Wednesday, February 20, 2008

Karpal: Man in clip is Lingam

Wednesday, 20 February 2008 07:40am
©The Star

KUALA LUMPUR: The man in the video clip brokering the appointment of judges over the telephone is Datuk V. K. Lingam, submitted lawyer Karpal Singh.

In his written submission delivered by hand to inquiry secretary Datuk Abdullah Sani Abdul Hamid yesterday, Karpal Singh argued that there was the evidence of businessman Loh Mui Fah and his son Gwo Burne.

He argued that the evidence of both men was admissible under Section 60(1)(b) of the Evidence Act 1950 which states:

“Oral evidence shall in all cases whatever be direct, that is to say if it refers to a fact which could be heard, it must be the evidence of a witness who says he heard it.”

He argued that the evidence of Lingam’s former driver D. Ramachandran, who testified that he was familiar with Lingam’s movements and voice, also identified him.

Apart from that, he said, there was also the evidence of Lingam’s brother V. Thirunama Karasu that the body language and the way the man said “Correct! Correct! Correct!” clearly showed it was Lingam.

Besides, Karpal Singh added, “even his own (Lingam’s) evidence does not amount to a denial that the person in the video clip was in fact him”.

Karpal Singh submitted that the inquiry has the further evidence of Mohamed Zabri, who testified that scientific analysis of the audio and video of the clip showed that it had not been tampered with. He argued that the video clip was authentic.

(Karpal Singh acted for Parti Keadilan Rakyat adviser Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim on the inquiry’s Feb 5 proceedings, when he sought the removal of Commission chairman Tan Sri Haidar Mohd Noor, saying that he (Haidar) was related by marriage to a key witness, Tun Ahmad Fairuz Sheikh Abdul Halim.

(Haidar dismissed the application on the grounds that the relationship had ceased about 30 years ago after the death of Ahmad Fairuz’s brother who had married Haidar's sister.)

Yesterday, Karpal Singh said five copies of the submissions were enclosed for onward transmission to the members of the Royal Commission of Inquiry.

Karpal Singh further said that the content of the conversation in the context of this submission was true.

He submitted that Lingam was guilty of sedition under Section 4(1)(b) of the Sedition Act 1948 and for of professional misconduct under Section 94(3) of the Legal Profession Act 1976.

The inquiry into the video clip showing a man brokering the appointment of judges over the telephone ended on Feb 15, after sitting for 17 days of sitting.

Lawyers for each of the witnesses have until Feb 25 to file written submissions.

The commission is to hand in its report to the Yang di-Pertuan Agong by March 11.

Thursday, February 14, 2008

Time to bring down Umno’s lapdogs

From Politics 101 Malaysia blog

This is the first Valentine’s Day in living memory that the mullahs in PAS didn’t issue a fatwa against the celebration of it.

For that alone, if you are a non-Muslim voting in a straight fight between Umno and PAS, just give PAS a chance to help reduce the BN’s majority.

For good governance and democracy to bloom, UMNO must be severely crippled and its hypocrite brand of Islam Badawi must be confined to Abdullah’s bedroom.

In 1999, the Chinese hesitated and did not roll along with the reformasi spirit. If they had, the BN’s 2/3 majority would have disappeared.

Now, the non Malays are given a second chance to make amends for their mistake in 1999. If we muck up our second chance and again let the racist, Islamist Umno off the hook, we deserve Umno doing ‘big business’ on us and our future.

To cripple Umno, we have to first destroy the political lapdogs who prop up Umno, starting with Umno’s senior running dogs MCA, Gerakan and MIC.

Like in K1 kickboxing, you got to take out the legs of a bigger opponent before you can take down the guy.

Umno must pay for all its failures and threats against non Bumis.

MCA, Gerakan and MIC must pay dearly for abetting in Corporate Umno’s crimes against ordinary Malaysians of all races.

2008 must mark the start of the fall of UMNO

Wednesday, February 13, 2008

AN OPEN LETTER TO HINDRAF SUPPORTERS & ALL MALAYSIANS

Coppied & Phased from Malaysia Today Tuesday, 12 February 2008

I invite you to join my only 5 year daughter on Feb 16th who would brave the might of Police with their tear gas and chemical laced water cannons to prevent her and thousands against reaching Parliament House to deliver their messages of Peace and Justice.

Many may wonder why Roses to a PM who doesn't understand or pretend not to understand the plight of Malaysian Indians. Many emailed me seeking answers whether we have softened our demands.

No. Under no circumstances would we soften our demand and approach. We have remained silent for far too long and if we don't insist on our demands now then we never would in the future.

Pre and post 25/11 has seen various baseless accusations against HINDRAF and its leaders. Prior to that hundreds of our letters, appeals, memorandums ect to the PM had gone to deaf ears. When we "moved" the Indian community, suddenly the Government woke up not knowing how to tackle the problem of the new "Peaceful Indian uprising" against their might. They had all the while taken the Indian community for granted. That the Indian community are a bunch that can be pleased with "sweeteners" especially during elections. They had taken for granted that there wouldn't be credible and capable leaders who would genuinely fight for them and their cause. I can only thank the Indian community for having the confidence on HINDRAF.

The Government had to cover up their bungle for the mess they created on 25/11. Hence the accusations of racists, fundamentalists and terrorists. They wanted to create a situation where the Malays would hate HINDRAF and rally behind them. I wouldn't be surprised if it was the Government's strategy to use HINDRAF and 25/11 to unite the already divided Malay community between them, Keadilan and PAS so that the Malays would rally their support behind UMNO. Fear of HINDU fundamentalism was created amongst Malays. It is sad that after 50 years the Government and UMNO still relies on race politics for their survival.

So on Feb 16th we proceed with our Roses. Valentine is associated with the Western Christian culture but accepted universally as a day to express LOVE. It is a time when the whole world seeks for ROSES to reach out their loved ones and send messages of Love.

I don't ask you to love the PM personally but I ask you to love the highest position entrusted upon him by the Yang Dipertuan Agong to lead the country. Most of us hated Mahathir for his 22 years "regime" but we hold no grudges against him today. Likewise would be no reason holding grudges against the PM.

Let us give him the RED & YELLOW ROSES to symbolize/ remind him and assert that we are a peace loving community who come to him in all sincerity with our 18 demands that were submitted in July 2007 (Red Roses) and that we demand Justice for the 5 detained leaders (Yellow Roses). There are many ways of expressing quest and thirst for our basic fundamental rights and ROSES are a special way to convey those messages from a community who have been oppressed suppressed and marginalized for 50 years.

The whole world saw what happened on 25/11. Let the world again see and appreciate the peaceful struggle of these permanently colonized community. Believe me many in the western country are waiting anxiously to observe the Governments' reaction on 16/02.

I have known and read many regimes brought down by Power of Roses. But of course it was a failure at Tianaman Square China. I remember how the soldiers shot down innocent people with ROSES who championed and peacefully sought their rights. And so I can never promise you that all will be well on 16/02. Let us all Pray that our leaders would have the wisdom and courage to accept that after 50 years the Indian Community are prepared to "rise" for their rights because MALAYSIA HAS ALWAYS BEEN THEIR MOTHERLAND. By accepting those Roses the PM would prove to the entire country that he is a listening "father" of the nation.

I seek forgiveness of the Almighty for placing my only 5-year daughter on the forefront to face the possibility of the first round of tear gas and chemical laced water. Like any other child Vwaishhnnavi is a symbol of LOVE & AFFECTION. She is my only worldly treasure. I neither posses not property nor wealth. And I dedicate my only "treasure" for the cause of this suppressed community. I embrace the brave mother of this child for her determination, courage and commitment shown towards the struggle.

Vwaishhnnavi and many others of her age would brave the message of purity, truth, sincerity, and unselfishness for the sake of the future Indian generation.

May I invite all Malaysians irrespective of colour and creed to join us in this symbolic gesture to seek Justice for a marginalized community neglected, unattended forgotten for 50 years. Let us all declare Friday the 15th Feb a National Prayer Day for the Almighty to grand wisdom to leaders of our country to allow our future generation to express their message of Peace & Justice.

Let us all pray that the Prime Minister who claims that he has big ears to listen to grouses of all communities allow this child any many others including us to whisper the message of LOVE AND JUSTICE through the ROSES.

P.Waytha Moorthy
Chairman
HINDRAF
Currently in London