Malaysia Update

 PUTRAJAYA: The government will consider at next week's cabinet meeting whether to keep peacekeepers in southern Mindanao

Foreign Minister Datuk Seri Dr Rais Yatim said officials from the Philippine government met ministry secretary-general Tan Sri Rastam Mohamad Isa last week to request the continuation of Malaysia's aid in negotiations on ancestral land between Manila and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF).

"A short report on the meeting with the Philippine government representatives will be submitted to the cabinet meeting before any decision is made," he said after launching the ministry's first strategic plan here yesterday.

Malaysia began withdrawing 40 ceasefire monitors from Mindanao last April due to a lack of progress in the peace process bet-ween the Philippine government and the MILF.

The talks were suspended last August after three guerilla commanders went on a rampage, killing dozens of people.
"Both sides must also show their interest and be committed to resolving this issue as soon as possible.

"Malaysia will remain supportive of the peace process."

On the strategic plan, Rais said it emphasised strengthening the ministry's institutional capabilities and human capital.

"Through the plan, our officers will be equipped with many skills. Training courses on foreign languages and negotiation skills will also be offered to them to improve their capabilities."

KUALA LUMPUR: Two men being detained at Guantanamo Bay are likely to become the first Malaysians to be charged with terrorist activities in a US court.

Mohd Farik Amin @ Zaid @ Zubair, 34, and Mohammed Nazir Lep @ Bashir Lep @ Lillie, 33, who have been regarded as “dangerous” by the international intelligence agencies, could also be relocated to other federal detention centres.

However, it is understood that there could be a third option — they could be deported here on the Malaysian Government’s request.

Inspector-General of Police Tan Sri Musa Hassan said he was informed by the US authorities during an informal meeting recently that the two would likely be charged in a civil court.

“We are waiting for further details from the US,” he said.

Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi was reported as saying in Dubai that Malaysia would seek permission from the US government to allow Malaysian policemen to meet with the two detainees and then have them imprisoned in Malaysia.

The status of the 250 detainees at Guantanamo remains unclear following the order by President Barack Obama to shut down the centre within a year. The former naval camp located in Cuba was turned into a detention centre after the Sept 11 attacks in New York.

Mohd Farik and Mohammed Nazir are members of the outlawed radical Jemaah Islamiah, which wanted to set up a pan-Islamic region spanning Malaysia, Indonesia, Singapore and Brunei through violent means.

Both men, who had received arms training in Afghanistan, were arrested in 2003 in Bangkok in a special joint operation involving the Thai national police and the US Central Intelligence Agency.

Their arrests led to the capture of Hambali, a key man for Osama bin Laden’s al-Qaeda network in South-East Asia.

Hambali’s wife, Noralwiza Lee Abdullah, 39, a Malaysian from Sabah, was also detained under the Internal Security Act in 2003 but was released in 2007.

It is understood that she was allowed to exchange correspondence with her husband with the assistance of the International Red Cross Society.

Both Mohd Farik and Mohammed Nazir have been listed among 14 key terror suspects by the United States, and are being held in Camp Delta in Guantanamo Bay.

All three (Hambali, Mohd Farik and Mohammed Nazir) were implicated in the nightclub bombings in Bali in 2002, in which 202 people were killed, and also the 2003 bomb attack at the JW Marriott Hotel in Jakarta, which killed 12 people.

Sources said the Malaysians have also been implicated in a planned al-Qaeda plot to crash a hijacked plane into the 73-storey Library Tower/US Bank Tower in Los Angeles.

“No date was given for the mission but the plot, named Project California, would have been the biggest since the Sept 11, 2001 attacks in New York,” an official said.

Sources said Mohd Farik and Mohammed Nazir had accompanied three Malaysians — now under detention in Kamunting under the Internal Security Act – to pledge their allegiance to Osama.

“The other three Malaysians, fired up by Osama’s sermons, met Khaled Sheikh Mohamed, a top al-Qaeda leader now also imprisoned in Guantanamo Bay, to plan their plot.

Khaled is described by the United States as “one of history’s most infamous terrorists” and is regarded as the suspected mastermind behind the Sept 11 attacks. “Project California was supposed to be the second wave of attacks by the al-Qaeda, but it failed when intelligence forces got wind of it. Two of the Malaysians were arrested when they returned to Malaysia in 2002,” the sources revealed.

Edited from the star 30 Jan 09

AN intriguing battle is shaping up in Perak with the ruling Pakatan Rakyat and Barisan Nasional involved in an intense shadow power play.

After “pinching” Umno’s Bota assemblyman Datuk Nasarudin Hashim, Pakatan Rakyat is now said to be under attack, with Barisan claiming that two PKR assemblymen will quit to become Independents before joining Umno.

While the manoeuvring goes on, Pakatan has shot back at Barisan, claiming that three more Umno assemblymen will be crossing over to PKR.

It is going to be a delicate balancing act in Perak, with Pakatan currently holding 32 state seats against Barisan’s 27.

If the Barisan claim materialises, Pakatan could end up with a razor thin one-seat edge over Barisan.

If, on the other hand, the Pakatan claim turns out to be true, Pakatan will increase its representation in the State Assembly to 35 members.

Whatever the outcome, Perak Umno looks set to have a new leader, with former Mentri Besar Datuk Seri Tajol Rosli Ghazali likely to step down this Sunday, with Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak taking over.

KUALA LUMPUR: Perak Barisan Nasional representatives have met with the Deputy Prime Minister and reaffirmed their loyalty to the coalition.

Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak said the MPs and assemblymen pledged to stick with Barisan through thick and thin.

He said this would put to rest rumours, including those spread through SMS, of more crossovers by Perak representatives, adding that those named in the SMS were also at the meeting, which took place on Monday at his residence in Jalan Langgak Duta.

This followed Bota assemblyman Datuk Nasarudin Hashim announcement on Sunday that he was quitting Umno for PKR – the first Barisan representative to defect to the Opposition – and ensuing statements that there would be more crossovers in the state.

It is learnt that 26 assemblymen and 11 MPs were at the meeting with Najib. Those absent were Umno Wanita chief Tan Sri Rafidah Aziz, Housing and Local Government Minister Datuk Seri Ong Ka Chuan and an unnamed assemblyman.

Najib said those absent also pledged their loyalty to him through the telephone.

“You see, they are all here to show their commitment. Those mentioned in the SMSes are also here,” he said.

On Nasarudin, he said Perak Umno would monitor and tackle the problem.

“Nothing is impossible in politics,” he said, adding that the meeting also discussed party strength, commitment to serve the people and confidence in Barisan.

Umno Perak liaison committee secretary Datuk Ramly Zahary said the representatives at the meeting had voiced their views on Nasarudin’s crossover.

He said Perak Umno had sent close associates of Nasarudin to talk to him on why he decided to jump ship.

Perak Umno chief Datuk Seri Mohamad Tajol Rosli Ghazali, meanwhile, said Nasarudin could have been “pinched” from Umno to replace two PKR state executive councillors who are charged with corruption.

“Maybe they are working ahead to fill up the positions,” Tajol Rosli told reporters after attending the Perak MCA open house

Edited from The Star 28 Jan 09

Do not provoke or cause trouble. That was the warning issued by Deputy Inspector General of Police Tan Sri Ismail Omar to those who wished to take part in the funeral procession of A. Kugan, who died while in custody at the Taipan, USJ8 Subang Jaya police station on Jan 22.

He said those taking part in the procession from Universiti Malaya Medical Centre (UMMC) to Bt 14, Puchong, should not provoke racial sentiments that may spark untoward incidents.

Ismail cautioned that stern action would be taken against “trouble-makers" at tomorrow’s procession, scheduled to start at 2pm.

“I really hope the procession will be a peaceful one and one that is in accordance with Kugan’s faith, and done with proper rituals and rites. Police respect the deceased family’s needs and thus we have allowed the procession from UMMC to the Hindu Crematorium in Bt 14 Puchong.

“However if people try to divert the procession or start a demonstration, we will initiate action. I urge them remain calm and not be emotional and please stop spreading unwanted messages which does not benefit anyone,” he said.
He told reporters this at the Ampang Jaya Police Headquarters, after chairing a coordination meeting on the investigation of Kugan’s death, in the presence of Selangor police chief Datuk Khalid Abu Bakar.

He also warned those who may take advantage of the procession for their own mileage.

Kugan who was detained on Jan 15 on suspicion of being involved in luxury car theft cases, collapsed and died at the station on Jan 22, while being questioned by police.

Police initially classified the case as sudden death but the 23-year-old’s family later released photographs of the deceased with bruises and severe marks on his body, deep cuts on his wrists and bruises on his legs, apparently taken at the Serdang Hospital mortuary, while awaiting a post-mortem.

This then prompted the family to request for a second post-mortem at the UMMC.

Subsequently Attorney-General (A-G) Tan Sri Gani Patail, ordered the case to be reclassified as murder after the photographs were made public.

Asked on Majlis Permuafakatan Ummah’s (Pewaris) decision to gather at the UMMC tomorrow to protest the procession, Ismail said: “I would like to make it clear again, don’t take things for granted. We have said it many times, do not create any chaotic situation or else be prepared to face the law if you want to break the law,” he added.

Asked if any police personal would be charged with Kugan’s death, he said the police would await the A-G’s directive before initiating any action.

Meanwhile, deputy minister in the Prime Minister’s Department, Senator T. Murugiah urged everyone to restrain from any form of demonstration, including displaying banners condemning the police.

“Since the government has fulfilled the family’s request for a second post-mortem and also pledged an in-depth investigation into the matter, there should be no demonstrations,” he told Bernama.

He added that everyone must respect the law of the country and let the investigation take its course.

“Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak and the Attorney General had given assurance that there will be no cover up and that a thorough investigation will be carried out. So we should respect the government’s initiative,” said Murugiah.

Edited from NST 28 Jan 09

KULAI: A Singaporean pilot miraculously survived when the Cessna 152 light aircraft he flew crashed at the foot of the Gunung Pulai range near here today.

Sanjay Purusottam, who is in his 30s, was reported to have suffered serious injuries after his two-seater aircaft crashed into the hilly forested area.

Initial effort to airlift him from the crash site was hampered due to thick fog.

A rescue team from the army air unit based in Kluang combed the area on helicopter and spotted Sanjay's aircraft at about 4pm.

It had crashed into a thick foliage and was hanging nose down from a big tree.
Sanjay was found pinned in his aircraft seat. The aircraft had caught fire when it crashed but the flame was doused by the rain then.

Once found by the rescue team, the badly injured Sanjay requested to borrow a handphone from one of his rescuers so that he could telephone his family.

Two other helicopters each from the Fire and Rescue Department and police also joined in the rescue operation.

Sanjay had taken off from the Sultan Ismail airport in Senai at 9.42am and was heading to the Batu Berendam airport in Malacca. He was expected to arrive in Malacca at 10.50am.

Sanjay decided to turn his two-seater Cessna aircraft back to Senai after experiencing problems due to strong winds.

Kulaijaya district police chief Superintendent Zulkefly Yahya said that Senai Airport's control tower had lost contact with Sanjay at 10.15am as he was flying over Benut, Pontian.

Personnel at the control tower in Batu Berendam airport notified their counterparts in Senai when Sanjay's aircraft did not arrive as scheduled.

Zulkefly said that Sanjay was a member of the Elite Flying Club, which was based here.

The police, air force and Fire and Rescue Department launched a joint search and rescue operation after being notified about the incident at 12.30pm.

An operation room was set up at the Dewan Raya in Kampung Sri Gunung Pulai at 12.45pm.

The search and rescue teams had combed areas around Gunung Pulai, Kelapa Sawit. Pontian police had also directed villagers in Benut to look for the aircraft's whereabouts.

Zulkefly said that the police had sought help from the Elite Flying Club members to locate Sanjay and the Cessna aircraft.

He said that none of Sanjay's friends or family members had so far approached the police.

Rescuers had decided to wait until morning to airlift him from the crash site.

An additional team of 30 personnel from the General Operation Force and 35 men from the Rescue and Fire Department was dispatched to the crash site for the night.

Edited from NST 26 Jan 09