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CNY Greetings At Mosques – Usual Practice Or New Initiative To Appease Political Masters?

There are a couple of pictures of masajid in Singapura with red banners with the wishes “Happy Chinese New Year”.

There seems to be quite a lot of Muslims who are upset with these banners.

As a matter of principle, I do not have a problem with the banners or wishes.

As to its permissibility in Islam, I leave that to the scholars to decide.

If we believe that there is khilaf in this issue, then we have to respect the decision of those who believe it is haram and those who believe it is not.

However, I have several questions for the two masajid involved:

1. Did they similarly put up banners last year?

If they did, then it is fine.

2. If they did not put up banners last year, why put them up this year?

Are these banners in response to K Shanmugam Sc‘s comments?

It will be terribly disappointing if these banners were put up to appease a politician.

If they were only put up this year because of a politician’s comments, then where is the dignity and firmness of the Muslims?

Do we make decisions and fatawa to please others?

I hope the committee members of these two masajid can assure us that the banners were similarly exhibited last year.

And not only this year, to appease a politician who criticised Muslims.

Source: Almakhazin SG

February 2, 2016
My Malay Neighbour Unhappy With My 2 Year Old Child Crying And Playing, Harassed Us Frequently

Jiran i pun sama…diapun melayu juga..anak saya umur baru masuk tiga tahun..baik budak ni nanggis atau tengah bermainpun dia marah..call police lah…call HDB lah..

pekik sana pekik sini..tendang kita punya gate la..tapi herannya dia ta na cakap face to face dgn kita…

dia taruh letter kat semua letter box jiran..mengatakan kita ta lih didik anak…

nasib baik jiran yg lain semua paham and side kita…semua letter kita taruh balik ke letter box dia…padam muka dia…kita ta layan dia….

merekapun ada anak tp da besar..

***

My neighbours also the same….they are fellow Malays…My child is 2 years plus…whether the baby is crying or playing, they will be angry..they called the police and HDB

They screamed and shout…kicked our gate…but the funny thing is they have never complained to us face to face

They put a letter in all the neighbours’ letter box saying that we are not teaching our child.

Luckily the rest of our neighbours are understanding and side with us. All the letters they put back in their letter box. Serve them right. Everyone ignored them.

They also have a child but is already grown up.

Editor’s Note: Endang Leatari was commenting on an All Singapore Stuff article, www.allsingaporestuff.com/article/neighbor-slips-angry-note-flat-over-babys-crying-gets-trolled-big-time

Source: Endang Leatari

February 2, 2016
Jolovan Wham Ordered To Pay $6,063 Costs To Attorney-General After Failed Attempt To Quash Police Warning Against Him

Civil activist Jolovan Wham has been ordered to pay S$6,063 in costs to the Attorney-General for his failed bid to quash a police warning that had been issued against him.

The police warning came after Mr Wham breached rules against foreigners participating in events at Hong Lim Park without a permit, several years ago.

The member of non-governmental group Community Action Network and executive director of HOME, a migrant worker help group, had organised a candlelight vigil to show support for protestors in Hong Kong fighting election restrictions in October 2014.

The event was publicised on Facebook, but despite the condition that foreigners and permanent residents could not take part without a permit, some foreigners still showed up, leading to investigations against Mr Wham.

In March last year, under the direction of the Attorney-General’s Chambers (AGC), Mr Wham was verbally warned.

However, he refused to sign the Notice of Warning without having a copy to consult his lawyer first. The police declined to give him a copy of the document.

Two months later, the police followed up with a letter saying the warning had been delivered and the matter closed.

Concerned that the warning would stick in his record and be used against him in future, Mr Wham went to court to try to quash the police warning under a judicial review.

In dismissing his suit last December, High Court judge Woo Bih Li said that such warnings are nothing more than an opinion of the relevant authority that the recipient has committed an offence, and have no legal effect on the recipient.

“It does not and cannot amount to a legally binding pronouncement of guilt or finding of fact.

“Only a court of law has the power to make such a pronouncement or finding,” the judge had said.

The court is not entitled to treat such warnings as antecedents or aggravating factors for subsequent convictions, Justice Woo said in dismissing the suit.

The judge also said the police’s handling of the matter had left much to be desired, while noting, among other things, that the Notice of Warning was undated and employed inconsistent wording.

After the court issued its judgment in December last year, a spokesman for the AGC said: “AGC and the Singapore Police Force are reviewing the process by which stern warnings are administered and the use of the notice, in light of the High Court’s comments in the judgment.”

Source: www.todayonline.com

February 2, 2016
CAD & MAS Seize Large Number Of Bank Accounts In Relation To 1MDB Probe

The Commercial Affairs Department (CAD) and the Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS) have seized a “large number” of bank accounts in relation to a probe into troubled Malaysian state fund 1MDB, both said in a joint statement on Monday (Feb 1).

Their statement, issued in response to media queries, is as follows:

“Singapore does not tolerate the use of its financial system as a refuge or conduit for illicit funds. Since the middle of last year, the Commercial Affairs Department and the Monetary Authority of Singapore have been actively investigating possible money-laundering and other offences carried out in Singapore. In connection with these investigations, we have sought and are continuing to seek information from several financial institutions, are interviewing various individuals, and have seized a large number of bank accounts.

Singapore is also cooperating closely with relevant authorities, including those in Malaysia, Switzerland and the United States. We have responded to all foreign requests for information and have requested for information from relevant counterparts to aid in our investigations. As investigations are still ongoing, we are not able to provide more details at this stage.”

In response to the MAS and CAD announcement, 1MDB issued a statement on Monday night saying it has not been has not been contacted by any foreign legal authorities on any matters relating to the company. “1MDB remains committed to fully cooperating with any lawful authority and investigation, subject to advice from the relevant domestic lawful authorities, and in accordance with international protocols governing such matters,” it said.

Last year, Singapore authorities said they had frozen at least two bank accounts of individuals believed to be linked to 1MDB, whose advisory board is chaired by the Malaysian Prime Minister. However 1MDB said in September 2015 that none of its bank accounts had been frozen by either Swiss or Singapore authorities.

On Jan 30, Swiss authorities said they would hand a formal request for assistance on 1MDB “in the coming days”. This comes after Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Razak was cleared of any wrongdoing with regard to RM2.6 billion (US$607 million) worth of donations that were channelled into his bank accounts.

The Malaysian Anti-Corruption Agency had been investigating the donation into Mr Najib’s accounts, and also in relation to SRC International, a former subsidiary of the state fund.

On Sunday Malaysia’s Deputy Prime Minister Zahid Hamidi questioned why the Swiss Attorney-General publicly issued a statement instead of going straight to his Malaysian counterpart.

“By making a public statement, in my opinion, it is not good because it not only strains ties between the two countries, but also creates bias in media reports,” DPM Zahid said, adding that such information should have been conveyed through government-to-government channels.

A spokesperson for Switzerland’s Office of Attorney-General (OAG) said “as a law enforcement body and judicial authority, the OAG has not to comment on political statements”. He added that the OAG notes Malaysia’s commitment to fully support Switzerland’s request for mutual assistance.

Source: www.channelnewsasia.com

February 2, 2016
SPF: Death Of 14 Year Old Male Student Under Investigation For Alleged Outrage Of Modesty – Procedures To Be Reviewed

In this case, a Police report was lodged about a molestation. Based on CCTV evidence, Police officers went to conduct enquiries at a school. To keep investigations discreet, the officers went in plainclothes and in unmarked cars. After discussions with the school officials, and the viewing of the CCTV records, Benjamin was identified as the boy in the CCTV records. He was brought to the Principal’s office by a school official and was spoken with in the presence of a Police officer. Before he was brought back to Ang Mo Kio Division, he contacted his mother to inform her of the Police’s investigations. The Police officer also spoke to the mother.

While at Ang Mo Kio Division, he was interviewed by one Investigation Officer at his workstation in an open plan office with other workstations. He was fully cooperative during the interview. He was then released on bail and went back with his mother.

The Police have been asked whether it should review the procedure to allow an appropriate adult to be present when a young person is interviewed. The Police will review and address this issue.

Police investigations have not been completed. A Coroner’s Inquiry will be held upon the conclusion of investigations, where all the relevant facts will be presented to the State Coroner. At the inquiry, the family will also be able to raise all questions that they may have.

Benjamin’s passing was tragic. The Police have expressed their deepest condolences to the family. They have met the family to address their questions on the case and provide clarifications on the actions of the Police officers during their interaction with Benjamin.

Source: Singapore Police Force

February 2, 2016