Is Malaysia heading the Indonesia way?

Someone, I don't know who, wrote the article below which articulate very well what is in my mind and if nothing is done, I believe the question in this post title will not be for whether we are heading Indonesia way, but the question will be WHEN? So if you have the wellbeing of Malaysia and Malaysians, you would do well to not only read the article below, but forward the message to all Malaysians to warn them of the danger of not doing something about this bad situation in Malaysia:

Thursday, September 23, 2010
Malaysians will end up sleeping on the street too ....
Indonesia is one of the world's richest countries in terms of natural resources.

God has blessed Indonesia with gold, uranium, copper, oil, timber, beaches, seas and other wealth. The land is fertile with abundant rain. Stick a twig into the ground and it grows into a tree.

Yet Indonesians sleep in the streets..

Food is expensive.

The average Indonesian eats some rice, tempe, tauhu and may be some vegetables for breakfast, lunch and dinner everyday.

An average Nasi Padang meal for four persons in a single star Indonesian restaurant can cost RM60(160,000 Rupiah). This is way beyond the income of the average Joko or Ketut in Indonesia.

Why is this so ? The answer is because the ruling elites in Indonesia do not care about the people. They have pillaged the country. They craft policies that only serve to keep the elites in power and the wealthly.

The same thing is happening in M'sia.

There are also millions of Indonesians who go to school and university but do not learn skills that can help them survive in the real world. They are very poor in European languages like English or Dutch. All their education is in Indonesian. So they cannot keep up with the latest developments and technologies.. They cannot compete. They remain poor.

The children of the elite are sent overseas for their education.

An average Indonesian university graduate cannot bring world class skills to his employers. He or she therefore earns a pittance. This is happening in Malaysia. Bumiputra university graduates only strike it rich if they get Government jobs where they do not do much work but earn a good salary with a pension. In the private sector they may not get a job or earn only a pittance.

That is why 100,000 graduates remain unemployed in Malaysia.

Bumiputra university graduates are turning up for interviews as taxi drivers and shop assistants. What about those who flunk out after SPM ? They become Mat Rempits (Motorcycle Racers). Last Saturday I saw another Mat Rempit get killed at the road races in Shah Alam (near Section 7).

In Malaysia, just like in Indonesia, food is getting very expensive. But the wages and salaries of the people, especially the Malays, is not keeping up with the increase in prices.

Instead of developing the competitive ability of the people,the Government has been using the failed NEP to provide subsidies and dish out money on a plate.

Everything is subsidised, even cooking oil, flour, rice, sugar, fuel, etc.

The Government has been providing these subsidies so that the people will keep voting for the ruling party.

So it has never been to the Government's advantage to make the Malays independent. A Malay who is independent of the Government may not vote for the BN. It is therefore better to keep feeding with subsidies.. So, for the past 50 years, everything has been subsidised.

But now with 27million people in the country of which more than half are Malays, subsidies are getting more expensive.

There is also much much more thievery and wastage by the BN elites in Malaysia. But there is no bottomless 'well' full of money.
Everything has its limits. The money will soon run out. Without the subsidies for cooking oil, sugar, flour and petrol, how are the people, especially the Malays, going to survive ? Already university graduates cannot find jobs or compete in the private sector. What happens when the oil money runs out ? What happens when (not if, but when) the Government cannot simply spend billions of oil money to sustain its voting base any longer? That is when we may see people sleeping in the streets, just like in Indonesia. If that happens this country will go up in flames We will all be consumed.

In Indonesia, the Government has not mobilised its hundreds of millions of people (over 250 million Indonesians) with the competitive skills to grow enough food for themselves. Hence food is expensive. They do not even have simple survival skills like coming to work on time, organising themselves to do simple tasks, maintaining good hygiene and cleanliness and so on. They are poorly read and not informed about many things that are going on around the world. Their Government has failed in all these aspects. Hence the average Indonesian remains poor.

The same thing has happened in Malaysia. Our young people, especially the Malays, do not possess basic survival skills. We are not talking about competitive skills but just basic survival skills. The Government is not serious about giving them useful competitive skills either.

The Mat Rempits are being glorified by the politicians as saviours of the nation (Mat Cemerlang). Correction. they are drug users, gang rapists, snatch thieves and street fighters.

When an efficient Policewoman called Nooriyah Anvar was appointed Chief of Traffic Police she went after the Mat Rempits with a vengeance. Does anyone remember her? She confiscated their bikes on the spot. But soon the Mat Rempits called their political muscle and Nooriyah Anvar was kicked out. To date she holds the record of being the shortest serving Traffic Police Chief in Malaysia. She has been replaced by Senior Asst Comm (II) Datuk Hamza Taib.

So the Government is not serious about improving the position of the Malays.
It serves the Barisan Nasional Government to keep the Malays down and out. Then the Malays can go to the Government for crumbs. This way the ruling elites get to keep the whole loaf to themselves. Go and visit Indonesia. This is what is happening over there. It is happening over here too.
Does Malaysia have a problem ? Yes the Malays are not happy, the Chinese are not happy and the Indians are not happy.

They spoke out at the March 2008 polls and hope things will change for the better, now they have some oppositions who promised change. The Malays are being duped by their corrupted leaders by using the religion, the Chinese and Indians are being marginalised by the ruling elites..

Let us all Malaysians wake up and fight the corrupt system for the benefit of everyone. Let us all unite and stand together and change the system for once and for all.

We are not Malays, Chinese or Indians, we are Malaysians. Malaysians May End Up Sleeping in the Street if no change is made to the present corrupt and very selfish system.
Posted by Political Commentator at 5:11 AM 0 comments

Singapore politics - current changes and the next general election

INVITATION: Talkshow on Singapore Politics: Current Changes and the Next General Elections, 8pm Thursday, 7 Oct:

Dear friends and colleagues,

Strategic Information and Research Development Centre (SIRD), Malaysiakini and Civil Rights Committee (CRC-KLSCAH) cordially invite you to a talkshow in Kuala Lumpur on ‘*Singapore Politics: Current Changes and the Next General Elections’*.

Date: *Thursday, 7 October 2010*
Time: *8.00pm – 10.00pm*
Venue: *MCPA Hall, 2nd Floor, KL & Selangor Chinese Assembly Hall (KLSCAH),
No 1, Jalan Maharajalela, Kuala Lumpur* (see location map

Organised by: *Strategic Information and Research Development Centre (SIRD), Malaysiakini and Civil Rights Committee (CRC-KLSCAH) *

Singapore`s post-independence 11th general elections are widely speculated to be held in December 2010. The People` Action Party will go into this elections at a time when Singaporeans are unhappy with large amount of foreign workers who are placing a strain on the city-state`s social fabric and infrastructure. Singapore`s mainstream media widely discredited for its bias reporting of local news, is likely to see further decline especially during the elections when more people are likely turn to the internet for alternative political content.

What are the key issues and political flashpoints leading into Singapore`s next general elections? How will political developments in Singapore affect relationships with Malaysia and Malaysians? This talkshow between host Dr Azmi Sharom and guest speaker Dr James Gomez will raise and discuss these issues.

Guest Speaker:

Dr. James Gomez is one of Singapore`s well-known personality in academia, civil society and politics. He is presently Deputy Dean (International) and Head of Public Relations at Monash University, Australia. Before joining Monash, James was Visiting Scholar, Department of Political Science, at Keio University, Japan (2008-9). From 2006 to 2008, he was Programme Officer at International Institute for Democracy and Electoral Assistance (IDEA) in Stockholm, Sweden. He was Regional Research and Communications Manager with the Friedrich Naumann Stiftung - a German political foundation - based 2006 -2001 in Thailand and 2000-1996 in Singapore.

Host:

Dr Azmi Sharom is an Associate Professor at the Faculty of Law University of Malaya where he has taught for 20 years. His research and teaching interests are environmental law and civil liberties. He writes a fortnightly column in *The Star* called *Brave New World*.

For queries please contact Chong Ton Sin 016 379 7231 or SK Chua 019 3523864

Feel free to circulate this invitation to your friends and colleagues.

~~~~~~~~~~~~ ~~~~
GB Gerakbudaya/ SIRD
11 Lorong 11/4E
46200 Petaling Jaya
Selangor, Malaysia
T: +60 (0)3 7957 8343
F: +60 (0)3 7954 9202
W: www.gerakbudaya. com
------------ ---------

Location map, Kuala Lumpur Selangor Chinese Assembly Hall

View Larger Map

Lee Chong Meng the Doctor Ayam (prostitute) - Chinese version of Ibrahim Ali?

Dr. Lee Chong Meng's name has recently been hitting the headlines, but the one that really caught my attention is this article in Malaysiakini that reported that after having successfully applying for membership and now successfully elected as PKR Bukit Bintang Division head, he had been exposed as also being a member of the eunach MCA.

Dr. Lee Chong Meng has himself described himself as Doctor Ayam (Chicken Doctor with the chicken having the negative connotation of prostitute). BTW he sure looks a bit like that King Frog Ibrahim Ali (see photo below, courtesy of Malaysiakini):



The complete picture has not been revealed yet but I sure hope that Dr. Ayam does not become the Chinese version of Ibrahim Ali.

More photos:

Me, anyone who demonstrate against the BERSIH Rally for free and fair elections will definitely raise my suspicion. How did such a Doctor Ayam not only get admitted to a reform minded PKR but also got elected unopposed as Bukit Bintang division chief?

Update: Related articles from Malaysiakini's archive:
http://www0.malaysiakini.com/letters/75093
MCA senator objects to Bersih rally because of money
MCA senator objects to Bersih rally because of money

http://www0.malaysiakini.com/news/78945
'Dr Ayam' suffers Chinese guild setback in Bkt Bintang
BN Bukit Bintang candidate Dr Lee Chong Meng was made to eat humble pie last night at the Chinese New Year dinner hosted by the Selangor and Federal Territory Char Yong Association.

http://www0.malaysiakini.com/news/78229
Perils of parachuting into KL seats
'Parachute candidates' who land in any of the 11 parliamentary seats in Kuala Lumpur could well be on a suicide mission, according to veteran MCA politician Dr Lee Chong Meng.

Related posts about Dr. Lee Chong Meng (Doctor Ayam or Doctor of Prostitutes):
DON'T BE A DUNGOO! (SWAHILI FOR STUPID.)
Video Clips and Photos of BERSIH rally [Penasihat kepada 80 pertubuhan dan NGO terbabit, Datuk Dr Lee Chong Meng, berkata perhimpunan itu bukan saja menyebabkan kerugian dan kesusahan kepada peniaga, malah membantutkan usaha kerajaan menarik pelancong asing ke negara ini sempena Tahun Melawat Malaysia (TMM 2007).]
Lulu's Thank You Letter To Mr Policeman [Senator Lee Chong Meng [you know, the MCA chairman for Bukit Bintang, who could not win an election via the ballot box, but still managed to serve part of a term as MP there due to a court decision] may hold another hotel protest with his Jalan Alor traders and blame you for the drop in sales this weekend.]
Anti-Bersih Rally Protest – Dr Ayam & Bukit Bintang MCA Gang & 40 NGOs mainly Traders; Another M-C-A Money Controls All inspired initiative [Malaysiakini would not have cover this cheap MCA inspired protest against the Bersih Rally and neither would Al Jazeera waste their time. The latest related Malaysiakin story is on]

DON'T BE A DUNGOO! (SWAHILI FOR STUPID.)
At this stage of my life I try as much as possible to steer away from stupidity and avoid it
like a plague stupid homo sapiens. I can take it when animals act stupid. But stupidity in men and women gets on my goat. I have a very high tolerance for things provocative, intimidating, even seditious,.... even malicious, but never stupidity! So what got on my goat? That Dr. Ayam (above).
This from Bernama:

KUALA LUMPUR, Feb 25 (Bernama) -- Barisan Nasional (BN) candidate for Bukit Bintang parliamentary seat, Datuk Dr Lee Chong Meng, has urged voters to give him a chance to show what the BN government could do to benefit them.


Damn....you got your chance when you were given BB against all rules by that now ousted CJ, whats his name? You became MP because that fairy...or whatever his name is, gave it to you without a by-election. I can take sluggishness, but not sloppiness that resulted in you losing to a used-car dealer who cannot string two sentences in English and Bahasa together to wake up those sleepy-head MPs and the chief honcho.

Damn, we gave the BN close to 50 years and we are still deeper into the pits. The BN government had fifty years and who are you to ask to give you a chance to show what the bN government could do to benefit the rakyat? What cockmamie drivel are you driving at. You lost to the dealer?


"I have been working hard in this constituency for 15 years trying to influence voters to switch their support to BN.

Well, that little finger with the extended nail (false, a BB Ah Moi manicurist product) didn't help you for fifteen years and you want another chance. My mother threatened me that if I could not complete a simple task in her kitchen she was willing to sell me at a loss, and here you are asking for another chance. Pack your bags and go examine more chickens.

"They already gave DAP 11 chances. I think it would be fair if they give BN a chance this time around," he said.

That is unaduterated chicken shit.

"With just 12 days of campaigning to go, I expect the votes to increase to 51 percent to enable me to wrest back the hot seat from the DAP," he said.

That is what will now be known as a cheap (chick) dream.

Dr Lee said he expected about 49 percent popular votes for now from a total of 61,051 voters.

Hello, Nostradamas was a hoax and he was on exotic grass everytime he made a prediction, if you must know. I know, but I can't tell you....it is a Barisan Rakyat preserve.

BERSIH: Photos of BERSIH rally

Exander Says (a commentator):
November 17th, 2007 at 1:26 pm
Demonstrasi jejas perniagaan

Demonstrasi haram Gabungan Pilihan Raya Bersih dan Adil (Bersih) di persekitaran Dataran Merdeka dan Masjid Jamek Sabtu lalu, menyebabkan pengusaha dan peniaga pelbagai sektor di sekitar kawasan berdekatan menanggung kerugian berjuta-juta ringgit.

Perhimpunan yang menyaksikan ramai anggota polis terpaksa dikerah mengawal keadaan, turut menjejaskan industri pelancongan, khususnya di ibu negara dengan kawasan Bukit Bintang menerima kesan teruk.

Berikutan itu, pemimpin dan wakil 80 pertubuhan pengusaha dan peniaga serta badan bukan kerajaan (NGO) lain sekitar Bukit Bintang semalam mengadakan bantahan bagi menyuarakan rasa tidak puas hati terhadap perhimpunan berkenaan.

Penasihat kepada 80 pertubuhan dan NGO terbabit, Datuk Dr Lee Chong Meng, berkata perhimpunan itu bukan saja menyebabkan kerugian dan kesusahan kepada peniaga, malah membantutkan usaha kerajaan menarik pelancong asing ke negara ini sempena Tahun Melawat Malaysia (TMM 2007).

“Kami sedih perhimpunan itu menyebabkan banyak kedai di kawasan Bukit Bintang iaitu kawasan nukleus di ibu negara terpaksa ditutup sekurang-kurangnya separuh hari, jalan sesak, hotel dan pusat perniagaan kosong.

“Persatuan pengusaha hotel memaklumkan ada tempahan menginap dibatalkan pelancong dari China, Korea dan Hong Kong berikutan kejadian itu, selain ejen pelancongan tempatan menerima banyak pertanyaan daripada ejen pelancongan asing mengenai keadaan di ibu negara.

“Oleh itu, kita adakan sesi ini untuk maklumkan kepada parti politik tertentu supaya jangan buat kacau.

“Kami berharap perhimpunan haram seperti ini tidak berlaku lagi, cukuplah kerana ia menjejaskan perniagaan,” katanya pada sidang media di sebuah restoran di Jalan Pudu, semalam.

Perhimpunan itu disertai hampir 100 pemimpin dan ahli persatuan mewakili peniaga, pengusaha dan pemborong barangan harian, pakaian, kedai kopi, restoran, hotel, agensi pelancongan, teksi dan sektor Rukun Tetangga.

Pelbagai sepanduk termasuk tertera ‘Rakyat Malaysia Bukan Hooligan’, ‘Rakyat Malaysia Tolak Demonstrasi Jalanan’ dan ‘Kami Menyokong Pelancongan’ dibawa pada perhimpunan itu.

Wakil pemborong pakaian, Tan Hooi Weng, berkata kerugian dialami beratus-ratus pemilik pusat fesyen di Jalan Merlimau dan Jalan Kenanga mampu mencecah antara RM3 hingga RM4 juta.

“Perhimpunan itu menyebabkan kami kerugian besar. Bayangkan ada pengusaha mampu meraih jualan sehingga RM30,000 tetapi pada hari itu (perhimpunan haram diadakan) kosong, tiada pelanggan,” katanya.

Beberapa wakil pertubuhan lain turut mengakui perhimpunan menyebabkan mereka menanggung kerugian kerana terpaksa menutup premis lebih awal dan kurang pelanggan.

So BERSIH…Fikirlah sendiri yo!!!!!! Jangan Jadi Bangang, Bodoh, Dungu!!!!

SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 24, 2007: Lulu's Thank You Letter To Mr Policeman

Dear Mr Policeman,

Thank you for your work in keeping our city safe by setting up round-the-clock roadblocks in the Klang Valley as part of crime-prevention activities.
Some papers like the meanie Star & NST and even Malaysiakini have said that you said that this is in connection with the Hindraf rally planned for this Sunday outside the British High Comm on Jalan Ampang.
Lulu thinks that the "Hindraf rally" excuse was a cover up to your real intention, which is to catch the perpertrators involved in the slashing of our nation's second hero, Malaysian angkasawan Mej Dr Faiz Khaleed.
Brilliant, Mr Policeman, absolutely brilliant to lay a red herring.
Like you, Lulu was shocked and appaled to hear that two parang-wielding men attacked him during a robbery leaving him with a 5cm slash wound which requires 100 stitches . [are you puzzled like Lulu about how they can squeeze 100 stitches into a 5cm wound?]
Anyway, like you, Lulu wants to have those men caught before they inflict these kind of injuries on another person.
Yes, Mr Policeman, we need those roadblocks to weed out bad hats from entering the city.
Lulu thinks that you're absolutely brilliant in hoodwinking everyone into believing that you are out to stop the Hindraf rally which as Lulu has mentioned before, was planned for this Sunday outside the British High Comm on Jalan Ampang. This will proabably cause those parang-wielding men to drop their guard, and as a result, be nabbed by you.

Mr Policeman,
Lulu also read you urged the public not to enter Kuala Lumpur during the weekend if they do not have any urgent matters to attend to.
Mr Policeman,
Senator Lee Chong Meng [you know, the MCA chairman for Bukit Bintang, who could not win an election via the ballot box, but still managed to serve part of a term as MP there due to a court decision] may hold another hotel protest with his Jalan Alor traders and blame you for the drop in sales this weekend.
Mr Policeman,
Lulu hopes you will be strong and not cry.

Whilst Lulu is still on being strong and not cry, there are moments when you need to cry. If you are still grieving over the police force's lack in making any headway in the gruesome murder of Nurin Jazlin, Lulu's advice for you is to cry. Cry your heart out. Look at your own children, and cry your heart out again. Then resolve to find the killer(s) behind her horrible death.

oh, Mr Policeman,
This chap here looks a ruffian and a troublemaker. Definetly looks like a "crime prevention" clean-up candidate.
Whether he is or not, that is our own personal view.
But Mr Policeman, you must let him through even if he looks like that because he is the PM's son-in-law. Lulu don't want to see you transferred or demoted.

thank you Mr Policeman.
Lulu loves you xxx

p/s don't tell Mrs Policeman about this. She may not understand.

Anti-Bersih Rally Protest – Dr Ayam & Bukit Bintang MCA Gang & 40 NGOs mainly Traders; Another M-C-A Money Controls All inspired initiative

Malaysiakini would not have cover this cheap MCA inspired protest against the Bersih Rally and neither would Al Jazeera waste their time. The latest related Malaysiakin story is on
King: No royal support for Bersih rally (see also Below)
and Malaysiakini.tv spot on It's a bad joke: Lee's counsel
= = == = == =
ABOVE: The historical moment, the crowd that was prevented into the Istana Grounds at about 4pm on Saturday Nov 10 2007.

It is hilarious to know that Dr Ayam ex-MP of Bukit Bintang Dr Lee Chong Meng is leading the Protest against the Bersih Rally claiming that it is “bad business” for traders. Did the Bersih Rally march went through the Bukit Bintang areas that he has reasons to complain? They know protest is illegal and they did not bother to apply for a permit to march around Bukit Bintang to show their displeasure. What and how did they protest? They went to a hotel had the placards and standing behind that MCA man - issued a statement condemning the Bersih Rally initiative - indoor style.
ABOVE & BELOW: Not in Bukit Bintang

Reading at the MCA controlled STAR’s account below & the NST, you can see the exaggerations used adding as usual the “salt & fire” to spice up that story. The reports says 80 NGOs and they rattled off just a few whilst the TV station says 40 NGOs. Some traders complained of the “losses” which were just for a day perhaps or was it just a postponement of business. The sacrifices & “losses” for the over 30,000 who came some from afar is much greater and all for a larger cause than these money moneyed china man which Raja Petra has so aptly and timely put it as:-

“Chinese must think of cari makan first. Chinese must protect their rice bowl. Chinese want to make sure that their business does not suffer so they must become running dogs of the Umno Malays. It’s all about money, money, money. Money comes first. Money calls the shots. M-C-A; Money Controls All.”

Now that a Royal Commison is instituted on the Lingam Video Clip and this Dr Ayam is the result of the “fixing of judgment” mentioned, they should go into his case of being rewarded the “MP of Bukit Bintang”. Retrogressively, his MP status should be taken away and deny the pension that he is enjoying.



ABOVE - Indoor Style Protest - holding the placards and standing behind that MCA man - issued a statement condemning the Bersih Rally initiative

= = == == = ==and the STAR account supporting Dr Ayam
Saturday November 17, 2007; Star
Traders and taxi drivers lament losses due to Nov 10 rally




ABOVE: Dr Lee the ex-MP (who lost to Wee Choo Keong in the Election) but was "fixed" by the retired Chief Justice and awarded the MP post; more popularly known as Dr Ayam, being the advisor to the Poultry Dealers Association and not the "kei lo" advisor to the Chinaman "ayam (kei)" in the notorious BB red light areas.And BELOW - the 40 NGOs and not 80s as in the STAR & NST.


KUALA LUMPUR: On weekends and public holidays, Beh Hock Heng’s dim sum restaurant on Jalan Alor is always packed but last Saturday’s illegal gathering caused him to lose thousands of ringgit as customers stayed away. The 65-year-old owner is furious, saying some customers could not come because of the massive traffic jam while others chose to stay indoors. “Even tourists, who often frequent my restaurant from the nearby hotels, refused to come out as they feared for their safety because of the demonstration,” he said. Beh was among a group of businessmen and representatives from 80 non-governmental organisations who attended a press conference yesterday in protest against the gathering.

The NGOs included the Kuala Lumpur Taxi Drivers Association, Federation of Malaysia Entertainment Associations, Jalan Alor Hawkers Association and Rukun Tetangga Pudu. Holding up placards, written in Bahasa Malaysia, English, Chinese and Tamil, the group complained that their businesses had been affected by the gathering. Taxi operator Leong Aw said taxi drivers lost much business because of the illegal gathering, saying it drove tourists away when they saw thousands of demonstrators in the streets of Kuala Lumpur. “The Government is promoting Visit Malaysia 2007 which will help us make money, especially during this festive season. Such a gathering is not part of the Malaysian culture,” he said. Bukit Bintang MCA division chairman Datuk Dr Lee Chong Meng said he was informed by hoteliers that many tour groups, especially from China, had cancelled their visit because of media reports on the protest. “We hope there will be no more protests because in the run-up to Hari Raya Haji, Christmas and Chinese New Year, a lot of activities are being planned in Bukit Bintang. We cannot afford to suffer any more losses,” he said.

= = == and from Raja Petra “15/11/07: MCA: the Malay running dog” emphasizing Dr Ayam’s "moneyed minded" problems.

This is not the first time The Star has distorted the news. One day before the 30 October 2007 Conference of Rulers, The Star reported that the Rulers will be discussing the extension of the Chief Justice’s term of office. One day after the Conference of Rulers, Bernama carried an announcement by the Keeper of the Royal Seal that the Rulers did not even touch on the subject. His Majesty, The Agong, a week before that, had rejected the extension of the Chief Justice’s tenure and that was enough for the Rulers. They supported what The Agong had decided and saw no reason for further raising the matter or to discuss it at the Conference. Anyway, Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi refuses to accept defeat. He still wants to get in the last word and show the Rulers who is boss. It appears like Penang may soon get a new Governor in the form of the recently-retired Chief Justice. I did say that the position of Governor is reserved for those who have no other place to go and this assumption will soon be proven beyond any shadow of doubt.
The Star, which is MCA-owned, and therefore can be interpreted as ‘Chinese’ since MCA claims to be the legitimate party representing Chinese interests, has also strengthened something else which I have been saying many times in the past: and that is the Chinese, in particular the MCA Chinese, are Umno’s running dogs. Yes, the Chinese are very upset. They condemn the present government as the ‘Malay’ government. They accuse the ‘Malays’ of screwing up the country. They refer to the government as ‘Islam-Malays’. But from where I am sitting it looks like it is the MCA Chinese and not the Malays who are Umno’s running dogs.

So, the Chinese are very upset. Yeah, sure they are very upset. They are very upset with the Malays. They are very upset because the Malays are running this country. They are very upset because the Malays are screwing up this country. Then why are they the running dogs of the Umno Malays? Yeah, sure, I know. They have no choice but to become the running dogs of the Umno Malays. Chinese are a minority.
Chinese must think of "cari makan" first. Chinese must protect their rice bowl. Chinese want to make sure that their business does not suffer so they must become running dogs of the Umno Malays. It’s all about money, money, money. Money comes first. Money calls the shots. M-C-A; Money Controls All.
No problem then. If money is the overriding factor and if money decides what you must do then do it. Be that Umno Malay running dog if you so wish and if that will guarantee you a good and prosperous future. I have no problem with that. But stop blaming the Malays for the ills of this nation. Stop blaming the Malays when this country goes to the dogs. The reason this country is going to the dogs is because you are the running dog, not because of the Malays.

Malaysia and the Club of Doom

The article Harris calls a cangkul a cangkul—again drew my attention to the book Malaysia And The Club Of Doom. In the spirit of wanting to understand Islam, the mind of a Muslim and hopefully a good Muslim non-Muslim Consensus, I think it is a good idea to let Malaysians know what that book is all about:

Malaysia and the Club of Doom (The Collapse of The Islamic Countries) is a book published in 2006 by Syed Akbar Ali who argues that countries with a Muslim majority population have collapsed economically, politically and socially.

Theses
With a particular focus on Malaysia, the thesis of the book is that growing Islamisation of the political and social climate in Islamic countries are causing democracy and freedom to be threatened by religious irrationalism. He attempts to show how the curtailing of democracy and freedom of speech have caused those countries to collapse. He further draws a distinction between Islam and its current practises, and offers his perspective that current practises of Muslims are not in vein with the true meaning of Islam with that being the underlying cause for the collapse of those countries.

The book takes pains to stress that many practises that define Islam on the world stage like stringent laws, cruel punishments and irrational beliefs cannot be found in the Quran. Syed Akbar Ali then proceeds to show that many of these extra Quranic beliefs and practises which have brought about the downfall of the Muslims are actually taken from the Bible.

In the Malaysian context, his book also exposes a masquerade whereby certain 'Islamic' laws pertaining to divorce are actually a reworded version of English Law taken from the Marriage and Divorce Act - a left over of British colonialism. The book also dismisses 'Islamic banking' as 'Arabic banking' i.e. conventional banking with Arabic prefixes attached for camouflage.

Author
Syed Akbar Ali 49 years old is a name that is well known among the Malaysian intelligentsia, especially among its Muslim intellectuals. A graduate of an American university and having developed a career in banking Syed was also an often controversial newspaper columnist - pushing the envelope on free and unfettered discussion on religious and political issues in Malaysia.

His debut book 'To Digress A Little' published in July 2005 stirred much discussion in Malaysia for its frank and honest appraisal of Malaysia's affirmative action policies which have now outlived their usefulness.

Voter Registration at Church of the Holy Redeemer, Klang

There will be a voter registration exercise cum carnival at the Church of the Holy Redeemer, Klang which is open to the public. Details as followe:

Date: 17 Oct ( Sunday )
Time: 9 am - 1 pm
Venue: Church of the Holy Redeemer ( Catholic )
Address: Persiaran Raja Wali, Taman Berkeley, Kawasan 17 KLANG

Location map: Church of the Holy Redeemer, Klang

View Larger Map

Voter registration at Lutheran Life Chapel PJ

Lutheran Life Chapel has organize a weekend voter registration exercise for the Community of SS4 and SS5 Petaling Jaya. Details as follows:

Date: 16 Oct ( Saturday )
Venue: Lutheran Life Chapel
Address: 37 Jalan SS4C/5, Petaling Jaya
Time: 10am - 4 pm

Church is open to the public. 1,200 flyers will be inserted in newspapers to households in SS4 & SS5. Time is extended so as to accomodate those who will be working half day. They will also be sending out Chinese translation of flyers.

Location map: Lutheran Life Chapel, Petaling Jaya

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New Malaysian Essays 3 including "How to demonstrate creatively"

Here is a collection of essays by Malaysians for Malaysians, especially those yearning for badly needed reforms. The 5 essays are:

1. How to Demonstrate Creatively: A Manual of Innovative
Civil Disobedience in Malaysia page 8
Wong Chin Huat
2. An Empty Canvas on Which Many Shadows Have Already Fallen 23
Simon Soon
3. Queer Ways: An Un-straight Survey of the Direction of Malaysian page 40
Popular Culture and Fashion
Clarissa Lee
4. Uwang Asli Moden | Orang Asli Moden page 59
Mor Ajani
5. Amongst the Exiles: Reflections of a Refugee Lawyer page 79
Sumitra Visvanathan

New Malaysian Essays 3

March to Putrajaya online - Kim Quek

Malaysia's ruling elites have chosen to repress unfavorable information instead of chosing the path of reforms where badly needed reforms are, well, desperately needed. So the ruling elites have chosen to ban Kim Quek's book, March to Putrajaya instead of responding with their rebutals of what Kim Quek wrote, probably because they cannot rebute the numerous cases of corruptions, power abuses and all kinds of shenanigans Kim Quek wrote about.

So Kim Quek has chosen to upload his book to the Internet and you can choose to read it here or at The March to Putrajaya Online or download it to read at leisure at download "March to Putrajaya":

RPK's take on Hudud & PAS

As part of trying to understand the mind of Muslims and PAS, here is a reproduction of RPK's NO HOLDS BARRED: Thick in the head which incidentally repeated wha I had mentioned in my earlier post - Should non-Muslim have a say on Malaysia becoming an Islamic state?:

RPK: PAS requires non-Muslims to pay ‘Islamic’ tax other than income tax. Muslims pay zakat and non-Muslims pay kharaj. Is this not a violation of Article 11(2) of the Constitution?

At least now in addition to knowing the people of the book are referred to as dhimmis in an Islamic state, I now know the rest are called thimmies (also referred to as Ahl Zimmi?) and the tax paid by non-Muslims is called jizyah

Full text from RPK's article:

Grow up, PAS supporters. Stop acting like bloody spoiled children who throw tantrums every time someone does not agree with you. You are still far from matured. And until you show maturity do not expect us to show you respect. Respect must be earned. Stop demanding that we show you respect when you have not earned it.

NO HOLDS BARRED

Raja Petra Kamarudin

We are still seeing a lot of venom being spitted out because of my article on Hudud. The trouble is these people appear to think they have every right to propagate Hudud (just because they happen to be Muslim-Malays) and others have absolutely no right to oppose the issue.

They appear to have forgotten one very crucial issue. PAS is a political party. Therefore, whatever PAS says and does is politics. That is all it is. Politics. Nothing more nothing less.

Any political party is allowed to propagate and promote its objective, aspiration, ideology, mission, vision, manifesto, and what have you. This is the right of all political parties. And in that same spirit, any citizen of Malaysia has the right to disagree with what these political parties stand for.

It just happens to be that PAS promotes the Hudud issue. And those who do not support this issue are allowed to oppose it. What if PAS promotes the issue that every Malaysian citizen must be given a free cow? Do we have right to oppose that if we disagree with this idea?

What if PAS says that Malaysian males of the age of 15 must be allowed to vote and for females it should be the age of 11 because that is the age of puberty? Can we disagree with that proposal on grounds that Malaysians of age 11-15 are just too young and instead propose that all Malaysians of the age of 18 should be allowed to vote since they can get married and can drive a car at that age -- so they should be also allowed to vote at that age?

PAS members and Malaysians in general scream that Barisan Nasional and Umno do not respect the Federal Constitution of Malaysia. But do the PAS supporters respect the Constitution?

Article 8 (1 and 2) of the Constitution says all Malaysians must be treated equal. So how can Muslims suffer a different punishment from non-Muslims for crimes they commit? Is this not a violation of the Constitution? And is PAS respecting the Constitution by proposing different punishments for crimes based on your religion? The Constitution says there must be no discrimination based on religion.

PAS requires non-Muslims to pay ‘Islamic’ tax other than income tax. Muslims pay zakat and non-Muslims pay kharaj. Is this not a violation of Article 11(2) of the Constitution?

Why scream about Barisan Nasional and Umno not respecting the Constitution when we too do not respect it? We scream blue murder when it suits us. But we also violate the Constitution when it suits us.

This is what these emotional PAS supporters are overlooking. PAS is a political party. And everything they say and do must be seen as politics. And in politics we have a right to agree, disagree, and agree to disagree.

So what if PAS happens to be talking about Islam or Islamic laws? It is still politics since PAS is a political party. And in politics we have every right to agree or disagree with what you say and do.

Grow up, PAS supporters. Stop acting like bloody spoiled children who throw tantrums every time someone does not agree with you. You are still far from matured. And until you show maturity do not expect us to show you respect. Respect must be earned. Stop demanding that we show you respect when you have not earned it.

***********************************************

DAP will not compromise on hudud issue, says Karpal

(The Star) - DAP will not depart from its stand that Malaysia should not be an Islamic country.

DAP chairman Karpal Singh said PAS should not infringe the ruling by the five-men bench Supreme Court ruling in 1988, which decreed that the country is governed by secular laws.

“This ruling is not overturned and therefore the decision still stands.

“PAS has to accept the Supreme Court’s pronunciation,” he told a press conference at the Air Itam market yesterday.

He was commenting on PAS Youth chief Nasrudin Hassan Tantawi’s statement that it would continue to push for the implementation of Islamic laws in Malaysia despite fierce objection from the DAP.

Karpal Singh, who is also Bukit Gelugor MP, said the party would not compromise on its principles to appease its political partners.

He said DAP was not anti-Malay or anti-Islam but “what we want in absolute terms is what the Constitution provides for and for what the Supreme Court has decreed”.

“Syariah laws means hudud laws and hudud laws are inappropriate for a multi-cultural and multi-racial country like Malaysia.”

On the allegation made by Umno Youth that the state government was using the Penang Turf Club’s contribution to fund its hardcore poor eradication programme, Karpal Singh said Umno should not exploit the issue.

“The income of the country or at least part of it is from gambling.

“If Umno is right, then all governments (state and Federal) should be condemned as the gambling permits are also issued by the Federal Government,” he said.

***********************************************

Federal Constitution of Malaysia

Article 8

1. All persons are equal before the law and entitled to the equal protection of the law.

2. Except as expressly authorized by this Constitution, there shall be no discrimination against citizens on the ground only of religion, race, descent or place of birth in any law relating to the acquisition, holding or disposition of property or the establishing or carrying on of any trade, business, profession, vocation or employment.

Article 11

1. Every person has the right to profess and practice his religion and, subject to Clause (4), to propagate it.

2. No person shall be compelled to pay any tax the proceeds of which are specially allocated in whole or in part for the purposes of a religion other than his own.

Hadi, PAS & the Islamic State Document

After talking with an intellectual Muslim, it seem his view is, getting a Muslim non-Muslime Consensus in Malaysia will be a (very) uphill task, for he said that the current crop of Muslims (assumed in position of authority) are very arrogant.

Then perhaps let's take a step back and try a step back and seek an understanding of the Muslim mind. Below is the Q&A of the press conference held by the PAS President, Dato' Seri Abdul Hadi Awang, on Wednesday, 12 November 2003, after the launching of the blueprint on the introduction of Islamic laws in Malaysia -- a.k.a. the ISD or the Islamic State Document.

What is the most significant difference between what you are expounding through your document and what the Barisan Nasional government has been doing?

The most significant thing is that under the Barisan government, Islam is ruled. What we want is for Islam to rule. We will let the power of Islam rule.

We will not follow the narrow view of Islam where Islam is only one aspect of the country, while what we are expounding is that a country is only one aspect of Islam, which is all encompassing.

You said that your Islamic state document accepts the existing Federal Constitution but with the necessary amendments. What are some of the amendments?

The first thing which needs to be clarified is the word “Islam” which is mentioned in the Constitution.

PAS was involved in giving its views through the memorandum which was hastily drawn up by the Reid Commission just before Independence and was part of the other Islamic groups which pushed for the inclusion of Islam in the Constitution. The problem was that the Reid Commission interpreted Islam according to their understanding.

We have our own understanding of Islam which is different from that of the Commission. The time has come for the word “Islam” in the Constitution to be interpreted accurately in accordance to the Quran and the Sunnah.

Secondly, the word “syariah” which is now placed under the jurisdiction of the states is subjected to limitations. These limitations will have to be amended.

Although the Constitution has undergone several amendments, it does not give power to Islam and syariah.

So the amendment will allow syariah law to be applied in states?

The amendment will allow syariah to apply at both state and Federal levels.

What will be the difference between the syariah law at Federal and state levels?

The amendment will make the Federal and state levels consistent.

We can retain the existing Federalism concept. We realise that there are states where Muslims are not the majority and Federalism is very suitable under such circumstances.

In states where the majority are Muslims, Islamic law can be implemented. In states where non-Muslims form the majority, it will be up to the non-Muslim party ruling the state, but at the same time the non-Muslim leader would allow syariah to be applied to Muslims there.

You said the dualism in the existing legal system would be retained. Do you mean that there will be two sets of laws, one for Muslims and one for non-Muslims?

Yes. That is allowed by the Quran. The Quran allows those who are not Muslims to practise the laws of their own religion and the laws which they choose for themselves.

At the same time, Muslims would be practising laws of their own.

That means non-Muslims will not be subjected to hudud?

Yes. Yes.

You said you welcome comments on your document from everyone. Does that mean the Islamic State concept is not final as far as PAS is concerned?

For us, it is final. What is important is for us to explain. In terms of principle, it is final. On principles which may not be clear, we accept questions and we will explain. On issues which are not part of the principles, we can have common understanding when it comes to implementation.

What is the reaction of the other opposition parties?

We have had initial discussions with those parties where our co-operation is political for the purpose of facing elections. At the same time, we respect the policies, principles and the struggle of each individual party.

You said an Islamic state would emphasise meritocracy. What would happen to the existing policies which give focus to bumiputras such as quotas?

The reality today is that the majority of the poor are bumiputras. Hence, for the initial period, focus will be on the bumiputra.

There may be a situation in the future that the bumiputras will overcome their problems, and the Indians become the majority of the poor. Then, it will be the responsibility of the country to look after the Indian community.

Maybe the Chinese who have been rich for a long time suddenly become bored with their wealth and turn poor. Then, it will become our responsibility to protect the Chinese.

It will depend on the situation. We are not disposing off with the term bumiputra.

What do you mean by saying that the Islamic state emphasises on meritocracy?

Justice is dispensed to anyone who is entitled to it. It is in terms of wealth, education and others.

Does that mean PAS will remove quotas?

That will depend on developments. Quotas are something which cannot be decided upon now.

Does that mean the special rights which are provided for by the Constitution will be amended?

It will continue to be used until the time when the Malays can stand on their feet. Then, it will no longer be needed. There may be a time when other races are weak. Islam prohibits the exploitation of people who are weak.

Will the existing monarchy system be changed?

The Quran maintains the monarchy system of government and also recognises a non-monarchy system. Both systems are recognised by the Quran. The prophets Daud and Sulaiman were kings.

At the same time, Islam requires the establishment of the khilafah (a leadership which is responsible for establishing Islam as the religion and in governing of the state).

What is important is that there is implementation of justice, the spirit of musyawarah (consultation) is present, and within musyawarah, there is democracy.

It is stated that non-Muslims will be allowed to enjoy the rights of their own beliefs and practices. Does this mean that things like gambling and drinking will not be banned?

This has already happened in Terengganu and Kelantan where before we enforce these laws, we hold a dialogue with the non-Muslims and ask them what their religion said about those practices.

When they say their religion also forbade those practices, we will then ban them outright. If their religion allowed those practices, then it will be allowed.

Gambling is forbidden by all religions, so we have banned it. But with drinking and eating pork, there are religions which allow these practices, so they are allowed.

What happens when a crime which is committed involved both Muslims and non-Muslims? For example, what would happen if a non-Muslim killed a Muslim?

Under such a situation, it would be up to the victim of injustice to choose the law. Or the judiciary will have to make a decision on what kind of law will be applied.

Furthermore, for the non-Muslim, there is already a punishment for murder. There are similarities with Islamic law although it is based on the Penal Code.

What about for offences like khalwat (close proximity) or zina (adultery)?

The Muslim will be punished according to hudud while the non-Muslim will be punished according to the law he or she chooses.

Please do not regard this as unfair. According to the teachings of Islam, Muslims who have been punished according to hudud will not be cast into hell in their hereafter. Those who have not been punished by hudud, they will be sent to hell despite being punished under laws that are non-hudud.

That is why Muslims are satisfied with such a situation.

It was stated that the ruler would be a Muslim? Do you mean the King or the Prime Minister has to be Muslim?

Yes. The King and the Prime Minister will have to be Muslim. This is the usual practice throughout the world. A communist country will not choose an American to be president. When the Republican Party wins in the US, they will not choose a Democrat to be president.

If it is Islam that rules, then a Muslim will be the head of state. But the Cabinet can be made up of non-Muslims. This is something which is allowed in Islam.

One more thing is that Islam is not tied up with ethnicity. If there is a Muslim non-Malay who is considered influential and fulfil all requirements of the religion, he can become the head of state.

In fact in history, the rulers of Islamic countries were not always Arabs. The Ottomans were Turks. Mamelukes were former slaves. Where in Western history have you seen an ex-slave becoming leader of a country?

What would be the role of non-Muslims in the Islamic state which you hope to establish? Would they have a role?

Among the roles would be executive, legislative, and others. Non-Muslims can be members of the Cabinet and the administration. They can even be members of Parliament and have a voice and give views. They can be community leaders representing their own communities.

What do you mean by 'the syariah will be the supreme law of the land'?

As the laws are based on the Quran and Sunnah, that means syariah is supreme. But this does not mean everything is rigid. There will be matters which are “movable” and those which are “immovable.”

What are immovable are the principles. But there are things, which are movable such as time, culture as well as laws and these will depend on the opinions of Islamic jurors.

But as stated earlier, Muslims will be totally subjected to Islamic law while non-Muslims will be subjected to laws of their own religion.

There will be rules which will apply to all, and those which will only apply to parts of the community.

What about atheists?

For those without a religion, there will be laws. There are laws which are connected with religion, and there are those which are applied generally, such as traffic laws, where a green light means everyone can move. These concern public interest and morals.

Why do you think non-Muslims will trust that the contents of this document today will be implemented and that there will not be any “surprises”, such as the implementation of the kharaj (tax imposed on non-Muslims) in Terengganu?

You have to look at things practically when it comes to Terengganu and Kelantan. Kharaj is a new word which we introduced and many do not understand its meaning. It is connected to taxation. Muslims are required to pay zakat. Non-Muslims cannot be required to pay zakat because it has a spiritual aspect. That is why they have to pay tax. Tax in Arabic, it is call kharaj. It’s the same. Land tax is called kharaj. It is just a term.

How would this document help PAS in the coming general election?

To realise our aspirations in the general election would depend upon a manifesto which we will reveal to the people. It will depend on our common understanding between the various opposition parties.

The document on the Islamic state is more general.

Will there be other documents on the Islamic state after today?

As and when it is needed. If there are people who request any explanation in writing, we will do so.

There will also be those who require explanation through practice as there are matters in Islam which may be difficult to understand if it is in writing. And that will require us to be in power.

Chief Justice Zaki Azmi dare not comment on complaint against himself

There is something rotten in Malaysia, and it is the Judiciary. Look at the face of its Chief Justice on being asked to comment on a complaint filed by Karpal Singh against him in August under the Judges' Code of Ethics Act, 2009 and the Judges' Ethics Committee Act, 2009 (photos extracted from video tape 6:25):




We have a Chief Justice who allergly admitted to bribing court official with a tape of his bribery admission handed to the King in February this year. Till now, nothing was done, no enquiry or investigation, no denial nor any effort to clear his name.

Karpal Singh further filed a complaint against Zaki Azmi last month claiming Zaki Ahmad had a "defect in character" warranting disciplinary action under the Acts. The complaint was hand delivered to the Chief Justice's office on September 24 and here on being asked to confirm he had received the complaint, he grimaced and immediately clamped up saying "No comment. I do not want to enter into the political arena."

Hey this is no politics! It is about the integrity of the highest office of the Judiciary in which every Malaysians have a stake. His refusal to comment on the matter plus his demeanor is likely an admission of guilt.

Listen to the videotape of Zaki Azmi bragging about how quick the cases in the courts are being disposed of but looked so frightened upon being asked that embarassing question by the reporter. That embarassing moment is at 6:25 minute of the 6:28 minute long video:

Zaid Ibrahim "Do we need a Third Force?"

Here are the videos featuring Zaid Ibrahim speech at the first Saya Anak Bangsa Malaysia fund raising dinner. Zaid was asked to give a speech on the question "Do we need a Third Force (the civil society plus Pakatan Rakyat versus UMNO/BN) but this was only briefly touched upon in the beginning of the speech:

Speech: Part 1


Speech: Part 2


Speech: Part 3


Speech: Part 4


Question & Answer Part 1


Question & Answer Part 2

Best reason for voting Pakatan Rakyat - riches for the people

Pakatan rakyat resolves to return the riches of the Selangor state to the rakyat unlike the corrupt UMNO/BN which uses the riches of the country to enrich itself and its croonies. Read what Khalid Samad has to say about the philosopy of Pakatan Rakyat. Read about what Pakatan Rakyat plans to do about:

Introductory comments
The new policy regime
Free water
The poor and disenfranchised
The old and handicapped
Potential of young people of all races
Respect and tolerance
Tackling racialized and racist attitudes
High quality of life
Room for improvement

COMMENT The social policies of any government are obviously coloured by its political philosophy and what it understands as its role as a government in relation to its citizenry.

Pakatan Rakyat emerged as the ruling coalition in Selangor on the back of rising discontent towards the BN state government which was seen as increasingly arrogant and burdened by cases of blatant and open corruption.

Intolerant policies towards religious places of worship with obvious racial undertones were another important factor.

With that as the backdrop it is logical to assume that the mandate given to Pakatan was to establish a clean and responsible government for the state of Selangor which would act fairly towards all races and religions. And such was the promise made during the campaign period.

However, putting things right when taking over from a corrupt administration is not limited to structural or procedural reforms. It includes changing attitudes and mindsets and as such it cannot be expected that the objectives will be fully achieved in a short time.

Nor can a change in attitudes and norms be forced upon society. It has to be handled with care, slowly unravelling fears and prejudices, as well as misinformation and induced apathy, which had sustained the previous establishment in power for decades.

Much of this push for change has taken the form of social policies which embody the new attitudes towards the issues of social justice and good governance. These policies are fundamentally based on the principle that the wealth of Selangor is to benefit its citizens and
that the government is merely an administrator of this wealth and is responsible for its effective and efficient administration.

The state government thus embarked on an ambitious plan to instil this new political understanding by implementing policies which addressed the following priorities:

Good governance entails the provision of basic necessities at minimum cost especially for items like water which is a God-given asset to the state.
Assisting the poor and the disenfranchised irrespective of race and religion.
Assisting the old, the handicapped, victims of broken homes and re-establishing strong family values.
Developing the potential of the young of all races.
Upholding the values of justice for all and respect and tolerance for all religions.
Undoing racialised and racist attitudes which had been the cornerstone of the previous administration.
Framing proper and planned development with the objective of enhancing the quality of life for all.
Laying the basis of a responsible government with emphasis on competency, transparency and accountability.

The new policy regime

A range of new social policy initiatives have emerged that reflect the Pakatan government's values and philosophy.

Free water

This policy of free water for every metered household for the first 20 cubic metres was mentioned in the election manifesto of the earlier Barisan Alternatif. It hinges on the belief that the government must ensure the supply of basic necessities at minimum cost.

This is especially so in the case of water which is a God-given asset. It is also in stark contrast with the privatisation policies of the BN which systematically attempted to turn every basic necessity into a cash-cow for its cronies.

The current free water policy costs the Selangor state government about RM10 million a month as payment to the BN-appointed concessionary has to be made.

A serious attempt is being made to alter the existing arrangement with respect to the water concession so that this basic necessity can be provided cheaply to citizens. In the meantime the state government is 'hanging tough' in opposing the price increase which was specified in the concession agreement designed by BN for its cronies.

The poor and disenfranchised

When taking over from the previous administration it was noted that efforts to assist the poor and disenfranchised were minimal and not considered a priority. Records and statistics on the poor were incomplete and far from satisfactory.

Policies with clearly identified objectives and target groups were also not present. Political affiliations were always an important consideration for any form of assistance, monetary or otherwise. The new administration put forward a new definition of poverty for Selangor where a family with a combined household income of below RM1,500 per month is defined as being 'poor'.

Subsequently various programmes have been undertaken which necessitated the proper and up-to-date recording of the 'poor'. Within a few months much important data were accumulated and processed.

These programmes have included the following initiatives.
Financial assistance to families of the poor during Ramadan, Hari Raya, Chinese New Year and Deepavali. Similar assistance was given during the restart of the school year and school shoes and bags were also given out in addition to a financial contribution.
Much of this was undertaken by the state and parliamentary representatives who used their state allocation for such programmes.
Free tuition programmes for school children from families who could not afford to pay tuition fees. This programme was initiated in late 2009 with each state assembly person asked to identify at least one location in their state constituency to initiate the programme.
A one-off financial contribution of RM1,000 to every student from a poor family who manages to secure a place in a local university. This programme cost the state government RM 7 .7 million in 2009.
A fund was set up to assist the children of estate workers who were identified as the most disenfranchised community in the state. This happened when the estates were sold to be turned into townships and these workers lost not only their homes but also their livelihoods. They were thrown into a new environment with no means of making a living, with no retraining or assimilation programme being set up and this led to their current status.

This obviously in turn led to various social problems and by identifying them as a disenfranchised entity with a special fund set up for their development, it is hoped that their problems will be effectively addressed. In this manner they will also be assisted to readjust to their new circumstances. The state government also finances the building and maintenance of hostels for the children of estate workers. For 2009 the total amount used to assist the children of estate workers amounted to RM2 million.

The old and the handicapped

One-stop crisis centres for assisting victims of broken homes, particularly battered wives, were set up in 37 of the 56 state constituencies. These centres provide legal consultation, infrastructure, counselling and motivational services. A second phase is planned to concentrate on efforts to educate the public about the incidence of domestic violence and ways to handle it.

The handicapped have also been provided with various forms of financial assistance and given priority in certain allocations. A standard car sticker for the handicapped was issued throughout the state which allows people with disabilities access to facilities at carparks and other benefits.

Accessibility for people with disabilities has also been implemented in all new government buildings. Opportunities have been given to them within government working teams, and local councils have representation of people with disabilities.

Elderly people were provided with an allocation termed usia emas through which any individual above the age of 60 is to be registered and upon his or her death the family will be provided with financial assistance of RM2,500 for burial services.

For 2009, the state spent RM15.6 million on this programme. By January 2010, more than 22,000 people had registered for the scheme, more than 40 percent of the total number of senior citizens in Selangor.

The effort to strengthen family values is being assisted by the state government implementing laws which show that the family is both a priority and an asset. This includes 90-day maternity leave plus 14-day paternity leave for staff in the employment of the state government.

This sends the message that the state acknowledges and understands the needs of newly-born babies and does its own bit to assist the families. At the same time, when a husband passes away the widow is given 30-day compassionate leave so as to have enough time not only to grieve and come to terms with her loss but also to be able to settle all matters arising from the death.

All the above policies are aimed at accentuating family values and assisting those with specific difficulties to stay true to their loved ones. Strong family values will have a positive impact on social problems as many of these problems arise from the weakened role of the family.

Potential of young people of all races

The development of the full potential of young people is being addressed by creating a fund called Tabung Warisan Anak Selangor (Tawas), a state government investment and insurance fund through which an account is opened in the name of every new-born Selangorian, irrespective of race or religion with a RM100 deposit.

When the child reaches the age of 18 years the account, inclusive of the dividends earned, will be opened to assist in the pursuit of higher education. The amount available to the teenager then would be RM1,500.

In 2009 there were 15,802 approved applicants and RM1.342 million has been paid to participating banks to date. At the same time greater emphasis is now given to upgrading the quality of pre-school education. The state government assists in ensuring the availability of proper premises and emphasis will also be put on the training of the teachers.

Pakatan strongly believes in the fact that the young of today are the leaders of tomorrow and as such the question of proper education for the young is given the priority it deserves.

Respect and tolerance

As noted earlier, widespread opposition to intolerance and racial prejudice was a factor which led to the Barisan Nasional's downfall in Selangor. The Pakatan government acknowledges the problem by putting aside a sizeable contribution for religious and vernacular schools.

The allocation can also be used for use by places of worship which have been maintained purely through contributions from devotees to date. The religious and vernacular schools have never received any form of financial support from the state governments of the past except in the form of one-off contributions as and when it suited them.

This indifferent treatment was meted out not only to vernacular schools but to the Islamic religious schools known as Sekolah Agama Rakyat as well. The Pakatan state government has since given allocations to Tamil and Chinese schools as well as the Sekolah Agama Rakyat.

Together, currently a total yearly allocation of RM14 million exists for the purpose of financial support for all such educational institutions. Support and assistance from the government is proof of the religious and racial tolerance practiced by Pakatan.

It is looked upon as a matter of basic human rights which must not only be respected but encouraged. It is hoped that through this action Selangor society at large will be induced with the kind of tolerance and mutual respect which is a fundamental requirement of any multiracial and multireligious society.

Tackling racialised and racist attitudes

All the policies which seek to establish social justice are based on merit rather than race and party affiliation. All the poor, irrespective of race and political affiliation, receive assistance. All the old, irrespective of race and political affiliation, are given their rights.

All the social institutions, such as religious and vernacular schools, receive an allocation. This is in stark contrast to race- and party-based assistance programmes of the previous BN administration which, while denying the right to assistance of those in need merely because they are of the 'wrong' race or political group, did much to instil racialised and racist values within society.

The policies of the Pakatan administration looks upon the whole rakyat as its responsibility, irrespective of colour and creed and it is hoped that through example, society at large will learn to respect and tolerate the differences which exist in Selangor. It is hoped that the Selangor of the future will be one that has become free of the race-tinted inflections of the previous administration.

High quality of life

While implementing these policies and educating the public through its justice-based policies as against race-based approach of old, the Pakatan administration has not forgotten the need to bring about development to the state. Various programmes have been undertaken to ensure that the quality of life for Selangorians will be improved.

This is done by ensuring a more efficient and responsive administration at the local council level through which existing facilities are better looked after and maintained while at the same time working on new areas of development.

Current concerns of the state administration include the question of public transport and the rehabilitation of rivers. This is planned for implementation through the 'Pakej Rangsangan Ekonomi Selangor' or the Selangor economic stimulus package launched in 2009.

Responsible government

The Malaysian public has never been encouraged to demand a high quality performance from the government. Politically they have been taught paternalism - to value peace and harmony, special rights for certain groups and to be grateful for whatever that comes their way.

As such, no matter how badly the government performs and no matter how many scandals are uncovered, the public is taught to conclude that at the very least we are living in peace and this would be threatened if BN were not in power!

Such was the level of political propaganda among the general population. By contrast,Pakatan attempts to educate the public to be more discerning and critical, to know their rights and demand quality performance from the government of the day.

Its leaders continuously remind the public that they are in power because of them and are to work for the people's benefit and with their interest at heart at all times. It must be accountable and transparent in all its dealings.

Its performance is to be evaluated and if it falls below the expectations it is not wrong to elect a different government in the next general election.

Transparency and accountability are further attained by empowering the general public through public hearings by use of the local council sponsored Majlis Perwakilan Penduduk (Residents' Representative Council) for matters pertaining to local council administration.

For state affairs, the newly formed Select Committee on Competency, Accountability and Transparency (Selcat) attempts to achieve a similar objective albeit in a different form.

Room for improvement

The role which is demanded of the Pakatan state government is not merely to implement good social policies but also to enable the rakyat to understand that these policies are the kind which they have a right to demand and expect from the government in power.

The old destructive values which inculcated mistrust and suspicion amongst the races are to be slowly but surely eroded and the unity of the rakyat on the basis of justice, mutual trust and respect is to be fostered.

There is always room for improvement. For example, there should be a regular review of the social policies implemented by the state government on the effectiveness and success of each programme.

Such an evaluation would be useful in measuring the extent to which these programmes have assisted targeted groups. Understandably, it is difficult to make a precise measurement as to the efficacy of how each programme manages to reduce poverty within selected communities, given the lack of data generated by the federal government.

This could be overcome by doing surveys on how recipients of state government programmes feel about how the aid has assisted their livelihoods, if at all.

In addition, although it is clear that these policies are meant to alleviate the conditions of the poor within the means available to the state government, more could be done to empower them with a special focus upon human capital development and training programmes, as these ultimately assist in lifting people out of abject poverty.

Such a unique combination of social welfare-driven policies would propel the new generation of young Selangor citizens towards being empowered for the future.

It is important to note that research being conducted by academics or organisations studying poverty should be incorporated in the Selangor government's considerations of new policies and programmes, since research can help to identify key geographical and community areas to work on specifically.

Such collaboration with universities, think tanks and other similar interest groups within civil society would be useful for the state in both the conceptualising and implementation of its social policies.

It is hoped that the political re-education undertaken, through the implementation of social policies, will finally put to rest the narrow-minded and bigoted politics characteristic of BN and usher in a new kind of politics based on justice and equality.

'The Road to Reform: Pakatan Rakyat in Selangor' is a book made up of a collation of articles written by 22 authors on the achievements and difficulties of the Pakatan state government since taking power 18 months ago. It will be launched on Sept 27.

Are The Police The Protector of The People? 警察是人民的保镖?

Public Forum : "Are The Police The Protector of The People?"
Date: 21st September 2010 Tuesday 8.30pm
Venue: Dewan Dato Haji Ahmad Badawi (Location map)
12000 Butterworth, Penang

Bahasa Malaysia
Bahasa Cina 汉语

Public Forum : " Are The Police The Protector of The People?"

A public forum entitled " Are The Police The Protectors of The People " will be held on the 26th of September 2010, Sunday, at 8.30pm at Dewan Dato Haji Ahmad Badawi in Butterworth. The forum will be conducted in Bahasa Malaysia.

The rakyat has been debating the many controversies surrounding the Royal Malaysian Police, including that the Police has become a third force unto themselves and that the police has eroded the civil rights of the people. There have been many instances when the police have severely transgressed against the basic human rights of the peoples, such as the use of violence against peaceful demonstration. During the demonstration against the ISA held on the 1st of August 2009, a total of 589 persons including a child were arrested.

Besides this, during the tenor of the former Chief of Police Musa Hassan, the Royal Police of Malaysia have shown a very poor record on the upholding of basic human rights. According to official statistics, from the year 2007 to 2009, a total of 183 persons died from police gunfire. Among these, the most notorious cases include the death of a14 year old Aminulrasyid and that of Mohd Afham. Both were gunned down by the police.

From 1999 to 2008, a total of 153 deaths have occurred while in police custody. Among these cases, the most well known include the death of A Kugan, G Gunasegaran and Mohd Anuar Aharip who died while detained in police lock-ups.

It is hoped that through this public forum, the rakyat can examine and discuss the many concerns the public have towards the Royal Police of Malaysia and the various suggestions that have been proposed for the reforms of the police force.

The panel of speakers are:
1) Mahfuz Omar ( Vice President of PAS, MP for Pokok Sena, Kedah)
2) Lawyer Mr. Wong Hong Wai ( The Chief of Political Education DAP Penang, A member of Exco Penang State Government)
3) Lawyer Mr. Ong Chin Wen ( Vice President of Youth Wing PKR Penang, ADUN Bukit Tengah )
4) Mr. Arulchetvan ( Secretary General of PSM, Municipal Councillor of Kajang)

The Moderator:
Nora Murat ( Executive Director of Amnesty international Malaysia)

For further enquiries please contact Mr.Ong Jing Cheng 012- 758 3779 or email suarampg@gmail.com

Pengumuman Program

21hb September 2010 (Selasa)

Kepada pengarah,

Wacana Rakyat: “Adakah Polis Pembela Rakyat?”

Suara Rakyat Malaysia (SUARAM) Negeri Pulau Pinang bersama-sama dengan badan bukan kerajaan (NGOs) seperti Amnesty International Malaysia (AIM), Sembang-sembang Forum dan Persatuan Muafakat Kesejahteraan Rakyat Pulau Pinang (PERMUAFAKAT) serta parti politik iaitu Lajnah Penerangan PAS Negeri Pulau Pinang, Angkatan Pemuda KEADILAN Negeri Pulau Pinang dan Parti Tindakan Demokratik (DAP) Negeri Pulau Pinang menganjurkan Wacana Rakyat bertajuk “Adakah Polis Pembela Rakyat?” pada 26hb September 2010 (Ahad), jam 8.30 malam bertempat di Dewan Dato Haji Ahmad Badawi, Butterworld.

Banyak persoalan telah dibangkitkan terhadap Polis Diraja Malaysia (PDRM) termasuk kuasa ketiga dalam pasukan polis dan juga isu-isu yang pelanggaran dengan hak asasi manusia.

Pelanggaran hak asasi manusia yang serius boleh dilihat di dalam tindakan keras anggota polis terhadap peserta perhimpunan-perhimpunan aman, termasuk perhimpunan aman membantah Akta Keselamatan Dalam Negeri (ISA) pada 1 Ogos 2009 di mana seramai 589 orang, termasuk kanak-kanak telah ditahan.

Di bawah pimpinan bekas Ketua Polis Negara Musa Hassan selama empat tahun sejak 2006, PDRM mempunyai rekod dan reputasi yang teruk di dalam isu hak asasi manusia.

Statistik rasmi kerajaan menunjukkan bahawa seramai 183 orang telah mati akibat ditembak polis dari tahun 2007 hingga 2009. Antara kes yang paling serius adalah penembakan mati remaja Aminulrasyid dan Mohammad Afham oleh polis.

Selain itu, terdapat sebanyak 153 kes kematian dalam tahanan polis antara tahun 1999 hingga 2008. Pada tahun 2009, seramai tujuh orang telah meninggal dunia di dalam tahanan polis. Antara kes-kes yang diketahui umum termasuk kematian A. Kugan, R.Gunasegaran, Mohd Anuar Sharip.

Kami berharap mendapat maklumat mengenai polis dan idea-idea reform melalui wacana rakyat kali ini.

Panelis:
1. Y.B. Mahfuz Omar (Ahli Parlimen Pokok Sena, Naib Presiden PAS Pusat)
2. Y.B. Ong Chin Wen (ADUN Bukit Tengah, Naib Ketua AMK Pulau Pinang)
3. Y.B. Wong Hon Wai (EXCO Kerajaan Pulau Pinang, ADUN Ayer Itam, Pengarah Pendidik Politik DAP Negeri Pulau Pinang)
4. Sdr. Arutchelvan (Setiausaha Agung Parti Sosialis Malaysia (PSM)

Moderator:
Nora Murat (Pengarah Eksekutif Amnesty International Malaysia)

Sebarang pertanyaan boleh menghubungi Saudara Ong Jing Cheng 012-7583779 atau suarampg@gmail.com


大马人民之声槟城支部
SUARA RAKYAT MALAYSIA
Penang Branch:
Address: 63B – 01 – 07, University Heights, Jalan Sungai Dua,
11700 Penang.
Telephone / Fax: + 6 04 658 2285
E-mail: suarampg@gmail.com

活动预告

2010年9月1日（星期三）

至：新闻编辑

人民论坛：“警察是人民的保镖？”

人民之声槟城支部，大马国际特赦组织（Amnesty International Malaysia），Sembang-sembang论坛，大马国际特赦组织，Persatuan Muafakat Kesejahteraan Rakyat Pulau Pinang (PERMUAFAKAT)，槟州回教党宣传局，槟州公青团，及槟州行动党联合于2010年9月26日（星期天），晚上8点30分在北海Dewan Dato Haji Ahmad Badawi举办“警察是人民的保镖”。此论坛将使用国文进行。

人民对马来西亚皇家警察的争议不曾停止过,包括警队有第三股势力及对人权的侵犯。一些严重违反人权的例子，包括警方暴力对待和平集会者，如：2009年8月1日的反对内安法令大游行，共有589人包括一名小孩被扣留。
除此之外，在前警察总长慕沙哈山领导过去的四年，马来西亚皇家警察在基本人权议题上的记录和表现非常不佳。政府的数据显示，在2007至2009年期间，共有183人被警方用枪击毙。当中最严重的案件为14岁少年阿密努拉希（Aminulrasyid）以及莫哈末阿夫汉（Mohd Afham）被击毙的案件。
在1999年至2008年期间，共有153宗扣留所死亡案件，而当中最为人知的包括印裔青年古甘（A. Kugan），古纳斯加兰（R.Gunasegaran）以及莫哈末安努亚（Mohd Anuar Sharip）在扣留所死亡案件。
希望透过这次的人民论坛能让人民探讨整个皇家警队面对的问题及改革的建议。
主讲人：
1）马夫兹Mahfuz Omar（回教党全国副主席，吉打波各先那区国会议员）
2）黄汉伟律师（槟州行动党政治教育局主任，槟州行政议员）
3）王敬文律师（槟州公正党青年团副团长，武吉丁雅州议员）
4）阿鲁哲文（社会主义党秘书长，加影市议员）

主持人：
诺拉Nora Murat （大马国际特赦组织执行长）

任何疑问，请接洽王泽钦 012-7583779或电邮suarampg@gmail.com。


人民之声槟城支部协调员
王泽钦启
63B-01-07, University Heights,
Jalan Sungai Dua,
11700 Penang.
电话/传真: 04-6582285
电邮: suarampg@gmail.com
http://suarampg.blogspot.com/

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