MPs concerned over amendments to laws on religious conversion

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.

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

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

Hindraf Protest infront of DAP Perak

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

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

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

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

Hunger Strike Launched

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!

Apathy of the majority?

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

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

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

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

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

Picked from Ipoh Echo - An interview with Augustine Anthony

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

UNRAVELLING THE TRUTH BEHIND THE POLITICAL MESS IN PERAK

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Ipoh Echo: What are the other contributing factors?

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

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

Ipoh Echo: Can this outpouring of anger be averted?

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Ipoh Echo: How can this crisis be resolved?

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

RAINTREE THE SIGN & SYMBOLL OF DEMOCRACY

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

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