Kula's Voize

Najib's 100 days in office but he fails to address peoples issues!

2009-07-12T14:28:00.002+08:00

At the gathering to mark his 100 days in office, PM Najib has announced a slew of " goodies" .

People like " goodies" and he can expect his approval ratings to go higher than the 65% achieved recently.

But if Najib wants to truly bring about changes, he has to implement more and real changes and not just populist measures or goodies.

For example, I did not see his promise that a Royal Commission of Inquiry will be set up into the PKFZ issue. Should the people be satisfied with just the release of the recent PKFZ Report?

Neither did he promise that he will permanently solve the highway toll rate problem. Should the people be happy with the discount announced? Is this all his government can do ?

There was no promise that his government will abolish draconian laws like the ISA, OSA and the Printing and Press Act.

There are many more promises which the PM has not addressed.

The " what he did not promise"list can go on but what is important is that the people who have voted for change in the last general election must be able to see what the PM did not promise rather than what he has promised.

The nation and the people definitely deserve more than the slew of goodies announced.

Perhaps PM Najib should consider conduting a referendum on PPSMI for primary and secondary schools

2009-07-11T14:59:00.002+08:00

The government's decision to reverse the PPSMI for both primary and secondary schools have attracted mixed reactions.

The feedback I have received shows that generally, the reversal for primary schools is accepted by the people , especially educationists who have long insisted that
primary school subjects are best taught in the students' mother tongue.

However, there seems to be some parents of urban schools who prefer that the status quo be maintained for the primary schools, if given a choice.

For the secondary schools, the number of urban parents who support the status quo be maintained for the secondary schools is quite overwhelming.

I am therefore not surprised that in the poll conducted by the former PM Tun Mahathir , majority have voted against the PPSMI reversal. Majority of his blog readers are urban parents or voters..

It will be interesting had Tun"s poll been separated into two sections, one for primary schools and another for secondary schools.

Tun Mahathir has asked his readers to answer yes or no to the question-- do you support the government's decision to teach Maths and Science in BM?

Based on his poll result, Tun has said that it seems that the government is not listening to the voice of the people.

May be PM Najib should seriously consider holding a referendum on the two questions:

1. Should PPSMI be reversed for primary schools?

2. Should PPSMI be reversed for secondary schools?

Any political consideration in the two year delay of abolition of PPSMI?

2009-07-09T15:23:00.002+08:00

Yesterday's Cabinet decision to reverse the PPSMI ( Pengajaran dan Pembelajaran Sains dan Matematik dalam Inggeris) policy is not a surprise to many.

Many NGO’s and political parties as well as Chinese, Tamil and Malay educationists and oppositionists had warned before the PPSMI was implemented that it would not be able to achieve its declared objective of improving the standard of English of our students.

Time has proven the policy critics right.

Faced with the fact that the ill conceived PPSMI has failed its objective , the Cabinet was left with no choice but to reverse it.

Like many, I am a little surprised though that the reversal will include the secondary schools.

Many have thought the Cabinet will abolish the PPSMI for the primary schools only.

However, a question that many have asked today is , if PPSMI has made guinea pigs of our students and that the government has admitted it is a failed policy, then why is there a delay of 2 years in reversing it?

Why cant the reversal take effect next year?

Is there any political consideration in the two year delay? Is the general election a factor of consideration?

The Education Minister should know that not many will be convinced by his explanation that the reversal requires a " soft landing".

For a plane that has crashed , no on will talk about soft landing. For a policy that has failed, isn't immediate reversal the answer?

Meeting with the Kg.Buah Pala villagers

2009-07-08T14:55:00.004+08:00

Tuesday 8thJuly09
With him being unfairly and inaccurately accused by some people that he is not willing to personally meet the villagers, I have voiced my opinion that the Penang Chief Minister should meet the villagers.

I am glad that a meeting will be held between the residents and the Penang Chief Minister tomorrow morning.

It is the fervent hope of the Indian community and the Pakatan Rakyat supporters that a constructive solution can be achieved.

Tommorrow's meeting has proven very clearly that Guan Eng is not a Chief Minister who will run away from the problem, unlike the Prime Minister who washes his hands so quickly and Tan Sri Koh Tsu Kookn who so irresponsibly passes the buck to Guan Eng.

At about 5pm on Tuesday 7thJuly YB Sivanesan , Sdr Sudagar a local Penang NGO rep and I met the villagers at the Kg.Buah Pala. During the discussion held we were told by the villagers that they want to stay put in the village and they want the state to assist them in this respect. We also made an extensive on hand tour of the village.

We have since then, relayed the above request to the Chief Minister of Penang.

We are given to understand that they were also 5 malay families residing in the village. But all of them have since moved out, as they had accepted compensation from the developer.

Najib washes his hands!

2009-07-07T13:41:00.002+08:00

I have never seriously believed that Tan Sri Koh Tsu Koon will take responsibility for the Kg Buah Pala issue and make amends by raising the matter in the Cabinet.

So I was not exactly surprised when he said that it was the present Penang state government which must solve the villagers ' predicament.

I was a little surprised though to learn from the news yesterday that the Prime Minister had so quickly washed his hands of the Kg Buah Pala issue.

When asked by the reporters on request by the Penang state government, Najib had said that it was a state matter which should be settled at state level.

How quickly he has washed his hands off the issue, even before Penang Chief Minister's letter requesting Federal intervention has reached him.

I thought the least Najib would have done was to say that the Federal government will study the issue or direct his KPI Minister to propose a solution .

After all, he should know that the former Penang state government led by Tan Sri Koh Tsu Koon was the culprit of the problem.

Could the Prime Minister really wash his responsibly of a problem which was caused by a former BN Chief Minister who is now his KPI minister?

The reality of political involvement

2009-07-06T13:00:00.002+08:00

An intresting write up by By Baradan Kuppusamy
KARAK, July 5 — While many of her compatriots in DAP celebrated their party's best ever electoral results last March, Kamache Dorai Rajoo counted the cost of her 145-vote loss in the Sabai state seat, and made a life-changing decision.
She decided to leave her husband behind in Kuantan and uprooted the rest of her family — her mother and two children — to this small town at the foothills of Genting Highlands. The 39-year-old would stay back to fight for a chance to be elected by the people of this small town.
More than a year later — she now has a permanent service centre she mans with party volunteers — many locals are behaving like her constituents and flock to her office for help.
With the help of her 68-year-old mother Mariyamal, whom she sees as her biggest inspiration in life, Kamache continues her campaign to get elected.
Although a one street town, Kamache's new home has a Chinese new village, a KFC and MacDonald’s outlet and two police stations one at each end of the town, reminiscence of the days when it was a communist hotbed.
Her husband is putting up in Kuantan where he works as a senior supervisor with an oil palm mill belonging to Sime Darby and although he has applied for a transfer to Karak he has little chance of getting it, says Kamache.
She is determined to stay in Karak despite the odds.
“In Kuantan only my husband needs me but here in Karak the many people need me,” she said.
“They face numerous problems and see me as their Wakil Rakyat and come to me for help even though I lost,” Kamache said. “I can’t let them down.”
“I intend to stay here for good even though it is a struggle to stay afloat,” said Kamache in fluent English.
The 10th in a family of 11 children, Kamache studied in a Tamil school, picked up English working as a receptionist, was a ground staff for a German airline and is currently doing a masters in English with the Open University.
But it has all been downhill since she uprooted from Kuantan and set up camp in Karak in the Sabai constituency with about 10,000 voters.
She gave up a lucrative job teaching English that paid about RM8, 000 a month when she moved to Karak.
“I persuaded my husband to let me go as I was determined. After drifting in life I have found my vocation in life. Politics, serving the people, fighting for justice...these are what I want to do,” she said.
“One day I would want to take a seat in Parliament. This is my dream,” she said. For the moment it is a uphill battle.
After landing in Karak she looked for a job and has yet to land one.
She rents a house in Karak for RM500 a month and her service centre cost RM350 a month.
Unlike in Kuantan where she taught tuition for a handsome fee, in Karak she is teaching English for free as part of the DAP's service to the constituents.
Without a steady job or business Kamache is finding it tough to pay the rent. Her savings is fast depleting.
Her mother is helping out from her pension along with her husband who earns about RM4,000 a month.
He also pays the monthly instalment for their house in Kuantan and for a Chevrolet 1.8 Optra that was bought during the good times in Kuantan.
“I can last another month or two but after that only a miracle can save us,” she said.
To make ends meet the family drastically scaled down their lifestyles.
Her daughter Venosha, 15, has given up on school tuition and Indian classical dance lessons. Before they were chauffeured to school now they take the school bus.
The credit cards have been shelved and a upcoming trip to Budapest, on July 14, for a eight-day political training stint has also been cancelled.
"I tried to raise money for the trip but there’s just not enough,” Kamache said with a trace of regret.
On the personal front, her health is not balmy.
Her asthma has started to act up with the cooler and wetter weather in Karak and in addition she suffers from a live long battle with psoriasis, a skin disease which is suppressed by taking steroids. “Why do you think I always wear longs sleaves,” she joked adding “I have spent over RM200,000 in my life for a permanent cure but without success.”
The amazing thing is that it never crossed her mind to give it all up and go back to the secure and comfortable life she had in Kuantan.
“I am not a quitter and besides I am needed here. There are so many issues and problems I have taken up. I cannot just walk away,” Kamache said.
“I have fought all my life. I have survived one personal crisis after another. I don’t plan to give up,” Kamache said. “I can’t abandon the people here.” It was not always like this with her.
Although the family started poor on her father’s small income as a civil servant, she managed to get educated up to A-levels first in Ipoh and later in Jelapang where they moved on her father’s retirement in 1989.
They lived in a squatter settlement outside town.
“I worked in numerous places — at a hotel in Langkawi, as ground stewardess and as receptionist in Klang,” she said.
Her political initiation came one day in 1990 when she attended a forum on the plight of the Sri Lankan Tamil refugees in Meru, near Klang.
“That forum changed my outlook about myself and the world,” she said.
“That’s when I realised one had to look beyond self and one had to speak up against injustice.”
That realisation made her take an active interest in human rights issues and get involved in the struggle for freedom of minorities.
It was during this period that she got involved in the setting of the Tamil Foundation, an NGO that promoted Tamil education and culture.
Through this activity Kamache met activists lawyers like P. Pasupathy, M. Manoharan (currently Tamil Foundation chairman and Teluk Intan MP) and M. Kulasegaran (MP Ipoh Barat).
In the run up to the March 8 general election the DAP was keen to promote Indian women to stand for election as the party had never fielded one before.
Naturally Kamache, with her speaking talents and experience with grassroots rights activities was a natural choice.
“I was reluctant but was persuaded to take the plunge by YB Kula,” Kamache said. She was presented to the DAP veteran Lim Kit Siang and secretary general Lim Guan Eng and they were agreeable for Kamache to contest in the Sabai state seat.
“I arrived with my two children and my mother one day before parliament was dissolved (on Feb 13, 2008),” she said. “This was the first time I had stepped foot in Karak.”
The four of them slept on the floor of the DAP office in Karak for the next 25 days running a chaotic campaign with the help of the local DAP leaders against the well oiled campaign by BN candidate Datuk M Davendran.
On polling day she swept the urban votes but lost the bulk of the votes in Felda Serting. Overall she lost by a narrow 145 votes. “I cried for days, my mother cried, by children cried, DAP party workers cried. We were so close and yet we were defeated,” Kamache said recalling the agony of defeat.
Three days after the defeat she met her husband and told him she had made up her mind to return to Karak, set up office and serve the people and fight on.
Her husband agreed.
Her financial woes are just one of the many battles she faces.
She fights the bureaucracy, headquartered in Bentong about 30 minutes from Karak, for everything — health services to garbage collection, problems with birth certificates and provision of basic amenities.
“I don’t have time even to read the newspapers,” she said adding she is “vaguely” aware about the issues in Buah Pala village in Penang. “I have my hands full here.”
“Unlike before the DAP has to fight on several fronts now. We fight for all Malaysians. We are not perfect but we stay the course,” she said.

1 Malaysia, 1 Kg.Buah Pala or 1 Malaysia, no kg. Buah Pala?

2009-07-06T12:57:00.002+08:00

Penang Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng has said that he will write to the Prime Minister to ask him to intervene, by acquiring the Kg Buah Pala land and compensate the developer.

I believe this is one good way that the Kg Buah Pala issue can be resolved and the village can be preserved as an Indian heritage village. That is why I have suggested this, as an option to be put to and decided by the villagers themselves.

It is obvious that the culprit of the problem, Dr Koh Tsu Koon , will not make amends and at least raise the matter in the Cabinet.

The fact that he did not even bother to stand up to reply or rebut me when I had questioned him in Parliament proves his lack of sense of reasonability on a issue which was created by the Administration headed by him.

However, now that the Prime Minister will be given an official letter by the Penang state government, Najib is provided with an opportunity to show the nation
whether it will be " 1 Malaysia, 1 Kg Buah Pala" or " 1 Malaysia, No Kg Buah Pala".

Lets see what it will be from the Prime Minister who can resolve the issue with " a stroke of the pen".

Kg Buah Pala Controversy

2009-07-05T13:20:00.002+08:00

Kg Buah Pala Controversy
----------------------------------------
I have received feedback from fellow Indians who are DAP and non DAP members, following my suggestion that polling be conducted among the villagers to consider 3 options .

It does not surprise me at all that the Kg Buah Pala controversy has become a very emotionally charged issue for many.

While some thought the polling is a democratic exercise which can gauge the actual and true feelings and have welcomed the idea, many have expressed their view that the only right thing for the Penang state government to do is to preserve the village as a heritage village.

This is definitely a good solution which our Sdr Lim Guan Eng will be most willing to adopt if it is a straight forward matter.

However, from what has been uttered by him over the last two days, is is very obvious that he is in a predicament just like the villagers.

I have stressed that the culprit of the controversy is the former administration headed by Tan Sri Koh Tsu Koon.

An ideal solution will be for the BN federal government to compensate the developer and take over the land and gazette it as an Indian heritage village.

But it is apparent that Koh Tsu Koon and the BN Federal Government will not want to intervene at all.

Many believe that the federal government will not intervene , especially when even groups or people friendly to the DAP , Penang state government and Pakatan Rakyat have started to demand that the Penang Chief Minister solve the problem.

BN politicians are now "enjoying" reading news reports where DAP is pressured and blasted
Nevertheless, from my earlier feedback, I have sensed the general expectation that a government in power must solve the problem, irrespective of whoever is the culprit and whatever is the cause of the problem.

Sdr Karpal Singh hit the right note when he said in Today's Star that " they are ( the villagers) tired of the blame game and want us to act because we are in power- if I were in their shoes, I would say the same";

The Kg Buah Pala issue is the greatest challenge faced by the DAP and Penang state government since the last general election.

And this is one challenge we must be able to surmount.

Kg.Buah Pala- suggest polling among villagers to consider 3 options

2009-07-04T19:21:00.004+08:00

There is no doubt that the cause of the Kg Buah Pala residents' plight is the previous BN state government headed by Tan Sri Koh Tzu Koon.
Our KPI Minister Tan Sri Koh is therefore the culprit who must be held responsible and accountable for his government's decision which created today's controversy.
I had a chance to question him on why he had alienated the Kg Buah Pala land without consulting the villagers as well as at land premium price which was far below the market price at RM10 a sq.foot when he turned up at Parliament on Thursday. The nearly 6 acres of prime land was alienated to a Co-Operative said to be an UMNO stooges. Why the land was not sold or alienated to the residents there?

If he had any sense of accountability, surely he would have stood up to reply or rebut me. But he chose to keep quiet.

Isn't being accountable for one's action and helping the people to solve their problems one of the KPI of a federal minister?

Be that as it may, the Kg Buah Pala I plight should be well and quickly resolved, lest more exploitation by some quarters and the misinformed will continue to happen.

In fact, since the controversy erupted, DAP has been unfairly and inaccurately portrayed as a Party that has abandoned or marginalized the Indians.

I wish to put across my personal view that the DAP state government should conduct polling among the villagers to consider the following options:

1. That the Federal government steps in with the necessary funding to compensate the developer, hence allowing the state government to cancel the project

2. That the state government provides an alternative land for the villagers to build their new homes

3. That the developer's compensation package to include the provision of alternative land for the villagers to build their new homes.

In view of the urgency of the issue as well as to stop the unfair accusation that the Penang Chief Minister is not getting true opinions of the villagers, I will suggest that our Sdr Lim Guan Eng meet the villagers as soon as possible.

ஈப்போ பாராட் நாடாளுமன்ற அரசியல் செயலாளரின் பத்திரிகை அறிக்கை

2009-07-02T17:57:00.005+08:00

குறை கூறுவதை நிறுத்தி, குறையை தீர்க்க முயற்சிப்போம்.

இந்நாட்டில் எது நிழல்தாலும் மற்றவருக்கு நல்லதாகவும் இந்தியர்களுக்கு பாதிப்பு ஒன்றே பயனாக அமைவது வேதனையை தருகிறது.

இப்பொழுது புவா பாலா கிராம பிரச்னையை உன்னித்து கவனித்தால் யார் செய்த குற்றம் என்பதனை தெள்ள தெளிவாக சொல்ல இயலும். ஆனால் அதனை சுட்டி காட்டி நழுவுவதும் மறுபுறம் அதனை கண்டும் காணாததுபோல் இருப்பதும் ஒரு சிலரின் பொறுப்பற்ற கொள்கையாகிவிட்டது.

உதவி புரிந்தவர்களை எட்டி உதைப்பதும் அவர்களை உதாசினப்படுத்துவதும் பல இரக்கமற்ற மனிதர்களின் செயலாகி விட்டது. அன்று இந்நாட்டில் அரசியல் மறுமலர்ச்சியை தொற்றுவித்தவர்கள் இந்தியர்கள்தான். அதன் வாயிலாக பல சமுதாய உள்ளம் கொண்ட சிலர் பல இன்னல்களையும் ஐந்து தலைவர்கள் சிறை வாசத்தையும் அனுபவித்தார்கள்.

இவர்களின் தியாக உணர்வை ஒரு பொழுதும் யாராலும் குறைத்து மதிப்பிட முடியாது. ஆனால் பிறர் அதனை குறைத்து மதிப்பிடும் அளவிற்கு நடக்காமல் இருப்பது சமுதாய உணர்வுள்ள தியாகிகளுக்கு நல்லதாகும்.

இப்பிரச்சனையில் ஒருவருக்கொருவர் குறைகூறி சூழ்நிலையை மோசமடைய செய்தலை தவிர்த்து குறையை தீர்க்கும் ஒரு வலுவான கருத்தை தெரிவிக்க முயல செய்வது அனைவருக்கும் மற்றும் அனைத்திற்கும் நல்ல முடிவை தரும்.

அன்று மக்களின் உரிமையை உதாசினப்படுத்திய ம.இ.க இன்று நல்லவர்களை போல் இந்த விஷயத்தில் நாடகம் ஆட கூடாது. அன்று இந்நில விவகாரத்தில் நடுவில் நின்றுக்கொண்டு சுயலாபத்திற்கு கும்மாளம் அடித்தவர்கள் ம.இ.கவை சேர்ந்தவர்கள் என்று மறந்துவிடக்கூடாது.

எது எப்படி இருப்பினும், தற்பொழுது இருக்கும் பினாங்கு மாநில அரசாகத்தில் இந்தியர்களின் தலை கவசமாக திகழும் பேராசிரியர் ராமசாமி அவர்களை உதாசினப்படுத்தி ஓரங்கட்டி நாம் பகைமையை உருவாக்கிகொல்வதை விட, அவருடன் துணை நின்று இப்பிரச்சனையை தீர்க்க முயலவேண்டும்.

சுகுமாரன் பெரியசாமி

MPs concerned over amendments to laws on religious conversion

2009-07-02T17:24:00.004+08:00

Data Source : Thestar.com.my

MPs have raised concerns over the proposed amendments to three laws on religious conversion, saying that the matter must be handled with care.

“In a civilised society, it is essential to have freedom of religion in line with basic human rights,” Datuk Seri Wilfred Mojilip Bumburing (BN – Tuaran) said.
“The matter is now back at the discussion table. I hope there will be a good solution to all,” he said when debating the Human Rights Commission of Malaysia (Amendment) (Amendment) Bill.

The suggested amendments to the conversion laws were not tabled this time around, as more time was required to review them.

M. Kulasegaran (DAP – Ipoh Barat) said the issue of religious conversion had caused problems to the families involved where children were often caught in the tussle. This had led to much heartache, he added.

At the Parliament lobby, Lim Kit Siang (DAP – Ipoh Timur) said the Cabinet should call for an emergency meeting by next month to push through amendments to the religious conversion laws.

The Cabinet, he said, had to resolve the issue fast because unilateral conversions had wreaked havoc on the family structure and affected racial unity.

It had been a very polarising and divisive matter, he told reporters.

On Tuesday, Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department Datuk Seri Nazri Abdul Aziz announced that the Government was putting on hold the amendments to hear the views of state religious councils.

The three laws are the Law Reform (Marriage and Divorce) Act, the Administration of Islamic (Federal Territories) Islamic Law and the Islamic Family (Federal Territories) Law.

Lim said there could be more cases of family disunity as a result of religious conversion until Parliament sat again in October.

PAS vice-president Datuk Mahfuz (PAS – Pokok Sena) said time should be given to Rulers for their feedback on the issue.

PAS has disagreed with the Cabinet’s decision, saying that the courts should decide on the children’s religion and not the Cabinet.

Press Statement By Penang Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng In Georgetown On 2.7.2009.

2009-07-02T14:22:00.000+08:00

Press Statement By Penang Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng In Georgetown On 2.7.2009.

The State Government Will Not Take A Single Cent Of The So-called “Goodwill Payment” From The Developer Unless The Kampung Buah Pala Residents Agree To The Compensation.
The Penang state government warns Nusmetro Ventures (P) Sdn Bhd, the developer of the proposed housing project in Kampung Buah Pala, for threatening to send bulldozers in by August 2 to forcibly evict residents and demolish their houses as highly irresponsible and inflammatory. It is highly improper to stoke fear into the villagers’ hearts by reminding them that they will have to move out by Aug 2 when the one-month grace period given by the developer expires and there will be “no more extensions". The one-month grace period was negotiated by the state government with the developer to find a solution to the problem.

Nusmetro claimed to have offered the highest compensation in the state from RM140,000 to RM260,000 to the temporary occupation of land (TOL) holders as well as their immediate and extended families. And even offered one of the two cattle ranchers there RM330,000 including a five-year rent-free deal for land in Balik Pulau which was rejected.

To say that the developer has the legal right not to pay anything to the residents just because the developer has a Federal Court order, would not assist in resolving this problem. Instead of all the cruel talk about bulldozers, the developer should continue to seek solutions that works towards a win-win situation for all parties. For this reason, the state government will not take a single cent of the “goodwill payment” proposed by the developer to the state government unless the villagers of Kampung Buah Pala agrees to the compensation.

I wish to reiterate that the state government has nothing to do with the eviction, or the Federal court order and the bringing in of bulldozers to demolish the houses. Instead the state government had intervened to prevent the eviction of the residents since last year. Even though this is a court order obtained by the developer, the state government would continue to work aggressively to try to assist the villagers.

LIM GUAN ENG

தீர்வு காணும் வரை பின்வாங்க மாட்டோம்

2009-07-02T14:20:00.001+08:00

பினாங்கு மாநில முதல் அமைச்சர் லிம் குவான் எங் அவர்களின் பத்திரிகை அறிக்கை - 02/07/09

கம்போங் புவா பாலா குடியிருப்பாளர்கள் சம்பந்தப்பட்ட தனியார் மேம்பாட்டு நிறுவனம் வழங்க முன்வந்த நஷ்ட ஈடு தொகைக்கு சம்மதம் தெரிவிக்காத வரையில், அந்நிறுவனம் "நல்லெண்ணத்துடன்" வழங்கும் எந்த ஒரு சல்லி காசையும் மாநில அரசாங்கம் ஏற்றுக்கொள்ளாது.

இதன் தொடர்பில் அந்நிறுவனம் வருகிர ஆகுஸ் 8 இல், புல்ல்டோசரை அனுப்பி அங்கிருக்கும் மக்களை வழுக்கட்டாயமாக வெளியேற்ற போவதாக மிரட்டுவதை, மாநில அரசாங்கம் நுஸ் மெட்ரோ (பி) செண்டிரியான் பெர்ஹாத் நிறுவனத்தை வன்மையாக கண்டிக்கிறது. இதுபோன்ற மிரட்டல்கள் கண்டதுக்குரியவை மட்டுமல்லாமல் அவ்வைகையில் அந்நிறுவனம் அங்கிருக்கும் வீடுகளை தரைமட்டமாக்க நினைப்பது பொறுப்பற்ற செயலாகும்.

இவ்வகையில் மறைவான முறையில் அங்கிருக்கும் மக்கலுக்கு அச்சம் செய்யும் வகையில் நடந்துக்கொள்வது கொஞ்சம்கூட முறையான செயல் அல்ல என்பதனை இதன் மூலம் தெரிவித்துக்கொள்கிறேன். கொடுக்கபட்ட ஒரு மாத கால அவகாசம் ஆகஸ்ட் 8 இல் முடிவடைவதால், அதற்குள் அங்கிருக்கும் மக்கள் தானாகவே வெளியேற மறுத்தால் அக்கால அவகாசம் நீடிக்கப்படாது என்று மிரண்டல் விடுப்பது முறையான செயலல்ல.

இப்பொழுது நடைமுறையில் உள்ள ஒரு மாத கால அவகாசம், சம்பந்தப்பட்ட நிறுவனத்திடம் பேச்சுவார்த்தை நடத்திய பிறகு மாநில அரசாங்கம் அந்நிறுவனத்திற்கு வழகப்பட்டவை ஆகும். இக்கால அவகாசம் அந்நிறுவனம் ஒரு சிறந்த தீர்வை இப்பிரச்னையில் கண்டறிவதற்கான அவகாசமாகும்.

நுஸ் மெட்ரோ நிறுவனம் அங்கிருக்கும் மக்களுக்கு மிகவும் உயர்ந்த நஷ்டஈடு தொகையான ரிங்கிட் மலேசியா 140,000 லிருந்து 260,000 வரை வழங்க முன்வந்திருப்பதாக தெரிவித்தனர். இது போன்ற சன்மான தொகையை இந்நிலத்தில் தற்காலிகமாக குடியிருப்போருக்கும் அவர்களை சேர்ந்த குடும்பத்தாருக்கும் வழகப்படும் என்றனர். அதுமட்டும் மின்றி, அங்கு இருக்கக்கூடிய ஒரு மாட்டு தண்ணைக்கு சுமார் ரிங்கிட் மலேசியா 330,000 சேர்த்து ஐந்து வருட இலவச வாடகை நிலம் ஒன்று வழங்க முன்வந்ததை, நிராகரிக்கப்பட்டது என்று அவர்கள் தெரிவித்தனர்.

சம்பந்தப்பட்ட நிறுவனம் கூட்டரசு நீதிமன்ற உத்தரவை பெற்றிருப்பதால், சட்டத்துக்கு உட்பட்டு அங்கிருக்கும் மக்களுக்கு எந்த ஒரு நஷ்டீடையும் கொடுக்காமல் செயல்பட முயன்றால் அது போன்ற போக்கு எந்த ஒரு சுமுக தீர்வையையும் இப்பிரச்சனையில் கொண்டுவரா இயலாது.

சம்பந்தப்பட்ட நிறுவனம் ஒரு சிறந்த தீர்வை கண்டறிய முன்வரவேண்டுமே ஒழிய தேவையில்லாத மற்றும் அங்கிருக்கும் மக்களுக்கு அச்சம் விளைவிக்கும் வகையில் பேசுவதை தவிர்த்தல் வேண்டும். ஒரு சிறந்த முடிவு அனைவரின் முன்னேற்றத்தை உறுதிசெய்யும் என்பதனை இந்நிறுவனம் புரிந்துக்கொள்ள வேண்டும். அதன் அடிப்படையில் புவா பாலா மக்கள் அவர்களுக்கு வழங்கப்பட்ட நஷ்ட ஈடு தொகையை ஏற்றுக்கொள்ளாதவரை அந்நிறுவனம் "நல்லெண்ணத்துடன்" மாநில அரசாங்கத்திற்கு வழங்க முன்வந்த தொகையிலிருந்து எந்த ஒரு காசையும் பினாங்கு அரசாங்கம் ஏற்காது என்று இதன் வழி தெரிவித்துக்கொள்கிறேன்.

ஆகையால் மக்களின் உணர்வுக்கு மதிப்பளிக்கும் வகையில், இந்த புவா பாலா குடியிருபாளர்களை காலி செய்யும் முயற்சி நடவடிக்கைக்கும் மாநில அரசாங்கத்திற்கும் எந்த ஒரு சம்மதமும் கிடையாது என்பதனை மீண்டும் தெரிவித்துக்கொள்கிறேன். இருப்பினும் கூட்டரசு நீதிமன்ற கட்டளையை கொண்டு எந்த ஒரு தரப்பினரும் புல்டோசெர் கொண்டு புவா பால நிலத்தை காலி செய்ய முயன்றால் அதுவும் பினாங்கு மாநில அரசாகத்தின் செயல் அல்ல என்பதை நினைவில் கொள்ளுமாறு கேட்டுக்கொள்கிறேன்.

எதுவாகினும் மாநில அரசாங்கம் , இப்பிரச்சனை ஒரு நல்ல தீர்வை காணும் வரை அங்கிருக்கும் மக்களுக்கு துணை நின்று உதவி செய்ய அயராது பாடுபடும் என்பதனை அறிவித்துக்கொள்கிறேன்.

லிம் குவான் எங்

PKFZ report: Longer wait for MPs

2009-07-02T12:41:00.002+08:00

At 10am to day i stood up to inform the Speaker that I want to invoke a point of order in relation to the PKFZ.
I cited Standing Order 20 of PArliament which, reads as follows
20(1) Papers shall be presented only by Speaker, a minister or the Chairmman of a Committee, and shall be sent to the Setiausaha.
2) Every paper a copy of which is so received by the Secretary shall be deemed to have been presented to the house and ordered to lie upon the table.

The Minister of Transport stated on 15June that 300 copies of PricewaterhouseCoopers on the PKFZ scandle reports have been served on the Secretary(Clerk) of Parliamnet. Question is why it has not been table to date and as to day is the last day of this session of Parlaiment.

The rest is news from MalaysiaKini

Parliamentarians will not see the PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC) audit report and its appendix on the Port Klang Free Trade (PKFZ) until the Public Accounts Committee has completed its investigation on the matter.

House Deputy Speaker Ronald Kiandee said this today when he was asked when the report would be released to the parliamentarians.

"The PAC has yet to have a final meeting on the matter... they have yet to arrive at a decision. Let them decide and the full report will be revealed," he said.

This revelation means that parliamentarians will only be able to look at the report in full at the next Parliament sitting in December. The current sitting ends today.

Transport Minister Ong Tee Keat last week said that 300 copies of the PwC audit report have been passed to the Parliament secretariat and it was up to the latter's prerogative as to when these reports will be distributed.
The deputy speaker however today said that the copies of the report were attained by the secretariat on its capacity as the secretariat of PAC because the reports were needed by the PAC.

The deputy speaker stressed that he does not want the report to be released in phases but rather be discussed in its entirety when it is ready.

"Trust me, the reports are not locked in a metal chest," he said.

When pressed on the fact that Ong had promised the MPs will attain a copy of the report by the end of this session's sitting, the deputy speaker said that he had already given his explanation on the issue and that whatever that had been reported in the press on the matter was immaterial.

Question posed by Kula

The deputy speaker refused to answer any further questions on
the matter even when asked why the secretariat needed 300 copies of the report.

Kiandee was responding to a question posed by M Kulasegaran (DAP-Ipoh Barat).

Yesterday it was revealed that PAC will be calling in some big names to complete its probe into the PKFZ scandal.

According to the audit report, PKFZ's development cost may eventually balloon to a staggering RM12.5 billion from an initial cost of less than RM2 billion.

Other key issues highlighted in the report include weak project management, cost overruns and conflict of interest.

The report, released in May, had named three top politicians as among those involved in the scandal, with two being cited as having a conflict of interest.

Hindraf Protest infront of DAP Perak

2009-07-01T12:41:00.005+08:00

A group of 20 Hindraf supporters gathered staged a peaceful protest in front of the Perak DAP headquarters at Medan Istana at 4.30pm. More update on timely basis available at http://twitter.com/mkula.

கம்போங் புவா பாலா குறிந்த பத்திரிகை அறிக்கை

2009-06-30T16:58:00.003+08:00

இப்பத்திரிகை செய்தி பினாங்கு மாநில முதல் அமைச்சர் லிம் குவான் எங் அவர்களின் அறிக்கை ஆகும்.

Kampung Buah Pala.....who is the culprit?

2009-06-30T15:19:00.003+08:00

Press Statement By Penang Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng In Georgetown On30.6.2009.

Hindraf Must Wake Up And Realise That Kampung Buah Pala Is StillStanding Today Because The Penang Pakatan Rakyat State Government HadSuccessfully Prevented Them From Been Evicted In The Middle Of LastYear.The Penang Pakatan Rakyat state government has never consented nor approved any demolition of Kampung Buah Pala.

Any action taken is bythe private developer via a court order issued by the relevant courts.Up to RM 200,000 per family was offered by the developer to the residents which was accepted by many families but not by those remaining in Kampung Buah Pala.

The state government respected thedecision of those remaining in Kampung Buah Pala to reject any compensation offer and to fight it out in courts. If the state government had not been sympathetic to the plight of the residents, then the developer would have evicted the residents in the middle of last year when a court order was obtained.

Only the determined preventive efforts by Penang DCM2 Professor P Ramasamy and Penang State EXCO Abdul Malek stopped the developer from entering thevillage with bulldozers several times last year. All parties must therefore realise that it is only because of the efforts of the present Pakatan Rakyat state government that the Kampung Buah Pala residents are still living there.

Koh Tsu Koon Owes The Public A Full Explanation Why He Sold TheKampung Buah Pala At A Cheap Price Of Only RM 10 Per Square Feet In2007 And Without consulting the residents.The state government land of Kampung Buah Pala was approved toKoperasi Pegawai Kerajaan Pulau Pinang twice by the BN Penang stateEXCO led by Tan Sri Dr Koh Tsu Koon on 18.8.2004 and 8.6.2005 with apremium of RM 6.42 million or RM 20 per square feet. I can notunderstand neither the rationale of approving this project without consulting the residents nor selling it at such a low price. Worse Tan Sri Dr Koh Tsu Koon’s EXCO reduced the premium further by50% to RM 3.21 million or only RM 10 per square feet on the recommendation of the UMNO Deputy Chief Minister.

Koh Tsu Koon owes the public a full explanation why he sold Kampung Buah Pala at a cheap price of only RM 10 per square feet in 2007 when the market price in this prime area is many times over and without consulting the residents.The Penang State Government Should Not Be Unfairly Victimised And Targeted By Hindraf For Helping The Kampung Buah Pala Residents.

It is BN, Gerakan, MIC, UMNO & MCA that are the main culprits for causing, abandoning and even selling out Kampung Buah Pala residents.The Penang state government regrets the highly irresponsible and irrational actions of Hindraf in targeting the Penang state government over the actions taken by the developer to evict residents in Kampung Buah Pala.

Hindraf wants the state government to act against the court order obtained by the developer to evict the residents. This the state government can not do as Pakatan Rakyat governs under the rule of law and is compelled to respect any court order issued. On the other hand, there have been suggestions that the Penang state government forcibly acquires the land under for a public purpose underthe Land Acquisition Act.

Doing so would play into the hands into the developer who would be able to reap enormous profits without puttingin a single cent. Much as the Penang state government would wish to do, cancelling the project and forcibly acquiring the land would incur costs beyond the financial capability of the state government. We are NOT talking about millions of ringgit or tens of millions of ringgit here! Clearly Hindraf is unable to distinguish who its friends are by likening such actions to UMNO’s tearing down of Hindu temple.

And yetHindraf does not organise nation-wide protests for the recent tearing down Hindu temples in Kuala Lumpur. The Penang state government should not be unfairly victimised or targeted by Hindraf when we have assisted the residents and also not involved with the tearing down ofany Hindu temple in Penang. Why is Hindraf not demonstrating against UMNO or Gerakan or MCA oreven MIC who are the main culprits and perpetrators behind KampungBuah Pala? This begs the question whether Hindraf has now been infiltrated by collaborators of MIC and BN when it should be demonstrating against those who demolish temples and not the Penang state government seeking a fair deal for the Kampung Buah Pala villagers.Hindraf should realise what the Penang state government has done forthe Indian community, temples and Tamil primary schools.

Not only was the first Indian Deputy Chief Minister II of Penang appointed but the28 Tamil primary schools were given a yearly allocation of RM 1.5 million along with other Chinese primary, Sekolah Agama Rakyat, missionary schools and Chinese independent secondary schools. Further Penang put up the FIRST Tamil road signs in the country alongside withArabic, Chinese and English bilingual road signs in Georgetown. Even Hindraf never even raised the issue of Tamil road signs.

By going against the Penang state government, Hindraf is indirectly helping UMNO and BN and putting all the achievements made by the Penang state government at risk. There will be no Indian DCM2, no yearly allocation of funds to Tamil primary schools and no more Tamil road signs or bilingual road signs. Hindraf should use reason not emotions of rage or anger and think again who are the real opponents and the real friends of the Indian community.Most important of all, the Penang state government treats all Indians together with Chinese and Malays as Malaysian citizens, where a Chinese leader can look after Malays a Malay leader can look after Chinese and an Indian leader can look after all citizens.

DAP and the Pakatan Rakyat government will not back down or be cowed by BN, UMNOor Hindraf who continues to look at problems from a narrow racialspectrum of Chinese, Indian of Malays. DAP and the Penang Pakatan Rakyat government believes that the issues of Indians are not Indian problems, the issues of Chinese are not Chinese problems nor the issues of Malays not Malay problems but a Malaysian issue.

We should be uniting together as Malaysians around the principles ofjustice, truth, freedom, democracy and welfare of the people to ensure that we fight corruption to both generate growth and prosperity as well as ensure that everyone shares equitably.However despite regretting the unwarranted targeting of the Penang state government, Hindraf leaders have the right to exercise the basic human rights of peaceful assembly by demonstrating no matter how unreasonable they are.

I have instructed my officials to respect their rights and accept any memorandum submitted in line with non-violent principles of Mahatma Gandhi that, “violence begets violence, an eyefor any eye would leave everyone blind.” I also urge the police not totake any action that would lead to untoward actions.

The state government will also not be affected by the actions of the residents in suddenly turning against the state government despite allthe assistance offered. The state government will continue to assist the remaining residents of Kampung Buah Pala, including if the residents so wish, that the developer of Kampung Buah Pala continues with its offer of up to RM 200,000 compensation per registered familyto the residents. The state government has also not given any consentor agreement to the developer to demolish any buildings as thedeveloper is acting on his own under the court order from the HighCourt and Federal Court.

LIM GUAN ENG

Why the 3 bills have not been tabled in Parliament?

2009-06-29T17:35:00.007+08:00

For quite some time over the last few years many families had to under go a lot of pain and uncertainty when it is found a bit too late one of the family member is found to have converted to Islam. No one objects to conversion per se. But the problem starts when only upon death the remaining members of the deceased find out about the conversion. By that time, it is too late and resorting to civil courts delivers little or no help at all.

Worse still are, cases involving minor children of families. The most recent is the case of Indira Gandhi 35 a mother of 3 children. The youngest child is only 14 months old and the mother was still breast feeding her child. But when the marriage was breaking up the father of the children embraced Islam and he converted his 3 children too. The father “kidnapped” the 14 months old child and in the process beat up his wife Indria Gandhi.

The Syariah (muslim) court gave custody of the children to the father. The civil court was of little help but recorded an interim consent order as regards the 2 elder children and as regards the youngest the custody lays with the father.

Many non-muslims know that the civil courts take along time to settle matrimonial matters. In the process some for personal reasons find a easier way out to embrace Islam and complicate the whole issue.

On the 16th of May I raised on my adjournment speech that the cabinet direct on “conversion case” is both ineffective and useless. The cabinet direct was supposedly to bring about a permanent settlement in case of conversion.

When this matter was raised, the de facto Minister of Law YB Dato Seri Nazri replied that the government will present 3 bills to Parliament for all the laws on conversion to be consistent so that innocent parties who are not converted will be accorded protection.

We have only 3 more days for Parliament to sit and to date the bills have not been tabled. This delay are unacceptable more so when Nazri acknowledge that the draft was ready way back in 2007.
I will raise this non tabling of the bills at the earliest opportunity in Parliament. Even if the bill are tabled at such a late hour we are all denied from getting inputs from our constituents by reason of constrain of time.
My adjournment speech and reply can be read here :http://www.parlimen.gov.my.my/hindex/pdf/DR-16062009.pdf

Latest Update on H1N1 - Is the Malaysian Govt really serious in prevention method?

2009-06-28T12:13:00.005+08:00

Data Source : WHO

Laboratory-confirmed cases of new influenza A(H1N1) as officially reported to WHO by States Parties to the International Health Regulations (2005)

The breakdown of the number of laboratory-confirmed cases is given in the following map.

Data Source :Thestar.com.my

No wonder A (H1N1) cases are on the rise

I WAS made to understand, through media reports, that health screening has been put in place at all entry points into the country. To my disappointment, this is not true!

Last Sunday, my colleagues and I returned from Singapore via the Second Link. At the Tuas checkpoint, we cleared Immigration and Customs. However, there was no health screening on the thousands who entered Malaysia via the checkpoint.

This was in total contrast with what we experienced when we entered Singapore. The authorities there did their parts right.

The Malaysian authorities need to buck up or we will be faced with more people coming down with the A (H1N1) influenza.

MN,
Kuala Lumpur.

Etchnic cleansing of Tamil Language in Najib,s Web

2009-06-27T13:45:00.006+08:00

(Click at the image for larger view)

Police should drop all unnecessary investigation

2009-06-26T12:31:00.002+08:00

On the 26th of May2009 some 21 people were arrested by the police allegedly for breaking the law. On that day the Pakatan Perak had organized a 3 day “hunger strike” against the unlawful seizing of the Perak state Government by the Barisan National(BN)

Of the 21 persons arrested 8 of us are elected representatives. We were all detained for over 5 hours and kept at the Ipoh Police. After the police statements were taken from us we were released. Initially the condition of release was that we have to provide a surety and then only we would be released from Police bail. We refused this condition and demanded we be either released on police bail of we will stay put at the Police station. Finally the some sense prevailed on the investigation officer and we were released on police bail and we were requested to appear in Ipoh court today.

Late yesterday we were informed by the police that our presence at the Ipoh Court has been dispensed and if the need be we would told of the need to appear in court in due course.

If the police proceed to charge us in court we would defend and rebut the charges. But in the event we are found guilty by the court under the Police Act all the elected representatives could loose their seats!

I would urge the police to drop all investigations on this matter.

Memorandum of the BLACK day of Perak submitted to SUHAKAM

2009-06-25T12:42:00.001+08:00

On the 26thMay09 the Pakatan Rakyat organized a 3day “hunger strike” a protest to the seizing of power of the legitimate government of Perak by the Barisan Government.

The Hunger strike commenced at about 9am at the Ipoh DAP HQ. Thereafter at 11am many of the participants had to proceed to attend the filing of a court case at the High Court of Ipoh. As we were leaving the building many ordinary people were on the road side and the presence of the police was over whelming.

Suddenly the police announced us to disperse while we were walking on the road or the five foot way near the HQ DAP Perak. Many of us were heading to the High Court, Ipoh. DSP Glen then announced on his microphone 1,2,3 and ordered his men to arrest us.

As a result of the above incident to all the 9 elected representatives who were arrested prepared a memorandum on the event and submitted to the Human Rights Commission (SUHAKAM) to day. On the 26thMay09 a total of 21 individuals were arrested. The memorandum was accepted by the Commissioners Tan Sri Simon and Dato Siva Subramaniaam on behalf of SUHAKAM.

Tan Sri Simon mentioned that although SUHAKAM has been forwarding its recommending and findings to Parliament to date no action has been taken on them. Infact the yearly report to Parliament has not even found it listed for debate.

I said the call for SUHAKAM to hold a public inquiry on the incident of 26thMay09 should be considered seriously. The arrest of so elected reps in Perak is a black day. The Human Right’s body is like a toothless tiger and the government of the day should arm the body with laws for it to act independently. I also lamented that the Police should be a political and should not take side in the present political crisis in Perak. The overwhelming presence of the police all over near the Perak DAP HQ is just a waste of public funds. In fact the police should concentrate on police work like fighting crime rather then be involved in political matters.

On details of the memorandum and pictures kindly visit http://idhamlim.blogspot.com

Jawapan Dari Menteri Di Pejabat Perdana Menteri

2009-06-25T12:35:00.004+08:00

Arahan Jemaah Menteri Harus Dilaksanakan Secara Adil Berhubung Isu Pemelukan Agama - Klik disini untuk membaca ucapan penangguhan

Jawapannya

Menteri di Jabatan Perdana Menteri [Dato’ Seri Mohamed Nazri bin Abdul Aziz]:Tuan Yang di-Pertua, pelaksanaan sesuatu arahan Jemaah Menteri mestilah selaras dengan Perlembagaan Persekutuan dan undang-undang yang sedang berkuat kuasa. Mengenai isu penentuan agama anak yang berumur di bawah 18 tahun, apabila salah seorang ibu atau bapanya memeluk agama lain, Jemaah Menteri telah bersetuju bahawa penentuan agama anakitu mestilah dibuat selaras dengan Fasal (4) Perkara 12 Perlembagaan Persekutuan.

MenurutFasal (4) Perkara 12 itu, agama seseorang anak yang di bawah umur 18 tahun hendaklahditetapkan oleh ibu atau bapanya iaitu perkataan parent dalam bahasa Inggeris ‘parent’ ataupenjaganya.Dalam kes Subashini a/p Rajasingham lawan Saravanan a/l Tangatori 2008 (2) MLJ 147,Mahkamah Persekutuan telah mentafsirkan perkataan parent sebagai mufrad iaitu singular dan bukannya jamak plural. Oleh itu, seseorang ibu atau bapa yang memeluk agama lain mempunyai hak di bawah Perlembagaan Persekutuan untuk menetapkan agama anaknya yangberumur di bawah 18 tahun.

Kerajaan memang sentiasa memandang serius isu pemelukan agama dan penubuhan suatu jawatankuasa kecil oleh Jemaah Menteri yang terdiri daripada beberapa orang menteri untuk menangani isu berkenaan dengan penukaran agama ialah buktikeseriusan kerajaan dalam menangani isu ini bukan macam Yang Berhormat sebutkan tadi ya.

Sebelum jawatankuasa kecil ditubuhkan oleh Jemaah Menteri untuk menangani isu penukaran agama, draf Rang Undang-undang untuk meminda tiga akta iaitu:

(i) Akta Membaharui Undang-Undang iaitu Perkahwinan dan Penceraian1976;

(ii) Akta Pentadbiran Undang-Undang Islam (Wilayah-Wilayah Persekutuan)1993;

(iii) Akta Undang-Undang Keluarga Islam (Wilayah-Wilayah Persekutuan)198.

Akta-akta ini telah disediakan pada tahun 2007. Antara pindaan yang dicadangkan menyentuh pembubaran perkahwinan, resolution marriage, dengan izin, hak jagaan anak, nafkahanak-anak dan isteri serta pembahagian aset perkahwinan.

Jawatankuasa kecil ini telah ditaklimatkan tentang cadangan pindaan kepada akta-akta yang berkenaan oleh Yang Berbahagia Tan Sri Peguam Negara pada 5 Mei 2009. Jadi pindaan sedang dilakukan kepada ketiga-tiga undang-undang yang berkenaan dankita sasarkan untuk pembentangan di Parlimen pada Mesyuarat Kedua yang berlangsungsekarang.

Saya harap Yang Berhormat dengan geng-geng semua sokonglah ya kalau hendak selesaikan masalah ini. Okey. Tuan Yang di-Pertua, mengenai dakwaan bahawa negara ini adalah negara sekular, Yang Berhormat sebut tadi negara ini negara sekular Perlembagaan Persekutuan secara jelas mengiktirafkan di bawah Fasal (1) Perkara 3 bahawa Islam adalah agama bagi Persekutuan.

Ini berbeza dengan negara sekular yang lain seperti Amerika Syarikat,India dan Turki yang secara jelas memperuntukkan di bawah Perlembagaan mereka bahawa negara itu ialah sebuah negara sekular.Dalam Perlembagaan Persekutuan, perkataan sekular ini langsung tidak disebut dimana-mana bahagian Perlembagaan.

Selain itu, kedudukan istimewa agama Islam di bawah Perlembagaan Persekutuan juga turut disebut di bawah Fasal (4) Perkara 11 iaitu berkenaan dengan penyekatan pengembangan apa-apa doktrin atau kepercayaan agama di kalangan penganut agama Islam oleh undang-undang negeri atau Persekutuan. Fasal (2) Perkara 12 iaitu tentang hak berkenaan dengan pendidikan di mana sah bagi Persekutuan atau satu negerimenubuhkan atau menyenggarakan atau membantu dalam menubuhkan atau menyenggarakan institusi Islam atau mengadakan atau membantu dalam mengadakan ajaran dalam agama Islamdan melakukan apa-apa perbelanjaan yang perlu.

Fasal (1A) Perkara 121 berkenaan dengan bahawa Mahkamah Sivil tidak mempunyai bidang kuasa berkenaan dengan apa-apa perkara bidang kuasa Mahkamah Syariah. Butiran 1senarai negeri Jadual kesembilan Perlembagaan Persekutuan iaitu yang antaranya termasuk hukum syarak dan undang-undang diri dan keluarga bagi orang yang menganut agama Islam dan mengawal pengembangan doktrin dan kepercayaan di kalangan orang-orang yang menganut agama Islam dan juga dalam ikrar Yang di-Pertuan Agong dalam Jadual Keempat,semua peruntukan tersebut jelas memperkukuhkan kedudukan Islam sebagai agama bagipersekutuan.

Di bawah Jadual Keempat, Perlembagaan Persekutuan misalnya Yang di-Pertuan Agong semasa dilantik jawatan itu telah bersumpah untuk memelihara agama Islam di negara ini pada setiap masa dan sumpah itu mestilah diterjemahkan dalam setiap dasar yang dibuat olehkerajaan.Kedudukan Islam sebagai agama yang istimewa di bawah Perlembagaan Persekutuanjuga telah diiktiraf oleh mahkamah atasan negara dalam kes Kamariah binti Ali lawan Kerajaan Negeri Kelantan iaitu dalam bahasa Inggerisnya Kamariah Ali dan lain-lain versus Kerajaan Negeri Kelantan dalam tahun [2004] 3 CLJ 409 FC. Dalam kes Lina Joy versus Majlis AgamaIslam Wilayah Persekutuan dan yang lain tahun [2007] 3 CLJ 557 FC.1740Ini menunjukkan kedudukan Malaysia sebagai Negara Islam.

Kedudukan Islam dalam perlembagaan yang jelas menunjukkan bahawa Islam itu adalah agama Persekutuan. TuanYang di-Pertua, kedudukan Malaysia sebagai Negara Islam juga telah diperjelaskan oleh Yang Amat Berbahagia Tun Abdullah Ahmad Badawi pada tahun 2001 dan 2007, dalam jawapannya di Parlimen pada 27 Ogos 2007, Yang Amat Berbahagia Tun Abdullah Ahmad Badawi menyatakan Malaysia bukanlah sebuah Negara sekular ataupun negara autokratik. Malaysia adalah sebuah negara Islam yang ditadbir berlandaskan prinsip-prinsip Islam,dan pada masa yang sama berpegang teguh kepada prinsip-prinsip Demokrasi Berparlimen yangberpandukan kepada undang-undang tertinggi negara iaitu Perlembagaan Persekutuan dan keadaan ini, tidak berubah. Terima kasih.

Myanmar refuges need help

2009-06-23T15:43:00.001+08:00

I came back fro Chiang Mai late Sunday night.

On Saturday we proceed to meet with Myanmar refuges along the Chang Rai area (bordering Myanmar). We met with also had discussion with the refugees and the local people.
For the refugees what they want are mosquito nets, simple medical drugs and water treatment items. I now write to readers to give me some suggestion to procure these simple items to assist these refugees.

The members of Parliament who represented Asean Inter-Parliamentary Myanmar Caucus (AIPMC) at the discussion agreed to assist the refugees in procuring the basic drugs required to help those who need it by the refugees

64th Birthday of Aung San Suu Kyi

2009-06-19T23:02:00.003+08:00

I am now in Chiang Mai, Thailand representing Malaysian Parliament for the Asian inter-parliamentary Myanmar Caucus (AIPMC).

I was invited to speak on the issue of Myanmar which was held at the Changmai University to day.

Write up by Roshan of AIPMC:

Yet another birthday, yet another unwanted ‘gift’ from ASEAN to Aung San Suu Kyi and her fellow Burma citizens

The ASEAN Inter-Parliamentary Myanmar Caucus (AIPMC) calls on ASEAN leaders to urgently meet to deliver new and effective policies and mechanisms that are desperately needed vis-a-vis Myanmar’s military junta that will enable a tangible and lasting solution to the country’s crisis.
Members of Parliament from various ASEAN countries, at a forum co-organised and co-hosted by the AIPMC, ‘Friends of Burma’, the Regional Centre for Social Science and Sustainable Development, and the Centre for Ethnic Studies and Development of the Chiang Mai University delivered strong messages to ASEAN leaders calling for change in the dire situation in the military ruled nation.
“There has been a considerable increase in military offensives and armed fighting in ethnic states especially in the Karen State over the past few weeks. Ethnic communities are fleeing their villages into Thailand while some remain as internally displaced persons in Burma,” said AIPMC President Kraisak Choonhavan.
“Where is the intervention and assistance by ASEAN’s leaders? Recent reports indicate soldiers in Eastern Burma have recruited up to 200 civilians as slave labourers and more than 4,000 civilians have been forced to abandon their homes while 4,000 more are at risk.”

AIPMC Senior Adviser Loretta Ann P Rosales added that in the Shan State, acts amounting to systematic sexual violence are used by Myanmar’s military as weapons of war.
“Testimonies and documentation by Shan people, fleeing their homes, indicate that women and children are subjected to rape and torture by soldiers,” said the former Philippines Congresswoman adding that since 2001 till now, there have been 297 rape cases in Shan State alone.
“This is outrageous and unacceptable. AIPMC condemns such acts by the regime and armed groups. We insist that ASEAN uses its human rights charter to investigate and put a stop to such atrocities,” stressed Loretta at the sidelines of the event marking Aung San Suu Kyi’s 64th birthday.
Parliamentarians M. Kulasegaran and Charles Chong, from Malaysia and Singapore respectively, reminded ASEAN that its ‘constructive engagement’ with the military regime has failed.
“It’s all about dollars and cents at the end of the day for governments such as Malaysia whom invest with a military that uses the money to repress and harm its leaders like Aung San Suu Kyi and its citizens and not help them at all,” said Kulasegaran.
Participants at the event, primarily from Chiang Mai University’s academia, delivered messages of support and solidarity to Aung San Suu Kyi who celebrates her birthday once again in detention.

Teachers: Myth that non-malay don't want those jobs

2009-06-17T10:55:00.002+08:00

Letter to NST
By : P. KALIAPPAN, Butterworth
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Thousands, Malays and non-Malays alike, want to be teachers.

I REFER to the statement on teachers by Universiti Pendidikan Sultan Idris vice-chancellor Prof Datuk Dr Aminah Ayob ("Teacher dilemma: Non-Malays and men just not interested" -- NST, June 11).

I disagree with her that many non-Malays do not appear to be interested in teaching. She was quoted as saying that poor remuneration was one of the possible reasons and further stated that the few non-Malays who applied usually did not make the grade.I beg to differ, at least where Indian applicants are concerned, be they male or female. Over the years, I have helped and urged many Indian students, who are more than qualified, to apply for teacher training without much success.

These students had a string of As but were unsuccessful. Of course, they were often told they didn't perform well in the 15-minute interview. It raises questions when these overqualified students keep failing, while we are also told that a lack of applicants is among the main reasons not many non-Malays get to go to teacher training institutes.
I know that good results do not necessarily make good teachers. I am also aware it is most convenient to disqualify a student on the basis of subjective assessments (interviews) rather than on the more objective exam results.

Aminah did not give any data on how many non-Malays applied and how many were disqualified and why. We certainly would like to know whether it was because of poor paper qualifications when applying or poor performance during interviews. It is strange that good students from a particular group are rejected on grounds that they lacked the required soft skills.Finally, I don't think people consider a teacher's remuneration as low. Thousands -- Malays and non-Malays alike -- want to be teachers.

First of all, you are assured of a job if you enter a teacher training institute. Besides, enrolling in the institute comes with an attractive allowance.Nowadays, teacher training institutes do not award teaching certificates or diplomas. It is a straight degree and a job, without any need for a graduate teachers' training qualification or any other diploma in education. If there are too few non-Malays, it is certainly not for want of trying or any misconception about the pay.

MPs to debate conversion amendments

2009-06-17T10:41:00.002+08:00

Write up by MalaysiaKini;
Bills to amend three laws in relation to matters of conversion and religion are expected to be tabled in Dewan Rakyat next week, said Minister in the Prime Minister's Department Mohd Nazri Abdul Aziz.The three pieces of legislations are the Law Reform (Marriage and Divorce) Act 1976, Administration of Islamic Law (Federal Territories) Act 1993 and Islamic Family Law (Federal Territories) Act 1984."

Among the amendments proposed touch on the dissolution of marriage, right to custody of children, maintenance of children and wife and division of matrimonial assets," said Nazri today in response to a adjournment speech made by Ipoh Barat DAP parliamentarian M Kulasegaran.
Nazri told the House that some changes were being made by Attorney-General Abdul Gani Patail before the amendments were ready to be tabled next week."The cabinet has agreed that the determinant factor of a child's religion must be in accordance with Article 12(4) of the federal constitution which provides that the religion of children under the age of 18 will be determined by a parent or guardian," said Nazri.Nazri, who is also the Padang Renggas MP, said the cabinet committee which was formed to handle the controversial conversion matters has been briefed on the amendments needed to be made to three laws.

The minister also dismissed Kulasegaran's claims that the government was not serious about resolving the issue. The cabinet had earlier issued a directive in April to stop parents from secretly converting children to calm strained race relations in the country.

The cabinet acted after a furore erupted over the case of an ethnic Indian woman who faced losing custody of her three children after her estranged husband converted them to Islam without her consent.

No clear direction from the governmentKulasegaran was unrelenting in putting across his views that the government was not serious in solving the issues relating to conversions, especially when it involved minors. "The issue has been raised many times but the government does not seem to take it seriously. Although the decision has been made, the implementation is not there," said Kulasegaran."Until now, no changes have taken place even after the decision was made (by the cabinet)... criticisms were shot at the government but the government failed to give explanation and clarity on the directive," he said.

The outspoken DAP MP had also questioned the progress of the committee formed by the cabinet to examine the issues of conversion.The committee includes Human Resources Minister Dr S Subramaniam, Ministers in the Prime Minister's Department Dr Koh Tsu Koon (Unity) and Jamil Khir Baharom (Islamic Affairs) and Family and Community Development Minister Shahrizat Abdul Jalil.Nazri responded by saying that the decision by the government to form the cabinet committee proved that the government viewed the matter seriously.

Conversion rows, including 'body-snatching' cases where Islamic authorities have battled with relatives over the remains of the dead whose religion is disputed, are common in Malaysia.The tussles have led to allegations that the country was being "Islamised" and that the rights of ethnic Chinese and Indian minorities were being eroded.

We are not a secular state.Nazri also dismissed Kulasegaran's statement that Malaysia was a secular country.He said that the federal constitution clearly stated under Article 3(1) that Islam was the official religion."This differs from other secular countries, such as the United States of America, India and Turkey, where their constitution clearly states that they are secular states."In the federal constitution, the word secular is not mentioned anywhere," he said.

Moreover, Nazri explained that Islam's special rights under the federal constitution were also stated under Article 11(4), which denied the propagation of any doctrines or religious beliefs among the Muslims.He said the status of Malaysia as an Islamic country had also been explained by former premiers Dr Mahathir Mohamad and Abdullah Ahmad Badawi in 2001 and 2007 respectively."In his reply in Parliament on Aug 2, 2007, Abdullah said: ‘Malaysia is neither a secular nor a theocratic country. Malaysia is an Islamic country which is administered based on the principles of Islam and at the same time holds strong to the principles of parliamentary democracy guided by the highest law of the land - the federal constitution'," added Nazri.

Ucapan Penangguhan pada sidang Parlimen - 16/06/09

2009-06-16T13:26:00.001+08:00

ARAHAN JEMAAH MENTERI HARUS DILAKSANAKAN DENGAN PENTADBIRAN SECARA ADIL BERHUBUNG ISU PEMELUKKAN AGAMA.

Keputusan Jemaah Menteri harus dilaksanakan dengan pentadbiran secara adil berhubung isu pemelukkan agama. Isu ini sudah ditimbulkan beberapa kali dan Kerajaan tidak pernah bercadang untuk meneliti keseriusan isu ini. Negara kita adalah sebuah negara sekular dan Kerajaan harus mengambil satu keputusan yang sah dari segi undang-undang untuk mengelakkan ketidakpuashatian segolongan rakyat.

Apakah yang terjadi kepada jawatankuasa yang ditubuhkan oleh kabinet baru-baru ini serta apakah yang dilakukan oleh jawatankuasa tersebut setakay ini?

Arahan Jemaah Menteri pada 23 April 2009 berhubung isu pemelukkan tidak bergigi dari segi undang-undang. Secara umumnya keputusan itu dibuat secara membuta tuli demi kepentingan agenda politik semasa oleh Kerajaan. Pada masa yang sama arahan yang dikeluarkan oleh Jemaah Menteri itu sememangnya memeranjatkan serta tidak sampai pada akikat yang sebenarnya. Sehingga hari ini tidak ada apa-apa perubahan dilakukan selepas arahan itu dikeluarkan. Kritikkan demi kritikkan dikeluarkan tetapi Kerajaan tidak dapat membuat penjelasan dan pendirian terhadap arahan tersebut.

Arahan sudah dikeluarkan tetapi sistem pelaksanaan masih belum diputuskan, inilah selalunya berlaku dinegara ini. Bilakah Kerajaan “kata dikotakan” dapat dilihat? Sehingga hari ini Kerajaan masih belum menubuhkan Jabatan Bukan Islam bagi mengendalikan segala isu-isu yang berkaitan Bukan Islam termasuk isu pemelukkan agama.

Kerajaan sehingga hari ini tidak berhasrat ataupun serius berhubung isu pemelukkan agama. Apakah yang menyebabkan Kerajaan bersikap sambil lewa dalam hal sebegini?

Pada pandangan saya, kewujudan isu sebegini adalah disebabkan oleh kegagalan Kerajaan dalam Penubuhan Jabatan Bukan Islam dan tidak mahu menghormat kehendak rakyat. Sudah berpuluh-puluh tahun Kerajaan BN mentadbir Negara ini dan kenapakah kewujudan Jabatan Bukan Islam menjadi satu soal yang begitu tidak upaya. Adakah Kerajaan tidak berupaya ataupun berniat untuk menjadi Bukan Islam sebagai kurang upaya dinegara ini?

Suara dan tangisan Bukan Islam dalam isu pemelukkan agama setiap kali diketepikan dan untuk berapa lamakah keadaan akan diteruskan dan bilakah perubahan dari perlembagaan akan diadakan?

Sekian.

M.Kulasegaran

Maika shares returned to shareholders without profit

2009-06-16T10:23:00.003+08:00

Maika Shares Returned to Shareholders without Profit?

Referring to the outcome of the article “Government urged to rescue Maika Holdings” in NST on 11th June 2009, it was learnt that Maika Holdings are in plan to return the shareholders investment on 1 ringgit to 1 ringgit without any profit.

The question is on what basis Maika Holdings will revive the community’s interests and regains the confidence of shareholders? By right now, Maika shares should have been distributed to the low-income group to increase their investments and the community’s equity share from 1.1% to 3%. On October 2006, DAP Ipoh Barat MP M. Kulasegaran had repeatedly reported that many who bought the shares in 1983 had pawned jewellieries sold their dairies, and came from the down trodden and poor Indian community who all invested on the assurance that their investments would bear fruits handsomely.

On 4th October 2007, Kulasegaran said the works minister then had also not managed to raise the community’s corporate equity from one per cent to 10 per cent as he had promised. He said that some RM100 million was raised to achieve this, but time has shown that Maika Holding has been an empty promise, bogged down irregularities, with an uncertain future.

The shareholders would have better off without investing or an old Indian saying is that ‘we would have better off if each of us has invested for 2 cows; at least would have returned of milk’. We are in a nation of society who has greater mind and soul for nation’s development in competing with global. But all of these problems with repeated manipulations by the Maika Holdings has caused a great uncertainty to the shareholders and brought down the public trust on the company’s strength and capability.

It is time that we need immediate action from Maika Holdings with the force of Government to intervene in and bail out the company for the interest of the Indian community. The government shall be involved urgently to help in settling and close the whole issue amicably by returning the people’s money with handsome returns and continue on the steps of addressing the community’s equity growth.

by Kanesh

Parliament Questikons for June sitting

2009-06-15T10:38:00.002+08:00

Tarikh : 25 May 2009

Setiausaha Dewan Rakyat
Parlimen Malaysia, Bangunan Parlimen
Jalan Parlimen
50680

Yang Berhormat Setiausaha Dewan Rakyat

PEMBETULAN - MESYUARAT KEDUA, PENGGAL KEDUA, PARLIMEN KEDUA BELAS

Dengan segala hormatnya ingin saya menarik perhatian Puan kepada perkara diatas.

Untuk makluman Puan, saya telahpun menukar soalan no: 3 yang dihantar sebelum ini dengan soalan baru. Segala kesulitan yang timbul amatlah dikesali.

Berikut adalah soalan-soalan bagi kawasan jawapan lisan dan bertulis :
Sila ambil perhatian, saya pohon jasa baik agar tiada soalan pada bila-bila hari Isnin dalam sessi ini.

Jawapan Lisan

1. Minta Menteri Perumahan dan Kerajaan Tempatan menyatakan

i) Langkah-langkah yang diambil bagi mencegah kuasa bekal yang berlebihan pada rumah, bangunan komersil dan kondominium.
ii) Kenapakah projek rumah Skim Bina dan Jual masih belum lagi diimplementasikan?

2. Minta Perdana Menteri menyatakan kenapakah keputusan yang diberikan oleh Mahkamah Persekutuan dalam krisis perlembagaan Negeri Perak tidak mempunyai apa-apa alasan perundangan?

3. Minta Menteri Luar Negeri menyatakan

i) Kenapakah Malaysia berniat untuk memberhentikan percubaan untuk meneliti dan mencela segala rekod Hak Asasi Manusia di Sri Lanka semasa peperangan menentang LTTE?
ii) Jumlah wang dan lain-lain yang disalurkan oleh Malaysia kepada Sri Lanka serta tahap kepastian dimana wang disalurkan sebenarnya dibelanjakan bagi pemulihan pelarian Tamil?

4. Minta Menteri Pelajaran menyatakan adakah kementerian mempunyai apa-apa rancangan untuk membina Sekolah baru Cina, Tamil ataupun Sekolah Kebangsaan di kawasan Bercham, Ipoh? Jika Ya, dimana dan jika tidak, kenapakah tidak?

5. Minta Menteri Sumber Manusia menyatakan kegagalan untuk mendaftar pelajar serta melantik pekerja pentadbir golongan kaum India secara majoritinya di Institut NTS Arumugam Pillai seperti yang dijanjikan semasa pembubaran South Indian Labour Fund pada tahun 1999?

6. Minta Menteri Sumber Manusia menyatakan kenapakah sektor perkhidmatan awam di Malaysia adalah terbesar jika dibandingkan dengan bilangan penduduk dan adakah pengambilan di sektor awam berasaskan kepujian seseorang individu? Jika tidak, mengapakah sedemikian?

7. Minta Perdana Menteri menyatakan kenapakah pemimpin-pemimpin HINDRAF ditahan bawah Akta Keselamatan Dalam Negeri serta nyatakan sebab-sebab kukuh atas pembebasan mereka baru-baru ini?

8. Minta Menteri Dalam Negeri menyatakan,

i) kenapakah wujudnya kegagalan dalam penyampaiaan khidmatnya dalam Jabatan Perkhidmatan Awam
ii) Jumlah peruntukkan yang diterima daripada Kerajaan dan nyatakan saluran perbelanjaannya?

9. Minta Perdana Menteri menyatakan ketidak-effektifan, ketidak-berkesanan keputusan Jemaah Menteri berhubung kes memeluk agama baru-baru ini serta bagaimanakah keputusan ini dapat diimplementasikan mengikut peruntukkan undang-undang?

10. Minta Perdana Menteri menyatakan ;

i) Jumlah bukan islam yang memeluk agama semenjak 10 tahun yang lalu? ;
ii) Dan adakah kanak-kanak yang berumur dibawah 18 tahun boleh ditukar agama oleh salah seorang ibu dan bapa?

Jawapan Bertulis

1. Minta Perdana Menteri menyatakan, kenapakah Menteri selalunya mengadakan lawatan ke negara-negara yang sudah wujud hubungan perdagangan dan apakah puncanya rakyat umum tidak diberikan peluang untuk menyertai delegasi selain daripada golongan korporat?

2. Minta Menteri Sumber Manusia menyatakan berapakah jumlah pengambilan pekerja baru di sektor perkhidmatan awam dari tahun 2004-2009 (senaraikan maklumat bagi setiap tahun menurut komposisi kaum) serta jumlah pekerja yang sedang berkhidmatnya (senaraikan maklumat menurut komposisi kaum).

3. Minta Menteri Dalam Negeri menyatakan punca kelambatan serta kos pembinaan bangunan baru Ibu Pejabat Kontijen Perak dan Ibu Pejabat Daerah Ipoh serta apakah rancangan yang disediakan untuk Balai Polis Ipoh yang lama?

4. Minta Perdana Menteri menyatakan

i) Bila dan bagaimana pendapatan per kapita akan ditambahkan? Adakah Kerajaan berpuashati dengan kadar penjimatan rakyat?

5. Minta Perdana Menteri menyatakan setujukah bahawa kegagalan kaum India enggan membeli saham ASW 2020 adalah berpunca daripada ketidakseimbangan dalam pengagihan saham serta pemilikan punca kekayaan antara kaum terjejas dan tidak dapat dicapai?

Sri Lankan Humanitarian Crisis Deepens. What can ordinary Malaysians do?

2009-06-14T18:24:00.003+08:00

How much more should the Sri Lankan Tamils suffer before Malaysian government responds decisively, consistent with its previous efforts in condemning the practises of human rights violations such as :-

1. Apartheid discriminating blacks and coloured in South Africa,

2. Genocide of Muslim population in Bosnia,

3. Atrocities against the Palestinians in the Middle East fighting for their homeland.

Almost three decades of civil war coupled with the aftermath of the 2004 Tsunami that displaced more than 500,000 people, the Sri Lankan Tamils had suffered unimaginable hardship.

But what awaits the Sri Lankan Tamils and the world in the aftermath of the Armed Forces perceived victory against the LTTE is about to explode into a major international crisis unless sooner averted.

On May 18th 2009 Amnesty International made the following observations;-

“Humanitarian crisis continues to unfold in the country. Amnesty International has called for key steps to be adopted to ensure civilians and captured fighters are protected. There are more than 200,000 displaced people, including approximately 80,000 children, who need relief but also protection from abuses in Sri Lanka”
Barely a month after the above observations, New York Based Human Rights Watch made the following remarks:-
“The Sri Lankan government should end the illegal detention of nearly 300,000 ethnic Tamils displaced by the recently ended conflict in Sri Lanka. Displaced Tamil civilians have the same rights to liberty and freedom of movement as other Sri Lankans.”
"Treating all these men, women, and children as if they were Tamil Tiger fighters is a national disgrace, Displaced Tamil civilians have the same rights to liberty and freedom of movement as other Sri Lankans."
It is shocking that in less than a month there had been a sharp increase in the number of displaced Tamil civilians in detention camps and one could only conclude that the numbers will continue to increase.
One of the major concerns arising out of the detentions of Tamils in these detention camps is the exercise by the Sri Lankan authorities who are expected to screen persons leaving the war zone to identify Tamil Tiger fighters.
Such screening exercises could most likely lead to serious human rights violations such as physical violence, rape and even murder as seen in the aftermath of many civil wars in other parts of the world.
The world must voice its grave anxiety and fear of these possible human rights violations even before the coming of documented reports.
We, peace loving Malaysians can play a major role in this humanitarian crisis.
So please send or post your comments and suggestions on what we can do for the Sri Lankan Tamils, no matter how unimportant you may think it will be, so that collectively we can do our part in preventing a human catastrophe awaiting.
Augustine Anthony

Taman Merdaka flood problem

2009-06-12T16:04:00.003+08:00

Tragedy waiting to happen due to neglect from authorities--If a part of a housing area is in danger of erosion the first thing that the authorities should do is to at least help evacuate the people until a permanent solution is found to assist the residents.

However, nearly 200 families in Taman Merdeka, Ipoh have a lot to say about how the authorities have taken them on a roller coaster ride with no solutions in sight.The residents living in the affected area of Taman Merdeka are owners of houses, part of a housing project since the 60s, where the invert level of a nearby river is higher than the platform level of the houses along Jalan Sungai and Jalan Taman Merdeka, thereby floods are common occurrence and can reach to almost 2metres high!The City Council had already confirmed that the affected two row of houses it is a failed housing project. H

owever, intervention to improve the soil and and viable solutions have not been put forward, while the residents have only come to observe protracted service from the authorities.The problems due to of over 40 years of flooding had caused soil erosion, cracks on walls and had weakened the overall strength of building structure. Water has also burst from the floor when flood occurs, where houses have tilted and sunken below land level.Two pumps (to suck in flooded water into the river again) have been erected near the river bank by the effort of Mr. Bala Marathiah, then secretary of the Rukun Tetangga in 2006. However problems still persisted especially when river water rises as the pumps cannot be operated.The residents then set up a coalition called Gabungan Penduduk Anti-Banjir Taman Merdeka (Taman Merdeka’ Anti-Flood Residents Coalition) where the drainage engineer for City Council Mr. Mustafa Al-Basree who firmly said, “buat longkang, tak akan banjir” (make drains and no more floods) which proved to be totally on the reverse .T

here was a flood when the drainage was undertaken and the Coalition invited Mr. Mustafa to the site and he conceded that drainage is not the solution and he stated that the place is highly dangerous for people to live.The Coalition is urging the relevant authorities to find solutions of this 40 year old problem with immediacy as the residents are clearly having sleepless night worrying over their loved ones and their property while being constantly under the threat of termites.

The simple demands are:1. A Task Force be formed to undertake soil test and determine is necessary (already the Council had spent RM660,000 which the residents feel could have been channelled for the right solution)2. If the authorities are unable to decide on a solution, that the residents are urging that they be evacuated to a safe place until permanent solutions are worked out

The above issue has come to my attention for a long time. The above two suggestions to overcome the predicament ought to be implemented by the local authority the soonest possible.
I have raised the flood problem in Parliament a number of times. I hereby set out the question and answers made by the relevant ministry. Subsequently the matter was raised for further action by the Ipoh City Council.

SOALAN NO 8 : PADA PARLIMEN 10/07/08 Tuan M. Kula Segaran [Ipoh Barat] minta Menteri Sumber Asli dan Alam Sekitar menyatakan rancangan jangka pendek dan jangka panjang dalam mengatasi masalah banjir yang kerap berlaku pada musim hujan di sepanjang Sg. Kinta (Ipoh) terutamanya di Taman Merdeka.

Timbalan Menteri Sumber Asli dan Alam Sekitar [Datuk Maznah Mazlan]: Assalamualaikum, selamat pagi. Terima kasih kepada Yang Berhormat Ipoh Barat. Saya ingin memaklumkan bahawa engikut kajian National Register of River Basin 2003, seluas 9% daripada keluasan tanah negara di Malaysia dikenal pasti sebagai kawasan berisiko banjir termasuk kawasan-kawasan sungai di Lembah Kinta. Taman Merdeka, Taman Kok Hock Ann dan Taman Alkaf adalah merupakan kawasan perumahan yang telah lama wujud dan terletak di kawasan rendah di sepanjang Sungai Pari yang sering dilanda banjir setiap kali berlaku hujan. Kementerian melalui Jabatan Pengairan dan Saliran telah mengambil langkah sewajarnya dengan menempatkan tiga buah pam yang berkapasiti 40 kaki padu per saat kemampuannya setiap satu bagi mengeluarkan air banjir dari taman-taman ini ke Sungai Pari.

Bagi menangani masalah banjir secara jangka panjang di kawasan ini, Kerajaan Persekutuan telah melaksanakan projek tebatan banjir Sungai Pari dalam ketiga-tiga Rancangan Malaysia yang terakhir. Dalam Rancangan Malaysia Ketujuh, sebanyak RM3 juta dan dalam Rancangan Malaysia Kelapan sejumlah RM5.7 juta dan dalam Rancangan Malaysia Kesembilan RM3.5 juta berjumlah kesemuanya RM12.2 juta telah dan sedang dibelanjakan untuk projek ini. Untuk penyelesaian jangka panjang seterusnya, kementerian melalui JPS telah melantik jurutera perunding bagi menjalankan reka bentuk kejuruteraan terperinci untuk komponen kerja-kerja tebatan banjir yang lebih berkesan. Terima kasih.

Timbalan Yang di-Pertua [Datuk Ronald Kiandee]: Yang Berhormat Ipoh Barat.

Tuan M. Kula Segaran [Ipoh Barat]: Terima kasih Tuan Yang di-Pertua. Tuan Yang di-Pertua, mengenai banjir ini bukan satu perkara yang baru tetapi dalam lingkungan 10 tahun dahulu ini kerap kali apabila ada sedikit hujan pun semua taman ini selalu banjir. Satu di antara faktor adalah di mana sungai-sungai itu terlampau banyak pasir yang tidak dikeluarkan dari sungai tersebut dan saya difahamkan bahawa orang-orang di sana telah memberitahu dan telah ada dialog dengan JPS beberapa kali.

Baru-baru ini dua minggu yang lepas, saya sendiri telah mengadakan dialog dengan JPS di mana mereka mengatakan mereka menunggu tender, mereka menunggu wang Kerajaan Persekutuan. Walaupun kerajaan telah memberi beberapa janji tetapi nampaknya tidak diimplementasikan di sana. Adakah dalam hal ini kerajaan akan memberi pampasan kepada penduduk-penduduk di sana supaya mereka dapat sekurang-kurangnya mitigate the lost yang disebabkan oleh man-made. Ini bukan luar biasa dan mengenai dengan pam yang telah ada disana saya difahamkan bahawa pam-pam itu tidak bekerja, Tuan Yang di-Pertua.

Datuk Maznah Mazlan: Yang Berhormat, Tuan Yang di-Pertua. Terima kasih Yang Berhormat Ipoh Barat dia atas soalan tambahan. Memang benar bahawa masalah sungai ini makin lam makin ketara kerana seperti yang kita tahu bahawa sistem pengairan termasuk sungai, tasik dan seterusnya semakin lama berlaku sedimentation dengan izin iaitu pengumpulan pasir-pasir di dasarannya dan meningkatkan atau yang meninggikan dasarannya dan meningkatkan banjir. Oleh itu, selain daripada jangka pendek yang saya cakapkan tadi kerajaan juga mengenal pasti bahawa jangka panjangnya yang perlu dibuat ialah untu.

menjalankan kerja atau membaik pulih Sungai Pari iaitu punca kepada masalah di taman-taman ini. Terdapat panjangnya Sungai Pari ini lebih kurang 40 kilometer dan setakat ini peruntukan-peruntukan yang telah saya sebut tadi sebahagian besarnya dibelanjakan untuk kerja-kerja mendalamkan dasaran sungai tersebut. Selain daripada itu, meluaskan tebing dan juga membina ban dan menaik taraf strukturstruktur berkenaan dan kerja ini akan dibuat secara berterusan dan oleh kerana sungai ini satu yang aktif bahawa kerja-kerja ini akan dibuat saya rasa secara berterusan sehingga bila-bila. Terima kasih.
______________________
Ucapan Penangguhan Pada 23 June 2008
Sistem Infra Untuk Mengatasi Masalah BanjirTuan M. Kula Segaran [Ipoh Barat]: Terima kasih Tuan Yang di-Pertua. Perlunya sistem infra untuk mengatasi masalah banjir. Masalah ini adalah berkenaan dengan perlunya sistem infra yang baru untuk mengatasi masalah banjir sehingga terdedahnya manusia kepada bahaya banjir khasnya di kawasan bandar-bandar besar yang mempunyai taburan penduduk yang padat serta kadar binaan yang tinggi telah meningkat dengan begitu pesat dalam tahun tahun kebelakangan ini. Hal ini terbukti oleh kejadian-kejadian banjir yang serius di sekitar bandar Ipoh khususnya di Taman Merdeka, Taman Hock Onn, Taman Alkaf dan di kawasansepanjang Sungai Kinta, Ipoh.

Punca utama banjir di kawasan ini adalah disebabkan aliran permukaan pesat akibat perubahan guna tanah, alur-alur sungai dan longkang yang tersekat yang menyebabkan berkurangan keupayaan sungai melalui pemindahan kelodaknya. Pada masa yang sama pihak kerajaan harus peka dalam menangani masalah banjir di kawasan Ipoh khususnya di Taman Merdeka dan di kawasan sekitarnya. Jika turunnya hujan lebat ataupun hujan tidak berhentihenti maka ia mengambil masa yang begitu singkat sahaja untuk menenggelamkan Taman Merdeka dan kawasan sekitarnya. Dengan adanya sistem perparitan yang tidak sempurna, maka ia menyebabkan begitu ramai mangsa mengalami kerugian yang besar dan kanak-kanak juga menjadi mangsa dengan penyakit.

Rakyat kini lebih berpendidikan dan lebih sedar akan masalah alam sekitar dan juga mendapat maklumat semasa dengan lebih kerap. Mereka lebih yakin bahawa kejadian banjir ini adalah disebabkan kesilapan manusia dan kegagalan pengurusannya boleh dielakkan jika adanya satu perancangan yang awal daripada pihak kerajaan. Maka dengan itu timbulnya beberapa soalan dalam hal di mana apakah tindakan yang telah pun dirancang oleh pihak JPS dalam menangani masalah ini. Apakah sistem perparitan yang sempurna akan dilaksanakanpada kawasan-kawasan yang disebut dan bilakah ianya akan diimplementasikan.

Selain daripada itu, berapakah peruntukan yang telah pun diperuntukkan bagi mengatasi masalah banjir di kawasan-kawasan ini dan sehingga hari ini berapakah yang telah dibelanjakan. Dalam satu perancangan pembangunan bandar raya, masalah banjir sepatutnya dijadikan agenda utama. Perkara ini tidak boleh lagi dipandang ringan, ditolak dan diketepikan. Ia sudah menjadi lumrah di Taman Merdeka, hujan lebat yang turun sekejap pun boleh menenggelamkan taman ini dan juga kawasan yang rendah sehingga boleh menyebabkan kesesakan lalu lintas. Masalah banjir di kawasan Taman Merdeka dan sekitarnya bukannya satu fenomena yang baru dan adanya bukti-bukti yang kukuh di mana perlunya satu rancangan yang baru untuk membantu penduduk- penduduk kawasan ini.

Pihak JPS dan kerajaan masih tidak mencari satu jalan penyelesaian walaupun sudah lalu 40 tahun. Justeru itu, dengan adanya suasana ekonomi yang baik pada tahun-tahun kebelakangan ini, maka kerajaan tidak boleh menjadikan masalah ini kurang penting jika dibandingkan dengan pembangunan infra yang lain. Terima kasih.

Jawapan daripada Menteri Sumber Asli dan Alam Sekitar.Menteri Sumber Asli dan Alam Sekitar [Datuk Douglas Uggah Embas]: Terima kasih Tuan Yang di-Pertua. Tuan Yang di-Pertua dan makluman Ahli Yang Berhormat, mengikut kajian National Register of River Basin 2003, seluas 9% daripada keluasan tanah negara di Malaysia di kenal pasti sebagai kawasan berisiko banjir termasuk kawasan-kawasan sungai di Lembah Kinta. Bagi menangani masalah banjir ini, kementerian melalui Jabatan Pengairan dan Saliran memberi khidmat kepakaran dalam pengurusan tebatan banjir serta melaksanakan program tebatan banjir untuk melindungi nyawa dan harta benda.

Di bawah Rancangan Tebatan Banjir yang dilaksanakan oleh Jabatan Pengairan dan Saliran, dua bentuk langkah yang diambil iaitu langkah struktur dan langkah bukan struktur. Antara langkah-langkah struktur termasuklah pembinaan empangan tebatan banjir, pembinaan kolam takungan banjir, pembinaan lencongan, rumah pam, melebarkan dan mendalamkan sungai dan pembinaan ban benteng di tebing sungai. Sementara langkah-langkah bukan struktur adalah kajian-kajian lembangan sungai dan tebatan banjir, kajian pelan induk saliran, maklumat dan data yang diperlukan untuk kajian, penyediaan garis panduan dan manual saliran mesra alam, kempen kesedaran dan program pendidikan, ramalan dan amaran banjir dan pengurusan kawasan tadahan air. Tuan Yang di-Pertua, untuk makluman Ahli Yang Berhormat, di dalam perancangan permohonan bandar raya, kementerian melalui JPS telah memperkenalkan manual saliran mesra alam, MSMA. Manual ini telah pun diedarkan kepada pihak berkuasa tempatan di samping memberi taklimat kepada mereka.

MSMA merupakan garis panduan yang perlu dipatuhi oleh PBT di dalam meluluskan pelan pembangunan supaya isu banjir dapat ditangani.

Tuan Yang di-Pertua, justeru PBT perlu memainkan peranan dengan menangani isu banjir terutama dalam penyelenggaraan dan penaikan taraf kemudahan-kemudahan perparitan. Di samping itu, PBT juga perlu meningkatkan penguatkuasaan agar semua pihak mematuhi peraturan dan undang-undang berkaitan bagi mengurangkan kesan banjir tempatan. Berhubung isu banjir di Taman Merdeka dan taman-taman perumahan di sekitarnya. Untuk makluman Ahli Yang Berhormat, taman-taman ini terletak di kawasan tanah rendah di sepanjang Sungai Pari, anak Sungai Kinta juga merupakan kawasan yang berisiko banjir.Di bawah Rancangan Malaysia Kelapan, JPS telah membelanjakan RM58.8 juta untuk melaksanakan Rancangan Tebatan Banjir Sungai Pari. Bagi meningkatkan keupayaan Sungai Pari untuk mengalirkan air bagi mengurangkan masalah banjir di sepanjang sungai ini.

Skop kerja yang telah dilaksanakan termasuk meninggikan baris Sungai Pari bagi mengelakkan limpahan air sungai, membina semula konkrit seksyen yang telah rosak akibat hakisan air sungai dan menempatkan pam untuk mengepam air dari kawasan banjir di Taman Merdeka ke Sungai Pari. Tuan Yang di-Pertua, seterusnya di bawah Rancangan Malaysia Kesembilan, JPS melaksanakan kerja-kerja RTB Sungai Pari. Skop kerja yang telah dilaksanakan sehingga kini meliputi pembinaan rumah pam termasuk pemasangan pagar keselamatan dan CCTV, pembaikan dan pembinaan semula benteng L-shape sepanjang Sungai Pari serta kerja-kerja mendalam anak-anak sungai kepada Sungai Pari.

Tuan Yang di-Pertua, bagi menyelesaikan masalah tersebut dalam jangka masa panjang, JPS telah melantik juru perunding untuk menyediakan reka bentuk kejuruteraan terperinci bagi cadangan kerja-kerja tebatan banjir di Taman Merdeka dan persekitarannya di sepanjang Sungai Pari.

Tuan Yang di-Pertua, kementerian berharap Majlis Bandar Raya Ipoh juga memainkan peranan yang sewajarnya untuk menangani isu banjir di Taman Merdeka, Taman Hock Han dan ‘Taman Har Kaf’ ke kawasan-kawasan sekitar m emandangkan ketiga-tiga taman perumahan ini terletak di bawah kawasan perbandaran MBI. Kerja-kerja penyelenggaraan dan penaik taraf sistem saliran dalaman di kawasan-kawasan tersebut adalah tanggungjawab Majlis Perbandaran Ipoh.

Justeru itu, Ahli Yang Berhormat adalah diminta untuk membangkit isu ini terus kepada Majlis Bandaran Ipoh. Terima kasih.

PERAK POLITICAL PLAGUE & THE 6TH BUSHIDO CODE

2009-06-11T09:50:00.001+08:00

I joked candidly that M. Kula, the Ipoh Barat Member of Parliament must have been an Orang Asli in his past life because of his concern and support for my work with the indigenous people of this country. He revved his 4WD on a precariously winding road in the secondary forest that was once ravished and ravaged by the greed of men and narrowly missed the ravine that would have taken all those in the vehicle into the river below.

“You need not be an Orang Asli headman in your past life”, M. Kula was quick with a reply without even looking at me. An instantaneous and poignant response expected of a man who confronts an assortment of rotting issues that emanates unwelcome stench in our midst.

I knew what he was trying to tell me.

The journey beyond that was a humourless exchange of thoughts about the promises and betrayal of Orang Asli for the last 52 years. Though living with physical independence but sadly chained and shackled with a mind of perpetual dependence.

There are no grand tales of the Orang Asli to tell, only the marginalization of this minority group of people. Walk the path of misery and the truth is scattered in all the lonely and desolate journeys into a forgotten world only known to the Orang Asli.

Our destination was a remote village, south of Perak. The inhabitants’ complaints were predictable. Their surrounding ancestral land and all their sources of livelihood are slowly but surely being removed from them, leaving behind a life of agony and uncertainty that promises skinned mother earth and its dust to bite.

A day after my visit to the remote village with M.Kula, I was forced by necessity and urgent appeal to be in another remote Orang Asli village, this time in Ulu Kampar.

One year after promises of road repairs and construction of a safer bridge that would make crossing the river leading to the Orang Asli village safe for children and women, all that remains now is a badly damaged bridge and a road leading to the village that invites danger and possibly death for any of its unlucky users.

The Orang Asli villagers’ complaint was that the loggers had moved in without a care and they now live in danger of land slides and dangerous earth movements which will put unnecessary fear during their foraging activities in the forests.

Why in a nutshell of our visit on the 1st Sunday of June 2009 and a day after? The answer lies 12 months before.

When the Pakatan Rakyat government was formed in 2008, one of the first things on the agenda was the formation of the Orang Asli Taskforce on Land Rights comprising, the majority of its members being the Orang Asli themselves.

Primarily the function and role of this taskforce is to move as quickly as possible to first identify the Orang Asli ancestral land and take all necessary steps to recognize, respect and protect these lands as Orang Asli ancestral land. Any forms of dealings, be it developments or otherwise, in these ancestral land would necessitate a free, prior and informed consent from the inhabitants of the particular parcel of land according to established international standards namely the United Nation Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous People adopted by Malaysia in June 2006.

Ngeh Koo Ham, the then senior executive councillor and chairman of the taskforce went on to inform all the Orang Asli members of the taskforce that they are always welcome and free to use the conference halls at the State Secretariat Building anytime they needed to do so. This warm gesture led to meetings being conducted by the Orang Asli in one of the many conference halls from time to time.

It was a good feeling, watching the Orang Asli conducting meetings after meetings with many proposals and counter proposals on how best their ancestral land ought to be protected and preserved.

It was however a great feeling to silently appreciate an undeniable fact that the Pakatan Rakyat government under Ir. Nizar Jamaluddin was prepared to open up more decision making space for the Orang Asli thus promoting independence of thoughts and actions and giving hope for the Orang Asli to be partners in managing and sharing the riches of the state.

It was a near fairy tale beginning, one thought that would perpetuate into a “happily ever after story” but all that has come to an end by greed and betrayal of trust by some who are obsessed with their personal well being and interest and in the process corrupting their very thoughts and promises of service to the nation.

They conveniently forgot the urgent and apparent needs of those who are voiceless and dispossessed. The plight of the Orang Asli is only one of them.

It is most disheartening to note that since the beginning of the constitutional crisis in Perak, the members of Taskforce established by the Pakatan Rakyat government have not been invited to meet and discuss all the problems plaguing the Orang Asli.

And the irony of it all is the fact that, the Selangor government had formed its taskforce and it may be modelled after the Perak Taskforce.

The non-functioning of the Perak Taskforce had created a questionable confidence in the state government in its effective administration which ought to ensure the needed promotion of the well being of all, especially the minority, marginalized and dispossessed groups that require urgent attention.

The fundamental principle of good governance that requires a duty to consult as its integral and important component is ignored and this has created serious questions as to the present government’s ability to administer the state for the good of all.

The Supreme Court of Canada in the case of Haida Nation v. British Columbia (Minister of Forests), [2004] 3 S.C.R. 511, 2004 SCC 73 explains elaborately and sufficiently when the need for a duty to consult is triggered and why the need for such consultation process ought to happen in the first place.

The government’s duty to consult with Aboriginal peoples and accommodate their interests is grounded in the principle of the honour of the Crown, which must be understood generously. While the asserted but unproven Aboriginal rights and title are insufficiently specific for the honour of the Crown to mandate that the Crown act as a fiduciary, the Crown, acting honourably, cannot cavalierly run roughshod over Aboriginal interests where claims affecting these interests are being seriously pursued in the process of treaty negotiation and proof. The duty to consult and accommodate is part of a process of fair dealing and reconciliation that begins with the assertion of sovereignty and continues beyond formal claims resolution. The foundation of the duty in the Crown’s honour and the goal of reconciliation suggest that the duty arises when the Crown has knowledge, real or constructive, of the potential existence of the Aboriginal right or title and contemplates conduct that might adversely affect it. Consultation and accommodation before final claims resolution preserve the Aboriginal interest and are an essential corollary to the honourable process of reconciliation that s. 35 of the Constitution Act, 1982, demands.

And why honour?

Perhaps it will not be necessary for all our politicians to embark on the understanding of honour by slurping the succulent pages of the Bushido Code namely the 6th Bushido Code:-

“The sense of honour, a vivid consciousness of personal dignity and worth, characterized the samurai. He was born and bred to value the duties and privileges of his profession. Fear of disgrace hung like a sword over the head of every samurai……..” Nitobe Inazo

A Code of Honour?

Well, that will be too much to ask for from many of our local politicians consumed by pettiness and greed.

Augustine Anthony
11.06.2009

Government urged to rescue Maika Hoildings

2009-06-11T09:21:00.001+08:00

THE Government must step in and save the RM160mil asset-based company Maika Holdings.
Malaysia Nanban reported former Malaysian Associated Indian Chamber of Commerce and Industry president V.K.K. Teagarajan as saying that such a move would bring fresh hope for Maika’s 66,000 shareholders.
He proposed that the government’s takeover of Maika be conducted via a special purpose vehicle set up by Khazanah Nasional to secure the Indian community’s economic future.
Teagarajan said this could be done because the Government had reportedly set aside RM300mil to assist the community.
Teagarajan, who is also a Maika shareholder, said the company was not a “dead horse” as claimed by many people.
“Maika Holdings has assets worth more than RM160mil, which could be used to revive the community’s interests and regain the confidence of Indian voters,” he said.
He also called for Maika’s revamp and due diligence and prudent management policies to be implemented to increase its investment rate.
“With the injection of new funds from the Government, the poor Indians, who have a RM50mil stake in Maika, can be paid off while at the same time maintaining the rest as share capital,” he said.
Teagarajan said allocating 5% to 10% of government infrastructure projects to Maika would also boost the company.
He added that new Maika shares could then be distributed to the low-income group to increase their investments and the community’s equity share from 1.1% to 3%.

Is this what we call 1 Malaysia?

2009-06-08T11:09:00.002+08:00

Dear readers, below is the screen shot of 1Malaysia website...the Tamil column is missing in action...

Predicament of the Orang Asli

2009-06-07T19:11:00.003+08:00

Augustine Anthony the well known Orang Asli Advocate invited me to join him to a mission to meet Orang Asli settlers whose land other issues which remains unresolved for decades. These are Orang Asli residing around the fringes of the jungle at Kampong Sungai Balik, Chenderiang.

Interestingly in the 2008 General Elections ,Chendering is the only state constituency which was won by the MCA in Perak and is represented by the assemblyman Dr. Mah. Dato Sarwanan the Deputy Minister of Federal Terrorties is the local MP.

When we reached Chenderiang, a local orang Asli jumped into our 4wheel to show us to the village. Just as we were about 1km we stopped to allow 2 passengers to join us in the trip. They were in their own car following us but decided to join in our car as the road condition just did not permit normal cars to go smoothly. The two were Mr. Ram the Bar Council rep for Orang Asli and a chambering student Grace Wong

On arrival at the village we were very warmly welcomed by the whole village residents numbering not more than 50 of them. We were immediately ushered into a completed brick house called houses for the hard core poor built by the Ministry of Rural Development. It was two room houses with basic necessities provided. Surprisingly the houses had no electricity connected although all the wires are done up nearly more than a year ago.

We were all invited to sit on the floor in the house where the adults and the children alike set around us to discuss their matters. The main matters raised were:

A lady in her 70’s complained that the village has been asked to be relocated more than 3 times in her memory by the land office because of their land has been alienated to others. Apparently lands were given for tin mining, agricultural activities, logging and oil palm cultivation. We were further told much of the oil palm area around the village use to be their ancestor burial ground.

A lot of petai, babi hutan(wild boar) and the like is freely available. But all these is dwindling due to logging. Even clean water is difficult to come by!

passed away last year. Since then a new Tok Batin has not been recognised yet by the Orang Asli Department (JHEOA) appointed. Although the villagers have elected one he has not been officially recognised.

he NGO’s and others present and a 2 hour discussion with the villagers. The Orang Asli’s request are just a fair call asking all not to intrude and destroy their life style. Infact the state should ensure and guarantee their continued right to live and co-habitat with the nature around them.

OnOn the issue of electricity, I saw a number of letters written by Dato Sarwanan to the electricity Department requesting the connection since July2008. I rang Dato Sarwanan and told him of the delay in the connection and he said he will see something is done the soonest possible. Also he will visit the village next week.

64 wasted their time appearing at the Ipoh Police station

2009-06-04T20:13:00.002+08:00

Today is the D day for the 64 people who were arrested on 7thMay09. On that day the Perak State Assembly set. The police had obtained an interim order to restrain any one other than assemblyman from being 500meters from the state assembly.

I was prevented from entering the state assembly by the police although I had invitation to attend on that day. The state Assembly is situated in my constituency notwithstanding others like YB Lim Kit Siang and M.Manogahar( Teluk Intan) were also prevented from entering the state assembly.

Our lawyer Karpal would soon file proceedings to set aside the restraining order.

The 64 individual were on police bail and the bail was not extended today. DSP Glean informed us that the investigations are still going on and they are awaiting directions from the Attorney General Chambers as to whether to charge the 64 heroes.

The police should explain as to why the 64 were asked to report to the police station today when they knew yesterday that the bail will not be extended but the 64 can go free pending directions from AG Chambers. Many were displeased with the police the manner in which they had handled the matter today.

Many of the 64 individuals were not only innocent but had come from other states like Penang, Malacca, Selangor and Pahang.

We were also pleased that many lawyers turned up to give support. The blogger’s community were also not spared the arrest as Zorro and others were detained on the 7^th of May. Interestingly Jong the Ipoh blogger somehow was not arrested on the 7^th although she was everywhere and in black too. Why she is so lucky!

Bail Cancelled for 64

2009-06-04T14:54:00.001+08:00

By IVAN LOH - Thestar.com.my

IPOH: Police have cancelled the bails of all 64 people, including 10 Opposition MPs and assemblymen who were arrested outside the State Secretariat building during the chaotic May 7 state assembly sitting.

Former Mentri Besar Datuk Seri Mohammad Nizar Jamaluddin said police have agreed to cancel all their bails pending the Attorney-General Chambers' decision to charge them or not.

"I want to appeal to the A-G Chambers to close the case because they do not have grounds to charge them," Nizar told a press conference here after accompanying the 69 to the Ipoh police station Thursday.

"We urge the A-G Chambers to drop all charges against those who were arrested," he said.

He added that the people had a right to hold peaceful gathering under the Federal Constitution.

Earlier, all who were arrested during the May 7 assembly sitting reported to the police station.

Shortly after their arrival, Ipoh CID chief Deputy Superintendent S. Glenn Anthony informed them about the cancellation of their bails.

Nizar said it was inappropriate for the police to have all 64 people report in at the police station only to have them leave several minutes later.

He pointed out that most of the 64 came from Selangor, Malacca, Negri Sembilan and Penang.

Ipoh Barat MP M. Kulasegaran, who was also present, said the police could have just called them on the telephone on Wednesday.

Candle Light Vigil

2009-06-02T19:38:00.002+08:00

At the last minute we decided to have a candle light vigil and the same time a signature campaign to demand that the State Assembly of Perak be dissolved. Only at about 4pm we decided to have this event at eh women’s branch at Kg.Tawas.

As the event started we had some uninvited guest namely the policemen. Even some senior police officers were present. Apparently at about 6pm the branch Chairman M/S Jennies was visited by the local police warning her that she could be arrested if the candle Vigil was proceeded with.

The local people and members decided to have the candle vigil inside the DAP premises.

I spoke on the reasons to dissolve the state assembly in particular also as to the reluctance of Barisan National to seek a new mandate from the voters of Perak.

It was well attended by the locals.

Exchange Student

2009-05-31T19:31:00.002+08:00

AFS is an international, voluntary, non-governmental; non-profit that provides intercultural opportunities to help people develop the knowledge, skills and understanding needed to create a more just peaceful world.

I am given to understand AFS is in Malaysia for over 50 years. Over the years hundreds of students have come and stayed with host parents under the supervision of its Malaysian sister organization known as AFS Antarabudaya Malaysia.

We hosted a student by the name of Ann-Kaathrin Preifer from Germany at our home in Ipoh for nearly a year. Yesterday a Farwell gathering was organized by the AFS to say sort of goodbye to all the host students.

This is what I wrote about my host child to AFS.

A few lines about ANN
Dear Sir,
Some time back I was given to understand that AFS arranges for foreign students to be placed in host homes in Malaysia. My family was always keen to host a student and finally we accepted a student in 2008.

The student named Ann Katherine Pfefier arrived at our home in the month of July 2008.
First i had problems admitting her to our local school as the necessary approval has not been obtained from the relevant authorities. I took it upon myself to sort out this matter by calling and speaking to the ministry and had it sorted out. Well on the first day of school assembly, she had a red carpet welcome and she didn’t miss to say a few words in Malay, made everyone applauses.

She enjoyed the curries at home. Sometimes she cooks German favourite for us. She loves to meet new people as well new places. Quite friendly, I would say! When i attend dinners i took her along to meetings an interact with the locals. Once in a while I take out with me to witness NGO’s, local council and political meetings and its deliberations. I will at all times ask her if she feels comfortable in these meetings before i take her along. Ann had the privileges to go and witness the proceedings of the Malaysian Parliament. She not only met many MP’s but also Ministers. The proceedings of the parliament were even translated into English for her.

We have 2 grown up Rottweiler and a German shepherd dog. But Ann still jumps over our main gate when she has forgotten to take the keys or when we failed to open the gate in time! Our 2 dogs are just too friendly to her, they invite her with full of excitement. They are going to miss her when she leaves our country for home.

Initially we felt a bit funny when she at all times was dressed in full in the sense long sleeves and long pants and she does not wear shorts or swim suite while swimming. When we asked her why she was “fully” dressed she said she was told before leaving to Malaysia that host parents expect her to be fully dressed. We then told her the dress code is casual and one need not be “fully” covered she was so, so relieved.

We took her to an orang asli settlement (Gopeng) to see how our natives live. She was happy but she forgot that as we were proceeding up the hill to check RAFFLESIA flower the largest flower in the world she has to entertain the leeches too. Oh my god.. she was hopping, jumping, screaming.. and checking her body if there were any had got on to her. Lucky for her only less than 10 poor leeches were given a treat by her!

She was enjoying school. But initially we had difficulties in sending her to her many other activities. We got her a bicycle and she was able to go for her piano and swimming lessons and other of her activities without a hitch.

We enjoyed her company. Although we have travelled to Germany before but we have to go there again as we now have a “daughter” there. She is always jovial and in happy mood and importantly she has an adjustable character.. At all times we never treated her as somebody’s child but as one of our own. She was also a good sister to our 3 years old child. Sometimes when we’re away, she takes good care of our child Tanisha without any fuss until the baby can notice her absence in house sometimes as she has to attend AFS programmes and activities outside and inside Perak.

Now the reality. She will be leaving to her country soon. We are going to miss our child. She was so much a part of our family. We will miss her laughs and jokes and in particular my little daughter Tanisha will have to get on without Ann akka.

PDRM’s 3 minutes to disperse….. 1,2,3 Catch, Catch, Catch!

2009-05-30T10:47:00.002+08:00

by Augustine Anthony
29.5.09

It is now clear that the assurance given by Justice Syed Ahmad Idid to Anthony Clement Skinner (who is now the Kota Kinabalu High Court Judge) in the case of Datuk Yong Teck Lee v PP & Anor 1993 1mlj 295 has travelled through the intestinal passages of abuses of constitutional protection of citizens and now awaits it’s final moment. To be flushed down in the toilet bowl.

Skinner’s (as he then was and whom I know as a judge blessed with enviable judicial temperament) fears were well founded as he provided an illustration of the extensive powers of the police under the Police Act 1967 and the likely abuses by the police.

“‘If three school boys decide to go to the cinema for a film show, they cannot do so. It is illegal to do so unless they have a licence from the OCPD to do so. Any steps taken in furtherance of the intention (without a licence) would render the meeting or assembly illegal and any person taking part thereto shall be guilty of an offence.”

Justice Syed Ahmad Idid then confidently provided words of comfort and assurance when he went on to say:-

“I am unable to accept this contention or illustration in the face of the fact that thousands of patrons, without any licence, frequent the cinemas and other functions every day and night in Malaysia and the police do not charge them under the Act or the Code………….. But assuming for one moment that the three school boys entered the cinema hall and are met by 100 other people whom they do not know, and who are bent on having an illegal meeting and not watching the film. The authorities charged with the responsibility of maintaining law and order and public peace rush in. The school boys………. have a defence in two other instances: firstly, when they follow the route and/or time set by the police for the assembly or meetings; or secondly, they disperse when the police so order”

Very nice, all of it, in papers and court judgments but the reality is far from what is described in judgments like this.

Must ordinary citizens need to go through the hardship of an unnecessary and unwarranted arrest in the first place? Why should they be subjected to a charge in court that would require engaging a lawyer that would be a costly affair and not to mention the waste of public funds to prosecute such trivial offences?

Take for example the recent arrest made by the police of the 7 Perak Legislative Assembly Members and a Member of Parliament and some others seen attired in black in Ipoh on the 26.05.2008.

Did the police provide a clear route or time for people to disperse? I need not explain or write further. Suffice for me to say that Malaysiakini, YouTube and many other press reports had revealed enough for people to judge the conduct of the police.

This is one ugly episode that could have been wholly avoided if the police had only displayed some restraint particularly so in view of the fact that the prevailing atmosphere at the time of the arrest was peaceful and orderly.

It baffles me as to why the police need to deal with peace loving Malaysians like as though they are some dangerous criminals who threaten the peace and security of our country.

It baffles me even more simply because as a lawyer I come across many police officers in my day to day job be it in court or elsewhere and I find many of them, when met personally, have polite and pleasant dispositions with hopes and aspirations just like many of us but I cannot understand why collectively as a police force their conduct invites such disparagement.

I simply do not think that they enjoy doing what they are ordered to but perhaps more compelling will be the reason that insubordination will lead to loss of career prospect or even loss of job.

It is for this reason a minister or senior police officer should not simply give orders to their subordinates, the very orders that they themselves will find it hard to execute.

Remember! People in power can delegate their authority but not their responsibilities. As such I will not blame the ordinary policemen who carry out these orders but their superiors who gave such ridiculous orders to be executed.

The persistence of the Police in the application of S27 of the Police Act 1967 liberally, especially against members of political parties that have opposing views than of the ruling government, I am afraid is creating unnecessary and undue anxiety in people.

If M. Kulasegaran a hugely popular elected Member of Parliament for Ipoh Barat constituency (where the arrest took place) and V. Sivakumar also an elected representative who is equally popular among the Perakians (or perhaps Malaysians) could not walk freely in public and mingle around with voters without fear of arrests by the police then why bother having elected representatives.

The police must understand that these are elected representatives. Surely their presence in public places will invariably invite some well wishers, some seeking help or even some for casual banter and it is the duty of the police to protect these elected representatives during these occasions and simultaneously promote such healthy assemblies and not otherwise impede or obstruct them thus creating unnecessary anxiety amongst the public.

The word “pemimpin berjiwa rakyat” was not coined simply for the sake of lip service. It has a deeper meaning. It creates a necessity for leaders to be always close to people. And it is for this reason that a true leader is judged by his grassroot support that drives home the point that he had touched base.

The Prime Minister knows this more than other political leaders for the simple reason that the Malays loved his father as a true people’s leader. The prime minister’s regular meet-the-people session is certainly to replicate the glory days of his father during his time.

So why should there be double standards? People ask.

Just as much as the leaders of the component parties of the ruling federal government, the leaders of the opposition parties also have their sworn duties as elected representatives to regularly meet the people and share the problems faced by them.

Why is their attempt to be close to the people made difficult by the constant harassment from PDRM and its liberal use of the Police Act 1967 to arrest people who gather peacefully?

Right thinking people are already questioning if elected representatives, who had shown no hostility and no violence towards any person especially to the police, could be publicly humiliated by such unpleasant arrests, how could ordinary people expect the police to be their guardian for peace and security.

There are other nagging thoughts that need to be addressed too. Are the arrests of these elected representatives done deliberately to put fear in people to such an extent that it is hoped by those in power that a climate of fear will be designed in such a way that it will prevent ordinary people from assembling peacefully in the future.

Whichever way one sees it; one thing is clear and that is, the ruling government is promoting a hate culture that is unhealthy in the long run.

While the current prime minister is making the needed efforts to win the trust of the people, perhaps if he can only caution the police to be more undemonstrative against peaceful assemblers and offer more breathing space for people who are opposed to the views of the ruling federal government then it may very well go a long way in soothing the people’s anger.

Without going into the overdrive of religious zeal, I can safely say that all teachings of religions drive home the point that respecting human rights is respecting divine laws and none can go wrong by respecting the wisdoms imbued in laws that govern nature.

So can we Malaysians get some respect before we return the same to people in authority?

UMNO Boleh!

2009-05-29T12:08:00.004+08:00

I got this piece by email from a friend of mine.

UMNO BN want Oppress student academic capability !!! Stupid DPM should just resign !!!

Another crazy policy from Boleh_land !!! And we are talking about national progress, academic excellent & Vision2020 ???

UMNO BN now putting a cap for what a school could achieve academically !!!We are not suppose to be too smart !!! too capable !!! our ability should be limited !!!

I really do not see any future for Malaysia under UMNO BN !!!

Want to fast?

2009-05-27T09:22:00.000+08:00

Dear comrades and friends,

Some of us are fasting for 24-30 hours in solidarity with Pakatan Rakyat in Perak. We would like you to pledge to do the same. Choose when you want to start as long as you finish the fast by 8pm, Thursday, 28 May 2009. Do let us know by replying to:

Sdri.Medaline Chang (Coordinator)
H/p: 012-219 2010
E-mail: medster@gmail.com

Sdr.Lim Swee Kuan
H/p: 016-6266 848
E-mail: limsweekuan@gmail.com

Thank you!
Regards,
Medaline Chang

14 arrested by police

2009-05-27T08:55:00.005+08:00

I got an early phone call to come to the DAP HQ at 7.30am as the police had prevented our workers form putting up canapoy , hot ballon and related items. By the time i arrived at the HQ 5 staffs of the event manager were arrested by the police. From the inquiries we made, it is learnt that the necessary permission was not obtained to put up the Canapoy from the local authority.

But one canopy was already up late Monday and it was not dismantled by the authorities. When the local authority (MBI) officer came at about 10 am and after some discussion the officers agreed we can proceed with our function at least until 12pm.

After the formal speeches we started to leave for the High Court as proceedings were being filed for those village heads who were sacked by the BN government. We were just outside the DAP Headquarters when police officers suddenly arrested 14 of us.

The following news is from on line news: Since 5 May, police have made a total of 146 arrests mainly for what the police say are illegal gatherings related to protests against political developments in Perak. Today’s incident raises the total number of arrests to 165 in just three weeks.

Police arrested 14 people at 11.30am including Ipoh Barat Member of Parliament M Kulasegaran, assemblypersons V Sivakumar (Tronoh-DAP), Leong Mee Meng (Jalong-DAP), Lim Pek Har (Menglembu-DAP), Keshvinder Singh (Malim Nawar-DAP), Su Keong Seng (Pasir Pinji-DAP), Chang Lih Kang (Teja-PKR), and Chan Ming Kai (Simpang Pulai-PKR), while they were walking towards the Ipoh High Court today. The 14 were later released on police bail.

Earlier at 7am, the police also arrested five employees from an event management company that PR hired to help organise the "Mogok Lapar Bubar DUN" at the Perak DAP headquarters. The arrested were brought to the Ipoh district police station.

The three-day hunger strike was organised by Perak PR to pressure for the dissolution of the Perak assembly.

Hunger Strike in Ipoh - Twitter updates

2009-05-26T10:36:00.003+08:00

Latest: Hunger Strike Updates :10.45am YAB DSNJ giving speechless

Hunger Strike Updates : 10.37am - Dato Ngeh said " Zamry is not man of word"

Hunger Strike Updates : 10.37am - Dato Ngeh said " Zamry is not man of word"

mkulaHunger Strike Updates : 10.37am - Dato Ngeh said " Zamry is not man of word"

mkulaHunger Strike Update : 10.35am Dato Ngeh giving speech now

mkulaHunger Strike Updates : Sivakumar said "Police Raja Di-Malaysia"

mkulaHunger Strike Updates : 10.30am Hunger Strike launched by YAB DSNJ & Speaker V.Sivakumar

mkulaHunger Strike Updates : 10.12am A.OCPD Glen stopped YAB DSNJ to shake hand with other police personnels.

mkulaHunger Strike Updates : 10.10am - YAB DSNJ arrived with supporters.

mkulaHunger Strike Updates : 10.00 am MBI Enforcement wanted to remove the fixed canopy.

mkulaHunger Strike Updates : 10.00 am - Hunger Strike launching and PC

Candle vigil stopped by police

2009-05-25T12:37:00.001+08:00

Last night the Sg. Buloh DAP branch organized a Candle light vigil out sit its office.

When I arrived at the center I notice an unusual high number of police officers numbering nearly 30 of them. I was then wondering why such a huge presence of police personal.

We started the programme at about 8.30pm. Dr. Michael JayaKumar MP Sg.Siput was the first to start speaking and then was followed by the assemblyman of Teja.

Thereafter I was invited to speak. I informed the crowd present that this vigil was to remind the people the necessity to dissolve the state assembly of Perak. Also that the seizing of power in Perak was planned by DS Najib (PM). That the 3 assemblyman who left the Pakataan government as they were bought over. Although for the time being they have declared themselves as independents. As the 3 stood on party symbols they should morally resign their seats and elections be called to ascertain the real voter’s intention in these 3 constituencies.

As I continued to speak, suddenly I heard the siren sound of the police. The police started to speak in loud speakers and inform all that, this meeting is an illegal one and they need to disperse immediately. I was asked to stop speaking by a police office.

The OCPD came an instructed all to disperse failing which we would be arrested. As the OCPD was speaking to us over 100 policeman and FRU were seen gathering near the center. At the same time I saw 3 huge police trucks stared to be parked opposite the office which was rather intimidating to all of us. I suppose these trucks were brought to pick all of us)

I told the OCPD that the Assemblyperson YB Leong Mei Meng(Jalong) had applied for a police permit some 3 days ago and her application was not rejected. The OCPD responded that according to the law we need to give 14days notice. But we retorted that in urgent case the OCPD can give oral permission and further we are not a nuisance. In any case the way the police are behaving it resembles as though we are operating under a police state!
We are just articulating out rights according to the Federal Constitution and he should not prevent us from discharging our duties as elected representatives. He was least bothered by our appeal.
We informed the crowd we have to cease immediately on the police instructions but will pursue our candle vigil soon elsewhere.

Perak - the epicentre of Umno fault-line

2009-05-24T11:45:00.003+08:00

by Augustine Anthony -

(This article was written in anticipation of the Court of Appeal judgment in Nizar vs Zambry)

The judgment of Justice Abdul Aziz Abd. Rahim in the case of Nizar vs Zambry has attained clairvoyance status.

It had positioned the institution of rulers above politics, dignified the sultans and preserved the revered constitutional monarchy for generations to come.

In the ancient times the announcement of gestation or birth of crown prince will usually send sages and spiritual leaders into solitude in meditation and prayers in the harsh wilderness with the hope that the ruler to come will be benevolent to the subjects. History bears testimony of such adoration with monuments and poems of virtues and valour of such kings.

Today more than a billion souls, Hindus, Christians and Muslims all in India salute the great emperor Asoka knowingly or unknowingly when they rise in veneration of the majestic Indian national flag, the centre of it bears the wheel of Asoka.

But not all Rulers invite admiration. Scorn and disdain of the people witnessed the extinction of absolute monarchy in many parts of the world and replaced with power to the people by new systems of constitutional monarchy or an outright republic of a nation.

Power is placed in the hands of people’s representatives but authority is given not to deny the will and wishes of the people.

But the hearts of men are so easily corrupted.

Neither constitutional monarchy nor the presidency of a republic could remove the abuse of power and expansion of corrupt playing fields of those in whose hands the people have placed their power and authority that were removed systematically from the absolute monarchs.
Power corrupts and absolute power corrupts absolutely, so the saying goes.

The creation of constitutional monarchy and a system of parliamentary democracy with people’s power concentrated in the hands of UMNO in the last 52 years only goes to show that indeed UMNO enjoys the goodwill of the people of Malaysia.

But all that is about to change.

The epicentre of UMNO’s power shattering phenomenon is hidden deep in the emotions of the Perakians. It may well be UMNO’s fault line that may trigger the next and decisive Tsunami. A sea of people with their emotion translated into tidal waves of anger may well bring about permanent destruction to the once invincible fortress that now lies damaged at the shoreline built by UMNO painstakingly for more than 50 years led by many of their visionary leaders of the past.

But wait! Alas, those political leaders opposed to UMNO who now ride these tidal waves of anger (except for some notable veterans), are poor surfers unable to comprehend the deep current and direction of the waves. Tidal waves are fast and furious. Either you surf it or sink in it.

Many of these surfers are amateur opposition new kids on the bloc with the new found fame of Yang Berhormat. They try very hard to impress the undecided and uncertain people who had swung to the opposition in anger during the 2008 general election.

These YB’s must bear in mind that it takes more to continue winning the hearts and minds of the people than apple distribution in parliament house or bicycle paddling to the parliament entrance or constant holding of candle light in vigils and screaming “Saya YB, Saya YB” when apprehended by the law enforcement officers or even offering prayers to the ghost of unknown Ghengis Khan descendant who was blown to smithereens.

Many of these meaningless publicity stunts exhibited by these poor surfers are not only amusing but alarmingly annoying.

Internal squabbles aplenty, in short the Opposition’s value to people is fast descending to junk bond status.

While the surfers struggle at the high sea, close to shoreline the current Chief Architect surveys the damaged fortress and the coming of the tidal waves. Both he must confront and contain swiftly.

This Chief Architect is formidable, commanding an army of bureaucrat’s allegiance. His monumental fortitude sends uncluttered vibrations that he is determined to stay for more than one term as the commander in chief of the government of Malaysia.

The RAHMAN theory must die or UMNO will die. Die UMNO, this, the Chief Architect cannot and will not allow.

Najib Razak is a bangsawan pedigree. A Razak creation. Born and bred in the ways of leadership. As the son who enjoys the unseen goodwill left behind by the then chief architect of NEP in the 1970’s, he now enjoys the ancient cryptic command of the universe; the Vedas call it positive karma.

His reading of people’s anger is correct. He knows that he needs time to waft like gentle breeze to soothe the angry and humid emotion of the people. His weekly meet the people sessions is just about the right antidote in times like these. Just like his father.

His less than one hundred days in the seat of power shows that he is moving in the right direction.

Will Najib initiate the correct moves to dissolve the Perak State Legislative Assembly? Every thought is pointing to the inevitable. Dissolution of the Perak State Legislative Assembly is imminent.

To save UMNO or to squander the goodwill of the Malaysians?

It is your turn to think, YAB Dato’ Sri Najib Tun Razak

Hunger Strike Launched

2009-05-23T11:43:00.003+08:00

Today the Pakaatan Rakyat component parties announced that a 3 day Hunger Strike would be launched beginning at the DAP Perak HQ and finally ending at the PAS HQ at Taman Istana Ipoh.

We have been planning this strike for some time and finally last night during the Perak Pakaatan Rakyat leaders meeting we decided to commence it this Tuesday and it will end on this Thursday.

Many people for various reasons have in their struggles carried out “hunger strike”. For example the Gandhi had fasted to near death a number of times for the sake of India’s unity. Many more have died due to hunger strike all over the world. One place where there are evidences of death by reason of hunger strike is if one visit sees the Cellular Jail in the Andaman Islands, India where hundreds have died while fighting against the British. In recent time I get reminded the death of Bobby Sands while agitating against British rule in Northern Ireland.

For us in the present scenario in the Perak political crisis this “hunger strike” is one of the many programes to push for dissolving of the state assembly of Perak. People may ask why only 3 days? But why not?

Yesterday the Court of Appeal decision to allow the appeal by Zambry is not surprising. I differ from the views of the Pakaatan leaders. I am of the view the present constitutional crisis is not for the courts to give a solution. But rather the politicians should get to the people and agitate for a final outcome.

Yesterday’s decision by the court of Appeal may have been a damper. But this is only a small dent. While in the wet market in Tawas today I met many lay people who are dismayed by the courts decision. The encouraging words from all of them are keep on the struggle and you will make it great in the nest elections.

Barisan has won in the courts but the Pakaatan Rakyat will win the hearts and minds of the people. We just lost a battle but end of the day we will win the war!

Courts are least equipped to settle political matters!

2009-05-22T11:07:00.003+08:00

On 13thFebruary, DS Nizar filed an application for judicial review and at sought a declaration from the courts that he was at all material times the Menteri Besar (MB) of Perak. He also sought a declaration that Zambry had no right to hold the office of MB. After hearing relevant witness on 11thMay , the High Court Judge Datuk Abdul Aziz in Kuala Lumpur ruled that Nizar was the rightful MB.

Yesterday the Court Of Appeal heard the arguments of all sides in this appeal. Later today at 3.30pm the Court of Appeal will deliver its decision on Zambry’s appeal.

It’s my personal and firm view that the decision of the Court will not bring about a finality of the on going constitutional crisis in Perak. I have said it before, that Courts are and cannot be the deciders or arbitrators of who should be the rightful MB of Perak. Politics is best left to politicians! The people elected assemblyman and it is they who should decide as who is best to lead the state.

Whatever the decision of the Court today it will just drag the political crisis further without any definite conclusion.
The whole issue is whether the 3 assemblyman ( Cangkat Jaring, Behrang and Jelapang) have resigned? According to the Speaker V.SivaKumar they have resigned or have become independents as according to Barisan National?

One school of thought says if the Perak State Assembly cannot be allowed to be dissolved then at least ask or demand the 3 assemblyman to “officially” resign their seats and by-elections be called. This may in one way settle the issue as to whether the voters in the 3 constituencies voted for a PR or BN Government.

Finally the man who singularly executed the collapse of the PR government in Perak in early February2009 is none other then Prime Minister (PM) Najib. He should realize that the political crisis has failed to enhance his image as the PM of Malaysia. Is he PM for all or only for Barisan National(BN)? PM Najib should rise above politics, over the impasse now and demand for the dissolution of the State Assembly of Perak. Failing which the present stalemate will eventually result in his own down fall.

An old Imam...

2009-05-19T07:37:00.003+08:00

- An old kampung imam had a teenage son, and it was getting time the boy should give some thought to choosing a profession.

Like many young men his age, the boy didn't really know what he wanted to do, and he didn't seem too concerned about it. One day, while the boy was away at school, his father decided to try an experiment.

He went into the boy's room and placed on his study table four objects.

1. The Holy Qoran.

2. A fifty ringgit note.

3. A bottle of whiskey.

4. And a Playboy magazine. '

I'll just hide behind the door," the old imam said to himself. "When he comes home from school today, I'll see which object he picks up." "If it's the holy book, he's going to be an imam like me, and what a blessing that would be!" "If he picks up the fifty ringgit note, he's going to be a business man, and that would be okay, too."

"But if he picks up the bottle, he's going to be a no-good drunken bum, and God, what a shame that would be." "And worst of all if he picks up that magazine he's going to be a skirt-chasing womanizer." The old man waited anxiously, and soon heard his son's foot-steps as he entered the house whistling and heading for his room.. The boy tossed his books on the bed, and as he turned to leave the room he spotted the objects on the table.

With curiosity in his eye, he walked over to inspect them. Finally, he picked up the Holy Book and placed it under his arm. He picked up the fifty ringgit note and dropped into his pocket. He uncorked the bottle and took a big drink, while he admired the magazine's centerfold. "God have mercy," the old imam disgustedly whispered. "He's going to be an Umno Policitian!"

Court of Appeal delays hearing of Nizars case. Why?

2009-05-18T22:16:00.005+08:00

The Court of Appeal was supposed to hear the Appeal by MB DS Nizar today to revoke the stay order granted by a single Judge of the appellate court . It is baffling to know that the court of appeal has postponed the scheduled hearing on the appeal by DS Nizar to Thursday.

I hope the Judges who sit and hear the case on Thursday can give acceptable and convincesing reasons as to why the case was postponed in the first place. As requested by DS Nizar it is hoped the case would be heard by a panel of 5 Judges. Will this happen?

Finally the Court of Appeal must give written grounds when a decision is made. I am still puzzle as to why the Federal Court Judges have not provided written grounds on matters they have decided in relation to the Perak case which came up for haring in the Federal Court.

In this respect i will raise this matter when i have the earliest opportunity when Parliament sits next month. May be action should be taken the Judges who refuse to give written grounds?

An interesting read

2009-05-18T22:13:00.000+08:00

Sultan pokes his nose beyond legal limit

Monday, May 18, 2009 11:28 AM

From:

"Imdaone Malaysia"

To:

lumut1957@yahoo.com

http://patik-mohon-sembah-derhaka.blogspot.com/2009/05/sultan-pokes-his-nose-beyond-legal.html
--
****************************
http://patik-mohon-sembah-derhaka.blogspot.com

Brainstorming

2009-05-17T21:21:00.002+08:00

The DAP annual retreat was held over the weekend. All state assemblyman and Members of Parliament attended the event. The retreat was supposed to take place in the beginning of January but it had to be postponed twice by reason of the Kuala Terengganu and Bukit Gantang bye elections.

We were briefed on the latest political situation by our party leaders. Even outside experts came and spoke to the audience. Notable entrepreneurs also gave they views as to how to achieve certain goals within a certain time.

We were also told the number of new members have increased by nearly 30% since the last general elections. In all aspect the gathering was a success.

DS Anuar spoke to us over lunch. He announced that Pakatan Rakyat(PR) has now agreed to form a number of committees to specifically address issues were members of the PR differ from one another. In particular a committee has now been established to look into and to take a common stand on conversion. Yes, in PR we have differences but we are willing to sit down on equal terms to sort out matters.

Many of the attendees felt very recharged with the event. I hope we will all “turun padang” and get the election machinery working as we expect the Perak state elections will take place soon.

Solo,Silent , Protest

2009-05-15T13:26:00.006+08:00

A concerned guy was inspired to carry out a one man silent protest at the back entrance of Perak State secretariat(SUK). The guy got to his preferred location at 12.30noon, just wearing short pants and white colour round neck t-shirt standing coolly without wearing any shoes and sleepers under the hot weather.

On being alerted by concerned citizens i immediately summon my Political Sec P.Sugumaran to proceed to the place where the solo protest was taking place. He was in time to take a few shots of photographs. At 1.10pm, 2 police personnel’s approached the protester to go away. But this solo protester did not budge.

In his short written note to my Political Sec in a piece of paper, he wrote “People 1st, Performance Later” and also “I don’t support any party, Just as Perak Citizen, all I want his my my state to be at peace. Just make the people who can do something, do it now”

10 reasons for Najib for wanting a discussion with PR

2009-05-15T10:40:00.003+08:00

In the last few days invariably the head lines of all news is nothing other then the on going Perak political crisis.

Prime Minister DS Najib has now agreed to discuss the impasse with the Pakatan Rakyat(PR) leaders.

Why Najib wants to talk now? At least 10 reasons for him to do so.
1) Najib may be willing to discuss because the support for BN is so weak that that a discussion of this nature may enhance Barisan National(BN) status.

2) Najib masterminded the take over of BN in Perak when he was the DPM. Little did he realize this coup d’etat could boomerang to such intensity that it is hurting his public image now? He may never recover and this may soon politically seal his future.

3) In just about 10months the PR government of Perak was able to win the heart and minds of its people. The polices on freehold, the openness on awarding of contacts, the transparent manner of running the state government, appointing NGO’s as councilors, giving lands to schools, Exco members and the MB who are easily approachable nd many more.

4) Rumors are that there are some BN elected assemblyman who may jump ship and this is one way to contain them

5) The present situation is untenable. Perak has 2 Mentri Besar’s (MB), 2 Speakers and 2 secretaries to the House (clerk) The situation is unsettling the BN as much as the PR thus the necessity for discussion.

6) Investors are filling jittery and may continue to refuse to invest in Perak. This will hurt all. But in this drawback, BN elected representatives will suffer most as dishing out contracts by them will dry up. In the process BN will fail to get the continuous support from the people.

7) Who is the legal MB or the ex-MB? Both the MB’s are in that situation. People are confused and the continuous indecision will damage all but the BN will still suffer more. Reading the blog’s and articles one see’s a bashing of the BN. Some how the BN cannot and seems not able to get public opinion on their side

8) Ejecting Speaker V.Sivakumar and the video footage clearly show the ruthless ness of BN. To make matters worse the unprecedented entrance of policeman into the meeting hall has aroused a feeling that the BN had planned this event. In fact we hear over 100 policemen from all over the country was asked to report to Ipoh police who were used to implement this eviction of V.Sivakumar. Local police was apparently not encouraged as they may be familiar to many elected representatives and they may be reluctant to implement BN’s modus operandi

9) When BN took over Perak government immorally they failed to see the importance of the Speakers post, the Committee of Privileges and the Public Accounts Committee. The majority of the members of these committees are from the PR. All these were overlooked. Thus the jig saw puzzle is not complete unless all these posts revert back to BN.

10) The courts decisions are of little help. One day Nizar wins the next day the ex-BN MB is back in power. It all looks like the circus is in town for all to have fun. But it is the Perikians who eventually suffer.

The PR leaders must be cautious on the invitation for discussion with Najib. Najib must win at what ever the cost in this proposed meet. But how will the PR fair?

Remember the fatal mistake Chin Peng made when he agreed to meet Tuanku at Baling in 1956?

Indra's conversion case at the High Court of Ipoh

2009-05-14T16:36:00.004+08:00

Background on Indira's case “ Indria was married to Patmanathan at the civil registry of Ipoh on 10thApril 1993. And they have 3 children. They are all Hindus and the children were brought up as Hindus too. On 11thMarch09 Patmanathan converted to Islam. On 2nd April09 he converted his children into Islam.
Court Proceedings to day

To day the conversion case of Indira Gandhi came up for Hearing at the Ipoh High Court. The case was supposed to start at 10.30am but it only took off at nearly 12pm.
From early morning both sides of the lawyers met to discuss and agree on certain terms for the Children of the family pending a formal decision by the court.

The lawyers were called into the Chambers of the Judge Dato Wan Afrah who sounded very displeased that no settlement has been reached otherwise the case could have been proceeded in the morning at 10.30am. The Judge, correctly disallowed an application for an adjournment to the afternoon. She insisted either, parties settle or the case is to proceed. Indria’s lawyers had earlier agreed to the proposal for arrangement of the children of the family. Unfortunately the husband’s lawyers were unable to get instructions and we were not able to agree to present our agreement to the Judge. She gave us 15 minutes to come up with proposals failing which we are to proceed.

Finally the husband’s lawyers were able to get their clients to agree to the terms and we duly informed the Judge.
The agreement contains basically among other matters to maintain the status quo and the children of the family shall attend school.

Cabinet Directive on conversion matter

Prime Minister DS Najib’s cabinet made a directive that children should be raised in the religion at the time of their parent’ marriage, even if one later converted to another religion.

The above directive is nothing more then an advice with no legal force. The directive by the cabinet was made on an ad hoc basis without out ling a long term solution to the conversion cases.
In the Indria’s type of conversion cases the cabinets decision has not been taken into account or considered as it’s just an advice.
What is needed is the political will of those who are administrating the country to synchronize and coordinate all laws to conform in line with the cabinet directive.

I spoke to the Law Minister last week asking him to table the necessary amendments to comply with the Cabinets decision in the coming June sitting of Parliament. He said it may not be possible in view of constrain of time.

But I am given to understand that the Attorney General Chambers have done a lot of work on this matter and they have got a draft way back 3 years ago. But shear inertia and lack of a political will have only resulted in dust been collected on the work done by the AG chambers.

Apathy of the majority?

2009-05-13T12:48:00.004+08:00

The Apathy of the MajorityRaja Petra in his recent 'No Holds Barred' column commented on the apathy of Perakians in the standoff against the authorities concerning Perak’s Constitutional Crisis.
He said that if protesters could come all the way from Kelantan and Kuala Lumpur, Perakians have no excuse not to be there.I wholly concur with RPK.The few I called to join in the protest had ready- made excuses why they could not. I wasn’t surprised; just angry.But this is nothing new about Malaysians in general. We have a ‘not in my backyard’ attitude on everything from the location of incinerators and telephone relay discs, to human rights abuse and even the simple matter of littering – as long as it is ‘not in my backyard’ and does not affect me directly, it does not concern me. Ergo, I do nothing about it – let someone else protest.What is wrong with Malaysians? Is it because of our feudal mentality that we don’t challenge our government? Is it cowardice? Or selfishness? Or are we too busy ‘cari makan’ that we cannot spare a little time to protest against any injustices.
Go to Indonesia and you can engage the-man- on-the-street in political discussions and you will be surprised how clued on he is . . . and how prepared he is to defend his rights.Koreans would have demanded that their prime minister step down in the same situation that our prime minister is in. They would never accept a prime minister with the kind of question marks hanging over ours.And it must be said, a Korean politician in office would probably have resigned or stepped down until the matter is resolved. They have a tradition of honour which our politicians lack. The same code of honour binds the Japanese and British.The Thais would never countenance the kind of power-grab that BN is guilty of. Nor would they expect interference from their monarch in the politics of the state like what the ......... of Perak has done.In Malaysia we are only just seeing signs of political activism by the populace. But still it’s largely centered in the Klang Valley and to a lesser degree in Penang.
And it must be said, it’s always the same people who storm the Bastille so to speak. Where are the others?While this is generally a Malaysian malaise; on the matter of the Perak Constitutional Crisis Perakians should be ashamed of themselves for their apathy. Do we expect the Kelantanese, Penangites or KLites to fight our battle? In a way it’s their battle too it must be said, but it is foremost our battle.
No one is asking Perakians to break the law but at least if they had turned up in numbers and stood silently in the prescribed mourning black, it would have sent a powerful message to the powers-that-be.This is not a matter of taking sides – it’s not a case of PR vs BN.
This is a matter of the rape of our Constitution. It should concern all Perakians whichever side of the political divide they are on. This is a case of the 'rakyat' having the final say in who they want to govern their state. Not who the .... wants? And if that cannot be resolved in the State Assembly then we should go back to the ballot box.Sometimes we have to act, because silence only encourages the tormentor. If we don’t speak up when others are being unfairly persecuted our turn will come and who will speak up for us then?
To paraphrase Dr Martin Luther King - the greatest sin is not perpetrated by those who have destroyed the Constitution or who have used force against peaceful protests, but the vast majority who have sat idly by.
Yin Ee Kiong A Proud Perakian

அசட்டு குணம்

2009-05-13T11:39:00.005+08:00

இன்று காலை முன்னாள் பேராகின் மந்திரி புசார் ஸம்ரி தனது அலுவழகத்தில் போலீஸ் அதிகாரியின் தலைமையில் பேராக் மாநில செயலகத்தில் நுழைந்தார். இவரியின் நுழைவு பலரை அதிர்ச்சியில் தள்ளியது காரணம் இவர் பெற்றதோ தடைவுதரவு அங்கிகாரம் அல்ல.

ஆகவே, இவர் இன்று என்ன அசட்டு குணத்தில் நுழைந்தார் என்பது மக்களுக்கு குழப்பமாக உள்ளது.

எது எப்படியாகினும், குழப்பம் தீர வேண்டும் என்ற எண்ணம் இருந்தால், சட்டமன்றத்தை கலைத்து மறு தேர்தலை நடத்துவதே சிறந்த ஒன்றாகும் என்ற மக்களின் எண்ணம் நிறைவேறுமா என்ற கேள்விக்கு பதில் இன்னும் உறங்கிக்கொண்டே இருக்கிறது.

Pakatan's Policy

2009-05-12T19:51:00.004+08:00

Malaysiakini.

Meanwhile, Pakatan excos swung into action in the first few hours after resuming control of the state government.Senior exco Ngeh Koo Ham announced that councillors would be sworn in by tomorrow so that the 14 local councils can function properly.

"Also 817 village chiefs have been issued letters to carry out their duties. The Land Office has also been instructed to issue freehold (land) titles," he told a press conference at 11.15am at the state secretariat building.Ngeh said the Ipoh central bus project would proceed as planned while parking fees would be reduced to 30 sen with immediate effect.

The DAP state chief also announced that the 2009 Sukan Perak had been cancelled, while allocations would be channeled towards sports at the district levels."We'll redeem the three months wasted during the Perak crisis," he said.

Entering into Perak SUK

2009-05-12T13:13:00.004+08:00

Yesterday night after the Pakatan Exco meeting, the State Secretary and State Legal Adviser been suspended immediately. The two officials, who have been key allies of Barisan Nasional in the ongoing Perak political crisis, were suspended with immediate effect during an emergency state executive council (exco) meeting last night.

Nizar, his wife Fatimah Taad, and his eight exco members arrived at the building about 7.30am, but were not allowed immediate entry.

Nizar however did not protest against the treatment or the denial of entry to journalists, who were kept out. Just before entering the premises, Nizar and the exco members said prayers by the roadside.

Court Rules, FRU Mobilize

2009-05-11T18:11:00.006+08:00

After Kuala Lumpur High Court declared Nizar as the legitimate MB of Perak the Police and FRU started to mobilize to SUK Perak at 5.30 pm.

The FRU vehicles rushed to SUK Perak with loud siren with their personnel’s in wearing riot helmet with batons patrolled the street.

Also seen some of the Special Branch Officer stood at DAP Perak and as well as the side street.

Once again the roads are being partially closed and expect to close fully by today night.

Reported by : P.Sugumaran (Political Sec for YB M.Kula Segaran)

507 - Perak Assembly Video Clips

2009-05-11T10:11:00.003+08:00

Royal speech by Raja Nazrin

2009-05-10T00:16:00.002+08:00

The Raja Muda of Perak was delayed from delivering his speech by nearly over 5 hours at the Perak state Assembly on 7thMay09. For over 5 hours the house was in total commotion.

When he finally entered the house he called both DS Nizar and Ngeh and he had whispered to them as follows” I don’t want to get involved in this. I just want to give my speech, so respect my speech, when i am giving it . You understand? If you want to work with me in future respect my speech. Understand? So go and tell that ( to the PakatanRakyat assemblyman who had stood together in front of the Royal dais to take their seats) as reported in the NST fridayMay8

Some say when the Raja Muda was giving his advise he should have been asked why the Monarch has refused to dissolve the State Assembly of Perak and fresh elections to follow?

Perintah mahkamah tidak sah - Karpal

2009-05-09T13:02:00.001+08:00

UTUSAN MALAYSIA NEWS:-

IPOH 8 Mei - Pengerusi DAP, Karpal Singh mendakwa perintah mahkamah yang diperoleh polis untuk melarang sesiapa menghampiri 500 meter dari Bangunan Setiausaha Kerajaan Negeri (SUK) semasa sidang Dewan Undangan Negeri (DUN) Perak berlangsung semalam adalah tidak sah.

Beliau mendakwa, perintah mengikut Seksyen 98 Kanun Acara Jenayah itu bukan sahaja dibuat atas pertimbangan politik malah atas arahan parti politik.

''Notis yang ditampal oleh polis di seluruh bandar raya ini juga merupakan salinan permohonan dan bukannya perintah dari Mahkamah Majistret dan dengan itu keseluruhan proses ini tidak sah,'' katanya kepada pemberita di Mahkamah Tinggi Ipoh di sini hari ini.

Menurut Karpal, sekiranya perintah itu ditarik balik, tindakan polis menahan 69 individu termasuk pemimpin pembangkang semalam juga tidak sah dan mereka tidak boleh didakwa di mahkamah.

''Mereka juga boleh mengambil tindakan undang-undang menyaman polis kerana menahan mereka secara tidak sah,'' katanya.

Mahkamah sepatutnya mendengar dan membuat keputusan berhubung permohonan Setiausaha Politik Ahli Parlimen Ipoh Barat, P. Sugumaran yang turut ditahan mengikut Seksyen 98 Kanun Acara Jenayah semalam.

Bagaimanapun, Karpal yang mewakili Sugumaran menarik balik permohonan itu hari ini kerana ingin memfailkan permohonan baru yang lebih teratur dan mengikut prosiding.

Karpal memberitahu, permohonan semalam tidak lengkap dan tidak teratur kerana dibuat secara tergesa-gesa.
Namun kata beliau, pihaknya mempunyai masa untuk memfailkan permohonan baru yang lengkap dengan afidavit sokongan kerana sidang DUN telah ditangguhkan.

''Permohonan baru akan difailkan seberapa cepat yang boleh, seawal-awalnya Isnin ini,'' katanya.

Battleground Ipoh; No explanation, arrest him first

2009-05-07T22:04:00.005+08:00

The Star

9:00am Police detain P. Sugumaran, political secretary to Ipoh Barat Member of Parliament M. Kulasegaran, for trying to force his way through the barricades surrounding the state secretariat building. To read more click here.

Malaysianinsider.com

At 9.50am, Ipoh Timur MP Lim Kit Siang and Ipoh Barat MP M. Kulasegaran were stopped by the police and asked to drive away. Both MPs and Kulasegaran's political secretary P. Sugumaran got out of the car and began arguing with the officers.

"I received an official invitation from the Speaker... I have a right to be here. This is my constituency," Kulasegaran argued.

A shouting match began between Sugumaran and the police. It finally ended when Sugumaran was arrested. Both Lim and Kulasegaran then decided to leave. To read more click here.

DAP's Ipoh Timor member of parliament Lim Kit Siang, under whose area the state secretariat is located, is turned away from the building. Also with Lim are DAP's MPs for Ipoh Barat M Kulasegaran and Teluk Intan MP M Manogaran.

The three MPs had official invitations to attend the sitting from assembly speaker.

In an ensuing shouting match with the police, Kulasegaran's aide was arrested.

Cops get court injunction against tomorrow's gathering

2009-05-06T23:04:00.002+08:00

Police have today obtained a court injunction which will empower them to arrest on sight any member of the public seen within the vicinity of Perak state secretariat building.

The court injunction bars all supporters of political parties from gathering within 500 meters of the building, where the controversial state assembly sitting will be held tomorrow.

Supporters from both Pakatan Rakyat and Barisan Nasional are expected to turn up to support their respective sides in the on-going power struggle to control the state.

Indera gandhi's case hearing in Ipoh High Court

2009-05-06T09:34:00.007+08:00

Back to square one for Indira
By CLARA CHOOI

IPOH: The High Court has temporarily stayed a decision handed down by another court giving interim custody of three children to their mother M. Indira Gandhi.

Justice Wan Afrah Wan Ibrahim yesterday granted an ad-interim stay on the order, pending the court’s decision on May 14 on contempt proceedings initiated by Indira Gandhi’s lawyers against her husband, K. Patmanathan.

Indira Gandhi’s counsel Augustine Anthony said the proceedings came about as Patmanathan had allegedly failed to comply with the previous court order and did not surrender his youngest daughter, one-year-old Prasana Diksa, to his wife.

The matter, heard in chambers, was raised as a preliminary objection in the hearing of Patmanathan’s application to set aside the custody order.

The husband, who was not present but was represented by counsel Mohamed Haniff Khatri Abdullah, had also applied for a stay of execution on the order.

Mohamed Haniff maintained that his client did not commit contempt of court.

On April 24, High Court judicial commissioner Ridwan Ibrahim granted interim custody of Tevi Darsiny, 12, Karan Dinish, 11, and Prasana to Indira Gandhi.

Despite this, the 34-year-old Indira Gandhi, who is currently staying with her two older children, had been unable to locate her husband to retrieve her youngest child.

She has since been seeking help from the police and the public, by distributing some 5,000 posters of her husband and Prasana across the state.

Malaysiakini News

The custody battle in the latest conversion case has gone back to square one as the Ipoh High Court today granted a stay on the ex-parte order which gave the custody of three children, who were forcibly converted to Islam by their father, to their mother M Indira Ghandi.

Indira’s husband, K Patmanathan, acting through his lawyer, obtained an order in chambers today to halt the order on April 24 which gave Indira full custody of their children until the custody hearing.Currently two of the children Tevi Darsiny, 12, and Karan Dinesh, 11, are with Indira while the youngest child, one-year-old Prasana Diksa, is with her husband Patmanathan, who has since assumed the name Mohd Redzuan Abdullah.

The court had also instructed Mohd Redzuan to return Prasana, whom he had gone into hiding with, to his wife and ordered the police to provide assistance to Indira with regards to this.The court which had initially set May 12 to hear the case, postponed the trial to May 14.

Indira's lawyer, M Kulasegaran, told Malaysiakini today that they had also filed for contempt of court against Mohd Redzuan, as he was “evading service of the injunction and other orders that were granted on April 24, as he still has not returned the baby”. Judge Wan Afrah Wan Ibrahim granted an ad-interim stay on the order pending the court’s decision on May 14 on the contempt-of-court application initiated by Indira's counsels.'Directive is not enforceable'Commenting further, Kulasegaran said: “The cabinet directive had once more come to a nought”.

Earlier, Indira who was in danger of losing her children after discovering that her husband had converted to Islam last month and also converted their children without her knowledge, had approached various parties to sort out her dilemma. In an exclusive interview with Malaysiakini last month, she also claimed that her husband had converted their three children without their presence and by only using their birth certificates.

Indira has since sought refuge with a relative in fear that Islamic officials would take the two children away since Mohd Redzuan had obtained a Syariah Court order giving him custody of the children.However, Indira has refused to accept the Syariah Court’s order.“The (cabinet) advice which came from the committee headed by Minister in the Prime Minister's Department Koh Tsu Koon, is ineffective and unenforceable,” said Kulasegaran.

Kulasegaran, who is also the Ipoh Barat DAP parliamentarian, also urged Minister in the Prime Minister's Department Nazri Abdul Aziz (Law and Parliament) to speedily bring about amendments to the laws to bring the directive into effect.“They should set up a special family court to decide on these matters for easier and earlier disposals,” he added, as the court had postponed the case until May 14.

Last week, Mohd Redzuan filed an application through his lawyer Mohamed Haniff Khatri Abdullah, challenging the cabinet decision to ban parents from secretly converting children to keep the peace and maintain race relations.

The cabinet had announced on April 23 that the law would be changed so that children's conversions would not be allowed without both parents' consent, and children should be raised in the religion of their parents at the time of marriage. Under Syariah law a non-Muslim parent cannot share custody of converted children.

தமிழ் அரசியல் மாலை ( Tamil Political Forum)

2009-05-04T16:48:00.003+08:00

"பூவிழந்த நேரத்தை வண்டறியும்

போழுதிலந்த நேரத்தை புல்லரியும்

சேய் பிறந்த நேரத்தை தாய் அறிவால்

செந்தமிழே உன் பிறப்பை யார் அறிவார்"

என்று துவங்கிய "தமிழ் அரசியல் மாலை" மிகவும் சிறப்பான முறையில் நடைபெற்று முடிந்தது. அனைத்து பேச்சாளர்ககும் தமக்குரிய பாணியிலே பேசி மக்களுக்கு சேர வேண்டிய செய்திகளை மிகவும் தெளிவாகவும் துல்லியமாகவும் தெரிவித்தனர்.

கிட்டதட்ட சுமார் 500 கும் மேற்பட்ட தமிழ் அரசியல் ஆர்வாளர்கள் இந்த நிகழ்வில் கழுந்து கொண்டனர்.

இந்த அரசியல் மாலையில் தமிழன் மு.குலசேகரன், தமிழன் முனைவர் டாக்டர் ராமசாமி, தமிழன் சிவநேசன், தமிழன் சிவகுமார், தமிழன் டாக்டர் ஜெயபாலன் தமிழச்சி காமாட்சி துரைராஜூ மற்றும் கல்வி சுடர் டத்தோ ஹாஜி தஸ்லீம் அனைவரும் வேவ்வேறு தலைப்பினில் பேசி வந்தவர்களை கவர்ந்தனர்.

தொடக்க உரை நிகழ்த்திய இரும்பு மனிதன் என்று போற்றப்படும் ஜ.சே.க வின் மூத்த அரசியல்வாதியான சகோதரர் லிம் கிட் சியாங் அவர்கள் ஒரு மலேசியா வின் உட்கருதுக்களை பற்றி பேசினார்.

இந்த நிகழ்வில் சிறப்பு பார்வையாளராக வந்திருந்த மனித உரிமை மீறல் வழக்கறிஞர் சகோதரர் அகுஸ்தின் அந்தோணி அவர்கள் சில நிமிடங்கள் மத மாற்ற பிரச்சனைகளை பற்றி விளக்கம் தந்தார்.

எக்செல்சியர் தங்கும் விடுதியில் நடத்தப்பட இந்த நிகழ்வு, சுமார் இரவு மணி 11.30 க்கு முடிவுற்றது.

State Secreatay of Perak has abused his power?

2009-05-04T09:49:00.002+08:00

The question is who has powers to decide the workings inside the State Legislative Assembly of Perak? We have the Standing Orders of the House. The only person who interprets and make decisions on any matters in the house is the Speaker alone.

But alas, apparently the State Secretary of Perak (SUK) has last week issued a statement to permit only certain newspapers and TV to cover the proceedings of the assembly. Newspapers like the Sun, Makkal Ossai, Sinaran Harian and many Chinese news papers were barred from covering the proceedings of the House scheduled on the 7thMay09. Why the select certain dailies only? SUK Head Dato Abdul Rahman must answer. Who gave him the powers to decide? Or he acted on his violation? If so he has clearly misuse his power and a clear abuse of power.

I urge SivaKumar the Speaker to clarify the situation. Who gave directions to Abdul Rahman and if the need be to suspend Rahman from his duties. As he attends the State Assembly meeting as an EX-Office member the Speaker could openly ask him on this deliration of duties on the 7thmay09 when the House is in session.

In the last two sittings of the State Assembly in 2008 there was live courage of the session. The expenses for the live coverage was provided for by the MB's office. But the we are now given to understand that that there would not be direct live telecast through the net as Zamri's office has failed to allocate funds for this. Why is BN so worried of the truth to be made known to the public!

Documents served to set aside interim custody order

2009-05-01T18:19:00.004+08:00

Yesterday my law firm was served with court documents to set aside the interim order we had obtained for Indria Gandghi last Friday. We would soon file affidavits to resist the attempt by Indira's husband. Aoung the reasons he wants to set aside the order are 1) the civil court has no jurisdiction 2) that he has a Syariah court order 3) that Cabinet directive on conversion issues is irrelevant 4) He also refuses to disclose his address in the affidavit on the grounds his own safety is being threataned.

In todays Star
Indira’s hubby seeks custody of children

IPOH: Kindergarten teacher M. Indira Gandhi’s husband, a Muslim convert who wants custody of his three children, has filed an application to set aside a High Court order that gave the mother interim custody of the children.

Her counsel M. Kulasegaran said lawyers for K. Patmanathan, now known by his Muslim name Mohd Ridzuan Abdullah, served the papers at his office here yesterday morning.

Kulasegaran said the application, which also sought to challenge an injunction preventing Patmanathan from entering the couple’s home, was filed at the High Court here on Wednesday.

“The matter will be heard before the High Court on May 5,” he added.

Last Friday, High Court Judicial Commissioner Ridwan Ibrahim had given interim custody of Tevi Darsiny, 12, Karan Dinish, 11, and Prasana Diksa, one, to their mother.

He had also set May 12 for an inter parte hearing of the matter to allow Patmanathan, 40, to give his side of the story.

In her supporting affidavit, Indira Gandhi had claimed that on April 4, Patmanathan stormed into their house in First Garden here and used force against her and the children before taking off with the youngest daughter and the three children’s birth certificates.

She later discovered that her husband had converted to Islam on March 11 and further claimed that her children’s schools were notified by the Syariah Department that they had been converted and now had Muslim names.

The interim custody was the first victory for 34-year-old Indira Gandhi, who is battling to get custody of the children and to ensure they remained Hindus.

A week has since passed and Indira Gandhi has yet to track down Patmanathan to get her baby back.

When asked if Patmanathan had gone to the Perak Islamic Religious Department for help, its director Datuk Sheikh Mohamah Nor Mansor Al-Hafiz said he would reserve comments until he had consulted Raja Muda Raja Dr Nazrin Shah.

“I do not want to comment as it has gone to the courts; not until I have met the Raja Muda,” he said when met at a Fatwa convention here.

Labour Day

2009-04-30T13:24:00.001+08:00

Media Statement by M.Kula Segaran MP Ipoh Barat, Secretary of Parliamentary Caucus on Labour and Foreign Workers Malaysian Parliament on 30th April 08.

The world’s economy is slowing down. Thousands of workers have been laid of in the largest economy of the world the USA .

In the last session of Parliament the Minister of Human Resources replied to me that from 1st October08 to Feb 09 a total of 19,650 workers have been laid off. Of this 13,821 are locals and 5,829 are foreigners. Also that over 40-50 thousand workers are expected to be laid off the whole of this year.

Dato Seri Najib while introducing the mini budget in Parliament has mention the priority would be to create job opportunities. To date how many jobs have been created? Why many are still been retrenched or laid off? What help will and can the governments give?

Retrenchment Fund.
For many years the Unions and political parties have been asking the government to set up a retrenchment fund. By setting up the fund it will go along way to help when workers are retrenched or laid off. Now Malaysia does not have a safety net for those workers who are retrenched or laid off especially when factories are closing down due to the slow down of the economy. The Human Resources Ministry must and should set up a retrenchment fund and contributions could come from both the workers and the employers. Initially the Government could give a grant to set up and launch the fund.

On top of this Malaysia has currently over 300, 00 thousand workers in Singapore . Singapore economy is expected to shrink by at least 5% in 2009. This is real bad news. What contingency plans have the Human resources made to assist these possible retrenched workers? Sad to say although the Ministry is aware of the potential problem little or nothing has been done to cushion the retrenchemes which is now taking place in Singapore .

Minimum wage.
For the moment we have only minimum wage for 1) 2) 3) . The minimum wage is ridiculously low. How can workers live with such low wages? What we need is a compressive policy on minimum wages. During Human Resources Minister Fong the government took a stand that minimum wage cannot be implemented as it would impede competition and foreigners will thus not invest in Malaysia . Now under Dato Subramaniam no to minimum wage because of the slow down of the economy. The reasons by both Ministers cannot be accepted and it’s not logical. IN fact minimum wage applies in USA < Japan and many countries and why their economy is doing better then us. We suggest a minimum wage of RM 1,000 and cola of 200 a month for all employees.

Foreign Workers.
We have presently over 2 million legal foreign workers and over 500,000 thousand illegal workers. The foreign workers are will to take a low salary to work and thus Malaysians are denied job opportunities. If decent salaries are paid Malaysians would be willing to work in jobs where foreigners are employed.

The government must reduce dependence on foreign workers.

M.Kula Segaran

Delay the erecting of Democracy plaque

2009-04-29T11:17:00.006+08:00

A number of people have shown concerned as to whether Pakaatan Rakyaat should re erect a plaque below the “democracy tree”. Yesterday initial works to lay foundation for the new plaque was stopped by the authorities. I am of the view that we should delay in erecting the new plaque and i have duly notified my views to the PR leaders.

My friend Bobby has written his point of views on this issue which is worth considering.

Dear Kula,
There are a couple of issues:

1. I don't think it is a good idea to erect another plaque to commemorate the event on May 1 as you suggested. For one thing you will be going against the local govt by-law concerning the erection of structures. If anybody and everybody can erect something on public land (or even pate land) without permission what will Ipoh become?
I am not against remembering the event, although on a scale of 1- 10 it will rate 1/2 in terms of a world shaking event. Still, I am not against it. BUT why not wait till you guys are back in power the whole place can be turned into a park - if that is what you want. But do it legitimately.

2. My second reason why you should not do that is that you will be endangering the life of the tree. The powers-that-be may get so fed up they may decide to chop it down in the dead of night. Or they may get their hired vandals to do it and cry that it has been done by irresponsible elements and laugh behind your back. Why endanger the innocent tree that has nothing to do with the BN/PR quarrel???

I believe the judges are wrong, and ..............we all know that BN is merely postponing its defeat. Yet if you do what you intend to do re erecting the plaque under the tree you are just as wrong. Two wrongs do not make a right.

Be a little more patient and wait for the right time to do anything and don't risk the poor tree or jeopardise your chances of taking over the state again.

Regards,
Yin

Indira gets many calls offering hope

2009-04-29T11:12:00.002+08:00

Published in the Star today 29th April 09
IPOH: She put out the call, asking for information on her missing infant, but all that kindergarten teacher M. Indira Gandhi is getting now are calls offering encouragement.
Indira, 34, who on Monday headed a poster campaign to look for her estranged husband K. Patmanathan, 40, and year-old daughter Prasana Diksa, said the calls did not provide information on the duo’s whereabouts.
“The callers give words of encouragement and told us not to give up hope in our search for them,” she said when contacted here yesterday.
“I thank the callers for their encouragement but we really need information on my baby’s whereabouts,” she said, noting that there were also calls for the posters to be distributed to other states.
Her lawyer M. Kulasegaran said following the putting up of the posters, they had received at least 15 calls.
“I would say the response has been good,” he said.
“The family is, however, happy that something is being done to help locate the infant,” he said.
Kulasegaran believed that Patmanathan and Prasana are in Ipoh and that they are being “protected” by someone to sabotage the Ipoh High Court’s order.
The Ipoh High Court had on April 24 given Indira interim custody of her three children and an injunction preventing Patmanathan from entering their home.
On Perak Mufti Datuk Seri Harusani Zakaria’s recent statement that Patmanathan had received an interim order from the Syariah Court to keep Prasana, Kulasegaran said it was against the Cabinet’s directive.

A MOTHER’S RIGHTS: No religious basis to convert baby

2009-04-28T09:37:00.000+08:00

(NST) By : DR IBRAHIM ABU BAKAR, Bangi

I READ the case of Indira Gandhi and her struggle to secure her right to live with her three children -- Karan Dinish, 11, Tevi Darsiny, 12, and 1-year-old Prasana Diksa, who is still on breast milk.

The New Sunday Times reported that Indira, a kindergarten teacher, had been waiting for her baby girl in the compound of the Ipoh district police station, but her baby was not returned to her by her estranged husband, who has converted to Islam.

As a lecturer of Islamic theology and philosophy, I am of the view that K. Patmanathan, who is now known as Mohd Ridzuan Abdullah, should return Prasana Diksa to her mother. The Hindu mother has every right to look after the baby.

Islamic theology does not impose any religious duty on the father to take away the baby girl from her Hindu mother.

This baby should not be prohibited by her father from being breastfed by her mother. If he does, he is wrong and evil in Islamic theological view because Islam does not impose any religious duty on any baby regardless whether she was born to a Hindu or Muslim mother. Islam imposes Islamic religious duties upon mature men and women, not upon babies and children. Please let this baby girl be breastfed by her mother.
Some Muslims hold the view that when a husband or wife converts to Islam, he or she has the right in Islamic law to take the children with him or her and then convert the children to Islam. Islamic law does not say so.

The "Islamness" of the children is not taken into account in Islamic theology. Islamic theology will count on the "Islamness" of human beings who are mature.

The Islamic terms for mature, sensible and responsible human beings are "aqil" and "baligh". Patmanathan has been supported by some ignorant Muslims on the pretext of protecting the purity of Islam and his three children. These Muslims are wrong.

There is no Islamic legal basis for Muslims to help someone take away a baby from her mother and then convert that baby to Islam. Islam does not count on the converted babies and Islam does not reward those who have converted the babies to Islam.

The babies have no Islamic religious duties and, therefore, they are neither rewarded nor punished for such actions.

Therefore, I support the decision by the prime minister and his cabinet that the civil marriage has to be settled by the civil court and the religion of their children be the religion at the time their parents were married in civil law. With this decision, the baby should be returned to Indira as she needs to be breastfed and cared for.

I think the police should arrest Patmanathan if he is reluctant to deliver Prasana Diksa back to Indira after the court decided to give her interim custody of her three children.

Patmanathan is a bad Muslim if he does not hand back Prasana Diksa to her mother and does not pay compensation to Indira for looking after the baby and for breastfeeding her for two years. Being breastfed by a Hindu mother does not make the baby an infidel. She is still eligible to convert to Islam after she grows up and becomes an adult.

Patmanathan himself drank the breast milk from his Hindu mother and consumed food and drinks, probably prohibited by Islamic law, until he reached the age of 40 before he suddenly decided to convert to Islam.

He should not impose his Islam-ness on his children. Let them be what they want to be like he did. He grew up as a Hindu boy, a Hindu youth and then a Hindu adult before he changed his Hinduism to Islam after he had probably encountered problems in his marriage.

I do not support non-Muslims who convert to Islam just because they want to run away from their responsibilities as husbands or wives or because they want to marry Muslim women or Muslim men.

Return the baby poster launched

2009-04-27T13:52:00.004+08:00

At today’s press conference we launched the posters containing the photo of Pathamanathan the estranged husband of Indria Gandhi. Malaysia Hindu Singham has taken the lead to print an initial 10000 copies of the posters. The posters would be pasted all across the country and it will be done with the help of Pakataan Rakyaat, Hindu Sangam and NGO’s members. We invite any one to come and help us .We can be contacted at 05-2417402 or 052531532.

On the poster we have also listed details of persons who should be contacted if Pathamanathan is seen.

The lawyers have got the necessary ex-parte orders from court last Friday. Indira has got interim custody of the one year child who is reportedly with Pathmanathan. We need to serve the order on Pathmanathan as the case is fixed for inter party application on 12thMay2009.
Pathmanathan is aware of the court order as he had spoken to Indira after the interim order was obtained on Friday. In fact he told Indria that he is taking the child to Singapore with him. We have duly informed the police who have said all boarders posts have been informed to prevent him leaving the country.

Some how I have a feeling he is hiding in Ipoh and is trying to avoid service of court documents.
The Police should go on a media blitz on this matter on an urgent basis. We had requested the police assistance to print posters of Pathamanthan last week but it has not taken place to date. The police have acknowledged a special squad has been formed to handle this investigation. To date nothing has come out of this. Why? Definitely the police as the custodian of public order are expected to discharge its functions without any delay.

Malaysian Civil service needs a shakeup!

2009-04-26T20:09:00.002+08:00

My old friend has written a piece on Civil Service. An intresting read.

I refer to the article “At the Mercy of Civil Servants” NST dated 26th April.

Much of what has been said is true. There are countless examples of civil servants ‘misbehaving’. They have become a law unto themselves. Their political masters may state a policy stand in parliament but that counts for naught unless the officer on the other side of the counter carries it out. Ultimately it depends on the directors of ministries or heads of each department because officers down the line cannot act contrary to what has been directed by their bosses. Having said that there are too many cases where low ranking officers have been overbearing, officious and intimidating to the public who they treat as supplicants coming to ask a favour. Civil servants must be reminded that they are ‘public servants’ – they are paid by us and because of us they are in a job.

While I sympathise with politicians who complain that they get the rap whenever civil servants do not do their work; they (the politicians) are largely to blame.
The ruling party has for a long time been courting the civil servants. As they constitute a large voting block politicians have pandered to them, often offering them pay rises and bonuses just before the general elections. I never could understand why government servants should get bonuses. How does one gauge their productivity? And if they do not perform will they be subjected to the same treatment as employees in the private sector – ie face the sack?
Politicians have also been handling them with kid glove. The standing joke in Malaysia is that officers who have messed up are often promoted upwards or sideways.
I remember two Mayors of Ipoh who did not do a good job and in order to take them out of the public glare they were promoted to be the head of a ministry. And lately we have the example of teacher who was at the center of a racial controversy. She was transferred to a better school.

Unless politicians are prepared to take a tough line with civil servants and to stop politicising the service they should not complain.
Kayveas’ suggestion to make politicians heads of departments is at best a hare-brain idea and at worst it is like pouring petrol to douse the fire. These politicians will invariably put a party slant to dealings with the public. Imagine someone coming up to collect their welfare payment and they are reminded that it is the BN government that is giving them the money. Already they are doing that with government projects where the BN logo is displayed. Or projects in BN controlled areas are given priority over Opposition areas.

The only way to deal with the civil service mafia is to put them on term contracts - if not the entire staff then the heads. We can also improve the civil service by ending the near racial monopoly of the service and make promotions based on merit and not race.
In Australia many of the heads of departments are put on term contracts which will be renewed (or not) according to their performance. The days of job for life is no more – not even in Japan.

Yin

Indria still in Ipoh police station now for over 24hrs

2009-04-25T18:36:00.002+08:00

Last whole night Indria spent the night at the Ipoh Police station hoping against hope her baby of one year old would be returned to her. She intents to stay put at the Ipoh police until she gets her baby

Early this morning when we met her at the police station she was not only tired but dejected that the police were unable to locate her baby. At about 11am I was alerted that Indria was been led to the OCPD’s office for a discussion with some MIC leaders. The individual was angry that suddenly MIC is taking credit for all what is being done.

I immediately left to the police station where I was led to the Deputy OCPD’s room wherein Supt. Ibrahim was having a discussion with Indria in the presence of senior police officers and Dato Ganesan the former Sungkai assemblyman

I entered the room and was asked to take a seat. TheSupt. Ibrahim said the police was trying its best to locate Indria’s estranged husband Patamanathan and that we should not interfere with police investigations. He also requested us to understand that the police had gone to Patamanahan last known house but he was no where around. I retorted that the police should give immediate effect to the court order and speed up the process of investigations. Outside the office the Deputy informed me that a special squad has been formed by the police to expatiate the search for the baby. I asked the police to officially notify all Malaysian press that they are looking for Patamanathan and the baby together do publish their photos. The entire border police have been notified to look out for the baby as the husband rand Indria yesterday to inform that he is taking the baby to Singapore. Another info was the baby was been kept in a house in Sg. Siput. The police have been alerted about this

YB Lim Kit Siang, YB Sivanesan, YB Dr.Micheal JayaKumar, Human Rights Lawyer Augustine Anthony and a host of local people were among those who were present to show concern to Indria. As at 6.30 I am given to understand that there are no new developments on this case.

Indria has been suffering since her child was taken by her estrange husband on April 4^th. We hope the police and all and sundry will work towards getting the baby.

Reluctance to help the community by lawyers

I also told those present that for over a week we were looking for help from the lawyer’s community to assist in the filing of court papers for Indria. The Chairman of the Perak Chapter of Hindu Sangham Mr.Vijilingam wanted me to file the action too. But I felt it was the community’s duty to help and when no came forward than I instructed my law firm to help. The reluctance by the ordinary Lawyers to help is due to the scare tactic of the BN political leaders in using the various law in cowing the lawyers and Malaysians generally.

Unfolding events of INDIRA GANDHI and the Ipoh Police

2009-04-25T10:22:00.003+08:00

Finally at about 3.3pm yesterday we filed proceedings on behalf of Indira INDIRA GANDHI for custody of her 3 children. INDIRA GANDHI had revealed in the supporting affidavit that her husband Patmanathan had fled with their one year old child and had allegedly converted the one year old child and 2 elder children. To date there is no confirmation that Indira’s husband has really converted to Islam.
The team of lawyers was led by Augustine Anthony and Lalitha to whom we are very grateful for having spent hours and hours preparing the case.
Due to the urgency of the case the matter was heard ex-parte and was disposed of by JC Ridwan in his chambers. We only got out of the court at 5.20pm.
I immediately contacted the police to ask their help to retrieve the small baby. We also told him due to seriousness of the matter the court even ordered the police to assist in getting the baby.
After some deliberation Indira decided to lodge a formal police report at 5.30pm stating she had obtained an order of court and she would stay put in the police station until the baby is returned to her. She has been breast feeding her baby since birth.
Another drama in the police station. Indira told us the police were not taking her report but were waiting for directions from their superiors. We then decided to proceed and assist Indira and by then at 7.30pm her report was finally taken. The IO was busy handling a going investigation.
We rang the Police and spoke to the Deputy OCPD and told him that he must do something otherwise people will lose confidence in the police. We also reminded him that Padmanathan came to the police station some two weeks ago with the baby but was released on Police bail on an assault case which was lodged by Indira. At that material moment we asked the police assistance to ask Pathmanathan to hand over the baby to Indira. But the police refused although Indira was there the whole day till the 3am in the morning. We told the police to cancel the police bail and try by all means to get the baby. The Police had an opportunity to sort out this mater earlier but they let it go through their fingers.
YB Lim Kit Siang after attending the DAP Taiping dinner arrived at the Ipoh Police station at 12mid night. We narrated what was happening. We then spoke to Indira who was quite insistent to stay put in the police station until she gets back her baby.

Subjugation for “lasting political solution” is a crime against humanity !

2009-04-22T12:40:00.000+08:00

Tamils all over the world have demonstrated overwhelmingly of their support to the LTTE. LTTE represents the real anger of the Tamil people against discrimination, humiliation and oppression by Sinhala chauvinism.

It was and is wrong to the hilt in hating Tamil society for its just demand for equality and self-determination. All global capitalist powers including India will be forced to repent in time to come for their aggressive participation in human suffering of this order. The LTTE cannot be blamed for not surrendering to the Sinhala army of the chauvinist regime. A sense of utter helplessness prevails among Tamils as they are witnessing a terrible genocide that is taking place in the traditional Tamil homeland everyday. The Magnitude of which is far greater than what had happened or is happening in places like Gaza.

International Community is trapped by its own noose, because it was wrongly applied for the benefit of a wrong government. It is very obvious Colombo wants to complete its agenda of Tamil subjugation in a systematic genocide under the garb of war against terror in Sri Lanka. There is no point in the IC hanging on to ‘terrorism’ excuse anymore in avoiding further tragedy of civilians. The state policy is inside committing many folds of Terrorism comparatively. Subjugation for lasting political solution is a crime against humanity. An internationally supervised truce and that such a ceasefire should also contain a base for a political solution is very urgently needed.

Discredited and wrongly applied policies shouldn’t be a hindrance to the International Community in upholding a humanitarian cause.

The IC, EU UN and India should find a way of engaging the LTTE directly in resolving the humanitarian tragedy. The LTTE [Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam] has for long been requesting a permanent ceasefire encompassing sensible military and political essence.

Today we are witnessing IC winking, India abetting and international media failing in its duty, the civilian massacre and subjugation can be completed with much ease with Sri Lankan State Terror as a lasting Solution would be a failed opportunity to put an end to this lengthy conflict without guaranteeing a power sharing solution.

The world powers are likely to set up another Palestinian/Israel scenario in years to come if it fails to resolve Sri Lankan State Terror immediately!

A Cabinet committee on conversion cases formed

2009-04-21T19:09:00.004+08:00

In to days NST on line it is reported that Najib new government is getting serious in solving conversion cases. It has formed a cabinet committee. How will long is will the committee take resolve this issue. Will the committee will be able to have a national policy on conversion or a piece meal decisions. In any case presently conversion car private matters and it is within private individuals. What legal authority has the committee on these people?

Previously the government has swept the conversion case under the carpet. But as these matters had affected many in the country and especially the non-Muslims now the government wants to quick fix on the issue. It is not going to be easy. But the formation of the committee is an acknowledgement that something needs to be done to tackle this thorny issue of conversion.

It would have better if the Najib had formed a select committee to look into this matter thoroughly. A nationwide study is needed to solve this issue of conversion.

The family of Indra Gandhi met lawyers namely YB Sivanesan Sdr. Augustine Anthony and Lalitha. We have agreed to help. My law office is preparing papers to file in court to help Indra Gandhi and her family.

Read what is written in to days NST.

KUALA LUMPUR: It will be quiet a while before a solution is found into the case of the three children who were converted to Islam by their father without their mother's knowledge.

Human Resources Minister Datuk Dr S. Subramaniam said yesterday that strategies had been identified to find a solution to the problem.

"We have identified the issues and discussed them but it will take a while before a solution can be found as it involves several agencies," he said after a meeting with Ministers in the Prime Minister's Department Tan Sri Dr Koh Tsu Koon (Unity) and Maj-Gen (R) Datuk Jamil Khir Baharom (Islamic Affairs).

The trio are members of a committee tasked with finding a solution to the problem.

The three-member committee was set up following a mother's report that her children, aged 1 to 12, were converted to Islam without her knowledge by their father.

The mother, M. Indira Ghandi, 35, had turned to the Hindu Sangam branch in Ipoh after her husband, K. Patmanathan, 40, now Muhammad Ridzuan Abdullah, converted the children without their presence and without informing her.

He allegedly used the children's birth certificates to get them converted. The children are said to be in the custody of their father.

Dr Subramaniam said the committee was doing its best to find a quick solution.

ம.இ.க தேசிய முன்னணியின் உருகாய்

2009-04-18T11:54:00.000+08:00

நாட்டில் புதிய பிரதமருக்கு வாழ்த்து, பாராட்டு, வரவேற்பு கொடுத்து, இந்திய சமுதாயத்திற்கு என்னில் அடங்காத ஏமாற்றத்தை அள்ளி அள்ளி வழங்குவதில் ம.இ.கா தலைமைத்துவம் மீண்டும் வெற்றி கண்டுள்ளது.

தேசிய முன்னணியின் அரசியல் கொள்கைகளை இன்னும் ம.இ.கா சரிவர புரிந்துகொள்ளவில்லை என்றுதான் சொல்லவேண்டும்.

மலேசியாவின் அரசியலில் என்ன நடக்கிறது என்று அவர்களுக்கும் விளங்கவில்லை மக்களுக்கும் விளங்கவில்லை. இந்திய சமுதாயம் பொதுவாக ஒரு பிரச்சனைகளை எழுப்பும் போது ஒவ்வொரு தடவையும் தேசிய முன்னணிக்கே சாதகமாக பேசிய ம.இ.கா, இனிமேலும் அந்த கூட்டணில் நின்று என்ன சாதிக்க முடியும் என்பது பெரிய கேள்விக்குறியாக உள்ளது.கடந்த போது தேர்தலில் தேசிய முன்னணி பாதிப்புக்கு உள்ளாகியதில் ம.இ.கா பெரும் தோல்வியை தழுவியது.

அதில் தப்பித்தோம் பிழைத்தோம் என்று மூன்றே மூன்று நாடாளுமன்றத்தில் அற்பத்தனமான வெற்றிகளை கண்டனர்.இவர்கள் மூவரும் அமைச்சரவையில் இருந்துகொண்டு கேட்கும் கேள்விகளுக்கு மட்டுமே பதில் சொல்லும் தேசிய முன்னணியின் கைக்கூலிகளாக இருக்கிறார்கள் ஒழிய, இந்திய சமுதயத்தின் வளர்ச்சிக்காகவும், மேம்பாட்டுக்காகவும் இன்னும் ஒரு கேள்விகளை கூட நாடாளுமன்ற கூட்ட தொடரில் கேட்க வாய்ப்பிலந்ததை பற்றி யோசிக்க மறந்து விட்டனர்.

இருப்பினும் கட்சியின் தன்மான சிங்கமான தேசிய தலைவர், ம.இ.கா தான் இந்தியர்களின் சின்னம்,சிகரம், அடையாளம் என்று பேசிய வாரே சமுதாயத்தை பின்தள்ளி காலத்தை கடக்க எண்ணம் கொண்டுள்ளது போல் தெரிகிறது.

மேலும் ஓரு இந்திய பிரதிநிதிக்கு முழு அமைச்சர் பதவியை கொடுக்க மறுத்த தேசிய முன்னணியின் கொள்கை, மலேசியா வாழ் இந்தியர்களை உதாசினப்பதியதுபோல் தெள்ள தெளிவாக தெரிகிறது.நஜிப்பின் இந்த அமைச்சரவையில் மேலும் ஓரு இந்திய அமைச்சர் பதவியை உரிமையுடன் கேட்பதில் ம.இ.கா மட்டும் மின்றி ஒட்டுமொந்த இந்திய சமுதாயத்தின் கனவுகளை காலுக்கு அடியில் மிதித்த தேசிய முன்னணியில் ம.இ.கா மீண்டும் அங்கம் வகிப்பதில் எந்த ஓரு லாபமும் கிடையாது.இனியும் ம.இ.கா தேசிய முன்னணியில் அங்கம் வகிந்தால், எலும்புத்துண்டுக்காகக் காத்திருந்து, ஏற்பட்ட அவமானத்தையெல்லாம் துடைத்தெறிந்துவிட்டு பதவி கிடைத்தால் போதும் என்று வாலாட்டத் துவங்க வேண்டியதுதான்.

'அரசியலில் எல்லாம் சகஜமப்பா' என்று சொல்லலாம், ஆனால் சுயமரியாதை இழந்து அரசியல் நடந்த வேண்டும் என்ற எண்ணத்தை கொண்டிருந்தாள், ம.இ.கா தேசிய முன்னணியின் உருகாய்யாகத்தான் இருக்கமுடியும்.

Planting trees under a tree

2009-04-18T11:07:00.003+08:00

Today at 9.30am the leaders of Pakaatan Rakyaat met at the Perak DAP to discuss urgent political matters.

As I was reaching near the venue I was shocked to see some workers gathered around the “Democratic Tree”. I also noticed the presence of the local council lorry and workers. I immediately summon my secretary Sugu to rush to the area and take photos of what was been done around the tree.

Subsequently after the meeting Sdr.Nga and I left to the ascertain what the workers had done. I was surprised the workers had planted some 19 trees all around the Democratic tree. Why 19 someone asked me when I was there. Some one shouted its 19 young trees because tomorrow is the birthday of the Sultan!

Why plant trees under a big tree? The young trees will surely suffer as the sun light is prevented from reaching the young trees. Who had ordered the planting of the 19 trees? If the chaps had any common sense surely this would not have happen. But alas this seems not to be the case! We hope the trees would be dug out soon and those who ordered planting of the 19 trees will apologize to the public.

In the process of planting the roots of the “democratic tree” was uprooted and damaged. All this been done to kill the tree. The: democratic tree” is now the most visited place in Ipoh by tourist and the like.

It was announced yesterday that a new plaque would be erected at the very place where the young trees have been planted. To prevent this installation the trees are been planted. Come what may we will proceed with the erection of the peoples plaque on the 1st of May 2009.

Prayer's in Murugan Temple

2009-04-18T10:13:00.001+08:00

Yesterday (17/04/09), I have arranged for thanks giving prayers in Murugan Temple, Gunung Cheroh Ipoh. People from all walks of life joined on this special prayers offered by my family across my constituency attended the prayers.

Constitutional Crisis

2009-04-15T14:46:00.003+08:00

Last night we had a Ceramah at the Chin Woo hall. Many DAP leaders spoke and was also attended by the legitimate MB of Perak DS Nizar.

I spoke on a number of issues among which are:

1) We need a political solution to the Perak Constitutional crisis and the courts are not the best avenues to sort out this uncertainty

It is my personal opinion that to seek redress to the present constitutional stands still its best to sort it without any involvement of the Malaysian courts. The way the cases are been heard at the Federal Court now arouses a lot of uneasiness among the people. Why preference was given to the Perak constitutional cases in the first place?

How come that there are thousands of cases which has been pending for years and the courts are unable to dispose it due to work load. Backlog of case is the order of the day in most courts and the Federal Court is no exception. Now why the urgency is just mind boggling! May be its not unreasonable to request about reinstating the right to appeal to the Privy Council. Some the local courts are perceived as unable to dish out.

I have spoken at length in Parliament on the necessity to appoint Judges of integrity, honesty and above all free of any political inclinations during the Judicial Appointment Commission bill. I even suggested the formation of a Constitutional Court. But actually even if we have a constitutional court how independent are the Judges of the executive?

2) One Malaysia concept of Najib just a myth.

When one notices the recent appointment of Ministers by Najib we can ascertain that important and powerful portfolios are held by UMNO chaps. The Ministries that I am talking about are the Finance, Home, Foreign and the Defence Ministry. The only exceptional time when MCA President Tun Tan Siew Sen held the Finance Ministry for over 10 years. The Barisan National has 14 component parties. All the other component parties except UMNO are just minor parties in the coalition without any real say in the running of the government.

Did Najib when announcing the new cabinet really put into effect his new concept of One Malaysia? If he had he should have at least appointed a Chinese and an Indian as Deputy Prime Ministers. His failure clearly shows that the slogan of one Malaysia is all talk and no action. Najib announced the one Malaysia concept just to win the hearts and minds of the non-Malays. I doubt the One Malaysia concept can achieve this.

We dare MIC to pull out of BN

2009-04-12T08:43:00.005+08:00

The Malaysian Indian Congress (MIC) is said to be threatening to pull out of the Malaysian Cabinet as they are unhappy for getting only the Human Resources Ministry and two Deputy Ministers posts. At one time the MIC had 2 full Cabinet Ministers.

Before the full cabinet post was announced all the Leaders of the Barisan National (BN) coalition met the Prime Minister to discuss on who and what post should be considered for each of the coalition parties.

When rumors start spreading that many of those top leaders of the BN who lost in the 2008 general elections would be appointed in Najib’s cabinet it was also speculated that the grand old leader of MIC Dato Seri Samy Vellu would also be appointed as a cabinet minister. Samy was a Minister in the Malaysian cabinet for over 20 years and was finally ejected only when he failed to be elected as a Member of Parliament for Sg.Siput in 2008.

Malaysians are surprised that Koh Tsu Koon(President Gerakan) , Chew Mun Fei, (Wanita MCA) Sarizath(Wanita UMNO) were appointed into the cabinet. Prime Minister Najib may have thought by bringing in these losers he can in particular shore up support especially among the non-Malays and also strengthen UMNO. But he has to be asked why bring in rejects and old blood into the cabinet? BN unable to attract new people into its fold? Many consider the appointment of those who lost in the last general elections is just to pacify the demands of many of the BN leaders who want to be seen relevant.

Question is why was Samy left out? Many felt he was joggling for a cabinet posts. This was an open secret matter. MIC got a junior post in the Cabinet via Subramaniam(Human Resources) as Subra is just not the President of MIC! Even in Parliament sitting order, Samy use to fill the fourth seat after the PM,DPM, MCA who all occupy the first row facing the opposition. But Subra is now in the third row a real blow to the MIC.

May be it would be prudent for Samy to relinquish the Presidents posts for Subra and Subra may then be appointed to a more important Ministry like the Works Ministry? Any way why Works Ministry is being asked/demanded for by MIC? Is it because a works Minister can dish out contracts and decide who gets what projects? By this acts of deciding who gets what the Minister of Works has a lot of cloud and influence and its all gone now!

All top brass leaders of MIC were on the campaign trails in the recent by-elections of the 2 Bukits. The MIC did not and could not deliver the Indian votes to the BN. And the BN realizes this. Thus MIC which some say stands for Make Indians Cry or Malaysian Indian Crooks is a irrelevant partner in the BN. We should not be surprised if IPF an arch enemy of MIC would be admitted into BN to shore up the support from the Indian community.

If MIC has any moral or political responsibility they will leave BN. But they don’t have and they will never do this. MIC has been saddled with so many scandals and just to name a few 1) MAIKA Berhad a company formed by MIC leaders collected over RM130million sometime in 1982 and is more or less a bankrupt company now due to mismanagement 2) The unnecessary dissolving of the South Indian Labour Fund in 1999. 3) Unable to address the high unemployment ,lack of educational and economic opportunities among Indians. 4) High suicide and alcoholic rate. 5) Highest criminal activities in Malaysians is among Indians. Over 40% of those detained in Simpang Renggan preventative dentition are Indians . Many more let downs which the people of Malaysia know.

MIC should pull out of BN and consider joining the Pakataan Rakyaat. Do they dare?

Promote all languages equally

2009-04-10T15:25:00.002+08:00

By P.Sugumaran (Political Sec)

Many countries have a language policy designed to favour or discourage the use of a particular language or set of languages. Historically, nations have used language policies most often to promote one official language at the expense of others.

MCPXMany countries now, however, have policies designed to protect and promote regional and ethnic languages whose viabilities are threatened. Language policies cultivate language skills needed to meet national priorities or to establish the rights of individuals or groups to use and maintain languages. Most companies in Malaysia are not multilingual in their business operations due to the company’s internal policies and the high cost of translation.

Since Malaysia is a multiracial country, it is always better to have multilingual systems in every sector as it will inherently lead the growth of every community in this country. Language does help the economic growth of a particular society. However, there are many hidden policies created by corporate administrators to avoid particular languages in Malaysia.

This can lead to disinclination. The current situation needs to be reshuffled. The government should advise industry players in every sector to provide multilingual information to their consumers, subscribers, shareholders, account holders and so forth. In Malaysia, services and products are not created for just one particular society.

They are designed for every Malaysian and for foreigners as well. The extensive use of only English in Malaysia is not going help promote our national languages which are Bahasa Malaysia, Chinese and Tamil. It can cause ‘language cleansing’ in Malaysia.

It is really sad to see that most billboards are not multilingual. The KLIA has reached the standards of multilingual practice but Tamil has been ignored, a violation of the International Airport Standard. This situation needs to be rectified immediately.

Media agencies should advise their clients to practice multilingual advertising to promote Malaysia as a multiracial, multilingual society. With that, we can abolish the ‘class privilege’ advertisements and at the same time promote nationalism amongst all Malaysians.

Sugu's statement recorded by police

2009-04-09T13:45:00.006+08:00

Today at about 11.25am, police recorded a statement from my Political Secretary P.Sugumaran . initially we were totally uaware under what provisions of the law he was being questioned. When he presented himself at the police station the IO informed Sugu that he was being probed under Police Act section 90 and Minor Offences Act section 14.

Sugumaran was called to the Central Police station to assist in the investigation on a report lodged by Insp.Mazhar against him. He was accompanied by Human Rights Lawyer Augustine Anthony, Jelapang service team chairman Frankie Wong and many others.

Sugu was first told that the police wanted to question him some one week ago. Due to his involvement in the Bukit Gantang by-elections the police questioning was postponed to today.

Sugu was assigned by me to help three victims of police assault which took place on the 25th of March09 at the Chemor Police station.

I am still puzzled why the police need to investigate Sugu when the police have so many other urgent matters of national importance. The question is did Sugu in discharging his duties over stepped his limits? Or are the police using their powers to scare and harass my political secretary?

Later at the press conference P.Sugumaran said that he cooperated with the police but only answered questions that were relevant.

Bkt Gantang By Election Album

2009-04-08T13:24:00.002+08:00

This is a referendum and it gives a picture of what the people of Perak and Malaysia want,” Mohd Nizar

Baby's conversion

2009-04-08T11:54:00.002+08:00

The Hindu baby's conversion into Islam without her mother's consent is brewing into a potentially explosive situation in Ipoh.

In a press conference, M Indira Gandhi revealed that her husband used to beat her and tried to force her to convert to Islam, but the mother of three refused. One day, she said, her husband came into the house, beat her up and then took away their baby daughter.

Tamil Nesan first reported the story on 4 March. The story was buried on page 6 and headlined Husband beat and tortured me. Wife Indira Gandhi lodges police report. The story focused more on the husband's abuse, and there was no mention of the baby's conversion.

But the next day, Makkal Osai and Malaysia Nanban carried the story on its front page. Eleven-month-old baby converted to Islam, read Makkal Osai's headline; while Malaysia Nanban's report was titled Conversion of child: mother's worst fears come true. Tamil Nesan reported the story on page two as Husband converts baby. It was puzzling why the paper, which first broke the story, did not highlight this fact when it had a chance to.

Makkal Osai reported that the incident has shocked and angered Hindus in Ipoh. "I have lodged three police reports about my husband's beatings and how he is forcing us to convert to Islam. Nothing was done," said Indira.

Accompanying Indira to the press conference were Sungkai state assemblyperson A Sivanesan and Ipoh Barat Member of Parliament M Kulasegaran. The two described the father's act of forcefully taking away the child from the mother and converting her to Islam (without the mother's consent) as "cruel".

They demanded for the father to be arrested immediately, and for the police to launch an investigation into the affair.

(Pic by Doreen Dotto / Wikimedia commons)

Campaigning in Bukit Gantang and Bukit Selambau.

2009-04-06T08:13:00.003+08:00

Campaigning in Bukit Gantang and Bukit Selambau.

For over a week my party members and friends have been campaigning in the by-elections. Yesterday we started off with a visit to the Simpang wet market. We met many voters of Bukit Gantang who overtly were supporting the PR(PAS) candidate DS Nizar. Generally it was quite heart warming to speak to the local who were roaring to go and vote for the PR in the coming by elections tomorrow.

Later at about 10am we left to do a campaign literally house to house in the Indian areas in the estates. In the final stop we were in DRB estate where were we stopped by the management from proceeding any further. The management said we were in private property and we have cease any campaigning.

We retorted by saying that we are just visiting the voters. But as we had covered over 70% of the area and its voters we decided to leave without any further fuss.

In meantime we meat a few workers of the estate who told us that many workers are now at a neary temple ironically not for prayers but to get “goodies” from Barisan National. We decided to go the temple where we saw what was happening. At an nearby hall there were nearly 200 hundred people. Just before we came a former Deputy Minister gave way hampers to each and every worker. Each hamper is said to be worth at least RM200 by the locals. Isn’t this corruption within the meaning of the elections act?

We have not lost hope. We take this as challenges. To day we are on our final lap and we are going to do more house to house campaign.

Some interesting sms i have received over the last few days since Najib’s appointment as Prime Minister.

1. UMNO and BN can have a new leader and Malaysia can have Najib as PM. So long as BN is stuck to its racist politics, ideology, fanaticism, policies and favouritism it is doomed forever.

2. Najib promises REFORM: Well and good. Reform should be i) eliminate BUMI status or give BUMI status to all anak Malaysia ii) eliminate all quota system iii) eliminate columns for BANGSA in any FORMS iv)equal rights to all v) no institute of learning specifically for one race only or schools for a particular race only vi)abolish ISA vii) opportunity for non-malays to be Heads of department.

3. How can 2 person found guilty of the same offence be given two different sentence? Ali Rustam and Khairy. Even in Islam whether you drink 1 glass of whisky or 1 bottle, a sin is sin. However in UMNO which claims to the champion of Islam seems to practice double standard and its own brand and interpretation of Islam. They say the integrity of Bahasa Melayu and Bangsa Melayu should be upheld. They cant even change the English abbreviation of UMNO to Bahasa Melayu. What rubbish are these hypocrites talking about?

4. Jangan timbang (BN) Naik saja roket (DAP) menuju ke bulan (PAS) mencari KEADILAN kerana disana ada ‘PR’ dan ganjaran yang menanti anda dengan hadiah tiada rasuah, tiada penyelewengan, ketelusan, keadilan sosial, hak sama ratadan tiada kroni. Ayuh undilahcalon PAS (PR) di Parlimen Bukit Gantang.

More drama is unfolding in the case of Vijaykumar

2009-04-03T13:17:00.003+08:00

Since his release the police were looking for him apparently to charge him for possession of dangerous drugs. From the little facts we learn that the quantum of drugs is very high attracting the mandatory life sentenced..

On the first day of his arrest Vijayakumar a non-smoker was even found to have trace of drugs in his urine. He has no previous police record and has never run foul with the police.

Further he and his family are firm that he is totally innocent of all the charges.

Vijakumar has lodged a police report stating that he is still under medical treatment. The very police officer (Insp.Nelson) who was alleged to have assaulted him was the very one who came to serve the warrant.

Last night at about 8pm he voluntary surrendered to the Police. He was brought to the court by the police 2day. His case is now fixed for further mention on 2nd June09. Apparently the charges are very serious and are non- bail able. The family has agreed to seek further consultations with prominent Human Rights lawyer Mr.Augustine Anthony.

Vijaykumar Released

2009-04-01T09:26:00.006+08:00

Yesterday, the magistrate court released Vijaykumar S/O Balakrishanan who had been detained by the Ipoh Police since 25thMarch09. It’s has been more than 6 days and no charges has been brought against Vijaykumar by the Police.

During the application for extension of remand proceedings the Investigating Officer informed the court the basis for the further remand is because the Deputy Public prosecutor has yet to agree to file charges in the matter. The learned Magistrate did agree with the request for extension and immediately ordered the release of the detainee.

He was released at 11.30 am and admitted in a private medical Centre for treatment.

BKT Gantang Nomination Day Album

2009-03-30T11:00:00.002+08:00

Another police brutality!

2009-03-28T14:38:00.004+08:00

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"

2009-03-26T15:50:00.011+08:00

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

2009-03-25T15:12:00.005+08:00

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

2009-03-24T15:46:00.003+08:00

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

2009-03-24T12:21:00.003+08:00

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

2009-03-24T07:56:00.003+08:00

This print screen was captured from The Sun Daily Web news

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

2009-03-24T07:32:00.002+08:00

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