1 million hits for Dr M's blog in just 30 days

PETALING JAYA: Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad's blog, www.chedet.com has hit over one million hits in just 30 days.

The former premier started his blog on May 1 to pen his thoughts and opinions, which has also included criticisms of Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi.

His blog named Dr Mahathir Mohamad had over 985,000 visitors on Thursday, a figure that has jumped to 1,015,766 at 12.50pm Friday. Also listed on his blog are event updates and related newspaper articles.

Congratulatory comments poured in for Dr Mahathir for the one million hit with some calling him "an official millionaire now."

Recently, Dr Mahathir posted his frustrations with Umno and claimed he was not treated as a member before he resigned. He also claimed that Umno was heading down the path of destruction if the current leadership and mentality did not change.

Source: The Star Online

This is what Tun Mahathir has to say about him in The Millionaire Club:

"Touching one million hits among bloggers seem to be something to be celebrated. I was told that most bloggers will congratulate each other when one of them hits the million mark, and call the one millionaire.

Some bloggers have described my achieving the million mark within a month of my first posting as something phenomenal; one even suggested that it may be a world record of sorts.

I do not know whether it is.

To me, what is more important is that I have managed to generate enough interest to get that kind of traffic in my blog.

It is quite an experience to be a blogger even though I am only a month-old.
Much as I saw the importance of cyberspace during my tenure as Prime Minister and hence my commitment to the setting up of Cyberjaya and pursuing the Multi-media Super Corridor (MSC), I did not envisage that I would one day be a blogger.

I note that now the government has recognised the importance of the blogs. It is proposing to have its own blog. But more importantly the mainstream media are now quoting from the blog and even dare to write on formerly forbidden subjects.

This is to be expected as many people no longer read the mainstream papers or watch television. The NST circulation has been reduced to an average of 135,000 daily including free and discounted copies for hotels, schools and airlines.

Unless there is instruction to spin news from certain quarters, the mainstream media might become irrelevant." Source: Chedet.com

Bad Name For A Sisha Tobacco: AL Fakher by Kenny Sia

These funny photos are taken from Kenny Sia Blog

Evolution of Dance

Hilarious video on the Evolution of Dance. As of today, this video has been viewed 86,757,788. That's right folks, 86.7 million views.

Big taukeh by Sixthseal

After a long absence in blogging, sixthseal is back with his unique brand of humour and daily ranting.

Sixthseal wrote:

"
Sell lah! No use one that company, make me lose money only. Buy that what, what, that computer company Ah Kau was talking about. Buy! Buy! Just buy! How much they want? 6 million? Tell them go fly kite. Tiu nia ma! If 5 million can lah. I not free now. Pang sai. If 5 million then ON.

Si ki na, nowadays worker cannot harap one. Small small thing also want to call me." Read further

It sounds like an episode on The X-Files

A MYSTERIOUS phenomenon has hit a family in Kuala Terengganu where all their fabrics rot within three months from the first time they are washed, reported Kosmo!

Suhaimi Awang Mohamad, 48, of Kampung Hiliran Masjid, Chabang Tiga, said they had to change their coloured clothes, linens and fabrics every three months.

Strangely enough, white-coloured fabric is not affected by the peculiar occurrence.

“After any coloured fabric is washed for the first time, black oil-like stains start appearing and after several washes the fabric would just begin to rot and tear several weeks later,” the father of 11 told the Malay daily in its front-page story.

“I am forced to spend so much money every three months. Sometimes, I have to buy up to 20 blankets in that period for my family.”

He said only his household experienced such a thing and his neighbours did not complain of anything similar.

The Star Online

Zarina Ann Julie scandal photos at Port Dickson

Zarina Ann Julie hot photos taken at Port Dickson.

Two girls... and a customer: Not all GROs are prostitutes

EASY money... that was what led 19-year-old Noreen to become a part-time guest relations officer (GRO) at a karaoke outlet.

She begins work at 6pm daily and finishes at about 2am on weekdays and 4am on weekends. She earns up to RM150 a day, depending on the number of customers.

Noreen, who hails from Port Dickson, says she is studying computer programming in Seremban but often found herself short of money.

She hopes to complete her course by next year but in the mean time, she needs about RM1,500 every month to pay her fees, rental and other expenses.

"I come from a below-average family and previously, I was working part-time at McDonalds' to supplement what my father used to give me.
"But that was hardly enough. A friend who frequents this joint then introduced this job to me."

She says the job is "simple". All she has to do is accompany customers who want to sing karaoke.

"There's no basic salary. My pay depends on tips and commission from the sale of drinks."

Noreen doesn't offer any "extra services", although her customers have asked her often enough.

"Some can become a bit aggressive after a few drinks. That's when we call in the bouncers."

Most of her customers are elderly men who want to enjoy a pretty girl's company while they sing their hearts out or have some drinks in the private rooms.

"How much I make each night depends on how much the customers tip me. Sometimes, it's a few ringgit, sometimes it's quite a generous sum."

Her parents have no idea their only daughter is working in a karaoke lounge. They think she is still flipping burgers at McDonalds'.

"I don't intend to do this for long. I attend classes in the morning and study in the afternoons. Hopefully, I will complete my studies next year and get a better job.

"Contrary to what people may think, being a GRO does not necessarily mean you are a prostitute. It's two different things."

Source: The New Straits Times

The boyfriend who became her pimp

PETITE Kim, from Muar, got into prostitution when her desire to live a luxurious life drove her to sell her body at 16.

She befriended a woman at a local hairdresser who promised her earnings of between RM500 and RM700 per night, depending on "how hard she worked".

"I started working as a part-time GRO at a karaoke bar. I didn't do sex then and only kept the lonely men who came to the bar company," said Kim, 22.

At that time, she earned between RM50 and RM150 a night, depending on the number of customers and the sale of drinks.

But shortly after, she got a boyfriend who was much older and not long after that, she started offering sexual services.
"My boyfriend began introducing clients to me and since I was very young at that time, the men paid between RM500 and RM600 to sleep with me.

Source: The New Straits Times

In just a few weeks, "the work became a routine" and she was servicing up to four men per night.

"My earnings increased tremendously and I was able to buy anything I wanted."

A prostitute for five years now, Kim says she has no plans to "retire".

"I work on my own and unlike those in hotels and brothels, I don't have to pay any commission to anybody."

She gets her clients by word of mouth and by advertising her "services" on the Internet.

"Most of my clients are introduced by former clients and we normally meet up at a hotel of my choice. The room is paid for by the client, of course."

Her clients are usually men aged 40 and above and they come from all walks of life.

"Most are married men but I never ask why they need my services. We never discuss personal stuff and it's purely 'business'."

Many of her friends left the profession after several years when they had made enough money to set up some small businesses.

"I'm still young and will probably do this for a couple more years until I've saved up enough money."

When asked if the authorities had ever caught her, she says no.

"I am very particular about my clients and where we meet. The authorities normally raid the cheaper hotels."

She says her clients range from middle-income earners to some VIPs who sometimes book her for the whole night.

"Every man has his secrets and desires. I have had men who don't even want to have intercourse, but rather just spend the whole night talking.

"Some only ask me to do stuff while they watch. It's weird."

Source: The New Straits Times

What is the fastest speed for sex ever recorded?

Ahock : Eh ... what is the fastest speed for sex ever recorded ar? Guiness book or rekod got say anot?

Ahbeng : Diu! that one no nid refer Guiness book of world rekod I also know the answer la!

Ahock : Ah?? Sure boh? you abit gong gong lidt suddenly so cleber one meh?

Ahbeng : farkiu la! I not gong kia ok? this is call pretend pig eat tiger u no?!!

Ahock : ok la ok la ... then u tell me what is the fastest speed for sex ever recorded la!

Ahbeng : Aiyo this one very easy la! Its 68km/h lor!

Ahock : Har? apasal 68km/h? why not 100km/h? 200km/h?

Ahbeng Niahma! say u no sexperience u dun briff! MAx speed for sex is 68km/h oni la! when u
reach 69 then u kena turn around ledi!

Ahock : Wuahahahahahaha!!!! Farkiu la!

School uniform sexy, says group

KUALA LUMPUR: A Malaysian group condemned the uniform worn by girls at government schools, saying it encouraged rape and pre-marital sex.

“The white blouse is too transparent for girls and it becomes a source of attraction,” National Islamic Students Association of Malaysia vice-president Munirah Bahari said in a statement.

“It becomes a distraction to men, who are drawn to it, whether or not they like looking at it,” she said, calling for a review of uniform policy so that it did not violate Islamic ideals.

In multicultural Malaysia, home to majority-Muslim Malays as well as ethnic Chinese and Indians, female students at government schools have a choice of wearing a white blouse with a knee-length skirt or pinafore.

They may also wear a “baju kurung” and a headscarf is optional for Malay students.

Munirah said that “covering up” according to Islamic precepts was important to fend off social ills, including “rape, sexual harassment and even premarital sex.”

“This leads to babies born out of wedlock and, to an extent, even prostitution,” she said.

“Decent clothes which are not revealing can prevent and protect women from any untoward situations,” she said, suggesting that girls wear a blouse of a different colour or with an undergarment.

However, the girls themselves also came in for criticism, with the association saying that some used the white blouse to lure men.

“This is the source of the problem, where we can see that schoolgirls themselves are capable of using this to attract men to them,” Munirah said.

“This could see them getting molested, having premarital sex and all sorts of things.” – AFP

Source: The Star Online

Dr Mahathir quits Umno

ALOR STAR: Former Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad and veteran party man Tan Sri Sanusi Junid announced Monday that they are quitting Umno.

Dr Mahathir Mohamad announced this on Monday at 12.35pm, citing a lack of confidence in the current leadership.

"I am quitting Umno today," he told about 1,000 people, mostly Kedah Umno members, at a talk here on Monday.

"I will write a letter to Umno headquarters to inform that I have quit the party," he said.

He has been critical of his appointed successor Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi, blaming the current Umno president for the party's disappointing performance in the 12th general election.

The ruling Barisan Nasional coalition, of which Umno is the largest component party, won the March 8 election with a simple majority, and saw four more states join Kelantan under Opposition rule.

Dr Mahathir urged other party members to quit too, as a way of pressuring Abdullah into vacating his post.

However, he advised those who do quit not to join any opposition party, adding they can all rejoin the party once there is a change in leadership.

Abdullah has so far refused all calls for him to step down, and said he would defend his presidency in the party polls in December.

Sanusi, who is a former Kedah Mentri Besar, also quit the party on Monday.

In PUTRAJAYA, Home Minister Datuk Seri Syed Hamid Albar said it was a bad time for Dr Mahathir to quit Umno as the party was going through a difficult period.

He said the resignation would not help in efforts to rebuild Umno.

"He is doing more damage than good; whatever it is, the party is still looking for a new direction and we need everyone to remain united and not split," he said.

Syed Hamid expressed fear for the future of Umno because Dr Mahathir had a great influence and a person of his stature could rattle and destroy the party.

Domestic Trade and Consumer Affairs Minister Datuk Shahri Abdul Samad said Dr Mahathir's hatred for Abdullah was seemingly stronger than his love for Umno.

He said the former premier should realise that asking others to follow his footsteps would only make it easier for Pakatan Rakyat to take over the Federal Government.

"What he is saying is that if you love Umno, leave Umno -- it does not make sense," he said.

Shahrir also said that Jerlun MP Datuk Mukhriz Mahathir should be the first to take up his father's suggestion to quit.

Umno information chief Tan Sri Muhammad Muhammad Taib said he was surprised at the decision, but added that it was Dr Mahathir's right to do so.

"Every member has the right to join or leave the party," he said.

Asked if Umno would convene an emergency meeting, the former Umno vice-president and Selangor Mentri Besar said that "we will wait and see."

The next Umno Supreme Council meeting is scheduled to be held within two to three weeks.

Urged to reconsider

In IPOH: MCA secretary-general Datuk Seri Ong Ka Chuan called on Dr Mahathir to reconsider his decision.

Speaking at a press conference after a Wesak Day celebration at the Malaysian Buddhist Associatino (Perak branch) hall here, Ong said he was saddened by Dr Mahathir's sudden announcement.

Barisan Nasional was currently facing a huge challenge and his decision would not benefit Umno and the coalition, said Ong, who is also Housing and Local Government Minister.

As a former Prime Minister, his words carried weight and would affect all levels of the people including party leaders, he said.

“We do not hope for any more problems and neither should we create more,” he said. “Our country needs stability and not uncertainty. His decision would paint a bad impression for the rakyat (citizenry) and foreign investors,” he added.

Lumut Umno division chief Datuk Dr Zambry Abd Kadir also urged Dr Mahathir to reconsider his decision.

“I feel very sad with Tun's decision to leave the party. It should not have happened in the first place,” he said.

Dr Zambry, who is also Pangkor assemblyman, said Dr Mahathir was a great leader who provided a sense of direction and ideas for the party and country.

The problem involved a former president and the present one, he said, adding that it so happened that the predecessor had appointed the current one.

“So it is a complex issue,” he said, adding that the current leadership must immediately find ways to overcome the problems in the party.

Dr Zambry pointed out that it was not unprecedented for former party presidents to quit Umno, adding that Dr Mahathir was the party's fourth president to leave the party.

The other three were the late Datuk Onn Jaafar, Tunku Abdul Rahman and Tun Hussein Onn, he added.

In PETALING JAYA, Umno Supreme Council member Datuk Seri Azalina Othman Said said Dr Mahathir's decision would not solve the problems faced by the party and would instead give more strength to the Opposition.

"At this time when the party is under stress, all parties including leaders and former leaders must work together to heal Umno so it becomes firm and strong," she said.

In MALACCA, Umno veteran and stalwart Tan Sri Aziz Tapa, 85, said that he was shocked at the news and was at a loss for words.

“How can it be when he (Mahathir) says that he loves Umno? I met him only few days ago in Johor and everything seemed okay. What he is doing is not right,” he said when contacted here on Monday.

Umno supreme council member Tan Sri Rahim Thamby Chik described the move as an "interesting but tragic development" for Umno.

"It's shocking news to me. If true, then I would say that it is an interesting yet tragic development for the party,” he said.

Reacting to Dr Mahathir's resignation, Higher Education Minister Datuk Seri Mohamed Khaled Nordin said, “This will weaken the party at a time when it is facing its enemies.”

Dr Mahathir joined Umno at its inception in 1946.

He became a Member of Parliament in 1964 when he won the Kota Setar Selatan seat.

He lost the seat in the following general election in 1969.

Following the May 13, 1969, riots Dr Mahathir was sacked from the Umno Supreme Council on July 12 because of the widespread distribution of his letter to first Prime Minister Tunku Abdul Rahman criticising Tunku’s manner of handling the country’s administration.

Dr Mahathir rejoined Umno on March 7, 1972 and was appointed Senator in 1973. He relinquished the senatorship post a year later to contest the Kubang Pasu seat in the general elections. He was returned unopposed and was appointed Minister of Education.

In 1975, Dr Mahathir became one of the three vice-presidents of Umno.

Tun Hussein Onn appointed Dr Mahathir Deputy Prime Minister on Sept 15, 1978.

Dr Mahathir was Prime Minister of Malaysia from July 16, 1981, until Oct 31, 2003.

Source: The Star Online

The future of Air Asia Airline: The truth about budget airline

I can foresee where Air Asia Airline is heading with its "hidden cost". Now they are charging RM5 for check in luggage. What next?

Robin Hood : Bank executive's jet-setting lifestyle comes to an end

SHAH ALAM: Bank executive Mohd Faizal Hussin lived it high, with fancy cars and vacations to exotic destinations.

He bought shares, a Proton Perdana V6 and went on holidays to Amsterdam, London, Sydney and Melbourne.

Nothing wrong if it were his own money.

But he siphoned a whopping RM1.4 million from the account of American citizen Syed Vickar Ahamed, 67, a professor at a university in New York.

The professor travelled to Malaysia often and provided IT consultant work for companies here. From his projects, he saved up a large amount of money and kept his savings in Maybank.
Mohd Faizal's jet-setting lifestyle came to light when Syed Vickar called the bank one day and inquired about his account balance and found it was less than what it should be.

Mohd Faizal, 35, who was entrusted with handling large amounts of money including Syed Vickar's account, was yesterday sentenced to jail for 31 years and three months on 202 charges of criminal breach of trust, forgery and money laundering.

He was arrested by investigating officer ASP Foo Wei Min on June 29, 2004.

Mohd Faizal was found guilty by Sessions Court judge Datin Zabariah Mohd Yusof on all charges -- 100 counts of forgery, 99 counts under the Anti-Money Laundering Act, and another three of criminal breach of trust.

He committed the offences at the Sri Gombak Maybank branch, 11-13, Jalan SG 3/4 Taman Sri Gombak here, between Dec 24, 2002 and Sept 17, 2003.

Zabariah also fined him RM939,255.21, the amount which he had already used.

If he fails to pay the fine, he has to serve another 15 months in prison.

"You have breached the trust given to you to handle customers' money. The victim in this case is a foreigner and a premier account holder," she told the accused when sentencing him.

"What you have done has affected the country's economy and I find no reason why a light sentence should be given to you."

She said it was an offence to use other people's money for his own enjoyment.

"Every penny made should be 'halal' and from your own effort," she added.

In pressing for a deterrent sentence, deputy public prosecutor Awang Armadajaya Awang Mahmud said the amount involved in this case was more than RM1 million.

"He had breached the trust given by customers and this trust cannot be quantified.

"This will also leave a negative impact in financial institutions."

He said Mohd Faizal's actions had also affected the confidence placed by local and international investors.

Awang Armadajaya urged for the sentences to run consecutively, as each charge was of a different transaction.

Meanwhile, DPP Muhammad Saifuddin Hashim Musaimi said money laundering offences were becoming global.

"The accused used money obtained from illegal means to support his lifestyle.

"Each money laundering case is closely watched internationally and would also be reported in journals so that the effectiveness of the act can be monitored."

Muhammad Saifuddin urged the court to impose a fine amounting to RM939,255.21, which Mohd Faizal had used, and for the court to seize the Proton Perdana V6 which the accused had purchased.

In mitigation, Mohd Faizal's counsel Zainal Ithnin pleaded for leniency as the accused had surrendered to the Da-mansara Utama police station and had given his full cooperation during investigation.

"He has repented and learnt his lesson not to commit such offence again," he said.

Source: The New Straits Times

Raja Petra: I was threatened

PETALING JAYA: Malaysia Today editor Raja Petra Kamarudin who was released on bail claimed he was threatened by two policemen, who are the accused in the Altantuya murder case, while he was detained at the Sungai Buloh prison.

Raja Petra, 58, said C/Insp Azilah Hadri, 32, and Kpl Sirul Azhar Umar, 37, shouted at him when he entered the prison after being charged for sedition.

He was released on a RM5,000 bail at the court premises yesterday.

Unit Tindakan Khas (Special Action Squad) operatives C/Insp Azilah and Kpl Sirul are accused of murdering 28-year-old Mongolian Altantuya Shaariibuu.

“Azilah and Sirul shouted at me and threatened that something was going to happen to me. So, the prison (authorities) were very worried.

“They assigned two UTK officers to look after me full-time,” he said, adding that he was in the same block as the two accused in the Altantuya case.

Yesterday, Raja Petra said the Sungai Buloh prison authorities had urged him to allow his wife to bail him.

“They said they couldn’t guarantee my safety in prison,” he said.

When contacted, counsel for Kpl Sirul, Kamarul Hisham Kamaruddin said he had not received any information over the alleged threat by his client.

“It is an allegation. I have to check with my client whether that event happened at all when the (Altantuya murder) trial resumes on Monday,” said Kamarul.

Datuk Hazman Ahmad, who represented C/Insp Azilah, said he had no idea of the matter and would talk to his client to find out his side of story on Monday.

Raja Petra said he had refused to eat because “prison food is paid for by the rakyat”.

The father of five said he had not eaten any food since he claimed trial in the Sessions Court here on Tuesday for allegedly publishing a seditious article on his website.

“Since I cannot have food from outside, I did not eat at all. I want to go back and have breakfast now. I am dehydrated,” said Raja Petra, who smiled and immediately drank a bottle of mineral water given by his wife Marina Lee Abdullah.

Marina, 54, also hugged and kissed Raja Petra after he signed documents for his release at 9.30am.

Asked why he had refused to see any visitors, he said there was no reason for him to meet anyone.

On his plans, Raja Petra said he would continue to update Malaysia Today and write articles.

“I will write in a day or two,” he added.

Source: The Star Online

Correct. it's Fairuz: Panel finds Lingam video clip authentic

KUALA LUMPUR: The Royal Commission of Inquiry into the Lingam video clip has found that it was former Chief Justice Tun Ahmad Fairuz Sheikh Abdul Halim who was talking to prominent lawyer Datuk V.K. Lingam on the telephone.

Sources said the five-man panel also found that the video clip was authentic and that the conversation was true in substance.

They said the commission also found that it was lawyer Loh Mui Fah who Lingam was speaking to after his telephone conversation with Fairuz.

Commission chairman Tan Sri Haidar Mohamed Noor presented a two-volume report on the findings to the Yang di-Pertuan Agong Tuanku Mizan Zainal Abidin at the Istana Negara here yesterday.

The commission commenced its enquiry on Jan 14.

The sources said the commission also found that there was sufficient evidence of misbehaviour by certain persons mentioned or identified in the clip.

They said the commission found sufficient reason for the relevant authorities to take appropriate action against those implicated for breaches of the Sedition Act, the Penal Code, the Official Secrets Act, the Legal Profession Act and other laws.

They added that the commission was recommending the Government set up a Judicial Appointments Commission and to undertake other necessary reforms.

Sources also said the commission stated that its report was not meant as an indictment against all judges.

Former Chief Judge of Malaya Tan Sri Haidar Mohamed Noor, who chaired the commission, said yesterday that the King was happy that the enquiry had been completed.

The other four members of the commission were former Chief Judge of Sabah and Sarawak Tan Sri Steve Shim Lip Kiong, former Court of Appeal Judge and former Suhakam commissioner Datuk Mahadev Shankar, former Solicitor-General Puan Sri Zaitun Zawiyah Puteh and Professor Emeritus Datuk Dr Khoo Kay Kim.

The video clip showing the apparent brokering of judicial appointments and promotions first came to light on Sept 19 last year when PKR de facto leader Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim released it at a press conference.

Anwar later released two more segments that showed Lingam telling Loh that he had been talking to Fairuz.

On Sept 25, Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak announced that an independent inquiry committee would investigate the authenticity of the video clip purportedly made in 2001.

The committee completed its report on Nov 6. It was studied by the Cabinet but never made public.

Based on the recommendations of the committee, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi announced the setting up of the commission on Dec 12.

At the conclusion of the enquiry on Feb 15, the commission had heard testimony from 21 witnesses and received more than 100 exhibits and over 15 statutory declarations.

Among the prominent witnesses were former prime minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad, former minister in the Prime Minister’s Department Datuk Seri Tengku Adnan Tengku Mansor, tycoon Tan Sri Vincent Tan and retired chief justices Tun Mohamed Eusoff Chin and Tun Mohamed Dzaiddin Abdullah.

The commission had first fixed March 11 to submit the report to the King but sought two one-month extensions later.

Source: The Star Online

LANDMARK DECISION: Syariah High Court declares convert no longer a Muslim

The Syariah High Court in Penang has delivered a landmark decision allowing a Chinese convert to renounce Islam and revert back to her Buddhist faith.

Syarie High Court judge Othman Ibrahim said the court had no choice but to declare Siti Fatimah Tan Abdullah no longer a Muslim as she had never practised the teachings of Islam.

Siti Fatimah, who is from Nibong Tebal, is a Chinese by birth. She filed the application in May last year. In her affidavit to renounce the religion, Siti Fatimah, whose Chinese name is Tan Ean Huang, said she converted to Islam in July 1998.

However she never practised any of the Islamic teachings and claimed that she had converted for the sake of marrying an Iranian named Ferdoun Ashanian in 1999, but he left her a few months later. She has no knowledge of his current whereabouts.

Source: The New straits Times

'What makes you think I don't have proof?'

KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia Today editor Raja Petra Kamaruddin was a celebrity at the Jalan Duta court complex here yesterday.

The 58-year-old arrived at 9.06am, accompanied by his wife, Marina Lee Abdullah, a battery of lawyers and a throng of supporters.

His well-wishers read like a who's who of Pakatan Rakyat notables, including Lembah Pantai MP Nurul Izzah Anwar, DAP adviser Lim Kit Siang, Teluk Kemang MP Datuk Kamarul Bahrin Abbas, Batu MP Tian Chua, Bukit Bendera MP Liew Chin Tong, PAS Youth chief Salahudin Ayub and Pandamaran state assemblyman Ronnie Liu.

Defiant as ever, Raja Petra challenged the government to repeal the Official Secrets Act (OSA) so that he could reveal what he claimed was evidence against his charge of sedition.

"What makes you think I don't have proof? What makes you think I don't have documents?
"If I do submit the proof behind my writing, they will arrest me under the OSA. You think I'm stupid?" he asked the assembled journalists.

Declaring war on the government, Raja Petra said the government should be afraid of bloggers.

Clad in a yellow shirt and blue jeans, the Internet-based political commentator said he was not informed of the charge against him until the last minute.

When it was suggested that it seemed as if he was courting prosecution by his repeated run-ins with the law, he replied that he did not want to be charged but had been expecting it.

He refused to concede that his website's contents were seditious in nature, insisting that it was not wrong to incite the people against a "dishonest government".

Part of Raja Petra's disgruntlement was understandable. He was asked to be at court by 9.30am, but was not attended to until an hour later when he was told to go to the Petaling Jaya court instead.

Lim described the charge as harassment.

"I think this is a disgraceful and atrocious development," the opposition stalwart said.

Source: The New Straits Times

Wife expects Raja Petra to be out on bail today

PETALING JAYA: Malaysia Today editor Raja Petra Kamaruddin and former banker Syed Akbar Ali yesterday became the first Internet citizens to be charged with sedition.

Raja Petra, 58, was charged in the Sessions Court here with posting a seditious article on his website, Malaysia Today, at www.malaysia-today.net titled "Let's send the Altantuya murderers to hell".

The article implicated Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak and his wife Datin Seri Rosmah Mansor in the murder of Altantunya Shaariibuu, a Mongolian woman.

The offence was alleged to have been committed at his house at No 5, Jalan BRP 5/5, Bukit Rahman Putra, Sungai Buloh, on April 25.

If convicted, he is liable to be fined RM5,000 or jailed up to three years or both.
This is the fourth time Raja Petra has been investigated by the police under the Sedition Act 1948. The first was in March 2001, followed by November 2004 and July last year.

Syed Akbar, 48, a Jalan Masjid India-based jeweller, was charged at the Sessions Court in Jalan Duta with posting a seditious comment on the Malaysia Today website.

The comment was in response to an article titled "Malaysia's organised crime syndicate: All roads lead to Putrajaya". He allegedly posted seditious comments about Malays and Islam.

Both men pleaded not guilty to their charge.

Raja Petra was initially taken to the Jalan Duta courthouse but after waiting for an hour, he was told to go to the Sessions Court here.

He was represented by a team of seven lawyers -- K. Balaguru, William Leong, J. Chandra, Lim Lip Eng, Jesvinderjit Singh, Karpal Singh and his son, Gobind Singh.

The courtroom was packed with Raja Petra's friends and bloggers who had come to show their support.

Among those present were Permatang Pauh MP Datuk Seri Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail and Pandamaran assemblyman Ronnie Liu.

Deputy public prosecutor Datuk Nordin Hassan suggested bail of RM5,000 in one surety.

Balaguru raised a preliminary objection stating that the charge did not state the time of the alleged offence. He, however, withdrew his objection after a discussion with Karpal.

Judge Nurmala Salim then set bail at RM5,000 in one surety and fixed five days for hearing, which begins on Oct 6.

Nordin, speaking to reporters outside the court, said he would be calling about 15 witnesses.

Raja Petra was taken to the Sungai Buloh prison about 2pm when he declined to post bail. His wife Marina Lee Abdullah said her husband had told her that if his grassroots supporters, especially the "netizens", wanted him out, they would help raise funds.

"He doesn't want anything more than RM1 per person. I tried to persuade him, but he stood by his decision."

When contacted later, Marina told the New Straits Times that Raja Petra is expected to be out on bail this morning.

As at 4pm, a total of 24,500 people had banked in RM1 each into the designated CIMB account and Paypal (an online payment system) through Raja Petra's Walk with RPK: One Ringgit One Person campaign.

In contrast, the Kuala Lumpur Sessions Court was practically empty when Syed Akbar was charged. He had a team of three lawyers -- Ashok Kandiah, Malek Imtiaz and Haris Mohamed Ibrahim.

With only his wife and son for support, Syed Akbar, who is also an author, appeared before judge S.M. Komathy Suppiah about 12.45pm.

Before the charge was read, Ashok raised an objection that the charge was vague.

However, DPP Ishak Yusof argued that according to the Criminal Procedure Code, a plea had to be recorded before any objection could be raised.

However, Ashok submitted that an accused could not be called to enter a plea on a vague charge.

He pleaded for more time to make proper submissions as they were informed of the nature of the charge only at the last minute.

"If the charge was given earlier, we could have come up with more comprehensive submissions," he said.

DPP Mohamad Hanafiah Zakaria appeared for the prosecution.

Komathy adjourned for lunch and when court resumed at 2pm, Ashok pleaded for bail to be set at RM1,000 as his client would not abscond.

Ishak suggested RM5,000, and Komathy set bail at RM3,000 in one surety pending hearing on June 10.

Source: The New Straits Times

Raja Petra claims trial for sedition: Chooses jail over bail

KUALA LUMPUR: Raja Petra Kamaruddin, the editor of news portal Malaysia Today, claimed trial at the PJ Sessions Court to publishing a seditious article on April 25.

He was charged under Section 4(1)(c) of the Sedition Act 1948.

Nine paragraphs in his article titled "Let’s send the Altantuya murderers to hell" were found to be seditious.

The article was posted on his website on April 25.

The court set his bail at RM5,000.

Raja Petra did not post bail. His wife Marina Lee Abdullah said he is hoping to raise the money through his news portal.

As of 2.30pm Tuesday, he was still in lockup at the PJ sessions court.

Earlier Tuesday, Raja Petra arrived at the magistrates’ court in the Kuala Lumpur Court Complex in Jalan Duta at 9.06am.

He was later instructed to go to the PJ Sessions Court to be charged.

A crowd of about a hundred people were gathered at the Jalan Duta court. Among them were bloggers and Opposition MPs including Salahuddin Ayub (Kubang Kerian), Datuk Kamarul Baharin Abbas (Teluk Kemang) and Nurul Izzah Anwar (Lembah Pantai).

At 2pm Tuesday, businessman Syed Akbar Ali was also charged under Section 4(1)(c) of the Sedition Act 1948 at a sessions court here for posting a comment on Raja Petra's site on June 5, 2007.

The ex-banker, aged 48, posted the RM3,000 bail set by the court.

Hearing for the submissions whether the charge was groundless is set for June 10.

Source: The Star Online

Be careful of ATM Scammers

FM: Received this message from a reader of a possible scam.

"Dear All,

I would like to share a real life story with all my friends and especially all my colleagues and all Aprilbank* (name of the bank is witheld to avoid my ass being sued) account holders.

This incident happened on today evening (1 April 2008). I went to the PJ State (Also known as PJ New Town) Aprilbank* to withdraw RM500. Unfortunately for me, only 9 RM50 notes came out instead of 10.

What happened was, one of the RM50 notes was folded exactly in half and placed at a corner of the stack (Please refer to the attached pictures showing how two RM50 notes can be counted as three).


I was so upset because I have no proof that the ATM did not give me the correct amount. After much hesitation, I finally decided to call Aprilbank* to complain about the incident knowing that I may not get back my money. But at least I can caution them of such incident. When I told of my situation to the Aprilbank* Customer Service Representative, to my surprise, I was informed that I ' m not the first victim. It seems that similar cases have occurred before. The lady explained that it is the malfunction of the ATM and the money may accidentally get folded in half. However when questioned, she was unable to explain to me why the money can be folded exactly in half and placed nicely in the corner of the stack.

I believe this is the new technique of cheating money, done by the people who are responsible of placing the money into the ATMs. In the stack of money which is to be placed into the ATM, one RM50 note is folded nicely in half, for every one note taken out of the stack of money. The folded RM50 notes are then placed at the edge of the stack and positioned in the ATM where the money would be counted. With that done, every one folded note would be counted by the machine as two notes.

I may be wrong about how and why it happened, but I would like to warn everyone about this incident. Please be careful when withdrawing money from the ATM (it may happen to other banks as well) and do count your money to be sure. If such an incident really happened to you (*touch wood*), please do call up the bank to complain about this. If everyone keeps quiet about this, the bank may be unaware of such incidents and the people responsible may just continue doing what they do without getting caught! Even if it is actually because of the ATM malfunctioning, the bank should know about this and there is also a chance of you getting your money back."

Travellers impressed to see Lim flying economy class

PENANG: Some things have not changed with Lim Guan Eng, although he is now the Penang Chief Minister.

And among that is his penchant for economy class air travel.

As the chief executive of Penang, Lim is entitled to a business class seat but he is having none of it.

As travellers queued to get into the airplane, many are surprised to see Lim standing in line with them, just like in the days before the DAP wrested Penang from the Barisan Nasional in the March general election.

Among those who were surprised to see the Penang CM in economy class were songbird Ning Baizura and her manager Vernon Kedit Jolly, who were at KL International Airport last Wednesday.

Jolly was so moved that he wrote about it on his blog, which spurned off reactions among other bloggers.

Lim, who has adopted a “no formalities” approach since assuming the CM’s post, said he said he had told his staff to book him economy class tickets whenever he needed to fly.

“I hope to lead by example. If I can reach my destination and save some money at the same time, why not?” he asked.

That is not all. The Chief Minister also does not check into luxury-class rooms in hotels.

“I usually request for a room that is at least one level down from what I am accorded,” Lim said.

Jolly, who flew in First Class with Ning on that flight to Penang, said Lim had earned their deepest respects.

Source: The Star Online