UNTUKMU MALAYSIA

#International Volunteers Week (2-8 Dec): Don’t talk so much-lah

2011-12-08T10:29:00.001+08:00

7 December 2011 | Thank God It's Friday | Posted by Lim Ka Ea

Spot where Snowpiano is in this secondary school photo

Pang Sheue Chyn, fondly known by many people as “Snowpiano” shares her view on volunteerism in an exclusive interview.

Snowpiano / sno-pee-a-no/

Noun: 29-year old female journalist. Studied Science and Technology Management at University Malaya. Worked as an Assistant Editor for Rocket newsletter for 1 year before becoming a journalist with Oriental Daily News for 2 1/2 years.

Verb: Dreams of a world without discrimination, injustice and abuse of power. Dreams of a world with happiness and joy amongst all races in Malaysia. Dreams of a better Malaysia.

Adjective: Reading and writing news on politics ignites the fire in her.

Ka Ea: What got you interested in doing volunteering work?

Snowpiano: I was first exposed to volunteering work after a group of students from the Universiti Teknologi Malaysia (UTM) came to my school in Kulai during the reformasi period. I was in Form Five then.

The UTM students organised an exhibition on various issues that touched on corruption, independence of our judiciary, rising price of petrol, impact of foreign policies on Malaysia, etc. The students stressed that these were important issues that students need to know about and to be honest, many of us were not aware of it.

Some of us were so troubled by these revelations that we wanted to create similar awareness on other youths.

At the World Peace exhibition in Kulai

Ka Ea: So what did you do to create that awareness?

Snowpiano: I got together with a team of 20 to 30 friends from school to organise a similar exhibition but focussing more on world peace at a shopping centre in Kulai. It was really fun and we learned a lot about how to organise exhibition and various issues such as education, international and national politics.

Ka Ea: D0 you think what you did have an impact at all?

Snowpiano: I’m not sure whether it was a success and whether we achieved what we set out to do since we were too young to assess such things. (Laughs)

Standing, second from the left.

Ka Ea: I’m really amazed and curious. You were really young. Did your school and parents know about this? Were they not worried about your engagement in “political activity” at such a young age?

Snowpiano: We did this on our own initiative. It didn’t involve our school. So, I don’t know what they think about it.

As for my parents, they trusted us and they didn’t object to it and to be honest, they thought it was a school project inspired by a group of university students. So what harm could it do? It was part of learning.

Many of my friends who participated in this activity went on to become politicians, government officials, teachers, NGO workers and journalists. So, I think we turned out not too bad! (Laughs)

Ka Ea: What drives you? Do you choose the type of cause you volunteer for?

Snowpiano: Any issues that affect Malaysians and Malaysia in general, interest me. So, I don’t really pick and choose a cause.

Once, my friends and I organised a camping retreat for drop-out students living in remote villages. Our objective was to create awareness on the importance of education. Education, not just from a classroom perspective. We wanted to impart on these students that even if they were not interested in their studies, they must find other meaningful ways of living their lives. You see, we were saddened by how many of them resorted to gangsterism after they dropped out from schools. We had workshop and counselling sessions with the students and hoped that these would help them to gain some perspectives in life.

I’m still in touch with some of them and am very happy to know that many of them have gone on to become responsible citizens. These are some of the things which drive me to do volunteering work.

Ka Ea: That’s amazing work. How did you mobilise all these youths? And did it cost you a lot to organise these activities?

Snowpiano: We spoke to [the] village heads and some school teachers and asked them for their help to identify the youths.

We also did fundraising on the streets. To be honest, it didn’t cost much. All of us also contributed some [money] from our own pockets. Seriously, people often think it costs a lot to organise activities but if you’re resourceful enough and keep the cost down to what’s necessary, it really doesn’t cost much.

Ka Ea: So, what happened to the “project”? Was there any continuity?

Snowpiano: It’s unfortunate. We wanted to do more but all my friends left Kulai after we graduated from secondary school. It was difficult to get together and continue [the project].

I’ve learned from this that it is important to build a DIY community, such as the one UndiMsia! is trying to achieve. Those who start a project must make sure that they pass on the knowledge and skills to others.

Sustaining a project is a challenge. It’s a waste to stop a good activity from continuing. [We] need to always nurture new people to take over.

Ka Ea: So, how would you encourage youths to do volunteering work? Many seem to think that they must concentrate on their studies and career first before they have the time to do anything else.

Snowpiano: I believe many people do not see the values of volunteerism. In fact, volunteerism can help youths to learn about many things which are useful to their studies and work. For instance, it really helps you to plan, organise and manage your time and work. These are things you can’t learn from a classroom. It helps you to realise your goal and purpose in life. It helps you to be resourceful and find ways of achieving things.

Finally and I think most importantly, it makes you alive. I notice that volunteers tend to be individuals who have passion for life. They have this spirit in them and I think this is wonderful.

Ka Ea: Yes, yes, it all sounds good but why do you think it’s so hard for many organisations to recruit and mobilise volunteers?

Snowpiano: (Ponders for awhile) Honestly? I think we must do away with traditional methods of recruiting volunteers. NGOs must be more result-orientated like the corporate world. The NGO mentality of skimping on money and time can sometimes be counter-productive. Sometimes, it’s important to spend more money and time to invest on fun and innovative activities that will attract volunteers.

I think sometimes, NGOs need to be a bit more “aggressive” and open-minded in their method of engagement. As long as the purpose is good, the method should not a factor. If [they] need to spend money to achieve results, then I think it’s justified.

Ka Ea: So, do you agree that volunteers should be paid?

Snowpiano: If an organisation can afford it, I don’t see why not. At least an allowance to help them cover some cost. But if someone expects to be paid when you ask for their help, then it’s not called volunteering, is it?

Ka Ea: Any last words?

Snowpiano: Errr…. yes. Let’s face it. Most youths are not interested to do volunteering work. I think there’s no point preaching to them about the benefits [of volunteering]. It’s pointless telling them [that] because they all know there is a shortage of volunteers to help out with so many issues in the world.

I think we need to stop talking so much and just get them to volunteer. Once they see the results of their work, it will encourage them to do more. Once they see how their work are affecting others and that they’re part of something, they will automatically volunteer. They must first see the results for themselves.

Ka Ea: So, basically, you’re saying we should all shut up and just do it?

Snowpiano: (Nods her head enthusiastically) Precisely.

On the stage with her friends at a mall in Kulai

Laporan Rakyat - Borang Penilaian MP & ADUN

2011-11-18T21:21:00.008+08:00

The Laporan Rakyat is a joint initiative by the CPPS and UndiMsia!, which aims to assist the rakyat in assessing the performance of their current ADUN (Ahli Dewan Undangan Negeri) as well as MP and subsequently to encourage critical thinking amongst the rakyat in order to make informed decisions for their own communities. Coupled with workshops on voters’ education, the Laporan Rakyat is part of a bigger voters’ education and election watch campaign embarked by both UndiMsia! and CPPS respectively.

For more information, please contact move@undimsia.com or 03-22011454.

TheMalaysianinsider:
Laporan Rakyat: Inisiatif demokrasi galak fikiran kritis rakyat, kata MP Umno

KUALA LUMPUR, 18 Nov — Projek Laporan Rakyat yang dilancarkan Pusat Kajian Polisi Awam (CPPS) dan UndiMsia! hari ini, satu inisiatif inovasi demokrasi yang dapat meningkatkan dan meluaskan partisipasi rakyat dalam proses politik negara, kata Ahli Majlis Tertinggi Umno Datuk Saifuddin Abdullah.

Laporan Rakyat akan menilai prestasi Ahli Dewan Undangan Negeri (Adun) dan Ahli Parlimen dan bertujuan untuk menggalakkan pemikiran kritis di kalangan rakyat dan pada masa yang sama melibatkan mereka dalam proses demokrasi.

Projek perintis akan bermula di Parlimen Hulu Langat, yang menyaksikan perubahan pada pilihan raya umum 2008, yang “mencerminkan komposisi geografi, kaum dan agama.”

Kaji selidik itu akan menilai prestasi wakil rakyat selain masyarakat juga digalakkan untuk mengulas tentang isu utama yang berlaku di kalangan mereka.

Saifuddin (gambar) berkata, beliau percaya langkah itu akan membuka lembaran baru komunikasi dua hala antara wakil rakyat dan rakyat.

“Ia dapat membantu wakil rakyat untuk memperbaiki perkhidmatannya manakala rakyat dapat menyampaikan pengharapan terhadap perkhidmatan yang diperlukan daripada wakil rakyatnya,” kata beliau lagi.

Saifuddin, Ahli Parlimen Temerloh berkata, ia juga akan mematangkan demokrasi kerana penilaian terhadap wakil rakyat dibuat secara sistematik dan tidak lagi semata-mata atas persepsi dan sentimen sahaja.

Katanya, sebagai wakil rakyat pertama kali — wakil rakyat kawasan Temerloh, “saya telah memulakan kad laporan saya sejak genap enam bulan pertama saya diamanahkan tugas ini.”

“Saya mengeluarkan kad laporan saya pada setiap enam bulan. Terakhir ialah kad laporan tiga tahun sebagai Ahli Parlimen,” kata Timbalan Menteri Pengajian Tinggi ini.

Saifuddin berkata, kad laporan mengandungi kerja dan pencapaian dalam Enam Bidang Pembangunan Tumpuan, yang digariskan dalam manifestonya semasa pilihan raya umum ke-12 iaitu pendidikan dan latihan, kesihatan dan kecergasan; pekerjaan dan ekonomi, jati diri dan sosiobudaya, partisipasi dan masyarakat sivil serta frasarana dan kemudahan awam.

Katanya, kad laporannya dibentangkan pada mesyuarat Majlis Perundingan Parlimen Temerloh, yang dianggotai 150 orang perwakilan dari sektor kerajaan, perniagaan dan masyarakat sivil untuk mendapatkan maklum balas.

“Ia juga diedar kepada media dan disiarkan dalam laman web saya. Di samping medium-medium ini, kad laporan tiga tahun telah juga diedar dalam bentuk brosur di kawasan Parlimen Temerloh.

“Saya ingin menyertai projek ini kerana ia dapat memperbaiki kad laporan saya yang sedia ada,” katanya lagi.

Kaji selidik itu akan menilai prestasi wakil rakyat selain masyarakat juga digalakkan untuk mengulas tentang isu utama yang berlaku di kalangan mereka.

Laporan Rakyat boleh didapati di laman web UndiMsia! dan CPPS.

Keputusan kaji selidik akan dikeluarkan pada Mac 2012.

Perlembagaanku

2011-09-17T17:21:00.004+08:00

Petik dari laman Loyarburok:

Inilah sajak Syahredzan Johan yang dideklamasikan ketika acara UndiMsia! pada 16 September 2011. Kerana sajak ini, beliau memenangi pertandingan “Tasty Title” malam itu dan pulang ke rumah dengan trofi wok yang direbut kontestan selebriti yang lain. Sajak inilah yang menyebabkan bulu roma semua hadirin terus naik, dan beberapa orang (termasuk lelaki gagah) menangis kerana penuh emosi. Bacalah. Deklamasikan dengan semangat. Lord Bobo sangat puas sekali dengan sajak ini.

Kau kata
Kau daulat undang-undang
Kau dukung demokrasi
Kau hormat hak asasi
Kau luhur Perlembagaan ini
Tahukah engkau?
Ini bukan warkah main-main
Bukan suhuf picisan
Ini kitab suci
Ini tawarikh junjungan
Ini kontrak sosial
Kovenan pemerintah
Dan yang diperintah
Yang mengangkat rakyat menjadi raja
Merakyatkan Raja pada paksi Perlembagaan ini
Namun kau carut dan kau cabul
Kau ludah
Dan kau kencing
Kau halalkan yang haram
Dan haramkan yang halal
Kau gubah ikut tepukan dada dan selera
Bagai kau yang punya Perlembagaan ini
Tidak lagi!
Kami mahu berpesta demokrasi!
Kami mahu ke jalanan berhimpun, berarak, berdansa
Kami mahu menghirup hak yang maktub
Yang hakiki di bawah Perlembagaan ini
Kami tidak gentar
Walau dengan tomahan bacul
Walau dengan momokan khianat
Walau dengan canister gas
Walau dengan dengan meriam air
Walaupun dengan das-das peluru
Tidak, kami tidak gentar
Juang kami demi rakyat
Pedang kami hujah
Lembing kami fakta
Perisai kami keyakinan
Azimat kami Perlembagaan ini
Sudah sekian lama kau jadikan ini Perlembagaanmu
Tiba masa kami jadikannya Perlembagaanku

Undilah

2011-09-16T01:30:00.001+08:00

Hadiah yang paling baik untuk tanah air kita adalah menyertai dalam pembangunan dan penentuan keputusan sebarang pun yang berkenaan dengan masa depan Malaysia!

Satu video yang menarik dihasilkan oleh Pete Teo:

Bersih 2.0 Documentary Video (With English Subtitle)

2011-09-10T01:43:00.000+08:00

A documentary produced by eTV and team on BERSIH 2.0 Rally, 9th July at Kuala Lumpur.

This video separated into four parts which tell the true story of Bersih 2.0 rally in different places from 9am to 5pm

Press Release: The search for justice and truth must continue

2011-07-23T17:35:00.000+08:00

Saturday, 23 July 2011 02:08pm

There are a number of key points on which the Malaysian Bar agrees with the report of the Royal Commission of Inquiry into the Death of Teoh Beng Hock (“RCI”).

We concur with the following findings of the RCI:

(1) That the RCI was unable to accept that the alleged suicide note had been written by Teoh Beng Hock, and that the undue delay by the authorities in tendering the alleged suicide note at the first available opportunity could not be taken as mere carelessness or neglect, and therefore the authenticity of the note could not be trusted;

(2) That Teoh Beng Hock was, at all material times until his untimely death, in the care, custody and control of the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (“MACC”) officers;

(3) That Teoh Beng Hock was not released from the care, custody and control of the MACC officers after his statement had been recorded at approximately 3:30 am, and this failure “amounted to cruel conduct and punishment inflicted on purpose”;

(4) That Teoh Beng Hock was subjected to “aggressive, relentless, oppressive and unscrupulous interrogation” and that the recording of his statement was unlawful;

(5) That the majority of the MACC officers exhibited a “total lack of consideration for human sensitivities”, and that the recruitment process of MACC officers should include a “psychological evaluation to assess their suitability for investigative work”;

(6) That most of the MACC officers who were involved in the operations on 15 and 16 July 2009, and who gave evidence as witnesses, were neither truthful nor credible, as they “had the inevitable habit of lying”;

(7) That massive operations launched by MACC Selangor – which were headed by then-Selangor MACC deputy director Hishamuddin Hashim – against the Pakatan Rakyat members of the Selangor state assembly were grounded on mere belief of information purportedly received over the telephone, and without proper ground work or verification;

(8) That Hishamuddin Hashim was “arrogant, given to falsehoods, untruthful and uncompromising”, and that he was “just too stubborn [such trait was also displayed when he gave evidence before us] to retreat from his mistake in mounting such a massive operation”;

(9) That not only was Hishamuddin Hashim involved but he also “unleashed his officers to do his bidding in order to get results within that night and morning come hell or high-water”, and that Hishamuddin Hashim should be held responsible for the actions taken by him and his officers that led to Teoh Beng Hock’s death; and

(10) That the Selangor MACC had shown an extreme lack of cooperation with the police in the latter's attempts to investigate complaints of assault and other offences previously made against its officers.

The Malaysian Bar, however, does not concur with the finding by the RCI that Teoh Beng Hock had committed suicide. Such a finding, in our view, is unsupported by the facts and the evidence.

Contrary to the statement made by Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department Dato’ Seri Mohamed Nazri Abdul Aziz, forensic psychiatrist Professor Paul Mullen did not testify that Teoh Beng Hock had a “weak character” that had led to him taking his own life. Professor Mullen also did not conclude that Teoh Beng Hock had committed suicide; rather, his testimony stated that “in [his] opinion, what we learned of Teoh Beng Hock’s personality and behaviour do not suggest any increased risk of suicide”. He further opined that the context of the events that had taken place was not one “which, in [his] experience, leads to suicide in custody”, as he had not been made aware of anything “to explain panic and distress sufficient to drive [Teoh Beng Hock] to conclude his honor had been irreparably tarnished”.

This is in stark contrast to what the Minister reportedly stated during the release of the RCI’s report, namely that Teoh Beng Hock had “truly committed suicide based on his character that had changed from a low-risk group to a high-risk group for suicide after undergoing a continuous and aggressive questioning session”. Professor Mullen’s testimony does not provide the basis for the RCI’s finding of suicide, such as that described in the section titled “conclusion on forensic psychiatric aspects” in the RCI’s report.

It is noted that the RCI found the following:

(1) That the time of death had been between 7:15 am and 11:15 am on 16 July 2009;

(2) That Teoh Beng Hock had not been released at 3:30 am and been left alone sitting on a sofa after his statement had been recorded, as Hishamuddin Hashim had issued a written circular the previous month that “witnesses and visitors in the Selangor MACC office should be accompanied at all times”;

(3) That Teoh Beng Hock had been subjected to a fourth interrogation session after 3:30 am by Hishamuddin Hashim and his officers, which was aggressive and relentless. In addition, the RCI rejected the evidence of MACC officer Raymond Nion that he had seen Teoh Beng Hock lying down unattended on a sofa at approximately 6:00 am;

(4) That the fourth interrogation session was probably between 3:30 am and 7:00 am; and

(5) That the window from which Teoh Beng Hock is said to have fallen out was located conspicuously.

In view of the above, and that there was no evidence whatsoever produced at the RCI hearing of Teoh Beng Hock’s whereabouts or movements after 6:15 am, and the staff of the Selangor MACC office would have begun arriving by 8:00 am, to surmise that Teoh Beng Hock had committed suicide between 7:15 am and 11:15 am requires a leap in logic and an assumption of facts not in evidence.

The Malaysian Bar also notes that the joint expert psychiatric report of Dr Badiah Yahya and Dr Nor Hayati Ali – the experts engaged by MACC who were present during most of the court proceedings and had interviewed Teoh Beng Hock’s family members, housemate and work colleagues – stated:

We did not have any evidence on how the investigation was conducted as there were “no written questions posted to [Teoh Beng Hock]” or audio recording as to ascertain the amount of pressure that he experienced. It is not known whether he had experienced in his mind the effects of being possibly prosecuted on the allegations, whether it would have been devastating for him and/or his organisation. This should require more information on what was said and done in the period taken [sic] into custody until he was found dead.

It is very clear to the Malaysian Bar that full responsibility for Teoh Beng Hock’s death lies squarely and solely on the MACC, and that immediate action must be taken to hold the culpable officers accountable for their behaviour. In this regard, we welcome the reported statement by Dato’ Seri Mohamed Nazri Abdul Aziz, that “appropriate action would be taken against the officers through the process of law without delay”. The authorities should investigate the relevant MACC officers for possible offences under sections 304 and 304A of the Penal Code, namely for culpable homicide not amounting to murder and for causing the death of TBH by negligence, respectively.

The Malaysian Bar also calls on the Government of Malaysia and MACC to consider:

* offering an unqualified written apology to Teoh Beng Hock’s family, and to the citizens of Malaysia, for his death; and

* making reasonable recompense to Teoh Beng Hock’s family in respect of his death. The Malaysian Bar extends its heartfelt sympathy once again to Teoh Beng Hock’s family and loved ones.

Lim Chee Wee
President
Malaysian Bar

23 July 2011

BERSIH 2.0 The TRURH SCENE VIDEO

2011-07-11T09:52:00.003+08:00

The Truth scene you couldn't miss! Voice over in Mandarin, but the TRUTH is across all borders!!!

BERSIH 2.0 PART 3

BERSIH 2.0 PART 2

BERSIH 2.0 PART 1

BERSIH 2.0 TEASER

Bersih 2.0 Real SCENE

2011-07-09T22:14:00.001+08:00

All about Bersih 2.0!!

U can't miss this! More video coming!!

To All LoyarBurokkers: A Message From Across The Seas

2011-06-16T16:19:00.001+08:00

To All LoyarBurokkers: A Message From Across The Seas

By Ana Gella Opong

An email which Lord Bobo recently received from Ana Gella Opong, from the Philippines.

Dear Lord Bobo,

I salute you for launching UndiMalaysia! Reading about the baby steps of your new project, for me, is like a trip down to memory lane. You see 10 years ago, we have also started a project similar to your own. We call it the First Time Voters Project.

It was, and still continues to be, the flagship program of voters education and registration among the youth in the Philippines. Seeing you move towards a more educated voting populace makes me realise that the problem of tarnished electoral processes and black propaganda infused-campaigns are problems not of the Philippines alone, but of the region and of the world, as well.

6 years ago, former Pres. Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo became the President for the second time by 3 Million votes. Disenfranchised Filipino youth then were 19 Million. Of course, this was a blow to FTV. But it also meant there are 19 Million more young minds we can convince and empower. Last year, the youth played a major role in the elections.

We are now living in a less corrupt country with a government headed by a President who actually listens to his people. I would like to believe that FTV is instrumental for this change. With the help of other NGOs, CSOs and government offices, we are now able to experience democracy, a government for the people.

Forgive me Lord Bobo, I talk too much about our own program. But my hopes is that you will be able to change Malaysia, as we did with the Philippines.

We have been in the movement for a decade and can be considered your "older brothers and sisters" and yet you have something that we lack. You have lawyers among you. They will be great assets to you. This is your edge over us. Compared to our doe-eyed 19-year old "founders" then, you are far more knowledgeable than us. What we had to learn on the road during campaigns, you learned in school.

There is no doubt in my mind that you will be able to change Malaysia, as we did the Philippines, in due time.

Until next time, Lord Bobo. Remember, this "fight" is not yours alone.

Know that we will be applauding your every step from our own little archipelago across the seas.

In Service,

Ana

National Youth Commission, Office of the President

Malacanang Palace, Manila City, Philippines

Re:UndiMalaysia! Taking A First Step For A Better Malaysia

2011-06-15T17:44:00.002+08:00

LoyarBurok:

15 June, 2011

By Pang Sheue Chyn

This post was originally an entry in the author’s blog, and was translated for the blawg by Tiu Gi Gyn. It has been merged with another post by the author and edited further for clarity and consistency.

The original post, in Mandarin.

I got acquainted with a whole lot of people, most of them were youngsters, the majority of them were lawyers. However, they are very different from the ones you would normally see in law firms, where they are all suited up, and those wearing typical black and white attire in Court. Everyone here was in their casual attire, wearing t-shirts and jeans.

The host said that they had not come up with a name for the group, in the meantime they would just call it "UndiMalaysia! Kitchen", because the kitchen is the place where transformation of great "dishes" from raw ingredients takes place (metaphorically).

He said, it is not difficult to work on this as everyone would just have to go to their respective constituencies to carry out voter education campaigns, to listen to the voters’ needs, to understand the differences in the states of mind and points of view of the voters from both urban and rural areas in Malaysia. Is that difficult? He said it is not, because all you need to do is go to a coffee shop and have a chat with the people there, most of the time you would find plenty of information.

Before he concluded his rant, those who were present raised their hands and enquired about the campaign, whether to focus on addressing issues related to the voters or to place emphasis on information relating to the candidates. This led to a discussion that ended on the note that the campaign was still in the early stages and the methodology is still being working out.

This may have been the first meeting, but everyone understood clearly that there is one common goal, that is to ensure that all Malaysian citizens are aware of their personal rights, and to really understand and improve the democratic system of the country. The meeting saw an enthusiastic discussion and active participation, and it felt as though such activism has been dormant over the years but is now being revived.

At the moment, it is only the first step. The host said that more human power is required, and he believed that the power of young people will reform the nation! One of the participants said, if one does not actually take steps to reform, one should worry that future generations may ask: "Father, why didn’t you do it when you had the opportunity to change things?" At that time, we would probably not know how to face our children.

The host said, we will "act" and not only "talk" as real action is the root of our work.

This is another attractive point, that with actual implementation and practice, we would help everyone grow to become a better nation, instead of us just complaining and sighing.

I believe that only with our best efforts can we achieve the true and ideal vision of our country. Hopefully, with the enthusiasm of the youths today, we will help create a strong foundation for the future of this country towards greater democracy, and bring hope for Malaysians hereafter!

Those who are interested in getting involved, please emailundimalaysia@loyarburok.com with your details or visit LoyarBurok! ;)

There will be more meetings and gatherings to generate ideas, and I’m sure your mailbox will be flooded with discussions. That being said, I am moved by the sincerity and hard work of the youths who participated in the meeting. They are working hard without being paid and they move on their own to plan all kinds of activities.

We wish to have a better Malaysia, we wish all people in Malaysia will appreciate their rights; at the very least, the right to vote which is basic to the human right to choose our own government.

There is no perfect country, but I believe that those who choose to DO rather than complain and blame would be the ones who can bring a better future!

Sheue Chyn has a dream. A dream without discrimination, a dream without unfairness and abuse of power, a dream with happiness and joy amongst all races — all of them realised in Malaysia. This is her dream, and what she is now pursuing. A better Malaysia for a better life. For her, you, and future generations.

They are "cooking" - for a better Malaysia!

2011-05-30T23:47:00.004+08:00

Knew some youths recently, being moved by their sincere and hard work. They said, want to have a "kitchen", but it is not a kitchen for dishes, it is a kitchen for "UndiMalaysia".

They working hard without paid, and they move by themselves to plan all kind of activities. They wish to have a better Malaysia, they wish all people in Malaysia realize their own right, at least the right for being a voter, the basic right to choose your own government.

So they have been gather to discuss, to give plenty of idea....although mailbox gonna flood with their discussion. But still have to said, they really so great!

There is no prefect country, and I believe those who choose to DO rather than complain and blaming would be the one who can bring a better future!

Feel like to join as a part of them?! Tat's the detail~~

Dear friends

For those who are new to UndiMalaysia!, this will get you up to speed:

http://www.loyarburok.com/selected-exhortations/change-your-life-change-malaysia/

We are actually recruiting:

1. as part of core team (Kitchen) - which will cook content and messaging

2. as part of workshop, and groundwork team working with communities at 3 DUN teams (Dusun Tua, Semenyih and Kajang).

Please feel free to email us undimalaysia@loyarburok.com and indicate your interest which team you wanna join. Our next meeting is at the centre at 11.6 at 1130am - 1.30pm. See ya!

Change Your Life. Change Malaysia!

2011-05-21T18:30:00.006+08:00

We interrupt the usual Ask Lord Bobo Q&A to give you the answer to a question which all of you should be asking! After all, His Supreme Eminenceness is all-knowing, and therefore knows you want to ask this question even though you may not.

*What is UndiMalaysia! (UM!)? (Question from Your Brain, via Lord BoboBarnabus)*

Lord Bobo will tell you the answer in four parts – why, what, how, and what now.

*Why?*

Malaysians complain a lot. Malaysians think that only politicians are able to solve our problems, and every fault lies with the politicians when we do not get what we want. This is wrong. We disempower ourselves when we think that only politicians can solve our problems. We complain, and complain, and complain some more that our complaints are not being acted on, but when it comes to actually doing something, we the complainants sit back, fold our arms and do nothing. We do not see that there is an alternative to blaming politicians – acting on our own, reclaiming our power, and making true grassroots democracy more of a reality than it is today. As has been said,

“people should not be afraid of their governments; governments should be afraid of their people.”

The Malaysian political landscape is extremely polarised, and voters are forced to vote purely along party lines, or for personalities based on salacious and sensationalised issues (read: sex) rather than on properly analysed and advocated bread and butter election issues (read: food, housing, public transport, public service efficiency, human rights, and education). As such, our politicians are not required to address issues that affect local communities in a properly thought-out way, and most campaigning remains firmly stuck in gutter politics.

Generally, there are two types of Malaysian youth today – those extremely partisan towards a political party, and those so apathethic that the very thought of politics and civil society issues makes them sick. The former believe the answer lies in supporting and being part of a political party. The latter believe the solution is completely ignoring what is going on in the country. The former have an illusion of politics and political change. The latter are disillusioned with the Malaysian political scene as it stands.

Many voter registration initiatives have been started, and many youth have been registered. The efforts, and results, of these initiatives deserve to be celebrated – but it is only the first step. What is being done with the newly-registered voters? After registering, very few of them are being mobilised or activated. Why?

*What?*

To empower and enable Malaysians to meaningfully exercise their right to vote, and to ensure that election results express the will of voters based on informed choices, the Malaysian Centre for Constitutionalism and Human Rights a.k.a. PusatRakyatLB (the Centre) will undertake a first-of-its-kind citizen education initiative, known as *UndiMalaysia!* The *UndiMalaysia!*Initiative will be carried out on key election issues to equip Malaysians with the information they need to make informed choices when exercising their right to vote. Election candidates will be scrutinised on their performance, conduct, and pledges.

*UndiMalaysia!* should, if successful, lead to a larger social movement, and act as the “conscience” of the people at every election. The Centre will conduct this experimental initiative with the long-term goal of establishing a permanent voter education hub. *UndiMalaysia!* will mobilise and build a database of empowered youth as part of the “voter bank” to demand and sustain good practices for future elections. The voter population, particularly the younger generation, should be encouraged to make more informed choices at elections, and to ask fundamental questions which have often been forgotten by the electorate and politicians. A sustained campaign for a number of years will in its course influence voter behaviour leading to positive changes in the way politicians handle elections. *UndiMalaysia!* will also result in a core peoples’ movement, which is able to take things in their own hands and be self-reliant.

*How?*

The initiative consists of whatever floats your boat. We will reveal them as they are revealed. The prototype *UndiMalaysia!* pack will include infographics and a flagship workshop, targeted at both urban and rural settlements. We will also test our deliverables in one chosen Selangor Parliamentary constituency as if we are to “campaign” at that constituency to show the politicians how it ought to be done.

*UndiMalaysia!* will deal with a number of important issues of social relevance including poverty eradication, law and order, corruption, freedom of expression, managing the country’s resources, transparency in Government expenditure, and students’ and indigenous peoples’ rights. If it’s important to the *rakyat*, it’s important to us. We hope there will be Malaysians in all communities who will stand up and be counted to do their own maths, and question the politicians when the figures appear wrong.

When (not if) successful, this first-of-its-kind initiative will be replicated in other constituencies, and hopefully throughout the country.

*What now?*

You should *UndiMalaysia!* It will excite and be exciting. We are in the process of recruiting and mobilising. We are also inviting all NGOs on board to raise their own issues when we campaign, and share the same platform for a larger presence and stronger voice. Most importantly, we want YOU on board. No expertise is required.

If you have an interest in being part of omething bigger than your own personal life, join us. If you think you are clueless and want to come on board to learn, join us. If you have no clue about politics, but are keen on helping out in any way, join us. We will guide and find a place for you.

Be part of a movement that is truly a *rakyat*’s movement. Move us. Move with us. Join us. Start history with us. Change the way politicians behave – they are not VIPs who need to be bowed down to, they are there to represent YOUR needs. Re-write the lives of Malaysians. Be the change you want to see.

Email your details to *undimalaysia@loyarburok.com*, and we will do the rest! We promise you, your life will never be the same.

I almost forsook my generation — Michelle Ng

2011-05-20T19:39:00.001+08:00

Article to share~~

Michelle Ng

May 03, 2011
MAY 3 — Hi, my name is Michelle. I almost forsook my generation.

I hail from a modest family. I have a hardworking father and a loving mother. They taught me well and always made sure that I had everything I need. As a child, I always thought that everything was blissful. Daddy always came home with a smile on his face — it always seemed that he had a good day at work. Mum was always happy to see him. My siblings and I were the rather happy-go-lucky kind.

It was 11 when I knew that I wanted to become an enforcer of justice. How? I don’t know. It just felt right. I didn’t know what I wanted to do exactly. I thought of being a policewoman or a forensic scientist or a lawyer. I just wanted to do what was right.

This desire kept with me ever since.

When mum realised my passion, she was rather happy. My dad always called me the “loyar burok” in the house. Needless to say, I was very argumentative since I was a kid. My parents always knew that I’d develop along those lines.

And then, I grew up.

I grew up to realise that I wouldn’t derive much satisfaction if I were just to become a lawyer. To change lives case by case was is a noble task, no doubt. But I’ve always felt like I can do more than that. I logically derived that the greatest enforcers of justice are judges. And I wanted to be one. I would hear many cases within a day. And would have been able to change more lives than if I were to be a lawyer.

I told my parents what I wanted to do. And well, they weren’t very happy about it. Everything went downhill from then on.

We exchanged hurtful conversations. My dad, being in a semi-government sector, told me that I wouldn’t get anywhere if I were to work in the public service. Dad was a noble man. He stood by his boss when everyone ran away. He worked hard and trained a whole generation of workers who were to be fed into the work line. He climbed the corporate ladder. But he didn’t get up as high as he should have. As the years passed, he saw the generation that he trained become his bosses. He felt that it was unfair for him to go through that. The system lacked justice, evidently — he said that it is because he is Chinese.

My mum said that her many friends who are now judges are living testimonies of the degree of corruption in the Malaysian judiciary. “Why do you want to trap yourself in a cage?” she asked. I told her that it’s because if the judiciary is corrupt, then judgments in individual cases will be corrupted as well. It’s a knock-on effect. At the end of the day, we’ll be living in a society whose culture was developed by corruption. I said that I wished to stop that. She said: “‘My friends thought that as well. Look at them now.” I said: “‘Mum, when you are called to do something, you don’t just give up like that. Even if I don’t succeed in this generation, at least I can die knowing that I’ve paved the path for future generations to walk on and, hopefully, build on.” She said: “If you ever get into trouble, don’t come looking for me.”

I knew that my parents didn’t mean what they say. They were being parents. They were looking out for me. But words like that hurt, you know?

I thought long and hard about it — if the path that I’m going to walk will cause my family to turn against me, if the path that I am taking will leave me with huge financial burdens, if the path that I take will be so hindered such that, at the end of the day, I wouldn’t be anywhere near what I intend to achieve, is it worth it?

My parents told me: “Michelle, you’re a smart child. Get a job overseas. Don’t come back.”

I thought that the suggestion had merit and, at one point, gave huge weight to it. Law enforcement in Malaysia seemed hopeless. So they say, “one man can’t change the world”.

I went through a tough battle with myself. My mum had a point. If the system was already corrupted, and if you are going to work in the system, you’re not going to get anywhere. Logically, I thought to myself — the only way to achieve my dreams will be to change the system. And the only way to do that was, well, politics.

I thought myself crazy for a moment. I felt that everything would be working against me if I went into that field. I am a Chinese, Christian, female. Who would want to hear what I say? I kept this to myself for a long time. I didn’t dare say anything to anyone for fear that I will be made fun of.

But since making that decision, it has rested well with my soul. I felt good about it.

In 2009, when I held office in the Malaysian Society in LSE, I was approached to organise a talk in LSE for Anwar Ibrahim. For the safety and wellbeing of the community I represented, I felt that it would have been suicidal to say yes to organising this event. Surely, since his release from prison, he will inadvertently draw a huge crowd with hugely varying interests and opinions. I made my stance clear to his organising committee, but directed them to the right sources so that they can organise their event in LSE nonetheless.

After the talks he gave in London, Senator David Yeoh, who was part of his entourage, treated the organising committee to a dinner to say thank you. I had the opportunity to meet young activists — those who shared the same ideal as I do. They told their stories of how they were detained at immigration upon entry into Malaysia, their hopes for our country, and how they have been fighting, and will keep on fighting for many years to come.

I was rather in awe.

I turned to Yeoh and asked whether PR offered internships. He made a sensible comment and said: “No. We’re too young. Ask DAP. They should have MPs that you can work under.”

Long story short, I did a 1½-month internship with Tony Pua and Dr Ong Kian Ming (UCSI lecturer, political analyst, consultant). And everything that I did within that time span felt right. I didn’t matter whether I took three flights in two days between Peninsular Malaysia and Sarawak. It didn’t matter that I had to be at Taman Jaya station at 8 in the morning everyday to head to the many districts in Selangor, only to do the simple task of note-taking during the town hall meetings which will contribute to the Selangor Blueprint. On these days, I’ll reach home at about midnight, only to have that few hours of sleep, and repeat the whole routine again.

I worked with people on the ground, learned their way of life, their morals, their culture. I heard their heartbreaking stories about how all they want is a Sibu that doesn’t flood, a Kuching that has its land distributed fairly among its people, an education system that doesn’t brainwash their children...

I saw these people, and had this surging desire to educate the uneducated, to give jobs to the poor, to speak for the voiceless.

I felt that I would be doing injustice if I were to use my abilities and resources for myself. It just wasn’t right. I want the aunts and uncles who sell fruits by the street to not have to worry whether they’ll be able to make a good sale tomorrow. I want the children of these uncles and aunts to know that they have an equal opportunity to achieve their heart’s desires in the future. I want UM to find its place on the world stage again. I want teachers to have pride in their work. I want Malaysia to be the place where people are proud to be a part of; a place where people will want to come home to.

Hi, my name is Michelle. Forsake my generation, I shan’t.

Beranilah, Nurul Hana Anwar Ibrahim!

2010-02-04T01:47:00.004+08:00

Bertuah kerana dapat memasuki mahkamah pada hari ini bagi menyaksi perbicaraan kes Anwar Ibrahim dan sempat berdiri di sisi Nurul Izzah dan Nurul Hana.

Sepanjang perbicaraan, Nurul Izzah memegang tangan adik Hana sambil melihat Hana dengan perihatin.

Semasa tuduhan dibaca, Nurul Izzah bertanya kepada Hana: "Adik, Daddy akan kena charge, re u ok?"

Hana nod dan terus diam sahaja. Mata Hana asyik pandang ke arah hakim dan tidak mengata apa-apa pun.

Akan tetapi, apabila Saiful dipanggil dan memberi kenyataan dalam mahkamah, air mata Nurul Hana turun dengan tidak terhenti......

Kak Izzah pegang tangan Hana, pujuk adik supaya berani dan bertenang. Hana tidak mengata apa-apa, mengelap air mata yang turun tidak terhenti, dan terus memberi sokongan kepada ayah yang kena tuduh...

Bukanlah senang untuk menghadapi ahli keluarga yang tersayang dijatuhkan hukuman sebegini dan bukanlah senang bagi seorang gadis muda untuk matang dan berani. Tetapi, sebagai anak Ketua Pembangkang yang tegas, percaya Hana dapat menghadapi semua ini dengan tenang dan berani juga!

Keadilan akan sentiasa berada dengan mereka yang menegakkan kebanaran!

Malaysia’s regime crisis, race politics and the kalimah Allah issue*

2010-01-14T21:11:00.003+08:00

Petikan dari blog Tengku Razaleigh

The centre of gravity of global economic activity has been moving eastwards towards Asia for quite some time now. The present global financial crisis has accelerated that process.

Asian economies, led by China, seek to spur domestic demand and increase intra-regional trade. As the global appetite for treasuries and US equities decreases, it is likely that large flows of risk capital will start moving to emerging markets again over the next six months. The main destinations will be India and China, but the countries of Southeast Asia are also set to benefit from these flows of global capital to the extent that they have an economic story to tell. The two top performers are going to be Indonesia and Vietnam. Indonesia, the new “i” in BRIIC, has a market-size, natural resources and liberalisation story while Vietnam has a large and industrious labour force that is skilling upwards rapidly. The Philippines and Thailand, despite political worries, remain relevant for their large domestic markets while Singapore, as the financial hub of the region, benefits from any increase in regional economic activity. This year also sees the full implementation of AFTA and the signing of more regional FTAs. We can be cautiously optimistic about the basis for growth in trade and investment.

I mentioned the major Asean countries but not Malaysia in my list of investment destinations. That is because Malaysia has fallen off the map for much foreign investment. With neither the cost and scale advantages of Vietnam and Indonesia nor the advanced capabilities of Singapore, Malaysia is firmly caught in a middle-income trap and appears to have fallen off the radar screen of foreign investors. It might seem puzzling that this country, sitting at the heart of Southeast Asia, blessed with extraordinary natural, cultural and human capital, and once a beacon in the developing world, has become irrelevant.

I want to discuss how this happened, and reflect on what this story might teach about larger issues of common concern. Other members of Asean might be concerned that a country that was once at the forefront in spearheading regional initiatives is at a crossroads over its own future.

The general election of March 2008 was a watershed in Malaysian politics. The ruling Barisan Nasional coalition lost its accustomed two-thirds majority in the Parliament, and lost five states to the opposition, including the economic backbone states of Selangor, Perak and Penang. Compared to the ebb and flow of power in other parliamentary democracies, you might not find this a remarkable development. Against the backdrop of Malaysia’s political history, however, the entire political landscape had changed overnight. Gone was the invincibility of Umno, the Malay-based party that has dominated Malaysian politics since independence. The political credibility of Umno/BN had been more than just a set of racially-based political parties. Over its decades of ascendancy, history had been re-written, mythology created, and the party abolished and reinvented to reinforce the necessity and inevitability of a government led by Umno.

The formula of communal power-sharing that the Barisan Nasional and its predecessor were built on had started life as a political accommodation, a nation-building compromise, a way-station on the road to a fuller union of our citizens. Fifty years later it had ossified into the appearance of an eternal racial contract, a model replicated at every level of national life. The election results plunged this model, and the regime built upon it, into crisis.

The people are often ahead of their government. They are interested in more things than identity politics. Unable to respond to the reality that the BN formula is broken and the people want more than ethno-religious politics, the ruling party appears to be reacting by digging itself deeper into narrow racial causes with no future in them. This desperate response is self-defeating in a cumulative way. As Umno is rejected by the voters, party members pursue racial issues more stridently. They think this will shore up their “base”. They are mistaken about the nature of that base. As they do so, they become more extreme and out of touch with ordinary voters of every race and religion whose major concerns are not racial or religious identity but matters such as corruption, security, the economy and education.

Umno’s position in the present controversy over the use of the term “Allah” by non-Muslims is an example. In a milestone moment, PAS, the Islamic party, is holding onto the more plural and moderate position while Umno is digging itself into an intolerant hardline position that has no parallel that I know of in the Muslim world.

Umno is fanning communal sentiment, and the government it leads is taking up policy lines based on “sensitivities” rather than principle. The issue appears to be more about racial sentiment than religious, let alone constitutional principles.

In a complex multiracial society a party and a government whose primary response to a public issue is sunk in the elastic goo of “sensitivities” rather than founded on principle, drawn from sentiment rather than from the Constitution, is already short of leadership and moral fibre. Public life is about behaving and choosing on principle rather than sentiment. Islam, in particular, demands that our actions be guided by an absolute commitment to justice for all rather than by looking inward at vague “sensitivities” of particular groups, however politically significant. It is about doing what is right rather than protecting arbitrary feelings. If feelings diverge from what is right and just, then it’s time to show some leadership.

“Sensitivities” is the favoured resort of the gutter politician. With it he raises a mob, fans its resentment and helps it discover a growing list of other sensitivities. This is a road to ruin. A nation is made up of citizens bound by a shared conception of justice and not of mobs extracting satisfaction for politicised emotional states.

As a mark of our decline, at some point in our recent history the government itself began to speak the language of sensitivities. In the controversy over whether Christians are allowed to use the term “Allah” the government talks about managing sentiment when it should be talking about what is the right thing to do. This is what government sounds like when a political system and its leadership have come unstuck from the rule of law. It goes from issue to issue, hostage to the brinksmanship of sensitivities. Small matters threaten to erupt into racial conflict. The government of a multiracial society that cannot rise above sentiment is clearly too weak or too self-interested to hold the country together. It has lost credibility and legitimacy. The regime is in crisis.

The deterioration of our political order did not happen overnight or in isolation. It is part of a more general pattern of the decline of democracy and the rule of law in many newer democracies. Many post-colonial societies that began with democratic institutions saw democracy collapse afterwards into dictatorship. I can think of Nigeria, Pakistan and Kenya, for example. What has not been said is that underneath the appearance of continuity, and over two decades, Malaysia has quietly undergone the same process. There has been, beneath the surface, a decisive rupture with the federal, constitutional and democratic system upon which we were founded, and which alone confers legitimacy. What replaced it was an authoritarianism based on personality. Policy was set according to personal whims of the leader, which is to say that in areas such as the economy and foreign affairs, the country was run according to the personal enthusiasms and pet peeves of individual leaders.

Power was consolidated and constitutional government turned back. The result was a recession to authoritarianism and the centralisation of power, abetted by the corruption of the ruling party. The ideology of the ruling party, which had combined Malay nationalism with an overriding national concern, was vulgarised into an easily manipulated politics of group resentment.

Umno started in 1946 as a grassroots-based party that commanded the idealism of my generation. After 1987 it was transformed into a top-down patronage machine. Party membership became a ticket to personal gain. The party attracted opportunists and ne’er do wells while good people stayed away in droves. For any organisation this is a death spiral.

The challenge of Umno and of Malaysia today is not simply reform but restoration, not simply democratisation but re-democratisation. This is because we are not building from scratch but trying to recover from the decline of once-excellent core institutions.

There are regional implications to Malaysia’s crisis. The formation of the Federation of Malaysia in 1963 precipitated a regional conflict to which, in part, the formation of Asean in 1967 was meant to be a solution. Now in a clear sign of the erosion of the rule of law, agreements that structured state-federal relations over matters such as the distribution of the petroleum revenue are casually ignored. Malaysia is a federation of sovereign entities, but one of the consequences of authoritarianism has been that it has come to be run habitually as a unitary state. We have to learn again how to be a federation.

Let me try to draw some conclusions:

Shortcuts in governance may appear to work for a while, but they wreak long-term havoc on the institutional capability of a nation. Short-term boosts to the economy are difficult to evaluate when 40 per cent of the national budget come from a single source which does not report financial details either to the public or to Parliament.

What is clear is that there is no secure basis for long-term growth without a return to strong institutions, transparency and good government. The challenges of economic development, nation-building and institutional integrity are linked, more so in a complex country like Malaysia.

The success of Asean collaborative measures depends on the core countries taking a lead, and it is in everyone’s interest that these countries have strong democratic institutions and the rule of law. When countries lack good governance and transparency, domestic economies falter, domestic politics goes from crisis to crisis, and the country turns inwards and away from engaging constructively with the real world and with their neighbours.

The economic success of Asean economies up to the Nineties was based in part on the superiority of their institutional frameworks to those of Eastern Europe and South America. In the early days, Malaysia and Singapore played leading roles in Asean. Of late, Malaysia’s role has diminished, while that of Indonesia has grown. It is no accident that this is the result of successful reform and democratisation in Indonesia and the failure so far of any such process in Malaysia. Over the longer term, reform and democratisation must go hand in hand for there to be sustained economic development.

The present Prime Minister has made some helpful gestures towards liberalising the economy and pursuing more multiracial policies. These initiatives, however, must do more than skim the surface of what must be done. Malaysia is in need of fundamental reform. The reforms we need include, at minimum:

a. An overhaul of the party system which rules out racially exclusive parties from facing directly contesting elections. This will inaugurate a new era of post-racial politics.

b. The restoration of the independence of the judiciary and the freedom of the media.

c. An all-out war on corruption, the root of all the evils in nation-building and economic development.

The greater economic collaboration we aspire to in Asean requires that we pay attention to the internal conditions in each country that make it possible. We need to place the promotion of governance and institutional reform on the Asean agenda. I hope this is a matter you see fit to take up.

*Speech delivered by at the ISEAS Regional Outlook Forum 2010 at the Shangri-la Hotel, Singapore on Jan 7.

Surat Terbuka Untuk Penduduk Seksyen 23

2009-09-06T12:13:00.001+08:00

Surat Terbuka Untuk Penduduk Seksyen 23
2hb September 2009 M
13 Ramadan 1430 H

السلام عليكم ورحمة الله وبركاته

Kehadapan penduduk Seksyen 23 yang dihormati,

Semoga surat ini menemui tuan-tuan dalam keadaan sihat wal afiat serta keimanan yang teguh dan jitu berkat bulan Ramadhan ini.

Saya mengambil kesempatan ini untuk mengingatkan diri saya serta tuan-tuan akan Firman Allah, Surah Al Maaidah ayat 8 yang bermaksud;

“Bertindak adil! Ianya lebih rapat dengan keTaqwaan.”

Semoga dalam usaha kita membina keTaqwaan dalam bulan Ramadhan ini, kita mengingati hakikat bahawa ‘keTaqwaan’ yang diusahakan itu mempunyai hubungan rapat dengan keadilan. Keadilan ini pula perlu dilaksanakan terhadap semua, walaupun terhadap yang tidak disenangi. Ini ditegaskan di dalam ayat yang sama yang bermaksud,

“dan jangan oleh kerana kebencian kamu terhadap sesuatu kaum menyebabkan kamu tidak berlaku adil…”

Kalau terhadap kaum yang dibenci sekalipun dituntut keadilan, apatah lagi terhadap jiran sekampung dan warga sekota? Walaupun mereka tidak sebangsa dan seagama, hakikatnya mereka tidak memusuhi kita atau memusuhi Islam. Maka, mereka layak mendapat layanan yang adil. Adakah adil sekiranya kita menafikan mereka hak tempat beribadat yang berhampiran dan sebaliknya memaksa mereka ke seksyen 22, di tengah-tengah kawasan Industri berat, jauh dari kawasan kediaman? Tiada apa di sana kecuali kilang-kilang.

Saya hanyalah seorang wakil rakyat yang dipilih oleh tuan-tuan melalui pilihan raya yang diadakan pada masa-masa tertentu. Saya tidak berhak memaksa apa-apa pandangan atau keputusan ke atas tuan-tuan semua. Saya hanya mengharapkan keputusan yang tuan-tuan rumuskan sendiri berhubung cadangan pemindahan kuil ke Seksyen 23 mengambil kira persoalan keTaqwaan dan keAdilan seperti di atas.

Islam adalah agama yang adil. Keadilannya mampu menawan hati semua manusia. Yang paling saya takuti adalah tindakan yang memberikan gambaran bahawa Islam adalah sebaliknya. Allah murka terhadap mereka yang bertindak dengan cara yang merosakkan imej Islam sehingga menyebabkan manusia terhalang untuk mengenali keadilannya. Allah berfirman ayat 94 Surah An-Nahl yang bermaksud:-

“Dan kamu ditimpa kehinaan kerana menjadi penghalang kepada jalan Allah (disebabkan tindakan buruk kamu) dan untuk kamu azab yang amat dahsyat (pada hari akhirat kelak)”

Ada yang bertanya kepada saya, tidakkah saya khuatir saya kalah dalam Pilihan Raya yang bakal tiba oleh kerana isu ini. Bagi saya sekiranya itulah kehendak pengundi, apakan daya? Yang penting sejarah akan menjadi saksi bahawa ada Ahli Parlimen dari parti Islam yang memperjuangkan keadilan untuk semua walaupun orang Hindu. Seperti kisah seorang raja Islam di Mysore, Bangalore, India pada abad ke 18 yang bernama Sultan Fateh Ali Khan Tippu (Tippu Sultan). Rakyatnya terdiri daripada orang Islam, Hindu dan Sikh. Hingga ke hari ini rakyat India masih menceritakan mengenai pemerintahan beliau yang berasaskan Islam sebagai sebuah pemerintahan yang adil.

Semoga Allah memberkati kita semua dan memimpin kita ke jalan yang diRedhaiNya.

وسلام عليكم و السلام على من التبع الهدى
YB KHALID BIN ABDUL SAMAD
Ahli Parlimen Shah Alam

Malaysiakini:Rakyat belum maafkan BN

2009-04-07T23:40:00.001+08:00

Rakyat belum maafkan BN
Apr 7, 09 10:10pm

Kejayaan Pakatan Rakyat mengekalkan kerusi parlimen Bukit Gantang dan DUN Bukit Selambau dengan pertambahan majoriti membuktikan penolakan berterusan rakyat terhadap BN walaupun pilihanraya umum sudah setahun berlalu.

Kemenangan itu juga menunjukkan rakyat Malaysia masih belum memaafkan BN walaupun Umno - tulang belakang gabungan itu - dan negara sudah bertukar kepemimpinan kepada Datuk Seri Najib Razak.

Ia akhirnya menjadi "pungutan suara" terhadap perdana menteri baru itu yang belum lagi sempat membariskan kabinetnya sejak mengangkat sumpah, Jumaat lepas.

Najib dijangka mengumumkan kabinet baru tengah hari esok.

Kejayaan menteri besar Pakatan di Perak, Datuk Seri Mohamad Nizar Jamaluddin mengekalkan kerusi parlimen itu - di kubu tradisi Umno - juga menunjukkan bahawa rakyat tidak merestui rampasan kuasa BN di negeri tersebut, Februari lalu.

Ia juga membuktikan strategi kempen BN yang cuba menggambarkan Mohamad Nizar sebagai seorang "penderhaka" kepada Sultan Perak tidak diterima pengundi.

Kini bukan sahaja beliau, malah Bukit Gantang juga "mohon derhaka" - ucapan yang disampaikan sewaktu ingin berbeza pandangan dengan Sultan Azlan Shah di kemuncak krisis dengan Istana Kinta.

Kepemimpinan PAS dilihat tepat membaca politik apabila memilih ADUN Pasir Panjang itu sebagai calonnya di saat-saat akhir untuk memanfaatkan suasana tidak menentu di negeri itu.

Kehadiran mantan perdana menteri Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad - yang ingin kembali kepada Umno, Sabtu lalu - juga tidak banyak membantu.

Malah, dipercayai kalangan penyokong Umno akan menyalahkan kehadiran bekas presiden Umno itu atas kekalahan teruk BN di dua kawasan pilihanraya kecil tersebut.

Mohamad Nizar meraih majoriti 2,789 undi apabila menewaskan calon BN Ismail Saffian yang mendapat 19,071 undi.

Arwah wakil rakyat PAS Roslan Shaharum memperolehi 1,566 undi - kali pertama parti itu menawan kubu BN berkenaan.

Sementara calon PKR S Manikumar yang mengekalkan kemenangan bekas wakil rakyatnya V Arumugam menunjukkan calon muka baru tidak menjadi isu kepada pengundi parti pimpinan Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim.

Walaupun PKR berdepan dengan krisis kecil susulan pemilihan mengejut Manikumar, yang bakal dilantik sebagai exco kerajaan Kedah, tetapi sokongan pengundi di DUN Selambau tetap tidak berubah.

Ahli perniagaan di awal 30-an itu menang dengan majoriti 2,403 undi dengan meraih 12,632 undi. Manakala calon BN Datuk S Ganesan memperolehi 10,229 undi.

Arumugam, waktu itu calon bebas, meraih 2,362 undi.

Mengulas kemenangannya, Mohamad Nizar berkata ia menunjukkan rakyat mahukan demokrasi sebenar dan akan menjadikan kejayaan ini untuk menuntut pembubaran DUN Perak bagi membolehkan satu pilihanraya peringkat negeri diadakan.

The Malaysian Insider: Nizar wins!

2009-04-07T23:24:00.006+08:00

Nizar wins!
By Adib Zalkapli and Debra Chong

UPDATED

TAIPING, April 7 — In a major boost to the ousted Pakatan Rakyat state government, PAS won the Bukit Gantang by-election with its candidate Datuk Seri Nizar Jamaluddin defeating his closest rival, Barisan Nasional's Ismail Saffian, by 2,789 votes.

The former Perak mentri besar, who was ordered to resign by the state Ruler, obtained 21,860 votes while Ismail garnered 19,071 votes.

Independent Kamarul Ramizu Idris only managed to secure 62 votes and lost his deposit of RM10,000.

A total of 41, 626 voters out of 55,471 or 75.1 per cent cast their ballots.

The by-election was widely seen as a referendum on the newly-formed Perak government led by BN's Datuk Dr Zambry Kadir and today's outcome was the clearest sign yet that the move by the coalition to form the new state government has not gone down well with the people.

BN formed the government in February after three PR lawmakers left the alliance to become BN-friendly independents and Nizar's attempt to dissolve the state assembly to pave the way for state-wide election failed.

And with the swearing in of Datuk Seri Najib Razak as the sixth prime minister last Friday, the by-election also became the first test of his leadership and his reform agenda.

Nizar told a press conference after the announcement of the result that his immediate priority would be "to stabilise the political situation in Perak" and to seek the dissolution of the state assembly.

"This is a very strong signal from the people that they reject corruption, but they want democracy and they want a free and fair election,"

he said, agreeing to suggestions that the outcome of the election was an endorsement of the ousted PR-led government.

He was also confident that the alliance would win with a bigger majority if state elections are called.

"Our policies are not discriminatory," he added.

Earlier in his speech, Nizar urged party supporters who had gathered outside the polling centre to disperse.

Meanwhile, Perak Umno secretary Datuk Ramly Zahari insisted that the outcome of the polls did not justify the call for state elections.

He said the non-Malays voted strongly for PAS because of the populist policies of the PR-led state government including awarding permanent land titles to new villagers.

"We need more time to explain to them on the legality of this populist policy adopted by the previous government," said Ramly.

"And probably also our strategy was not right. We couldn't focus much on the by-election because of party elections and in Perak itself we have been busy handling the political turmoil," he told The Malaysian Insider.

Bukit Gandang Undilah Nizar!

2009-04-06T01:34:00.006+08:00

Undilah Pakatan Rakyat demi masa depan Malaysia! Undilah Nizar demi generasi yang akan datang!

Bukit Gantang: 10,000 dengar Amanat Mursyidul Am, Presiden PAS

TAIPING, 10 Mac - Hujan renyai-renyai yang turun di sekitar jam 9.00 malam tidak menghalang 10,000 penyokong Pakatan Rakyat membanjiri kawasan ceramah di Simpang, Taiping untuk mendengar amanat Mursyidul PAS PAS, Dato' Tuan Guru Nik Aziz Nik Mat dan Presiden PAS, Dato' Tuan Guru Abdul Hadi Awang sempena Pelancaran Gerak Kerja Pilihan Raya Parlimen Bukit Gantang pada 8 Mac lalu.

Turut memberikan amanat di majlis itu, Menteri Besar Perak yang sah, Dato' Seri Ir Mohamad Nizar Jamaludin, Naib Presiden PAS yang juga Pesuruhjaya PAS Negeri Perak, Ustaz Ahmad Awang, Ketua Dewan Muslimat PAS Pusat, Ustazah Nuridah Ahmad, Exco Kerajaan Pakatan Rakyat Negeri Perak dari DAP, Nga Kor Ming, Adun Aulong, Yew Tian Hoe, dan Yang Dipertua PAS Kawasan Bukit Gantang, Ustaz Nordin Jaafar.

Dato' Nik Aziz dalam amanatnya meminta para pengundi di kawasan Bukit Gantang agar bijak berpolitik dalam menentukan pemimpin yang bakal dipilih nanti.

Umno katanya, bukan sahaja tidak boleh diharapkan membela agama dan orang orang Melayu, bahkan parti itu sendiri menderhakai Raja Raja Melayu melalui beberapa siri penderhakaan yang dilancarkan parti 'Assobiyah Melayu' itu.

Antaranya termasuklah dalam isu menghapuskam imuniti Raja Raja Melayu, tindakan penyokong Bekas Menteri Besar Terengganu yang menghina Sultan Terengganu dan pelbagai siri penderhakaan terhadap Raja Melayu.

Program pada malam tadi juga berjaya menghimpunkan seluruh penyokong dan petugas-petugas Pakatan Rakyat dalam Pilihan Raya Kecil Bukit Gantang.

Sebelum itu pada sebelah petangnya Ustaz Nik Aziz telah melancarkan dan merasmikan Bilik Gerakan Pilihan Raya Kelantan di Kuala Sepetang. Kelantan dijangka akan menghantar petugas-petugas sepenuh masa bagi membantu Pakatan Rakyat mengekalkan kemenangan dengan majoriti lebih besar lagi.

Pelancaran gerak kerja pilihan raya yang dilancarkan Mursyidul Am PAS itu bermakna bermulalah gerak kerja pilihanraya Parlimen Bukit Gantang.

Selepas ini Bukit Gantang yang mempunyai tiga DUN dan 38 daerah mengundi akan didatangi oleh beribu-ribu petugas Pakatan Rakyat dari seluruh negara.

Nik Aziz meminta pengundi di kawasan tersebut agar tidak membuat kesilapan dengan memilih calon BN, sewajarnya calon PAS yang mewakili Pakatan Rakyat menjadi pilihan pengundi di kawasan ini sebagai tindakan 'mengajar' BN yang bertindak zalim apabila merampas kuasa rakyat di negeri Perak.

"Pilihan raya kali ini menjadikan Bukit Gantang sebagai ukuran pengaruh yang sebenar kepada Pakatan Rakyat dan BN," kata Nik Aziz.

Mustahil UMNO-BN Mampu Bawa Perubahan!

By Anwar Ibrahim

Setelah anaknya digantung tugas semalam, hari ini YB Karpal Singh pula dihadapkan dengan tuduhan menghasut, hanya kerana memberi pandangan profesional berhubung kedudukan Dato’ Seri Nizar sebagai Menteri Besar Perak yang sah. Saya rasa ramai sekali pakar perundangan yang memberi pandangan mereka berhubung isu tersebut, ada yang bersetuju, ada yang tidak.

Episod ini terjadi hanyalah kerana Singa Bukit Gelugor adalah Ahli Parlimen Pakatan Rakyat! Beliau cuba dialahkan dengan kekuasaan milik pemerintah, namun rakyat keseluruhan yang dahagakan Perubahan pastinya bersama wakil Pakatan Rakyat.

Hadir bersama pagi tadi di mahkamah ialah Saudara Kit Siang, Guan Eng, Tian Chua dan saya sendiri. Jelas perubahan yang dicanang seluruh negara adalah kepura-puraan UMNO-BN bagi meraih kembali sokongan rakyat.

Terpalit dengan pelbagai skandal penyalahgunaan kuasa juga rasuah, mustahil UMNO-BN mampu memangkin agenda perubahan. Baru sahaja pilihanraya umum yang lalu, rakyat menghantar mesej kepada penguasa, dan untuk kesekian kalinya, mereka memandang remeh mesej tersebut.

ANWAR IBRAHIM

Bukit Gantang by-election – three historic missions of the voters

(Took from blog Lim Kit Siang)

The 55,562 voters in the Bukit Gantang parliamentary constituency have a three-fold historic mission when they cast their votes in the by-election on Tuesday, April 7, 2009.

Firstly, to vote on behalf of the people of Perak to reject the unethical, undemocratic, illegal and unconstitutional power grab in Perak orchestrated by Datuk Seri Najib Razak sparking off a prolonged constitutional crisis with two Mentris Besar, a political stalemate and the grave erosion of the doctrine of the separation of powers, symbolised by the Democracy Tree in Ipoh which has entered into Malaysian political folklore and gained international recognition and admiration. Vote on April 7 for a return of the mandate to the voters of Perak by dissolving the Perak State Assembly and holding of state general election for Perakians to decide on the government of their choice.

Secondly, to vote on behalf of the people of Malaysia to send a clear and unmistakable message to Najib, who is to succeed Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi as Prime Minister of Malaysia, that to safeguard the honour of the highest political office of the land and that of the nation, he must address the many serious swirling allegations haunting and hounding him whether about mega-defence commissions or the C4 murder of Mongolian Altantunya Shariibuu as they affect public and international perceptions about his suitability, integrity and legitimacy as Malaysian Prime Minister – and public interests demand a Royal Commission of Inquiry to establish Najib ’s innocence and clear his name with regard to all these allegations; and

Thirdly, to vote on behalf of all Malaysians to endorse and reaffirm the March 8, 2008 general elections results to demonstrate that the political tsunami last year was not an accident or one-off phenomenon but represented the deep-abiding aspirations of Malaysians for political change and an end to Umno political hegemony and arrogance of power; that Malaysia can only move forward to become more democratic towards a two-coalition political system with effective checks and balances to prevent gross abuses of power and that there can be no retreat or return to the Mahathirism of the past under Najib.

(Speech at the Pakatan Rakyat Bukit Gantang by-election ceramah at Kuala Sepetang on nomination day, Sunday, 29th March 2009 at 10 pm)

Undilah Pakatan Rakyat demi masa depan Malaysia! Undilah Nizar demi generasi yang akan datang!

[Tony Pua]: Christmas Carol in Recesion

2008-12-11T20:22:00.003+08:00

An interesting post from Member Parliament Petaling Jaya, Tony Pua's blog:

You'd better watch out,
You'd better not cry;
You'd better keep cash,
I'm telling you why:
Recession is coming to town.

It's hitting you once,
It's hitting you twice
It doesn't care if you've been careful and wise
Recession is coming to town

It's worthless if you've got shares
It's worthless if you've got bonds
It's safe when you've got cash in hand
So keep cash for goodness sake, HEY

You'd better watch out
You'd better not cry
You'd better keep cash
I'm telling you why:
Recession is coming to town!

Finance products are confusing
Finance products are so vague
The banks make you bear the cost of risk
So keep out for goodness sake, OH

You'd better watch out
You'd better not cry
You'd better keep cash
I'm telling you why:
Recession is coming to town.

【The Nut Graph】 : Why Malaysia needs the ISA

2008-12-10T13:03:00.003+08:00

Article below took from The Nut Graph :

Why Malaysia needs the ISA

10 Dec 08 : 8.00AM

By Wong Chin Huat
editor@thenutgraph.com

Corrected on 10 Dec 2008 at 10.00am

Police negotiating with protester wearing "Mansuhkan ISA" headband outside Masjid Negara, 13 Sept 2008
(pic by Lainie Yeoh)

NO, your eyes do not fool you. Nor have I been visited by Special Branch officers and “turned over”.

I was at the Petaling Jaya Civic Centre car park Sunday night, 7 Dec 2008, attending the weekly anti-Internal Security Act (ISA) gathering. A passionate speaker lamented that there were so few Malaysians there because they were afraid of the ISA. He was also disappointed that corrupt governments can be overthrown once and again by demonstrating crowds in Bangkok, but not in Kuala Lumpur.

The gentleman could not be more wrong if he thought the causality works only in one direction — that the ISA causes people to shun demonstrations. It actually works both ways — the ISA also exists because of some people's fear of demonstrations and all other forms of political expression.

Also, one could not be more wrong to think that the ISA is merely an evil tool of the Barisan Nasional (BN) to control citizens. It is not a complete falsehood when BN politicians claim that the people want the ISA since they support a ruling coalition that desires the ISA.

The ISA is here because it has served a purpose to a sizeable segment, probably the majority, of Malaysians. What purpose is that? Having a strong government.

(Corrected) Without the ISA and all other draconian laws, a government cannot be strong in an autonomous sense — it can only persuade and not coerce people to support it.

But why would people want a strong government? Because we are fundamentally a Hobbesian nation.

Thomas Hobbes (source: wikipedia.org)Hobbesian nation

Thomas Hobbes, the 17th century conservative British philosopher, believed that human beings living in the state of nature were living in a state of war, their lives short and brutish. Incidentally, it was Hobbes who invented the concept of the social contract.

Driven by our selfish desire to compete for resources, we would pose threats to each other in the absence of government. Therefore, it is justifiable for a government to be absolute and disregard consent because the people cannot be trusted.

Push the Hobbesian logic to the extreme, and you will believe that even a bad government is better than no government. If only Hobbes was Asian, he would assure us that the government is always benevolent.

Most of us are Hobbesian because we do not believe that a multi-ethnic society can remain peaceful if the citizens are free. We are insecure with our differences.

Some of us wish for the differences to be eliminated through assimilation, with everyone professing one faith, speaking one language, observing one custom, or inter-marrying for common posterity.

And there are bound to be some among us who feel hurt when a “sensitive issue” is raised. The issue could be the constitutional “special position of Malays and natives of any of the states of Sabah and Sarawak”. Or it could be the extra-constitutional issues of bumiputeraism, Islam, the Malay language, the Malay rulers, or Chinese and Tamil schools.

And feeling hurt gives us a strong reason to ask others to shut up. So, we wave the keris, stage demonstrations, point fingers at other's noses, tear people's pictures up or even threaten to burn down buildings. The message is simple — stop this or you will incite ethnic riots.

Preventing ethnic riots 101

How do you prevent an ethnic riot? The government's answer is simple — crack down with the ISA.

In other words, the ISA and the authoritarian state that it protects is the lesser evil compared to looting and irrational mass killings. And since the ISA is here, everyone expects the state to use it against others who hurt their feelings. For many, the ISA is actually legitimate insofar as it is impartially used.

That is the reason why a government defending the ISA has been supported by more than half of the Malaysian electorate. It's like an insurance premium paid to hedge the risk of a disaster.

Protesters at anti-ISA candlelight vigil, 27 Sept 2008

But then, why have there been continuing anti-ISA gatherings that attract ordinary people, rather than civil society activists and opposition members, after 8 March, with the date a constant reference point?

A simple explanation is that there have been no post-election riots. It is obvious that for some Malaysians, the risk of being an ISA victim is a premium unnecessarily paid to hedge against a fake hazard.

But have we really outgrown our obsession with a strong government? I am afraid not.

The need for a strong government can only be gone when we believe we can deal with our differences without resorting to violence, whether by private citizens (riots) or the state (political crackdowns).

It will happen only when we believe we can trust our rationality. If we are right, we will win the debate; if we are wrong, then it is still beneficial for us to be proven wrong.

Are Malaysians willing to engage in rational debate when it comes to issues of religion, the labelling of natives and immigrants, or the future of multiculturalism?

No, more often than not, we respond with our emotions. “We are hurt, so you must shut up and apologise! You refuse to do so? We will take matters into our own hands or lodge a police report against you.”

In this sense, the ISA is more than “detention without trial”. It is one of the many tools — alongside the Sedition Act, the Printing Presses and Publications Act and other draconian laws — available to a Hobbesian state to save us from killing each other.

Antidote

The antithesis or antidote of the “unjust” ISA is therefore not “justice”, for justice in the minimal sense could mean a wrong universally and impartially applied.

Remember how many Malaysians condemned the arrest of journalist Tan Hoon Cheng? “How could the government arrest the messenger when the culprit is left scot-free?” The implied message was, it would have been less unjust if Datuk Ahmad Ismail were arrested together with Tan. But if Ahmad alone were arrested, how many would protest against the ISA?

The ISA serves our subconscious need for a strong government, like kids who turn to parents to punish their siblings to win a fight. To eliminate the ISA, you cannot just change the law. You must eliminate such deeply-rooted psychological needs.

We need to be comfortable with freedom. Right now, there is a fear of the “other's” freedom to think, say and do as they please. “We” perceive this as different from what “we” think, say and do. Thus, “we” perceive “their” freedom as threatening “our” world. This chain of reasoning, triggered by fear, is what created the ISA in the first place.

Blaming the BN for the ISA is easy, but such self-righteousness will blind us from acknowledging our own evil taste for authoritarianism. It does not get us closer to freedom, which is a combination of confidence to live our lives as we please and humility not to ask others to do the same.

A political scientist by training and a journalism lecturer by trade, Wong Chin Huat uses the Federal Constitution as his “bible” to fend off the increasingly intolerable evil called “state”.

LOCAL GOVERNMENT ELECTION : REINSTATEMENT WITHOUT AMENDING LOCAL GOVERNMENT ACT 1976 THROUGH PARLIAMENT

2008-11-11T02:47:00.003+08:00

From blog Yap Boon Hau (A Lawyer)
LOCAL GOVERNMENT ELECTION : REINSTATEMENT WITHOUT AMENDING LOCAL GOVERNMENT ACT 1976 THROUGH PARLIAMENT

INTRODUCTION

Much has been said and argued about the reinstatement of the local government election (“LG Election”). In fact, reinstatement of LG Election formed part of the manifesto of opposition in the 12th General Election. The very fundamental movement towards a matured democratic society must start with an LG Election. Without which, there cannot be true democracy.

This article is not written to analyze the effectiveness/efficiency of elected local authority than the appointed local authority. Rather, to provide some thought as to the alternatives available to those States which differ from the Federal Government in respect of LG Election. To put in another words, the purpose of this writing is to seek solution available to the State Governments (quite clearly the State Government under Pakatan Rakyat) who wish to hold LG Election, but feel constrained by the Federal Law and Federal Government, where the latter prefers local authority members to be selected.

Now I may sound naïve to assume that there is genuine intention of the Pakatan Rakyat State Governments to move for LG Election. Nevertheless, without such naïve presumption, it serves me no purpose of writing this article.

LOCAL GOVERNMENT ELECTION – LAWS THAT PERMITS AND PROHIBITS

From historical perspective, there was a legislation called Local Government Election Act 1960 (“LG Election Act”), authorizing LG Election. Section 5A of the LG Election Act provides :

“Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in the provisions of any written law which relates to Local Councils in force in any State, the State Authority may, after consultation with the Election Commission in respect of the boundaries of the local area and the number of Councillors to be elected to the Local Council having jurisdiction in such area, by order published in the Gazette of the State direct that the whole or a majority of the members of a Local Council shall be elected under this Act”

Subsequently, the Parliament deemed fit to enact the Local Government Act 1976 (“LG Act”) comprises of the provision affecting the LG Election in Section 15(1), which reads :

“Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in any written law, all provisions relating to local government elections shall cease to have force or effect”.

It is accepted that the Federal Law ceases to have effect when it is expressly repealed by another Federal Law. In this case, the Parliament appears not to label their intention to stop LG Election by repealing the LG Election Act, as the Parliament did not include LG Election Act as lists of repealed law in the Second Schedule of LG Act pursuant to Section 166 of the same. However, by introduction of Section 15(1), Section 5A of LG Election Act became inconsistent with Section 15(1).

So, there arises a question whether Section 5A of LG Election Act has been repealed by “implication”. Repeal by implication is not unprecedented, and certainly not ruled out by Courts as unconstitutional. Nevertheless, there is always presumption against repeal by implication. The rationale is simple : the legislator is presumed to know the existing law, so when enacting a new law without providing repeal of old law, it gives out an intention not to repeal the existing legislation. In this case, Section 166 of LG Act provides for list of repealed acts/enactment, but LG Election Act was omitted. What is the proper interpretation of these provisions?

Quite clearly, these two provisions (Section 5A of LG Election Act and Section 15(1) of LG Act) cannot stand together. They contradict each others. In my view, this is a classic case where the Court would apply the principle of repeal by implication to strike down one of them. So, under this principle, the later supersedes the earlier. In the words of the Indian Supreme Court, the expression of “notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in any written law” is a simple way of doing away the effect of pre-existing inconsistent law. The LG Election Act appears to have been enacted in 1960 where the LG Act was in 1976. Hence, LG Act prevails, and the operating law is Section 15(1) of LG Act which PROHIBITS LG Election.

The State Assembly is authorized by the Federal Constitution to enact law relating to local government. This is provided in Ninth Schedule, List (II), paragraph 4(a), including, of course, the local government election to its office bearers.

However, the Parliament may, in certain matters, and for the purpose only of ensuring uniformity of law and policy, make laws with respect thereto. According to Article 76 of the Federal Constitution, these matters include local government, which necessarily include local government election too.

The law made under this list shall be considered as Federal law but not State law. The State Assembly is limited by Article 75 of the Federal Constitution which provides :

“If any State law is inconsistent with a federal law, the federal law shall prevail and the State law shall, to the extent of the inconsistency, be void.”

It is therefore without doubt that the Federal legislation has power to make law pertaining local government election, and the State Assembly does not have power to repeal or amend it. The State Assembly too cannot make law that is inconsistent with the Federal law. The interim conclusion at this stage of analysis is that : in view of Section 15(1) of LG Act, the State Assembly cannot make law, despite so authorized by the Ninth Schedule, to “reinstate” LG Election. This conclusion of course is premised on the assumption of constitutionality of Section 15(1), which is the subject of my next discussion.

LEGAL SOLUTION (1) : CONSTITUTIONALITY OF S. 15(1)

Let me recap my conclusion above so as not to give impression of confusion and inconsistency. The incontrovertible conclusion of “the Federal legislation has power to make law pertaining local government election” does not necessarily means “the Federal legislation has power to make law to deprive local government election.”

Article 113(4) of the Federal Constitution provides :

“Federal or State law may authorise the Election Commission to conduct elections other than those referred to in Clause (1).”

Article 113(1) expressly confer power to either the Federal legislative body or State legislative body to command the Election Commission to conduct “other election” by way of Act of Parliament, or Enactment of a State. In my view, the words “elections other than those referred to in Clause (1)” encompass the LG Election.

The intention of this provision is clear : both Federal and State are conferred power to conduct LG Election through the Election Commission. Such power, in so far as the States are concerned, is vested by the Supreme law of the land.
It is my argument, Section 15(1) of LG Act, by declaring ceasation of all law relating to LG Election, has the effect of depriving the State legislature to make law to conduct the LG Election. Not only Section 15(1) of LG Act repealed implicitly the Federal Law authorizing LG Election, it prevents the State Assembly from making law within their express purview. It renders a constitutional power conferred by Federal Constitution ineffective.

It is provided in Article 4(1) of the Federal Constitution that

“This Constitution is the supreme law of the Federation and any law passed after Merdeka Day which is inconsistent with this Constitution shall, to the extent of the inconsistency, be void”

The Supremacy of Constitution has been repeatedly upheld in all the Courts of modern societies, and recognised as sanctity of law. Thus, the inconsistency between Section 15(1) of LG Act and Article 113(4) should be resolved in favour of Article 113(4). Section 15(1) of LG Act, in my view, should be declared unconstitutional.

Section 15(1) of LG Act cannot be saved by its constitutional backing in Article 76. Article 76 is an enabling provision or power conferring provision, namely to provide power to the Federal legislation to make law that regulate local government, including local government election. So, there should not be any dispute if the Federal legislation makes law to regulate local government election by setting out the procedure and rules applicable throughout the Peninsular. Article 76 only serves to protect Federal law, like LG Election Act from being struck down for unconstitutional for transgression the State List. The conferring of power to regulate a matter cannot be taken to include conferring power to repeal or deprive the other legislative authorities’ power to make law pertaining the same, particularly when it is confronted with the express provision on specific matter in Article 113(4).

LEGAL SOLUTION (2) : EXEMPTION BY GAZETTE

If the State authority does not wish to engage with the Federal on legal battle, which in any event, uncertain as to it outcome, a practical approach may be found in LG Act itself.

Section 1(4) of the LG Act provides :

“The State Authority may, notwithstanding the provisions of subsection (2), by notification in the Gazette exempt any area within any local authority area from all or any of the provisions of the Act or from any by-laws.”

So, Section 15(1) of the LG Act is not absolute and permanent. The Act itself permits exemption of its operation by Gazette. In this respect, perhaps Section 1(4) is the better option. At the risk of being inconsistency, an argument can in fact be advanced that if we read Section 1(4) and 15(1) of LG Act together, there is nothing unconstitutional about Section 15(1) because after all, the State authority is still empowered to suspend operation of Section 15(1) of LG Act in the event they GENUINELY wish to reinstate LG Election. In such situation, Section 15(1) posed no prohibition to LG Election.

So now left the question of political will on the part of Pakatan Rakyat which is tested by time.

Police Attack of Citizens Singing National Anthem Contempt of Nation and King

2008-11-10T11:02:00.001+08:00

We the undersigned civil society groups express our strongest condemnation on the brutal attack by policemen on 100-strong Malaysians singing the national anthem last night in the BERSIH peaceful gathering in Civic Centre Petaling Jaya. It is not only an outright human rights violation, but also an outrageous contempt of the Nation and the King.

We urge Home Minister Datuk Seri Syed Hamid Syed Albar to immediately apologize and Selangor Chief Police Officer Deputy Comm Datuk Khalid Abu Bakar to resign or be transferred over the matter. We call on all Malaysians to unite, regardless of our political persuasion, to unite in defending the national symbol and human rights.

We stress that, first and foremost, it is Malaysians' birth right to peacefully assemble, enshrined in the Article 10 of the Federal Constitution. Police dispersion of members of public gathering peacefully is contempt of the Constitution. The police has therefore acted unconstitutionally in dispersing the gathering to commemorate the 1st anniversary of November 10 BERSIH rally and to demand for abolition of ISA.

We are further deeply appalled by the unusual manner of police dispersing citizens in peaceful gathering. Usually, the police officer would demand the crowd to disperse within five minutes before taking any action. While Malaysians are taught from young to stand still when the national anthem is sung, the police acted as if they had so much contempt for Negaraku that the singing must be stopped and the singers punished.

We express our grave concern on the excessive force used. A 53-year-old woman Dian Abdullah was attacked from the back by a few policemen caused her to fall and injured the back of her head. She was left bleeding and was only hospitalized to have four stitches by a by-stander. Petaling Jaya parliamentarian Tony Pua and Kampung Tunku state assemblyperson Lau Weng San were also manhandled and punched.

Ironically, some were assaulted by the members of Malaysian Royal Police (PDRM) when they were singing "Raja Kita (Selamat Bertakhta) [May Our King (reigns in peace)]. The 1109 police attack on the citizens, the nation and the monarchy has just proved the dire need to have the Independent Police Misconduct and Complaint Commission (IPCMC) established.

The undersigned Organizations:

1. Coalition for Clean and Fair Elections (BERSIH)

2. Writer Alliance for Media Independence (WAMI)

Tony Pua : Been Released and Back in Parliament

2008-11-10T11:00:00.001+08:00

Tony Pua : Philosophy Politics Economics

Just a quick note to everyone who have shown great concern, I'm out of the police station now on personal bond (I think that's what it is) and am currently in parliament, in time to ask my scheduled question for No. 2.

I'm due to check back with the police station together with the other 23 persons who were arrested on the 24th November.

I'm in good spirits, so no one needs to worry, will write more later. The Public Accounts Committee is schedule to convene at 11.30am as well to discuss further on the Eurocopter issues.

Crazy Arrest Action ~ Tony Pua Has Been Arrested

2008-11-10T02:28:00.002+08:00

Tony Pua - Philosophy Politics Economics

Was at the candlelight vigil against ISA as well as to commemorate the first anniversary of BERSIH gathering. the story you can read from Malaysiakini.

I was arrested while seeking out Ronnie Liu and the senior police officers in charge to make sure that everyone is ok.

the CPO Selangor issued the call to arrest me, and 2 guys came over to grab one arm each and pushed me towards the Black Maria.

I stated that I will walk, don't be rough but they tore my shirt instead. I repeated my call and 3 other police officers came at me, one with the knees into my belly while another attempted to kick my shin.

They then chucked me against the back of the Black Maria truck and shoved me up despite me stating that I can climb myself.

Apparently after waiting some 2 hours plus, it appears that they are going to keep us for the night here, and charge us tomorrow.

Weng San was also assaulted and had major bruises and some bleeding on the face. He saw the police who assaulted him here at the station, and Ronnie confronted him for his name. he appeared shaken by the demand and he refused to give his name and gave insted some very rude retorts.

Will update if I have sufficient battery. We are in good spirits and the lawyers have just been allowed in. So don't worry guys and gals :-)

Ah, and yes, its my first time. Not at all glamourous. :-)

Malaysiakini:Raja Petra dibebaskan dari ISA

2008-11-07T16:15:00.001+08:00

Raja Petra dibebaskan dari ISA

Nov 7, 08 10:00am

Mahkamah Tinggi Shah Alam pagi ini mengisytiharkan bahawa penahanan penulis blog Raja Petra Kamaruddin di bawah ISA adalah tidak sah dan memerintahkan supaya beliau dibebaskan segera.

Hakim Datuk Syed Ahmad Helmy Syed Ahmad yang menerima permohonan habeas corpus pengendali blog popular Malaysia Today juga memerintahkan beliau dibebaskan serta-merta.

Hakim juga memerintahkan Raja Petra dibawa ke mahkamah menjelang 4 petang hari ini sebelum beliau dibebaskan segera.

Penulis blog ditahan polis pada 12 September di suatu tempat yang tidak didedahkan sebelum dibawa ke kem tahanan Kamunting di Taiping pada 23 Sept.

Raja Petra dibawa dari kem tahanan itu menjelang tengah hari sebelum sampai di Shah Alam kira-kira jam 3 petang dan dibebaskan setengah jam kemudian.

Raja Petra dihantar ke kem Kamunting

2008-09-23T14:49:00.000+08:00

Dipetik daripada Malaysiakini :

Raja Petra Kamaruddin dihantar ke Kem Tahanan Kamunting hari ini untuk menjalani tahanan selama dua tahun bawah Akta Keselamatan Dalam Negeri (ISA), kata peguamnya.

Menteri Dalam Negeri telah menandatangani perintah tahanannya malam tadi mengikut seksyen 8 akta tersebut, yang membolehkan beliau ditahan tanpa bicara.

Mengikut akta tersebut, perintah tahanan ke atas Raja Petra itu boleh disambung setiap dua tahun.

Menurut peguamnya, pihak polis telah memaklumkan kepada mereka pagi ini bahawa Raja Petra akan dibawa ke Kamunting.

Mahkamah Tinggi Kuala Lumpur akan mendengar hari ini permohonan habeas corpus yang difailkan oleh peguam Raja Petra untuk membatalkan penahanan blogger tersebut.

Habeas corpus adalah permohonan untuk membawa tahanan ke mahkamah untuk menentukan sama ada berlaku kecacatan dalam perintah tahanan tersebut dan menjadikannya tidak sah.

Isteri Raja Petra, Marina Abdullah mengesahkan bahawa polis telah memaklumkan kepadanya bahawa KDN telah mengeluarkan perintah tahanan tersebut semalam.

Raja Petra, 58, yang ditahan bersama dua orang lagi minggu lalu, kini ditahan di lokasi yang tidak diketahui.

Dua orang lagi - wartawan kanan Sin Chew Daily, Tan Hoon Cheng, 33, dan exco kerajaan Selangor, Teresa Kok, 43 - telah dibebaskan.

Tan dibebaskan 18 jam selepas dia ditahan, manakala Teresa dibebaskan tujuh hari kemudiannya.

Mengikut peguam J Chandra, Raja Petra ditahan kerana menyiarkan artikel dalam lamanwebnya yang mencemarkan kepimpinan negara dan menghina Islam.

Beliau sebelum ini telahpun dihadapkan ke mahkamah atas tuduhan menghasut dan fitnah selepas mengaitkan Timbalan Perdana Menteri, Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak dan isterinya, dengan kes pembunuhan wanita Mongolia, Altantuya Shaariibu.

Utusan Melayu - utusan yang tak bermakna

2008-09-22T12:12:00.003+08:00

Dipetik daripada blog bins for thoughts:

Saya menggesa supaya rakyat Malaysia yang berotak berhenti membaca ataupun membeli Utusan.

Saya merujuk kepada berita ini yang mengatakan bahawa Utusan mencabar Teresa Kok mengambil ujian untuk mengesahkan bahawa dia tidak berbohong ('lie detector test').

Tidakkah Utusan berasa serba salah kerana telah mengakibatkan seorang MP ditangkap masuk penjara?

Tidakkah mencukupi bagi Utusan untuk memfitnah seorang MP, malah sekarang hendak melupuskan maruah Teresa sama sekali dengan mencabar dia untuk mengambil ujian ini?

Adakah pemberita Utusan begitu 'racist' sehingga tergamak buat apa sahaja untuk memburukkan nama Teresa termasuk memaparkan berita yang jelas sekali 'one-sided'?

Adakah Utusan begitu zalim, walaupun pada masa Ramadhan yang menegaskan maaf and keinsafan?

Sebelum ini, saya masih lagi memahami kenapa Utusan diperlukan, sepertimana kaum Cina memerlukan Sin Chew. Namun sekarang semua ini sudah berubah. Saya yakin Utusan Melayu tiada nilai lagi. Utusan-utusannya tidak bermakna dan sekarang hanya berfungsi untuk membangkitkan kemarahan kaum Melayu terhadap kaum lain di Malaysia.

Saya harap bahawa akan terdapat akhbar Melayu lain yang dapat mencabar monopoli Utusan. Ini supaya kaum Melayu dan rakyat Malaysia masih lagi boleh baca berita yang sahih dalam Bahasa Melayu tanpa bergantung kepada Utusan yang kian ketinggalan zaman dan hilang nilainya.

(Bagi kawan-kawan Cina saya yang belum pernah baca Utusan. Cubalah bacanya untuk seminggu dan cubalah merasai bagaimana ia mewujudkan persepsi yang amat salah tentang kaum-kaum lain di kalangan pembacanya. Juga jelas sekali adalah bahawa Utusan memihak parti politik tertentu di Malaysia dan saya rasa semua orang tahu parti yang mana sedang saya cakapkan di sini.)

Teresa Kok Bebas!

2008-09-22T12:07:00.002+08:00

Teresa Kok bersama ibu bapanya ketika dilepaskan.

"Hello my friend,
thanks for your support and prayer for me while I was under ISA detention.
Sorry for unable thank you ealier as I received hundreds of calls and sms since I'm out.
Million thanks to you. May the blessings of God be with you always.
Teresa Kok"

Terima kasih kepada semua yang memberi sokongan kepada Teresa Kok.
Kita harus meneruskan perjuangan untuk mansuhkan ISA!
Tekan kepada kerajaan BN untuk lepaskan RPK dan semua penahan ISA!

Sign the Petition to Free Teresa, Abolish ISA!

2008-09-14T17:41:00.004+08:00

Please forward to all Malaysians:

Sign the Petition to Free Teresa, Abolish ISA!

http://www.petitiononline.com/freetkok/petition.html

The Barisan Nasional Government has on the 12 September detained Member of Parliament for Seputeh, state assemblywoman for Kinrara as well the senior state executive councillor for Selangor, Sdri Teresa Kok without trial under the draconian Internal Security Act (ISA).

She has been accused of stirring up racial sentiments by instigating residents to petition against mosques in Kinrara and Kota Damansara to lower the volume of their speakers. Teresa has denied these allegations and both mosques have come out to deny these accusations. There is hence absolutely no basis for this arrest. She has already threatened to sue Dr Mohd Khir Toyo, the former Selangor Menteri Besar and Utusan Malaysia for making and publishing these unfounded allegations.

The arrest of Sdri Teresa Kok,Raja Petra Kamaruddin, the Hindraf 5 as well as others is hence arbitrary, high-handed and a mockery of democracy. By labelling Teresa and others as threats to national security without any shred of evidence is a travesty of justice and a gross violation of human rights.

The petitioners hence resolves that the BN government should not use draconian powers under the ISA to cling on to power and demands the immediate and unconditional release of Teresa, Raja Petra, the Hindraf 5 and other detainees. In addition, we the petitioners demand the immediate repeal of the ISA to prevent abuses that oppresses the fundamental liberties of each and every Malaysian.

As loyal and upright Malaysians, sign the petition today!

http://www.petitiononline.com/freetkok/petition.html

Bebaskan Teresa Kok!

2008-09-14T17:32:00.004+08:00

ISA: Teresa Kok turut ditahan
Sep 12, 08 11:59pm

Pemimpin DAP, Teresa Kok turut ditahan di bawah Akta Keselamatan Dalam Negeri (ISA) hari ini.

Beliau merupakan orang ketiga ditahan hari ini di bawah ISA, selepas editor Malaysia Today, Raja Petra Kamaruddin dan wartawan Sin Chew Daily, Tan Hoon Cheng.

Difahamkan, ahli Parlimen Seputeh itu ditahan pada kira-kira jam 11.18 malam ini.

Beliau yang juga exco kerajaan Selangor ditahan ketika pulang daripada menghadiri satu majlis di Kuala Lumpur.

Teresa yang setiausaha organisasi kebangsaan DAP, ditahan selepas kenderaan yang dinaikinya dihalang oleh tiga kereta peronda polis.

Timbalan Ketua Polis Negara, Tan Sri Ismail Omar mengesahkan penahanan Teresa mengikut Seksyen 73 (1) ISA.

Menurut pemimpin DAP, Lim Kit Siang, tiga kereta polis bersama 10 anggota menahan Teresa di pintu masuk kondominiumnya .

Katanya, Teresa baru pulang daripada menghadiri satu majlis festival kuih bulan di pejabatnya di kawasan pilihanrayanya.

Kontroversi azan

Teresa menjadi tumpuan laporan media - terutama akhbar harian berbahasa Melayu - selepas timbulnya dakwaan bahawa beliau telah meminta pegawai masjid di Kota Damansara, Sri Serdang dan Puchong Jaya supaya memperlahankan pembesar suara ketika melaungkan azan.

Kok bagaimanapun menafikan dakwaan tersebut. Tidak dipastikan sama ada penahanannya itu ada kaitan dengan dakwaan tersebut.

Di Pulau Pinang, Setiausaha Agung DAP, Lim Guan Eng turut mengesahkan penahanan Teresa.

Menurutnya, parti itu akan mengadakan mesyuarat tergempar esok untuk membincangkan perkara tersebut.

Sementara itu, Bernama melaporkan Guan Eng meminta supaya kerajaan dan polis membebaskan Tan dan Teresa.

Bercakap kepada pemberita di hadapan Ibu Pejabat Polis Kontinjen (IPK) Pulau Pinang, beliau berkata, tindakan menahan mereka dilihat seolah-olah kerajaan dalam keadaan terdesak terutamanya menjelang tarikh 16 September ini, tarikh Penasihat PKR, Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim dikatakan akan mengambil alih pentadbiran kerajaan Barisan Nasional.

"Sementara pemberita berkenaan hanya menjalankan tugasnya dan tidak sepatutnya beliau dipersalahkan," katanya.

Kira-kira 100 pemimpin dan penyokong parti politik termasuk MCA, Gerakan dan DAP berkumpul di luar perkarangan IPK sambil menyalakan lilin sebagai tanda membantah penahanan wartawan itu.

Mereka berkumpul sejak jam 9.30 malam sebaik sahaja mengetahui mengenai penahanan Tan oleh polis Bukit Aman di rumahnya di Bukit Mertajam pada kira-kira jam 8.30 malam tadi.

Beberapa pemimpin PAS juga dilihat berada di kawasan itu.

Keadaan di situ terkawal dan anggota polis Simpanan Persekutuan (FRU) dilihat turut berada di bahagian dalam IPK untuk mengawal keadaan.

Sokong RPK - Mansuhkan ISA

2008-09-12T14:19:00.003+08:00

Tindakan Kerajaan BN dalam penangkapan Raja Petra Kamaruddin dengan ISA adalah sesuatu yang tidak rasional dan harus dibantah!

ISA membolehkan kerajaan menahan sesiapa sahaja tanpa perlu dibawa dan dihadapkan ke mahkamah.

Kerajaan tidak boleh mencabul hak asasi manusia dengan memenjarakan sesiapa sahaja tanpa bicara.

Sokonglah kebebasan bersuara rakyat semua, sokonglah RPK!
Membantah gerakan kerajaan yang keras dan tidak berlantaskan hak asasi manusia!

Lamanweb RPK- Malaysiatoday

Raja Petra ditahan bawah ISA

2008-09-12T14:02:00.003+08:00

Dipetik daripada《Malaysiakini》：

Blogger Raja Petra Kamaruddin telah ditahan di bawah Akta Keselamatan Negeri (ISA), kata isterinya Marina Lee Abdullah.

Menurutnya, 10 anggota polis datang ke rumah mereka di Sungai Buluh pada kira-kira jam 1.10 tengahari tadi untuk menahannya.

Ketika Malaysiakini menghubunginya pada jam 1.25 tengahari, anggota polis masih berada di rumahnya.

Raja Petra kemudiannya dibawa polis dari rumahnya pada jam 1.50 tengahari ke lokasi yang tidak diketahui.

Pada 6 September lalu, Menteri Dalam Negeri, Datuk Seri Syed Hamid Albar telah memberi amaran bahawa editor lamanweb Malaysia Today itu mungkin dikenakan ISA kerana menyiarkan komen yang didakwa menghina Islam dan Nabi Muhammad.

Jabatan Kemajuan Islam Malaysia (Jakim), Yayasan Dakwah Islamiah Malaysia (Yadim), Majlis Agama Islam Wilayah Persekutuan (Maiwp) dan Jabatan Agama Islam Wilayah Persekutuan (Jawi), telah membuat laporan polis terhadap Raja Petra berhubung perkara itu.

Mereka mendakwa komen beliau dalam artikel yang bertajuk "I Promise to be a good, non-hypocritical Muslim" didakwa menggunakan ayat-ayat yang menghina orang Islam.

Lamanweb Malaysia Today telah disekat sejak minggu lalu, tetapi sekatan itu telah ditarik balik semalam.

Raja Petra, yang popular dengan panggilan RPK, juga didakwa telah membenarkan komen-komen disiarkan dalam lamanwebnya yang menghina Islam dan Nabi Muhammad, dalam artikel bertajuk "Not all Arabs are descendants of the Prophet".

Sementara itu, Marina berkata, mereka masih belum melantik peguam untuk mengendalikan perkara itu.

Ini adalah kali kedua Raja Petra ditahan di bawah ISA, yang membenarkan tahanan tanpa bicara.

Kali pertama, beliau ditangkap di bawah ISA pada 11 April 2001 ketika gerakan reformasi di mana sembilan orang telah ditahan. Pada masa itu, beliau merupakan webmaster lamanweb FreeAnwar.com
ketika itu.

Raja Petra dibebaskan selepas ditahan selama 52 hari. Bagaimanapun, enam daripada pemimpin reformasi itu dihantar ke Kem Tahanan Kamunting di Taiping di mana mereka ditahan selama dua tahun.

Sebelum ini, Raja Petra telah dihadapkan ke mahkamah atas tuduhan menghasut dan memfitnah selepas mengaitkan Timbalan Perdana Menteri, Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak dan isterinya dengan kes pembunuhan Altantuya Shaariibuu.

Abdul Razak Baginda, rakan rapat Najib, didakwa bersubahat membunuh wanita Mongolia yang berusia 28 tahun itu, di mana mayatnya telah diletupkan.

Dua anggota polis, yang tugas mereka termasuk mengawal keselamatan timbalan perdana menteri, menghadapi tuduhan membunuh Altantuya.

ISA yang dibantah oleh kumpulan-kumpulan hak asasi manusia, membolehkan seseorang itu ditahan tanpa bicara selama dua tahun - dan boleh dilanjutkan setiap tahun seterusnya - dan biasannya digunakan terhadap suspek pengganas.

Ia juga digunakan terhadap mereka yang tidak sehaluan dengan kerajaan dan tahun lalu, lima orang pemimpin Hindraf telah ditahan tiga selepas mereka menganjurkan perhimpunan besar-besaran di Kuala Lumpur pada 25 November.

syed hamid albar 170608 talkingSementara itu, Menteri Dalam Negeri, Datuk Seri Syed Hamid Albar mengesahkan bahawa Raja Petra ditahan mengikut ISA tengahari ini.

Katanya, tindakan itu terpaksa dilakukan setelah diyakini Raja Petra boleh mengganggu dan mengancam keselamatan dan ketenteraman awam.

"Raja Petra ditahan di rumahnya pukul 1.10 tengah hari di bawah Seksyen 731 Akta Keselamatan Dalam Negeri," katanya ketika dihubung Bernama hari ini

Syed Hamid berkata tindakan itu diambil setelah pelbagai kenyataan dibuat oleh Raja Petra dalam laman blog Malaysia Today termasuk yang terbaru yang didakwa menghina Islam dan Nabi Muhammad (SAW).

"Kita telah banyak kali memanggil dan menasihatkan beliau berikutan kenyataannya namun beliau masih terus menulis hingga boleh menimbulkan ancaman,"
katanya.

Fwd : Have some balls Datuk Ahmad

2008-09-06T15:29:00.003+08:00

Petikan daripada blog bins for thoughts:

Clap clap clap...

Only an UMNO MP is capable of this. First you call Malaysian Chinese "squatters" and "penumpang" then you demand our apology?

Now you say you are taken out of context because you were "merely" saying the state of the Chinese community during the pre-merdeka era?

Puhlezzz......

Hey how about I call you barbarian? I'm just referring to the pre-historic era.

Or I call you monkey? I'm referring to the pre-homosapien. (that is if Datuk Ahmad even know what homosapien is....)

Explicitly, you spoke of us as though we are immigrants during the Permatang Pauh election to warn us that as immigrants we should be satisfied with what we have and not demand anymore than what is already given to us now. That is what you meant. That is the context in which you spoke of the Chinese "squatters". Period.

You want Malaysia for yourself and hated the fact that non-Malays are given citizenship. In UMNO, you are not alone in thinking this. Unlike a lot of the rest, at least you have the balls to say it.

But, you only have the balls to admit the partial statement - "Chinese as squatters during pre-merdeka days" (gosh). Why don't you admit that you weren't taken out of context, and that you are a racist, that you think Malaysian Chinese as immigrants, and that you do not want their lives to be improved, and you wanted to harm the Chinese community feelings?

Why only admit part of it? Having a ball for the former and nothing for the latter?

I call this syndrome unity ball. And I've decided to call you one-ball Ahmad until you have the balls to admit the whole damn thing.

916 Benar ke Tak?!

2008-09-04T13:21:00.003+08:00

Sama ada 916 akan berlaku ke tidak?!
Tiada siapa pun ada jawapan kecuali Anwar Ibrahim. ;)

Gambar tersebut dipetik daripada laman web Malaysiainsider.
Adakah 916 akan berlaku? Entahlah....

Malaysia Today Diharang

2008-08-27T19:38:00.005+08:00

Malaysia Today yang ditulis oleh Raja Petra telah diharang oleh kerajaan Barisan Nasional.

Tindakan kerajaan BN yang mengharang kebebasan media adalah tidak berlantas kepada kebebasan media dan tidak mematuhi janjian yang dibuat sebelumnya.

Mencapai Malaysia Today dengan IP berikut:

Malaysia Today : http://202.75.62.114/2008/

Malaysia Today : http://mt.harapanmalaysia.com/2008/

Tunku Aziz dilantik naib pengerusi DAP

2008-08-27T14:43:00.005+08:00

Dipetik daripada Malaysiakini

DAP melantik tokoh aktivis Melayu berprofil tinggi dalam bidang kempen ketelusan dan integriti Tunku Abdul Aziz Ibrahim sebagai naib pengerusi parti itu yang baru dalam usahanya memikat sokongan kaum itu.

Tunku Abdul Aziz merupakan bekas naib presiden organisasi antarabangsa terkenal Transparency International (TI).

DAP hari ini memperkenalkan barisan baru pimpinan tertinggi parti itu melibatkan 10 lantikan baru bagi mengisi jawatankuasa eksekutif pusat (CEC) di samping 20 ahli yang dipilih semalam.

Keputusan itu dicapai hasil mesyuarat pertama CEC semalam, kata setiausaha agung parti itu Lim Guan Eng.

Selain Tunku Abdul Aziz, Teresa Kok yang sebelum ini menjadi setiausaha publisiti turut dilantik berganding dengan M Kula Segaran dan Chow Kon Yeow.

Lim, dalam sidang media selepas pengumuman 10 nama itu, ditanya sama ada barisan CEC baru itu merupakan pasukan impiannya.

"Ini adalah kehendak perwakilan. Hanya ada satu pasukan dalam DAP iaitu roket (semua ahli DAP)," katanya.

Menjawab soalan wartawan, beliau menafikan lantikan Tunku Abdul Aziz bertujuan menyediakan calon menteri kabinet jika Pakatan Rakyat berjaya membentuk kerajaan baru selepas 16 September.

Tunku Abdul Aziz, yang pertama kali mengisi borang DAP semalam, berkata beliau memilih parti itu kerana ia tidak berasaskan kaum dan paling konsisten serta bekerja keras memperjuangkan ketelusan, keadilan dan menolak penyalahgunaan kuasa berbanding parti-parti lain.

"Tiada wang dalam DAP. Ada yang kata saya dibeli, ada kontrak menunggu. Parti ini disertai kerana prinsip-prinsip asas kita," katanya.

Ditanya kenapa bukan PKR, kerana ideologi kedua-dua parti itu hampir sama, Tunku berkata:

"Saya lebih selesa dengan DAP."

Dalam ucapan penggulungannya, Lim yang juga ketua menteri Pulau Pinang, menggesa DAP memikirkan "pendekatan lebih menarik" untuk memancing penyertaan pelbagai pihak khususnya kaum Melayu.

Dalam sidang media yang sama, pengerusi DAP Karpal Singh pula berharap dengan penyertaan Tunku Abdul Aziz, lebih ramai golongan Melayu menyertai parti itu.

Tokoh popular DAP, Lim Kit Siang dan penasihat parti, Dr Chen Ma Hin juga menerima baik lantikan Tunku Abdul Aziz dan barisan baru CEC DAP.

Dr Ma Hin diminta mengulas Kit Siang yang tidak tersenarai dalam mana-mana jawatan parti.

Beliau berkata, pemimpin veteren itu tetap mempunyai peranan besar dalam parti walaupun tidak dilantik memegang sebarang jawatan rasmi.

"Beliau boleh jadi setiausaha agung, pengerusi, apa saja. Beliau adalah pemimpin yang penting. Beliau tidak perlu jadi pemimpin rasmi," katanya.

Dipetik daripada laman web The Malaysian Bar:

Tunku Abdul Aziz: Why I joined DAP
Sunday, 24 August 2008 09:51pm

©The Sun (Used by permission)
by Tim Leonard

KUALA LUMPUR (Aug 24, 2008) : One of the country’s prominent icons for transparency, Tunku Abdul Aziz Ibrahim, who joined the DAP on Saturday and was today appointed one of its national vice-chairmen said his move to join the ‘rocket’ was not for monetary reasons but purely because he shared the same values and ideals as the party.

"There is no money...," said Tunku Aziz at a press conference attended by DAP stalwarts during the party’s 15th Triennial National Congress at a hotel here, today.

"If anyone thinks I have been bought, then they have to think again," he said.

"I have been targeting DAP without their knowledge for the last 20 years.

"A lot of people might be thinking why I joined DAP…but the reason is simple. While other parties talk about democracy, justice and equality…DAP not only espouses these values but try much harder than the rest (to practice these values)," he said.

"I am very pleased to say that I have made up my mind. The decision (to join DAP) was taken a long time ago but the signing of the form was yesterday ," he added.

Asked why he chose to join DAP only now and not earlier, the former Transparency International-Malaysia president and member of the Royal Commission on the police force in 2004 said:

"Yesterday (Saturday) was as good as any other day".

Tunku Aziz said his decision was also based on the fact that there was no future for race based political party or system in the country and there is a need for Bangsa Malaysia.

"After 50 years (of independence), we've got to decide what kind of Malaysia we want. Do we want a fractured Malaysia?" he asked.

"People must have a stake in this country," he said.

Questioned by reporters why he chose DAP instead of other opposition parties such as Parti Keadilan, Tunku Aziz said:

"Let’s put it this way. I am much more comfortable (with DAP)… I trust people around me…"

Tunku Aziz, when asked if he shared the same take as DAP on nominating Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim as leader of Pakatan Rakyat if the Opposition topples the Government despite being critical of Anwar in the past, said:

"I have always been an independent person with independent view…based on my principles."

Meanwhile, DAP secretary-general Lim Guan Eng said it was an honour to have Tunku Aziz join the party.

"This is the first time Tunku is involved in a political party and it is indeed a great honour to have him in our team," said Lim.

"This is in line with our objective to be a multi-racial party," he added.

Tunku Aziz formerly held senior management positions in large private and public sector organisations in Malaysia, Hong Kong and the United Kingdom.

He began his business career with Guthrie Corporation Ltd and later became the advisor of Bank Negara. Later he returned to the private sector by joining Dunlop Malaysian Industries before being appointed a Sime Darby Group director.

He left Malaysia in 1985 to take up a directorship at the Commonwealth Secretariat in London before returning to Malaysia in 1992 following his retirement.

Pengenalan terhadap Tungku Aziz :

Tunku Abdul Aziz Ibrahim has held senior management positions in large private and public sector organlsations in Malays/a, Hong Kong and the UK.
He began his business career with the Guthrie Corporation Ltd. after tertiary education in England and Australia. He then moved to the Central Bank of Malaysia as Advisor.

He returned to the private sector, his preferred option, joining Dunlop Malaysian Industries before being appointed a Group Director of Sime Darby limited. He left Malaysia in 1985 to take up II directorship at the Commonwealth Secretariat, London, returning to Malaysia on retirement, in 1992.

He was at one time or another a member of the Council of the Federation of Malaysian Manufacturers, the Malaysian National Shippers Council, the Asean Business Council, the Asean-US Business Council, and the Aslan-EU Business Council. He was for two terms Chairman of the Asean Chambers of Commerce and Industry Working Group on Industrial Complementation that produced the Asean Motor Industry Guidelines. He served for several years on the Employers' Panel of the Industrial Court of Malaysia.

Tunku Aziz founded, with the support of like-minded Individuals, the Malaysian Chapter of Transparency International, the global coalition against corruption, known locally as The Kuala Lumpur Society for Transparency & Integrity of which he was the President until December 2004. In October 1997 he was elected to the international board of Transparency International and in March the following year, he became Vice-Chairman of the Board of Directors of Transparency International. He was re-elected Vice-Chairman of the Board of Directors in October 1999 and relinquished that position in October 2002.

Tunku Aziz devoted the whole of his time to Transparency International on a voluntary basis from 1995-2004 and has written and spoken widely on corruption and integrity Issues both domestically and internationally. His book, Fighting Corruption: My Mission, has just been released.

He is a member of the World Bank High Level Advisory Group on Anti-Corruption in the East Asia and Pacific Region, and a member of the Advisory Board of Global Public Policy Networks, a project of “Visioning the UN", an initiative of the Secretary-General of the United Nations and the United Nations Foundation. He also serves as a member of the Asian Pacific Advisory Panel on Good Urban Governance, and is a member of the Board of the International Institute of Public Ethics. He was a member of the UNDP Advisory Panel for the Human Development Report 2002.

He is on the Global Advisory Council of Caux Roundtable, a US-based business organization promoting, among other things, principles of good governance. In February 2004 he was appointed a member of the Royal Commission inquiring into the police service.

Pendapat Mahathir terhadap AUKU

2008-08-20T11:24:00.001+08:00

AUKU - AKTA UNIVERSITI DAN KOLEJ UNIVERSITI

Posted by Dr. Mahathir Mohamad at August 18, 2008 11:45 AM | Permalink | Previous Blog

1. Saya mengaku yang sayalah orangnya yang telah perkenalkan AUKU (Akta Universiti dan Kolej Universiti) semasa saya menjadi Menteri Pelajaran.

2. Walaupun kita sudah merdeka lebih 15 tahun ketika itu tetapi bilangan kelulusan daripada universiti tidak ramai, terutamanya di kalangan orang Melayu. Jumlah jurutera, doktor perubatan, arkitek dan lain-lain ahli profesional amat kecil dan menyedihkan. Sebaliknya maju mundurnya bangsa dan negara bergantung kepada ketinggian jumlah rakyat yang berilmu. Tidaklah sihat bagi Malaysia jika dari rakyat berbilang kaumnya jumlah Melayu dan bumiputera lain yang berkelulusan universiti sangat berkurangan. Setelah Dasar Ekonomi Baru diperkenalkan maka jumlah penuntut Melayu di tiga buah universiti tempatan sudah bertambah dengan banyaknya. Tetapi kemasukan sahaja tidak akan dapat menambah jumlah Melayu yang berpelajaran tinggi jika ramai yang diterima masuk tidak lulus dan tidak berjaya memperolehi ijazah.

3. Kita terpaksa menerima hakikat bahawa ramai penuntut Melayu dan bumiputra lain yang diterima masuk universiti memiliki kelulusan yang kurang baik daripada penuntut bukan Melayu. Samada mereka mendapat ijazah universiti atau tidak bergantung kepada kegigihan mereka menumpu sepenuh masa untuk menguasai ilmu melalui proses-proses pembelajaran ala universiti.

4. Kita dapati penuntut Melayu amat berminat dengan kegiatan politik. Mereka suka melibatkan diri dengan demontrasi jalanan dan lain-lain aktiviti politik yang memakan masa mereka di universiti. Dengan ini tidak dapat tidak tumpuan mereka kepada penguasaan ilmu tentu kurang. Amatlah merugikan mereka dan masyarakat Melayu jika mereka gagal.

5. Apakah kerana mereka tidak boleh berdemonstrasi dan lain-lain maka mereka akan kurang berpengetahuan dalam bidang politik; mereka akan jadi robot? Tidak juga. Mereka boleh ada forum perbahasan dalaman atau antara universiti, dan mereka boleh mendapat pakar yang tidak punyai kepentingan politik parti untuk memberi syarahan dan sessi soal jawab. Tanpa terlibat secara langsung dengan aktiviti politik berpartian, mereka masih boleh menguasai dan memahami selok belok politik.

6. Kegiatan seperti ini tidak akan memisah mereka daripada menumpukan masa yang mencukupi untuk menguasai ilmu yang menjadi sebab utama mereka berada di universiti.

7. Harus diingat bahawa pembiayaan bagi tiap-tiap penuntut samada yang dapat biasiswa atau tidak datang daripada duit rakyat. Duit itu disalur dengan rela hati oleh mereka kerana kepentingan penuntut dan ilmu yang dituntut oleh mereka, yang akan menjamin masa depan yang cerah bagi mereka. Rakyat yang sanggup wang ini dibelanjakan untuk penuntut sedia berkorban jika korban mereka mendatangkan hasil yang dikehendaki. Tentulah mereka akan kecewa jika wang mereka disalahguna, dihabiskan untuk kegiatan yang lain. Negara juga akan rugi kerana tidak dapat warga yang berilmu. Dan penuntut itu sendiri akan rugi kerana masa depan mungkin tidak cerah seperti yang diharapkan.

8. Pengorbanan yang kita pohon daripada penuntut kita hanya sedikit sahaja. Masa untuk menuntut tidak begitu lama - hanya tiga atau empat tahun sahaja. Setelah lulus tumpukanlah sepenuh masa untuk kegiatan politik atau lain-lain jika ini menjadi minat utama. Pada masa itu kita tidak habiskan wang orang lain. Kita habiskan duit dari titik peluh kita sendiri.

9. Saya percaya orang yang bertanggungjawab dan tahu kenang budi seperti ini akan menjadi manusia dan pemimpin politik yang lebih baik.

10. Tetapi jika kita sanggup habiskan duit orang, kita hampakan harapan orang, sebaliknya kita tidak rela mengguna duit dan masa kita sendiri untuk sesuatu yang kita gemar, maka tidaklah kita dapat berkata yang kita begitu prihatin dan rasa bertanggungjawab terhadap masalah negara kita.

11. Penuntut universiti tentu tidak suka dengar pendapat saya ini. Yang amat marah kerana AUKU ialah penuntut Melayu. Saya rela dimarah oleh siapa sahaja tetapi saya tidak berniat buruk semasa memperkenalkan AUKU. Bagi saya peningkatan kebolehan bangsa saya adalah lebih penting dan utama daripada apa kecaman terhadap diri saya.

12.

Jika hari ini penuntut lebih dewasa dan bertanggungjawab batalkan sahaja AUKU.

[Tony Pua]Urgent Motion Denied, Denied, Denied

2008-05-29T12:17:00.003+08:00

Dipetik daripada blog Tony Pua:

Saudari Teo Nie Ching of SERDANG filed for an urgent motion 2 days ago, due for a hearing by the Speaker today on whether it could be debated in the House. Almost as expected, the motion was denied.

There are probably some 10 or so urgent motions which has been denied the chance to see the light of day in the House. So far the most frequently use reason for rejection is "not urgent" - be it urgent medical treatments on ISA detainees (not urgent), death to National Service detainees (not urgent) or death under police custody (only very few such cases).

So far, the only motion allowed for debate was on the issue of the sharp increase in the price of rice and its possible shortage.

Today, the Deputy Speaker once again rejected SERDANG's motion, that is to debate the police action and inaction over the Bandar Mahkota Cheras - Grand Saga toll controversy, which has resulted in individuals being hurt by thugs in full police presence and another being beaten up by some 20 police officers. This issue has hit the headlines over the past 3 days or so.

The Speaker ruled that the motion is not urgent, and that since the matter is under court action, the House is not permitted to discuss the issue as it would then be sub-judice.

Both SERDANG and myself stood up to point out to the speaker that the issue that is being discussed here in police inaction and brutality and not the case due for hearing in the courts. Hence there is nothing sub judice about the case.

The Speaker would have none of it, despite more members from the opposition bench speaking in support of the motion, of course with the BN backbenchers at the same time vocally opposing our cause for the Malaysian victims.

SHAH ALAM (Khalid Abdul Samad / PAS) stood to ask the speaker to explain to the house, if death and being beaten up by authorities isn't sufficiently "urgent", then what is the criteria the Speaker use to define "urgent"?

Well, obviously the question didn't require an urgent answer, and I don't expect to hear it any time soon.

[Malaysiakini]S'gor jejak 'samseng' Grand Saga

2008-05-29T12:12:00.003+08:00

Dipetik daripada Malaysiakini:

Jimadie Shah Othman | May 28, 08 3:00pm

dikemaskini Kerajaan Selangor akan menyiasat hubungan kumpulan samseng yang didakwa diupah oleh syarikat konsesi lebuhraya Cheras-Kajang sehingga menimbulkan ketegangan berdarah di Bandar Mahkota Cheras (BMC) semalam.

"Kerajaan negeri akan memanggil (mesyuarat agung tergempar atau EGM) untuk membuat audit terhadap Grand Saga Sdn Bhd untuk mendapatkan penjelasan aliran kewangan untuk mengupah samseng tersebut," kata menteri besar Tan Sri Abdul Khalid Ibrahim ini.

"Jika ada bukti syarikat (konsesi lebuhraya) tersebut ada berbuat demikian, kerajaan percaya pegawai-pegawai termasuk pengarah syarikat boleh dihadapkan ke mahkamah atas tuduhan mencedera."

khalid pc in suk on cheras mahkota 280508Dalam sidang media selepas mesyuarat exco kerajaan negeri di Shah Alam hari ini, Khalid berkata Selangor tidak boleh mengetepikan hak orang awam walaupun anak syarikat kerajaan negeri memiliki saham dalam Grand Saga.

Keputusan memanggil EGM syarikat tersebut dibuat dalam mesyuarat exco kerajaan negeri petang ini.

Bagaimanapun Khalid tidak menyatakan tarikh mesyuarat tergempar itu akan diadakan.

Kerajaan negeri yang memiliki kepentingan dalam Kumpulan Perangsang Selangor Bhd, yang menjadi pemegang saham terbesar atau 20 peratus dalam Taliwork Bhd.

Syarikat ini pula mempunyai 55 peratus pegangan dalam Cerah Sama Sdn Bhd yang memiliki Grand Saga, syarikat kontroversi dengan penduduk BMC apabila terus-meneruskan berusaha membina penghadang konkrit di laluan ke taman perumahan tersebut.

Semalam, lebih 10 orang tercedera termasuk seorang wartawan Utusan Malaysia yang didakwa akibat dibelasah sekumpulan samseng upahan Grand Saga.

Majlis mesyuarat kerajaan negeri hari ini turut memutuskan untuk memastikan hadangan konkrit itu mendapat kelulusan Lembaga Lebuhraya Malaysia (LLM).

cheras mahkota road grand saga barricade fru assault 280508 01“Jika LLM mengesahkan bahawa ia telah memberi kelulusan untuk membina penghadang jalan tersebut, pihak kerajaan negeri akan meminta supaya penghadang itu dialihkan," kata Khalid lagi.

Tambahnya, Selangor berpendapat isu tersebut yang berlarutan bertahun-tahun, tetapi semakin teruk selepas pilihanraya umum 8 Mac, asalnya perbalahan Grand Saga dengan syarikat pemaju taman tersebut Narajaya Sdn Bhd.

Keputusan itu dicapai setelah mesyuarat memanggil pegawai kanan empat pihak terlibat dengan isu tersebut, termasuk Jabatan Kerjaraya dan Majlis Perbandaran Kajang.

Menurut Khalid lagi, kuasa Selangor terbatas kerana persempadanan lebuhraya melibatkan kuasa LLM yang ditadbir kerajaan persekutuan.

Exco negeri Elizabeth Wong, yang hadir di sidang media itu, mencadangkan menteri kerja raya Datuk Ir Mohamad Zin Mohamed sendiri harus turun padang untuk menyegerakan penyelesaian konflik.

"Cara paling cepat adalah menteri kerja raya turun padang, tengok keadaan di situ dan beri arahan. Itu saja," katanya.

Semalam, pekerja-pekerja Grand Saga membina semula penghadang konkrit, yang terus-menerus menimbulkan kontroversi, di jalan akses bebas tol di lebuhraya tersebut.

Mereka memulakan kerja tersebut pada kira-kira jam 1 pagi dan mengambil masa kira-kira 14 jam untuk menyiapkannya.

Bagaimanapun, keadaan menjadi tegang apabila penduduk BMC - yang cuba meruntuhkan benteng tersebut - bergelut dengan sekumpulan lelaki yang ditugaskan untuk mengawal benteng tersebut.

cheras mahkota road grand saga barricade 270508 stand offMenurut penduduk, sekurang- kurangnya 12 orang cedera selepas dibelasah oleh kira-kira 30 lelaki yang dipercayai "samseng".

Pertikaian berhubung pembinaan benteng di jalan tersebut yang membolehkan penggunanya mengelak bayaran tol, berlarutan sejak tiga tahun lalu tetapi ia sampai ke kemuncaknya pada 21 April lalu apabila penduduk di situ - dengan sokongan beberapa ahli exco kerajaan Selangor - bertindak memusnahkan penghadang yang dibina pada 2005.

Grand Saga kemudiannya membina semula benteng di situ, tetapi penduduknya bertindak memusnahkannya semula.

Bagaimanapun, percubaan Grand Saga untuk membina benteng konkrit setinggi tiga kaki - bagi kali ketiga - pada malam 8 Mei lalu terganggu, apabila polis melepaskan tembakan gas pemedih mata untuk menyuraikan penduduk yang berhimpun di situ.

Empat hari kemudiannya, penduduk gagal mendapatkan perintah dari Mahkamah Tinggi untuk menghalang syarikat konsesi lebuhraya itu mendirikan semula konkrit di jalan tersebut.

Selepas mahkamah membuat keputusan yang memihak kepada Grand Saga, Zainal Abidin mengeluarkan notis kelmarin bahawa benteng konkrit akan dibina semula di situ dan berharap orang ramai tidak
mengengkari mahkamah.

Penduduk di kawasan berdekatan menggunakan laluan tersebut tanpa perlu membayar tol di Plaza Batu 11, Cheras sebelum pembinaan benteng tersebut.

Sejak wujud penghadang, mereka terpaksa memandu sejauh enam kilometer dan membayar tol 90 sen kepada Grand Saga.

Keganasan Grand Saga

2008-05-28T16:13:00.008+08:00

27 May 2008, pekerja Grand Saga membina semula benteng konkrit, yang terus-menerus menimbulkan kontroversi, di jalan akses bebas tol di Mahkota Cheras.

Mereka memulakan kerja tersebut pada kira-kira jam 1 pagi semalam dan mengambil masa kira-kira 14 jam untuk menyiapkannya.

Bagaimanapun, keadaan menjadi tegang apabila penduduk BMC - yang cuba meruntuhkan benteng tersebut - bergelut dengan sekumpulan lelaki yang dipercayai ditugaskan untuk mengawal benteng tersebut.

Menurut penduduk, sekurang-kurangnya 12 orang cedera selepas dibelasah oleh kira-kira 30 lelaki yang dipercayai "samseng".

Pertikaian berhubung pembinaan benteng di jalan tersebut yang membolehkan penggunanya mengelak bayaran tol, berlarutan sejak tiga tahun lalu tetapi ia sampai ke kemuncaknya pada 21 April lalu apabila penduduk di situ - dengan sokongan beberapa ahli exco kerajaan negeri Pakatan Rakyat - bertindak memusnahkan benteng yang dibina pada 2005.

Grand Saga kemudiannya membina semula benteng di situ, tetapi penduduknya bertindak memusnahkannya semula.

Bagaimanapun, percubaan Grand Saga untuk membina benteng konkrit setinggi tiga kaki - bagi kali ketiga - pada malam 8 Mei lalu terganggu, apabila polis melepaskan tembakan gas pemedih mata untuk menyuraikan penduduk yang berhimpun di situ.

Empat hari kemudiannya, penduduk gagal mendapatkan perintah dari Mahkamah Tinggi untuk menghalang syarikat konsesi lebuhraya itu mendirikan semula benteng konkrit di jalan tersebut.

Selepas mahkamah membuat keputusan yang memihak kepada Grand Saga, Zainal Abidin mengeluarkan notis kelmarin bahawa benteng konkrit akan dibina semula di situ dan berharap orang ramai tidak
mengengkari penghakiman mahkamah.

Syarikat konsesi lebuhraya itu telah membina benteng di jalan akses tersebut tiga tahun lalu dan tindakan itu dibantah oleh penduduk di situ yang menggunakan laluan tersebut tanpa perlu membayar tol di Plaza Batu 11, Cheras.

Ekoran pembinaan benteng tersebut, penduduk terpaksa memandu sejauh enam kilometer dan membayar tol 90 sen kepada Grand Saga.

Penerangan berkenaan:

Bantahan Tol Mahkota Cheras

Kerajaan Negeri Sokong Penduduk Bandar Mahkota Cheras

Pergaduhan di BMC: Reaksi Grand Saga

BMC: Penduduk cedera dalam pergelutan

BMC fracas: Police beat up youth

Political Forum

2008-05-23T15:53:00.001+08:00

The University Malaya Alumni Association is holding a forum entitled New politics in Malaysia : Problems, issues and changlleges at 10am on May 24 at Dewan Kuliah A, Faculty of Arts, Universiti Malaya.

Panel members include Assoc Prof Dr Johan Sabarudin, Tan Sri Dr Roman Navaratnam, Prof Datuk Mohamed Abu Bakar and MPs Tony Pua and Wee Choo Keong.

For registration and further information, call Liew at 03-79551061 or Maya at 03-79562564.

Kerajaan Negeri Sokong Penduduk Bandar Mahkota Cheras

2008-05-23T12:35:00.003+08:00

Petikan daripada Laman Web Kerajaan Selangor:

SHAH ALAM, 22 Mei – Kerajaan negeri Selangor hari ini secara terbuka menyatakan sokongan terhadap penduduk Bandar Mahkota Cheras untuk mendapatkan laluan percuma dari taman perumahan itu ke Lebuhraya Cheras-Kajang.

Dato’ Menteri Besar Selangor, Tan Sri Abdul Khalid Ibrahim berkata masalah itu membabitkan di antara dua syarikat, pemaju Bandar Mahkota Cheras, Narajaya Sdn Bhd dan pemegang konsesi lebuhraya itu, Grand Saga Sdn Bhd.

“Pada saya perkara itu antara dua bisnes entiti yang akan ditentukan oleh mahkamah. Jika Grand Saga tidak berjaya bererti jalan tol itu dibuka. Tetapi jika Narajaya tidak berjaya tol itu masih lagi boleh dibuka tetapi Narajaya kena membayar kepada Grand Saga,” katanya dalam sidang media selepas persidangan DUN Selangor di sini, hari ini.

Tambahnya perkara itu tidak akan melibatkan masyarakat kerana kedua-dua penyelesaian itu menunjukkan bahawa pembukaan jalan itu tidak akan menjejaskan keputusan kedua belah pihak.

“Walau bagaimanapun kita berharap Kementerian Kerja Raya dan Lembaga Lebuhraya Malaysia (LLM) akan menguruskan perkara ini sebab untuk menggunakan laluan itu perlu mendapat kelulusan dari mereka,” katanya.

Beliau juga difahamkan jalan itu kini sudah boleh digunakan oleh orang ramai.

Sementara itu, isu penutupan jalan keluar masuk Bandar Mahkota Cheras timbul apabila tembok konkrit yang dibina bagi menghalang kemasukan terus trafik dari Bandar Mahkota Cheras ke Persimpangan Bandar Tun Hussein Onn, Lebuh Raya Cheras-Kajang dipecahkan, dipercayai dilakukan penduduk setempat. –MURIZA ABDUL HAMID

Hulurlah bantuan kepada mangsa Sichuan dan Burma

2008-05-21T12:42:00.011+08:00

Bencana alam yang melanda di Sichuan dan Burma telah mengorbankan puluh ribu nyawa. Memberilah bantuan yang dapat dihulurkan untuk menyelamat mangsa-mangsa yang berada dalam kesusahan.

Petikan daripada Kosmo!

Bencana petanda rintihan alam

Belum reda dengan krisis kekurangan bekalan makanan yang turut diakibatkan oleh perubahan iklim global, dunia terus cemas apabila satu demi satu bencana meletus sehingga mengorbankan ratusan ribu nyawa.

SATU demi satu bencana mencemari alam dan paling teruk, meragut ribuan nyawa yang tidak berdosa. Tanpa amaran, ia memusnahkan segalanya dalam sekelip mata.

Namun, beginilah keadaannya apabila bumi 'mengamuk'.

SICHUAN, China: Gegaran sekuat 7.8 skala ritcher menyebabkan banyak mangsa maut di bawah timbunan runtuhan bangunan.

Bermula dengan kes letusan gunung berapi di Chile pada 2 Mei lalu, penduduk-penduduk di bahagian selatan negara itu lari bertempiaran meninggalkan rumah dan haiwan peliharaan sebaik saja Gunung Chaiten memuntahkan laharnya.

Di bandar Futaleufu, asap tebal dan abu hitam menutupi kebanyakan kawasan.

Hanya 400 daripada 1,500 penduduk di kawasan itu dibenarkan tinggal di rumah masing-masing meskipun bekalan air sudah terputus.

Sesetengah pakar ekologi berpendapat, bencana ini meninggalkan kesan perubahan yang ketara ke atas alam semula jadi seperti hutan pokok sipres dan pain di samping spesies rusa yang jarang ditemui.

LABUTTA, Myanmar: Mangsa taufan Nargis merenung masa depan kehidupan mereka yang kini semakin sukar.

Chile merupakan 'rumah' kepada 2,000 gunung berapi, di mana 500 daripadanya masih aktif dan hampir 60 gunung berapi ini telah meletus sejak 450 tahun yang lalu. Chaiten buat pertama kali meletus dalam tempoh beribu tahun.

Di Myanmar, hampir 30,000 nyawa hilang sebaik Siklon Nargis melanda pada hari yang sama dengan kekuatan tiupan angin selaju 120 batu sejam dan ribut taufan.

Secara rasminya 33,000 penduduk dipercayai maut dengan lebih 50,000 masing hilang meskipun seorang jurucakap dari Pertubuhan Bangsa-Bangsa Bersatu (PBB), Richard Horsey percaya besar kemungkinan angka itu lebih tinggi, iaitu boleh mencapai sehingga 100,000 orang.

Dalam situasi genting sebegini, lebih daripada dua juta penduduk memerlukan bantuan segera dari segi makanan, minuman dan pakaian tetapi usaha untuk mencapai ke kawasan-kawasan luar bandar memang sukar.

Di kawasan yang paling teruk ditimpa malapetaka, Delta Irrawaddy, penduduknya hidup dalam keadaan serba kekurangan dengan beratus-ratus orang mendapatkan teduhan di dalam biara.

LABUTTA, Myanmar: Adakah pukulan Nargis akibat kemurkaan alam kerana pemanasan global yang semakin membimbangkan?

Selebihnya mereka cuba mendirikan khemah di luar tanpa bekalan air bersih kerana telah dicemari najis dan mayat yang bergelimpangan.

Amerika Syarikat (AS) turut tidak terkecuali apabila ribut petir dan puting beliung melanda di bahagian tengah negara itu pada 10 Mei lalu.

Pengurus Agensi Pengurusan Kecemasan Oklahoma, Michelann Ooten, memberi amaran bahawa angka kematian mungkin meningkat lebih tinggi.

Beliau berkata, sebuah kawasan kediaman yang mempunyai 20 blok bangunan di Oklahoma mengalami kerosakan besar akibat bencana tersebut.

Sementara itu, pada awal minggu ini, satu gempa bumi yang kuat menggegarkan bumi China, berdekatan dengan bandar Sichuan. Bermagnitud 7.8 pada skala Richter, ia menyebabkan kematian kira-kira 10,000 orang penduduk dan ramai lagi yang masih terperangkap di bawah ranapan bangunan konkrit.

OKLAHOMA, AS: Tidak terlepas daripada amukan alam, AS antara negara yang paling kerap menerima pukulan ribut taufan.

Gempa bumi ini dilaporkan yang terburuk dalam tempoh tiga dekad. Di bandar Juyuan, sebuah bangunan sekolah bertingkat tiga runtuh lalu memerangkap 900 pelajar hidup-hidup dan 50 lagi terbunuh. Seramai 1,000 lagi pelajar dan guru dipercayai tertanam atau terbunuh di sekolah menengah yang runtuh di Beichuan.

Selain di wilayah Sichuan, angka korban juga tinggi di Gansu, Yunnan dan juga Chongqing yang berjiran dengan Sichuan, lapor akhbar harian Xinhua.

Pusat gegaran tertumpu di daerah Wenchuan di Sichuan dan kekuatannya menyebabkan bangunan-bangunan tinggi di seluruh China bergoyang.

Gempa bumi itu yang berlaku pada pukul 2.28 petang (waktu tempatan), dirasai selama beberapa minit di Bangkok, Thailand, yang jaraknya kira-kira 3,300 kilometer ke barat daya China. Bangunan di ibu negara Vietnam, Hanoi, juga dilaporkan bergegar.

Media Statement by DAP National Headquarters in Petaling Jaya on Friday, 16th May 2008:

At 11.30 am this morning, DAP National Treasurer Fong Kui Lun (MP for Bukit Bintang) accompanied by DAP National Organising Secretary Tan Kok Wai (MP for Cheras) and DAP Selangor State Chairman Ean Yong Hian Wah (Exco member and SA for Seri Kembangan) presented a cheque for RM20,000 to the Chinese Embassy in Kuala Lumpur on behalf of DAP MPs and Assembly members as humanitarian aid to the victims of the massive earthquake disaster in Sichuan, China.

Fong, who heads the DAP Donation Drive for China and Burma Disaster Victims, announced a week-long nation-wide humanitarian aid collection drive by DAP State committees. Public donation drives would be launched in Ipoh Timor and Ipoh Barat tonight.

Public can hand their donations to DAP MPs, SAs and the respective DAP State Offices. Receipts would be issued on request.

Bantahan Tol Mahkota Cheras

2008-05-10T12:38:00.007+08:00

Mahkota Cheras 2008 - Surat Kepada Perdana Menteri

Mahkota Cheras 2008 - Ketidakpuasan Rakyat Terhadap Tol Mahkota Cheras

Mahkota Cheras 2008 - MP Chan Kok Wai

YB Chan Kok Wai sedang memberi jelasan menganai isu Mahkota Cheras dan meminta kerjasama daripada pihak berkuasa.

1,000 penduduk bantah di bandar Mahkota
Abdul Rahim Sabri | May 7, 08 5:48pm

Kira-kira 1,000 penduduk di taman perumahan di bandar Mahkota di Cheras berhimpun petang ini bagi menghalang syarikat konsesi - Grand Saga - membina semula tembok menutup jalan masuk ke perumahan mereka.

Mereka mula berkumpul tengahari tadi selepas mendapat tahu yang syarikat berkenaan akan memulakan kerja membina tembok penghalang tersebut.

Sebelum ini, tembok penghalang di situ telah dibuang pada 21 April lalu, selepas bantahan keras dari penduduk yang sama.

Pada kira-kira jam 3 petang, para pekerja dilihat mahu memulakan kerja-kerja pembinaan tembok di situ tetapi dihalang oleh penduduk terbabit.

Menurut pengerusi jawatankuasa bukan jalan, Tan Boon Wah, beliau telah merampas kunci jentolak yang digunakan untuk membina tembok tersebut.

Manakala ada juga yang bertindak nekad duduk di tempat di mana tembok itu sepatutnya dibina.

Kemudian, kira-kira jam 4.50 petang, Lembaga Lebuhraya Malaysia (LLM) menghantar seorang pegawai dari Majlis Perbandaran Kajang (MPKj) mengarahkan syarikat konsesi itu menangguhkan kerja tersebut.

Polis tiba

Tetapi pengarah eksekutif syarikat konsesi tersebut, Zainal Abidin Ali menafikan menerima sebarang arahan daripada LLM.

Sebaliknya, tegas beliau, pihaknya akan meneruska kerja untuk membina tembok menutup jalan tersebut, demi keselamatan lalulintas di situ.

Selepas itu, penduduk dilihat mula bersurai tetapi menjadi kecoh semula apabila mereka melihat lapan trak Unit Simpanan Persekutuan (FRU), termasuk meriam air tiba di situ.

Ia menyebabkan berlaku kesesakan lalulintas yang teruk. Polis juga mengadakan sekatan di jalan tersebut.

Selepas rundingan antara ahli parlimen Cheras, Tan Kok Wai dan ahli parlimen Serdang, Teo Nie Ching dengan pihak polis, penduduk di situ diarah bersurai.

Menurut Teo, polis menerima arahan daripada peguam negara supaya jalan tersebut mesti ditutup semula.

Pada jam 6.45 petang, polis mengeluarkan arahan kepada penduduk yang berkumpul di situ supaya bersurai.

Anggota FRU kemudiannya mengguna perisai untuk menolak orang ramai dari tembok tersebut, menyebabkan keadaan menjadi tegang antara penduduk dan polis.

Dua ditangkap

Dalam proses tersebut, dua orang penduduk - kedua-duanya lelaki - ditahan.

Selepas itu, para pekerja Grand Saga memasang tembok konkrit untuk menutup jalan tersebut.

Ahli exco Selangor, Ean Yong Wah, yang berada di situ mengecam tindakan polis yang disifatkannya "bias dan tidak munasabah".

"Saya telah menunjukkan dokumen dari Jabatan Tanah Hulu Langat yang dengan jelas menyatakan, kawasan tembok itu milik kerajaan negeri, tetapi ketua polis Selangor, Datuk Khalid Abu Bakar tidak percaya dan sebaliknya bertindak bagi pihak Grand Saga pula," katanya.

Ean berkata, beliau akan meminta MPKj membuang tembok yang baru dipasang itu, esok.

Polis meninggalkan kawasan tersebut pada kira-kira jam 8.20 malam selepas penduduk mula beredar ddari situ.

Komen MB S'gor

Bagaimanapun, penduduk tidak bergerak. Ekoran itu, anggota FRU menggunakan perisai untuk menyuraikan mereka.

Terbaru, pekerja syarikat konsesi telah memasangkan tembok penghalang di situ, manakala orang ramai mengejek mereka.

Sementara itu, ketika mengulas kejadian di bandar Mahkota, menteri besar Selangor, Tan Sri Khalid Ibrahim berkata, kerajaan negeri sedang mengaturkan pertemuan dan dialog tiga penjuru antara kerajaan negeri yang diketuai Ronnie Liu, syarikat konsesi Grand Saga dan Kementerian Kerja Raya supaya semua pihak dapat manfaat.

Beliau berkata pertemuan itu mungkin diadakan akhir bulan ini.

"Krisis akan sentiasa berterusan kerana ada dua kumpulan. Satu kumpulan hendakkan jalan supaya tidak membayar tol. Orang yang memiliki tol merasakan mereka jika mereka (orang ramai) menggunakan jalan ini (melalui tembok penutup jalan), mereka tidak akan dapat mengutip tol yang sepatutnya.

"Tapi kerajaan negeri Selangor berpendapat, dan saya buat kajian, jika tanah yang terlibat itu melibatkan tanah kerajaan negeri Selangor, benteng untuk menyekat perjalanan tidak boleh dibuat," kata Khalid.

Ubahlah gaya hidup Barisan Nasional

2008-05-06T13:45:00.007+08:00

Soalan:

Berapakah jumlah perbelanjaan yang ditanggung oleh Kerajaan sepanjang tempoh kempen Pilihan Raya Umum ke 12 dari 24 Februari sehingga 7 Mac 2008 hasil dari penggunaan jet eksekutif Kerajaan bagi kegunaan YAB Perdana Menteri dan YAB Timbalan Perdana Menteri?

Jawapan:

Bagi tempoh 24 Februari sehingga 7 Mac 2008, jumlah perbelanjaan untuk penggunaan jet eksekutif adalah sebanyak RM792,325.20.

Akan tetapi apa yang diseru oleh Perdana Menteri baru-baru ini? Rujuklah keratan akhbar Berita Harian berikut:

Perdana Menteri harus juga jaga kata dengan tingkahlaku...
Berjimat cermat demi kepentingan rakyat sekalian terutama gaya hidup Barisan Nasional!

Jaringan yang berkaitan berita tersebut:

The Enigm@ Chronicles

Wat A Lulu

Raja Petra hadapi tuduhan menghasut

2008-05-06T13:24:00.003+08:00

Dipetik dari Malaysiakini:

Pengendali blog Malaysia Today, Raja Petra Kamaruddin hari ini dihadap di Mahkamah Sesyen Petaling Jaya atas tuduhan menghasut berhubung artikel yang ditulis dalam blognya.

Artikel tersebut didakwa mengaitkan timbalan perdana menteri, Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak dan isterinya dalam pembunuhan seorang wanita muda Mongolia.

Raja Petra minta dibicarakan. Beliau didakwa mengikut Seksyen 4(1)(c) Akta Hasutan kerana menyiarkan artikel berunsur hasutan pada 25 April dalam Malaysia Today.

Kes tersebut akan didengar pada 6 hingga 10 Oktober depan dan Raja Petra dibenarkan ikatmain RM5,000.

Beliau bagaimanapun tidak membayar ikatjamin dan akan ditahan di Penjara Sungai Buloh, sehingga tarikh kesnya bermula.

raja petra police questioning 020508 walking outKertas tuduhan itu memuatkan sembilan perenggan dalam artikelnya yang didakwa berunsur hasutan.

Pendakwaan dibuat oleh timbalan pendakwaraya Nordin Hassan manakala Raja Petra diwakili oleh sepasukan enam peguambela yang diketuai oleh Karpal Singh.

Malam tadi, beliau diminta menyerah diri di kompleks mahkamah Jalan Duta pada jam 9.30 pagi ini untuk menghadapi tuduhan menghasut.

Ketika beliau sedang menunggu di Mahkamah Majistret Kuala Lumpur apabila menerima panggilan telefon dari pihak polis pada kira-kira jam 10.20 pagi supaya hadir di mahkamah Petaling Jaya.

Bercakap kepada pemberita di komplek mahkamah Jalan Duta pagi tadi, Raja Petra mendakwa, beliau menjadi mangsa pendakwaan politik.

Katanya, beliau tahu mengenai gesaan yang dibuat oleh seorang pemimpin Umno dari Petaling Jaya (Utara) kira-kira tiga minggu lalu yang mahu "mereka mencari jalan untuk menangkap saya".

Berita mengenai kes Raja Petra itu cepat tersebar malam tadi dan pagi ini orang ramai berkumpul di kompleks mahkamah sebagai tanda sokongan terhadapnya.

Turut hadir ialah pemimpin DAP, Lim Kit Siang dan Ronnie Liu serta ahli parlimen Lembah Pantai, Nurul Izzah Anwar.

Jumaat lalu, Raja Petra dipanggil memberi kenyataan kepada polis berhubung artikel dalam blognya, Malaysia Today dua minggu lalu berkaitan dengan kes pembunuhan wanita Mongolia, Altantuya Shaariibuu.

Pada 25 April, Raja Petra menyiarkan satu artkel bertajuk 'Let's send the Altantuya murderers to hell' dalam blognya, Malaysia Today. Artikel itu mengaitkan Timbalan Perdana Menteri, Datuk Seri Najib Razak dan isterinya, Datin Seri Rosmah Mansor dalam kes berprofail tinggi itu.

Najib kemudiannya menafikan perkara itu melalui setiausaha akhbarnya, Tengku Sariffuddin Tengku Ahmad. Rosmah juga telah menafikan dakwaan terhadapnya itu.

Perbicaraan kes pembunuhan Altantunya sedang berjalan di Shah Alam.

Ning Baizura & Lim Guan Eng - Have u ever seen Chief Minister sit in economy class?

2008-05-05T16:38:00.007+08:00

Mr.Vernon Kedit Jolly, the manager of Malaysian songstress Ning Baizura in his blog Mr. Manager where they spotted Penang's Chief Minister YAB Saudara Lim Guan Eng, flying on economy class from KL to Penang.

Dipetik dari "Mr. Manager" - Have u ever seen Chief Minister sit in economy class?Yes, I have.

As Ning and I were lining up to board our flight to Penang on Wednesday afternoon, I spotted a familiar face standing in front of us in the queue. So I whispered to Ning.

Me: Look in front of us. It's Guan Eng.

Ning: Who?

Me: YAB Mr. Lim Guan Eng, the Chief Minister of Penang.

Ning: No lah.

Me: Yes lah! I know how he looks lah. It's the CM lah.

Ning: Takkan CM jalan sorang sorang. If he's the CM, where's the bodyguards and the officers and the rombongan and kaum kerabat?

Me: Tak percaya? Watch and learn.

So I walked up to Yang Amat Berhormat, introduced myself and asked to take a picture. He smiled and obliged.

YAB CM: Hey, I know you! You're Ning Baizura!

Ning: YAB Lim, good afternoon.

YAB CM: Come, come, we take a picture. Vernon, here's my card. Email me the pictures OK.

Me: Definitely, sir.

Ambik kau. CM pun peminat katanya!

Ning and I really felt honoured. But we felt more surprised that the Chief Minister of a state was travelling all by himself like any normal rakyat jelata. But the biggest surprise in store for us was yet to come.

As usual, we sat in First Class. I expected the CM to be seated somewhere in front of us but then I realised he wasn't in First Class. Where did he disappear to???

I popped my head round the curtain that veils First Class and Economy Class and guess who I saw sitting in the front row seat of Economy quietly reading the newspapers?

YAB Mr. Lim, you have my deepest respect. You have made history by being the first Chief Minister in this country to sit in Economy Class whilst in office as Chief Minister. You really mean what you say when you talk about cost-cutting. Sir, you have shown me leadership by example.

Of course I asked permission to take his picture sitting in Economy and he laughed. And I said I'd blogged about it and he laughed some more, and gave permission. Ketua Menteri yang berjiwa rakyat.

Parliament Live

2008-04-30T13:51:00.006+08:00

Merujuk kepada website berikut untuk mengetahui keadaan Parlimen yang terkini:

Blog berikut dipunyai oleh Ahli Dewan Rakyat DAP bagi Petaling Jaya Utara, Tony Pua dan Ahli Dewan Rakyat DAP bagi Bukit Jelutong, Jeff Ooi.

Screenshots - Jeff Ooi

Philosophy Politics Economics - Tony Pua

Petaling Jaya Blood Donation Campaign

2008-04-17T21:53:00.004+08:00

DAP Petaling Jaya is organising a blood donation campaign together with the National Blood Centre (Pusat Darah Negara) to replenish supplies to help save lives. The event will be held over 2 days and we hope to collect at least 300 bags of blood to help those in need.

We would like to strongly encourage all able-bodied Malaysians, particularly those working and staying in Petaling Jaya to contribute generously. (And seriously, it's next to painless ;-))

The details of the campaign are as follows:

Date/Time:

1. 18 April 2008 (Fri) - 10.00am - 4.00pm
2. 19 April 2008 (Sat) - 9.00am - 3.00pm

Venue:

SS2 Rukun Tetangga Hall,
Jalan SS2/63 (Opposite Maybank, next to Food Street, by the park)

The blood donation campaign will be launched by the Member of Parliament and State Assemblymen of Petaling Jaya Utara constituencies, Tony Pua, Cheah Wing Yin and Lau Weng San on 18th April 2008, 10.00 am.

For further information please contact DAP PJU service center hotline - Erica 0162208867

Please help spread the message!

Setuju Jadi Pakatan Rakyat

2008-04-02T11:12:00.004+08:00

DAP,Pas, PKR bentuk gabungan untuk selaras dasar kerajaan di lima negeri

Penasihat DAP Lim Kit Siang, Penasihat PKR Anwar Ibrahim dan Presiden Pas Datuk Seri Abdul Hadi Awang mengumum persetujuan untuk menubuhkan Pakatan Rakyat.

PETALING JAYA : DAP, Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR) dan Pas bersetuju menubuhkan gabungan yang dikenali sebagai Pakatan Rakyat bagi menggambarkan kerjasama antara ketiga-tiga parti itu.

Pemimpin ketiga-tiga parti itu, dalam kenyataan bersama, menjelaskan semua negeri di bawah kerajaan campuran DAP, PKR dan Pas akan melaksanakan dasar yang selari denga Pakatan Rakyat.

"Kami komited dengan perubahan program yang disokong oleh semangat perlembagaan. Saya tidak nampak kesukarannya. Kami sudah mencapai kesetujuan." Anwar Ibrahim - Penasihat PKR

Tony Pua for Petaling Jaya Utara

2008-02-27T16:30:00.008+08:00

Tony Pua Kiam Wee akan bertanding di Petaling Jaya Utama sebagai calon Parlimen.

Tak kenal maka tak cinta, kenalkan Tony Pua dan sokonglah beliau!

Introduction:

I'm a Malaysian former CEO and founder of a public listed IT company. I've graduated from Keble College, Oxford University with a degree in Philosophy, Politics and Economics (PPE) with a scholarship from MTC Foundation in 1994. Prior to that, I was fortunate enough to receive Asean and Shaw Foundation scholarships to pursue my 'O' and 'A'-Levels in Raffles Institution and Raffles Junior College.

It was my wish to be able to retire early quite comfortably so that I will be able to devote most, if not all of my expendable time on socio-economic and political affairs. Well, I'm right in the thick of it as I've sold my company and joined the Democratic Action Party (DAP) as the Economic Advisor to the DAP Secretary-General.

I've always had faith that there has been a guardian angel looking after me all these while - my personal well-being, my education, my career. Some will call it "God's will", some "fate" while some others, "destiny". I strongly believe that it is time for me to repay the kindness and fortune showered on me by my family, the society and of course, not forgetting, my guardian angel. :-)

I look forward to the day when I can truly help make our country a better place for all communities, and a country we can all be proud of.

Tony Pua:

It's now officially confirmed. I will be standing as the DAP parliamentary candidate for Petaling Jaya Utara. I will be contesting against a very strong opponent, Datuk Paduka Chew Mei Fun who is not only the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry for Women, Family & Community Affairs, but also MCA Wanita Deputy Chief designated for higher positions.

It will be a tough battle, and I dare say that the BN candidate has an edge having been the incumbent for two terms. Particularly, we lost by a massive 13,000 votes in the 2004 elections. However, with greater awareness among the PJ electorate of the deteriorating national cirumstances - from crime, to inflation, to integrity, to governance and to leadership, there is a fighting chance of making it - but if and only if, discerning Malaysians turn up in force to vote.

The following are 5 important reasons why voters should opt for me and DAP candidates in the Petaling Jaya. Spread the word and vote for change.

1. The role of a Member of Parliament (MP) or State Legislative Assembly (SA)

We are committed to the principle that a member of Parliament's ultimate responsibility is towards the national policies and legislations to be debated and enacted in parliament. At the same time, the role of a state assemblyman is to enact state laws in the state assembly.

Where there have been areas of unjust policies or even bad legislation which needs to be updated or reformed, it is the duty of the MP or SA to propose the necessary changes. You can be assured that in this regard, DAP MPs and SAs will do so without fear or favour.

A good MP does not hide from responsibility to its constituents in the parliament. Examples are aplenty, with the disgraceful episode(s) of BN MPs insulting women ('bocor', 'terowong') and the handicapped ('Tuhan dah ajar dia'). MPs across the divide must unite to reprimand such atrocious behaviour, instead of being conspiciously absent from the Dewan, despite being in the vicinity when a vote is called.

Other BN MPs cannot escape blame for the persistence of such behaviour and more, among their colleagues over the years.

2. Serving the Constituency

At the same time, it cannot be denied that it is very important for an MP, particularly in Malaysia to serve the specific needs of the local constituency.

However, serving the constituency cannot be limited to issues such as mending potholes, fixing street lamps and unclogging drains, or for that matter, 'donations' in kind and cash to local residents' associations and societies. It also doesn't mean that an elected opposition MP or SA does or cannot not play the role of improving roads or street lamps – Teresa Kok and Tan Kok Wai are perfect examples of dedicated MPs who keep their constituencies ticking.

On the other hand, an MP or state assemblyperson in Malaysia has the extra heavy responsibility of monitoring and check the all-powerful local councils. Malaysia has no democratically elected local government, but instead has one which is based on a system of political patronage where local BN party leaders are appointed councillors.

As a result, we read of all kinds of abuses by the local councils with MBPJ being a prime culprit. Examples of corruption, abuse and sheer arrogance are once again aplenty, and you would probably have read the various columns in The Sun over the years. Some of the recent examples are the illegal siphoning of “donations” to an illegal “sports club”, attempts to develop open spaces and green lungs by consipiring with developers, official launching of a mega-PJ Exchange project by the Selangor Menteri Besar without the necessary approvals and traffic analysis, illegal privatisation of billboards etc.

The BN MPs and state assemblymen have unfortunately “closed one-eye” and maintained “an elegant silence” over the entire period either by claiming ignorance, or providing convenient and non-committal empty promises of “looking into the issue”.

3. National interest and the future of our country

Most importantly, your vote represents not only that of your constituency but also that of the nation.

It is not necessary to elaborate here on the issues affecting the nation today such as an crime, declining real income, weak and poor governance, racial disintegration, corruption, Islamic state etc.

While DAP would not have an opportunity to form the government in the next elections, it is critical that there should be a much stronger opposition to check the abuses by a hegemonic government, in our case, one with 91% control of the Parliament. Only when the voices of the people are heard, will the government of the day be more sensitive towards the needs of the Rakyat.

What makes the situation more dire politically, is the fact that constituencies have been gerrymandered extensively to make it ultra difficult for DAP to make major headway in terms of actual seats increase, despite a possible hefty increase in votes. Former opposition strongholds such as Kota Melaka or Bukit Bintang has been redelineated nearly beyond recognition.

Petaling Jaya Utara, despite DAP losing by a massive 13,000 votes the last elections remains one of a handful (literally) of seats in which we have a decent chance of wresting from BN. This is because, being a largely educated urban constituency, the number of swing voters who are attuned to national issues, is very high. Many constituents are contemplating or have already decided that their children's future should no longer be in this country which we so love.

As such, we are making a serious concerted effort to win in this constituency.

4. Position on key issues and more importantly, actions taken

With so many disturbing events affecting the country, what are the MP or state assemblymen's positions on these issues? Are they in agreement with UMNO's “ketuanan Melayu” approach or the statement by the Deputy Prime Minister, Datuk Seri Najib Abdul Razak that “Malaysia is Islamic state,... it was never, never a secular state”, which the Prime Minister, Datuk Seri Abdullah Badawi himself concurred?

More importantly, if the MP or SA disagrees with such policies and practices, what are the concrete actions he or she has taken to improve the state of affairs? An MP or political party's responsibility to the rakyat is not to disagree “privately” with the major wrongs in this country, but goes along with it anyway. The President of MCA goes to the extent of publicly declaring that “UMNO is our best partner.... why end such a beautiful friendship” less than six months ago!

On the other hand, the DAP leadership as well as the team in Petaling Jaya, have put ourselves under public scrutiny by placing our opinions and policies for public scrutiny, e.g., in a regularly updated website or blog. When the Government does the right thing, we won't hesitate to commend them, and likewise, if something's wrong, then we won't hesitate to censure and provide alternative constructive proposals. Without the pressure applied by the DAP on the Government over the years, I dare not imagine the state the country will be in today (yes, it can still get worse).

5. Conclusion

To conclude, the DAP candidates including myself, have nothing to gain (and much to lose) from offering ourselves as candidates in the General Elections besides hoping that we will be given the opportunity to serve the community and make Malaysia a better country for all Malaysians.

In the coming general elections, the primary consideration for Malaysians must be to vote for both the future of our children and country.

We certainly look forward to your support! ;-)

Salah satu tuntutan dari Tony Pua untuk demokrasi dan kebebasan rakyat Malaysia:

V Ganabatirau yang tulus hati

Teo Nie Ching untuk Serdang

2008-02-21T15:52:00.003+08:00

Teo Nie Ching dilahirkan dalam suatu keluarga yang prihatin pada bidang politik. Ayah beliau merupakan Setiausaha Jawatankuasa Pemilihan Kawasan Labis untuk Parti DAP. Kakak dan abang ipar beliau pula masing-masing menjawat jawatan Ketua Pemuda dan Pemangku Ketua Pemuda DAP di Negeri Johor. Dalam suasana sedemikian, Nie Ching telah diasuh menjadi seorang yang peka tentang hal-hal politik.

Sejak kecil lagi, Nie Ching telah bercita-cita menjadi seorang peguam. Bahkan semasa beliau masih menuntut di sekolah rendah, peguam sentiasa menjadi pilihan pekerjaannya apabila disoal. Bagi Nie Ching, tugasnya sebagai peguam adalah untuk menghalang penyalahgunaan undang-undang oleh golongan kaya dan menyebar kesedaran antara golongan miskin tentang hak-hak mereka.

Selepas penamatan sekolah menengahnya, dan untuk tujuan bertutur dengan lebih fasih dalam bahasa ibundanya, Nie Ching menyertai Pertandingan Pidato Motivasi Terbuka dan terus meraih piala johan. Atas kejayaan ini, beliau muncul sebagai pensyarah termuda pada umur 22.

Nie Ching diterima masuk sebagai seorang penguambela & penguamcara pada tahun 2006. Walaupun sibuk dengan urusan guamannya, beliau masih bersungguh-sungguh bergiat dalam kumpulan peguam muda dalam Badan Peguam Malaysia.

Pada 2007, Nie Ching yang baru menjangkaui 2 tahun dalam amalan guamannya, telah sedia memikul tanggungjawab masyarakat dan berdiri di hadapan barisan perjuangan untuk keadilan. Beliau merupakan peguam sukarela untuk Barisan Pro-Mahasiswa di Universiti Malaya. Beliau juga mewakili penternak khinzir di Melaka untuk membela hak mereka terhadap penindasan kerajaan.

Kerana sumbangannya kepada masyarakat, beliau sentiasa dijemput sebagai tetamu di sidang pagi "Ai Fm" dan pengarang dalam suratkhabar.

Pemberian kuasa yang muktamad kepada kerajaan akan menyebabkan penyelewengan. Satu-satu jalan keluar untuk Malaysia ialah menafikan majority 2/3 Barisan Nasional. Kehakiman dan Perlembagaan sebagai pembela hak rakyat mesti ditegakkan. Nie Ching akan bertungkus-lumus untuk menyumbang kepada pembangunan demokrasi serta memantau tingkah laku kerajaan.

Suara Demokrasi, Hati Nurani Parlimen - DAP

2008-02-10T23:27:00.001+08:00

Jom, UBAH!

Baju baru Perdana Menteri

2008-02-02T01:01:00.000+08:00

Gambar tersebut diperoleh daripada jaringan Tony Pua.
Berita tersebut boleh didapati pada mukasurat kedua News Strait Times, 1-02-2008, Jumaat.

Sama ada PM tidak pernah membaca "Baju Baru untuk Raja" atau menantu beliau tersilap untuk memberitahu? :P

Maaf kerana tidak sempat mendapatkan versi Melayu cerita ini...
Berikutlah ringkasannya dalam bahasa English dan pendapat yang didapat daripada Malaysia net.

Original version:
================
There was once an emperor who ordered the royal dressmakers to make him a
beautiful gown that would surpass all gowns. The royal dressmakers,made a
mistake when cutting the expensive material for the gown. Fearful that they
would be thrown into the dungeons if they could not come up with
something that would please the king,they decided to concoct a tale of
making the gown out of "the most beautiful material in the world, BUT which
only the *smartest* and *most learned* people can see".
And so the 'gown' was made. And the emperor paraded around in it. All the
emperor's men, when asked to comment on the gown, saw nothing but the naked
emperor. However, being fearful of being branded ignorant and unfit to be
in their positions, they all agreed that it was the most beautiful gown
that they had ever seen. And they heaped praises upon praises on the beauty
of the gown.
All until one little boy saw the naked emperor in the parade, and shouted,
"Hey, the emperor's got no clothes on!"
All at once, everyone, including the emperor, realized how foolish they had
been.

Contemporary Malaysian version:
===============================
Once upon a time there was an leader who was cloaked in an air of self
confidence. All the officials who paraded with him, agreed that the cloak
was the most beautiful thing that they had ever seen. To say that it was
not the most beautiful would have made them look disrespectful, maybe even
incurred the leader's wrath and caused them to lose favour with the leader.
After all, _all the other officials_ were saying that it was indeed the
most beautiful cloak in the land.

Now, where is that little boy when we need him.

However, what would happen if the leader _refused to acknowledge_ that
the 'cloak' was NOT 'the most beautiful cloak'?
Would the officials similarly refuse to acknowledge, but instead scream at
the boy,"Disloyal! Traitor! "

Would the little boy be sent to the dungeons, or be exiled?

Adakah tukang penipu berada di sisi Perdana Menteri?

Perlulah PM yang bijaksana untuk mendeka jawapannya... :P

Dr M: Masa untuk bersihkan BN

2008-01-30T22:37:00.000+08:00

- adaptasi daripada Malaysiakini

Andrew Ong | Jan 30, 08 7:01pm

Bekas Perdana Menteri, Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad mempunyai satu misi menjelang pilihanraya umum yang diramalkan Mac ini - masanya sudah tiba untuk 'membersihkan' kerajaan Barisan Nasional (BN), khususnya parti tulang belakangnya, Umno.

Sehubungan itu, beliau berharap penyokong BN tidak akan mengundi pemimpin yang "korup dan kayu mati" dalam pilihanraya umum akan datang.

Menjawab soalan pemberita, Dr Mahathir berkata beliau cuba berbuat demikian kerana nampaknya BN tidak mungkin dapat membersihkan dirinya sendiri.

Untuk itu, katanya, jika terdapat calon-calon yang korup dan tidak cekap, maka penyokong BN tidak patut mengundi mereka dan "inilah cara kita dapat bersihkan... BN dan Umno".

Dr Mahathir berkata, tiada harapan untuk Umno membersihkan parti itu dari dalam kerana sebarang pandangan yang bertentangan dari ahli parti, akan dikekang.

Bercakap kepada pemberita selepas melancarkan buku terbarunya dalam bahasa Inggeris bertajuk ‘Dr Mahathir’s Selected Letters to World Leaders’, Dr Mahathir menegaskan bahawa beliau tidak menyokong pembangkang dan beliau yakin BN akan menang selesa dalam pilihanraya umum akan datang.

Bagaimanapun, beliau meramalkan keputusannya akan hampir sama dengan pilihanraya 1999, berbanding dengan 2004 di mana BN mendapat mendapat terbesar dari rakyat. Pada 1999, BN kalah teruk serta kehilangan Kelantan dan Terengganu kepada parti PAS.

"Isu-isu sekarang berbeza (berbanding dengan tahun 1999). Terdapat (sekarang) masalah inflasi. Lebih penting lagi kualiti kepimpinan (dalam Umno) tidak ada," kata Dr Mahathir.

Guna "cara-cara haram"

Menjawab soalan pemberita, Dr Mahathir berkata, pilihanraya umum akan datang "boleh jadi" yang paling kotor dan menyuarakan kebimbangnnya terhadap penggunaan "cara-cara haram" untuk mempengaruhi pengundi.

Apabila diminta membuktikan dakwaannya mungkin berlaku pembelian undi, Dr Mahathir menjawab, kebimbangannya itu berdasarkan pengalamannya dalam pemilihan Umno bahagian Kubang Pasu pada 2006 serta sewaktu pilihanraya kecil tahun lalu.

"Dalam kes saya (pemilihan Umno Kubang Pasu), saya telah membuktikan bahawa mereka (perwakilan) dirasuah. Saya menjangka amalam ini akan berterusan sewaktu pilihanraya umum," katanya.

Pada 2006, Dr Mahathir mendakwa berlaku rasuah dalam pemilihan Umno bahagian Kubang Pasu untuk menghalang beliau daripada dipilih sebagai perwakilan ke perhimpunan agung Umno. Jawatankuasa disiplin Umno bagaimanapun, telah membersihkan bahagian tersebut dari sebarang salahlaku.

Dr Mahathir juga mengesahkan khabar angin yang sudah lama diperkatakan bahawa kerajaan pimpinannya sebelum ini sengaja mengelak memajukan negeri Kelantan yang ditadbir oleh PAS atas sebab-sebab politik.

Beliau berkata, Umno merasakan kerajaan pusat tidak seharusnya memajukan negeri itu kerana PAS akan kesempatan daripada keadaan tersebut.

"PAS akan beritahu rakyat - walaupun tidak mengundi BN, anda masih dapat pembangunan. Jadi, mengapa perlu mengundi BN? Ini merupakan masalah yang sering dihadapi dengan PAS. Malah di kawasan pilihanraya saya... Kerana itu kita tidak memajukannya," jelas beliau.

Beliau turut mengulas mengenai isu-isu agama, ekonomi dan dakwaan rasuah sewaktu 22 tahun pentadbirannya.

The Lawless Town

2008-01-29T11:43:00.000+08:00

The Lawless Town - Klip Promosi Pilihanraya Kebangsaan DAP.

Beranikah anda melangkah keluar pada waktu malam?
Beranikah anda berjalan seorang diri pada siang hari?

Pernahkah orang yang disayangimu menjadi mangsa jenayah?
Pernahkah kamu sendiri menjadi mangsa jenayah？

Mengikut rekod Polis DIraja Malaysia, dalam tahun 2007, secara puratanya setiap hari berlaku 47 kes rompakan, 30 kes ragut, 8 kes rogol, 6 kes mencabut kehormatan, 4 kes ugut dan satu kes bunuh.

Inilah akibat pemerintahan berterusan Barisan Nasional setelah 50 tahun Merdeka.
Bolehkah kita membiarkannya sahaja?

Jom Ubah! Untuk Negara Yang Selamat!

Tak Restu 13 Mei Berulang

2008-01-24T13:36:00.000+08:00

Tidak Restu hujah YB Chew bahawa 13 Mei Berulang

Sila menerbitkan kenyataan bersama ini di blog anda jika anda tidak merestui politik ugutan sehingga Chew menarik balik kenyataanya dan meminta maaf.

Tak Restu 13 Mei Berulang

- Ahli Parlimen Chew Mei Fun mesti tarik balik and minta maaf atas kenyataan beliau
Kami, badan-badan masyarakat madani dan warganegara prihatin yang berbagai kaum, agama dan latarbelakang, menegaskan bahawa semua anak Malaysia mempunyai hak untuk memilih wakil rakyat dan kerajaan malalui pilihanraya yang bebas, adil dan bersih. Tiada ahli politik atau parti politik harus menggunakan ugutan atau ancaman untuk mempengaruhi para pengundi.

Kami kesal bahawa Datin Paduka Chew Mei Fun, Ahli Parlimen untuk Petaling Jaya Utara (MCA), seperti yang dilaporkan oleh China Press pada Januari 21 (Isnin) telah mengeluarkan kenyataan yang bersifat ugutan atau ancaman: "Jika tiada perwakilan Cina yang mencukupi dalam BN, ia bukanlah sesuatu perkara yang baik, komuniti Cina tidak sanggup menanggung lagi satu insiden Mei 13."

Rusuhan kaum Mei 13, 1969 sememangnya suatu episod gelap dalam sejarah Malaysia di mana keganasan dan manipulasi politik telah menindas proses demokratik dan suara para pengundi. Pembangkitan insiden pahit ini demi kepentingan politik bersifat menghina mangsa yang terkorban, mangsa yang terselamat dan juga keluarga mereka. Tindakan Chew yang bertujuan menjadi amaran kepada pengundi supaya tidak menyokong parti pembangkang adalah perbuatan keji dan tidak mempamerkan sifat seorang pemimpin yang berwibawa.

Sekiranya Chew sememangnya mengetahui apa-apa maklumat tentang pihak tertentu yang berhasrat untuk menggunakan keganasan akibat keputusan pilihanraya yang tidak memuaskan, beliau yang selama ini giat membangkit isu keselamatan awam patut serta-merta membuat laporan polis dan membantu dalam penyiasatan polis.

Sekiranya beliau sekadar berspekulasi, kami berasa amat kecewa kerana beliau sanggup melakukan apa saja untuk mengumpan undi. Ahli politik tidak patut berkelakuan selolah-olah anggota kongsi gelap. Mereka tidak patut menggunakan keganasan sebagai ancaman untuk meraih undi sepertimana anggota kongsi gelap memeras wang.

Pada hakikatnya, Chew telah melanggar Seksyen 9 (1) Akta Kesalahan Pilihanraya 1954:
Pengaruh tidak wajar

9. (1) Tiap-tiap orang yang, sebelum, semasa, atau selepas sesuatu pilihan raya, secara langsung atau tidak langsung, dengan sendiri atau melalui mana-mana orang lain bagi pihaknya, menggunakan atau mengancam hendak menggunakan apa-apa kekerasan, keganasan atau halangan, atau yang mengenakan atau mengancam hendak mengenakan, dengan sendirin atau melalui mana-mana orang lain, apa-apa bencana, kecacatan, kerosakan atau kerugian keduniaan atau kerohanian ke atas atau terhadap mana-mana orang bagi mendorong atau memaksa orang itu mengundi atau tidak mengundi, atau oleh sebab orang itu telah mengundi atau tidak mengundi, dalam mana-mana pilihan raya, atau yang dengan melarikan pemilih atau pengundi, dengan dures atau apa-apa tipu daya atau muslihat menghindar atau menahan mana-mana pemilih atau pengundi daripada menjalankan hak mengundinya dengan bebas, atau yang dengan yang dengan itu memaksa, mendorong, atau mendesak mana-mana pemilih atau pengundi sama ada memberi atau tidak memberi undinya dalam mana-mana pilihan raya, atau yang secara langsung atau tidak langsung mengganggu atau cuba mengganggu mana-mana orang daripada menjalankan hak pemilihannya dengan bebas adalah bersalah atas kesalahan pengaruh tak wajar.

Sementara menunggu Suruhanjaya Pilihanraya menyiasat dan membuat laporan polis mengenai kes ini, kami menyeru Chew supaya menarik balik kenyataan beliau dan memohon maaf. Beliau mesti mengecam dengan sekeras-kerasnya sebarang kes keganasan politik. Pengundi berhak memilih mana-mana calon atau parti pilihan mereka dalam suasana yang bebas dari unsur-unsur ugutan dan intimidasi.

Kami juga menyeru YAB PM Dato' Seri Abdullah Badawi untuk menafikan sebarang kaitan antara kerajaan dan partinya dengan kenyataan Chew yang berpotensi menakutkan pengundi. YAB juga harus mengutuk dengan sepenuhnya sebarang ugutan dan ancaman ke atas pengundi.

Kita tidak boleh biarkan Malaysia senasib negara di mana keganasan politik berleluasa eperti Pakistan. Kita tidak boleh biarkan mana-mana pihak bermain dengan api. Kita mesti menolak dengan sepenuhnya sesiapa yang cuba menggunakan insiden pahit Mei 13 untuk mengancam rakyat Malaysia.

Individu-individu atau badan-badan masyarakat madani yang pro-demokrasi diminta menyokong kenyataan ini dengan memaparkannya di premis, kenderaan atau mukasurat pertama blog atau laman web mereka, sebagai tanda pengiktirafan, sehinggalah Chew menarik balik kenyataannya dan meminta maaf.

Universiti Bertaraf Dunia?

2008-01-18T14:59:00.000+08:00

Menteri Pendidikan Tinggi Datuk Mustapha Mohamad nampaknya telah hilang fokus kerjanya, di mana beliau lebih memberatkan memain peranan sebagai seorang pegawai pemasaran pendidikan di negara asing daripada tugasnya sebagai seorang menteri pendidikan tinggi.

Mustapha yang berada di negara China untuk memasarkan universiti-universiti Malaysia baru-baru ini berkata bahawa beliau mahu melihat sekurang-kurangnya 15,000 pelajar Cina datang ke Malaysia, dalam tempoh 3 tahun - dua kali ganda jumlah pelajar Cina yang terdapat sekarang.

Beliau berkata ramai pelajar negara Cina datang ke Malaysia untuk melanjutkan pelajaran mereka di institut pengajaran tinggi swasta mahupun kerajaan untuk program siswazah.

"Maka itu, Kementerian Pendidikan Tinggi Malaysia akan pergi ke seluruh negara Cina untuk memasarkan negara Malaysia sebagai pusat pendidikan tinggi,"jelas beliau lagi.

Tetapi Mustapha seperti tidak sedar akan tugasnya yang lebih penting, iaitu memastikan universiti-universiti di Malaysia mencapai penganugerahan sebagai universiti bertaraf antarabangsa.

Tidak satu universiti Malaysia pun yang termasuk dalam 200 universiti terbaij dunia dalam 'Times Higher Education Supplement (THES)-Quacquarelli Symonds (QS)' yang dikeluarkan baru-baru ini. Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM) yang telah memenangi anugerah lima-bintang dalam tinjauan kerajaan tahun ini hanya mampu mendapat tempat ke-307 dalam THES-QS. Universiti Chulalongkorn di Thailand pun mampu mendapat tempat ke-233, iaitu lebih rendah daripada Universiti Malaya yang mendapat tempat ke-246.

Sungguhpun begitu, Kementerian Pendidikan Tinggi Malaysia masih lagi berlengah-lengah dan hanya sibuk adakah universiti begini yang dibangga-banggakan kerajaan Malaysia? Bukankah Mustapha lebih patut memberi keutamaan dalam memastikan Universiti Malaysia mencapai tahap universiti cemerlang, dan bertaraf antarabangsa? Dan bukan hanya sibuk memasarkan universiti tempatan sebagai peluang keuntungan?

Hentikan ISA

2008-01-11T20:47:00.000+08:00

- gubahsuai dari risalah "Apa anda tahu tentang ISA?" Gerakan Mansuhkan ISA.

APA ANDA MAHU TAHU TENTANG ISA?
Akta Keselamatan Dalam Negeri

1. Apakah itu ISA?

ISA atau Internal Security Act (Akta Keselamatan Dalam Negeri) adalah satu daripada tiga undang-undang utama di negara ini yang membolehkan kerajaan menahan sesiapa sahaja tanpa perlu dibawa dan dihadapkan ke mahkamah.

2. Dari mana datangnya ISA dan bila ISA dikuatkuasakan?

ISA bersumber daripada Undang-undang Daurat 1948-1960.

Daurat diisytiharkan tamat pada 30 Julai 1960 dan hanya selepas 24 jam, pada 1 Ogos 1960 ISA mula dikuatkuasakan.

ISA adalah berpaksikan kepada Peraturan 17 yang terkandung dalam Undang-undang Daurat 1948-1960.

3. Apa yang berlaku apabila seseorang ditahan di bawah ISA?

Seseorang itu akan ditahan untuk soal-siasat polis Cawangan Khas atau Special Branch, SB, bagi satu tempoh sehingga 60 hari. Semasa dalam tahanan polis, orang itu dikenakan tekanan mental, manipulasi psikologi, layanan tidak berperikemanusiaan dan terdapat benyak testimoni menunjukkan bahawa tahanan diseksa dengan kejam oleh polis SB.

Selepas soal- siasat 60 hari, seseorang tahanan itu seterusnya boleh dikenakan perintah tahanan selama dua tahun di Kem Tahanan Kemunting. Perintah tahanan yang ditandatangani oleh Menteri Keselamatan Dalam Negeri ini boleh diperbaharui selama dua tahun lagi berkali-kali tanpa batas.

4. Apakah perkembangan terkini tentang ISA?

Untuk pengetahuan anda, pada hari ini masih terdapat hampir 100 prang yang ditahan tanpa bicara di Kem Tahanan Kamunting. Sebilangan tahanan lagi sedang menjalani soal-siasat 60 hari di bawah kuasa polis. Pada masa yang sama para aktivis sosial dan politik di negara ini terus diancam dengan penahanan tanpa bicara di bawah ISA.

5. Diatas kesalahan apakah mereka ditahan di Kem Tahanan Kamunting, Taiping, Perak?

Sebahagian besar daripada mereka ditahan kerana kerajaan mengataan mereka terlibat atau menjadi anggota Jemaah Islamiah (JI) dan Darul Islam (DI). Terdapat juga yang ditahan atas menjadi musuh politik kerajaan dan dilabelkan dengan gelaran terrorist.

6. Siapa lagi yang sedang menjalani tahanan ISA di Kem Tahanan Kamuting?

Beberapa orang lagi ditahan kerana dikatakan terlibat dengan pemalsuan dokumen.

7. Adakah mereka telah dihadapkan ke mahkamah?

Tidak, tidak ada seorang pun di kalangan mereka yang dihadapkan ke mahkamah. Mereka ditahan selama 2 hingga 6 bulan dan lebih semata-mata di atas perintah tahanan yang ditandatangani oleh Menteri Keselamatan Dalam Negeri yang juga Perdana Menteri.

8. Apakah tuduhan kerajaan terhadap JI dan DI?

Kerajaan menuduh JI dan DI sebagai sebahagian daripada rangkaian pengganas atau tetoris antarabangsa yang ada hubungan dengan Al-Qaeda. Kerajaan juga menuduh mereka mahu menubuhkan Negara Islam Nusantara.

9. Siapa lagi sebelum mereka yang pernah dituduh sebagai anggota rangkaian terois?

Sebelum ini KMM atau Kumpulan Militan Malaysia telah ditahan di bawah ISA. Di kalangan tahanan KMM ada pula yang ditahan kerana menjadi anggota KMK, iaitu Kumpulan Militan Kedah! Terdapat seorang yang ditahan di atas tuduhan menjadi anggota Al-Qaeda! Setelah peristiwa 11 September 2001, tahanan Al-Maunah juga turut tersenarai sebagai kumpulan teroris. Sebelum itu, pada tahun 2000 kerajaan juga telah menahan beberapa orang yang dikatakan ahli PPA atau Pertubuhan Pengganas Antarabangsa.

10. Bagi tujuan pencegahan, bukankah ISA masih diperlukan?

Undang-undang pencegahan tidak sama sekali bermakna kerajaan boleh mencabul hak asasi manusia dengan memenjarakan sesiapa sahaja tanpa bicara. Langkah-langkah pencegahan mesti berjalan seiring dengan usaha untuk menegakkan kebenaranm, ketelusan dan keadilan.

11. Sesetengah isu dalam negara seperti gejala murtad atau ajaran sesat adalah sensitif jika dibicarakan secara terbuka di mahkamah. Bukankah penahanan dan pemulihan di bawah ISA merupakan satu jalan penyelesaian yang bijak?

Tidak benar. Berpaksikan kepada prinsip keadilan dan kebenaran, apa sahaja jenis kesalahan yang hendak diselesaikan melalui satu jenis hukuman atau pemulihan hendaklah dibicarakan secara adil dan terbuka. Islam menolak penahanan tanpa bicara. Oleh itu, menggunakan ISA bagi tujuan kononnya untuk menjaga kepentingan Islam adalah satu perkara yang ditolak oleh Islam.

12. Ada pihak mengatakan ISA itu tidak salah, apa yang berlaku adalah ISA disalahgunakan. Adakah pernyataan ini boleh diterima?

Ini sama sekali tidak boleh diterima. Undang-undang yang mencabul hak asasi manusia dengan memenjarakan seseorang tanpa bicara dengan sendirinya jelas merupakan satu undang-undang yang salah. Undang-undang yang sah pun boleh disalahgunakan, sudah tentu undang-undang yang salah akan lebih teruk disalahgunakan.

13. Perdana Menteri, Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi menyatakan bahawa ISA adalah selaras dengan Islam Hadhari, adakah ini benar?

Benar, Perdana Menteri memang ada berkata demikian. Jika yang dimaksudkan dengan Islam Hadhari adalah Islam yang menumpukan kepada pembangunan tamadun, sudah tentu Islam Hadhari amat tidak selaras dengan ISA. Ini kerana ISA adalah undang-undang yang paling tidak bertamadun kerana ia mencabul hak asasi manusia dengan memenjarakan seseorang tanpa bicara.

14. Siapakan yang paling menderita apabila berlakunya penahanan ISA?

Isteri, anak-anak dan keluarga terdekat adalah orang-orang yang paling menderita. Mereka kehilangan kasih sayang, tempat bergantung dan sering hilang punca pendapatan. Isteri tahanan terpaksa berperanan sebagai ketua keluarga dan mencari sumber sara hidup untuk anak-anak. Mereka juga sering ditakut-takutkan serta diganggu secara mental dan seksual oleh polis cawangan khas, SB.

15. Apakah pendirian pihak-pihak lain terhadap ISA?

Badan-badan hak asasi manusia antarabangsa seperti Amnesty International, Human Rights Watch dan Islamic Human Rights Commission mendesak agar kerajaan Malaysia memansuhkan ISA.

SUHAKAM, Suruhanjaya Hak Asasi Malaysia selaku badan tertinggi yang menasihati kerajaan dalam hal-ehwal hak asasi manusia juga telah mengesyorkan agar kerajaan memansuhkan ISA.

Selain itu, NGO-NGO hak asasi manusia seperti HAKAM, SUARAM JIM dan ABIM yang bergabung dalam Gerakan Mansuhkan ISA mendesak agar ISA dimansuhkan, Kem Tahanan Kamunting ditutup dan semua tahanan ISA hendaklah dihadapkan ke makamah atau dibebaskan jika kerajaan tiada bukti untuk mendakwa mereka di mahkamah.

16. Apakah yang boleh anda lakukan?

Sebarkan sebarang info mengenai ISA bagi menyedarkan orang ramai tentang kezaliman ISA.

Menuntut untuk membatahkan ISA!

V Ganabatirau yang tulus hati

2008-01-09T22:03:00.000+08:00

- adaptasi daripada Suara Keadilan 2 - 16 Januari 2008

oleh:Tony Pua

SETELAH mengenali V Ganabatirau(Gana) selama lebih kurang lapan bulan dulu, saya tidak boleh mengatakan saya tahu semuanya. Tetapi ada banyak perkara yang melambangkan kemurniaannya yang saya kongsi bersama.

Gana bukanlah seorang rasis. Dia juga bukan seorang fanatik ugama dan tidak mungkin seorang pengganas seperti yang digambarkan. Setelah mengenalinya beberapa bulan dulu, sifatnya adalah bertentangan dengan apa yang cuba digambarkan oleh pemerintahan Abdullah Badawi melalui media.

Gana adalah rakyat Malaysia sejati, yang percaya bahawa semua rakyat Malaysia, tanpa mengenal laum, mempunyai hak yang sama untuk berjaya. Walaupun setengahnya mungkin mengatakan bahawa Hindraf sepatutnya memperlihatkan diri mereka supaya lebih bersifat berbilang kaum, tidak ada rakyat Malaysia yang waras dapat menafikan bahawa sebilangan besar orang-orang India di negara ini telah dipinggirkan dan hidup di bawah ataupun hampir dengan garis kemiskinan.

Melihat cara politik Malaysia hari ini, adalah tidak mengejutkan apabila kaum India terpaksa bangkit dan bersuara.

Tetapi bagi Gana, walaupun baru saja memulakan firma perundangannya, terpaksa berulang alik (sekurang-kurangnya seminggu sekali) di antara Teluk Intan (kampung halamannya) dan Shah Alam di mana mereka tinggal sekarang, untuk memberikan khidmatnya kepada mereka yang memerlukan bantuan dan kurang bernasib baik.

Malah dia telah menyewa dan menyediakan kelengkapan pusat khidmat di Teluk Intan dengan duitnya sendiri, untuk meneruskan usahanya.

Apabila saya menerima kes-kes di pusat khidmat saya sendiri di Damansara Utama, dan memerlukan bantuan guaman untuk membantu mereka yang mengadu, Gana menawarkan diri tanpa diminta.

Sebagai contoh, terdapat satu kumpulan seramai tujuh orang kontraktor yang gagal mendapat bayaran daripada pemaju perumahan, Gana terus membantu mereka dan memberikan khidmat nasihat secara sukarela. Apabila tindakan undang-undang diperlukan saya terpaksa meyakinkannya untuk menerima pembayaran daripada kontraktor ini.

Fikirkan, kesemua kontraktor ini terdiri dari orang-orang Cina tetapi, perbezaan bangsa, seperti yang selalu diperkatakan oleh sebilangan besar rakyat Malaysia, tidak pernah terlintas olehnya. Gana, adik bongsu di kalangan tiga beradik. Keluarga mana pun akan merasa bangga sekiranya mempunyai anak sepertinya. Keluarganya dari masyarakat India Telugu dan membesar dalam keadaan kais pagi makan pagi, kais petang makan petang.

Gana tidak mempunyai peluang untuk menamatkan pelajarannya seperti prang lain. Selepas menamatkan pelajarannya seperti orang lain. Selepas menamatkan Tingkatan lima, dia terpaksa bekerja sambilan untuk membantu keluarga dan dirinya.

Begitupun, itu tidak menghalangnya untuk berjimat dan mengambil kursus-kursus separuh masa untuk mencapai cita-citanya menjadi seorang pegawai kehakiman. Impiannya menjadi kenyataan ketika beliau berusia lewat dua puluhan apabila beliau berkaya mendapat ijazah undang-undang melalui program jarak jauh University of London.

Dia memulakan tugasnya sebagai pembantu undang-undang dengan sebuah firma guaman di Teluk Intan sehinggalah beliau mampu menubuhkan firmanya sendiri selepas berpindah ke Shah Alam tahun lepas.

Selama ini, beliau mempunyai cita-cita politik, bukan bercita-cita untuk mencari kekayaan diri secara haram ataupun tidak beretika, tetapi cita-cita untuk membantu memainkan peranan demi kemajuan masyarakatnya yang terpinggir khasnya, dan keseluruhan rakyat Malaysia amnya.

Setelah menubuhkan firmanya sendiri, untuk kebaikan atau sebaliknya, dia mampu memberi masa kepada isu-isu politik dan sosial. Dan dia melakukannya dengan sepenuh hati dan kerelaan.

Gana berkhawin tidak lama dulu dengan seorang guru sekolah. Dan pada hari merdeka yang lalu, anaknya yang pertama telah dilahirkan, sekarang berumur tidak sampai empat bulan. Jika Abdullah Badawi meneruskan caranya, sementara Gana dibebaskan dari tahanan ISA, anaknya akan berumur lebih dua tahun.

Bila Gana pertama kali menunjukkan isterinya yang berada di mahkamah kepada saya ketika dia didakwa dengan tuduhan menghasut di makamah syesen Kelang, anda akan dapat melihat air matanya dengan jelas. Segala kerisauannya, malangnya menjadi kenyataan.

Ketika menulis catatan ini, air mata mula mengalir. Saya sesungguhnya percaya bahawa Gana akan memperolehi lebih kekuatan selepas dibebaskan nanti. Kita mungkin tidak akan mendengar khabar dirinya untuk satu jangka waktu tetapi saya mengharapkan dia akan menjadi pemimpin di negara ini satu masa nanti.

Seorang pejuang ulung yang prihatin, bijak dan berdedikasi dalam memberikan sumbangan untuk merealisasikan Malaysia yang lebih baik untuk generasi akan datang. Segala sumbangan dan pengorbanannya jangan harus dipersia-siakan.

Penulis adalah ahli DAP - tonypua.blogspot.com

Dengarlah Rintihan Hati Kaum India

2008-01-09T15:11:00.000+08:00

Penderitaan hidup yang dihadapi oleh kaum India dalam negara kita bukanlah sesuatu yang baru.

Seringkali kita terdengar kisah hidup mereka yang menyayat hati melalui rencara suratkhabar atau televisyen. Jikalau dibuat perbandingan antara tiga golongan kaum yang utama, maka kaum India sepastinya jauh ketinggalan dalam aspek pendapatan dan kehidupan mereka.

Walaupun faktor sejarah merupakan salah satu punca yang utama, di mana kaum India pada asalnya telah dibawa oleh penjajah British ke Tanah Melayu dan bekerja sebagai buruh kasar di ladang-ladang getah kepunyaan British, namun selepas 50 tahun kemerdekan dan generasi demi generasi kita hidup di tanahair ini, takkanlah taraf kehidupan mereka masih kekal sebegini.

Pada pilihan raya yang lepas, sekumpulan orang yang menggelar diri sebagai “Kumpulan warganegara yang berprihatin” pernah menyebut sembilan masalah asas yang dihadapi oleh kaum India di Malaysia melalui siaran akhbar yang bertajuk “Election 2004: New Politics for Indian Malaysians”.

Di antaranya, masalah-masalah yang dihadapi oleh kaum India termasuklah:
•Bilangan pemuda India yang mati dalam tahanan polis semakin meningkat;
•Masalah sosio-ekonomi di mana jurang kemiskinan antara masyarakat India dengan masyarakat kaum lain semakin luas;
•Kerajaan tidak mengambil pendekatan yang proaktif dalam menangani isu-isu sosial yang dihadapi oleh masyarakat India;
•Kekurangan pelajar India yang diambil masuk ke dalam universiti memang menyakiti hati masyarakat India;
•Isu-isu yang berkaitan dengan Maika sehingga kini tidak dapat diselesaikan;
•Pembunuhan yang didakwa berasaskan motif perkauman seperti yang berlaku di Kampung Medan masih belum dapat diperjelaskan; dan
•Hak kaum India untuk mendapatkan rumah kos rendah tidak dapat dipertahankan.

Kuil diceroboh menunjukkan kerajaan BN yang tidak mengamalkan prinsip kebebasan kepercayaan yang dijanjikan sejak merdeka.

Disebabkan kemiskinan, kebanyakan anak-anak mereka terpaksa mengabaikan peluang pendidikan dan bekerja kuat untuk menampung beban hidup sekeluarga. Adalah sesuatu fenomena yang biasa bagi kanak-kanak India bekerja di ladang-ladang sejak kecil lagi demi membantu ibu bapa mereka dalam mencari rezeki hidup. Mereka sepatutnya dihantar ke sekolah untuk mendapatkan peluang pendidikan.

Jadi tidaklah hairan perhimpunan anjuran Hindraf (Hindu Rights Action Force) berjaya menarik penyertaan kaum India secara besar-besaran. Walaupun menerima ugutan daripada pelbagai pihak, termasuk pemimpin-pemimpin Umno, pasukan keselamatan dan juga pimpinan MIC sendiri, namun mereka tetap dengan perancangan yang asal.

Daripada reaksi mereka dapatlah kita merasai betapanya masyarakat India kecewa terhadap pemimpin-pemimpin BN dan MIC sendiri. Atas kekecewaan ini, mereka rela berpatah arang dan menerima apa jua padah yang dijatuhkan ke atas mereka.

Jikalau rintihan hidup tidak dapat didengar, perhimpunan memang merupakan salah satu cara untuk menyuarakan ketidakpuasan hati mereka. Semangat mereka tidak pernah dipatahkan.

Sikap kerajaan BN, sebagaimana yang pemimpin-pemimpin BN tunjukkan terhadap mereka yang menyertai perhimpuan BERSIH bagi menuntut proses pilihan raya yang bersih dan adil adalah dijangkakan. Mereka langsung tidak mengizinkan rakyat berhimpun secara aman demi menyuarakan pendirian mereka.

Melalui pelbagai cara, perhimpunan Hindraf pula menerima tohmahan pemimpin-pemimpin BN dan ugutan daripada pasukan polis, termasuk menggunakan Akta Keselamatan Dalam Negeri (ISA) untuk menahan mereka yang menyertai perhimpunan. Malah, mereka yang ditangkap dan ditahan telah menerima layanan polis secara kasar. Mana perginya pemimpin-pemimpin MIC kebelakangan ini?

Adakah anda bersetuju dengan tuntutan-tuntutan yang dibawa oleh Hindraf? Walaupun terdapat beberapa perkara yang tidak dapat kita semua terima, namun hak rakyat untuk berhimpun secara aman dalam sebuah negara yang mengamalkan sistem demokrasi untuk menyuarakan rintihan hidup dan tuntutan-tuntutan mereka perlulah kita hormati.

Inspirasi Dahulu Untuk Mara Ke Hadapan

2008-01-09T11:43:00.000+08:00

Temuramah Sdr. Lim Kit Siang

- adaptasi daripada theSun

theSun: Kita akan mencapai 50 tahun kemerdekaan tidak lama lagi, jadi apakah yang YB fikir telah kita capai selama ini?

LKS: Saya berpendapat pencapaian kita selama ini bercampur-aduk. Bila kita mencapai kemerdekaan 50 tahun yang lalu dan selepas itu dengan Sabah dan Sarawak, kita menubuhkan Persekutuan Malaysia, dan kita semua mempunyai satu visi dan hasrat – bahawa kita semua akan menjadi bangsa Malaysia.

Bermakna, kita semua kurang kemelayuan, kurang kecinaan, kurang India, kurang Kadazan dan kurang keibanan dan seterusnya, tetapi dalam menyambut 50 tahun kemerdekaan ini, khususnya melihatkan apa yang telah terjadi dalam dua bulan yang lepas, kita seolah-olah telah menjadi kurang ke-Malaysiaan, dan menjadi lebih Melayu, lebih Cina, lebih India, lebih Kadazan dan lebih Iban.

theSun: Apa yang telah berlaku? Tentulah selepas 50 tahun itula satu-satunya soalan yang paling penting untuk ditimbulkan.

LKS: Tentu sekali. Tetapi dari segi pembangunan jika dibandingkan dengan Ghana yang juga mencapai kemerdekaan pada tahun yang sama, saya rasa kita lebih ke hadapan 10 kali.

Tetapi kita tidak harus membandingkan diri kita dengan negara yang kurang maju. Kita seharusnya membandingkan diri kita dengan negara-negara yang sama setaraf dengan kita. Misalkata, dengan negara Jepun.

Jika kita melihat dari sudut itu, apabila kita mencapai kemerdekaan, kita hanya di belakang Jepun jika dibandingkan dari segi pembangunan. Tapi semenjak itu, kita sudah jauh ketinggalan. Ngera-negara lain telah jauh ke hadapan menandingi kita dan menjadi negara-negara pertama dan maju seperti Singapura, Korea Selatan, Taiwan dan juga Hong Kong.

theSun: Sedangkan bagi kita ianya masih merupakan wawasan yang masih jauh di hadapan. Mengapa?

LKS: Ini bukan disebabkan kita kekurangan potensi, kemampuan, sumber-sumber alam dan daya pemikiran. Masalahnya ialah dari segi polisi-polisi pembangunan negara. Polisi-polisi ini semakan lama tidak mampu membangunkan modal manusia, sebaliknya kita dapati masalah yang tenat di mana kita kehilangan golongan bijak pandai, lebih-lebih lagi di kalangan yang cerdik dan paling berkemampuan dari negara ini. Semuanya disebabkan oleh polisi-polisi pembangunan negara dan masalah dengan sistem pendidikan dan pembelajaran kita. Dan masalah ini masih berterusan.

theSun: Jadi inilah yang YB katakan pencapaian yang bercampur-aduk.

LKS: Ya. Tapi apa yang menjadi kebimbangan yang paling serius pada saya ialah rakyat, iaitu “kita” – tidak mempu menjadikan kita lebih ke-Malaysiaan, atau bangsa Malaysia. Sebaliknya kita terus-menerus lebih menekankan diri kita sebagai orang Melayu, Cina, Kadazan dll.

theSun: Ini sungguh mencemaskan, tidakkah begitu?

LKS: Ya, sungguh, sungguh membimbangka. Lebih-lebih lagi mengenai isu-isu yang dibangkitkan dalam tempoh sebulan, dua bulan yang lalu, yang benar-benar mencemaskan. Sebenarnya ramai yang bertanya-tanya apakah ertinya 50 tahun merdeka sekiranya mereka lebih terasa berpecah-belah dan terasing antara kaum satu sama lain.

Inilah sepatutnya menjadi tumpuan kerajaan dan rakyat Malaysia sejagat.

Perhimpunan MCA baru-baru ini menampakkan kepecah-belahan yang ketara ini.

Kadangkala kes sebesar kuman menjadi obsesi seluruh ahli kebinet, sedangkan ada lebih banyak isu yang jauh lebih penting seperti isu integriti dalam pentadbiran, pembangunan, korupsi, dan bagaiman Malaysia boleh bertanding di arena global.

Kita harus bergerak jauh daripada pemikiran kalut: orang Melayu vs. orang bukan Melayu, atau bumi vs. bukan-bumi. Kita sepatutnya berfikir dari sudut: Malaysia vs.rakyat global. Tapi kita seolah-olah lupa daratan dan hilang fokus sebenar.

theSun: Adakah YB berfikir bahawa kita sekarang telah mencapai tahap kurang toleransi di mana dengan setiap provokasi kita sebut “lucutkan kewarganegaraan.” Ini seolah-olah seperti permaisuri dalam cerita dongeng “Alice in Wonderland” yang seringkali menyebut “off with his head.” Terlalu keterlaluan, apa tidak?

LKS: Lebih dari itu, ini sebagai satu ugutan, dan hasutan. Bila Parlimen bersidang semula selepas kejadian 13 Mei, Perlembagaan Malaysia telah dipinda untuk mengatasi masalah empat isu sensitive yang tidak boleh ditimbul atau disoal lagi, seperti isu berkaitan hak-hak keistimewaan orang Melayu, bahasa, kesultanan dan hak kewarganegaraan.

Ini bermakna pindaan ini menghentikan perkara-perkara seperti panggilan lucutan kewarganeraan.

theSun: Tetapi sekarang seolah-olah menjadi satu fesyen, apabila memanggil kelucutan kewarganegaraan seseorang. Adakah itu yang YB hendak katakan?

LKS: Ya. Sekarang kita dapati Menteri, Menteri-menteri beasr dan ketua Menteri melaungkan kata-kata “lucutkan kewarganegaraan dia!” Tidakkah mereka akan didakwa dibawah undang-undang hasutan (sedition)? Kerana pindaan perlembagaan tidak perlukan sebarang bukti ada niat jahat atau sebaliknya.

Telah banyak inisiden berlaku di mana kerajaan bertindak terburu-buru. Ini tidak boleh, itu tidak boleh. Tiada sebarang tolak-ansur kepada ini, atau perbincangan untuk itu.

theSun: Adakah YB fikir semua yang telah berlaku adalah keterlaluan? Sebagai contoh halangan untuk menubuhkan Suruhanjaya Interfaith dan pembatahan debat mengenai Artikel 11 (semua rakyat mempunyai hak untuk mengamalkan agamanya sendiri). Ini adalah antara perkembangan yang terbaru.

LKS: Isu-isu sebegini telah bercampur-aduk dengan politik dan parti-parti politik. Kini telah menjadi satu ketidak-selesaan di kalangan kumpulan-kumpulan agama yang mana kita tidak pernah hadapi sebelum ini.

theSun: Tetapi, ia tidak selalu sebegini. Saya pasti YB juga rasakan begitu.

LKS: Ia memang tidak selalu begini. Pada awal-awal zaman kemerdekaan Perdana Menteri pertama kita, Tunku Abdul Rahman, menggalakkan perbincangan-antara-agama. Beliau menubuhkan apa yang dikenali pada masa itu sebagai organisasi antara-agama atau IRO, sepertimana artikel 11 nyatakan. Yang nyata, Tunku percaya bahawa semua agama boleh bersama untuk menegakkan lebih persefahaman agama, berdialog dan tolak-ansur sesama mereka.

Tetapi sekarang konsep tersebut seolah-olah mustahil difikirkan dan juga mungkin tidak boleh diterima. Galakan bagi dialog agama hanya untuk forum antarabangsa sahaja, tetapi bukan sakali-kali untuk keperluan tempatan.

Saya rasakan sesuata yang benar-benar silap telah berlaku dan sekiranya kita tidak benar-benar sanggup untuk mengatasi isu-isu ini, maka kita akan hadapi masalah yang lebih besar dimasa hadapan.

theSun: Ke mana sahaja kita pergi kita mengisytiharkan bahawa kita Malaysia yang berbilang bangsa, kaum dan agama, hidup harmoni dengan satu sama lain. Tetapi ini, seperti kata YB tadi, tidak pernah dipupuk dan dilahirkan dari hati yang suci. Apa yang dapat kita buat?

LKS: Pemimpin perlu memberikan contoh teladan melalui institusi dan organisasi dalam masyarakat. Untuk membatinkan kepelbagaian kita di negara ini, kita mestilah ikhlas dan setia terhadap asas prinsip ini.

Sebenarnya, apabila kita mula menubuhkan negara ini, kita tidak pernah menetapkan arah tujuan yang jelas dalam pembangunan negara. Tiada sebarang rancangan atau “road map” tentang bagaimana kita hendak negara ini dibangunkan.

Sememangnya prinsip asa telah pun ada. Kita ada kontrak sosial semasa kaum yang mengatakan kita sebagai demokratik, dengan kepelbagai agama, kaum, negara progresif di mana Islam ialah agama rasmi negara tetapi bukan negara Islam.

Kita ada formulanya. Tidak betul jika kita kata kita tidak punyai formula. Tetapi pimimpin yang memegang kuasa sekarang ini semakin lama semakin menjauhkan lagi dari mencontohi formula ini.

Malahan mereka yang berkuasa seolah-olah keberatan handak mengaku yang Malaysia sekarang ialah negara secular, sungguhpun mahkamah telah menisytiharkannya sedemikan.

Sekarang ini, banyak perkara dirasakan menjadi terlalu sensitif, sehinggakan tidak boleh lagi dibincang atau dibahaskan secara umum. Adakah ini sihat?

Semestinya tidak. Tetapi kenapa ia kian berlaku sekarang? Jika kita boleh adakan perbincangan awam mengenai kontrak sosial pada tahun 1956 dan 1957, kenapa kita tidak boleh adakan perbincangan awam untuk membincangkan jika kontrak sosial masih patut diteruskan atau diperteguhkan lagi? Ramai yang bercakap mengenai kontrak sosial sekarang, tetapi hanya di belakang tadbir.

Adalah penting untuk diingatkan bahawa kontrak sosial ini bukannya hak milik parti pemerintah. Ia adalah satu warisan dan hak pusaka setiap rakyat Malaysia dan semua rakyat Malaysia hari ini berhak untuk memberi pendapat mereka atas status kontrak sosial ini.

Setiap rakyat patut terlibat. Perkara sepenting ini tidak patut dibincangkan dalam kawasan tertutup. Di mana yang dikatakan penglibatan demokrasi? Kita kini sedang menutup semua saluran untuk rakyat bersuara.

theSun: Jadi, apa patut kita buat sekarang?

LKS: Sebuah majlis perunding negara patut diadakan untuk membincangkan segala isu-isu semasa negara secara terbuka dan bertindak terhadap masalah ini. Jika kita terus cuba menutup dan menepikan ke sebelah, masalah akan menjadi lebih besar dan akhirnya seluruh negara akan turut terjejas.

Menjelang kemerdekaan 50 tahun ini, kita sepatutnya merancang sistem kajian untuk melihat di mana kegagalan kita, di mana kejayaan kita. Dan wakil semua sektor rakyat negara ini mesti turut terlibat. Kita tidak mahu hanya pihak tertentu disekeliling Perdana Menteri sahaja yang terlibat. Ia pasti tidak boleh dipercayai langsung. Ia harus melibatkan proses nasional yang melibatkan semua pihak dari pelbagai golongan masyarakat.

theSun: Yb telah menjadi wakil rakyat semenjak 1969. Apa yang telah YB sumbangkan terhadap proses pembangunan negara ini?

LKS: Saya seboleh-bolehnya percaya bahawa saya telah menyumbangkan aspirasi Malaysia untuk demokrasi, keadilan, kebebasan dan integriti dalam pentadbiran. Sebagai seorang ahli parti pembangkang dalam sistem politik Malaysia tanpa majoriti, tiada sesiapa percaya kita dapat mengubah kerajaan pada ketika ini dan memperkenalkan undang-undang dan polisi baru. Tetapi sebagai seorang wakil rakyat pembangkang, saya fikir saya telah menyumbang secukupnya untuk terus menghidupkan aspirasi-aspirasi tersebut dan seterusnya memberi tekanan yang secukupnya kepada kerajaan semasa untuk bertindak sepatutnya terhadap segala masalah yang timbul.

Selain itu, pendidikan memainkan peranan penting dalam perbentukan anak-anak berfikir sabagai anggota masyarakat negara, dan bukan terhad sebagai ahli dari kaum tertentu. Adakah sistem pendidikan negara membantu dalam proses pembangunan negara?

Saya fikir sistem pendidikan negara ini tidak mampu melahirkan wargenegara muda yang kritikal dan matang dalam fikiran. Ini sungguh mengecewakan sekali. Pendidikan ialah salah satu perkara penting yang patut kita amat menitik-beratkan. Kerajaan patut menghapuskan factor-faktor yang menghalang kebebasan di universiti-universiti, dalam masyarakat majmuk dan sekaligus, negara.

theSun: Adakah institusi-insitusi yang kita tubuhkan apabila kita mencapai kemerdekaan 1957 masih berkuatkuasa?

LKS: Ini adalah yang sangat menyedihkan tentang negara kita ini. Selepas 50 tahun Merdeka, institusi-institusi, intergriti dalam pentadbiran, kemerdekaan, kebebasan, dan kepercayaan rakyat telah jatuh merundum. Dalam badan Parlimen, badan kehakiman, eksekutif, dan institusi yang penting seperti polis, Badan Pencegah Rasuah, Suruhanjaya Pilihanraya, semuanya menghadapi pemikiran perkhidmatan awam yang kian merosot. Saya rasakan bahawa kita sebenarnya jatuh kebelakang dan bukannya maju ke hadapan.

Kita sepatutnya menjadi negara yang jauh lebih maju berbanding dengan banyak negara-negara lain yang telah mencapai taraf negara maju. Ambil media massa sebagai contoh. Kebebasan akhbar, ini adalah sangat penting. Media adalah institusi yang sangat penting. Jadi soalan yang kita patut bertanyakan diri masing-masing sekarang ialah: Adakah kita sedang mara ke hadapan atau sebaliknya, jatuh ke belakang?

theSun: Bagaimana YB lihat masa depan kita. Tidakkah ada sikap optimistic terhadap mada depan negara langsung?

LKS: Sempena hari kemerdekaan yang ke-50 ini, dengan pelbagai kejadian yang telah berlaku sebulan dua yang lepas, akan membolehkan rakyat berfikir secara bernas. Sesungguhnya mereka patut berfikir beberapa tahun yang lepas. Kejadian-kejadian yang baru-baru berlaku ini sudah pasti membuat orang ramai berfikir tentang isu-isu tempatan yang fundamental. Jika ini berlaku, kita masih lagi ada harapan untuk masa depan yang cerah!

M For Malaysia : Past, Present & Future

2008-01-08T13:38:00.000+08:00

M For Malaysia : Past, Present & Future

Suatu video youtube yang harus dinyaksi oleh seluruh rakyat Malaysia.

[Gubah dari tayangan V for Vendetta]

"People should not be afraid their government and government should be afraid their people....

The building(parliament) is a symbol...
Symbols are given powers by people.
Alone, a symbol is meaningless,
but with enough people...
can change the world!"

"Rakyat tidak patut takut kepada kerajaan mereka sebaliknya kerajaan yang seharusnya takut kepada rakyat..."

Parlimen hanyalah suatu simbol...
Simbol yang dikurniakan kuasa oleh rakyat,
Tanpa rakyat, ia menjadi simbol yang tak bermakna,
Akan tetapi dengan kuasa rakyat yang cukup,
Kita dapat membuat PERUBAHAN!