Indra's conversion case at the High Court of Ipoh

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.

Indera gandhi's case hearing in Ipoh High Court

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)

"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.

Return the baby poster launched

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.

ம.இ.க தேசிய முன்னணியின் உருகாய்

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

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.

Constitutional Crisis

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.

Baby's conversion

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)

BKT Gantang Nomination Day Album

Protest against petrol station

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

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

Ridwan recuses from Perak Speaker suits

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

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

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

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

Malaysian Insider.

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

Almost RM43,000 collected in tree auction

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

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

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

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

MBI Jangan "Double Standard"

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

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

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

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

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

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

Picked from Ipoh Echo - An interview with Augustine Anthony

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

UNRAVELLING THE TRUTH BEHIND THE POLITICAL MESS IN PERAK

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Ipoh Echo: What are the other contributing factors?

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

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

Ipoh Echo: Can this outpouring of anger be averted?

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Ipoh Echo: How can this crisis be resolved?

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

Karpal to be charged today

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

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

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

Further Damages

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

Further Damaged Democracy Plaque

The Speaker can have his own lawyers

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

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

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

The spirit of Democracy will live on

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

POKOK DEMOKRASI

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

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

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

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

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

Hidup Rakyat!
8th March, 2009.


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

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

Parliament Question - Lebih Baik jika Menteri Letak Jawatan

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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