Wednesday, October 31, 2007

雪州先进州的最大耻辱

雪州行动党针对昨日下午发生在莎亚南的强行拆庙事件,导致14人被逮捕,1人昏迷不醒,过后另外4名律师,其中两名是行动党律师感到非常不满。我们也强力谴责警方的粗暴行为,尤其是昨晚在莎亚南警区总部外面,该警区主任更一度拒绝向我表明身份。

200名来自沙亚南市政厅、巴生市议会和首邦市议会的执法人员是在早上7点半左右,连同镇暴部队、警员、雪州水供公司职员、消拯局、国能员工等人员,动用神手、吊车以及大型罗里,拉大队浩浩荡荡前往强拆木屋。而一早就抵达的媒体却被禁止如内采访,无法了解拆屋真情。

即使国大党主席三美威鲁抵达现场,他也无法保住这座兴都庙,显示国阵政府的权利分享根本不值一信。

雪州秘书拿督南利也仅仅以法庭庭令作为解释,拒绝插手处理,反之允许莎亚南市政厅继续拆除这座兴都庙。这种毫无协商余地可言的处理方式并非是处理宗教课题的最佳方式。

雪州政府应该正视城市开拓者被发展商无情驱逐的问题,而不是一直以他们所居住的土地为私人土地为理由而拒绝提供合理赔偿、待遇或搬迁期限予他们,或者是因为发展商和城市开拓者无法达致协议而私自展开拆除行动。

如果案件尚在审讯过程之中,那么雪州政府更不应该允许各政府机关,包括地方政府、警察部队和镇暴队和发展商勾结铲除居民的木屋。

昨天在雪兰莪州莎亚南再次发生一宗地方政府强行拆除木屋的行动并非是第一次。

在今年3月6日,越两百名雪州沙亚南市议会、镇暴部队和警员昨日早上八时许前往莎亚南甘榜林巴再也,强行拆除该村第一期房屋的12户住家。数百名村民抵抗执法人员,捍卫家园。警民一度发生激烈肢体冲突。

虽然这群城市开拓者声嘶力竭地保卫自己的家园,可是仍抵挡不过执法人员的巨铲。该村第一期的12所房屋全数被市议会人员拆除,顽抗的34名村民和外援者也被警察逮返沙亚南第11区警局。

该村共分两期住宅,第一期住宅共有12户住家,第二期住宅则有274户住家。第一期木屋居民在首次斗争时打赢官司,不过后来林巴再也公司在今年2月9日到上诉庭上诉得直。

城市开拓者过后申请把案件带上联邦法院;联邦法院已经订在本月14日审理他们的上诉申请,想不到执法人员在距离聆审日仅仅八日的今日,即开动神手铲除他们的家园。

雪州政府和发展上应该了解,雪兰莪州大部分城市开拓者所聚居的地方都是私人土地,或者是政府转让给私人发展商的土地。

城市开拓者居住的木屋区并不能被归纳为“非法木屋区”,其中大部分是应1970年代联盟(现为国阵)政府的呼吁,从乡区搬迁到城市,共同发展国家。

政府提供土地、废矿湖、河边的荒地,让他们建筑自己的屋子。政府更承认了他们的存在,给予电源、水供。在这些乡村中,更有许多有国阵成员党的支部。他们是开拓该土地的人,为废矿湖填土、铲平土地、开荒,一切开荒的费用、承建屋子的开销都由他们承担,因此政府不能无理强制驱逐他们。基于他们的这些贡献,他们也不应该被视为无异于一般的非法木屋区居民。

可悲的是,私人发展商往往食言、毁约,赔偿不足甚至毫无赔偿、没有妥善安置城市开拓者等,导致这群居民如今被逼走出定居数十年的木屋区,幡然发现这个自己曾经开拓的城市,已无容身之地。

马来西亚政府在处理木屋区事件过程中,违反了政府本身签署的1992年人居议程宣言(Deklarasi Habitat Agenda),其中包括政府在发展木屋区时并没有寻求当地居民意见、政府不承认城市开拓者的拥有权、地契的转手并没有咨询开拓者、政府没有努力促成发展商与开拓者共同发展该地、未经城市开拓者同意、强硬驱逐开拓者、甚至摧毁他们的屋子。

雪州行动党认为雪州州务大臣难究其责。土地问题、地契问题、房屋问题、地方政府执法等问题都是州政府的权限,州政府绝对有责任提供良好舒适的居住环境给雪州的城市开拓者,更何况他们为雪州的工商业发展做出巨大的贡献。

目前,全国至少有27个城市开拓者的木屋区被拆毁,其中一些在被拆毁的过程中,地方政府甚至出动了镇暴队、警察,逮捕捍卫木屋区的居民,还援引1969年紧急状态法令驱逐当地居民。

发展商所安排的廉价组屋环境危险,导致一些已经搬迁的城市开拓者重返旧居。在八打灵再也双溪威的百都里人民组屋,发展商在承建组屋时甚至没有为组屋的百叶窗安置铁枝。另外,新组屋的地点距离原居太远,导致常年在当地做工维持生计的居民,面对交通问题,再加上雪州的公共交通系统不发达,而且到处都是收费大道,导致他们生活在水深火热的状况之中。

这一切再再显示在缺乏充足的民主空间下,雪兰莪已经成为一个压迫地下人民生活的州属。州政府没有理由拒绝城市开拓者对合法房屋和土地拥有权的权利。雪州行动党屡次希望通过我们的唯一一名州议员在州议会里面多次提出低下阶层人民所面对的问题,但碍于国阵在雪州州议会长期一党独大,导致行动党无法通过雪州最高的立法机关为民伸张正义。

这是雪州先进州的最大耻辱。

Dr Wong Sai Hou absent from MBPJ full board meeting


Tuesday, October 30, 2007

DAP Petaling Jaya to attend MBPJ Fullboard Meeting tomorrow

Petaling Jaya City Hall or Majlis Bandaraya Petaling Jaya (MBPJ) will hold their monthly full board meeting tomorrow 10:30am at MBPJ head office in Petaling Jaya. DAP Petaling Jaya will be present to observe any possible rulings or decision of the City Hall expecially on the following matters:

These matters are:
1. the conversion of an open space (which is also the only green lung in Sungai Way New Village) into a parking lot, commercial centre and low cost flat;
2. the arrangement of Ramadan bazaar in front of a Hindu Temple in Sungai Way New Village.

Besides that, we will also pay attention to any ruling and decision made by the City Hall on various development programmes and issues raised in the full board meeting.

Although we have not revive local council election, taxpayers are still allowed to attend full board council meeting as any decision or policy made by the council must be discussed, endorsed and passed in the full board meeting. All appointed councilors are required to attend the meeting.

Therefore, taxpayers will have the opportunity to notice councilors who are incompetent when they fail to voice out for the people against any decision of policy which are unsustainable and to the disadvantage of the taxpayers. This in turn will become an indirect check and balance on the performance of the council.

We have already informed the Mayor by mail yesterday and both Tony Pua (economic advisor to the DAP Secretary-General) and I will be present at the meeting.

We also encourage the taxpayers to attend the meeting in order for them to be well-versed with the running and operation of the City Hall.

明日列席市政厅月常会议

八打灵再也市政厅明日2007年10月31日星期三上午10时半将会在市政厅大楼召开月常会议。八打灵再也民主行动党将会列席是项会议,并将针对以下课题特别留意市政厅的决定。

这些课题是:
一、 改建双溪威新村草场为停车场、商业中心和廉价组屋的建议;
二、 市政厅针对双溪威新村印度神庙前开设开斋节摊位的安排。

此外,我们也将留意市政厅针对各项地方发展问题所作出的决定和进展。

虽然我国尚未恢复地方议会选举,但是市民依然可以列席市政厅月常会议,因为任何地方政府政策必须在月常会议上通过,所有有关地方政府的地方议员都必须出席月常会议。

在月常会议中,我们将能够清楚看到到底非民选的市议员是否有没有在月常会议上带出任何不利民生的问题和政策。无形中,这将成为一种监督。

我们已经在昨日致函通知八打灵再也市长我们将会列席会议。列席会议的包括行动党秘书长经济顾问潘俭伟和本人。

我们也鼓励市民们能够列席月常会议,以理解市政厅的政策和决定。

国立大专录取率依然没有采取绩效制

高教部副部长翁诗杰昨日在国会下议院针对行动党大山脚区国会议员章瑛的口头问答,表示2007/2008学年申请进入政府大学的华裔子弟多达1万6千299人,其中78.2%申请者顺利踏入大学门槛。

翁诗杰也说,这次的华裔大学生录取率是历年来最高的一次,在1万6千多名华裔申请者当中,有1万2千745人获政府大学录取。

巫裔学生申请人数高达4万7千507名,录取率达53%或相等于2万4千924人;印裔申请者只有4千754名,录取率为51.5%。

翁诗杰的答案只是把一半的事实说出来,还有另一半的事实没有说出来。

如果我们研究翁诗杰所提供的数字,在2007/2008年学年中,收录取进入国立大专学生总数是4万117名。被录取的巫裔申请者多达2万4924人,占总数的62巴仙。华裔申请者的录取率虽是最高,但是这也只是占总录取人数的31巴仙,而印裔同胞占总录取人数的6巴仙。

更何况,章瑛的这个问题背后也带出许多问题:

华裔子弟如果要进入国立大专就读专业课程并不容易,我们去年又有多少中六毕业的华裔子弟由于无法在国立大专申请获得本身报读的专业科系也被迫留学海外?我们能不能够说,如果这些学生也和其他华裔申请者申请进入国立大专就读,华裔申请者的录取率会高达78巴仙吗?

能够进入国立大专的华裔子弟有多少是自中六毕业的学生?进入国立大专就读的巫裔学生有多少是来毕业于预科班?

为什么不能以统一或相对同等的录取制度来为国立大专录取新生?马来西亚高等教育文凭和预科班本来就是两项不同的考试,两者的艰难程度达不相同?高教部如何能够说两者是一样的?

Low cost flat in Sg Way - Be careful of MCA's words

I just read a Star Metro news article today entitled "Low-cost homes for PJ squatters".

I sincerely urged squarters resided in Kampung Michael Chen, who are provided the low-cost flat to be extremely careful with the words of Wong Sai Hou.

Before 2004 General Election, YB Wong Sai Hou and YB Chew Mei Fun, the then State Assemblyman for Kampung Tunku and MP for Petaling Jaya Utara, assured them that they will get their land titles before 2004 election.

With their words, some villagers went on to spend thousands of ringgit to renovate their houses happiliy as this would mean that they house will be retained and will not be demolished by the authority.

Unfortunately, nothing materilised even though they secured huge majority support from the people. News of their houses to be demolished spread out after 2004 GE and eventually their houses were all demolished to make way for development.

In fact, I should not say that they were squarters as they resided in that area with the helps of the then MCA Housing Minister, Michael Chen in the early 70s. They were all supplied with electricity and water and they paid their quit rent and accessment to the governments. This is quite different from the typical squarters that we understand.
The DAP have highlighted this case several times here and here.

Now, their beautiful houses were demolished and they are offered low-cost flat. Who is the developer? Taipan Focus, a problematic developer which have been complained numerously by residents in Kampung Baiduri. Please refer here for details.

This is also the same developer that want to grab away the only green lung in Sungai Way New Village. Proposals are already submitted to MBPJ. I will attend the Council's full board meeting tomorrow to check out the details for it.

Low-cost homes for PJ squatters

ALL primary occupants squatting on government land at Kampung Micheal Chen, Kampung Desa MB and Kampung Seri Setia will be offered houses at a low-cost project near Jalan SS 9A/14, Petaling Jaya.

Kampung Tunku state assemblyman Datuk Dr Wong Sai Hou, who announced this recently, said members of the squatters’ extended families were also eligible to apply for the low-cost units.

Dr Wong: Preliminary work on the project has already begun. Wong said the happy arrangement was reached after much negotiation and discussion between the residents and the Petaling Jaya City Council (MBPJ) over a five-year period.

“Credit must also go to PJ Utara MP Datin Paduka Chew Mei Fun, who had worked tirelessly with me to ensure that the occupants of government land at Kampung Michael Chen, especially, are given a fair and equitable deal,” he said.

According to Wong, the authorities have instructed the developer Taipan Focus Sdn Bhd to proceed with the signing of the sales and purchase agreements by next week, with the aim of completing the low-cost project by mid-2010.

“We believe that this date is achievable because all approvals and permits to start work have been given as at Oct 20, and preliminary work on the project has already begun,” he said.

All occupants of Kampung Micheal Chen, Kampung Desa MB and Kampung Seri Setia, who have been duly verified and registered by the MBPJ as squatters, are advised to call Wong at 03-7875 9493 or the developer’s office (03-3371 6010) if they do not receive any offer to execute the sales and purchase agreement by Nov 7.

My opinion on Sultan Azlan Shah's speech

I am reproducing speech by Sultan Azlan Shah, former Lord President of Malaysia Supreme Court.

I am glad that Baginda speaks out for the people, for the civil society in voicing out the concern of the general public on our dwindling jiduciary system.

The Conference of Rulers will come out with a decision on whether to extend current CJ Tun Ahmad Fairuz's term as Chief Justice.

Any extension of his tenure as CJ will definitely do no good for the country, especially in building up the confidence of the people and foreign investors in Malaysia.

Full text of Sultan Azlan Shah's opening address at the 14th Malaysian Law Conference

Here is the full text of Sultan Azlan Shah's opening address at the 14th Malaysian Law Conference taken from the Bar Council website (www.malsyhaianbar.org.my):

Monday, 29 October 2007, 04:25pm

"50 Years of Constitutionalism and the
Rule of Law"

Assalamaualaikum Warahmatullahi Wabarakatuh.
Salam
Sejahtera.
Bismillahi Rahmanir Rahim.

This year marks the 50th year of our nation’s Independence. It is also the 50th year of our Merdeka Constitution.

Malaysia and its people have every reason to celebrate this joyous occasion as the country prospers as a constitutional democracy with a constitutional monarchy in the form as established by the Merdeka Constitution in 1957.

Not all countries that achieved their freedom at the end of the colonial period are today able to celebrate their independence with pride. Some are under military rule, whilst others have had their institutions undermined or even abolished.

The 50th anniversary of our independence is therefore an appropriate moment for all of us to reflect upon the strength of our constitutional system. As we rejoice in our success, It is important to be alert to the pitfalls of failure if proper regard is not given to our constitutional mechanisms.

We must ever be mindful that written constitutions are mere parchment pieces.

It is important that there must be, in the hearts and minds of those who are entrusted to administer and uphold the constitution, a belief in the values and principles that animate the august document.

I had occasion to observe when sitting in the Federal Court in 1977 that the "constitution is not a mere collection of pious platitudes". I spoke then of the 3 essential features of our constitution. I said:

"It is the supreme law of the land embodying three basic concepts: One of them is that the individual has certain fundamental rights upon which not even the power of the state may encroach.

The second is the distribution of sovereign power between the states and the federation,…

The third is that no single man or body shall exercise complete sovereign power, but that it shall be distributed among the executive, legislative and judicial branches of government, compendiously expressed in modern terms that we are a government of laws, not of men."


The prescription that "we are a government of laws, not of men" describes the basic principle that runs through our entire constitution-the principle of the Rule of Law.

The Rule of Law is the defining feature of democratic government. In delivering the eleventh Tunku Abdul Rahman lecture in November 1984, I again defined it as follows:

"The Rule of Law means literally what it says: The Rule of the law. Taken in its broadest sense this means that people should obey the law and be ruled by it.

But in political and legal theory it has come to be read in a narrow sense, that the government shall be ruled by law and be subject to it.

The ideal of the Rule of Law in this sense is often expressed by the phrase "government by law and not by man""

In a speech delivered in Kuala Lumpur in April 2004, Lord Woolf spoke of the ‘Rule of Law’,

"The Rule of Law is the rule by the laws that govern a true democracy.

They are the laws that provide for a proper balance between the protection of human rights and the interests of the State. Laws which an independent and responsible judiciary can enforce to protect all members of society from abuse of power."


The reference by Lord Woolf to the role of the judiciary is highly significant. I wish to state with all fortitude that without a reputable judiciary-a judiciary endowed and equipped with all the attributes of real independence-there cannot be the Rule of Law.

All countries, including those that are totalitarian regimes, have courts. But as I observed previously:

"The [mere] existence of courts and judges in every ordered society proves nothing; it is their quality, their independence, and their powers that matter."

In matters concerning the judiciary, it is the public perception of the judiciary that ultimately matters. A judiciary loses its value and service to the community if there is no public confidence in its decision-making.

In this regard the principal quality a judiciary must possess is "impartiality". Lord Devlin said of "judicial impartiality" that it exists in two senses-the reality of impartiality and the appearance of impartiality. He emphasized that the appearance of impartiality was the more important of the two.

Impartiality also means that judges are not only free from influence of external forces, but also of one another. No judge however senior can dictate to his brethren as to how a decision should be arrived at.

It is of the essence of a judge’s character that he must be a person of unquestionable integrity who brings an unbiased mind to his task. Like Caesar’s wife, he should be above suspicion.

It is said that public confidence in the judiciary is based on four evaluating criteria. They are:

(1) the principle of independence of the judiciary;

(2) the principle of impartiality of adjudication;

(3) the principle of fairness of trial; and

(4) the principle of the integrity of the adjudicator.

How does our judiciary measure today against these criteria?

Sadly I must acknowledge there has been some disquiet about our judiciary over the past few years and in the more recent past. In 2004, I had stated that it grieved me, having been a member of the judiciary, whenever I heard allegations against the judiciary and the erosion of public confidence in the judiciary.

Recently there have been even more disturbing events relating to the judiciary reported in the press. We have also witnessed the unprecedented act of a former Court of Appeal judge writing in his post-retirement book of erroneous and questionable judgements delivered by our higher courts in a chapter under the heading "When Justice is Not Administered According to Law". There are other serious criticisms.

I am driven nostalgically to look back to a time when our Judiciary was the pride of the region, and our neighbours spoke admiringly of our legal system. We were then second to none and the judgements of our courts were quoted confidently in other common law jurisdictions. As Tun Suffian, a former Lord President of the then Federal Court, said of the local judges who took over from the expatriate judges after Merdeka that the transformation was without "any reduction in standards".

Admittedly society is more complex today and the task of judges may be more difficult then what it was before, but the values I speak of are universal and eternal.

There is no reason why judges with the assured security of tenure they enjoy under the Constitution should not discharge their duties impartially, confidently and competently.

Judges are called upon to be both independent and competent. In these days, judges must ever be mindful that the loss of independence can come from many sources, and not just from the executive. Therefore, judges must piously resist the lure of socializing with business personages and other well connected people. They may discover at their peril that they have compromised themselves in the cases that come before them with the unedifying spectacle of recusal applications.

Nothing destroys more the confidence the general public, or the business community has in the judiciary than the belief that the judge was biased when he decided a case, or that the judge would not be independent where powerful individuals or
corporations are the litigants before him.

Confidence in the judiciary may also be eroded where the business community perceives incompetence in decision-making. A judgement in a banking or commercial transaction that is contrary to the established norms or which is incomprehensible in its reasoning is bound to give rise to suspicion and loss of confidence.

It therefore becomes apparent, that our attempts to establish ourselves as a leading
financial and commercial center will fail, if we do not have a competent judiciary to decide on complex commercial disputes. In this regard, it is utmost importance that the foreign investor have faith in the competence and integrity of our judiciary.

The international foreign investor also expects a speedy resolution of their cases before the courts. Delays cause a loss of profits to the business community. In the recent World Bank survey on resolution of commercial disputes, Malaysia ranks poorly, 63 amongst 178 economies. A similar report by the US State Department warns American businessmen to be wary of the slow process of adjudication of cases before the Malaysian courts. This is indeed a poor reflection on our courts.

Countries such as Singapore and Hong Kong, who have a similar legal system and who share similar laws, and whose judges and lawyers are trained as ours, are ranked in these surveys as amongst the best in the world (Hong Kong is placed first and Singapore ranks as fourth in the world).

The reason is obvious: these countries have undertaken major reforms in their court structure and procedures and have introduced more efficient and transparent commercial courts so as to attract the foreign investor.

Maybe it is also time for us to consider such changes in our legal system and introduce a strong central commercial court in Putrajaya as in London, with especially trained judges who are familiar with the new and ever changing commercial laws and their developments, so that we too can become the center for the resolution of commercial disputes in the region.

I should point out that mere cosmetic changes alone would not suffice. If we wish to achieve this goal, it is imperative that major reforms are introduced. Many other countries have taken such steps to establish specialized commercial courts. Recently, the Dubai Commercial Court (where one of our own former Chief Judge has recently been appointed to sit as a judge in this new court), and the Qatar Commercial Court have been established.

I know that judging is an arduous task calling for a good mind and a capacity for hard work. The inevitable consequence of incompetence is delayed judgments and backlog in cases leading to all round dissatisfaction.

Only last week, I read in a latest Malaysian law report that a case of medical negligence involving a death of a lawyer took 23 years to reach the Court of Appeal. Similarly there have been reports that some judges have taken years to write their grounds of judgements involving accused persons who have been convicted and languishing in death row.

Surely, such a situation cannot be tolerated in any progressive nation.

It will also be appropriate for me to say a few words on lawyers.

The administration of justice is not just the role of the judiciary. I had said previously in July 1984 on the occasion of a farewell dinner speech to the Bar Council on leaving office as the Lord President, that there cannot be an independent Judiciary without an independent Bar. I stated further that the judiciary cannot function without legal profession.

This symbiosis calls for a proper understanding of the relationship between the Bench and the Bar. The Bar and its leadership must ensure there is a high standard of integrity and ethics among its members. A Bar that is riddled with bad practices cannot assist the administration of justice.

In this respect the relationship between judges and lawyers must be a roper and correct one. As I have said earlier, judges are supposed to be no respecters of persons who appear before them. This rule applies not only to litigants but also to lawyers. It is not just a matter of prudence and good practice, but fundamentally one of ethics.

As is often said, there are good lawyers and bad lawyers. Whilst the majority of the lawyers discharge their duties as officers of the court with professionalism and dedication, there have been cases of some others who have brought disrepute to the legal profession. There have been allegations against some lawyers that in clear dereliction of their responsibilities, they have either misled the courts, or attempted to choose the judges or courts for their cases to be heard so as to obtain a favourable decision in their client’s favour. This is serious interference with the administration of justice and the process of the court.

There is one further important point that I feel compelled to say.

This deals with a judge’s quality in decision-making. We in Malaysia live in a multi-cultural and multi-religious society. Our founding fathers accommodated this diversity into our Constitution that is reflected in the social contract, and saw this diversity as strength.

Judging in a diverse society is not an easy task. Judges in many parts of the world face similar difficulties. Those of you who were present at the lecture delivered by Justice Albie Sachs at the Second Tun Hussein Onn Lecture last week will know how the Constitutional Court of South Africa, as the guardian of the constitution, wrestle to arrive at a just decision when dealing with the issues relating to diversity or discrimination.

Judges in Malaysia must be ever mindful that they are appointed judges for all Malaysians. They must be sensitive to the feelings of all parties, irrespective of race, religion or creed, and be careful not to bring a predisposed mind to an issue before them that is capable of being misconstrued by the watching public or segments of them.

I am reminded of the proud accolade of the late Tun Suffian in his Braddel Memorial Lecture in 1982, when speaking of the Malaysian judiciary to a Singapore audience he said:

"In a multi-racial and multi religious society like yours and mine, while we judges cannot help being Malay or Chinese or Indian; or being Muslim or Buddhist or Hindu or whatever, we strive not to be too identified with any particular race or religion – so that nobody reading our judgement with our name deleted could with confidence identity our race or religion, and so that the various communities, especially minority communities, are assured that we will not allow their rights to be trampled underfoot."

I have found it necessary to speak at some length on these matters because it is my earnest hope that the Malaysian judiciary will regain the public’s confidence and it will once again be held in high esteem as it once was held.

In conclusion, I wish to say as I have said on previous occasion ‘in the judiciary, people place their trust and hope’.

It now gives me great pleasure in officially declaring open the 14th Malaysian Law Conference.

I wish all of you a fruitful and meaning full discussion and exchange of ideas.

Monday, October 29, 2007

BERSIH Minta Debat Terbuka di RTM

Kenyataan Media
29 Oktober 2007

Gabungan Pilihanraya Bersih dan Adil (BERSIH) meminta agar debat terbuka disiarkan secara langsung di Radio dan Televisyen Malaysia (RTM) untuk pilihanraya umum yang akan datang. Siaran secara langsung perdebatan yang melibatkan ahli-ahli parti politik dan calon-calon akan menjadi satu loncatan ke arah Malaysia yang lebih progresif.

Sebagai pihak yang bertanggungjawab terhadap proses pilihanraya, Suruhanjaya Pilihanraya (SPR) patut memohon kepada stesen-stesen penyiaran, sekurang-kurangnya RTM untuk menghoskan debat-debat terbuka.

Memandangkan RTM beroperasi menggunakan wang pembayar cukai, tidak ada alasan patut diberikan oleh stesen tersebut dalam melaksanakan keperluan-keperluan pembayar-pembayar cukai bagi maklumat yang seimbang dan komprehensif.

BERSIH mempersoalkan keengganan SPR dan RTM sebelum ini dalam menjalankan amalan-amalan asas dan mengikut piawai amalan pilihanraya kepada rakyat Malaysia yang mana ia merupakan ciri penting pilihanraya di dalam Negara-negara demokratik.

Debat terbuka yang disiarkan secara langsung di televisyen tidak memerlukan sebarang teknologi suntingan yang rumit dan ia juga menjimatkan kos. Namun demikian, apa yang lebih mustahak ialah ia menyediakan pilihan kepada pengundi-pengundi untuk membuat penilaian terhadap calon-calon mereka.

BERSIH mencabar kerajaan Barisan Nasional (BN) untuk menyokong cadangan ini. Selepas memenangi 12 pilihanraya umum sejak 1955, malu sekiranya kepimpinan BN masih takut untuk mengambil bahagian dalam debat-debat di TV.

Justeru, SPR mestilah mendesak agar program-program debat terbuka disiarkan secara langsung di stesen-stesen TV sekiranya ia mahu melihat jumlah pengundi meningkat pada hari pengundian.

Dengan cara ini, kemungkinan besar debat-debat terbuka di saluran TV akan meningkatkan kesedaran politik dan minat rakyat Malaysia berbanding dengan kempen-kempen mahupun iklan-iklan yang sedang disiarkan oleh SPR sekrang ini.

Public Forum: "Remembering Ops Lalang: No More Fear, Abolish ISA!"

DAP will be organizing a public forum this coming Wednesday in remembrance of one of the darkest days in Malaysia's history. Details of the forum are as followed:

Date: 31 October 2007 (Wednesday)
Time: 7:30 pm – 10:45 pm
Venue:
KL-Selangor Chinese Assembly Hall

On 27 October 1987, the Government launched Ops Lalang and arrested 106 innocent social, political and religious activists. Twenty years on, it's time to step up our collective effort to strive for a democratic future without the dark shadow of the Internal Security Act 1960 looming over us.

With the theme "No More Fear, Abolish ISA", the forum brings together DAP leaders detained during Ops Lalang and more recent victims of this repressive law, to highlight the continued suffering of those detained under the ISA.

Election watchdog MAFREL Chairman Malek Hussin, who was recently awarded RM 2.5 million by the High Court for his unlawful detention in 1998, is the special guest of the forum.

Norlaila Othman, wife of current ISA detainee Mat Sah Mohd Satray, will be present to bring home the message that ISA detention is not something of the past but an oppressive tool of the government that continues to haunt Malaysians.

Other speakers include the Chairman of Gerakan Mansuhkan ISA (GMI) Syed Ibrahim Syed Noh, Parliamentary Opposition Leader Lim Kit Siang, DAP National Chairman Karpal Singh, DAP Deputy National Chairman Tan Seng Giaw and DAP Secretary-General Lim Guan Eng.

The draconian law, passed by Parliament in 1960 ostensibly for the curtailment of Communism, has been used thousands of times to crush political opponents of the Barisan Nasional.

The ISA has no place in a country that claims to have any semblance of democracy. It has been almost half a century since the Act was passed and it's high time we do away with it.

Temporary assistant registrars can only register new voters

PETALING JAYA (Oct 26, 2007): Political party officials who are appointed by the Election Commission (EC) as temporary assistant registrars to register new voters can only do just that.

"They are not allowed to make other changes or change the addresses of registered voters which would alter their voting constituency," said EC Deputy Chairman Datuk Wan Ahmad Wan Omar.

When contacted he said: "No third party can make changes to voters' addresses. This is to prevent the possibility of changes being made to addresses without the knowledge of the voters.

"Only a voter can change their own address," he stressed. If we allow assistant registrars to make such changes, the situation may become chaotic because certain quarters may influence people to change their address for self interest."

Wan Ahmad said changes of address can only be made by EC officers and at post offices.

He said there are five million people who are eligible to vote but are unregistered and temporary assistant registrars have been appointed to help register them.

"There is no way they can cheat when registering new voters as the EC will counter check the details of new voters submitted by the registrars with that in the National Registration Department (NRD)," he said.

Wan Ahmad was commenting on a case highlighted by the DAP Selangor Secretary Lau Weng San today where a voter, Johnny Soon who had filled out a form to make changes to his address at a booth set up by MCA found that no amendments were made a year later.

Soon complained to Lau that he and his wife had been residents of Subang Jaya for over 23 years prior to moving to Mutiara Damansara.

On Oct 28, 2006, both of them filled out a form (Borang A) at the MCA voters registration booth in 1-Utama Shopping Centre to change their voting address but they were never informed about their status until Oct 4 when they checked the EC website and found they were still registered as Kelana Jaya voters.

Soon said details of his 27-year-old daughter who had registered to be a new voter were also not online.

"I sent an e-mail to the EC on this matter and they promptly replied that temporary assistant registrars are not allowed to make changes to voters address, but are only allowed to register new voters," he said.

"I don’t know how many other people are facing the same proble because they may be reluctant to make it public, said Soon.

"I don’t mind going back to vote in Subang Jaya but what happens when someone has to go all the way back to another state just because of this predicament?" he asked.

Lau later commented that all temporary assistant registrar are trained and appointed by EC.

"There is no way why the MCA team cannot inform Soon immediately on the spot that they cannot register voters who wish to change their voting address," he said.

Sunday, October 28, 2007

另一宗十年前的刁曼渡轮事件 / Another Tioman Seagull Incident Ten Years Ago

《南洋商报》
10年前遇刁曼岛渡轮沉船 商人责海事局执法不力
(八打灵再也27日讯)在10年前,刁曼岛也曾发生渡轮惨剧,逾300名游客险海葬!1997年8月29日早上,一批国内外游客乘坐当日第二班次的渡轮前往刁曼岛,岂料在出发后半小时,渡轮突然摇晃不定、引擎冒出浓烟,最后船身倾斜至半沉,海水涌至窗外,所幸乘客只受伤,没有人罹难。

《南洋商报》
刘永山促陈广才速公布报告
刘永山指出,这回刁曼岛海难事件发生后,交通部长拿督斯里陈广才曾两度答应公布渡轮肆祸的初部及详细报告,不过,至今却未闻任何报告出炉。他促请陈广才尽快公布有关报告,给罹难者家属以及受害者合理的交代。

《东方日报》
生還者重述驚醒忙跳海 刁曼沉船10年惡夢
(八打靈再也27日訊)刁曼島沉船事件不是首次發生,10年前,同樣有一艘超載的客船在海上出事,乘客紛紛跳海逃生,所幸當時無鬧出人命。

《中国报》
刁曼渡輪失火案喚起回憶 遊客斥沒汲取教訓
(八打靈再也27日訊)刁曼島渡輪失火案前,曾發生渡輪超載傾斜,海水湧入船隻,乘客拋出海上事件,幸好沒有人死亡,唯有關方面沒有汲取教訓,使到意外事件一再發生。 10年前,即1997年8月29日來自柔佛居民林福東(51歲)與數個家庭共18人,一起前往刁曼島渡過3天2夜假期。 他相信當年該艘渡輪超載,在開船后船身開始搖擺不定,最後更嚴重傾斜,船隻差點翻覆。

《光明日报》
刁曼渡轮10年前曾超载倾斜 受害者∶游客被抛进海
(八打灵再也讯)刁曼岛惨剧酿7死事件勾起一名船难受害者的可怕记忆,一名10年前乘坐渡轮前往刁曼岛的游客披露,当时渡轮因超载而严重倾斜,部份站在船顶的游客被抛进海中,海水也涌入渡轮内,所幸附近船夫即时赶来抢救,才避免人命伤亡。

51岁的林福东周六(27日)透过行动党召开记者会说,1997年8月29日上午,他连同18名亲朋戚友,以及其他游客乘坐第二班次的渡轮从丰盛港出发前往刁曼岛。他们一上船就觉得渡轮不对劲,船身因为人数过多不平衡,行驶约半小时后,他在睡梦中被吵杂声弄醒。

《星洲日报》
10年前刁曼岛渡轮意外历历在目 生还者责没吸取教训
(八打灵再也讯)10年前刁曼岛渡轮意外至今还历历在目,对林福东及亲人烙下不灭的阴影,如今看到发生船难,忍不住站出来,希望通过亲身经历,让当局采取积极步骤,避免悲剧重演。

受害者林福东(51岁)在1997年8月29日趁假期与家人及亲友共18人到刁曼岛旅游,早上从丰盛港出发,没料到渡轮超载,以致船身失衡,渡轮几乎倾斜90度,导致坐在渡轮顶部的游客被抛进大海。

《光华日报》
刁曼岛渡轮超载事件 10年前也曾发生
(吉隆坡27日讯)在还未发生刁曼岛渡轮失火沉没导致7死的意外事件之前,约10年前,在相同的海域也发生超载导致渡轮倾斜险沉事件,所幸这事件并未造成任何死亡事件!

这起意外发生在1997年8月29日早上,一艘从丰盛港出发前往刁曼岛的渡轮,在启程约半个小时后,渡轮相信是超载而出现倾斜状态,船上的乘客连忙逃生,最终在热心的渔民的协助下,才逃过此劫。

这起船难的其中1名乘客林福东(51岁,商人)表示,由于事发时已经有10年了,所以对于启程时间和事发经过等详情,并非记得相当清楚。

林福东今日是在雪州行动党总部所召开的记者会上,这样表示。出席者还包括雪州行动党宣传秘书刘永山、州法律局主任林立迎、州主席欧阳捍华、行动党八打灵再也大选筹备委员会顾问谢永贤等等。

野新国会议员再次侮辱女性

议员∶不会只看不做
新娘笑话妙喻国阵踏实
updated:2007-10-27 18:51:58 MYT

(野新讯)野新国会议员拿督莫哈末赛益周五(26日)早上在望万州选区一项官民交流会上,说了个笑话来隐喻国阵的领袖不会只看不做,也不会只说不做,更不会空许诺言,而是以实事求是的踏实行动为民服务。

他在会上说∶“有一位新娘子,嫁了3次,仍然是处子之身。原来,她第一次嫁给眼科医生,早看午看晚看,只看不做。第二次嫁给一位律师,从早讲到晚,只讲不做。第三次嫁给回教党,从早到晚许诺要做,可是就没有付诸行动。”

出席者哄堂大笑

“新娘子气极了,来找我求教,我说,你嫁给国阵领袖吧,包你今天结婚,明天就生孩子。”莫哈末赛益声称,国阵领袖在还没结婚前早早就“做了”,当然马上有“成绩”交出来。出席者听了他的笑话,顿时哄堂大笑。

这项交流会是特为首席部长拿督斯里莫哈末阿里访问望万选区而设,在望万州选区办公署广场举行。出席者有望万州议员拿督锺谭安、万里望州议员阿布毕、野新国会选区内国阵成员党领袖及各族村民,情况热烈。

首席部长在会上颁发证书给望万村委会委员,也进行屠妖节施赠,让选区内的印裔贫老可以欢度即将来临的屠妖节。

在国会选区领袖的陪同下,首席部长也巡视了阿依班纳热水湖的旅游景点工程,并为赤贫屋主持开幕及参观进步花园的水果摊档。 (光明日报?2007.10.27)

Friday, October 26, 2007

UMNO Shown Disrespect For Deepavali And Hindus

Lim Guan Eng
DAP Secretary-General

DAP deeply regrets and disagrees with MIC President Datuk S. Samy Vellu that the Indian community will not feel slighted by Umno's decision to continue its general assembly on Deepavali on November 8 with UMNO decision not to take any break but continue with its meeting from 5-9 November 2007. UMNO should be condemned for continuing to hold its meetings on Deepavali even though it is a public holiday.

UMNO has show disrespect for Deepavali and all Hindus by continuing with its General Assembly on November 8, when the Prime Minister and UMNO leaders should be marking Deepavali celebrations with open houses of Hindus. Even if Samy can not criticize UMNO since UMNO is a big brother or even a father-like figure to MIC, he should not have openly endorsed and agreed with UMNO’s move.

By saying that Indians are mature, not so narrow-minded as to misinterpret the situation in understanding that Umno had to continue its meeting because it was already close to the year's end, Samy is clearly speaking for himself and not for Indians in Malaysia. I have received calls from Indians who are angry at what Samy is saying.

Some even say that whilst they are upset at UMNO for not respecting Deepavali, many are angrier at Samy for blindly supporting UMNO’s disrespect of Deepavali. The common sentiment is how can UMNO leaders and non-Hindus respect Hindu temples, beliefs and Deepavali if self-proclaimed Hindu leaders and Indian leaders like Samy do not even respect and uphold the importance of Deepavali.

When one’s own community leaders diminishes and reduces his own community’s culture to irrelevance until he dares not even criticize those who disparage the importance of Deepavali, it is not surprising that Indians are the marginalized Malaysian. Not only are Indians left out economically and educationally, even their customs and religions fail to gain proper respect. For instance, Parliament House was turned into an abattoir recently when cows and buffaloes were slaughtered in the grounds of Parliament House without any respect for the sensitivities of Hindus.

For this reason, Samy should retract his open support for UMNO’s continuing to hold its General Assembly on Deepavali day and unconditionally apologise to the Indian community. To redeem his mistake, Samy should bring up in the next Cabinet meeting by impressing upon Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi to respect Deepavali as a public holiday by not continuing with the UMNO meeting but to celebrate together with Hindu friends in the spirit of multi-religious and multi-cultural freedom, respect and harmony.

Temporary Assistant Registrars from political parties are only allowed to register new voters

Mr Johnny Soon Kwai Choon and his wife, Teh Saw Theng were voters in Subang Jaya before 2006. Both of them are moving to Mutiara Damansara in 2006 and have the addresses on their MyKad changed to their current address. They were misled by MCA Voters Registration Team that they could apply to change their voting address.

Both of them applied to change the voting address to Mutiara Damansara on 28th October 2006 with a MCA booth in 1-Utama Shopping Complex, Bandar Utama. This was a booth set up by MCA with which their Temporary Assistant Registrars (Penolong Pendaftar Sementara - PPS) who are appointed by SPR would be able to register new voters.

In fact, all political parties nationwide are invited to send representatives to assist SPR in registering new voters after having gone through some training. For example, each political party are allowed to send maximum 22 representatives to become SPR PPS as there are only 22 parliamentary constituencies in Selangor.

The power of the registrar is somehow limited as they can only register new voters but not those who are already voters but apply to change their voting address. This has been made clear to all PPSs. Citizens should be asked to identify themselves of whether they had registered or not before Temporary Assistant Registrar from political parties can register them. Any citizen who applied to change their voting address can only do that in Post Offices and SPR offices, after updating their addresses on their ICs.

However, Mr Johnny Soon and his wife were not informed about this and the MCA PPS named Tiew Lea Kiong went ahead to register them in their new address. They are never informed about their status until they recently discovered that they are still voters in Kelana Jaya.

Mr Johnny Soon later went to DAP office and met me, only to know about all these regulations. A check on Mr Johnny Soon’s carbon copy shows that his form is not properly filled in. For example, the second portion of the form which should be completed by the PPS is not completed. Certainly his form will be deemed as incomplete and could be rejected even if the PPS is empowered to change Mr Johnny Soon’s voting address.

We would like to inform voters who registered with any PPS to check their carbon copies carefully before leaving the counter. As an added service to our voters, DAP PPS in Selangor used to stamp a reminder at the back of the carbon copy to remind people to check their registration status on time. Contact details of DAP PPS in Selangor are also printed clearly on the forms to enable people to contact us if they have any problem related to their registration.

Again what is required to register as voters are for the citizen to appear before the PPS and show them your original Mykad. If you are required to provide more information than required, please inform the SPR and lodge a complaint as the PPS may abuse your documents to enroll you as members of their political party as observed in Cheras recently.

政党临时助理登记官只能登记新选民,不能帮选民转换投票地址

孙贵泉先生以及他的妻子郑秀婷在2006年之前是梳帮再也州议席(柯拉那再也国会议席)的选民。在2006年,他们两人搬去珍珠白沙罗(梳邦国会选区),他们也更换身份证上的住址。他们遭马华公会选民登记队的误导,以为政党选民登记官能够更改选民地址。

他们是在2006年10月28日通过马华公会在1-Utama购物中心开设的选民登记柜台申请更改他们的住址,以便他们能够在下一次大选在珍珠白沙罗投票,无需回去梳帮再也。他们是通过选举委员会委任的马华临时助理登记官(Penolong Pendaftar Sementara – PPS)申请更改他们的投票地方。
由于雪州只有22个国会选区,因此每一个政党最多能够派遣22名代表成为临时助理登记官。这22名代表一旦经过选举委员会的训练之后,便会被委任代表选举委员会,协助该委员会登记新选民。他们大多被称为Penolong Pendaftar Sementara,这里简称PPS。

PPS的权利是相当有限的。由于选举委员会担心各政党滥用权力,因此PPS只能登记新选民,意即已满21岁但尚未登记成为选民的大马公民。欲登记成为选民的公民必须向PPS表明他们未曾登记成为选民、未曾在任何大选投票以及必须能够展示他们的正版身份证。如果他们已经登记成为选民,但是因为搬迁而要更改他们的投票地方,他们只能够前往选举委员会的办事处或邮政局申请更改,PPS是没有权利更改选民的投票地址。

遗憾的是,这名称为Tiew Lea Kiong的马华公会的PPS并没有把这点清楚向孙贵泉先生以及他的妻子解释,导致孙贵泉先生以及他的妻子以为他们在来届大选能够在珍珠白沙罗投票。直到今年当他们通过网络查询他们的资料时,他们才发现他们依然在旧有的地方,即柯拉那再也投票。

孙贵泉先生后来前来行动党办事处和我会见,我当场向他解释选举委员会的条例,他才恍然大悟。我也检查孙贵泉先生及其妻子的登记表格副本,发现他的表格并不完整。例如,表格中的第二部分应该填上该名PPS的资料,但是该部分却不完整。如果这张表格交上去,即使选举委员会批准PPS更改选民地址,这张表格也会因为不齐全而被拒绝。

我们再次呼吁选民们在离开登记柜台之前详细检查他们的登记表格副本。行动党的登记官通常会在表格副本的背面印上选举委员会的电话号码和网址,提醒及教导选民如何检查他们的登记状况。我们也在表格上面印上登记官的联络电话。

同时,我们也提醒大家,如果你要登记成为选民,你只是需要在PPS面前展示你的身份证(无需提供身份证副本)。如果有任何PPS向你索取更多文件,请立即联络选举委员会,避免你的身份被某些政党盗用成为他们的党员,正如最近在蕉赖所发生的事情一样。

Thursday, October 25, 2007

生意失败欠阿窿 夫妇弃瘫痪女出走

(光明日报.2007.10.25)
(http://www.guangming.com.my/content.phtml?sec=193&sdate=&artid=200710251472#)

■陈欣佩一出世便脊椎骨断裂,她全身瘫痪,四肢僵直还不时会全身抽搐。


(吉隆坡讯)一对夫妇3年前生意失败欠下大耳窿钜款后离家,丢下全身瘫痪的女儿。年老的母亲说,女儿只在每逢新年时致电回家问候一声,还说∶“妈,欠你的钱,我下辈子还你”。70岁的老婆婆寸步不离地守著瘫痪的外孙女,还得用手帮孙女抠出粪便,教她不禁日夜以泪洗脸。

不愿透露姓名的老婆婆周四(25日)在白沙罗新村住家内,向雪州民主行动党宣传秘书刘永山、行动党白沙罗支部主席潘俭伟和助理丘丽凤述说多年来的辛酸,数度哽咽。

亲手为孙女抠出粪便

她说,甫出世便脊椎骨断裂的孙女陈欣佩,从出生至3岁期间就已经在中央医院动了9次手术,可是3岁的接驳手术失败后,情况不见好转,反而恶化。从此,她全身瘫痪,四肢僵直还不时会全身抽搐,情况严重甚至需要借助哮喘喷雾器才能呼吸。

可怜的欣佩现年已17岁,双眼自从3岁接驳手续失败后便失明,同时也无法言语。

老婆婆指出,欣佩满月后就由她照顾至今,她曾多次在孙女情况危急之际,甚至恳求医生让孙女安乐死,因为她再也无法看著可怜的孙女忍受这样的折磨。

但是,每当她抱著不断抽搐的欣佩时,无法言语的欣佩都会在她怀里哭泣,表达身体的痛苦,教她不舍得真的把欣佩丢下。

老婆婆透露,欣佩常会不由自主地抽搐,而而呼吸困难,需要日夜守著她。由於欣佩无法自行排泄粪便,须要隔日服用通便药,然后由她用手帮孙女抠出粪便。

她说,孙女血压盐分偏低是导致常抽搐的原因,因此需要每日饮用“100号”饮料。

一直日以继夜照顾孙女,老婆婆本身也患有高血压,体力不如从前的她常抱起欣佩到厕所洗澡,但稍有不慎就会两婆孙一同跌倒。

“我现在老了,我女儿以前生意还没有失败时,还会给钱和请女佣回来协助我照顾欣佩,那时候我也可以到一些公司去当清洁女工,可是自从女儿和女婿离开以后,几年来一直音讯全无。”

女儿只在过年时打电话回来问候,还在电话里告诉她∶“欠你的下辈子再还你”,老婆婆听到这些句也常常不禁痛哭,无语问苍天。

副利部未发放援助金 “他们叫我耐心等”

老婆婆说,2004年,马大医院一位医生看见婆孙俩这麽可怜,写了封信让她去申请福利部援助金。可是,福利部除了给她一张残缺证明以便到医院拿药之外,援助金的申请就等到现在甚麽消息都没有。

今年她再次获得医生的信件,上门要求福利部援助∶“我哭著求他们,他们还叫我不要哭,继续耐心等待。”

她透露,欣佩曾两次因为病情严重而送入医院,但她身无分文,欠下马大医院1000多令吉的住院费,所幸医院内的医生和护士一直给予帮助,让她无限感激。

如今全身瘫痪的欣佩如今每日大约需要服食5种药物,包括最重要的控制抽搐的药物。

老婆婆语气悲伤地表示,她现在只希望福利部能批准她多年来申请的援助金,好让外孙女每月的尿布以及每日需要饮品的费用能够获得资助。

她透露,她还有两名女儿和两名儿子,其中一直资助她的小女儿因为患有忧郁症,而让她不敢再接受小女儿的帮助,还得担心小女儿会病发而自杀。

另外一个女儿则是单亲妈妈,另一名儿子则患有心脏有孔症,让她更是忧心忡忡,其馀的她不愿多谈。

福利部不闻不问 行动党∶令人惊讶

雪州民主行动党宣传秘书刘永山指出,欣佩在面对这样严重的情况下,福利部竟然对此不闻不问,令人感到惊讶。

“福利部应尽快派人前来了解情况,因为欣佩完全符合申请的条件,也两次获得医生的证明她需要援助。行动党将积极协助老婆婆申请援助金。”

行动党白沙罗支部主席潘俭伟指出,福利部应追算2004年至2007年应该给予的生活津贴,尽快补回给这对可怜的婆孙。若福利部在一周内仍未采取任何行动,行动党将会载著欣佩婆孙亲身前往梳邦再也福利部追讨。

“除了欣佩婆孙,到底还有多少这样悲剧被福利部所遗忘?我对於福利部会遗忘处理这对婆孙的申请感到非常遗憾,并希望政府部门的处理系统多加改善。”

Diskriminasi buku teks SJKC tidak diberi percuma



DAP mengutuk arahan baru Kementerian Pendidikan bahawa pada tahun depan semua pelajar-pelajar sekolah di semua aliran bahasa sekolah akan menikmati perlaksanaan dasar pinjaman buku tanpa kira ibubapa kaya atau miskin, kecuali dua perkara Bahasa Cina dalam perkara Sains dan Matematik untuk SRC. Hanya buku teks Sains dan Matematik dalam Bahasa Inggeris akan dipinjam secara percuma kepada pelajar SRC.

Dsikriminasi sedemikian ke atas buku Sains dan Matematik dalam Bahasa Cina adalah berlawanan dengan pengumuman yang dibuat oleh YAB sendiri semasa membentangkan Belanjawan 2008 bahawa semua ibubapa akan menjimatkan perbelanjaan membeli buku teks sekolah yang akan dibekalkan kerajaan tanpa kira aliran bahasa. Malangnya sebelum dasar ini dilaksanakan sudah wujud diskriminasi yang begitu ketara dan menyerlah.

Ini menunjukkan bahawa Kementerian Pendidikan masih berdegil ingin melaksanakan pembelajaran Sains dan Matematik dalam Bahasa Inggeris sungguhpun kerajaan sebelum ini telahpun memberikan kelonggaran kepada SRC untuk mengajar dalam Bahasa Cina. Malah masyarakat Cina sedang menunggu keputusan kerajaan untuk membenarkan peperiksaan UPSR tahun depan dalam Bahasa Cina untuk Sains dan Matematik sepertimana yang telahpun dijanjikan oleh parti komponen Cina dalam BN, iaitu MCA dan Gerakan.

Akan tetapi arahan baru ini menimbulkan keraguan dan soalan mengapakah pengumuman masih belum dibuat oleh Kementerian Pendidikan bahawa UPSR dalam Sains dan Matematik boleh diambil dalam Bahasa Cina. Pembelajaran Sains dan Matematik harus diadakan dalam bahasa ibunda kerana banyak pelajar-pelajar tanpa kira aliran bahasa tidak dapat memahami kedua-dua perkara kerana penguasaan Bahasa Inggeris yang lemah bukan sahaja di kalangan pelajar malah di kalangan guru-guru sendiri. Malah terdapat statistik oleh pendidik Bahasa Melayu yang menunjukkan bahawa kadar “keciciran” dalam dua perkara itu adalah 500,000 pelajar dalam tempoh masa 6 tahun ia dilaksanakan. Itulah sebabnya pihak kerajaan diminta mengkaji semula pengajaran Sains dan Matematik dalam Bahasa Inggeris untuk sekolah rendah.

Sebagai rumusan, YAB harus menghormati prinsip demokrasi dan keadilan untuk semua pelajar, termasuk SRC dan Sekolah Menengah Bebas Cina dalam perlaksanaan dasar pinjaman buku dan pengecualian pembayaran yuran peperiksaan. Adalah tidak adil dan tidak sama-rata sekiranya pelajar SRC tidak boleh mendapat pinjaman buku teks dalam Bahasa Mandarin untuk Sains dan matematik ataupun pelajar sekolah menengah bebas Cina tidak mendapat pengecualian dalam yuran peperiksaan.

Oleh itu, DAP meminta campur tangan YAB untuk membetulkan diskriminasi yang tidak bertanggungjawab dan menimbulkan keresahan dan perasaan tidak puashati di kalangan masyarkat Cina.

Tuesday, October 23, 2007

While Malaysia fiddles, its opportunities are running dry


http://www.theage.com.au/news/business/while-malaysia-fiddles-its-opportunities-are-running-dry/2006/11/14/1163266550487.html

MALAYSIA'S been at it again, arguing about what proportion of the economy each of its two main races — the Malays and the Chinese — owns. It's an argument that's been running for 40 years. That wealth and race are not synonymous is important for national cohesion, but really it's time Malaysia grew up.

It's a tough world out there and there can be little sympathy for a country that prefers to argue about how to divide wealth rather than get on with the job of creating it.

The long-held aim is for 30 per cent of corporate equity to be in Malay hands, but the figure that the Government uses to justify handing over huge swathes of public companies to Malays but not to other races is absurd. It bases its figure on equity valued, not at market value, but at par value.

Many shares have a par value of say $1 but a market value of $12. And so the Government figure (18.9 per cent is the most recent figure) is a gross underestimate. Last month a paper by a researcher at a local think-tank came up with a figure of 45 per cent based on actual stock prices. All hell broke loose. The paper was withdrawn and the researcher resigned in protest. Part of the problem is that he is Chinese.

"Malaysia boleh!" is Malaysia's national catch cry. It translates to "Malaysia can!" and Malaysia certainly can. Few countries are as good at wasting money. It is richly endowed with natural resources and the national obsession seems to be to extract these, sell them off and then collectively spray the proceeds up against the wall.

This all happens in the context of Malaysia's grossly inflated sense of its place in the world.

Most Malaysians are convinced that the eyes of the world are on their country and that their leaders are world figures. This is thanks to Malaysia's tame media and the bravado of former prime minister Mahathir Mohamad. The truth is, few people on the streets of London or New York could point to Malaysia on a map much less name its prime minister or capital city.

As if to make this point, a recent episode of The Simpsons features a newsreader trying to announce that a tidal wave had hit some place called Kuala Lumpur. He couldn't pronounce the city's name and so made up one, as if no-one cared anyway. But the joke was on the script writers — Kuala Lumpur is inland.

Petronas, the national oil company is well run, particularly when compared to the disaster that passes for a national oil company in neighbouring Indonesia. But in some respects, this is Malaysia's problem. The very success of Petronas means that it is used to underwrite all manner of excess.

Conspiracy to export monkeys for profit: NGO



Bede Hong (Malaysiakini)
Oct 19, 07 7:28pm

A wildlife conservation group wants the Anti-Corruption Agency (ACA) to look into alleged business dealings involving a minister and a former director-general where wild monkeys are being exported for profit.

The group said the ACA must investigate Environment Minister Azmi Khalid (photo) and former Department of Wildlife and National Parks DG Musa Nordin, who retired last October, for abuse of power.

Malaysian Animal Rights and Welfare Society (Roar) believes that a company linked to the two is the beneficiary of a export programme created under the guise to trim down the population of long-tailed macaques in Peninsular Malaysia.

Roar submitted a memorandum to ACA office in Kuala Lumpur today calling for investigation into the matter. Accompanying the group were DAP and PKR officials.

Roar consists of Selangor Society for the Prevention of Cruelty Against Animals (SSPCA), Malaysian Animal Assisted Therapy for Disabled Association, PKR and Malaysian Association for Responsible Pet Ownership.

An account of the Seagull Tragedy (Updated)

Lau Weng San, DAP Selangor Secretary speaks on the Seagull Express Ferry tragedy.





















平时不烧香,临时抱佛脚——黄世豪不应在大选将近才滥用市议员职位提升选区基本建设

平时不烧香,临时抱佛脚。

这就是我用来形容甘榜东姑州议员黄世豪医生最近通过媒体所发布一连串提升SS3基本建设工程的举动。

这些灵市政厅的工程包括:
• 在甘榜东姑州选区的SS3一带,展开提升草场设施、为有盖篮球场铺上塑胶表层以及提升儿童游乐设施工程。
• 在11月拨款12万令吉,在SS3/14路、SS3/29路,以及SS3/60路的交界处装置一盏交通灯,以减低该十字路口频频发生的车祸率。
• 在11月于SS3/35路的横巷与SS3/37路的商店外墙上装置照明灯,以防范匪徒在夜幕笼罩下继续干案。
• 在百乐花园阿曼公园20/19路的篮球场增建塑胶地板(Rubberise Coating)。
• 建议在双溪威与阿曼公园各别兴建一座室外与户外的室外(国际呎吋为20公尺宽乘以40公尺长,现有的呎吋为15公尺长乘以12尺宽)

我们固然欢迎市政厅为SS3居民所颁布的‘迟来春天’,但是我们也认为黄世豪作为当地的州议员不应该只是在大选就快来临的时候,才来以一点点蝇头小利来诱惑选民。

这是因为,市政厅的官员朱莱达在同一场记者会上曾经指出,灵市政厅是从7年前开始,在灵市250个草场增添新的器材与设施,每年的拨款为175万令吉;灵市总共有433个草场。

既然市政厅早在7年前就已经开始每年拨款提升市政厅管辖范围内的公园草场,为何要等到现在才来进行提升工程?

为何其他地方的人民和投诉却迟迟不受理会,反而要等到大选就快来临的时候才来临时抱佛脚?

黄世豪虽贵为一名兼任市议员的州议员,为何他要把自己的州议员身份降格,仅满足于处理民生问题,却不能平衡在州议会针对州政府施政进言?

这些工程由是否通过公开招标发放出去?非土著承包商是否有资格参与投标?市政厅要在双溪威建室外室外,地点是在哪里?是不是征用双溪威新村华小的足球场?

我们纵然会监督这些计划的进展,但是我们也促请黄世豪不要在大选快要来临才来赶夜车。

Saturday, October 20, 2007

Reply from ERL -- Train model removed!

18th October 2007
Mr Lau Weng San
Chairman
PJ Action Team
Democratic Action Party

Dear Mr Lau,

KLIA EKSPRES & KLIA TRANSIT – KUALA LUMPUR TO KLIA
RE: ERL tidak prihatin terhadap orang cacat kelihatan

We refer to your press statement above and thank you for highlighting your concern. At first glance, the photo does seem to portray an inconsiderate act. But before a conclusion is determined, please allow us to take you through.

When Express Rail Link (ERL) undertook the construction of the Kuala Lumpur City Air Terminal (KL CAT) in KL Sentral, special care was given to cater to visually impaired passengers, such as tactile paths and braille letterings in lifts.

Yellow tactile paths were laid from outside the entrance of the Departure Hall, leading all the way down to the KLIA Ekspres departure platform. For arriving passengers, as soon as they step out of the train onto the arrival platform, the yellow tactile path leads all the way up to the Arrival Hall and thereafter, the exit out of KL CAT. Whilst this facility is in place, we have gone one step further. Standing instructions are given to staff on duty to assist visually impaired passengers with the slotting of tickets at all ticket gates for their entry or exit.

A point to note though, whilst such considerations are in place, there have been very few unaccompanied visually impaired passengers using our service since we started operations more than five years ago. We can only guess that their preferred mode of transport to/from KLIA is still the door-to-door transfers such as taxis, which are easier and more convenient for their needs.

Coming back to the display train model at the Arrival Hall, over and above the standing instructions on helping visually impaired passengers through the ticket gates, our porters and security staff have also been briefed to escort them all the way to their waiting vehicles during this period for the Merdeka display. We are sorry such internal arrangements are not apparent to others. For your kind information, as the Merdeka celebration period is over, the train model will be relocated back to its permanent display location by the end of this week.

We trust the above clarifies our position.

Thank you.

Yeow Wei-Wen
Vice President
Marketing, Sales & Customer Service

Thursday, October 18, 2007

Kes Abdul Malik - Gembira tetapi sedih Malaysia jadi negara polis

Saya tidak boleh menekan perasaan gembira saya terhadap kemenangan Abdul Malik Hussin dalam kes beliau dianiaya oleh PDRM semasa ditahan di bawah ISA pada tahun 1998.

Saya rasa ini adalah satu perjalanan yang jauh untuk Abdul Malik apabila beliau memutus untuk membawa kes ini ke mahkamah biarpun terdapat pelbagai helah daripada PDRM untuk menghalang beliau daripada membawa kes ini ke mahkamah.

Saya tidak boleh berkata bahawa sistem kehakiman di negara ini sudah berpulih tetapi Hakim Mahkamah Tinggi Kuala Lumpur Yang Arif Datuk Mohd Hishamudin Mohd Yunus patut dipuji atas kebijaksaannya untuk menjatuhkan hukuman berat terhadap mereka yang suka-suka menceroboh hak asasi manusia.

Saya tidak boleh menekan kegembiraan saya. Bagi saya, ini adalah satu kemenangan yang amat besar, amat bersejarah dan amat bermakna.

Biarpun begitu, saya tidak dapat membayangkan pengalaman ngeri yang terpaksa dilalui oleh Sdr Abdul Malik Hussin seperti yang dilaporkan oleh Malaysiakini.com. Saya tidak dapat membayangkan anggota-anggota polis yang memberi keterangan di mahkamah berbohong-bohong secara terang-terang apaibla mereka bersumpah akan bercakap benar.

Saya pernah menyaksikan dengan mata saya sendiri bagaimana anggota-anggota polis bercakap bohong dalam kes Ronnie Liu.

Saya tidak dapat bayangkan penderitaan-penderitaan yang terpaksa dilalui oleh Sdr Abdul Malek semasa ditahan di lokap, apabila beliau dibogelkan dalam bilik berhawa dingin, ditutup mata sewaktu disoalsiasat, dibelasah secara fizikal sehingga 60 kali, dipukul hingga pengsan, dipaksa minum air kencing serta salahlaku seksual.

Sdr Abdul Malik dipukul di bahagian kemaluannya dan diejek saiz bentuk kemaluannya.

Semua ini hanya akan dilakukan oleh mereka yang tidak siuman.

Semua ini hanya akan dilakukan oleh pengganas

Semua ini hanya akan dilakukan oleh ‘taiko-taiko’ kongsi gelap.

Semua ini hanya akan berlaku di negara polis.

Jadi, siapa lagi yang masih berani kata Malaysia bukan negara polis?! Siapa lagi? Saya berani mencabarnya untuk menafikan tuduhan ini.

还有谁敢说马来西亚不是警察国?

任何人士在马来西亚任何法令遭扣留都不应该承受诸如阿都马列所承受的痛苦。

上世纪40、50年代,英殖民者用这种方式来对付异议分子。难道独立自主之后的马来西亚政府也要用这种方式来对付人民吗?

如果是这样,独立有什么意义?独立不就是把我们从一个独裁者交给另一个独裁者,不是吗?

如果是这样,我们庆祝独立50周年有什么意义?

如果你要谈恐怖分子,请你不要拿回教党、塔利班来说,因为分分钟马来西亚的头号恐怖分子就在你家附近,他们就是马来西亚皇家警察部队!

为什么不处置这些无良的家伙?!

为什么还要留他们在部队里?

难道他们很专业吗?

不!他们一点也不专业!

他们的存在将会进一步糟蹋大马皇家警察部队的声誉。警察总长一定要把他们停职查办。

如果他不这么做,警察部队将永远挨骂!因为没有人知道他在路边看到的警察会不会是另外一名践踏人权的怀警察!

警察部队里面的好警察们,你们必须要做一些东西。不要老是以‘这是上头命令’(This is an order)来顶档。

你不出声,就等于你默默接受这种安排。

你不出声,等于你认同这种安排,人同能够和这种人同流合污。

你不出声,等于你也好不去哪里!
硬物致伤私处肛门强迫喝尿
警方虐待马烈恶行罄竹难书
郭史光庆

吉隆坡高庭今日裁决警方和政府非法逮捕、扣留和暴力虐待前内安法令扣留者阿都马烈胡先(Abdul Malek Hussin,左图左) ,并谕令政府赔偿马烈250万令吉的案件,是马来西亚史上首宗内安法令扣留者成功起诉政府的民事诉讼。

这起大马司法史上的标杆性裁决,经历了长达8年的审讯过程。它不仅暴露了内安法令的残暴,也揭露了警方的滥权行径,再次突现了设立独立警察投诉与行为不检委员会(IPCMC)的重要性。

根据阿都马烈在1999年3月16日入禀法庭时提呈的宣誓书,他是在1998年9月25日晚上约10时左右在雪州安邦的住家前遭警方逮捕。

当时逮捕他的便衣警察并没有表明身份,也没有出示警方证件。警察在逮捕过程中更动用暴力,两次大力掌刮他的脸部,导致他的听觉受影响,而且出现长时间的耳鸣。

警察接着强硬使用一件深色T衫绑住他的头部,并将他推入汽车,然后载到吉隆坡警察总部。

威胁注射爱滋针危害家人

当晚11时至隔天凌晨5时之间,警方都将阿都马烈关押在吉隆坡警察总部。在这期间,警察向阿都马烈做出以下数项暴力和虐待行为:


强迫阿都马烈脱光衣服,将调至最冷温度的冷气机对着他猛吹,还向他泼冷水。


以拳头殴打阿都马烈身体各个部分、以硬物致伤阿都马烈的私处和肛门,以及用粗暴的词语侮辱阿都马烈生殖器官的形状。


以注射爱滋针来威胁和恐吓阿都马烈,并以将危害其太太和孩子的安全来威胁他与警方合作。


两次强迫阿都马烈张开口,然后将含有尿味的液体倒入他的嘴内。


以攻击、强迫的方式施压阿都马烈,让他不敢针对自己受警方虐待的遭遇做出投报,或者向法庭申请人身保护令。

阿都马烈本索三千万赔偿

上述的暴力虐待行为让阿都马烈蒙受数项伤害,包括身体各部分遭割伤与肿胀、右眼受伤、左耳长时间出现耳鸣、心理蒙受惊吓、紧张、担忧、害怕与羞辱,以及名誉上的损失。

尽管阿都马烈要求获得医药治疗,但是警方一直在4天后才给予批准。警方过后继续把阿都马烈扣留在武吉阿曼警察总部长达57天,从1998年9月26日至11月21日,并持续以暴力虐待与威胁阿都马烈。

除了要求法庭宣判警方的逮捕和扣留行动属于非法,以及违反联邦宪法保障下的人权,阿都马烈在宣誓书里也要求总数高达3千万令吉的赔偿,包括遭殴打与威胁的赔偿、名誉损失,以及加重性(aggravated)与惩罚性(exemplary)赔偿各1千万令吉。

Happy that Abdul Malek Hussin won ISA abuse case

I feel happy that another ex-ISA detainner Abdul Malek Hussin won a law suit against human rights offenders in the Royal Malaysian Police force.

This is another score point for our judiciary to uphold law and order, justice and democracy in our beloved motherland.

I have seen with my own eyes how police officers gave false testimony in the court room when they couldn't answer simple questions or simply answered questions with stupid answers.

Yes, Malek is correct. They are a shame to their force. They should be removed from their position as they are unfit to be law enforcers. After all, the compensation Malek getting are taxpayers money, not the monies of those bloody human rights offenders.

I salute Abdul Malek Hussin for taking up the case to the court as it definitely involves a lot of time and monies. His victory will certainly become a morale boaster to all of us who wish the country to be a better place for everybody.

Ex-ISA detainee gets RM2.5 million
Soon Li Tsin
Oct 18, 07 12:29pm

Ex-ISA detainee Abdul Malek Hussin, 51, today won a rare law suit against the government over his arrest and torture in 1998, and was awarded RM2.5 million in damages.

Kuala Lumpur High Court judge Mohd Hishamudin Mohd Yunus in a landmark decision ruled that Abdul Malek’s arrest at the height of the reformasi demonstrations was unlawful and that he was assaulted under custody.

“The arrest and detention were made in bad faith under Article 5 of the Federal Constitution.

“The nature of interrogation was clearly for a political purpose and had nothing to do with genuine concern for national security,” Hishamudin told a packed courtroom.

Abdul Malek, was arrested under the Internal Security Act - which allows for detention without trial - on the night of Sept 25, 1998, after addressing a demonstration earlier that afternoon in Masjid Negara.

This was following the sacking and arrest of Anwar Ibrahim, who was then deputy prime minister.

Abdul Malek was detained under the draconian security law for 57 days before he was released without being charged.

He filed his civil suit in March 1999, naming special branch officer Borhan Daud, the then Inspector General of Police Abdul Rahim Noor and the government as respondents.

Abdul Malek had previously testified that he was stripped naked in an air-conditioned room, blindfolded during interrogation, physically assaulted up to 60 times, beaten until he was unconscious, forced to drink urine and subjected to sexual abuse.

He also testified that he saw Rahim punching him at his chin in the interrogation room when his blindfold accidentally dropped.

On the assault and battery claims, Hishamudin said he was convinced that it took place after major contradictions were found in the defendants’ witnesses compared to Abdul Malek’s “consistent statements”.

Ex-IGP slammed

He also opined that the public prosecutor’s refusal to prosecute Abdul Malek for making false claims against Rahim implied that there was some truth in his claims.

“Both the DPP and police knew there was a lot of truth in the plaintiff’s report of assault against the IGP... it shows his report was not a sham,” he said.

The court also ruled that it was unconstitutional for Abdul Malek to be denied access to his lawyer.

When making his decision on the award of exemplary damages, Hishamudin made strong statements about Rahim’s conduct as IGP in dealing with Abdul Malek’s case.

“The despicable conduct of the then IGP Rahim Noor was shameful and a disgrace that shows a bad example to the department of men under his charge.

“The award of exemplary damages for the plaintiff is to show the abhorrence of the courts against the gross abuse of power by the police and the use of the ISA,” he asserted.

Outside the courtroom, Abdul Malek was greeted with cheers from supporters including Abolish ISA Movement (GMI) chairperson Syed Ibrahim Syed Noh, rights group Suaram's Yap Swee Seng and corruption watchdog Gerak chairperson Ezam Mohd Noor.

Abdul Malek’s wife, Faridah Ishak, and two of their children were also present (right).

Bring officers to book

Abdul Malek, who is currently the chairperson of polls watchdog Malaysians for Free and Fair Elections (Mafrel), expressed his happiness over the court decision.

However, he said the judgment was not about the monetary compensation but bringing the police officers involved in his torture to justice.

“It’s very traumatic, I tell you. It is not just enough with monetary compensation. Those who tortured me have now gone scot-free and some are promoted.

“Many officer have lied in court and gave false testimonies. Those officers involved in the torture should be investigated again. They do not deserve to serve in the force anymore,” he told the press.

He said he was considering to lodge police report with police headquarters Bukit Aman to investigate the torture and abuse of power by these officers.

Abdul Malek also called for the abolition of the ISA saying that “it has no reason to exist in the country”.

Lawyers R Sivarasa (photo, right) and M Mogananambal appeared for Abdul Malek while senior federal counsel Isnan Ishak represented the defendants.

It is unclear if the defendants will appeal the decision as Isnan refused to speak to
the press.

Landmark decision

Attorneys for Abdul Malek said it was the first time that a Malaysian court had awarded significant compensation to a political detainee for illegal detention and abuse.

Sivarasa said the verdict was a wake-up call for the government.

"This decision should give fresh impetus to the government to set up the long-needed Independent Police Complaints and Misconduct Commission (IPCMC) to investigate such abuses and this has yet to happen," he told AFP.

Groups campaigning against the ISA, which allows for indefinite detention without trial, also welcomed the move.

"This sends a message to the government that you cannot entertain such abuse and assault against individuals," said Abolish ISA chairman Syed Ibrahim.

"It is good that exemplary damages were given as you really cannot justify the Internal Security Act. Any kind of detention without trial can be opened up to abuse," he added.

Wednesday, October 17, 2007

机场直通快车忽略盲人利益

我是在2007年10月17日星期三中午12点前往吉隆坡仙特拉火车中心办事。

我发现仙特拉火车中心机场直通快车(ERL)抵达处的一排供盲人使用的黄色凹凸行人道(简称盲人道)竟然被机场直通快车有限公司的一列直通快车模型拦住。

我对这种现象感到非常震惊和愤怒。盲人道上面凹凸不平的表面是要方便盲人以脚板的触觉指引方向。当局反而却把部分的盲人道围起来以供置放直通快车模型,为庆祝国庆。

其主题是“Bangga dengan pencapaian kami”。不懂路过的盲人知道这情况之后会否决的光荣?这是不是马来西亚爱心社会的体现?

我已经附图写信给特拉火车中心机场直通快车要求他们移走这个模型,避免这个模型继续阻扰盲人。

位于吉隆坡15碑的仙特拉火车中心是马来西亚盲人协会的总部附近。该地区也是盲人经常出入的地方。特拉火车中心机场直通快车的联络详情可从以下网址获得 :http://www.kliaekspres.com/index_contact_us.html。

ERL tidak prihatin terhadap orang cacat kelihatan

Saya berada di KL Sentral pada Hari Rabu 17hb Oktober 2007 kira-kira pukul 12 tengahari untuk urusan peribadi.

Saya mendapati landasan kuning khas untuk membantu orang yang cacat kelihatan telah dihalang oleh satu pameran model keretapi pantas Express Rail Link (ERL) berhampiran dengan pintu ketibaan ERL.

Saya berasa amat terkejut dan terkilan dengan kejadian ini kerana sepatutnya landasan yang disediakan khas untuk mereka yang cacat kelihatan tidak boleh dihalang oleh apa-apa objek tetapi dalam kes ini pula, pihak ERL memilih untuk mengepung sebahagian daripada landasan itu untuk dijadikan tempat pameran Hari Kebangsaan tanpa keprihatinan bahawa mereka telah menghalang laluan golongan cacat kelihatan.

Apa yang lebih mengecewakan ialah tema pameran ERL ini adalah bertajuk “Bangga dengan pencapaian kami”. Saya tidak berani untuk membayangkan perasaan mereka yang cacat kelihatan apabila mengetahui tema ini sedangkan mereka langsung tidak berasa bangga dengan ketidakprihatinan ERL. Adakah ini cara kita bagaimana kita hendak membentuk mesyarakat penyayang?

Saya telah menulis kepada pihak ERL KL Sentral untuk mengalihkan model keretapi ini agar ianya tidak terus menghalang laluan golongan cacat kelihatan. Perlu diingatkan bahawa ibu pejabat Persatuan Orang Buta Malaysia terletak di Bricksfield yang kebetulan berhampiran dengan KL Sentral dan sememangnya KL Sentral ini merupakan satu tempat keluar masuk untuk golongan cacat kelihatan.

Butir-butiran perhubungan ERL boleh diperolehi daripada http://www.kliaekspres.com/index_contact_us.html

why must we divide society along the lines of ethnicity?

Email from "James Bond"

It is a pity we have Malays, Chinese, Indians as races which divide us. If a Malay boy’s heart can be implanted and save a live of a Chinese girl why must we divide society along the lines of ethnicity?

NST 12/10/2007. Lee Kuan Yew said that Malaysia have all the resources. If Malaysia would just “educate the Chinese and the Indians, use them and treat them as citizens, they can equal us” and even “do better than Singapore”--- in terms of GNP and being a 1st world country.

Well Mr LKY. The present majority of enterprising Malays/Chinese/Indians are in the 60s and 70s. They were educated under the British system and had made Malaysia into what it is today. A number of those educated under the Malay medium can hardly speak English—a result of being cheated by their political masters. I know of one former hypocritical Prime Minister of Malaysia. He wrote a Report forcing everybody to learn and to be in Malay medium schools. But his two sons study in English schools even at kindergarten levels here in Malaysia. They are of course later educated all the way in England. One became a Deputy Prime Minister and another is the CEO of a big Bank. Those that listen to this hypocrite are also graduates---over 70,000 of them JOBLESS because they cannot speak proper English! --- Victims of political feudalism, political filial piety and traditional obedience to their political masters!

In China during the Cultural Revolution, Mao Tse Tung will execute all the highly educated that opposed him. Millions were executed. As a result, the educated ran away to the countryside, PRETENDED to be stupid so as to survive.

Similarly in Cambodia. All the educated were executed – about 3 million innocents. Even the doctorate actor depicting the Pol Pot and the Kieu Samphan regime in the film “The Killing Fields” were murdered.

STUPID PEOPLE ARE EASIER TO RULE THAN CLEVER ONES

The government divides the citizens into bumiputras and non bumiputras or otherwise known as 2nd class citizens. They do educate the Indians/Chinese (ICs) but they are restricted in excelling in their country of birth. Second Class Citizens (SCC) cannot participate in tenders reserved for the bumiputras. SCC has to buy houses at a higher price than bumiputras and are restricted to enter local universities……. the lists are endless!

The government are not interested in utilizing the talents of the ICs.The UMNO dominated government prefer to fall behind Singapore and is not prepared to rock their present status quo.

Can the Chinese become bumiputras? (A bumiputra must be a Malay Muslim). No. The Chinese have to convert to Islam and then marry Malays. Their children who will be Malays and Muslims will become bumiputras. There are Indian Muslims in UMNO. So Indians can become bumiputras. The Portuguese in Malacca are known to be in possession of Amanah Saham shares. So, the Portuguese are not SCC. They probably are 2nd class bumiputras.

UMNO do not admit Chinese Muslims as members. But they do admit Indians as members. One former Prime Minister is a Mamak. PAS admit Chinese Muslims as members. Supposing PAS takes over the central government. Theoretically, a Chinese can become a Prime Minister of Malaysia under PAS. So on this score; PAS are more generous than UMNO. There are no racial discrimination against the Chinese in PAS UMNO is definitely, heavily, racially discriminating against the Chinese. If one of the 100 million Chinese Muslims from Xinjiang China become a Malaysian citizen he can join PAS but he cannot UMNO.

Theoretically, if Lee Kuan Yew’s PAP rules Malaysia, Malaysia will be definitely be richer than present day Singapore. All Malaysian Citizens be it Malays, Chinese or Indians will be very rich. All the Malays in Malaysia will definitely be very much richer than the present half baked situation. We are now in a situation where we are next to lawlessness in everything. Lawlessness is knocking on our doors.

It is a pity we have Malays, Chinese, Indians as races which divide us. If a Malay boy’s heart can be implanted and save a live of a Chinese girl why must we divide society along the lines of ethnicity?

Gerakan Single Multi Racial Party - A Reply

Email from "James Bond"

My advice to the Gerakan is “Don’t Dream”. Ask your Mentor Tun Dr Lim Chong Eu. Look, you chose to be in a racially divided political coalition voluntarily. Don’t bring up your racial problems pretentiously.

It is on record that Dato Onn bin Jaafar wanted to admit non Malays into one single party for all Malayans called UMNO (United MALAYANS National Party), but was rejected by the UMNO members then. “The supremacy of the UMNO cannot be compromised”. So the Supremo namely Dato Onn had to leave UMNO. Dato Onn then formed the Independence of Malaya Party and later Party Negara to further hi s belief of ONE multi racial party for al Malayans. However he did not go very far for obvious reasons.

It is very strange that his grand offspring did not buy his conviction. Instead this grand offspring waved a keris in anger in an UMNO Youth AGM during 2006 against the non Malays. While it can be said that having a keris is a custom and tradition of the Malays and is accepted by all, it was the shouting and the belligerent demeanour of this human being that is worrying the non Malays! Incidentally, if the grand offspring wanted non Malay blood, there is no need to use a keris. We non Malays will participate and donate blood in good faith to the UMNO’s blood donation campaign.

The British gave independence to the Malays, Chinese, Indians and others. But today it looks like only the UMNO Malays are enjoying the fruits of independence. This the de facto scenario although UMNO will keep on denying it till thy kingdom come.

Up till the 1969 General Elections, the Alliance Party coalition consisted of UMNO, MCA, MIC and the “Alliance Direct Membership Party”. So what was this ADMP all about?

Tunku Abdul Rahman founded the ADMP. The ADMP is a Political Party within the coalition, that is, within the Alliance. Bring out this ADMP constitution. It is a Party of the future for all Malayans then, IRRESPECTIVE of race in multi racial Malaya. Eventually it will replace UMNO, MCA and MIC. If you say it is impossible, I would say at least an endeavour had been made. Tan Sri T.H.Tan, an ex Senator was the Secretary General then. His son is still alive to testify what I had said.

Immediately after the 1969 General Elections and 13th May 1969, Gerakan who was in the opposition then, wanted to join the Alliance. On record, in 1969, Dr Lim Chong Eu (later Tun, the ex MCA President, English educated but a leader of the Chinese educated in the MCA) and Leader of the Gerakan joined the Alliance, BUT NOT THE ADMP!
WHY? WHY? WHY?

38 years later, we have the Gerakan shouting away that “Gerakan Youth called for the merger of all Barisan parties into one to ensure national unity”. As if is something new which comes from the Gerakan! As if this is a grand new idea. This is in fact a hypocritical statement pulling wool over the younger generation’s eyes! Tun Dr Lim Chong Eu was at this Gerakan National Delegates Conference as at 6th October 2007. Tun Dr Lim was seen laughing away although he may not be laughing on this particular matter. I wonder whether he had advised his younger members that the Gerakan was not interested in the ADMP then. Maybe I can understand that was 38 years ago and somebody was unknowledgeable. Please don’t hoodwink the younger voters!

Coming back to this grand offspring, he said that to form a single Barisan Party, it needs a lot of sincerity and political will. So if the Barisan Single Party does not materialise after this, then the present UMNO the dominant party and every members in the Barisan does not have enough sincerity and political goodwill!

“No advantage from merging BN parties”. “No need for merger”, said the PM. Yes I agree. UMNO Malays are calling the shots. The supremacy of the UMNO Malays cannot be compromised. Why the need for a Single Party?

“Not practical’ said the PM. How come it was practical during the reign of the Tunku up till 1974 until Dato Abdul Razak (after that Tun) took over. It is probably not practical because a non Malay can easily and theoretically, become a PM! Mana Boleh!

“Must take place gradually”. “A process of evolution”, said the DPM. How gradual is gradual? Till eternity? Till thou kingdoms come?

“Any merger should be allowed to take place at its own pace”. “A need to allow integration and unity to grow and a Bangsa Malaysia to develop” said Muhyddin Yassin.

How can our society be integrated into a Bangsa Malaysia when you have bumiputras and 2nd class citizens/ how long “at its own pace” will this dominant and superclass mentality go on?
.
“Rank and file at grassroots must approve” The ADMP had been approved in the 60s.When Barisan was formed the formation of a single Barisan party was conveniently forgotten. This formation of the Barisan National was a racist plot and a political racial action by the powers that be during 1974 to perpetuate and consolidate the ethnic biased political parties and groupings to the advantage of UMNO.

Why must Samy Vellu be bringing up the problems of the Indian community per se? He is a racialist! Why can’t Samy Vellu bring up the problems of ALL poor Malaysians by being a Minister of a single Barisan Party?

My advice to the Gerakan is “Don’t Dream”. Ask your Mentor Tun Dr Lim Chong Eu. Look, you chose to be in a racially divided political coalition voluntarily. Don’t bring up your racial problems pretentiously.

Tuesday, October 16, 2007

Ferry tragedy must be taken seriously

A thorough investigation must be carried out on the ferry catching fire while heading for Pulau Tioman, leading to the death of four passengers and a number of others suffering serious injuries and with some missing .

It was a very serious matter involving the safety and health of the public and the crew concerned.

The investigation should determine the cause of the tragedy, whether there was any negligence on the part of the ferry owner and operator in relation to the adherence to safety standards and regulations by the ferry operators, compliance with appropriate occupational safety and health practices, provision of adequate safety vests and safety briefing and instructions given to passengers in the event of any emergency before the ferry took off as well as the verification of the validity of the ferry licence which was claimed as expired by the Marine Department (the ferry owner had claimed otherwise).

Investigation must also be conducted to check whether the enforcement by the relevant authority had been lax, leading to the tragedy and whether the crew members had done their best to evacuate and help save the passengers when the fire broke out.

These and other related questions need to be fully answered by the Ministry of Transport when the investigation is carried out, and the result of the investigation must be made public.


It is also report that two other ferries belonging to the company that operated the ferry which caught fire off Mersing have been seized as the two ferries also did not have the proper documents for them to go to sea.

Southern Region Marine Department director Hazman Hussein said the vessels, Seagull Express 3 and Jentayu belonging to Seagull Express and Accommodation Sdn Bhd, did not have domestic shipping licences and manning certificates though the two vessels had passenger certificates, Hazman said.

A domestic shipping licence determines the places where a vessel is allowed to operate while a manning certificate is required when a vessel needs to have qualified crew members.

This is not the first time a ferry tragedy had occurred. There were other tragedies in the past but obviously we have not learnt from past experiences and have taken the safety of the public for granted.

It is a typical Malaysian behaviour that very time a tragedy occurs there will be promises of investigation to find out the causes, but whether the lessons learnt from each tragedy will be observed and practiced to prevent future tragedies is very doubtful.
After a while when everything dies down, the lessons are forgotten and we wait for another tragedy before we go though the same rigmarole.

That until and unless all ferry operators are prepared to put into practice good occupational safety and health practices and make safety a culture in the course of their operations, there is no guarantee that another tragedy will not occur in the future.

必须从渡轮失火沉没事件获得教训

针对上周六在著名旅游胜地刁曼岛岸外所发生的渡轮失火沉没,导致4人死亡3人失踪的惨剧,有关当局一定要进行详细的调查。这是另一宗涉及公共安全的意外。

有关方面必须调查惨剧发生的导引、到底渡轮业者是否100巴仙遵照政府所拟定的安全标准与措施、工业与卫生安全作业措施、提供充足良好的救生配备以及安全警觉汇报予搭客以及渡轮业者是否获得执法当局的各种批文、准证与执照。

有关方面也应该调查到底执法当局是否疏于执行任务,进而导致事项灾难。除此以外,针对有船员在意外发生后不顾搭客安全,率先跳海逃生的事件,当局也必须严厉调查。如发现任何船员确实疏于职守,那么当局必须严加惩罚。

这些都是交通部必须详细交待的问题,因为这悲剧已经研总打击我国旅游业的声誉。有关方面不能黑箱作业,反之,必须全力彻查。

各大媒体今日报道南马水警组揭发该读纶公司的另外两艘渡轮同样没有充足的文件下海乘载搭客。

该组组任哈兹曼•胡先表示这两艘渡轮——海鸥快艇3号以及珍达鱼号被发现没有国内航海准证(Domestic Shipping Licence)和监护准证(Manning Certificate),虽然这两艘渡轮拥有乘客安全准证。

国内航海准证注明一艘渡轮的航行范围。如果一艘渡轮必须拥有符合资格的船员,那么这艘渡轮必须获得监护准证。

是次悲剧并非是首宗渡轮惨案。有关方面明显没有从过去发生的惨案吸取经验和教训。每当发生任何意外,有关方面经常承诺将会全力追查,但是我们质疑到底公众人士、渡轮业者会否从这些惨案中吸取教训,进而加强各自的作业安全措施,避免意外发生。

令人遗憾的是,当这事件过后,人们将会遗忘此事,直到下一次的悲剧再次发生后,人们才从睡梦中惊醒过来。

除非渡轮业者准备把良好安全与卫生措施列入他们的作业范围和支援课程之一,以及执法当局加强执法行动,我们无从担保有关悲剧不会重演。

‘多元种族政党’不是请客吃饭

民政党建议国阵14个成员党合并成为一个单一多元种族政党的建议肯定不能实行。为什么?不只是其他主要国阵成员党领袖这么说,而是提出建议的民政党领袖事后言论根本无异于放弃这个建议。

民青团团长马袖强表示,该团将会在国阵青年团最高理事会会议上提出这个建议。他也说民情团尊重国阵其他成员党的意见,包括首相阿都拉的意见。

马袖强的看法等于自行埋葬他们早前的建议,也让人民质疑他们的诚意。

马华民政曾经在2003年尾大谈两党合并的计划。讨论延续至2004 年年初,可惜的是,合并的工作一直维持在表面言舌功夫,并没有在深层的工作上努力。

尤其是两党的口舌之功曾经被批评是‘请客吃饭’,因为合并事宜一直都是两党高层领袖在饭桌上的话题,从来没有从此衍生下去。

两党在2004年3月大选更是把合并事宜抛诸脑后。自此以后迄今,我们从来没有听到两党领袖公开讨论此事。直到最近,民青团再次提出这个建议。

有一点值得注意的是,当初马华民政合并一事谈开之后,民政党太平区部更通过议案反对两党合并。显示合并一事,民政上下并未为合并统一步伐 。

此次建议成立单一种族政党一事是否能够获得基层通过也是未知数。

我们不知道到底这是不是民青团技穷,因为有了巫青团举马来短剑、马青举宪法之后,民青团大概苦思今年大会要举什么?结果就搞了一个‘多元种族政党’做戳头。

民青团是否忠于他们的建议?

这是一个大问题,因为民政党为了保住本身的政治地位,每一次大选大打‘槟城华裔首席部长’牌,而且屡试不厌。

在1995年大选,许子根面对行动党‘丹绒三’的挑战,竟然出现只有马华民政华裔候选人的海报,这竟然是一张哀求华裔选票的海报!

到底民政党注重的是马来西亚多元政治的远景,还是槟城首席部长的宝座?

‘多元种族政党’不是请客吃饭。明年今日,民政党还会不会谈‘多元种族政党’?

Water is the basis of all life

NOR AZARUDDIN HUSNI BIN HJ NURUDDIN,
Senior Fellow/Director, Consultation and Training Centre (PPLI)

The religion and worldview of Islam affords the most sacred qualities to water as a life-giving, sustaining and purifying resource that existed even before the heavens and the earth.

THE water issue is gaining an increasingly central place in the world’s consciousness. About two billion people around the world either lack access to sufficient quantities of water or are supplied with water unfit for drinking.

Water is the basis of all life, without it, life cannot exist.

Today, in the modern world the water that we drink is polluted with chemicals. If we look at it from a purely scientific point of view, we see that in order for a human cell to maintain life to its full potential, water must be free of chemicals.

As water flows in streams, sits in lakes, and filters through layers of soil and rock in the ground, it dissolves or absorbs the substances it touches. Some of these substances are harmless.

The water shortage is going to worsen in the near future due to the rise of the world’s population and the redistribution of water resources among the world’s regions, which in turn stems from global warming.

The average person in an average climate needs about 2.5 litres of liquid intake a day to remain fully hydrated. A good guide for your daily water intake is to drink half of your body weight in ounces of water each day.

When our body is dehydrated, the first signs are headache and fatigue. To make matters worse, our body will draw water from other sources, such as the colon, which has some water, but that would leave one feeling constipated.

The more carbonated and distilled water a person drinks, the more acidic the body becomes. Clearly such sources are not desired.

The structure of a molecule of water we drink is H20 but it does not remain so as our body changes it from H2O to H30.OH at the time the water penetrates the cell wall.

Deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) produces cells, ribonucleic acid (RNA) delivers the information.

Electricity around the cell wall is positively charged while electricity inside the cell wall is negatively charged.

Healthy and normal cells always maintain a balance between the positive and negative charges in the cell, and if the balance is broken, the cell becomes an “abnormal cell”, which causes diseases to develop inside of our body.

RNA can deliver the information of the DNA to the cells successfully if the cells maintain the balance between the positive and negative charges, and have enough H30.OH. The trick is to add a positively charged molecule to the water before we consume it.

Hydrogen is the fuel. Without it, the oxygen attacks a cell and causes free radicals to exist as Entropy. Hydrogen and oxygen are elements which burn hydrogen for energy for cell function.

For this reason one’s blood should be at a pH (parts hydrogen) level of between 7.2 and 7.4. Since blood is almost totally water, the water we drink must be of the same high pH level.

We’ve all heard about free radicals and the damage they can do. Unstable atoms that bounce around inside our bodies destroy healthy cells as they search for two more electrons.

Free radicals have an oxidizing effect on the body. Free radicals come from everything we ingest – food, drink, smoke, alcohol and pollution. In fact, 2% of every breath you take produces free radicals. This percentage radically increases to 20% during strenuous exercise.

Essentially, nano scale sciences and engineering or nanotechnolgy are driving scientists to look at the submicroscopic world – the molecules of water in a lake and pores of a filter, for example – to understand the properties of these tiny parts and to find ways to apply them to larger problems.

Nanotechnology is already used in many electronic applications and in biological research. But now, scientists are exploring the possibility of using nanotechnology to purify public water supplies.

Nanotechnology could render water reusable, which is a more feasible alternative, because it could be used to identify and remove contaminants which conventional technology cannot.

According to Dr Mamadou Diallo, director of Molecular Environmental Technology at the California Institute of Technology, nano-water purification methods are the wave of the future.

“We envision that nano-materials will become critical components of industrial and public water purification systems,” he writes in a paper published in the Journal of Nanoparticle Research.

The religion and worldview of Islam affords the most sacred qualities to water as a life giving, sustaining and purifying resource. Water is the primary element that existed even before the heavens and the earth.

Rain water, rivers and fountains run through the pages of the Quran to symbolise Allah’s benevolence.

At the same time, those who believe are constantly reminded that it is Allah who provides sweet water and that He can just as easily withhold it.

It's time to make the councils accountable

So the Federal Goverment is going to help local councils?

So the aids is to help them to only to clear debt for waste management? Or it will be used for other purposes?

The Minister for Housing and Local Government Datuk Seri Ong Ka Ting said that financial assistances will be given to councils earning less than RM5 million a year to help them.

But there are two conflicting reports which raise doubt of whether the monies is only used for waste management or other purposes?

So who is right and who is wrong? Will this solve the problem once and for all? Do having stars for councils solve the problem once and for all?

I don't see having stars and rates for councils will make things even better as the core issues on accountability and transparency are not dealt with.

When you have somebody who is sitting in the council without bearing the legitimate mandate from the people, what do we expect from these backdoor councilors?

Government to help local councils (Star)
SEREMBAN: District councils that earn less than RM5mil a year will get financial assistance from the Government to ease their burden.

However, city and municipal councils that register losses will have to find ways to cover this as they had the means to do so.

Housing and Local Government Minister Datuk Seri Ong Ka Ting said a meeting of the National Council on Local Authorities chaired by the Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak had agreed on this recently.

“We are aware that some district councils are finding it difficult to cover their expenses. The Federal Government will offer them some kind of assistance,” he said.

Some district councils pay between 50% and 80% of their annual income to waste disposal companies alone, leaving them with little for other programmes.

Ong was speaking to reporters at Mentri Besar Datuk Seri Mohamad Hasan’s Hari Raya open house at Kampung Tanjung in Rantau near here.

He was commenting on findings in the Auditor-General’s report about poor financial management in certain local councils and the proposed move to rate them based on their performance.

Asked about the huge debts owed by certain municipal councils to solid waste disposal company Southern Waste Management Sdn, Ong said they must find ways to check this imbalance.

“Since they have signed concession agreements, they will have to honour this. If we get involved, there may be some legal implications ... also, we cannot be settling their debts,” he said.

Ong said the Government was looking at several possibilities to help local councils reduce their financial burden. However, he did not elaborate.

On the rating of local councils, he said it would begin with the 11 city councils followed by the rest.

“We will assess the performance of the 11 city councils in the first quarter. Only then will we look at the others,” he said.

The assessment will be done by the ministry, the Integrity Institute of Malaysia, Mampu and state governments.

“We have already drawn up the terms of reference for the assessing teams. Let me assure you that we will be transparent in grading them. We just want to ensure the people get quality and prompt service,” he said.

He said the move to rate councils has been discussed for a couple of years as one of the many initiatives to improve local authorities’ performance.

Waste fee aid only for poor councils (NST)

SEREMBAN: Only local councils with an annual revenue of less than RM5 million will receive government assistance in settling their arrears with waste management concessionaires.

Housing and Local Governments Minister Datuk Seri Ong Ka Ting said others need to come up with their own initiatives to pay what they owed Alam Flora Sdn Bhd and Southern Waste Management Sdn Bhd.

This decision was made at the recent Local Government Council meeting chaired by Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak.

Ong was commenting on the failure by local councils to settle their arrears with the two companies.

Ong was speaking after attending the open house of Negri Sembilan Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Mohamad Hasan in Rantau yesterday.

The Auditor-General's Report had highlighted the Nilai Municipal Council's failure to pay RM17 million in fees to Southern Waste. Mohamad had said most local councils would become insolvent in the next few years as many had a revenue shortfall.

Ong said local councils must settle their current outstanding payments as they are bound by contracts they signed with the two companies.