NST Online: Topnews
NST Online: Topnews |
| Colourful National, Malaysia Day celebrations Posted: 15 Sep 2011 10:05 PM PDT KUALA LUMPUR: A strong sense of patriotism filled the air as tens of thousands of people joined the nation's leaders at Dataran Merdeka here for the first ever simultaneous celebrations of the National Day and Malaysia Day. The younger generation dominated this year's celebrations, forming the largest group among the 10,000-strong participants in the four-segment parades. The participants, comprising school students, teachers, security personnel, and government and private sector employees started to gather around the venue as early as 5am to get ready for the historic occasion.
Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak and wife Datin Seri Rosmah Mansor as well as Deputy Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin and wife Puan Sri Norainee Abd Rahman had earlier arrived at the venue. Also present were the Yang Dipertua Negeri of Sabah Tun Juhar Mahiruddin and wife Toh Puan Norlidah RM Jasni as well as the Yang Dipertua Negeri of Sarawak Tun Abang Muhammad Salahuddin Abang Barieng and wife Toh Puan Norkiah Abdullah. Cabinet ministers were also at the celebrations. The massive crowd who lined up along the road from Jalan Raja right to the Jalan Sultan Ismail intersection applauded and cheered and waved the flags as the guests of honour made their way into the venue. The celebrations got off with Tuanku Mizan getting a salute from Major Ahmad Muzaimi Mohd Ali of the First Battalion of the Royal Malay Regiment. This was followed by the playing of the national anthem "Negaraku" by regiment's band. At the same time, seven Royal Malaysian Air Force (RMAF) helicopters made a fly-pass, carrying the national flag Jalur Gemilang as well as the flags of the Malaysian Armed Forces, Royal Malaysian Army, Royal Malaysian Navy, RMAF, Royal Malaysia Police and the Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency. His Majesty then inspected the guard-of-honour mounted by 103 personnel of the regiment. This was followed by the hoisting of Jalur Gemilang and the singing of Negaraku, after which a 14-gun salute was fired. The "Rukun Negara" was read by 54 youths headed by Muizzuddin Maarof, 18, a student of Sekolah Agama Menengah Tinggi Sultan Hishamuddin, Klang. This was later followed by the shouts of "Merdeka" and "1Malaysia". This was then followed by the parade of contingents. Among those who took part in the parade were Perak Mufti Tan Sri Harussani Zakaria, singer Aizat Amdan, musician Datuk Ahmad Nawab, filmmaker Datuk Yusof Haslam and top badminton player Datuk Lee Chong Wei, on Proton Lotus as well as on classic cars. Among the contingents was the 195-member Young Creative Generation group headed by Information Communication and Culture Ministry secretary-general Datuk Seri Kamaruddin Siaraf comprising artistes, arts activists and TV as well as movie mascots of "Upin dan Ipin", Cicak Man and Merong Mahawangsa. - BERNAMA * More pictures can be viewed at http://www.facebook.com/nstonline |
| Leaders say it is a revolutionary move Posted: 15 Sep 2011 11:22 AM PDT KUALA LUMPUR: The country's leaders said the prime minister had taken a revolutionary move in improving the nation's legal administration and human rights with the abolition of the Internal Security Act. Information, Communications and Culture Minister Datuk Seri Dr Rais Yatim said it was a big paradigm shift for Malaysia. "I can classify this as a milestone for our country. With the abolition of the ISA, the opposition will have no more salvos (to fire at the current administration), especially allegations of power abuse."
At the same time, he said the world would give Datuk Seri Najib Razak credit for such a decision. In fact, it showed Malaysia had faith in its judicial system.
It showed the prime minister had kept his promise to review the ISA when he first took over the No. 1 post, said Shafie, who is Umno vice-president. Deputy Minister in the Prime Minister's Department Datuk V.K. Liew, who is also Malaysia Law Reform Committee chairman, was upbeat.
He said the upcoming Parliament session would be busy. "The two new laws that the prime minister said will replace ISA should be done by next Parliament session. "The details, however, are best for the minister in charge (Home Minister Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Hussein) to announce." MIC president Senator Datuk G. Palanivel said the prime minister's announcement was a breath of fresh air. "The prime minister, with a single announcement, has moved the country in line with the rest of the modern world." When asked if the move to repeal the ISA was done in the hope that it would garner more support from the people in the next general election, Palanivel said Najib did not have any ulterior motive. "This is just to keep the country on a par with international standards on matters relating to national security and human rights." Deputy Education Minister Datuk Dr Wee Ka Siong said the prime minister had solved one of the country's thorniest issues in one fell swoop. "The announcement came as a surprise and could not have been more timely." He said some of the "hardest" problems, like the ISA, had been conquered, other pressing matters could also be solved in due time. "We are looking at a new epoch where change through reform is real." Wee said that he wished the Universities and University Colleges Act, which prohibited students from participating in politics, could also be reviewed. Attorney-General Tan Sri Abdul Gani Patail said the announcement was a fitting "Raya gift" to the country. "The reforms are a milestone achievement." Bar welcomes repeals THE Malaysian Bar applauds the prime minister for announcing far-reaching and welcomed promises of repealing and reviewing outdated pieces of legislation. Its president, Lim Chee Wee, said this was a major step towards restoring the rule of law and respecting the Federal Constitution. "This is a correct reaction by the prime minister to the voice of the rakyat." Lim said the Bar eagerly awaited more details |
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