Friday, November 30, 2007
DAP leaders speak on Hindraf and Pak Lah in Jenjarum dinner
Thursday, November 29, 2007
Land snap by UMNO, Ministry no answers!
There was another exchange today when DAP MP for Cheras, Tan Kok Wai raise the question of land snap by UMNO Cheras Division to build their division headquarters in an open space which belongs to the government without obtaining any approval from Kuala Lumpur City Hall (DBKL).
Kok Wai was very furious as the deputy minister replied on behalf of his ministry, the MP from Masjid Tanah refuse to answer as he claimed that the matter is not under the portfolio of his ministry.
Do you believe what he say when matters pertaining to DBKL are directly under his portfolio and such blatant land snap by UMNO and erection of illegal structures are directly under the jurisdiction of DBKL?
Stop the rot! Stop the patronage!
双溪威新村综合广场计划——市政厅须依据程序行事
甘榜东姑区州议员黄世豪医生和八打灵再也北区国会议员周美芬数周之前曾经召开一项记者会，召集双溪威新村综合广场计划发展商Taipan Focus私人有限公司和双溪威华小家教协会等人出席一项汇报会，澄清发展商已经针对双溪威新村综合广场的原本计划做出修改。
有关类似独立广场的综合广场计划的原本图测是把3层楼高的大楼建立在草场前面，现在发展商决定把大楼建在草场之后。
这项综合广场计划将建有双层停车场，广场内据说设有儿童游乐场、健康走道、室内足球场、篮球场、小贩中心以及商店。
本人曾经针对这项计划在10月下旬前往八打灵再也市政厅查询，发现有关计划发展上尚未把整个发展计划呈上市政厅批准。
本人要交待的是：
1. 这个位于SS9A/1路的草场不仅是双溪威华小学生体育的唯一草场，也是双溪威村民唯一一个大型的草场。这项计划并不是市政厅本身的计划，而是发展商毛遂自荐的计划，市政厅在审核这项计划的时候，务必详细研究，确保没有发生任何涉及利益输送的事件发生。
2. 由于这项计划也涉及草场后面的一片非法木屋地（位于这一带的非法木屋已经在数年前被拆除），而依据八打灵再也发展大蓝图，这片土地是要用来发展成为住宅区，因此若当局把这片土地发展成为一个综合广场（属于商业区），那么这是不符合法律和程序。若要批准这项计划，有关当局必须修改发展大蓝图。
3. 如果要修改大蓝图，市政厅必须召开听证会，要求附近受影响的居民和商家出席听证会，聆听他们的意见。如果大部分居民和商家对发展上的这项计划部标信心，反对这项计划，那么市政厅必须修改发展商的计划。这是法律和程序上的要求。市政厅曾经因为绕过这个重要的程序而在2005年遭一群来自Taman Desa Ria的居民控上法庭。当时的八打灵再也市议会在法庭败诉，导致市议会被迫赔偿居民。
4. 双溪威华小只是其中一个靠近草场的单位。真正能够代表华小的除了家教协会之外就是华小的董事部。迄今，董事部尚未针对这项计划发言。
5. 我也呼吁Taipan Focus履行一家私人企业所应该负起的社会责任，即在双溪威新村公开整份发展计划，让每一位村民能够一目了然地了解有关计划的详情，因为这片草场属于全体双溪威新村村民，也是整个新村唯一一片绿肺。他们自然有权利决定草场的命运。
6. 我们的资料显示当局曾经计划在这个地方建议兴建一座高达16层楼高共160个单位的组屋。发展商的汇报会确没有提到这个16层楼高的组屋。到底这座组屋建去哪里？还是已经不存在了。
本人和其他八打灵再也行动党领袖将致函要求市政厅正视以上数点。
Teresa Kok disturbed by Si Cheng when took part in debate
Deputy Speaker of Malaysia Dewan Rakyat, Lim Si Cheng, today kept disturbing YB Teresa Kok (DAP - Seputeh) speeches when she took part in the committee debate of Ministry of Federal Territories.
There was even one tine when Teresa shouted unfair to Si Cheng that she should be allowed to deliver her debate speech without any interferences from the Deputy Speaker.
She was almost chasen away from the House.
Abdullah’s threat to use ISA - nadir in 4 years of broken pledges on democracy, human rights, accountability, integrity
The Prime Minister, Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi returned from the Kampala Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) and threatened to use the nefarious law, the Internal Security Act (ISA), against peaceful demonstrators – marking a new nadir of the four-year broken pledges by the Abdullah premiership on democracy, human rights, accountability, incorruptibility and preparedness to hear the truth from the people.
Read more at here.
RM4.6 billion PKFZ scandal - Chan Kong Choy still Minister-on-the-run
MCA Deputy President and Transport Minister, Datuk Chan Kong Choy has confirmed that he is a Minister-on-the-run from his sheer inability to answer five simplified questions on the RM4.6 billion Port Klang Free Zone scandal in Parliament yesterday.
For more details please follow this.
Kula: Stop the denial!
The MIC President and Works Minister has refuted in uncertain terms that MIC has been a let down to the Indian community. Barisan Ministers and MP's are also echoing the sentiments of Samy. But these assertions if true the more then 30,000 people would not have got down to the street to air their grievances.
What has gone wrong with the Indian community? Indians compose a mere 8% of the population:
1) The Indian community only controls 1.2% of the equity as compared to over 20% by the Malays and nearly over 40% by the Chinese. Out of the 1.2% of the Indian equity one person AnandaKrishana one of the richest man in the country of Indian origin possess nearly 1% of the stake. This leaves the nearly over 2 million Indians owning less then a mere 0.2 of the equity of the country. Now this is the where the so call equal distribution of the economic cake has not benefited the average Malaysian but a few businessman who have are well connected with political leaders of the country.
2) Social problems of the Indian community have been consistently overlooked and side stepped. Take for example a) Suicidal rates. The Indians have the highest suicide rate (21.1 for every 100,000 as compared with the Chinese (8.6) and Malays (2.6) The high rate of suicide clearly shows that the community members are not able to handle the daily demands of life and find a easy way out to commit suicide. B) High numbers of Indians involved in criminal cases as can be seen with over 40% of detainees at the Simpang Renggan detention. Frequently Indians who have been out of the estates land up in urban areas without proper housing and lend up as squatters. Here they find difficulty in getting jobs although the country claims full employment! The failure of the Government to quickly to assist this needy people.
3) The rampant demolishment of Hindu temples all over the country is another cry of the community. Many of the temples are sitting on private or government land .Over 500 temples have been demolished over the last few years with little respect to the sensitive of the Indian community. Hindu goddess statue have been broken with little understanding of how the Hindus feel. Although many a time this matter has been raised in parliament and even brought to YB Nazri in 2005 who said will look into the greivences but to date nothing has taken place. What is needed is a real new policy decision on Temples to be adopoted by the government.
4) Tamil Schools are in a deplorable state and there is also a shortage of teachers. Samy has said over 180 tamil schools have been built over the last two decade and another 80 new Tamil schools would be build. We doubt the figures given by Samy. Under the 9thMalasyisa plan No NEW Tamil schools would be build. That means for the nest 4 years without new schools is Samy saying the new 80 schools would be build in the 10th Malasia plan! In July 2006 over 500 Indian parents protested on the shortage of over 500 teachers in Perak. Although this matters have been raised many a time in Parliament little has been done to address this issue. Why? Is it because the Indians are insignifant as a voting block in this country?
We feel the time has come for the Government to get to the bottom of the matter and find ways to address the matters of public importance. One way for immediate way to attend to all these is to set up a revolving fund of 1 billion to be administered by a special agency of the government to up lift the economic well being of the Indian community. An annual grant of 1 billion for this agency must be done until the community is at par with the other communities.
The people in power must all stop the denial syndrome.
Wednesday, November 28, 2007
Exhange between Kit Siang and Ahmad Shabery Cheek
Kit Siang and Ahmad Shabery Cheek exchanged words on Hindraf gathering last Sunday.
Ahmad Shabery Cheek is the Parliament Secretary for Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Kit asked him question on whether Wisma Putra (Malaysia Foreign Ministry) received any official complaint from Hindu organisations / Indian government regarding the high-handed manner of the police in handling the crowd.
Kit Siang and Chong Eng visit charged Indians
Malaysiakini.com
Forty-five people will be charged at the Selayang Sessions Court today with allegedly taking part in an illegal gathering at the Batu Caves temple early Saturday morning.
The charge is being brought under Section 27 of the Police Act which stipulates the need for a police permit to gather in a public place.
They were part of a larger crowd that had gathered at the temple in the early hours of last Sunday, with the intention of participating in the Hindraf-organised rally later that morning at Jalan Ampang.
About 1,000 people who had gathered at the temple were forcibly dispersed by the Federal Reserve Unit using tear gas and water cannons.
Security is very tight at the Selayang Sessions Court with seven FRU trucks and about 30 police personnel on standby.
The Kuala Lumpur and Selangor Bar has sent lawyers to assist the 45.
Another 55 protesters will face the same charge at the Kuala Lumpur Magistrate's Court for taking part in the Hindraf rally on Sunday.
Under Section 27(5) of the Police Act, anyone taking part in an illegal gathering is liable, upon conviction, to a fine of RM2,000-10,000 or imprisonment of not more than a year.
Kit Siang and Chong Eng were there giving morel support to the Indians at Selayang Court this morning.
Tuesday, November 27, 2007
Sepak-menyepak, tendang-menendang di DUN Kelantan.
Dulu bila di Selangor, Raja Klang yang bilik rumahnya lebih besar daripada rumah kos rendah rakyat termiskin, Zakaria Md Deros, pernah sekali menampah ADUN DAP Teng Chang Khim.
Mereka pernah mengeluarkan perkataan "bocor", "monyet", menghalau orang Cina keluar dari Malaysia, "mari lawan" dan sebagainya.
Sekarang pula di Kelantan dan lebih dahsyat lagi, kali ini berlaku di dalam Dewan.
Bila pula budaya parlimen ala samseng Taiwan dan Korea Selatan meresap ke dalam Malaysia?
Adakah ini Islam Hadhari?
Ataupun kelakuan sebegini lebih mirip kepada Mat Rempit?
Bagi mereka yang tidak permah melihat keganasan wakil rakyat BN, biarkan kita melihat klip ini.
Adakah anda masih percaya wakil rakyat BN yang dipilih anda benar-benar melakukan sesuatu kepada rakyat di Parlimen atau DUN, ataupun mereka lebih berminat untuk "mari lawan" dengan pembangkang dan menjadi kaki lawan?
Anda lihatlah dengan mata sendiri.
Kula and Kit Siang speak on Hindraf gathering
YB M. Kulasegaran (DAP Ipoh Barat) tabled an emergency motion to discuss the Demonstration held on Sunday 25thNovember07 in the city of Kuala Lumpur. My motion came up to day but fornatuly it was rejected. His motion reads as follows:
Indians are third class citizens?
The wholly unnecessary and excessive use of force by police in firing of tear gas and water cannons against poor Tamils and ordinary Malaysians gathering to voice their grievances is simply intolerable and totally unacceptable in a democratic society respecting the human rights of its citizen.
Over 450 were arrested and dozens suffered serious injuries.
The use of such excessive force is evidence of the discrimination against Tamils and other fellow Malaysians, the state have shown consistently in recent years. It is yet another example of a high-handed, ham-fisted and undemocratic tactics used against poor citizens who are peacefully assembly to air their grievances.
The serious violation of human rights and the high handed manner of police and government action calls for a serious debate in this august house.It is a pressing issue because the Indian community of two million people are upset and angered. They ask whether they are equal first class citizens or unequal third class citizens who deserves such wanton treatment.
Peaceful demonstrations and marches are common and accepted practices around the world. It is a natural form of showing displeasure. Only backward uncivilized societies will use force against its own citizen.
After today Malaysia is simply a police state in the eyes of the world and its own citizens.
Hindraf (Hindu Rights Action Force) have filed a class action suit against the British government in London for taking Indians to Malaya as indentured laborers and exploiting them for 150 years and there after failing to protect their rights as minorities under Malaysian constitution and law.
The Malaysian government should take the above suit seriously and if it does not agree to it challenge it. Bullying tactics by the government and its agencies against Indians and minorities must stopped. they must be held accountable for their actions.
The police and Government should be blamed for arresting without justification hundreds of people. Many suffer serious injuries.
All this could have been avoided if the police had allowed a peaceful assembly to voice legitimate grievances.
I also brought to the house information of the unruly use of “tear gas” and exhibited 4 “tear gas” canisters. This 4 were the more then hundred odd “tear gas” canisters which were used by the police at the scene of the “uprising” near KLCC, Kuala Lumpur. Also I asked why Khairi Jamulddin the Deputy UMNO President and the son in law of the PM has been permitted to conduct demos and how come the Police see it fit to give him a permit but not to HINDRAF
The Speaker said in order to allow a full debate of the motion according to the Standing Orders of the Dewan Rakyat 3 pre conditions need to adhered to. That 1) the motion is specific – Speaker agrees 2) that the motion is of public importance –he too agrees with this but my motion failed on the issue of urgency. The Speakers mentioned that the police have not granted a permit for the demonstration and there was a court order which prohibited HINDRAF and its supporters from attending the demonstration.
It is regretted that the Speaker rejected my motion for matters of public importance could have been discussed and a strong message could have been sent to the Police and the Government.
The issue of lack of opportunities for Indians to join the civil service (in 1970 there were more then 10% now less the 5%, why?), the failure to build a single new Tamil schools under the 9th Malaysia Plan, why there is a high rate of unemployment, suicide, single mother, criminal cases, illiteracy, the indiscriminate demolishment of Hindu Temples and why over 45% of the detainees at Simpang Renggang are Indians.
A select Parliamentary committee to look into the woes of the Indian Community should be formed.
A golden opportunity to air the communities grievances could have been discussed and debated but all these has now been “swept” under the carpet and hibernating!
Monday, November 26, 2007
MIC MP K.Devamany owes public apology
A Barisan Nasional MP departed from the norm today when he said the rally organised by the Hindu Rights Action Force (Hindraf) reflected the Indian community's disgruntlement towards certain government policies.
YB K.Devamany (MIC-Cameron Highlands) added that the rally proved the failure of government policies which do not benefit the Indians.
The ruling politician made the remark after interjecting Parliamentary Opposition Leader YB Lim Kit Siang (DAP-Ipoh Timor) who argued that the rally was 'a cry of desperation' from the Indians.
"Some 50,000 people took to the streets yesterday. It shows the government's failure and it needs to be looked into carefully," said Devamany.
Meanwhile, Lim stood up and told Devamany not to be a hypocrite by practising double standards.
He was referring to Devamany's interview with satellite station Al-Jazeera yesterday, in which he condemned the rally.
"Devamany should publicly apologise for his Al-Jazeera interview yesterday belittling the Hindraf demonstration and condemning the demonstrators when he should be deploring the police mishandling and excessive use of force in firing tear gas and liquid chemicals against the defenceless and unarmed in Kuala Lumpur yesterday", said Kit Siang in his statement today.
示威是我们的文化
在11月的两个礼拜之内，马来西亚人民走上街头。第一场游行示威发生在11月10日又公平干净选举联盟Bersih所举办的一场4万人游行请愿。第二厂则是在11月25日举办，由兴都教权益组织Hindraf号召的3万人游行请愿。
或许你可以不赞成他们的斗争目的，但是你不能阻止他们行使宪制权利举行游行。在这两场游行中，第一场游行要求元首关注国内不公平和不透明的选举程序。这并非是新的诉求，当政府一再妄顾他们合理呼吁，他们别无他路，只能走上街头。走上街头不只是向当权者展示他们呼吁，也向世人传达他们的讯息。
这两场示威本质上与烈火莫息时代此起彼落的示威大不相同。虽然外界把这两场示威称为‘反政府’示威，其实这两场游行的直接对象并不是政府。第一场示威是向最高元首请愿，第二场示威则是向英女皇请愿。
有人说示威不是我们的文化，因此我们不应该示威，更何况我们还有选举等等。说这些话的人根本不知道自己在讲什么话。选举也同样不是我们的文化，难道我们也不要选举？
其实，一个地方只要出现压迫、不公平的事件，那个地方就会有游行、示威、情愿、集会等等。
‘示威’这个字眼一直出现在我国各民族的近代史。
印度圣雄甘地为抗议英殖民政府的统治，曾经在全印度举办多场大型和平示威、游行以及绝食抗议。
中国近代史出现五四和六四运动。爱国大专生走上街头请愿。五四运动的学生高呼反对帝国主义、封建主义的爱国运动。六四的大学生则以反贪污，反腐败，反官倒为主。
高度资本主义的香港也曾经发生争取民主的七一大游行。台湾群众曾经掀起红潮倒扁。泰国民主派人士曾经发起黄衣运动推翻前首相塔信。缅甸不久之前爆发袈裟革命。印尼学生推翻苏哈多铁腕政权也是通过同样的方式，菲律宾人民亦是通过‘人民力量’推翻马可斯和埃斯特拉达如此。
至于巫统本身，1946年巫统就曾经策划反对马来亚联邦示威和罢市活动。凯理去年在双峰塔外举办反美示威。今年巫青团也曾经参与示威反对缅甸军政府打压僧侣革命。
还有谁敢说示威不是我们的文化？
印裔选民的投票趋向
政府显然严重看待Hindraf号召的这场集会。尤其是警方更在集会前三天便在吉隆坡各个主要公路设立路障，导致吉隆坡从周四开始便出现严重交通阻塞，怨声载道。
政府的激烈反应，以及国大党领袖多次在国会大厦召开记者会，呼吁印裔同胞不要出席这场大集会，多少反映当下印裔社群对国阵政府的不满。
这种不满会否反映在选票上呢？
这是一个很重要，但又是许多政治分析员忽略的问题。
我并非是专业的政治研究员，但是当大部分人把焦点放在华裔选民和巫裔选民的投票取向时，我们不应该忽略印裔选民的投票取向。
自独立以来，我国并没有任何印裔选民占多数的国州议席选区。每一个国州议席的印裔选民人数品均不超过10巴仙。但是在许多混合选区，若10巴仙的印裔选民有一半转向在野党，再加上绝大分的华裔反对票，那么国阵如果要依赖那四、五十巴仙的马来选票过关客并非那么容易。
华裔选民长期以来对印裔选民的投票取向都是非常模糊，甚至是片面的。认为印裔选民每次口不对心的华裔选民更是比比皆是。
一般来说，我国政党长期认定印裔选民多为城市拓荒者或园丘工友，因此投票取向大多趋向于山头主义，意即以橡胶园老板的指示投票。这也不难解释为何大部分印裔选民的投票取向大多趋向于国阵。
随着最近频频发生印裔/兴都教徒被边缘化的新闻，诸如不承认克里米亚医药大学文凭学位、慕迪抢尸案、宗教自由案件、雪州政府以零度木屋为由拆毁非法兴都教庙宇、以及重新炒热的甘榜美丹事件，直至周日举行的兴都教权利大集会，在在显示印裔选民民心思变。
只是，他们的改变会否反映在他们的选票上呢？
Hindraf Rally Video: Police Catch, Foreigner Plea
You can see at another shot that a foreigner, who is a woman in light blue shirt outside Nikko Hotel, accompany by her boyfriend (or relative/friend?) pleaded to the policeman to release an innocent Indian who was caught and attacked by police.
You see, who is terrifying here? The Police? The demonstrators? Who is terrifying the tourists?
Hindraf Rally Video: See how Police catch
You can see one policeman dragged an hand-cuffed Indian across the street and another scene shows a group of policemen crashed into Citibank lobby and dragged an Indian out of no reason.
I wonder if the police had said this to those arrested according to procedure, that the police must identify himself and informed the arrested why he was arrested and hand-cuffed.
It will be a gross power abuse if the police acted in such a harsh manner.
Hindraf Rally Video: Police "eating" their own tear gas
Hindraf Rally Video: FRU started the crack-down
After reinforcing themselves and firing several teargases, FRU started to move in to disperse the crowds. Followed tightly behind the FRU are plainclothes and uniformed policemen and women.
You can also see a FRU member holding a M-16 machine gun.
Is he going to fire live bullets??
I have managed to hide inside them and had noticed that they are growingly impatient as they have been trying to chase away the crowd since early morning but to no avail.
The commander shouted that the police can "catch at will", meaning they are allowed to catch and hit any Indian on the street, whether they are walking, eating or doing nothing on the street.
Such harsh targetting invites criticism as it is a clear violation of human rights as the police even raided a nearby Mamak restaurant where some Indians are having their lunches inside.
Hindraf Rally Video: FRU March and Shout
This scene shows how the FRU reinforce themselves and prepare to attack the crowd.
They marched and shouted loudly with the intention to terrify the gathering crowd along Jalan Ampang.
Sunday, November 25, 2007
Al Jazeera: Ethnic Indians protest in Malaysia
Members of Malaysia's Indian community have protested on the streets of Kuala Lumpur, the capital.
They are demanding equal rights in a country they believe discriminates against them.
They are also said to place blame on the colonial policies of Britain, and were intending to deliver a petition to the British High Commission in Malaysia.
Al Jazeera's Hamish MacDonald was there.
Hindraf Rally Video Pt 11
"Today the Malaysian Government lost votes from all Indians in Malaysia".
This is what chanted form this gentleman in red T-shirt.
Will Malaysian Indians come out and vote the opposition in the coming general election?
They also said that they are prepared to go to jail to fight for their rights.
Hindraf Rally Video Pt 10
Hindraf Rally Video Pt 9
Some of his friends are following him.
People are angry but they never acted violently against the police.
Hindraf Rally Video Pt 7
He was arrested early in the morning while sitting at a bus stop. He claimed that he was unlawfully arrested as the office who arrested him did not tell him the reason why he was arrested.
What is ridiculous here is that the police seemed to arrest any Indian on the street whether they are participating in the Hindraf protest or not.
My argument is that even if they are going to participate, they should not simply arrest people without following proper procedure!
Hindraf Rally Video Pt 6
This is a video showing some Indians talking and explaining to a foreigner, likely to be tourist.
Actually there were some tourists around KLCC yesterday despite the high tension between the police and the demonstrators. Maybe to them, they are used to such demonstrations as it always happen in their coutries.
I believe what is most shocking for them is the high-handed violence from the police against the demonstrators.
Hindraf Rally Video Pt 4
Police raided a Nasi Kandar restaurant located along Jalan Ampang at about 12:52pm.
Policemen in uniform and plain clothes rushed in the restaurant when a the restaurant is full with Indians having their lunches to catch any Indian at sight.
Such act raise question if the police can differenciate between demonstrators and restaurant customers.
This is a blatant power abuse!
Even if the demonstrators are having their meals inside the restaurant, and are not demontrating anything, the police have absolutely no right to catch anybody!
Hindraf Rally Video Pt 3
I saw an Indian who was at the video standing next to me pushed and pointed by a plain cloth police wan was shouted at with vulgar word "Bodoh" (stupid).
I quickly pushed him away and stood farside from a pavement watching a group of licensed samseng harrassing Indians eating out at a restaurant.
Hindraf Rally Video Pt 2
A scene showing an Indian standing by the roadside arrested by the police.
A plain cloth kicked him once. Another uniform policeman came and kicked him the second time. This happened in front of Wisma MCA Jalan Ampang at about 12:44pm.
Hindraf Rally Video Pt 1
Police oppressing Hindraf - The day I feel ashamed as a Malaysian
.JPG)
I attended the Hindraf rally this morning and this is the day I feel ashamed to be a Malaysian to see how cruel and violent Malaysian Police treating their masters.I will upload more videos and photos in YouTube. You can see some very violent act against some of our Indian friends. A Malay plain cloth pointed a finger at normal Indians walking on the street and shouted "bodoh".
When the Indians rushed to a nearby Mamak restaurant to have their meals and drinks, the police rushed into the restaurant like samseng and dragged all the Indians out.
Are they police or samseng?
You will never be able to differentiate!
Somebody must be answerable to all these violences from the men in blue.
Hindraf, I'll present - When there’s a need, why selfish to lend a hand?
I have the chance to read some comments and blog-posts on Hindraf’s rally tomorrow.
While I have a lot of reservations with Uthayakumar’s character and his way of championing his struggle with the opposition, I will participate in the rally this Sunday, not because of Hindraf, not even because of Uthayakumar, but because of equality and Malaysian-ness, that we cannot afford to witness inequality, injustices and discrimination continue to happen in front of our own bare eyes.
Some has disregards on this rally, saying that it is a communal rally for the Indians and the Hindus, especially the under-priviledged.
And because of this, they will not participate in the rally. Some are saying that race-based rally or activity is not what they stand up for.
I am using the same reason to explain why I will be present, that it is the responsibility of all peace-loving Malaysians who uphold justice and democracy to correct whatever wrongs in this country, including inequality in wealth distribution, which has resulted the Indian as an under-class in Malaysia.
The Indians in Malaysia are in despair, anxiousness and desperate.
When there’s a need, why selfish to lend a hand?
I would like to share a youtube with you, “We are the world”.
There comes a time when we heed a
certain cal
When the world must come together as one
There are people
dying
And it's time to lend a hand to life
The greatest gift of all
We can't go on pretending day by day
That someone, somewhere will soon
make a change
We are all a part of
God's great big family
And the
truth, you know, love is all we needWe are the world, we are the children
We are
the ones who make a brighter day so let's start giving
Saturday, November 24, 2007
‘大学无事要自主，有事要政府干预’——翁诗杰颠倒逻辑的最佳例子
被外界称为马华第一才子的翁诗杰昨日批评在野党人士‘大学无事要自主，有事要政府干预’。 翁诗杰的言论最为颠倒逻辑。
第一、大学何曾不发生侵犯学生基本权利的事故？校园自主是最求学术卓越、言论自由的的目标。这个目标迄今尚未实现，争取校园自主的长远目标根本不受限于‘大学到底是否有事没事’。
第二、‘有事要政府干预’——这句话并不完全正确。高教部既然负责处理高等教育事务，再加上此次李松荣案件是一宗不公案件，高教部更加有理由为李松荣平反。其实，不只是高教部有必要关注此事，所有关心马来西亚国立大专发展的人士、包括学运界人士、政界等等都应该关注。
翁诗杰的言论如同把以上两者的逻辑混为一谈，模糊公众视线。
我们更对马华和马青在这事件后知后觉，甚至是不知不觉地态度非常遗憾。迄今，我们尚未看到任何一名马华和马青高级领袖在这事件发言。
至于翁诗杰的言论，他只是充其量以‘好没有受到报告’敷衍回应。虽然他身为副高教部长应该在获得完整报告之后才能发言，但是我们不明白为何这份报告不能在第一时间就呈上高教部，还是高教部根本不理会这事件，又或者翁诗杰‘后知后觉’——等事件过了一大载之后才姗姗来迟向博大索取报告？
一旦高教部接获李松荣的上诉后，如果发现整个审讯过程出现违反自然公平原则的事项，高教部是否准备推翻博大的判决？高教部会否以学生基本人权作为其中一个考量点？
这些问题，只有他才能够回答。但是翁诗杰的回应从头到尾没有针对这些核心问题作出交代，反之却以政客的乌贼口吻一再抹黑在野党。
至于高教部长慕斯达法到中国推销大马大学学额形同推销员是一种耻辱，翁诗杰更不应该扭曲是非。
国会反对党领袖林吉祥于11月21日在国会针对高教课题提出附加询问时，批评慕斯达法失去优先顺序感。因为当其最大挑战是确保大马大学赢得国际认同为世界级学府的当儿，他竟到中国去向中国学生促销大马大学的学额。
林吉祥不曾说身为高教部长的慕斯达法充当推销员去吸引外国学生到大马深造是错的，也没有说这是一种侮辱。林吉祥只是说部长不知道什么是优先顺序感，即什么先处理，什么后处理，因为其当务之急是设法恢复国内大学在国际上的声誉！
我附上当天的会议记录共各位读者参考。
JAWAPAN-JAWAPAN LISAN BAGI PERTANYAAN-PERTANYAAN
1. Dato’ Markiman bin Kobiran [Hulu Langat] minta Menteri Pengajian Tinggi menyatakan justifikasi melaksanakan “International Organization for Standardization (ISO)terhadap tugasan akademik di Institusi Pengajian Tinggi Awam di negara ini.
Timbalan Menteri Pengajian Tinggi [Datuk Ong Tee Keat]: Tuan Yang di-Pertua, untuk makluman Ahli Yang Berhormat, MS ISO 9000 sebenarnya adalah satu standard bertulis yang menetap dan menyenaraikan elemen-elemen asas yang perlu ada dalam sistem kualiti sesebuah organisasi bagi memastikan perkhidmatan yang diberikan dapat memenuhi kehendak pelanggan. Pelaksanaan Standard MS ISO 9000 dalam perkhidmatan awam bertujuan untuk memastikan semua agensi kerajaan termasuk badan berkanun seperti IPTA dapat mengamalkan satu sistem pengurusan kualiti yang universal dengan izin, dan berlandaskan kepada standard yang diiktiraf di peringkat antarabangsa.
Perkhidmatan awam Malaysia digalakkan mencapai taraf MS ISO 9000 bagi memantapkan lagi bagi sistem pengurusan kualiti yang sedia ada. Dalam hubungan ini pelaksanaan standard MS ISO 9000 di IPTA tidak akan menyekat kreativiti dan kebebasan ahli akademik dalam menjalankan tugas mereka bahkan dapat berfungsi sebagai blue print dengan izin untuk menambah baik dan meningkatkan sistem kualiti dan kecekapan serta keberkesanan tugas para pensyarah. Pelaksanaan standard MS ISO 9000 di IPTA telah dapat membantu meningkatkan lagi keupayaan pihak pengurusan IPTA membuat keputusan dengan lebih tepat, mewujudkan cara bekerja yang konsisten dan menepati prinsip betul pertama kali dan setiap kali yang secara langsung dapat mengawal kos kualiti bagi kerja-kerja yang berulang dan mengelakkan pembaziran serta meningkatkan produktiviti.
Standard MS ISO 9000 telah diguna pakai oleh 157 buah negara. Kementerian memberi jaminan bahawa pelaksanaan Standard MS ISO 9000 sama sekali tidak akan menjejaskan kreativiti dan kebebasan ahli akademik IPTA, sebaliknya mampu meningkatkan lagi kualiti urus tadbir IPT tempatan agar setanding dengan IPT lain di persada antarabangsa.
Dato' Markiman bin Kobiran [Hulu Langat]: Terima kasih, Tuan Yang di-Pertua. Terima kasih, Yang Berhormat Timbalan Menteri. Kita sedar keperluan penarafan MS ISO 9000 yang dinyatakan begitu banyak kebaikannya. Soalan tambahan saya, adakah pihak kementerian sudah memberi persiapan yang cukup kepada para academician bagi mematuhi beberapa standard serta prosedur yang mereka patuhi.
Soalan kedua yang juga agak ringkas ialah dalam kaedah mengukur keberkesanan atau kecekapan atau proses ulangan yang dilaksanakan oleh para pengajar atau para pensyarah ini adalah sukar untuk mengukur secara ringkas atau secara tepat kerana terlalu banyak faktor lain dan mengambil kira bidang profesionalisme mereka juga kerana sebagai pendidik mereka mempunyai bidang-bidang yang berbeza. Kayu ukur yang sama tidak boleh digunakan kepada pengajar kejuruteraan dengan pengajar-pengajar di bidang ekonomi dan sebagainya. Bagaimanakah kementerian melihat kaedah ini supaya dapat diseragamkan, dengan adanya perkataan standardization yang boleh diguna pakai dalam mengukur kecekapan mereka. Terima kasih, Tuan Yang di-Pertua.
Datuk Ong Tee Keat: Terima kasih, Tuan Yang di-Pertua. Saya mengucapkan terima kasih kepada Yang Berhormat bagi Hulu Langat di atas keprihatinan beliau terhadap kualiti IPT kita. Sukacita saya memaklumkan Yang Berhormat bahawa sesungguhnya pelaksanaan piawaian ISO ini bukanlah secara paksa dan bukanlah diseragamkan oleh kementerian saya. Sebaliknya ia adalah terserah kepada IPTA masing-masing. Ini kerana ia mengenai IPTA yang dibangkitkan tadi jadi saya jawab mengenai IPTA. Ia tidak merangkumi sebarang sukatan ataupun kaedah penyukatan terhadap urusan akademik tetapi sebaliknya ia lebih menjurus ke arah piawaian khas untuk urusan kewangan, urus tadbir kewangan, pendaftaran dan juga sumber manusia. Ia bukannya secara khusus seperti mana yang disarankan oleh Yang Berhormat diimposed, dengan izin ataupun ia bukanlah dikhususkan untuk menyekat ataupun mengawal selia kualiti sesuatu program pengajian, khasnya dalam sesuatu jurusan pengajian yang khusus.
Tuan Lim Kit Siang [Ipoh Timor]: Apakah guna piawaian ISO 9000 apabila mutu universiti-universiti - IPTA semakin merosot yang dilihat daripada ranking terkini, Times Higher Education Supplement di mana semua universiti terkeluar daripada senarai 200 hingga sekarang kita tengok, kita tidak tahu apa universiti yang boleh kata the premier university. Who is the best universiti yang ada di Malaysia. Adakah Universiti Malaya, tidak tahu? Sudah jatuh dan kalah kepada UKM tahun lalu dan tidak diiktiraf sebagai five stars university di dalam satu petunjuk yang dibuat oleh kerajaan sendiri. Adakah UKM sudah jatuh dalam tahun ini? Adakah Universiti Sains Malaysia di tangga ke-307 dan kenapa ini semua berlaku. Bukankah apa yang lebih mustahak ialah mengadakan emphasis mengenai bagaimana boleh memulihkan keunggulan, excellent meritokrasi universiti-universiti kita. Bukan semacam apa yang berlaku ISO 9000, UUCA semacam Universiti Putra Malaysia sekarang di mana mahasiswa Lee Sung Young dianiayai. Apabila Universiti Putra Malaysia sudah jatuh 52 tangga tahun lalu, 292 kepada tahun ini 364, bukankah emphasis semua sudah silap. Menteri Pengajian Tinggi pergi ke China menjadi salesmen untuk mendapatkan lebih pelajar-pelajar China datang ke Malaysia. Yang mustahak sekarang ialah bagaimana boleh memastikan adakah universiti-universiti Malaysia boleh dilihat dan diiktiraf sebagai antara 200 universiti yang terbaik di dunia.
Datuk Ong Tee Keat: Tuan Yang di-Pertua, saya sungguh terperanjat dengan apa yang telah dibangkitkan oleh Yang Berhormat Ipoh Timor khasnya beliau merupakan seorang Ahli Parlimen yang begitu berpengalaman luas dan lama. Kita sedia maklum bahawa piawaian ISO itu seperti mana yang telah saya sebutkan tadi ia adalah lebih tertumpu kepada piawaian urus tadbir dan bukannya untuk menyukat prestasi ataupun keberkesanan sesuatu program akademik sepertimana Yang Berhormat sendiri hubung kaitkan.
Saya rasa terperanjat kerana Yang Berhormat sama ada beliau selama ini yang menguar-uarkan tentang keprihatinan beliau terhadap international ranking dengan izin yang rupa-rupanya saya kira beliau sampai sekarang pun belum lagi faham apa sebenarnya kaedah yang terkandung dalam sistem international ranking times higher education supplement yang dibangkitkan. Itu pun bukan satu kayu pengukur yang tunggal tetapi pihak kementerian tetap ambil maklum dan tindakan yang sewajarnya untuk mengatasi kelemahan-kelemahan yang masih lagi terkandung dalam sistem kita. Itu tiada hubung kaitnya dengan soalan asal sebab soalan asal itu adalah atas ISO, piawaian yang telah saya sebutkan tadi. Yang Berhormat cuba hendak hubung kaitkan ini
Tuan Lim Kit Siang [Ipoh Timor]: [Menyampuk]...adakah ini sikap...
Datuk Ong Tee Keat: Yang saya hendak jawab ini, saya kena jawab secara lantang untuk menangkis apa yang diputarbelitkan oleh Yang Berhormat. Yang dicakapkan itu walau pun benar ranking itu jatuh merosot, itu benar. Kita tidak nafi. Tidak ada denial syndrome dengan izin tetapi jangan cuba mengaburi mata masyarakat.
Yang Berhormat Menteri saya, beliau bertugas di negara China bukanlah bersiar-siar, bukanlah hendak bertugas sebagai salesmen sebagaimana yang didakwa. Itu adalah satu penghinaan yang amat sangat... [Disorak]
Saya hendak maklumkan kepada Yang Berhormat kalaulah beliau bertugas untuk negara, bukan untuk menarik pelajar tetapi untuk menjaringkan kemuafakatan dengan negara China khasnya universiti-universiti yang tersohor di negara China, apa salahnya... [Disorak]
Hindraf rally roadblocks – Would it be better to release the police to prevent crime?
I found it totally ridiculous for police to set up numerous roadblocks across Selangor on roads leading to Kuala Lumpur, causing major traffic jams since yesterday morning bringing the rush-hour traffic to a crawl.It is reported that the roadblocks are set-up to prevent criminal activities. However it was widely believed that the roadblocks are to slow down the traffic in order to prevent people from attending a massive public rally organized by Hindus Rights Action Force (Hindraf) on Sunday morning in front of the British High Commission to present a petition to Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth to support a class-action suit against Her Majesty's government for bringing Indians to Malaysia as indentured labourers and exploiting them for 150 years.
Such roadblocks are totally unnecessary as the said public rally is to take place on Sunday morning and the roadblocks have cause massive and unnecessary inconveniences to motorists.
Right to peaceful gathering is a fundamental human rights enshrined under the Federal Constitution. So long so public order is maintained, no party including the police should bar people from attending any peaceful gathering.
It is even more ridiculous for the police to try to ‘lock’ traffic flow in the Klang Valley as it is not to the benefit of the country’s economy and productivity.
Today is another working day and some could be working tomorrow. Such roadblocks should be removed at once, especially when some of these roadblocks are not properly manned by police personnel.
Or the police not have any other better things to do until they have to waste taxpayers’ monies for such unnecessary roadblocks which serve no improvement to crime prevention?
Would it be not better if the police can fully utilize these personnel and release them for genuine crime prevention duties?
Friday, November 23, 2007
Hindraf's leaders released in Klang Session Court today
Three Hindu Rights Action Force (Hindraf) leaders who were to be charged with sedition at the Klang Sessions Court this afternoon, managed to walk free on technical grounds.
The trio, who were not charged today, were granted bail set at RM800 per person by judge Zumaidah Mohd Idris.
However, Hindraf chairperson and lawyer P Waythamoorty refused to post bail as a mark of protest against the ‘police being used by the government’.
He will be detained by the police until Monday and had vowed to go on a hunger strike. He was reportedly sent to Sungai Buloh prison.
However, his brother and Hindraf legal adviser Uthayakumar and another Hindraf lawyer, Ganapathy Rao, posted bail. Nevertheless, all three will be back in court on Monday to be formally charged.
Some 2,000 supporters, who were cheering throughout the proceeding, mobbed the duo as they walked out of the court building at about 6.45pm.
The trio were represented by lawyer M. Manoharan, A. Sivanesan, K. Ramu, VS Ganapathy Rao and R Kengadharan. All of them are also DAP members except Kengadharan.
Among those who attended the procedding including Parliamentary Opposition Leader Lim Kit Siang, DAP CEC leader Ronnie Liu, DAP Selangor Secretary Lau Weng San, DAP Selangor State Committee Member T. Kannan and DAP Selangor Vice Chairman Peter Tan.
若接上诉：高教部应秉公处理
雪州行动党和社青团严厉谴责博特拉大学（博大）昨日判决该大专电脑科学系第二年生李松荣因‘妨碍校方职员执行任务’而宣判李松荣必须停学一个学期及警告。除了对校方的不透明和不公平的审讯过程感到非常不满之外，我们也对校方无法针对其中一名负责搜查的便服保安人员在听证会上，承认在搜查时没有佩戴证件、介绍身份和解释搜查理由，以及没有对遭没收物品发出证明文件的这一个重要程序而做出公平合理的判决，感到非常失望与不满。
即使是穿上制服的警员要截停任何人士，他们也必须首先表明身份，佩戴证件以及告诉被截停人士他们被截停的原因，更何况这只不过是一座大学的保安单位？这是最基本的程序，也是任何执法单位必须遵守的最基本人权。
如果没有标明身份，这跟街边流氓或飚车族有什么不同？
博大不应该把自己贬为与飚车族无异的大专，反之校方当局应该允诺大专生一个自由发言的空间，让大专生能够在自由的学术环境中翱翔。
虽然李松荣被判停学1个学期，但是他还是可以在30天之内向高教部上诉。
我们呼吁高教部能够针对此案作出重新的评估和判决。副高教部长翁诗杰曾经于2007年9月21日在安邦为其选区一所中学主办的成长辅导课程主持开幕后，针对当时发生于博大保安员没收学生电脑及手机事件受询曾经向记者说高教部无权政府大学内的事务
他也说：“政府大学拥有非常大的自主权，高教部不能干预一般校内事务。”
他说，发生在校园内的事情，大学校方都可全权处理，并非像一般外界的想法，认为高教部可以干涉。
既然现在再次发生同样案件，而李松荣也有向高教部上诉的权利，因此我们呼吁审委副高教部长的翁诗杰在接到学生上诉时能秉持公正原则重新作出判决。
Thursday, November 22, 2007
'Mari lawan!' - Sothinathan challenged Po Kuan to a "fight"
I guess this MIC MP is so used to the way they handled political disputes in MIC that they can be so bold to come out with a challenge for a fist fight outside the chamber with Po Kuan, a woman MP.
UMNO Cheras slammed
Among the issues he raise was the assault by UMNO members on a Guang Ming Daily photographer about a week ago when the photographer was on duty to cover Tan Kok Wai's press conference in highlighting power abuse by UMNO Cheras.
UMNO Cheras was alleged erecting their divisional office on a piece of land reserved for public hall (which is a government property).
This is Tan Kok Wai's speech in Cantonese.
Wednesday, November 21, 2007
Gotta make that change!
He urges to voters of Petaling Jaya to vote for changes in the coming Malaysia General Election.
A change is to make PJ and Malaysia in general a better place.
The video clip is produced using Michael Jackson's "Man In The Mirror".
I'm Gonna Make A Change,
For Once In My Life
It's Gonna Feel Real Good,
Gonna Make A Difference
Gonna Make It Right . . .
As I, Turn Up The Collar On My
Favourite Winter Coat
This Wind Is Blowin' My Mind
I See The Kids In The Street,
With Not Enough To Eat
Who Am I, To Be Blind?
Pretending Not To See
Their Needs
A Summer's Disregard,
A Broken Bottle Top
And A One Man's Soul
They Follow Each Other On
The Wind Ya' Know
'Cause They Got Nowhere
To Go
That's Why I Want You To
Know
I'm Starting With The Man In
The Mirror
I'm Asking Him To Change
His Ways
And No Message Could Have
Been Any Clearer
If You Wanna Make The World
A Better Place
(If You Wanna Make The
World A Better Place)
Take A Look At Yourself, And
Then Make A Change
(Take A Look At Yourself, And
Then Make A Change)
(Na Na Na, Na Na Na, Na Na,
Na Nah)
I've Been A Victim Of A Selfish
Kind Of Love
It's Time That I Realize
That There Are Some With No
Home, Not A Nickel To Loan
Could It Be Really Me,
Pretending That They're Not
Alone?
A Willow Deeply Scarred,
Somebody's Broken Heart
And A Washed-Out Dream
(Washed-Out Dream)
They Follow The Pattern Of
The Wind, Ya' See
Cause They Got No Place
To Be
That's Why I'm Starting With
Me
(Starting With Me!)
I'm Starting With The Man In
The Mirror
(Ooh!)
I'm Asking Him To Change
His Ways
(Ooh!)
And No Message Could Have
Been Any Clearer
If You Wanna Make The World
A Better Place
(If You Wanna Make The
World A Better Place)
Take A Look At Yourself And
Then Make A Change
(Take A Look At Yourself And
Then Make A Change)
I'm Starting With The Man In
The Mirror
(Ooh!)
I'm Asking Him To Change His
Ways
(Change His Ways-Ooh!)
And No Message Could've
Been Any Clearer
If You Wanna Make The World
A Better Place
(If You Wanna Make The
World A Better Place)
Take A Look At Yourself And
Then Make That . . .
(Take A Look At Yourself And
Then Make That . . .)
Change!
I'm Starting With The Man In
The Mirror,
(Man In The Mirror-Oh
Yeah!)
I'm Asking Him To Change
His Ways
(Better Change!)
No Message Could Have
Been Any Clearer
(If You Wanna Make The
World A Better Place)
(Take A Look At Yourself And
Then Make The Change)
(You Gotta Get It Right, While
You Got The Time)
('Cause When You Close Your
Heart)
You Can't Close Your . . .Your
Mind!
(Then You Close Your . . .
Mind!)
That Man, That Man, That
Man, That Man
With That Man In The Mirror
(Man In The Mirror, Oh Yeah!)
That Man, That Man, That Man
I'm Asking Him To Change
His Ways
(Better Change!)
You Know . . .That Man
No Message Could Have
Been Any Clearer
If You Wanna Make The World
A Better Place
(If You Wanna Make The
World A Better Place)
Take A Look At Yourself And
Then Make A Change
(Take A Look At Yourself And
Then Make A Change)
Hoo! Hoo! Hoo! Hoo! Hoo!
Na Na Na, Na Na Na, Na Na,
Na Nah
(Oh Yeah!)
Gonna Feel Real Good Now!
Yeah Yeah! Yeah Yeah!
Yeah Yeah!
Na Na Na, Na Na Na, Na Na,
Na Nah
(Ooooh . . .)
Oh No, No No . . .
I'm Gonna Make A Change
It's Gonna Feel Real Good!
Come On!
(Change . . .)
Just Lift Yourself
You Know
You've Got To Stop It.
Yourself!
(Yeah!-Make That Change!)
I've Got To Make That Change,
Today!
Hoo!
(Man In The Mirror)
You Got To
You Got To Not Let Yourself . . .
Brother . . .
Hoo!
(Yeah!-Make That Change!)
You Know-I've Got To Get
That Man, That Man . . .
(Man In The Mirror)
You've Got To
You've Got To Move! Come
On! Come On!
You Got To . . .
Stand Up! Stand Up!
Stand Up!
(Yeah-Make That Change)
Stand Up And Lift
Yourself, Now!
(Man In The Mirror)
Hoo! Hoo! Hoo!
Aaow!
(Yeah-Make That Change)
Gonna Make That Change . . .
Come On!
(Man In The Mirror)
You Know It!
You Know It!
You Know It!
You Know . . .
(Change . . .)
Make That Change.
Truth and justice are no longer Malaysian way
November 21, 2007
Recent street protests have highlighted the self-serving nature of Malaysia's Government.
THE Government of Australia will probably change hands this weekend. There will be no arrests, no tear gas and no water cannons. The Government of John Howard will leave office, the Opposition will form a government and everyone will accept the verdict.
For this, every Australian can feel justifiably proud. This playing by the rules is what has made Australia rich and a good place in which to invest. It is a country to which people want to migrate; not leave.
Now consider Malaysia. The weekend before last, up to 40,000 Malaysians took to the streets in Kuala Lumpur to protest peacefully against the judiciary's lack of independence, electoral fraud, corruption and a controlled media.
In response, they were threatened by the Prime Minister, called monkeys by his powerful son-in-law, and blasted with water cannons and tear gas. And yet the vast majority of Malaysians do not want a change of government. All they want is for their government to govern better.
Both Malaysia and Australia have a rule of law that's based on the English system. Both started out as colonies of Britain. So why is Malaysia getting it so wrong now?
Malaysia's Government hates feedback. Dissent is regarded as dangerous, rather than a product of diversity. And like the wicked witch so ugly that she can't stand mirrors, the Government of Prime Minister Abdullah Badawi controls the media so that it doesn't have to see its own reflection.
Demonstrations are typically banned. But what every Malaysian should know is that in Britain, Australia and other modern countries, when people wish to demonstrate, the police typically clear the way and make sure no one gets hurt. The streets belong to the people. And the police, like the politicians, are their servants. It is not the other way around.
But increasingly in Malaysia, Malaysians are being denied a voice — especially young people.
Section 15 of Malaysia's Universities and University Colleges Act states that no student shall be a member of or in any manner associate with any society, political party, trade union or any other organisation, body or group of people whatsoever, be it in or outside Malaysia, unless it is approved in advance and in writing by the vice-chancellor.
Nor can any student express or do anything that may be construed as expressing support, sympathy or opposition to any political party or union. Breaking this law can lead to a fine, a jail term or both.
The judiciary as a source of independent viewpoints has been squashed. The previous prime minister, Mahathir Mohamad, did many good things for Malaysia, but his firing of the Lord President (chief justice) and two other Supreme Court judges in 1988 was an unmitigated disaster. Since then, what passes for a judiciary in Malaysia has been an utter disgrace and the Government knows it.
Several years ago, Daim Zainuddin, the country's then powerful finance minister, told me that judges in Malaysia were idiots. Of course we want them to be biased, he told me, but not that biased.
Rarely do government ministers need to telephone a judge and demand this or that verdict because the judges are so in tune with the Government's desires that they automatically do the Government's beckoning.
Just how appalling Malaysia's judiciary has become was made clear in recent weeks with the circulation of a video clip showing a senior lawyer assuring someone by telephone that he will lobby the Government to have him made Lord President of the Supreme Court because he had been loyal to the Government. That someone is believed to have been Ahmad Fairuz Abdul Halim, who did in fact become Lord President.
A protest march organised by the Malaysian Bar Council was staged in response to this, and corruption among the judiciary in general. But the mainstream Malaysian media barely covered the march even though up to 2000 Bar Council members were taking part. Reportedly, the Prime Minister's office instructed editors to play down the event.
Instead of a free media, independent judges and open public debate, Malaysians are given stunts — the world's tallest building and most recently, a Malaysian cosmonaut. Essentially, they are given the play things of modernity but not modernity itself.
Many senior Malays are absolutely despairing at the direction of their country today. But with the media tightly controlled they have no way of getting their views out to their fellow countrymen. This means that most Malaysians falsely assume that the Malay elite is unified when it comes to the country's direction.
Tengku Razaleigh Hamzah, a former finance minister and today still a member of the Government, told me several weeks ago in Kuala Lumpur that he could see no reason why today Malaysia could not have a completely free media, a completely independent judiciary and that corrupt ministers and other officials should be publicly exposed and humiliated.
According to Tengku Razaleigh, all of the institutions designed to make Malaysia's Government accountable and honest have been dismantled or neutered.
It didn't need to be like this. Malaysia is not North Korea or Indonesia. It is something quite different. Its legal system is based on British codes. Coupled with traditional Malay culture, which is one of the world's most hospitable, decent and gentle cultures, Malaysia has the cultural and historical underpinnings to become one of Asia's most civilised, rules-based, successful societies.
Instead, Malaysia's Government is incrementally wasting Malaysia's inheritance.
Monday, November 19, 2007
Unfair cancellation of government tender
We also received a mailed-complaint that the tender offered by a bumiputera company to supply, install, test, commission and configure IT equipment (Total Hospital Information System Phase 2) for Selayang Hospital was cancelled by the Selangor State Health Department as the Division of Procurement and Privatisation of the Ministry of Health had in a letter directed to the Selangor State Health Department informed that another company named Systematic Conglomerate Sdn. Bhd. had appealed to the Ministry and was granted the contract to provide operation and back-up service as well as to upgrade the equipment, software and maintenance of Selayang Hospital Total Hospital Information System (THIS) for 3 years with the option of another 3-year extension with effective from 1st September 2007.From the complaint we received, the tender was called by the Selangor State Health Department and several bumiputera contractors offered their tenders.
It was later intervened by the Ministry of Health and the whole tender process was suspended and the Selangor State Health Department issued letter to all bidder to cancel the tender.
It was unfair for the bidders as they have already submitted their quotation with the hope of securing the project when the tender was cancelled when another competitor stepped-in and appealed to be granted the project.
Such happening reflects very poor on the transparency and integrity of the government.
It is even more shocking that a photograph was also provided that features the Executive Chairman Dato' Amanullah Mohamed Yusoof and Managing Director Haji Wan Azhar Ali of Systematic Conglomerate Sdn. Bhd. presenting a mock cheque of RM50,000 to MCA Johor on 10th April 2007.
We will write in to the Auditor-General to request him to carry out a proper audit on the whole tender process in supplying, installing, testing, commissioning and configuring IT equipment (Total Hospital Information System Phase 2) for Selayang Hospital. We will also consider lodging a report with ACA but for the first step, Health Minister should come clear to explain all this.
Double-discriminative policy
This is double-discriminative policy as bumiputera companies should be given the free hand to operate including in handling their employment preferences based on meritocracy.
If the government is serious about its slogan of “Cemerlang, Gemilang, Terbilang” to create a world-class economic system to transform Malaysia into a knowledge-based innovative economy, it must end the NEP-mentality in our economy and fully restore the policy of meritocracy and performance excellence coupled with social need to provide employment opportunities to economically-backward Malaysians regardless of race.
In Budget 2008, the Government had announced that beginning financial year 2008, PLCs will be required to disclose their employment composition by race and gender, as well as programmes undertaken to develop domestic and Bumiputera vendors. The private sector should leverage upon the strength of Malaysia’s diversity by employing Malaysians from all ethnic groups.
Why this has not been done by the government in public services and GLCs? And what moral authority does the government has in requiring PLCs to disclose their employment composition by race in year 2008 when government agencies and GLCs are not compelled to do it?
All companies, be it bumiputera companies or not, should be allowed to employ the most qualified and most competent Malaysians with competitive remunerations and restore a culture of excellence and meritocracy.
One simple test of whether the government is seriously committed to abandon the baggages of past NEP policies to create a world-class university system is whether it has the political will to end the brain drain depriving Malaysia of the best and brightest for the development of the country.
Sunday, November 18, 2007
灵北SS3区39路幽灵选民过百
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（八打灵再也讯）雪州民主行动党秘书刘永山说，八打灵再也北区一条街道竟出现超过3百名幽灵选民，令民主行动党质疑有关“幽灵住宅区”，为何连门牌都不存在的地址却能出现在选民册上。他周六在记者会上揭发有关幽灵选民名单，该名单人数超过300人，当中有超过90%是马来人，都是被指居住在八打灵再也北区SS3区39路的居民。
39路门牌仅111号
他披露，该条街道的房子都属独立式洋楼，他们是依据选举委员会所提供的选民册地址，沿家挨户分发传单时才发现此事。根据地图所指，39路的门牌号码最多只有111号，实地考察也正是如此，但是幽灵住宅却从201号起跳直到1518号，犹如扩展出来的新住宅区，不过当地居民被询问时都表示，对这些突然多出的门牌号码表示不知情。
“我不晓得这些幽灵选民几时出现在选民册内，但翻回过去纪录，这些幽灵选民早在2006年时已出现。”
他声称，除了人瑞、幽灵选民，现在还有幽灵路，而且连没有门牌注明的也可纳入选民册内。他补充，雪州行动党将向选举委员会做出上诉。
Saturday, November 17, 2007
Masalah di Selangor tidak akan selesai dengan penyapu
Antara dua buah agensi kerajaan negeri Selangor yang dianugerahkan anugerah penyapu ialah Majlis Daerah Ulu Selangor dan Pejabat Tanah dan Galian Daerah Ulu Selangor.
Sebenarnya, berita tentang anugerah penyapu untuk mana-mana agensi atau badan kerajaan Selangor yang lemah telah dilaporkan di media aliran utama setahun yang lalu.
Biarpun begitu, kami beranggapan ianya tidak berkesan dalam menambahbaik prestasi dan kualiti kerja kerajaan negeri Selangor kerana Menteri Besar sendiri tidak melaksanakan pembaharuan besar-besaran dari segi struktur.
Rakyat Selangor tidak boleh berharap bahawa pembaharuan dan penambahbaikan yang berlaku tanpa pembaharuan dari segi struktur.
Salah satu factor yang kritikal ialah pilihanraya Pihak Berkuasa Tempatan (PBT).
Bak pepatah “Rakyat hakim negara”, “Tiada percukaian tanpa perwakilan”. Maka makna pepatah ini sesuai dipakai untuk PBT dimana rakyat harus diberi hak untuk memilih anggota-anggota majlis apabila mereka ini turut merupakan pembayar cukai kepada PBT.
Jikalau MB betul-betul ingin mempertingkatkan prestasi dan kualiti kerja agensi dan badan-badan kerajaan Selangor, apa yang beliau perlu ialah political will atau hasrat politik dan bukannya penyapu.
送扫把不能解决制度问题
州务大臣基尔是在日前颁发扫把给乌雪土地局和乌雪县议会，鞭策这两个政府机构加强效率。
本人在一年前就曾经在传媒阅读州务大臣将会在今年办法‘扫把奖’给州内办事效率差强人意的州政府机构。
虽然如此，这个措施未能整体提升雪州政府的行政效率，因为州务大臣并没有在制度上大刀阔斧进行改革。
只要一天不出现制度上的改革，雪州人民一天不能期望施政上的改善。
其中一个最关键的因素就是地方政府选举。
所谓“人民才是老板”、“没有民意代表，就不要向人民征税”。对于地方政府来说，这些道理同样适用。地方上的居民本来就是地方议会的股东，他们应该享有投票权以选出他们心目中的地方议员。
目前大马144个地方议会就好比上市公司一样。每一年，每一个地方议会都会向居住在其管辖范围内的居民和商家征收门牌税以及各式各样的执照税务，与此同时，这些议会都有他们本身的工作人员，以管理和维修道路、花园、图书馆等等。因此，没有居民的缴税，地方议会根本不能操作。
地方议会最大的责任就是确保股东（地方人民）满意其所提供的服务。要做到这点，地方议会必须谨慎、小心和具备透明度地使用人民所缴纳的税收。然而，实况是否如此呢？
根据《1976年地方政府法令》，地方议员必须由当地著名领袖委任。吊诡的是，现有的地方议会议员都不是选出来，而是根据州执政党指示而委任的。这样一来，地方人民不仅丧失他们的选择权，地方议员职位也贬为执政者分配权力的官场游戏。
受委任的往往并不是地方上的居民协会主席或巴刹公会的理事，而是政党人士。换句话说，政党运用地方议会为一个“培训场所”。与其说执政当局恐怕地方竞选高度政治化而反对恢复地方议会民选制，倒不如说是执政当局希望能够保存这个“培训场所”。
要改善雪州的施政效率，单靠扫把是不行的，而是政治意愿。政治意愿，基尔有吗？
Thursday, November 15, 2007
Malaysia “implosion” very different from Las Vegas “implosion”
It was a spectacular engineering feat to behold, the precisely-planned and delicately-balanced demolition operation -- to give way to a US$2 billion, 3,000-room megaresort Las Vegas Plaza, featuring a 500-ft tall Ferris Wheel similar in size to the famous London Eye, set to open in 2011.
Malaysia has also our own implosion on the same day, but it was a most shameful and ignominous one - the collapse of the RM4.5 million Perak State Park Corporation's two-storey administration building on a hillslope on the edge of Tasik Banding in Gerik.
Star said the structure "collapsed like a house of cards" while New Straits Times said the complex "collapsed into a heap of rubble".
Malaysia's very own implosion was no spectacular engineering feat but spectacular building failure and government negligence.
After the Perak "implosion", three different probes have been set up to investigate it causes --an "independent" committee by the state government, another investigation by the Perak Public Works Department on the directive of Works Minister, Datuk Seri S. Samy Vellu and by the Anti-Corruption Agency.
Heads must roll, and roll immediately, for the shameful "implosion" of the Tasik Banding complex -- or are there no one to be held responsible?
Malaysia's implosion -- which is so different from the Las Vegas implosion -- is evidence that Malaysia is even more entrenched as a Third World country instead of joining the ranks of the First World nations.
RTM ialah RTM bukan RTBN
Kit Siang, dalam soalan tambahannya semasa sesi soal jawab semasa Kementerian Penwrangan menjawab soalan yang ditanya oleh Ahli Parlimen Rembau, antara lain mengatakan bahawa RTM harus melaporkan kebenaran dan seimbang dalam laporannya kerana RTM biarpun merupakan stesyen milik kerajaan perlu seimbang dlaam laporannya kerana ianya ditabung oleh wang para pembayar cukai seluruh Malaysia.
"RTM bukan stesyen BN. Ianya bukan RTBN, tetapi RTM - Radio Televisyen Malaysia".
Wednesday, November 14, 2007
Check annual 4-figure brain drain
Parlimen Hari Ini: "Mis-Information Minister" blacked out
Unfair reporting by RTM1 Parlimen Hari Ini.
RTM did not put up the full debate in it's Parlimen Hari Ini programme on Tuesday night.
Although the newscaster mentioned that YB Lim Kit Siang was involved in another exchange of words with Zahid Hamidi as Deputy Information Minister concerning the massive peaceful public rally last Saturday, Kit Siang's speech was completely blacked-out.
What YB Lim Kit Siang as Parliamentary Opposition Leader said during the heated exchange was also completely blacked-out when RTM only aired part of Zahid Hamidi's reply during question time.
Kit Siang among other claimed that Minister of Information, Zainuddin Maidin as Minister of Mis-Information for his arrogant and shameful reply in answering question posed to him by Al-Jazeera on Bersih's gathering.
If Zam is talking about putting up Kit Siang's blog in RTM website, why can't him honour his own words by putting full content of what opposition MPs said in the Parliament?
Email#3: The Custodian of the Constitution
By Yellow Waver#3The PM and his super cronies after 50 years, had failed to realise that the question that to “drag the King into politics does not arise”. When the King our Supreme Sovereign Head does not get himself in daily politics or a member of the executive, it does not mean that his Majesty is totally above politics and is just a fiqure head of the country.
In a democratic country with a constitutional monarchy like Malaysia, we have the Monarchy, Executive, Judiciary and Legislature. Each is independent of the other. If everything runs smoothly, the Royalty stays at his Palace, and is happy that his subjects are happy. The economy turns, majority of his Royal subjects has a job and development is in full swing. The job of the King is to oversee that the country is running in proper order. His Majesty has the constitutional right to intervene today because everything is wrong today.
The King is the people’s TRUSTEE. The Trustee has to act constitutionally today before the country go to the rocks! His Majesty need not take sides. The Royalty must see that there is fair play. The King is there to PROTECT the Constitution from being abused. He is the CUSTODIAN of the Constitution. Please don’t insult the King!
The level of the playing field is tilted in favour of the powers that be. They even shift the position of the goalpost to whatever position they like!
Everything is wrong today! One cannot even be safe inside our house. 300,000 graduates are jobless, Parliament leaks, a former railway gatekeeper’s house is bigger than a Division One Officer, the police is divided, Team A accusing Team B, we a net exporter of gas and petroleum yet we have to pay more for gas and petroleum instead of paying less when the prices rises, the top cronies are enjoying themselves as patrons of Petronas Philhamonic Orchestra, patients suffering unnecessarily instead of getting cured by the hospitals, everywhere you walk you see foreigners as much as you see your fellow citizens, government purchases having a free for all, no tenders being called as cronies lined up to secure projects at exorbitant prices, a 4.6 billion free trade zone as a white elephant collecting dusts, a congested bus terminal built 33 years ago and its next door – a dilapidated half constructed building, breeding anopheles and aedes mosquitoes, prices of houses and cars beyond the reach of the mid income family, electricity prices increase by Tenaga although they make billions, buying screwdrivers at exorbitant prices, banks of a certain race taken over by another bunch of cronies in the pretence of having less banks but bigger banks to compete overseas, companies are asked to employ their staff in relation to the country’s population ratio but their own GLCs, universities full of their cronies such that they reflect the superpower of the cronies and pages and pages to be filled—-endless.
The King must step in to stop the rot! Enough is enough. 50 years of mismanagement is sufficient! The most important underhand tactic is the Election Commission reporting to the BN. Overnight they increase the Ipoh Timor Constituency by 8500 voters and then claim that it is their absolute right! Before the election you will already know who the winner MP is. Bukit Bintang has no army camp but got postal voters by the army. Therefore the Election Commission must report to an independent body and NOT to the BN! The Election Commission keeps the BN in perpetual power!
The march by BERSIH is NOT a demonstration. During Prophet Mohamed Birthday the Muslims march. During Wesak the Buddhists march. During Deepavali the Indians march. During Saint Anne Festival the Christians march. All religions and groupings march. So why can’t BERSIH march? The powers that be, make it illegal. Gambling is illegal. But gambling at the Genting Highlands is LEGAL. Buying 4 digits is illegal. But buying 4 digit from Magnum, 3D and Toto is LEGAL. We want to tell AAB that we are not born yesterday! The shops at Masjid Jamek and Jalan Tuanku Abdul Rahman were doing a roaring business. Without provocation water cannons and teargas were fired. Hell broke loose. The shops have to close. So who is to blame? Buses were turned back at the highways. The commuter trains stop running. Road blocks were set up. The police were not looking for weapons. They were looking for YELLOW shirts! What is wrong with yellow shirts? Are yellow shirts weapons? Why don’t the police stop the Buddhist monks from wearing YELLOW. SO WHO’S THE CULPRITS OF THE TRAFFIC JAMS? It is a deliberate attempt by the police to stop the march!
BERSIH has declared that yellow is the colour of protest; it’s also the colour of press freedom. Wearing yellow also shows our love for the Rulers. The police has insulted the Royalties. What is wrong if the people want to hand his Majesty a memorandum? You mean we have to send by the unreliable post office? It is just a memorandum on the demand for a clean and fair electoral system! What is the big fuss?
Email #2 from friend on Bersih public rally
By Yellow Waver#2"people should not be afraid of their governments, the governemts should be afraid of their people"...
precisely!...
when i got up approx 1100 hours on 10th october 2007, i know i will be part of the history in malaysia!...
just want to briefly share what i experienced in the bersih gathering/march which i attended with much enthusiasm!...
as most of you already know there are 4 meeting points for meet-up before we marched to dataran merdeka before we proceed to the palace to submit the memorandum to the king on asking for a massize reformation to the electoral roll.... i went to the sogo meeting point...
expecting the massive traffic out there... i took the public transport... i boarded the ktm komuter in kl sentral at approx 1145 hours... waited for at least 30 mins before the train actually moved an inch... apparently they have some 'technical problems' at the station in front... but, there was about 3 trains opposite the coach am in passed us by from the station in front of us!... 'technical problems' eh?!?... want to delay/deny us, say so lah... we understand the fear and uncertainties of certain people... :) ...
reached sogo approx 1245 hours, not before going though tens of police personnel staring at you as if you are a criminal, took my lunch and walked around and more and more people can be seen... i knew this is gonna be huge, really huge!... police personnel were all over the place inside and outside sogo then and helicopter right above us drowning the noise of the people... a real low way of doing things eh?!?...
joined my group opposite sogo, which was only about 10 of us... had a drink with them.. changed into my xxxl yellow bersih t-shirt and voila... we marched towards the main entrance of sogo and greeted by roars and claps by hundreds of others, which was mainly pas supporters... made way for the 10 of us to be placed right in the middle of the group.... right after we arrived, one guy took over the meet-up with a prayer... at that particular time, the muhibbah thing struck me really hard... needless to say, the irritating helicopter which was flying really low 'drown' the prayers...
after the prayers, we started our march at approx 1400 hours with very gloomy looking sky above us!... minutes into our march just before the dbkl building on our right, it started pouring... came well prepared with plastic bags and a backpack to keep my stuffs dry.... :) ... fru set-up a barricade infront of us, they practically set up barricades surrounding the whole of dataran merdeka!... we then marched towards the main entrance of royal selangor club greeted by many others who was having their lunch there and the motorists opposite us and that basically kept us moving further in the heavy downpour!... we passed the masjid negara opposite us minutes later.... thousands of them came over to join us, if am not mistaken including some heavy weights too fm that meeting point, at that time the crowd grew to easily to at least 400 meters long...
basically the 'chanting' of "daulat tuanku"... "hidup rakyat"... "hancur kezaliman"... hancur rasuah"... the takbir... etc.... heard even louder then...
at that particular time, i knew very much we are not heading to dataran merdeka, instead we will be marching towards the palace directly!...
as we were passing the chinese assembly hall, another group join us... as this particular time, the crowd grew to at least 600 meters long!... a sea of yellow can be seen when i looked back... at that time, the rain start slowing down...
as we were passing by public bank on our right and nearing the palace... thousands more joined the line... it was at this time i spotted a guy in crutches with a leg amputated, all soaked up, marching his way to the palace... this stunned me for a while thinking how can a person with one leg do this!.. shame one me when the first i heard about this bersih gathering/march, i was actually thinking and contemplating whether to go for it or not!... shame on me!... i have the utmost respect for that guy!... God bless him, whoever he is!...
we reached at the main entrance of the palace at approx 1500 hours... some heavy weights gave some short speeches... at approx 1530 hours or so, the memorandum were submitted to the king's special assistant or to someone along that line... still drizzling at that time... met my eldest brother there who were also drenched in the rain, am surprised he actually came for it tho!... :) ... i thought it was a joke when he told me he is coming!... my second nephew could not make it, although my eldest brother and myself very much want him to come and be exposed to all these things and to all the crap we are going through!.... he came by lrt... walked all the way fm central market.. understand fm him that particular trip he took was the last trip that the lrt goona stop in central market station... talk about 'manipulation' eh?!?... :) ... he was stunned when he was fm the lrt he is in, looking down and saw seas of yellow marching.. as he put it... "it was a very nice sight"!... i would get goosebumps when i see that!... btw, understand from my brother that my eldest nephew's friend stopped by police twice, when he was on his way for some frisbee competition/training, because he wore a yellow shirt!.. wtf?!?...
the whole things finished by approx 1600 hours... it was another long walk for both of us to get a cab home...
understand that there was approx 80 people arrested (probably for 'formalities') in masjid jamek meeting point... mainly pas supporters/unit amal people... water cannon, tear gas and chemical were sprayed/released!... until now (2245 hours on 10th november 2007) no concrete confirmation on this... we shall wait for the official reports/news in the next couple of days...
things i learnt fm this bersih gathering/march... in no particular order...
1) if you have the same vision and mission for a particular... race and religion does not matter, both this 2 issues won't play a part in it...
2) this bersih gathering/march is indeed a very loud voice to the current ruling bn/umno rotten to the core government!...
3) there are people who are actually very afraid when they read about the news saying no permit given, fear of certain things, etc... but, they want things to be changed!...
4) no matter whatever ways they may be using to stop us fm attending this bersih gathering/march.. NOTHING, absolutely NOTHING can stop us!...
5) it's very nice and comforting to see malaysia still have hope!...
6) it's very nice and comforting to see people march arms in arms regardless who you may be!...
7) unit amal is very professional in handling things!...
8) there are people who love malaysia to bits!...
9) my love for the country went a step deeper!...
10) it's good to expose yr kids to all these things!...
11) my parents and my immediate family members are very supportive of all these things, as they believe in wat the current rulling bn/umno rotten to the core government is doing is very wrong and one sided!...
12) the police created the extremely massive traffic jams all over the klang valley, not the people!...
13) the irritating/annoying sound of helicopters can work better than police car siren!...
14) kyros kebab in sogo is yummilicious!... :) ...
15) it was nice to walk around sogo after such a long time, sogo used to be one of my favourite places to hang out after school!...
16) always have the interest in politics since primary school... if not for monetary issues for now, i WILL take the plunge into politics full time, of course with my parents's blessings, which i think they will give me tho!... :) ...
17) every little tiny help fm everyone, do make a different!...
18) this bersih gathering/march is not a political gathering/march.. no party flags, t-shirts, logo, etc... should be seen... we see nothing political in this bersih gathering/march... people can be very well discipline if it make sense to them tho!...
19) if am aab, i better have the biggest headache now tho!...
20) the chinese and indians in particular must be pro-active in making the country a better, cleaner, fairer and colour blind to live in!... i respect the malays in being very pro-active in these kinda gathering/march... nope, am not talking about those people fm the rotten to the core umno!...
21) kj is really no one.. he is just some dude fm kuwait, some datuk and datin's son... graduated fm a well-known university, hooked up with aab's daughter and voila... he is 'someone' now... also, he can certainly get along very well with power and money now tho!...
22) nazri may say... "this is not the majority, we have 27 million rakyat, only 40,000 turned up"!...
23) it will be interesting to hear mm's point of view on this bersih gathering/march!...
24) general election may not be so soon after all...
25) i still get goosebumps when watching this video, after countless of times... (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G4ycaduE_D4 )!...
26) this is just the beginning to many more things to come, we must continue the struggle... pls do your part!...
reports fm al jazeera...
(http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BzqSddWkxGs)
more videos in malaysiakini...
(http://www.malaysiakini.tv/)...
pix galore!...
(http://www.malaysia-today.net/nuc2006/report07.php?itemid=208)
( http://www.malaysia-today.net/nuc2006/report07.php?itemid=216)
(http://malaysianunplug.blogspot.com/2007/11/damn-this-umno-led-government-for-tear.html )...
(http://picasaweb.google.com/pemudawp/BersihRally)...
( http://www.flickr.com/photos/19725396@N07/)...
(http://jahilgoblog.net/gambaq/main.php)...
( http://www.meshio.com/index.php/2007/11/photos-from-10th-november-bersih-rally/)..
spot the difference...
between this...
(http://thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2007/11/11/nation/19443759&sec=nation )...
and this...
(http://www.suaram.net/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=778&Itemid=1 )...
well, i dun blame the repoters fm the star tho... it's perhaps another component party of barisan nasional...
34 instead of 245... bigger number to 'create fear' in the rakyat?!?... they must be thinking the rakyat are some stupid uneducated fellas eh!...
p/s ; any difference between detained and arrested?!?..