2 theSun | MONDAY JULY 6 2009

news without borders

Probe into North Korean Nik Aziz prepared to meet

Najib over debate proposal
KOTA BARU: PAS spiritual
leader Datuk Nik Abdul Aziz
for a debate with Umno was
not new.

bank accounts here

SEOUL: The US pointman for sanctions on
North Korea was to hold talks in Malaysia
yesterday, possibly on links banks have to the
North’s finances, while a report said Pyongyang
may have shot mid-range missiles in a series
fired on Saturday.
North Korea launched seven ballistic mis-
siles, South Korea’s defence ministry said, in
an act of defiance towards the United States on
its Independence Day, further stoking regional
tensions already high due to Pyongyang’s
nuclear test in May.
The launches came as the US cracked down
on firms suspected of helping the North in its
trade in arms and missiles.
The US may have found several bank ac-
counts in Malaysia suspected of belonging to
North Korea and may freeze them as part of
the crackdown, Yonhap reported, citing an
unidentified source in Washington.
US ambassador Philip Goldberg, the US
coordinator for the implementation of UN Se-
curity Council Resolution 1874, would discuss
the banks with officials in Malaysia, the source
said.
The North appears to have fired three mid-
range Rodong missiles, which can hit all of
South Korea and most of Japan, and four Scud
missiles, which can strike most of South Korea,
Yonhap news agency quoted a South Korean
official as saying.
The officials said the missiles flew about
450km and it will take a few days to confirm
what was fired.
The Scud and Rodong are both ballistic mis-
Nik Mat is ready to meet Prime “We have been wanting to
Minister Datuk Seri Najib Abdul debate with Umno since PAS’s
Razak to discuss the proposed inception in 1951,” he said.
debate between them. He said his invitation to the
The Kelantan mentri besar debate was made following
said the meeting, however, a police report lodged by
siles and their launch would mark was not a pre-condition for the Umno Youth claiming
an escalation of military moves by the debate but more towards that Nik Aziz’s ceramah was
the North, which has fired several discussing its guideline. seditious as he likened Umno
non-ballistic, short-range missile Speaking to reporters at the to communism and deviant
since the May 25 nuclear test. Sultan Ismail Petra Airport on teachings.
Impoverished North Korea is his return from Kuala Lumpur, Nik Aziz said there would
barred by United Nations resolu- Nik Aziz said the official letter be no end to the standoff
tions from firing ballistic missiles inviting the Najib to the debate between PAS and Umno if the
such as the Scud, which defence had already been sent. two parties did not come face-
officials said were designed by the “We have not received any to-face in a debate.
North to target US allies South Korea response yet,” he said. “I just want to ask two
and Japan. Asked to comment on things – why reject Islam
Japan is considering introducing claims that the debate invita- and embrace nationalism,
a new ground-based missile defence tion was to divert attention and what is wrong with the
system to complement interceptors from the collapse of the policy implemented by PAS,
it currently has, the Japanese daily proposed unity government especially in Kelantan,” he said.
Mainichi reported. talks, Nik Aziz said the call – Bernama
The UN resolution, which was
passed June 12, bans the export of all
weapons by North Korea. It also bans
all financial transactions with North
Korea that could contribute to its nuclear or
ballistic missile programmes.
Goldberg went to Beijing last week for talks
with Chinese officials on enforcing UN sanc-
tions. The help of China, the North’s biggest
trade partner and benefactor, is essential for
enforcing sanctions, experts said.
Chinese foreign ministry spokesman Qin
Gang said in a statement yesterday regarding
the missile launches: “China has taken note
of this situation and hopes all sides will show
restraint and together maintain the peace and
stability of the region.” Russia has made a
similar comment. – Reuters

Ong joins protest against state govt

by Giam Say Khoon
newsdesk@thesundaily.com
KUALA LUMPUR: MCA president Datuk
Seri Ong Tee Keat yesterday joined more
than 100 residents in Taman Maju Jaya and
Taman Cheras Indah to protest against the
Selangor government’s policy to take over
“illegal” community centres.
After meeting residents at the Yayasan Bakti
Nusa community centre here, Ong said since
the Pakatan Rakyat government took power
15 months ago, the people had yet to see any
policy decisions that were beneficial to them,
especially in facing the economic downturn.
“I have received a lot of complaints from
the public, especially the NGOs, that their
community centres which were built and
managed with their own money or allocation
from the federal government, are being taken
over by the state government.
“The previous (Barisan Nasional) state
government had agreed in black and white
that NGOs will manage the premises, but un-
fortunately the current administration wants
to take them all back.
“Where was Pakatan Rakyat when the
NGOs needed its help?”
Ong pointed out that the community cen-
tres were places where the residents could
gather for various activities.
He lamented that the state government had
agreed to turn a green lung in Pandan Perdana
into a driving range, which it had been protest-
ing against when it was the opposition.
“It was done without transparency because
we do not know how much rental the state
government is collecting, and what is its stand
on agreeing to the driving range which is for
commercial purpose and not for the people.”
Ong questioned the state government’s
silence on the commercialised land and its
action against the NGOs.
He said although the state had said the
community centres would be managed by its
residents’ committee after the takeover, the
committee is not a registered body and does
not have locus standi on the matter.
He said the decision of the state had an-
gered the people and if it continues to do so,
such a “tyrannical” government will fall.
It was reported that the Ampang Jaya
Municipal Council (MPAJ) had announced
in May that it would be taking over five com-
munity centres managed by the Bakti Nusa
Malaysia Foundation, on a directive from the
Mentri Besar’s Office demanding the centres
be returned to the council.
It was reported that 90% of community and
multi-purpose halls in Selangor, built on land
belonging to the land office and constructed
by the previous Selangor administration, have
been returned to the respective local councils.
Selangor Mentri Besar Tan Sri Khalid Ibra-
him said the move was to ensure the centres
are managed by the local council and used for
activities which benefit the community.
On the claim that MCA is using the com-
munity centres as its offices, Ong said the
party was renting part of the centres as its
offices but vacated them after finding new
office premises.

Murugiah: I’m still PPP president

GEORGE TOWN: Although the Registrar of Socie-
ties (ROS) has yet to make known the results of
its investigations into the People’s Progressive
Party’s leadership controversy, Deputy Minister
in the Prime Minister’s Department Datuk T.
Murugiah continues to visit branches in various
states as the party president.
“I am confident I will lead the party so I
am now meeting with all the branch leaders
of various states in my capacity as PPP presi-
dent,” he said at a press conference before
meeting with 120 Penang branch leaders.
He maintained that he was elected as presi-
dent by two-thirds of the branch leaders in the
party.
“I believe the ROS has completed its investiga-
tions but has yet to announce its decision,” he
said, adding he will accept whatever decision
the ROS makes.
On the controversial Kampung Lorong Buah
Pala issue, Murugiah said the federal government
will see what it can do to help the residents.