Tag: Islam

Malaysians In ISIS Trained To Become Snipers And Suicide Bombers

KUALA LUMPUR (THE STAR/ASIA NEWS NETWORK) – Malaysians recruited by the Islamic State in Iraq and Syria (ISIS) terror group in Syria are moving up the ladder in terrorism – they’re leaving their janitorial posts to become snipers and suicide bombers in Iraq.

Previously cleaners and guards at the camps, Malaysians who fell for the ISIS promise of a false “jihad” are now being trained to become snipers and suicide bombers with the specific goal of regaining the group’s grip on Iraq.

Malaysia’s Special Branch Counter-Terrorism Division head Ayub Khan said the terror group now counted on some Malaysians to carry out its special ops missions all over Iraq.

“The presence of the ISIS in Syria is quite solid but the group is losing control over Iraq as many territories have fallen back to Iraqi government forces.

“Our intelligence show that they are relying more on Malaysians now to carry out strike missions against several key structures in Iraq,” he told The Star on Wednesday (Sept 30).

Senior Asst Comm (SAC) Ayub said the Malaysian militants were plucked from the Khatibah Nusantara cell in Syria to join the special ops squads.

“The Khatibah Nusantara consists of Malaysian and Indonesian ISIS fighters. They band together as their language and interests are similar,” he said.

This new development came to light following the deaths of three Malaysians in Iraq, believed to be on special ops missions, he said.

One of them was Zid Saharani Mohamed Esa, 43, who died in a clash with Iraqi forces in Bayji, Iraq, on Aug 29.

“We believe he was one of the snipers assigned to take out targets at a Iraqi government structure in Bayji.

“Zid, also known as Abu Hoor, went to Syria in July last year. He went to Bangkok and took a flight to Turkey before securing safe passage to Syria by land.

“Prior to this, he was involved with Kumpulan Mujahidin Malaysia and was detained under the ISA (Internal Security Act) in 2002,” he said.

SAC Ayub said the two others killed were Muhamad Syazani Mohd Salim, 28, and Fadzly Ariff Zainal Ariff, 31.

Muhamad Syazani, known as Abu Aydan, was also killed in Bayji in a skirmish with Iraqi forces on Sept 18 and was believed to be part of an ISIS infantry trained to fulfil a specific mission objective.

“He went to Syria on Sept 23 via Istanbul along with his older brother Muhamad Syazwan,” said SAC Ayub.

Fadzly Ariff Zainal Ariff died on Sept 26 after driving a truck filled with seven tonnes of explosives towards a bridge in Buhayrat, located in Fallujah.

“The attack also killed a group of Iraqi soldiers.

“Our intelligence indicates that Fadzly Ariff, known as Abu Ubaidah, had attempted suicide bombings twice but failed as his explosives malfunctioned the previous times,” said SAC Ayub, adding that the former burger seller went to Syria on Oct 11, 2013.

SAC Ayub said Fadzly Ariff’s mother Azizah Md Yusof was detained under the Security Offences (Special Measures) Act on April 28 last year for giving support to ISIS, and subsequently charged on May 23 the same year.

The latest deaths bring the number of Malaysians killed in Syria and Iraq to 14.

“As with some deaths involving Malaysians in both countries, it was hard to get a DNA sample to completely verify and identify the militants involved,” he said, adding that they relied on their intelligence gathering network.

He said the police had identified 69 Malaysians with ISIS in Syria.

“Previously, there were militants who joined other terror groups like Jabhat al-Nusra, Al-Qaeda’s official affiliate in Syria.

“However, this trend has stopped as all of them have joined ISIS,” he said.

While the official figure was 69, SAC Ayub said the actual number of Malaysians in Syria could be about 100, including children.

Source: www.thestraitstimes.com

October 1, 2015
Zulfikar Shariff: Malays Who Voted For PAP Weakened Community’s Bargaining Power

Shortly after the last general elections, I discussed voting decisions with some Muslims who voted for the PAP.

Interestingly, these Muslims justified their vote for the party as though it would benefit Muslims.

Their arguments were based on:

1. Yes, the PAP has discriminated against the community.

2. But we do not know if the opposition will be better if they are in power.

3. So it is better to support the PAP.

Basically, they argue that it is better to support the devil you know. And since this devil may perform better in other areas (such as economic development), then we should support them.

These Muslims admit that the PAP discriminates against the community and yet continue to support them.

One of the problems they face is the inability to see voting and political engagement outside of a binary outcome: either PAP or opposition in power.

I agree that the opposition has not proven to be better for Muslims. In fact, I do not believe that they are.

But PAP or opposition in power are not our only options.

What we should look at is…what strengthens our negotiating ability?

We know that the PAP would be in power anyway. But what will force them to listen more?

At 60% popular vote, the PAP did not really care. Yes, the drop from the previous election hurt them and they became more responsive (which should have shown these Muslims what they should do).

But they still had a 10% cushion. And they can continue to discriminate against Muslims knowing we could not do much to affect their power.

Dropping their popular vote to the mid or low 50s (I suggested 53%) would have a much bigger effect. The PAP would then realise their situation is precarious.

They cannot take our votes for granted.

They will have to respond.

Our negotiating stand would have become stronger insha Allah.

But now at 70%, the PAP’s position is stronger than ever.

They do not need to listen or engage.

We cannot be a swing vote anymore.

What swing vote? At 70%, even if the community as a whole say we will not support them, they will still be in power.

We have lost our ability to negotiate from strength.

To those Muslims who voted for the PAP, good job.

You have strengthened a party that discriminated against your brothers and sisters.

And weakened your community.

Forget negotiating.

Pray that they do not take more of your rights.

You have given them the power to not need you.

Source: Zulfikar Shariff

September 30, 2015
Osman Sulaiman: Daiso Singapore Must Clarify Its Hiring Policy

With regards to the recent discriminatory hiring policy by Daiso Singapore, I sent them an email today, enquiring further on their employment practices. Hope to get a satisfactory reply from them.

Such organizations that implement discriminatory hiring policies often times went unpunished as we have weak labour laws to protect job seekers from such incidents. We hope this will change soon so that businesses understand the kinds of social harm it creates when it discriminates.

——————————————————————
To the Officer-in-charge

RE: DISCRIMINATORY HIRING POLICIES

I would like to bring your attention to a recruitment exercise that was conducted by Daiso Industries Co Ltd Singapore Branch. The interview was conducted at IMM Building. I was informed by an applicant, Ms Normalis Bte Jais that she had responded to a job advertisement posted on JobsCentral requiring applicants to go for a walk-in-interview. I attached photos of the advertisement in this email for your reference.

The applicant went down on 25th September 2015 @2pm for the interview and she was received by your HR personnel who proceeded to interview her.

During the interview, the applicant was told by your HR personnel that Daiso employees are not allowed to wear the headgear on the sales-floor. The applicant was then asked whether she would still proceed with the interview. Ms Normalis then declined and left the interview room feeling extremely upset and disappointed for not being given equal opportunity for employment because of what she wears.

I would therefore like to seek clarifications from your goodself on a few matters;
1) Can you confirm your organization’s policy regarding the recruitment of women wearing the headgear in Singapore particularly at the sales-floor area?

2) I understand that you also have several Daiso chains across Asia including Malaysia and Indonesia. I assume that the Malaysian and Indonesian employees are allowed to wear their headgears at sales-floor. Why is Singapore the chosen destination for your organization to apply discriminatory policies such as denying Singaporeans wearing the headgear, employment opportunities at your organization?

3) The advertisement on JobsCentral did not indicate that applicant wearing the headgear is not welcomed to apply. If your organization has such policy, why is it not indicated on the job advertisement so that applicants need not waste their time, effort and money attending the interview only to get discriminated on?

4) What is the rationale behind the policy of not allowing employees wearing the headgear to work on sales-floor but having no qualms accepting sales from your customers wearing the headgears and also allowing them entry to your sales-floor?

I would like to highlight that Singapore has in place guidelines for fair employment practices. One of the recommendations is that employers who advertise a position requiring a specific attribute which may be viewed as discriminatory should ensure it is indeed a requirement of the job and state the reason for the requirement in the advertisement.

This can be found on page 8 of the Tripartite Guidelines on Fair Employment Practices.
https://www.tafep.sg/…/Publications%20-%20Tripartite%20Guid…

As a global organization that seeks to provide a unique experience and enjoyment for millions of people, surely this kind of archaic hiring policies should not have existed if any.

To make an unjust or prejudicial distinction in the treatment of people is unacceptable. Discrimination has no place in any society. It creates an ill will between people and has a negative effect on the victim. It makes them feel isolated, humiliated and angry. They may also develop low self-esteem and depression in the long run. Most importantly, it denies someone their human rights to be able to participate fully in the society.

It is in the interest of the community that Daiso Singapore makes known of its employment policies with regards to employees wearing the headgear. This will indicate its corporate social responsibility towards creating an inclusive workforce, in-line with global standards.

I look forward to your reply on the above enquires.

Thank you.

Regards,
Osman Sulaiman

Source: Osman Sulaiman

September 30, 2015
Man In Malaysia Killed By Flying Parang While Performing Korban

A man in Malaysia was killed by a flying parang last Thursday (Sept 24) when the cow he was helping to slaughter suddenly lashed out.

According to China Press, the freak accident occurred while Mr Suharto Dimjati, 48, was tasked with holding down the head of the bovine during the ritual of korban to mark Hari Raya Haji at a Taman Cahaya Baru surau in Yong Peng, Johor, where three cows were slaughtered.

However, as he was inspecting the dying animals, the third cow suddenly lashed out with its head and tried to stand up.

In the struggle, another man lost control of his parang and sent it flying at Mr Suharto, slashing his right forearm and nearly cutting it off.

With blood pouring from the wound, Mr Suharto was first rushed to a clinic but had to be re-directed to Sultanah Nora Ismail Hospital due to the severity of the injury.

However, he bled out and was pronounced dead on arrival.

Mr Suharto was married with two young children.

Source: www.tnp.sg

September 29, 2015
Masagos Bantu Yaacob Ibrahim Dalam Hal Ehwal Melayu/Islam

ENCIK Masagos Zulkifli Masagos Mohamad berkata beliau mahu menggunakan infrastruktur yang tersedia seperti Muis dan Mendaki bagi mendekati dan membantu masyarakat Melayu/Islam Singapura menangani cabaran dari dunia luar seperti fahaman ekstremis.

“Saya telah lama membantu pemerintah mengatasi masalah fahaman ekstremis di kalangan masyarakat kita yang dipengaruhi oleh Internet ataupun dari ajaran-ajaran yang ekstrem, terutama dalam bidang kerja saya di MHA.

“Saya telah mendampingi masyarakat di pelbagai peringkat dan kini saya bekerja dengan Dr Yaacob. Saya akan dapat bekerjasama dengannya melalui infrastruktur seperti Muis dan Mendaki dan meluaskan bahagian di mana kita dapat membentuk masyarakat Melayu/Islam dalam menghadapi cabaran ini – sebagai warga Singapura, juga sebagai sebuah masyarakat, dalam dunia moden ini dan juga bagi masa akan datang,” kata Encik Masagos.

Encik Masagos bakal melepaskan jawatannya sebagai Menteri di Pejabat Perdana Menteri dan Menteri Kedua di Kementerian Ehwal Dalam Negeri (MHA) serta Kementerian Ehwal Luar (MFA).

Beliau turut meluahkan keinginan bekerjasama dengan lebih erat bersama Dr Yaacob dan juga Anggota Parlimen Melayu lain bagi meningkatkan peluang masyarakat Melayu/Islam agar sama-sama maju di Singapura tanpa melupakan identiti sebagai orang Islam dan juga budaya sebagai orang Melayu.

Dalam ucapannya semalam, Encik Lee berkata beliau telah berbincang dengan Dr Yaacob tentang peranan Encik Masagos di Mendaki.

“Saya telah berbincang dengan Dr Yaacob dan beliau akan melantik Masagos sebagai timbalan pengerusi Yayasan Mendaki,” kata Encik Lee.

Mendaki kini dipengerusikan Dr Yaacob yang kekal sebagai Menteri Perhubungan dan Penerangan.

“Saya telah mendampingi masyarakat di pelbagai peringkat dan kini saya bekerja dengan Dr Yaacob. Saya akan dapat bekerjasama dengannya melalui infrastruktur seperti Muis dan Mendaki dan meluaskan bahagian di mana kita dapat membentuk masyarakat Melayu/Islam dalam menghadapi cabaran ini – sebagai warga Singapura, juga sebagai sebuah masyarakat, dalam dunia moden ini dan juga bagi masa akan datang.’’

– Encik Masagos Zulkifli

Source: http://beritaharian.sg

September 29, 2015