by Dr Syed Alwi of Singapore
Dear Editor,
As you know, I am an avid watcher of Malaysian affairs. I must confess that lately, Malaysia appears to be failing. Not a day passes by without more events that clearly highlight Malaysia 's race-religion fault-line. If things keep going this way, I fear for Malaysia 's future.
Today, schools in Singapore celebrate Racial Harmony Day. I can
visibly see the joy in the children's faces as they wear their ethnic
costumes and have fun together at school. But in Malaysia - even the right to choose a religion has become a sensitive, national issue. No doubt, there are many in Malaysia who hate my liberal views on Islam, family included. But I will say what I must say openly. I have come to the conclusion that Malaysia cannot progress any further without first addressing fundamental questions regarding its identity and soul.
I remember the days when we can laugh at Lat's cartoons on everyday Malaysian life. But sadly, the Islamic tide has polarised Malaysians. Some people ask why I should bother about Malaysian affairs since I am a Singaporean. May I remind Malaysians that it was Tan Siew Sin who once said that Singapore and Malaysia are Siamese Twins. Should Malaysia go down - it would hurt the region tremendously. Especially Singapore ..
Where do you think Malay apostates would head for if Lina Joy loses her case? Singapore of course! I find the Malaysian Malay to be very under-exposed. For them, it's all Islam and the NEP and everything under the sun would sort itself out. I am sorry to say this - but Islam and the NEP may be the cause of the undoing of the Malaysian Malay.
There is nothing wrong with religion or affirmative action. But, like
everything else in life, they must be taken in moderation and with a pinch of salt. A little doubt is good. Unfortunately in Malaysia ,
emotions over Islam have overcome reason. What we see today is the result of the NEP and Islamisation policies of the past thirty years or so.
No one owes Malaysian Malays a living. Let me assure you that should Malaysia fail - the Malaysian Malay will suffer enormously. And rightly so. After all - they have been pampered with all sorts of goodies over the years. They cannot now expect more goodies. Perhaps the day of reckoning for them, is near. Whatever it is, Malaysia had better wake up to the realities around her. The globalised world of the 21st century has no NEP to offer the Malaysian Malay. And humans cannot live by religion alone.
Regards,
Dr Syed Alwi."
"Raja
The raid was is in relation to the sodomy allegation against Anwar Ibrahim where the said doctor who examined the accuser, Saiful, confirmed he could not find any evidence that the young man had been sodomised by anyone.
The police confiscated a notebook computer, a scanner and some documents and left about two hours later. Raja
See Majik River HERE & Malaysia Today HERE
In a word the police in Malaysia are perceived by many to "PATHETIC".
At a time when Malaysia is riddled with crime, when the almost total absence of law enforcement means that the roads and highways of Malaysia are death-traps, and when thieves, robbers and bandits are virtually free to do as they like, and when house-breaking and vehicle theft are commonplace (e.g. in Shah Alam, Selangor); it is shamefully unbelievable that the Royal Malaysian Police can find so much time for so many seemingly 'politically associated petty pursuits'.
Palatial, and abnormally large police stations and quarters (e.g. at Simpang Empat, Malacca, and on Pulau Perhentian Kecil) the increased number of police personnel and vehicles have not translated into real policing and effective law enforcement.
Salus populi suprema lex
At 00:00 on 23.08.2008'BUY' ELECTION PERMATANG PAUH
FUEL PRICES REDUCED TO INDUCE
THE VOTERS TO VOTE FOR THE BN
ABDULLAH B CANNOT SEE IT
ANWAR DESERVES THE CREDIT FOR IT
UMNO / BN ARE TRULY DOWN & OUT LOSERS
PLEASE POST YOUR THANK YOU CARDS TO ANWAR
MARK YOUR CROSS AGAINST HIS NAME
LET PERMATANG PAUH GO DOWN IN HISTORY
ON 26 AUGUST 2008, AS THE DAY BN / UMNO WAS SHOWN THE GATE
Najib Razak has criticised the attitude of members of the opposition parties who were said to be rude to national leaders in campaigning for the Permatang Pauh parliamentary by-election.
DPM Najib said the opposition parties had engaged groups to shout and show lewd signs at Barisan Nasional (BN) leaders and followed these leaders wherever they went.
“The opposition did not show any respect to their opponents. Is this the image of the party that wants to rule the country,” he said when visiting the BN Youth Main Operations Room, here Sunday night.
For the full story, please click HERE
What about his own [BN / UMNO] uncouth, ignorant and very rude supporters?
They show very clearly the low calibre of the party / UMNO dominant coalition which is ruling (or should that be ruining?) the country now!
See the photo below, a picture which is worth a thousand words.
Ignorant uncouth and pathetic BN / UMNO Arseholes Performing on nomination day at Permatang Pauh
(Click on photo for bigger image)
PHOTO SOURCE: MAFREL
BN / UMNO are past masters of hurling insults and are far worse character assassins, and insinuators than any opposition parties or coalition.
Voters in the Permatang Pauh Parliamentary By-Election, vote for Anwar, and give UMNO / BN a good ‘slap in the face’.
Lin Dan started strongly and was leading 7-1 in the first five minutes with his accurate placing, overhead smashes and superb court craft.
It was clear at this point that Lin Dan, backed by vociferous Chinese supporters in the crowd, was aiming for nothing less than the gold and was mentally and physically charged for the battle with his Malaysian challenger.
When the scoreline read 18-10, Chong Wei had no choice but to change his plan to save his energy for the second game. Coach Misbun Sidek, watching from the sidelines, must have advised him likewise.
Before the match, a tv commentator declared the anticipation of all when he described the Lin Dan-Chong Wei clash the most awaited match of the Olympics badminton event.
"We can expect an exciting and closely-fought match between these two greatest badminton players today," he said.
But it was not to be. The crowds who packed the Beijing University of Technology gymnasium and the millions of tv viewers were left dumbfounded as to what actually happened.
It was a night of deep constrasts - Chong Wei could do nothing right and Lin Dan nothing wrong.This is badminton
The world's No 1 raced to a commanding 8-0 lead in the second game before giving away a point with an unforced error. At 11-1, Malaysians could sense it was all over. Surely, it was impossible to defeat Lin Dan - this was his night and the gold medal was his to savour.
Chong Wei continued to struggle to find his rythmn and finally managed to score with three powerful cross-court smashes and reduced the score-line to 14-4.
At 19-6, the Malaysian world's No 2 started to shake his head in disbelief as reality sank in. Misbun Sidek also looked lost.
But this is badminton. The one in better form on the night will win. Cruel as it may be for Chong Wei, he was also playing in Lin Dan's den and there is always a home ground advantage in any sports.
But Chong Wei could also hold his head high for what he had achieved at the Beijing Olympics.
He can return to Malaysia a hero as he is the first Malaysian singles shuttler to qualify for the final in the Olympics.
In Be
ijing, Chong Wei also ended Malaysia's 12-year medal drought. Malaysia's last triumphant return from the Olympics was in 1996 with a silver from the doubles pair of Cheah Soon Kit and Yap Kim Hock and a bronze from singles winner, Rashid Sidek.
While it will be another long wait for the Jalur Gemilang to be hoisted and the Malaysian anthem to be played at the Olympics, Malaysians can be consoled that at least, there is a silver lining from the Beijing Olympics.
As for Chong Wei, he deserved a good rest and perhaps find time to enjoy the RM300,000 reward from the Malaysian government.
And wait, he could also easily win the Malaysian Sportsman of the Year award for 2008.
He is the only Malaysian to get a silver medal. I SALUTE U LEE CHONG WEI FOR BRINGING BACK A SILVER MEDAL FOR MALAYSIA.LADIES AND GENTLEMAN HE DID IT FOR THE NATION,FOR MALAYSIA !!!!!!!! THANK YOU !!!
IF and WHEN Anwar Ibrahim becomes Prime Minister on 16 September (mSTAR); his former boss, Mahathir Mohammad plans to migrate.
Mahathir will be joining the ranks of thousands of Malaysians who migrate every year. Poor Malaysia.
One thinks that Mahathir loathes being in a country ruled by his former deputy, whom he tried so hard to eliminate, as far back as 1998 (aka sodomy I).
But alas, I believe he plans to leave the country for fear that the current repressive laws - from ISA to OSA, Sedition, Sodomy, Emergency, etc - would be used against him instead.
Dictators never learn that the same laws that put them in power may some day become the noose around their necks.
Laws which they summon at their whims and fancies to send political dissidents and social activists behind bars. They forget they may become the Opposition one day, too, like Mahathir.
Mahathir also says he does not want a man who “stepped him in the back” while being his deputy to run the country. We respect his opinion, but this is getting too personal.
It appears now that Mahathir had been ’sodomised’ by Anwar, too, in those years when they were at the country’s top leadership, both happily in cohorts, while screwing away the various public institutions .
But it is uncertain, whether the act (sodomy) was consensual or otherwise.
The former PM’s statement was reported in Malay daily Mingguan Malaysia last night, where he also predicted that Anwar will not have a chance to be PM come September 16, although he might be able to win Permatang Pauh.
Mahathir is becoming such an oracle these days.
Anwar, on the hand, becomes benevolent and says he has ‘forgiven’ Mahathir, but still questioned the sodomy charges against him.
The question is whether Anwar would launch his revenge on Mahathir if ever he becomes PM. That I believe is the one and only deciding factor whether Mahathir migrates or not.
It’s not really migration that Mahathir is thinking about or plans to seek, but political asylum, when the un-imaginable or (to some) inevitable happens on the much hyped about 1609 (Malaysia Day).
Anwar turns 61 yesterday, and is gearing himself up for the by-election (not bi-erection, ok!) of his life, from 16-26 August 2008.
“On 27 August I enter Parliament, on the 30 August the PM presents the 2008 Budget, then we shake the Parliament and take over the government” (Anwar).
Talk about positive thinking, an impending coup and the father of all brain-drain!
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, Home Affairs Minister Syed Hamid Albar reportedly said.
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 would be given protection," said Syed Hamid.
He also said that Anwar is 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 said.
He also advised the public not to jump into any conclusion before the court decides the case.
In the police report he lodged on 28th June 2008, Saiful had claimed he was forcibly sodomised.
Anwar is however being charged under Section 377B (click for the Star story) of the Penal Code, which implies consensual sodomy.
“If it is “suka sama suka” (consensual), why was I the only one being charged? If it is consensual, both should be charged,” Anwar said after coming out of the Sessions Court in Jalan Duta, after being charges with sodomy on Thursday, 7th August 2008.
Umno vice-president Muhyiddin Yassin warned that vote-buying in the ruling party is rampant and must be curbed to prevent serious harm to the party.
The Umno-led coalition's failure to address corruption on a national scale was a major factor in March general elections when voters dealt it an unprecedented setback, depriving it of its two-thirds majority in Parliament.
"As party members, we must view this problem seriously and I regard Umno now being in a danger zone if money politics continues unabated," party vice-president Muhyiddin Yassin said, according to the state Bernama news agency.
"I've received unofficial reports that it has become rampant at all levels and it is frightening if this becomes normal practice in future."
Seen as potential successor
Muhyiddin is seen as a potential successor to Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi, who has faced calls to quit since the elections, but Muhyiddin has said he will not challenge the premier at party leadership polls later this year.
The party vice-president, who is also trade minister, said that while vote-buying had in the past occurred in ballots for top Umno posts, it had now spread to the branch level.
"It is sad if one day the people see this problem as synonymous with Umno so the situation must be corrected before the next general election," he said, according to Bernama.
Umno last month asked the country's anti-corruption watchdog to help it battle vote-buying in the heated contest for top posts during the party's general assembly from December 16 to 20.
Former premier Dr Mahathir Mohamad has denied speculation he will run against his arch-foe, opposition leader Anwar Ibrahim, in a by-election expected to return Anwar to parliament.
Anwar was Mahathir's deputy and heir apparent until 1998 when he was sacked and jailed on sodomy and corruption charges widely seen as retribution for challenging hi
s one-time mentor.
Mahathir, who has also had a serious falling out with his successor, Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi, said the ruling party has no one who can beat Anwar in the Aug 26 by-election.
"At the moment I do not see anyone who can give Anwar a run for his money," Mahathir said, according to the New Straits Times newspaper.
'I'm not coming back'
But Mahatir said he would not challenge Anwar for the seat vacated by Anwar's wife after he was charged with sodomy once again last week.
"No way, I have resigned in 2003 and I have said that I'm not coming back," he said, according to the state Bernama news agency.
Despite the new allegations that he sodomised a young male aide - a serious offence in Malaysia that carries a penalty of 20 years imprisonment - Anwar has said he is still on track to seize power.
Landmark general elections in March handed the opposition an unprecedented one-third of parliamentary seats, and Anwar would need just 30 lawmakers from the ranks of the ruling coalition to switch sides.
About 300 protesters have gathered outside Bar Council headquarters demanding that the lawyers group halt its controversial forum on ‘Conversion to Islam’ this morning.
The Bar Council today, adhereing to the advice of the police - and an angry mob at its doorstep - wrapped up its half-day forum on 'Conversion to Islam' at 10am, an hour after it had started.
Earlier about 300 protesters have gathered outside Bar Council headquarters demanding that the lawyers group halt its controversial forum on ‘Conversion to Islam’.
A leader of the protesters - PKR Kulim-Bandar Baharu parliamentarian Zulkifli Noordin - declared the abrupt end of the forum as a victory for them. By 10.40am, most of the protesters have dispersed.
The open forum on the sensitive religious issue kicked off at 9am but angry protestors have given organisers half an hour to cancel the event.
About 15 police officers and an Federal Reserve Unit truck have been deployed to the area and the road leading to the Bar Council office where the forum is held has been closed.
In the bid to diffuse the situation, the police have told Bar Council to wrap up its forum by 10am.
The protesters, many of whom are from Muslim welfare organsation Perkida and Islamic party PAS, shouted, “Hancur Bar Council” (Crush Bar Council), “Hidup Islam” (Long Live Islam) and “Batal forum” (Cancel the forum).
They are carrying placards saying “Jangan cabar Islam” (Don’t challenge Islam) and “Bar Council, Don’t play with fire”.
Among the protest leaders seen in the crowd are PAS Youth chief Salahuddin Ayub and Zulkifli.
The protesters, many of whom came just before the forum began, later decided to sit down in front of the Bar Council building and vowed that they would not budge until the event had been cancelled.
Some threatened to storm the building to physically stop the forum.
One speaker pull out
Among the speakers at the forum was syariah lawyer Mohd Haniff Khatri Abdulla. Mohd Haniff represented the Federal Territory’s Islamic Religious Council in the case of R Subashini. K Shanmuga and Ravi Nekoo, who were counsel for Subashini and S Shamala, respectively, also spoke.
Men who don’t understand women at all, by and large, fall into two groups:
Bachelors and Husbands.
A man, upon his engagement, went to his father and said, “I’ve found a woman just like mother!”
His father replied, “So what do you want from me, sympathy?”
The bride tells her husband, “Honey, you know I’m a virgin and I don’t know anything about sex. Can you explain it to me first?”
“OK, Sweetheart. Putting it simply, we will call your private place ‘the prison’ and call my private thing ‘the prisoner’. So what we do is: put the prisoner in the prison.
And then they made love for the first time.
Afterwards, the guy is lying face up on the bed, smiling with satisfaction.
Nudging him, his bride giggles, “Honey the prisoner seems to have escaped.”
Turning on his side, he smiles. “Then we will have to re-imprison him.”
After the second time they spent, the guy reaches for his cigarettes but the girl, thoroughly enjoying the new experience of making love, gives him a suggestive smile, “Honey, the prisoner is out again!”
The man rises to the occasion, but with the unsteady legs of a recently born foal.
Afterwards, he lays back on the bed, totally exhausted.
She nudges him and says, “Honey, the prisoner escaped again.”
Limply turning his head, He YELLS at her, “Hey, its not a life sentence, OKAY!
A pregnant woman boarded a bus. When she noticed a young man smiling at her she began feeling humiliated on account of her condition.
She changed her seat and he seemed more amused. She moved again and then on her third move he burst out laughing.
She had him arrested.
Then the case came before the court, the young man was asked why he acted in such a manner.
His reply was: When the lady boarded the bus I couldn’t help noticing she was pregnant. She sat under an advertisement, which read: Coming Soon: The Gold Dust Twins.
I was even more amused when she sat under a shaving advertisement, which read: William’s Stick Did The Trick.
Then I could not control myself any longer when on the third move she sat under an advertisement, which read: Dunlop Rubber would have prevented this accident.
ENJOY GUYS !!!!!!!!!!!
Anwar Ibrahim has been charged under Section 377B of the Malaysian Penal Code, which reads:
"Whoever voluntarily commits carnal intercourse against the order of nature shall be punished with imprisonment for a term which may extend to twenty years, and shall also be liable to whipping."
I understand that this his means Anwar is charged for consensual (voluntary) anal sex (buggery), not for rape, assault or forced anal sex.
Anwar Ibrahim questioned why he was the only one brought to court if he was supposed to have had committed a consensual unnatural sexual act with his former aide, Mohamad Saiful Bukhari Azlan according to Malaysiakini
“If it is consensual, why was I the only one being charged?"
"This is a political persecution,” he was reported to have said after he is released on a RM20,000 personal bond.
Diligite justitiam, o judices terrae
PKR leader Anwar Ibrahim pleaded not guilty to the charge of having carnal intercourse against the order of nature at the Sessions Court in Jalan Duta court complex this morning.
"This is a malicious slander and I'm not guilty," he told Sessions judge SM Komathy.
The prosecution did not opposed bail and proposed bail be set at RM20,000 and that Anwar be required to surrender his passport.
However judge Komathy said that there was no need for the RM20,000 bail and instead a personal bond would suffice.
He also said that Anwar need not surrender his passport as the opposition leader was not likely to abscond.
The charge, preferred following a complaint by 23-year-old Mohd Saiful Bukhari Azlan, carries a punishment of up to 20 years' imprisonment if found guilty.
Anwar was charged with having committed sodomy on Saiful under section 337B of the Penal Code on July 26 between 3.01pm and 4.30pm at Unit 11-5-1 Desa Damansara Condo in Bukit Damansara, Kuala Lumpur.
Earlier today, Anwar arrived at 9.45am to chants of 'reformasi' from 200 supporters who have gathered outside the court complex. He was accompaned by his wife, Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail and eldest daughter Nurul Izzah.
Penang Chief Minister and DAP secretary-general Lim Guan Eng read out a short joint statement from the opposition Pakatan Rakyat coalition.
He said should Anwar was denied bail, Wan Azizah would be the coordinator of the Pakatan council.
Other Pakatan leaders present include PKR leaders Azmin Ali and Tian Chua, DAP leaders Lim Kit Siang and Gobind Singh Deo and PAS leader Husam Musa.
The de facto PKR leader, who was in a greyish jacket and light purple shirt, appeared relaxed. He smiled and talked to some of his supporters and Pakatan leaders inside the courtroom.
He told Tenaganita director and PKR leader Irene Fernandez that this court case would be the "final round".
Anwar is represented by a seven-member legal team headed by Sulaiman Abdullah. The other defence lawyers are R Sivarasa, Sankara Nair, Saiful Izham Ramli, Amer Hamzah, Edmund Bon and Leela J Jesuthasan.
There are also other lawyers who are holding watching brief for Bar Council and Washington-based Human Rights Watch, Paris-based International for Human Rights and Bangkok-based Forum Asia.
Heavy security
The police have put the entire court complex under heavy security, with police personnel lining up along the roads leading to the complex, as well as within the complex itself.
At least seven police and Federal Reserve Unit trucks are seen in the court parking area.
Similarly the police have also mounted several roadblocks in certain parts of the city, causing massive gridlocks in all main arteries that enter the city centre.
The police are also limiting public access to the courtroom - Sessions Court 1 - in which Anwar will be charged. All members of public are also asked to register themselves before entering the courtroom.
BRAIN TRANSPLANTS In the hospital the relatives gathered in the waiting room. A family member lay gravely ill. Finally, the doctor came in looking tired and sombre. "I'm afraid I'm the bearer of bad news," he said,
as he surveyed the worried faces. "The only hope left for your loved one at this time
is a brain transplant. It's an experimental procedure, very risky but it is
the only hope. Insurance will cover the procedure, but you will
have to pay for the brain yourselves." The family members sat silent as they absorbed the
news.
After a pregnant pause, someone asked, "Well, how much does a brain cost?" The doctor quickly responded, RM 80,000 for a male brain, and RM 2,000 for
a female brain." The moment turned awkward. Men in the room tried not to smile, avoiding eye contact
with the women, but some actually smirked. A man unable to control his curiosity, blurted out the
question everyone wanted to ask, "Why is the male brain so much more expensive?" The doctor smiled at the childish innocence
and explained to the entire group: "It's just standard pricing procedure.
We have to mark down the price of the female brains,
because they've actually been used." * * Note:
The same pricing procedure (marking down) would doubtless
also be applicable for brains of most non- BN / UMNO politicians
regardless of their gender, and vice versa!
Extracts-
“….Human Resources Minister apparently has not seen the Australian Channel 7 television report on “forced labour and appalling working conditions” at a Nike contract factory in
…………….would not have lashed out at Nike, the athletics apparel giant, for interfering in the internal affairs of Malaysia.
…………….also said it was not appropriate for Nike to impose its own standards on a local supplier here.
Further, he said the allegations were not accurate and without basis.”
"I was raised with the idea that if you're not smart enough to do science you can do politics."
- Dr. Michael Crichton, 28-01-2005
PKR leader Anwar Ibrahim today said he had been informed he would be formally charged with sodomy tomorrow - a crime punishable by up to 20 years imprisonment.
"They are charging me tomorrow. It's for sodomy," Anwar told AFP, adding that the authorities had informed him of the move in a letter.This is not an ordinary by-election but a battle between the old corrupt order and the new Malaysia without race, without discrimination and with equality and justice for all citizens," he told supporters at a rally last week, referring to the upcoming battle in Permatang Pauh, a family stronghold i
n Penang.
The result will make or break his career, political analysts told IPS. The Election Commission is meeting today to fix nomination and polling dates, likely to be in late August or early September.
"The contest is arguably a major turning point in the progress of our society towards equality, justice and democracy," said Wong Chin Huat, political scientist with the Monash University Kuala Lumpur.
"Anwar is expected to win handsomely but everyone will be watching how big his winning majority would be because that would indicate how well his agenda for change is accepted by the voters," Wong told IPS.
Increasingly, the by-election is being seen as a battle between Anwar’s ‘cosmopolitanism and inclusive social and political philosophy’ versus the racial ideology of Umno and the Barisan Nasioanl coalition it leads.
Heavy campaigning has already started with both sides hurling accusations at each other.
'Betray Malay interests'
Umno is playing on fears that Anwar will betray Malay interests by overturning the New Economic Policy that gives preferential treatment to Malays in business and education.
"Anwar is an ambitious person who is willing to give up everything holy to Malays just to become prime minister," said Ezam Mohd Nor, a former Anwar aide who has since defected to Umno.
Anwar has said that the new sodomy charge, like the 1998 case, is a frame-up by authorities to derail his campaign to topple the government via inducing defections among ruling party backbenchers.
Anwar first won the constituency as a ruling party representative in 1982. Over successive years, he always fought there and won easily until his 1998 arrest and jailing.
Anwar has assured supporters that a change of government will happen before Sept16, a promise political insiders say is hard to keep but ensures that his supporters stay upbeat.
"We expect the sodomy allegation to be a key issue in the by-election," a political analyst said. "Anwar has bravely decided to face the people and put the question before them and let the people decide his guilt or innocence by the outcome of the results."
Anwar says a victory for him will further his ambition to return to parliament, engineer defections and topple the government and become prime minister.
"I need to be prime minister to begin implementing the real reforms that the country urgently needs," he said, rejecting as ‘sham’ measures Prime Minister Abdullah Badawi is trying to push through to clean up the judiciary and the police force in the face of opposition from his own cabinet colleagues.
Abdullah insists that ‘corrupting and buying’ of government backbenchers is immoral and the worst kind of corruption, and has warned his rival that it is a serious offence to bribe lawmakers to switch sides.
Anwar dismisses the allegations, saying the legislators are crossing the floor out of respect for his reform agenda.
Abdullah believes that his programme to reform society, curb corruption and promote transparency and accountability is firm, gradual and steady and that any ‘grab for power’ will destabilise the country, cause public fear and drive away foreign investors.
'Save' the country
Anwar counters by saying that Abdullah’s reforms have stalled and a new vision and a new political and economic agenda were needed to ‘save’ the country.
"We have never been this bad before," Anwar said in a campaign speech on Sunday. "The economy is without direction and the world is laughing at us. The world knows how low we have fallen."
Anwar, a former deputy prime minister until he was sacked and jailed on charges of corruption and sodomy- later rejected by a court - also refutes claims that he was contesting the by-election to escape the new sodomy allegations made by an aide.
The police have completed investigations and a decision is pending by the attorney-general whether to charge Anwar with sodomy, a serious offence under archaic laws with 20 years in jail and whippin
g, or drop the case.
"I am being victimised because I dare to stand up for the people and expose corruption. Because I am seen as challenging the corrupt system," Anwar said.
Political veterans say the voters of Permatang Pauh have a historic opportunity to influence the national political landscape.
"The election is not about an individual and a constituency but about the future of the Malaysian people and nation," said veteran opposition lawmaker Lim Kit Siang.
"The outcome will have special import in shaping the development of the Malaysian political landscape," Lim told IPS.
"The voters in Permatang Pauh have to speak up for the people of Malaysia to express their disgust at the worsening political, economic and nation-building crisis and send a clear and unmistakable message that the people have lost confidence in the national leadership."The police visited the home of PKR leader Anwar Ibrahim in Bukit Segambut, Kuala Lumpur at 12.10pm today and it is learnt that they have served him with a notice to appear in court tomorrow.
The police team was led by ASP Jude Pereira - who refused to speak to the waiting horde of reporters as he left Anwar's house.
The notice requires Anwar to be present at the Kuala Lumpur Sessions Court at 10am tomorrow.
Anwar meanwhile has called for a press conference at the PKR headquarters at 3pm today.
At present he is believed to be having a meeting with his lawyers and party leaders.
Anwar is being investigated by the police for a sodomy allegation based on a complaint made by his former aide.
The Permatang Pauh by-election is slated for Aug 26 (Tuesday) - with nomination day on Aug 16 (Saturday) - announced the Election Commission this morning.
The EC also said that it would use the latest electoral roll for the by-election, which will see 57,969 registered voters being eligible to vote as of July 31. There are also 490 postal voters.
The polling day falls during the mid-year school holidays which begin on Aug 15 until Aug 23.
The by-election is being called following the stepping down of PKR president Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail last week, to allow her husband Anwar Ibrahim to contest.
The latest incident involving Guang Ming Daily Loh Hoay Hoon, 25, occurred on Sunday night. She was allegedly kicked, choked and hit on the head by a group of PKR security personnel.
MCPA urged the police to be more vigilant in the future and immediately apprehend errant security personnel at the scene.
The association said that it has on several occasions raised their concerns of photographers to PKR and that the latter had promised to take steps to resolve the matter.
"MCPA deeply regrets that PKR's top leadership has failed to look into their shortcomings and allowed similar acts of violence to be perpetuated. This is highly unprofessional," said the statement.
Previously, MCPA submitted a written protest to PKR as the latter's volunteers had manhandled photographers during the anti-fuel price hike rally at the Kelana Jaya stadium.A similar written complaint was submitted by Malaysiakini on the matter and endorsed by five videographers from various news organisations. There has been no response to the letter.
PKR reg
rets incident
Meanwhile, Anwar's office issued a statement expressing regret over the incident.
The statement said that an investigation was being conducted on the matter, adding that the party held the media in high esteem and appreciated the coverage of their party events.
"We will try our best in avoiding such incidences in the future," added the statement.
In another statement, PKR information chief Tian Chua said that party president Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail had personally contacted Loh on the phone to express her regret over the incident.
A delegation of PKR leaders from Penang has also visited Loh at Guang Ming Daily.
A drug haul worth RM1 million has gone missing from police custody, jeopardising a probe into an international drug syndicate, a report said today.
The New Straits Times said the five-kilo stash of amphetamines, or "syabu", which had been stored at police headquarters in southern Johor state was believed to be from the year's biggest drug bust.
The daily said the thieves were alleged to be policemen and that they had used acid to dissolve the padlock to the evidence room where the drugs were kept, while 60 officers were on duty in the building.
It cited unnamed sources as saying that a police officer was detained on Saturday for failing a urine test carried out after the drugs were discovered missing on Thursday.
In March police announced they had busted an international drug ring in Johor, which borders Singapore, arresting twelve people including four Singaporeans and a Thai national.
Over 46 kilos of heroin, 11,316 Ecstasy pills and other drugs worth more RM48 million were seized in a haul believed to have been destined for export.
MALAYSIA BOLEH !!!!!!!!!! YEAH !!!!!!!!!!!
POLICE STATION......YEAH !!!!!!!!!! BO BO BO BOLEH !!!!!!!!!!!
An Umno veteran today lodge a complaint against party president Abdullah Ahmad Badawi and deputy president Najib Abdul Razak with the Anti-Corruption Agency (ACA) for alleged abuse of power.
The complainant, former Umno youth exco Mazlan Harun, claimed that both Abdullah and Najib had abused government machineries to garner support among Umno members in a bid to sustain their position in the party in the coming party elections.
The complaint was based on an open letter written by Umno Petaling Jaya Selatan division chief Zahar Hashim and addressed to the party's secretary general demanding that both Abdullah and Najib be disciplined for allegedly abusing their power.
