REDEMPTION: Ghost of 1988 put to rest - A new dawn for the judiciary and for the country has begun.

R__E__D__E__M__P__T__I__O__N !
JUSTICE - ‘THE events of 1988 were an upheaval of the nation’s judicial system, a time of crisis from which the nation never fully recovered… The judicial must be revitalized to enable it to serve the people. It must be the guardian of the Constitution and sentinel of the people’s rights… I have abided, and will continue to abide, by the principle of the separation of powers, leaving matters of justice to the judiciary… A revitalized and restored judiciary… An independent and credible judiciary… A TRUSTED JUDICIARY…’ – Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi
HONOUR - Tun Salleh Abbas and five other judges, who were victims of the 1988 judicial crisis, awarded goodwill ex gratia payments as a heartfelt gesture to mend the ‘pain and loss’ they suffered…
PM PUTS GHOST OF 1988 TO REST: Announces reforms to revitalize judiciary
Standing ovation for PM's speech at Bar dinner - KUALA LUMPUR: A new chapter for the Malaysian judiciary has begun.
One: A Judicial Appointments Commission will be appointed to nominate, appoint and promote judges in a transparent and representative manner.
Two: The 1988 upheaval of the judicial system is laid to rest with acknowledgement of "the pain and loss" suffered by the late Tan Sri Eusoffe Abdoolcader and Tan Sri Wan Suleiman Pawanteh and their families, Tun Salleh Abas, Tan Sri Azmi Kamaruddin, Tan Sri Wan Hamzah Mohamed Salleh and Datuk George Seah.
Full Story
Full text of PM's speech - SPEECH BY DATUK SERI ABDULLAH AHMAD BADAWI, PRIME MINISTER OF MALAYSIA, AT THE MALAYSIAN BAR COUNCIL DINNER ON APRIL 17, 2008:"DELIVERING JUSTICE, RENEWING TRUST"
Need to rebuild integrity of judiciary - KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia will never again see judges punished and thrown into ignominy and shame for doing their rightful job. This is the hope of Minister in the Prime Minister's Department Datuk Zaid Ibrahim. Full Story
Bar Council applauds move - KUALA LUMPUR: The Bar Council was over the moon when the prime minister announced the impending formation of the Judicial Appointment Commission. Full Story
1988 crisis triggered by 'Umno 11' after party polls - THE 1988 crisis can be traced back to the 1987 Umno election when 11 members sought to nullify the party election results after the then Umno president and prime minister, Datuk Seri Dr Mahathir Mohamad (now Tun), retained his post. Full Story

The People Say: Get Your Priorities Right And Put Nation First!

Resounding yes by public for end to politicking

KUALA LUMPUR: Yes, get to work.
Malaysians at large agreed that the government should buckle down and get on with administering the country, especially in light of pressing concerns, including rising food prices.
The only people who seem not to agree with yesterday's New Straits Times front page editorial were some veteran politicians who continued to demand for a timeline for Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi to hand over the reins to his deputy Datuk Seri Najib Razak.
But the most powerful voice of all belonged to ordinary Malaysians. They were united in what they wanted -- a functioning government, minus the politics.
Posting their heartfelt feelings on www.nst.com.my, ordinary Malaysians, including those working overseas, said they were tired of the bickering and finger-pointing weeks after the March 8 polls. Full Story

Initiatives to ease burden of consumers PETALING JAYA: The government will soon unveil initiatives to reduce the burden of consumers, even as global food prices rise.
Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak said the Cabinet Committee on Inflation chaired by the prime minister would draw up plans to address the issue."We will also inform the people well so that they understand that the root cause of this problem is not governmental failure, but a worldwide phenomenon."It is because of world inflation and the issue of (food) supply," he added. Full Story

Pre-empting a food crisis: Measures soon to fight food crisis

PUTRAJAYA (April 16, 2008): The cabinet is expected to decide on the concept and implementation of the Food Security Policy at its meeting next Wednesday (April 23), in a move to ensure the people get enough food supply and at reasonable prices, with subsidy where necessary.
Domestic Trade and Consumer Affairs Minister Datuk Shahrir Abdul Samad said the cabinet committee to curb inflation will discuss the proposed policy thoroughly this week and come up with a few decisions which will be brought to the cabinet on Wednesday. Full Story

Government Formulates Strategy To Ensure Sufficient Food Supply, Says Mustapa.
KOTA BAHARU, April 17 (Bernama) -- The government, prompted by the price increase of rice in the international market, is formulating a special strategy to ensure sufficient food supply in the country.Agriculture and Agro-based Industry Minister Datuk Mustapa Mohamed said the move to have the Food Security Strategy plan was not only to ensure sufficient rice supply, but also other food.He said the strategies to be contained in the plan would include on enhancing agriculture infrastructure, increasing crop yield, providing and improving the irrigation system and to develop idle land for padi farming as well as for other crops."The plan encompasses strategies to address the shortage of rice supply as well as other food supplies, like oil, fish and animal feed," he told reporters after a briefing on the rice issue here today.He said the plan, which would take another week or two to be finalised, would be tabled to the Cabinet when completed.-- BERNAMA

Imposition: the Ruler is ruled and the ruled is the Ruler – What they say is really abominable and false

One of the Sufis doctrines that conflicts with theological beliefs is the doctrine that imposes certain things on God even though they avoid the term imposition and ascribe a will to Him. But in fact they are the deniers of the Divine will.

On this issue they differ from the people of all denominations. They say, for instance, that God has power in the sense that if He wills He does, and if He does not will He does not do. But they believe that the conditional clause in the first preposition is necessary and in the second impossible. This amounts to imposing things on God, and negating His power. It means to deprive God of power in the sense religious people generally understand the term. Power means the ability to do and not to do. But the doctrine of these people implies the necessity of doing and the impossibility of not doing. How different are the two views!

The view of these people is the same as that of the philosophers’. They predicate a will to God in order to distinguish themselves from the philosophers; but this will not do them any good, because in the first proposition they make it necessary, and in the second impossible. Will means to choose between two equally possible alternatives. If the alternatives are not equally possible there can be no choice. And there are no equal alternatives in this case, since one is necessary and the other is impossible.

Similarly the way they expound the concept of predestination implies imposing things on God. They say, for instance, that ‘the Ruler is ruled and the ruled is the Ruler.’ Apart from the constraint on God’s will which is implied in these words, the very notion that God is subject to something and that something rules over Him is horrible. ‘What they say is really abominable and false.’

Stern test this week for Abdullah's will to reform

Stern test this week for Abdullah's will to reform
He has to overcome Cabinet resistance to setting up the Judicial Commission

Abdullah Badawi needs to show strong resolve. — Bernama pic
KUALA LUMPUR, April 16 — This could be a watershed week for judicial reform in the country if Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi bashes us through resistance within his Cabinet.
The Insider understands that he wants to set up a Judicial Commission, is keen on amending the Constitution to return judicial powers to the courts and drawing a line under the 1988 judicial crisis.
These moves will improve the selection and promotion of judges and strengthen the separation of powers between the judiciary and the executive, which was blurred through a combination of constitutional amendments and the sacking of three Federal Court judges in 1988.
But first he will need to overcome some Cabinet colleagues who are uncomfortable with the idea of change and who because of their longevity in government consider any concession to the judiciary as an admission of guilt over alleged wrongdoings.
High on the agenda is the setting up of a commission or a council to advise the Prime Minister on suitable candidates for the Bench. This body will include the Chief Justice, representatives from the Bar Council, the legal service and possibly former judges.
Currently, the PM acts on the advice of the CJ but in the light of concerns of lobbying and judge-fixing, highlighted by the V.K. Lingam video scandal, there is the view that a Judicial Commission will protect the integrity in the selection and promotion of judges.
The Insider understands that a few Cabinet members prefer that a committee headed by the Chief Secretary to the Government advise the PM on judicial appointments. The bigger battle is likely to be waged over the move to re-invest judicial powers in the courts. It could result in Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad intensifying his calls for Abdullah to step down.
It was during the Mahathir era that the powers of the judiciary were curtailed. This happened after several court judgments in 1986 and 1987 went against the government, including the court decision to grant a habeas corpus application and free an ISA detainee.
In their book titled Malaysian politics under Mahathir, R.S. Milne and Diane Mauzy noted that in his frustration and anger, Dr Mahathir accused the courts of trying to usurp power. In March 1988 after Umno was declared illegal, Parliament passed the Federal (Amendment) Constitution Act 1988.
Article 121(1) and 145 were amended. This led to powers for the judiciary being conferred by Parliament, rather than the Constitution. The High Court also no longer had the power to review administrative decisions. As Milne and Mauzy noted this amendment ended the separation of powers and stripped the judiciary of its independence.
In recent days, Raja Nazrin Shah has called for the full judicial powers to be re-invested in the judiciary. The Regent of Perak also argued that there must be separation of powers if this country is to enjoy a period of judicial renaissance. Abdullah appears keen to restore full powers to the judiciary but will need the help of the Opposition to amend the Constitution.
DAP veteran Lim Kit Siang has said that Pakatan Rakyat MPs will support the Barisan Nasional government whether in amending the Constitution or to enact laws if this is in the interest of the people and nation.
He noted that has been considerable talk that the government is finally serious about judicial reforms, especially in ensuring that there is a just and satisfactory closure to the 1988 judicial crisis and the repeal of the 1988 constitutional amendment which removed the “judicial power” of the judiciary and gave a fatal blow to the doctrine of the separation of powers among the Executive, Legislature and Judiciary; and the establishment of a Judicial Appointment and Promotion Commission.
“The 82 Pakatan Rakyat MPs are prepared to co-operate with Abdullah and Barisan Nasional government to usher in judicial and other major reforms," he said.
All Abdullah has to do is show the will.
Source: The Malaysian Insider - http://themalaysianinsider.com/mni/stern-test-this-week-for-abdullahs-will-to-reform.html

Malaysian PM urged to get on with governing

Malaysian PM urged to get on with governing
The ruling party in Malaysia should stop "bickering and pointing fingers" and get on with the job of running the country, a pro-government daily said Wednesday.
In a front page editorial, the New Straits Times newspaper, seen by many as the government's standard bearer, criticised Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi's United Malays National Organisation (UMNO) for its behaviour after poll losses.
The UMNO-led coalition lost its two-thirds majority in parliament and control of five states in March 8 general elections, in the worst performance of its half-century rule over Malaysia.
The drubbing led former premier Mahathir Mohamad and critics within the party to call for Abdullah's ouster amid anger over the poor showing.
There have also been calls by numerous party leaders throughout the country for an urgent change in leadership.
But the paper on its front page urged: "Get on with the job."
"(UMNO party members have been) bickering, pointing fingers, baying for vengeance and doing everything imaginable except rolling up... sleeves and getting down to the work of governing. Enough is enough," the paper said.
"The truth is that the people have long been disgusted with the kind of boorish, loutish behaviour that UMNO leaders had exemplified because of their grip on power since independence in 1957," it added.
Deputy Premier Najib Razak Tuesday left it up to Abdullah to decide when he wanted to hand over power.
"Leave it to the prime minister to determine the appropriate time frame," he told the paper.
"I am confident of his wisdom in deciding what is appropriate for the party and nation," Najib said, commenting on Abdullah's decision to contest party polls at the end of the year and to hold handover talks with Najib after the elections.
Traditionally, the president of the UMNO becomes the country's prime minister
Source: AFP via MSN News - http://news.my.msn.com/regional/article.aspx?cp-documentid=1345409

NST says: Get on with the job - IT’S been five weeks since the general election. The Barisan Nasional was returned to power, albeit with a smaller majority and the loss of five states.
Despite the shock of the result, it was still a mandate that no one could argue with, not even Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim in his wildest allegations of electoral fraud.
But what has Umno, the leading partner of the coalition and largest party in parliament, been doing since March 8? Bickering, pointing fingers, baying for vengeance and doing everything imaginable except rolling up its sleeves and getting down to the work of governing.
Enough is enough.
People are getting fed up with Umno’s moaning and groaning, the political wayang and sandiwara its cast of characters is playing up and down the country.
The truth is that the people have long been disgusted with the kind of boorish, loutish behaviour that Umno leaders had exemplified because of their grip on power since independence in 1957.Full Story

'Leave it to PM to determine time frame' - PUTRAJAYA: Datuk Seri Najib Razak yesterday expressed confidence in the wisdom of Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi to decide what was best for Umno and the nation.
The deputy Umno president reiterated that no time frame had been decided for the transfer of power between him and Abdullah, who is prime minister and Umno president. "Leave it to the prime minister to determine the appropriate time frame. I am confident of his wisdom in deciding what is appropriate for the party and the nation."
Najib, when asked about the strong statements made by Umno leaders against the party leadership, said Umno was a democratic party and that "we allow for different views and opinions so that we can act accordingly".
Abdullah, who is also Barisan Nasional chairman, had on Monday refused to be rushed into a succession plan, saying he would defend the post of Umno president in party elections in December.
Abdullah said he wanted a smooth transition and would not leave the party in disarray.
Najib said he believed that Abdullah made the statements in line with his intention to revive and strengthen the party and also to get Umno on the right track to face political challenges.
"The prime minister made the statements to defend his post and I believe it is a decision he made in line with his intention to rectify the situation in the party and revive its spirit."
Earlier, Najib launched the RHB-New Straits Times Spell-It-Right Challenge at the Putrajaya Corporation building.

Saperti itulah terjadinya kebangkitan.

Apakah kita tidak melihat akan langit yang ada di atas kita, bagaimana ianya ditinggikan dan dihiasi dengan bintang-bintang yang bergemerlapan, dan langit itu pula tidak mempunyai retak-retak sedikit pun?

Apakah kita tidak melihat akan bumi yang ada dibawah kita, bagaimana ianya dihamparkan dan diletakkan padanya gunung-gunung yang berdiri kokoh, dan bumi itu pula ditumbuhkan padanya segala macam tanaman yang indah dipandang mata?

Apakah kita kita melihat akan air yang diturunkan dari langit, yang banyak manfaatnya, lalu ditumbuhkan dengan air itu akan pohon-pohon padi yang dituai, dan pohon-pohon kelapa sawit yang tinggi-tinggi dengan mayang-mayang yang bersusun-susun?

Apakah kita tidak melihat akan air yang diturunkan dari langit, yang banyak manfaatnya, lalu dihidupkan dengan air itu akan tanah yang gersang?

Saperti itulah terjadinya kebangkitan.

Black 14: Anwar announces blueprint for the future

Black 14: Anwar announces blueprint for the future
KUALA LUMPUR, Apr 15 (ES) - Former deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim celebrated the end of the ban on his involvement in active politics several hours ago in front of 'reformasi' chanting crowd by expressing his aim to get the Pakatan Rakyat (Pakatan) into power at federal level.
The People Justice Party (KeADILan) de facto leader said while the Pakatan coalition comprising of KeADILan, Islamic Party of Malaysia (PAS) and the Democratic Action Party (DAP) had only 82 seats but "unofficially" it had "more than enough" to form the majority in the 222 seats parliament.
Anwar said ruling party politicians from Sabah, Sarawak and the peninsular had reminded him to "count them in" should he decide to make the move .
In front of thousands of cheering supporters at a historic site famed for the struggle during independence here April 14, Anwar said he was also in no hurry to get elected.
He said KeADILan President Dr Wan Azizah Ismail who is also his wife could fill in for the post of premier, one of the possibities he mentioned. - Saadon Aksah/ES

Anwar: We can form govt but we're not in a hurry

Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim speaking to the crowd at the Sultan Sulaiman Club in Kuala Lumpur last night. — NST picture by Effendy Rashid

KUALA LUMPUR: Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim marked his return to active politics last night by claiming that the Pakatan Rakyat could easily form the next government. However, he said the tripartite coalition of opposition parties would only do so provided it had a healthy majority, instead of a majority of only "two or five seats".
Speaking after attending a rally at the Sultan Sulaiman Club by Parti Keadilan Rakyat to welcome him back, he said: "We are saying here for the first time that we are ready (to rule the country). But we will only enter when the majority is comfortable. "The de-facto leader of PKR said, however, that Pakatan Rakyat would not pay Barisan Nasional MPs to cross over in order to achieve its aims of forming the federal government."We are not in a hurry," he said, adding that any Pakatan Rakyat's decision would be reached in a democratic manner.
On his immediate plans, now that the ban on his holding public office was over, Anwar said he was in no hurry and would focus on strengthening Pakatan Rakyat."The priority now is to administer Pakatan Rakyat states as incorruptible and financially transparent, fulfil our promises to the people and give meaning and essence to participatory democracy."
Anwar had been banned from electoral politics for five years after his release from jail after being convicted of corruption and abuse of power. Asked about comments about him by Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad, Anwar said he had for a long time refrained from replying against the personal attacks."He is obsolete, despite having gone through numerous medical treatments. He is getting crazier." Anwar also blamed Dr Mahathir for the current state of the judiciary as well as the Internal Security Act.
Present were PKR president Datin Seri Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail, who is Anwar's wife, his daughter and Lembah Pantai MP, Nurul Izzah, Selangor Menteri Besar Tan Sri Khalid Ibrahim, PKR deputy president Dr Syed Husin Ali and vice-president Azmin Ali. Several DAP and Pas leaders were also among the 10,000 who turned up yesterday.
Anwar arrived at 8.50pm to shouts of "reformasi" and later spoke for about an hour before he was stopped by Dang Wangi police chief Assistant Commissioner Mohd Zulkarnain Abdul Rahman, who explained that since there was no permit for the gathering, it would have to be stopped.

Malaysia's Anwar says has numbers to topple government

Malaysian opposition leader Anwar Ibrahim said Monday he has the support of enough defectors from the ruling coalition to seize power, although he will not act until he has a bigger majority.
"Yes, we have enough MPs to topple the government," he told reporters after a rally to celebrate the end of his ban from politics, which was broken up by police.
"We are saying here for the first time that we are ready (to rule the country)," he said. "But we will only enter when the majority is comfortable.
"When we take over we want to initiate the move. Do we want to be a government with a two- or five-seat majority?"

Anwar claims his alliance set to take over govt KUALA LUMPUR, April 15 — De facto opposition leader Anwar Ibrahim looked every inch the prime minister-in-waiting when he calmly announced that his Pakatan Rakyat has the numbers and is ready to form the federal government.
"Now I am saying for the first time that we are ready," Anwar told reporters after a 10,000-strong rally in the historic Sultan Sulaiman Club in central Kuala Lumpur celebrating his formal return to politics. He was barred from active politics until midnight April 14 after a corruption conviction in 1999.
Since 1993 when he won the Umno deputy presidency, veteran opposition leader and former nemesis-turned-ally Lim Kit Siang had tagged Anwar as a prime-minister-in-waiting – a tag he now assumes proudly as burly guards escorted him through the club after they led a convoy of big bikes to deliver him to the club premises in Kampung Baru.
He also said the Pakatan Rakyat (People's Alliance) could appoint his wife Wan Azizah Wan Ismail – the Parti Keadilan Rakyat president and Parliamentary Opposition leader – as Prime Minister, if he had yet to get a seat in parliament. However, he said the appointment would depend on consensus.

Anwar crafting a comeback in Malaysia

When he emerged from prison four years ago, Anwar Ibrahim was a weakened and gaunt figure all but written off by the Malaysian political elite.
On Monday, Anwar, resurgent and confident after leading opposition parties to their strongest gains in a half-century, will celebrate his political rehabilitation in front of an expected crowd of thousands of supporters at a soccer stadium in Kuala Lumpur.
During his nearly four decades in politics, Anwar, 60, has gone from being a radical Islamic student leader to deputy prime minister and then Malaysia's dissident-in-chief, imprisoned after a highly politicized trial. A ban on holding political office, imposed by the judge who in 1999 sentenced him to six years in prison for abuse of power, expires Monday, allowing Anwar to pursue the job he has coveted: prime minister.
"There's no rush," Anwar said in an interview at his office. "I don't need to be prime minister tomorrow."

Anwar Asks PM To Conduct Open Investigation On Dr M
KUALA LUMPUR, April 15 (Bernama) -- Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR) adviser Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim Monday night asked Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi to conduct an open investigation on Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad for alleged excesses when he was the prime minister for 22 years.Anwar alleged that Dr Mahathir had destroyed the judicial system, abused power and misused public funds, including for his children.The PKR de facto leader addressed about 10,000 people at a so-called Black 14 gathering at the Sultan Suleiman Club in Kampung Baru here to celebrate the end of the five-year ban on his holding public office following his conviction on corruption charges.Anwar was convicted of corruption after he was sacked as the deputy prime minister and finance minister in September 1998 and sentenced to six years in jail.At Monday night's gathering, Anwar asked his supporters to be patient for two more weeks for his announcement on whether he would contest a by-election to become an elected representative.-- BERNAMA

ABDULLAH: I will defend my post, I will not leave party in disarray

ABDULLAH: I will not leave party in disarray
KUALA LUMPUR: Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi yesterday refused to be rushed into a succession plan, and said he would defend the post of Umno president in party elections in December. The prime minister also dispelled any notion that the Barisan Nasional government was about to fall, by declaring that the coalition's Members of Parliament would defeat any motion of no-confidence in the Dewan Rakyat.

Rejecting calls from some Umno members for him to step aside soon in favour of his deputy Datuk Seri Najib Razak, Abdullah said he wanted a smooth transition and would not leave the party in disarray."Of course, I want the transfer to be smooth. That's very important. So when I hand over the party, it will be in order and not in chaos."I am not going to say to Najib, good luck, that's your problem, not mine. That's not the right way. I am not the type that will leave (the party) in the lurch just like that," he said after an hour-long briefing for BN's more than 500 MPs and state assemblymen.

Abdullah was given a standing ovation after the briefing.

He said he went through a similar process when he took over from former prime minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad in 2003.

He denied Johor Umno had demanded that a succession plan be put into effect quickly."They said they were leaving it to me to decide. They made it very clear they would continue to support me, and that at the party elections they will be behind me and Najib for president and deputy."Although several Umno personalities have asked Abdullah to step down, the grassroots sentiment is actually mixed."Some say it (the succession plan) should be done soon, some say not to hurry. There are so many views. This is democracy and everyone is entitled to speak."If we tell them to keep quiet, they say we are afraid. So let them speak," he said.Abdullah, who up until yesterday had not spoken of his intentions for the party polls, said he would defend his post against any challenge."Why shouldn't I contest? You tell me," he said.

He dismissed opposition claims that it would be able to successfully mount a vote of no-confidence against him when the parliamentary session begins on April 29."That's their claim. I am very confident BN MPs are loyal to the party and will vote for BN."

Najib said the transition of power would be discussed by him and the prime minister when the time came."It is crucial that when this happens, it will be done smoothly, to avoid any problems which can arise when the transition of power takes place," Najib said.Asked when the transfer should be carried out, he replied: "It is not up to me. I believe the prime minister has the wisdom to decide the time and manner (of the transition)."

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