Saturday, June 23, 2012

Hail our very own Joan of Arc

Just like Joan of Arc, nicknamed "The Maid of Orléans" (ca 1412 – 30 May 1431), who took on the mighty English to free France from being colonised during the Hundred Years War, our own heroines are now taking on the mighty UMNO to free us from the evil of corruption,  a tainted electoral system and the inhumane treatment of another fellow being while in custody.


A brief look into the life of Joan of Arc

Friday, June 22, 2012

Something is not right with the JAWI raid


Justice and fairness is the much emphasised virtue in the Islamic faith and tradition. There is no dispute regarding this. But does the Jabatan Agama Wilaya Persekutuan (Jawi) project this virtue in its conduct and deed? This is disputable.
The Barisan government for reasons known only to itself banned the book ‘Allah, Liberty and Love’ by the Canadian author Irshad Manji. The book was apparently banned on 29 May 2012 and this was made public 16 days later on 14 June 2012.
But before the book was officially banned, Jawi officials raided the Borders bookshop at The Gardens Mall in Mid-Valley City on 23 May 2012 and seized these books that were on sale. This raid took place six days before the book in question was officially banned.
In other words at the time of the raid there was no ban and no announcement that these books should not be sold. There was no justification for the raid. There was no fatwa issued by Jawi prohibiting the sale of these books. There was, therefore, no grounds for Jawi to act. Under the circumstance, the only conclusion that could logically prevail is that it was legitimate to sell these books on 23 May 2012.
The day following the raid, Jawi officials came again to the shop accompanied by members of the media and questioned another female Muslim employee of Borders. When she informed them that the books had been removed from the shelf as directed by Jawi the previous day, she was unjustly accused of lying.
On what basis they refused to believe this Muslim woman is beyond comprehension. The Jawi officials searched the premises thoroughly but found no evidence or trace of the book. They did not apologise to the Muslim woman for not believing her version of the truth. That would have been the decent thing to do.
On 19 June 2012, strangely the manager of the bookshop, Nik Raina Nik Abdul Aziz, was charged by Jawi in the Kuala Lumpur Syariah Court under Section 13(1) of the Syariah Criminal Offences (Federal Territories) Act 1997 for distributing Irshad Manji’s book which was deemed to be against Islamic law. If convicted Nik Raina faces a RM3,000 fine or a maximum of two years’ jail or both.
But the fact was no such books were distributed or sold after 23 May 2012. This episode exposes the officials of Jawi as not living up to justice and fairness – the core value in the Islamic faith.
They were not just and fair in their conduct in this instance:
It was not just and fair to charge Nik Raina Nik Abdul Aziz simply because the book in question was not banned on 23 May. Under the law, Borders bookshop was justified in selling the books on that day. It was a legitimate transaction of a registered entity.
It was not just and fair that the female Muslim employee was accused of lying without any proof. In fact, the search that was conducted in the bookshop produced no trace of the book in the premises.
It was not just and fair that on 30 May 2012, when Nik Raina – together with two other colleagues and accompanied by a Borders-appointed lawyer – turned up to attend an investigation by Jawi, they were treated roughly and issued with an arrest warrant. They had turned up in compliance with the directives issued by Jawi. There was no justification for this conduct.
It was not just and fair that Nik Raina was denied legal representation. This is a serious violation of her human right to legal counsel.
It was not just and fair that both the Home Minister, Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Tun Hussein and the Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department for Islamic Affairs, Senator Major General Datuk Seri Jamil Khir Haji Baharom, did not respond to Berjaya Books Sdn Bhd, which had sought their assistance and intervention on 5 June with regard to Jawi’s action.
Berjaya has rightly applied to the High Court on 18 June for a judicial review.
It is our sincere hope that the High Court would rule on the side of justice and fairness.
But what is disturbing is that the Prime Minister has not uttered a word in an issue that is glaringly unjust and unfair. Keeping a not-so-elegant silence may be construed as concurring with the unjust action of Jawi.
Our former Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir, who seems never lost for words in commenting on issues and who finds it difficult to hold his peace, has not uttered a word on this glaring, violation of fundamental rights.
P Ramakrishnan is the past president of Aliran

Thursday, June 21, 2012

The high-handedness of JAWI

The following statement was released by Yau Su Peng, the Chief Operating Officer of Berjaya Books Sdn Bhd which owns and operates the Borders bookstore chain in Malaysia.  This was in response to the raid conducted by JAWI, in which Nik Raina, the store manager at The Gardens Mall outlet in Mid-Valley City, was charged yesterday in the Kuala Lumpur Syariah Court for distributing the book ‘Allah, Liberty and Love’ by Canadian author Irshad Manji, which has been banned in Malaysia.

Borders outraged by victimisation of its staff

Statement by the COO of Berjaya Books Sdn Bhd, Yau Su Peng
Kuala Lumpur [19th June 2012]

In view of the reports in the press today about an employee of Borders being charged in
the Syariah Court for violation of Syariah laws, Borders is compelled to issue the following
statement.

The management of Berjaya Books Sdn Bhd who own and operate the Borders bookstore
chain in Malaysia is very disappointed that our store manager Nik Raina Nik Abdul Aziz
has today been charged by Jabatan Agama Wilayah Persekutuan (JAWI) in the Kuala
Lumpur Syariah Court for distributing a book by Canadian author Irshad Manji deemed to
be against the Islamic Law (Hukum Syarak) and banned in Malaysia. The charge was
brought under Section 13(1) of the Syariah Criminal Offences (Federal Territories) Act
1997.

Nik Raina was accused by JAWI of contravening the Hukum Syarak by distributing or
selling Irshad Manji’s book entitled “Allah, Liberty and Love”. If convicted Nik Raina faces
a RM3,000 fine or a maximum of two years' jail or both.

The charge follows a raid on the Borders bookstore at The Gardens Mall in Mid Valley City
on 23 May 2012 by JAWI (a unit of the Prime Minister’s Department) which seized books
by Irshad Manji that, at that time, had not been banned by the Kementerian Dalam Negeri
(“KDN”). There was also no fatwa nor any form of notification issued by JAWI to Borders.
There was no way for Borders to know that JAWI considered the books to be
objectionable. We understand that the Home Affairs Ministry only gazetted the banning of
the Irshad Manji books on 29th May 2012 and that fact was published on 14 June 2012.
Berjaya Books Sdn Bhd has at all times cooperated fully with the authorities and has
instructed its employees, both Muslim and non-Muslim, to assist JAWI with its
investigations, despite the company not being subject to the jurisdiction of JAWI as it is a
non-Muslim entity.

On 5 June 2012, Berjaya Books Sdn Bhd wrote to both the Minister for Home Affairs,
Dato’ Seri Hishammuddin bin Tun Hussein, and Minister in the Prime Minister’s
Department for Islamic Affairs, Senator Mejar General Dato’ Seri Jamil Khir bin Haji
Baharom, seeking their assistance and intervention with regards to JAWI’s action but has
yet to receive any reply from either Minister to date.

The management of Berjaya Books Sdn Bhd fully supports our employee Nik Raina who
has done no more than to perform her duties as a store manager. As store manager, she
does not have influence or control over the selection of books in Borders. The seized
books were not at the time of seizure declared to be banned by KDN. Neither did JAWI
notify Berjaya Books concerning the seized books.

The day after the raid Jawi came with members of the media to the Borders store in
Bangsar Village 2 to interrogate another Muslim female employee. When informed by her
that the books have been taken off the shelf as directed and returned to the company’s
head office, she was accused of lying. They proceeded to do a physical search of the
premises, which did not turn up any of Irshad Manji’s books.

In full cooperation and compliance with all directives by JAWI, Nik Raina also attended an
investigation on the 30th May 2012 with two other colleagues accompanied by Borders’
appointed lawyer. Instead, they were treated roughly by JAWI personnel and were issued
a Waran Tangkap. JAWI also refused to allow legal representation to Nik Raina. We view
this as outright victimisation and violation of the constitutional and legal rights of our
employees.

In the same vein, the management of Berjaya Books Sdn Bhd fully supports and will
continue to support our employees whom may be subject to persecution while performing
their assigned duties. This support was demonstrated by the presence of the management
team of Borders at the Syariah Court today.

The actions of JAWI upon Berjaya Books employees may influence the considerations of
corporations when hiring Muslim employees.

Berjaya Books Sdn Bhd has on 18 June 2012 also applied to the High Court of Malaya for
a judicial review of the actions of JAWI. The Minister of Home Affairs and the Minister in
the Prime Minister’s Department for Islamic Affairs have also been named as respondents
in the application for judicial review.
END

For media enquiries, please contact Liza Ramli on +6019 387 4612
or e-mail lizaramli@lizaramli.com

Note to Editors
ABOUT BORDERS MALAYSIA
Borders in Malaysia is operated by Berjaya Books Sdn. Bhd. and is now wholly owned by Berjaya
Corporation. Borders Malaysia goes beyond offering quality books, with educational and
entertainment items. The first Borders Malaysia store opened its doors for business in 2005 at
Berjaya Times Square, Kuala Lumpur. Today, there are six Borders Malaysia stores. They are
located at The Curve, Mutiara Damansara; The Gardens, Mid Valley City; Tropicana City Mall,
Petaling Jaya; Bangsar Village II, Bangsar and Queensbay Mall, Penang. Borders Malaysia offers a
selection of almost 200,000 book and magazine titles. The urban bookstore chain believes in
developing the culture of reading and aims to promote English literacy. To achieve this it looks to
making reading and learning fun and exploratory. Another key characteristic of Borders is the
personal service and the warm, reader-friendly ambience. There are also Borders Express stores,
which cater to the specific needs of niche customers; there are two currently, located at Berjaya
Times Square and Bangsar Village II.

Patrick speaks to Nurul and Hannah

Wednesday, June 20, 2012

Do I need a 1Malaysia Pad. Thanks, but no thanks

Just in case you are not in the know, MalTechPro 1Malaysia Pad Executive Chairman Datuk Sohaimi Shahadan is also crony of UMNO selling 1Malaysia Pad to Malaysians. After seeing the picture below, will you still support and buy 1Malaysia Pad? Can you support someone who joined in to desecrate a cow's head in that infamous anti-Hindu demo in Shah Alam.  I, for sure, will not buy 1Malaysia Pad even if it were cheaper then Samsung or other brand from China. Asalkan Bukan UMNO crony.


[click picture to enlarge]

Monday, June 18, 2012

Monday Humour

Every man's dream



--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

LAW OF FRUSTRATION


1. Law of Mechanical Repair - After your hands become coated with grease, your nose will begin to itch and you'll have to pee.

2.
 Law of Gravity Any tool, nut, bolt, screw, when dropped, will roll to the least accessible corner.

3.
 Law of Probability -The probability of being watched is directly proportional to the stupidity of your act.

4.
 Law of Random Numbers - If you dial a wrong number, you never get a busy signal and someone always answers.

5.
 Law of the Alibi If you tell the boss you were late for work because you had a flat tire, the very next morning you will have a flat tire.

6.
 Variation Law If you change lines (or traffic lanes), the one you were in will always move faster than the one you are in now (works every time).

7.
 Law of the Bath - When the body is fully immersed in water, the telephone rings.

8.
 Law of Close Encounters -The probability of meeting someone you know increases dramatically when you are with someone you don't want to be seen with.

9.
 Law of the Result When you try to prove to someone that a machine won't work, it will.

1.
 Law of Biomechanics - The severity of the itch is inversely proportional to the reach.

1.
 Law of the Theater and Hockey Arena - At any event, the people whose seats are furthest from the aisle, always arrive last.  They are the ones who will leave their seats several times to go for food, beer, or the toilet and who leave early before the end of the performance or the game is over. The folks in the aisle seats come early, never move once, have long gangly legs or big bellies, and stay to the bitter end of the performance.  The aisle people also are very surly folk.

1.
 The Coffee Law - As soon as you sit down to a cup of hot coffee, your boss will ask you to do something which will last until the coffee is cold.

1.
 Murphy's Law of Lockers - If there are only two people in a locker room, they will have adjacent lockers.

1.
 Law of Physical Surfaces The chances of an open-faced jelly sandwich landing face down on a floor, are directly correlated to the newness and cost of the carpet or rug.

1.
 Law of Logical Argument -Anything is possible if you don't know what you are talking about.

1.
 Brown's Law of Physical Appearance If the clothes fit, they're ugly.

1.
 Oliver's Law of Public Speaking A closed mouth gathers no feet.

1.
 Wilson's Law of Commercial Marketing Strategy - As soon as you find a product that you really like, they will stop making it.

1.
 Doctors' Law If you don't feel well, make an appointment to go to the doctor, by the time you get there you'll feel better. But don't make an appointment, and you'll stay sick. 
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------


AH BENG IS BACK



Ah Beng: I haven't slept all night in the train.
Friend: Why?
Ah Beng: Got upper berth.
Friend: Why didn't u exchange?
Ah Beng: Aiyah! There was nobody to exchange in the lower berth.

Ah Beng went to a bank to open a cheque book A/C.
After seeing the Form he had gone to Kuala Lumpur to fill it up.
You know why?
Form said:'Fill Up In Capital.'.

Ah Beng standing below a tube light with a open mouth.
Why?
Because his doctor advised him:
'Today's dinner should be light !'

One Ah Beng professor asked a plumber to come to his college.
You know why?
Because he wanted to check where the question paper is leaking.

Ah Soon! Ah Liang has left you!
Depressed, Ah Beng jumps from 100th floor.
At 50th floor he remembers he doesn't have a wife by name of "Ah Liang"!
At 25th floor he remembers he's unmarried!
At 10th floor he remembers he's Ah Beng not Ah Soon!
On a romantic date Ah Beng's girl friend asks him:
'Darling ! On our engagement will you give me a ring?'
He said: 'Sure ! What's your phone number?'

Ah Beng found the answer to the most difficult question ever.
What will come first, chicken or egg?
O yah, what ever you order first will come first.

A teacher told all students in a class to write an essay on a
cricket match.
All were busy writing except one Ah Beng
He wrote:'Due To Rain, No Match!'

What does a Ah Beng do after taking a Xerox?
He will compare it with the original for any spelling mistakes.

Why can't Ah Bengs dial Nine-Eleven (911) at emergency?
They cannot find the eleven on the phone.

Ah Beng and his wife buy coffee in a shop.
Ah Beng: Drink quickly.
Wife: Why?
Ah Beng: Hot coffee RM2 and cold coffee RM5.

Ah Beng at an Art Gallery : I suppose this horrible looking
thing is what you call modern art?
Art dealer: I beg your pardon sir, that's a mirror!
Ah Beng news: A two-seater plane crashed in a graveyard in
Ampang.  Local Ah Bengs have so far found 500 bodies and are
still digging for more.

Ah Beng visits Chinese friend dying in hospital.
Man says 'Chin Yu Yan' and dies.
Ah Beng then goes to China to find meaning of friends last words.
It is 'You are standing on the oxygen tube!'

Ah Beng was standing in front of the mirror with his eyes closed.
Wife: What you are doing?
Ah Beng: I am seeing how I look while sleeping

Sunday, June 17, 2012

Happy Father's Day

To all the fathers out there, here's wishing you a Happy Father's Day and may you continue to be the source of inspiration and strength to your family.

Our Sunday Girl - CHARMAINE


Waiting just for you, Charmaine

I wonder why you keep me waiting
Charmaine (my Charmaine),  my Charmaine
I wonder when bluebirds are mating
Will you come back again
And I wonder if I keep on praying
Will our dreams be the same (be the same)
I wonder if ever you think of me too
I'm waiting, my Charmaine, for you

I wonder why you keep me waiting
Charmaine (my Charmaine), cries in vain
I wonder when bluebirds are mating
Will you come back again
And I wonder if I keep on praying
Will our dreams be the same (be the same)
I wonder if ever you think of me too
I'm waiting, my Charmaine, for you
Just for you
I'm waiting, my Charmaine, for you...
(Just - for - you...)

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Michelle      Annie      Donna       Rebecca       Anna       Mandy     Judy

Cecilia     Marie      Susan