The outing of Anas Zubedy

By Commander (Rtd) S. Thayaparan | 29 June 2011
CPIAsia

Introduction by CPI

Although this rebuttal to an open letter has been posed elsewhere, we feel it deserves wider public attention. This is because the subject matter with which the two letters deal, and the opinions expressed are representative of the divergent perspectives among the Malay and non-Malay elite regarding the rights of the various communities and their proper place in the country.

We will leave it to readers to decide on which one is the more persuasive perspective intellectually and morally.

Mat Zain wants Altantuya accused retried

(The Malaysian Inisder) - Datuk Mat Zain Ibrahim urged today Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak to step in and relook the Attorney-General’s (A-G) prosecution of two policemen now on death row for the murder of Mongolian model Altantuya Shaariibuu.

The retired cop accused the A-G of mishandling the case, which reflects a miscarriage of justice as the motive for murder was never found.

Q&A: Malaysia’s Ambiga Sreenevasan

The question now is whether Malaysia’s opposition groups
can capitalize on the momentum from Saturday’s rally and
force further changes in one of Southeast Asia’s linchpin
economies– or if voters will continue to stick with
Mr. Najib and the ruling coalition that has dominated
Malaysia since it gained independence from Britain
several decades ago.

By Celine Fernandez, The Wall Street Journal

An estimated 20,000 protesters gathered in Kuala Lumpur on Saturday to call for reforms to Malaysia’s electoral system. The surprisingly large turnout—and the government’s tough response, with water cannons and tear gas—appears to have galvanized the country’s opposition, which until recently had struggled to gain traction against a government led by Prime Minister Najib Razak.

The protesters believe Malaysia’s government must reform to reduce electoral fraud and create a level playing field for all parties, including the opposition. Government officials say rally organizers were trying to embarrass the government, garner sympathy for opposition politicians and threaten social order.

Musa silent as Sabah suffers cement shortage

KOTA KINABALU: A serious shortage of cement has hit Sabah again and contractors in the state want answers from Chief Minister Musa Aman’s administration which, incidentally, has a stake in the industry through a monopoly company.

But four weeks into the shortage, there’s not even a whimper from the state government, despite cries for help from consumers and developers.

Press Release: Movement for Change, Sarawak (MoCS) on 13th July, 2011.

MoCS will hold a ‘Rally for democracy and reforms in Sarawak’ on Saturday, August 13 in Kuching.

The movement’s leaders who met in Kuala Lumpur on Sunday have decided to tone down the event – originally planned as an anti-Taib rally - to ‘A walk for democracy and reforms’.

Rantings by MM: My Bersih 2.0 experience

Source

So I went.

I have to say that the night before I had many many misgivings, especially after reading about the army doing exercises with the FRU. Could the government seriously be contemplating shooting their own people? Who knows? My stomach was in knots thinking about the many young people I knew who were intent on going, including my daughter. Would I be able to forgive myself if something happened to them?

Tengku Adnan explains Bersih crackdown to Jakarta

KUALA LUMPUR, July 12 — The Najib administration took the unusual step of sending Umno secretary-general Datuk Seri Tengku Adnan Mansor to Jakarta to explain Saturday’s Bersih rally and allay fears of unrest as Indonesia’s oldest English paper criticised the crackdown.

ALERT: Guidance on BERSIH Rally (RAHSIA)

Source

By most accounts, the Bersih 2.0 protest on July 9 could turn out to be massive and will certainly go beyond issues of fair and free elections. With over 100 political, NGO and right groups could be joining the “March for Democracy”, we expect them to champion a slew of issues ranging from inflation to Teoh Beng Hock and Lynas. The protest, if not countered, could undermine the government, the economy and national security. This note sets out the policy guidance and the do’s and don’ts in managing the issue.
NO HOLDS BARRED

Raja Petra Kamarudin

YB Datuk,

Attached please find the guidance/messaging on the Bersih issue for your attention and action, where necessary.

This follows the UMNO Political Bureau meeting where this issue was also discussed and that this material be circulated to all bureau members.  

Please note that the usual confidentiality rule applies.

Please do not forward or disseminate it to unauthorised person/persons.

Thank you and best regards

Jalil Hamid

Head, National Communications Team, PMO

Bersih 2.0, Malaysia 0.0

By Asia Sentinel

The crackdown lowered rally numbers but made Malaysian government look bad.

Although Prime Minister Najib Tun Razak appears to have won the battle by closing down Kuala Lumpur on Saturday and arresting 1,667 mostly peaceful marchers and would-be marchers, the consensus seems to be that Malaysia has suffered a blow to its international reputation as a moderate, democratic country.

DBKK orders SAPP's signboard to be down

DBKK wants signboard down containing 'forbidden word

KOTA KINABALU, July 11, 2011: A tense 90-minute standoff between city hall enforcers and Sabah Progressive Party (SAPP) leaders over a signboard ended with police mediation.

SAPP president Datuk Yong Teck Lee and dozens of his party supporters refused to allow Kota Kinabalu City Hall enforcement officers to remove the signboard bearing the words "bersih, benar, berani" to introduce their internet television and radio link.