Young turks get ‘aggressive’ on reforms

Beh Lih Yi Jun 8, 07 3:13pm

PAS’ young will go on a more aggressive campaign toturks reform the party with the second mandate given to them despite murmurs of discontent over such a move. “Coming into the second term now, we will be more aggressive on that (the engagement and repackaging approaches) because there are a lot of sectors and segments that we have yet to breach,” PAS deputy president Nasharudin Mat Isa told malaysiakini in an interview. This will include speeding up programmes to garner support from non-Muslims through initiative like PAS’ supporters club - an attempt by PAS to reach out to a larger group of supporters after its dismal showing in the last general election in 2004. Seen as a symbol representing the young turks in PAS, 44-year-old Nasharudin together with several others in his group were re-elected to their key posts at the party’s election which concluded last Sunday in Kelantan. The young turks’ victory came after they fended off a strong challenge from the conservative ulama (religious scholars) led by Nasharudin’s challenger, PAS’ second most senior ulama leader Harun Taib. The challenge from the ulama in this party election came amidst voices of discontent among the conservatives over the pace and direction by the young turks who swept into power in the 2005 party election. For instance, one of the criticisms was directed at where the malaysiakini’s 60-minute interview with Nasharudin was conducted on Wednesday - the party’s new headquarters located in the heart of Kuala Lumpur which reportedly cost RM8 million. Conservatives opined the cost was too exorbitant but the young turks thought it was essential to “bring out” the party headquarters from the Malay-majority outskirt in Gombak closer to the masses. Conceding he was “going too fast” in introducing changes when he first took over the post, Nasharudin however vowed there will be no let-up on such efforts despite the murmurs of discontent within the party. “From the percentage of votes that I received which is almost 60 percent, it showed that people want changes. People want things to happen and move. We are going to make use of the second mandate given by party members to really move and get the ball rolling,” he said. “I really want to speed up a little bit because everyone is saying that the general election is around the corner,” he explained, adding that he believed everyone in the party will close ranks to face the elections. ‘The market is big' The PAS deputy president is also confident that the new approaches will not turn out to be futile but will instead translate into electoral gains for the Islamic party - which a lot of non-Muslim voters have shunned due to its intention to set up an Islamic state if it comes to power. “The market is big, we just can’t concentrate on one portion of society,” the former law lecturer said in defending why the new approaches did not target its traditional strongholds in the rural Malay areas. He noted that traditional methods like organising ceramah (political talk) in rural villages will continue while new methods - such as the setting up of the party’s own online video portal PAS TV - will also be carried out. On analysts’ view that the victory of young turks in last week’s party election was due to the possibility of an early general election, Nasharudin disagreed. “I came in (to the contest) with confidence because I was told the nominations received by Ustaz Harun was less than mine, that tells,” said the PAS politician, who was reluctant to comment on the closely-watched contest earlier due to the ‘no-campaigning’ culture in the party. However, Nasharudin was tightlipped on his personal plan in the next general election. “It’s not my personal plan, it’s the party’s decision,” he said. But he conceded that he has been visiting his two previously contested parliamentary constituencies - Yan in Kedah and Besut in Terengganu. Nasharudin won in Yan in 1999 but lost in Besut in the last general election.

Nasharudin: I'm very much an Islamist

Beh Lih Yi Jun 9, 07 4:29pm

PAS’ young turks have not shied away from issues on Islam amidst its increasing attempts to gain electoral support from non-Muslims, newly re-elected deputy president Nasharudin Mat Isa said. “I am still very much an Islamist,” Nasharudin, who lead the group of young turks, said in a 60-minute interview with malaysiakini at the PAS headquarters in Kuala Lumpur on Wednesday. Since the 2004 general election in which PAS suffered a severe setback, the Islamic opposition party has introduced a series of changes under its ‘engaging and repackaging’ approach by the young turks who swept into power at the party polls two years ago. This includes giving priority to programmes of reaching out to the non-Muslim community and re-branding the party's image, which was dominated by hardliners at one time. However, this has led to concerns among some conservative PAS supporters who criticised the young turks of not being vocal enough on the party’s pet issue, Islam, especially with a series of heated public debates over apostasy and religious freedom since last year. Nasharudin, a 44-year-old former law lecturer, disagreed: “As far as matters related to the Islamic faith, beliefs and teaching of Islam are concerned, we have a very clear stand.” “It shouldn’t be treated in such a way (as) freedom of religion, expression, rights to profess religion and so on. Matters related to Islam and syariah (Islamic law) shouldn’t be disturbed in a way that tension is going to develop in the country,” he said. Conversion, apostasy But the young turks are obviously caught in a dilemma on how to draw a balance between being vocal on religion and political survival. Taking an example, Nasharudin said its election manifesto for the forthcoming general election will not stress on the Islamic state, which it has vowed to establish if it comes into power and a major reason why many non-Muslims are not supportive of the party. “As far as the Islamic state issue is concerned, everybody realise that the ‘what’ part of that Islamic state document is no longer being discussed. We are now concentrating on the ‘how’, the content, the substance of it,” the deputy president explained. Even Nasharudin himself - who donned a modern attire most of the time as opposed to those who wear the jubah (long robe)- could not escape from such a dilemma as he revealed there “has been talks within the party on the way I dress”. “I said the Quranic teaching is that in Islam you should cover your aurat (body parts not allowed to be exposed under Islam), and there is no single verse in the Quran which says how you should dress,” he noted. Meanwhile, on issues of conversion and apostasy, he reiterated that there is no compulsion in Islam to force a person to accept the faith but once the person converted, they will be subject to the rules and regulations in Islam including the law of conversion. Similarly, Nasharudin said pressures should not be asserted upon a Muslim, who after having gone through the process of rehabilitation but still refuses to renounce a new religion to accept Islam. “If you have already given the opportunity to him or her to repent, and he or she still cannot accept, doesn’t want to change, the discussion among the scholars is that if he really doesn’t want to come back to the religion, to me, you cannot force, you shouldn’t force, whether the law should be applied to him or her,” he pointed out. To a suggestion whether the process of conversion should be made stricter - such as making it necessary for family members to become witness in order to help prevent religious disputes, Nasharudin said it would be “quite technical to answer” and cannot be done easily. “Most of the cases where conversion are kept secret is the fear of threats, sometime coming even from within the family circle. So, they just keep the matter to themselves. It is when nature takes its course, then problems arise. It is a sad thing,” he said.

Investors Confidence In Malaysia Gaining Strength, Says Najib

June 08, 2007 21:38 PM

PASIR PUTEH, June 8 (Bernama) -- Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak said the increasingly encouraging reports on the country's economy of late proved that investors' confidence in the country's administration, led by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi, was gaining strength.

Najib said the review of international merchant banker, Merrill Lynch, which described Malaysia's economy as expanding was based on current market forces.

"The assessment (Merill Lynch) was made based on market forces. The last few days, we have seen that market sentiments on Malaysia in terms of its share market, ringgit value, and as a investment destination, are clearly showing a rising level in confidence.

"It cannot be denied that these analysis are based upon market forces, clearly supporting the statement of Merill Lynch," he told reporters here today.

Najib who is on a one-day visit to Kelantan, earlier closed the "Program Gandingan Gemilang Titian Kasih" organised by the Information Ministry's Special Affairs Unit, here today.

An analyst with the merchant bank said that Malaysia's economy is currently on a long-term structural upturn, which not only brightens up prospects for economic growth in the coming years but also supports asset prices.

It said the Malaysian economy, appeared to be reaching full stride and this development has raised "our optimism over the country's medium-term growth prospects."

"We have therefore lifted our forecasts for gross domestic product growth to 5.7 percent for 2007 and 6.3 percent for 2008 (previously 5.2 percent and 5.8 percent respectively)."

Merrill Lynch said Bursa Malaysia has rebounded with the local stock market being one of the best performers in the region this year.

International investor interest in the country has also been revived, following the recent implementation of a string of economic reforms, it added.

-- BERNAMA

Umno Veterans Capable Of Helping BN Recapture Kelantan, Says Najib

KOTA BAHARU, June 8 (Bernama) -- Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak today expressed confidence on the capability of Umno veterans in helping Barisan Nasional (BN) recapture Kelantan from PAS in the coming general election.

The deputy prime minister said Umno veterans could play an important role to disseminate ideas and inject a new spirit for party members to work hard to ensure a BN victory.

"They've a role to play because by working together, it'll make BN stronger and this will ensure a win in Kelantan," he said at a function attended by Umno veterans and non-governmental organisations here today.

Najib, who is Umno deputy president, said the party had always appreciated the role of the veterans in realising the leaders' aspiration to turn Malaysia into a developed country.

"This is what we want, to make Kelantan a developed state like other states. It's for this reason that all should work together," he added.

He hoped that party members would enhance solidarity and have a strong determination to ensure a successful outing for the ruling coalition.

Najib also said the Kelantan government under PAS was now shaky and there were bright prospects for BN to wrest control of the state from the opposition party.

Meanwhile, Kelantan Umno Liaison chairman Datuk Seri Annuar Musa said the party was making its final preparation for the upcoming general election and had outlined various strategies to ensure PAS' defeat.

"Umno wants the Kelantan people to be in a comfortable situation and no longer left out," he added.

Najib also launched a book, entitled "Melakar Sejarah, Menentu Arah", authored by Utusan Malaysia journalist Wan Ramli Wan Muhamad. The book is on the struggle of Umno leaders in Kelantan.

-- BERNAMA

Krisis etnik jika ketegangan di selatan Thai berpanjangan

KOTA BHARU 5 Jun – Pergolakan di selatan Thailand dikhuatiri bertukar menjadi krisis etnik sekiranya kerajaan negara jiran itu tidak mengambil langkah drastik dan berani mengurangkan ketegangan yang semakin memuncak.

Ini kerana demonstrasi kumpulan pelajar dan penduduk tempatan yang menuntut pengunduran segera tentera dari selatan Thailand dan mahu penarikan balik perintah darurat merupakan isyarat kepada kemungkinan berlakunya kebangkitan gelombang kedua yang lebih berbahaya.

Seorang penganalisis keselamatan, Muhammad Fuad Mat Nor berkata, kehadiran tentera dibimbangi meningkatkan lagi insiden pengeboman dan serangan bersenjata di wilayah berkenaan.

“Kehadiran anggota tentera menarik perhatian pihak militan untuk melancarkan serangan, jadi apa yang dibimbangi masyarakat ialah kemungkinan tempat-tempat awam yang dikunjungi tentera turut menjadi sasaran.

“Perintah darurat turut menyekat kebebasan masyarakat tempatan untuk ke ladang dan bekerja sehingga hilang mata pencarian selain berada dalam keadaan tidak selamat,” ujarnya ketika dihubungi Utusan Malaysia di sini hari ini.

Muhammad Fuad yang juga Ketua Pengarang majalah Tempur memberitahu, kecenderungan pihak militan melancarkan serangan ke atas sasaran tentera yang dikenal pasti menunjukkan operasi penentangan dilaksanakan secara terancang.

Dua hari lalu, sebanyak 12 tentera Thailand terbunuh dalam serangan hendap pihak militan di Yala yang disifatkan sebagai terburuk di selatan negara itu sejak 2004, manakala empat anggota polis yang bertugas mengawal kawasan sekolah daripada ancaman serangan militan juga ditembak mati oleh pihak tidak dikenali dalam dua kejadian berasingan di Pattani dan Narathiwat.

Bagaimanapun, sumber di bandar Yala semalam memberitahu, keadaan tidak banyak berubah dan aktiviti ekonomi masih berjalan seperti biasa cuma anggota tentera didapati berkawal di beberapa lokasi penting di wilayah berkenaan.

Sementara itu, Panglima 8 Briged, Kem Pengkalan Chepa, Brigedier Jeneral Datuk Shaharudin Abu Bakar memberitahu, keadaan kawalan di perbatasan Kelantan - Thailand berjalan seperti biasa dan setakat ini, tidak ada sebarang kejadian yang tidak diingini.

“Anggota tentera berkawal seperti biasa sahaja kerana pergolakan di Thailand adalah isu dalaman negara itu dan tiada kaitan dengan soal keselamatan di sempadan negara setakat ini,” ujarnya.