| 08 - 08 - 2008 | Anwar declares The Pledge

|PRESS STATEMENT
FOR
IMMEDIATE RELEASE|

08 AUGUST 2008, PETALING JAYA, MALAYSIA

I promise that under a Pakatan Rakyat government Malaysians will never again be subjected to such gross abuse of executive power as we are again witnessing today. Arbitrary arrest and detention, frivolous investigation and malicious prosecutions shall be a thing of the past.

Police officers and prosecutors who launch conspiracies to defame and humiliate the innocent will be severely punished. The use of police powers as well the office of the Attorney General to persecute political opponents will be criminalized so as to ensure a healthy and vibrant democracy where dissent is not only tolerated but nurtured.

In this regard every Malaysian’s fundamental liberties will be treated as sacrosanct and safeguarded by a truly independent judiciary guided by principles of utmost integrity and an adherence to the spirit of the federal constitution.

The politically motivated trial launched against me will, Insha’Allah, be the last of its kind. No Malaysian will suffer from this cruel injustice ever again.

Yesterday’s events confirm my innocence from the charges that recently surfaced. The medical report and statutory declaration by Dr. Osman Abdul Hamid of the Pusrawi Hospital that surfaced on Thursday shatter lingering doubts as to whether the alleged act ever took place. Dr. Osman’s statement also confirms what we have already stated regarding deplorable actions by the police to fabricate evidence in a manner identical to the manipulation of my case in 1998. Anything short of a thorough investigation into the mishandling of this investigation would further tarnish the credibility of the police.

The doctor’s personal safety is a matter of deep concern to us. Material witnesses in highprofile cases in Malaysia have gone missing in the past such as the PI Balasubramanian. I applaud those brave individuals who have demonstrated their commitment to freedom and justice by coming forward with important evidence, and call upon the authorities to ensure their protection.

Yesterday in court we learned that the prosecution’s case has, in a manner similar to the botched trials of 1998, shape-shifted from a charge of assault to one of a consensual act. The conspiracy launched against me in the final week of June 2008 is falling apart. There is a hasty attempt by some to patch up glaring holes in the complainant’s testimony. This will certainly fail given the preponderance of evidence confirming my innocence.

The Prime Minister has actively involved himself in this matter in an attempt to derail the process of transformational change in Malaysia and stave off his own political demise. But in soiling his hands with this sordid matter he has deepened the crisis within his own administration. His most ardent supporters among the Malays have also expressed their disgust with the matter. Furthermore Prime Minister Badawi now faces investigation by the Anti Corruption Agency for his involvement in corruption and money politics.

The shadow of corruption and mismanagement of the economy darkens the legacy of his Premiership. Prime Minister Badawi has still offered no convincing explanation over the huge profits reaped by his family in the Oil For Food scandal at the expense of dying Iraqis.

I advise those around him to leave the sinking ship of his leadership while there is still a chance to do so.

Pakatan Rakyat’s reform agenda is firmly back on track and the New Dawn for Malaysia is well within reach. We will mount a unified campaign to win in Permatang Pauh with a solid majority encompassing that constituency’s diverse population. I look forward to entering Parliament on August 27th with the support of my friends in the coalition.

ANWAR IBRAHIM
anwaribrahimblog.com

08 - 08 - 2008 - Good Luck Beijing!

Press conference: 'Beijing is ready'
Updated：2008-08-08 09:37:35




PRESS CONFERENCE EXCERPTS

BBC Radio

The 8th day of the 8th month of the 8th year is a very lucky date for China. I would like you to give me your thoughts about the slight luck you seem to have with the weather today. I'm sure you'd rather have all the magnificent stadiums and venues looked clearer that they do today. I wonder if you could give us a feeling of how you feel personally having finally arrived in this day after all the hard work and preparations.

Wang Wei

That is a very nice question. The 8th is a lucky number for the Chinese. But we chose this day not only because it's a lucky number. As you know, we prefer to have the day of the opening much later because of the weather conditions in Beijing. If it's in September, the climate will be much better not only for the people watching but also for the athletes. According to the international sports calendar, we have to set it like this. But it is still a lucky day. A lot of people wanted to get married today. It is not easy to meet this day. This is really lucky. Hopefully this will bring luck to the ceremony. According to the weather forecast, there will be light shower.

Beijing 2008

By Jupiter! This REALLY REALLY stinks! Cry-lah sikit!

KUALA LUMPUR, Aug 8 — "I wasn't the best of leaders when I was in the hot seat. But I did try my best. If my best is not good enough I am sorry."

While conceding his shortcomings, Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad believes that it is time for the silent majority in the country to stop being silent.

"Crying would take us nowhere. It is time to speak up and be counted. If we love our country we must not allow crooks and charlatans to rape and steal it from us.

"It is ours, this country of many races and religions. We must stand together, we the concerned Malaysians, and defend our heritage," he wrote in his blog today.

The former prime minister said all the progress made by the country's founding fathers had been destroyed by those currently in power.

"Now all these dreams seem to have faded away. We are involved in political wrangling of all kinds, our leaders seem to be uncertain about what to do, our foreign policy is in disarray and so on.

"We have lost our direction. And we get no guidance," he added.

The staunch critic of Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi, his own choice for Prime Minister when he handed over power five years ago, also said that the institutions created by the founding leaders "which we were once confident could handle every problem" had deteriorated.

"Everything is about 'what is in it for me'. Even the ordinary members of once-respected political parties want something for themselves. Jobs, posts, titles, contracts and filthy lucre are the only things which matter.

"Sacrifice? What sacrifice? Who cares to sacrifice whatever. For most of the people we put our trust in to steer this beloved country to greater heights, the only sacrifice is to give up the Mercedes Benz for Proton Perdana, and that too very reluctantly," he said.

Dr Mahathir was alluding to the Terengganu state government's controversial decision last month to buy and continue to use 14 units of Mercedes-Benz E200 Kompressor for its Exco members as replacements for their Proton Perdana V6 Executives.

Reminiscing the past, the former premier said great statesmen such as Dato Onn Jaafar, Tunku Abdul Rahman, Tun Abdul Razak, Tun Hussein Onn, Tun Tan Siew Sin and Tun V.T. Sambanthan had sacrificed and contributed a lot to build racial harmony, peace and stability.

"Could it be that we forgot to teach this generation of leaders about the sacrifices made by our founding fathers. Could it be that we cannot handle wealth as we did poverty?

"Could it be that our leaders lack honour and the sense to accept responsibility and to retire gracefully? Some simply cannot accept the realities, the role they had played in the destruction of a near-perfect system which had done so much for our country," he added.

MalaysianInsider

"Penarik Beca" - Kickshaw on the Freeway

"Penarik Beca" nicked on the Freeway

So you think the Web is the great Freeway you can ride without problems from road hogs and the Malaysian Police?

Wrong! Baqa, blogging under "Penarik Beca" has been pulled up by the Malaysia Police of all things not for sleeping on the Freeway, but for reporting on the UMNO-PAS "secret talks" that some think is a prelude to an epic shadow play. The Police says it's for SEDITION !

"Penarik Beca", the blog is H E R E!

Breaking News!

News flash

Nine lawyers for Anwar
They are head counsel Sulaiman Abdullah, R. Sivarasa, Sankara Nair, Saiful Izham Ramli, Leela Jeyamani Jesuthasan, Edmund Bon, Amer Hamzah Arshad, Latheefa Koya, Mohd Razlan Jelaludin.

Prosecution Team
Prosecution led by Mohd Yusuf Zainal Abiden, the A-G’s Chambers prosecution chief, and Idrus Harun, the Solicitor-General.

Anwar arrives in court accompanied by his wife and supporters. Strong show of support from Pakatan members with all the big guns like Lim Guan Eng, Lim Kit Siang present. Courtroom jammed full. Proceedings start.

Anwar Ibrahim faced trial and did not plead guilty.

Judge has set Sept 10 for mention and allowed Anwar to be out on personal bond at RM20,000 without surety.

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FULL REPORT - Anwar Ibrahim charged with sodomy

From correspondents in Kuala Lumpur
August 07, 2008 01:12pm
Article from: AAP

MALAYSIAN Opposition leader Anwar Ibrahim has been charged with sodomy and pleaded not guilty to the offence, which carries a penalty of 20 years imprisonment.

"This is a slander, it is a malicious allegation and I am not guilty," Dr Anwar said from the dock after the reading of the charge that alleged he sodomised 23-year-old aide Mohamad Saiful Bukhari Azlan on June 26.

Dr Anwar, a former deputy premier who was jailed a decade ago on sodomy charges that were later overturned, was hit with the new accusations after announcing he was poised to seize power with the help of government defectors.

Despite fears he would not be given bail, Sessions Court judge Komathy Suppiah ordered Dr Anwar could go free on a 20,000 ringgit ($6100) personal bond until the next hearing on September 10.

"A man is innocent until proven guilty. I don't think there's any likelihood that Dato Seri Anwar Ibrahim will abscond. I will release him on a personal bond," she said, using his honorific title.

"There is no possibility of Dato Seri absconding or tampering with evidence," she added.

Dr Anwar welcomed the decision, which allows him to campaign for an August 26 by-election expected to return him to parliament, and said the prosecution had been ill-prepared and unable to argue the bail issue.

"You can see how haphazard this has been. I am pleased with the decision and will proceed with my campaign," he said.

Dr Anwar said Wednesday there was no evidence to support the allegations and accused Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi of engineering the charges to try to sabotage the by-election.

Security was tight outside the packed courtroom, which was guarded by about 200 police - mostly riot squad officers.

In anticipation of protests by Dr Anwar's supporters, major roads leading into the capital Kuala Lumpur were locked down with roadblocks, causing major traffic jams.

news.com.au

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Anwar Ibrahim - Fitnah II

Beras nak turun harga sikit, Dong! [#UPDATE]

Rice seller in Hanoi outdoor market
Pix:Margery H. Freeman


I blogged on the downslide price of rice in Vietnam last June as the Dong, the Vietnamese currency, was devalued at 2% as reported by the Economist. This may be good news for Malaysian consumers but bad for both Vietnamese and Malaysian farmers. There'll be "Foul" cries about, on or for subsidies.

It costs US$15 per tonne per month in interests just to store the rice.

Truong Thanh Phong, Chairman of the Viet Nam Food Association, has a lot of explaining to do:

Chairman of the Viet Nam Food Association Truong Thanh Phong spoke to Tuoi Tre (Youth) newspaper about the low price of rice in the Mekong Delta and his association’s efforts to help farmers in the area.

What is the situation with rice pricing for the summer-autumn crop in the Cuu Long (Mekong) Delta ? Why are so many companies refusing to buy rice?

Now, the price of rice is very low, and farmers must sell rice for around VND4,200-4,300 (US$0.25) per kilo. During the last winter-spring crop, when the production price per kilo was just VND2,500, farmers could sell their rice at VND5,500-6,000 ($0.3) per kilo. So now, farmers are facing serious difficulties with production alone costing VND3,500 per kilo.

In fact, all prices are increasing, but the income from rice is decreasing, leaving many farmers in dire straits. Farmers can’t sell their rice because they cannot accept such a low price, not to mention that demand is also down.

MORE at Vietnam News Agency

It doesn't make it easier for Vietnamese farmers as rice harvest season approaches for Indonesia and Malaysia and their high prices and shipping fees only compound the problem.

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Vietnamese rice noodle soup

See For yourself! Don't believe me ...!

"You see, Datuk Seri! It's a winner! Come! See for yourself!"

I swear ... by the moon and the stars!

Get it from Malaysia-today.net !!!

ZUNAR: MalaysiaKu - MyMalaysia

ZUNAR in Harakah 1-15 August Edition

Harakah Newspaper, tabloid size, will hit the streets TWICE WEEKLY beginning 15th August, 2008! There's an English Section of 8 pages but this SECTION will only appear ONCE WEEKLY.

Take a look on 15th.August! If you don't like it, please tell Harakah! The Opposition is supposed to HEAR complaints!!!

If you do, please tell me!

PKR is supposed to get a permit for a Newspaper. Hamid Al Burb, Syed Hamid al Bar, the ISA Minister may not be brave enough to approve it!