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IS Is A Result Of The Atrocities Of Israelis And The Failure Of Muslim Governments

The emergence of militant group Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (Isis) is caused by Israeli atrocities which oppress Muslims and the Muslim governments’ inability to solve their problems, says Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad.

During an interview with Sky News presenter Adam Boulton early this morning, the former prime minister said the evolution of terrorist groups such as Isis was due to their frustration over the state government’s failure to defend Muslims.

“From what they see, the governments of Muslim countries have not been able to do anything about their problems, particularly over Israel, for example.

“So, people tend to take law in their own hands,” he said.

Dr Mahathir, an outspoken critic of the Zionist state, added that it did not mean he supported Isis.

He acknowledged that the group’s violent reactions were caused by the cruelty shown by the Israeli regime itself.

“No, it is not justifiable at all. It is all about frustration that is resulting in violence,” he said when asked whether it was fair for Isis to be set up because of the Israeli establishment.

Dr Mahathir described the struggles of Isis as not in accordance with Islamic teachings but rather due to mere dissatisfaction, especially in the face of powerful countries.

“I know it is very unfortunate. But it is not the teaching of Islam. It is the expression of their frustration over something that they find themselves unable to resolve, because they are up against a powerful nation,” he said.

Dr Mahathir (pic, left) said Muslims around the world feel they were oppressed and under attack.

“But the main thing is, there is this feeling that Muslims generally are being oppressed, their countries are being invaded, and thousands of their people have been bombed and killed. So how do they react to this?” he added.

Isis was formed in 2013 in Iraq.

Its members comprise thousands of local and foreign jihadists and former military men who served under the reign of former Iraqi president Saddam Hussein.

Media reports say Malaysians have also joined their struggle and some were killed during the battles in both Syria and Iraq.

Malaysian authorities are actively keeping an eye on the activities of those who visited the Arab countries to join Isis.

Source: www.themalaysianinsider.com

February 21, 2015
British Police Appeal For Info On 3 Schoolgirls Believed To Be Travelling To Syria

LONDON – British police launched an appeal on Friday to trace three London schoolgirls who are believed to be making their way to Syria, having flown to Turkey earlier this week.

The three friends, two aged 15 and one 16, left their east London homes on Tuesday and traveled to Gatwick airport where they caught a Turkish Airlines flight to Istanbul without telling their families.

Police said they were working with Turkish authorities to try to find the girls and bring them home.

“We still think there’s a possibility they’re in Turkey and that’s why we’re having the appeal,” Richard Walton from London police’s counter terrorism command told reporters on Friday.

Turkish Airlines declined to say whether the girls had traveled on one of its flights. A spokesman for the airline said in an emailed statement that apart from checking visas the company was not responsible for dealing with pre-flight security issues.

The three girls, two of whom were named as British nationals Shamima Begum and Kadiza Sultana, were pupils at the Bethnal Green Academy.

They are friends with a fourth teenage girl from the same school who police believe is already in Syria, having traveled to Turkey in December.

Their families were surprised and devastated by the disappearance of the girls, Walton said.

Security forces estimate some 600 British Muslims have traveled to Syria to join the conflict there, some of them with the militant Sunni Islamist group Islamic State.

Around half have since returned, and dozens have been arrested in Britain under anti-terrorism legislation.

Source: www.todayonline.com

February 21, 2015
Gongsi Raya: How Non-Chinese In SIngapore Celebrate Chinese New Year

With almost every shop draped in red and gold screaming dong dong jiang at maximum volume, I think it’s safe to say that a big chunk of our population is onto Chinese New Year fever. Chinese New Year on our little red dot is almost like a nationwide holiday. But amidst all the dusting and eating, have you ever wondered our non-Chinese friends are up to during the long holidays (this year’s especially)? There is apparently, more to the Chinese New Year for our non-Chinese friends than just mindless lo hei meals and visits to their friends’ house for pineapple tarts and bak kwa.

How could anyone not get into the Chinese New Year spirit with shops draped in red and gold?

Malay Mr. Muhammad Aaron Ridzuwan bin Roslan has been paying New Year visits to his Chinese friends since the age of 13. He commented on how Chinese New Year “is like Hari Raya” where he’d take the chance to catch up with his friends over steamboat meals. When asked if the meal has to be Halal, he graciously answered, “It’s the Chinese’s occasion, so as long as there is no pork, it’s fine with me.” It was particularly meaningful when Hari Raya and Chinese New Year last fell on the same month from 1996-1998. The term ‘Gongsi Raya’ was coined to symbolized the double celebrations within the two ethnic communities. Both Muslims and the Chinese had kept their house open for visitations that promoted the respect and tolerance for our well-known cultural diversity.

Some of our non-Chinese friends don’t only partake in lo hei, they actually think of it as a fun Chinese tradition.

But it turns out not all of our non-Chinese friends are actively partaking in house visits. For Indian student Ms. Shreeya Valentina Rai, instead of lo hei-ing with her friends, she will be spending the holiday bartending at Tippling Club. “Hey, it’s double pay after all,” laughs the 23-year-old NTU student. “But on the rare occasion that our family gets invited for a Chinese New Year meal, I participate in the lo hei; it’s quite fun actually.”

Instead of working their holidays away, some would on the other hand, take the chance to organize a get-together with their family. Working aside, Ms. Shreeya does also take the holidays to spend time with her family. “It’s a public holiday so everyone is free,” she quips. Ms. Shahidah Sayadi, a Malay Muslim who works at the Ministry of Law, agrees. “We’d mostly sit at home and watch the holiday special shows! But sometimes we have family gatherings and we’ll arrange for potluck dinners.” For our Indian friend Mr. Rahul Rajasabhal, a 25-year-old NUS undergraduate, spending quality time with his family during the holidays is not just limited to lounging by the sofa, where he chooses to get more into the Chinese New Year spirit. “I’d usually help my mum and grandma bake pineapple tarts because my sister and I love to eat them! I really look forward to the food and I’ll use the time to just relax and catch up on work. I’d also, somehow, use the holidays to tidy up my room because it’s nice to have a fresh start even though I don’t really celebrate it.”

Things are of course, a little different for the mixed ethnicity couples. Fashion Blogger Andrea Chong says that Imran Rahim, her Muslim boyfriend, will accompany her to house-visits on the first day of Chinese New Year. Besides treating it like a “normal family gathering”, Malay Muslim Imran also pays his respect to the Cantonese elders by greeting them “gung hei fat choi”! Besides house visiting, some mixed ethnicity couples will also travel to the hometown of his/her significant other to celebrate the New Year with the other side of the family. The act of travelling overseas to get into the New Year atmosphere can also be seen in the Chinese as well! I mean, it is after all, a long weekend with four days of holidays.

For those who are on an exchange programme with our local universities, they got into the Chinese New Year spirit by hanging out at the gaily-lit Chinatown. Mikael Gross, a Swiss exchange student who has returned to Switzerland, recounted how he spent the holiday with a group of other students on exchange. “To celebrate Chinese New Year in Singapore was kind of ‘special’ because Singapore is a city with a huge Chinese community… feels kind of authentic”. After a dinner at “one of those tourist trap restaurants”, they joined the annual Chinese New Year parade where he enjoyed the cheerful crowd. “The truth is Chinese New Year wasn’t as exciting as they say on the internet. But we enjoyed it nevertheless, like everything on exchange.”

So whilst you are busy indulging in the Chinese New Year festivities, don’t forget about your non-Chinese friends and have them over for a short get-together for two. Have them also share what it’s like during their New Year celebrations and perhaps join them for a more complete food and culture exchange experience.

Source:www.makansutra.com

February 21, 2015
Maliki Osman: Malay Servicemen Have Progressed Significantly In SAF

Minister of State for Defence Mohamad Maliki Osman has weighed in on the issue of Malays in the Singapore Armed Forces, saying Malay servicemen have made significant progress.

“Our Malay servicemen have made significant progress in all the services in the SAF based on their capabilities and merits, and I am confident many more will do so in the future,” Dr Maliki said, in comments to Malay language daily Berita Harian published today.

His comments came as Defence Minister Ng Eng Hen said at a forum on Monday night that Malays now serve as sailors on board navy ships, and that the SAF does not discriminate against anyone and promotes men based on their ability.

Dr Ng had been asked why Malays were previously excluded from the navy.

The issue of Malays not being deployed in certain Singapore Armed Forces units and under-represented among the SAF’s top ranks has been an issue in the community.

Yesterday, Dr Maliki – the first Malay political office-holder in the Defence Ministry – said the Malay community continues to make positive contributions to Singapore, including in the area of defence and security.

“I have met many Malay servicemen in every service and formation in the SAF, including as fighter pilots, commandos, and naval combat systems operators,” he said.

“Whether they are regulars, NSFs or NSmen, all of them serve with pride.

Many have also contributed to the SAF’s overseas missions in Afghanistan and Timor Leste,” he added.

Dr Maliki also noted that at the recent SAF50@Vivo exhibition to celebrate Singapore’s jubilee, he met several Malay servicemen serving in the navy.

He said: “Together with their non-Malay colleagues, they play an important role in keeping our sea and shore safe, round the clock.”

Source: http://news.asiaone.com

February 20, 2015
Malaysian Opposition Wants Police To Question Najib Razak Over Murder Of Mongolian Mdel Altantuya Shaariibuu

The police should investigate Datuk Seri Najib Razak over the murder of Altantuya Shaariibuu, ‎the PKR and DAP said today‎, after the prime minister rejected claims by convicted former police commando Sirul Azhar Umar that there was an order to kill the Mongolian woman.

“Datuk Seri Najib Razak statement today that it was ‘utter rubbish’ for Sirul to have acted under orders to kill Altantuya Shaariibuu was premature, suspicious and must be investigated by the police,” said PKR communications director Fahmi Fadzil in a statement today.

Fahmi questioned how Najib could issue such a statement if he knew nothing about Altantuya.

“And does he have more information than the public knows to make such a conclusion? His comments have raised the perception among the public that there is something not right in this issue,” he said.

In a separate statement, Klang MP Charles Santiago said the judiciary should issue a stay of execution for Sirul and Chief Inspector Azilah Hadri, who was also convicted for the murder, until Najib was questioned.

The DAP leader said Najib’s “strong reaction’ to Sirul’s claim implied he knew details of the case.

He said that despite his denials, Najib had always been linked to Altantuya as she had worked as a translator during a defence deal involving Najib, then the defence minister, and his associate, Abdul Razak Baginda.

“Although Najib has always maintained he does not know Altantuya, expose by a private investigator and the recent information leaked by Sirul have always looped in the prime minister,” said Charles.

“And if necessary, this case should also be re-investigated in the interest of the nation as it involves a man who has the top job in the country.”

He said the police should not attempt to protect Najib as Sirul’s threat to expose the details of the murder was explosive.

“Malaysia’s internal security may well be compromised following Sirul’s statement as it raises suspicion that we may have a premier who could be involved in a criminal case,” said Charles.

Najib today rubbished Sirul’s claims that he was under orders to kill Altantuya, but refused to elaborate further.

“It’s total rubbish, total rubbish,” he told reporters after attending MCA’s Chinese New Year open house at Wisma MCA today.

N‎ajib was asked on Sirul’s claim in a Malaysiakini report that he had orders to kill Altantuya.

On Tuesday, Sirul (pic, left), now detained in Australia, said that the “real” murderers were still free.

“I was under orders. The important people with motive are still free,” he told Malaysiakini in an interview.

Sirul also said that his superior officer, then deputy superintendent Musa Safri, should have been called to give evidence in the Altantuya murder trial.

At the time of the murder, Musa was the aide-de-camp of Najib, then the deputy prime minister.

“He should have been put on the witness stand by the prosecution,” Sirul was quoted as saying by Malaysiakini.

The 43-year-old said he never knew Altantuya or even Razak, who was acquitted with abetting the Mongolian’s murder.

Altantuya’s father Dr Setev Shaariibuu had previously claimed that his daughter had come to Malaysia specifically to meet Najib.

In 2013, the Court of Appeal acquitted Sirul and Azilah, saying there was serious misdirection by trial judge Datuk Mohd Zaki Yasin, including the decision not to call Musa as witness.

The three-man appellate court said the failure to put Musa on the witness stand was important to the prosecution to unfold the narrative of its case.

On January 13, a five-man Federal Court bench led by Chief Justice Tun Arifin Zakaria sentenced the men to be hanged, overturning the Court of Appeal’s decision. – February 19, 2015.

February 20, 2015