KUALA LUMPUR: Pemuda Sosialis DAP (DAPSY) dan Pemuda MCA mempersoal perintah mahkamah yang menghalang Persekutuan Persatuan Lembaga Pengurus Sekolah Cina Malaysia (Dong Zong) meneruskan penganjuran persidangan isu tulisan Jawi.
Ketua DAPSY, Howard Lee Chuan How, berkata tindakan polis memohon perintah mahkamah untuk melarang penganjuran persidangan itu disifatkan bertentangan Perkara 10(1) Perlembagaan Persekutuan, iaitu hak kebebasan bersuara dan berhimpun secara aman.
Katanya, tindakan polis memohon perintah berkenaan antara lain disifatkan sebagai berlebihan, selain menetapkan duluan tidak baik bagi bagi Malaysia Baharu.
“Polis sepatutnya melindungi hak Dong Zong untuk berhimpun secara aman, sama seperti mana yang diberikan kepada penganjur Kongres Maruah Melayu.
“Hak untuk berbeza pendapat dalam kalangan rakyat adalah tulang belakang demokrasi,” katanya ketika dihubungi BH, malam tadi.
Beliau berkata demikian mengulas perintah mahkamah diterima polis bagi menghalang Dong Zong meneruskan persidangan isu tulisan jawi di sekolah vernakular yang dijadualkan berlangsung di sebuah kolej di Kajang, esok.
Susulan itu, Dong Zong akur untuk membatalkan persidangan isu tulisan jawi itu dan meminta semua wakil dan pertubuhan terbabit membatalkan kehadiran ke Persidangan Pertubuhan Cina berkenaan.
Ketua Pemuda MCA, Chong Sin Woon. - NSTP/Iqmal Haqim Rosman
Sebelum ini, pelbagai pihak tampil mendesak Dong Zong membatalkan hasrat persekutuan itu dalam menganjurkan kongres isu pembelajaran tulisan jawi di sekolah vernakular.
Desakan dibuat susulan tindakan Dong Zong dan Gabungan Persatuan Guru Sekolah Cina Malaysia (Jiao Zong) mahu meneruskan kongres isu pembelajaran tulisan jawi itu.
Sementara itu, Ketua Pemuda MCA, Chong Sin Woon, menerusi status di Facebooknya menyifatkan larangan berkenaan sebagai diskriminasi, selain mempersoalkan mengenai hak kebebasan bersuara.
“Kerajaan boleh anjurkan Kongres Maruah Melayu, tetapi pertubuhan Cina tidak boleh anjur pertemuan tertutup? Adakah Cina tak ada hak berhimpun?
“Dimanakah menteri daripada kaum Cina? Adakah mereka sedang bercuti dan tidak berani untuk bersuara?” katanya.
PROFESOR Dr Hatta Azad Khan (kanan) ketika sesi penggambaran hari ketiga filem `Mahathir, The Journey’ di Balai Berita, The New Straits Times Press (M) Berhad (NSTP), hari ini. - Foto Zunnur Al Shafiq
KUALA LUMPUR: Tidak ramai tahu Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad pernah `merajuk’ dan membawa diri ke London, pada akhir 2017.
Apa yang mendorong beliau kembali, siapa yang memberi kata-kata semangat kepadanya untuk menerima kembali jawatan Perdana Menteri dan kenapa Dr Mahathir memendekkan cutinya ketika di Hiroshima, pada 2003?
Jawapannya boleh diketahui apabila filem `Mahathir, The Journey’ arahan Profesor Dr Hatta Azad Khan yang dijangka menemui penonton tahun depan.
“Itulah kekuatan filem ini,” kata Hatta kepada BH selepas sesi penggambaran hari ketiga filem berkenaan di Balai Berita, The New Straits Times Press (M) Berhad (NSTP) di sini, hari ini.
Hatta berkata, keunikan filem ini adalah kerana ia mengetengahkan banyak elemen kekeluargaan, pengorbanan, pemikiran, kekuatan Tun M serta kisah-kisah yang tidak pernah didedahkan.
Katanya, penonton akan dibawa melihat kehebatan Tun M mengakhiri persengketaan 18 tahun dengan Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim selain menyertai dan mengetuai parti politik yang sebelum ini menentangnya.
“Bagaimanapun, perlu ditekankan filem ini adalah naskhah seni yang jujur yang mana bukan sahaja sisi kekuatan Tun diketengahkan tetapi juga sisi kelemahannya mengikut pandangan umum masyarakat.
“Tun M secara peribadi memaklumkan supaya jangan terlalu menyanjungnya tetapi paparlah kebenaran.
“Ada satu watak fiksyen antagonis, namanya Datuk Sapin lakonan Riduan Hashim diwujudkan yang mewakili pelbagai pandangan umum walaupun secara negatif, kita boleh lihat bagaimana cara Tun M mengendalikan kritikan itu.
“Kami tidak memberi tumpuan kepada isu politik tetapi menceritakan keperibadiannya sebagai pemimpin, sebagai negarawan, ayah, suami, datuk dan manusia seperti kita,” katanya.
Filem `Mahathir, The Journey’ diterbitkan Reliance Media Group Sdn Bhd bakal mengangkat kisah perjuangan Dr Mahathir selepas meletakkan jawatan pada 2003.
Filem biopik yang membabitkan kos RM6 juta dan dijangka tamat penggambaran pada Februari depan menampilkan kisah benar tokoh disegani dunia itu selepas meletakkan jawatan sebagai Perdana Menteri keempat sehinggalah dilantik semula pada 2018.
PROFESOR Dr Hatta Azad Khan (dua dari kanan) ketika sesi penggambaran hari ketiga filem `Mahathir, The Journey’ di Balai Berita, The New Straits Times Press (M) Berhad (NSTP), hari ini. - Foto Zunnur Al Shafiq
Filem itu membabitkan beberapa lokasi penggambaran di Lembah Klang, Putrajaya, Langkawi dan Hiroshima, Jepun.
`Mahathir, The Journey’ menampilkan pelakon Azhar Amir sebagai Dr Mahathir, Fauziah Latiff (Tun Dr Siti Hasmah Mohd Ali), Ning Baizura (Marina Mahathir), Hilal Azman (Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim), Dian P Ramee (Datuk Seri Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail) dan Lisdawati (Nurul Izzah).
Dalam pada itu, Produser yang juga Ketua Bahagian Kreatif Reliance Media Group Sdn Bhd, Yusuf Kelana, berkata pihak produksi mengucapkan terima kasih kepada NSTP kerana memberi kerjasama yang baik untuk lokasi penggambaran hari ini.
“Pemilihan NSTP sebagai lokasi penggambaran juga sebagai penghargaan kami kerana banyak berita berkaitan penghasilan filem ini yang disiarkan di semua akhbar bawah Kumpulan NSTP.
“Filem ini turut memaparkan peranan wartawan sebagai ‘watchdog’ dalam kejatuhan serta kebangkitan semula pemerintah dalam negara.
“Terdapat satu watak wartawan dari Perancis yang amat meminati ketokohan Tun M dan sentiasa mengikuti perkembangan Tun M dari awal turut diketengahkan dalam filem ini,” katanya.
Beliau berkata, perwatakan, ketokohan dan kedudukan Tun adalah sebagai rujukan buat generasi masa depan dan satu kerugian besar jika ia tidak dimanfaat sebaik mungkin.
“Elemen yang menyentuh perasaan digarap dalam filem ini mengambil kira pengorbanan yang dilalui keluarganya yang terpaksa melepaskan dirinya sebagai pemimpin, berkongsi hak dengan rakyat dan negara.
“Banyak kesedihan yang dilalui, yang dipendam ahli keluarga terdekat dan Tun M yang tidak pernah diketahui umum akan diceritakan dalam filem ini,” katanya.
Katanya, ketelitian fakta amat penting sehingga 14 kali skripnya diteliti dan dirombak sebelum mendapat kelulusan Pejabat Perdana Menteri, tujuh bulan penyelidikan dan kajian karektor serta saringan pelakon dilakukan sebelum penggambaran dimulakan 26 Disember lalu.
“Apa yang saya harapkan usaha pemasaran filem ini akan digiatkan untuk menembusi pasaran antarabangsa kerana Tun bukan sahaja tokoh disegani di negara ini, malah pengaruhnya meletakkan dia antara tiga pemimpin negara Islam yang sentiasa diikuti di peringkat dunia.
"Penerbitan filem biopik ini adalah sebagai satu khazanah seni untuk paparan generasi akan datang dalam mengingati perjuangan seorang negarawan terulung," katanya.
PROFESOR Dr Hatta Azad Khan. - Foto Zunnur Al Shafiqsource : bharian
Azmin: Cut ministers, politicians' allowances if necessary
KUALA LUMPUR (Bernama): Economic Affairs Minister Datuk Seri Mohamed Azmin Ali is of the view that there should be no problem for ministers and politicians’ allowances to be slashed to support the government's efforts to better manage the country’s spending.
He said it was important for the country’s finances to be managed wisely without leakage, abuse of power and corruption and at the same time, better manage development and ensure that the people benefit.
"If there is a need to cut, then cut (ministers and politicians’ allowances). What is important is that we need to look at today’s needs to manage the country’s finances responsibly.
"If the government today is focused on combating corruption and abuse of power, spending wisely... we can better manage the development, ” he told reporters after visiting several houses hit by soil movement in Taman Kelab Ukay, Ampang earlier on Saturday.
He said the previous administration’s actions that failed to spend wisely due to corruption and abuse of power had left a bitter experience for the current government and impacted the economy as well as the people.
Mohamed Azmin was commenting on a proposal by Youth and Sports Minister Syed Saddiq Syed Abdul Rahman for the government to cut the allowance of politicians and ministers following a decision to cut the Critical Service Incentive Payment (BIPK) for new doctors, nurses, engineers and other professionals joining the civil service starting Jan 1.
The Public Service Department (PSD) in a circular dated Dec 20 had stated that the BIPK for civil servants in 33 critical services scheme would be abolished for new appointments from Jan 1,2020.
However, Syed Saddiq said Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad had agreed to postpone the abolition of the BIPK, and the decision would be made only after a discussion with the Cabinet at the first meeting in January. - Bernama
click here : https://www.thestartv.com/v/wednesday-s-trump-impeachment-vote-is-on-trump-says-it-s-a-sham?jwsource=cl
Wednesday's Trump impeachment vote is on; Trump says it's a sham
Published on 18 Dec 2019 12:14:24 PM
A US congressional panel on Tuesday cleared the way for a historic vote on impeachment of US President Donald Trump in the Democratic-controlled House of Representatives.
The House Rules Committee by a party-line vote of nine to four approved legislation that provides for six hours of debate, with final votes to follow on charges of abuse of power and obstruction of Congress.
The impeachment vote will take place on Wednesday when Trump is set to be the third American presidents to be impeached.
Facebook user Bojod Azmi wades through floodwater to save the dog. — Screen capture via Facebook/Bojod Azmi
KUALA LUMPUR, Dec 17 — A Malaysian man who saved a stranded dog from flood waters in Kluang has been earning praises on social media for his act of heroism.
Facebook user Bojod Azmi uploaded a clip of himself wading through knee-high water to rescue a canine that was chained to its kennel, leaving it with nowhere to go in the middle of a natural disaster.
Azmi can be seen slowly approaching the kennel to untie the dog and subsequently guided it to safety.
“The dog has been successfully rescued,” a voice in the background can be heard saying in Bahasa Melayu.
“He’s a good swimmer too,” another cried out in amazement of the canine’s aquatic abilities.
The clip which lasted for nearly a minute and a half has been viewed 522,000 times since it was posted on Sunday.
The heartwarming video received 14,000 reactions, 4,300 comments and was shared over 10,000 times.
“The successful operation that saved one life. Already it’s the rainy season and flood season, what kind of owner goes and chains their dog,” Azmi wrote in his post.
In an interview with China Press, Azmi told the Chinese daily he and his friends stumbled upon the dog in a flooded palm oil plantation on Saturday while they were out to monitor the flood situation.
Azmi and his friends heard a dog barking while they were out to monitor the flood situation. — Screen capture via Facebook/Bojod Azmi
While on the road, they heard a dog barking but couldn’t locate where it came from.
“I was worried that the dog was trapped in the water so I decided to turn back and saw a wooden kennel in the palm oil plantation and the dog kept on barking,” the 34-year-old Simpang Renggam District Council employee said.
Azmi said the water was three to four feet high and half the dog’s body was submerged in water.
Despite being cautioned by one of his friends who was worried the dog would bite him, Azmi told himself it was a living being and decided to save the dog.
The video that was shot by Azmi’s friends captured the dog’s delight of being rescued with its wagging tail and jump happily to greet its saviour.
After saving the dog, Azmi fed it with bread and water and waited another five minutes before leaving the area.
He said the dog refused to leave, believing it was waiting for its owner to return.
Social media users have been commending the kind-hearted Malaysian for his good deed.
“Oh my, this is so cute. Makes me feel sad watching it because the dog was so happy that someone came to help it,” wrote Zaiton Amir.
“The poor thing, I wonder how many hours it was submerged in water until help came,” wrote Novelis Dendam Aduka.
“A real hero in the eyes of all living beings,” Victor Wong chimed in.
While many thanked the good Samaritan and conveyed their well wishes, others criticised the dog’s owner for not only abandoning the dog but tying it to its kennel.
Facebook users praising Azmi for his brave and kind deed, hailing him a hero. — Screen capture via Facebook/Bojod Azmi
Yusoff's polygraph test over sexual assault completed after four hours
KUALA LUMPUR: A four-hour polygraph test was conducted on Muhammed Yusoff Rawther to help the investigation into his claim of being sexually assaulted by Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim.
The former research assistant to the PKR president arrived at Bukit Aman with his lawyer Datuk Mohamed Haniff Khatri Abdulla, at about 3pm on Tuesday (Dec 17) before finally leaving at around 8.40pm.
“The test began at 4.30pm and ended around 8.30pm. Only Yusoff and three experts were in the room at the time while myself and the investigation officer waited outside.
“As of now, there is no notice of a second test. The required test was done today (Tuesday), ”said Haniff when met outside Bukit Aman.
He added that his client was satisfied with the polygraph test.
“I am not sure when the report will be completed. It’s up to them, maybe tomorrow or later, ” he said when asked for a timeframe on when the report would be ready.
On whether Anwar would be required to undergo a similar test, the lawyer said that it was up to “both the investigation side and the individual himself”.
Police here had earlier recorded Yusoff’s statement on Dec 9 and 10, while Anwar had been called in for questioning on Dec 12.
Investigators also went to Anwar's house in Bukit Segambut, where the crime allegedly happened, to complete investigations.
On Monday (Dec 16), Bukit Aman CID director Comm Datuk Huzir Mohamed said that the police had taken statements from eight witnesses so far.
Yusoff had alleged that Anwar outraged his modesty on Oct 2 last year.
He filed a Statutory Declaration (SD) in November and subsequently lodged a police report on Dec 7.
The allegation has been denied by Anwar, who claimed he was campaigning in the Port Dickson by-election on that day.
PUTRAJAYA: Former premier Datuk Seri Najib Razak strikes back at the allegation that he ordered the “shoot to kill” of Mongolian Altantuya Shaariibuu by claiming the statutory declaration (SD) by former police commando Azilah Hadri is part of a high-level political assassination attempt.
He is also calling on the police to re-open the murder case following the filing of the SD, said Najib’s lawyer Tan Sri Muhammad Shafee Abdullah.
Shafee even claimed to have received information that a “VVIP” had paid a visit to Azilah, who is currently on death row at Kajang Prison.
The lawyer said Azilah’s review application yesterday to set aside his conviction and death sentence was a “mischievous application”.
Shafee also alleged hidden hands were behind the application.
Azilah wanted the Federal Court to review his 2015 conviction and death sentence for killing Altantuya in October 2006.
Speaking to the media after attending a case management for the application at the Federal Court yesterday, Shafee said “very reliable information” had revealed that in February, Azilah met a VVIP outside the prison.
“I can’t say (who it is). A VVIP outside of prison! Not in prison ... when he is on death row, that is a breach of protocol,” he said, adding that he was trying to ascertain whether this information was true.
Azilah’s accomplice, fellow former police commando Sirul Azhar Umar (who is detained in Australia), was also visited by several “Malaysian agents”, he claimed.
“I know some Malaysian agents, including an Australian reporter, have been visiting Sirul to get him to come out with a statement that is coordinated with Azilah,” he said.
Shafee alleged Azilah’s SD was a political assassination attempt on Najib, who was gaining popularity among Malaysians.
He added that Sirul could also be making the same move in Sydney.
“There are two or three people I know who have been persuading him to come out with something of this sort,” he added.
He alleged that the SD was a “third attempt” to victimise Najib.
“They can see the cases (trials) of SRC International and 1Malaysia Development Berhad are not going far in terms of speed.
“The judges are doing a wonderful job. It is not going as fast as some people want it.
“They want to put my client in jail from day one, so this is the third attempt,” he added.
Shafee hoped that the police will re-open the case following the SD.
“I hope they re-investigate the case. My client wants them to re-investigate for one purpose – we want to know who put Azilah in this mode of perjury.
“Who is behind this perjury? As we don’t think it’s him alone,” he said.
“It is a mala fide (in bad faith) act to create sensation around my client,” he added. source : thestar
