Opposition MP freed

Source Straits Times

KUALA LUMPUR - AN OPPOSITION politician held for a week under controversial security laws spoke of her relief as she was freed on Friday.

Teresa Kok, of the Democratic Action Party (DAP), was detained along with Malaysia's top blogger Raja Petra Kamaruddin under the Internal Security Act (ISA).

'I am happy I was freed. I am fine,' she told reporters as she left a local police station.

'I do not know why I was freed today and I do not know why I was detained in the first place.'

Her arrest drew public outrage and the Malaysian minister responsible for legal affairs resigned on Monday over a series of arrests under the security law.

The ISA, which human rights groups have pushed to have abolished, allows for renewable two-year periods of detention without trial and is normally used against terror suspects.

Police said they arrested Ms Kok last Friday because she was involved in a petition to silence the call to prayer in mosques in non-Muslim areas.

Ms Kok has denied making such complaints.

Mr Yap Swee Seng, director of the rights group Voice of the Malaysian People (Suaram) welcomed her release but called for those responsible for her arrest to be held accountable for abusing their power.

'We call for the immediate release of Raja Petra and all other ISA detainees. We demand the draconian security law to be abolished,' he said.

A journalist for a Chinese-language newspaper was arrested after reporting on racist comments made by a ruling party member but was quickly released after an uproar including from within the government.

Raja Petra, founder of the controversial Malaysia Today website, was previously charged with sedition and defamation after linking Deputy Prime Minister Najib Razak and his wife to a sensational murder.

Ms Kok's release came after Washington Thursday expressed 'grave concern' over Malaysia's use of the ISA as a possible way to stifle dissent.

'The United States firmly believes that national security laws, such as the ISA, must not be used to curtail or inhibit the exercise of universal democratic liberties or the peaceful expression of political views,' State Department spokesman Sean McCormack said.

'The detention of opposition leaders under the ISA would be viewed by the United States and the international community as a fundamental infringement of democratic rights and values,' he added. -- AFP

Seputeh MP Teresa Kok’s full statement

My ISA detention is without any legal or moral basis. It is a clear abuse of detention without trial.

I have been released after being detained in solitary confinement in a 6ft by 8ft holding cell for seven days under the Internal Security Act. I was informed by the police that they detained me under Section 73(1) of Internal Security Act 1960, which means I have incited racial and religious tension and conflict.

After being detained for seven days under the guise of so-called investigations, the police failed to produce any evidence or proof of me being involved in the activities of causing racial and religious tension.

They were only able to ask me few questions based entirely on the false and malicious article written by Zaini Hassan under the topic “Azan, jawi, JAIS, Uitm dan ba-alif-ba-ya” that was published in Utusan Malaysia on Sept 10, 2008.

The three main questions that the investigation officers asked me were:

1) Whether I had mobilised a group of residents at Bandar Kinrara to present a petition to oppose to the azan at the Bandar Kinrara mosque;

2) Whether I had made a statement that 30% of the Selangor Islamic Department (JAIS) allocation is to be given to other non-Islam religious bodies; and

3) Whether I had opposed the Jawi wording in road signages in Kuala Lumpur.

I denied the first two accusations as I did not do any such things as accused. I also told them that the issue of opposing Jawi road signages in Kuala Lumpur was done in January/ February 2008 at the request and following the pressure of resident associations. The resident associations, particularly in Taman Seputeh, were most unhappy because many of the road signages were changed arbitrarily by DBKL a few months before and changed again soon after this time with Jawi wordings. They were strongly opposed to this kind of wastage of public funds by DBKL.

I was quite surprised that there were no other questions posed to me besides these few main questions.

The Internal Security Act is meant to detain people who threaten national security. The three issues stated above have nothing to do with national security. If the police wanted to carry out investigations on me, they can always ask me to give statements in any police station and there was absolutely no need to detain me under the ISA for seven days. This is a phenomenal abuse of the power of police under the ISA.

Besides, it is nonsensical for the police to detain me under the ISA merely based on the unsubstantiated article written by an irresponsible columnist in Utusan Malaysia. How can they regard that article as the gospel truth without investigating the writer in the first place? How can Utusan Malaysia publish it without verifying the facts?

I wish to ask the police whether they have called Zaini Hassan and Utusan Malaysia’s editors for questioning before and after my detention.

I know that the imam of Bandar Kinrara mosque has publicly denied that I got involved in the Puchong residents petition against the azan of his mosque on Sept 13. I am also quite surprised to read in the New Straits Times dated Sept 19 that the official of the Bandar Kinrara mosque was called by the Dang Wangi police for statement recording only yesterday afternoon. Why did the police do it so late, one week after I was arrested? Why didn’t they check their facts first before they arrested me and put me behind bars?

I have been made scapegoat in the internal squabbles of Umno.

I see my detention as a ploy by Umno to try to cover up the embarrassment and the outrage of the racist statements made by Ahmad Ismail in Penang. I wonder why did they choose an innocent person like me as I have never made any racist statements or racist speeches in the past?

I lodged a police report on Sept 17 against Utusan Malaysia, Zaini Hassan and Dr Khir Toyo for criminal defamation. I would therefore urge the police to investigate Utusan Malaysia’s editors, those racist bloggers and Dr Khir Toyo under the Penal Code.

As I have mentioned in my previous lawyer’s visit, I will sue Utusan Malaysia, Zaini Hassan and Dr Khir Toyo. I have also instructed my lawyers to sue the Malaysian government for my unlawful arrest and detention.

Raja Petra should be released.

As I am free from ISA detention today, I also call for the release of Raja Petra, the Hindraf Five and all other 60 over detainees under the draconian ISA.

I would also like to thank all politicians in the ruling parties as well as in the Pakatan Rakyat, NGOs, churches and all social organisations who have campaigned and prayed for my release.

Teresa Kok released from ISA detention

KUALA LUMPUR: Seputeh MP Teresa Kok was released from detention under the Internal Security Act at about 1pm on Friday.

Her father Kok Kim Tong and mother Poh Seh Kwon were at the Jalan Travers police station here when she was released.

“I am happy that I have been released and I’m okay,” she told reporters gathered at the police station.

“I do not know why I was released today, just as I do not know why I was detained,” she added.

Deputy Inspector-General of Police Tan Sri Ismail Omar said that Kok had been released at 1.30pm after investigations showed there was no reason to detain her any further.

"She has released unconditionally," he added.

Kok, 44, later Friday told a press conference at the DAP headquarters in Petaling Jaya that she would sue Utusan Malaysia and its columnist Zaini Hassan over articles written about her.

She also said she would sue former Selangor Mentri Besar Datuk Seri Dr Mohd Khir Toyo over his statements about her, and the Government for unlawful detention.

Kok said that throughout her detention, she was repeatedly asked three questions:

1) Whether she had mobilised a group of residents at Bandar Kinrara to present a petition to oppose the Azan at the Bandar Kinrara mosque;

2) Whether she had made a statement that 30% of the allocation for the Selangor Religious Department should be given to other non-religious bodies; and

3) Whether she was opposed to Jawi wordings in road signages in Kuala Lumpur.

Kok also said that the police never explained to her why she had been detained.

"I kept asking why I had been detained but the police never told me why,” she added, saying that she gave her full co-operation to the police during her eight-day detention.

She said she had thought she was detained for seven days as the police had more questions for her, but there were none.

“I kept asking them ‘What have I done to be arrested under the ISA?’, but they could not answer me.

“They only told me that it was an ‘instruction from the top’ but they did not specify anything,” she said.

On the day she was arrested, Kok said that she was on her way home after her formal functions when two cars stopped her vehicle.

“One stopped behind my car, the other stopped in front of me. I felt like I was being kidnapped.

“They knocked on my window, told me to come out and said that I was being arrested under the ISA,” she said.

She added that they did not even allow her to make a phone call to her lawyer or her family, which suspects are entitled to when arrested.

“I was denied even this. So I had to give some numbers to my driver and he had to make the calls for me,” she said.

Darkness liftedHer parents, Kok Kim Tong, 74, and Pong Seh Kwan, 71, were also present at the press conference, and both looked very happy. “I have not been able to sleep in the last one week, and my high-blood pressure has gone up,” said Pong.

“But I am so happy today that my daughter has been released. It feels like the darkness which had been present all week has been lifted from my home and my heart. It’s bright again,” Pong said.

Also present at the press conference were many Pakatan Rakyat leaders including Selangor Mentri Besar Tan Sri Khalid Ibrahim, DAP adviser Lim Kit Siang and DAP national chairman Karpal Singh.

The Kinrara assemblyman and senior Selangor state executive councillor was detained one week ago, together with Malaysia Today editor Raja Petra Kamarudin and Sin Chew Daily reporter Tan Hoon Cheng.

Tan was released after 18 hours.

Kok was detained because she was considered a potential threat to national security for "racial incitement" after she was accused of petitioning a mosque to reduce the volume for azan (the call to prayer), something which she had vehemently denied.

The accusation surfaced in a Sept 10 article in Utusan Malaysia quoting former Selangor Mentri Besar Datuk Seri Dr Mohd Khir Toyo.

The accusation was refuted by the Kinrara mosque committee chairman and Kota Raja MP Dr Siti Mariah had lodged a police report against Dr Mohd Khir on this issue.

Kok also lodged a police report against the Malay daily, its columnist Zaini Hassan and Dr Mohd Khir.

“I believe one of the excuses for my ISA detention is in relation to that article and I place Utusan Malaysia, Zaini Hassan and Dr Mohd Khir Toyo responsible for my arrest,” she had stated in her police report.

On Monday, Kok filed a habeas corpus application in the High Court for her release citing that her arrest and detention under the Internal Security Act was unlawful.

Sankara said then that the court had fixed Sept 23 for hearing but said they would apply for Sept 22 instead as he had another case and Karpal Singh would be in East Malaysia on that date.

Repeal or review ISA

Gerakan welcomed the release of Kok and reiterated its call for the release of Raja Petra, adding that the ISA needs “to be substantially amended if not repealed.”

Gerakan acting president Tan Sri Dr Koh Tsu Koon said the step was necessary to prevent what is now widely perceived as misuse and abuse of the law.

“No doubt, by previous ISA ‘standards’, her detention of less than seven days is comparatively short ... still, this infringes on human rights and freedom,” he said in a statement on Friday.

Dr Koh said when he met Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi briefly on Tuesday, he assured him that the police had been told not to detain Kok and Raja Petra for a day longer than was necessary for investigation and other procedures.

“While the Prime Minister’s sincerity and seriousness are appreciated, these two cases drove home the point that the police exercise of the ISA seemed to be based on a rather flimsy and even flippant basis,” he said.

PAS Youth urged the Government not to use the ISA on anyone at all on humanitarian grounds.
“If you have proof, let the courts decide. There’s no use for this draconian law,” said PAS Youth chief Salahuddin Ayub.

Transparency International Malaysia urged the Government to free Raja Petra and all other ISA detainees in the interest of national transparency, integrity and progress.

Its president Tan Sri Ramon Navaratnam said Kok’s release was an expression of better acccountability on the part of the Government.

The Centre for Public Policy Studies said Kok’s detention was unwarranted and should not have taken place.

Source TheStar

Arabs denounce cleric's fatwa on 'immoral' TV

Source AP

By DONNA ABU-NASRAssociated Press Writer

Arabs across the ideological spectrum, from secular-minded liberals to Muslim hard-liners, are denouncing a top Saudi cleric's edict that it was permissible to kill the owners of satellite TV stations that show "immoral" content.

Many expressed worry the recent comments by Sheik Saleh al-Lihedan — chief of the kingdom's highest tribunal, the Supreme Judiciary Council — would fuel terrorism, encouraging attacks on station employees and owners.

The edict, or fatwa, has also focused the spotlight on Saudi Arabia's legal system because of al-Lihedan's senior position in the judiciary. The system is run by Islamic cleric-judges, many of them hard-liners, and has increasingly been criticized by some Saudis because of the wide discretion judges have in punishing criminals and the perception that many judges are out of touch with the realities of the world.

Even conservative clerics who agree that Arab satellite networks show too many "indecent" programs said al-Lihedan had gone too far.

"Our religion prevents Muslims from watching films that provide seduction, obscenity and vulgarity," said Sheik Hazim Awad, an Iraqi cleric, who, like al-Lihedan, is Sunni Muslim.

But "the real Muslim can just cancel (subscriptions to) these channels," he said.

Many conservatives frown on the Arab world's numerous satellite networks for airing music videos — often with scantily clad women singers — or Western movies and TV shows like "Sex and the City," from which nude scenes are sometimes but not always cut.

Obscenity isn't the only thing that disturbs some. On Tuesday, another Saudi cleric, Sheik Mohammed Munajjid, said the cartoon character Mickey Mouse should be killed. Munajjid said in an interview with a religious Web site that under Islamic law, rats and mice are considered "repulsive" and as "soldiers of Satan."

"For children they've become something great and beloved. Like this Mickey Mouse, who is seen as a great figure, even though under Islamic law, Mickey Mouse should be killed," said Munajjid, who is a well-known cleric but does not hold a government position.

The controversy over al-Lihedan's fatwa began a week ago, when the cleric was answering questions from callers to the daily "Light in the Path" religious program on Saudi state radio. One caller asked about Islam's view of the owners of satellite TV channels that show "bad programs" during the holy month of Ramadan, which began more than two weeks ago.

"I want to advise the owners of these channels, who broadcast calls for such indecency and impudence ... and I warn them of the consequences," al-Lihedan said in the program. "Those calling for corrupt beliefs, certainly it's permissible to kill them."

The remarks were especially surprising because many of the most popular Arab satellite networks are owned by Saudi princes and well-connected Saudi and Gulf businessmen.

On Sunday, reportedly under pressure from senior government figures, al-Lihedan appeared on Saudi state TV to explain his comments, apparently to prevent vigilante killings. He said owners should first be brought to trial and then sentenced to death if other penalties don't deter them.

He said his "advice" was aimed at owners who broadcast witchcraft, indecent programs, shows mocking Islamic scholars or religious police and comedies inappropriate for Ramadan.

The edict chilled managers of satellite networks. Several channels based in Dubai declined comment. One network representative said the staff was taking the fatwa very seriously, but he did not want his name or channel revealed. "Why select yourself as a target by commenting on it?" he said.

Saudi Arabia's judiciary is a bastion of hard-line clerics implementing Islamic law under the strict Wahhabi interpretation. Judges are appointed by the king on the recommendation of the Supreme Judicial Council and have complete discretion to set sentences, except in cases where Islamic law outlines a punishment, such as capital crimes.

King Abdullah has said reforming the legal system is one of his priorities, but so far few changes have been announced — a sign of wariness in confronting the powerful clerics.

One Saudi cleric challenged al-Lihedan, telling the Saudi Al-Jazirah newspaper that the new edict would "lend support to terrorism."

Militants will "recruit our youths to take lives and blow up stations and the properties of the owners of the stations, all based on (al-Lihedan's) grave response," said Sheik Abdul-Mohsen al-Obaikan, an adviser at the Justice Ministry and a member of the appointed Consultative Council, which acts like a parliament.

In Jordan, hard-line cleric Ibrahim Zeid Kailani said although the networks are spreading "decay" among the youth, it's the responsibility of the government and not individuals to deal with the issue.

"Such edicts, which call for killing people, instigate sedition," said Kailani, who heads the Islamic Action Front's Scholars Committee, a hawkish group. "They could transform the countries into internal battlefields."

Around the Arab world, many said el-Lihedan was out of line.

"He shouldn't give such a judgment because he's not God," said Noora Baker, a 27-year-old folkloric dancer from the Palestinian city of Ramallah. "I am against religion interfering with the matters of society."

BEACH GOSSIP: Bush, Einstein and Picasso

George W. Bush, Albert Einstein and Pablo Picasso have all died.

Due to a glitch in the mundane/celestial time-space continuum, all three arrive at the Pearly Gates more or less simultaneously, even though their deaths have taken place decades apart.The first to present himself to Saint Peter is Einstein.

Saint Peter questions him. "You look like Einstein, but you have NO idea the lengths certain people will go to, to sneak into Heaven under false pretenses. Can you prove who you really are?"

Einstein ponders for a few seconds and asks, "Could I have a blackboard and some chalk?"

Saint Peter complies with a snap of his fingers. The blackboard and chalk instantly appear. Einstein proceeds to describe with arcane mathematics and symbols his special theory of relativity.

Saint Peter is suitably impressed. "You really *are* Einstein! Welcome to heaven!"

The next to arrive is Picasso. Once again Saint Peter asks for his credentials.

Picasso doesn't hesitate. "Mind if I use that blackboard and chalk?"

Saint Peter says, "Go ahead."

Picasso erases Einstein's scribbles and proceeds to sketch out a truly stunning mural. Bulls, satyrs, nude women: he captures their essences with but a few strokes of the chalk.

Saint Peter claps. "Surely you are the great artist you claim to be! Come on in!"

The last to arrive is George W. Bush.

Saint Peter scratches his head. "Einstein and Picasso both managed to prove their identity. How can you prove yours?"

George W. looks bewildered, "Who are Einstein and Picasso?"

Saint Peter sighs, "Come on in, George."

ISA: Teresa Kok dibebaskan

Source Malaysiakini

Teresa Kok dibebaskan daripada tahanan Akta Keselamatan Dalam Negeri (ISA) hari ini selepas disiasat selama seminggu.Beliau dibebaskan di balai polis Jalan Travers, Kuala Lumpur jam 1 petang.

Beliau berada di balai polis berkenaan selama 40 minit untuk proses urusan pembebasan sebelum keluar bersama ibu bapanya, peguamnya Sankara Nair dan pembantunya Mandy Ooi.

DAP memaklumkan satu sidang media berhubung pembebasan itu akan diadakan di ibu pejabatnya di Petaling Jaya jam 3.30 petang.

Exco kanan kerajaan Selangor itu ditahan bawah ISA menjelang tengah malam Jumaat lepas.

Beliau antara tiga orang yang ditahan minggu lalu bawah kontroversi itu selepas penangkapan editor Malaysia Today Raja Petra Kamaruddin dan wartawan Sin Chew Daily Tan Hoon Cheng.

Tan dibebaskan Sabtu lepas, sementara Raja Petra masih ditahan.

Teresa, yang juga ahli Parlimen Seputeh, ditangkap kira-kira jam 11.18 malam Jumaat lalu ketika pulang daripada menghadiri satu majlis di Kuala Lumpur.

Teresa yang setiausaha organisasi kebangsaan DAP, ditahan selepas kenderaan yang dinaikinya dihalang oleh tiga kereta peronda polis.Timbalan Ketua Polis Negara, Tan Sri Ismail Omar mengesahkan penahanan Teresa mengikut Seksyen 73 (1) ISA.

Menurut pemimpin utama DAP Lim Kit Siang, tiga kereta polis bersama 10 anggota menahan Teresa di pintu masuk kondominiumnya.

Katanya, Teresa baru pulang daripada menghadiri satu majlis festival kuih bulan di pejabatnya di kawasan pilihanrayanya.

Teresa ditahan untuk siasatan berhubung tuduhan melarang laungan azan di dua masjid, penggunaan tulisan jawi pada papan tanda dan laporan polis terhadapnya oleh beberapa pertubuhan Islam, termasuk Jabatan Agama Islam Selangor (Jais).

Teresa is being Released!!!

Source MP KitSiang

At 12.56 pm, at lunch in Ipoh, my mobile phone rang. I saw the caller was “Teresa” and wondered who was using her phone.

But it was her on the line and wondered how she wangled the use of her phone while in detention.

But no, she did no such improper thing. She told me that she was being released.

Bravo. The irresistible pressures for her unjust and undemocratic detention had succeeded.

While in celebratory and jubilant mood, we must also be mindful that the recent spate of ISA arrests demonstrate that this iniquitous law must go.

Sin Chew reporter Tan Hoon Cheng’s 18-hour ISA detention and Teresa’s 6-day detention are testimony.

Now, only RPK is still in detention from the recent spate of ISA arrests. He should be released immediately too.

The Hindraf Five and all other ISA detainees should also be given back their personal liberties and released from Kamunting Detention Centre.

Leaving Ipoh now for Teresa’s media conference at DAP PJ Hqrs at 3.30 pm

US Expressed Concern - Press Statement from Department of State

Source Department of State, US

Press Statement

Sean McCormack

Washington, DCSeptember 18, 2008

Use of the Internal Security Act in Malaysia

The United States views with grave concern recent use by the Government of Malaysia of the Internal Security Act (ISA) and the possibility that it might be used again to detain opposition political figures.

The statement by a government figure that a leading member of the opposition had become "a threat to the economy and national security" is extremely troubling.

The United States firmly believes that national security laws, such as the ISA, must not be used to curtail or inhibit the exercise of universal democratic liberties or the peaceful expression of political views.

The detention of opposition leaders under the ISA would be viewed by the United States and the international community as a fundamental infringement of democratic rights and values.

2008/747

Japan injects two trillion yen

Source Straits Times

TOKYO - THE Bank of Japan said on Friday it had injected two trillion yen (S$27.26 billion dollars) into money markets amid continuing concerns over turmoil in financial markets.

The Japanese central bank has made emergency injections daily for the past four days. The latest brings the total to 10 trillion yen since Tuesday.

The world's central banks have pumped hundreds of billions of dollars into money markets to ensure the supply of funds does not dry up since the collapse of US investment bank Lehman Brothers.

The world's top central banks also announced a huge operation to boost the volume of dollars available to strangled money markets as global financial turmoil ripped deeper into confidence.

The US Federal Reserve agreed to inject US$180 billion as part of a global total of US$300 billion.

The Tokyo Stock Exchange's benchmark Nikkei-225 index opened higher on Friday following an overnight rebound on Wall Street after the concerted action by the world's central banks and talks on measures to rescue troubled financial firms.

Bank of Japan governor Mr Masaaki Shirakawa said on Thursday, 'The tension in international financial markets has been rapidly increasing and spreading to unexpected areas,' voicing hope that central banks' measures would contribute to the stability of international markets.

Party wants me to resign, says Tan

Source NST

KOTA KINABALU: Sabah Progressive Party deputy president Datuk Raymond Tan will not tender his resignation from the party, saying that it was the party which did not want him.

"Why should I tender my resignation? It is not that I don't want to be with SAPP. It is SAPP which does not want me," he said, adding he had been unfairly treated by the party after registering his objection to the no-confidence vote in the prime minister on June 18.

However, he said if the party required him to send in a resignation letter, he had it ready.

Citing an example of unfair treatment, Tan said he was removed for no apparent reason as the party's Tanjung Papat central liaison committee and Sandakan zone chairman despite being deputy president.

"After the party made a stand that it had lost confidence in the prime minister in June, which I opposed, I was treated like an outsider although I am a senior leader of the party," he told the New Straits Times yesterday.

Another example, he said, was when he arrived 15 minutes late for the party's supreme council meeting on Sept 17, and had no place to sit as the chair usually reserved for him as deputy president was occupied.

"I had to ask for a place to sit. I was late before but my chair, file and name tag on the table were always there."

"You (in reference to SAPP president Datuk Seri Yong Teck Lee) said you were badly treated by BN, but look at how you have been treating your colleague in the party," he said.

Describing himself as an "independent BN assemblyman", Tan said he would meet chief minister Datuk Seri Musa Aman on Monday to tender his resignation as deputy chief minister and minister of infrastructure development "as a matter of principle". He would then leave it to Musa to decide on his resignation.

Meanwhile, two founding members of SAPP yesterday handed in their resignation letters.

SAPP secretary-general Datuk Richard Yong confirmed receiving letters from Youth chief Au Kam Wah and vice-president Jimmy Wong, but would not say whether the resignations had been accepted.

Au, who is the assemblyman for Elopura, said he would serve as an independent despite offers from BN coalition parties and the opposition to join them.

Asked if he would be an independent aligned to BN, Au said it was not necessary for him to pledge such support, although he had won the seat on the coalition's ticket.

Wong said he decided to resign from the party as it had gone "against the grains of the BN concept, beliefs and principles that were the basis of its political ideology".

Donald Lim considers his options

Source NST

KUALA LUMPUR: MCA vice-president Datuk Donald Lim Siang Chai has not decided on the post he wants to contest in the party elections next month.

Former vice-president Datuk Seri Dr Chua Soi Lek had said on Wednesday that Lim would be defending his vice-presidency.

"I haven't make up my mind. I will announce my intentions at the right time," said Lim, the former deputy tourism minister.

"I have to ensure that I will succeed in the elections. If not, what's the point of contesting?

"This is a serious matter. We are talking about my role in the future of the party," he said.

Another vice-president, Datuk Seri Dr Fong Chan Onn, had said that he would be defending his post. He is expected to announce his intentions after the Malacca state convention on Saturday.

New fuel price on Sept 30

Source NST

GEORGE TOWN: The government will only announce on Sept 30 whether there will be any changes to pump fuel prices following changes to the world crude oil prices.

Second Finance Minister Tan Sri Nor Mohamed Yakcop said although world prices had come down, the government has a formula to follow with regards to fixing retail fuel prices as announced previously.

"If there are any changes, it will be based on a monthly basis," he said.

Nor Mohamed said any new prices would be made known at the end of the month.

He was speaking to reporters after joining the Wisma Anak-Anak Yatim Lelaki for buka puasa in Air Itam here last night.

On Domestic Trade and Consumer Affairs Minister Datuk Shahrir Ahmad Samad's recent statement that the government might reduce fuel prices before Hari Raya, Nor Mohamed said announcing it on Sept 30 would certainly be before Hari Raya.

On Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak's appointment as finance minister, Nor Mohamed said he was confident that Najib would perform well in his new portfolio and bring in more foreign investors to the country.

He added that the country's economy would remain stable despite the United States' financial crisis following the collapse of Lehman Brothers and rating downgrades on US' leading insurance group, AIG.

Central banks in huge rescue bid

Source TheAge

SIX of the world's central banks have taken unprecedented joint emergency action to prop up global financial markets, as a deepening crisis of confidence threatens to plunge the world into recession.

Facing potentially the worst financial crisis since the 1930s depression, central banks in Europe, North America and Asia last night pumped US$180 billion ($A225 billion) into markets to try to prevent the global financial system from seizing up

The joint action came as more of the world's big financial houses, including the venerable US investment banks Morgan Stanley and Goldman Sachs, became the focus of intense speculation about their solvency.

Fear also gathered momentum in Australia where, despite repeated assurances about the strength of local banks, the dollar slipped below 80 US cents again and the sharemarket plummeted close to a three-year low, further eroding the savings of millions of people.

Shares in Macquarie Bank, the one-time sharemarket darling dubbed the "millionaires factory", crashed another 23% amid speculation that it may be forced into an alliance with a commercial bank.

The world's major central banks were jolted into emergency action late yesterday Australian time when the foreign exchange forward market in Asia effectively ceased functioning - threatening to halt billions of dollars worth of vital international commerce in its tracks.

Said one Australian market observer: "You can't do a trade in the foreign exchange forward market in US dollars, which is the only currency that matters."

Companies - particularly finance companies like banks - raise money on credit markets to pay for their day to day operations. The drought of US dollars would have made it not only more expensive but nearly impossible to raise funds.

The Bank of Canada, the Bank of England, the European Central Bank, the US Federal Reserve, the Bank of Japan, and the Swiss National Bank all contributed to the rescue effort, with the biggest flush of dollars coming from the US central bank.

Within an hour of the unprecedented flood of US dollars into Asian and European markets, the foreign exchange forward market was working again and prices were not too far above normal.

But the central banks' action did not save the Australian sharemarket from suffering another day of heavy losses.

After the market dropped as much as 4.1% during the day, some investors returned later, containing the fall to 2.4% by the close, putting it at its lowest since December 2005.

Macquarie Bank's dive followed a rout among investment banks on Wall Street, triggered by concerns about credit market turmoil and the demise of stalwart firms like Merrill Lynch, which was sold to Bank of America, and Lehman Brothers, which filed for bankruptcy.

Any unwinding of Macquarie - unthinkable just days ago - would not only be a financial nightmare, but would represent a major headache for governments here and around the world.

Through its fast-growing asset management business, Macquarie owns and operates billions of dollars of essential infrastructure including airports, toll roads, communication towers and Britain's biggest water utility.

Nearly every major global bank would have some form of debt or trading exposure to Macquarie while millions of small investors have exposure to Macquarie's listed and unlisted funds.

Kit Siang: Teresa’s ISA detention - top MCA leadership should apologise and make amends

The top MCA leadership should apologise and make amends for DAP National Organising Secretary, MP for Seputeh and Selangor Senior Exco Teresa Kok Suh Sim’s detention under the Internal Security Act (ISA) for two reasons:

• Failure of the MCA Ministers to demand in the Cabinet meeting yesterday for the immediate and unconditional release of Teresa Kok under the ISA; and

• For Teresa’s ISA detention as it was based on a police report by a key MCA operative in Puchong.

On Tuesday, the MCA Central Committee called for the release of Teresa under ISA, wanting her to be investigated under other laws and charged in court if there was evidence.

However at the weekly Wednesday Cabinet meeting yesterday, the four MCA Ministers failed to uphold and implement the MCA Central Committee resolution that Teresa should be released immediately under the ISA, as they failed to place Teresa’s ISA detention as a specific item on the Cabinet agenda and to ask for a Cabinet decision for the immediate release of Teresa.

In fact, apart from some mumblings and grumblings at the Cabinet meeting, the MCA Ministers never tried to force an issue to demand Teresa’s immediate release under the ISA at the Cabinet meeting yesterday although the majority of the Ministers were privately opposed to Teresa’s detention.

It is clearly most unacceptable and dishonourable for the MCA leadership to stage a double-faced political farce – on the one hand, pretending to yield to public opinion by taking a stand in the newspapers calling for Teresa’s release yet on the other, fully submitting to Umno political hegemony in the Cabinet by the failure and cowardice of the MCA Ministers to force an issue at yesterday’s weekly meeting to get Teresa released immediately and unconditionally.

If the full weight of national and international opinion can force the release of senior Sin Chew Daily reporter Tan Hoon Cheng after 18 hours of unlawful ISA detention, why can’t the four MCA Ministers take a stand in the Cabinet yesterday to secure the release of Teresa after five days of arbitrary, unjust, undemocratic and unhygienic ISA detention?

What is the use of having four MCA Ministers in Cabinet if they are incapable of or impotent in accomplishing the simplest of things – the immediate release of Teresa from ISA when she should never have been arrested in the first place?

The failure of the MCA Ministers to get the Cabinet yesterday to release Teresa – or even to place Teresa’s detention as a specific agenda for Cabinet meeting and decision yesterday – is even more inexcusable when it was a key MCA operative in Puchong whose police report making false allegations against Teresa over the azan controversy last Thursday was the trigger for her ISA detention the next day on September 12 at 11.18 pm!

Is the MCA leadership going to sack this key MCA operative in Puchong for making the false and mischievous report against Teresa or is the MCA leadership taking the stand that Teresa should not be detained under the ISA but should be charged under other laws in the country over the false azan allegations against her?

Is the MCA leadership going to haul up the four MCA Ministers to show cause why they had failed to uphold and implement the MCA Central Committee decision in the Cabinet yesterday to secure Teresa’s immediate release?

Who would have any doubt that if the UMNO Supreme Council on Tuesday had taken a decision that Teresa should be released immediately under the ISA that she would have walked out of ISA detention as a free Malaysian latest by Wednesday?

Why should there be any difference between the powers and influence of the MCA Central Committee from the Umno Supreme Council, unless the former is just subservient and subordinate to the latter?

[Speech at the SSS (Support, Sympathy and Solidarity) Candlelight Vigil for DAP MP for Seputeh Teresa Kok demanding her immediate release from Internal Security Act held at Ipoh Timor Garden East, Ipoh on Thursday, 18th September 2008 at 9 pm]

Dr M: Pak Lah tak mampu urus kewangan

Source Malaysiakini

Pertukaran portfolia antara Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi dan Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak semalam, merupakan satu pengakuan yang Abdullah tidak boleh menguruskan Kementerian Kewangan, kata Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad."Tetapi sebenarnya tak ada apa-apa kerana selama ini pun ia diuruskan oleh (Menteri Kewangan 11), Tan Sri Nor Mohamed Yakcop," katanya.

Semalam, Abdullah mengumumkan Najib mengambil alih jawatan menteri kewangan manakala beliau mengambil alih jawatan menteri pertahanan.

Namun begitu, kata Dr Mahathir, negara akan menghadapi saat kritikal dalam ekonominya ekoran apa yang berlaku di Amerika Syarikat, terutama kes muflis Lehman Brothers dan langkah menyelamatkan syarikat insurans AIG membabitkan AS$85 bilion.

Bercakap kepada pemberita di Yayasan Kepimpinan Perdana di Putrajaya malam tadi, beliau mengingatkan bahawa Najib akan disalahkan jika beliau tidak menguruskan ekonomi dengan baik.

Ditanya sama ada pertukaran portfolio itu akan mengurangkan sebahagian tekanan terhadap Abdullah dalam Umno, Dr Mahathir menjawab secara sinis.

"Saya tak rasa beliau merasa apa-apa tekanan pun," kata mantan timbalan perdana menteri itu.
Mengenai penahanan ISA, mantan Perdana Menter itu berpendapat penulis blog Raja Petra Kamarudin dan ahli Parlimen Seputeh Teresa Kok tidak harus ditahan mengikut Akta Keselamatan Dalam Negeri (ISA) kerana mereka tidak melakukan ketegangan.

Beliau berkata adalah tidak benar sekiranya kedua-dua individu terbabit didakwa menimbulkan ancaman terhadap keselamatan negara hanya kerana meluahkan pandangan masing-masing.

Beliau mendakwa keadaan sekarang tidak begitu tegang jika dibandingkan pada 1987 yang menyaksikan 106 ahli politik ditahan dalam Operasi Lalang.

Teresa dan Raja Petra ditahan pada 12 September lalu. Turut ditahan ialah wartawan Sin Chew Daily, Tan Hoon Cheng, tetapi beliau dibebasan pada hari berikutnya.

Teresa ditahan untuk siasatan berhubung tuduhan melarang laungan azan di dua masjid, penggunaan tulisan jawi pada papan tanda dan laporan polis terhadapnya oleh beberapa pertubuhan Islam, termasuk Jabatan Agama Islam Selangor (Jais). Manakala Raja Petra pula ditahan ekoran kenyataannya dalam laman blog Malaysia Today termasuk yang didakwa menghina Islam dan Nabi Muhammad (SAW).

Sementara itu, Dr Mahathir berkata, beliau hanya akan kembali menyertai Umno pada suatu masa yang tepat.

Bercakap kepada pemberita di Yayasan Kepimpinan Perdana di Putrajaya malam tadi, beliau yang juga mantan presiden Umno berkata pelbagai pihak telah berusaha meyakinkan dan memujuknya agar kembali kepada Umno.

"Saya sedang memikirkan untuk menyertai semula Umno, tetapi saya akan menentukan sendiri masa yang sesuai."

Permohonan (untuk menyertai semula Umno) adalah satu perkara, penerimaan mereka juga harus difikirkan. Jadi saya mahu waktu yang tepat (untuk menyertai semula)," katanya.

Dr Mahathir berkata beliau didatangi oleh banyak pihak yang meyakinkan beliau bahawa beliau boleh membawa kebaikan kepada Umno, parti yang menjadi tulang belakang kerajaan Barisan Nasional, jika menyertainya semula.

Sementara itu, beliau menerbitkan sebuah buku - 'Blogging to Unblock' yang memuatkan tulisannya dalam laman blognya CheDet.com.

Dr Mahathir mula memblog selepas beliau mendakwa kenyataannya telah dipulaukan oleh media arus perdana.