Why Najib Abdul Razak must go

Why Najib must go

Mariam Mokhtar
Jul 25, 11
1:42pm

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The rakyat is angry with all politicians, not just BN or the opposition.

We have had 54 years of Umno/BN rule and have things really got any better? The rich appear to get richer, whilst the numbers who make up the poor, are increasing.
The old class system was royalty versus the serfs. Then it was the colonialists against the Malayans. Now it looks like it is the Umnoputras versus the rest.
The Umnoputras are the new elite. Even royalty depends on the largesse of those who lead Umno/BN to get funding from the civil list.
When it suits them, BN will use emotional blackmail on the Malays to say that their heartland and their birthright is being threatened.
The British left us with a country that had enormous potential. Malaya had an abundance of wealth, from tin to timber, minerals to mining.
Singapore was only a trading port for all of Malaya's riches. Look at Singapore now.
Malaya was rich in natural resources and it was these riches that helped fund the British war effort in the First World War. However, one untapped resource then as it is now, are its people - the Malaysians - Orang Asli, Malays, Chinese, Indians, the East Malaysians, Eurasians and all the rest.
Over the years, all these people contributed towards the success that we now see in the country. It is not BN or Umno or the Opposition who are responsible. It is the hard work and fortitude of those Malaysians who love their country.
However, the Umnoputras are the new royalty and they are siphoning away riches that should be shared with the rest of the rakyat. They take but they never give. They forget that all Malaysians deserve the same considerations and protections as other individuals working in the country.
Prime minister Najib Abdul Razak (right) was not elected to the post. He leads the country by default. He has shown very little ability to govern or to engage with the rakyat.
He only pays lip service to his speech to delegates of the 65th United Nations General Assembly; he said that extremists should not be allowed. At home, Malay extremists were permitted to express their insensitive racist and religious views without being punished.

Tighten belts

His administration tells us to tighten our belts but it appears he does not have to heed his own advice. He freely uses taxpayers' money on his personal comfort. How does he have the gall to spend RM63 million on renovations on Seri Perdana when some people do not have a decent roof over their heads?
Taxpayers' money is also used to fund his expenses abroad. One trip to the US was combined with his daughter's graduation ceremony. Another trip to Kazakhstan with a large entourage of officials coincided with his daughter's engagement ceremony. Quite a few regarded it as morally wrong.
When Najib's wife, the self-styled "First Lady", appeared in the New York Times centre-fold, the rakyat was irked further when it was alleged that US$4 million had been spent on this self-publicity drive.
Perhaps Najib is not at all bothered about emptying the public purse. In comparison, if we owed a government department one ringgit, we would be hounded like criminals.
Najib and his administration are devoid of morality. He need not go on about the opposition and their spending when people who have been found practising money politics to head government institutions.
How can he claim that other Muslim nations should follow Malaysia's lead, because Malaysia's system of governance is based on moderate Islam and has worked?
What about corruption, the abuse of power, the use of racial or religious sentiments to divide the public and the lack of credibility of the country's institutions?
Why can Najib not make decisions which will lead to monumental improvements in democracy in Malaysia?
Instead he wants to build monuments to his vanity like the proposed 100-storey Warisan Merdeka. These are mere phallic symbols for Umno/BN.

Intolerance increasing

In Najib's Malaysia, levels of aggression and intolerance by some Malays towards non-Malays or non-Muslims have increased. Malays who make racial and religious slurs go unchecked, despite Najib's promises to eradicate extremism.
Bersih, which called for free and fair elections, has been outlawed by Najib. Is he not interested in clean elections? Does he not wish to prove that Umno has won every election by fair means? Why is he afraid of free and fair elections?
Why is he afraid of allowing international observers to oversee the elections? Surely, international observers would scotch all of the opposition's claims that Umno tampers with the election results.
On the other hand, the recent deportation of French lawyer, William Bourdon, can only mean one thing. There is something to hide.
Bourdon, who is representing local NGO Suaram, believes that details of beneficiaries and kickbacks from theRM7.3 billion Scorpene submarine deal will be revealed when the matter is raised in an ongoing French corruption trial against defence giant DCNS.
If all is above board the parties involved would surely want to clear their name. Or even prove that the Scorpene scandal has nothing to do with them.
The shame is that other Umno/BN members are aware of the truth and that Najib is an incapable leader. However, these people are not willing to help the country because they only want to save themselves. Perhaps, they are themselves implicated or maybe they fear for their own safety.
But we, the rakyat, are telling Najib that it is time he went.
If he is still unconvinced that he is not the man for the job (of leading the country), he should have known by now, that being PM is a poisoned chalice.

MARIAM MOKHTAR is a non-conformist traditionalist from Perak, a bucket chemist and an armchair eco-warrior. In 'real-speak', this translates into that she comes from Ipoh, values change but respects culture, is a petroleum chemist and also an environmental pollution-control scientist.

Queen Elizabeth II yellow dress when meeting Najib is not a coincident

Let me tell you why the Queen wearing yellow when granting an audience to Najib was NOT a coincidence or a faux pas.

Dear Reader,
Let me tell you why Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II wearing yellow when granting an audience to our Prime Minister and his wife was not a coincidence or a faux pas. As much as UMNO would prefer to think otherwise.

Fact 1. The Queen, contrary to popular belief, is very much well-informed. She is constantly kept abreast of the latest developments and news pertaining to her realm and her government by her team of palace advisers, secretaries and civil servants. They, in turn, gather their information from various sources, including ministries, government departments, Scotland Yard, 10 Downing Street, and members of the press corp in the UK. (Scotland Yard, knowing that the Queen would be granting an audience to the Prime Minister of Malaysia, would have certainly informed the Palace of the many demonstrations in London by Bersih 2.0 supporters.)
When a visiting dignitary is scheduled to meet the Queen, she is always fully briefed on the background of her visitor, the current situation of her visitor's home country, and the DO's and DON'T's to observe. Particularly, she would be informed of developments in her own realm regarding the visitor. Scenes in London like the one in the photo below would not have escaped Her Majesty's team of advisers, who in turn would have briefed the Queen. So, to assume that she was not aware of Bersih 2.0 is untenable.

Fact 2. Royal wardrobe and fashion is strictly regulated, and the Queen and members of the Royal Family are always careful not to make any fashion faux pas or distress their guests. Her advisers would have advised her to stay away from wearing yellow, and explained the significance of the colour in present circumstances. As Sarawak Report suggests, “she MUST have been informed of the sensitivity of the colour yellow”.
My friend (and fashion writer) Sasha Bashir commented at my facebook, “I have read in several write ups about Princess Diana's wardrobe that English royals are always briefed on current issues and what colours should and should not be worn. One I can remember is that she visited some country where they had just lost an important football match and the whole country was upset about it. The baju she was going to wear at state formal dinner was same colour as flag of the other country, so she had to change her wardrobe plans. Kate Middleton is also following this kind of thing. On her trip to Canada recently, she wore white dress, red shoes and red maple leaf hat. Canada flag is red, white with maple leaf. The royals are not supposed to be fashion icons (even though people like Princess Di and Kate are), they are to be fashion diplomats. :)”
Fact 3. Besides attending public events, state dinners, receiving dignitaries and horse races, the Queen actually does paper work! Yes, Her Majesty, like many of us, has her daily duty of working at one of her many desks reading and signing state papers and official documents (often classified as secret). British fastidiousness with information and intelligence gathering is well-known. Her cache of papers would most definitely have included confidential dossiers on Najib Razak and Malaysia. And Bersih 2.0.

Copyright Press Association Images
Fact 4. Besides official papers, she also reads the newspapers. Knowing that she would be meeting the Prime Minister of Malaysia, an article in The Guardian, a respected British newspaper, with the headline "Malaysia's Najib must abandon the Mubarak model", would surely have caught her eye.
Fact 5. The Queen meets her Prime Minister once a week, every week. It would have been incumbent upon David Cameron to apprise the Queen of Najib Razak and Malaysia, in view that he would be visiting the UK on an official trip. News of the Bersih 2.0 rally in Kuala Lumpur, being reported globally the same week the Queen had her weekly meeting with David Cameron, would most definitely have been a topic of conversation. It is also a practice for the British Prime Minister to advise the Monarch on how to appropriately respond to political situations of the day, since she is constitutionally apolitical.
Did Cameron therefore gently suggest that the Queen wear yellow as a message to our Prime Minister and also to the people of Malaysia? Where Cameron could not publicly chastise Najib, the Queen could, with regal aplomb, send a strong message?
Fact 6. The Queen is a politically astute woman who has seen twelve British prime ministers serve under her reign, the liststarting with Winston Churchill, no less! Her vast experience in international relations and diplomacy is unchallenged and she would thoroughly understand the subtleties and symbolism attached to what one says and what one wears. To assume that Her Majesty has no political acumen is completely ludicrous.
Fact 7. Everything the Queen does is planned in advance and takes into consideration all factors. Everything has a reason, even right down to the colour of the flowers in her audience chamber! Nothing is coincidental, random or arbitrary where the Queen of the United Kingdom is concerned.

These seven facts alone allow us to reasonably conclude that the Queen was very much aware of Bersih 2.0 and the significance of the colour yellow, besides it being the royal colour for Malaysian royalty.
The question now is, knowing full well the sensitivity of the colour yellow, what was the reason behind Her Majesty deciding to wear yellow when meeting our Prime Minister and his lovely wife? The answer, dear reader, is yours to conclude.

The author read law and politics in the UK from 1989 to 1992, where he was greatly fascinated (and still is) with the British Royal Family, the Queen in particular.

Posted by Vernon Kedit at 6:12 PM
http://beingvernon.blogspot.com/2011/07/let-me-tell-you-why-queen-wearing.html

***

Please help to spread the message if you wish to see changes for a better Malaysia. Forward  to everyone in your email contacts list, asking them to send out via their email list too, so that more people will come out to vote wisely in the 13th General Election for the sake of your present and future generations.

A candle loses nothing by lighting another candle.

Najib and the Queen – We all live in a yellow submarine

Deans John writes about UMNO/BN’s insanity in dealing with events and matters from Najib’s administration arresting people in yellow T-shirts and being ambushed by Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II on Najib’s official visit to Buckingham Palace. Read for yourself Deans sarcastic writings on UMNO/BN going totally bananas:

BN goes totally bananas

Dean Johns
Jul 20, 11
1:11pm

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The madder the Malaysian people get with the antics of the Umno/BN regime, the loonier this bunch of fruit-loops behaves. Which makes sense in a crazy kind of way, I suppose.
If, as has often been said, insanity is doing the same things over and over and expecting a different outcome, then they're insane by definition. Criminally insane, in fact, as they clearly expect to get away forever with their ceaseless cheating, thievery and deceit.
And now that their megalomania, kleptomania and delusions of grandeur and privilege are so seriously threatened by Bersih 2.0 and its massive popular support, they've gone so totally bananas that even the sight of the colour yellow drives them into a phobic frenzy.
There was a time when Umno/BN was able to keep its inanity and insanity pretty well local and under wraps. But following its psychopathic response to the Bersih 2.0 rally, its batty behaviour is out there for all the world to see.
With waves of yellow greeting Najib Abdul Razak wherever he goes on his global flights of fancy, and protestors singing 'Yellow Submarine' to remind him of both Bersih 2.0 and persistent suspicion of his involvement in the Scorpene scandal.
And even Queen Elizabeth, bless her heart, ambushed him and the dotty Rosmah by wearing yellow when they turned up for their PR coup and photo-op at Buckingham Palace.
Such a radical reality-check clearly hasn't brought Najib to his senses, however, as he's proceeded with his daft scheme to drop in on the Pope, and kept on making loony claims as to the “moderate” nature of his rotten regime to whoever will grant him an audience.

And while he's been away on his overseas ramblings, he has had his chief lackey Mohd Nazri Abdul Aziz read a speech on his behalf at the opening of the Commonwealth Magistrates' and Judges' Conference 2011 in Kuala Lumpur.
This was a bid to entertain delegates from 32 countries with the zany claim that "safeguarding and ensuring the continued independence of the judiciary is an ideal that Malaysia is wholly committed to”.
Huh? Do Najib and his mouthpiece Nazri imagine that lawyers and judges from all over the Commonwealth are so gullible as to believe such garbage? Or such idiots that they're unaware of the political show-trials of Anwar Ibrahim, and the no-trials of Umno/BN bigwigs for suspected corruption, abuse of power and even murder?
Do Najib and Nazri think jurists around the world live such sheltered lives that they've never heard of such cock-eyed miscarriages of justice as the Altantuya Shaariibuu murder trial, the A Kugan death-in-custody whitewash, the iniquitous inquest findings of “neither murder nor suicide” in the death of Teoh Beng Hock, and the suspicious withholding of royal commission report into Teoh's case?
Apparently so, as Najib's speech went on to subject the hapless audience to such gibberish as “strengthening the judiciary as an institution is a continuously evolving process. In Malaysia, a pluralist society, it is critical that the court meets the needs of its citizenry, by improving and increasing access to justice.”

Nutters galore
But Najib is by no means the only Umno/BN nutter out there making nit-witted statements. Home Minister Hishammuddin 'Who's sane?' Hussein, staunch advocate of government supporters' right to protest, went so berserk over Bersih 2.0 that he declared it an illegal organisation and, in a fit of characteristic paranoia, illegally 'empowered' his crackpot cops to arrest people wearing yellow, even to the extent of seeking them out in hotels and other premises without search warrants.
Hishammuddin's most demented move, however, was to order the pre-rally arrest of six members of Parti Socialis Malaysia, Dr Jeyakumar Devaraj, A Letchumanan, M Sukumaran, Sarasvathy Muthu, Choo Chon Kai and Sarat Babu, under the Emergency Ordinance on charges of 'spreading communist ideology' and 'waging war' against the Agong. They have yet to be released.
It would be difficult to make the government look more dangerously deranged than Hishammuddin does, But Najib's joking dismissal of injuries inflicted by police on Anwar during the Bersih 2.0 rally certainly went close. As did the entire Umno/BN regime's total lack of sympathy for the death of Baharudin Ahmad in the course of the march.
Another act of Umno/BN lunacy has been the denial by Health Minister Liow Tiong Lai of the fact that police fired teargas into the grounds of Tung Shin Hospital during the rally.

Even video evidence and declarations by hospital doctors that he was wrong, have failed to bring Liow to his senses, as he then claimed that criticism of his erroneous statements had been designed by people who were out to get him.
Not to be outdone, Deputy Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin has been frothing at the mouth with threats against Bersih 2.0 and its supporters, as in a recent diatribe against “creating public hatred towards the government”.
Tourism Minister Dr Ng Yen Yen blamed the rally for costing KL hotels and retailers the fanciful figure of RM100 million in lost revenue. Deputy Finance Minister Awang Adek Hussin demanded the freezing of the assets of the rally organisers if it could be proven that the movement had received funds from foreign NGOs. And on the same money-mad theme, Information, Communication and Culture Minister Rais Yatim idiotically implied that protestors had been paid to attend the rally.
However, it was the mainstream media over which Rais presides that made the most maniacal claims, with Utusan Malaysia, which had earlier blamed Christians and Communists for supporting Bersih, now trying to pin suspicions on the Jews; and the New Sunday Timesand Berita Minggu running a clearly doctored picture purportedly showing a protestor armed with a knife.
And as if all the aforementioned hasn't been enough Umno/BN dementia to be going on with, UiTM has called for nominations for the Ibrahim Ali Leadership Award, in 'honour' of the leader of the government-sponsored racist pressure-group, Perkasa.
Talk about going bananas to an extreme, self-destructive extent. But what other option have the screwballs of Umno/BN left themselves?
They're finally aware that they have one foot on a banana skin and the other foot in the grave.
Maybe they figure that, when they're politically dead and buried and put on trial for all they've done that has been unsanitary, at least they can plead insanity.

DEAN JOHNS, after many years in Asia, currently lives with his Malaysian-born wife and daughter in Sydney, where he coaches and mentors writers and authors and practises as a writing therapist. Published books of his columns for Malaysiakini include 'Mad about Malaysia', 'Even Madder about Malaysia', 'Missing Malaysia' and '1Malaysia.con'.

An inconvenient truth – statement by doctors in Tung Shin Hospital

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AN INCONVENIENT TRUTH

We, the undersigned  doctors, wish not to enter into the polemics of the Bersih 2.0 march on 9th July 2011 but would like to clarify the inconvenient truth.
We are outraged at the incidents, and the subsequent responses  from the authorities, to the events where tear gas and chemical laced water were shot into the compounds of Tung Shin and Chinese Maternity Hospitals, two adjacent buildings along Jalan Pudu, Kuala Lumpur, with scant regard  for the safety of patients, staff and the general public who were at the buildings  that afternoon. 

Hospitals  are considered  as safe sanctuaries for all, even during war times, but  these consecrated places of refuge and protection were  violated by the defence forces that afternoon.  Police even entered the buildings in search of some of these peaceful marchers.  What was most frightening and witnessed by many  was the unprovoked violent assault within the hospital compounds and apprehension of several protesters who had merely run into the hospitals to seek shelter from the tear gas and the water cannons!

It is repulsive   that the authorities entrusted with policing the nation and protecting the weak and needy, have shamelessly denied publicly, the occurrence  of these incidents  IN SPITE of countless photo/video and eye witness accounts of what was evident to all independent observers.
A few of the undersigned were actually visiting or working in the hospitals concerned at the time of the events and will gladly provide sworn affidavits, if required, as to veracity of the incidents
The Malaysian public expect holders of high public office to honour their positions accorded by the citizens, by discharging their duties with moral integrity, dignity  and transparency.
Their failure to do so raises the public's  doubts in their competence and credibilty as much as it demeans those high offices.

Dr Ng Kwee Boon - Consultant Obstetrician & Gynaecologist
Datin Dr Low Paik See - Consultant Paediatrician
Dato’ Dr Musa Mohd Nordin - Consultant Paediatrician & Neonatologist
Dr Mazeni Alwi - Consultant Paediatric Cardiologist
Dr David Quek - Consultant Cardiologist
Dr Sheikh Johari Bux - Consultant Obstetrician & Gynaecologist
Dr Steve Wong - Consultant Plastic Surgeon
Dr Ahmad Farouk Musa - Consultant Cardiothoracic Surgeon
Dr Ng Swee Choon - Consultant Cardiologist

A joke: Stupidity of Najib and Muhyidin

Najib asked the Queen, "Your Majesty, how do you run such an efficient

government?  Are there any tips you can give to me?"
" Well," said the Queen, "the most important thing is to surround
yourself with intelligent people."
Najib frowned, and then asked, " But how do I know the people around
me are really intelligent?"
The Queen took a sip of tea. "Oh, that's easy; you just ask them to
answer an intelligent riddle."
The Queen pushed a button on her intercom.
"Please send Tony Blair in here, would you?"
Tony Blair walked into the room and said, "Yes, my Queen?"
The Queen smiled and said, "Answer me this please, Tony, your mother
and father have a child.
It is not your brother and it is not your sister. Who is it?"
Without pausing for a moment, Tony Blair answered, "That would be me."
"Yes! Very good," said the Queen.
Najib went back home to ask Muhyiddin the same question. "answer this
for me. Your mother and your father have a child.
It's not your brother and it's not your sister. Who is it?"
"I'm not sure," said Muhyiddin. "Let me get back to you on that one..."
He went to his advisors and asked every one, but none could give him an answer.
Finally, he ended up in the men's room and recognized Lim Guan Eng's
shoes in the next stall.
Muhyiddin didn't want but asked anyway, "Lim, can you answer this for me?
Your mother and father have a child and it's not your brother or your
sister. Who is it?"
Lim yelled back, "That's easy, it's me!"
Mahyudin smiled, and said, "Thanks!"
Then, he went back to speak with Najib.
"Sir, I did some research and I have the answer to that riddle.
It's Lim Guan Eng!"
Najib got up, stomped over to Muhyiddin, and angrily yelled into his face.
"No! You idiot!  It's Tony Blair!"
AND THAT MY FRIENDS , IS PRECISELY WHAT'S GOING ON WITH OUR FEDERAL
GOVERNMENT IN Putrajaya !!

Queen Elizabeth joins BERSIH call for clean and fair election

Well, the is how I interpret Queen Elizabeth meeting the liar Najib Abdul Razak while wearing a bright yellow dress. Wonder if Najib is still thick skin or he got the hint:

 

Sizzling yellow reception for Najib in UK

Jul 15, 11 2:22pm

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Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak's visit to the United Kingdom was greeted by protesters in yellow condemning the high-handed crackdown on Bersih 2.0 rally last Saturday and demanded electoral reform.
Dozens of protesters, comprising both Malaysians and foreigners, gathered outside Mansion House at London an hour before Najib's arrivalfor a meeting with the London business community.
Yellow posters and banners, condemning the clampdown on Bersih 2.0 were unfurled, urging the Malaysian government to release six Parti Sosialis (PSM) activists dubbed "EO6" being held under the Emergency Ordinance which allows indefinite detention without trial.
According to theSarawak Reportportal, Najib in a big convoy gave a cheery wave as soon as he spotted the crowd.
It said the protest went off peacefully with the policing minimal and friendly.
According to a protester, PKR youth leader Ginie Lim the police deployed a truck to block the protesters from the view of the delegates attending the meeting.

Yellow begins to reign supreme

There was another peaceful protest at Downing Street, London, where the official residence of UK Prime Minister is located. Najib was there to meet his UK counterpart, David Cameron.

Both leaders signed a memorandum of understanding on enhancing strategic cooperation to combat trans-boundary crime and international terrorism.
Protesters in yellow clothes put up posters, in matching colour, that read "Shame on you, Malaysia PM, clean and fair election and free our leaders now".
Another protest will be called at the Inter Continental Hotel today in UK time 7pm where Najib is expected to attend a function.

Before the meeting with Cameron, both Najib and his wife, Rosmah Mansor, had an audience with Queen Elizabeth II yesterday in Buckingham Palace, who coincidently wore a bright yellow dress.

PM and DPM's electricity bill enough to light a house for 100 years

Subject: 'PM and DPM's electricity bill enough to light a house for 100 years'

KUALA LUMPUR - Following details revealed in parliament about the high cost of maintaining the prime minister and his deputy's official residences, Rasah member of parliament Anthony Loke (pic) has done some maths to show what the sum means.

“The government paid RM160,000 for electricity and RM33,000 for water bill monthly for the official residences of prime minister and deputy prime minister.

"This is enough to pay my electricity bill for 100 years and water for 6,000 people,” he told a press conference at the parliament yesterday.

In a written reply to PAS's Rantau Panjang MP Siti Zailah Yusof, the government said some RM49 million was forked out annually to maintain the official residences now occupied by Najib Razak and Muhyiddin Yasin between 2006 and 2010.

Minister in the Prime Minister's Department Nazri Aziz said the cost to maintain the duo's homes came to RM48,789,115.03, covering rent, renovations, electricity and water.

Giving a breakdown of the yearly costs, Nazri revealed that the rental for both buildings came to RM32,972,115.55, renovations RM3,581,744.78, electricity RM10,267,868.15 and water RM1,967,386.55.

The amount comes to an average of RM18,000 a day for the rental alone, paid by the government to Perbadanan Putrajaya.

Kota Raja MP Dr Siti Mariah Mahmud urged the government to justify the high cost of upkeeping the houses, saying it was ironic that such huge amount was spent to maintain the two houses when the government kept telling Malaysians to change their lifestyle in coping with rising prices of essential goods.

"When it comes to educating the public about savings, it should start with the leaders," she told reporters at the same press conference.


- Harakahdaily

Malaysians for Change - a video played in reverse

Listen (or read) the lines, first forward which painted a very bleak future for Malaysia. Now reverse it verbatim and you get a totally different brighter future. Yes, Malaysians together can make a change, for the better:



Dedicated to all Malaysians
by kingheny41

We are Malaysians
I am proud to say
We do not care
And it is a myth that
Our racism harmony is here to stay
Current evidence irrefutably suggest that
OUr vision for development will not be achieved.
We do not accept that
Integrity of our public institutions will be restored.
Deep down, we know that
Integrity of our public institutions will be restored.
Deep down we know that
Irresponsibility of the few
Will triumph over
The goodwill of Malaysian peoples.

In the next 10 years
Malaysia will not lead the world in expousing peace and justice.
It is foolish to believe
We can make a difference.

It is left to us to reverse it:

It is foolish to believe
Malaysia will not lead the world in expousing peace and justice.
In the next 10 years
The goodwill of Malaysian peoples
Will triumph over
Irresponsibility of the few
Deep down we know that
Integrety of our public institutions will be restored
We do not acccept that
Our vision for development will not be achieved.
Current evidence irrefutably suggest that
Our racism harmony is here to stay
And it is a myth that
We do not care
I am proud to say
We are Malaysians

BERSIH 2.0

Forum on Media and Ethnicity: Overcoming the Challenges

*Forum on Media and Ethnicity: Overcoming the Challenges
Thursday June 30, 8-10pm*
*Hang Jebat on Level 6, Le Meridien KL Sentral*
Location map
* *

Ethnicity is so much part of the fabric of Malaysian society that it is hard
to understand events or people without using the ethnic lens. Post-2008,
media coverage of ethnic issues has come under even greater scrutiny given
how ethnicity has been instrumentalised much more than before by certain
segments of society – to the detriment of the nation.

Given this context, how should journalists cover events that have an ethnic
element? What are the challenges faced by journalists and what strategies do
they use to overcome these problems?

Although these issues have been explored in academia and by civil society,
little has been translated into a useful format for journalists.

To address this gap, CIJ has just published *Reporting on ‘Race’ &
Ethnicity: A Handbook for Malaysian Journalists* . This handbook comes at
such a timely juncture. It collates the ethical dilemmas and best practices
for reporting ethnicity culled from journalists who attended a series of
workshops conducted throughout Malaysia in early 2011, as well as available
material on the issue. To “launch” the handbook, CIJ will be conducting a
public forum to explore these challenges and more. Here are the details:

When: Thursday June 30

Where: Hang Jebat on Level 6, Le Meridien KL Sentral, 2 Jln Stesen Sentral.

Time: 8pm-10pm

Panelists: V. Anbalagan (NUJ General Secretary), Fathi Aris Omar (senior
journalist) and Dr Carmen Nge (academic and ethnicity trainer)

There will be an open discussion at the end, before supper is served.

For purposes of planning, please e-mail cijmalaysia@ gmail.com or call
03.4023.0772 during office hours to register your attendance. We look
forward to seeing you there!

Best wishes,

Centre for Independent Journalism Malaysia

Location Map

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Mariam Mokhtar has wise words for Najib

for Najib has no wise words for anyone, only hypocrisy:

A word to the wise, Najib

Mariam Mokhtar
Jun 27, 11
12:12pm

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At the Selayang Umno division meeting last Saturday, party head and premier Najib Abdul Razak declared that BN considers victory in a general election to be of paramount importance and that politics is all about victory.
He said, “In a general election, only becoming champion (winner) will have meaning for us...and we know that emerging as the runner-up means that we've lost in the election.”
Najib is wrong.
Politics is not to be treated as a game, where one wins and another loses. Only a flippant and crass person would consider politics in terms of 'champion and runner-up'.
If he is not already aware, politics is about serving the electorate.
So, how could a person who is supposed to lead 28 million people think like that?
We can overlook the fact that Najib was not elected into the top position but is he so obtuse that he is unaware that his decisions and policies affect people's lives?
For some Malaysians, his dictates may mean the fine line between poverty and subsistence; a healthy life or one wracked with ill-health; a future based on education or lost opportunities; a modern lifestyle or one mired in the past.
Politics is not a contest. However, we need only look at how some MPs abuse their position and our trust, to realise that they probably believe that politics is a productive pastime conducted at our expense.
When they travel, police outriders close the roads or stop the traffic so that they can travel through our usually clogged roads with ease.
When they go overseas, the public purse is raided when several hangers-on are included in the entourage, ostensibly as aides.
The national carrier bumps people off or downgrades passengers so that these so-called aides, who are not entitled to an upgrade, enjoy first-class treatment at the expense of the taxpayer and fare-paying passengers.
Our children fall prey to poor standards of teaching and some of our schools (especially mission schools) are literally falling apart. Many politicians send their offspring to the local international schools before dispatching them to schools in Europe, UK, Australia or th US prior to enrolment in the universities there. A two-tiered system exists.
A nation plundered
Najib announced that only Umno/BN has outshone the other political parties. He is right but perhaps not in the way he hopes we would think.
Umno/BN have plundered the nation by awarding contracts to their cronies. They have protected their own kind, who are guilty of money politics or other serious crimes such as rape, sexual assault on young girls and murder.
Institutions like schools, universities, the police, the civil service and the judiciary have no vestige of their former glory, in the days just after Independence.
Najib stressed on information revolution and education as driving factors for change.
So why has he not put these to good use? Why are we reeling from the effects of discrimination, corruption, waste of public funds, cronyism, nepotism, abuse of power and hypocrisy?
Why is the nation wasting its time discussing a sex video when we should be discussing how to move our country forwards?
Do we need tacky soundbites to live our lives?
What is the use of education when we award contracts to a favoured few, when the use of public funds are not made transparent and accountability is not to be found in the BN vocabulary?
Najib encouraged BN politicians to go on walkabouts, much like himself, to meet people on the ground and to form 'alliances' with them.
Isn't Najib aware that when he engages with people he only sees a sanitised view? Far from learning the truth, he only sees what others want him to see.
For instance, in some areas, the roads leading to the places where he goes on a walkabout are cleared of vagrants, instant flower borders appear where weeds thrived before, and potholes
are repaired.
Drains are cleared of rubbish, roads are swept, electrical fixtures are repaired, some bits receive a lick of paint and the old, worn-out decrepit street is transformed, only because the PM is due for a walkabout.
Najib should instead perform spot-checks; only then will he see how things really are and which of his departments are working.

Initiative for electoral reform
Most of all, how can Najib hold his head up high and claim victory in the election when he knows only too well that victory for Umno and BN has been obtained through dishonest means?
That is the point of the Bersih rally; a demand by all Malaysians for clean, free and fair elections.
The eight-point reforms are for the good of all. It is not to benefit any one political party but it will ensure that politicians work hard to serve the public and to justify their status.
The public is shrewd enough to know that the Election Commission is impotent and ineffective in discharging its role as an independent adjudicator.
If anyone needs reform and education, it is Najib and his merry men in Umno/BN. They must not be allowed to win by the back-door method.
After 54 years of abdicating from its responsibilities, the rakyat is now taking the initiative to effect change and reform.
Bersih has wrong-footed Najib. He knows that if the people go on the streets on July 9 to support Ambiga Sreenevasan's call for electoral reform, he will be left with mud on his face.
Hence, the crackdown, arrests and ban. Perkasa and Umno Youth are mere smokescreens for the police to justify the use of violent tactics in the name of national security.
Who would have thought that Malaysia would be led by ruthless despots who want to reconfigure our country to suit themselves?
Without electoral reforms, any victory that BN may obtain will be as cheap and hollow as all the previous victories.
Has BN actually won any election fair and square over the past 54 years?
Please support yourself. Join the rally on July 9.

MARIAM MOKHTAR is a non-conformist traditionalist from Perak, a bucket chemist and an armchair eco-warrior. In 'real-speak', this translates into that she comes from Ipoh, values change but respects culture, is a petroleum chemist and also an environmental pollution-control scientist.

Subsidies cut but PM & DPM spend millions on trips

The rakyat have to suffer inflation and tighten their pockets but PM Najib and Rosmah plus DPM Muhyiddin & Norainee goes on spending spree to the amount of RM25 million have no problem:

Year	Najib & Rosmah	Muhyiddin & Norainee
2008	RM 1.7 million	RM 2.7 million
2009	RM 4.8 million	RM 0.69 million
2010	RM 5.1 million	RM 1.4 million
2011 till June	RM 5.4 million	RM 3.3 million
Total	RM 17.1 million	RM 8.02 million

Panduan Bagi Peserta Perhimpunan Bersih 2.0

Guide for participants of BERSIH 2.0 Rally:  (Pls read, very useful tips)

Fakta :
Perhimpunan Bersih 2.0 Pada 9 Julai 2011 (Sabtu), Jam 2 Petang Di Kuala Lumpur
(Lokasi : Masjid Kg. Baru, Sogo & Bangunan DBKL).
Aman Dan Tanpa Senjata.

Tuntutan Bersih 2.0 :

1. BERSIH kan Senarai Undi (Daftar Pemilih)
2. Reformasikan Undi Pos
3. Gunakan Dakwat Kekal
4. Akses Media Yang Bebas & Adil
5. Tempoh Berkempen Minima 21 Hari
6. Kukuhkan Institusi Awam
7. Hentikan Rasuah
8. Hentikan Politik Kotor

Jawatankuasa Pemandu Bersih 2.0 :
Dipengerusikan Oleh Dato Ambiga Sreenavasaan (Mantan Presiden Majlis Peguam Malaysia). Anggotanya Adalah Daripada Kalangan Pimpinan Dan Aktivis NGO’s.

Kedudukan Parti-Parti Politik Termasuk PAS :
Adalah Sebagai Entiti Yang Bergabung Di Dalam Bersih 2.0 Dengan Aspirasi Bersama Iaitu Menuntut Satu Sistem Dan Perjalanan Pilihan Raya Yang Bersih & Adil Untuk Malaysia.

Jangkaan/ Unjuran :
Kita menjangkakan pelbagai kaum akan muncul, pelbagai ideologi dan kepercayaan akan berhimpun untuk menyatakan pandangan mereka khususnya dalam mendesak Suruhanjaya Pilihan Raya (SPR) Malaysia untuk mereformasikan pilihan raya.
Oleh itu bagi melancarkan perhimpunan ini, kita mengeluarkan satu garis panduan yang diharapkan dapat membantu semua pihak dalam memastikan perhimpunan ini dapat berjalan dengan lancar, aman dan tanpa sebarang provokasi .

Perkara Yang Perlu Anda Bawa/Sediakan :
1. Kad pengenalan, lesen memandu, satu kad ATM sahaja.
2. Duit-maksimum RM100 sahaja.
3. Memakai pakaian yang sopan-T-shirt /baju berwarna Kuning. Sebaiknya ada logo Bersih 2.0
4. Setiap peserta diwajibkan memakai kasut.
5. Sediakan baju hujan berwarna kuning.
6. Aksesori kempen-Button, kopiah arm band, bendera kecil, banner dan placard yang ada Logo atau Slogan Bersih 2.0 / Bersihkan Pilihan raya boleh digunakan.
7. Bendera Malaysia atau negeri masing-masing.
8. Air mineral, sedikit makanan ringan atau gula-gula.
9. Sedikit garam batu ; Ia penting dan boleh dimakan sedikit (bukan sapu dimuka) bagi mengembalikan tenaga terutamanya jika Pihak Polis sembur air dari Water Canon atau Gas pemedih mata.
10. Kain tuala kecil basah untuk tutup mata dan hidung untuk elak terkena gas pemedih mata.
11. Digalakkan memakai penutup mulut dan hidung jenis “N100 Respirator, N95 Respirator” dan “Surgical facemask” untuk mengelak penularan wabak Influenza H1N1 dan juga menghindarkan sedutan gas pemedih mata yang melampau.
12. Jika anda mempunyai asma atau alahan sila bawa inhaler atau ubat sendiri.
13. Sila bawa beg plastik sampah kecil bagi mengelakkan anda membuang sampah merata-rata.
14. Sila bawa pen dan kertas (mini note pad) bagi mencatat nama dan no. pengenalan Polis atau perkara-perkara yang mencurigakan.
15. Jangan lupa bawa kamera, video cam atau handphone berkamera bagi merakamkan suasana himpunan – gambar-gambar atau klip video boleh dihantar kepada kami selepas himpunan di email kitabersaudara_lpd@yahoo.com  atau talian 019-340 7721.

Perkara Yang Tidak Dibenarkan :

1. Jangan bawa kad matrik pelajar bagi student atau pass kakitangan bagi pekerja Kerajaan dan Swasta.
2. Jangan bawa terlalu banyak wang atau kad kreadit untuk elakkan penyeluk saku, tercicir atau hilang semasa perhimpunan atau ditahan.
3. Jangan memakai selipar, kasut tumit tinggi atau sandal yang menghalang pergerakkan.
4. Jangan memakai kain atau skirt, digalakkan memakai seluar.
5. Jangan memakai barang kemas atau aksesori yang tiada kaitan dengan tuntutan Bersih 2.0 / Bersihkan Pilihan raya.
6. Jangan bawa sebarang banner, placard, bendera yang melambangkan logo parti dan organisasi.
7. Sebarang slogan yang tiada kaitan dengan tuntutan Bersih 2.0 tidak dibenarkan.
8. Jangan bawa sebarang benda tajam kecuali pen.
9. Jangan bawa bahan-bahan yang boleh meletup atau mudah terbakar seperti, mancis, molotov cocktail dan mercun.
10. Tidak dibenarkan merokok semasa perhimpunan kerana akan menganggu orang lain.
11. Jangan bawa sebarang senjata seperti kayu, besi, rantai besi, pistol dan yang merbahaya.
12. Bagi yang membawa anak-anak, anda tidak dibenarkan membawa permainan yang berupa seperti senjata seperti pistol, senapang atau pisau mainan.
13. Jangan bawa anak-anak yang berumur 10 tahun ke bawah bagi mengelakkan sebarang masalah.

Perkara Yang Perlu Anda Lakukan Sebelum Perhimpunan :

1. Servis kenderaan dan periksa peralatan yang perlu dibawa.
2. Jangan makan atau minum terlalu banyak sebelum perhimpunan.
3. Pastikan anda telah menunaikan ‘hajat’ sebelum memasuki perhimpunan.
4. Bagi yang Islam, Lakukanlah solat taubat dan hajat, semoga Allah berkati perhimpunan ini dan yang bukan Islam boleh berdoa mengikut ritual masing-masing.
5. Pastikan anda telah mengunci rumah atau meninggalkan pesanan-pesanan penting kepada keluarga atau jiran anda yang tidak pergi perhimpunan.
6. Maklumkan mereka tujuan anda keluar.
7. Maklumkan mereka nombor telefon sahabat lain yang bersama anda jika handphone anda tidak dapat dihubungi nanti.
8. Jangan lupa “charge” bateri handphone dan kamera.
9. Pastikan anda tahu arah tuju anda iaitu tempat berkumpul yang ditetapkan — Sogo, DBKL, & Masjid Kg Baru
10. Pastikan anda datang awal untuk elakkan kesesakan jalan raya atau terpaksa berbaris panjang untuk beli tiket tren LRT atau Komuter.
11. Datang secara berkumpulan, jangan bersendirian.
12. Sekiranya perjalanan anda dihalang dari memasuki pusat bandar anda boleh meletakkan kenderaan dan berjalan kaki ke Sogo, DBKL, & Masjid Kg Baru (Jangan terus ke Istana Negara bersendirian).
13. Jangan memakai baju Bersih 2.0 sebelum perhimpunan bermula bagi mengelakkan sebarang provokasi pihak-pihak tidak bertanggungjawab..

Semasa Perhimpunan Dan Perarakan :

1. Berkumpul di tempat pertemuan yang ditetapkan Sogo, DBKL, & Masjid Kg Baru dan tunggu arahan dari “Field Commander” yang dilantik.
2. Ikutilah arahan dari Unit Amal atau “Field Commander” sepanjang program. Jangan pedulikan arahan lain tanpa merujuk kepada “Field Commander”
3. Jangan berganjak dari tempat perhimpunan melainkan dengan arahan “Field Commander”.
4. Laporkan pada Unit Amal bertugas jika terlihat sesuatu yang mencurigakan.
5. Jangan tolak menolak sepanjang perhimpunan dan perarakan.
6. Elakkan mencerca, memaki hamun atau menunjukkan isyarat lucah semasa perhimpunan berlaku.
7. Raikan perhimpunan ini dengan aman dan harmoni.
8. Pastikan anda memberikan keutamaan laluan kepada kenderaan yang lalu lalang dan tidak melintas sesuka hati dijalanraya.
9. Pastikan anda memberikan keutamaan, membantu dan melindungi warga emas, orang kurang upaya atau kanak-kanak yang hadir bersama.
10. Maklumkan sahabat anda jika anda ingin keluar dari perhimpunan disebabkan hal kecemasan atau kerana ingin ke tandas bagi mengelakan masalah lain.
11. Pastikan anda dapat duduk semasa pimpinan berucap.
12. Pastikan anda tidak bersembang semasa pimpinan berucap kerana kemungkinan bunyi “sound system” akan tenggelam dengan suara ratusan ribu peserta.
13. Ikutilah laungan pimpinan jika perlu.
14. Pegang bendera Malaysia atau negeri anda sepanjang perarakan.
15. Jangan buang sampah merata-rata sepanjang perhimpunan. Masukkan dalam beg plastik yang anda bawa.
16. Rakamkan suasana himpunan – gambar-gambar atau klip video boleh dihantar kepada kami selepas himpunan di email kitabersaudara_lpd@yahoo.com   atau talian 019-340 7721. Kalau boleh rakamkan sekali wajah-wajah polis yang bertugas atau tragedi-tragedi penting seperti keganasan atau provokasi Polis jika ada.

Selepas Perhimpunan :

1. Pastikan anda bersurai secara perlahan-lahan dan dengan aman selepas diberikan arahan bersurai.
2. Pastikan sahabat atau saudara dan anak-anak anda ada bersama selepas perhimpunan. Jika tiada, sila laporkan ___________________________________[KL LAC?]
3. Jika ada sahabat atau saudara anda ditahan, jangan terus balik.
   Dapatkan maklumat ___________________________ berkaitan untuk bebaskan mereka.
4. Jangan tinggalkan apa-apa sampah di tempat perhimpunan. Pastikan semuanya dibuang ke tong sampah atau dibawa balik dan dibuang di rumah.
5. Berikan ucapan terima kasih kepada pasukan keselamatan yang bertugas jika perhimpunan berjalan lancar.
6. Jangan lupa sebarkan gambar dan berita perhimpunan kepada semua sahabat-sahabat terutamanya yang tidak hadir.

Apa Anda Perlu Buat Jika Kumpulan Anti-Tuntutan Bersih 2.0 Buat Provokasi :

1. Jangan pedulikan mereka, diam dan teruskan mengikut arahan “Field Commander” Unit Amal.
2. Jangan menyahut provokasi mereka, jangan baling apa-apa, jangan tunjukkan isyarat apa-apa pada mereka. Anggap mereka tidak wujud pada hari berkenaan.
3. Jangan hampiri mereka.
4. Jika mereka bertindak agreasif secara tiba-tiba, tahan, jangan pukul tetapi serahkan mereka pada pihak Polis.
5. Jangan lupa buat laporan Polis terhadap mereka jika anda dicederakan atau diganggu.
6. Buat rakaman wajah-wajah mereka jika perlu.

Apa Anda Perlu Buat Jika Polis Buat Provokasi Dan Serbuan

1. Jangan lari atau keluar dari perhimpunan melainkan dengan arahan pimpinan, anda akan mudah ditangkap jika keluar dahulu.
2. Jangan bersendirian, pastikan anda bergandingan tangan dan berdiri rapat-rapat bila polis acah nak buat serbuan atau tembakan water canon.
3. Duduk jika pimpinan arahkan.
4. Basahkan tuala anda dengan sedikit air, dan tekup dimuka bila gas pemedih mata dilepaskan. Basuh muka anda dengan air dan makan sedikit garam jika terkena air “water canon” berwarna kuning.
5. Jangan melawan atau cuba bertikam lidah dengan polis bila mereka provoke…hanya diamkan diri.
6. Ambil gambar mereka jika sempat.
7. Buat laporan Polis jika anda dikasari.

Apa Yang Anda Perlu Buat Jika Ditahan :

1. Jangan banyak cakap dengan polis. Diamkan dan tenangkan diri.
2. Minta nama dan nombor polis yang menahan anda dan tanya dia sebab anda ditahan, seksyen berapa yang digunakan.
3. Berikan maklumat asas sahaja jika diminta seperti nama, no kad pengenalan, alamat rumah (berikan ikut alamat dalam IC sahaja).
4. Jika mereka tanya soal pekerjaan, jawap yang ringkas sahaja. Jangan bagi maklumat yang lengkap.
5. Bagi pelajar, jika mereka tanya anda masih belajar atau tidak, anda hanya perlu jawab “Masih tengah cari kerja” atau berikan jawapan lain yang sesuai. Elakkan mengaku sebagai student. Biar mereka siasat sendiri jika mereka perlukan maklumat lanjut. Jangan jawab soalan yang tidak perlu.
6. Bagi kakitangan Kerajaan jika mereka tanya tempat kerja anda, jawab “Saya kerja swasta atau kerja sendiri”. Biar mereka siasat sendiri jika mereka perlukan maklumat lanjut. Jangan jawab soalan yang tidak perlu.
7. Minta berjumpa dengan peguam sebelum beri apa-apa keterangan. Peguam akan menunggu diluar balai jika anda ditahan.
8. Kalau boleh jangan beri terlalu banyak keterangan, anda hanya perlu jawab “saya akan bagi keterangan di Mahkamah sahaja”. Ingat! Apa yang anda cakap di Balai Polis boleh dijadikan bahan bukti di Mahkamah. Anda berhak untuk tidak memberikan sebarang keterangan kepada Polis melainkan di Mahkamah.
9. Semasa ditahan, jangan pedulikan provokasi polis atau jangan mudah cair bila mereka berlembut.
10. Pastikan anda ingat semua yang berlaku, termasuklah pegawai polis yang tahan dan soal siasat anda.
11. Jangan terlalu risau kerana, di luar balai telah disediakan orang-orang yang akan jamin dan bela anda.

Apa Yang Anda Buat Selepas Dibebaskan :

1. Pastikan semua barang-barang anda dikembalikan oleh Polis.
2. Buat pemeriksaan kesihatan jika ada kecederaan.
3. Buat laporan Polis jika anda dikasari semasa perhimpunan atau semasa ditahan.
4. Ceritakan  dan rakamkan pada peguam dan media jika anda dianiaya polis.
5. Jangan lupa catatkan semua yang anda ingat bila balik ke rumah untuk memudahkan anda mengingatinya bila dibawa ke Mahkamah kelak.
6. Pastikan anda ingat dan ambil nombor perhubungan orang yang jamin anda dan juga peguam yang terlibat.
7. Serahkan pada peguam segala maklumat dan gambar yang anda ada tentang himpunan bagi memudahkan pembelaan.
8. Jangan lupa solat sunnat syukur selepas dibebaskan dan kembalilah bertemu dengan sahabat-sahabat seperjuangan.
9. Jangan menyepi dari perjuangan selepas melalui pengalaman ditangkap kerana itu secara semulajadi akan menyebabkan motivasi anda akan menjadi lemah dan anda akan rasa keseorangan.
10. Teruskan perjuangan bersama sahabat-sahabat lain.
11. Sesungguhnya anda akan rasa lebih hebat dan berani lagi selepas ditangkap kerana tidak semua orang berpeluang merasai apa yang anda lalui ketika ditahan.

Tunggu! Perhatian… :

1. Pihak kami tidak akan bertanggungjawab terhadap sebarang kesalahan atau pelanggaran undang-undang yang tidak ada kena mengena dengan perhimpunan ini.
2. Pihak kami tidak akan bertanggungjawab terhadap sebarang provokasi atau tindakan ganas yang dilakukan oleh mana-mana pihak secara berkumpulan atau individu.
3. Pihak kami tidak akan bertanggungjawab terhadap sebarang kecederaan yang disebabkan oleh kecuaian atau tindakan diluarkan arahan penganjur.
4. Pihak kami tidak akan bertanggungjawab ke atas sebarang penangkapan yang dibuat kerana pergaduhan atau aktiviti agreasif yang tiada kaitan dengan arahan himpunan ini.

Harapan Kita Semua :
Secara keseluruhannya, kita berharap Perhimpunan ini dapat berjalan erjay tanpa adanya sebarang masalah atau tangkapan.
Kita berharap agar dengan sedikit usaha dan kehadiran kita ini akan dapat memberikan kesedaran kepada pihak SPR dan kerajaan persekutuan mempergunakan kuasa yang ada untuk memperbaiki kelemahan erjay perundangan dan erjaya implementasi erjay kita.
Ingat, Himpunan Bersih erjaya pada  10 November 2007 kerana kesungguhan rakyat. Maka, kini adalah masa untuk kita berjuang bersama untuk mereformasikan pilihan raya, mengkukuhkan berbadanan institusi dan hentikan korupsi.
Pastikan anda mengikuti arahan-arahan yang diberikan. Sebarang masalah anda boleh rujuk kepada “Field Commander”  atau Unit Amal yang bertugas pada perhimpunan ini. Ingatlah, peristiwa ini adalah peluang untuk anda sekali seumur hidup dan ianya akan kekal menjadi sejarah yang akan menjadi sebutan kepada anak cucu kita. Jangan lepaskan peluang untuk menjadi sebahagian dari sejarah ini.

Notes courtesy of: AIMAN ATHIRAH AL JUNDI

Low Weiyan & BERSIH: Jom Turun Padang

Supporting Bersih 2.0: It’s personal
bt Hafidz Baharom

JUNE 21 — 2008 was the first time I voted, and this was in the state of Selangor, in its capital city of Shah Alam. At the time, I was given the choice, in terms of Parliament members, of either voting for a person the same age as John McCain who had been given a “safe” seat, or vote for a person whose brother in Johore is as honest and true to his conscience in voting.

Of course, one point against the latter was that he was from PAS. However, when you have an 80-year-old aunt from Wangsa Maju suddenly calling you to vote for Umno, you know something’s up, right?

For those of you who have been reading this column for some time now, you would have noticed that I never support illegal gatherings, especially a mass protest in the streets of Kuala Lumpur. In fact, I do believe I got some heat a while back for this stance, particularly from people stating the importance of the freedom of speech and how it was the police’s fault that there were massive traffic jams in Kuala Lumpur.

This year, I will be taking part in Bersih 2.0’s march in Kuala Lumpur. And for me, the reasons are somewhat personal.

First and foremost, it’s because the area of Shah Alam, where I live, has been besieged and taken over people the likes I have never before been seen in my 28 years of existence, of which 24 were spent in this town eg. people carrying cow heads.

There has never been people stomping on the picture of an elected official in the area of the State Mosque, and there sure as hell weren’t teenagers being shot execution style by the police in Glenmarie or while fleeing to the safety of the homes.

In fact, there hadn’t been any incidents of people falling out of government offices leaving behind a family either.

And the saddest part of all this is the fact that the police and their counterparts, supposed maintainers of civil order, are the ones who have in fact done nothing. That isn’t bias. That is just injustice of the most disgusting kind.

Bersih will be a march for electoral reform, there will be no question about that. I will be joining the march for electoral reform because I believe this is the only way that I can voice my displeasure towards a government and their police force which have clearly proven their inconsistencies politically, financially and even on a social justice level.

As we have seen, the government, particularly Umno, is indeed scared of what may happen. And the reason behind this is simple. They were the ones protesting in the 40s.

They are now afraid and have gotten too comfortable in their seats of power that they have forgotten what it is to fear the power of the people, a similar notion brought to life during the Hartal and protests in the 1940s, which led to the banning of communism and socialism at the time.

And we can see this fear reflected not only in the mainstream media, but also through the actions of their cronies, the so-called independent coalition.

Frankly, Ibrahim Ali is as independent as an Aedes mosquito spreading dengue. He’s gone after gays, and when that didn’t pan out, he went after every non-Malay in this nation, even publishing that disgusting flyer of Ambiga, highlighting her as a “Hindu woman” who is a threat to public harmony.

The government can threaten all they want. The police can threaten all they want. The not-so-independent coalition can threaten all they want. My stance is simple; if they had want this protest under control, they could have simply give a permit and monitor it.

Since the police and the government through the Home Minister have refused to do so, then I guess the only way to face them is head on with headlights and horns blaring.

So as I’ve said, this time it’s personal. I will be marching alongside Bersih members from NGOs and political parties but moreover, I will be marching with other Malaysians who are just sick of the way this government is running this country and truly do want the electoral process to be reformed.

So if you see a fat gay guy wearing pink and brandishing a giant yellow golf umbrella, just know that’s no plainclothes policeman.

They wouldn’t be caught dead wearing pink.

* The views expressed here are the personal opinion of the columnist.

Welfare state will bankrupt Malaysia - my response

Dr Mahathir statement that a full welfare state will bankrupt Malaysia should not go unchallenged. Why? Because a welfare state need not necessarily means giving money to the people. It can just be that the actions and policies of the state are always done with the welfare of the public in mind, opposite of the UMNO/BN so called welfare state where the welfare of the elites and cronies come first before the public. That is what is bankrupting the nation and should stop.

CIJ supports Bersih 2.0’s call for peaceful assembly

*Media statement (17 June 2011)*

*CIJ supports Bersih 2.0’s call for peaceful assembly*

The Centre for Independent Journalism (CIJ) Malaysia expresses its support
for Bersih 2.0’s call for a peaceful assembly on 9 July 2011 to highlight
the need for free and fair elections.

CIJ is also concerned that various parties, including the police and
Umno-controlled Utusan Malaysia, have condemned this peaceful assembly and
asked for it to be called off. CIJ is particularly concerned that Home
Minister Hishammuddin Hussein has raised the possibility of detentions
without trial under the Internal Security Act arising out of this assembly.

CIJ would like to remind the authorities that the right to peacefully
assemble is a guaranteed under Article 10 of the Federal Constitution.
Furthermore, the need to apply for a police permit for peaceful assemblies
goes beyond the permitted restrictions under Article 10. CIJ draws attention
to the Malaysian Human Rights Commission’s repeated recommendations that the
requirement for police permits for peaceful assemblies be repealed and that
the police actively cooperate with demonstrators.

CIJ also would like to state that “causing traffic jams” is not a legitimate
reason to prevent peaceful assemblies. Such assemblies are a constitutional
right and the authorities should be taking steps to actively protect this
right and educate the public about the importance of this fundamental right.

If the government and the authorities are truly serious about preventing
“chaos” and maintaining public order, it should cooperate with Bersih 2.0,
instead of taking steps to hinder the gathering.

Properly cordoned-off roads, traffic marshals and police escorts along the
demonstration route will help to ensure a smooth demonstration and maintain
order. Setting up unnecessary road blocks across Petaling Jaya and Kuala
Lumpur, calling in hundreds of anti-riot police and busing in reinforcement
from outside Klang Valley, firing tear gas and water cannons and making
hundreds of arrests, as has been done in the past, only contributes to the
chaos that the authorities are purportedly keen on avoiding.

Bersih 2.0 has pledged to hold a peaceful, responsible gathering and has
openly stated their wish to cooperate with the police. This offer should be
actively taken up by the police to ensure the gathering remains peaceful and
orderly.

CIJ supports Bersih 2.0’s call for free and fair elections, especially the
call for free and fair access to media during elections. It is apparent in
CIJ's ongoing media monitoring exercise that most of the mainstream print
media are heavily biased towards the ruling coalition Barisan Nasional.
Pakatan Rakyat leaders are often criticised without being given the right of
reply. This violates journalism ethics and must be corrected before the next
general election. All political parties should be given equal access to the
media and be allowed to advertise in all media without discrimination and
censorship, as demanded by Bersih 2.0.

CIJ also supports Bersih 2.0’s demands that proportionate airtime be
allocated on RTM and Bernama for all contesting parties, since these are
publicly funded media agencies.

For more information, please contact: Masjaliza Hamzah, CIJ Executive
Officer, 03-4023 0772

--
Centre for Independent Journalism Malaysia
Web: cijmalaysia. org
Tel: +603-4023 0772
Twitter: CIJ_Malaysia
Facebook: Centre for Independent Journalism
Blogs: http://worldpressfr eedomday. blogspot. com/;
http://right2info. wordpress. com/

The Centre for Independent Journalism, Malaysia (CIJ) is a non-profit
organisation that aspires for a society that is democratic, just and free,
where all peoples will enjoy free media and the freedom to express, seek and
impart information.

--
If you cannot express yourself you are already behind bars - Mbana Kaitako

If the law is wrong, change it

Any sensible person will say that Najib commited bribery (election offence) in his infamous Sibu by election: You help me I help you offer RM5million (from memory) to help solve Rejang Park's flood problems.

However, right or wrong, a previous court judgement had ruled such ploys were not election offence because they were not offered by the candidate. However, at the very least, Najib should be charged for bribery if an election offence cannot stick.

Alternatively, wrong laws should be corrected so that such chicaneries do not occur

Comments: Yen Yen to face Cabinet over Facebook debacle

It has been reported that Yen Yen will have to face the Cabinet over the RM1.8 million for Facebook which is free, so what can we say about this.

Well we will have to see what are the questions raised in Cabinet and what Yen Yen's replies are plus also whether what had transpired in the Cabinet will be made public.

In addition, it is to be noted that this involve a relatively "small sum" (the operative word is relative) as compared with much bigger cases reported but nothing done. It could be that Yen Yen is dispensible as a small fry so as to protect bigger sharks.

Update: , Rasah MP Anthony Loke expressed his disbelief at Ng's clarification yesterday.

“She said that a portion of the money went to software, hardware and server. I don't know since when you need software, hardware and a server to set up a Facebook page."

Like Facebook Curi-Curi Malaysia to show display of misuse of public fund

Folks, here is an inexpensive way to show your displeasure over the still ongoing misuse of public fund in blowing RM1.8 million (RM1,800,000 for impact) over some Facebook applications. Go to Curi-Curi Wang Malaysia Facebook wall and register your like and thus prove that one can more cost-effectively run a Facebook campaign.

Najib Razak of Razakstan the hypocrite

Dean Johns is at it again coining new terms. In this case, he invented the term Razakstan. Razak as in Najib Razak and stan as in Pakistan and Afganistan.

Wow and do you know he flew 250 of his closest relatives and cronies to Kazakhstan one would assume at great expenses, and there is is cutting subsidies left and right while still free spending like there is no tomorrow.

Read how Dean Johns rips into the hypocrisy of Razak below in Malaysiakini: Lies rule in Razakstan:

Lies rule in Razakstan

Dean Johns
Jun 15, 11
12:44pm

10 friends can read this story for free

As long as Dr Mahathir Mohamad is still breathing, Najib Abdul Razak can't be accused of being the world's most pathological liar. But that doesn't stop him striving for the number one spot.

Posing as an enlightened leader of a progressive Malaysia and preaching reform, inclusiveness, integrity and good governance around the world Najib (left) presides over a corrupt, repressive and outright criminal Razakstan of his own.

He was at it again last week, jetting off to Kazakhstan with 250 of his closest relatives and cronies to treat the World Islamic Economic Forum to a dose of his sanctimonious, hypocritical drivel.

"Good governance should come naturally for Muslim nations," he declared, going on to claim that Muslim nations have long known that "justice, equity, probity and prosperity for all, including women," as advocated by the fourth caliph, son-in-law of the Prophet Muhammad, "are not merely the preserve of Western democracies."

"Governing as Ali ordered with justice, equity and probity," he continued, was "not about falling in line with Western attitudes, but acting in line with Quranic teachings."

Unfortunately, however, Quranic teachings appear to have little to no effect on the government of any Muslim-majority nation on the planet, very much including Najib's own.

In fact, for all the imperfections of the Western democracies, they are the only source of hope, inspiration and protection for people denied justice, equity and probity by Quran-defying governments from the Middle East to Africa and Asia. Russia couldn't care less, and China is always on the side of its fellow suppressors of the people.

Razakstan-style regimes wreak havoc

So it's the Western democracies that are spending untold quantities of blood, sweat, tears and treasure on protecting the people of Afghanistan, Iraq and Libya from the malevolence of their Muslim governments. And it's Western democracies that are exerting political, financial and legal pressure to persuade the rulers of Syria, Iran, Pakistan and dozens of other Razakstan-style regimes to stop robbing and killing their citizens.

In his speech to the gathering in Kazakhstan, Najib tried to excuse the appalling state of Muslim governments, with the disclaimer that "in a world characterised by unbridled political influence, unequal competition and opportunities, strong family ties, unlimited greed, inadequate rules and regulations and poor enforcement, good governance is easier said than done."

Then, ignoring the fact that the aforesaid "unbridled political influence, unequal competition and opportunities, strong family ties, unlimited greed, inadequate rules and regulations and poor enforcement" all-too-accurately describes his own Umno/BN regime, he went on to present Malaysia as a paragon of progress.

"Numerous initiatives and measures to inculcate good values and ethical conduct, integrity and efforts to combat corruption in all sectors of society have been introduced," he lied, given that all of these so-called 'measures' are nothing but cosmetic.

Najib then added insult to perjury by claiming that "in order to provide a healthy mechanism of checks and balances, the government also welcomed comments and views from within its own institutions as well as from religious organisations, minority groups, the media and business."

This glowing portrait of Malaysia as an oasis of reform in a desert of Muslim-government turpitude is simply too preposterous for words, considering that Najib has absolutely no intention to reform what it actually his own Razakstan.

Reality far from expectations

Far from aspiring to the "good values, ethical conduct and integrity" that Najib claims, his regime conceals its financial and other crimes against the Malaysian people with an Official Secrets Act as draconian as any on earth.

Far from combating corruption, the Najib regime employs the police and the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) as its shock-troops, security guards and assassins.

Far from welcoming sundry comments and views from all, it employs the nation's media as its paid propagandists and suppresses free speech by means of its appalling Printing, Presses and Publications Act.

And far from promoting religious and racial unity, as Najib's fake "1Malaysia" slogan pretends to proclaim, the government does its damndest to foment discord through the regime-owned gutter 'newspaper' Utusan Malaysia and through race-hate pressure groups like Perkasa (or, as I prefer to think of it, Pukeasa).

Despite the dire reality of his Razakstan regime, however, Najib had the gall to issue a rallying call to his partners-in-crime at the Kazakhstan conference to join him on "a journey that does not end until good governance truly becomes the mainstream value of all Muslim nations."

And no sooner had he returned from his Kazakhstan jaunt to be in full cry again during the opening of the Wasatiyyah Convention at the First Millennium of Islam in the Archipelago in Putridjaya, calling on Muslims "to set their house in order first before they can become the guiding light for mankind, like their forefathers."

"Why is it that corruption, maladministration, mismanagement and inefficiency are often associated with the administration of an Islamic state when we know that Islamic teachings, as contained in the Quran and the sunnah of the Prophet, can serve as guidance?" he asked.

Precisely the question I've been asking myself, and in fact the entire civilised world has been asking of rulers of Razakstan-style regimes for what seems like forever.

Cruel intentions made clear

Not that Muslim nations are by any means on their own in the gruesome-government department. Buddhist Burma, the Catholic Philippines and Kim-worshipping North Korea, to name just a few, are all as bad if not worse than their Islamic counterparts.

In fact religion or the lack thereof has nothing to do with government criminality - a point Najib is demonstrating by his willingness to extend an ecumenical welcome to two of the world's arch-criminals for the Langkawi International Dialogue on June 19 to 21.

The Muslim president of Sudan, Omar al-Bashir, has the dubious distinction of being the first serving head of state to be indicted by the International Criminal Court on charges of war crimes, genocide and crimes against humanity, and is now a fugitive from justice.

And Robert Mugabe, the non-Muslim dictator of Zimbabwe, an old crony of former Malaysian prime minister Mahathir, is one of the most reviled figures on the international stage, having spent decades destroying his nation's economy and civil institutions.

Consorting with such scum provides the ultimate example of Najib's fraudulent attempts to be perceived as a reformer, let alone a 'religious' one, and once and for all demonstrates the reality of his intention to keep running - and ruining - Malaysia like some kind of Umno/BN Razakstan.

DEAN JOHNS, after many years in Asia, currently lives with his Malaysian-born wife and daughter in Sydney, where he mentors creative writing groups. Already published in Kuala Lumpur is a third book of his columns for Malaysiakini, following earlier collections 'Mad about Malaysia' and 'Even Madder about Malaysia'.

UMNO-BN government still misusing public fund?

It was reported in Malaysiakini: RM1.8mil ... for a Facebook page? that RM1,800,000 (zero’s added for impact) was spent on creating Malaysia’s Tourism Ministry Facebook pages when Facebook is free to use. Even Khairy Jamaludin agreed it was too much. So looks like despite Malaysia’s population being very unhappy on how the UMNO/BN government using public funds, they are still happily wasting it on simple or unnecessary projects:

RM1.8mil ... for a Facebook page?

Joseph Sipalan
Jun 14, 11
3:06pm

10 friends can read this story for free

The Tourism Ministry came under fire again today, as MPs questioned why it had spent RM1.8 million to start and maintain its Facebook page - yet another on the list of controversial projects.
Anthony Loke (DAP-Rasah) slammed the decision to use so much money when the social networking site can be used free of charge.
“On my last check, there are 20,308 fans on the ministry's Facebook page. Comparably, the 'Visit Penang' Facebook page, for which the Penang government did not spend a sen, got over 100,000 fans. Why spend RM1.8 million?” he asked during Question Time.
Loke said it is hard to believe that not one person in the ministry has knowledge of how to maintain or update a Facebook account.
He stressed that the Tourism Ministry could have easily sought advice from various parties, including BN and opposition MPs, many of whom are ardent users of social networking sites.
“You don't even have to ask members on this side (opposition). There are those among the backbenchers, such as Kota Belud and Rembau... they can come in as consultants,” he said, referring to Umno MPs Abdul Rahman Dahlan and Khairy Jamaluddin, who are both heavy Twitter users.
Deputy Tourism Minister James Dawos Mamit said the budget covers the cost of hosting various activities on the Facebook page, including six interactive Flash applications, development and maintenance work and advertising, which was tendered out to a company, Impact Creations Sdn Bhd, on a three-year contract from 2011-2013.

James added that it cost the ministry nearly RM300,000 to develop each of the six applications found on their Facebook page.
'It looks like a waste of money'
Khairy, in a supplementary question, agreed with Loke that the RM1.8 million budget “looks like a waste” of funds, stressing that the low interest in the ministry's Facebook page is not reflective of the expenditure.
He acknowledged that it would take money to maintain the page and its various activities, but insisted that by engaging a company to focus on promotional work, there should already be big returns.
“Currently there are 2,013 'likes', and the page design is nothing extraordinary. It's only using the same template. We don't even have to look at the Penang tourism page; some of the MPs here are even more popular,” he said, while asking how the ministry will measure the success of its campaign.
James pointed out that Impact Creations was engaged to run an advertising campaign to promote domestic tourism, particularly among Generation Y Malaysians who are generally more tech-savvy.
He said the success of the ministry's social networking campaign, including advertising, will be measured based on the national return of investment in terms of an increase in domestic tourists.

Update: Malaysia Insider reported Yen Yen as saying “The Facebook pages do not cost a single sen. This is a social media advertising, promotions and branding campaign and also data collection,”.

However, her contention that the Facebook pages were free appeared to contradict her ministry’s detailed account of the cost for each page

Update 2: From Malaysian Insider: Deputy Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin said today that Cabinet would seek an explanation from Datuk Seri Dr Ng Yen Yen over the tourism ministry’s RM1.8 million expenditure to develop six Facebook pages.