As expected: Razak Baginda freed

As expected earlier, Law of the jungle prevails, The Shark freed and the anchovy (bilis) to enter defence..... Malaysia Boleh....


http://thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2008/10/31/nation/20081031084658&sec=nation

Published: Friday October 31, 2008 MYT 8:55:00 AM
Updated: Friday October 31, 2008 MYT 1:17:02 PM - The Star

Altantuya case: Razak acquitted (update 4)

By CHELSEA L.Y. NG and NURBAITI HAMDAN

SHAH ALAM: Political analyst Abdul Razak Baginda walked out a free man from the High Court here after two years of standing trial for abetment in the murder of Mongolian Altantuya Shaariibuu.

The first thing he did after the judge pronounced his freedom was to hug his daughter Rowena and wife Mazlinda Makhzan.

Justice Mohd Zaki Md Yasin ruled that the exculpatory statements in a tell-all affidavit made by Razak at the outset of the trial had cleared him of the abetment charge.

“In the absence of the rebuttal evidence against them, coupled with the fact that there is no legal onus for him to rebut any statutory presumptions, there is clearly no reason for the statements to be ignored and rejected.

“I agree with the counsel that the exculpatory parts which are corroborated in material particulars (by four witnesses) and other surrounding circumstances have clearly negated and nullified the act of abetment as alleged against the accused,’’ Zaki said while reading out his ruling.

The four witnesses were Razak’s private eye P. Balasubramaniam, Altantuya’s cousin Burmaa Oyunchimeg, an old flame of principal accused C/Insp Azilah Hadri, who is a Special Action Squad (UTK) operative - L/Kpl Rohaniza Roslan and Razak’s secretary Siti Aishah Mohd Azlan.

At the start of the trial, Abdul Razak filed an affidavit saying he had an affair with Altantuya after meeting her in 2004.

The tell-all affidavit said they had trysts in Hong Kong, Shanghai, Singapore and France, but broke up in 2005.

The judge’s ruling on Friday came after he had perused about 6,000 pages of notes of proceedings and written submissions.

Justice Zaki said once the essential elements of abetment of the murder was not proven on a prima facie basis, “any other inferences and doubts that may have arisen must be resolved, as is trite, in favour of the accused (Razak)”.

“It is not for the court to call for the defence merely to clear or clarify such doubts. I find there is no prima facie case for him to answer his charge. He is therefore acquitted and discharged forthwith,’’ he said.

The trial began in November 2006, during which 84 prosecution witnesses testified.

Also in the dock for the murder charge is another UTK operative Kpl Sirul Azhar Umar, 37.

Both C/Insp Azilah and Kpl Sirul Azhar were ordered to enter their defence on Friday against the charge of murdering Altantuya near Shah Alam, Selangor, between 10pm on Oct 19, 2006 and 1am the following day.

They chose to testify under oath. Trial has been set for Nov 10 onwards.

If UMNO or ex-UMNO top gun, no case will bring forward

Believe it or not, it is the truth in Malaysia and it is proven... Malaysia, believe it or not, is still adopting the rule of jungle..... safe place for the ruler, and sad place for the opponent...sad for all Malaysian...


http://www.thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2008/10/30/nation/20081030132658&sec=nation

Published: Thursday October 30, 2008 MYT 1:28:00 PM
Updated: Thursday October 30, 2008 MYT 1:51:52 PM - The Star

High Court Justice Chin has resigned

By LEE YUK PENG

KUALA LUMPUR: High Court Justice Ian Chin, who once said that he had been among judges sent to a boot camp back in 1997 that sought to encourage judges to rule in the Government’s favour, has tendered his resignation and will leave office on Dec 1.

Justice Chin wrote a letter to the king on July 16 to resign and went on leave from August 21 till November 30.

Deputy Minister in the Prime Minister's Department T. Murugiah said this in reply to Tian Chua (PKR - Batu) who asked if the government had taken steps to investigate Justice Chin’s allegations against former Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad.

Murugiah said there was need to investigate the matter as Justice Chin had resigned.

Earlier, Murugiah told Mukhriz Mahathir (BN - Jerlun) that the Government did not intend to make a representation to the king to cite Justice Ian before a tribunal.

In June, Justice Chin caused a stir when he claimed that Dr Mahathir had made a thinly veiled threat against the judges at the Judges Conference on April 24, 1997, that they could be sacked if they failed to deliver judgements in the Government’s favour.

Justice Chin also said that Dr Mahathir was dissatisfied over his unwillingness to award astronomical sums in damages in two libel suits in 1997 and that "errant" judges were sent to a boot camp in an "attempt to indoctrinate them to hold the view that the Government's interest was more important than all else."

Dr Mahathir, in his blog, has denied the claims, saying the judges had never been sent to a boot camp.

Morale vs Dedication - Which gonna win?

Its' looks like that morale is not important now in choosing a leader. Are we gonna next have a minister that already confess that he did involve in the sex scandal? What will Najib do when he become the next PM because one of the deputy president that just won the recent MCA election is the one who commit this? If Najib did choosing him as a minister in his new cabinet, what happened to Anwar last time? This is different from the Anwar case since Anwar is put on trial and the other one has already confessed........ Malaysiaku is going backwards now.... Ya Allah, please save Malaysia from any disaster.....

Sunday October 19, 2008 - The Star

http://thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2008/10/19/nation/2319651&sec=nation

Chua voted in as deputy president

FORMER vice-president Datuk Seri Dr Chua Soi Lek, who resigned from all party posts early this year after a sex video tape scandal, made a dramatic comeback when he was elected deputy president.

He obtained 1,115 votes and defeated three others – secretary-general Datuk Ong Ka Chuan (1,001), vice-president Datuk Donald Lim Siang Chai (209) and former Pengkalan Kota Assemblyman Lee Hack Teik (10) – for the post.

Former UMNO connected man to become Chief Justice

Are there no more suitable candidate for that post? Is this the revamp in justice that Abdullah Badawi is mumbling about? Is this gonna make us to uphold the truth in Malaysia? Believe it, it is Malaysia......

Friday October 17, 2008 - The Star

http://www.thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2008/10/17/nation/2299576&sec=nation

Conference okays Zaki’s appointment as CJ

By SHAILA KOSHY

KUALA LUMPUR: The new Chief Justice will be Federal Court Justice Tan Sri Zaki Tun Azmi.

According to sources, the Conference of Rulers, which met this week, had agreed to Zaki’s appointment as head of the judiciary.

Zaki: Is the son of former Lord President Tun Azmi Mohamed.

Current Chief Justice Tun Abdul Hamid Mohamed, who was given a six-month extension in April, retires on Saturday.

Sources said that Chief Judge of Malaya Tan Sri Alauddin Mohd Sheriff would move up the judicial ladder to the number two position of Court of Appeal President, replacing Zaki.

It is understood that Federal Court Justice Arifin Zakaria would be elevated to Chief Judge of Malaya, the third highest position, but it could not be confirmed.

Arifin is currently the most senior of the remaining Federal Court judges (See list at www.kehakiman.gov.my).

Under Article 122B (1) of the Federal Constitution, the Chief Justice of the Federal Court, the President of the Court of Appeal and the Chief Judges “shall be appointed by the Yang di-Pertuan Agong, acting on the advice of the Prime Minister, after consulting the Conference of Rulers”.

Zaki, 63, who is currently President of the Court of Appeal, made history on Sept 5 last year when he was appointed directly to the Federal Court from the legal profession.

The son of former Lord President Tun Azmi Mohamed (1966-1974), Zaki was promoted in December to President, the number two post in the judiciary.

Zaki served, among others, as the Abandoned Housing Project Scheme and National Sports Council adviser during his private practice.

He also served in Umno as disciplinary (technical) committee chairman, selection committee secretary, and was a member of the party’s disciplinary board appeal panel.

Before his appointment to the Federal Court last year, Zaki had resigned from all his corporate directorships and memberships but his former connection to Umno has been raised numerous times by some groups who worry about his impartiality.

A petition was submitted to the King on Sept 15 requesting Zaki not be elevated as Chief Justice.

Malaysian Police afraid of criminals?

If the police afraid of crooks and criminal, to whom we must look for help and protection? What a joke by Syed Hamid Albar again!....

Published: Thursday October 16, 2008 MYT 5:25:00 PM
Updated: Thursday October 16, 2008 MYT 8:43:19 PM - The Star

http://thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2008/10/16/nation/20081016172233&sec=nation

Parliament: Cops scared of crooks, so base closed! (updated)

By ROYCE CHEAH

KUALA LUMPUR: A police beat base in the Chow Kit area of downtown Kuala Lumpur was closed down because it was in a location that was considered unsafe, said Home Minister Datuk Seri Syed Hamid Albar.

In a written reply to Dr Lo’ Lo’ Mohamad Ghazali (PAS-Titiwangsa), Syed Hamid said the beat base was located in a dirty area where there was a possibility of being exposed to contagious diseases.

The presence of criminals also posed a threat to the safety of police officers, he said.

Lo’ Lo’ had asked why the beat base on Jalan Haji Taib was closed considering the high number of vice-related activities in the area, as well as what kind action had been taken by the police to curb such activities.

Syed Hamid said that the police were looking for a new location to build a police beat base that would be able to give “guaranteed and continued service to the public.”

Lo’ Lo’s was the 30th question in the Order Paper and hence did not get a mention in the House during the daily one-hour Question Time. However, Dr Mohd Hatta Ramli (PAS-Kuala Krai) managed to raise it when he interjected during Azmin Ali’s (PKR-Gombak) speech during the debate on Budget 2009.

Dr Mohd Hatta said that if the police themselves felt unsafe in a beat base, then it would be even worse for the public.

“The minister has to resign if he is worried about the safety of police in that area. Maybe it would be better to put the beat base in army barracks,” he said.

Dr Mohd Hatta then managed to raise the issue again during his own debate on Budget 2009 saying that Syed Ali’s response was not rational.

“The police are there to make a place safe. If they themselves are scared and run away, then how can we hope for others to want to be there?

“It is embarassing and that is why the criminals will always be there,” he said.

Dr Mohd Hatta said if the place is dirty, then it is up to the police to organise gotong-royong activities to clean it up or if they did not want to then they should move to Putrajaya or Parliament.

“And what is this about contagious diseases on Jalan Haji Taib? The only kind of contagious diseases that are present there are sexually-transmitted ones.

“Is the minister scared that his charges will contract such diseases? That kind of thing is a matter of choice. In any case, if this is what he is worried about then we are worried that the police are not above this.”

Dr Mohd Hatta added that the police had to be brave people and that they were a different breed altogether when facing demonstrators. He said he hoped that the minister would clarify his written answer in the House as this is not the kind of police that the people want.

Why it takes so long to investigate?

Why it takes so long to investigate? I'm in shock when I heard that Musa Hassan and Gani Patail case is still under investigation. What really happen? Is it because the opposition makes a police report, the investigation become slow? What a double standard.... In Teresa Kok case, Khir toyo not even make a police report but just a statement in the newspaper, the police straight away prosecute her under ISA and then the investigation completed within one week... Malaysian Police, cepat dan betul.....

Thursday October 16, 2008 - The Star

http://www.thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2008/10/16/nation/2293718&sec=nation

Investigation continuing over reports lodged by Anwar

KUALA LUMPUR: The Anti-Corruption Agency (ACA) is still investigating police reports lodged by Opposition Leader Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim in July against Attorney-General Tan Sri Abdul Gani Patail and Inspector-General of Police Tan Sri Musa Hassan, said Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department Datuk Seri Nazri Aziz.

Refuting the statement by Lim Kit Siang (DAP — Ipoh Timur) that police had completed their investigation and the outcome of the police report was now with Solicitor-General Datuk Idrus Harun, Nazri said the ACA had not completed its investigation.

The police reports were linked to the “black eye” incident involving Anwar 10 years ago where he claimed to have found new evidence concerning the fabrication of evidence by Gani and Musa, who were then the deputy public prosecutor and investigation officer respectively.

“It is not true that the case has been closed and I assure you that there will be no bias in this,” said Nazri.

Based on the rules of natural justice, it is not proper for anyone in the A-G’s Chambers to investigate or hold any investigation papers against its head, who is the A-G, said Nazri.

He added that there was provision for the ACA to investigate some non-corruption matters.

This was so in this case, as it involved the police and the A-G, he said.

Gani should resign for fabricating evidence connected to Anwar’s sodomy trial, Lim urged in a fiery speech while debating the Budget 2009.

Following Anwar’s July press conference accusing Gani and Musa of such fabrication of evidence, Musa filed a defamation suit against Anwar, while Gani had reportedly threatened to do the same.

Pahang State for Sale

Pahang Government need to pay 60 millions to a logging firm due to breach of contract. Do they have money to settle this? or more or less Pahang state will be on sale soon...

Wednesday October 15, 2008 MYT 3:46:25 PM - The Star

http://www.thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2008/10/15/nation/20081015154408&sec=nation

Logging firm wants Pahang to pay RM60mil court award

KUANTAN: A logging firm, awarded RM60mil following a breach of contract by Pahang government, filed an application for a court order to compel the state government to pay the amount.

The company, Seruan Gemilang Makmur Sdn Bhd, represented by Messrs Peter Lai, Rajoo and Aiza, filed the application at the Kuantan High Court on Wednesday.

It named Pahang Mentri Besar as the respondent.

It involved a logging concession contract related to the extraction of timber logs from a 4,000ha plot of land belonging to Umno in Bebar, Pekan.

In its statement of claims, the company alleged that the Pahang government had failed or refused to pay the sum despite an order issued by the Federal Court on Sept 17 this year.

It was reported that the Pahang government was ordered to pay the firm after failing in its final bid for leave to appeal.

Chief Judge of Sabah and Sarawak Tan Sri Richard Malanjum, who had sat with Federal Court judges Datuk Nik Hashim Nik Ab Rahman and Datuk Abdul Aziz Mohamed, had unanimously dismissed the leave application made by the state government and state forestry director.

Justice Malanjum in his judgment had said the question of law submitted by the Pahang government, represented by its legal adviser Datuk Mat Zaraai Alias was not a noble question and had been raised at the Court of Appeal.

The applicants had sought leave to appeal an Aug 3 decision of the Court of Appeal which rejected their appeal for extension of time to file the notice of appeal.

They wanted permission to appeal against the Kuantan High Court decision on May 25 last year which ordered them to pay RM37,127,471.60 to Seruan Gemilang Makmur with an annual interest of eight per cent dating from Dec 31, 2000.

The High Court made the order after ruling that the state forestry director was negligent in refusing to use the latest plan submitted by the company which was approved by the state executive council on April 5, 2000, and, instead, ordering that the original plan which was approved on Jan 7, 1997, be used.

On Dec 9, 2002, Seruan Gemilang filed a suit against the Pahang government and the state forestry director, seeking RM31mil in damages for breach of contract.

LDP - Failed Project

One more failed project - Projek Lebuhraya Damansara - Puchong (LDP). The highway which I can say that below the standard, is now reaching their full traffic capacity. How come the highway that was open in 1998 is already reaching its' capacity in 10 years, what are they trying to do? another highway? That's what they intend to do, another highway which means, another toll and another waste of taxpayers money..... this what happen when the government is only thinking money in their brain....

Monday October 13, 2008 - The Star

http://www.thestar.com.my/metro/story.asp?file=/2008/10/13/central/2258667&sec=central

New highway in the pipeline

By SIM LEOI LEOI

THE Government is studying a proposal for an alternative highway to the Damansara-Puchong Highway (LDP), which has now reached full traffic capacity.

Works Minister Datuk Mohd Zin Mohamed said traffic congestion at certain places along the highway such as the Sunway and the Sg Penchala tolls was “now at a very bad stage.”

“The traffic jam at these two tolls are categorised at Level E, which means it is very bad. The proposal for an alternative highway was submitted by Projek Lebuhraya Utara-Selatan. The proposal is being studied by the Economic Planning Unit,” said Zin.

“This alternative highway will give road users more choices and help to reduce congestion along the LDP. That highway has a traffic capacity of 120,000 cars each day.

A daily thing: A file picture showing the bumper-tobumper crawl on the LDP after the Sunway toll.

“In many places, the current traffic volume is up to the brim,” he told reporters after opening the Sepang Pemuda, Wanita and Puteri Umno meetings in Sepang yesterday.

Zin said he had also directed the Malaysian Highway Authority to study the feasibility of such an alternative highway.

“Opening an alternative highway to the LDP will also benefit the hundreds of thousands of people living in residential areas along the highway.

“At the same time, I would also recommend that the LDP concessionaire put more efforts into enhancing its infrastructure and develop ways to reduce congestion,” he said.

However, Zin declined to state the alignment of the highway, adding that details were still being worked out.

In May, the minister had told Dewan Rakyat that the Government was looking into having peak and off-peak toll rates as one of the three options to solve the congestion problem of LDP.

Zin had said then that having lower toll rates for using the highway during off-peak hours would encourage road users to stagger their journeys and thus, reduce traffic jams.

Subsidies for the LDP have cost the Government RM630.54mil since 1999 €” the year the LDP toll rates were reduced from RM1.50 set in the concessionaire agreement to RM1.

On another matter, Zin said the Cabinet had directed the ministry to ensure that all construction projects under the Public Works Department continued according to schedule despite the current global economic crisis.

“Until today, we have not received any report of abandoned construction. However, I have set up a taskforce to monitor the situation. The department has some RM70bil worth of projects under the Ninth Malaysia Plan, which are capable of spinning more economic development in the country,” he said.

Datukship for Shah Rukh Khan?

I don't understand and will not understand on what the basis of Malacca Government to award Shah Rukh Khan a Datuk title. Their no brain Chief Minister, Ali Rustam said that SRK had promoted Malacca in his last outdated 4 or 5 years film which title is "One to ka 4". I'm pretty sure that most of you people didn't notice that the film was filmed in Malacca but just only notice the KLCC background. This shows how cheap is the Datukship nowadays..... given by Moron Malaysian leader....

Traffic Jam due to Police Roadblock

I did come back to K.L from my hometown in Besut, Terengganu and my wife hometown in Kota Bharu on 5th. October 2008. The journey took us about 12 hours including stop over for about 2 hours. The normal journey only took 7 hours, where we were stuck or slowly moving starting from Machang to Kuala Krai stretcth and approaching Bentung Town all the way to Karak Highway. Thanks to my GPS device that help me a little bit to find an alternative route. The most dissappointed thing is the traffic jam along Karak Highway until Bukit Tinggi exit which is due to the Police roadblock that stopping the car whose jump the que by using emergency lane. The stretches after the roadblock is back to normal....we are very dissappointed about this, the traffic jam will not even existed if the police help to smoothen the traffic instead of introduce roadblock to find people's mistake... What a waste of time....