Kedah police have opened up 17 beat bases in the Bukit Selambau area for the coming April 7 by-election.
State police chief Deputy Comm Datuk Syed Ismail Syed Azizan said that the beat bases were opened on Monday and would operate until polling day on April 7. Policemen there would be on duty round-the-clock.
“These locations have been identified as crime-prone areas and are also political parties’ stronghold areas.
“We put up these beat bases to prevent any untoward incident during the by-election,” he said when met after launching the Bandar Darulaman Community Police station here Tuesday.
He said that four policemen would be placed at each beat base, on four-hour shifts.
The Bukit Selambau state seat was vacated after V. Arumugam tendered his resignation on Feb 8.
The by-election will be held on the same day as that for the Bukit Gantang parliamentary seat in Perak and the Batang Ai state seat in Sarawak.
Tuesday, March 17, 2009
Committee probing scuffle hears witnesses
Three witnesses testified before the special committee set up to probe the fracas between national DAP chairman Karpal Singh and Umno Youth members at the entrance of Parliament building last month.
The three were Karpal’s assistant and two female security guards.
Despite the Tuesday last-minute pullout of opposition MPs sitting on the panel -- Datuk Kamaruddin Jaffar (PAS-Tumpat), R. Sivarasa (PKR-Subang) and Lim Kit Siang (DAP-Ipoh Timur), the committee met for close to an hour to hear testimony from the witnesses.
Karpal (DAP-Bukit Gelugor) and four other opposition MPs -- Fong Kui Lun (DAP-Bukit Bintang), Fong Po Kuan (DAP-Batu Gajah), N. Gobalakrishnan (PKR-Padang Serai) and Lim Lip Eng (DAP-Segambut) -- who were eyewitnesses of the incident, also chose not to testify.
Karpal's aide was the first to be called in at 1.40pm on Tuesday.
His son Ram Karpal Singh, also a lawyer, accompanied him but came out of the room after five minutes.
The two female security guards were called in to testify after Cornelius.
The committee comprises Dewan Rakyat Speaker Tan Sri Pandikar Amin Mulia and Deputy Speaker Datuk Ronald Kiandee, Nancy Shukri (BN-Batang Sadong) and Datuk Seri Dr Fong Chan Onn (BN-Alor Gajah).
Another member, Datuk Seri Tiong King Sing (BN-Bintulu), was absent with notice.
The hearing continues Wednesday.
The three were Karpal’s assistant and two female security guards.
Despite the Tuesday last-minute pullout of opposition MPs sitting on the panel -- Datuk Kamaruddin Jaffar (PAS-Tumpat), R. Sivarasa (PKR-Subang) and Lim Kit Siang (DAP-Ipoh Timur), the committee met for close to an hour to hear testimony from the witnesses.
Karpal (DAP-Bukit Gelugor) and four other opposition MPs -- Fong Kui Lun (DAP-Bukit Bintang), Fong Po Kuan (DAP-Batu Gajah), N. Gobalakrishnan (PKR-Padang Serai) and Lim Lip Eng (DAP-Segambut) -- who were eyewitnesses of the incident, also chose not to testify.
Karpal's aide was the first to be called in at 1.40pm on Tuesday.
His son Ram Karpal Singh, also a lawyer, accompanied him but came out of the room after five minutes.
The two female security guards were called in to testify after Cornelius.
The committee comprises Dewan Rakyat Speaker Tan Sri Pandikar Amin Mulia and Deputy Speaker Datuk Ronald Kiandee, Nancy Shukri (BN-Batang Sadong) and Datuk Seri Dr Fong Chan Onn (BN-Alor Gajah).
Another member, Datuk Seri Tiong King Sing (BN-Bintulu), was absent with notice.
The hearing continues Wednesday.
Reducing number of foreign workers
The Government hopes to reduce the number of foreign workers in the country to 1.8 million by the year 2010.
Home Minister Datuk Seri Syed Hamid Albar told Datuk Mohd Nasir Ibrahim Fikri (BN-Kuala Nerus) that as at December 2008, there were some 2.06 million foreign workers.
“We have managed to reduce the number of foreign workers by some 60,000 since last March. With the freezing of foreign workers’ intake in certain sectors such as manufacturing and services, in addition to the current economic climate, we hope to further bring down the number,” he said.
Syed Hamid said the Government had been implementing measures to reduce the dependency on foreign workers since 2007.
“We have frozen the intake of Bangladeshi workers, made stricter criteria for approval of work permits and carried out regular joint operations with the Immigration and the Manpower Departments to achieve this,” he said.
Home Minister Datuk Seri Syed Hamid Albar told Datuk Mohd Nasir Ibrahim Fikri (BN-Kuala Nerus) that as at December 2008, there were some 2.06 million foreign workers.
“We have managed to reduce the number of foreign workers by some 60,000 since last March. With the freezing of foreign workers’ intake in certain sectors such as manufacturing and services, in addition to the current economic climate, we hope to further bring down the number,” he said.
Syed Hamid said the Government had been implementing measures to reduce the dependency on foreign workers since 2007.
“We have frozen the intake of Bangladeshi workers, made stricter criteria for approval of work permits and carried out regular joint operations with the Immigration and the Manpower Departments to achieve this,” he said.
Karpal Singh claims trial to sedition
DAP chairman Karpal Singh was charged with sedition at a Sessions Court here Tuesday for saying that a ruler can be sued for his role in the removal of a state’s mentri besar.
Karpal Singh, who represented himself, claimed trial to the charge under Section 4 (1)(b) of the Sedition Act.
He is alleged to have uttered seditious words during a media conference relating to the Sultan of Perak at his office at Messrs Karpal Singh & Co in Jalan Pudu Lama here between noon and 12.30pm on Feb 6.
The prosecution team of Datuk Kamaludin Mohd Said and Hanafiah Zakaria requested for the case to be transferred to the High Court.
The request was granted by Sessions Judge Mohamad Sekeri Mamat after Karpal Singh said he had no objections.
Judge Mohamad Sekeri also allowed a bail of RM2,000 in one surety and granted a request from the prosecution for the High Court to set a date of mention.
Asked why he did not object to the transfer, Karpal said it was a serious case that needed to be heard in the High Court.
“From the High Court, I will have the right to go to the Court of Appeal and the Federal Court. This case will benefit from the authoritative judgement of the highest court, the Federal Court,” he said.
Judge Mohamad Sekeri at one time interrupted the court official when he read the full transcript of the media conference while reading out the charge.
“Just read the ones underlined so the court can save time,” he said.
Karpal objected to this, saying that without reading the proper paragraphs, his words would be taken out of context.
“That is the whole point of having the transcript of what occurred in the press conference,” he said.
The judge then agreed for the transcript to be read out in its entirety.
Speaking to reporters outside the courtroom, Karpal described the charge as “politically motivated.”
“The Government is using it (the Act) as a weapon against its political opponents,” he claimed.
“But I am prepared. There is nothing to fear. What I did was in line with legal principles,” he said.
This is the second time Karpal has been charged under the Act. To date, eight other people have been charged with insulting the Sultan of Perak.
Karpal Singh, who represented himself, claimed trial to the charge under Section 4 (1)(b) of the Sedition Act.
He is alleged to have uttered seditious words during a media conference relating to the Sultan of Perak at his office at Messrs Karpal Singh & Co in Jalan Pudu Lama here between noon and 12.30pm on Feb 6.
The prosecution team of Datuk Kamaludin Mohd Said and Hanafiah Zakaria requested for the case to be transferred to the High Court.
The request was granted by Sessions Judge Mohamad Sekeri Mamat after Karpal Singh said he had no objections.
Judge Mohamad Sekeri also allowed a bail of RM2,000 in one surety and granted a request from the prosecution for the High Court to set a date of mention.
Asked why he did not object to the transfer, Karpal said it was a serious case that needed to be heard in the High Court.
“From the High Court, I will have the right to go to the Court of Appeal and the Federal Court. This case will benefit from the authoritative judgement of the highest court, the Federal Court,” he said.
Judge Mohamad Sekeri at one time interrupted the court official when he read the full transcript of the media conference while reading out the charge.
“Just read the ones underlined so the court can save time,” he said.
Karpal objected to this, saying that without reading the proper paragraphs, his words would be taken out of context.
“That is the whole point of having the transcript of what occurred in the press conference,” he said.
The judge then agreed for the transcript to be read out in its entirety.
Speaking to reporters outside the courtroom, Karpal described the charge as “politically motivated.”
“The Government is using it (the Act) as a weapon against its political opponents,” he claimed.
“But I am prepared. There is nothing to fear. What I did was in line with legal principles,” he said.
This is the second time Karpal has been charged under the Act. To date, eight other people have been charged with insulting the Sultan of Perak.
Monday, March 16, 2009
Vacating of seats: Ipoh High Court refers case to Federal Court
The Ipoh High Court on Monday referred to the Federal Court to decide on whether a state assembly Speaker or the Election Commission has the final say in determining the vacating of a seat.
The High Court made the decision during a hearing on two applications relating to Perak Speaker V. Sivakumar over a suit filed by three independents - Jamaluddin Mohd Radzi, Mohd Osman Mohd Jailu and Hee Yit Foong- who are seeking a declaration that they have not resigned and were still elected representatives.
Earlier, Sivakumar’s lawyers had asked High Court Judicial Commissioner Ridwan Ibrahim for a stay on Monday’s decision pending an appeal but the request was denied.
At 2.30pm Monday, lawyers for the three independent Perak assemblymen will submit a draft of questions to Ridwan to be referred to the Federal Court.
Sivakumar is also facing another suit by Perak Mentri Besar Datuk Dr Zambry Abd Kadir and his six exco members who are challenging the Speaker’s decision to suspend them from the state assembly.
The High Court made the decision during a hearing on two applications relating to Perak Speaker V. Sivakumar over a suit filed by three independents - Jamaluddin Mohd Radzi, Mohd Osman Mohd Jailu and Hee Yit Foong- who are seeking a declaration that they have not resigned and were still elected representatives.
Earlier, Sivakumar’s lawyers had asked High Court Judicial Commissioner Ridwan Ibrahim for a stay on Monday’s decision pending an appeal but the request was denied.
At 2.30pm Monday, lawyers for the three independent Perak assemblymen will submit a draft of questions to Ridwan to be referred to the Federal Court.
Sivakumar is also facing another suit by Perak Mentri Besar Datuk Dr Zambry Abd Kadir and his six exco members who are challenging the Speaker’s decision to suspend them from the state assembly.
Gobind suspended one year from Parliament
Puchong MP Gobind Singh Deo has been suspended from Parliament without allowance and benefits for one year for alleging that Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak was involved in a murder case and for contempt against the Deputy Speaker.
Parliament Speaker Tan Sri Pandikar Amin Mulia made the decision on Monday after the matter was put to vote and a majority of MPs were in favour of suspending Gobind Singh.
On Thursday, Gobind Singh was ejected from the House for the third time when he kept on speaking about Mongolian Altantuya Shaariibuu’s murder case although the chair had ordered him to stop.
Deputy Speaker Datuk Ronald Kiandee ruled that it was sub-judice to talk about a case that was pending in court.
The outburst occurred after Najib had finished replying to points raised during the debate on the mini budget.
Later at the Parliament lobby, Gobind Singh said it was most unfortunate that he had been suspended.
“The fight does not stop here. I will focus more on constituency work from now one and in one year, I will be back,” he said.
He also said he was disappointed that he was not given a chance to defend himself in the House.
Parliament Speaker Tan Sri Pandikar Amin Mulia made the decision on Monday after the matter was put to vote and a majority of MPs were in favour of suspending Gobind Singh.
On Thursday, Gobind Singh was ejected from the House for the third time when he kept on speaking about Mongolian Altantuya Shaariibuu’s murder case although the chair had ordered him to stop.
Deputy Speaker Datuk Ronald Kiandee ruled that it was sub-judice to talk about a case that was pending in court.
The outburst occurred after Najib had finished replying to points raised during the debate on the mini budget.
Later at the Parliament lobby, Gobind Singh said it was most unfortunate that he had been suspended.
“The fight does not stop here. I will focus more on constituency work from now one and in one year, I will be back,” he said.
He also said he was disappointed that he was not given a chance to defend himself in the House.
Couple charged over unsavoury web posts on Perak Sultan
A couple was charged in the Sessions Court here on Monday with two counts of posting unsavoury comments on the website of the Sultan of Perak’s office with intention to offend others.
Businessman Fuad Ariff Abdul Rashid, 35, and his wife, Fatimah Maisurah Abdullah, 34, a lawyer, were alleged to have knowingly posted the comments on http://books.dreambook.com.webper/dul1.html which has links with the website of the sultan’s office at www.sultan.perak.gov.my.
They allegedly committed the offences at No. 1206, Kampung Tok Kaya, Chabang Tiga, here at 7.57am and 8.01am on Feb 14.
Each offence under section 233(1)(a) of the Communication and Multimedia Act 1998 carries a maximum fine of RM50,000 or a jail term not exceeding a year, or both, on conviction.
Judge Mohamad Khalid Abdul Karim fixed April 20 for mention and allowed bail of RM6,000 with one surety each.
They were represented by counsel Wan Zainuddin Wan Musa while deputy public prosecutor Datuk Azmi Ariffin appeared for the prosecution.
Wan Zainuddin told reporters outside the courtroom that he would make a representation to the Attorney-General’s chambers to reconsider the charges against both his clients and to drop the charges against Fatimah. -Bernama
Businessman Fuad Ariff Abdul Rashid, 35, and his wife, Fatimah Maisurah Abdullah, 34, a lawyer, were alleged to have knowingly posted the comments on http://books.dreambook.com.webper/dul1.html which has links with the website of the sultan’s office at www.sultan.perak.gov.my.
They allegedly committed the offences at No. 1206, Kampung Tok Kaya, Chabang Tiga, here at 7.57am and 8.01am on Feb 14.
Each offence under section 233(1)(a) of the Communication and Multimedia Act 1998 carries a maximum fine of RM50,000 or a jail term not exceeding a year, or both, on conviction.
Judge Mohamad Khalid Abdul Karim fixed April 20 for mention and allowed bail of RM6,000 with one surety each.
They were represented by counsel Wan Zainuddin Wan Musa while deputy public prosecutor Datuk Azmi Ariffin appeared for the prosecution.
Wan Zainuddin told reporters outside the courtroom that he would make a representation to the Attorney-General’s chambers to reconsider the charges against both his clients and to drop the charges against Fatimah. -Bernama
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