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  • The Economist Got Reminded – Bigotry And Hate Speech Is Not Free Speech

    The Economist Got Reminded – Bigotry And Hate Speech Is Not Free Speech

    High Commissioner to the UK Foo Chi Hsia has responded to an article by The Economist, saying it is not true teen blogger Amos Ye was prosecuted here for political dissent and not for making vicious statements about Christians and Muslims as implied in the report.

    On Mar 30, The Economist published the article, titled An outspoken Singaporean blogger wins asylum in America, which talked about how a US immigration judge granted Yee asylum, and the reasons for doing so. The article cited the judge’s reasons, including that while the blogger was legally prosecuted under Singapore law, his prosecution served a “nefarious purpose – namely, to stifle political dissent”.

    In a response published by the UK-based weekly on Apr 12, Ms Foo, referencing specific comments against Christians and Muslims made by Yee in 2015 and 2016, said The Economist may agree with the US judge that such bigotry is free speech, but Singapore “does not countenance hate speech” as it has “learnt from bitter experience how fragile racial and religious harmony is”.

    She added that contrary to the suggestion in the article, Singapore’s laws on contempt do not prevent fair criticisms of court judgements.

    “Singapore’s court judgments, including on Mr Yee’s case, are reasoned and published, and can stand scrutiny by anyone, including The Economist.”

    This is not the first time Ms Foo has responded to an article by The Economist. In March this year, she took issue with an article alleging restrictions on free speech in Singapore, saying that no country gives an absolute right to free speech.

     

    Source: www.channelnewsasia.com

  • Jufrie Mahmood: Millionaire PAP Ministers Have Lost Touch, Don’t Understand Anxieties Of Common Singaporeans

    Jufrie Mahmood: Millionaire PAP Ministers Have Lost Touch, Don’t Understand Anxieties Of Common Singaporeans

    Minister Lawrence Wong and his cabinet colleagues don’t live in 99-year lease HDB flats.

    With their millions, chances are, they would be living in landed free-hold properties in choice areas. Their properties are for keeps which they can pass on to their succeeding generations.

    They therefore don’t have the anxieties that we ordinary mortals have.

    That is the difference.

    Unlike your COE for motor vehicles the HDB and most other private properties’ COE is for 99 years.

     

    Source: Mohamed Jufrie Bin Mahmood

     

  • Ahmad Osman: Calvin Cheng Not Fit To Comment On Tudung Issue

    Ahmad Osman: Calvin Cheng Not Fit To Comment On Tudung Issue

    I have refrained myself from commenting on this issue, but I can’t let it continue after coming across this particular post by NMP Calvin Cheng.

    Before I begin I would like to apologize to any parties which may feel offended by my post, and to all Muslim ladies who might just have had enough mansplaining on this entire tudung issue, but at the same time, I am not here to please everyone but simply to right what I feel is wrong.

    This individual right here started off on the wrong foot, talking about the history of politics in Singapore and comparing it to Malaysia for no reason whatsoever. The reality is that the issue we are facing is unique to our own country, and there should never have been any reason to compare our political system with that of our neighbours. And that too, was flawed. You might be well versed in the political history of Singapore, but please keep your mouth shut on the history of politics of other countries, for it seems like you are just taking advantage of this situation to paint our neighbours in a negative light. Silence would then be your best bet for things you obviously have no clue in.

    If the GRC system was supposedly set up to ensure minority representation, why is it that Mr Cheng here is repeatedly against minority MPs championing minority causes? Doesn’t that go totally against the intent of the GRC that he so clearly stated? So if a Malay MP is not allowed to question the parliament regarding the tudung issue, would it be more acceptable for lets say, a Chinese MP to bring up the same issue?

    Mind you, Mr Cheng, this isn’t the first time that Malay MPs have brought up this issue in parliament, and for the past few years a number of Malay MPs from PAP have brought up this issue as well. Why then are they not considered to be divisive or sowing discord? However, when the same issue is raised by a Malay opposition MP, the tables were quickly turned against him to shut him up. Are you telling me our politicians have stooped that low today?

    Yes, Faisal Manap represents people of all races and religions in Aljunied GRC, and I am pretty sure he remembers that, for the simple fact that he brought up a lot of issues in parliament on the very same day, yet unfortunately, only this issue was highlighted by the state controlled media. Mr Cheng, if parliament isn’t the place to discuss such issues, then where else? Where have the so called closed door discussions brought us to? Has there been any changes, any progress? It only makes the most sense to bring up such a large scale issue in front of all government members to discuss it with diplomacy, however, in doing so Faisal Manap was labeled as sowing discord instead.

    I’ll end off with two quotes for you. Last year, the very same Masagos was recorded saying “All matters pertaining to any religion are often discussed in the Cabinet and we do look at ways to lead society to be more open, more accepting.” A year before that, PM Lee mentioned, “we discuss things more openly now, even sensitive matters, we discuss openly in mixed groups and we speak candidly with one another from the heart.”

    I guess you are the one who has forgotten how Singapore’s political system and multi-religious society functions. Coming from someone who has advocated the killing of terrorists, their families and all their children, really, you are the least fit individual to even talk about this issue. You should remember that.

     

    Source: Ahmad Bin Osman

  • Feeling The Pinch, Malaysian IS Terrorists Long For Home

    Feeling The Pinch, Malaysian IS Terrorists Long For Home

    KUALA LUMPUR, April 13 ― The police have revealed that 57 of Malaysians who had joined jihadist group Islamic State (IS) in Syria have been trying to return home due to various pressures such as economic difficulties.

    Bukit Aman’s Special Branch’s Counter-Terrorism Division’s principal assistant director Datuk Ayob Khan Mydin said police had received information that many militants ― including those from Malaysia ― were seeking to leave Syria and to send their families off from the area.

    “Many do not know that going to Syria is not only to engage in battles but they also have to work to get their own income.

    “Although they are with Daesh, they also have to work to get money to provide for their families and to survive there. But the job opportunities there are very limited,” he was quoted telling local daily Berita Harian, using the Arabic name for IS.

    He said that Malaysians who in the past were able to earn RM890 per month there can now only earn around RM220 each month, adding that this has forced the militants there to ask for money from other Malaysians to be spent on food and Internet connection.

    Berita Harian said it had last Monday reported that several Malaysian militants in Syria were allegedly gambling online for the claimed purpose of getting more funds to smuggle in more Malaysians there.

     

    Source: www.themalaymailonline.com

  • Penang Technician First In Malaysia Imprisoned For Terror-Financing Offences Related To Terrorist Muhammad Wanndy

    Penang Technician First In Malaysia Imprisoned For Terror-Financing Offences Related To Terrorist Muhammad Wanndy

    KUALA LUMPUR — A technician from Penang became the first man in Malaysia to be sent to prison for a terror-financing offence.

    Judge Paduka Azman Abdullah, in sentencing father-of-two Bukhori Che Noor to seven years’ jail, said the accused should have known better than to get involved with terror activities.

    “You should have known better because you are 35 years old and should know what is good or bad. The government is fighting the threat of Islamic State (IS) which is a new threat to the country, after communism in the early years.

    “Anything related to terror is bad. What is it that you hope to get by getting involved in a terror-related offence? Do you want to go to heaven and do you want to help Islam?”

    Bukhori pleaded guilty to providing financial services by allowing a bank account to be used for withdrawal and deposit purposes which benefited Syria-based militant Muhammad Wanndy Mohamed Jedi.

    Bukhori committed the offence at a Maybank branch in Jalan Chain Ferry in Penang between November 2015 and June 30, 2016. He was charged under Section 130O(1)(bb) of the Penal Code, which carries a minimum jail term of seven years and a maximum custodial sentence of 30 years.

    Bukhori, who was unrepresented, in mitigating for a lenient sentence, told the court that he earned RM2,000 (S$634) a month and had a wife and two children to support.

    “I regret my actions and will never get involved in such activities again. I appeal to the court to impose a very lenient sentence for my offence.”

    Deputy public prosecutor Muhammad Fadzlan Mohd Noor, who sought a deterrent custodial sentence for Bukhori, said the fact the accused had pleaded guilty should not be considered a mitigating factor.

    “The court should take into consideration the seriousness of the offence and public interest. The IS (Islamic State) terror group is a global threat.”

    A 20-year-old student, Hasrianto Matan, has also been charged with two counts of knowingly managing terrorist property by managing Bukhori’s bank account, and allowing deposits and money transfer from that account for the benefit of IS and Bukhori.

    The offences were allegedly committed between March and June last year, through Telegram application under the name “Gagak Hitam”.

    Last October, Malaysian police said they had arrested 16 suspected IS militants in six states, of whom 14 were believed to be part of a terror cell called “Gagak Hitam” led by Malaysian IS recruiter Muhammad Wanndy.

     

    Source: www.todayonline.com