Another coalition of NGOs?

A group of some 20 Perak Malay non-governmental organisations (NGOs) has voiced its concern over the fate of Malays under the new DAP-PKR-PAS government in the state, as reported by the star here.

A fellow blogger reveals they might not be real NGOs after all. Link here.

Where's Mior ?

Take One

Take Two

So Are Street Demonstrations Our Culture Now?

Found a good story by a fellow blogger on this. Here!

From top to bottom in four years.

In 2004

full news here

In 2008

full news here

Bernama spinning it..

Read the context at Jeff Ooi site.

Thank You, Nandri, Terima Kasih, Xie Xie

Rakyat Telah Bersuara!

Reactions to the political tsunami that struck most parts of Malaysia yesterday.

= = = = = =

Dr.M : "My view is he (Badawi) has destroyed Umno, destroyed the BN and he has been responsible for this."

= = = = = =

Anwar Ibrahim : "The people have voted decisively for a new era where the government must be truly inclusive and recognise that all Malaysians, regardless of race, culture or religion are a nation of one,"

= = = = = =

Koh Tsu Koon : “I will meet with the party leaders to convey my decision. As a captain of the ship, I take full responsibility of what has happened,”

= = = = = =

NST : "BN ROCKED"

= = = = = =

The Star : "Political Tsunami"

N.45 STULANG NORMAN FERNANDEZ.

My name is Norman Fernandez. I am the candidate for DAP. In 2004 I was the candidate for Stulang N.45. Although I did not succeed, I have continued to serve the people of Stulang. I am once again contesting in Stulang. The truth, is that I am the underdog in Stulang and I am taking the might of BN-MCA. Add to that is another candidate from PRM who has dropped by into Stulang to contest election.

I urge you the voters of Stulang to vote for DAP, a party which has for 40 years fought to ensure your culture, language, education, religion and your constitutional rights are not eroded. For more than 40 years DAP has committed to the service and struggle for Malaysians. It is for this reason DAP continue to have the trust of the people.

You too can trust me when I say to you the voters of Stulang N.45 that :-

(i) I promise to use all my ability and resources to serve the people of Stulang.

(ii) I promise to voice out without fear the problems and concerns of the people of Stulang.

(iii) I promise to ensure that the all relevant authorities including the state government:-

(a) make Stulang crime free and safe for the people.

(b) that the local authorities (MBJB) provide quality service and good infrastructure

and amenities for the people of Stulang.

My motto “Dedikasi, Amanah and Prihatin”. That is what I promise you the voters of Stulang. I am committed to serve and ready to serve. Your vote and each and every vote will be an encouragement for me to serve you even better. Please vote Norman Fernandez. Please vote DAP.

Sebab Mengundi Dacing

Another gem from the youth4change (y4c) team.

Visit Y4C here

EC's Incredible Indelible-Ink Flip Flop

EC: Indelible ink will not be used
Tuesday, 04 March 2008

The Election Commission has cancelled the use of indelible ink for this general election, citing public order and security issues.

The stunning announcement was made at a press conference in Putrajaya this afternoon - four days before polling. The announcement was made by EC chairperson Abdul Rashid Abdul Rahman. Also present at the press conference were Attorney General Abdul Gani Patail dan Inspector General of Police Musa Hassan.

The indelible ink was to be introduced for the first time in Malaysia as part of efforts to enhance transparency.

In line with this, along with the introduction of the ink, the EC had also allowed for the casting of postal ballots to be observed by polling agents and the use of transparent ballot boxes.
The EC believed that the changes would quell some of the allegations that Malaysian elections are not free and fair.

In preparation for the use of the indelible ink, the EC had previously said that it would buy approximately 48,000 bottles of indelible ink worth RM2.4mil from India.

Women voters were also repeatedly reminded to remove their nail polish before going to the polls on March 8, as it would be difficult to apply the ink otherwise.

However even prior to today’s shocking EC back track, questions were being asked as to how the EC can compel voters to apply the ink as elections laws have not been amended to include the provision for the use of the indelible ink.

The EC overcame this burden by stating that voters who were against the use of indelible ink would have to fill out a form seeking to be excused before the cast their vote.

The opposition has two days ago ticked off the EC for appearing to have second thoughts on the introduction of the indelible ink.

R Sivarasa, the candidate for Selangor's Subang, said that the ink would stop possible incidences of multiple voting.

"They misled all Malaysians, not only yourselves, the voters of Malaysia and us, that they would implement the (use of) indelible ink - they also issued numerous statements about how much indelible ink would cost and they said they would buy it." - M'kini

LIM KIT SIANG – Vote DAP in Stulang

Skudai, March 3, 08. Lim Kit Siang today during the “meet the Johor DAP candidates sessions” urged voters of STULANG to vote for DAP. DAP is fielding Norman Fernandez a 44 year old lawyer in Stulang state seat.

Norman Fernandez is engaged in a three corner fight with Barisan Nasional MCA Mok Chek Hou and the third candidate S.K Song.

According to Lim, in truth the contest in Stulang is between Barisan Nasional MCA and DAP. That should be the choice. To vote the third candidate would only mean to split the votes and give Barisan Nasional a victory by default.

- WARTA STULANG -

UBAH BARISAN NASIONAL ATAU BARISAN NASIONAL AKAN UBAHKAN KAMU.

THE POWER OF TRUTH OF M.I.C VS THE REAL TRUTH OF REALITY

Newspapers today published M.I.C’s report card titled “The Power of Truth”, proudly claiming all the things it has done for the Indian community. Instead of telling us the actual truth and giving the true figures, M.I.C instead asks the voters questions.

M.I.C questions the community :-

WHO SAYS MIC HAS NOT DONE ENOUGH?
When has enough ever been enough, all requests for assistance have been entertained (be it for RM100 or RM10,000-00 or more).

· Do you know how many medical bills have been settled by MIC?
· Do you know how many underprivileged Indians today own houses, thanks to MIC?
· Do you know how many lawyers and doctors have been created by MIC or as a result of
MIC’s contribution?
· Do you know how much educational aids MIC has given to-date?

MIC claims that it had supposedly :-

MIC HAS NEVER SAID NO !
· We have never said NO to your problems.
· We have never said NO to your children’s education.
· We have never said NO to your financial difficulties.
· We have never said NO to your medical bills.
· We have never said NO when you want provisions for your family.
. We have never said NO when you need money to conduct a decent death rite(s) for your
loved one.
· We have never said NO to you approaching us at any time. That’s the plain truth.

Now here is the REAL TRUTH which M.I.C did not tell.

Deny them a two-thirds' majority

BY P RAMAKRISHNAN, Aliran president.

As polling day draws closer, we are reminded that the only way to stop politicians from manipulating issues of race and religion is to deny the ruling coalition a two-thirds’ majority. After hearing the moving personal tragedies of some unfortunate Malaysians, it would appear that we are heading for turbulent times.

It is rather sad that religion that is responsible for our inner spirituality and our common humanity should be the centre of the storm. We really cannot fault religion for this. It won’t be fair. After all, doesn’t religion instil and inspire in all of us the good values of living a decent life that reflects our compassion for one another, our love for justice, our craving for human dignity, our search for peace and harmony, our desire to fight corruption, our longing to be treated without discrimination?

This is very much so if we reflect on our past and recall our own experiences. I come from a tiny town in a rural setting. We, the people, got on very well. My classmates – Chinese, Indians and Malays – had no qualms in visiting me and sharing our food and spending the night under our roof. Religion never got in our way. It did not form a barrier and did not keep us apart. We used to call one another in jest, "Dei Hindu, Hoi Cina, Hei Melayu" and nobody got offended.

In that tiny town lived a Malay boy. I’m sure he also remembers the peace of the place and the uncomplicated life that bound the people of the town as a community.

I still recall those wonderful days with a tinge of sadness and fondly remember the easy mingling of the races and the friendly faces of people. Race never had any consideration and friends were just people.

Those were the days when you could eat in front of a fasting Malay friend who did not mind it at all. PE lessons were not suspended. Fasting Malay friends then seemed to have boundless energy and we used to play football immediately after school in the hot sun. They were none the worse for it. It would appear that my Malay friends then were made of sterner stuff!

That tiny town is Kepala Batas and that Malay boy is today the Prime Minister of Malaysia.
Coming from such a background, I find it so disturbing when race is manipulated and religion is used to cause discord among us. I am not referring to any particular community because every community is guilty of this in one form or another.

What went wrong, you may ask. Well, over the years some religious zealots have become very vocal and very demanding. And when they realised that nobody dared to question them, they became bolder and their voices got shriller.

We have reached such a stage that the state now intrudes into our privacy and dictates to us on almost everything. We are told what to believe and how to pray. But isn’t religion something very personal between you and your God? Has the state any business to intrude into that area?
The state intrudes into your freedom and decides what you can see and what you cannot. It treats you as if you don’t have any common sense and can’t think for yourself.

Now – and this is difficult to believe, mind you – of all things, it says you can’t vote according to your conscience. How can you talk about morality and integrity and honesty when you are forced to fall back on herd mentality? How can you be religious and not be conscionable?

It is this turn of events that has affected the body politic of this nation. The majority of sane and sensible Malaysians not only failed to stand up and be counted but they chose to withdraw into their cocoons paving the way for these zealots to take over completely and have a field day.
Today we are reminded of that saying, "We have enough religion to make us hate, but not enough to make us love one another."

So we have this situation in certain circumstances when you are unable to bury your kith and kin according to your beliefs and rites. Where does that leave you?

It would seem that Muslim judges in civil courts find it a problem to adjudicate when Islam is involved, as was the case of someone who wanted the word "Muslim" to be changed in her MyKad. But Justice Gopal Sri Ram, who sat in the same court, had no problem in taking a legal position based on justice.

Then we have the case of Moorthy’s widow whose case did not go through the full trial for a verdict. The judges who sat on this case merely abdicated their responsibility and ruled that it was beyond their jurisdiction to try this case.

When one finds that the doors of the judiciary are shut in one’s face where does one go for justice? Can a civil court refuse to sit in judgment and deny justice to a litigant? Isn’t the court the last resort for justice? If judges cannot dispense justice, should they be sitting on the bench?
When the AG’s Chambers and the court ignore the constitutional provisions and act contrary to their constitutional oath of office, they leave us totally bewildered and frustrated.

We heard that there were rights and freedom for the citizens in the Federal Constitution. But what has happened to those rights and freedom that came with the Merdeka Constitution?

They have been whittled away by subsequent rules and regulations and subsidiary legislation. Our rights and freedom have been stolen from us.

But don’t blame the government for this. They only did what had to be done. Over the years there have been 600 amendments made to the Federal Constitution.

How did the 600 amendments come about? How is it possible for the government to dilute and make meaningless those very rights that were promised and guaranteed to us?

It’s really simple. To amend the constitution, a two-thirds majority is required. Who gave them that two-thirds majority?

The overwhelming majority support given to them has eroded our fundamental rights, thus denying us relief and justice.

They will tell you that they need a two-thirds majority to govern effectively – mind you, not justly – but effectively.

What have they achieved that cannot be achieved by a simple majority? Do you need a two-thirds majority to wipe out corruption, to be transparent and accountable? Do you need a two-thirds majority to provide housing and health care?

Look how they have squandered our money with mega projects. Do the tallest concrete towers mean anything to any of us here? The builders of the twin towers basked in the glory of being the tallest building in the world. Only for a while though - for we no longer enjoy that prestige. But how much money has been squandered away at the expense of the needy and the deserving? Why do they need a two-thirds majority when they can’t even build a crooked bridge with a 90 percent majority?

It is this two-thirds majority that has been the curse of our democracy. It is this two-thirds majority that is threatening our civil liberties and our freedom of religion. It is this two-thirds majority that makes a mockery of Article 8(1) which reads, "All persons are equal before the law and entitled to the equal protection of the law". And friends, what we have now is rule by law, and not rule of law.

How do we win back our legitimate rights and put a stop to this erosion of our fundamental rights? The next time you cast your vote think carefully. Ask yourself if you are casting away your rights?

We should henceforth never give a two-thirds majority to any government. We should work collectively to reduce this majority and rescue our stolen rights. What we are proposing to accomplish is nothing new. It is an on-going eternal struggle. Way back on May 27, 1834 – over 170 years ago – Daniel Webster was quoted as saying, "The contest, for ages, has been to rescue Liberty from the grasp of executive power." That’s what we are going to do: Rescue Liberty.
If we want to claim our right to be "equal before the law" as promised under Article 8, if we want to safeguard the freedom of religion as guaranteed under Article 11, then we must be prepared to walk that extra mile to win those rights.

"Democracy," observed Plato, "is based upon the conviction that there are extraordinary possibilities in ordinary people." Plato was actually referring to us. We are the ordinary people with extraordinary possibilities.

If you want to be further motivated, perhaps this quotation may help: "Since the beginning of time, governments have been mainly engaged in kicking the people around. The astonishing achievements of modern times... is the idea that the citizens should do the kicking."

Friends, I fervently believe that we can do two things: Do something or do nothing. I choose to do something. If you choose to do nothing, it means that you have no grievance and no rights.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

P RAMAKRISHNAN is Aliran president. This article first appeared in Aliran Monthly. It was an address that was meant to be delivered at a forum on ‘The Federal Constitution: Protection for all’on May 14, 2006 in Penang. The forum was disrupted by an unruly mob.

Source : Malaysiakini.Com

TO VOTERS OF N.45 STULANG,JOHOR BAHRU

I am the DAP candidate for STULANG. Although I did not succeed in 2004 when I stood in Stulang, I have continued to serve the people of Stulang and Johor Bahru as I had promised to do.

Stulang is a highly urban constituency with many housing areas and businesses. Many of the businesses like restaurant, shopping and entertainment centres located in Taman Pelangi and Sentosa are also the focal point of foreign visitors particularly Singaporeans to Stulang.

However, the people of Stulang faces problems with:-
CRIME… INFRASTRUCTURES… DELIVERY

Crime continues to be a problem. Barisan Nasional has failed to deliver its promise of lower crime. Snatch thieves...burglary…robbery and murders still happen and too frequently. No surprise Johor Bahru is known as Jenayah Banyak People live in fear and worry. Many people of Stulang and Johor Bahru have fallen victim. Some have have lost their lives. Many victims do not even bother to report due to the inconvenience of making police reports. The high incidence of crime also gives a bad image to Stulang and Johor Bahru. Stulang and Johor Bahru businesses rely much on foreign visitors. Crime is beginning to discourage visitors and as a result business drops.

Infrastructures like roads are in poor conditions. The roads in Stulang and Johor Bahru are in deplorable condition because of poor workmanship and it is poorly maintained. Potholes and uneven roads are everywhere. No surprise Johor Bahru is known as “Jalan Buruk” There are streets with poor lighting. Drainage in may areas is poor. All this pose a danger to the public. Open and green spaces are being lost to development and becoming coming rare.

Delivery system by the local council is still bureaucratic and continues to inconvenient the public. Unnecessary time is wasted when dealing with the local council. Local councils waste public taxpayers money with shoody workmanships and on other non priority things. Local Councils also waste money on study trips abroad which are in truth nothing but holidays. Local council regulations implemented without due consideration and implemented without proper consultation inconveniences business.

It need not continue to be like this. This election you have a choice . To continue to vote for Barisan Nasional who promised to deliver so much but on being elected failed on it promise or an effective and stronger opposition who is prepared to provide an effective check and balance to the government. You the voter have a choice to stand condemned repeating the past mistakes and failures or to change and give the opposition. You have a choice. You can change. You have the choice to vote for someone who is prepared to stand up for the people... speak without fear and dedicate service to the people. I am prepared… I am ready to serve… I promise to serve. Give me a chance.

VOTE DAP. VOTE NORMAN FERNANDEZ


I, PROMISE…
I shall fight to ensure…

SAFER STREETS
• Increase in the number of policemen
• Increased, continuous and consistent police patrol to reduce crime
• More neighbourhood police stations and police beat base.
• A more effective Rukun Tetangga
• Increase Chinese and Tamil speaking police personal at every police station in order to be able

to assist people who have difficult speaking Bahasa Malaysia.
• Installation of more CCTV’s in public places

LOCAL GOVERNMENT
• Local government elections to ensure accountability and efficiency
• No wastage of public and tax payers on projects of whims and fancies
• Demand well maintained infrastructures, facilities and public roads
• Ensure playground and open green parks and field in every housing areas
• Ensure local council policies and rule changes do not inconvenient local businesses and traders
• Ensure transparency, good governance and no corruption
• Ensure a people first local government
• Ensure that green lungs are not lost to development
• Streamline bureaucracy, reduce red tape and improve effectiveness
• Transparency, fairness and corruption free
• Good clean and a green environment
• Improve public transportation system and better road planning for a congestion free roads.
• Local councils to ensure sufficient and safe parking areas
• Johor State government to consider to permit and allow Singapore MRT service into Johor

Bahru and or to start railcar service between Johor Bahru to Woodlands, Singapore to reduce

congestion and to improve environment
• The building of more NGV petrol stations

BUSINESS AND PETTY TRADERS
• Ensure clear guidelines for procedures for obtaining business and trading licences
• More opportunities and more predefined places for petty trading activities
• Non harassment on petty traders by local council
• No discrimination on award of licences and permits
• Loans for those involved in small businesses and petty trading

HOUSING AND LOW COST HOMES AND PLACES OF WORSHIP
• Ensure a squatter free Johor Bahru
• Ensure the poor is provided with affordable low cost houses
• Fair and transparent policies in the allocation of low cost houses
• Ensure that application procedures for low cost house simplified and to ensure loans be easily

and readily available for the applicants.
• Ensure that there are fair amount of land spaces allotted for the construction of places of

worship.

GENDER EQUALITY
• Protect women’s right
• Respect and protect women’s dignity
• Ensure women are not discriminated on the ground of gender, age, marital status, race and

religion
• Job opportunities, business and financial assistance for single mothers.

MALAYSIA FIRST
• Promote sense of patriotism and Malaysia First identity
• Ensure racial harmony, religious tolerance and appreciate multiculturalism
• Respect Islam as the official religion of Malaysia
• Ensure loyalty to the King and Country
• Honour and uphold the Federal Constitution
• Uphold good moral and the rule of law

JOHOR FOREVER
• Loyalty to the Sultan of Johor
• Honour and uphold the Constitution of Johor
• Ensure patriotism and pride being a citizen of Johor

FOREIGNER WORKERS IN JOHOR
• Ensure foreign workers respect and uphold the law
• Local Council and police to monitor the presence of foreign workers
• Local Council, police and RELA to conduct regular spot checks on foreigners
• Local Council, police and RELA to ensure Johor free from illegal immigrants
• Local Council to ensure that foreign workers do not engage in whatsoever business especially

petty trading
• Ensure all foreign workers have legitimate and proper documentation
• Ensure foreign workers do not establish illegal housing settlements
• Local Council to ensure landlords renting premises to foreign workers to provide details to

Local Council

UNDILAH DAP

NORMAN FERNANDEZ
N 45 STULANG

Vote for......

Up, Up , Up

Source : Better Malaysia.Com

Suara Demokrasi, Hati Nurani Parlimen

Our values and the coming polls

By DR M NADARAJAH

Multi-cultural Malaysia is significantly multi-religious. A multi-religious environment is within which we transact our daily lives. Various religious meanings and symbolic ecologies envelop all of us differentially.

Such ecologies produce sympathetic emotions and universal values, both of which, if nurtured with matured openness, have the potential to guide us towards a future shaped by diversity, dialogue and common destiny.

In the last six months, that future has been subtly seeking a hearing. All of us have, in some form or other and to varying extent experienced a number of socio-political convulsions. We have had an active period seeking political renewal and re-orientation of our social landscape.
In a deep sense, the rich symbolic meanings inherent in the Malaysian religious environment articulate the values that have also animated these ‘rallies for renewal’.

Consider the following religious festivals and events, covering a period of six months.

Deepavali ("light in a row of oil lamps") is a festival of lights. It symbolises and celebrates the victory of light over darkness, of good over evil. Cleansing rituals and thanksgiving mark it. Christmas is the model of accountability because it is a promise kept to spiritually save humanity. It symbolises a critical gift that human beings have received for their own redemption and reconciliation.

Awal Muharram captures the symbolism of light overcoming darkness. It relates to the Hijrah, a journey away from a situation that is marked by bad or oppressive realities. Ponggal brings people together to share and to have fun. It is to mark thanksgiving to bountiful Mother Earth and friendship to fellow beings. Thaipusam is marked by endurance and fortitude, patience and perseverance, sacrifice and suffering and unity of purpose. And finally, the Chinese New Year symbolises a strategy to deal with Nian, a man-eating beast from the mountains (or in some version, seas), through use of loud noises and the colour red. A strategy of colour, community and loud noise to chase the bad of the land seem so familiar.

Do all these not touch the imagination, hope and aspirations of the ‘rallies of renewal’ of the recent past? When we recast the symbols and meanings articulated by the various religious festivals and events on to the secular plane, can we not see some significant continuities?
The continuity of the values captured above can be seen in the movements that engaged many of us directly or indirectly and made us to think and to feel as to what is happening to us as a people and nation. Like the season for renewal in nature, the generation of the future came with their Bersih rally. Following them, came those from the margins of society, with their Hindraf rally. Then the lawyers were to have a rally for democracy and the rule of law that respects the rights of people (not in word but in spirit). A number of smaller but significant calls for gatherings and rallies continued.

Religion-based meanings that envelop all of us were the same as that which seem to have symbolically influenced the recent rallies of renewal. The rallies seem to suggest not only an exercise of our democratic rights but also a development of our religious and spiritual journey as a people, even if we do not recognise it as such. It is in these rallies that we find the projection of values that nurture and make our future democratic and sustainable all round.

As a contrast, reflect for a moment the other world and values that affect us. Like a bad omen, last year ended with a scandal and the New Year started with one, both black gifts to the history of Malaysia from the ruling front. Recall/remember the hoarding "Another Project by the Barisan Nasional Government". Are not these scandals also some of the ‘projects’? The year 2007 ended with the Lingam Tapes scandal, which has taken us deeper and deeper into the labyrinth of abuse of public office and power. And, revealed the slow destruction of institutions of democracy.

The year opened with another scandal, another tape broadcasting the private life of a public servant…a broadcast really depicting seduction and corruption of public life by and for power. This ‘project’, by a component party of the ruling front, is certainly a display of "sewage politics" rampant in Malaysia.

In a sense, for those with faith in the system, the coming elections offer two orientations or pathways to our future: an active engagement with the ‘politics of renewal’ or a passive participation in ‘sewage politics’.

The people of Malaysia have this choice before them. The choice of those parties that support the former also provides an opportunity to nurture the religious and spiritual foundations of this nation. The other choice would mean that we wait and/or spend more time possibly watching video tapes i.e. watching dramas that unfold the folly of our choice!

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
DR M NADARAJAH is a sociologist by training. He is Secretary of the Asian Communication Network (ACN), an inter-faith and inter-disciplinary social communication initiative, based in St John’s University, Bangkok. He belongs to the Asian Public Intellectuals (API) Community, a community of filmmakers, theatre people, song writers, poets, activists and academics working in Thailand, Malaysia, Indonesia, Philippines and Japan for a better Asia. His work focuses on cultural and sustainability issues.

Original post at Malaysiakini.Com