Israel has the most advanced nuclear weapons program in the Middle East. David Ben Gurion, Israel's first prime minister, clandestinely established the program in the late 1950s to meet the perceived existential threat to the nascent state. It was a well known fact to Britain and United States who are now threatening sanctions and nuclear attacks on Iran.
Israel's nuclear program is centred at the Negev Research Centre, outside the town of Dimona. Based on estimates of the plutonium production capacity of the Dimona reactor, Israel has approximately 100-200 nuclear explosive devices, according to Nonproliferation Studies at the Monterey Institute of International Studies.
Officially, Israel has declared that it will not be the first to introduce nuclear weapons in the Middle East; however, it has not signed the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT).
Israel's possession of nuclear weapons and its policy of declaratory ambiguity have led to increased tensions in current Middle East peace discussions and arms control negotiations.
Israel's neighbouring states allege that the Jewish state also has an offensive biological weapons (BW) program, but there are no reliable sources on specific biological agents the Israelis may possess. Reportedly, Israel specialised military units sabotaged water wells with typhoid and dysentery bacteria in Acre (near Haifa), Palestine during the 1948 war, but evidence of such events is fragmentary.
Speculation that the program is located at the Israel Institute of Biological Research (IIBR) in Nes Ziona has raised both international and domestic concerns. Activists within the Israeli community have recently protested the expansion of the Institute due to reports, denied by Israeli officials, of multiple injuries and deaths within the facility and one near-evacuation of the surrounding area. Israel is not a signatory to the Biological and Toxin Weapons Convention (BWC).
While there are allegations that Israel has an advanced chemical weapons (CW) program, no confirmed evidence of production or stockpiling exists. Some reports have suggested an offensive CW program is located at the Israel Institute for Biological Research in Nes Ziona. In October 1992, an El Al airliner carrying a cargo of approximately 50 gallons of dimethyl methylphosphonate (a widely used simulant for defensive research but also a possible precursor of sarin nerve agent) destined for the Institute crashed in Amsterdam. Israel stated that this material was being imported to test gas masks. Israel has signed but not ratified the Chemical Weapons Convention (CWC).
Israel's missile program began in the 1960s and it has a varied missile industry, having developed ballistic and cruise missiles, as well as missile defence systems and unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs). Israel supplied similar defence systems to the Singapore Air Force.
The Jericho ballistic missiles series was initiated in the 1960s with French assistance, beginning with the short-range ballistic missile (SRBM) Jericho-1 with a 500 km range. In the 1970s, Israel developed the intermediate-range ballistic missile (IRBM) Jericho-2, a two-stage , solid-fueled missile with a range of 1,500 to 3,500 km. There are some unconfirmed reports that suggest the existence of a 4,000 km-range Jericho-3 missile that may stem from Israel's space launch vehicle, the Shavit. Israel has also developed, with U.S. financial asisstance, the Arrow theater defence missile, which has become one of the only functioning missile defence systems in the world. Israel has recently reported to have successfully tested the Arrow-2 anti-ballistic missile system, as well as new long-range guided missiles.
KUDA RANGGI - You can take a horse to (the) water but you can't make it drink.
Monday, April 17, 2006
Sunday, April 16, 2006
Fight political corruption instead of hitting at civil servants
Malaysian Prime Minister Abdullah Badawi was right, although not 100 per cent, when he described a handful of civil servants who throw their weight around, impede progress and find pleasure in giving members of the public the turnaround - as "little Napoleans."
I said handful because the vast majority of civil servants are loyal, honest and dedicated "public officers". Yes, there are rotten apples but they are in the minority, in fact too small compared to the number of civil servants.
There are heads of department and officials who delayed giving approvals or who sat on files but the PM failed to mention that most of them are fed-up with "political pressures" and resort to such tactic in protest.
Being a former civil servant, Abdullah was quick to say that he was not painting all civil servants with the same brush, but there were a few who behaved that way. Yes only a few and we must be fair to the vast majority.
After having served the government for some 33 years in various capacities, I am aware of the never ending political pressures faced by civil servants involved in implementing, approving or selecting of tender awards for development projects, approval of permits and licences, awarding of scholarships and educational loans, etc etc. They would receive introductionary notes, letters of support, and recommendations from ministers, chief ministers, political secretaries, leaders of political parties in support of their "people" or "political supporters". Some tender documents are even submitted via the minister's office.
It is high time for the PM to put a stop to this political abuse. Let the civil servants discharge their duties as entrusted to them.
Nowdays there are too many people who, no sooner than they get into positions of trust, start at once to think of amassing wealth, forgetting completely their oath of allegiance and their duties to the people (the voters) and the country. Sooner or later they will find themselves in trouble. And in respect of some young political leaders poison-pen letters are being circulated giving details, rightly or wrongly, true or fictional, about their misdeeds and the wealth they amass.
Yes, politics is a game of life, no less providential and God-sent than other fine professional careers, as once stated by our beloved Tunku Abdul Rahman Putra, the founding father of modern Malaysia.
Very much depends on how one plays politics, and where one plays it. Different situations in different countries with peoples of different temperament require different tactics. In Malaysia, as in most of the so-called democracies of the world, political corruption are more powerful and dangerous than the Napoleans, the Rasputins and the Shylocks.
I said handful because the vast majority of civil servants are loyal, honest and dedicated "public officers". Yes, there are rotten apples but they are in the minority, in fact too small compared to the number of civil servants.
There are heads of department and officials who delayed giving approvals or who sat on files but the PM failed to mention that most of them are fed-up with "political pressures" and resort to such tactic in protest.
Being a former civil servant, Abdullah was quick to say that he was not painting all civil servants with the same brush, but there were a few who behaved that way. Yes only a few and we must be fair to the vast majority.
After having served the government for some 33 years in various capacities, I am aware of the never ending political pressures faced by civil servants involved in implementing, approving or selecting of tender awards for development projects, approval of permits and licences, awarding of scholarships and educational loans, etc etc. They would receive introductionary notes, letters of support, and recommendations from ministers, chief ministers, political secretaries, leaders of political parties in support of their "people" or "political supporters". Some tender documents are even submitted via the minister's office.
It is high time for the PM to put a stop to this political abuse. Let the civil servants discharge their duties as entrusted to them.
Nowdays there are too many people who, no sooner than they get into positions of trust, start at once to think of amassing wealth, forgetting completely their oath of allegiance and their duties to the people (the voters) and the country. Sooner or later they will find themselves in trouble. And in respect of some young political leaders poison-pen letters are being circulated giving details, rightly or wrongly, true or fictional, about their misdeeds and the wealth they amass.
Yes, politics is a game of life, no less providential and God-sent than other fine professional careers, as once stated by our beloved Tunku Abdul Rahman Putra, the founding father of modern Malaysia.
Very much depends on how one plays politics, and where one plays it. Different situations in different countries with peoples of different temperament require different tactics. In Malaysia, as in most of the so-called democracies of the world, political corruption are more powerful and dangerous than the Napoleans, the Rasputins and the Shylocks.
Friday, April 14, 2006
ZAM and the NST
I was asked by a friend to comment on the visit by Information Minister Zainuddin Maidin (ZAM) to the New Straits Times Press (NSTP) group office in Bangsar yesterday. I told him there is nothing much to say but he insisted that something is wrong since the top two editorial leaders were absent.
The visit was the second officially by the ex-journalist-turned-politician after he was elevated to a full minister. The first visit was to the Mandarin language newspaper, Sin Chew Jit Poh.
When Zainuddin was appointed Senator (a member of the upper house of Parliament) on the recommendation of former prime minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad, he proudly told his peers and friends that he was not interested to be an elected member of Parliament but look at him today. The taste of political power and the good life is hard to reject.
I could understand why NSTP deputy chairman-cum-editorial-advisor Kalimullah Hassan did not turn up to greet ZAM. Kali is a non-executive board member and he was not invited by the group CEO Syed Faisal Albar to do so. But, Hishamuddin Aun and his deputy Brendan Pereira should be there. By the way, both are appointees of Kali.
It is against the Malay custom for the hosts not to be there in person to greet his guest and the guest is none other than the information minister, a representative of the government.
It was stated by the CEO that the duo had an earlier appointment with education minister Hishamuddin Hussein and the task of greeting the minister on behalf of NST went to my good friend the deputy group editor, Syed Nadzri Syed Harun.
As a Malay, Hishamuddin should be there to greet ZAM and let Brendan went to see the education minister. I strongly believed that ZAM would not miss Brendan.
Although ZAM said that he was not upset or sore, but deep inside... I am sure he was very upset. He is, whether you like it or not, the information minister.
The visit was the second officially by the ex-journalist-turned-politician after he was elevated to a full minister. The first visit was to the Mandarin language newspaper, Sin Chew Jit Poh.
When Zainuddin was appointed Senator (a member of the upper house of Parliament) on the recommendation of former prime minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad, he proudly told his peers and friends that he was not interested to be an elected member of Parliament but look at him today. The taste of political power and the good life is hard to reject.
I could understand why NSTP deputy chairman-cum-editorial-advisor Kalimullah Hassan did not turn up to greet ZAM. Kali is a non-executive board member and he was not invited by the group CEO Syed Faisal Albar to do so. But, Hishamuddin Aun and his deputy Brendan Pereira should be there. By the way, both are appointees of Kali.
It is against the Malay custom for the hosts not to be there in person to greet his guest and the guest is none other than the information minister, a representative of the government.
It was stated by the CEO that the duo had an earlier appointment with education minister Hishamuddin Hussein and the task of greeting the minister on behalf of NST went to my good friend the deputy group editor, Syed Nadzri Syed Harun.
As a Malay, Hishamuddin should be there to greet ZAM and let Brendan went to see the education minister. I strongly believed that ZAM would not miss Brendan.
Although ZAM said that he was not upset or sore, but deep inside... I am sure he was very upset. He is, whether you like it or not, the information minister.
Wednesday, April 12, 2006
Is the Cabinet above Parliament?
(L to R: Rais, Abdullah Badawi and Isa Samad donning the Baju Melayu)
The recent controversy over the so-called "alternative dress" worn by Culture, Arts and Heritage Minister, Rais Yatim, when he attended Parliament sitting prompted me to ponder whether the Cabinet is above Parliament.
As far as I am aware, it is not so. Cabinet ministers are not above Parliament and are subjected to the rules and regulations including the dress code when attending Parliament sittings.
So, it is correct for members of Parliament to raise the issue of Rais wearing the alternative dress instead of either a full suit or the Baju Melayu. It was fortunate that Speaker Ramli Ngah Talib "defended" Rais by saying that he gave permission to the minister to wear the said dress. But, as usual, Rais gave "questionable" comments outside Parliament. He accused Backbenchers Club chairman Shahrir Samad as seeking "cheap publicity" when the Johor Baru MP brought up the issue.
Rais could be the one seeking publicity, cheap or otherwise, when he attended Parliament sitting by donning the alternative dress knowing that it was not yet approved by the Speaker. To be a minister, one must either be a member of the upper house (Dewan Negara) or the lower house (Dewan Rakyat), and are subjected to the dress code and up to now, the alternative dress is not allowed to be worn in Parliament.
Malaysia is a constitutional monarchy, headed by a paramount ruler and a bicameral Parliament consisting of a nonelected upper house and an elected lower house.
There are three branches under the separation of powers, namely:-
1. The Executive (Cabinet/Government headed by the Prime Minister),
2. Legislative branch (Parliament headed by the President of the Senate), and
3. The Judiciary branch (Federal Court headed by the Chief Justice).
If the Cabinet decided to allow the alternative dress, it is not binding to Parliament or the Judiciary, it is only binding to the members of the administration and the civil service. Parliamentarians and Judges have their own dress code.
Friday, April 07, 2006
LET US CELEBRATE MAULID
Every year, when the Islamic month of Rabiulawal comes around once again, bringing in its train the night of the 12th, it seems to us as if the whole world is perfumed by the memory of the birth of the Final Messenger, may Allah's blessings and peace be upon him.
Countless millions of Muslims in every corner of the earth fix their thoughts on his birth, by re-reading his biography (eg Marhaban, and reading the various Maulid texts) and learning from unique values and qualities.
Of late in Malaysia, some quarters influenced by the Wahhabis, are questioning the celebration of Maulidur-Rasul, as it is known in the Malay world. They claimed that it is an act of innovation or bida'a. Various publications filled with lies and deception which misled many Muslims into thinking negatively about the Maulid.
Their claims are far from the truth, and it is therefore necessary for those who can speak clearly to help clarify and reverse the doubts surrounding this most blessed day.
Should we celebrate Maulid? YES WE SHOULD CELEBRATE IT EVERY YEAR.
Sheikh Ibn Hajar Al Asqalani, the commentator on Al Bukhari, said, "Anything that did not exist during the Prophet's time is called innovation, but some are good while others are not."
Imam Albayhaqi narrated in Manaqib Ash-Shafie that Ash-Shafie said, "Innovations are of two types: that which contradicts the Qur'an, the Sunnah, or unanimous agreement of the Muslims is a innovation of deception, while a good innovation does not contradict any of these things."
Al'Izz bin Abussalam said, at the end of his book, Al Qawa'id, "Innovation is divided into obligatory, forbidden, recommended, disagreeable and permissible, and the way to know which is which is to match it against the religious law."
It is cristal clear that from the opinions of these righteous scholars, that to define innovations in worship as wholly negative without exception is ignorant. For these pious knowers, among them Imam Nawawi and Ash-Shafie, declared that innovations could be divided into good and bad, based on their compliance or deviance with religious law.
Moreover, the following Prophetic saying is known even to common Muslims, let alone scholars: "He who inaugurates a good practice (sunnatun hasana) in Islam earns the reward of it, and of all who perform it after him, without diminishing their own rewards in the least." Therefore it is permissible for a Muslim to originate a good practice, even if the Holy Prophet (s.a.w.) did not do it, for the sake of doing good and cultivating the reward.
The meaning of a good practice (sanna sunnatun hasana) is to establish a practice through personal reasoning (ijtihad) and derivation (istinbat) from the rules of religious law ot its general texts. The actions of the Prophet's companions and the generation following them (in celebrating Maulid) is the strongest evidence.
Furthermore, that the Prophet and his companions did not do a certain thing does not mean they made that thing prohibited. Therefore, whoever prohibits anything based on the concept that the Prophet did not do it, his claim has no proof and must be rejected.
Let us join millions of our Muslim brothers and sisters all over the world to celebrate Maulid (12 rabiulawal/April 11 in Malaysia).
May the blessings of Allah be upon you.
Countless millions of Muslims in every corner of the earth fix their thoughts on his birth, by re-reading his biography (eg Marhaban, and reading the various Maulid texts) and learning from unique values and qualities.
Of late in Malaysia, some quarters influenced by the Wahhabis, are questioning the celebration of Maulidur-Rasul, as it is known in the Malay world. They claimed that it is an act of innovation or bida'a. Various publications filled with lies and deception which misled many Muslims into thinking negatively about the Maulid.
Their claims are far from the truth, and it is therefore necessary for those who can speak clearly to help clarify and reverse the doubts surrounding this most blessed day.
Should we celebrate Maulid? YES WE SHOULD CELEBRATE IT EVERY YEAR.
Sheikh Ibn Hajar Al Asqalani, the commentator on Al Bukhari, said, "Anything that did not exist during the Prophet's time is called innovation, but some are good while others are not."
Imam Albayhaqi narrated in Manaqib Ash-Shafie that Ash-Shafie said, "Innovations are of two types: that which contradicts the Qur'an, the Sunnah, or unanimous agreement of the Muslims is a innovation of deception, while a good innovation does not contradict any of these things."
Al'Izz bin Abussalam said, at the end of his book, Al Qawa'id, "Innovation is divided into obligatory, forbidden, recommended, disagreeable and permissible, and the way to know which is which is to match it against the religious law."
It is cristal clear that from the opinions of these righteous scholars, that to define innovations in worship as wholly negative without exception is ignorant. For these pious knowers, among them Imam Nawawi and Ash-Shafie, declared that innovations could be divided into good and bad, based on their compliance or deviance with religious law.
Moreover, the following Prophetic saying is known even to common Muslims, let alone scholars: "He who inaugurates a good practice (sunnatun hasana) in Islam earns the reward of it, and of all who perform it after him, without diminishing their own rewards in the least." Therefore it is permissible for a Muslim to originate a good practice, even if the Holy Prophet (s.a.w.) did not do it, for the sake of doing good and cultivating the reward.
The meaning of a good practice (sanna sunnatun hasana) is to establish a practice through personal reasoning (ijtihad) and derivation (istinbat) from the rules of religious law ot its general texts. The actions of the Prophet's companions and the generation following them (in celebrating Maulid) is the strongest evidence.
Furthermore, that the Prophet and his companions did not do a certain thing does not mean they made that thing prohibited. Therefore, whoever prohibits anything based on the concept that the Prophet did not do it, his claim has no proof and must be rejected.
Let us join millions of our Muslim brothers and sisters all over the world to celebrate Maulid (12 rabiulawal/April 11 in Malaysia).
May the blessings of Allah be upon you.
Wednesday, April 05, 2006
Straw and Rice on suspicious visit to Iraq
The unexpected and suspicious visit to Iraq by United Kingdom's Foreign Secretary Jack Straw and United States Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice; three years after the illegal invasion and occupation, seeking the formation of a united government as both claimed, demonstrates the failure of the occupation forces to install what it said was its mission, democracy and freedom.
I cannot help but notice that "straw" and "rice" are united again. "Rice" is the product of "paddy" after it was separated from "straw".
Straw and Rice's visit to Baghdad this week, only proves the failure of the Iraqi elections both countries hailed as successful.
Three years after international warlord George Bush gave the green light to invaders to attack Iraq and "save" the nation from the hands of Saddam Hussein, should now be flourishing as a solid, stable and peaceful democracy. But that is not the case in Iraq. It is much worst than when Iraq was under Saddam.
Before she flew to Baghdad from London, Rice admitted that the U.S. had committed "thousands of tactical errors" regarding its policy in Iraq. But Rice was dumb about the various human rights abuses by US and UK forces, murders of men, women and children, rapes of Iraqi girls and other religious crimes.
The longer British and American forces remain in Iraq, the greater the political, military and human catastrophe will be.
I cannot help but notice that "straw" and "rice" are united again. "Rice" is the product of "paddy" after it was separated from "straw".
Straw and Rice's visit to Baghdad this week, only proves the failure of the Iraqi elections both countries hailed as successful.
Three years after international warlord George Bush gave the green light to invaders to attack Iraq and "save" the nation from the hands of Saddam Hussein, should now be flourishing as a solid, stable and peaceful democracy. But that is not the case in Iraq. It is much worst than when Iraq was under Saddam.
Before she flew to Baghdad from London, Rice admitted that the U.S. had committed "thousands of tactical errors" regarding its policy in Iraq. But Rice was dumb about the various human rights abuses by US and UK forces, murders of men, women and children, rapes of Iraqi girls and other religious crimes.
The longer British and American forces remain in Iraq, the greater the political, military and human catastrophe will be.
Khairy Jamaluddin in the news again
Prime Minister Abdullah Badawi's son-in-law Khairy Jamaluddin received rare support from government backbenchers in Parliament today. It is not important whether the support was sincere or just plain shadow play or wayang kulit in Malay.
According to Bernama, the national news agency, the House of Representatives (Dewan Rakyat) saw heated debate when several backbenchers voiced their displeasure over what they felt were uncalled for remarks made by opposition leader Lim Kit Siang in the house last Monday against Khairy.
It is normal, I may add, of Umno politicians to "pretend" to support Khairy "openly" but behind the shadow play screen, they would criticice and condemned the poor lad. But in the act of political survival, they would support and acted as good friends of Khairy. Some even invited Khairy to officiate their official functions although he is a nobody in the government administration. This is the reality of Umno politics.
In the Dewan Rakyat, one Umno politician claimed that Kit Siang had accused Khairy of being a mastermind and the like, but Kit Siang denied the accusation saying that he had only referred to a recent article by the Umno Youth vice-head in the New Straits Times newspaper.
"I did not mention that he is a mastermind. I just said stop the gravy train. He had talked about a "leakage" of 10 per cent. If the government is going to spend RM220 billion on development under the 9MP (9th Malaysia Plan), the 10 per cent will amount to RM22 billion. But the "leakage" is actually 30 per cent," Kit Siang said.
Meanwhile, Khairy is said to be eyeing the vice-presidency (VP) of Umno (United Malays National Organisation), the political party headed by Abdullah. The vice-presidency is a stepping stone for aspiring Malay politicians to be the leader of Umno and eventually the prime ministership, if the Barisan Nasional coalition-government is still enjoying popular support. At present there are only two elected VPs, federal cabinet minsiter Muhyiddin Yassin from Johor and Ali Rustam, the chief minister of Melaka state. The other VP Isa Samad was forced to resign after he was found guilty of engaging in money politics (political corruption) by the party's disciplinary board. Both Isa and Khairy are from Negri Sembilan state.
Do not be surprised to note that Umno politicians will come out with statements supporting Khairy to contest the vice-presidency of Umno. The support is nothing more than acts of political survival - another round of shadow play and the Tok Dalang or puppeteer is Khairy himself.
According to Bernama, the national news agency, the House of Representatives (Dewan Rakyat) saw heated debate when several backbenchers voiced their displeasure over what they felt were uncalled for remarks made by opposition leader Lim Kit Siang in the house last Monday against Khairy.
It is normal, I may add, of Umno politicians to "pretend" to support Khairy "openly" but behind the shadow play screen, they would criticice and condemned the poor lad. But in the act of political survival, they would support and acted as good friends of Khairy. Some even invited Khairy to officiate their official functions although he is a nobody in the government administration. This is the reality of Umno politics.
In the Dewan Rakyat, one Umno politician claimed that Kit Siang had accused Khairy of being a mastermind and the like, but Kit Siang denied the accusation saying that he had only referred to a recent article by the Umno Youth vice-head in the New Straits Times newspaper.
"I did not mention that he is a mastermind. I just said stop the gravy train. He had talked about a "leakage" of 10 per cent. If the government is going to spend RM220 billion on development under the 9MP (9th Malaysia Plan), the 10 per cent will amount to RM22 billion. But the "leakage" is actually 30 per cent," Kit Siang said.
Meanwhile, Khairy is said to be eyeing the vice-presidency (VP) of Umno (United Malays National Organisation), the political party headed by Abdullah. The vice-presidency is a stepping stone for aspiring Malay politicians to be the leader of Umno and eventually the prime ministership, if the Barisan Nasional coalition-government is still enjoying popular support. At present there are only two elected VPs, federal cabinet minsiter Muhyiddin Yassin from Johor and Ali Rustam, the chief minister of Melaka state. The other VP Isa Samad was forced to resign after he was found guilty of engaging in money politics (political corruption) by the party's disciplinary board. Both Isa and Khairy are from Negri Sembilan state.
Do not be surprised to note that Umno politicians will come out with statements supporting Khairy to contest the vice-presidency of Umno. The support is nothing more than acts of political survival - another round of shadow play and the Tok Dalang or puppeteer is Khairy himself.
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