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Proham acknowledges Najib's commitment on human rights issues
Angry residents force Kidex public briefing to be called off
Najib pays tribute to his alma mater on SJI's 110th anniversary

Proham acknowledges Najib's commitment on human rights issues

Posted: 16 May 2014 08:42 AM PDT

PETALING JAYA: Proham on Friday acknowledged Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak's statement on his commitment to human rights issues but asked for clarification of his usage of certain terms.

Proham (the association for the promotion of human rights in Malaysia) said in a statement that it acknowledged "this clear commitment by the Prime Minister and Government of Malaysia to human rights, respect for others faiths and adherence to the UDHR."

However, it said the confusing terms such as "extreme human rights" and "human rights-ism" (which the prime minister reportedly used in a speech in Kuantan) were still not clarified.

Proham issued the statement in response to Najib's earlier comments where he said:

"The Malaysian government is committed to the principles and values of human rights.

"Ours is a majority-Muslim nation. But our faith respects other faiths, and our commitment can be consistent with our constitution and our values.

"As Malaysians, we believe in human rights, and subscribe to the philosophy, concepts and norms of the Universal Declaration on Human Rights."

Proham called on the PM's office to issue Najib's statement through Bernama and be made available through the PM's website.

"One way forward is for the Prime Minister to host a gathering of human rights organisations who have played and is playing a major role in the promotion and protection of human rights for a dialogue on how to foster a culture of human rights consistent with UDHR as well as understanding the local history and context of Malaysia.

"In addition Proham calls on the Federal Government to chart out a National Human Rights Action Plan which is long overdue, as well as ratify the core human rights conventions such as ICERD as discussed in the UPR process," the statement said.

Angry residents force Kidex public briefing to be called off

Posted: 16 May 2014 08:23 AM PDT

PETALING JAYA: A public briefing on the controversial Kinrara-Damansara Expressway (Kidex) quickly turned sour minutes after it got started at the Petaling Jaya City Council's (MBPJ) Civic Hall Friday night.

Besides chanting "Down with Kidex", the residents who would be affected by the highway unfurled and pinned banners to the wall, protesting against the proposed highway.

At one point, Section 14/1-15 Residents Association chairman Selva Sugumaran confronted MBPJ Engineering director Ismail Shafie, who was seated with Kidex Sdn Bhd CEO Datuk Mohd Nor Idrus and Kidex consultants.

MBPJ enforcement officers and plainclothes policemen moved in to separate and eventually escort both men out of the hall.

The uproar began when Say No To Kidex (SNTK) pro tem committee member K.W. Mak stood up to point out that the briefing could not be considered a proper "townhall meeting".

Despite attempts to mediate the situation by SNTK pro tem chairman Dr Mohan Mahadevan and Kidex engineering consultant Datuk Kuna Sittampalam, the meeting had to be aborted by 9.20pm, barely an hour after it started.

Kidex Sdn Bhd's chief executive officer Datuk Mohd Nor Idrus said the company would work again with MBPJ to ensure a proper briefing session with residents.

"I am just trying to comply with directives from the state government to conduct a townhall meeting, as well as public display of information," said Mohd Nor.

The proposed Kidex expressway is a 14.9km route starting from the New Klang Valley Expressway Damansara Toll, ending at Kinrara in Puchong and traverses through various parts of Petaling Jaya.

Najib pays tribute to his alma mater on SJI's 110th anniversary

Posted: 16 May 2014 08:00 AM PDT

PETALING JAYA: Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak paid tribute to St John's Institution on its 110th anniversary Friday, saying he still cherished the values and principles imparted to him while he was a student at the school.

In a special message recorded at his office, the prime minister expressed

his thoughts on the special camaraderie outside classroom amongst friends which he felt was the best memories of his days at St John's.

"That sense of being together and plus a strong ethos and spirit of St John's I still remember till today," he said.

"St John's as a school and as an institution in fact has contributed substantially in producing quality people with leadership skills and right values to take this country forward," he said.

Najib also wished that St John's Institution would continue to play a prominent role in the area of education landscape in Malaysia.

The Prime Minister also received a courtesy visit from the St John's Alumni Association (SJAA) led by its president Datuk Zulkifli Ishak.

The SJAA presented Najib with the Eagle One Award in honour and recognition of the Prime Minister's contributions and achievements through the years in conjunction with the school's anniversary celebrations.

St John's Institution through its Johannians Leadership Foundation received a sponsorship of RM200,000 from Proton Holdings Bhd for the upkeep and maintenance of its school field for the next four years.

In conjunction with Teachers Day, the SJAA through Najib took the opportunity to recognise the contributions and legacy of two of St John's teachers, Master Vincent and Master David Fernandez.

Both the teachers have played significant roles in sports education for St John's and have since produce national sportsmen representing Malaysia.

For their dedication and undying passion, Najib signed a declaration to name the St John's school field as The Fernandez Field in honor of both the teachers.

St John's Institution Kuala Lumpur will be hosting a Gala Dinner on Saturday at The Royale Chulan Hotel to mark anniversary.

Kredit: www.thestar.com.my

Jumaat, 16 Mei 2014

The Star Online: Nation

The Star Online: Nation

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