CRANKSHAFT

Forum: Institutionalized Racism in Malaysia

2012-01-15T19:52:00.001+08:00

Public Forum on Institutionalized Racism in Malaysia by HINDRAF and KL Chinese Assembly Hall Civil Rights Committee

Date: 17 January 2012
Time: 7.30 pm
Venue: KL Selangor Chinese Assembly Hall

The speakers are:
1) Mr.N.Ganesan - National Advisor to Hindraf
2) Dr. Kua Kia Soong - Director Suaram
3) Assoc. Prof. Dr. Azmi Sharom - Law Lecturer and Activist

Chaired by: Dr Lim Teck Ghee - Director, Centre for Policy Initiatives

Racism in Malaysia is developing into a subtle, pervasive and increasingly aggressive form of racism.

What started as a defensive affirmative action program is now fast degenerating into an aggressive form of institutionalized racism. This is sapping the potential of Malaysian society. The future on this trajectory is disastrous for all Malaysians. It will bring ruin to all of us.

The political, legal and administrative structures of our country – the anchors and sources of this institutionalization need to be fundamentally revamped. For this to happen, the public view of what is truly happening must become sharper. This is not an easy task - given the resources at hand for the beneficiaries of this racist system.

Public opinion must first be aligned with this developing reality, before any change can happen. With the kaleidoscope with which we all view Malaysia the perceived reality now, is not disturbing enough to galvanize people to action. This needs to be addressed.

HINDRAF and the Civil Rights Committee (CRC) of the KL & Selangor Chinese Assembly Hall are taking upon themselves to educate the public to address the needed paradigm shift . Together we embark on the first of a series of fora to highlight and educate about the structures and processes that entrench racism into our system, the impact to the nation and to the future of the nation if this is all left unchecked. And also to inform of some early stage activities in this respect.

This is the first time this topic is being broached in a public forum. We wish to push this topic into the foreground of political discourse in our country. – in its barest from. This is part of the campaign of HINDRAF and CRC to bring an end to racism in the country. We have been browbeaten to accept the status quo of this racist regime – but it only continues to reduce us as a people and as a nation. It is time we stood up and said no to institutional racism and begin the process of change.

We have an interesting evening planned at the forum. We invite all concerned Malaysians to attend this forum. At the forum besides what the panel of speakers plan to share, we also look forward to tapping the wisdom of the participants in the form of thoughts about attaining a racism free Malaysia.

18 Months

2012-01-15T04:32:00.001+08:00

It's a long time.

9 months is the period of gestation for the average human baby. 18 months is double that.

18 months is the age at which a child, from birth, has learned to roll, sit, crawl, walk, run, eat solids and maybe even talk.

A lot of learning can happen in that span of time, be it for a baby or a university student.

Adam Adli is having 18 months of his formal education put on a hold by the authorities for disapproving of the Prime Minister.

For purely political reasons, a young man is being punished.

Because at the end of the day, the university authorities are at the behest of UMNO and are at its beck and call.

Politics and democracy gone very wrong in Malaysia.

Related: Opinion: Let them sing their songs of change

John Mallot On Acquittals and Reforms

2012-01-13T00:48:00.000+08:00

By John R. Mallot – The Wall Street Journal 11th January 2012

If electoral reforms don’t happen soon, the post-acquittal joy may quickly sour.

The not guilty verdict handed down last Monday in the sodomy trial of Malaysian opposition leader Anwar Ibrahim made both sides, Prime Minister Najib Razak and the opposition, happy. Mr. Najib gets an immediate political boost by claiming a victory for the rule of law and an independent judiciary, while Mr. Anwar can focus on the election ahead. This good feeling, however, is likely to be short-lived. Serious challenges lie ahead.

The first test of the post-verdict era will be whether the government chooses to appeal the acquittal. Defense experts successfully demolished the government’s DNA evidence, but the judge said during the trial that Mr. Anwar’s accuser was credible and reliable. With parliamentary elections looming, the government might conclude that forcing Mr. Anwar back into the courtroom will distract and pull him away from the campaign trail. On the other hand, an appeal would be polarizing and cost the government the support of centrists and independents.

The second test will be whether the government implements key electoral reforms before elections are held. Mr. Najib’s government cracked down in July on Bersih 2.0, a coalition of organizations calling for free and fair elections. This demonstrated the ruling party’s fear that genuinely fair elections could cause them to lose power for the first time since 1957. However, after strong domestic and international criticism of its heavy-handed treatment of the marchers, the government backtracked and created a select parliamentary committee to propose election reforms. Among the proposals are using indelible ink to prevent voter fraud and allowing the opposition to have access to government-owned television and radio, which now act as propaganda outlets for the ruling United Malays National Organization (UMNO).

The trouble is that so far, none of the proposals have been carried out. The only thing worthy of note is a court decision earlier this month ruling that the one million Malaysians who reside overseas have no right to vote. Expatriate Malaysians, it should be noted, are generally believed to lean toward the opposition.

If UMNO fumbles electoral reform and squanders its newly earned goodwill, the opposition will get stronger. The growing pains and ideological differences that plagued the opposition coalition in years past have largely been overcome, and Mr. Anwar and his political associates express confidence that they could take power in a fair contest.

In contrast, Mr. Najib faces a constant uphill battle. Many of the economic and political reforms that he proposed were not implemented because of right-wing opposition from inside his party. He is regularly undercut in public by criticism from Malaysia’s very vocal former Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad, and in private by some of his most senior cabinet officers.

The public sees corruption on the rise and feels that UMNO supporters increasingly believe making money from government contracts is business as usual. Many Malaysians now use the word “kleptocracy” to describe their ruling class. This perception further undermines Mr. Najib’s calls for reform, making it seem as if no UMNO leader wants to crack down on this abuse, given its importance to maintaining the support of their political base. This perception is compounded by the fact that Mr. Najib has remained largely silent on the latest scandal, in which one cabinet minister’s family allegedly used public funds, targeted to increase cattle production, to buy luxury condominiums in Kuala Lumpur and Singapore.

These weaknesses compound UMNO’s fear of losing power and increase the risk of over-reaction. The party will not go down without a fight, and neither will its supporters in the bureaucracy, media, and business worlds, who fear losing access to the financial gravy train. Because of the high stakes, those who benefit from corruption will make an all-out effort to keep the opposition from coming to power. A return to Mahathir-style strong-arm tactics should not be ruled out.

All this will make the coming election the most important in Malaysia’s history—and also its dirtiest. The international community needs to pay attention and hold Mr. Najib to his promise of political and electoral reform. Mr. Anwar’s acquittal is only the beginning of the country’s fight against political abuse and corruption.

Washington Post On Anwar And Democracy In Malaysia

2012-01-08T17:55:00.000+08:00

An editorial opinion by the Washington Post on Anwar Ibrahim's ludicrous case.

ON MONDAY a struggle over human rights and democracy will come to a head in an important Muslim country.

The site is not Egypt or Turkey but Malaysia, a country of 28 million that, as it has prospered economically, has grown an opposition movement that is pressing an authoritarian regime to share power.

The opposition’s leader is Anwar Ibrahim, whose multiethnic alliance shocked the ruling party in several state elections in 2008 and who has a chance to oust Prime Minister Najib Razak in national elections expected in the next few months, if the vote is free and fair.

All that explains why on Monday Mr. Anwar will find himself not on the campaign trail but in a courtroom, where he is likely to be given a lengthy prison sentence. The charge is homosexual sodomy, which Malaysia shamefully still treats as a crime.

Read the rest online: A ‘test’ of democracy Malaysia might fail

Withdraw Disciplinary Charges Against Adam Adli

2012-01-07T01:54:00.002+08:00

To:
PROFESOR DR. ZAKARIA BIN KASA
Naib Canselor UPSI
Pejabat Naib Canselor
Universiti Pendidikan Sultan Idris
35900 Tanjong Malim, Perak

Tel : +605-4506777 / +605-450 6380
Faks : +605-4582773
Email : ncupsi@upsi.edu.my

Withdraw Disciplinary Charges Against Adam Adli Abdul Halim Immediately

Malaysians oppose the action of Universiti Pendidikan Sultan Idris authority on Adam Adli Abdul Halim as he was merely practising his right to freedom of expression by lowering Najib’s flag on 23rd December 2011.

2. We strongly feel that the disciplinary charge should be withdrawn because:

a) Adam Adli Abdul Halim was exercising his right to freedom of expression which is guaranteed under Article 10 of the Federal Constitution and Article 19 of The Universal Declaration of Human Rights.
b) He has not endangered public order as alleged by UPSI’s disciplinary body -- if so, Royal Police Malaysia is the body to take action -- but he has not broken any law in the country.
c) The disciplinary action against university autonomy and democracy which was allowed by Section 4, 15 and 16 of University and University College Act. UPSI has utterly disgraced itself, by toeing the government line and choosing to persecute Adam.

3. We urge UPSI authorities to:

a) Withdraw all pending disciplinary charges against Adam Adli Abdul Halim.
b) Preserve freedom of expression and academics of students as universities play a central role in the development of humanity and modern society.

Yours faithfully,

Crankshaft and like-minded readers

Send Them Off The Pitch!

2012-01-06T04:51:00.001+08:00

5000 Perverts Ready To Be Deployed

2012-01-04T06:23:00.000+08:00

Be afraid, Malaysia. Be very afraid.

History often repeats itself.

Check out another youth squad a few years ago.

The Gall Of UMNO

2012-01-02T18:37:00.002+08:00

Click on image to enlarge

The irony of those who try to portray themselves as being Islamic -- in fact more Islamic than PAS!

UMNO has shown its true colours by seeking the help of astrologers to know if this would be their good year in going for elections.

The verdict? The political elite will be favoured, say the astrologers.

Certainly something the politicians want to hear.

As for me, I have no intention of making any predictions. Time will tell.

Read the whole story here.

UPSI Students Beaten Up By Police

2012-01-01T23:35:00.000+08:00

I blogged some time back about Adam Adli, a student activist from UPSI who had lowered a flag bearing the likeness of Najib Razak at the UMNO headquarters.

That did not go down too well with the powers that be, especially after emotional blackmail and calls for apology yielded no results.

There was an interesting excerpt from The Malaysian Insider, just a few days ago:

Deputy Inspector-General of Police Datuk Seri Khalid Abu Bakar said the authorities are keeping a close watch on Adam and advised him to exercise caution when going about his activities.

This prompted the feisty student to respond confidently that he does not feel threatened by such statements.

“I’m not going to give up. How can they restrict me? I don’t see why must they do so,” Adam Adli said.

“I believe, and I know, I’m not doing anything wrong … I’m just voicing out my rights to protest over government policies and actions,” he added.

Adam Adli is quite right -- he has fully exercised his lawful rights to protest.

It's just that the Malaysian government does not very much like any form of dissent from its people.

In fact, Adam Adli was warned, in no subtle terms, that the authorities would be likely to take action.

And take action they did, in the wee hours of the morning when the undergraduates had held a sit-down demonstration in the UPSI campus to protest the University and University Colleges Act (UUCA).

A lot of them were beaten up.

It was a completely peaceful protest. There was absolutely no reason for violence.

Certainly no reason for violence that led to Muhammad Safwan Anang, the president of undergraduate movement Gerakan Menuntut Kebebasan Akademic (Bebas), being sent to a hospital in Slim River after he lost consciousness.

He was beaten up so badly that he even lost some teeth.

The police are so brazen to beat up this young man for a peaceful protest, without caring about what the rest of the nation thought about this incident.

Were they relying on the mainstream media to keep mum? Or for the politicians to whitewash their actions so it seems reasonable to beat up a young student for his political views?

UPDATE: Apparently, they have asked Muhammad Safwan Anang to sign a document saying that he had sustained his injuries during a fall. There were witnesses who saw the beating -- did they think they could cover it up??!!

New Year Message For Malaysian-Indians

2011-12-31T16:30:00.000+08:00

I have blogged a great deal on the plight of Indians in Malaysia. But I thought another message would also come in handy.

Indians must rid dependency syndrome

From R Kengadharan, via e-mail

Is it true that Malaysian Indians have been caught in a trap from which they are finding it difficult to extricate themselves? Or is it true that the government has its own priorities and not keen to resolve the socio-economic conditions and problems of the community? Or is a community left to fend for it self?

Read the rest online.

Using Religious Mambo-Jumbo

2011-12-30T22:55:00.003+08:00

I always find it amusing when politicians use religious rhetoric to get their propaganda across to the uneducated fanatics.

Najib is certainly not unique in his approach to Pekida.

But I thought this editorial was spot-on in its analysis of Najib: The pact with the devil

It's a little old, but still worthy of a reread.

Occupy on the 31st!

2011-12-30T02:40:00.002+08:00

To mark the end of 2011 and the inception of the 2012 New Year, we are calling ALL to Occupy Dataran Merdeka with us on December 31st, 2011, at 11pm.

This will be a participatory MASS FLASHMOB, symbolically expressing our common indignation against the many injustices and anti-democratic events that happened in Malaysia in 2011, in contrast to the positive significance of 2011 for the rest of the world.

We want to collectively say ENOUGH IS ENOUGH; TIME FOR REAL DEMOCRACY NOW, in 2012!

The objectives for this CALL TO ACTION ON DECEMBER 31st are:

1) To reclaim our public spaces and reclaim Dataran Merdeka as an open and democratic space for all peoples to assemble freely and peacefully;

2) To defend and reclaim the fundamental right to assemble peacefully, protest and to occupy our public spaces;

3) To protest against the Peaceful Assembly Bill 2011;

4) To show solidarity with all those who have suffered injustices and violation of their basic rights in 2011;

5) To show our resolve in making 2012 the year of real democratic changes in Malaysia, in all aspects, political, social and economic.

Jom Occupy!

On cow heads and easily-cowed Malaysians

2011-12-29T02:51:00.000+08:00

One very Malaysian trait, besides bringing tupperware to government open houses, is passivity. It has served us well in one regard, though: racial and religious violence.

Rather than participate in civil disobedience, the average Malaysian would prefer to sit at home and complain about poor Astro reception. With the newly-introduced free Astro packages, now everyone can complain.

You see, as a nation, we have become so cowed by our oppressive laws that the very idea of riots like the ones in London would make most Malaysians shudder.

I am sure Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad would take that as the proof of the ISA’s effectiveness and its important role in ensuring Malaysians are good, biddable citizens.

Read the rest HERE.

Brave Young Man

2011-12-23T19:32:00.000+08:00

Why the hell should he apologise for his actions when there is a legitimate reason behind it?

The 22-year-old Universiti Pendidikan Sultan Idris (UPSI) student, Adam Adli Abdul Halim, who lowered a flag depicting Najib Abdul Razak at the Umno headquarters at the Putra World Trade Centre, said he would not apologise to the prime minister for his actions.

Telling Sinar Harian in an exclusive interview today, Adam said his actions were to drive a point that the present situation in the country was getting worse and hoped his actions would create awareness.

“I will never apologise (to the prime minister). Since the thing had happened till today, now I am asked to apologise. I will never do that. How about my friends and the struggle? ” he asked.

“I do not want my friends to be demoralised if I apologise. It is not that I will never apologise at all, as maybe someday I may have to say sorry to some people for my actions,” he said when asked whether he will apologise to the prime minister.

I'm glad this young man knows to stand his ground.

I can imagine all those fools urging him to apologise are saying what a rude (biadap) thing it is to lower the flag and how Najib's feelings would be hurt.

If you ask me, Najib should apologise.

Profusely.

He should apologise for letting this nation get to such a sorry state.

He should apologise for all the taxpayer money he has used indiscriminately.

He should apologise for the stupid things he has done, like the Scorpene deals and Altantuya.

But I don't hear a word out of him.

"Falsely Humanizing Muslims"

2011-12-22T05:53:00.000+08:00

The world is a strange place.

People are determined to impose their beliefs on others and persecute them over a difference in opinion.

In Malaysia, Muslim groups are outraged that a Malay medical student has allegedly gotten married to another man in Ireland.

Some of the comments he has unwittingly received over his personal and private life are:

"The marriage is a disgrace to our religion, race and country," Norizan Ali, chairman of Kepong Islamic Youth Organization (PBIK).

@DTOTHEZAK wrote on Twitter: “Ariff Alfian Rosli is a disgrace! Rot in hell!” @shkyla wrote: “Looking at those wedding pictures of Ariff Alfian, makes me want to vomit. Blergh, disgusting.”

On Facebook, a group calling itself “The Campaign to Bring Ariff Alfian Rosli Home to Malaysia to Save His Faith” wants to “restore” Rosli to “the true and noble path” of Islam.

Meanwhile, there are a faction of Americans who protest the TLC show All-American Muslim, claiming the show "falsely humanized Muslims in America.”

Consequently, Lowe's Home Improvement recently pulled its ads from the TLC show.

This sort of fear-mongering and intolerance is evidently not going to help the normal peace-loving Muslim who lives in the USA.

If you have watched this video before, you will see the other face of normal people who just happen to be Muslim.

Persecuting them for no reason is just going to turn them into the enemy and push them to the other side.

If you have any comments about this, please go to this website: www.myfellowamerican.us and share what this controversy means to you.

TIME Person of the Year

2011-12-16T07:23:00.000+08:00

The protester.

This is so apt for the current times.

Once upon a time, when major news events were chronicled strictly by professionals and printed on paper or transmitted through the air by the few for the masses, protesters were prime makers of history.

Back then, when citizen multitudes took to the streets without weapons to declare themselves opposed, it was the very definition of news — vivid, important, often consequential.

In the 1960s in America they marched for civil rights and against the Vietnam War; in the '70s, they rose up in Iran and Portugal; in the '80s, they spoke out against nuclear weapons in the U.S. and Europe, against Israeli occupation of the West Bank and Gaza, against communist tyranny in Tiananmen Square and Eastern Europe.

Protest was the natural continuation of politics by other means.

Read more: TIME Person of the Year

Poor Najib

2011-12-05T03:40:00.001+08:00

An excerpt from Transform, reform or deform?

Does nobody tell Najib that he is making an ass of himself when he replaces a draconian legislation with another draconian one?

I would have thought that at least Idris Jala would have put his hands up and say, “Excuse me Datuk Seri, but I think we need to go through that PA Bill again.” Or is he too busy plugging up leaks?

Najib seems oblivious to what is happening around him because he lives with the moment. He does not understand that he cannot be all things to all people.

Najib has a blog. I have one too, and I know the amount of work required to make it relevant and interesting to people who you hope will read what you write. How much time does Najib spend on his blog? I think not enough to write even one article a week. And he says he talks to us through his blog. He even sends me emails to inform me about what is happening on his blog.

Should I be grateful for this or should I see it for what it really is: a cheap shot at “connecting” with us bloggers and the rest of the Internet community. It insults my intelligence. It is yet another attempt by the Najib to seen as Mr Cool, and I am sure it costs the rakyat money. No, you are not cool, Mr Prime Minister. You are wasting our time and our money for no gain to you or to us.

Najib is caught up in lies of his own making. He pretends to be a blogger when he obviously is not. He makes himself believe that he is connecting with the young when what he is he truly doing is acting out the instructions of his PR people.

Now this is what really worries me. If what we see are the best of Najib’s efforts –after all, you must put forward your best effort for public consumption—what happens in the Cabinet? Do they take collective responsibility for stupidity?

Related: The Mr Nice Guy Image

The Peaceful Assembly at KLCC

2011-12-04T01:28:00.001+08:00

An excerpt from The Malaysian Insider:

Today, Wong was told that he needed the permission from KLCC’s management to gather in the park.

But he told reporters later that they will continue to hold protests every Saturday at KLCC until the law is revoked.

The Peaceful Assembly Bill, which bans street demonstrations, was passed on November 29 on BN votes after the opposition Pakatan Rakyat bloc staged a walkout.

“We must have a parliamentary select committee before the Peaceful Assembly Bill becomes law, we want public consultation. All of us want to give our views in a real democracy,” Lim said to the crowd.

The controversial law bans all street protests, imposes far stricter requirements on rally organisers as well as higher fines for more offences and gives blanket powers to the police.

Today, Wong brushed aside any suspicion over the coincidence that the main area between KLCC and the park was closed to the public for cleaning, on both days.

“We are very heartened that for two weeks in a row they have shown their support for us with actions. That counts a lot. They are spreading the awareness of being clean,” he said cheekily.

“We are defying the law because it is unjust, it is unreasonable, it is an insult to our intelligence and common sense and we want to show how ridiculous it is when a security guard says you need to apply for permit before you can read and listen to someone reading poems.

“If the law is passed, we will do it again. We want to get the state to arrest us and charge us in court for holding balloons, for carrying flags, for singing the national anthem without permit, without notifying the police 10 days in advance. The law needs to go, kill the bill,” he said.

The Guardian On Malaysia's "Arab Spring"

2011-12-01T22:31:00.001+08:00

Malaysia's ruling party has accused the opposition of trying to topple the government by manufacturing its own version of an Arab spring uprising through street protests.

The criticism comes a day after the parliament's lower house passed a law banning street demonstrations and imposing other restrictions on rallies that rights groups have described as a threat to freedom of assembly.

Read the rest at: Malaysia's government accuses opposition of fomenting 'Arab spring'

The Memorial Service

2011-12-01T22:26:00.001+08:00

THE MALAYSIAN PARLIAMENT

1957-2011

Age: 54

The Malaysian Parliament passed away on Tuesday, 29 November 2011, at about 4.00pm at its historical home on Jalan Parlimen during the passing of the Peaceful Assembly Bill 2011.

The Parliament leaves behind 28 million heartbroken Malaysians, including the Fisherman, the Postal Worker, the Nasi Lemak Mak Cik, the Kindergarten Teacher, the Retired Old Man, the Teenage Boy, the Unemployed Fresh Graduate and many others of who looked to it as a place where their voices could be heard.

A memorial service for Parliament will be held on 1 December 2011 at 8.00pm just outside its home with a non-religious wake open to all who keenly feel its loss.

We encourage all Malaysians to attend this memorial service to mourn the passing of the Malaysian Parliament. There will be an open session for anyone to read eulogies/sing a song/read a poem in remembrance of the deceased.

Messages of condolences can also be written at this page below.

Your presence in this time of sorrow is much appreciated.

Please observe the following:

-Bring candles and white flowers

-Bring pots, pans, drums or anything that can be part of the STOMP percussion session

-Wear black

Little Trek To Sonning

2011-12-01T14:03:00.000+08:00

It took us a while to find the Thames footpath. We had to walk through some fields and wander about.

But we found it, muddy though it was, as could be expected for this time of the year.

The sights were beautiful though. The river flowed calmly, in no particular hurry, as it had been doing for the past thousands of years.

It was cold and crisp, but there were a few people out on their canoes. It goes to show that the cold is only in the mind!

The boathouse wasn't teeming with people though. It's not the most popular activity for December.

And nestled in this enclave in the town of Sonning. This is merely one house. There are plenty more.

However, do note that there are no fast food outlets or news stands available. These people truly defend their privacy.

Masters Of Misinformation

2011-12-01T05:08:00.001+08:00

The BN government has tried to pass off its draconian laws as those respectful of human rights and democracy.

Peaceful Assembly: The BN government’s misinformation — Kua Kia Soong

NOV 30 — In justifying the bulldozing of the Peaceful Assembly Bill yesterday, the BN government has said that it is in line with similar laws in the European countries which respect democracy. This is a devious attempt at misinformation which must be debunked.

Debasement of our constitutional right

Firstly, Malaysians should realise how much the BN has debased our fundamental liberties since Independence in 1957. Our Federal Constitution, by the way, was crafted by the Reid Commission set up by our former colonial master and our fundamental liberties enshrined in it were based on international human rights already existing at the time.

Our right to assemble peaceably under Article 10 was severely circumscribed by the Police Act 1967, giving the police wide discretionary powers to the police to regulate assemblies, meetings and processions by requiring a licence to be obtained for peaceful assemblies.

Amendments to the Act in 1987 further extended police powers to stopping and dispersing activities in private places. It also provided the police with power to use force against participants when closing down events, whether in public or private places. This was exactly what the police did in 1996 when they dispersed, arrested and detained NGO activists at the Asia-Pacific conference on East Timor (APCET). I was one of the unfortunate victims of this law.

Since 2007, section 98 of the Criminal Procedure Code allows the government to use court orders to stop public assemblies. The police have the power to arrest individuals named in court orders if they enter the identified areas of planned assemblies.

Through the years, the police have used these powers to selectively arrest human rights defenders while letting off far-right mobsters such as we saw at APCET in 1996, Suqiu in 2000, Kampung Medan in 2001, the Article 11 fora in 2006, the cow-head fracas in 2010, to name but the most salient examples of double standards by the police.

SUHAKAM in its 2007 public inquiry report reiterated the constitutional provision that “peaceful assemblies should be allowed to proceed without a licence.”

Use European Convention on Human Rights model

Whichever European country’s model the government is supposed to have followed in drafting the Peaceful Assembly Bill, the European Convention on Human Rights (ECHR) is ultimately the authority on this fundamental liberty.

The right to peaceful protest is enshrined in the ECHR. The police do not need notification of the protest. As long as the public highway is not blocked off completely and there is no threat of violence, there will be no criminal offence. If the police do require conditions, they are obliged to give reasons for the conditions. If they have acted unlawfully, the police can be sued under the Human Rights Act.

As long as the organisers’ intention is for peaceful assembly, the possibility of violent counter-demonstrations is not a reason for prohibiting processions. The state is expected to protect peaceful protestors and to take reasonable and appropriate means to enable lawful peaceful assemblies.

Notification only for police protection

It is only right that the police should be notified if there is to be a peaceful assembly since they are the keepers of the peace and the far-right are the main threats to democracy today. However, it is unconstitutional to criminalise a peaceful assembly or procession simply on the ground that the organisers had failed to give notice to the police.

The Peaceful Assembly Bill is thus an unnecessary restriction on our right to assemble peaceably and out of step with modern democratic societies. Important events are forever breaking out which spur people to protest over particular issues and peaceful protests provide a forum for the peoples’ voices to be heard.

There should be a notice period of 48 hours if only for administrative purposes with provision for waiver in spontaneous demonstrations. Fundamentally, the spirit of Article 10 of our constitution demands that the police should not be given the power to prohibit any peaceful assembly or procession.

Kill the Bill

Under the guise of “reform”, the BN government is attempting to pull the wool over our eyes by introducing old poison in new bottles. Mark my words — they will do the same with the ISA with their new Act “against terrorism”. As for reforming our political institutions to honour the right to peaceful assembly, the government should simply amend the existing Police Act and other laws to be in line with Article 10 of the Constitution. As the perceptive philosopher Uma Thurman coolly put it: “Kill the Bill…”

Walk For Freedom

2011-11-30T07:22:00.001+08:00

In case you're wondering what exactly happened.

This certainly looks like far more than a thousand people on the streets.

"Peaceful Assembly" Bill Passed

2011-11-30T07:06:00.001+08:00

The Malaysian parliament has passed a ban on street protests, despite a rally against the bill by crowds of lawyers.

Opposition lawmakers boycotted the vote on the Peaceful Assembly Act, which the ruling party says eases regulations.

But critics say it replaces a rule requiring a police permit for a demonstration with one that bans street protests.

Some 500 lawyers marched in the capital ahead of the vote.

Read the whole thing HERE.

Walk For Freedom: From Lake Club To The Parliament

2011-11-29T06:38:00.001+08:00

Calling ALL activists and those who are passionately fighting for various rights.

Let us get together as RAKYAT Malaysia and join the #Walk4Freedom!

WHY JOIN THE WALK ? The PA Bill 2011 will affect all the causes we are fighting!

HOW, YOU MAY ASK? It simply denies us the freedom to assemble where we want and when we want to champion our causes... you can't freely protest the environmental issues, or gather on Woman's Day to fight for equal rights of woman, or to stop violence against woman, or to fight for electoral reform, or to let the voices of the indigenous people's be heard, or to hear the plight of refugees, children and migrants, or the cries of those brutally abused by police and the list goes on.....

For all the causes above you would need to apply for a permit and the process would "require a 10-day period so the police can negotiate with the local community to get their views". This is subject to approval. Alternatively you could protest in "designated areas" such as stadiums. (we all remember Bersih and how it was denied Stadium Merdeka).

*IMAGINE* : someone gets raped in your neighborhood..you need to assemble to alert people about it to create awareness...you have to wait 10 days to apply for a permit etc...by then there might be another person raped. AND YES the new PA Bill doesn't have exceptions for this kind of assembly too!

Stripping the right to assemble strips away all our campaign rights!

WHAT CAN YOU DO? Hartal! In 1947 Malaysian did Hartal ( a form of "civil disobedience" where the shops, businesses, offices, etc were closed for a the few hours and the people joined in the demonstration and then went back to work)...calling all Malaysians to join in the Walk 4 Freedom! Let us in SOLIDARITY exercise our right in the Federal Constitution (Article 10 : Freedom of Assembly)!

WHERE AND WHEN IS THIS? Walk4Freedom will be on 29th November 2011 @ 1130 am ...LAKE CLUB...and we will walk at 1230pm to Parliament....

Malaysia’s Government Under Mounting Pressure

2011-11-28T04:16:00.001+08:00

Malaysia’s government under mounting pressure to reconsider law that would ban street protests

KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia — Malaysia’s government faced mounting pressure Sunday to scrap plans for a law that would ban street protests, despite agreeing to ease other restrictions on rallies that activists have called repressive.

The proposed law to regulate public demonstrations has prompted lawyers, opposition leaders and rights groups to accuse Prime Minister Najib Razak’s National Front coalition of cracking down on freedom of assembly ahead of general elections widely expected next year.

Details of the Peaceful Assembly Bill announced last week included a requirement for rally organizers to inform police about their plans 30 days in advance. Street demonstrations would be forbidden, effectively limiting rallies to stadiums and public halls.

Malaysia’s de facto law minister, Nazri Aziz, said Saturday that the Cabinet has agreed to make several changes to the proposed law, such as reducing the advance notification period to 10 days.

However, there were no changes planned for the ban on street protests and a fine of up to 20,000 ringgit ($6,200) for demonstrators who break the law. Children under 15 would be barred from attending rallies, which also cannot be held near schools, hospitals, places of worship, airports or gasoline stations.

Read the rest HERE.

Malaysians In London Protest Peaceful Assembly Bill

2011-11-27T05:26:00.001+08:00

It was an incredibly windy morning at Belgrave Square.

That, however, did not discourage any hard-core Malaysian overseas.

They came with their banners and posters.

There was not a peep out of the Malaysian High Commission while the protesters chanted and waved their banners.

A couple of policemen kept watch at a respectful distance, but did nothing to disperse the crowd. Street protests were seen as a fundamental right.

Making one's dissent heard is far easier in the UK than in Malaysia.

Malaysia Bill on Demonstrations Draws Protests

2011-11-25T04:08:00.001+08:00

Excerpt from Wall Street Journal:

Mr. Najib on Thursday said the new legislation shows his government is "taking a brave moral stand" and listening to the people of Malaysia.

Opposition leader Anwar Ibrahim said opposition parties would argue against the Peaceful Assembly Bill in Parliament, but political analysts said it is unlikely he could stop its passage. A prominent protest organizer, Ambiga Sreenivasan, said the proposed law would only set back legitimate dissent.

Legal activists also were unimpressed. Bar council president Lim Chee Wee described the new assembly law as "restrictive" and expressed his surprise that street protests would be outlawed. The bill would also prohibit gatherings within 50 meters of schools, hospitals and places of worship.

Read the rest HERE.

Free To Assemble Campaign

2011-11-25T00:30:00.000+08:00

KEMPEN KEBEBASAN BERHIMPUN (KKB)

Sekretariat SUARAM
433A, 1st Floor, Jalan 5/46,
Gasing Indah,
46000 Petaling Jaya

Dear Friends,

The Committee of Free To Assemble Campaign/Kempen Kebebasan Berhimpun would like to invite you to the Candle Light Vigil to Demand the Withdrawal of the Public Assembly Bill immediately.

Our stand is that this Bill is more repressive, is contrary to Article 10 (1) of the Federal Constitution and is more severe than the previous act.

Therefore, “Jom Ke Jalan” to reclaim our fundamental rights.

Information is as follows:

Date: 26 November 2011
Venue: Merdeka Square (Flag Pole)
Time: 7.30pm

Spread this to friends, family members and all Malaysians!

Please contact the Secretariat (SUARAM) Heng Lung at 016 4114147 or Nalini 019 3758912.

Thank you.

Released By,

Secretariat of KKB
(SUARAM)

Kee Thuan Chye On Malaysian Scams

2011-11-24T18:44:00.001+08:00

Are we stupid enough to fall for the same scam?

Kee Thuan Chye
8:34AM Nov 24, 2011

COMMENT I can’t help but wonder if the government really thinks that Malaysians are stupid. So stupid that we can be hoodwinked into believing that the changes they propose to our laws amount to actual reform.

Two months ago, when Prime Minister Najib Razak announced that newspapers would no longer have to renew their publishing licences annually, he might have expected us to go ga-ga and applaud and say that the media would now be freer.

But if we had done that, we would indeed have been stupid. Because we would not have realised that there is really no change.

Even if the newspapers need not renew their licences every year, the fact remains that the home minister still retains the power to suspend or close down any newspaper at any time - if he feels it is too free in expressing its views, or for whatever reasons.

So, whether there is renewal or not, it does not matter. As long as the home minister is still as powerful as before, your newspaper can still get into trouble with him. What’s more, his decision cannot be challenged in court.

Ah! If you now say that stinks like a scam, that the government is actually trying to deceive us, you would be right. But if you still think, like the mainstream media does, that there is actual reform in that licence renewal waiver, then the government would be right in thinking that Malaysians are stupid. Or, at least, some Malaysians.

You may be surprised that there are indeed such stupid Malaysians.

They are the ones who continue to support the ruling party and defend its policies, including its numerous flip-flops. They are the ones who will vote for that party at the next general election and say it is better to go with the devil they know than the devil they don’t know.

They are the ones who don’t know they are being fooled. They might even be people who know they are being fooled, but still choose to go with the devil who is fooling them. Needless to say, the ones who know they are being fooled and still continue to support the party are even more stupid.

Disturbing restrictions

And they will continue to be stupid if they believe that the Peaceful Assembly Bill, which the government tabled two days ago, is a step forward, guarantees more freedom, and will lead to Malaysia being “the best democracy” as promised by Najib.

Their stupidity will not allow them to see that it’s another attempt to hoodwink Malaysians. They will say it’s good because it allows Malaysians to gather in public without having any need to apply for a police permit.

Yes, on the surface, it looks good that a police permit is no longer required. But now consider the other conditions. The most disturbing one is this - although you don’t need a police, permit, your assembly cannot proceed if there is objection by the police.

What? Isn’t that like getting a police permit?

Let me repeat. You don’t need a permit but if the police object, your assembly can’t go on. So, what does that mean? Your assembly is still dependent on police approval, isn’t it? So what’s new?

If you straight away say, “That police permit waiver is a scam!”, then you’re not stupid. Because there is no change. And you can see it for what it is.

In fact, it has now become worse. You have to give the police advance notice of your assembly 30 days before it is due to be held. Thirty days! That’s a long time to plan.

And what happens if you want to stage a spontaneous assembly? What if the government does something cruel and unfair and unlawful and citizens feel compelled to take to the streets to protest against it immediately?

Well, that will be considered illegal. And if you don’t provide the 30-day notice, you can be fined up to RM10,000!

Youth discriminated

And did I mention the words “streets” and “protest”?

Well, according to the new bill, no street protests will be allowed.

What? Then what’s the point of an assembly? Only for socialising? For merely hanging about in public? No placards? No cheering? No chanting?

The new bill is obviously designed to protect the government, not to give more democratic space to the citizens. It is designed to prevent people from protesting against the government.

In fact, the new bill transgresses the rights of freedom guaranteed in the federal constitution.

One, if you are below the age of 21, you cannot organise an assembly. Is that fair? Are those below that age not citizens who should enjoy equal rights? Is this democracy? Is this “the best democracy”?

Two, if you are below the age of 15, you cannot take part in an assembly except cultural and religious ones, like funeral processions, or events approved by the home minister. Again, discrimination. Again, power to the home minister.

Three, areas at which public gatherings cannot be held have now been specified. Has this ever been done before?

Bill gives cops more power

And if you were to look at the list of prohibited areas, which include petrol stations, hospitals, mosques, fire stations, kindergartens, schools, etc, you would see that the democratic space - also in physical terms - has become even smaller. Especially since there must also be a buffer zone of 50 metres around each of these areas that public gatherings cannot traverse.

Most districts, especially in city centres, have a few of such areas in close proximity to one another. As such, the interstices between the buffers would be too small to accommodate a mass of people.

How then would a public assembly be able to fill these little spaces? This condition is clearly aimed at discouraging assemblies in city centres.

Four, the police have even more power now. They can decide to arrest any assembly participants they deem a problem, and those arrested can be fined up to RM20,000. Is that providing more freedom or more deterrence? And who is to say the police decisions may not be arbitrary?

So, my fellow Malaysians, are we going to be stupid? Are we going to accept this bill that discriminates against some of us, throttles our freedom and disregards the constitution?

Are we going to be fools and be thankful to the government and say the bill is providing reform and taking Malaysia forward, and should therefore be passed into law? Are we going to be twice bitten by the same scam and not be aware of it?

Well, there’s no fine imposed yet for taking to the streets. And there’s still leeway to do it without giving 30 days’ advance notice. Once the law is passed, however, it will be too late.

KEE THUAN CHYE is the author of 'March 8: The Day Malaysia Woke Up', which just won 3rd prize in the Popular Readers' Choice Awards. It has also been translated into Chinese.

Solidarity Rally For MyOverseasVote

2011-11-23T20:22:00.001+08:00

Please save Saturday, November 26 free for a solidarity rally in support of the MyOverseasVote campaign and the 8 Demands of Bersih 2.0.

Six Malaysians, who are all based in Britain, have applied to the KL High Court to compel the EC to amend its regulations to allow Malaysians overseas to register as Absent voters.

As the EC regulations stand, only Civil Servants and students who are overseas are allowed to vote with a Postal ballot. All other Malaysian citizens who wish to vote have to return to Malaysia to cast their ballot. The lawsuit aims to put an end to this discriminatory and arbitrary rule.

Permission for Judicial Review was granted by Judge Rohana Yusuff on the 14th November. Constitutional Lawyers Edmund Bon and Edward Saw appeared for the Applicants. The campaign is supported by the MyOverseasVote campaign.

Independent Lawyers from the Bar Council, MyOverseasVote and the Malaysian Centre for Constitutionalism & Human Rights were present to hold a watching brief. The Substantive hearing is fixed for January 3rd, 2012.

The London rally details:

Date: 26 November 2011
Time: 11:00am to 1:00pm
Venue: outside the Malaysian High Commission in London (45 Belgrave Square)

Other Bersih groups around the world will be holding events on the same day:-

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Global-Bersih-20/182539641800071?ref=ts

Henley On Thames

2011-11-23T15:27:00.000+08:00

Henley is most famously known for the Henley On Thames Royal Regatta. It's usually held in summer, around June or July.

So it was somewhat quiet when I was there in late autumn approaching winter.

The River Thames was occupied not by boats, but unassuming little ducks getting their daily exercise in the water.

Most of the leaves had deserted the trees for the winter, leaving them looking a little forlorn and lonely. Those trees, however, would look gorgeous in spring and summer.

It's a nice, quiet village.

With a few rich boat owners.

Implications Of Peaceful Assembly Bill

2011-11-22T20:09:00.000+08:00

As far as I'm concerned, this bill is bad news.

1. Those arrested for protesting on the streets can be fined up to RM20,000

2. No one under 16 can attend or participate

3. No one under 21 can organise a protest

4. It cannot be held near certain public areas

5. Appeals go to the Home Minister, not the courts -- this gives the police absolute power as they come under the jurisdiction of the home ministry.

This bill frankly undermines the Constitution.

The ISA Again!

2011-11-18T18:18:00.000+08:00

I once asked if they were really listening when it came to oppressive laws, back in Sept 16 this year when Najib promised to abolish the draconian Internal Security Act.

Back then I said, "To begin with, Najib's promises are not something I take very seriously. I believe this is basically posturing for the international scene."

So I was expecting some sort of stupidity but I was still disturbed when I heard that 10 activists were arrested under that very law!

TAWAU: Ten religious teachers and Islamic activists were arrested here under the Internal Security Act (ISA) by a team of police officers from federal police headquarters Bukit Aman.

The counter-terrorism operation by the Special Assignment Team was led by DSP Azman Omar. The police gave no information on the arrests.

The families of the detainees were informed on Tuesday that their relatives were being detained under the ISA which allows for detention without trial. They can be kept incommunicado for 60 days, after which the Home Minister can detain them for two years.

According to sources, those arrested were all PAS members or supporters, including respected religious teachers in the Tawau district.

Sabah PAS commissioner Mohd Aminuddin Aling questioned the arrests which he said were made without warrants, notice or any prior information. He also complained that the police operation was conducted in front of wives and children.

It is utterly bizarre that there would be arrests for no major reason.

Frankly, it seems to me like Muhyiddin is trying to sabotage Najib and make him look bad.

War Crimes Tribunal

2011-11-18T13:39:00.000+08:00

Coming from the guy who rendered the Malaysian judiciary impotent, conducting a war crimes tribunal is the epitome of irony.

The Kuala Lumpur War Crimes Tribunal is an initiative of Malaysia’s retired Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad.

Check this out: Activists in Malaysia plan symbolic ‘war crime’ trial of Bush, Blair over Iraq War actions

Don't get me wrong -- most people agree that the US and UK should never have invaded Iraq.

I suspect the Americans and British would top the list of war protesters, as the war casualties from both those countries has reportedly exceeded the number of Iraqis.

Most Malaysians (and I wager, most of Asia) are not supportive of the invasion.

So I'm wondering what Mahathir is trying to achieve.

Is he trying to distract everyone from the coming elections with this?

The People's Petition On BERSIH 2.0 Demands

2011-11-17T12:52:00.000+08:00

Puan Rosni Malan, the widow of the late Baharuddin Ahmad who died on 9th July 2011 during the Bersih 2.0 rally, and Madam Anne Ooi (Auntie Bersih) launched the Petisyen Rakyat Tuntut Pilihanraya BERSIH this afternoon at KLSCAH.

The Petition highlights the Bersih reforms called for and appeals to His Majesty, the DYMM Seri Paduka Baginda Yang di-Pertuan Agong, if presented with a request for consent to dissolve Parliament

before the PSC has completed its work;
before any and all recommendations of the PSC for reforms to our electoral processes have been approved by Parliament, and fully implemented; and
before the Rakyat are fully convinced that the next GE will be free, fair and clean.
to invoke His Majesty's powers under Article (2)(b) to withhold consent to dissolve Parliament if all of the above conditions are not met.

People, if ever there was a time when we must all pull together and give it all we've got, it's now - Facebook, Email, SMS, Twitter etc. - reach your relatives, friends, neighbours, even strangers.

This is preparing for GE13.

Go to the website: www.PetisyenRakyat.tk

If you have problems, try this: http://www.petitiononline.com/petitions/per2011b/signatures

No To Overseas Malaysian Votes

2011-11-11T21:17:00.001+08:00

Says MCA:

Malaysians abroad are not qualified to vote because they are “out of touch” with the current state of affairs in the country, MCA told Parliament’s polls reform panel today.

The ruling Barisan Nasional’s (BN) Chinese party said its research showed most Malaysians outside the country only received information from questionable news sources, which it said may not reflect the “true situation” ongoing in the country.

“What they read about Malaysia may therefore be biased and is the wrong information. It does not give them the whole truthful picture about the ongoings [sic] in the country.

MCA certainly knows that an influx of overseas votes, especially from people like these and these and those from these 24 countries will soundly whack them to never-never land.

And they're afraid. Very, very afraid.

Read the whole thing at The Malaysian Insider.

Pesta PoAM

2011-11-10T13:18:00.000+08:00

Click on image to enlarge

Date: 13 November 2011, Sunday
Time: 10:00am to 5:00pm
Venue: KLSCAH

Stateless

2011-11-04T11:21:00.000+08:00

According to Al-Jazeera, about 40,000 ethnic Indians born and bred in Malaysia do not have any form of identification.

I have written about this topic a number of times.

Frankly, I've railed about how having no form of identification is a violation of rights, because these children do not get any education. I have also lamented on what a social impediment these stateless people grow up with.

Heck, I've even complained that no political party takes this group seriously enough to correct this situation.

The truth is, ethnic Indians comprise nearly eight per cent of the Malaysian population, yet an inability to obtain the proper documents has rendered generations stateless.

They have never been to India as they don't own birth certificates or identity cards, much less passports. Neither have they been to any other country.

And yet, they are not considered citizens of Malaysia.

Watch the video: Recognizing Malaysia's stateless Indians

Polls In January??

2011-11-03T10:55:00.000+08:00

The nerve of them to even consider having the elections so soon, when they haven't even made any attempt to clean up the elections as per the BERSIH 2.0 demands.

Malaysia can kiss goodbye its hopes of changing the government if the playing field is not level.

Bravo UKM4!

2011-11-02T22:39:00.001+08:00

The BN government, stupid as it is, has made some good survival decisions in the past. One of them is to silence university students.

Nothing spells firebrand like a young student discarding his teens and embracing his 20s. It's an exciting age, it's a world of revelations.

The Mahathir administration made it illegal for even political science students to be involved in politics. That is tantamount to forbidding an engineering student from undertaking industrial training.

The protest was meek, if anything. So the Act went ahead and the students were silenced.

But no more.

In a landmark decision, Section 15 of the AUKU -- Act disallowing student participation in politics -- was considered unconstitutional. One judge had the moral fortitude and sense of justice.

A lot of people chastised the UKM4 for being on the ground at Hulu Selangor. But they have paved the way for a wrong to finally be corrected.

Bringing Shame

2011-11-01T16:09:00.000+08:00

It is impressive that university students have finally discovered and exercised their rights.

But guess who is discouraging them by claiming they bring shame to him?

Would he prefer they go out to some foreign country and protest?

KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 29 — The Johor Sultan warned students of Universiti Tun Hussein Onn Malaysia (UTHM) in Batu Pahat today that they would be disrespecting him by joining illegal rallies, according to a Bernama report today.

Sultan Ibrahim Sultan Iskandar, who is chancellor of the university, said that such activities will threaten national stability.

“We will not hesitate to resign as chancellor should any of our students be involved in such activities as it is better than having our name tainted by such acts that also shames the university’s reputation,” the state news agency quoted the monarch as saying at UTHM’s 11th convocation.

Shame is an interesting word. It is something that UMNO and by extension, BN absolutely does not possess, unfortunately.

What brings shame to this country is corruption, waste of tax-payer funds, religious extremism and racist rhetoric. Not an exercise of civil rights.

Why hasn't anyone spoken out or resigned in protest of that?

Overseas Malaysians Sue Election Commission

2011-11-01T09:45:00.003+08:00

Now these are a bunch of people that I am proud of!! The good thing about people who have travelled abroad and observed other cultures and lifestyles, is that they wouldn't put up with being bullied.

Malaysians working overseas sue election authorities in attempt to secure right to vote

KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia — A group of Malaysians have sued election authorities in what they described Monday as an attempt to extend voting rights to nearly 1 million citizens living abroad.

Rights activists have long criticized restrictions that prevent most Malaysians abroad from casting ballots. Exceptions include government workers, military personnel and full-time students.

Another law has prevented university students from publicly voicing support for political parties since the 1970s.

A group of Malaysians called “My Overseas Vote” said in a statement that six citizens working in the United Kingdom have asked the Kuala Lumpur High Court to force the Election Commission to register them as voters before the next general elections, widely expected by mid-2012.

“To say that only certain groups of citizens are allowed the postal ballot is nonsense that amounts to outright discrimination,” Teo Hoon Seong, one of the litigants, said in the statement.

Read the rest at the Washington Post.

Malaysian Maturity By Ooi Kee Beng

2011-10-31T21:30:00.000+08:00

A very succinct piece, in my opinion.

Did Malaysia mature when we were not looking? — Ooi Kee Beng

October 31, 2011

OCT 31 — The flurry of Malay organisations making the news in Malaysia bodes well for the country, whether or not these group together extreme rightists, opposition voices, concerned students or professors, or green or human right activists.

The matter has now become too obvious to be denied, which is that the Malay community in Malaysia is like any other community anywhere in the world. Its collectiveness, like anyone else’s, is pragmatic and contingent. This is how it should be. They are not an entity whose extremely diverse and individual needs, thoughts and aspirations can be articulated through one single political party.

The myth is broken. What will take its place is a cacophony of noises or a symphony of tunes, depending on one’s politics and disposition.

That powerful party, Umno, is the oldest in the country, founded as it was just one year after the Second World War. It has dominated Malaysian politics to this day, but now rightly fears that it will lose power in the very near future.

When the party started, its slogan was “Hidup Melayu” — Long Live the Malays. Only after changing that to “Merdeka” in March 1951 did it begin to make serious headway into the popular consciousness.

From the very beginning, Malay political consciousness went in many directions. There were pan-Indonesianists, communists and other leftists, monarchists, Fabian socialists and republicans. The British, with their reputation lost through their defeat by the Japanese, favoured conservatives who were willing to work closely with the nine sultanates. This entity was Umno.

The amazing diversity found in the Malay community — as in all communities — was obvious from the onset. Those more concerned about religious values broke away to form PAS in 1951, while Umno itself split around the same time when its president, Onn Jaafar, left with his group of followers to form the Independence of Malaya Party (IMP).

Umno gained the upper hand through co-operation with the Malayan Chinese Association, formed at the instigation of the British to draw Chinese support away from the communists. This coalition managed to gain independence in 1957 for the country after its electoral successes saw the British abandoning the IMP, which they had favoured since its founding.

Even after 1969, when the so-called Malay agenda could be applied fully through the New Economic Policy, internal fighting continued within Umno, leading to outright splits in 1988 and 1998.

Today, when more and more Malays are urban and well educated, and make up an increasing portion of the population, the expression of diversity within that community — the breaking of the collective myth — should be seen as the coming into being of Malaysia’s modern citizen, largely determined by the Malays.

Opposition from other communities since 1969 has been generally weak, and based on the activism of certain individuals. The propaganda that had served Umno for so long, that the Malays are in danger of extinction, does not work anymore.

This became most obvious when the group Himpun recently demonstrated with a cry against purported Christian threats to Islam.

Despite the claim that a massive crowd of one million would turn up, the Umno government granted the permit. Only 5,000 people showed up, indicating quite clearly that Malays in general cannot relate to the old idle logic any longer.

The Malays continue to decide the national discourse, as they have done since the beginning. But most hearteningly, diversity is taken for granted, and a lot of activism is done in collaboration with non-Malays.

The Malaysian citizen has come into his and her own right.

There is no longer any doubt that the Malays will “hidup”; and Merdeka was won a long time ago. What seems to be the problem now is, how quickly will the death of the old myth mean the fall from power of Umno?

Instead of 1 Malaysia, Umno’s latest slogan, to be correctly reflective of the government’s concerns, should be “Hidup Pemimpin Umno” — Long Live Umno Leaders. — Today

* The writer is a senior fellow at the Institute of Southeast Asian Studies.

Guess What Happened at CHOGM Perth?

2011-10-31T13:54:00.001+08:00

Najib got his ass kicked -- yet again!!!

At this point, I am really beginning to feel sorry for him. Governments around the world meet to discuss world issues and guess which nation brings up their issues which were prohibited from being voiced in their home country?

Yes -- Malaysia!!

In Perth, the police evidently don't brutalise citizens for exercising their democratic right to protest on the streets!

Malaysians around the world have not forgotten the acts of the BN government. And Najib is going to feel the heat wherever he goes.

None of the protesters were handcuffed or beaten up like those in Malaysia were. So it obviously pays to demonstrate and air all grievances in a foreign country. Najib might want to think twice about going abroad again.

He is going to be embarrassed everywhere by good ole Malaysians who have decided that enough really is ENOUGH!!!

Go for it, Chin Huat!!

See the whole set of pictures by Trevor Morgano HERE.

PAGE Warns BN

2011-10-30T21:51:00.001+08:00

If you don't already know who PAGE is, they are the advocates of Science and Mathematics being taught in English.

It is frankly, a good cause. Malaysian school children need to be taught in English, not in Bahasa Malaysia, to be able to compete with the rest of the world.

Besides, when they get to their tertiary education, they will be forced to switch to English as most textbooks are written by scholars and academicians of the English-speaking Western world.

The fact that the BN administration wants to switch back to Bahasa Malaysia is testament of their sheer stupidity.

KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 30 — Barisan Nasional (BN) risks losing votes in upcoming polls if it continues barring students from learning science and maths using English in schools, a parents lobby group said today.

The Parent Action Group for Education Malaysia (PAGE) wants the 10-year-old policy of teaching science and maths in English at national schools (PPSMI) to be made an option for students in primary and secondary schools.

“If it is political (decision on PPSMI) give us the PPSMI option in national primary and secondary schools, and we will give you the two-thirds majority, which you are making increasingly difficult for us to do.

“Do not make us give the opposition our vote,” said PAGE chairman Datin Noor Azimah Abdul Rahim said in a statement to Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak today.

I only have one issue with PAGE: Is the decision to revert to Bahasa Malaysia as the medium of education the only reason why they would say no to BN??

If you ask me, there are already so many reasons, and education is one of the least of them.

Read the rest: PAGE warns BN of polls backlash from PPSMI snub by Shazwan Mustafa Kamal

Being A Citizen Journalist

2011-10-28T00:11:00.000+08:00

I think it is safe to assume that the US government allows street protests, but within a limited time frame.

After that, they get just as brutal and violent as the Malaysian police.

Any instance or place in which the authorities get violent on peaceful dissenters is wrong. And these instances should be documented for all and sundry to see.

Check out: RAW VIDEO - Cop Runs Over Wall Street Protester's Leg

We can't always rely on the mainstream media, for most of the time, they are owned by corporations that have a vested interest in keeping certain news from public knowledge -- especially if it concerns them.

That's why we need Citizen Journalists.

Gizmodo has given a comprehensive list of things to do and not to do when playing the role of Citizen Journalist.

And You Claim We Are Conservative??

2011-10-27T06:51:00.000+08:00

A bit on the issue of khalwat.

In 2002, the Reformasi website named top public figures and officials who were having relatively public affairs, including Najib Tun Razak, then the defense minister and now the prime minister, who was caught in a Port Dickson hotel room with the actress and singer Ziana Zain. None have been apprehended by the khalwat police.

“It’s in the culture — not that sex is a scandal in itself but that Malays like to aib or cause shame to their enemies,” said an ethnic Malay lawyer in Malaysia. “Khalwat is a tool to eliminate or shame your enemy. It’s partly rooted in perasaan hasad dengki – good old jealousy to bring down the other fella who has more than you. Islam itself forbids spying. That’s what khalwat is.

I wonder why no one in the Himpun rally thought it fitting to rally against Muslims indulging in this sort of thing?

Read the rest in Sex, Lies and Malaysian Politics

RM10.89Million Down The Drain!

2011-10-26T00:30:00.000+08:00

Perhaps we are not developed enough to be building satellites. Or maybe we're just not smart enough to operate them.

But this is a lot of money to be losing: RM142m RazakSAT faulty after just one year, says federal auditor

By Shannon Teoh

KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 24 — Malfunctions barely a year after the RM142 million RazakSAT satellite was launched caused it to take 1,328 unusable mapping images that were inaccurate by up to 37km, the Auditor-General’s report showed today.

The report made available today said state-owned Astronautic Technology Sdn Bhd (ATSB), which operates RazakSAT, lost RM10.89 million in 2009, of which RM7.7 million went towards insurance premiums for the faulty satellite.

“The operational lifespan of RazakSAT is three years. But the RazakSAT satellite failed to function fully on August 30, 2010, a year and sixteen days from launch date,” Auditor-General Tan Sri Ambrin Buang wrote.

The Auditor General added that the remote sensing satellite was designed to “capture images within 1km accuracy” but “an image of an area in Sungai Buloh and Subang missed by 37km and captured Kuala Selangor.”

As a result, 1,328 high-resolution images could not be used for the project’s stated objective of providing remote information for land development, forestry and fish migration.

Is it too much to ask that my tax money be spent wisely???

Do You Have What It Takes To Be An UMNO Politician?

2011-10-25T19:16:00.001+08:00

It was started by Mariam Mokhtar and has some additions (in the multiple choice section) by Bernard Khoo.

Have you got what it takes to be an Umno politician? Take the test and find out.

1. Your special advisor phones you claiming that his foreign girlfriend is demanding money. She threatens to expose him and his dealings with you. What do you advise him to do?

(a) Pay her the money and send her away.

(b) Send her a legal letter saying she is blackmailing your friend, and have her deported.

(c) Get your security police to take her away, shoot her twice in the face and blow up her body in the jungle.

d) Like a good party man, I will diligently seek advisement from my Prime Minister and FLOM. A winnable politician will cover all bases. Sailful did, no?

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2. The opposition has won control in one of the states and you are anxious to wrest it back. How would you resolve this?

(a) Wait for the next general election and in the meantime work on winning over the public’s confidence.

(b) Find a copy of the opposition’s policies, improve on their ideas and then pass these new revised policies as your own party’s.

(c) With a suitcase full of money try and ‘persuade’ the person who confirms the appointment of the menteri besar, that your selected candidate is the best choice for the state.

(d) Visit all the frog farms aka depleted mining pools in Perak, select potential hoppers and send them to Chinese restaurants for complete annihilation.

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3. You are losing the Malay vote and random surveys indicate that your party will lose in the upcoming general election. What will you do?

(a) Go on roadshows to the rural Malay heartlands and show them how your policies will change their lives for the better.

(b) Go on roadshows to the rural Malay heartlands and tell them that the opposition’s policies are rubbish

(c) Make three million Indonesian, Bangladeshi and Filipino migrant workers citizens of Malaysia, then give them jobs in exchange for their voting rights (to vote for your party).

(d) put these new citizens into New Villages for better control thereby creating another base for postal votes.

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4. Your domineering wife aspires to be a politician and you fear she might do a better job than you. She is a determined lady and more importantly, wears the pants at home. What is your course of action?

(a) Tell her to get herself nominated like everyone else, and go through the usual motions of becoming an elected candidate

(b) Explain how hard you’ve worked, going on the road for ceramah and that you need her by your side for support

(c) Give her a suitably large diamond ring and enough Hermes Birkin bags to keep her distracted. Tell her the national airline is at her disposal to fly her on shopping trips abroad.

(d) Arbitrarily declare your wife as live President of COW (Club of Obedient Wives) thus rubbishing Phd sex which will not foster procreation in that chongkat “seeds will not get into the right holes” for successful fertilization (thanks Monyet King)

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5. Your daughter is about to be engaged to the son of a powerful ‘don’ and you want to create a lasting impression. The only problem is that the ceremony is abroad and you do not want to appear to be stingy.

(a) You phone your prospective in-laws and say that you would prefer a quiet, modest ceremony attended by a few close members of the family.

(b) You inform your daughter that she ought to get a job first and work for a few years before setting up home.

(c) You arrange a trade delegation in the country where the ceremony is to be held and you fly your family and 500 close friends to attend the ceremony, on the pretext of attending an official function. You tell the taxpayers that they will be delighted to view the photos of this momentous occasion that you will post on Facebook.

(d) Coax Alex Ferguson to endorse this ManU(factured) coalition and be Guest of Honor at the high table.

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6. The companies bidding for the tender of the multi-million ringgit road project have met your civil servants to discuss the details and specifications. What is your response?

(a) You do nothing but leave it to the technical experts to evaluate their proposals to award the contract to the most suitable bidder.

(b) You tell your office to keep you informed of the outcome because you want to show interest.

(c) You get your girlfriend to phone each of the companies and tell them that to ‘win’ the contract means a tidy sum of money upfront and a share of the profits, once the contract is awarded.

(d) Tell the contractors to go full steam ahead on condition that the tunnel does not pass under a VVIP’s mansion. It will be ok to skirt the mansion.

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7. The Chinese have wised up, after 54 years of your party’s lies. You cannot trust them to deliver their votes. What do you do?

(a) Try and re-engage with them by visiting their communities and arranging talks with their business associations.

(b) Speak to Chinese colleagues in your party.

(c) Tell your staff to spread the word that the Chinese are pendatang and should return to their country of origin.

(d) As a winnable candidate, I will not waste time and resources courting the Chinese voters who have gone over to DAP and PAS. Two males and one female FROGS, all CHINESE is lesson enough.

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8. Article 11 of the constitution ensures Malaysians the freedom of religion. Non-Muslims, are unhappy with temples being demolished and cemeteries being located beside sewage plants. How do you deal with this?

(a) Arrange to meet with the religious representatives to discuss an amicable solution.

(b) Set aside land for temples and cemeteries.

(c) Raid their dinner parties and then organise a march to protest about non-Muslims trying to proselytise the Muslims with the lure of a makan.

(d) This is of great import and as such I will seek the counsel of the Sultan of Perak’s mufti and Hasan Ali of PAS. No! Ibrahim Ali is anathema! This is about religion and not race.

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9. What did your friends think of you at school?

(a) Hardworking and helpful

(b) Good at sports and a team-player

(c) A bully, a racist and a show-off

(d) To be a winnable candidate, a prerequisite is HONESTY! Those who know me know that most often I played truant. Those who are close to me know that I am a winnable lallang and have an innate instinct to play to win! Ask my estranged parents and siblings! Without a doubt they will certify this.

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10. In your opinion, what qualities should a good politician have?

(a) Ability to listen and empathise

(b) Good at problem solving

(c) Ability to tell lies and put on two faces

(d) Run when the going is good. I don’t want to be like that Klang railway gatekeeper who built a mansion and died in 2008 without enjoying occupancy.

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How did you do?

Mostly As: Oops. You are honest, fair and enterprising and should choose another profession.

Mostly Bs: Very good, but you haven’t got quite what it takes to be a politician. You need to brush up on your political awareness. In the meantime, you would make a good political adviser. Try again for GE14.

Mostly Cs: Congratulations! BN need look no further and Najib Abdul Razak will award you a nice shiny medal.

If you perform, there will be a mega-contract or two for being smart enough to know what is required of you, but dumb enough to think your political role is important.

( I will leave my Ds to Mariam’s wise judgement and assessment! Am I forgiven Mariam….forgive lah, I also Perak mali, Taiping lang and an eco-warrior too!)

Didn't Quite Himpun After All

2011-10-23T22:48:00.000+08:00

Target: 1 million
Achievement: 5000

A bit off the mark, I'd say -- I guess Harussani Zakaria (who eventually didn't show up, according to some quarters), Ibrahim Ali and Hasan Ali aren't exactly crowd-pullers.

I've been hearing conflicting reports about the purpose of HIMPUN. The overriding sentiment is that it was to protest the proselytisation of Muslims by the Christians, and it was consequently branded as being anti-Christian.

According to a report in FMT, "Many of the younger crowd [] emphasised that they were not out to start a fight with anyone and only wanted to play a part in strengthening their faith."

I personally can't gauge how, but assume we take their words at face value.

Does that mean that this rally had no element of protest at all? Was it the Muslim equivalent of an evangelical revival?

On The Topic Of English In Education

2011-10-22T00:30:00.000+08:00

I like this kid.

She tells Najib exactly what the problem is.

Click on image to enlarge

Good for her. There is no reason why her formal education should be ruined just because of Malaysian politics.

That being said, I do commend her personal education -- i.e. her upbringing by the parents -- as they have evidently taught her to speak up for herself.

That is something to be proud of indeed.

Why HIMPUN?

2011-10-21T11:30:00.000+08:00

Got an issue? Then sort it out, folks! Have a walk, have a rally, wave some banners, scream your lungs out if you have to.

That is democracy. Of course, it has no place in this country, because Malaysia is not a democracy.

This HIMPUN has more issues than Lindsay Lohan, frankly.

Like Lindsay Lohan, HIMPUN seems incapable of taking itself seriously. In a country where Muslims are the majority, it seems a little redundant (and bizarre if I may) when they claim to be the victims.

Especially when the world knows what Malaysia is really like. I have blogged repeatedly over the body-snatching incidents by Muslims. It makes you wonder what kind of people would try to grab dead bodies.

It's even on BBC: Malaysia burial row fuels tension

Interestingly, PAS (Islamic party of Malaysia) has distanced itself from this HIMPUN rally. I would have expected that this would be a rallying cry for them as they are the pro-Islamists.

Most of the Opposition politicians have also looked away. This, ironically, seems to be a pro-UMNO movement.

I see sense in the words of AkuMelayuIslam:

Saya cadangkan dua juta umat Islam berhimpun bagi mengatasi masalah perangai orang Islam sendiri, seperti suka fitnah, rasuah, lucah, boros, malas, menipu, hiburan berlebihan, pergaulan bebas, buang bayi, rempit, dadah, berpecah, tolak hukum Allah, dan lain-lain. Masalah ini dihadapi oleh berjuta juta umat Islam.

Ini lah masalah sebenar yang dihadapi umat islam sekarang, bukan dikristiankan yang melibatkan mungkin beberapa ratus orang. Wassalam.

For a moment, it almost seems that Muslims can be level-headed. I wouldn't hold it against them. I suppose when you're distracted and bubble-brained like Lindsay Lohan, you do the strangest things.

That being said, I don't know why Bishop Paul Tan is getting agitated (since he is pretty smart, if a little verbose).

“Judging from the campaign waged by some sections of the mainstream media and blogs you would think Muslims in Malaysia in droves are being covertly converted to Christianity,” Bishop Tan said.

“This is only true in the fevered imagination of the Harussani Zakarias’ of this country and not anywhere else,” added the bishop.

(Harussani Zakaria is the Perak mufti who has periodically raised the alarums about Christianization of Muslims in Malaysia.)

“In all the history of Muslim-Christian relations since independence I have never seen a government so casual and so irresponsible as to allow the fabrications this man has visited on the general population go by with impunity,” lamented the prelate.

One of the speakers at the Himpunan Sejuta Umat this weekend is Harussani Zakaria.

Ah yes :-) Harussani Zakaria -- a man of limited talents and multiple grouses. Watch him incite ill-feelings and racial hatred.

I guess it remains to be seen how many Muslims would take up this "cause".

Foreign Woman Hurt In Police Raid

2011-10-20T23:00:00.000+08:00

A reader alerted me to the news of this foreign national who was bullied by the authorities: Woman: I was hurt in raid

As usual, this goes to show that the police have free reign to do as they please. They evidently violated procedure when:

1. The police were not in uniform
2. The police did not state the reason of the arrest to the suspect as is stipulated in the procedure
3. The police acted violently
4. The police did not give medical attention to the injuries sustained

In my opinion, everything falls neatly and squarely into the lap of this Chinese national. She was wrongly treated -- pure and simple.

However, I see something wrong in this.

Why did the husband pay RM2,000 to have his wife released? Was it legal? Or was it under-the-counter as usual?

Then I see a purpose for these illegal raids. They are to help these policemen make money from bribes.

University Suspends Professor Aziz Bari

2011-10-20T15:30:00.000+08:00

There are probably less than 5 decent law lecturers in this god-forsaken country.

I know two of them -- Aziz Bari of International Islamic University and Azmi Sharom of University Malaya.

As of a few hours ago, I apparently only know one, because Aziz Bari has been suspended indefinitely.

He is one of the few gentlemen and civil servants that have the gumption to speak up against blatant government practices and injustices.

According to a source, Aziz is accused of "making statements that run contrary to the interest of the university" as stated in the show-cause letter issued to him.

The issue is pure and simple -- he has given support to the BERSIH 2.0 movement.

So the UMNO government is unhappy, and possibly enraged about that and wants his head on a platter.

But they are picking a fight, not with one man, but a host of angry students that he has worked with.

Italians And Malaysians Are Very Different

2011-10-17T20:30:00.000+08:00

You know what? Maybe we should sick some Italian protesters onto the Malaysian police. That'll teach them a lesson or two about violence and brutality.

Even the Australians would never put up with what we Malaysians mildly accept. If a policeman dare abuse or injure any peaceful protester, he'd better have a will drawn up and signed.

Trust me, he would be torn into pieces over a stunt like that in Australia, and most likely in Italy as well.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Hundreds of hooded, masked protesters rampaged through Rome in some of the worst violence in the Italian capital for years Saturday, torching cars and breaking windows during a larger peaceful protest against elites blamed for economic downturn.

Police repeatedly fired tear gas and water cannon in attempts to disperse them but the clashes with a minority of violent demonstrators stretched into the evening, hours after tens of thousands of people in Rome joined a global "day of rage" against bankers and politicians.

A demonstrator celebrates as a Carabinieri police vehicle burns during a demonstration of the "Indignant" group in Rome on Saturday.

Smoke rose over many parts of the neighborhood between the Colosseum and St John's Basilica, forcing many residents and peaceful demonstrators to run into buildings and churches for shelter as militant protesters ran wild.

Occupy Dataran

2011-10-16T11:52:00.000+08:00

Oh ye Malaysians at Dataran Merdeka on 15th October? You rock.

Heck, the gathering in KL may not have been as big as the few thousands in New York, Rome, Auckland or Spain but the spirit was there -- and for that, I salute you!

No prizes for guessing that they were broken up by the police, but it looks like our fellow freedom fighters all over the world didn't have it easy either.

A little bit of police brutality isn't going to stop us. In fact, that is one of the biggest drivers in spurring people to get involved as well. It certainly worked for the Wall Street occupants! :-)

Related: Beautiful humans embodying the spirit of joy and freedom...

The Indignant Around The World

2011-10-15T23:26:00.000+08:00

There was a time last year when I considered the Americans to be one of the most stupid bunch of homo sapiens to inhabit the planet.

After all, it was their economy that was the most erratic, and their corporate investors that needed the most bailing out -- and all through tax-payer funds.

Make no mistake, this was money that belonged to the people, being used to finance a very select group of people who expected to be getting huge bonuses even while others had no jobs and nothing but a bleak future on the horizons.

But not a single American protested. They were silent, in spite of the federal takeover of Freddie Mac and Fannie Mae, which had given loans out indiscriminately to those who couldn't afford to pay them back.

That wasn't so bad.

What was worse: the bailouts of AIG, Merrill Lynch etc. The heads of these corporations were those appointed to be CEOs of Freddie Mac and Fannie Mae.

The irony.

Somehow this year, and to be more specific, THIS MONTH, a group of Americans decided to occupy Wall Street instead. Literally.

They have been camping out at Liberty Plaza Park (outside Wall Street) for over 2 weeks.

This is in spite of the threats by New York's mayor, Bloomberg, who himself has significant share in the nation's wealth through his media corporation.

There were numerous clashes with the US police (not unlike the Malaysian ones who inflict pain and injury for no reason) but the protesters stood their ground.

I have only one word for them:

BRAVO.

Since then, others from different countries have woken up to their plight of being used by the 1% who control the billions of dollars.

In solidarity with the Americans, about 951 cities were supposed to see non-violent demonstrations. Not all of the cities participated, but a huge number did.

And so, from Europe -- in Germany, Italy, England, Sweden, Portugal, Spain .....

..... to Asia Pacific -- in South Korea, Japan, Philippines, Taiwan, Hong Kong, New Zealand and Australia .....

..... and not to mention Canada, people have stood up to protest. Hell yeah, they have!!

Even Wikileaks has gotten involved:

Wikileaks founder Julian Assange spoke to 500 demonstrators outside St. Paul's cathedral in London.

"The banking system in London is the recipient of corrupt money," he said, adding that Wikileaks would launch a campaign against financial institutions in the coming months.

And in Australia, we appear to have our unwitting representative from Malaysia in the form of Danny Lim:

Danny Lim, a 67-year-old immigrant from Malaysia, said he moved to Australia 48 years ago in search of opportunities.

Now he no longer trusts the government to look after his best interests. He thinks Australia's government has become too dependent upon the U.S. for direction.

"The big man — they don't care. They screw everyone. Eventually we'll mortgage our children away," Lim said.

I guess running away to some other part of the world will not solve the problem if no one grabs it by the horns. As they say, you can run, but you can't hide.

The young people of today will have to stand up and stop the bullying instead of staying silent and hoping it goes away.

Congratulations, America! You have led the way.

Letter To Refugees

2011-10-11T11:08:00.002+08:00

Dear Asian Refugees (presumably from Myanmar, Cambodia, Sri Lanka or Iran),

Congratulations for making that treacherous journey by boat to Australia! Unfortunately, that would have been the peak of your success and only the beginning of the consequences of making poor decisions.

When you landed safely on Australian shores, the first people you met were probably the Australian Customs and Border Protection Service. They probably glanced at you wearily and sent you off to some refugee holding centre.

While you were waiting in that centre, an agreement was made by the Australian government with its Malaysian counterparts. They wanted to exchange refugees.

If you could only read or hear of this news, you would be horrified. Malaysia is not a signatory to the UN refugee convention. It treats its refugees very badly. It abuses those who try to protect, help and speak out for refugees as well.

Like Irene Fernandez for example, who in 1995, published a report on the abuse of migrant workers, cataloguing the malnutrition, physical and sexual abuse and the appalling conditions and the detention camps where they end up and where many of them die. She was arrested at home and charged with ‘maliciously publishing false news’.

You may say that it happened long ago and that conditions have since improved. You would be very wrong. I recently met this person, who for some reason, has a heart for the downtrodden.

In Malaysia, "downtrodden" could refer to a number of groups, including the rural poor, urban poor, non-Muslims, but it is most significantly applied to the group of people called "refugees".

This acquaintance of mine chanced upon a number of detention camps for refugees and she thinks that Irene Fernandez was grossly understating the conditions. Most of these camps are under the watch of RELA.

RELA is a paramilitary organisation that can only be formed under an Emergency. We are currently under 4 emergency rules which have yet to be lifted. These rules are still being enforced so that it allows the UMNO government more leeway to do things within its discretion.

Unfortunately, there are no rules to govern what RELA can or cannot do, as they are an ad-hoc organisation. They know it, so they pretty much do as they please, including having their way with refugees.

My acquaintance told me that the refugees quake in fear when the RELA members as much as just walk past. If you are unaware of what I am trying to say, please watch the movie, 'The Kite Runner' about life in Afghanistan. It would be an eye-opener to you, though I wager most of you (and not just you, but most Malaysians as well) would come away traumatised.

This acquaintance of mine, if caught, can be charged with aiding and abetting because she brings along food to eat when she pays them a visit.

Don't get me wrong. I know that you refugees do not come about because you're bored. In a previous post, I once said, "Something drastic must have caused these people to flee their homeland. Often it is war. Sometimes it is the tyranny of the tin-pot dictators. People don't become refugees in search of a better lifestyle; they become refugees because they have no other choice."

Sometimes, I really wonder if you did have a choice, to begin with. Why didn't you fight the oppressors in your home country? The biggest group of refugees in Malaysia are the Myanmarese -- the Chins and Rohingyas -- why didn't you do something before you let your country get to that sorry state??

The rest of the world is fighting against their oppressors. In many instances, they are the men in white collars. In other countries, it is the men in military uniforms. The Americans have decided to stop taking it lying down! And consequently, we have the Wall Street Occupation, speaking out against the bullying and thieving done by the white collars.

We Malaysians have woken up as well. We refuse to let the select few rape and plunder.

But this exchange program between the Australian and Malaysian governments are for a reason. They want to naturalise you refugees and give you citizenship and voting rights in exchange for your votes. They say there is no such thing as a free lunch. They, whoever they are, are right indeed.

So for your rights to live and start your new life, you will be violating our rights to a free and democratic government. And frankly, that is what upsets us. It is not your presence here in this country. It is your political role.

And for that reason alone, we don't want you. Nothing personal.

Crank

Dinner Lecture 6

2011-10-10T12:28:00.002+08:00

Those of you who know of Dr Jeyakumar will know that he is an intellectual. You would do well to come and listen. Besides, at SABM, the food is always good :-)

Just to reiterate:

Date: 22 October 2011 (Saturday)
Time: 7:30pm
Venue: Rumah Anak Bangsa Malaysia
66 Lorong Setiabistari 1
Damansara Heights

I'm also curious to hear from Dr Rohana Ariffin.

See you there.

Three Concerns The Budget Doesn't Address

2011-10-08T19:46:00.001+08:00

By Dr Jeyakumar

Every year, once the Budget is read by the Finance Minister, the BN sycophants will fall over each other in trying to give a positive spin to it. Tomorrow we will see the same tired phrases repeated in the mainstream papers – “a peoples’ budget”, “a caring budget”, “budget from the heart”, “with goodies for everyone”, and other sugary phrases which are meant to make everyone believe in the benevolence of the BN government.

Sure there are some points that are positive – the abolishment of all school fees for example which though is only about RM 200 per student, will give real relief to the 40% of families whose total monthly income is less than RM2300. The allocation of RM 100 million each for Tamil Primary Schools, Chinese Primary Schools and Religious Schools will be of great help to these partly aided schools. And there are several other examples like these.

However an objective assessment of a national budget has to go deeper than this. You just can’t juxtapose a few goodies for disparate sectors and use that to argue that it’s a great budget! A National Budget is a blueprint detailing how the Government of the day plans to tackle the main economic problems facing the nation.

So, what are the main economic problems facing the nation? I think that there are 3 main ones:–

1. There is a real possibility of a serious recession in the next 12 months. The sovereign debt crisis in Europe and the USA may precipitate this. How would this affect us, a nation that exports almost 60% of what we produce? How should we prepare ourselves for such an eventuality?

2. Liberalization of the economy and the reliance on the free market to supply basic necessities such as health care, water, education and housing has led to financial hardships of the 80% of families earning less than RM 5300 per month. How do we address this problem?

3. The leakages are enormous. Many government procurements are at prices that are up to 3 times their actual market value. The development budget is about RM 45 billion, and the allocation for supplies and services is another RM 30 billion. At a conservative guesstimate that half of this money will go to the pocket of cronies through over-priced contracts and quotations, the country will be losing RM 37.5 billion in the course of 2012. (To put this amount in proper perspective – the total budget for the Selangor State Government for 2010 was less than RM 1.5 billion!)

Sad to say, none of these crucial issues are addressed in this budget.

The Government planners seem oblivious to the possibility of a recession. They talk glibly sound fundamentals, of robust growth in India and China without taking into account that a 8% growth of a GDP of US 1.5 trillion (India) and US 3.3 trillion (China) is not enough to counter a drop of 4% in the US GDP (US 12 trillion) and the combined GDP of the EU which is of a similar magnitude! And in any case, China’s and India’s growth also depends to a certain extent on exports to the US and the EU, so their growth rates will also be brought down by a recession in the West!

There are several things we can do to cushion the effect of a serious recession – one would be to quickly implement the Retrenchment Fund that the MTUC, PSM, JERIT and other labour groups have been asking for. Another would be to put off expensive infrastructure works and keep those funds aside to ensure that the basic need of the rakyat are met perhaps through issuing food stamps in event there are people who cannot find re employment for some months.

As for the issue of liberalization – it appears that Najib and his planners have no doubts in their mind, although ordinary people the world over are coming out to protest neo-liberal policies. The liberalization of another 17 service subsectors was announced in the budget, including private hospitals. Now a foreign company can set up a private hospital in Malaysia. The fact that this will accelerate brain drain and weaken the government sector on which 75% of our population depend on seems to have been deemed unimportant by our Finance Minister!

And as for the issue of plugging leakages there is nothing but lip service and a whole set of acronyms such as “SRI”, “GTP” and “ETP” among others, which do not seem to have reduced the pilfering of public funds significantly. There do not seem to be any new believable initiatives in the 2012 Budget to stem the hemorrhage of public funds.

The 2012 Budget fails to address the crucial economic issues facing the nation. This can only mean one thing – those entrusted with the stewardship of this country and its economy, are certainly not up to mark! Its high time they are replaced!

What TIME Has To Say About Najib And Malaysia

2011-10-06T22:31:00.002+08:00

I like how Malaysians are being seen a positive light. Before, we were the pathetic cowards, but not any longer! :-)

In fact, while the journalist at TIME concedes that Malaysia will be no Arab Spring, others ask Najib if he would like another Tahrir Square.

Anyway, an excerpt from TIME below:

Southeast Asians have at least two things in common. First, they all know what it's like to live under authoritarian regimes and rulers. The latter range from brutal autocrats (Burma's recently retired General Than Shwe) to self-styled strongmen (Cambodia's Hun Sen) to leaders who benefit from repressive laws that safeguard the predominance of a single party (Malaysia's Najib Razak).

Second, Southeast Asians are bone weary of authoritarianism, and increasingly unafraid to say so. There is a growing demand for accountability and good governance that the region's elites and demidespots ignore at their peril. To call it a Southeast Asian Spring is an exaggeration. But the movement is youthful and social-media-savvy, and could precipitate changes just as profound as those in the Middle East.

Prime Minister Najib, who casts himself as a moderate, seems to realize this. His party, the United Malays National Organization, leads the National Front coalition, whose decades-old grip on power has sparked protests for electoral reform. In July police violently dispersed what should have been a peaceful rally by some 50,000 members of Bersih 2.0, a group campaigning for free and fair elections. (Bersih means clean.) Protesters used Twitter and YouTube to organize the rally and, later, undermine claims that the police acted with restraint.

On Sept. 15, his reformist credentials in shreds, Najib promised to scrap the Internal Security Act (ISA), which allows police to detain suspects indefinitely, along with the much abused Emergency Ordinance. He also vowed to loosen media restrictions and review the laws on freedom of assembly. It's hard to know whether he will keep his promises. But emboldened Malaysians will hold him to them, either at the polls — an election must be held by 2013 — or on the streets.

Read the rest at: The Fire Next Time by Andrew Marshall.

Himpunan Hijau (Anti-Lynas Demonstration)

2011-10-03T13:00:00.000+08:00

The folks in Kuantan are not taking it lying down.

Date: 9 October 2011
Time: 6:00am to 9:00am (yes, you read right -- it's early)
Venue: Taman Gelora, Kuantan

Join them if you can. It is your future as well.

Ong Boon Hua Wants To Come Back

2011-10-02T22:16:00.000+08:00

Well, few people know him as Ong Boon Hua. Everyone knows him as Chin Peng.

He's on his last days -- after all, he is 86 and some of the activities he was up to in his youth weren't exactly conducive for good health and longevity.

The dude is hospitalised in Bangkok because the authorities refuse to let him in.

Apparently, "his return would upset many Malaysians who lost their loved ones during the communist insurgency." Or so says the BN government, which is really no better than Chin Peng's party, if you want my honest opinion.

The true reason the government refuses to let him in, I suspect, are as follows:

After independence, Chin Peng continued to fight the Malaysian government. But with the dragnet closing in on his jungle hide-outs and his Marxist-Leninist campaign losing steam, he fled to China in 1960. From there, he went to southern Thailand with hundreds of fighters loyal to him.

Malaysia signed a peace treaty in 1989 with the insurgents, but persistent suspicion among authorities about communist ideologies prevented Chin Peng from ever coming back.

Chin Peng began a court battle in 2005 to force the government to allow him back into Malaysia. The country’s top court eventually ruled he cannot return unless he first produces birth and citizen certificates, which his lawyers say were lost after being seized by British authorities in the 1940s.

Read the whole article at Exiled former Malaysian communist leader in coma in Thailand; relatives fear he’s dying

Denied Entry Again

2011-09-30T11:50:00.000+08:00

The dictator government of Malaysia is at it again!!

They are still banning Haris Ibrahim from entering Sarawak because they know that he is nothing but pure, unadulterated trouble -- for them, that is.

This dude knows how to speak his mind and uphold the rights of the Rakyat. And for that, we are grateful.

But something needs to be done about this banning of people for politically-motivated reasons.

From FMT:

Haris, the Malaysian Civil Liberties Movement (MCLM) president, said that he was detained by Sarawak immigration authorites after landing at the Kuching International Airport at about 5.30pm today.

“The order of notification is the same as the one in April (this year). (But) I haven’t seen any papers (about this deportation) yet,” he told FMT through a telephone conversation.

Interestingly, he was allowed into Sabah to have his RARA roadshows in Tawau and Kota Kinabalu. But obviously, he has made Taib Mahmud very worried.

For the Sarawak elections recently, a lot of people were banned from entering Sarawak.

Launch of the Short Film ''Police Powers and Your Right"

2011-09-28T16:47:00.004+08:00

Folks, this could be very useful for you.

Launch of the Short Film '' Police Powers and Your Right ''

Date: 29 September 2011 (Thursday)
Time: 8.00pm (Registration begins at 7.30pm)
Venue: Auditorium, 1st Floor KL &Selangor Chinese Assembly Hall

This has apparently been produced by several NGOs to provide basic knowledge to the people about their civil rights when dealing with the police.

This 15 minute film is presented by Ayam Fared, Amerul Affendi and Khairilridzuan, in collaboration with Rumah Anak Teater, SUARAM, Lim Lian Geok Cultural Development Centre, Amnesty International Malaysia and KOMAS.

For any enquiries: Please contact Lucas at 03-77843525 or 016-411 4147.

Smart Election Gimmicks

2011-09-25T22:31:00.001+08:00

1. Hijack poor DAP's efforts to improve the facilities of the Chinese schools :-)

2. Pretend to work hard to raise money by cycling

3. Claim to take "great pride in the role and contribution of the Malaysian Chinese towards the betterment of education in the country"

4. Claim - even more ludicrously - that the BN government supported and gave assistance to the Chinese schools since independence.

5. Kiss Chinese ass by saying that the ability to speak Mandarin would help Malaysians remain competitive in the current global environment, that even his son learns it, and that his father had established links with China.

The smart Chinese that I know hardly give two hoots about China. They consider themselves Malaysian now.

But this was probably spun to glory for the stupid ones. And believe me, they will buy this -- hook, line and sinker.

Now You Know Why .....

2011-09-24T23:08:00.000+08:00

... Lynas is being stubbornly hailed as a necessity in terms of job opportunities etc, in spite of the danger it poses.

Because Mahathir's son Mokhzani holds a significant share in Lynas!

PETALING JAYA: Former Prime Minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad has an ulterior motive for supporting the Lynas rare earth project, claimed an NGO.

“Mahathir’s eldest son Mokhzani Mahathir, the CEO of Kencana Petroleum has a large stake in the Lynas rare earth refinery project, said the Save Malaysia Stop Lynas (SMSL).

Its spokesperson, Steven Hang, said: “Kencana Torsco Sdn Bhd is a subsidiary of Kencana Petroleum that won lucrative contracts from Lynas Malaysia Sdn Bhd.

“Kencana Torsco is involved the design, fabrication, lining, supply, installation, and commissioning of carbon steel and stainless steel tanks worth RM9.1 million for the project.”

Hang made this claims based on facts obtained from Bloomberg Businessweek, a US-based business website portal.

Read the rest here: ‘Dr M has vested interest in Lynas’

Our Taxpayer Funds Used Again!

2011-09-23T00:06:00.003+08:00

I have always been annoyed at how carelessly our money is spent. First APCO, then FBC Media, and now the former advisors to Tony Blair.

The thing that puzzles me with Najib is his fixation with spin and foreign spin doctors. First, he paid millions to APCO, then paid much more millions to FBC Media, a company which brought much disrepute to Malaysia because it transpired they paid for Najib and Malaysia to get good publicity.

The PM obviously does not rate his own staff highly. And it surprises me that any leader has to hire foreign spin doctors to tell him how to become a reformer.

Now he has got the Blair Boys. So who is paying their fees? Am I, as the taxpayer, picking up the tab? Is Najib paying out of his own pocket?

Read the whole piece by Lucius Goon at Who’s paying for Blair’s Boys?

More Fraud: Ex-EC Chief Issued 60,000 Fake ICs

2011-09-20T22:36:00.000+08:00

From Malaysiakini:

A leaked US Embassy cable carries an explosive charge against former Election Commission (EC) chief Abdul Rashid Abdul Rahman - that he admitted to issuing more than 60,000 fake Malaysian identity cards to foreign workers in Sabah in the 1990s on Umno's orders.

The cable, posted on WikiLeaks, quotes former Malaysians for Free and Fair Elections (Mafrel) chief Malek Husin as claiming that Rashid confessed this to him during a private meeting at Rashid's house on Oct 25, 2006.

In the cable marked confidential, Malek is said to have told US Embassy officials that Rashid also confirmed Umno's launch of a "shadowy" campaign in the 1990s to wrest political control of Sabah - held until 1994 by then opposition front PBS.

"During that decade, Umno granted citizenship and Malaysian identity cards to over 600,000 foreign migrant workers (predominantly Muslims from Indonesia and Mindanao in the Philippines) in Sabah, in exchange for their votes in state assembly elections.

"According to Husin, Rashid 'admitted to personally issuing over 60,000 fraudulent Malaysian ICs in Sabah', to help Umno assume political control there," the cable says.

Up to the time of writing, Malaysiakini was unable to get an answer to calls or a text message sent to Abdul Rashid's mobile phone.

Instant citizenship and voting rights for illegal immigrants have long been an issue in Sabah, with local leaders within and outside the BN coalition having repeatedly demanded a solution from the federal government.

However, nothing has come of their demands.

It is claimed that the situation became acute in the 1990s, with the blame placed on then prime minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad for allegedly launching what is now called 'Projek IC' - a clandestine operation said to involve the National Registration Department, related government agencies and their agents - to artificially boost votes in favour of Umno and the BN.

In the 1994 state election, PBS - which had held Sabah as an independent opposition front since 1985 - saw its majority hold of the state assembly reduced to a razor-thin margin over the BN.

Although PBS was eventually toppled with a string of defections to the BN by party stalwarts, many blamed the contentious 'Projek IC' for playing a major role in the success of BN's hostile takeover of Sabah.

Wan Ahmad is 'anti-reform'

The cable, created on March 16, 2007, also includes Malek's claim that Rashid had described EC deputy chief Wan Ahmad Wan Omar as "an Umno member who is anti-reform".

Malek is said to have told US Embassy officials that Rashid had intended to stay on as EC chief until "the number two is gone", with the aim of easing in then EC secretary, Kamaruzaman Mohd Noor, as his successor.

In a separate meeting with Kamaruzaman, the cable quoted him as telling US Embassy officials that the EC was not in a position to push for reforms, as each and every proposal had to go through the Prime Minister's Office for approval.

Kamaruzaman is also reported to have said that the EC has no power to investigate election day abuses, with it having to refer allegations of fraud or election tampering to either the police or the Anti-Corruption Agency, the predecessor of the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission.

Battle for polls reform 'very steep'

Based on meetings among US Embassy officials and the EC, Mafrel, Bersih and several academicians, the cable summarised that electoral reforms in Malaysia faced a "very steep uphill battle" as it moved towards the March 2008 general election.

It ironically proved to be a watershed outing for opposition parties, which were able to deny the BN a two-thirds majority in Parliament.

The cable described the "Umno-led BN governing coalition" as keeping a tight rein over all important levers of power, including the EC, leaving little wiggle room for any efforts to open up elections to greater transparency and fairness.

It pointed out that, despite concerted efforts by Mafrel and Bersih to push for grassroots engagement in their bid for a revamp of an electoral system heavily tilted in BN's favour, "their best efforts will almost certainly not produce meaningful reforms", at least in the medium term.

"Umno, in power since independence, faces no effective public, opposition party or internal pressure to reduce its overwhelming powers of incumbency," the cable states.

Rakyat Reform Agenda

2011-09-19T16:30:00.000+08:00

MCLM launches its Rakyat Reform Agenda roadshow later today:

Date: 19/09/2011
Time: 7:00pm
Venue: KL-Selangor Chinese Assembly Hall

Please attend and spread the word. Details at The People's Parliament.

Old Butch

2011-09-18T13:50:00.001+08:00

John was in the fertilized egg business.

He had several hundred pullets (young hens) and ten roosters to fertilize the eggs.

He kept records, and any rooster not performing went into the soup pot and was replaced.

This took a lot of time, so he bought some tiny bells and attached them to his roosters. Each bell had a different tone, so he could tell from a distance, which rooster was performing.

Now, he could sit on the porch and fill out an efficiency report by just listening to the bells.

John's favorite rooster, old Butch, was a very fine specimen, but this morning he noticed old Butch's bell hadn't rung at all!

When he went to investigate, he saw the other roosters were busy chasing pullets, bells-a-ringing, but the pullets, hearing the roosters coming, would run for cover.

To John's amazement, old Butch had his bell in his beak, so it couldn't ring.

He'd sneak up on a pullet, do his job and walk on to the next one.

John was so proud of old Butch, he entered him in the Renfrew County Fair and he became an overnight sensation among the judges.

The result was the judges not only awarded old Butch the "No Bell Piece Prize," but they also awarded him the "Pulletsurprise" as well.

Clearly old Butch was a politician in the making.

Who else but a politician could figure out how to win two of the most coveted awards on our planet by being the best at sneaking up on the unsuspecting populace and screwing them when they weren't paying attention.

Are They Really Listening When It Comes To Oppressive Laws?

2011-09-16T23:55:00.000+08:00

Elaine Pearson, deputy Asia director of Human Rights Watch once said, "It’s a fallacy to suggest Malaysia needs laws that violate basic rights in order to maintain a peaceful and harmonious society. Malaysians have time and again proven themselves capable of exercising the basic democratic rights to which they are entitled. It’s time their government listened."

For Hari Malaysia today, the PM Najib promised to "abolish" or "repeal" the Internal Security Act (ISA). The question is, was he listening to the citizens he serves?

Now the ISA is the most popular of Malaysia's draconian laws. Most of the detainees are high profile politicians and other opponents of the government, along with a sprinkle of genuine terrorists.

While the ISA may not be used anymore, nothing has been said about the Emergency Ordinance which has been abused far more than any other law.

It took at least 2 weeks of candlelight vigils around Kuala Lumpur to get the government's attention. The PSM6 were in custody for over a month.

To begin with, Najib's promises are not something I take very seriously. I believe this is basically posturing for the international scene. After all, the Sydney Morning Herald appears to have bought his claims in Malaysia to abandon its harshest laws.

What the SMH also has missed is the fact that two of the laws that are purportedly being repealed are merely being replaced by two other differently-worded laws but with potentially same consequences.

So did we really gain our basic democratic rights? Has the government listened?

The Haze And The Malaise

2011-09-14T23:39:00.002+08:00

SKYSCRAPERS and lampposts in Kuala Lumpur are still festooned with flags left over from independence day festivities at the end of August.

Fittingly, this week they were shrouded in the annual “haze” of smog from forest fires on the Indonesian island of Sumatra.

Malaysia’s politicians are not in the mood to celebrate nationhood and unity. Rather, with an election in the offing, everything is a chance for political point-scoring.

Read the rest at The Economist

Using Money To Buy Votes

2011-09-13T17:33:00.000+08:00

Bernama never fails to amuse.

There have been countless instances of BN cheating -- politicians and party workers blatantly giving money to buy votes.

In fact, there is a Malaysiakini video of Najib telling the voters of Sarawak that they will get their perpetually flooding drain fixed only if they voted for the BN candidate.

All this while, when BN was ruling the state they did nothing. But when they needed the votes, they promise the sky and the moon.

And yet, when DAP gives money to every child born, they claim that it is a case of vote-buying.

Doesn't that smell of an acute case of pot calling the kettle black???

Mobile Prepaid Service Tax

2011-09-11T13:41:00.003+08:00

Once upon a time, no one used mobile phones. People communicated using landlines in their homes and offices. They made plans and kept them, instead of cancelling at the last minute.

And when they made plans, it was specific - "meet you at the front entrance of Central Market, the entrance in front of the car park" and if one party was late, they waited.

Things are different now. The pace of life is faster. The population is bigger. People travel further.

And so they need to communicate during the times between their homes and offices.

Very few people use prepaid service. Most prefer to use postpaid which comes with data roaming etc all thrown in.

The prepaid service was meant to be the cheapest, the most basic mobile service.

But thanks to the BN government, the service tax of 6% has been implemented, which is going to add to the burden of many retirees, not the yuppies.

This comes in the wake of Rosmah's diamond ring which she claims was purchased using money that she saved up since her youth.

The email showing the photos of Rosmah's ring and the Custom's records made the rounds twice in my office! Even my yuppie colleagues are unhappy about their hard-earned tax money being used by those in power.

Even before that, when the fuel subsidy was reduced and people had to pay high prices for petrol, the response from the prime minister was: Learn to tighten your belts!

Tighten??? The only way the average Malaysian could tighten his belt is if he wore an ular sawa (python) around his waist.

I doubt many people have forgotten the attitude of the ruling coalition to the needs of the average joe. Barisan Nasional had best rethink its ways of governing, not of cheating during elections!

Bernama Caught Lying Blatantly

2011-09-10T12:41:00.000+08:00

The words of a government scholar in Perth:

“They totally changed and added stuff that we never said. And the whole thing was done before the speech … I feel it is rather silly and unnecessary,” he said.

“They… put in quotes that we actually did not say and altered our words. We did not say anything bad so I don’t see why they needed to do that.”

You're probably wondering what this is all about.

It all started when the Malaysian Students' Council of Australia held a dinner for PM Najib Razak at the Pan Pacific Hotel in Perth last Saturday. Also invited were the students sponsored by the Public Service Department, Mara and Petronas.

Before PM Najib Razak even made his speech, the students were asked to write down their comments. Bernama took these comments and changed them to make them sound like they were praising the PM's speech. These comments were published in a Bernama report/article.

Now these students hadn't even *heard* the speech yet at this point, so it is irregular that they be asked to write down their comments.

I derive only one conclusion from this: The mainstream media has gone FROM spinning the news to give it a biased slant TO outright lies.

Reated: Student denies praising PM’s speech in Australia

The Virtual Press Called Internet

2011-09-09T15:05:00.001+08:00

Some of you may know that we have very little freedom of press but we have no idea to what extent.

Reporters Without Borders ranked Malaysia a low 141 out of 178 on its 2010 Press Freedom Index.

We probably rank higher than Burma and maybe Zimbabwe. I hate to break this to you, but that is no cause for celebration.

From NYT:

==================================

When thousands of protesters calling for electoral reform took to the streets here July 9, Malaysiakini, one of Malaysia's most popular news
Web sites, received 5.2 million hits, making the day one of the site's busiest since it was established in 1999.

An increasing tendency to seek news online is hardly unique to Malaysia. But here, it is not just technology driving readers to news Web sites.
It is also that - by design, and in contrast to countries like China, with its infamous Great Firewall - in Malaysia the Internet operates
outside the stringent laws that regulate the traditional media.

==================================

Read more here:

In Malaysia, Freedom of the (Virtual) Press

On Recognising History (The Real Events)

2011-09-05T16:53:00.001+08:00

Most Malaysians just don't get it. This piece hopefully will enlighten some.

=============================================
I think we are missing the point here. Mat Sabu wasn't glorifying the communists or communism.

He didn't even say anything about communism. He was asking his audience to relook the treatment of history on the role of Mat Indera.

To Mat Sabu, history has unjustly treated Mat Indera and we, the public, have accepted the official version of history - hook, line and sinker.

=============================================
Read more:

http://www.freemalaysiatoday.com/2011/09/05/recognising-history-would-make-umno-irrelevant/

Oh Dear!

2011-09-02T22:00:00.000+08:00

What's happened to kids these days?!

Mannequin gets molested in broad daylight

This fellow must be trying to get a head-start in life :-)

Ugly

2011-09-02T11:00:00.000+08:00

In Malaysia’s religion of ugly, Erna Mahyuni writes about the Malaysian propensity for all things ugly.

Frankly, I agree with most of the things she says. But I feel compelled to respond to this:

There is little left that is beautiful in Kuala Lumpur. Trash in the streets, the sorry attempts at landscaping and our deification of the car. We worship our cars, getting rid of trees and clearing out fields to protect and park them, whittling down our sidewalks to make bigger roads. No one cares about pedestrians. It’s their own fault they don’t earn enough to drive. Yet I see cars as nothing but locusts swarming over KL.

1. Trash on the streets is nothing but the fault of the common Malaysian, who does not think it is his civic responsibility to keep his surroundings clean. I have seen people calmly toss rubbish out of their windows while driving their nice, shiny BMWs. Wealthy but stupid.

2. Our landscaping is done as though someone had a half-thought and couldn't be bothered to complete it. Has anyone seen that ugly bunga raya "sculpture" on Jln Tun Razak opposite the American embassy?

3. Cars. Now, the whole issue of cars is not merely one of vanity but of necessity. That necessity, in my honest opinion, is the source of traffic jams. I have seen Jln Tun Razak and the Federal Highway congested until midnight during week days. It brings about pertinent questions:

- Why aren't people resorting to any other modes of transport?
--> I have seen the train stations, they cannot cope with the amount of passengers. The trains are packed with people.
--> The buses are not on time and do not keep to schedule. Often they are also packed and the drivers are reckless.

- Cars in this country are so expensive, to begin with. Of course, since we are a third world country trying to be a developed nation (hence all those big skyscrapers), we have a monumentally huge inferiority complex and get fidgety when compared to the economies of developed nations. But I am going to compare anyway:
--> our purchasing power is so low that we need five-year loans at best, to finance our cars. That is 60 months.
--> in the US and UK, fresh graduates can purchase a car with cash saved up from 6 months' worth of salary.

- I used to be very proud that I have never had to resort to buying a Proton. I used to enjoy showing off my more-expensive-than-local-models Japanese car. Until I realised that in Thailand and Indonesia, it was the model used for taxis!!! We pay so much on sales tax, thanks to the protection of our "national car" aka the bane of our existence.

- Are we environmentally friendly?
--> I think we are a nation that violates many laws and regulations concerning the environment with our lackadaisical attitude.
--> Why is it that we don't have enough pedestrian and bicycle lanes like our Australian neighbours do?

Is it all about showing off? Do we not know the concept of moderation, or 'sederhana' in Malay and Lagom in Swedish?

Why do we not demand that this basic amenities and facilities be accorded to us by the government? Will the Opposition government at least provide us that?

FBI And Taib Mahmud - The Relationship?

2011-09-01T14:38:00.001+08:00

I was utterly confounded today.

I just discovered that Sarawak's Chief Minister, Taib Mahmud owns property in Seattle. But Taib Mahmud is a rich man, wealthy from all the natural resources he has plundered from the Sarawakians, so that wasn't what confounded me.

It was the knowledge that the FBI were renting the office space from Taib Mahmud.

How revolting is that? The FBI is supposed to fight crime but it appears to be condoning crime if the criminals are from other countries.

Bear in mind that even the Americans think that Taib Mahmud is corrupt based on a Wikileaks cable (Sarawak: Opposition Adrift; Indigenous People Lack Services; Police Reject Criticism) that said:

(C) Comments from the DAP politicians and Suhakam reinforce what we have heard from other Sarawak state leaders and national politicians. By these accounts, the Sarawak state government remains highly corrupt and firmly in the hands of its chief minister.

So it surprises me that the FBI in Seattle do not find this to be disturbing.

The irony is that Seattle is not redneck country. It is home to Boeing, one of the biggest commercial jetliners in the world. It is also home to Starbucks.

It is home to intellectuals.

Seattle is one of the two most literate cities among America's largest cities and has a higher percentage of college graduates than any other major American city.

This gives me hope that they will think about what they are doing and reconsider their options for renting out office space.

I think you could persuade them to reconsider.

Please go and sign this: Stop the FBI from Supporting Corruption in Sarawak

The petitioners are not asking for outlandish numbers from people who are ignorant and frightened to speak out. They need 500 people.

As I was signing it, I discovered that there was only about 100 or so to go to achieve that target.

You should sign it, especially if you're an intellectual. You could make a difference.

The Modus Operandi Of Tin-Pot Dictators

2011-09-01T03:17:00.002+08:00

Singling out political opponents for working against the ruling party is precisely the tactic of every tyrannical government from Red China to Venezuela. The first step in the process is creating unfounded public suspicion of political opponents, followed by arresting and jailing any who continue speaking against the regime.

- John Carter

I'm sure when this was said, no one was expecting it to be true of both Malaysia and Singapore as well.

In Malaysia, the political opponent in question is Anwar Ibrahim. In Singapore, it is Chee Soon Juan. Both men have had charges against them and been to jail.

My point is not about the two men or whether they are upstanding and worthy leaders or not. My issue is with people who think that they can bully their way around because they wield power.

The tin-pot dictators who rule both Malaysia and Singapore respectively, barely worry about their actions because they know that the public would be slow to act and mild-mannered.

I don't know who Singapore employs to give them a good image, but it is public knowledge that Malaysia hires APCO and FBC Media.

Fortunately, Malaysians have been somewhat vocal in their disapproval of public funds being used to promote a certain political party.

But have they been vocal enough against the regime?

There is strength in numbers, and one thing that Asia certainly can boast of is the sheer population.

Silence Is Not Always Golden

2011-08-31T10:25:00.009+08:00

They say silence is golden. Most of the time it's true. After all, a lot of people open their mouth and get into trouble because of what they say.

But sometimes what the world needs is for people to get off their couch and voice their opinion for everyone to hear.

One pretty glaring aspect is the subject of refugees.

Now, no one really needs refugees - certainly not anywhere in Asia where the population is high enough as it is.

Bear in mind, honest, hard-working, tax-paying citizens are the ones who are forking out the expenses to feed and shelter a refugee.

I can fully understand why the Australians are anxious to get rid of their refugees, especially the trouble-makers.

The question is, how did we get to the stage where there are so many refugees? I was trolling the web and most refugees are from Bosnia-Herzegovina, Myanmar, Sri Lanka, Nepal, Bhutan, China and Afghanistan.

On one side of the coin, it is not fair for the host country to bear these expenses, but on the other side, how many people become refugees for the fun of it? The journey is treacherous, the new surroundings unfamiliar and unpleasant.

Something drastic must have caused these people to flee their homeland.

Often it is war. Sometimes it is the tyranny of the tin-pot dictators. People don't become refugees in search of a better lifestyle; they become refugees because they have no other choice.

If we collectively spoke up against the tyrants that make these people run away, and get them to behave, then maybe there would be less people fleeing their homeland.

If we controlled our very own village idiots -- the tin-pot dictators who try to rule our country without our consensus -- then we wouldn't have to run away some day.

Most Malaysians Agree With BERSIH Demands

2011-08-30T21:47:00.000+08:00

Over two-thirds of Malaysians agree with the demands mooted by electoral watchdog Bersih while close to half disagreed with the way the government handled last month’s Bersih rally and the events leading up to it, a Merdeka Center poll has shown.

Seventy per cent agreed that foreign observers should be allowed to monitor elections while 68 per cent felt opposition parties should be given access to government-owned television and radio stations for at least one hour a day.

Read the rest: Most Malaysians agree with Bersih demands, poll finds

Imran Khan on the Malaysian Govt at The Guardian

2011-08-26T13:36:00.002+08:00

On being detained at Kuala Lumpur airport

Malaysia didn't want me to enter the country to gather evidence about how ethnic Indians were treated by colonial Britain

In the Hollywood film The Terminal Tom Hanks plays (with obligatory mangled foreign accent) a character who is trapped in New York's JFK airport. Last week, I had a similar experience at Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA) in Malaysia. Whereas Tom Hanks's character spends years trapped, I was only there for a few hours. The episode was both humiliating and enlightening. I had been engaged by a Malaysian lawyer, Waytha Moorthy, to look into taking action against the British government for its role in the exploitation of Indian Hindus during Malaysia's period as a colony, and its failure to protect their rights when independence was declared in 1957.

Read the rest on the web.

From Lofty Pedestals

2011-08-25T22:36:00.000+08:00

By Erna Mahyuni

If there’s one thing we’re consistent about, it’s electing clowns into Parliament. For me, it is one of life’s mysteries, one other Malaysians often contemplate very loudly at a mamak stall.

I think I’ve figured it out. We don’t elect idiots for entertainment value. More likely, it’s just that Malaysians have an inferiority complex the size of Putrajaya.

While our political quagmire is similar in many ways to that of the United States -- loud, right-wing faction, business and political interests colliding -- but unlike the American people, we don’t like putting our leaders up on pedestals. No, we seem to like having our politicians stay in the gutter so we can look down on them from our own lofty moral pedestals.

Read more at: Be Malaysian, love an idiot

Strange Way Of Dealing With Refugees

2011-08-23T22:45:00.003+08:00

I am confused.

The Malaysian government has been trying to entice Filipinos and Indonesians to become citizens of Malaysia in the hope that these migrants would vote for the BN government come the next general elections.

Personally, I don't know if this will work, but Malaysia has agreed to accept Muslim refugees from the Middle East in exchange for sending non-Muslim Myanmarese refugees to Australia.

This led me to believe that the BN administration was selecting Muslims for their vested interests.

But it looks like I was wrong.

I had not previously heard of the Uighur people of China. These people hail from Xinjiang and are of Caucasoid (European/Turkish) and Mongoloid (Chinese) ancestry.

You may be forgiven for thinking that people from China would be either Taoists or Buddhists. That was what I previously thought.

But the Uighurs are Muslims.

Only today, the BN government deported 11 Uighur people to China.

KUALA LUMPUR — A human rights group criticised Malaysia on Tuesday for sending a group of ethnic Uighurs back to China and urged an end to such deportations over fears of mistreatment and even torture.

The UN refugee agency also said it had sought access to the 11 people deported on August 18 as well as five others still in custody in Malaysia but had been denied by Malaysian authorities.

A senior Malaysian police official defended the government's actions in comments to AFP, saying the Chinese nationals, all members of the Uighur ethnic minority, were involved in a human-smuggling syndicate.

"This group has nothing to do with any political group or asylum-seekers. They are all involved in people smuggling," he said.

Announcing the deportations on Saturday, police said they had busted a Chinese people smuggling ring which was falsely trying to claim UN refugee status for its victims after smuggling them into Malaysia.

But New York-based Human Rights Watch denounced the deportations and urged they be halted, saying Uighurs faced "grave risk of torture" in China.

It also called on China to make known where the 11 deportees were.

"The treatment of these Uighurs is a litmus test for Malaysia?s commitment to basic principles of refugee protection," it said in a statement.

Many Uighurs, a Turkic-speaking and predominantly Muslim minority in China's remote northwestern Xinjiang region, allege decades of political and religious repression by China.

Their anger -- and China's resulting tight security in the region -- has triggered sporadic bouts of unrest.

The deportations come amid a refugee swap arrangement between Malaysia and Australia, which has been put on hold by a Canberra court.

Rights groups moved to block the deal, citing concerns over Malaysia's record on handling refugees.

United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees spokeswoman Yante Ismail said the agency had sought access to all 16 Uighurs. She said the five in detention had all previously applied for refugee status with the agency.

"We very much regret that the 11 individuals were deported without the opportunity for us to have access to them," she said in a statement.

The police official said there were no immediate plans to deport the five but that they could face criminal charges over fake Malaysian passports found on them.

The US-based Uyghur American Association called the deportations a "flagrant violation of international law" by Malaysia.

"(The deportations) follow an extremely disturbing trend of Uighurs deported from countries with strong trade and diplomatic ties to China," it said in a statement.

Human Rights Watch said other countries such as Thailand and Pakistan had recently deported Uighurs back to China, adding that it revealed "the bullying hand of China".

I would derive two conclusions from this:

1. While the BN government tries to bully its Malaysian-Chinese citizens, it has a profound fear of China, with whom it has business dealings.

2. While the BN government is seeking more Muslims to form a bigger Muslim majority, it is still wary enough of increasing the Chinese population in Malaysia.

3. The BN government will happily ditch the Muslims when it suits them.

I guess all those protests against atrocities in Palestine are just grandstanding.

Why Exchange Refugees Anyway?

2011-08-22T22:57:00.003+08:00

I just read Chris Kenny's commentary on the refugee swap between Malaysia and Australia. I am honestly surprised to note that the Australians are this perceptive to the state of affairs in Malaysia.

Frankly, I am not the only Malaysian who has been protesting the refugee exchange programme between Malaysia and Australia. It originally sounded quite beneficial for Malaysians - after all Australia will take 4000 of our refugees in exchange for only 800 of theirs per year.

But of course, there is no such thing as a free lunch. Australia is offloading most of their troublemakers and the extremists to Malaysia.

And what does Malaysia stand to gain? The truth is, the average citizen has everything to lose, while UMNO is banking on the support of these new-comers, the Muslims. Perhaps UMNO is hoping to reinforce the divide between the Muslims and non-Muslims.

This is a sorry state of affairs.

Related: Malaysia trading 4,000 non-Muslims for 800 Muslims in asylum swap, says top Aussie paper

The Emergency Ordinance

2011-08-21T02:56:00.001+08:00

Are we in a state of emergency?

A lot has been said about the Internal Security Act - more commonly known as the ISA. It is mostly because it has been used to detain political dissenters, or those whose only crime is that they oppose the practices of the ruling coalition which calls itself our government.

But many people did not realise that we have another equally draconian law called the Emergency Ordinance.

As you've probably guessed, it was called as such because it was used during emergencies. I can think of 2 legitimate emergencies - one was the communist one in 1948 and the other was caused by the racial riots of 1969.

But did you know that out of 5 emergencies that have been declared, 4 have not been lifted yet??

That bring us back to the question: Are we in a state of emergency?

Most rational people would say that we are not. At least I would expect that foreign investors do not regard us as being under emergency.

But the problem is, the ruling coalition administration is using these laws indiscriminately. On the 1st of August 2009, Malaysians took to the streets to protest the use of ISA.

The irony is that at most, there have been 600 people held under the ISA while the reality is that over 6000 Malaysians have been detained under the EO.

Not all of them are political prisoners. Some are unfortunate enough to be caught stealing motorcycles. Others are squatters (or urban dwellers) who came from villages to make a living in the city.

In order to be able to evict them without giving due compensation, the administration puts them away by the EO. Some of them who protest the destruction of their dwellings are banished to another state using the EO as legal basis.

The EO is so draconian in that it does not allow the public or the judiciary to question its use. The legislative powers have undisputed and exclusive access to this awful bit of law.

It is a terrible situation, one that has gotten so bad because we ignored those we put into power and let them do as they wished.

We will now have to somehow work together as one people to finally be able to revoke these two nasty bits of law.

Are We An Angry Bunch?

2011-08-20T11:59:00.001+08:00

This is in response to Wong Chun Wai’s ‘On the beat’ column ("Of Angry Birds and angry Malaysians": The Sunday Star, 24 July 2011) where he asked Malaysians to stop being angry on the many issues affecting the nation.

It was a very well written piece, well placed and sounded almost logical and rational to those who read only the mainstream media.

Allow me to give Wong 10 good reasons why Malaysians are angry … in fact Malaysians are very, very angry.

1) We are angry that we have been denied our constitutional and democratic rights to a peaceful gathering. We are angry at the police brutality on a frail, tender 65-year-old auntie who was sprayed with chemically laced water and tear gassed for exercising her democratic rights when she was walking alone to demonstrate peacefully what she believes in.

2) We are angry at the lies, the biased reporting and the cover-ups by mainstream media (The Star included) to serve their political masters. We are angry at the way the mainstream media demonise Bersih 2.0.

3) We are very angry at the double standards of the police in arresting activists and opposition politicians. While some self-proclaimed nationalists and race champions openly spew seditious statements to incite religious and racial hatred and no action was taken against them, others were arrested for merely wearing yellow T-shirts.

Read the rest here: Why Malaysians are angry

Wong Chun Wai attempts to condescendingly belittle the common man, saying that he has nothing to be angry about. Tan Seng Hai's response is very befitting and to the point.

That being said, I don't think Malaysians are really angry. If they were, things would have improved. But unfortunately, the problem is that there is just a lot of talk and nothing much being done.

On the 9th of July 2011, about 100,000 people showed up on the streets (as per my estimate). But the population of Kuala Lumpur is more than a million. This suggests that less than 10% of the population are dissatisfied or at least angry enough to brave threats of arrest, tear-gas and chemical water.

Were the 90% of the population sleeping/apathetic/ignorant/BN-supporters/cowards?

Cambridge Syllabus In Malaysia?

2011-08-17T23:36:00.000+08:00

One of my pet peeves is the state of education in Malaysia.

This is the reason why BN ministers can systematically deny that tear gas was shot into Tung Shin hospital when heaps of videos can be found on youtube, proving otherwise.

This is the reason why Malaysians cower in fear, afraid to speak out, frightened to stand up to authority.

They have been taught not to think, but merely to accept what the authority (in this case, the teacher) tells them.

So when someone tells me that they are going to revamp our education system, I get excited.

I start thinking that there is hope for Malaysia after all. But as usual, my hopes are dashed.

Apparently, this education is solely for Mara colleges.

Like Sarojini, I want to know why.

Cambridge syllabus: Why only in 45 Mara colleges?

August 15, 2011
FMT LETTER

From Sarojini C, via e-mail

The article ‘Cambridge curriculum at Mara colleges’ in the ‘In Brief’ section of the NST on Sunday spoke about the offering of the Cambridge International General Certificate of Education in 45 Mara Junior Science Colleges nationwide by 2016.

As it is one of the most recognised qualifications in the world, I, as a fellow citizen of Malaysia, am thrilled at the prospect of such world-class education, but at the same time cannot help but wonder why such syllabus cannot be offered to government schools as well, as this appears to suggest a double standard in our education syllabus.

I understand that there may be a lack of resources to implement such syllabus on a national basis, and more time may be required for such a big move, but at a time where national schools are bickering over the usage of English in the teaching of the Math and Science subjects, such a move to implement the Cambridge syllabus, which I assume will be fully in the English medium.

Why only in the 45 Mara Junior Science Colleges? It his seems to suggest that there would be inequality in the education offered in such Mara colleges and national schools. As education is a basic right for every child, be it a child in a Mara college or a child in a national school, it would only be fair if the same syllabus is applied in both Mara colleges and national schools alike, be it the Cambridge syllabus or the current syllabus.

Read the rest on the web.

"They Want To Suppress That Information."

2011-08-15T06:05:00.031+08:00

If any of you had any misgivings about HINDRAF's claims, this should put rest to them. The fact that the Malaysian authorities act in such a way shows that they have something big to hide.

From AFP: Malaysia deports British lawyer for Indian activists

KUALA LUMPUR — Malaysia Saturday deported a British lawyer for a group of ethnic Indian activists who allege discrimination of their minority community in the Southeast Asian country, officials said.

British lawyer Imran Khan arrived at Kuala Lumpur International Airport Friday but immigration authorities prevented him from entering the country and instead sent him back to London 12 hours later.

Immigration Department director general Alias Ahmad confirmed Khan was deported early Saturday as he was a "prohibited immigrant" but declined to comment further.

S. Jayathas, a coordinator for Hindraf, which lobbies for more rights for Malaysia's ethnic Indian minority, said Khan had planned to stay a week to meet community members who have faced difficulties, such as getting identity cards or being forced to convert to Islam.

"They deported him," Jayathas told AFP, adding that officials only told Khan they were following police instructions "from higher authorities" without being given any other reason.

"(His visit) will bring awareness that the Indian minority has been cheated for the past 54 years of their rights... They want to suppress that information," Jayathas said.

Frankly, I had my doubts on what HINDRAF was up to. A lot of people claim that HINDRAF is a barrier to a united Malaysia.

But the Indians have legitimate issues which both sides of the divide - Barisan Nasional and Pakatan Rakyat - ignore.

I actually feel quite encouraged that someone from the UK is willing to listen to their grievances.

If I've got it right, this Imran Khan is an experienced lawyer in the field of human rights and his take on this case would be very valuable.

How Many Yellow Cities?

2011-08-14T10:58:00.000+08:00

If you were wondering really how many cities participated, here is your answer.

Is it possible that people all over the world - in 38 cities to be exact - could be wrong about
a) the fundamental right to express ourselves?
b) the sorry state of our government?

Faith Under The Constitution?

2011-08-12T21:36:00.002+08:00

Have you ever wondered about the Federal Constitution which is the highest law in this country and wanted to know more?

You're in luck. A bunch of Legal Eagles are offering their knowledge to the public by holding a forum.

Forum: Conversations on the Constitution: Keeping the Faith under the Constitution
Date: 16 August 2011 (Tuesday)
Time: 8 – 10pm
Venue: Eaglepoint, No. 2, Jalan Rajawali 3, Bandar Puchong Jaya, 47100 Puchong

Panel:
Aston Philip Paiva (Advocate & Solicitor)
Nizam Bashir (Advocate & Solicitor)
Edmund Bon (Advocate & Solicitor, Founder of LoyarBurok and Campaigner with UndiMsia)

Moderator:
Joanne Leong (Co-Deputy Chairperson, Bar Council Constitutional Law Committee)

Presentation:
The Constitution and You

Speaker:
Syahredzan Johan (Chairperson, Bar Council Constitutional Law Committee)

For more info, go to our FB event page: http://on.fb.me/rd8gNz

The Federal Constitution is the “rule-book” or manual for Malaysia, and preserves the central pillars of democratic governance. It is the supreme law of the country. However, the Constitution in its current form is not “user-friendly”, and unlike many other nations with written constitutions, the Constitution does not form a comprehensive part of the education curriculum in Malaysia.

All Malaysians need to be informed in order to consider for themselves whether positions taken on the Constitution can be upheld and accepted. They must also be armed with an understanding of the rights and limits of the institutions of government and the rights and limits of every Malaysian. The Constitution belongs to every Malaysian, and every Malaysian is a beneficiary of its promise of constitutionalism and democratic governance.

One of the fundamental liberties enshrined and protected by the Constitution is our freedom of religion. Article 11 of the Federal Constitution guarantees every person has the right to profess or practise his/her religion and to propagate it. Yet are there limits to our freedom of religion? Can the State curtail freedom of religion for other interests? We see many examples of the restrictions placed on the practise of religion. Are these restrictions constitutional? How have the various pillars of governance – Legislature, Executive and Judiciary – upheld our religious freedom?

How do we keep the Faith under the Constitution?

Program:
8.00 – Welcoming speeches
8.15 – Conversations on the Constitution: Keeping the Faith under the Constitution
9.15 – Q & A session
9.45 – The Constitution & You

More About FBC Media

2011-08-12T11:48:00.003+08:00

From Asia Sentinel:

Packaged TV productions extolling the virtues of Malaysia and Sarawak state Chief Minister Abdul Taib Mahmud have embarrased some of the world's leading television networks after they were found to have been paid for by the Malaysian government as part of a massive public relations campaign.

According to the Sarawak Report, a Sarawak-based NGO, the news programs are being produced by Fact Based Communications, a London-based company also known as FBC Media, that describes itself on its website as an "European-based media and entertainment group specializing in television format creation, production and distribution."

Read the rest on the web:
Government effort to plant stories tarnishes major TV networks worldwide

Riots and Chaos

2011-08-12T05:46:00.000+08:00

The IGP has some words of wisdom for the Malaysian public.

Deputy IGP: London riots proof against allowing street protests

KUALA LUMPUR, Aug 11 — The ongoing riots in London and other major cities in Britain are evidence of the “nightmares” that can be prevented by avoiding street protests, said Deputy Inspector-General of Police Datuk Seri Khalid Abu Bakar

Despite chaotic scenes where tens of thousands were dispersed with tear gas and water cannons during the July 9 Bersih rally, Khalid (picture) said that “we are able to avoid these scary and tragic scenes from erupting here in our beloved country.”

“These are the nightmares that we are fighting hard to avoid and prevent. Street protest should always be avoided as we will never know what it can turn into,” he said on his Facebook page last night.

A few things that need to be taken into context here:

1. The British police were instructed to "stand and observe looting". This will never happen in Malaysia, because the cops are too anxious to get their hands on any unsuspecting citizen so they can show who's boss. The British cops on the other hand, display restrain.

2. In order not to provoke more anger, the police did not take any action against the rioters. Unfortunately, there were many out to take advantage of the situation by committing crimes. The police should have promptly arrested those.

3. The issue that the British government has failed to tackle here is the minority underclass. From several videos and images on the web, it is very evident that most of the perpetrators are of minority groups who probably hold a lot of resentment about their status.

Interestingly, there have been a few instances of massive riots in the US. And yet, the US still remains the world super-power. I expect the UK economy would not be unaffected by this either though they would do well to get to the root of this matter of random rioting.

That being said, while streets protests are enshrined in the constitution as a freedom of expression and public gathering, riots are never acceptable.

Expressing oneself is normal, infringing on someone else's property and personal rights is not.

Do Malaysians Care About Wrongful Deaths?

2011-08-10T13:02:00.053+08:00

He was 29 years old.

He lived in North London. Just last week, on the 6th of August, he was fatally shot by the Metropolitan police.

He was by no means an innocent angel.

Mark Duggan was an alleged cocaine dealer and member of the 'Star Gang'.

His biggest mistake was to be carrying a gun - something that is relatively rare in the UK.

His friends and family held a vigil in protest over his shooting. Over 200 people gathered.

Unfortunately, this led to riots and subsequently, looting in a minority community which was already seething over the wealth discrepancy in London and what they perceived as police bullying.

Mark Duggan was not the most upstanding citizen in the neighbourhood, but his death was not tolerated by the community.

In another country far away, two young men (who were not entirely upstanding citizens either) had their lives snatched a few years earlier.

One was Kugan Ananthan, and the other Gunasegaran Rajasundram. They were in their 20s to 30s - very much like Mark Duggan.

But unlike Mark Duggan, very few mourned their deaths. Another life gone was not to be despaired over - after all, there were already 1805 deaths in custody, so what was another?

In fact, some even went to the extent of saying, "We work for our living, we don't cause trouble, avoid crime and make the best of our lives in Malaysia. Not like Indians. Get involved in crime, have massive protests and threaten the government and the police."

The fact that police are senselessly killing Malaysian citizens does not worry the average Malaysian. Or does it?

What The Election Commission Says

2011-08-09T23:55:00.000+08:00

The Selangor Election Commission (EC) has rejected all 583 complaints which claimed that permanent resident (PR) holders had been registered as voters, claiming that they were found to be citizens.

Could all 583 be bogus complaints?

You and I know how valuable Selangor is to the federal government. Port Klang, one of the nation's cash cows is located in the state of Selangor. Then we have most of the affluent neighbourhoods as well.

BN really needs to reclaim Selangor to be able to continue lining their pockets.

From Malaysiakini:

Selangor EC had received a total of 1,475 objections against the second quarter supplementary electoral roll draft, with 583 or 39.5 percent on PR holders allegedly being given voting rights.

The rest were ordinary complaints such as discrepancy in registered address, which will be resolved through a public inquiry held from Sep 6 to Oct 6, Dzulkifli added.

The issue of a PR holder named Mismah registered as a potential voter in the latest supplementary electoral roll draft was first reported by Malaysiakini last Tuesday.

Pakatan Rakyat then claimed that they had detected 1,597 such cases nationwide, with 1,108 of them found in Selangor, a state ruled by Pakatan.

Not only that, the EC has been found to have registered a voter named 'Kg Baru'.

From Malaysiakini again:

According to the EC online verification system, 'Kg Baru' (Mykad: 830527115422) is a voter registered in the state constituency of Hulu Besut and parliamentary constituency of Besut, Terengganu.

However, a check with NRD online system revealed that the Mykad number is assigned to one Noraini binti Abdullah.

"The question is, how can the EC make such a shameful mistake? How did it happen?” asked Johor PAS Youth chief Suhaizan Kaiat, who discovered the flaw.

Believe it or not folks, there is a RM10 fee levied on each objection raised by the public, as well as a RM200 penalty for every objection that is rejected.

This is the extent of their shameless corruption and cheating.

Another Brain Drain Story

2011-08-08T20:51:00.000+08:00

From: Brain drain: The story behind the dwindling Chinese in Malaysia

Excerpt:

Migration has always been a part of our history, especially in a country like Malaysia, where most of our forefathers were migrants looking for a promised land. They worked their fingers to the bone making their fortunes far away from their places of birth, often with little help and lots of hardship.

There is also the rural-urban migration, where the main pull factor is the seeking of better education and better job opportunities compared to those available in the rural sectors. But the worse kind of migration is what is happening in developed countries today - the migration of fully qualified, hard working professionals to other countries, not because they cannot find jobs, but because they are unhappy with the political system practised by the state.

A brain drain is one of the worst things that can happen to a country; that is the reason why states like Singapore are doing their best to retain not only their own people, but foreigners who study in their local institutions of higher learning. These new graduates are dangled not only with scholarships and a stable career after graduation, but also offered the security of a citizenship.

And it was Malaysia who gave these bright sparks 11 years of free education; Singapore merely complemented it with a few years of university and then got to keep them. Now, who are the biggest losers? Who are the real dummies?