Gotcha! Raja Petra

Reproduced from Publius Melayu

I'm almost taken by what Raja Petra has been claiming these past few days following his questioning by the police at KL's Dangi Wangi station.

For one, lets take a look at his explanation that all the profanities posted against Islam and the Yang DiPertuan Agong were done by the co-called UMNO 'cyber-troopers'. What begs to be answered now is, if it is true those dastardly deeds were 'penned' by UMNO mercenary scribes, why have they now almost come down to a trickle if not stopped suddenly in their tracks? Given that the battle zone that is politics would most likely never see any let up in subversion, offensive, counter-offensives and psy-war efforts, it would be a most lame excuse for Raja Petra to point his fingers to an unsubstantiated and groundless claim such as that.

However, I, being a regular follower of Malaysia-Today and other SOPO blogs, would agree to a certain degree of subversion by some over-enthusiastic, albeit childish and shallow attempts by UMNO 'cyber troopers' to try some clearly futile attempts at flooding the website's server with hundreds of repetitive postings as well as the alleged 'planted' comments that have become the bone of contention presently.

If the alleged cyber-fifth columnists do really exist and occassionally succeed in posting their uncouth and criminal comments and, given their ability to cause quite a disquiet on both sides of the Malaysian political divide, I wouldn't think that they will stop.

I would think that the reason for the sudden disappearance of the bulk of such postings is because they were not carried out by the people that Raja Petra strongly alleged. They were actually carried by some over-zealous cyber-anarchists aligned to the blind (blinkered) spirit of Raja Petra's claim to social and political righteousness.

As such, following Raja Petra's clear advice before his being summoned for questioning by the police last week that he would appreciate if the readers of Malaysia-Today would refrain from posting profanities and anti-Islamic comments, the attacks suddenly came to a slower pace and almost zero. In most probabilities this may be attributed to the culprits taking heed of his appeals as well as the unfounded fear that by continuing to do so would cause what they perceive as their only channel of free speech to come to an end.

Another possibility is the fear that by persisting in maintaining the momentum of profanities and vulgarities, they may cause their scapegoat, i.e. Raja Petra to be arrested, hence losing their presumed anarchic alter ego.

So based on all these, Raja Petra's contention that the attacks were carried out wholly by the so-called UMNO cyber-troopers does not carry any weight. This theory becomes even more plausible – even real, given that earlier he had admited he could not control such postings that came from abroad,and in yet another instance, that he should not be held responsible for those were just comments made by others and not himself as the operator of Malaysia-Today.

After going through the three 'defences' mentioned above, Raja Petra suddenly zeroed in on the 'wholly-carried-out- by- UMNO-cyber-troopers' scapegoating stance. And with that he felt that he was treading solid ground as almost all his blind flock of followers would unhesitantingly jump on the bandwagon and go on an all out counter-offensive to re-direct the blame to external forces.

Demokrasi kita cuba digugat BA: Anwar dedahkan dia akan menjemput campurtangan asing.

Dato Seri Anwar ibrahim dalam ceramah konvensyen BERSIH di Dewan Perhimpunan Cina, Selangor pada 20 Julai menyebut bahawa beliau sedang berusaha berunding dengan Jimmy Carter (bekas Presiden Amerika Syarikat) untuk membawa Carter Center memantau Pilihan Raya Umum di Malaysia.

Anwar berkata pada bulan lepas beliau telah dijemput oleh duta-duta asing untuk membentangkan bukti-bukti tentang kepincangan pilihan raya di Malaysia. Beliau telah serahkan satu dokumen lengkap mengenai bukti-bukti penyelewengan Malaysia kepada setiap duta asing itu.

Anwar juga menyebut beliau akan menggunakan semua media antarabangsa termasuk Al-Jaazera, BBC, CNN dan Bloomberg bagi mendedahkan kepincangan demokrasi di Malaysia.

Program itu yang dianjurkan oleh BERSIH diketuai Syed Shahril (MTUC) dengan kerjasama DAP, PAS dan PKR. Turut berucap Lim Guan Eng (DAP), Haji Hadi Awang (PAS) dan Dato Seri Anwar Ibrahim (PKR). Pengerusi Majlis ialah Mohmamad Sabu (PAS).

Anwar Approaching Carter Institute for Help

Extracted from Countergrain

From Malaysiakini July 21 2007

PKR’s de facto leader Anwar Ibrahim has called on the public to step pressure on the EC to reform itself.

In reference to several recent announcements by the EC, Anwar said the commission had thus far only shown knee-jerk responses after a series of electoral fraud exposes. For the first time, EC is enduring much pressure that it has to respond,” said Anwar at an Electoral reform rally organised by pressure group BERSIH at the Selangor Chinese Assembly Hall in Kuala Lumpur yesterday. He urged the public to show up in full force on Nov 10 at a ‘mass gathering in Putrajaya’ to call for electoral reforms.

Anwar’s comments comes in the wake of the latest announcement by EC Chief Tan Sri Abdul Rashid Abdul Rahman yesterday, who strongly hinted that the elections could be called quite soon. Previously, Abdul Rashid had also called for electoral reforms but his bid to improve the electoral process have thus far been limited to providing a transparent ballot box and forcing voters who are still using old IC’s to verify their status.

The EC had also agreed in principle to the use of indelible ink to prevent multiple voting but is awaiting feedback from the National Fatwa Council. The use of the ink is one of the core demands by BERSIH.

International Observers: Anwar, the final speaker among a long list at the rally had vowed to pile on the pressure overseas by speaking about the state of the electoral process at international conferences and meetings. He also announced plans to invite the renowned US-base Carter Centre, to monitor the upcoming Malaysian General Elections. The centre is an NGO that has among others, monitored 68 elections in 26 countries.

On talks that this will tarnish Malaysia’s image, Anwar said the only way to save Malaysia’s image is to expose the problems within the electoral system. ‘Thus, I believe the theme for the 50th National Day should be ‘Selamatkan Negara Malaysia (Save Malaysia),” said Anwar to roaring approval from the 2,000 strong crowd.

In his speec Anwar alleged that UMNO was going to distribute thousands of video discs accusing the opposition of inciting violence and disturbing public order. He claimed the title of the disc would be ‘Evolusi atau Revolusi ‘? (Evolution or Revolution?).

How to Topple BN:

Reiterating claims made last month in Kelantan, Anwar said UMNO was planning to bring 40,000 phantom voters from southern Thailand in a bid to wrest the state from PAS.

“UMNO had identified 70 parliamentary seats in danger of falling into the hands of the opposition, thus they will do whatever it takes to retain it,” he added. In order to topple the government that had been ruling for 50 years, Anwar said the Opposition would have to secure at least 56% of the popular vote. “The highest managed by the opposition was 48%. So if we continue to preach to the converted and maintain our current pace, it is not enough to change the government. We need to attract BN supporters to our cause,” he said.

The rally last was attended by PAS President Abdul hadi Abdul Awang, DAP Secretary-General Lim Guan Eng and MTUC President Syed Shahir Syed Mohamud. BERSIH comprises 26 NGOs and 5 opposition political parties. The rally was the first in a series of planned roadshows to create awareness on the need for electoral reforms.

Blogger Comments:

A lot of BULL by a sick and self aggrandised loser who will cheat himself to stand out.

As food fo thought, how do we know if the Carter Institute is capable of being objective and capable of understanding the history of our country and its cultural sensitivities?

Only 30% of USA’s eligible voters go out to vote, why doesn’t the Carter Institute tackle that first? If the US is democratic, why is its white population and policies discriminating against coloured immigrants? How can we honestly believe that a country that can invade Iraq in violation of UN views and then create Guantanamo Bay horror in the inhuman torture of war prisoners be democratic? Why doesn’t the Carter Institute address that effectively first? Is Anwar blind to all these? Doesn’t he read?

The only explanation possible, perhaps, he has become myopic and diseased in his thinking?

Laman Web Kerajaan & Pelacongan Negeri Kedah Diserang 'Hackers'

Perkembangan terbaru, laman web rasmi kerajaan negeri Kedah yang juga merangkumi web pelancongan negeri itu telah diserang oleh 'hackers'.

Serangan tersebut telah menyebabkan maklumat dan kandungan lain dalam laman web itu menjadi pincang dan kucar-kacir. Si 'hacker' yang jelas berjaya membolos masuk dengan begitu mudah ke server laman tersebut telah meninggalkan namanya di seluruh pelusuk rangkaian muka-surat laman. Identiti yang digunakan 'hacker' tersebut ialah 'prem7pun!sher'.

Pemantauan blogger ini ke laman web itu hari ini mendapati serangan tertumpu kepada bahagian maklumat pelancongan sementara maklumat mengenai kerajaan tidak terjejas. Pentadbir web laman rasmi tersebut seolah-olah sedar akan serangan itu kerana muka depan laman rasmi, iaitu www.kedah.gov.my masih tidak menjadi mangsa dan pautan ke bahagian pelancongan tidak lagi wujud.

Perkara ini dianggap serius memandangkan Kedah akan meraikan tahun pelancongan secara besar-besaran pada 2008. Jika daripada sekarang masalah ini tidak ditangani, apa akan jadi kerana acara besar sebegini memerlukan 'headstart' bagi memastikan publisiti meluas.

Insiden ini juga menimbulkan persoalan samada pihak kerajaan negeri mampu menghoskan laman web sendiri wahal komitmen daripada semua kakitangan terbabit amat perlu, terutama daripada aspek sekuriti.

Campurtangan Dalam Demokrasi Malaysia: Yayasan Jerman Membiayai PKR Secara Terbuka

Dalam keghairahan menyokong parti ‘underdog’ seperti PKR, ramai yang tidak menyedari bahawa ‘perjuangan’ yang dilaungkan sebenarnya dikuasakan daripada pembiayaan pihak luar yang mempunyai agenda terselindung terhadap Malaysia dan agama Islam. Di antara organisasi luar itu termasuk Frederich Nauman Foundation (FNF) yang menaja Parti Keadilan Rakyat melalui program Menjana Tenaga Kemenangan (MTK) anjuran Parti Rakyat Zon Selatan di Air Keroh, Melaka pada 10-11 Mac, 2007.

Frederich Nauman Foundation menaja Kelab Anwar Ibrahim dengan pembiayaan bagi menghidupkan blogger-blogger yang dijanakan pemaju/hos web, “Blog Bugs”. Di antara yang paling ketara ialah, blog Merpati Jingga kepunyaan Faisal Mustafa (AJK Angkatan Muda PKR) mendapat wang tunai RM10,000 daripada FNF untuk pembiayaan blog itu.

Sememangnya tidak salah bagi mana-mana pihak mendapat bantuan pembiayaan bagi menghidupkan apa jua bentuk media alternatif atau rasmi, tetapi yang menjadi persoalan ialah pembabitan pihak luar yang jelas mempunyai agenda negatif terhadap Malaysia dan agama Islam walau secara terus ataupun tidak.

FNF turut memberi bantuan kewangan kepada blogger Jeff Ooi (Screenshots) dan Raja Petra Kamaruddin (Malaysia-Today).

Dr Mahathir: No chance for Anwar to become PM

Tun Mahathir Mohamad does not believe his former deputy, Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, can make a come back to Malaysian politics and be the Prime Minister. The former prime minister said he did not see any hope for Anwar to “achieve what he wanted to achieve” — to become the prime minister. “I don’t think he has any hope of achieving what he wants to achieve...of course, he wants to be the prime minister.

“He will never get that spot,” said Dr Mahathir in an interview with the British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) on Wednesday 7 July, 2007 when asked by the interviewer how he viewed Anwar’s chances of making a comeback to mainstream politics. Asked why Anwar, now adviser to Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR), cannot become the prime minister, Dr Mahathir said the former deputy prime minister was losing his followers very fast.
“You can tell people something and people will believe it for a short time but later on they are bound to discover whether you are telling the truth or you are lying to them,” he said.

Dr Mahathir sacked Anwar in September 1998 for immoral conduct and corrupt practice. Anwar served a six-year jail term after he was convicted for corruption. He was released from prison in 2004 after the Federal Court overturned his sodomy conviction.

Anwar is barred from returning to active politics until April 14 next year.

On Wednesday, Dr Mahathir succeeded in his bid to quash the defamation suit brought by Anwar for accusing him of being a homosexual at a conference hosted by the Malaysian Human Rights Commission (Suhakam).

The following day, Anwar filed a notice of appeal.