BKT Gantang Nomination Day Album

Another police brutality!

The city Ipoh was rocked today with another round of police brutality against three Malaysians of Indian origin. This is indeed after another shocked news of the death in custody of Kugan in Taipan police station in Subang Jaya. About 100 concerned citizens mostly of Indian origin today protested against the police many with placards outside the police head office in what is largely perceived us a continued and unchecked police brutality against the citizen.

The crowd headed Yb M.Kulasegaran together with other state and national lawmakers such as YB Sivanesan, YB Sivakumar (speaker of Perak Assembly), YB Chang Lih Kang , YB lim Pek Har , YB Manikavasagam and Mr Sugumaran who is the political secretary of M.Kula were there to obtained detailed information from the Ipoh police OCPD after several attempts by family members to see the detainees were refused by the Police. Also present is the lawyer for the Speaker of Perak State Assembly, Mr Augustine Anthony who is also Bar Council Human Rights Committee member.

On Wednesday one of the detainees Vijayakumar was detained for an alleged offence in Chemor police station. On the same day his brother Pathmanaban and a family friend went to the same police station to enquire about the where about of Vijayakumar. There they were detained by the police without any plausible reasons and severely assaulted which resulted in one being admitted in hospital for outpatient treatment and another admitted for further treatment.
A distraught parents seeked the help of M.Kula to assist the immediate release of the three and set up an independent committee to investigate the alleged assault.

When the representative of the detainees arrived at the Ipoh Central police station, they were warmly welcomed by none other than then the OCPD of Ipoh. The police knew top police officers are concerned as to perception among the public that the police had been guilty of brutality and other wrong doings against detainees.

It is to be noted that the moment the OCPD saw the people carrying the placards and banners denouncing the police , he said these “peoples weapons” cannot be allowed into the police compound. Kula retorted that the police station is in Ipoh Barat constituency thus the OCPD cannot but must allow us the people in with the banners and more so as the police station is for the public protection . After some exchange of strong words the people gathered decided to show the world the writings on the placards and banners and exhibited it to all out side the police station.

In a closed door meeting with the Ipoh OCPD and host of other police personnel , the police assured two of the detainees will be released today and the remaining one to be either released or charged. An the OCPD hinted that there is some misconduct on part of the police and gave his undertaking that no stones will be stones unturned in the alleged assault case against the three detainees and that if investigation reveals wrongdoing on part of the police then they will be dealt with appropriately.

Outside an obviously angry and disappointed crowd over the way in which the police are treating the rakyat cheered when M.Kula broke the news about the outcome of the meeting.

Later M.kula assured all including the media that had gathered there that he and his team will monitor all such future misconducts of the police in Perak and if there are no effective measures to discipline and punish the perpetrators , then he may take the problem to the national level including directly informing the people of such actions of the police.

In today/s meeting a bigger crowd was expected but M. Kula advised against the large gathering of the people but will not and cannot guarantee that he will persuade the crowd with such similar advise in the future if the police are persistent with such brutality.

"I was beaten up by Police"

Several relatives of Batmanaban S/O Krishnan came to my office to complain that Bathanaban was manhandled in a police station. We are given to understand several policemen dragged and manhandle Batma Upon hearing their version of the story I requested them to lodge a police report against the culprits.

Those who came to my political office wanted us to assist them for the unreasonable detention of Batmanaban.

Later Batmanaban was admitted in Hospital Raja Permaisuri Bainun at wad no 2 after he became unconcious.

Yesterday (26/03/09) afternoon, Batmanaban's father made a police report against the Police offficers who mandhandle his son in Chemor and IPD Ipoh.

Today (27/03/09) morning, my secretary P.Sugumaran visited Batmanaban in Ipoh Hospital and Dr.Raffiz informed him that the patient will be sent for second scanning to confirm whether there was internal bleeding.

Another police report will be lodged against another Police Officer who mandhandled another friend of Batmanaban on the same incident.

To complain against any highhandedness of the police one has to lodge a police report with the police. And then only they will carry out investigations. What an irony!

More news later

POWER CRAZY……UMNO

Lim Kit Siang was suspended in today’s sitting in Parliament till 1pm for telling the truth in house. The iron man was suspended by Deputy Speaker Ronald Kiandee for questioning the hasty manner in which the Human Rights Commission of Malaysia (Amendment) 2009 Bill was being debated.

POWER CRAZY……UMNO

Who gave UMNO politicians power

by deciding with a slim tick

who heard all spouting policies?

Forgotten just as quick

what made them give us promises?

They never meant to keep their word

What ‘u’ turns will they think of next (Toll increament)

When getting in too deep (with Mangolian's)

Why do we pay them wages? (Their wife's visit Disneyland)

For things they got so wrong

why keep them in our government

If they’ve been there too long (To practice money politics)

Where should we look for leadership? (Pakatan Government)

There’s no one we can trust? (in UMNO/BN anymore)

Where are the ones with half a brain? (Gone with Projects)

To stop this boom and bust

when are the next elections? (in 6 months)

Should we send them all to schools? (nop...send to tadika kemas)

To learn what’s right & proper

by sticking to the rules

Protest against petrol station

Today more than 30 parents gathered to show their protest about the planned construction of Petrol Station in front of St.Philomena School. Parents are in fear and worried that the construction will cause traffic congestion with air and noise pollution.

The rally was peaceful. It ended without incident and the protestors only carried banners within the school compound as per police request. The proposed petrol station is too near the school. The parents say they were not consulted on the planned construction and surprises with the approval given by the local authorities.

Ridwan recuses from Perak Speaker suits

IPOH, March 24 - Judicial Commissioner Ridwan Ibrahim, a junior judge in Perak, has now recused himself from the two cases related to the Perak political crisis.It comes on the back of yesterday's Federal Court decision to return the suit filed by three former Pakatan Rakyat assemblymen against Speaker V. Sivakumar to the Ipoh High Court, reflecting the controversy over his judgments.

Hee Yit Foong, Osman Jailu and Jamaluddin Radzi, who are now independents supporting Barisan Nasional (BN), are challenging Sivakumar's claim that they resigned from their seats.Ridwan is also recusing himself from Perak Mentri Besar Datuk Zambry Abd Kadir and his six executive councillors' suit challenging the 12 to 18-month suspensions by Sivakumar for "unconstitutionally" accepting their appointments.

Sivakumar's lawyer Chan Kok Keong said Ridwan had announced his decision after meeting representatives from Sivakumar and the BN assemblymen's legal teams in his chambers.He said that in view of the Federal Court decision, the cases will now be heard before Judicial Commissioner Wan Afrah Wan Ibrahim.Ridwan had initially allowed the BN lawyer's application to refer the suit to the Federal Court despite Sivakumar's legal team that the state constitution had been used wrongly in the application.

The apex court's ruling effectively means Ridwan had interpreted the law wrongly.The case of the state exco against the speaker will be mentioned in Wan Afrah's court later today.The decision to allow Ridwan to hear the cases had already raised eyebrows given his junior status.

Malaysian Insider.

Motion Rejected - Press Release

This print screen was captured from The Sun Daily Web news

Nizar.....SA,MB, MP and....

PAS candidate in the Bukit Gantang By-Election, DS Nizar is the best and suitable person to contest.

Many political observers reported some positive comments and think that DS Nizar just counting his victory days and it would be a history making achievements for Pakatan Rakyat over the line.

The announcement was made at about 11pm by PAS president Abdul Hadi Awang during a ceramah in Padang Kota, Taiping. Several thousands of PAS supporters had gathered to find out the party's candidate for the by-election. Nizar, a mechanical engineer, is also the Pasir Panjang state representative. He had just turned 52

Rejection of motion to reconsider Gobind's suspension

The member for Parliament for Bandar Kuching gave notice to the Speaker of the House last week. The motion was to ask the house to review the decision to suspend the MP for Puchong YB Gobind for a year without any allowance on the basis that the MP of Puchong had breached his privilege as an MP when he had accused the Deputy Prime Minister for being involved in a murder case.

To day the Speaker by way of a letter stated that he had in Chambers rejected the motion by the MP for Bandar Kuching on the grounds that the matter and points were sufficiently replied to by the Minister Dato Seri Nazri last Monday in the House.

Not satisfied with the decision of the Speaker the MP for Bandar Kuching, Batu Gajah, Kota Malacca and my self then argued with the Speaker that the motion was important and should be allowed.
We pointed out that the suspension of Gobind was improper for the following reasons:

1) His remuneration can only be suspended by introducing a bill for this purposes as other wise this will be contrary to the Members Of Parliament (Remuneration) Act 1980.

2) That the failure to give Gobind a chance to defend -where he was not allowed to speak during the debate to suspend him. This is a serious violation and breach of the rules of natural justice. The whole country is now saying the Malaysian Parliament is a joke. To correct this perception it would be best advice to revive the decision to suspend Gobind.
The Speaker refused to budge and disallowed our appeals.

Almost RM43,000 collected in tree auction

IPOH, March 22 - Five shards of the Pakatan Rakyat (PR) erected democracy plaque here went on the auction block today. The highest bid stood at RM17,100.

A Johor based businessman who only wanted to be known as Lee collected the prized black marble inscription, widely seen to be a symbol of democracy for the ousted PR government.
But he told reporters he was only a proxy for "a friend." He refused to divulge further details.

But it is believed the new owner originates from the Perak royal town of Kuala Kangsar.
The auction was organised by the DAP and launched by Datuk Seri Nizar Jamaluddinn who maintains he is the lawful mentri besar of the state.

It was held under the shade of the rain tree at Persiaran Istana opposite the Perak state secretariat. Bidding started from RM500. The amount collected from the auction was almost RM43,000. It will be used to build a "new greater more lasting monument" to democracy, said Nizar.

A formidable father-and-son act

KUALA LUMPUR, March 21 — As an outspoken human rights lawyer and ferocious opposition politician, Karpal Singh, 68, constantly courts danger, controversies and has been arrested frequently in a career spanning nearly four decades.

His exploits have earned him the nickname "Lion of Jelutong", after the northern constituency that first elected him to Parliament in 1974.

But now he has been joined on the national political stage by one of his sons, Gobind Singh Deo, 38.

Gobind practised as a lawyer at his father's law firm after graduating from Lincoln's Inn in 1996 and entered Parliament last year at his first attempt. And in a relatively short time he has already risen to national prominence as a fiery opposition lawmaker.

Like the father, Gobind courts controversies, fights all comers in the courts, in Parliament and outside it, and has quickly earned the nickname "Little Lion of Puchong", after the constituency near the capital that sent him to Parliament in March last year.

Both father and son are Sikhs and members of the Chinese-majority DAP. While the father is the party chairman, the son is a member of the its decision-making central executive committee.

"Speaking up against injustice and defending democracy and human rights is an everyday job for me," Karpal said. "I have been doing it for 30 years and I am still going at it."

Gobind may have a hard act to follow.

"My father is virtually an institution, I am just starting out," Gobind said. "I have learned a lot watching him deal with the complex legal, political and human rights issues that cross his desk.

"I am still under his shadow," Gobind said. "I have a long way to go."

But by some counts Gobind has already arrived in a country dominated by majority Malay Muslims where fiery, macho style-politics is accepted as "right and proper" by aggrieved minority Chinese and Indian voters.

This week both father and son made national headlines, sparking an outpouring of sympathy after they were punished — the son for crossing Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak and the father for offending Sultan Azlan Shah of Perak.

Gobind was suspended for a year from Parliament on Monday after he called Najib a murderer during a raucous debate on unrelated matters the previous Thursday. The opposition has tried to link Najib to the 2006 murder of Mongolian woman Altantuya Shaariibuu, but Najib has sworn on the Quran that he did not know her.

Although Gobind is protected by parliamentary immunity, his use of the word "murderer" incensed Najib's supporters who quickly moved a motion to suspend him and carry it through with their parliamentary majority.

On Tuesday, Karpal was himself charged with sedition, a serious offence punishable by two years' jail, for disparaging the Sultan by questioning his authority at a press conference on Feb 16. The Sultan had sparked a public outcry after he dismissed the opposition Pakatan Rakyat state government and installed a fresh Umno-led Barisan Nasional administration on Feb 5.

Last month Karpal received threatening letters, two live bullets in the mail, and Umno members lodged more than 100 police reports against him for "insulting" the Sultan.

Such controversies are bread and butter stuff for Karpal, who first made a name abroad while defending Australian drug trafficker Kevin Barlow, who was executed in Malaysia in 1986. In 1989, Amnesty International declared Karpal a prisoner of conscience after he was detained without trial under security laws.

A plaque in Karpal's law office summarises his outlook on life. It reads in part, "I will never cower before any Earthly master.” Karpal's zeal is all the more astounding because a 2005 car accident left him wheelchair bound.

His many political opponents wrote him off but after two years recuperation, Karpal bounced back by returning to Parliament last year after winning the Bukit Gelugor constituency in Penang.

Another of Karpal's sons, Jagdeep Singh, 39, is a lawmaker in Penang and manages Karpal's law office there but unlike Karpal or Gobind, he rarely courts controversies that make the headlines.

Another son Ram, 36, and a daughter Sangeet, 29, are both lawyers and have not yet shown any political ambitions and the youngest Mankarpal, 21, is studying law.

But the glue that holds the family together is Karpal's devoted wife, Gurmit Kaur, 58. They were childhood friends before marrying in 1970 — the same year Karpal started his law practice after graduating from the University of Singapore a year earlier.

He also joined the DAP the same year and stood for election and lost, but four years later in 1974 he succeeded as lawmaker, starting a fiery career that has made him a household name.

"Despite the accident, he is the same determined and committed Karpal that I have always known," Gurmit said. Her fervent hope is to see him walk one day. Unlike before, when Karpal hogged the limelight, now he has Gobind to share the political stage.

"[Karpal] is as fiery as ever if not more," opposition lawmaker M. Kulasegaran said. "Together with the son they make a formidable team both in and outside Parliament." — South China Morning Post

MBI Jangan "Double Standard"

This print screen was captured from http://www.sinarharian.com.my/.

For the past 1 year the rate payers of Ipoh city raised many complaints against the Restaurant Haji Yahya which is situated in the middle of Ipoh City. The complaint was raised many times to Majlis Bandaraya Ipoh and no action has been taken.

The restaurant owner built the restaurant on the walk way.But presently the walk way is utilized by the restaurant owner. The restaurant owner extended the restaurant without the approval from the city planning unit.

We were hoping the MBI would wake up and take action to demolish the illegal extension.
As the restaurant owner had been operating on the walk way this has caused alot of discomfort to other road users. Examples are as follows: customers will park the car at the road shoulder which is on top of yellow lane to buy or to have breakfast and this causes traffic congestion in the morning and in the peak hours.

This issue also was also brought to the attention of a local NGO Association of Community and Dialogue (ACID) and the concern NGO already send a letter with many reminders to the Datuk Bandar’s Office asking for action against the restaurant. At the same time I also received the complaint in my political office advising me to take action against the restaurant.

I am considering what I should do about this complaint because the location of the restaurant comes under my constituency. I’m sure some people would like to rise and want action! Did MBI gave approval for the restaurant at the road side.

Report On Private Sector Pension Scheme In Four Months

Report On Private Sector Pension Scheme In Four Months - Subramaniam

KUALA LUMPUR, March 19 (Bernama) -- The report on the proposed introduction of a pension scheme for private sector employees through the Employees Provident Fund (EPF) will be ready in four months, Human Resources Minister Datuk Dr S. Subramaniam said today.

He said the ministry had held preliminary discussions with other government agencies such as the Finance Ministry, Economic Planning Unit and EPF on the matter."The government has agreed to look into the possibility of setting up a pension scheme for the benefit of private sector employees and hopes, in four months, a report will be submitted to the Finance Ministry for further action," he said in reply to Dr Mohd Puad Zarkashi (BN-Batu Pahat) in the Dewan Rakyat.Subramaniam said the government would consider the views of all quarters before proceeding with the plan."

The government cares for all workers including those in the private sector. We want to create a system suitable to all who work from now so that when they retire they will get pension for the rest of their lives," he said.

Replying to M. Kulasegaran (DAP-Ipoh Barat) on the retirement age of private sector employees, he said the Employment Act gave employers the freedom to determine the retirement age of their employees.

It was reported in January that the Cabinet had instructed the Human Resources Ministry to prepare a working paper on a private sector pension scheme and hand it over to the Finance Ministry for implementation.-- BERNAMA

Damaged plaque's for auction

On coming Sunday (22/03/09) at 11.30am, Pakatan will be hosting an Auction for the damaged plaques under the Pakatan Tree.

The auction is a best way to support to rebuild the New Democratic Plaque, and it gives all the Perakians an opportunity to bid on these historical monuments.

Those who want to participate in the auction kindly contact Chris at 05-2531532.

Double Standard; No Standard For UMNO

Up's and down's in UMNO politics becomes the fast burning fury over pay out to fish the voters continued to consume whole of Nation.

Yesterday, the UMNO disciplinary board decided to bar the Malacca Chief Minister Ali Rustam from contesting in the party poll thus ending his bid for the deputy presidency.

On the other hand, Khairy Jamalludin was found guilty but given warning for involving in Money Politics.

“Umno legal adviser Datuk Hafa­rizam Harun, who was also present at the press conference, interjected that in the case of Khairy there was no link that showed that he had given consent to his agents’ actions and that the nexus linking him to his agent was weak although he could not be deemed altogether innocent of the offence.”
(How Hafarizam knows that KJ never give concern to his agents? It’s not lack of evidence; Hafarizam having lack of knowledge in Law. Wonder which idiot appoint him as a Law Advisor for UMNO)

The commentators and supporters of Ali Rustam are hammering with questions on why the decisions are very much different for the outgoing PM’s son in law.

But as things stand now, there is no clear roadmap for KJ and sure many of the UMNO delegates having clear ideas to vote for whom to be their leader; but nothing has set in concrete.

Picked from Ipoh Echo - An interview with Augustine Anthony

In an attempt to get an insight into the political quagmire that Perak has unwittingly found itself, Ipoh Echo will endeavour to find answers from both sides of the political divide. The series starts with an interview with Augustine Anthony, a prominent human rights lawyer....

UNRAVELLING THE TRUTH BEHIND THE POLITICAL MESS IN PERAK

Ipoh Echo: Perakians in general are rather in the dark as to events clouding the Perak political landscape. How did events unfold?

Augustine: It’s common knowledge, judging from the sequence of events inthe past month, what took place. It all started with the appointment of Dato’ Dr Zambry, replacing Dato’ Seri Nizar Jamaluddin as the Mentri Besar on February 6. Beyond the legal aspects, it’s the feelings of the people that matter.

Perak has been under Barisan Nasional since 1957. There was never an occasion when the state government was ruled by another party other than BN. After the March 8 General Election, the rakyat had voted in a new government under the tripartite coalition named Pakatan Rakyat.

Ipoh Echo. What events have left a lasting impression on Perakians?

Augustine: The openness of the PR-led Government is something new to Perakians. The PR politicians are very approachable and are willing listeners. Long standing issues relating to Orang Asli’s land rights, for example, have been resolved. Land titles, which were once a taboo subject, were given out. A two-way communication was established with those in authority and the common folk. Suddenly, this channel of communication was snuffed out when a “power grab” took place.

The rakyat don’t mind a change in the government but it’s the manner the change is instituted that left many unhappy. They voted for the parties that could bring about changes and now they are left in the lurch.

Ipoh Echo: How had the actions of the three BN-friendly assemblymen impacted the rakyat?
Augustine: The people felt that the three individuals had betrayed their trust.

The response from the rakyat was something unexpected. There had never been such an outpouring of anger in the streets. It translated into a phenomenal scene with people protesting against the swearing-in of the new MB in Kuala Kangsar. The spontaneity of this unplanned protest goes to show how unhappy the people are.

Ipoh Echo: What are the other contributing factors?

Augustine: Power grab is not something easy because we are a country with a written constitution, which has evolved over the years. Besides the Federal Constitution, individual states have their own constitutions. The civil society of the country believes that the Rule of Law must prevail.

There is separation of powers between the Judiciary, the Legislative and the Executive. The three branches must work harmoniously but independently without any form of “unholy interference”. We have been jolted in the past. The Executive assault on the Judiciary in 1988 is a case in point and we have never recovered since. What happened in Perak is another round of Executive meddling in the affairs of a legislative body.

Ipoh Echo: Can this outpouring of anger be averted?

Augustine: Yes, it can. When one party seeks legitimacy to rule why is it so difficult to ask the people for their consent? Seek the mandate from the rakyat. Let the public choose the government of their choice through the ballot boxes.

Ipoh Echo: The rakyat have inferred that there is interference by the Judiciary insofar as the Perak situation is concerned. Your comments.

Augustine: The good governance of the state is enhanced by the independence of the three branches – Judiciary, Legislative and Executive. The people perceive that the Judiciary is imposing itself on the Legislative. The slew of litigations taken against and for the newly-formed BN government is the result of this shortcoming.

Ipoh Echo: There is a general feeling among Perakians that truth will be suppressed. Your comments.

Augustine: With the developments taking place presently, I don’t think that’s easy. The monarchy has been unwittingly dragged into the fray. It’s not about defending the Institution of the Rulers per se. It’s about defending the interest of certain individuals. We no longer live in the 50s and 60s where the flow of information was so restricted. With Internet people today can access news as it unfolds. Blogs and online newspapers provide better and wider coverage than the mainstream media do. The people can differentiate between truth and fiction. Truth, therefore, will never be suppressed.

Ipoh Echo: What is the effect of this mess on the rakyat?

Augustine: One positive development that have taken place is that the rakyat today are better informed than before. They now know what is enshrined in the Perak State Constitution and what the Perak State Legislative Standing Order provides. They have taken cognisance of the fact that federal apparatchiks, like the police and the anti-corruption commission, are being brought to bear on the Opposition. And foremost, they all know who the underdogs are.

Ipoh Echo: Do you think that this impasse will end on a happy note? What are the lessons learnt?

Augustine: I cannot predict that it will end on a happy note. However, I can say this for certain that those involved in the “power grab” thought that it was a walk in the park. Now they know that the Constitution has enough provisions to protect the man in the street.

Any setback is good education for the people to be vigilant, prudent, compassionate and circumspect. It will teach future generations how to respect the Constitution, the Rule of Law and the people. It will also teach those in power that they cannot disregard the feelings of the masses. They must acknowledge the fact that their number is small while the masses are huge.

Ipoh Echo: How can this crisis be resolved?

Augustine: Dissolve the state assembly and call for a fresh election. Let Perakians decide what’s best for their state. Otherwise it’s denying their legitimate expectations.

Karpal to be charged today

Latest update 17/-3/09 : Karpal pleaded not guilty before judge Mohamad Sekeri Mamat. He was released on a RM2,000 bail with one surety.

Outspoken DAP stalwart Karpal Singh is expected to be charged under the Sedition today in relation to his threat to sue the Perak ruler over the political crisis in the state.

The veteran politician and lawyer was served with a notice yesterday to present himself at the courts in Jalan Duta hours after his second son and Puchong MP Gobind Singh Deo was suspended from Parliament for a year.

Democracy Plaque Removed

The monument commemorating the “Democracy Tree” was removed this morning.

This comes less than two days after the Ipoh City Council served a 24-hour notice pinned to the tree, telling the “owner” of the plaque to remove it.

The notice, pinned on Friday evening, declared that the plaque, erected on a road reserve, was illegal because no permit had been sought from the council.

It also said that the structure posed an obstruction to the public and hence contravened Section 46(1)(a) of the Road, Drainage and Building Ordinance 1974.

Now the UMNO/BN illegitimate MB Zamry and the Ipoh City Mayor must be smilling as they have completed and achieved the greatest assignment which has been pending 5 days.

96% are against the Ipoh City Council decission to demolished the Democracy Plaque

"Answer me, you murderer"

Minister in Prime Minister's Office Dato Seri Nazri Aziz submitted a motion to suspend Puchong MP Gobind Deo Singh for a year without allowance for telling the truth on Najib Altantuya.

The submitted motion as follows :

ATURAN URUSAN MESYUARAT DAN USUL-USUL

1. Menteri di Jabatan Perdana Menteri akan mencadangkan:

BAHAWA pada 12 Mac 2009, Yang Berhormat Tuan Gobind Singh Deo, Ahli Parlimen kawasan Puchong semasa perbahasan peringkat Jawatankuasa Rang Undang-undang Perbekalan Tambahan (2009) 2009 telah mengeluarkan kenyataan-kenyataan yang mendakwa YAB. Timbalan Perdana Menteri, Ahli Parlimen Kawasan Pekan terlibat dalam kes pembunuhan.
BAHAWA Yang Berhormat Ahli Parlimen Kawasan Puchong juga telah mengeluarkan kenyataan-kenyataan yang menghina Timbalan Yang di-Pertua Dewan Rakyat setelah diperintah keluar Dewan.

DAN BAHAWA kenyataan-kenyataan yang dibuat oleh Yang Berhormat Ahli Parlimen Kawasan Puchong adalah merupakan satu dakwaan yang sangat serius dan menyalahi hak dan keistimewaan sebagai Ahli Parlimen serta merupakan satu penghinaan kepada Dewan ini.

MAKA INILAH DIPERSETUJUI BAHAWA Yang Berhormat Ahli Parlimen Kawasan Puchong hendaklah digantung tugas dari jawatannya sebagai Ahli Parlimen selama dua belas (12) bulan dari tarikh keputusan usul ini diluluskan. Dalam masa penggantungan ini Yang Berhormat Ahli Parlimen Kawasan Puchong tidak akan dibayar kesemua bayaran elaun dan kemudahan sebagai seorang Ahli Parlimen.

Who is tis Najis?

Can anyone tell me who is tis extra ordinary character.......called as Najis?

Someone told me that he is a jack of all trade & master of Black Magic services in Malaysia.

Further Damages

"As the voters became tired of the bad news coming out on Democracy Plaque under the Pakatan Raintree, it began to wish Pakatan Perak to stand tall again."

Further Damaged Democracy Plaque

The Speaker can have his own lawyers

Today the court of appeal ruled that the Perak Speaker V.Sivakumar can have his own private lawyers to represent him in 2 pending suits related to Perak Crisis.

The court also ruled that there was no provision that the Speaker had to be represented by the state legal adviser as ruled by Ipoh High Court judicial commissioner Ridwan Ibrahim.

The decision of the three-member bench led by Justice Md Raus Sharif was unanimous. The other two judges were Justice R Abdull Hamid Embong and Justice Ahmad Maarop.

The spirit of Democracy will live on

Early this morning the monument erected under the famous rain tree was hacked down.

Only 5 days ago the monument a plague was erected and officially opened on the 8thMarch09. On 8thMarch the doors of the State Assembly was locked and police was barracked and assemblyman was prevented from gathering at the Assembly.

Due to this, the Speaker of the Assembly declared gathering under the "rain tree" a lawfull meeting . We were expecting the gangsters and goons of Barisan National to engineer the demolition of the plague, but not so soon. On the plague the following words were inscribed

“ The National Assembly, nothing may prevent it from continuing its deliberations in any place it is forced to establish itself; and finally, The National Assembly exist whenever its members are gathered.”

The Oath of The Tennis Court, 20th June, 1789.

“ May it please Your Majesty, I have neither eyes to see nor tongue to speak in this place, but as this House doth direct me, whose servant I am.”

On the independence of the House, by William Lenthall, Speaker, House of Commons.

POKOK DEMOKRASI

Pada 3-3-2009, pukul 9.25 pagi, apabila 27 orang Ahli Dewan Negeri Perak Pakatan Rakyat tiba di depan Bangunan Perak Darul Ridzuan untuk menghadiri Mesyuarat Keempat, Penggal Ke-12, Persidangan Dewan Undangan Negeri Perak, dengan arahan Setiausaha Kerajaan Negeri, pihak polis dan pasukan FRU telah mendirikan benteng untuk menghalang Ahli-Ahli Dewan Negeri ini untuk memasuki Dewan Mesyuarat Dewan Negeri. Bagaimanapun, walaupun Ahli-Ahli Dewan Negeri ini telah cuba sedaya upaya untuk memasuki Bangunan Perak demi melaksanakan amanah yang diwajibkan oleh rakyat, mereka tetap dihalang. Sehubungan itu, Pasukan Polis juga menggugut mengguna kekerasan serta pancuran water canon ke atas Ahli-Ahli Dewan Negeri tersebut.

Pada pukul 10.00 pagi, Tuan Yang Dipetua Dewan Undangan Negeri Perak, YB V Sivakumar telah membuat perisytiharan bahawa persidangan Dewan Negeri Perak akan diadakan dibawah pokok ini.

Persidangan Dewan yang Bersejarah dibawah pokok telah diadakan sehingga 10.35 pagi. Semua agenda mesyuarat telah disempurnakan dengan penuh istiadat dan tiga usul bersejarah telah dibahas dan diluluskan.

Pokok ini telah menyaksikan sejarah pembangunan sistem Demokrasi berparlimen dalam Negeri Perak Darul Ridzuan dan merupakan satu simbol perjuangan demokrasi bagi membentuk sebuah kerajaan dari Rakyat, untuk Rakyat dan demi Rakyat.

MAKA demi mengenang sejarah dan sebagai satu simbol perjuangan untuk negeri Perak yang tercinta, pokok ini dinamakan POKOK DEMOKRASI dan tugu ini didirikan untuk selama-lamanya.

Hidup Rakyat!
8th March, 2009.


Those responsible for the defacing of the plague are people who do not subscribe to the wishes of the majority who love peace, hope and democratic principles.

Our enemy can try to undo our work but our spirit of service and to voice out for all will continue to live on.

Parliament Q & A - Higher Education, Home Affairs, Transport & Human Resources Minister's

Dear readers, kindly read my question and the answer given by the Higher Education Minister concern. He did answered my question but not in full and furthermore once again the Minister fail to disclose the racial breakdown.

Answer From Higher Education Minister

Answer From Home Affairs Minister

Anwers From Transport Minister

Answer From Human Resources Minister

Yes, JC's term extended, but questions remain

Picked From Malaysian Insider

By Debra Chong

KUALA LUMPUR, Mar 11 - Ridwan Ibrahim, whose term as a judicial commissioner (JC) in the Ipoh High Court became the subject of much public debate in the ongoing Perak constitutional crisis, has had his contract extended for another two years.

"Yes, it has been renewed. Effective 1st March," de facto Law Minister Datuk Seri Nazri Abdul Aziz confirmed the news today.

Nazri told The Malaysian Insider that Ridwan's two-year term as a JC expired last February 28, but a renewal letter signed by the Chief Justice of Malaya, Tan Sri Zaki Azmi, has effectively extended the controversial judge's term.

He explained the renewal of a JC does not require the involvement of the Judicial Appointments Commission (JAC), the newly-minted body regulating the appointment of judges.

Asked when the letter was sent out, Nazri said he could not remember, but added it did not matter because the renewal can be backdated.

Ridwan recently made several controversial rulings in the Ipoh High Court, the most notable being an order stopping Perak Assembly Speaker V. Sivakumar from holding "any unlawful assembly."

He also ordered Sivakumar to only use the services of State Legal Advisor (SLA), Datuk Ahmad Kamal Md Shahid, to represent him in another case where three elected representatives are suing him for declaring their state seats vacant.

But the constitutional wrangle has become more muddled with Sivakumar suing the SLA in a separate suit filed in the KL High Court yesterday.

For federal lawmaker M. Kulasegaran (DAP-Ipoh-Barat), the real question to be answered concerns the accountability of a JC compared to a judge with full tenure.

"How can a trainee judge be allowed to decide a constitutional matter of such monumental significance which concerns the public?" he asked.

"By right the case should be heard by an experienced judge," added Kulasegaran, a lawyer by training.

Kulasegaran explained a JC is a judge-in-training who is put on a two-year probation period, at the end of which he is usually confirmed, relieved of his duties or chooses not to continue as a judge, such as Raja Aziz Addruse, a notable lawyer who was a former Bar Council president.

He noted that JC Ridwan had added to the complexity of the issue when he made the decision barring Speaker Sivakumar from chairing "unlawful" assemblies in chambers instead of in open court where the public can follow the arguments of the lawyers from both sides.

"Justice must be seen to be done," Kulasegaran emphasised.

Parliament Question - Lebih Baik jika Menteri Letak Jawatan

Tuan M. Kula Segaran [Ipoh Barat] minta Menteri Sumber Manusia menyatakan:-

a) adakah kerajaan pernah mengeluarkan laporan mengenai kes-kes penindasan pekerja-pekerja asing yang dibayar gaji rendah serta ditipu;
dan;
b) jika ada, apakah langkah dalam menangani isu ini dan jika tiada,
kenapa.

Menteri Sumber Manusia [Datuk Dr. S. Subramaniam]: Terima kasih. Tuan Yang di- Pertua, walaupun Kementerian Sumber Manusia mempunyai segala maklumat tentang isu ini tetapi kita tidak mengeluarkan laporan. Kementerian sentiasa mengambil tindakan ke atas setiap aduan yang dibuat oleh pekerja asing. Bagi memastikan hak dan kebajikan pekerja asing dilindungi, Jabatan Tenaga Kerja telah melaksanakan penguatkuasaan undang-undang, melalui beberapa jenis aktiviti.

Pada tahun yang lalu, sebanyak 15,628 tempat majikan telah diperiksa oleh jabatan, dan pemeriksaan yang dilakukan akan meliputi aspek kebajikan pekerja asing yang digajikan, dan juga aspek pematuhan kepada undang-undang yang berkaitan dengan penggajian mereka. Sekiranya sewaktu pemeriksaan didapati majikan tersebut telah melakukan pelanggaran undangundang, jabatan akan melaksanakan sama ada memberikan peluang bagi majikan untuk mematuhi perundangan itu atau melakukan pendakwaan, dan kompaun kepada majikan yang enggan mematuhi undang-undang, dan melakukan kesalahan yang berat. Tindakan kompaun telah dikenakan ke atas 71 majikan, yang didapati tidak melaporkan penggajian pekerja asing mereka kepada jabatan, iaitu pelanggaran di bawah seksyen 60(k) pada tahun yang lepas. Pekerja asing pun membuat aduan terus kepada jabatan, dan tindakan siasatan dalam tempoh tiga hari akan dibuat ke atas aduan yang difailkan kepada jabatan.

Pada tahun yang lalu, jabatan telah menerima 582 kes dan telah berjaya menyelesaikan 557 kes iaitu kadar 95%. Siasatan aduan yang dijalankan akan lebih menjurus kepada aduan yang difailkan, dan sekiranya siasatan mendapati aduan tersebut adalah berasas, maka tindakan pendakwaan dan kompaun, akan dikenakan ke atas majikan tersebut.

Bagi pekerja asing yang tidak mendapat pembayaran gaji, ataupun apa-apa bayaran kewangan sebagaimana di dalam kontrak mereka, tuntutan melalui Mahkamah Buruh akan dibuat, dan tuntutan yang difailkan pada tahun yang lalu, bagi tuntutan bayaran gaji yang tertunggak dan lain-lain berkenaan dengannya, adalah lebih kurang 438 kes. Dari jumlah ini, lebih daripada 86% telah diselesaikan. Pekerja asing juga diberi perlindungan daripada kemalangan sewaktu bekerja, melalui Skim Pampasan Pekerja, di bawah peruntukan Akta Pampasan Pekerja, dan pada tahun yang lalu, 6,539 kes pampasan telah difailkan dan daripadanya 6,398 kes telah diselesaikan.

Kes-kes ini melibatkan kemalangan yang membawa kecederaan sementara, kekal ataupun kes-kes yang menghadapi maut. Majikan yang menggaji pekerja asing, perlu melaporkan dalam tempoh masa 10 hari daripada tarikh kemalangan yang menimpa pekerja asing, dan sekiranya mereka gagal, majikan tersebut boleh didakwa atau di kompaun. So, itulah dengan ringkasnya, pendekatan yang diambil oleh kementerian, di dalam menjaga kebajikan pekerja asing, di dalam negara kita. terima kasih.

Tuan M. Kula Segaran [Ipoh Barat]: Terima kasih Tuan Yang di-Pertua, soalan tambahan saya. Dari jawapan Yang Berhormat Menteri menunjukkan satu gambaran di mana, situasi kronik di negara ini mengenai pekerja-pekerja asing, telah dan dapat diatasi.

Akan tetapi di dalam realitinya, itu bukanlah benar-benar yang betul kerana Yang Berhormat Menteri sendiri, lebih kurang tiga bulan dulu telah pergi dengan kawan saya Exco dari Perak, A. Sivanesan ke satu kilang di Menglembu, di mana beratus-ratus orang bekerja di sana, yang tidak dibayar gaji, ada di antara mereka yang tidak ada permit, tidak ada hak untuk bekerja di sana di mana mereka tidak dibayar gaji.

Itu adalah satu di antara kes-kes yang mungkin di mana Yang Berhormat Menteri turun. Soalan saya mengenai perkara ini adalah, macam mana kita sebenarnya dapat mengatasinya, walaupun tidak ada laporan dari pekerja-pekerja di sana. Bermaksud adakah kita, kementerian dapat mengesan sebelum satu laporan dibuat, supaya at source, perkara itu dapat diatasi.

Berkaitan dengan ini Tuan Yang di-Pertua, semalam Yang Berhormat Timbalan Perdana Menteri, telah mengatakan sebanyak RM700 juta akan diagihkan untuk mengatasi dan memberi priority kepada teras pertama, iaitu mengatasi unemployment dan juga create new empolyment.

Adakah kementerian ini, sesungguhnya boleh mengimplementasikan perkara ini, walhal unemployment rate dikatakan akan dinaikkan, walaupun kerajaan mengatakan daripada 3.8% kepada 4.5%, tetapi itu adalah angka yang tidak benar, kerana yang betul adalah dikatakan lebih
kurang 10%, kerana keadaan yang sama berlaku di Amerika dan UK. Jadi soalan saya ialah, apakah tindakan yang telah disesuaikan sekarang supaya perkara-perkara di mana pekerjapekerja kita diberi keutamaan dari pekerja-pekerja asing supaya jangan kita seperti baru-baru ini, Menteri Dalam Negeri...

Timbalan Yang di-Pertua [Datuk Dr. Haji Wan Junaidi Tuanku Jaafar]: Yang Berhormat, ini dah berantai Yang Berhormat, bukan lagi...

Tuan M. Kula Segaran [Ipoh barat]: ...Berkaitan 70 ribu Bangladeshi. Bila keluar dari surat khabar, baru Menteri lompat, kalau tidak ada, dia akan duduk sahaja. Jadi itu yang menjadi perkara. Kita tahu ada beratus-beratus ribu orang dari Nepal dan sebagainya, akan datang. Adakah tindakan yang serius akan diambil supaya dapat mengelak perkara macam ini.

Datuk Dr. S. Subramaniam: Terima kasih Yang Berhormat. Sebenarnya di peringkat kerajaan, kita sentiasa sedar dan terus bekerja untuk memastikan bahawa hasrat-hasrat yang telah dicadangkan telah dikemukakan oleh Yang Berhormat dicapai. Akan tetapi, di dalam peringkat Ahli Yang Berhormat, bila ada isu sahaja dibangkitkan tetapi tidak bantu, untuk menyelesaikan masalah secara proaktif, [Dewan riuh] dan...

Tuan M. Kula Segaran [Ipoh Barat]: Saya rela jadi Menterilah, Menteri keluar, saya jadi Menteri.

Seorang Ahli: Duduklah, duduk, duduk. [Dewan riuh]

Datuk Dr. S. Subramaniam: Ahli Yang Berhormat telah membangkitkan beberapa isu...

Tuan M. Kula Segaran [Ipoh Barat]: Letak jawatan.

Datuk Dr. S. Subramaniam: ...Dan satu daripada isu ialah isu berkenaan kebajikan pekerja asing. Di dalam jawapan saya tadi, saya telah memberitahu bahawa salah satu daripada kaedah yang telah digunakan, ialah untuk membuat pemeriksaan kepada premis pekerja. Pada tahun yang lalu, saya telah memberitahu bahawa kita telah membuat pemeriksaan kepada 15,628 premis pekerja, yang menggajikan pekerja asing. Ini adalah satu daripada tindakan positif yang telah diambil di mana semasa pegawai-pegawai Jabatan Tenaga Kerja yang ada di 80 jabatan Tenaga Kerja di seluruh negara pergi ke tempat-tempat majikan di kawasan mereka di mana mereka menggajikan pekerja asing dan mereka mengenal pasti bahawa ada isu di mana ada penindasan kepada pekerja asing, atau mereka telah diabaikan atau tidak diberikan gaji seperti yang telah ditetapkan melalui kontrak.

Maka pada keadaan ini, pegawai akan mengambil tindakan. Inilah cara pro aktif yang saya telah terangkan tadi, dan jawapan sebenarnya telah diberikan di dalam jawapan asalnya. Selain daripada itu ialah daripada kes yang diberi laporan. Kalau laporan aduan diberi kepada jabatan, memang pegawai akan memfailkan dan siasatan akan dimulakan dalam tiga hari sahaja selepas mendapat laporan untuk mendapatkan satu penyelesaian daripadanya.

Untuk jawab bahagian kedua Yang Berhormat, semalam semasa Yang Amat Berhormat Timbalan Perdana Menteri telah mengemukakan Mini Bajet, beberapa langkah telah dicadangkan supaya mengurangkan pergantungan kepada pekerja asing. Salah satu daripadanya yang akan mempunyai kesan yang paling tinggi ialah menambahkan levi dua kali ganda. Contohnya di dalam bidang perkhidmatan, sebelum ini RM1,800 levi setahun, sekarang gaji levi ini akan dinaikkan kepada RM3,600. Maksudnya pada tiap-tiap bulan tambahan kosnya RM300 dan tambah kepada itu sebelum ini levi ini dibayar oleh pekerja tetapi semalam kita telah membuat satu dasar bahawa bayaran dibuat oleh majikan.

Oleh itu ini akan menambahkan kos, bila pekerja cut cost, menggaji seorang pekerja asing, sudah naik seperti satu kadar sebegitu itu. Memang ini adalah satu perkara yang akan memberi kesan yang negatif supaya majikan akan berjaga-jaga, kalau mereka membawa pekerja asing, itu bermaksud mereka kena bayar lebih daripada RM300. Tambahan daripada itu Tuan Yang di-Pertua, apa yang kita telah cadangkan, salah satu daripada langkah untuk mewujudkan peluang-peluang kerja kepada pekerja tempatan ialah untuk memindahkan peluang-peluang kerja yang sekarang di bawah pekerja asing kepada pekerja tempatan.

Salah satu daripada kaedah untuk memberi satu galakan kepada majikan supaya tiaptiap majikan yang memberikan peluang kerja kepada pekerja tempatan akan diberikan ganjaran RM300 sebulan untuk satu pekerja. Itu bermaksud, kalau seorang majikan memberi peluang kepada pekerja tempatan, dia akan dapat RM600 kerana baki daripada tak perlu bayar levi RM300 dan tambahan yang diberi oleh pihak kerajaan RM300. Ini akan menjadi satu galakan yang akan mewujudkan lebih peluang kerja untuk pekerja-pekerja tempatan. Terima kasih.

Speaker cannot represent himself

The High Court here ruled that Perak State Assembly Speaker V. Sivakumar cannot act for himself in a lawsuit brought against him by three independent assemblymen, and must use the state legal adviser.

Sivakumar had appeared in court Wednesday to represent himself after it was earlier ruled he could not appoint his own counsel, but this was rejected.

Judicial Commissioner Ridwan Ibrahim reaffirmed his previous decision that the Speaker was a state officer who could only be represented by the state legal adviser under Section 24(3) of the Government Proceedings Act.

The Court fixed March 16 to hear two related applications -- the first by Sivakumar asking the suit to be struck out, and the other for three former state executive council members and three voters to intervene in the case.

On Feb 27, the three independent assemblymen -- Mohd Osman Mohd Jailu (Changkat Jering), Jamaluddin Mohd Radzi (Behrang) and Hee Yit Foong (Jelapang) -- filed a suit seeking a declaration that they were still elected representatives.

My Political Sec's Press Statement

1ST YR ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATION FOR PAKATAN IN IPOH

PAKATAN'S DEMOCRACY TREE IN PERAK

Pakatan Rakyat has named a raintree here the Tree of Democracy – for it was under this tree that the emergency sitting of the state assembly was held.

The tree will be the monument for the Pakatan Government and will recall our memory for its significant achivements.

Beside that, “We have named the newly planted 5 trees as Transparency, Justice, Integrity, Trustworthiness and Welfare,”

RAINTREE THE SIGN & SYMBOLL OF DEMOCRACY

Thomas Lee Says: Let’s use the raintress as the official symbol for Pakatan Rakyat.

As a plant, it represents life and growth. Being grown outdoor, it is a symbol of transparency and accountablity. Its deep roots represent firm solid foundation in the good earth of the nation. The tree also provides shelter and shade for the people, protecting and shielding them. Its wide branches can symbolish the extend of its influence and impact. Its green leaves stand for things beautiful and pleasant. Above all, the tree is a glorious symbol of what is good and true.

Arson or accidental fire

Early this morning at 3am the Bercham DAP service center was badly burnt. From initial investigation it looks an arsonist attack.

When we entered the burnt out building there was a strong smell of petrol. We will wait for police investigations.