Death toll doubles in attack on Afghanistan’s Abdullah

Death toll doubles in attack on Afghanistan’s Abdullah
Egypt court overturns conviction for Islamist prisoner deaths
Resounding endorsement for CM
Taib, Ragad celebrate Agong’s birthday with tea reception
‘Suing Malaysiakini within Najib’s rights’
Businessman killed, suspect detained

Posted: 07 Jun 2014 06:24 PM PDT

KABUL: The death toll from two explosions targeting Afghan presidential frontrunner Abdullah Abdullah doubled on Saturday, with at least 12 people confirmed dead in an attack that triggered strong international condemnation.

Abdullah survived the assassination attempt on Friday when the blasts, including a suicide bombing, targeted his campaign motorcade in Kabul ahead of next week's hotly contested run-off election.

It was the second attack on Abdullah during Afghanistan's fractious election season, which has seen an uptick in violence with Taliban militants threatening to disrupt the polls.

"The casualty toll has increased to 12 people, while a further 40 people, including one woman, were wounded," Sayed Gul Agha Hashemi, head of Kabul police's criminal investigation branch, told AFP.

Afghan officials on Friday said that six people were killed in the attack. Abdullah himself escaped unhurt but said he had lost three of his campaign workers.

The UN Security Council condemned the attack strongly, calling for an orderly transition to a new government in Afghanistan.

"The members of the Security Council underlined their support for Afghanistan's democratic processes, and looked forward to the second round of the presidential election," it said in a statement on Friday.

The United States also denounced the attack, saying that "the Afghan people deserve democracy — which they'll be exercising next week — not violence".

No one has thus far claimed responsibility for the assassination attempt but Taliban militants have vowed to disrupt the June 14 run-off election.

"The high number of civilians killed and injured further shows a complete disregard for the lives of ordinary Afghans," said Jan Kubis, head of the United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan.

"Such an attack on a busy road used by many civilians violates the most basic principles of humanity," he said in a statement.

Afghanistan is in the middle of elections to choose a successor to President Hamid Karzai, who has ruled since the fall of the 1996-2001 Taliban regime.

Abdullah fell short of the 50 per cent threshold needed for an outright victory in the April first round and will face former World Bank economist Ashraf Ghani in the run-off.- AFP

Egypt court overturns conviction for Islamist prisoner deaths

Posted: 07 Jun 2014 05:07 PM PDT

CAIRO: An Egyptian appeals court overturned Saturday the conviction of a policeman sentenced to 10 years in jail for the deaths of 37 prisoners from tear gas.

It also overturned suspended one-year sentences handed to three other officers over the August deaths of the prisoners, who were alleged supporters of ousted Islamist president Mohamed Morsi.

The 37, who were being transported from a police station to a prison near Cairo, died after the tear gas was thrown into their closed police van.

The officer given 10 years was the deputy head of the police station who oversaw the transfer.

The four were sentenced for manslaughter after the prosecution's investigation revealed they acted recklessly.

The appeals court ordered the case to be transferred to the general prosecution for further investigation.

Human rights lawyer Amr Imam told AFP the decision "means that the case is back to square one".

Since Morsi was ousted by the army in July, the military-installed authorities have launched a crackdown on his supporters that has left more than 1,400 killed in street clashes and jailed at least 15,000. - AFP

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Resounding endorsement for CM

Posted: 07 Jun 2014 12:03 PM PDT

by Jacob Achoi & Irene C, reporters@theborneopost.com. Posted on June 8, 2014, Sunday

Adenan's first 100 days in office has convinced the people he is the right person to take over the helm of the state

KUCHING: The commitment of Chief Minister Tan Sri Adenan Satem to stave off religious and racial extremists, strong stance on Sarawak's position in the nation, call for oil and gas 20 per cent royalty for the state and reaching out to the opposition in his first 100 days has won him a resounding endorsement from the people.

It was not only his stance on these key issues that won him the plaudits as Adenan had also proven that he could walk the talk by putting his words into action as shown by his approval of RM1 million for the medical bills of former DAP state chief Wong Ho Leng.

A survey carried out by thesundaypost showed that the new chief minister has won the approval of the people and leaders in his first 100 days in office.

Minister of Works Datuk Fadillah Yusof says Tan Sri Datuk Amar Adenan Satem has proven that he is the right man to take over from Tun Pehin Sri Taib Mahmud as chief minister.

Fadillah added that Adenan had lived up to the expectations of the people in his first 100 days.

"I'm very thankful that the people in the state have been giving great response to the chief minister's first 100 days in office," he said yesterday after officiating at the Datuk Fadillah Sepak Takraw competition at The Hills shopping complex.

Fadillah, who is Petra Jaya MP, said one of Adenan's strong points was his commitment to preserve racial and religious harmony in the state.

"He is very serious about religious harmony and he promised not to allow religious bigots, extremists and racists into the state," he pointed out.

Assistant Rural Development Minister Datuk Julaihi Narawi said he knew Adenan had the leadership quality to lead the state when he first met him.

"Since I first knew him, he is the real deal we see today," he said when met after a live 'Khas Bersama' show to commemorate Adenan's 100 days in office, at RTM Auditorium on Friday night.

Julaihi was confident the chief minister with his experience would be able to handle any issue that cropped up in the state.

He added that Adenan's close rapport with the various ethnic groups in the state would enable him to bring the people closer together.

Universiti Teknologi Mara (UiTM) Sarawak Rector, Prof Dato Dr Jamil Hamali said in his first 100 days Adenan had brought new ideas and approaches in running the state.

"I was approached by the CM's special officer regarding youths because he wants to meet the students to hold a dialogue session with them," said Jamil when met after the new students' orientation session at UiTM Samarahan campus yesterday.

The professor said it clearly showed that the chief minister was aware of the role of youths in the state's development, especially in the Sarawak Corridor of Renewable Energy (Score).

Parti Pesaka Bumiputera Bersatu (PBB) supreme council member Datuk Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah said the chief minister proved his mettle immediately after taking over the helm of the state government by leading BN to a landslide victory in the Balingian by-election.

"The first 10 days as chief minister was full of events and he showed his capability as chief executive officer of the state in riding through these events without any glitches," the Assistant Minister of Housing and Assistant Minister of Youth Development said yesterday.

Abdul Karim pointed out that the big win in the Balingian by election was a ringing endorsement for Adena's appointment as chief minister.

He added that Adenan's maiden speech as chief minister in the State Legislative Assembly (DUN) indicated what he was capable of doing in running the state.

"The speech outlined how Sarawak will be managed by this no-nonsense CM," he pointed out.

SUPP Youth chief Tan Kai said that in his first 100 days in office Adenan had shown that he placed the interest of the state above everything else.

"He emphasises Sarawak's autonomous status and even passed the bill of requesting for 20 per cent of oil royalty."

Tan recalled the bill being adopted unanimously at the State Legislative Assembly sitting last month.

"We all have to learn from him, that do not oppose for the sake of opposing."

The youth leader also lauded Adenan for reaching across the state's political divide to approve RM1 million for the medical bills of ailing former DAP chief Wong Ho Leng.

SUPP Women chief Tnay Li Ping described Adenan as receptive and kind, a leader ideal for state's the multi racial society

"As a multi-racial party, we, the SUPP, are happy that our chief minister is always prepared to listen to the voices of people.

Tnay also praised Adenan for defending the state's position in the nation by emphasizing that Sarawak did not join Malaysia but was a party in the formation of the nation.

"He said Sarawak did not join Malaysia in 1963 because there was no Malaysia at that time. We strongly support the statement," she said.

Taib, Ragad celebrate Agong’s birthday with tea reception

Posted: 07 Jun 2014 12:01 PM PDT

by Yunus Yussop, reporters@theborneopost.com. Posted on June 8, 2014, Sunday

BINTULU: Yang di-Pertua Negeri Tun Pehin Sri Abdul Taib Mahmud and his wife Toh Puan Sri Ragad Kurdi Taib yesterday attended a tea reception at Wisma Bintulu to celebrate the Yang Di-Pertuan Agong's birthday.

More than 1,000 guests comprising state ministers, dignitaries, heads and senior officials of state and federal governments, businessmen and community leaders attended the grand gathering.

The ceremony began with greetings from Taib and Ragad to the King, followed by the presentation of donations to 150 individuals.

Thirty-four of the recipients were senior citizens, 66 children, three bedridden patients, 21 disabled (OKU) employees and two unemployed OKUs. The remaining 24 received 'general assistance' aid. The guests were later entertained to a 'live' band performance by local singers.

The tea-reception ceremony ended after the launching of the 'Our King Exhibition' by Taib at the lobby of Wisma Bintulu.

Among those present were Deputy Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Alfred Jabu and his wife Dato Sri Empiang, Social Development Minister and the organising chairman Tan Sri William Mawan, Minister of Women, Family and Development Datuk Fatimah Abdullah and State Secretary Tan Sri Datuk Amar Mohamad Morshidi Abdul Ghani.

‘Suing Malaysiakini within Najib’s rights’

Posted: 07 Jun 2014 12:00 PM PDT

KUALA LUMPUR: The action by Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak in filing a defamation suit against the Malaysiakini news portal and its top two editors is a move towards ensuring the fundamental rights of the Umno president, said Tan Sri Dr Rais Yatim.

Rais, who is the advisor to the government on social and cultural affairs, said as a person with dignity, the prime minister would want to clear his name, having been embarassed and ridiculed.

The best venue for him to do so is the court, Rais said in a statement here yesterday.

Rais, in commenting on a statement by Malaysian Bar president Christopher Leong calling for Najib and Umno to withdraw the suit, said it clearly reflected the council's involvement in politics, without any care for a person's right to seek justice in court. — Bernama

Businessman killed, suspect detained

Posted: 07 Jun 2014 11:59 AM PDT

by Gary Adit, reporters@theborneopost.com. Posted on June 8, 2014, Sunday

KUCHING: A business owner was found bludgeoned to death while his female employee suffered head injuries in an apparent attack at an empty house along Jalan Batu Kawa-Matang here yesterday.

The deceased, identified as a 57-year-old surnamed Lee from Batu Kawa, was found by police lying face down in a pool of blood in the house within the fenced compound of a piece of land belonging to him.

The surviving victim, meanwhile, was identified as a 39-year-old woman who was said to be Lee's employee at his printing business in Batu Kawa.

The incident unfolded around 2.30pm when a passing motorist spotted a bloodied woman sitting on the shoulder of the road and stopped to inquire.

The motorist told reporters the woman initially told him that she had been robbed, but then changed her story and said she was involved in a road accident.

At that juncture, the woman's husband and son, who apparently live 200 metres away, arrived at the scene on foot and was told by the motorist to send her to hospital for her injuries.

"The woman's husband and son then went back to their house and returned in a car. They then placed the injured woman in the back seat and drove off," said the motorist.

Prior to leaving, however, he said the woman's husband went into the compound where a pickup truck – later identified as belonging to the deceased – was parked and smashed two of its windows before reaching inside to retrieve his wife's handbag from the front seat.

After they left, traffic police arrived at the scene but found no sign of a road accident as claimed by the woman. The officers then went into the compound and on looking inside the house spotted Lee's body, and immediately notified their CID counterparts.

Padawan district police chief Supt Pauzi Bujang, who was present at the scene, said initial investigation revealed that Lee suffered massive trauma to his head and face as a result of being struck with a blunt object.

He said there was no sign of a struggle inside the house and that police have ruled out robbery as a motive as none of Lee's valuables were missing.

"We have also arrested the woman's husband at the Sarawak General Hospital and consider him to be a suspect in this case," he said, adding that the case has been classified as murder under Section 302 of the Penal Code.

He also revealed that the woman's motorcycle was found parked next to the deceased's pickup truck in the compound, indicating she had arrived at the scene on her own prior to the incident. Forensics police meanwhile, recovered a bloodied t-shirt and glove, along with a pair of slippers and steel rods, from the compound and had sent the items for analysis.

Lee's wife and two children, who arrived at the scene after learning of the incident, later accompanied his body to the mortuary where a post-mortem is scheduled to be performed.