Thesun 2009-06-05 Page02 No Provocations Please Muhyiddin

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theSun

| FRIDAY JUNE 5 2009

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PAS ulama urged to get members’ support for ‘unity govt’ SHAH ALAM: PAS ulama (Islamic scholars) are urged to play their role to convince members to accept the idea of a unity government proposed by party president Datuk Seri Abdul Hadi Awang. PAS Dewan Ulama chief Datuk Mohamed Daud Iraqi said they should study the concept of the proposed unity government, including the historical aspect, so that members could accept the idea. “The concept of a unity government has

been implemented in South Africa, in Indonesia and also in Britain (after the First World War),” he said in his keynote address at the opening of the 48th PAS Dewan Ulama congress here yesterday. He told ulama in the party to have an open mind and equip themselves with knowledge to be able to keep abreast with changing times and current developments. Mohamed, who is not defending his post, said ulama should also be close with profession-

als, like economists, legal experts, technological experts and politicians, and to exchange ideas and views with them to enhance their knowledge in the respective subjects, as well as their administrative competency. “This is because there are ulama with vast knowledge in religion, but they lack knowledge to administer and to understand issues. If possible, we have to have more frequent discourse between the ulama and professionals,” he added.

He reminded party members on the need to abide by decisions made by the party leadership as long as they did not contradict Islamic teachings and the hadith (sayings of the prophet). He said they should also come up with a guideline on relations between Muslims and non-Muslims, for example, on whether Muslims could participate in the celebrations of other religions and cultures. Datuk Harun Taib won the post of the PAS Dewan Ulama Chief uncontested. – Bernama

THE AMBALAT ISSUE

No provocations, please: Muhyiddin Award here yesterday. The overlapping claims over Ambalat by the two countries have again became a hot topic after the Indonesian media reported alleged encroachment by Royal Malaysia Navy (RMN) ships in the area last week. The Indonesian media claimed that an Indonesian navy ship patrolling the disputed waters last week was moments away from firing at an RMN patrol vessel after the latter allegedly ignored demands to retreat. “Both parties must avoid any action that can raise controversy,” said Muhyiddin.

Hu says Sino-M’sian ties have matured accorded to him and his delegation. He said he had made it a point to make China as his first stop outside Asean after taking office on April 3 to underscore the strategic importance of Malaysia-China relations. In addition, he said this being the 35th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between the two countries, there was also a huge symbolic meaning attached to his visit. “I think symbolism means a lot to China as well as Malaysia. And it also means a lot to me personally and my family,” said Najib. Najib’s father, Tun Abdul Razak Hussein, had signed a joint communique with then Chinese premier Zhou Enlai to establish diplomatic ties between the two countries. – Bernama

“Both our countries have an understanding. If there is any confusion on the issue, it is preferable to use the existing committee and not the media,” he told reporters after launching the “one house, one computer” programme in Wisma Pertahanan, here. Abdul Aziz said issues concerning the waters of both countries should be discussed at the level of the technical committee set up by both the countries. He said he would fly to Jakarta on Tuesday to discuss military-related issues. – Bernama

Only one command centre in Manek Urai MUAR: The Barisan Nasional (BN) will have only one command centre to coordinate the campaigns of its component parties in the Manek Urai state by-election in Kelantan on July 14, Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin said yesterday. The deputy prime minister said this is to ensure that all BN parties stay under one roof so that effective strategies can be coordinated. The Manek Urai seat fell vacant following the death of incumbent Ismail Yaacob, 60, of PAS on May 22. Nomination day is July 6. He said Umno was identifying candidates among the locals to pick the most qualified. “The list is still long. They have not been shortlisted yet,” he said after launching the Friend of the Environment and Smart School Award here added. – Bernama

Najib to open education ministers’ meet

Najib chats with Hu during their meeting at the Grand Hall of the People in Beijing.

PUTRAJAYA: Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Abdul Razak is scheduled to open the 17th Conference of Commonwealth Education Ministers (17CCEM) at the Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre on June 16. Education Ministry deputy secretary-general (management) Datuk Kamaruzzaman Mohd Noor said 53 countries will attend the five-day conference starting June 15. He said there will be a vicechancellor forum along with youth, teachers and stakeholders’ forums. – Bernama

IRB stops tax refund PETALING JAYA: The Inland Revenue Board (IRB) has withdrawn all tax refund cheques issued from May 27 to 29 and June 1 and 2 on technical grounds. The IRB public relations office said in a statement the banks were instructed to stop all payments for the affected cheques. Taxpayers are required to return the cheques to the IRB headquarters on Jalan Duta as soon as possible. The replacement cheques will be sent to taxpayers via post not later than June 10. For more information, call 03-62031380.

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BEIJING: Chinese President Hu Jintao said yesterday Malaysia-China relations have entered into a deeper and more matured phase after both countries established diplomatic relations 35 years ago. In welcoming Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Abdul Razak, who paid a courtesy call on him at the Great Hall of the People in Tiananmen Square, Hu also congratulated Najib for having successfully concluded bilateral talks with his Chinese counterpart Wen Jiabao, especially with the signing of an agreement on the Joint Action Plan on Strategic Cooperation between Malaysia and China. Hu described Najib’s visit to China as a success. Najib thanked the Chinese government for the warm hospitality

Earlier, in his speech, Muhyiddin said tackling environmental problems and pollution should not be the sole responsibility of the government and that society should pitch in. In KUALA LUMPUR, Chief of Defence Forces Gen Tan Sri Abdul Aziz Zainal dismissed Indonesian media reports claiming that a Malaysian naval vessel had encroached into the disputed waters of Block ND6 and ND7, or Ambalat as it is known in Indonesia, in the Sulawesi Sea. He said the Indonesian military should not make unfounded claims by issuing statements to the media.

GOH CHAI HIN/AFP

MUAR: Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin has called on all parties to avoid doing anything provocative in the disputed waters off Ambalat near Sabah which are believed to be rich in oil and gas. The deputy prime minister said Malaysia had very good relations with Jakarta and did not want to cause any problem that could affect the relations. “We want to avoid any form of provocation that can cause unpleasantness. We must handle the matter with caution,” he told reporters after launching the Friend of the Environment and Smart School Environment

briefs

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KUANTAN: The High Court here yesterday allowed Pahang Mentri Besar Datuk Seri Adnan Yaakob’s application to postpone the payment of RM63 million judgment sum to a logging company for allegedly breaching a concession agreement. The stay takes effect until Adnan’s appeal against the mandamus order issued on April 20 is heard. Justice Datuk V.T. Singham said that in reaching its decision, the court had to consider the fact that the paid-up capital of the company, Seruan Gemilang Makmur Sdn Bhd, was only RM100 and that it had not submitted its audited accounts to the Companies Commission since 2001. – Bernama