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Human rights moron! Posted: 24 Apr 2014 07:39 PM PDT Barack Obama should use his historic visit to Malaysia on April 24-27 by 'speaking loudly' about the 'deteriorating human rights condition' in the country, says Human Rights Watch. Its Asia advocacy director John Sifton cynically says, "Malaysia's claims of being a tolerant and rights-respecting democracy don't stand up to scrutiny. President Obama needs to take up concerns that basic rights are under threat, and that civil society is squeezed between restrictive laws and abusive government implementation." Wow! Again and again, the 'never right' organisation comes up with unfounded and blindfolded analysis about human rights in Malaysia, forgetting the fact that a multiracial and multi-religious Malaysia - unlike the US and any other countries - practices one of the most unique yet balanced set of law to protect the interest of everybody. However, sentiments keep growing amid some parties sowing the seeds of hatred among Malaysians. Of course there are some limitations to 'human rights and freedom' in Malaysia to avoid negative and moral-decaying elements from demonising the people. The letter Sifton (picture) sent to Obama, among others, requested the president to meet with Opposition Leader Anwar Ibrahim who faces a 5-year jail term for sodomy, anti-Malaysia and human rights NGOs and LGBT groups. In a letter sent to Obama last month, Human Rights Watch urged the president to raise human rights issues during his visit to Kuala Lumpur, and to meet with members of human rights groups, civil society organizations, opposition political party figures, and members of the lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) community. Contrary to images Malaysian leaders try to portray abroad, the government continues to use vague, overbroad, and outdated laws to prosecute or harass political opponents. Opposition leader Anwar Ibrahim was recently prosecuted and convicted for the second time in his political career under Malaysia's colonial-era "sodomy" law; the colonial-era Sedition Act has been used against other opposition figures, including lawyer and opposition politician Karpal Singh, who died in a car accident on April 17. Even the recently enacted "reform" legislation, such as the 2012 Peaceful Assembly Act, are being used to prosecute peaceful protesters, such as the rally organizers of protests after the disputed May 2013 elections. The government invoked another outdated law, the abusive 1966 Societies Act, to declare illegal COMANGO, a coalition of human rights groups that recently highlighted human rights problems in Malaysia at the United Nations Human Rights Council. The government more recently has used the Societies Act to prosecute a high-profile Shia Muslim leader. Malaysian leaders have long used the country's Printing Presses and Publication Act and the Communications and Multimedia Act to pressure media companies and outlets. Opening a newspaper in Malaysia still requires approval from the government, and criticizing the government can lead authorities to close a media company down. Sifton's loose mind fails to look at Malaysia in the context of its 'multi' characters. Islam condemns sodomy, and I am not sure if Sifton's religion allows him to bugger others... or whether he is married to the same sex. His allegations that Malaysia 'harass and prosecute political opponents' is yet another unfounded and ill-motive statement. All this years, actions were not only taken against the opposition but also pro-government politicians who incited racial and religious sentiments. And what does he know about Shiite when he himself hates those in Iran? What about the US human rights record? Obama will be here to inject a new life to US-Malaysia relations. As wise as he is, he will not put jitters to such an effort by having meetings with the opposition and NGOs, unless they go to the US and meet him. It will be a government-to-government obligation, which nothing the opposition and the NGOs are related to. After all, Obama will not talk 'human rights' to avoid being shot with questions about the US human rights record, Guantanamo, Iraq, Afghanistan, the Palestine and others. It will complicate his mind and his tour! So, Sifton and his 'Human Not Right Watch' may as well dip their fingers inside the pocket and see whether he still got the 'right balls' to squeeze. Stop showing your nose at places you are not familiar with!

Adenan cares... Posted: 24 Apr 2014 11:30 AM PDT I think Malaysians should commend two announcements made by Sarawak Chief Minister Adenan Satem yesterday - to amend the state's Land Code and its sincerity to settle some hospital bills for a DAP leader. First, the amendment to the Sarawak Land Code: KUCHING, April 24 (Bernama) -- Sarawak government intends to amend the State land code to allow sale and purchase of Native Customary Rights (NCR) land among the natives regardless of where these lands are located. Chief Minister Tan Sri Adenan Satem said the Land Code Amendment Bill will be tabled for approval in the State Assembly sitting in November this year. "The amendment to the land code would enable the natives to buy any NCR land in any place in the state because if we limit the sale and purchase of NCR land only to members of natives in particular place or longhouse, the value of the land is almost valueless," the chief minister told a press conference at his office here today. At present NCR land owners are prohibited under the state land code to sell their land to native buyers from different longhouses or areas. "This was applicable 200 or 300 years ago because the idea at that time was to confine the land to the community and in those days of course, land was only for farming but nowadays land is also for commercial and industrial activities. "So the law must adapt to the changes. It will therefore come November we will be introducing the amendment to the land code so that any native can buy NCR land and also sell them to any other members either to the Malay, Iban, Bidayuh or the Orang Ulu," he added. He said the amendment to the land code had nothing to do with the non-natives because the transactions are only allowed between native to native. I believe Sarawakians would welcome the move which had caused the former government to come under 'unpleasant' hammerings, especially from the Opposition. And now that it will provide the best solution thus far to the natives, it will quash allegation that Sarawak Barisan Nasional had been intolerable when it comes to attending to the rights of each and every netizen to the state's land. Second, Adenan's announcement that his government would help cancer-stricken former Opposition Leader Wong Ho Leng's medical bills. Adenan said the state government would assist the family of Bukit Assek assemblyman, Wong Ho Leng – who is in a Singapore hospital undergoing treatment for a brain tumour – in covering some of his medical bills. Wong, the former Bandar Sibu MP and DAP state chief, in January 2013 announced he had been diagnosed with brain tumour, which was responsible for the slurring of his speech and impaired swallowing function. He has undergone chemotherapy and radiotherapy in Singapore since. On the advice of his doctors, Wong decided not defend his parliamentary seat in last year's general election. Adenan said the assistance was not unusual and it was given on humanitarian grounds. "We're all humans and we make no distinction whether he's a BN (Barisan Nasional) or opposition politician." The state government does not normally pay for state assemblyman's medical bills incurred overseas unless requested. Wong's family had written to the assembly speaker for assistance with the bills and the speaker passed the request to the state government. No, not for any political reason. I believe Adenan has no intention whatsoever to woo the opposition supporters with such an announcement. It was a responsibility to help a friend. I hope Wong recovers soon.

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