Joint civil-syariah committee to be reactivated

The Star, Tuesday August 26, 2008

By R.S.N. MURALI

KUALA TERENGGANU: A joint committee comprising syariah and civil court lawyers formed in April will be reactivated to solve conversion, inter-religion and other related issues.

Minister in the Prime Minister Department Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi said the joint committee would discuss the sensitive issues in chambers and not in open court.

“The decision to reactivating the committee was reached by the National Fatwa Council as the best way to solve issues regarding inter-religion unions, and regarding other related issues as some are sensitive and could create unnecessary confusion,” he said after chairing the special National Fatwa Council meeting at Wisma Darul Iman here.

Ahmad Zahid said Islamic Development Department’s (Jakim) senior officers were in constant touch with the syariah and civil court lawyers on reviving the committee although the working group had been formed a few months ago.

“Our hope is that the committee is able to effectively troubleshoot sensitive issues,” he said.

Meanwhile, Ahmad Zahid said the Council felt that Mohd Saiful Bukhari Azlan’s swearing on the Quran was made in accordance with Islamic principles.

However, he urged Muslims in the country not to make swearing on the Quran (sumpah laknat) a trend to prove they were not guilty of wrongdoings or to stress their innocence in certain cases.

He said although the practice of taking oath had been propagated in Islam, it should not be frequently used as it could be misused by certain quarters as a tool to enshroud their offences.

“Such act of taking oaths raise doubts if it is often used. Its just like a blogger who made a statutory declaration on an individual recently without any basis.’

“I am not questioning the validity of the statutory declaration but when used often, people tend not to believe process,” he said.

Joint civil-syariah committee to be reactivated

Tuesday August 26, 2008

By R.S.N. MURALI

KUALA TERENGGANU: A joint committee comprising syariah and civil court lawyers formed in April will be reactivated to solve conversion, inter-religion and other related issues.

Minister in the Prime Minister Department Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi said the joint committee would discuss the sensitive issues in chambers and not in open court.

“The decision to reactivating the committee was reached by the National Fatwa Council as the best way to solve issues regarding inter-religion unions, and regarding other related issues as some are sensitive and could create unnecessary confusion,” he said after chairing the special National Fatwa Council meeting at Wisma Darul Iman here.

Ahmad Zahid said Islamic Development Department’s (Jakim) senior officers were in constant touch with the syariah and civil court lawyers on reviving the committee although the working group had been formed a few months ago.

“Our hope is that the committee is able to effectively troubleshoot sensitive issues,” he said.

Meanwhile, Ahmad Zahid said the Council felt that Mohd Saiful Bukhari Azlan’s swearing on the Quran was made in accordance with Islamic principles.

However, he urged Muslims in the country not to make swearing on the Quran (sumpah laknat) a trend to prove they were not guilty of wrongdoings or to stress their innocence in certain cases.

He said although the practice of taking oath had been propagated in Islam, it should not be frequently used as it could be misused by certain quarters as a tool to enshroud their offences.

“Such act of taking oaths raise doubts if it is often used. Its just like a blogger who made a statutory declaration on an individual recently without any basis.’

“I am not questioning the validity of the statutory declaration but when used often, people tend not to believe process,” he said.


KOMEN: Nak sangat Zahid main terima bulat-bulat. Patut kasilah buah fikiran. Peguam dan hakim yang hanya pakar dalam undang-undang sivil tak boleh terlibat dalam undang-undang syariah.

Zahid: Anwar's Crony

Extract from a posting on the blog Another Brick in the Wall, How do you find a word (for Anwar) to mean hypocrisy? dated Aug 20th, 2008

Anwar's "Cronies"

In reaction to the criticism levelled at him at that memorable UMNO General Assembly, Dr Mahathir instructed to release the names of all recipients of Government major contracts and privatisation. That list of "crony" include those widely known as Anwar's "cronies". (The list is available on this Asiaweek magazine link here.)

Zahid Hamidi was one of the recipeints.

No. 55
PROJECT NAME: Pembangunan Semula Kg. Haji Abdullah Hukum, Kuala Lumpur
COMPANY TAKING OVER/CONSORTIUM: Pantai Dalam Sdn. Bhd.
NAME OF MAJORITY SHAREHOLDER: Dato’ Ahmad Zahid Hamidi, Dr. Tajuddin Hj. Mohd. Jali, Bahrin Ayub, Wong Boong Loong

The list revealed an embarassing fact that shares of Kretam Malaysia Berhad belonging to one foundation, Yayasan Gerak Bakti was strangely registered under his name.

Over the years, Anwar have been repeated accusation and criticism along the KKN line of argument against Dr Mahathir and the Government. But Anwar is the last person that can claim innocence from the practise of "cronyism".

Off hand, I could enlist some 18 groups of Anwar's "cronies", some already mentioned in Rocky Bru's commentary:

1. Realmild Group comprising Dato Khalid Ahmad, Nazri Abdullah dan Mohd Noor Abdullah (Dato Abdul Kadir Jasin was part of the group but not seen as Anwar man);

2. PNB's Tan Sri Khalid Ibrahim that was offered 15% stake in Guthrie and now PKR Menteri Besar for Selangor;

3. DRB-Hicom-Gadek Group comprising of late MCKK classmate Tan Sri Yahya Ahmad, Tan Sri Dato’ Mohd Salleh Sulong and Dato’ Maznah Jalil;

4. Anwar's deal maker extraordinaire and fellow ABIM, the late Dato Nasaruddin Jalil of MBF, Gadek and Asia Pacific Airline;

5. Former Institiut Kajian Dasar, his key political man, MCKK classmate and now PAS Secretary General, Dato Kamaruddin Jaafar with equity in Dialog Group, Suremax, Gigaworld, etc.;

6. Faiz Abdullah of Aras Murni Berhad/Timuran Berhad and proposal to take over Nova Scotia Malaysia Berhad;

7. Tong Koi Ong of Phileo Allied bank, and EDGE Magazine;

8. Abrar Group namely Wan Hasni, Rahim Ghouse, and Hj Kamaruddin of K&N Kenanga fame, inclusive notwithstanding Tan Sri Nor Mahamad Yakcop;

9. Dato Ghazi Ramli, more remembered as Board of Director of Mobikom and Telekom Malaysia but is a recepient of many privatisation projects;

10. Ex CEO of Maybank and MCKK collegemate, Tan Sri Ahmad Mohd Don that was placed as Bank Negara Malaysia Governor;

11. Dato Murad Ahmad, Bank Negara Malaysia Adviser that admitted in a Statutory Declaration as keeper of one of Anwar's "war chest";

12. Dato Ishak Ismail of Iras Murni, Idris Hydraulis and Aokam Perdana fame;

13. Sarawakian Dato Sng that was his "bagman" to pay off UMNO Division Head to secure nomination against Ghaffar Baba;

14. Dato Nallakaruppan of Magnum that was his accomplice in many alleged "sex scandals" and now turning against him;

15. His father, Dato Ibrahim was a member of the Board of IOI that acquired a tract of land for the present hotel at the peripherel of Putrajaya based on tip of Putrajaya plans;

16. Brother, Rani Ibrahim was involved in many companies' listing excercise and was recently appointed by Khaid Ibrahima s Adviser for Selangor's KDEB Group;

17. Tan Sri Quek Leng Chan and his Hong Leong group, which was on Lee Kuan Yew's blacklist to be perpetually denied banking license in Singapore but managed to acquire a MUI Bank and saved from forced merger with Anwar's help; and

18. Dato Salehuddin Hashim, son of PAS man Hashim Gera, fellow MCKK collegemate, current Secretary General of PKR, Turnaround Management and dealmaker extraordinaire.
I haven't even begin to open my own "6 boxes" yet. Definitely, readers out there then already involved in the corporate world have other names.

Ezam mentioned Anwar's Modus Operandi to use the Skim Kontraktor Wibawa to dish out RM1 billion contracts to 15 "cronies". Off hand, I can name one Lankhorst Group and personalities like Aziz Fakri, Dr Umi, etc.

What will Anwar try to say now? How will he "twist" his statement? Whatever it is, I call it hypocrisy? Is it really "cronyism" or Anwar's twisted rhetorics?

May God save Malaysia from this man.

Youth Wing's Odd Couple

Much separates two of UMNO's potential stars

Asiaweek 2nd May 1997
By Roger Mitton / Kuala Lumpur

CONTROVERSY IS ONE OF the distinguishing characteristics of the Youth wing of Malaysia's dominant political party, the United Malays National Organization (UMNO). Its leaders are known for speaking out where others fear to whisper. That's how many Youth chiefs, including deputy premier Anwar Ibrahim and education minister Najib Razak, established their reputations. Current leader Zahid Hamidi is running true to form -- galvanizing the movement with his outspokenness and making a name for himself in the process. As Johan Jaafar, the editor of the Malay-language Utusan Malaysia, wrote: "To many Malaysians, the lion of UMNO Youth is now roaring again."

Not that UMNO Youth is a band of unruly teenagers. It includes party members up to age 40, and the leader can be any age -- Zahid is 43. He made recent headlines with a fierce rebuttal to Singapore's Senior Minister Lee Kuan Yew, who said Malaysia's southern state of Johor was "notorious for shootings, muggings and carjackings." Zahid's response -- including calling Lee an "old fool" -- won him immense, but not universal, party support. As Johan wrote: "There are internal problems at Youth. Zahid is not without his troubles."

They center on the Youth chief's relations with his equally popular deputy Hishammuddin Tun Hussein, 36, known to all as Hisham. The duo present a fascinating contrast. Zahid's upbringing is that of an ordinary Malay; Hisham is the son of the late PM Tun Hussein Onn and grandson of UMNO founder Onn Jaafar. Zahid, who was educated in Malay-language schools and still struggles in English, got his degree at a local university. Hisham's English is flawless -- he qualified in law from Lincoln's Inn in London. Zahid is married to a Malay commoner; Hisham to a princess, Tengku Marsilla of the Pahang state royal family. Both went into business before politics: Zahid took over plantation-based Kretam Holdings and became chairman of the National Savings Bank; Hisham set up his own law firm.

Last year, they were elected No. 1 and 2 in the Youth wing. And their differences were thrown into the spotlight. Zahid concedes: "We have some problems, I must admit, but not that much." They appear to have begun just before the party election. There was talk they would run as a team. But with Zahid closely linked to the deputy prime minister, Hisham figured any tie-up would be seen as pro-Anwar -- and thus perhaps less than totally aligned with Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad. So Hisham declined and then found himself and his privileged background subject to attacks. His main rival for the No. 2 slot, Fatah Iskandar, began to spook some of Hisham's supporters. In the end, Hisham won comfortably, but Fatah got 40% of the vote.

Soon after, when organizers of a conference on East Timor in Kuala Lumpur ignored government warnings to cancel it, Zahid ordered his members to stop the meeting. They did so, violently, and several were detained. Hisham's subsequent comments indicated he was unhappy with the tactics. Zahid was unrepentant. The rumor mill saw evidence of an impending rift -- and confirmation appeared to arrive soon. Zahid put Hisham in charge of international affairs, but also appointed Fatah as the influential information bureau chief. Then Zahid dropped Hisham as head of the Youth wing in the deputy's home state of Johor. Hisham, told in advance by Zahid, had to accept the decision. Meantime, Hisham, through his ties to former deputy prime minister Musa Hitam, was also appointed alternate head of Malaysia's delegation to the U.N. Human Rights Commission in Geneva. Recently while Hisham was in Geneva, Zahid set up a Malay Youth International Secretariat. This upset the Hishamites since the new body seemed to usurp the powers of their man's international bureau. Worse, Zahid appointed Fatah to head the new secretariat.

So, how are the odd couple getting on? Laughs Zahid: "We have differences, I must admit. But so far, so good." What about all the talk? "You are in politics, people would like to see a rift. How to stop them talking?" How does Hisham find Zahid? "Of course, politics being politics, it's not easy," says the deputy. "I have no problems on a personal level. But there are bound to be conflicting views."

Still, Zahid has said Hisham will succeed him. He says: "I told Hisham if you want it easier you just take over from me after two terms. He said okay, no problem." But if Hisham doesn't want to wait? "He can go ahead. I have to take the challenge." And if Hisham ran in 1999 against Zahid? Says one Exco man: "On paper, Hisham looks quite strong. But if it is a straight fight, it's going to be close."

Both men would prefer to get on with business. Says Zahid: "When 1999 arrives, let's fight -- if there is to be a fight. But before that, we should work together." Echoes Hisham: "The trouble is people pick on little differences to try and show there's a bigger gap than there is." He adds, "Me and Zahid go back a long way. We've managed thus far, lah."

Zahid: Khalid has no right to comment

The Star, Friday August 15, 2008

SHAH ALAM: Selangor Mentri Besar Tan Sri Khalid Ibrahim should take responsibility for his controversial remark questioning Malay rights by proposing that 10% of Universiti Teknologi Mara (UiTM) intake be open to non-Malay and foreign students.

Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department in charge of religion Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi said: “Khalid seems to blame the media by saying that he was reported out of context.

“As a politician, he should realise that he is responsible for what he says,” Ahmad Zahid told reporters after launching the Malay Students Merdeka Assembly organised by the Peninsula Malay Students Federation (GPMS) here yesterday.

He was asked to comment on Khalid’s refusal to apologise for his statement, which had led to protests from Malay students.

To Khalid’s suggestion to meet UiTM students to explain his remark, Ahmad Zahid said: “I don’t think that just because UiTM is in Selangor, he has the right to make such a proposal.

“Those who question the position of UiTM will have to walk over the GPMS’ dead body first. If the question now is whether the Malay institution is being pressured, the answer is no, but if the question is whether there is a narrow political agenda, the answer is yes.”

He also urged Malay and Islamic-based NGOs and institutions to unite in defending the dignity and status of the Malays.

The Government should not hesitate to enforce the Sedition Act on the Malaysian Bar Council if it organises an open forum on the rights of the Malays and Islam for the third time, Ahmad Zahid said.

He said the Bar Council had organised two open forums on the social contract and special privileges of the Malays and conversion to Islam.

“If they do it once more, we should not be dayus (weak) to enforce the Sedition Act.”

Keputusan Zahid batal saman Amir Bazli 30 Okt.

Utusan Malaysia, Ogos 8hb, 2008

SHAH ALAM 7 Ogos - Mahkamah Tinggi di sini hari ini menetapkan 30 Oktober depan untuk membuat keputusan berhubung permohonan Datuk Ahmad Zahid Hamidi membatalkan saman malu seorang usahawan, Amir Bazli Abdullah yang mendakwa dikasari beliau dalam kejadian hampir dua tahun lalu.

Pesuruhjaya Kehakiman, Datuk Mariana Yahya menetapkan tarikh itu selepas kes disebut di kamar beliau pada pukul 11.50 pagi.

Ketika tarikh ditetapkan, peguam Karpal Singh yang dibantu peguam Sangeet Kaur hadir mewakili plaintif. Sementara peguam, Shamsul Baharin mewakili menteri di Jabatan Perdana Menteri itu selaku defendan dalam saman tersebut.

Pada 5 Julai 2007, Amir Bazli, 38, selaku plaintif memfailkan saman untuk menuntut sejumlah ganti rugi yang akan ditentukan oleh mahkamah kerana mendakwa ditumbuk oleh Ahmad Zahid pada 16 Januari 2006.

Ahmad Zahid memfailkan permohonan untuk membatalkan saman itu pada 29 Ogos 2007 dengan alasan kejadian tersebut tidak pernah berlaku dan sengaja direka-reka oleh Amir Bazli

Zahid Hamidi: Penjenayah Tidak Layak Jadi Pemimpin


Dato Dr Haji Ahmad Zahid Hamidi baru dilantik menjadi Menteri Penuh sebagai Menteri Jabatan Perdana Menteri (JPM) yang dipertanggungjawabkan mengenai Hal Ehwal Agama Islam dalam kerajaan baru Abdullah Ahmad Badawi selepas pilihanraya umum ke 12 pada Mac 8hb, 2008.

Sebelum ini, beliau hanya seorang Timbalan Menteri dalam Kementeriaan Penerangan dan Pelancungan. Kekalahan ramai tokoh-tokoh besar UMNO dan Barisan Nasional membuka ruang untuknya mengisi kekosongan ang bertambah di atas.

Dengan demikian, Zahid kelihatan macam orang alim. Dia kelihatan ke sana sini memakai songkok, bercakap mengenai Islam dan melafazkan istilah-istilah Arab. Latarbelakang ayahnya yang berguru dengan Abdullah Fahim dihebah-hebahkan untuk pengetahuan semua.

Pada akarumbi UMNO dan orang-orang kampung biasa yang naif, Zahid kelihatan sebagai seorang yang peramah, bersopan dan wara. Orang-orang bawah yang tidak tahu menahu mengenai latarbelakangnya pasti tertarik dengan pembawakkan Zahid.

Diantara ramai yang akan mencuba jawatan Naib Presiden, Zahid adalah yang paling popular dan luas sokongan.

Baik dari segi politiknya, segi kepimpinan, segi urus kerja dan segi keperibadian, Zahid hanya seorang yang boleh digambarkan sebagai "cakap tidak serupa bikin".

Dia mempunyai kes-kes salahlaku jenayah (Criminal Breach of Trust), kes mahkamah kesalahan penal code bagi gangsterdom, pengamal politik wang, dan amalan politik yang tidak berintegriti.

Zahid tidak layak untuk mana-mana tempat dalam kepimpinan tertinggi UMNO. Beliau adalah seorang ahli politik yang sanggup lakukan apa sahaja untuk kepentingan dirinya. Dia tidak pernah setia kepada sesiapa melainkan hanya untuk ketamakan dirinya sahaja.

Politiknya dari peringkat Bahagian hingga ke Pusat memualkan.

Siapa tidak ingat Zahid menyampaikan syarahan Korupsi, Kronisma, dan Nepotisma ala pemimpin reformasi Indonesia Amien Rais sebagai Ketua Pemuda UMNO menghentam Presiden UMNO, Dr Mahathir bagi pihak Timbalan Presiden semasa itu Dato Seri Anwar Ibrahim?

Akhirnya, apabila senarai projek-projek didedahkan, Zahid didapati melakukan CBT menukar saham kepunyaan Yayasan Gerk Bakti ke bawah namanya. Baru semasa itu, dia mengaku saham yang dibawah namanya itu saham Yayasan. Mana boleh saham kepunyaan Yayasan boleh berubah tangan dengan mudah.

Jika Zahid terpilih untuk jawatan tertinggi, beliau akan menyalahgunakan tanggungjawab. Contohnya, siapa tidak ingat Zahid menggunakan kuasanya sebagai Pengerusi Bank Simpanan Nasional (BSN) untuk mengeluarkan kad kredit untuk membeli pengaruh Ketua-Ketua Pemuda UMNO? Apa jadi pada pengguna kad-kad kredit, apabila hutang tidak terbayar?

Zahid juga sedang menghadapi kes mahkamah kerana terlibat mencederakan seorang duda anak muda bernama Amir Bazli yang pernah menjadi rakan geng moto besarnya dan teman lelaki anaknya, Nurul.

Meletakkan seorang yang tiada integriti seperti Zahid sebagai Naib Presiden atau apa-apa jawatan tinggi dalam UMNO akan membawa padah kepada perjuangan parti, dan usaha untuk memartabatkan agama, bangsa dan tanahair.

Menyedari kes-kes ini, blog ini memulakan langkah satu usaha untuk mendedahkan pelbagai salahlaku Zahid. Penulis sedar Islam melarang perbuatan mengaib dan mendedahkan kelemahan orang Islam yang lain. Itu kalau orang itu sudah bertaubat dan berhenti dari melakukan perkara-perkara mungkar. Malah tidak perlu dihebohkan jika perbuatannya tidak menjejaskan orang lain. Tetapi, tidak untuk Zahid.

Pada penulis, prinsip yang lebih penting adalah "amar makruf nahi mungkar". Membiarkan perbuatan-perbuatan rasuah, tidak amanah, dan salahguna kuasa adalah satu dosa besar. Menjadi fardhu kifayah untuk kita semua menentang kemungkaran dan menyelamatkan orang ramai dari mudah tertipu. Atas prinsip inilah, penulis berpegang.

Biar pada Allah jua pengakhir keadilan.