6 theSun | TUESDAY NOVEMBER 3 2009

news without borders

Husna Yusop and Karen Arukesamy at the Dewan Rakyat yesterday

Arrest of former Perlis
mufti hotly debated
THE arrest of former Perlis mufti Dr
Mohd Asri Zainul Abidin on Sunday
night was a hot subject for MPs from
both sides of the divide during the
debate on the Supply Bill 2010.
They voiced their protest against
the Selangor Islamic Religious De-
partment’s (Jais) harsh treatment
meted out on Asri simply for giving
religious lessons without authori-
sation in a house in Ampang.
The matter was first raised by
Datuk Seri Abdul Ghapur Salleh
(BN-Kalabakan) who said an
ulama (Muslim scholar) who
gives religious lectures should be
recognised but instead, Asri was
arrested for not being authorised
to do so.
Datuk Ismail Kasim (BN-
Arau) then interjected to read
out the chronology of events
leading to the arrest, saying
the federal government could
not possibly be involved as the
prime minister and minister in
charge of religious affairs had
said they wanted an explana-
tion from Jais.
Abdul Ghapur said federal
level authorities must coordinate re-
ligious regulations in all states so
that they would observe the law and
not act according to their whim and
fancy.
“We want the National Fatwa
Council to take action too. We don’t
want the states to act against the rules.
It is amazing that an ulama was not
allowed to give religious talks, unless
it it deviationist teachings,” he said.
Zuraida Kamaruddin (PKR-Am-
pang) said it was important to have a
Give pre-schoolers more English time: DPM
THE Education Ministry suggests that
pre-schoolers use 50% of their time dur-
ing lessons to interact in English, Deputy
Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin
said.
“This is a strategy to improve the cur-
riculum for pre-schools in line with the
government’s effort in making pre-school
education part of the national education
system,” he said.
Replying to a question from Abd
Rahman Bakri (BN-Sabak Bernam),
Muhyiddin, who is also education minis-
ter, said the government planned to set up
4,194 new pre-school classes by 2012.
“This year, only 67% of five-year-olds
in the country are learning in pre-schools
provided by both the public and private
sector. By 2012, the ministry targets to
increase it to 87%.
“In terms of number of children, it is
estimated that 447,556 will go through
pre-school education in 2012 compared
with 342,706 this year,” he said to Abd
“Please be more proper. It is
Islam is a noble religion.
But here you acted as if amazing
you were handling a crimi- that an
nal. They seemed to have ulama
abused their power and was not
acted as they like. These
people should be educated allowed
for behaving as such,” he to give
added. religious
Zulkifli Nordin (PKR- talks,
Kulim Bandar Baru) said
different states had different unless it it
meanings of tauliah resulting deviationist
in even some muftis not be- teachings.”
ing allowed to give religious
lessons in certain states.
“This is not the action of
Selangor government. This
is Jais acting on its own,” he
said.
He was supported by
Azmin Ali (PKR-Gombak)
who said Mentri Besar Tan Sri
Khalid Ibrahim (PKR-Bandar
Tun Razak) had asked Jais to Down2
explain why it ill-treated Asri.
“It’s such ruthless act. Is this
Earth
the attitude of a religious body? Only pure
Thirty-five officers went to the intentions
clear house to make the arrest. Is the
definition of tauliah (au- former mufti a terrorist?” he in quit call
thorisation) to be applied on religious asked. please
figures nationwide. He also expressed surprise that a pg 12
Dr Siti Mariah Mahmud (PAS- former mufti needed to be authorised
Kota Raja) said the issue of authori-
sation for religious teachers was not
or certified before he could give reli-
gious lessons.
something new in all states.
Datuk Bung Moktar Radin
“As a Muslim, I feel offended by
Jais for insulting the mufti. Why can’t
(BN-Kinabatangan) said religious they take his statement politely and
enforcement authorities should use courteously? Jais must be responsible
common sense when exercising their for the cruelty it has done to a mufti
power. in our country,” he said.
Rahman who asked the steps taken to tions to the private sector to train their
include pre-school as part of the national pre-school teachers for free. We are also
education system. thinking of setting up a fund to build pre-
To his supplementary question on the schools sponsored by the private sector.
reason for lack of enrolment in pre-schools “And, if approved by the Finance
despite the existence of many such schools Ministry, we could give tax exemption or
and kindergartens, Muhyiddin said it was relief to companies involved in this field,”
due to accessibility problems. he said.
“Most pre-schools are set up in the cities, Dr Tan Seng Giaw (DAP-Kepong)
developed areas and small towns. asked the difference between pre-schools
So, except for those of Kemas, Perpad- and the Permata programme, Muhyiddin
uan or the ministry, parents from remote said the latter was an additional initiative
areas find it difficult to send their children in early childhood education for children
to pre-schools. aged between two and three.
“Second is the issue of finance which He said the pilot Permata programmes
could be a burden for some parents from in several places had shown positive re-
poor families,” he said. sults and the government planned to take
Muhyiddin said the government was it over and expand it further.
mulling providing incentives to encourage “The government is also planning to
the private sector to play a bigger role by place graduate teachers in pre-schools to
building more pre-schools, especially in ensure only trained and qualified teachers
the remote areas. are hired. This is an approach which we
“For example, we would like to offer believe can change and improve the qual-
places in government training institu- ity of learning,” he said.
Backbencher
continues
to attack Koh
DATUK Mohamad Aziz (BN-Sri Gading) says he will neither
retract nor apologise for his criticisms on Minister in the Prime
Minister’s Department Tan Sri Dr Koh Tsu Koon.
“I won’t take back what I said, I did not do anything wrong
with my statement (in Parliament last week). People are ask-
ing me to ask for forgiveness? What, are Umno and Malays
only qualified for apologising?” he told reporters in Parliament
lobby.
Last week, Mohamad urged Koh to resign and questioned
his appointment as Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department
overseeing the Key Performance Index (KPI), alleging Koh had
failed to perform.
“How can you take care of KPI when you yourself didn’t
show good KPI? Your subordinates will have no confidence in
you. So, how can you be effective as the minister in charge?”
he asked.
Mohamad also accused Koh of being an “apple polisher”
for turning up in Parliament only when the prime minister was
around, besides being a senator through the “back door” to be
appointed as minister.
“I love and care for MCA and Gerakan but I am unhappy with
the leadership of both parties ...,” said Mohamad.
“You know me, I have been here for three terms now. I have
also touched on government policies that do not help the gov-
ernment or the people. There are no regulations in Parliament
that I have to support what the government does.”
He said he was only evaluating a minister who was ap-
pointed by the prime minister and never questioned the ap-
pointment or power of the prime minister.
“You should do your job properly then only will the people
give you a positive evaluation,” he said.
Asked if he was not worried of disciplinary action, Mohamad
said: “People who are champions, like me, do not have to be
afraid of anything or anyone. If I am wrong then go ahead, but if
I am not wrong then I will defend my actions all the way.”
Likening himself to a film star, Mohamad said: “I am not
alone. What I said is supported by millions of my fans through-
out the country.”
Tsu Koon answers
questions on NKRAs
MINISTER in the Prime Minister’s Department Tan Sri Dr
Koh Tsu Koon, who was criticised for missing last week’s
session, was present to answer questions on National Key
Result Areas (NKRAs).
Koh took about 20 minutes to reply a question by Liang
Teck Meng (BN-Simpang Renggam) who wanted details
on the six areas mentioned by Prime Minister Datuk Seri
Najib Abdul Razak while the people were facing a unity
problem.
Koh said the six NKRAs were identified based on public
perception studies (September 2008), analysing media
reports (May 2008), survey by Merdeka Centre (June 2009),
global competitiveness index for three years, Trends in
International Mathematics and Science Study (TIMSS-2007)
compared to previous years and the Transparency Interna-
tional report on corruption (2004-2008).
He said the KPIs which had direct impact on the people
would be announced for evaluation by the people while KPIs
which were of technical nature or involved internal proce-
dures would not be announced but monitored internally.
“For KPIs which did not meet the target, the ministers
and officers should identify the causes and find creative
solutions.”
Koh said the prime minister, who would be guided by the
Performance Management Delivery Unit (Pemandu), would
evaluate the performance and achievement of each NKRA
and ministry from next June and July.
“As for ministers or officers who did not improve and
showed negative attitude despite repeated reminders, it is
up to the prime minister to act accordingly. Final judgment
will be made by the people via perception and elections
based on the results or impact felt and enjoyed,” he said.
– Bernama

Time for D-8 to shed reputation as talk shop, says Anifah

KUALA LUMPUR: It is time for the Group of
Eight Developing Islamic Countries (D-8) to shed
its reputation as a “talk shop” and emerge as
a grouping which can contribute towards eco-
nomic growth and socio-economic development
of its members, says Foreign Minister Datuk Seri
Anifah Aman.
In his welcoming address at the one-day 12th
Session of the D-8 Council of Ministers meeting
here yesterday, Anifah said the second phase
of D-8’s 10-year roadmap requires member
countries to ensure that they translated the
action plans into tangible collaboration and
viable business projects for the private sectors
to pursue.
The D-8 was established on June 15, 1997, in
Istanbul, Turkey, to encourage greater economic
cooperation among its members – Bangladesh,
Egypt, Indonesia, Iran, Malaysia, Nigeria, Pakistan
and Turkey.
Anifah said Kuala Lumpur was of the view
that the D-8 Plan of Action needed a clear focus
and should be prioritised based on member
countries’ interests and needs.
“Fulfilling member countries’ needs through
the consensus decision-making process should
be the first criterion in the selection of pro-
grammes and activities. In doing so, it holds a
higher probability of attracting government and
the private sector interest,” he said.
He said the D-8 commissioners had listed
trade as the top priority for D-8 cooperation and
as such, it was vital that all member countries
complete the signing and ratification of the
Preferential Trade Agreement, Agreement on
Customs Cooperation and Agreement on Sim-
plification of Visa for D-8 Businessmen.
“I believe that we should exert more effort
on improving the pecuniary advantages of coun-
tries by introducing and implementing practical
economic programmes on an incremental basis
to boost trade and economic development,” he
said.
Anifah said the grouping’s work programme
should not be a long list or attempts to be too
ambitious as it was much better to focus on a
selected list of programmes of work that could
successfully be embarked on before taking on
other programmes of cooperation.
On the D-8 secretariat, Anifah said it needed
to be creative and capitalise on the work of other
more established organisations and successful
models.
Concerning the Draft D-8 Charter, Anifah said
Malaysia supported the idea that the D-8 needed
a charter and this was the first time that such
a draft was being studied by the D-8 Commis-
sion.
“The commission is also seeking our ap-
proval to work on a charter for the D-8. Malaysia
welcomes the commission’s submission and is
ready to lend our approval for the commission
to begin work on the draft charter,” he said.
– Bernama