Harganya menjadi lebih mahal bergantung kepada jenis bahan yang digunakan. Beg-beg tangan ini diedarkan ke butik Hermes pada jadual yang tidak berkala dan dalam jumlah yang terhad, ini mencetuskan rebutan dan, secara tidak langsung ia telah menjadi eksklusif. Ia akhirnya menjadi kegilaan ramai, ia dikatakan mempunyai senarai menunggu yang panjang sehingga 6 tahun, dan dikatakan mempunyai senarai menunggu paling lama dalam sejarah.
Pemimpin-pemimpin PAS telah merancang untuk menaikkan isu koleksi beg tangan Rosmah, yang dipercayai bernilai RM1 juta dan meminta Suruhanjaya Pencegahan Rasuah Malaysia (SPRM) menyiasat perkara itu.
"Ini bukan satu isu yang remeh. Bagaimana dia mampu memiliki beg-beg yang mahal seperti itu. Mengapa dia dan Najib boleh berbelanja melebihi kemampuannya? Ini adalah isu serius. RM1 juta boleh dibelanjakan dengan baik untuk pembinaan kemudahan-kemudahan di luar bandar, untuk biasiswa dan lain-lain," menurut Mahfuz.
Arriving for an interview with Malaysiakini last week in a tiny Proton Savvy, the 57-year-old flashes his toothy grin.
Almost embarrassed by his formal wear, Mohamad, better known as Mat Sabu, said: I have to meet the Syrian ambassador afterwards, that's why I'm dressed like this. Or else I'll just be in a T-shirt.
The sight of Mat Sabu in a T-shirt is a common sight for followers of Malaysian politics, such as when the PAS leader donned a yellow one and marched with about 40,000 Malaysians in December 2007 for free and fair elections.
In fact, it is on this platform that the straight-talking politician delved into party politics after dipping his toes in the Malaysian Muslim Youth Movement (Abim) during his student days in the late 1970s.
Recalling those days, Mat Sabu said that joining Abim's campaign for PAS in the 1978 election which followed the Kelantan emergency in 1977 ignited a sense of anger towards a system which disallows the Opposition the same platform to speak.
Dr Mahathir (Mohamad) was deputy prime minister and education minister and he was free to campaign on school grounds, while PAS was banned from ceramah.
I saw how unfair this was, and thought if this was democracy in Malaysia, then it's really in bad shape. So when we came back (from Kelantan), I went straight to PAS headquarters and filled in the membership form.
I did not join PAS because of its Islamic platform or because I was anti-Umno. It was for want of a better democracy ! and it i s a struggle which my colleagues and I continue until now, he said.
A 'Marxist' PAS leader?
The fact that he does not hail from a religious background has been a point of attack for his detractors, and responding to this, the affable leader quotes an unlikely figure to deflect the accusations Karl Marx himself.
Marx said that religion is the opium for the people(In the past) priests supported cruel tsars, wages were neglected, Christian leaders supported oppressive monarchs, so if they wanted to bring social change (at the time), they have to reject religion.
Religion is like opium too in Malaysia and in the Arab nations. This view is highly controversialbut I see religion being misused, he said, adding that this would probably have him accused of being from a different following.
Defending his 'different' view, the father of four whose shock of black hair hides his age said that his quest remains to advocate for an Islam in substance and not just in name. Although he does not admit it, the leader - who attributes his youthful appearance to his famous sense of humour - has been accused of subscribing to the Shiite school of thought.
The school of thought is considered deviant in Malaysia, the Muslim population of which follow the Sunni school. The links could be traced to Mat Sabu's unabashed admiration for the late Ayatollah Khomeini who led the Iranian revolution in 1979 - an event which the former said formed much of his point of view.
Why do I support Khomeini? Because he used religion to mobilise for change against the Shah... (In our society) we have ulama who (use religion to) cover up the mistakes of the powerful, he said.
Marx, he added, would have changed his mind about religion being an opiate had he lived through the Iranian revolution.
A bond built behind bars
His sense of fair play was further soldered through his double detention under the Internal Security Act, once in 1984 for 60 days, after which he was banished to Kuala Pilah until 1986.
In 1987, he was among the scores arrested under Operation Lalang, spending a total of two years behind bars where he forged close ties with leaders in PAS and DAP, particularly Penang's current chief minister Lim Guan Eng (above with Mat Sabu in May 2009).
At the (Kamunting detention) camp, there is nothing much to do in the evening, so (Lim and Mat Sabu) chatted and discussed views and I found more similarities than differences between us.
When (Lim) was released, he was re-arrested for revealing information relating to the former (Melaka) chief minister (Abdul Rahim Tamby Chik) so I saw him as an oppressed person. He may not be Muslim, but I felt it was compulsory for me to defend him, he said.
He added that even when Lim was broke without a job and a pension, he continued to have close ties with the latter through drinks whenever I am in Malacca and the bond has remained strong until today.
If Mat Sabu's ties with Lim has been steadfast at worst, the same cannot be said of his relationship with PKR de facto leader Anwar Ibrahim.
Days before Anwar was sacked as Finance Minister and deputy premier, Mat Sabu took a stand completely different to that of his party on the former's sodomy charge, even labelling Anwar as al-Juburi (a play on words for the Malay slang word for anus).
To! rn by An war
Skirting the issue, Mat Sabu, however, admitted that Anwar's departure from Abim in 1982 memakan hati (tore at the hearts) of Abim members and led to his protest departure.
I was his number one attacker, we were political enemies But in Islam, you are supposed to speak the truth against a corrupt leader, not someone who has retired or no longer in power, he said, claiming to have made up with Anwar soon after he was sacked. But remnants of the long-drawn out battle between the duo appear still evident with Mat Sabu claiming to only have met his former nemesis on the ceramah circuit and never in one-on-one meetings.
For someone who had emerged from a sex scandal relatively unscathed, the avid reader on international politics may have something to teach Anwar in facing the sex video allegedly of him.
The incident in 1995, wherein Mat Sabu was accused but acquitted of khalwat (close proximity with a non-family member of the opposite gender), was brushed off by the leader as somewhat irrelevant to his political rise.
I was elected into the central working committee that year, then vice president for two terms and now deputy. I don't think it had any effect within PAS. Outside, I had complaints (of having among) the largest majority when contesting for Kubang Kerian in 1995, he said.
Mat Sabu was elected into parliament thrice - for the constituency of Nilam Puri in 1990, Kubang Kerian in 1995 and Kuala Kedah in 1999. Some believe that his dissenting view on Anwar was the reason he was sent to contest in backwater Kuala Kedah instead of Kubang Kerian where he had won earlier by a landslide.
Today, however, Mat Sabu toes the coalition line by saying that the onus is for the accusers to provide evidence of Anwar's wrongdoing before PAS can state its position. It may not be what the Mat Sabu of 'al-Juburi' fame would have liked, but the party's newly-minted number two is both pragmatic, a ! believer of human rights and the right to defend one's self.
By keeping true to his grassroots NGO ideals, Mat Sabu is bringing in a more diverse crowd the Islamic party's way, fast changing its face to truly fit its sloganPAS for all.
Can bloggers be in solidarity with the media?
In Malaysia, bloggers have been engaged in a battle to correct the spinning and political bias which has become part of the normal business and deep culture of the media. Since Independence, the majority of the media has been a willing partner in the Barisan Nasionals one overriding pursuit: that of self-promotion, self aggrandizement and opportunism. In the process, the old media has contributed to the corruption, injustice and bad governance that are the hallmarks of BN rule, especially during Dr Mahathirs administration and continuing today.
The reason why journalistic ethics and principles of truthfulness, accuracy, objectivity, impartiality, fairness and public accountability are in short supply is not difficult to fathom. When these qualities do exist es! pecially amongst younger and idealistic media practitioners, the calls from the Home Affairs Ministry, Special Branch, and the political bosses are quickly there to remind them of the Printing Presses and Publications Act; the ISA; the Sedition Act; and the major roadblocks to career advancement should they offend the authorities with their writing.
We salute the journalists and media practitioners who have retained their integrity and want to get the truth out to the public. We salute Saudara Hata Wahari for his stand on not just mouthing the rhetoric of compliance with journalistic ethics and good practice but on practicing them and in pushing his colleagues to higher standards. Shortly after being elected NUJ president last September, Saudara Hata called on all mainstream journalists, especially of Utusan Malaysia, the New Straits Times, Berita Harian and The Star to return to their true function as deliverers of objective information to the public, and not as tools of propaganda for the government, or any political party or individual, for their personal gain. He has paid the price for standing up for his principles but let not his sacking be in vain.
On the possibility of not being used as tools of propaganda for the government, I have little faith that the old media is capable of the change to an honest and truthful profession on their own volition. Too many have been kissing up to the regime and have been too well paid off for them to be able to make that change. With the death signs of the old regime increasingly visible, the mainstream media are acting as the cheerleaders and fear leaders of the government with an increasing vengeance hence the frenzied playing of the racial and religious card by certain papers.
Change will eventually come but it will not happen on its own accord. It will happen though if we have a more conscientized and engaged public joining in the fight for m! edia fre edom. Bloggers have a key role to play in this reclaiming the media and restoring dignity and respect exercise.
Today, we see a superheated and hotly contested political environment which needs truthful reporting and analysis more than ever. Bloggers can provide that fair and objective analysis because they are generally their own masters. The great majority of activist bloggers have taken to blogging not because they are paid to do it but because of disenchantment with the system and the desire to share with fellow Malaysians their ideas on how to bring change to the country.
How long can this idealism last? A recent study of motivations for blogging in the United States provides guidance. The researchers found the three strongest initial motivations for blogging to let off steam, to keep track of your thoughts and to formulate new ideas were all based on the bloggers personal emotional or intellectual needs. In our case in Malaysia, it has been mainly a response to perceived injustices and the bad governance of the establishment that have pushed bloggers to put aside their time and resources to write. For most, it is a solitary undertaking with few rewards except the emotional and intellectual satisfaction that comes with exposing abuses.
But when asked why theyre blogging today, those three foundational motivations either decreased in importance or increased very slightly. In contrast, the extrinsic motivations notions such as to serve as a political watchdog and to influence public opinion saw significant and sizable increases.
As they continued to blog, and their blog posts reached wider audiences, they realized they could extend influence out to their audience, the media and political parties, the researchers write (see http://www.miller-mccune.com/media/why-blog-to-change-the-world-and-blow-off-steam-7303/ ). While their initial motivations did not fade away, this newfound influence provided additional motivation, leading these bloggers to be even more enthusiastic about what they do.
What has been noted in the US is also happening in Malaysia. Reaching out to the larger public and acting as a political watchdog are natural developments. In the process, bloggers have also built a community of bloggers and supporters who share similar values and ideologies at least in terms of the need to protect and widen the space for democratic values and expression. This community is a precious seedling in Malaysia. It needs nurturing and patience especially since there will be strenuous efforts to divide and destroy the community. Make no mistake about it winning the internet war has been the priority of the BN since March 2008 and they will engage in whatever trickery necessary.
For the internet to be free and for the community of activist bloggers to continue as leaders against spinning, fear mongering and outright lies, the community will have to close ranks. Sometimes though, bloggers are their worst enemies in their rush to quick judgment especially in relation to those within the community.
With regard to this negative tendency of turning against their fellow activist bloggers, I have full confidence that Raja Petra Kamarudin has not cut a deal with the government on coming back to Malaysia and nor has he sold out on his principles. Knowing this man personally more important going by his record of standing in the frontline in fighting for truth, justice and good governance, it is a sorry reflection of the state of our bloggers community and mindset that so many have jumped onto the bandwagon of criticism against RPK for giving the interview to TV3.
We can fault him on the timing of the interview; we can contest him on what he disclosed or failed to disclose; we can reject his critical views! on the opposition but lets not question his integrity and his commitment to a just and better Malaysia. In his campaign for transparency, accountability and justice, and his whistle-blowing on corruption, racism and money politics, RPK exemplifies the best of blogging activism: independent, idealistic, unwavering and telling it as it is. RPK literally puts his life on the line with every major column he writes exposing what no one else dares to put out in print. Lets recognize and appreciate his service to the nation.
Know your friends from your foes; close ranks and go back to the basics which are to focus on the priority problems and issues in the country, and expose and bring down bad governance, wherever that may emanate. This should be the bloggers creed for our tumultuous times.
The above is a summary of Dr Lims speech to the Bloggers Universe Malaysia (BUM) forum, delivered on June 11, 2011.
Tags: Anorexia, Eating, Gluttony
This entry was posted on 12 June, 2011 at 12:00 pm and is filed under Thank God It's Friday. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed.
These were two land lots and a house at No 8 and 10, Jalan Suasa 7/1 L, Shah Alam, from Ditamas Sdn Bhd through its director Shamsuddin Hayroni at the price of RM3.5 million when in fact the lots were bought by Ditamas on Dec 23, 2004 at the price of RM6.5 million.
Khir's trial is still playing out in the courts and though many Malaysians think it is a corruption case, it is in fact more specifically Public servant obtaining any valuables, without consideration, from persons concerned in any proceedings or business transacted by such public servant - Section 165 of the Penal Code.
Section 165 of the Penal Code is not worded specifically as the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission Act.
Asked why Khir was not charged under the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission Act, all the Attorney-General Abdul Gani Patail would say was: Section 165 of the Penal Code is prescribed under the MACC Act.
No need for Khir to prove Shamsuddin did not benefit
Prescribed, maybe, but Khir's charge is still not tantamount to corruption or receiving a bribe because under the MACC Act, weight also falls on the defense to prove that the other parties involved did not gain any benefit from the transaction.
The MACC Act would have forced Khir to prove that he did not, in his capacity as Mentri Besar, offer any favors to Shamsuddin, the director of Ditamas. Whereas Section 165 does not require th! is.
This was why Shamsuddin, who was also charged along with Khir, walked away a free man. It does not matter if he did get something huge from Khir in return for selling the properties at such a deep discount. Khir does not need to prove Shamsuddin did not get anything. And so if Shamsuddin did gain, what does that matter? Section 165 deems Shamsuddin the victim in the incident.
Yes, Khir can afford to smile. Shamsuddin too does not have to tell whether he stood to gain anything from giving Khir a discount. That aspect of the deal can continue to remain their special secret.
How kind of the AG, the MACC and the BN government.
Discount on jail time
Additionally, not only did Khir get a discount on the purchases, the AG has also given him a discount on jail time.
Under Section 165, Khir stands to spend 2 years in prison rather than the 20 under the MACC Act. In other words, Khir Toyo has swung another discount - this time amounting to a savings of 18 years from time in prison.
Smart move by the powers-that-be in protecting their own.
No need to tell where he got the millions from
There is also no obligation for Khir Toyo to state how he amassed the millions used for the purchase and subsequent renovations to the house. He can stick to his statement that he took a loan from an overseas bank so long as he produces documentation to support his claim.
Any line of questioning as to where and how he gained millions of ringgit in spare-change can be dismissed as being irrelevent to the case.
Yet, ! those ar e the real questions, aren't they? The rakyat or populace would demand to know, how is it that a government servant could amass so many millions. RM3.5 million for the purchase and an additional RM6 million cash to renovate the house.
Did Khir Toyo grant any favors to Shamsuddin Hayroni in return for the RM3 million discount?
Was this an isolated case or were there many more dealings that Khir undertook during his tenure as Mentri Besar, where he gained monies or additional properties advantageously and also corruptly?
These are the questions that will never be asked during the trial and never will see the light of day.
Hakim Zaharah Hussain menjatuhkan hukuman itu terhadap pemandu bas, P Kanapathy, 38, dan memerintahkan ia berjalan mulai semalam.
Tertuduh turut mengakui tindakan menayangkan video lucah adalah satu kesalahan apabila soalan mengenainya diaju Zaharah terhadapnya.- Harian Metro.
Baca seterusnya di sini.
Bila seorang rakyat biasa membuat tayangan video lucah dikhalayak ramai,dia kena hukuman penjara 3 tahun oleh mahkamah.
Tapi bila 3 ekoq pandi kutty UMNO - Eskay,RTC dan Sharif Lazim buat tayangan video dikhalayak ramai beberapa bulan lalu, pihak polis buat 'dont know' saja.
Kononnya, polis masih buat siasatan dan tak pasti betoi atau tidak 3 pandi kutty UMNO ini yang terlibat, walaupun ketiga2 pandi kutty tersebut telah mengaku melalukkannya.
Ketiga2 pandi kutty ini mengaku menayangkan video tersebut dan mereka yang menyerahkan salinan video kepada polis. Polis ada semua bukti tapi masih menyiasat. Jangan pikiaq yang rakyat ini bodoh...