Iran suggests Asia parliament formation

pix: Iran's FM Mottaki speaks to reporters.
Iran suggests Asia parliament formation
Sun, 03 Aug 2008 09:47:04
Iran's foreign minister has proposed the foundation of an Asian parliament to play a more active role in the international community.
"The Asian unions including the Association of South East Asian Nations (ASEAN) , the Economic Cooperation Organization (ECO) and the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) should strengthen convergence within the framework of an Asian parliament with the aim of playing a greater international role," Iranian Foreign Minister Manouchehr Mottaki told reporters in Sri Lanka Saturday.
Mottaki is in the Sri Lankan capital Colombo to attend the 15th SAARC summit. Iran has observer status in the organization.
Mottaki expressed hope that practical measures would be taken in the near future aimed at bolstering political and economic cooperation between Tehran and SAARC member countries.
He said that the expansion of Tehran-Colombo relations would prepare the appropriate groundwork for participation of Iranian companies in various projects in Sri Lanka.
SAARC was established in 1985 to provide a platform for the peoples of South Asia to work together in a spirit of friendship, trust and understanding. It aims to accelerate the process of economic and social development in member states.
Senior officials from Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Maldives Islands, Nepal, Pakistan and Sri Lanka are attending the two-day SAARC summit. China, Iran, Japan, Mauritius, South Korea and the US are taking part as observers.
SF/MR/BGH

Cabinet Approves Ratification Of OIC Charter

KUALA LUMPUR, June 13 (Bernama) -- Malaysia has ratified the Organisation of the Islamic Conference (OIC) new charter which, among others, aims to make the grouping more effective in implementing decisions, especially on problems faced by Muslim nations.

Foreign Minister Datuk Seri Dr Rais Yatim said Malaysia would present its decision at the 35th OIC Conference in Kampala, Uganda from June 17 to 18.

"Malaysia's ability to ratify the charter within a short time is appreciated by OIC Secretary-General Ekmeleddin Ihsanoglu," Rais said here Friday after presenting a cheque for a donation to Nargis cyclone victims in Myanmar.

Rais said the charter contained provisions to make the OIC more effective in humanitarian efforts as the biggest Islamic organisation in the world.

"The charter also contains a provision for the setting up of an Islamic Court of Justice," he disclosed.

The revised charter was approved at the 11th OIC Summit in March 2008 in Dakar, Senegal. It replaces the charter which was registered in 1974 in conformity with Article 102 of the United Nations Charter.

The OIC new charter will come into force when approved by a two-third majority of the Council of Foreign Ministers and ratified by two thirds of the 57 member states. -- bernama

PM acknowledges he is a cause in BN-Umno polls setback, pledges to work towards rehabilitating the party despite calls for his resignation

PM to work towards rehabilitating the party
JOHOR BARU: Acknowledging that he was one of the causes of the setbacks suffered by Umno and Barisan Nasional in the 12th general election, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi yesterday said he felt responsible to now work towards rehabilitating the party despite calls for his resignation.
The Umno president also pledged to revive BN and Umno by delivering on his past promises.
Abdullah's stand came just after a pledge of support for him from all of Johor's 26 division chiefs, putting to rest rumours that Umno leaders in the state were going to ask him to step down.
There had been calls the past few days from certain Umno quarters for him to resign from the government and the party over the ruling coalition's poor showing in the general election last month in which the BN, for the first time in its history, lost control over five states and a two-thirds majority in parliament. "I admit I was one of the causes for these losses. I also understand that there are many things that need to be done. There are many reforms and changes that need to be done, such as reforming the judiciary, fighting corruption, reducing crime and improving the public delivery system.
"There are also other issues that need to be tackled that are related to inter-racial relations and religious freedom.
"These are some of the promises I made in the 2004 BN manifesto and I must implement them," Abdullah said after a meeting with Johor Umno leaders here. Some of these matters were already being worked on, such as the economy and reforming Government-linked companies, he said.
"I am responsible for doing all these. Some of it has or is being done while others take a bit more time."Abdullah also hinted at changes in Umno as some of the policies that it helped put forward in the BN had led to the ire of voters.
"The party can be very strong, but the rakyat can throw it away over something which they cannot accept. Some of these things include issues concerning inter-racial and inter-religious relations."Responding to fresh calls on Thursday from Kedah and Penang Umno leaders for him to resign, Abdullah said that was their view.
"Not all of them feel that way. But never mind. I have said before that I will not remain for very long.
"But I have a mandate from the people to continue, and I have a responsibility to rectify the issues that led to our losses." Before the start of the press conference, Johor Umno State Liaison chief Datuk Abdul Ghani Othman pledged the support of all the state's 26 division chiefs for Abdullah, putting to rest rumours that they were also going to ask him to step down.On a related matter, Abdullah said Umno would look into suggestions that the system to choose general election candidates be reviewed as disgruntlement among its division leaders over the party's choices was a factor in the BN's losses.
"This system is based on consultation and has been the time-honoured practice. On the one hand, they (grassroots leaders) want the senior leadership to decide but when we decide, they don't agree with the choice.
"It is complicated but we will do our best," Abdullah said.
Bigger, better units in housing scheme [in Iskandar Malaysia] – nstonline

To establish the rule of the Shari’ah is to do the work of the prophets – waliwibowo
If along with the work which you are doing, you could also enforce the Shari’ah you would be doing the work of the prophets (peace and blessings upon them), and would be rehabilitating the desolate house of Islam and restoring its glory. After that, whatever progress you make will be in the area of prophetic perfections.