Najib vs Anwar : Epic Battle

SPECIAL REPORTS

By Asia Sentinel

Wikileaks cables detail a struggle Najib has won so far

Hidden in thousands of pages of US diplomatic cables obtained by WikiLeaks and made available to Asia Sentinel, is a years-long battle for Malaysian political primacy between Prime Minister Najib Tun Razak and opposition leader Anwar Ibrahim.

It is a battle that Najib appears to have won, at least for now, having been named prime minister while an embattled Anwar remains in the dock, fighting charges that he sodomized an aide.

The cables, more than 900,000 words long and covering 15 years from 1993 to 2008, depict an Anwar who from the start saw Najib as a danger to him personally. He was in frequent touch with US Embassy officials, warning constantly that Najib was the perpetrator of a long series of corrupt acts in the procurement of defense equipment and that he was a danger to the exercise of democracy.

Equally, the cables depict an American legation determined to avoid becoming ensnared in Malaysian politics by taking sides. Christopher LaFleur, US ambassador from 2004 to 2007, wrote in a July 31, 2007 cable to US Army Gen. George W. Casey that “Malaysia is important to us because it is an economically successful, stable, predominantly Muslim country that, over the longer term, may be able to support us more strongly in places like the Middle East… The overall tone in Malaysian-American relations has improved considerably since Abdullah Badawi became Prime Minister in late-2003, and we seek to translate this into substantive improvements. Bilateral relations eroded under Abdullah's vituperative predecessor Dr Mahathir Mohamad, but Abdullah brought with him a friendlier style and an interest in projecting a more moderate image, both for himself and for his country. “

The embassy, however, watched closely as Anwar forged an unwieldy opposition coalition from the Islamist Parti Islam se-Malaysia, the Chinese Democratic Action Party and Anwar’s own Parti Keadilan Rakyat, made up largely of urban Malays.

From the time Anwar was released from prison after a 1999 trial on what were widely seen to be bogus charges of corruption and sexual deviancy, the cables show a United Malays National Organisation paralyzed by inaction and led by an ineffective Abdullah Badawi while opposition forces raise enthusiastic crowds of tens of thousands of cheering spectators demanding political reform.

The need for Anwar’s crucial leadership of the awkward coalition is underscored by a Feb. 23, 2007 cable signed by LaFleur. “PAS valued Anwar as the ‘bridge’ between the non-Malays especially the Democratic Action Party (DAP) and PAS, and as a name-brand figure able to attract voters,” La Fleur wrote.

PAS elders, he wrote, found it impossible to communicate with the DAP and other non-Malay parties. He quotes Azizan Abdul Razak of PAS saying that PAS and DAP were “like chickens and ducks, feeding at the same trough, but unable to talk to one another.” Anwar was seen as the only one who could blunt the “ruling National Front juggernaut.”

Anwar, LaFleur wrote on July 17, 2007, was concentrating his attacks on then Deputy Prime Minister Najib as a way to “open up fissures in UMNO middle ranks that will give him other opportunities.”

As pressure continued on the ruling coalition, Anwar led enthusiastic rallies all over the country, culminating in the March 2008 national elections that ended the Barisan Nasional’s 50-year two-thirds hold on parliament. The cables in general seem to indicate a sense of growing panic and paralysis on the part of Barisan leaders, particularly in UMNO, and a desire to drive Abdullah Badawi from the premiership to make way for Najib. Anwar compounded the fears by displaying an eight-minute videotape of a prominent lawyer, VK Lingam, apparently telling a Supreme Court judge to fix key appointments in the government’s favor, thus spurring a royal inquiry into judicial corruption.

According to Ambassador James Keith, who succeeded LaFleur in July 2007, UMNO leaders worried “about Anwar's drawing power on the streets. That Anwar and other opposition leaders proceeded successfully in the face of PM Abdullah's personal warnings should bolster the opposition's resolve and embolden them to plan further events.“

After Anwar returned to politics by taking back his Penang parliamentary seat in a by-election, it was only a matter of time before UMNO replaced a faltering Abdullah Badawi with Najib. As Mahathir goaded Najib to act in April 2007, Anwar was telling the diplomats that his opposition coalition “had a ‘realistic’ opportunity to topple PM Abdullah's government by bringing over 30 or more BN MPs for a no-confidence vote in Parliament,” Keith wrote.

All of that was brought to a halt on June 30, 2008,when former aide Mohamed Saiful Bukhary Azlan, charged that he had been sodomized by Anwar, a case that goes on to this day. The charges brought the opposition’s momentum to a halt.

On July 23, 2008, apparently aware that this second sodomy arrest was being viewed skeptically by the international community, Malaysian Home Minister Syed Hamid Albar assembled a flock of foreign diplomats to give them the government’s view.

According to a cable on that date signed by Keith, Syed Hamid dismissed claims of conspiracy, defended the police handling of the case and emphasized that Anwar was “being treated fairly.”

“The Government of Malaysia is becoming aware of the negative impact the Anwar case has had on its international reputation and is acting to change the negative foreign perceptions,” the cable read.

“Today's briefing was an attempt by the GOM to influence the diplomatic community, counter Anwar's own messaging the day before, and work against critical international media attention.”

The skeptical tone of the cable is difficult to miss. Syed Hamid, the cable said, “shared no new information with the group as a whole and we doubt the briefing swayed diplomats to change their prior opinions; indeed, we heard a good measure of cynicism from some of the gathered diplomats. The government's decision to hold the event and the Ambassador's discussion with the Home Minister afterward served to reinforce our belief that the Government of Malaysia already has decided to charge Anwar for sodomy, and it will take this next step by mid-August.”

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malaysia-today

Nik Aziz nafi kerajaan negeri rampas tanah rakyat di Hulu Kelantan

GUA MUSANG : Menteri Besar Kelantan, Datuk Nik Abdul Aziz Nik Mat, menafikan kerajaan negeri itu merampas tanah rakyat yang didakwa berlaku di pedalaman Hulu Kelantan.

Beliau mengingatkan rakyat Kelantan supaya tidak mengaku tanah diterokai adalah milik mereka selagi tanah itu belum dikeluarkan geran yang mengiktiraf pemiliknya.

Beliau berkata, selagi tiada tindakan pihak berkuasa tempatan mengukur dengan meletakkan batu sempadan dan dikeluarkan geran hak milik tanah terbabit oleh pejabat tanah daerah, maka selagi itulah tanah itu menjadi hak milik kerajaan negeri.

"Saya menafikan kerajaan negeri merampas tanah rakyat yang didakwa berlaku di kawasan Hulu Kelantan dan apa yang kerajaan bangunkan membabitkan tanah yang belum dimiliki penduduk di kawasan pedalaman," katanya selepas majlis Meraikan Pasangan Perkahwinan Orang Asli di Kampung Pasir Linggi, Pos Lebir, dekat sini, hari ini.

Isu ladang rakyat menimbulkan kemarahan beberapa pihak apabila 500 Orang Asli berdemonstrasi menuntut kerajaan PAS menyerahkan kembali tanah adat mereka di hadapan pejabat Tanah dan Galian Gua Musang serta menyerahkan memorandum pada 18 Mei lalu.

Pada 16 Mei lalu, kira-kira 1,000 daripada berapa badan bukan kerajaan (NGO) Kelantan dan Pemuda UMNO mengadakan demonstrasi dengan berpakaian merah membantah projek ladang rakyat kerana didakwa berlaku penyelewengan di hadapan pejabat kerajaan negeri, Kota Darulnaim, Kota Bharu.

Pada 27 April lalu, tiga lelaki kaum Orang Asli Temiar dari Pos Belatim memfailkan permohonan kepada Mahkamah Tinggi Kota Bharu supaya menghalang kerajaan PAS Kelantan daripada meluluskan tanah di Pos Belatim, Gua Musang kepada Perbadanan Ladang Rakyat Negeri Kelantan untuk projek Ladang Rakyat.

- BERNAMA

BH

Ketua IMF : ‘Saya akan terus berada di Malaysia’, kata Zeti

KUALA LUMPUR, 23 Mei – Gabenor Bank Negara Malaysia, Tan Sri Dr Zeti Akhtar Aziz menjangkakan pengarah urusan baru Dana Kewangan Antarabangsa (IMF) adalah dari Eropah dan beliau mengetepikan idea agar dirinya dicalonkan untuk menerajui agensi itu.

Zeti (gambar) berkata beliau mahu melihat pemilihan berasaskan merit.

Dipetik laporan media tempatan hari ini, Zeti berkata, pengarah urusan baru IMF ang akan memantau sistem kewangan dunia, mestilah seseorang yang bersedia untuk bekerja untuk kebaikan dunia.

Justeru mengenepikan dirinya untuk jawatan itu sambil berkata: “Saya akan terus berada di Malaysia.”

“Tempoh perkhidmatan saya baru sahaja dilanjutkan lima tahun lagi. Saya mahu memastikan peralihan Malaysia menjadi ekonomi maju,” kata beliau.

Mengulas siapa pilihan Malaysia untuk jawatan itu, Zeti berkata, tidak ada perbincangan setakat ini mengenainya antara bank pusat dan Kementerian Kewangan.

“Kami tidak mengadakan sebarang perbincangan dengan Kementerian Kewangan. Secara tradisinya ia calon Eropah dan besar kemungkinan ia akan terus diterajui tokoh dari Eropah.”

Menurut laporan media semalam, cadangan agar kerajaan Malaysia mencadangkan Zeti Akhtar Aziz dilantik menerajui IMF mendapat sokongan PAS dan DAP.

Naib Presiden PAS, Datuk Mahfuz Omar mencadangkan kepada kerajaan supaya Zeti dicalonkan menerajui IMF susulan peletakkan jawatan pengarah urusannya Dominique Strauss-Kahn Jumaat lalu.

Ahli Parlimen Pokok Sena itu berpendapat Zeti mempunyai kelayakan dan berkemampuan untuk memegang jawatan tersebut.

TMI

Anwar : Cops take big risk in naming man in sex video

It has been a rough year so far for Opposition Leader Anwar Ibrahim and things are not looking to get much rosier.

Facing fresh allegations of yet another sex scandal and last week ordered to enter his defence in a sodomy trial, the PKR de facto leader was admittedly worse for the wear.

"I need a few weeks of rest," said the chuckling 63-year-old in an exclusive interview last week.

"But give up and give free reign to (Prime Minister) Najib (Abdul Razak) and (his wife) Rosmah (Mansor)? That's not possible."

malaysiakini

Landslide : Does it matter if victims were really orphans, Zuraida slams Shahrizat

Ampang MP Zuraida Kamaruddin expressed horror at Women's minister Shahrizat Abdul Jalil for her insensitive questioning of whether those who died at the tragic landslide in Hulu Langat were really orphans.

In the Sinar Harian newspaper, Shahrizat said her ministry could only give the cash aid to the victims after checking their status as during her visit over weekend, she had seen many families at site of the tragedy and the hospitals where the survivors had been sent.

"What has that got to do with it? The issue is not whether the victims were orphans but that they were victims. I am horrified at her insensitivity," Zuraida told Malaysia Chronicle.

"This is the time when the government must help the victims, so I would like to warn Shahrizat; don't play games with people's misery. Don't delay, these are urgent matters. Help when you must. Loosen the purse strings when you must. Don't give excuses and just parade around with the other Wanita members offering sympathy but no cash!"

16 people, mostly young children, have died after two simultaneous landslides hit Rumah Anak Yatim Hidayah in Hulu Langat on Saturday. Twenty-five people, including four wardens, had been buried alive and only 9 survived.

Finally, cash aid announced

Meanwhile, making amends for her earlier conduct, Shahrizat announced this afternoon the victims will get RM1,500 each from the Women, Family and Community Development Ministry through the National Welfare Foundation.

She said they would also receive RM300 each from the Social Welfare Department and other aid from the Sayang Skuad or Love Squad.

The ministry, she said, would also provide other forms of assistance to the victims, including counselling especially to the three survivors still at the Intensive care Unit of the Ampang Hospital.

"The victims at the ICU need support and motivation, especially the two who had legs amputated,"Shahrizat told a press conference.

The Women's ministry will also offer accommodation at the Skill Development Centre in Serendah, Selangor, to those who needed it.

Meanwhile, Ampang Hospital director, Dr Aishah Ahmad Makinuddin, who was also at the presser said six of the survivors were in the normal ward and in stable condition.

- Malaysia Chronicle

Written by Melissa Lee, Malaysia Chronicle

Eskay close to Thai insurgents, leaked US cable shows



The cable mentioned allegationsof Shazryl’s involvement in
“controversial business deals
in the past.”—file pic

 KUALA LUMPUR, May 23 — A leaked United States diplomatic cable has revealed that Datuk Shazryl Eskay Abdullah was close to veteran Thai separatists hiding out in Malaysia, blogger Raja Petra Kamarudin’s website reported today.

Shazryl topped newspaper headlines in Malaysia recently for releasing a video purportedly showing Opposition Leader Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim having sex with a prostitute. He also lost a legal suit for RM20 million for commission in the aborted crooked bridge to Singapore.

Raja Petra’s Malaysia Today website recently began collaborating with whistleblowers WikiLeaks and said it has been given access to a cache of US diplomatic cables relating to Malaysia.

In one such 2006 cable, then US embassy political chief Mark Clark was said to have met Shazryl —then the Honorary Thai Consul — in Langkawi on February 5, 2006 and was told details of how the insurgents operated.

“Eskay, who was a leading Malaysian facilitator of the dialogue with Thai insurgents hosted by former prime minister (Tun Dr) Mahathir (Mohamad), argued that the older generation insurgency leaders, mostly resident in Malaysia, remained relevant as they provided needed support services and safe haven to younger leaders.

“He identified only one old guard leader as actively ordering attacks, and estimated that criminal gangs and Thai security services were responsible for 70 per cent of the recent violence,” said the cable.

The cable also said that Shazryl shared a 12-page paper on the insurgency and Thai Malay views, resulting from his interviews with numerous separatist leaders.

“Eskay credibly appeared to have contacts with a large pool of old guard leaders, insurgents, and sympathizers from Thailand’s Malay south. His views on the insurgency were the most detailed we heard during five days of travel in northern Malaysia and tracked well in many respects with information and opinions from others,” the cable read.

It also said that “several Malaysians volunteered they were suspicious of Eskay’s contacts with Malay separatists and alleged Eskay had been involved in controversial business deals in the past.”

After Anwar had denied Shazryl’s sex video allegations, the businessman had challenged the former deputy prime minister to answer “over the past two years, how many times has Anwar been to Thailand?”

“Who greeted Anwar in Thailand? Which hotel did Anwar stay in? What was Anwar doing in the hotel? And who paid for the travel expenses?” Shazryl was quoted as saying by prominent blogger Kickdefella (Syed Azidi Aziz).

By Shannon Teoh TMI

MB rai pengantin Orang Asal

GUA MUSANG, 23 Mei : Seramai 17 pasangan pengantin Orang Asal dari Pos Lebir, diraikan oleh Menteri Besar Kelantan, Tuan Guru Datuk Nik Abdul Aziz Nik Mat pagi tadi.

Mereka adalah antara pengantin yang mengambil bahagian dalam Perkahwinan Perdana anjuran Urusetia Pembangunan Wanita, Keluarga dan Kesihatan negeri tahun lalu.

Mereka diraikan pada majlis jamuan meraikan pasangan kahwin perdana di Kampung Pasir Linggi, dekat sini.

Program itu sebagai memenuhi hasrat Tuan Guru yang ingin meraikan mereka pada majlis khas selepas acara kahwin perdana tahun lalu.

Tuan Guru ketika berucap pada majlis itu melahirkan rasa syukur kerana berjaya menyempurnakana cita-citanya untuk meraikan masyarakat terbabit pada majlis jamuan berkenaan.

“Apa yang penting keraian perlu dibuat bagi melahirkan rasa syukur kita terhadap sesuatu perkara, terutama perkahwinan kita,” ujarnya.

Beliau bagaimanapun berharap masyarakat itu mencari ilmu untuk membina keluarga, kerana dengan ilmu insan dapat melahirkan generasi berakhlak.

Pelbagai acara menarik dianjurkan pada majlis itu, antaranya persembahan dikir barat oleh Megat Nordin yang turut disertai oleh masyarakatnya.

Turut diadakan persembahan budaya masyarakat itu sewaktu menyambut kedatangan Tuan Guru.

Turut hadir pada majlis tersebut, anggota exco kerajaan negeri, Wan Ubaidah Omar, Adun Mengkebang, Abdul Latif Abdul Rahman.

Program berkenaan turut dijayakan oleh Urusetia Pembangunan Wanita, Keluarga dan Kesihatan negeri.

Rizal Tahir Harakahdaily

Anwar predicts election this year

The 38% increase in native votes in favour of the opposition in Sarawak is a 'clear' indication of change, says the PKR chief.

KOTA KINABALU : PKR de facto leader Anwar Ibrahim has a gut feeling that the ruling Barisan Nasional (BN) leadership will call for a snap general election in July this year.

“With all these issues – religion, sex video, my court case and abduction threat to my daughter Nurul Izzah – it is a clear message that the election is coming very soon,” he said.

The former finance minister urged party leaders to work hard and update their respective election machinery in preparation for the 13th general election.

“We must get ourselves ready in facing the coming general election which is expected to be held in July this year,” Anwar told a news conference after meeting with top party leaders from Sabah at its headquarters in Penampang near here yesterday.

Anwar arrived here on Saturday for a series of public talks and meet-the-people sessions in Pitas, Kota Marudu, Kota Belud and here.

After meeting with Sabah PKR leaders, Anwar left for Sandakan.

He said that it was the responsibility of PKR under Pakatan Rakyat to fight for the people in getting back their ancestral land that had been taken away from them.

Anwar also touched on the on-going discussion among the opposition parties, particularly between Sabah PKR and Sabah Progressive Party (SAPP), as part of their preparations in taking on the ruling BN in the coming general election.

“We’re hoping the negotiation will go on smoothly as long as the decision does not breach the PKR constitution,” he said.

Changing voter trend

On the recent Sarawak state election, Anwar said the outcome of the election indicated a wind of change in favour of the opposition.

He said the 38% increase in votes from the natives in certain areas in Sarawak was a clear message that the voting trend had changed and was now favouring the opposition.

He attributed this to the corrupt BN’s politics.

Anwar also pointed out the need to review the existing Petroleum Development Act (PDA) 1974 to allow Sabah, Sarawak, Kelantan and Terengganu to control 20% of their own oil and gas.

“We want this 20% for these four states. We want to change the Act and every single contract must be transparent and open to all Malaysians; the decision is not with the prime minister alone.”

Anwar said it was clear that under the existing law only the prime minister has the right to approve any contract in Petronas and the company did not even have to report to the finance minister.

Also present were PKR Kota Kinabalu divisional chief Christina Liew and Darell Leiking, who heads the Penampang division.

Also read:

Election not this year, says Karpal

Solve problems fast, Umno leaders told

Michael Kaung FMT

UMNO hidup subur jika umat jahil - YB Saifuddin Nasution

Kutuk Nik Aziz : Umno takut dengan Munajat Anak Muda

(GAMBAR: Kira-kira 15,000 anak muda menyertai Munajat Anak Muda Kelantan di Kota Bharu baru-baru ini )

KOTA BHARU, 23 Mei : Kenyataan NGO tajaan Umno, Jaringan Melayu Malaysia (JMM) mengutuk kerajaan negeri Kelantan membayangkan ketakutan Umno terhadap kejayaan program Munajat Anak Muda Kelantan.

Demikian kata Setiausaha Akhbar Menteri Besar Kelantan yang juga Ketua Penerangan Pemuda PAS Kelantan, Ahmad Fadhli Shaari (gambar bawah).

Beliau mengulas laporan akhbar Umno, Utusan Malaysia hari ini yang menyiarkan berita mengutuk Menteri Besar Kelantan, Tuan Guru Datuk Nik Abdul Aziz yang kononnya menggunakan pelajar pondok dan tahfiz.

Yang Dipertua JMM, Azwanddin Hamzah dilaporkan berkata bahawa Menteri Besar Kelantan, Datuk Nik Abdul Aziz bin Nik Mat sebagai seorang yang bertopeng imej warak kerana sanggup memperalatkan pelajar sekolah agama di Kelantan untuk menghadiri program politik.

Fadhli berkata, hakikatnya, Umno dan Barisan Nasional gerun dengan kehadiran begitu ramai anak muda di dalam program tersebut.

Bahkan, katanya, jika Umno dan Barisan Nasional dengan segala kekuatan jentera yang ada berusaha untuk mengadakan himpunan seperti itu, ia tidak akan berjaya.

"Ini kerana budaya ‘upah dan suap’ yang sudah sebati dalam darah daging perjuangan mereka.

"JMM hanyalah merupakan ‘budak suruhan’ kepada UMNO dan hanya akan bercakap untuk kepentingan politik UMNO dan Barisan Nasional," kata beliau dalam satu kenyataannya kepada Harakahdaily.

Program Munajat Anak Muda Kelantan yang mensasarkan 10,000 anak muda berjaya menghimpunkan 15,000 anak muda seluruh Kelantan di Stadium Sultan Mohamad baru-baru ini.

Antara pengisiannya adalah bacaan Al Quran dengan sasaran khatam 100 kali bagi memohon perkenan Allah untuk selamatkan perjuangan Islam di Kelantan.

Bagi Fadhli, Azwanddin jelas sekali keliru apabila menyatakan bahawa pelajar-pelajar yang hadir diperalatkan.

Hakikatnya, mereka hadir dengan kerelaan diri sendiri dan tanpa sebarang paksaan.

Tentunya sebagai sebuah negara demokrasi, pelajar-pelajar tidak dihalang untuk menghadiri program sedemikian yang tentunya lebih baik daripada program konsert hiburan yang dibenarkan oleh UMNO / Barisan Nasional.

Bahkan tindakan menyiarkan bahan lucah di dalam media eletronik dan cetak jauh lebih bahaya terhadap akhlak muda mudi dan ini langsung tidak ditegur oleh JMM, kata Fadli.

"Perlu diingatkan bahawa tidak menjadi amalan kerajaan negeri Kelantan memaksa pelajar-pelajar atau guru-guru datang ke program politik seperti yang diamalkan oleh Umno," katanya.

Apa yang berlaku ini, katanya, berlainan dengan Umno yang hanya berani menggunakan kuasa paksaan bagi meramaikan program mereka.

Contoh jelas antaranya ialah apabila Umno memaksa semua guru-guru di Merlimau hadir dalam program kempen pilihanraya kecil DUN Merlimau pada 14 Februari 2011 yang lepas. Surat arahan tersebut dilampirkan bersama untuk rujukan.

Demikian juga apabila guru-guru dipaksa untuk mendengar taklimat keselamatan yang antaranya diisi dengan ceramah yang memburuk-burukkan pemimpin Pakatan Rakyat, katanya.

"Jika JMM menyatakan Menteri Besar Kelantan sebagai pengecut kerana hanya berani berpidato di hadapan pelajar sekolah, maka JMM lebih pengecut apabila tidak berani untuk berdebat ekoran kenyataan seorang pemimpinnya yang menyamakan Menteri Besar Kelantan dengan Ayah Pin satu masa dahulu," tegas Fadli.

Antara pihak yang mencabar debat dengan JMM ialah Dewan Pemuda PAS Negeri Kelantan.

JMM perlu diingatkan bahawa berani berkokok di dalam akhbar sahaja tanpa berdepan dengan hujah adalah sebesar-besar sifat pengecut dan sifat ini ada pada pimpinan JMM, tegas Fadli.

Harakahdaily

Pemuda mulakan kempen BERSIH 2

KUALA NERUS - Exco Dewan Pemuda PAS Pusat, Ustaz Riduan Mohd Nor, memulakan kempen bagi mengembelingkan sekurang-kurangnya 100,000 ahli dan penyokong PAS untuk turun bersama Himpunan Aman Bersih 2 yang akan diadakan pada 9 Julai depan.

Dalam Ceramah Isu Semasa yang diadakan di Petai Bubus, DUN Teluk Pasu semalam, 22 Mei, beliau berkata semua ahli PAS wajib menyertai himpunan mendesak pilihanraya yang adil dan bersih itu.

"Tugasan yang diberikan kepada kami adalah untuk menggerakkan seramai mungkin rakyat, seram,ai mungkin masyarakat untuk turun pada 9hb Julai, pada hari Sabtu,

"paling kurang daripada PAS sahaja seramai 100,000 orang, dan dijangka (semuanya) 200 hingga 250, 000 orang yang akan hadir bagi menuntut pilihanraya yang adil,"ujarnya.

Menurutnya, rasional atau justifikasi disebalik Himpunan itu adalah bagi mencegah pihak terbabitmelalui penipuan berskala besar sebagaimana yang berlaku di negeri Terengganu pada tahun 2004.

Katanya, perkara yang sama sedang berlaku di negeri Selangor apabila setiap kawasan parlimen 'ditanamkan' seramai 7,000 hingga 8,000 pengundi dari luar.

"Kalau kita tidak buat bantahan secara besar-besaran minta di pulihkan demokrasi, dipulihkan sistem pilihanraya di negara kita, penipuan berskala besar akan berlaku,

"di Selangor di setiap parlimen pada hari ini (diantara) 7,000 hingga 8,000 orang 'planted voters' (iaitu) pengundi-pengundi yang ditanam,

"tahun 2004 kalu tuan-tuan ingat, ketika PAS memerintah Terengganu, jentera Umno dengan bersama-sama Jabatan Pendaftaran dan pihak Keselamatan, mereka pindahkan pengundi luar seramai mungkin ke Terengganu,"jelasnya.

Sebelum itu, Pengerusi Jawatankuasa Penggerak Mobilisasi Demokrasi PAS Pusat, Mohamad Sabu pada 30 Mac lalu memberitahu, Presiden PAS Dato' Seri Tuan Guru Abdul Hadi Awang mahu sekurang-kurangnya 300,000 orang menghadiri himpunan yang akan meneruskan desakan, supaya kerajaan melakukan reformasi dalam pilihanraya di Malaysia.

Kelmarin dalam sidang media berkenaan, beliau berkata, Himpunan yang bertemakan "Walk For Democracy", telah diputuskan oleh mesyuarat BERSIH bersama-sama lebih 60 NGO dan parti politik yang bergabung, pada 19 Mei lalu.

Katanya, tujuan himpunan tersebut diadakan adalah kesinambungan empat tuntutan BERSIH dalam himpunan pertama mereka pada November 2007.

Menurutnya selain empat tuntutan mereka yang tidak dilayan oleh kerajaan dalam himpunan sebelum ini, BERSIH telah menambah lagi dua tuntutan.

Dua isu itu adalah berhubung dakwaan penyalahgunaan institusi kerajaan dalam pilihan raya sehingga rakyat tidak dapat menilai antara parti politik dan kerajaan dan melanjutkan tempoh pilihan raya di peringkat kebangsaan dengan "tempoh yang lebih munasabah" berbanding tempoh lapan hari yang dianggap sebagai terlalu singkat.

[Dengar ucapan penuh Ustaz riduan di Buletinonline Radio]