itu sudah tiada? Adakah ada arahan daripada polis kepada Raja Petra supaya memadamnya? Itu saya tidak tahu.

Akan tetapi sebahagian daripada artikel asal Raja Petra itu berada di blog Bang Bakaq.

Bang Bakaq hanya mempersoalkan kenapa tak saman Raja Petra? Bukan dia yang tukang bongkar.
Bang Bakaq sudah menyatakan dengan jelas bahawa artikel itu ditulis oleh Raja Petra.

Adakah polis akan menangkap semua orang yang menulis tetang "E-Power Force Solution"?

Mungkin bagi polis, setelah artikel di laman Raja Petra sudah dipadamkan, hanya artikel di blog Bang Bakaq yang masih ada.

Mari kita google. "E-Power Force Solution" <-- mesti klik Terdapat banyak lagi catatan lain yang menceritakan tentang "Power Force Solution". Polis perlu tangkap semua itu?

• Corridors of Power

• ALHUSSEYN: KPN, Tolong jelaskan ini!

• Malaysia's movers & shakers | Malaysian Business | Find Articles ...

• HarakahDaily.Net - Apabila gengster kuasai polis, apa jadi?

• perjalanan hidup: Sistem Pengurusan Data

• Apabila gengster kuasai polis, apa jadi? « Dewan Pemuda PAS ...

• Salahuddin gesa PM buat kerja, bukan buat bodoh « Dewan Pemuda PAS ...

Kalau Raja Petra tidak dedah, atau bang bakaq tidak petik raja petra, dan sekiranya tiada faktor "kongsi gelap" dibelakang syarikat itu, Yvonne Chong telah mendedahkan bahawa syarikat itu memang berkait dengan Perdana Menteri.

The 64-year-old entrepreneur is also a director of Brahim's International Franchises Sdn Bhd, a food company owned by the Prime Minister's brother Datuk Ibrahim Ahmad Badawi. He is also a director in AMMB Holdings Bhd, K&N Kenanga Holdings Bhd, Kawan Food Bhd and a host of private limited companies.

Itu baru google nama sistem, belum lagi google nama syarikatnya.

Sistem apa sampai 4 bilion?

Teresa Kok pernah mempersoalkan kenapa Syarikat itu terlalu berkuasa, di parlimen.

Bayangkan kalau Projek bernilai 4 bilion ini diberikan kepada syarikat IT Kerajaan Negeri seperti MICTH, boleh langsai hutang kerajaan Negeri Melaka 1.05 bilion itu.

Disini terdapat satu artikel menarik oleh Bang Bakaq berkaitan dengan isu sama, bukan dia yang bongkar, dia hanya merumuskan maklumat dari beberapa sumber sahaja.

Kesimpulan.
Saya menuntut satu suruhanjaya bebas untuk menyiasat Web Power Sdn Bhd.

-Hasbullah Pit

Pasai apa Tangkap Bakaq?

BEBASKAN BAKAQ- Mob

Saya cuba menyusuri beberapa ‘ entries’ Bakaq, kot-kot ada yang sensetif sangat kepada kerajaan PM Abdullah hingga dia kena cekup malam kelmarin.

Malam kelmarin saya baca posting Bakaq :

Sebagai orang Perak,terharu saya apabila membaca posting Cik Gu Al-Husseyn bertajuk "Sekelip waktu di sekitar pejabat MB Perak". Hanya yang saya harapkan ialah saya tidak meminta apa-apa, walau setengah sen pun. Hang jangan takut, Misbah. Aku kuat lagi ni. Aku takkan pi kacau hang.

Takkanlah tulis gitu pun seditious? Kita semua tidak pasti yang mana satu artikel Bakaq yang dianggap seditious oleh pihak Keselamatan Dalam Negeri.

Bakaq or his real name is Abdul Rashid Abu Bakar has contributed a lot in revealing the hidden agenda of the infamous Muzakarah between PAS and UMNO. It is so damaging that the Deputy President of PAS, Nasharuddin Mat Isa has made a threat to sue him although later it was proven that much of what Bakaq has revealed is true.Pasai pendedahan perjumpaan itukah? Dah tu pasai apa?

Esok, Bakaq, selepas reman satu hari , tentu dia akan ceritakan apa bendanya. Sabaqlah Bakaq, hang keluaq nanti tentu banyak modal untuk hang tulis.Teruskan!

-ALHUSSEYN

Apabila pemimpin telah tergelincir ...

Suatu ketika dulu , saya pernah menyaksikan suatu peristiwa yang agak lucu.Mungkin tidak patut saya katakan peristiwa itu sebagai lucu.Saya pun tak tahu nak kategorikan bagaimana.Saya katakan lucu, sebab saya terpaksa nak gelak bila mengingatkan semula kejadian tersebut. Macam saya katakan tadi , saya serba salah kerana rasa simpati dan rasa kesihan tu memanglah ada , tapi tergelak tak dapat nak elakan.Macamana tu ya?

Ceritanya begini, dulu-dulu , di pekan Gunung Rapat ni terdapat satu penempatan Pusat Latihan Orang Buta. Disitu mereka dilatih menganyam bakul rotan dan seumpamanya.

Setiap hari Jumaat, ada sekumpulan dari mereka yang pergi untuk sembahyang jumaat di mesjid kampung saya , Sungai Rokam. Mereka berjalan dalam satu barisan . Orang di hadapan , sebagai ketua sahaja yang memegang tongkat putih. Yang lainnya masing-masing memegang hujung baju kawan yang didepan. Gambarannya seperti anak gajah memegang ekor ibunya dengan belalai , lebih kurang macam tu lah!

Memang lucu melihatkan telatah mereka berjalan gitu.Masa itu , jalan raya tidaklah sesibuk dengan kereta seperti sekarang ini. Waktu itu saya baru belasan tahun lagi.Ini cerita 40 tahun dulu!

Mereka sedang dalam perjalanan balik dari mesjid.Berjujut mereka berjalan di sepanjang pinggir jalan raya.Entah macam mana , ketua dihadapan ni leading the way agak laju sikit. Tapi mereka tu nampak girang sesama mereka. Masing-masing saya lihat mendongak kelangit dan menapak demi tapak dengan penuh yakin mengekori ketua yang dihadapan.

Entah macam mana , (nak tergelaklah saya ni!) orang depan tu telah tergelincir masuk ke dalam longkang di tepi jalan ! Saya lihat satu, satu, hingga kelima-lima semuanya masuk kedalam longkang beriringan dengan gelak ketawa mereka. Orang-orang yang melihat pun turut ketawa tahan perut takut pecah!

Nasib baiklah longkang tu tidak dalam dan masing-masing dapat keluar dari longkang itu dengan selamat; mereka duduk ditepi longkang masing-masing gelak tak sudah!

Saya pasti mereka telah hilang kepercayaan terhadap orang yang jadi ketua tadi.Sambil duduk-duduk dengan gelak tak sudah itu, tentunya mereka terpaksa melantik orang lain untuk memegang tongkat putih kerana perjalanan perlu diteruskan lagi.

-ALHUSSEYN