The Dawn of New Malaysia...

Your children will be the next victims

2009-03-08T10:59:00.001+08:00

I came across this article by Madhatter and i thought i should share it with you

Source : M’Kini
By : Madhatter

I refer to the Malaysiakini report French daily reveals grisly details of Altantuya's death.

In light of the latest revelation by the French journalist whose report appears credible, the government must now conduct a royal commission into the Altantuya case because the image of the country has been seriously tarnished.

Why was the police report mentioned in the French journalist's article not used as evidence in the Altantuya case? Why did the attorney-general not appeal the acquittal of Abdul Razak Baginda? You don't need to be a crime writer to know that it all smells fishy.

Soon all will come to light and those who think they can get away with murder will not be able to sleep peacefully at night. They don't deserve to and they will be brought to account sooner or later.

The world is a small place and those who run away to other countries should be put on notice that they can't run and hide from the truth and their murderous deeds.
The Altantuya case will be the undoing of Malaysia because never in the history of the nation has our image been so badly tarnished by the murder of an innocent woman who - when you consider the size of the arms deals she was involved in - was merely asking for peanuts.

Was her life worth only RM 500,000? I don't think so and the real murderers of this woman must be punished. Najib Abdul Razak must be asked to step down immediately and be asked to explain the allegations. It is not the first time he has been implicated in the murder of Altantuya and it is not the first time too that he is allegedly involved in corrupt defence purchases dealings.

How can such a leader whose reputation is in question continue on to become the country's next prime minister? It would be terribly irresponsible of Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi and Umno leaders to allow someone like Najib to pretend as if nothing is the matter and it is business as usual.

I'm positive more mud will be surface to make it totally unacceptable for Najib and his wife Rosmah Mansor to occupy the country's most important household. We will be the laughing stock of the world and only an independent inquiry involving foreign experts will be able to clear Najib.

No one should be able to act above the law and attached to the Altantuya murder is a murky and corrupt defence deal. The French company ought to be made to come clean and disclose what commissions were paid and to whom.

If a company owned by Abdul Razak Baginda gets such a hefty commission and Najib was the one who approved the purchase being the then defence minister, it makes a mockery of the government's pretense at arresting corruption. Since the MACC itself has come under cloud and become a tool of the administration, a royal commission is the only viable recourse to unearth the truth.

Najib does not have the character required of the top job and if former premier Dr Mahathir Mohamad sacked Anwar Ibrahim for a lesser 'crime', the floundering Abdullah can in a last act of courage show he has the moral backbone to sack his embroiled deputy.

But so far, it seems all who have come out with the truth including Raja Petra Kamaruddin have landed in hot soup and the real guilty ones escaped punishment.
No one should be deceived that the Umno-led administration is rotten as Dr Mahahtir once remarked. Abdullah Ahmad Badawi himself was implicated in the Iraq food-for-oil scandal.

Many allegations of corruption involving those in government including the latest by a PKR politician that he was offered RM50 million by Najib to conspire the downfall of the Pakatan government in Perak have all not been satisfactorily explained.
It is this failure of the police and the MACC to do their job properly that makes the whole lot of them reek of nauseating stench.

The rakyat must be determined to vote out politicians that have destroyed the country. They have corrupted justice and think they can get away with it. They must not be allowed to pour scorn on the rakyat because we have the ultimate power and not the sultans or the government which decide what is good for the country.
When all who are entrusted with taking care of our rights and welfare fail us, it is time to get rid of the whole lot of them.

Some day, there will be a reckoning and those who have abused their power now will not be able to cover up their rotten deeds any more. When a new and decent government is in charge, then they must remember the dark deeds of the political criminals and even if justice is late in coming, they will meet it face to face and feel their shame.

But for now, the rakyat must rally behind the underdogs, those politicians with conscience including an Umno politician like Tengku Razaleigh Hamzah who dares to speak his mind. His sincerity will be tested when he is prepared to back rhetoric with convincing action, like former Umno minister Zaid Ibrahim.

The rakyat must rise above politics because the future of the nation is at stake and whether you are a Pakatan Rakyat or Barisan Nasional supporter, surely you can't support any politician who is corrupt and has done so many wrongs to destroy the country.

Enough is enough and all those who continue to support criminal politicians will only end up ensuring that their children will be the next victims.

Was Kugan really a Suspected Car Thief...??

2009-03-07T14:50:00.004+08:00

By YennaMike
Image Source : M'Kini

Reading the article about Kugan’s post mortem report both from MalaysiaKini and The Star news paper it makes me to ponder – with all these cover ups by our Police Department and Pathologists both under oath to serve public and uphold the law....was Kugan really a Suspected Car thief. ..!!. If a suspected car thief had to go through such severe punishment why wasn’t Abdul Razak Baginda and co. (suspected murderers of Altantuya)wasn’t given a similar treatment to spell out the truth. How about Mat Rempits, you don’t hear them getting arrested and beaten to death but instead public are the ones getting beaten by these Mat Rempits.

The World is already laughing at Malaysia by the way Altantuya’s case was handled not to mention the recent revelations by Arnaud Dubus in The French Liberation newspaper. Our Perak crisis which seems to have lots of imbalance by the way things are being conduct and don’t forget another controversial “correct....correct...correct...” case i.e. our own judiciary manipulation crisis – the Lingam’s Case.

I really feel sorry for Kugan’s family for being put to the test by all these accusations and ongoing legal battle. Her son might have been labelled as “suspected car thief”, but i’m proud that she is fighting for her son’s justice...again was Kugan really a Suspected Car Thief or is this another cover up by our Police Department to hide the truth...??

What's next for Perak - ISA Arrest...??

2009-03-05T16:59:00.001+08:00

Finally the Police came up with an idea on how to intimidate the Representatives attended and passed 3 motions on Tuesday....he...he...he... “ illegal gathering “ pulak...!!!. Nice try but keep trying – well if it was an illegal gathering to pass 3 motions outside of the State Building since our “friends” decided to lock it up...wonder would it have been legal to have it inside the compound of the State Secretariat Building.

I guess this must be the first attempt to overrule or invalidate the 3 motions passed during the “Historical” pokok democracy meeting held in our Silver state. Eeemmm will this work – i’m a bit worried but keeping my fingers crossed since the strings are being pulled again and again by our Federal Government to seize power in Perak. I’m just pondering what are the average “Perakians” think about what’s going around in their State. I’m also wondering why MACC not questioning the 3 PKR reps who decided to switch over side but instead going after Speaker V.Sivakumar...eerrrmmm.

The legal battles have started with favouritism more towards the ruling party and we all know why. Once again i’m still wondering why we are not given the opportunity to our fellow “Perakian” to decide who they want as their Menteri Besar and state representatives.

Soon it will be the usual ISA Arrest...for reasons you know what....haiyaaa...!!!. Will democracy “shine” in our Silver State.....let’s wait and see.....

ANOTHER BRILLIANT CHAPTER IN MALAYSIAN BOOK OF POLITICS

2009-03-04T11:20:00.000+08:00

By : YennaMike

Malaysia Boleh is the word we all hail from time to time to remind ourselves what we are made of. Over the years since this word was first hailed the “Positivity“ of this chant has lost its shine but it shined very well in the Silver state of Malaysia this morning.

Malaysia Boleh...yes we can have an Emergency State Meeting at the Car Park under a huge tree (pokok demokrasi) and managed to pass three motions – well done to those who supported this cause. This has proven that people who representing our fellow “Perakians” lived up to their voters expectations to show what they are made of not to mention Speaker V.Sivakumar who chaired the meeting despite the court cases filed against him.

Although many quarters are labelling this act as insulting the Sultan, in my own opinion it’s ‘rakyats’ representatives doing their best to be able to serve them and honour their term by the constitution and at the same time exercising their rights as elected representative to seek Sultan’s consent.

The “Rakyat” should be given their rights to choose who they want as their representatives. This political imbalance which will not settle down until an amicable solution is reached again my humble opinion is to let the “Rakyat” decide who they want as their representative and a motion should be passed to stop elected representatives from jumping “ship” until they complete their elected term to stop similar situation arising near future.

HINDRAF PRESS STATEMENT ON DEMOLITION OF SRI MAHA KALIAMMAN TEMPLE AMPANG

2008-10-06T02:53:00.001+08:00

Sorce : Makkalsakti.blogspot.com

Sat, 27/09/2008
135-3-A Jalan Toman 7
Kemayan Square 70200
Seremban.

PRESS STATEMENT

RE: DEMOLITION OF SRI MAHA KALIAMMAN TEMPLE AMPANG

DR XAVIER JAYAKUMAR OF PAKATAN EXCO LOST THE PLOT ON TEMPLE “NOT REGISTERED ACCORDING TO THEIR FORMAT”.

PAKATAN GOVERNMENT SHOULD NOT FOLLOW THEIR PREDECESSORS

ATTITUDE OF MISLEADING THE PEOPLE ON “REGISTER” ISSUE.

IS PAKATAN GOVERNMENT WILLING TO LODGE POLICE REPORTS ON AMPANG JAYA MUNICIPAL COUNCIL??

HINDRAF is shocked with the statement made by Dr.Xavier Jayakumar which appears to echo that of the usual excuses given by BN and UMNO leaders that Temples are demolished because they are not “registered”.

We maintain our stand that there are no provisions currently under the Law to register the existence of a Temple and that this and all temples exist legally under Article 11 of the Federal Constitution. The issue of legality of a Temple does not exist at all and it is a duty of the Government to provide land and funds for places of worships belonging to any and all religious groups. The statement by Dr. Jayakumar that the Sri Maha Kaliamman Temple is not registered with the Selangor State Council and that it did not fulfil the “format” of registration is a joke and makes a mockery of the basic right to worship of every citizen. It appears the Pakatan Government is singing the same tune of the previous Barisan Government in misleading the community to believe that the temple committee was at fault for not registering the temple.

We challenge Dr Jayakumar and his Pakatan Government to produce the necessary provisions of the state Law that stipulated the necessity of the so-called “format”. To add insult to injury he had the audacity to say this is not a Temple but a shrine. Is he trying to indicate that it was okay to demolish a shrine? How less is a shrine than a temple?? The problem with these politicians is they do not give a dam about the feelings of

Hindus and the need to provide and gazette places of worships belonging to Hindus.

HINDRAF have specifically written to the 5 Pakatan led Governments to gazette all temples (which is directly under their purview) but till date they have not taken any positive steps to do the same and keep misleading the people in the same way BN did.

HINDRAF is taken aback with the statement that the MPAJ had ordered the demolition of the Temple without knowledge or directive of the state Government. If the statement of Dr.Xavier is true he should take the most responsible step by lodging police report and insist the police initiate criminal proceedings against MPAJ for their

Criminal act under the penal Code for defiling a place of worship.

The statement by Ampang MP Zuraida Kamaruddin justifying the demolition of the temple on grounds of misunderstanding between MPAJ and temple management on renovation works and documentation is another mockery. Is it consistent with good Governance to demolish a place of worship should there be a “misunderstanding”. Would anyone in MPAJ dare demolish a mosque?

HINDRAF hereby calls on the Selangor Government to stop playing politics and mislead the people and immediately gazette all places of worships and provide land and funding for the purposes of erection of places of worships belonging to Hindus and non-Muslims.

P. Waytha Moorthy
Chairman
HINDRAF

Something mising !!!!

2008-07-02T17:48:00.003+08:00

This is hilarious...a friend of mine emailed this joke to me, no offense just joke okay...!!!

There was a saying that if you have other nationalities working as domestic help in your household, chances are the following goes missing (see below).

Get Viets, dogs missing

Get Bangla, girls missing

Get Indon, money, missing

Get Chinese, husband missing

Get African, wife missing

But now its worse... this pilihan raya betui-betui kepala pusing!

Get Najib, Mongolian missing

Get Toyo, temples missing

Get Samy, shares missing

Get Rustam, pigs missing

Get Zainudin, info missing

Get Nazri, truth missing

Get Hisham, keris missing

Get Soi Lek, Viagra missing

Get Dr M, memory missing

Get Ka Ting, do nothing, every 'ting' missing

Get Badawi, always sleeping and missing

Get Tsu Koon, LP missing

Get Kit Siang, chilli padi missing

Get Anwar, tilam missing

Alamak, betui-betui kepala pusing

GET KHAIRY JAMALUDDIN... MALAYSIA MISSING!

PKR planned to announce by-election this week: Anwar

2008-07-01T07:33:00.004+08:00

Source : M'Kini

PKR de facto leader Anwar Ibrahim, who took refuge at the Turkish embassy amid threats and sodomy accusations, said his party had planned to announce a by-election in which he would be contesting.

Anwar said the sodomy allegations were aimed at derailing his political comeback, and came just as he was about to re-enter parliament through a by-election.

"This is their intention. You know we will announce a by-election this week. I will contest in the by-election, the police knew that," he said.

To force a by-election, PKR will need to ask one of its 31 parliamentarian to resign.

Alternatively, the party could be hoping that the court would this Friday declared the victory of Wanita Umno chief Rafidah Aziz in Kuala Kangsar invalid.

Businessman Ahmad Jamaluddin Abd Majid has filed an election petition challenging the results in the Kuala Kangsar parliamentary seat as Rafidah had failed to sign two out of three sets of her nomination papers in the March 8 general election.

He told AFP earlier today that he would not leave his sanctuary in the Turkish embassy until the government guarantees his safety.

"I need categorical assurance on my safety. You know I have previously been assaulted to near death," Anwar said, referring to a beating he received after being sacked as deputy premier and hit with sex and corruption charges in 1998.

"Sure, if they give me an assurance for my safety today I will leave the embassy today," he said in a phone interview from the mission in Kuala Lumpur.

Anwar fled there on Sunday at the invitation of the ambassador, saying he had been threatened and feared a government assassination plot after facing "fabricated" accusations that he sodomised a male aide.

"There's two reasons why I decided to come to the embassy. It's not just for my personal safety, it's also for the stability of the nation," he said, referring to expectations of major protests if he is arrested.

"I urge my supporters to be calm but firm. Enough is enough, we will fight it out."

After his sacking, a watershed event in Malaysian politics, Anwar was convicted on sodomy and corruption charges which landed him in jail for six years.

He was released in 2004 when the sex charge was overturned but the corruption conviction still stands, and prevented him from holding public office until mid-April.

He is now eligible to run for parliament and one of the parliamentarians in his PKR is expected to stand aside for him.

Still on track to seize power

Anwar, who has said since the March elections that he has the numbers to form a new government with the help of defecting lawmakers from the ruling coalition, said he was still on track to seize power.

"The momentum is still on, I will continue to monitor the progress. It has never been so good, they know that," he said of the government which is led by Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi's Umno party.

"Umno members and MPs have promised to come out and campaign for me so they come out with these sexual allegations to stop me from securing power," he said.

Anwar said that after his experiences a decade ago, he had no faith in the "due process" of the law in Malaysia, and reiterated allegations that elements in the government had orchestrated the new charges.

"Certain people in the hierarchy are involved in these allegations. Evidence from photos shows this," he said, referring to images of his accuser posing with ministers and government aides which his party has aired.

"They have made fabrications in the court, do they want me to believe in due process?" he asked.

Anwar said that elements in the police who were involved in the original investigation against him were now acting to sideline him because they feared revenge if he becomes prime minister.

"If you want to fight a political battle, do it cleanly," he said.

Photos: Anwar with PKR leaders on hearing about the police report lodged by his aide, Saiful. (Source: Anwar's blog).

My Blogger Friend Met a Serious Accident - Need Help (New Posts are Below This Message)

2008-06-20T16:11:00.000+08:00

Updated on 11th July 2008, 2.00pm. Please find the revised donation details. Satish is still short of an approximately RM 3,460 to pay off the existing hospital bills. The details of those donated so far are as follows :-

Click to Enlarge the Image

Those who pledged to help, please do so. Thank you for your support to help our fellow blogger. Will keep you posted....

Dear Reader, i got this email from a fellow blogger. He needs help and hope you all can assist....For any info pls contact Ms. Saras at 012-7162884

June 4, 2008 By DS. GOPHEKAR RAAJ

Dear Reader,

I’ve just came to know that our friend Satish who blogs in Olaichuvadi has met with a serious accident on recent Monday in Kluang, Johor and he’s badly injured. Immediately upon receiving the message, I called up Saras and inquired. It seems he just undergo an operation today. The operation cost is around 7K. He’s from a very poor family background. I also called up his fiancee to find out how is his condition. According to her, he’s still unconscious and get ups time to time out of a sudden while screaming. He’s still in the accident trauma maybe. I’m putting this on MakalVoice is for the purpose of getting some financial support for my friend Satish from generous hearted people like you. Please donate according at your own mean and please pray to the almighty for his fast recovery. I’m going to bank in my pledge now and if can….I’ll keep you guys updated on how much have been collected from time to time by getting infos from his fiancee. Thanks in advance and please read the below message for more detail.

BLOGGER WHO WAS AMONG THE 7 ARRESTED IN PENANG INVOLVED IN A ACCIDENT AND NEEDS HELP !!!!

Dear friends,

Mr. Satish Kumar a blogger from Olaichuvadi was involved in an bad accident on the 2/6/08. He was one of the 7 who were arrested during the anti ISA campaign last month in Penang Gurney Drive when he was covering the event for his blog. He is also a Tamil school primary teacher.

Mr. Satish has no any supports and lives all by his own. He was hit and run by a vechicle in Kluang Johor while he was riding on his motorbike. He has serious injuries including multiple broken bones, Shoulder dislocated and a broken thigh bone. He was first admitted to the General Hospital, Kluang but the nurse there informed that he would only go through a check up next Monday and did not take it seriously. His condition was neglected by Kluang General hospital. Fearing on this, our team decided to transfer him to the Kluang Utama Specialist Centre. The operation has been completed at 3am this morning based on humanitarian grounds but need to pay. As for now the bill has been amounted to RM 7000. He badly needs financial support to carry on with the treatment and save his legs.

Kindly support by donating any amount that you are able to give. Below is the bank in no:-

Name : Satish Kumar
Account No : 108114004851
Bank : Maybank

For any info pls contact Ms. Saras at 012-7162884

Your help is much appreciated.

Thank you in advance.

Leave Petronas goose alone, ask who ate golden eggs

2008-06-20T10:57:00.000+08:00

By Syed Mohamed via M'kini

Petronas has been posting on the Internet since 2002 not only its profit and loss, balance sheet and cash flow accounts, but also financial highlights and other details of how it performed in the oil and gas business. For the last couple of years, in view of rising oil prices and hence its profits, Petronas has also detailed out how its profits were distributed.

I have been in the oil and gas business since the early 80's, and I find its website a goldmine of information, beyond what is expected to be revealed even by public-listed companies. However, it may be difficult for those who have no prior working knowledge of the complexity and challenges of the oil and gas industry, to decipher from the information given as to how well Petronas is being run.

This in comparison to not only the other government-owned oil companies, but also the other oil majors of the world, and how much it has contributed (and will continue to do) to the national economy, provided its immense contributions are efficiently and prudently utilised by the government.

The revelations on the website show that so far, Petronas has given back to the nation more than any other GLC has ever done, leaving itself with just sufficient funds to continue to invest large sums every year to search for oil and gas globally (to add to the nation's oil and gas reserves), as well as to add value to its existing highly-integrated businesses in 33 countries.

So far, Petronas has managed to replenish more than it extracts in terms of its oil and gas reserves, both domestically and overseas, increasing its overseas reserves (in Africa, Central Asia, the Middle-east and South East Asia) to one-third of its total global reserves.

This means that it can continue to produce oil and gas for many years ahead, although it is expected that, by about 2014 or earlier, Malaysia itself, as a country, will be able to export less oil than it imports, due to increased domestic demands.

It is certainly not true that our oil wells will be dry by then, as some reports have erroneously suggested, as the current Malaysian oil reserves are equivalent to 22 years of the current extraction rate of 670,000 barrels per day.

For the 2007 financial year, Petronas declared dividends to the government totalling a staggering RM32 billion (half to be actually paid in the following financial year). For the two previous years, it paid RM13.1 billion and RM9.1 billion respectively.

I say its staggering because throughout the 70s, 80s, 90s and early 2000's, its dividends to the government had reportedly been only about RM2 billion every year.

On top of that, for the same 2007 financial year, Petronas also paid to the government another total of RM32.3 billion in the form of taxes (RM21.8 b), royalties (RM8.5 b) and export duty (RM 2 b).

So what is the real issue? The real issue is, therefore, whether the BN government has been prudent and efficient in spending the many billions contributed by Petronas.

Please, people. Petronas cannot be faulted if its contribution is spent elsewhere instead of on petrol and diesel subsidies. Boycotting Petronas products would be like trying to kill Malaysia's one and only golden goose. Let's quarrel about the ‘golden eggs’ which are in the BN government hands, but leave the ‘goose’ to continue to lay more for years and years to come.

There may come a time - like during the 1997-1998 Southeast Asian financial meltdown - when Petronas financial muscle may once again be needed to come to our rescue.

The ball is in the BN government's court - to stop the alleged major leakages and wastage and then use the savings to subsidise fuel prices. This is what Anwar Ibrahim might be thinking of when he promised to reduce the petrol price if Pakatan Rakyat ever manages to take over the federal government.

Is Petronas efficiently run? You bet. Petronas is listed in Fortune 500 as amongst the world's 500 biggest companies. In terms of profitability, using the ‘profit before tax margin’ ratio, Petronas (at 41.4%) is at No1 position, by a long way, compared to all the oil majors and other government-owned oil companies of the world.

It is also in the No 1 position if the Return on Average Capital Employed (Roace) ratio is used. The figure achieved is an astounding 40.9%. Even when the Return on Total Assets ratio is used, at 25.9% it ranks at the top half amongst the government-owned oil companies and the oil majors of the world.

These three criteria show that Petronas is one of the most, if not the most (in certain aspects), efficiently managed of the large oil and gas companies of the world. Do we really want to know how many expensive banquets Petronas held in comparison with Esso, Shell, BP, Chevron, Caltex, Conoco, Gulf, Aramco, Statoil, Petrobras, Pertamina, etc?

Can Petronas reduce Malaysian petrol prices on its own? The answer is negative. Petronas' current total refining capacity is only 314,000 barrels of crude per day. From this amount, only about 150,000 barrels per day of petrol and diesel can be produced, the rest being LPG, petrochemical naphtha, kerosene/jet fuel and waxy residues.

The 150,000 barrels per day account for only 40% of the amount of petrol and diesel sold in Malaysia. The other 60% is supplied by foreign oil companies like Esso, Shell and Caltex. Esso and Shell have refineries in Port Dickson, whilst Caltex may be importing the products from its Singapore refinery and/or purchasing them from the Conoco share of the Melaka refinery outputs.

From the above, one can begin to understand why the petrol price control has to be through the subsidy route rather than through Petronas having to take an 'opportunity loss'. Unless Shell, Esso and Caltex are also willing to take 'opportunity losses', and by how much.

SAPP MPs to move no-confidence vote...

2008-06-19T08:04:00.004+08:00

Source : M'Kini

Sabah Progressive Party (Sapp) today announced that it would move a no-confidence motion against Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi when Parliament resumes on Monday.

It is the first time in the history of the nation that a vote of no-confidence is to be moved against a prime minister.

"In the coming sitting of the Parliament session starting Monday, June 23, our MPs will support a vote of no confidence on the PM.

"Whether the motion will be tabled by our party MP or another MP will be decided in due course," said a press statement released today.Sapp has two parliamentarians - Dr Chua Soon Bui (Tawau) and Eric Enchin Majimbun (Sepanggar) - and four state assemblypersons.

Majimbun, who is currently overseas, has expressed his support for the party's decision by signing the press statement click here for full press statements from both MPs.

Four reasons

Chua, who was present at the party's 90-minute press conference in Kota Kinabalu, gave four reasons for backing the no-confidence vote.

They are:

No concrete actions have been taken on the issue of illegal immigrants in Sabah. "Our sovereignty is threatened," said Chua.

Sabah, being the poorest state, is greatly burdened by the sharp hike in petrol prices. The government has failed to provide "holistic economic solutions".

Sapp MPs would fail in their role as elected representatives as issues raised such as poor delivery systems, corruption, wastage of resources, lack of transparency and no sense of accountability are ignored.

People have lost confidence in the leadership of Abdullah. Sapp is of the opinion that if the top leadership can't perform, then Abdullah should make way for other able leader to take over.

Party president Yong Teck Lee said Sapp would not immediately quit the coalition led by Abdullah, but that its status would be reviewed at the end of the week.

He attacked BN's record in the impoverished state, saying that it had been subjected to unfair laws and excessive taxes.

"That is why we need an immediate declaration of no confidence in the PM and the government, to tell the BN government that we can no longer tolerate their insensitive attitude towards the Sabah issues that are real and serious," he said at the press conference held at the party headquarters at 2pm.In an immediate reaction, Abdullah said: "I have not been able to satisfy his (Yong's) personal greed."

According to Bernama, the embattled prime minister did not elaborate on the matter.

Decision on Friday?

Today's annoncement appeared to be the opening move by the BN component member which may see the Sabah-based party eventually leaving the coalition.

“Today is just the first step. There might not be any defections for now,” said a source.

A poll placed in Sapp's blog also indicated the general feelings on the ground at the moment. The poll asked members of the public whether the party should stay on in BN, leave the coalition but remain independent, or join Pakatan.At press time, there were 2,052 votes tallied, with 85 percent (1,749 votes) asking Sapp to join Pakatan. Another 242 (11 percent) want the party to leave BN and remain independent. Only 2 percent (61 votes) urged it to stay on with BN.

To a question of whether the party would be pulling out of BN, Yong said that he could only answer that question after the party's Supreme Council meeting this Friday."We will have a press conference on Friday June 20 to announce this matter of Sapp's membership in BN after our supreme council meeting," he said. Anwar needs 30 MPs

In recent weeks Sapp has been identified as the most likely party to leave BN and join forces with Anwar Ibrahim's Pakatan Rakyat.

Sapp is led by outspoken former chief minister Yong, who in recent months has questioned Abdullah's policies towards Sabah and the federal government's inability to solve the illegal migrants' problem in the state.

The party has two members of parliament and four representatives in the state assembly.

Political commentators point out that even if the party pulled out of BN to join Pakatan, the defection of the two MPs would not be sufficient to threaten Abdullah's BN.

Anwar needs 30 MPs to derail Abdullah and BN from power.

However, Sabah sources claim that other BN coalition partners would follow Sapp out of BN if the party sparks the exodus.

A big lie told repeatedly

2008-06-19T08:03:00.001+08:00

By Dean Johns via M'Kini

I’ve mentioned this saying before, and no doubt will again, as it has become one of my favourite mantras against the mind-boggling barrage of mendacity we face every day from people bent on messing with our minds.

I first heard it said about advertising, a business notorious for its cynical not to say shameless disregard for veracity.

But as irritating as it may be to long-suffering consumers, stretching the truth about brands is nothing compared with filling citizens’ heads with nonsense about issues that affect their lives, livelihoods and liberties.

When employed by leaders to mislead their people, ‘bull**** baffles brains’ techniques chillingly recall Nazi ‘information’ chief Josef Goebbels’ secret of successful state propaganda, “a big lie, told repeatedly”.

And I’m repeatedly reminded of this by politicians who emulate Goebbels’ methods, from George Bush, Tony Blair and John Howard with their now long-debunked ‘Iraq weapons of mass destruction’ story to Robert Mugabe and his ridiculous claims that in contesting elections against the opposition Movement for Democratic Change, he’s “fighting a war against the would-be re-colonisers of Zimbabwe”.

Currently the world’s most successful practitioners of the ‘bull**** baffles brains’ approach to government must surely be the paranoid, power-mad mandarins who have been bending the minds and dominating the existences of more than a billion citizens for almost 60 years in a totalitarian dictatorship posing as the ‘People’s’ Republic of China.

For almost as long, if on a comparatively minor scale, the Castro brothers of Cuba and the Kim dynasty in North Korea have also managed to imprison their people behind virtually impenetrable walls of ignorance, misinformation and flat-out lies.

And a close runner-up in long-running rule of the ruthless over the truthless has been Malaysia’s Barisan Nasional (BN). Only now, after 50 years in power, has BN finally begun to be exposed as the clique of kleptocrats and incompetents it has long since become.

No thanks to the nation’s mainstream media for this long-overdue revelation, however, as they’re as busy baffling Malaysians’ minds with bull**** as ever they were. Even more so, in fact, considering some of their contributions to opposition and citizen calls for media freedom.

Wong Chun Wai, the chief group editor of Star has, as I pointed out in a previous column, made some shining statements in his blog, like “The freedom of expression is an essential part of democracy. A healthy democracy means a meaningful participation of Malaysians in the political process.”

Not a favour

But there’s little evidence of his newspaper practising what he preaches. Quite the opposite, to judge by the recent ‘Stray thoughts’ column in Star, in which New Media Editor A Asohan had the effrontery to accuse the Malaysian people of colluding in their brain-washing by the media.

“The media, the government..who else can we point a finger at here? How about you, the people of Malaysia? There is some truth to the saying that the media acts as a mirror on society, and that it can only reflect the ideals and aspirations of the society it serves.

“For 50 years, you folks kept returning to power, and almost always with a two-thirds majority, the parties that have enacted these laws (the Printing Presses and Publications Act, Official Secrets Act, Internal Security Act, Sedition Act and Communications and Multimedia Act). By doing so, you gave your tacit approval.”

Blaming the readers like this strikes me as a bit rich, considering that Star was one of the major movers in keeping the electors ignorant enough to keep voting for BN and its miserable media-repressive laws.

And as if his assault on the unwitting victims of his newspaper’s dereliction of its duty to the truth wasn’t sufficient, Asohan also heaped praise on Minster in the Prime Minister’s Department Zaid Ibrahim, for the latter’s “courageous” speech to journalists, bloggers and activists who gathered for the “walk for press freedom” two weeks ago.

Zaid had said: “Don’t blame the government for everything. What have you done to push for reforms? How many of you are willing to risk jail or unemployment for your principles?”

Another piece of arrant bull****, blaming journalists for “failing” to defy laws specifically designed to force them to prostitute their profession or pay the price.

Press freedom, let me remind Zaid - as if as an eminent or at least affluent lawyer he wasn’t already aware - is a right enshrined in the constitution, not a favour to be fought for. Nor, despite what he was so snidely implying, is there any shortage of people or organisations who’ve fought very hard indeed for the restoration of this right.

Malaysiakini, Malaysia Today, the Centre for Independent Journalism and countless journalists - and more recently bloggers - have fought tooth and nail for years for press freedom. They have received nothing but vilification, intimidation, persecution and prosecution for their pains, from the government of which Zaid is now part.

As for his assertion that if press-suppressing laws were to be reviewed or repealed, the media had better have something to replace these or else there would be “anarchy”, even Asohan thought it was a load of crap.

Where is the anarchy in the US, UK, Europe, Canada, Australia, New Zealand and all the other nations whose citizens enjoy press freedom?

And don’t anyone try telling me the old BN fairy-tale that Malaysia’s a “special case” due to its “unique” need to maintain unity and harmony between its races and religions. There are lots of other nations whose populations are as diverse, and there’s no evidence that press freedom poses a threat to peaceful co-existence.

On the contrary, a free press is more likely to be a force for cohesion and tolerance, as people who are intelligently informed and enlightened are less prone to be racist and sectarian.

BN not only promotes such evils the better to ensure its own survival, but also contrives to combine them with cronyism and corruption.

But thanks to the free virtual media, BN’s bull**** isn’t baffling nearly so many brains these days, and, thanks to petrol and other price rises, there are even hopeful signs that it’s no longer altogether baffling the brainless.

Just a Friendly Reminder....

2008-06-13T09:31:00.003+08:00

TODAY IS FRIDAY THE 13TH....HE...HE...HE....ARE YOU SUPERSTITIOUS....!!!!

Tips on Filling Up Your Vehicles...

2008-06-13T08:32:00.004+08:00

Source : Via Email

Click to Enlarge the Image

WHAT IS NEVER MENTIONED IN Mainstream Media like NST, TheStar, Utusan, BH are these facts…

2008-06-12T08:33:00.003+08:00

Via : Malaysian Voice blog...
Image : Via Makkal Sakti

YennaMike Says : I do agree with what the person have to say on his write up below an average British earns around GBP 2,000 a month = MYR 12,600, Hong Kong HKD 15,000 = MYR 6,300, Macau MOP 20,000 = MYR 8,200 and Malaysian MYR 1,500 = MYR 1,500 - now you do the maths...

Malaysian Per Capita Income USD 5000 VS Singaporean Per Capita Income USD 25000

Further The Star made a comparison of prices in Thailand , Singapore and Indonesia.

For Thailand it is quoted at RM3.90/liter, however are they aware that in Thailand new cars are cheaper than Malaysia by RM10,000? They pay only one life time for their driving license? No renewal fee after that? Also that goes for road tax as well? And do TheStar also aware that you can drive all the way from Hadtyai to
Bangkok on a six lane highway without paying any Tolls ??!!

Whereas here in Malaysia you have to pay yearly renewal for road tax , driving license and TOLLS, TOLLS, TOLLS!!!

For Singapore how can you quote RM 5.20 ? Please quote in Singapore Dollars because they are earning in Sing Dollars. You might as well say Europeans are paying RM10/liter. RM5.20/liter = Sing $ 2.20/liter, still cheaper than Malaysia in view of fact that Singapore is not a crude oil exporter. Are you saying that
you fill up petrol in Singapore by paying Ringgit?

In economy, dollar to dollar must be compared as apple to apple. Not comparing like durian in M'sia is much cheaper than durian in Japan!! Of course-lah, Japan is not durian producer!!! Comparing Malaysian durian with Thailand durian make more sense!!

For Indonesia we might say is cheaper there at RM2.07/liter but compare that to their level of income! Now, let us compare the price with OIL PRODUCING countries:

UAE – RM1.19/litre
Eygpt – RM1.03/litre
Bahrain – RM0.87/litre
Qatar – RM0.68/litre
Kuwait – RM0.67/litre
Saudi Arabia – RM0.38/litre
Iran – RM0.35/litre
Nigeria – RM0.32/litre
Turkmenistan – RM0.25/litre
Venezuela – RM0.16/litre
MALAYSIA – RM2.70/litre

RM 2.70!!! Individual perspective:

As of last month a Toyota Vios would 'cause a damage' of about RM 89,000. In the international market, a Toyota Vios is about USD 19,000 USD 19,000 = RM 62,700 (using the indicative rates of USD 1 = RM 3.30). That makes Malaysian Vios owners pay an extra RM 26,300.

This RM 26,300 should be cost of operations, profit and tax because the transportation costs have been factored in to the USD 19,000.

RM 26,300/ RM625 petrol rebate per year translates to a Vios being used for 42.08 years.

I do understand that the RM 625 is a rebate given by the government, but it also means that one has to use the Vios for 42.08 years just to make back the amount paid in taxes for the usage of a foreign car. Would anyone use any kind of car for that long?

Now with these numbers in front of us, does the subsidy sound like a subsidy or does it sound like a penalty? This just seems to be a heavy increment in our daily cost of living as we are not only charged with high car taxes but also with a drastic increase in fuel price.

With all the numbers listed out, I urge all Malaysians to join me in analyzing the situation further.

Car taxation is government profit, fuel sales is Petronas' (GLC) profit which also translates into government profit. The government may ridicule us Malaysians by saying look at the world market and fuel price world wide. Please, we are Malaysians, we fought of the British, had a international port in the early centuries (Malacca), home to a racially mixed nation and WE ARE NOT STUPID!!!

We know the international rates are above the USD 130/barrel. We understand the fact that the fuel prices are increasing worldwide and we also know that major scientist are still contradicting on why this phenomenon is happening. Some blame Bush and his plunders around the world and some blame climate change and there are others which say petroleum 'wells' are getting scarce.

Again we go back to numbers to be more straight fwd

1 barrel = 159 liters x RM2.70/liter = RM 429 or USD 134

On 1 hand, we are paying the full cost of 1 barrel of crude oil with RM2.70 per liter but on the other hand the crude oil only produces 46% of fuel.

Msia sells crude oil per barrel at USD130 buys back Fuel per barrel at USD134. And not forgetting, every barrel of fuel is produced with 2 barrels of crude oil.

1 barrel crude oil = produce 46% fuel (or half of crude oil), therefore 2 barrel crude oil = approximately 1 barrel fuel In other words, each time we sell 2 barrels of crude oil, equivalently we will buy back 1 barrel of fuel.

Financially;

Malaysia sell 2 barrel crude oil @ USD 130/barrel = USD 260 = RM 858 then, Malaysia will buy back fuel @ USD 134/barrel = RM 442/barrel. Thus, Malaysia earn net extra USD 126 = RM 416 for each 2 barrel of crude
sold/exported vs imported 1 barrel of fuel !!!

(USD 260-134 = USD 126 = RM416)

So where this extra USD 126/barrel income is channeled to by Malaysian Govt?

Another analysis:

1 barrel crude oil = 159 liters.

46-47% of a barrel of crude oil = fuel that we use in our vehicles.
46% of 159 = 73.14 liters.

@ RM 2.70/liter x 73.14 liter = RM197.48 of fuel per barrel of crude oil. This is only 46% of the barrel, mind you. Using RM 3.30 = USD 1, we get that a barrel of crude oil produces USD 59.84 worth of petrol fuel (46% of 1barrel). USD 59.84 of USD 130/barrel turns out to be 46% of a barrel as well.

Another 54% = bitumen, kerosene, and natural gases and so many more. And this makes a balance of USD 70.16 that has not been accounted for.

So this is where I got curious. Where is the subsidy if we are paying 46% of the price of a barrel of crude oil when the production of petrol/barrel of crude oil is still only 46%?

In actual fact, we still pay for this as they are charged in the forms of fuel surcharge by airlines and road taxes for the building of road (because they use the tar/bitumen) and many more excuse charging us but let us just leave all that out of our calculations.

As far as I know, only the politicians who live in Putrajaya and come for their Parliament meetings in Kuala Lumpur (approximately 60+ km) are the ones to gain as they claim their fuel and toll charges from the money of the RAKYAT's TAX.

It is so disappointing to see this happen time and time again to the Malaysian public, where they are deceived by the propaganda held by the politicians and the controls they have over the press.

Which stupid idiot economist equates rebates for rich or poor with the cc of the vehicles? An average office clerk may own a second hand 1300cc proton Iswara costing $7,000 (rebate = $625) while the Datuk's children can own a fleet of 10 new cars of BMW, Audi and Volvo all less than 2000cc costing $2 millions and get a total rebate of $625 x 10 = $6,250! Wow what kind of economists we are keeping in Malaysia…wonder which phD certificate that they bought from…

Misleading concept of Subsidy:

The word "subsidy" has been brandished by the BN government as if it has so generously helped the rakyat and in doing so incurred losses. This simple example will help to explain the fallacy:

Example:

Ahmad is a fisherman. He sells a fish to you at $10 which is below the market value of $15. Let's assume that he caught the fish from the abundance of the sea at little or no cost. Ahmad claims that since the market value of the fish is $15 and he sold you the fish for $10, he had subsidised you $5 and therefore made a loss of $5.

Question :

Did Ahmad actually make a profit of $10 or loss of $5 which he claimed is the subsidy?

Answer:

Ahmad makes a profit of $10 which is the difference of the selling price ($10) minus the cost price ($0 since the fish was caught from the abundance of the sea). There is no subsidy as claimed by Ahmad.

The BN government claims that it is a subsidy because the oil is kept and treated as somebody else's property (you know who). By right, the oil belongs to all citizens of the country and the government is a trustee for the citizens. So as in the above simple example, the BN government cannot claim that it has subsidised the citizen!

HINDRAF: FATHER'S DAY ISA WISH.

2008-06-11T14:43:00.000+08:00

Source : via Makkal Sakti

HINDRAF
135-3 JALAN TOMAN 7
KEMAYAN SQUARE
70200 SEREMBAN

Y.A.B. Tan Sri Khalid Ibrahim

Selangor Menteri Besar

Selangor State Secretariat Office,
Bangunan Sultan Salahuddin Abdul Aziz Shah, Tel: 03 5544 7013
40503 Shah Alam, Selangor Darul Ehsan. Fax: 03 5519 0032

08/06/08

Y.A.B.Tan Sri,

Re: Father’s Day ISA wish.
Weekly courtesy Public Transport for ISA detainees families from
KL to Kemta, Taiping, Perak.

We refer to the above matter and your statement in Utusan Malaysia last week offering transport and travelling expenses to Kemta prison Kamunting and school children’s allowances.

May we propose that the Selangor state government provides a free courtesy bus service belonging to the Selangor State Government from K.L. to Kemta prison once every week until all ISA detainees are released. This bus service could take off from outside Malaysiakini office in Bangsar, KL at 7am on every Sunday and ISA detainee families to be dropped back at the same point on the return journey. The Y.A.B. Menteri Besar could officially flag of this bus service on a date to be fixed preferably on or in conjunction with Father’s Day shortly. The Gabungan Mansuhkan ISA could be the co-coordinator to inform and publicise this bus service to the ISA detainee families.

This would help further create public awareness to the atrocities of ISA detention without trial besides enhancing family support groups and fellowship among ISA detainee’s families. We would then be able to create a multi-racial ISA family. There would literally be an 8 hour weekly meeting of the ISA families in the bus itself “without the risk of being arrested for unlawful assembly”. Wives and children who have been cruelly separated from their fathers and husbands would be able to show their love, care and affection with courtesy of the Selangor State Government.

This bus service would go a long way in easing the burden of the already financially drained out ISA detainee’s families especially so in the light of the 41% increase in petrol prices announced by the ISA Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi on 04/06/08.

Further this would also reduce the risk of a road traffic accident as what happened to the Kota Alam Shah State Assemblyman and ISA Detainee M.Manoharan’s wife and son who were injured in a road traffic accident last Sunday.

This proposal when approved would be the strongest ever Makkal Sakti “people power” support by the Selangor PKR, DAP and PAS State Government in putting to an end to the draconian ISA.

We seek your kind indulgence in this matter.

Thank you,

Yours faithfully,
P.Waytha Moorthy
(Chairman)

161 Indian students received PSD Scholarship....

2008-06-07T11:02:00.006+08:00

I read about this this morning and it seems we got extra 41 Indian students received PSD Scholarship this year to further thier studies overseas and thanking you PSD for giving these students an oppourtunity to pursue their studies.

From what i could recall a week ago, it was mentioned in the Star News Paper that a total number of 2,000 overseas PSD scholarship will be given out this year, which means Indians got 8.05% out of that share which looks good (thanks to Hindraf for that) and extra 41 given to Indian but what "they" did not mention is that the number of scholarship issued increased from 1800 to 2000.

Okay thats for International, how about the remaining 10,000 scholarship for the local Higher education studies...??

Now can PSD publish the names and results of those who received this scholarships...??. I personally would like to know that wheather my tax money is being spent on the right candidates....can you PSD....?. Just don't forget what PSD stands for, you still have to answer and service the PUBLIC....

Petition to Get Malaysian Prime Minister to Step Down. "Vote of No Confidence in Parliament"...??

2008-06-06T14:01:00.005+08:00

Received this Petition Link from one of my Regular Reader / Visitor...thanks Radha. it's going to be a bumpy ride ahead for our PM, with or without Petrol in his car...!!!

Click To Enlarge the Image

If you would like to View and Sign the Petition Click Here

PM Department's Website Got Hacked after the Fuel Hike...!!!!

2008-06-06T10:39:00.002+08:00

Click To Enlarge the Image

Oil Price

2008-06-06T08:52:00.002+08:00

Source : www.chedet.com

The price of crude oil has increased by 400 percent in the last three years. It follows that the price of products must increase, sooner or later. In other countries petrol prices had already increased. In the United Kingdom one litre of petrol sells for more than one pound sterling or RM7. In the United States it is about RM5.

That the price in neighbouring countries has gone up is shown by the rush to fill up by Thai and to a lesser extent Singapore vehicles.

The Government has now announced an increase in petrol price by 78 sen to RM2.70 per litre, an increase of more than 40 per cent.

I may be mistaken but there seems to be less vehicles on the road today. But obviously that is not all that will happen. All other consumer goods, services and luxury goods would increase in price.

The cost of living must go up. Put another way there will be inflation and the standard of living will go down.

Obviously our increase in petrol price is far less than in the United Kingdom or the United States. But our per capita income is about one-third of theirs. In purchasing power terms our increase is more than in the UK or the US.

The increase hurts but the pain is greater not just because of the increase percentage-wise is higher than in developed countries but because of the manner the increase is made.

A few days ago the Government decided to ban sale of petrol to foreign cars. It flipped. Now foreign cars can buy again. Flopped.

Knowing that in a few days it was going to raise the price and foreigners would be allowed to buy, why cannot the Government just wait instead of banning and unbanning.

But be that as it may what could the Government have done to lessen the burden on the people that results from the increase in petrol price.

In the first place the Government should not have floated the Ringgit. A floating rate creates uncertainties and we cannot gain anything from the strengthened Ringgit. Certainly the people have not experienced any increase in their purchasing power because of the appreciation in the exchange rate between the US Dollar and the Ringgit.

Actually the Ringgit has increased by about 80 sen (from RM3.80 to RM3.08 to 1 US Dollar) per US Dollar, i.e. by more than 20 per cent. Had the Government retained the fixed rate system and increased the value of the Ringgit, say 10 per cent at a time, the cost of imports, in Ringgit terms can be monitored and reduced by 10 per cent. At 20 per cent appreciation the cost of imports should decrease by 20 per cent. But we know the prices of imported goods or services have not decreased at all. This means we are paying 20 per cent higher for our imports including the raw material and components for our industries.

Since oil prices are fixed in US Dollar, the increase in US Dollar prices of oil should also be mitigated by 20 per cent in Malaysian Ringgit.

But the Government wants to please the International Monetary Fund and the World Bank and decided to float the Ringgit. As a result the strengthening of the Ringgit merely increased our cost of exports without giving our people the benefit of lower cost of imports.

This is not wisdom after the event. I had actually told a Government Minister not to float the Ringgit three years ago. But of course I am not an expert, certainly I know little about the international financial regimes.

I believe the people expect the increase of petrol price. But what they are angry about is the quantum and the suddenness. The Prime Minister was hinting at August but suddenly it came two months earlier, just after the ban on sale of petrol to foreigners.

If the increase had been more gradual, the people would not feel it so much. But of course this means that the Government would have to subsidise, though to a decreasing extent.

Can the Government subsidise? I am the “adviser” to Petronas but I know very little about it beyond what is published in its accounts. What I do know may not be very accurate but should be sufficient for me to draw certain conclusions.

Roughly Malaysia produces 650,000 barrels of crude per day. We consume 400,000 barrels leaving 250,000 barrels to be exported.

Three years ago the selling price of crude was about USD30 per barrel. Today it is USD130 – an increase of USD100. There is hardly any increase in the production cost so that the extra USD100 can be considered as pure profit.

Our 250,000 barrels of export should earn us 250,000 x 100 x 365 x 3 = RM27,375,000,000 (twenty seven billion Ringgit).

But Petronas made a profit of well over RM70 billion, all of which belong to the Government.

By all accounts the Government is flushed with money.

But besides petrol the prices of palm oil, rubber and tin have also increased by about 400 per cent. Plantation companies and banks now earn as much as RM3 billion in profits each. Taxes paid by them must have also increased greatly.

I feel sure that maintaining the subsidy and gradually decreasing it would not hurt the Government finances.

In the medium term ways and means must be found to reduce wasteful consumption and increase income. We may not be able to fix the minimum wage at a high level but certainly we can improve the minimum wage.

Actually our wages are high compared to some of our neighbours. The investors who come here are attracted not by cheap labour but by other factors, among which is the attitude of the Government towards the business community and the investors in particular.

From what I hear business friendliness is wanting in the present Government – so much so that even Malaysians are investing in other countries. There are rumblings about political affiliations influencing decisions. Generally Government politicians are said to be arrogant.

Malaysia is short of manpower. The labour intensive industries are not benefiting Malaysians. Foreign workers are remitting huge sums of money home.

The industrial policy must change so that high tech is promoted in order to give Malaysians higher wages to cope with rising costs of living.

The world is facing economic turmoil due to the depreciation of the US Dollar, the sub-prime loan crisis, rising oil and raw material prices, food shortages and the continued activities of the greedy hedge funds. The possibility of a US recession is real. In a way the US is already in recession. The world economy will be dragged down by it.

Malaysia will be affected by all these problems. I wonder whether the Government is prepared for this.

We cannot avoid all the negative effects but there must be ways to mitigate against them and to lessen the burden that must be borne by all Malaysians. I am sure the Government will not just pass all these problems to the people as the review of oil prices every month seem to suggest.

Expect fresh street protests...

2008-06-05T08:28:00.002+08:00

Source : M'Kini

Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi is wishing that there will not be another round of public protests following the largest increase of fuel prices in history today.

"God willing, I hope Malaysians will not demonstrate over this," said the premier today, who had faced numerous demonstrations previously against similar hikes in fuel prices.

Fuel prices were raised on Feb 27, 2006 by 30 sen - the largest-ever increase at the time - which sparked waves after waves of demonstrations in Kuala Lumpur as well as one in Kuching.

Many of the demonstrations, which lasted for four months, were brutally broken up with tear gas and water cannons.

Another spate of increase on June 1, this time in electricity tariffs, sparked more demonstrations, including one dubbed ‘Bloody Sunday’, which ended with several demonstrators savagely beaten by riot police.

In the midst of all the demonstrations, Deputy Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak committed a infamous faux pas by urging the public to “change their lifestyle” which was frequently lampooned during the demonstrations.

Likewise, Abdullah had blundered when he told the public not to question how government funds saved from the slashing of subsidies - reportedly RM4.4 billion - would be spent.

Anti-price hikes coalition to meet

Public anger was also fueled by the price hikes of consumer goods and services.

Immediately following the rise in fuel prices, traders began increasing prices of food and other essential goods prompting the Domestic Trade and Industry Ministry to keep tabs on prices.

The ministry also introduce a ‘Fleet Card’ system that would allow commercial vehicles to enjoy a 15-sen per liter fuel subsidy.

Activists behind the 2006 series of demonstrations are expected to reprise their roles following today’s increase in fuel prices.

The Coalition Protesting Against Fuel Hike, or Protes, - which is an alliance of NGOs and opposition parties - was responsible for most of the demonstrations.

It is learnt that the coalition will be meeting soon to discuss the organisation's next course of action.

Two demonstrations are expected tomorrow - one in Ipoh and another in Kuala Lumpur - according to a 10pm blog posting by DAP leader Lim Kit Siang.

In addition to organising demonstrations, Protes produced a booklet titled ‘Fuel Hike: Truth & Questions’ highlighting the coalition’s arguments against the fuel hike.

Fuel hike: 78 sen more to RM2.70 per litre....!!!

2008-06-05T07:47:00.004+08:00

Source : M'Kini

YennaMike Says : "Petrol sudah hike up, Electric sudah hike up, Nasi sudah hike up, Living cost sudah hike up....tapi BOSS bila Gaji nak hike up to match all these lah...!!!"

The government has announced that petrol price will go up by 78 sen at midnight - a 40.6 percent jump from RM1.92 per litre to RM2.70.

"Effective from tomorrow, June 5, 2008, the price of petrol will be raised by 78 sen and the price of diesel will be raised by RM1," Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi told a 50-minute press conference at his office in Putrajaya.The price of diesel will increase by a whopping 63.3 percent - from RM1.58 per litre to RM2.58.

The price hikes are among government measures to drastically cut the spiralling bill for oil subsidies, which is expected to amount to RM56 billion this year.

With the new structure, Second Finance Minister Nor Mohamed Yakcop - who was also present at the press conference - said the government is expected to spend about RM18 billion a year on oil subsidies.

At a press conference held at 5.30pm, Abdullah also announced that the government plans to offer rebates to motorists to offset the fuel price increase.

Under the scheme, vehicles below 2000cc will receive an annual rebate of RM625 to compensate for 800 litres of fuel used under the new price.

"Owners of private motorcycles of engine capacity of up to 250cc will be paid a cash rebate of RM150 per year," he said.

According to the prime minister, the money will be paid by money order. Rebate will be paid when motorists renew the road tax for their vehicles.
The government is expected to save RM13.7 billion under this new subsidy restructure and other levies.

The figures are derived from the savings made by state-owned oil company Petronas in gas and oil (RM8 billion), petrol (RM4 billion) and the independent power producer and palm oil (RM1.7 billion).The surplus of RM13.7 billion will be used for food security policy (RM4 billion), subsidies in cooking oil (RM1.5 billion), rice import (RM400 million), flour and bread (RM300 million), petrol, diesel and gas (RM7.5 billion), Abdullah explained.

Since 2004, petrol has gone up by 97.1 percent, while diesel increased by a whopping 231 percent [see chart below].

Higher TNB tariffs Abdullah also announced that the road tax for vehicles above 2,000cc will be reduced by RM200.

For motorbikes above 250cc, their road tax will be slashed by RM50, but a minimum rate of RM2 road tax will be maintained.The diesel subsidy for fishermen and vessel owners have been fixed at RM1.43 per litre. Previously fishermen bought diesel at RM1 per litre while vessel owners paid RM1.20 per litre.The premier also announced a price hike in gas supply for electrical and industry sectors.The premier added that the electricity tariffs too will be increased, effective July 1.He said the power tariff rate would remain the same for households which use below 200 kilowatt of electricity, which amount to RM43.60.However, those using more than 200 kilowatt will have to pay around 20 percent more.

National power supplier Tenaga Nasional will announce its new price structure at 12 noon tomorrow.The prime minister, in anticipating public anger from price hikes, has urged Malaysians not to organise street protests.

"The cost of petrol and commodities has risen drastically and so subsidies have to be restructured," he lamented.

"God willing I hope Malaysians will not demonstrate over this," he said, referring to fury over earlier hikes in a country where public transport is poor and most people are reliant on their cars.

Expect more price hikesAbdullah said that under the new scheme, the government will maintain a 30-sen fuel subsidy, which is independent of the market rate of fuel prices.For example, if the market rate is RM3 per litre, the local pump price will be RM2.70 per litre with the 30-sen subsidy.He said that the government would review the market price on monthly base and announce the subsidised price accordingly.Abdullah also said that he was confident the economic growth could be maintained at five percent and inflation at four to five percent.

Domestic Trade and Consumer Affairs Minister Shahrir Abdul Samad, who was also at the press conference, conceded that the increase would impact on inflation, which came in at 3.0 percent in April.

"With this hike, the CPI (consumer price index) is expected to rise to 5.0 percent" this year, he said.He also said that the new price of RM2.70 did not reflect the full market value, which could be as high as RM3-4 when the price controls are completely removed in August.Also at the press conference were Deputy Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak, Minister in the Prime Minister's Department Amirsham Abdul Aziz, Information Minister Ahmad Shabery Cheek and International Trade and Industry Minister Muhyiddin Yassin.

Uproar over ruling against prayer, statue

2008-06-04T20:16:00.000+08:00

Source : NST

IPOH: At the beginning of every Bharatanatyam performance, artistes of this famous South Indian classical dance pay obeisance on stage to a statue of Lord Nadaraja.

This common practice is also carried out to invoke the deity's blessings so that the dancers perform well without any obstacle.

However, on Monday night, a group of Bharatanatyam dancers performed before a full gallery at the Taman Budaya public auditorium without the customary on-stage pooja (prayer) to Lord Nadaraja.

This was because the owner of the venue, the state Unity, Culture, Arts and Heritage Department, permitted the dance on condition they did not install a statue or portrait of the deity and offer their prayers on stage.

For the record, this is not the first time that dancers from the three Bharatanatyam schools of Nrityakalanjali, Natyakalamandir and Anandanarthana Choodamani in the state had performed at the venue.

In the past, the dancers were allowed to offer their prayers on stage, said P. Sasikumar, who acted as the spokesman for the three dance schools.

"This time we were not allowed because the department imposed this condition.

"This is ridiculous. The pooja is an integral part of the performance and has been practised for hundreds of years," he said before the start of the Bharatanatyam performance at Taman Budaya.

He said the practice of paying obeisance to Lord Nadaraja was important because the deity was worshipped as the king of dance.

In defence, the department said the organisers were informed beforehand of the conditions and chose to go ahead with the performance.

The department's public relations officer, Shaliza Azlin, said the organisers had agreed that the prayers would be performed backstage to respect the sensitivities of the audience, who also comprised Chinese and Malays.

"We did not stop them from doing the pooja. We did not want them to do it in public."

Shaliza said the same conditions had been imposed on other cultural groups.

Perak state assembly speaker V. Sivakumar, who was at the performance, said: "The prayer is very much part of the cultural performance and should have been allowed on the stage."

He said he would bring the matter up with the state government as well as his party so that such "intolerant behaviour" could be nipped in the bud before it became widespread.

Vigil di Kamunting

2008-06-04T13:48:00.004+08:00

Source : Via Suaram Net

Vigil di Kamunting

Sempena Kempen Bebaskan Tahanan 6 Tahun ISA

Tarikh: 7 Jun 2008 (Saturday)

Masa: 8.00 pm

Tempat: Depan Kem Kamunting

Contact: Megat Shariffudin 012-5222664 or

Alex 016-5535003

PSD scholarships: Publish names, results

2008-06-04T13:35:00.002+08:00

Via : M'Kini Voxpopuli

YennaMike Says:"I think Pakatan Raykat should debate this matter and get it out in the open. We all know the ones that deserves those scholarship the most are not getting it besipte having great result...publish the name and results and prove the RAKYAT they deserve the PSD Scholarship...!!!

PSD scholarships: Publish names, results

‘If they have nothing to hide and are telling the truth, why not publish these and also the list of unsuccessful candidates and their grades and the criteria for having rejected them?’

On Wee: PSD scholarships should be given on merit

Voice of Hindraf: The PSD’s claim of 55% of the scholarships for the bumi’s and 45% for non- bumis is an outright lie by Umno. Indians get only about 2% of these scholarships. Get to the point Umno. If the above 45% figure is true, then publish the said names of recipients, their grades etc. Umno could have made this statement before the Nov 25 and the Indians may have believed the same. Umno has to move away from these obsolete cheap media propaganda and gimmicks. You cannot be hoodwinking all the people all the time.

Young Indians are struggling to get PSD scholarships and public university places. Yet, a young Umno graduate is talking about her profits already. Nur Azrin who holds a Bachelor of Science Biotechnology from UM has been issued a license by the government to produce biodiesel. Her company, Agro Biotechnology Technovation (M) Sdn Bhd (ABT), is building the country’s largest biodiesel plant in Kuala Lukut, Port Dickson for RM900 Million. With this kind of calibre, the last thing Umno should do is to deny 40,000 Indian children even their birth certificates (in Selangor alone) and giving only 2% of their scholarships to Indians locally and less than 1% for foreign universities. Tamil school pupils have to study in cabins, JKR stores and even under the trees as their schools are falling apart. How cruel can Umno be?

Umno and PSD are beating around the bush. If you have nothing to hide and are telling the truth, why not publish the names of the successful recipients, their grades and also the list of unsuccessful candidates and their grades and the criteria for having rejected them?

Murugesan Sinnandavar: Umno Youth’s statement against increasing PSD’s scholarship quota for non-bumiputera applicants from 10 percent to 45 percent is a step in a wrong direction. Whilst it is understandable that they have the interest of the Malay students at heart, leaders of BN should not forget that we represent all Malaysians and must place the interest of the nation first. The Malay students need not fear or worry as the government did not decrease the number of Malay students offered PSD Scholarship (1,100) compared to previous years. Nor did they increase the requirement to qualify for such scholarships. The government merely increased the number students that have been offered scholarships in keeping with the large number of non- Malay students that had obtained excellent results. This bodes well for the country and our brain bank.

The cry of non-Malay students that performed well above the minimum cut-off point but were turned down for PSD scholarships year after year is a clear indication that the 10% quota for non- Malays is grossly unfair and deprives many excellent students from pursuing their dreams. An increase to 45% is a step in the right direction and must be welcomed by all. We must not forget that all students, irrespective of race, are children of this nation and must be equitably nurtured. The government must work towards establishing our education system based on meritocracy to benefit from its best students. (The writer is an MIC CWC member)

PT Tan: Looks like those in charge of uplifting academic achievements cannot understand the difference between a bursary and a scholarship. Scholarships are strictly based on merit, nothing more. Meaning the best gets it, period. Bursaries are for those who need financial help to carry on their normal studies and may not necessarily be for top students only.

MALAYSIA: IMPLEMENT THE RECOMMENDATION OF THE ROYAL POLICE COMMISSION.

2008-06-04T08:29:00.002+08:00

Source : MakkalSakti.blogspot.com

Human Rights & Policing Action

Background

The Royal Commission to Enhance the Operation and Management of the Royal Malaysia Police was established by the King on 4 February 2004 under the Commission of Inquiry Act, 1950. In its 576-page report, submitted to the Prime Minister on 29 April, and which was publicly released on 12 June 2005, the Commission made 125 recommendations focusing on three main areas of reform - crime reduction, eradicating corruption and observing human rights in policing the country.

Among the key recommendations were:

· Establish an Independent Police Complaints and Misconduct Commission (IPCMC) aimed at dealing with complaints regarding the police and seeking to improve the professionalism of the force and to ensure that doctrines, laws, rules and procedures are observed and implemented by the police.

· Establish reasonable grounds before arrest by carrying out test on informants’ allegation and surveillance before acting on a report of an alleged crime.

· Substitute section 113 of CPC which allows any statement taken from a suspect in custody to be used as evidence in court with new provision that specify clear exceptions.

· Record statements or confessions before magistrate pursuant to section 115 of CPC which allows for a right to a lawyer.

· Make compliance with human rights and prescribed laws one of the three top priorities for PDRM.

· Launch a human rights education and information initiative in PDRM.

· Amend section 27 of the Police Act 1967 which emphasise the need to have a police permit to organise gatherings.

· Amend section 73 of the Internal Security Act 1960 to allow a detained person to be produced before a magistrate within 24 hours and be allowed access to family and lawyers and limit the detention period to a maximum of 30days.

· Amend section 3 of the Dangerous Drugs (Special Preventive Measures) Act 1985 to allow a detained person to be produced before a magistrate within 24 hours and be allowed access to family and lawyers. The Commission also recommends limiting the detention period to a maximum of 30days.

· Repeal Restricted Residence Act 1933 that allows the preventive detention of suspected criminals in a specific residential area that may extend up to the lifetime of a person.

· Repeal Emergency (Public Order and Prevention of Crime) Ordinance 1969.

· Partially repeal the Prevention of Crime Act 1959.

· Amend section 117 CPC to allow for a maximum of 7 days for an arrest without warrant and not more than 24 hours for arrest with warrant and be allowed access to a lawyer and in cases where there is no lawyer present, the magistrate must enquire from a detainee if he wishes to make any complaint regarding his arrest and detention.

· Adopt code of practice relating to the arrest and detention of persons.

· Conduct inquiries into all cases of custodial deaths and make the process more expeditious, transparent and accountable.

· Enhance Special Branch accountability with its powers and responsibilities spelt out in law so that it can function impartially and independently and to clearly define the term ‘security’ to avoid misconception and abuse of power.

The implementation process

The report renewed the hope of an independent, accountable and professional police in Malaysia. The public and concerned groups celebrated these recommendations and looked forward to their immediate implementation.

In June 2005, a Task Force headed by the Prime Minister was set up to study the Commission's report and to determine the order of priority in the implementation of the recommendations.

Unfortunately, until today, civil society and the public at large have been kept in a dark on the specific status of the various recommendations despite the clear and specific timelines set by the Commission.

There is also a major concern on lack of transparency in the process of implementing these recommendations. The lack of progress in implementing the Royal Commission’s recommendations especially the matters dealing with human rights is due to the lack of political will on the part of the Malaysian government.

In spite of these recommendations instances of police violence, abuse of power and human rights abuses continued as usual since the report of the Royal Commission were made public. Cases of death in custody, violent dispersal of peaceful demonstrators and other form of human rights violation continued to be reported.

What you can do

Write to the Prime Minister of Malaysia

· Call for a total implementation of the Royal Commissions Report without further delay.
· Emphasize that there are major concern on lack of transparency in the process of implementing these recommendations especially the matters dealing with human rights and
· Ask him demonstrate the political will on the part of the Malaysian government to make the long awaited reform process to this crucial public service to become a reality.

YAB Dato' Seri Abdullah bin Haji Ahmad Badawi
Prime Minister and Minister of Internal Security
Prime Minister's Office Malaysia
Perdana Putra Building,
Federal Government Administrative Centre,
62502 PUTRAJAYA Malaysia.
Tel: + 60 3 8888 6000
Fax: + 60 3 8888 3444

Write to the Attorney General to:

·Immediately finalise and table the Independent Police Complaints and Misconduct Commission (IPCMC) Bill without any delay and major amendments to the Parliament.

Tan Sri Abdul Ghani Patail
Attorney General
Attorney General's Chambers of Malaysia
Level 1-8 Block C3, Parcel C,
Federal Government Administrative Centre,
62512 Putrajaya
Malaysia
Phone No: 03 - 8885 5000
Fax No: 03 - 8888 9362

Write to the Inspector General of Police and call on him to:

· To make compliance with human rights one of the three top priorities for PDRM.
· To launch a human rights education and information initiative in PDRM.
· Support the establishment of the Independent Police Complaints and Misconduct Commission (IPCMC) aimed at dealing with complaints regarding the police and seeking to improve the professionalism of the force and to ensure that doctrines, laws, rules and procedures are observed and implemented by the police.

Tan Sri Musa Hassan
Ketua Polis Negara
Ibu Pejabat Polis,
Bukit Aman,
50560 Kuala Lumpur
Phone: 03 2262 6015
Fax: 03 2272 5613

STATE SCHOLARSHIP FOR HIGHER EDUCATION

2008-06-03T17:39:00.002+08:00

Source : http://kula.blogsome.com/ via Politicsec

Perak born students who are seeking financial assistance for higher education kindly read the given info as follows:

REQUIREMENTS FOR PERAK HIGHER EDUCATION LOAN

1. Applicant is a resident of His Majesty Paduka Seri Sultan of Perak

2. Either the applicant, father or mother was born in Perak.

3. Applicants age on 1st Of July currrent year:

3.1 Diploma - not exceeding 26 years old or 41 years old for government servant.
3.2 Degree - not exceeding 36 years old or 41 years old for government servant.

4. Enrolled for full time course in Diploma or Degree
4.1 (Please refer to the list of sponsored institutions)

5. Did not accept any sponsorship/loan from any party.

6. All copy of documents are certified.

7. Incomplete form or/and application after closing date will automatically be rejected.

8. In the case you did not receive any notifications after 3 months of the closing, your application is considered to be unsuccessful.

9. Printed forms or Original Form should be submitted before the closing date to:

Setiausaha,
Lembaga Kumpulan Wang Biasiswa / Pinjaman
d/a Pejabat Setiausaha Kerajaan Negeri,
Bahagian Pentadbiran dan Kewangan,
Aras 3, Bangunan Perak Darul Ridzuan,
Jalan Panglima Bukit Gantang Wahab,
30100 Ipoh,
Perak Darul Ridzuan.

INSTITUTION NAME

ASIAN INSTITUTE OF MEDICINE, SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
KOLEJ ISLAM DARUL RIDZUAN
KOLEJ TAFE
KOLEJ TUNKU ABDUL RAHMAN
MANAGEMENT AND SCIENCE UNIVERSITY(MSU)
POLITEKNIK SEBERANG PERAI
POLITEKNIK DUNGUN
POLITEKNIK JOHOR BAHRU
POLITEKNIK KOTA BHARU
POLITEKNIK KULIM
POLITEKNIK MERLIMAU
POLITEKNIK PERLIS
POLITEKNIK PORT DICKSON
POLITEKNIK SABAH
POLITEKNIK SABAK BERNAM SELANGOR
POLITEKNIK SHAH ALAM
POLITEKNIK SULTAN ABD HALIM MUADZAM SHAH
POLITEKNIK SULTAN HJ. AHMAD SHAH
POLITEKNIK TANJONG MALIM
POLITEKNIK UNGKU OMAR
ROYAL COLLEGE OF MEDICINE, PERAK
UNIVERSITI AL-AZHAR
UNIVERSITI DARUL IMAN
UNIVERSITI ISLAM ANTARABANGSA
UNIVERSITI KEBANGSAAN MALAYSIA
UNIVERSITI MALAYA
UNIVERSITI MALAYSIA PAHANG
UNIVERSITI MALAYSIA PERLIS
UNIVERSITI MALAYSIA SABAH
UNIVERSITI MALAYSIA SARAWAK
UNIVERSITI MALAYSIA TERENGGANU
UNIVERSITI OF JORDAN
UNIVERSITI PENDIDIKAN SULTAN IDRIS
UNIVERSITI PUTRA MALAYSIA SARAWAK
UNIVERSITI PUTRA MALAYSIA SERDANG
UNIVERSITI PUTRA MALAYSIA TERENGGANU
UNIVERSITI SAINS ISLAM MALAYSIA
UNIVERSITI SAINS MALAYSIA KELANTAN
UNIVERSITI SAINS MALAYSIA, NIBONG TEBAL
UNIVERSITI SAINS MALAYSIA, PERAK
UNIVERSITI SAINS MALAYSIA, PULAU PINANG
UNIVERSITI TEKNIKAL MALAYSIA MELAKA
UNIVERSITI TEKNOLOGI MALAYSIA KEDAH
UNIVERSITI TEKNOLOGI MALAYSIA, K.L
UNIVERSITI TEKNOLOGI MALAYSIA, PAHANG
UNIVERSITI TEKNOLOGI MALAYSIA, SKUDAI
UNIVERSITI TEKNOLOGI MARA , JOHOR
UNIVERSITI TEKNOLOGI MARA , KELANTAN
UNIVERSITI TEKNOLOGI MARA , PAHANG
UNIVERSITI TEKNOLOGI MARA , PERLIS
UNIVERSITI TEKNOLOGI MARA , TERENGGANU
UNIVERSITI TEKNOLOGI MARA ,KUALA PILAH.
UNIVERSITI TEKNOLOGI MARA, KEDAH
UNIVERSITI TEKNOLOGI MARA, MELAKA
UNIVERSITI TEKNOLOGI MARA, PERAK
UNIVERSITI TEKNOLOGI MARA, PULAU PINANG
UNIVERSITI TEKNOLOGI MARA, SABAH
UNIVERSITI TEKNOLOGI MARA, SARAWAK
UNIVERSITI TEKNOLOGI MARA, SHAH ALAM
UNIVERSITI TUN ABDUL RAZAK
UNIVERSITI TUN HUSSEIN ONN
UNIVERSITI TUNKU ABDUL RAHMAN
UNIVERSITI UTARA MALAYSIA
UNIVERSITI UTARA MALAYSIA, PAHANG

FOR MORE INFORMTION KINDLY VISIT - Click Here

Temple demolition: Report lodged against police 'inaction'

2008-06-03T13:25:00.002+08:00

Source : M'Kini

A police report was filed today against Klang district police chief ACP Mohamad Mat Yusop for allegedly not acting on "tens of police reports" that have been lodged over a land transfer and clearance works involving the Sri Maha Nagamuthu Karumariamman temple near Jalan Kapar.

PKR's Kapar member of Parliament S Manikavasagam filed the report this morning, a day after residents living near the 80-year-old temple and activists demonstrated against its planned demolition by the ‘owner' of the temple.

"Tens of police reports have been lodged over several years, but nothing has been done," Manikavasagam told Malaysiakini.

According to Manikavasagam, workers for the current owner - who allegedly acquired the one-hectare land on which the temple stands through dubious means - had already broken parts of the roof of the temple and broken or taken down the statues contained inside.

"We're still doing research regarding the owner, but we believe the owner is connected to a local state assemblyperson and has development plans for the land. We believe the land costs up to RM3 million, maybe more," said Manikavasagam.

He said numerous police reports had been lodged since the temple caretaker E Muthu Kumar discovered the land was transferred to somebody else.

Muthu claimed that he had lived on the land for over 50 years and that his father had been given the land by its original landowner.

A protracted struggle

The original landowner, Harbhajan Singh, is said to have migrated to India in 1973 and died there in the 1980s.

In 1996, however, Muthu found that the land had earlier been transferred to one ‘Lin Chee Yong', who obtained in 2000 a Shah Alam High Court order for the land to be vacated.

A protracted struggle then ensued between Lin and Muthu, which saw contempt charges as well as a spate of police reports being filed between the parties against the other.

In 2007, Muthu applied for the Shah Alam High Court to set aside its earlier decision on the basis that the land transfer was allegedly "fraudulently obtained".

Muthu's lawyer Dr SN Pathmanabhan said this claim was based on the finding that Harbhajan's identity card (IC) number as contained in the memorandum of transfer to Lin actually belonged to a Chinese woman residing in Kuala Lipis, Pahang.

He also said that contrary to the practice of Punjabis of his generation, Harbhajan - who would have been in his 80s in 1996 - had written in "very precise English".

"The signature, furthermore, did not look like that of an 80-plus year old but that of a much stronger, younger person," he told Malaysiakini.

Pathmanabhan also said the payment of RM850,000 that Harbhajan allegedly received for the sale of his land actually never materialised.

Over and above all of these reasons, he added, was the fact that Harbhajan had died in India in the 1980s but supposedly entered in 1996 into a transaction to sell the land concerned.

A police report was filed today against Klang district police chief ACP Mohamad Mat Yusop for allegedly not acting on "tens of police reports" that have been lodged over a land transfer and clearance works involving the Sri Maha Nagamuthu Karumariamman temple near Jalan Kapar.
MCPX
PKR's Kapar member of Parliament S Manikavasagam filed the report this morning, a day after residents living near the 80-year-old temple and activists demonstrated against its planned demolition by the ‘owner' of the temple.

"Tens of police reports have been lodged over several years, but nothing has been done," Manikavasagam told Malaysiakini.

According to Manikavasagam, workers for the current owner - who allegedly acquired the one-hectare land on which the temple stands through dubious means - had already broken parts of the roof of the temple and broken or taken down the statues contained inside.

"We're still doing research regarding the owner, but we believe the owner is connected to a local state assemblyperson and has development plans for the land. We believe the land costs up to RM3 million, maybe more," said Manikavasagam.

He said numerous police reports had been lodged since the temple caretaker E Muthu Kumar discovered the land was transferred to somebody else.

Muthu claimed that he had lived on the land for over 50 years and that his father had been given the land by its original landowner.

A protracted struggle

The original landowner, Harbhajan Singh, is said to have migrated to India in 1973 and died there in the 1980s.

In 1996, however, Muthu found that the land had earlier been transferred to one ‘Lin Chee Yong', who obtained in 2000 a Shah Alam High Court order for the land to be vacated.

A protracted struggle then ensued between Lin and Muthu, which saw contempt charges as well as a spate of police reports being filed between the parties against the other.

In 2007, Muthu applied for the Shah Alam High Court to set aside its earlier decision on the basis that the land transfer was allegedly "fraudulently obtained".

Muthu's lawyer Dr SN Pathmanabhan said this claim was based on the finding that Harbhajan's identity card (IC) number as contained in the memorandum of transfer to Lin actually belonged to a Chinese woman residing in Kuala Lipis, Pahang.

He also said that contrary to the practice of Punjabis of his generation, Harbhajan - who would have been in his 80s in 1996 - had written in "very precise English".

"The signature, furthermore, did not look like that of an 80-plus year old but that of a much stronger, younger person," he told Malaysiakini.

Pathmanabhan also said the payment of RM850,000 that Harbhajan allegedly received for the sale of his land actually never materialised.

Over and above all of these reasons, he added, was the fact that Harbhajan had died in India in the 1980s but supposedly entered in 1996 into a transaction to sell the land concerned.

Police inaction

Pathmanabhan said the Shah Alam High Court had set Aug 27 this year to hear the application to set aside the 2000 court order.

Parallel to the case, said Manikavasagam, his concern today was for the police to address the questions of Muthu and the patrons of the temple as to why they had not acted on the numerous reports lodged on Lin's efforts to clear the land.

These efforts were taken despite the ongoing court proceedings and included efforts to dislodge Muthu, the disconnection of the temple's water supply, and damage done to the gates and other parts of the temple building, he said.

On Oct 1, 2007, a police report was lodged claiming threats had been made to the lives of the Muthu and his family, Manikavasagam added.

"We lodged the police report against ACP Mohamad Mat because the police had not acted on that and the many other reports that had been lodged," said Manikavasagam.

ACP Mohamad Mat could not be reached for comments.

Dreams for scholarship shattered by PSD

2008-05-30T11:05:00.002+08:00

By : Disappointed Student via M'Kini

YennaMike Says : "Why Malaysia why...??, why are you treating our potential youths this way...please provide fair higher education for all, be very fair in giving out Scholarships...and i urge the government be transparent on this since we all know we have a very corrupted government...!!!"

I refer to the letter The dilemma of 'Malaysian' scholars

I was also like many others who wrote in hoping and praying hard that I will get a PSD scholarship. However the reality of injustice materialised when I found out I didn’t get this offer upon which I had placed all my hope. Other similarities I have, include obtaining a string of As (10 A1s and 2 A2s), being rejected for matriculation as well as having parents working in the government sector.

I also have outstanding co-curricular results. I didn’t even bother applying for the Asasi programme (local university foundation) as I was too devastated when I found out that non-bumiputeras who wanted to pursue medicine were not allowed to enrol themselves in these programmes.

I even went as far as to call every university in the list to ascertain this very painful reality. All I can do now is hope my appeal for a PSD scholarship will come through. My heart goes out to all the other high-achievers in our country who have been discriminated in a similar way.

My concern is why doesn’t the government have a system solely based on meritocracy to give the opportunity to those truly deserving of a scholarship. These students might feel as if all their hard work and talent has not been appreciated and they will be terribly hurt.

Also, it will serve as a terrible blow to their perception towards the country. This unjust system will backfire on the country itself as it is preventing deserving students from becoming future leaders of our country. Consequently, our country is denied the fast pace of development it is capable of.

What of the quality of students who are entering the local public universities having not obtained one of the 2,000 PSD foreign study scholarships every year? I have ‘friends’ who are not up to par with me and are able to obtain scholarships and enter our local universities easily.

I myself feel very hurt as I ponder upon our dilemma, the non-bumis, who really did come from this bumi here in Malaysia. We have the love for Malaysia and are prepared to strive our best for the country. Our love for the country is equal if not more than the bumi.

I think I speak for all the non-bumis by saying we would never let the country down given the chance. However, I am confounded on why we are condemned to such a situation. Why treat us unfairly? Is this the government’s way of creating unity among races they continually speak of?

For the good of Malaysia; it’s people, it’s sovereignty, and national integration I hope now will be the time where we can all be equal Malaysian bumiputeras. Everyday we hear the cries of many students who seem to undergo the same fate and everyday the love and hope for my country dwindles as well. Please don’t fail me, Malaysia.

Cheras barricade goes down again

2008-05-29T11:56:00.004+08:00

Source : M'Kini

YennaMike Says : "I was very shocked when i first came to know about the fracas in Cheras. I'm reall sad to see the way my fellow Malaysians being treated by our Police, FRU and Hired "Thug" as claimed. What Suhakam got to say about this...??, Suhakam are you really listening to peoples' plea...??"

Bandar Mahkota Cheras residents have torn down the controversial wall built by toll operator Grand Saga which blocked access to the Cheras-Kajang Highway late last night.

This was the third time that the five-foot wall, consisting of table-size boulders and erected across the two-lane toll-free slip road, was demolished.

In a significant about-turn, Selangor police chief Khalid Abu Bakar was at the scene at about 7.30pm to give the jubilant residents the green light to remove the wall.

The residents, with the help of tractors, eventually cleared the access road for motor vehicles to pass by 9.30pm.

The police, who had earlier been accused of siding with toll operator, kept a close watch on the operation. Khalid had also warned Grand Saga not to rebuild the wall.

On Tuesday, about a dozen residents were seriously injured at a fracas after Grand Saga re-erected the barricade. Residents have accused the toll operator of hiring ‘gangsters’ armed with sticks to stop them from tearing down the wall.

According to Bernama, police have launched an investigation to identify the ‘thugs’ who had beaten the residents - one of whom were hospitalised with a broken hand, while another were given seven stitches after a blow on his head.

A group of BMC residents are presently in Parliament asking for a meeting with Works Minister Mohd Zin Mohamed.

Lims calls for inquiry

Meanwhile DAP leader Lim Kit Siang condemned the violence which resulted in the injuries of several residents two nights ago.

He also lambasted the presence of thugs to stop the residents from pulling down the barricade.

He also criticised the police for not only their "hands-off" policy during the rampage by the thugs, but also in going on a rampage of their own in assaulting innocent bystander Chang Jiun Haur.

"An independent public inquiry into the spate of physical violence against the protesting public by thugs and police personnel is fully warranted," he added.

He said that DAP MP for Serdang Teo Nie Ching will be raising the issue in Parliament today.

Mahathir returns, fires another salvo

2008-05-28T11:14:00.002+08:00

Source : M'Kini

Soon after he touched down at Subang Airport in Kuala Lumpur, Dr Mahathir Mohamad couldn’t resist firing yet another salvo at his handpicked successor-turn-nemesis Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi.

He’s more afraid of Singapore than Umno members,” the former premier told a crowd of 300 supporters who had gathered to welcome him back from a week-long overseas trip.

Mahathir, who spoke to his supporters through a loud-hailer for about five minutes from the sunroof of a silver multi-purpose van (MPV), accused Abdullah as a traitor.

“Negara cet tu ja pun dia takut (He is afraid of even a tiny country). What kind of a leader is he?” he thundered as the crowd chanted, “Abdullah undur!” (Abdullah step down!)

While Mahathir did not mention Pulau Batu Puteh, he was clearly referring to last Friday’s International Court of Justice decision against Malaysia in its dispute with Singapore over the sovereignty of the strategic uninhabited island south of Johor.

The ex-PM has just returned from Japan after addressing the annual Nikkei conference which was also incidentally attended by Abdullah. The two protagonists however addressed the event on separate days.

“When I was Umno president, he was never loyal to me, but I never made it look like he was not loyal to the party. I let him contest for the vice-presidency, the deputy presidency and now he is the president,” he said, looking fresh in a pin-stripe light blue shirt and a smart grey jacket.

Mahathir also blasted Abdullah as a manipulator who “label those who oppose him as traitors to the party”.

“I am not acting on any pressure,” Mahathir continued, “I am doing this because Umno under Abdullah has forgotten its roots, its struggle for the party - for the Malays and for the nation.”

Dr M cites Malay proverb

He added that Abdullah was a person who had forgotten his roots and was not “grateful” as it was he who handpicked him to be his successor.

“There is a Malay proverb that goes: hutang emas boleh di bayar tapi hutang budi di bawa mati (debt of gold can be repaid but debt of courtesy, we carry to the death).

“But I am not even dead and he has shown...,” said Mahathir who could not finish his sentence as his voice was drown by shouts of “Hidup Mahathir! Hidup Mahathir!” (Long live Mahathir!).

Some of the supporters, who had come all the way from Mahathir’s home state of Kedah, also yelled in support of Mahathir’s youngest son, “Hidup Mukhriz!” (Long live Mukhriz!). Mukhriz, an ardent critic of Abdullah in Umno, is member of parliament for Jerlun, Kedah.

Mahathir, who appeared elated by the enthusiastic reception, thanked his supporters for their presence.

“When I was in Umno, I received the same reception as today so there is no difference of being an Umno member and not being a member,” he said.

Mahathir sent shockwaves last week when he announced his decision to leave the party which he had led for 22 years in what was believed to be an attempt to trigger a domino effect that would see a mass resignation of Umno members.

This however did not happen when Umno leaders after an emergency meeting with Abdullah accepted Mahathir’s resignation and pledged to back the embattled party leader.

Meanwhile Abdullah also returned from Japan today, with the aircraft carrying him landing at the same Royal Malaysian Air Force Base in Subang at 9.30pm.

About 1,000 people were at the airport to greet the prime minister.

MB: RM27m spent by BN reps in two months

2008-05-23T15:00:00.001+08:00

Source : M'Kini

Selangor Menteri Besar Abdul Khalid Ibrahim today revealed that Barisan Nasional assemblypersons had spent 90.6 percent of the total state allocations within the first two months of this year.

The grand total amounts to RM26,634,844.33 and a balance of RM2,907,155.76 remains, he said in reply to a question posed by Ng Suee Lim (DAP-Sekinchan).

Khalid then proceeded to provide a breakdown of total funds spent in each constituencies in order for members of the assembly to know if funds were still available.

He also noted that there was a number of trends in the amount of funds spent, such as a large number of Barisan representatives spending exactly RM492,800, and said that he would investigate the matter.

"Strangely, the previous speaker, who was not even a state assemblyperson, spent RM600,000," he told the House.

Khalid then suggested that a select committee on competency, accountability and transparency be established to probe the matter.

The two-month speeding spree has resulted in the 36 state seats that have now come under the control of the joint PKR-DAP-PAS government in the March 8 general elections having nothing much left to spend for the rest of the year.

In his royal address on Wednesday, Selangor Sultan Sharafuddin Idris Shah ticked off previous state administration assemblypersons for spending almost all of the RM27 million allocations.

He said efforts to improve efficiency in the state would be meaningless if wastages or inappropriate spending are not curbed and urged the state government to be prudent.

Balkis controversy

On a question by Lau Weng San (DAP-Kampung Tunku) on the Balkis controversy, Khalid said he had tried in vain to seek answers from the Registrar of Societies (ROS).

He said that he had written three letters to the ROS since April but no reply was forthcoming.

"In the letters, we have asked for details on Balkis dissolution. But we have yet to receive any reply. We are still waiting for an answer," he said.

However, he told the House that it was necessary for Balkis to explain certain activities they had organised as it involved the help and support from companies owned by the state government.

Khalid then gave a litany of examples involving tens of thousands of ringgit being spent on matters such as souvenirs for 'VVIPs', dinner functions and festivals.

In one example, Khalid drew loud groans from the Pakatan Rakyat backbenchers when he revealed that RM279,000 were spent on sports clothing for Balkis members.

"They used Galeri Hafiz Sdn Bhd. It involved two payments - RM158,000 and RM121,000 - to prepare sports clothes for men and women," he said.

Again, he mooted that Balkis expenditures be scrutinised by a select committee comprising of both Pakatan and Barisan reps.

To a supplementary question by Jenice Lee (DAP-Teratai), Khalid said the state government was of the view that Balkis had yet to be officially dissolved.

Balkis was a very rich charity group comprising of the wives of Selangor elected representatives.

There was an uproar when it was learnt that the group had passed a resolution to dissolve the association just after the March 8 general election and with it, its millions in funds.

Professionals, youths to be roped in to run MIC

2008-05-23T14:59:00.000+08:00

Source : The Star

YennaMike Says : "Errr...who have been running MIC all these while then if it is not Professionals and Youths...eeerrrmmmm"

KANGAR: More professionals and youths will be roped in to run the MIC branches in a bid to regain the Indian community's trust and confidence in the party and Barisan Nasional, president Datuk Seri S. Samy Vellu said.

He said the MIC would have to think of new strategies to woo them into the party as previous approaches may have not been acceptable.

Speaking Friday at the opening of the Perlis MIC state convention here, he said the party has set its sights on young graduates.

He also said the MIC would discard the “old methods” that had prevented them from voicing their ideas and dissatisfaction through the party.

“We want to allow for more voices, especially from the professionals and youths, to be heard,” he said, adding that the move was part of the party’s re-branding exercise that was launched recently.

Samy Vellu said the time has come for the party to re-look at the way the branches and divisions have been operating and inject new dynamism and work culture among the leaders.

He said what the party needed to do now was to stop the “soul searching" process and the “denial syndrome” and get on with the job of rejuvenating the MIC.

He said that the MIC would give its “full backing” for Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi to fulfil the pledges made by the Barisan Nasional in the last general election.

“This is our priority now. We want the Government to fulfil all its pledges made in the Ninth Malaysia Plan for the Indians,” he said, adding that by doing so, it would regain the Indians’ trust in the Government and the Barisan Nasional.

Uthaya's new bid for freedom, this time for medical negligence

2008-05-22T13:26:00.000+08:00

Source : M'Kini

A fresh habeas corpus has been filed by a detained Hindu Action Rights Force (Hindraf) leader against the Internal Security Ministry and Kamunting detention centre authorities for medical negligence and endangerment to life.

Lawyer N Surendran filed the habeas corpus application at the Kuala Lumpur High Court today on behalf of P Uthayakumar who claimed he has been denied medication for his diabetes.

Uthayakumar is also claiming that the camp authorities refused to admit him into the National Heart Institute (IJN) despite being told by doctors to do so.

The hearing is set for June 25.

Uthayakumar is among the five Hindraf leaders currently detained in Kamunting under the Internal Security Act for alleged terrorist links.

Habeas corpus is a writ ordering prisoners to be brought before a court or judge to ascertain if there are any procedural defects which could render their detention unlawful.

Live bullet sent to Karpal

2008-05-21T14:52:00.004+08:00

Source : M'Kini

DAP leader and member of Parliament Karpal Singh received a live bullet in an envelope at his law firm in Kuala Lumpur this afternoon.

The live bullet was accompanied with a note warning him against speaking out on the controversial issues of Malay rights and the constitutional powers of the sultans.

“Kalau tak berhenti, peluru ini akan melekat pada kepala dahi kau!” (If you don’t stop, this bullet will be lodged in your forehead).

The one-page note, printed in Bahasa Malaysia, added that this was the “first warning” [below].

The wheelchair-bound politician lodged a police report over the death threat at 5pm at Dang Wangi police station.

Met at the police station later this evening, Karpal told reporters that the envelope was hand-delivered to his receptionist at 12.30pm.

“The man was wearing a helmet and he had his visors drawn down. He left hurriedly,” he said, adding that the police have confirmed that bullet was a 9mm ‘live bullet’.

When quizzed by reporters, Karpal said he had no clue who the culprits were and would not rule out that the incident could be politically motivated.

“It is difficult for me to say, but based on the wordings of the note, it appears to have political motives,” he said.

Will seek police protection ‘if necessary’

The DAP chairperson and criminal lawyer found himself some unwanted attention recently when some of the remarks he had made concerning the royalty had come under the spotlight.

Over the past week, the renowned lawyer has had 20 police reports lodged against him after he had said the Sultan of Perak had acted unconstitutionally in the transfer of a religious department official and criticised Regent of Kelantan's message at a forum last month.

Karpal, who is member of Parliament for Bukit Gelugor in Penang, added that he would consider asking for police protection in the future “if necessary”.

Asked if the incident would change his stand on the Perak Sultan’s recent order for the Religious Department Director Jamry Sury to be reinstated, Karpal said he issue had been deemed settled.

He said that he and other quarters have all voiced their arguments and that there was no need to prolong the debate any further.

Veteran DAP leader Lim Kit Siang described the incident as deplorable and urged the police to get to the bottom of the matter.

“This sort of things should not happen in a country like Malaysia,” said Lim, who were among four DAP MPs to accompanied Karpal to the police station, including his son Gobind who is Puchong MP.

PLEASE HELP MOHANESWARY'S WALK AGAIN.

2008-05-20T11:42:00.000+08:00

Thanks to JD for posting article...

Mohaneswary is awaiting corrective surgery on her legs at Pusat Perubatan Universiti Malaya on May 22.

This is not her first experience but her sixth painful and hopeful one; she had underwent five such operations previously.

The young school student has no other choice but to bear the misery for she was born with defective legs.

It was fortunate for her and her poor parents that PPUM is taking over the cost of the surgery but their problems do not end with this good gesture.

Mohaneswary has to be in bed three to six months after the surgery; she needs diapers as she will be unable to go to toilet. Beside this expense, her parents need more money to get her vitamin supplements and nutritous food.

Her mother, Mrs Josephin, earns only RM 500 a month; her diabetic father earns a mere RM 300 to RM400. They have three more school-going children.

Mohaneswary and her desperate parents needs our help to ease their burden.

If you wish to contribute either monetary or in the form of adult diapers , you can either meet them directly at their house located at No. 12-2B, Jalan PS/5, Taman Prima Selayang, 68100 Batu Caves, Selangor or bank in to their account number: 112157034180 (Maybank)

For further details or verification you may call Mrs. Josephin at 016-3349032 (you may mention the source of your info: nanavuhal.wordpress.com)

SHAHRIR:PREPARE FOR ANOTHER GENERAL ELECTION.

2008-05-20T07:47:00.000+08:00

Source : M'Kini

In the wake of the shocking news that former prime minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad had quit Umno, a senior party leader said that the country could face another general elections.

Shahrir Samad, the minister for domestic trade and consumer affairs, said Mahathir's surprise move could trigger a flurry of resignations from the embattled party that could force Abdullah to hold fresh general elections.

"By Tun doing this it could cause a situation where many other Umno lawmakers might resign," he said, using Mahathir's honorific title.

"If this happens then the government has no choice but to form a new government or call a fresh general election," Shahrir told AFP.

"Certainly it is not helpful or constructive to the struggle of Umno right now," he said, as the party fends off a challenge from opposition figurehead Anwar Ibrahim who says he could soon seize power with the help of defectors.

Shahrir, who is Johor Baru parliamentarian and Umno supreme council member, said that while Anwar was threatening to snatch lawmakers from the smaller parties with which Umno rules in coalition, Mahathir could chip away at the ranks of the ruling party itself.

"This will be a reduction of the number of Umno lawmakers which is the ruling party of the present government," he said.

"I suppose it is Mahathir's way of trying to force a call for a referendum from the grassroots."

The Star's website quoted Umno information chief Muhammad Muhammad Taib as saying he was surprised at Mahathir's abrupt departure.

"Every member has the right to join or leave the party," he said.

Asked whether Umno would convene an emergency meeting in response to the move, he said that "we will wait and see".

Son: Mahathir to send letter to Umno sec-gen

Mahathir, 82, joined Umno at its inception in 1946 and he has weathered a number of storms including his expulsion from the party in 1969 and a 1988 crisis when Umno was declared illegal.

"Mahathir has resigned from Umno in protest over Pak Lah's continued leadership as both the prime minister and president of Umno," Mokhzani Mahathir told AFP, referring to Abdullah by his nickname.
"He will also write a letter to the Umno secretary-general to inform him of his resignation," he said, adding that Mahathir announced his departure during a speech today in Alor Star, the capital of his home state Kedah.

"He made it clear at the gathering at Alor Star that he is resigning in protest over the current leadership," he said.

Mahathir ruled Malaysia and the dominant Umno for 22 years until 2003 when he handed over to Abdullah, his hand-picked successor.

However in recent times he has been a vocal critic of Abdullah's administration and since disastrous March general elections, which produced Umno's worst ever results, has actively campaigned for him to step down.

SELAMAT HARI WESAK

2008-05-19T22:52:00.000+08:00

WAYTHA:SYED HAMID LIED ABOUT MY PASSPORT.

2008-05-19T08:58:00.001+08:00

Hindu Rights Action Force chairperson P Waythmoorthy today accused the Malaysian government of lying over the status of his passport.He said that it was "absolutely ridiculous and a blatant lie" for the Home Minister Syed Hamid Albar to claim that his passport was not revoked.

Waythamoorthy was also upset with Syed Hamid in shrugging off the issue by stating that a misunderstanding could have occurred over the status of the passport.Syed Hamid had earlier said that "probably because the passport had expired"."How can he lie like this?

Aren't his officers briefing him on what's happening to Malaysians abroad?" asked Waythamoorthy.He said that his passport was to expire in 2010 and that he, of all persons, would know the validity of his travel document.

"The problem started when I returned to London from Zurich on April 21 and was informed by the UK immigration officer at Gatwick Airport that the Malaysian government had revoked my passport," he told Malaysiakini.

"Is Syed Hamid saying that the British immigration authorities are lying?" he asked when contacted by telephone today.Waythamoorthy had revealed the cancellation of his travel document in a press statement on Friday.

On the same day, Syed Hamid, when asked to comment on the issue, rejected the claims, stating that Waythamoorthy's passport had not been revoked.Syed Hamid added that the "misunderstanding" was probably because Waythamoorthy's passport had expired and he could have his passport renewed at the Malaysian High Commission in London.

Forcing his return

Responding to the minister's remarks today, Waythamoorthy said Syed Hamid was trying to mislead the public on the matter."I'm indeed surprised that the senior cabinet minister would issue a statement based on probabilities without verifying the facts..."Waythamoorty said he was given a "fresh leave to enter and remain in the United Kingdom for six months" upon his return from India on April 2.

"It is a known fact that no country would admit a person into its territory without a six months' validity period on the passport."For that matter, Switzerland wouldn't have admitted me into its country on the April 17, nor would any airline allow me to board the flight, without a six months' validity," he said.

Waythamoorthy, who is in self-imposed exile in United Kingdom since the government's crackdown on Hindraf last November, said the government was seeking to lure him back to this country to detain him under the Internal Security Act.Five other Hindraf leaders, including the movement's most popular face and Waythamoorthy's brother Uthayakumar, are presently being held without trial since Dec 13.

"It is obvious my traveling to lobby for Hindraf and the ethnic minority Indian community had caused the Malaysian government to revoke my passport to curtail my movement," he said.

SELAMAT HARI GURU....2008

2008-05-16T22:07:00.000+08:00

DEDICATED TO TEACHERS / TUTORS WHOM THOUGHT, TRAINED AND PREPARED ME TO FACE THE WORLD AND IT'S STAGE.

TO ALL THE TEACHERS OUT THERE - YOUR DEDICATION LIGHTS UP OUR FUTURE...!!!

“I am bourgeois to the core and parochial beyond belief, and yet I am drawn to art and scholarship as my anti-type, my shadow, the voice of distinction I never possessed. I don't think of myself as a teacher so much as an impersonator of profundities, inhabiting the wisdom of texts with the naked confidence that the value of the genius I espouse transcends the particular fraud that I am the one espousing it. And it doesn't even matter to me that no one seems to be listening; those who listen that I don't know about are enough to keep me going--soaring on the wings of borrowed metaphors.” - Robert Inchausti

Passport cancellation: 'Gov't owes an explanation'

2008-05-16T17:48:00.001+08:00

Source : M'Kini

MIC information chief M Saravanan said there was no need for the government to revoke the passport of Hindu Rights Action Force leader P Waythamoorthy though he is known to be severely critical towards the authorities.

The Federal Territories Deputy Minister when contacted said that the Hindraf leader should not be likened to a criminal by his passport being revoked simply for his criticism towards the government.

"The government owes an explanation to the public as to why they revoked his passport because it involves a Malaysian citizen. They have to justify their action.

"In my eyes, he's not a terrorist. He just condemned the government, but that does not mean the government can revoke his passport," argued Saravanan.

Waythamoorthy revealed today that he had been informed by the British immigration officials that his Malaysian passport has been revoked, rendering him in as a stateless person. He is presently in Britain after leaving Kuala Lumpur last November to escape a givernment dragnet on Hindraf leaders.

Amnesty International's Washington-based Asia-Pacific advocacy director T Kumar had earlier told AFP that Waythamoorthy has applied for asylum in the UK.

According to the British Home Office website, asylum is given under the 1951 United Nations Convention Relating to the Status of Refugees.

To be recognised as a refugee, one must have left one's country and be unable to go back because he or she have a well-founded fear of persecution because of his or her race, religion,nationality, political opinion, or membership of a particular social group.

The British authorities is reported to be contemplating to hold hearings to consider Waythamoorthy's application for political asylum.

More reactions

Apart from Saravanan, various quarters also expressed their shock towards the matter.

Below are the excerpts of what these people had to say:

N Surendran, human rights and Hindraf lawyer

This act amounts up to nothing but a clear indication of political prosecution. It is a vindictive step taken by the home ministry. Not only is he under Internal Security Act threat back home (but now) he is getting harassed abroad as well. He doesn't deserve to be treated this way, all he did was raise valid concerns of the Indian minority of this country. This act shows clearly that the government cannot take criticism.

John Liu, Suara Rakyat Malaysia's managing coordinator

It's a blatant attempt by the government to stop his movement. They have no right to revoke his passport. The government is just trying to get him so that he could be detained under ISA.

Simon Sipaun, Suhakam vice chairperson

As to what reason the government has revoked his passport. Did they (revoke) the passport under certain law, or any particular legislation, and what under condition of federal constitution?

If the government wants to revoke his passport, they have to state the actual reason (according to the law).

Anil Netto, Aliran activist

I think it's unfortunate for him because he has not been found guilty of any crime. So, he also should be allowed of any movement and the government should be accountable for the decision and should make public the reason why they revoked his passport.

Waythamoorthy: I'll be back

2008-05-16T16:44:00.001+08:00

Source : M'Kini

The following is the full statement from Hindraf chairman P Waythamoorthy on the revocation of his passport at London’s Gatwick Airport two weeks ago.

I was travelling back to London from Geneva after the Hindraf briefing with the United Nations High Commission for Human Rights on April 21, 2008 and was totally shocked to be informed by the UK immigration officer at Gatwick Airport that the Malaysian government had revoked my passport thus making me de facto stateless.

I see only one purpose. The Malaysian government had intended that I be deported back to Malaysia by the British authorities so that I too could be arrested under the draconian Internal Security Act and be detained for unspecified period of time without trial and be subject to torture and inhumane treatment for my political beliefs.

I have not committed any offence or crime other than to champion the cause of the systematically marginalised, discriminated and alienated ethnic Indian community in Malaysia who remained a permanently colonised community despite achieving independence 51 years ago.

It is most distressing to learn that, the land that my forefathers toiled as indentured labourers and one that I had been made citizen by the will of the unavoidable circumstances has decided to banish and exile me for speaking and advocating the truth that was never spoken off before.

The government has once again acted according to its whims and fancy without a second thought of the public or for the good of the public.

The Malaysian government repetitively had oppressed, suppressed and persecuted all causes of Hindraf by their act of totalitarianism from the very beginning but nevertheless the will and spirit of the Hindraf supporters have been the beacon of hope for the new strength founded upon our new found ‘Makkal Sakthi’ (people’s power).

The callous and cowardly acts of the government against me not only undermine their credibility domestically but also internationally. The government needs to realise that the Malaysian public can no longer be cowed as the public are no longer the sheep that begets the government wolves.

The government may use its best weapon in attempting to stall and break me but they fail to realise that I derive my strength from my ‘Makkal Sakthi’, and that is all that I need to carry on the torch and fight for the unjust cause of the ethnic Indians in Malaysia even if it means championing my cause from exile.

As much as I have been coerced, castigated by the Malaysian government, so have the Hindraf supporters. Hindraf supporters have shown unprecedented courage and character for the truth. It only motivates me further to pursue our goals.

They will never break my spirit

The revocation of my passport is probably the last ditch desperate effort by the Malaysian government in crippling my international lobby for the cause of the Indian Malaysians.

This unwarranted act has given me a greater "inner" strength to continue to fight for the struggle of Indian Malaysians and for the unconditional release of my fellow brothers held unjustly in Kamunting.

The government can unleash all the man made mechanism to stifle and silence me, but I have the backing of ‘Makkal Sakthi’ and that alone is sufficient for me to continue my fight for the people.

In ‘Makkal Sakthi’, I have found the truthness of my cause for the people. In today's world, utterance of truth is seen as a revolutionary action, and my quest for the truth is considered as a hindrance for the government. My judge is the people not the government.

I will continue this struggle until my last breath. They may break me but they will never be able to break my will and spirit that is derived from the people for the truth is in it.

I shall continue the struggle for the "freedom" of the ethnic Indian Malaysians from London and urge all Hindraf supporters to remain calm as they have always been. I shall forever remain a loyal Malaysian and will return to Malaysia soon to continue and accomplish what I had started.

Malaysian government revokes rights activist's passport: Amnesty

2008-05-16T10:46:00.004+08:00

Source : Yahoo News
Image : M'Kini

WASHINGTON (AFP) - The Malaysian government has revoked the passport of a Malaysian human rights lawyer campaigning for minority rights and the abolition of a tough security law, Amnesty International said.

Ponnusamy Waytha Moorthy, the chairman of the Malaysian rights group Hindraf who has been living in London since he fled the country in December, has sought asylum in Britain, Amnesty's Washington-based Asia-Pacific advocacy director T. Kumar told AFP.

The activist had planned to visit Washington for talks with leaders of the US Congress and Amnesty and other rights groups, "but it has been put off because of his passport's cancelation," Kumar said.

Waytha Moorthy had sought the talks to highlight alleged discriminatory policies against minority ethnic Indian Malaysians as well as the arrest under the powerful Internal Security Act of five senior Hindraf members at home.

The five, who led a massive anti-discrimination rally in Kuala Lumpur in December, are being held without trial and for an indefinite period.

Kumar said Waytha Moorthy only became aware of his passport's revocation when he returned to London from Geneva after talks recently with the office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights.

"He was shocked to be informed by British immigration officers that Kuala Lumpur has revoked his passport," Kumar said. "This makes him de facto stateless."

"This is the first time I have heard of a political activist's passport being revoked by his own country's government," he said.

Kumar called on Malaysian Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi to give a "full explanation on the rationale for the cancellation."

The British authorities will hold hearings to consider Waytha Moorthy's application for political ayslum, he said.

Waytha Moorthy said in a statement to Amnesty that the Malaysian government revoked his passport in the belief that the British authorities would deport him to Kuala Lumpur where he could be arrested under the Internal Security Act.

"This unwarranted act has given me greater 'inner' strength to continue to struggle for the Malaysian Indians and for the unconditional release of my fellow brothers held unjustly under the Internal Security Act," he said.

Malaysia's highest court on Wednesday refused to release the five activists, including a newly sworn-in state lawmaker.

Ethnic Indians make up less than eight percent of the 27 million population of the mainly Muslim-Malay country.

Lawyers for the five said they would appeal on Monday for the Federal Court to review its decision.

Rights groups say 70 people, mainly alleged Islamic militants, are being held under the Internal Security Act.

He may be blind but he can see a smile and hear many whispers...Hats off for you SIR...!!!

2008-05-16T09:57:00.002+08:00

Source : NST

THE prank may have been mean but M. Thavasothy Pillai, who is blind, took his Teachers Day joke in good faith.

On that day some years back, the SMK Taman Petaling class that Thavasothy was about to teach had switched with a class next door to fool the 56-year-old.

But the wise man could sense something fishy when he did not hear the familiar sounds of his students when they replied to his greeting.

Far from being angry, he laughed with them and told them their game was up.

"I was not hurt as I knew they were playing a trick on me but I guess I was too clever for them," he said with a laugh.

The 2007 Tokoh Guru Selangor recipient said he could tell if his sighted students were paying attention to him.

"I'll know if they are not paying attention if I hear them whispering. I would usually quiz them frequently during my teaching or ask them to read back what I had dictated."

He retired last month, having served as a teacher since 1980.

"Teaching was not my first choice of a job. I could not get a job as a researcher after getting my degree," said the father of two medical undergraduates.

He said society was not confident about giving the physically-challenged a chance to prove themselves.

"It is nice to hear society saying it should do more for the poor and underprivileged but saying something and doing something are two different things," said the holder of a Master in Special Education from the University of Tasmania, Australia.

Nevertheless, he enjoyed teaching his students, especially his favourite subject history, which many youngsters found boring.

"I always tell my new students 'I'll try my best to make the subject as interesting as possible. I'll make you fall in love with the subject'," he said.

He even gave nicknames to students based on local historical figures such as Parameswara and Hang Tuah, which students would write down next to their names on their exam papers.

"I wanted them to be involved to show them that history is not a dead subject. History is important as what happened in the past is happening in the present," he said.

The widower said he never once took medical leave during his teaching days, more so when exam time was approaching, feeling he would let down students who may have had questions.

"I feel just as nervous as them during exam time because I would remember how I used to panic during my time."

He said he felt proud when his students produced good results as it made teaching a worthwhile job.

He added that teachers must come down to the students' level, learning their likes and dislikes as student life cannot just be focused on academics.

He said if teachers these days did not like their jobs, they should not show their hatred or frustration as it would be reflected in their teaching.

"Teaching is not an enjoyable profession as it once was; it is hard to keep students interested. Some are rebellious and talk back and show no respect for authority."

He said teachers must show authority the right way and be patient with students.

Suhakam pushes for review of 'unreasonable' restrictions

2008-05-16T09:51:00.002+08:00

Source : NST

KUALA LUMPUR: The Malaysian Human Rights Commission (Suhakam) has called on the government to review the Police Act and other preventive legislation to reflect international standards.

In its 2007 report released earlier this week, it said currently, such laws "unreasonably" restrict freedom of assembly and freedom of speech as guaranteed by the Federal Constitution.

The call by Suhakam came following numerous street protests held last year by various non-governmental organisations.

Among them were the Bar Council's Walk of Justice in Putrajaya on Sept 26, the Coalition for Clean and Fair Elections (Bersih) to demand for election reforms on Sept 8 and Nov 10, as well as the Hindu Rights Action Force (Hindraf) rally on Nov 25.

"Suhakam observed that applications for permits to hold the assemblies were rejected by police on the basis that these could lead to public disorder and posed security risks.

"While it is recognised that the police have a duty to ensure peace and security, they should adopt a holistic approach in handling requests for permits. Their actions must be consistent with the principles of human rights."

The 312-page report said citizens are increasingly demanding recognition of their democratic rights and measures to ensure peace and security should not be at the expense of human rights.

It noted that Section 27 of the Police Act 1967 clearly entrusted the police with unfettered powers to determine who can organise a peaceful assembly.

"The provision, however, does not set out the criteria and guidelines on meeting requirements for a permit. Discretionary powers are fully vested in the police," said Suhakam.

These are among the seven key issues identified by Suhakam that the government needed to improve on.

The other issues are:

Freedom of Religion

Suhakam said the right to freedom of religion is protected by the Federal Constitution and it is unacceptable to interpret any law relating to religion in any way that leads to injustice.

In lauding a Federal Court decision last December that the (civil) High Court has jurisdiction to hear matrimonial disputes, even if one party has converted to Islam, the commission called on judges to be bold, impartial and unequivocal in dealing with complex interfaith cases, while urging the police and the local authorities to be more sensitive in law enforcement.

Administration of Justice

The commission noted that delays in court proceedings and the delays in handing down written judgments were among the main concerns that required immediate attention.

It pointed out that more than 1,000 prisoners are languishing in jail and unable to appeal because judges and magistrates had been slow in providing written judgments.

It also expressed concern that judicial review had been ousted in a number of instances, including habeas corpus challenges, which it said will undermine the right to justice and the right to a fair trial.

Additionally, it reiterated its call to repeal arbitrary clauses in the Internal Security Act and that detention without trial must be subject to judicial review and agencies authorising detention must be held accountable.

Detention Without Trial

Suhakam reiterated its call to the government to release detainees or prosecute them, and to abolish the practice of detention without trial which is contradictory to the principles of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.

According to data from the Kamunting detention centre, there are 70 ISA detainees with more than half serving out their second detention order.

Free and Fair Elections

Suhakam urged the government to amend the relevant laws to ensure free and fair elections.

In expressing its concern, it noted that certain fundamental rights pertaining to free and fair elections, such as freedom of expression, freedom of association and freedom of assembly, were either curtailed or ignored during election campaigns.

"Suhakam observed, too, that there is no level playing field, particularly in terms of access to the media, permission to hold political rallies, delineation of constituencies and redress in the courts," it said.

It noted the authorities must immediately address allegations such as the existence of phantom voters, as well as the inefficacy of the electoral system.

"Candidates should not be allowed to resort to undemocratic means to win elections, including vote-buying, providing non-cash incentives and using public funds and facilities," it further stated.

Suhakam said free and fair elections were crucial to lend legitimacy to a democratic society.

"Public confidence in the fairness of the electoral process is far more important than a massive mandate. While elections in Malaysia have been free, it cannot be claimed that the process had been completely fair," it noted.

Law Enforcement

The report addressed complaints by the public against Rela. Suhakam said it had extended training programmes for law enforcement personnel to include Rela officers nationwide.

The Commission suggested that the government should deploy professionally-trained law enforcement personnel, such as from the police and Immigration Department, to accompany Rela personnel on future operations.

Rights of Vulnerable Groups

It had identified four sub-groups under this group and outlined what it hoped could be achieved for these four.

For Orang Asli and Orang Asal, Suhakam recommended the government amend the Sarawak Land Code 1958 to include the Penan community's unique way of establishing land ownership and stewardship, in light of the fact that such customs have not been factored into the Code.

For migrant workers, Suhakam proposed that the government and foreign embassies in Malaysia thoroughly study the current recruitment process and provide adequate monitoring, regulation and punishment of recruiting agencies that violate human rights.

This is because the commission observed most of the complaints by migrant workers were due to exploitation by agencies.

In view of increasing number of refugees and asylum-seekers, Suhakam recommended that relevant government agencies work together with the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees to resolve related issues.

For persons with disabilities, Suhakam hoped the drafting of the Persons with Disabilities Bill signalled a step towards Malaysia's ratification of the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities.

For Women and Children, Suhakam said the passage of the Anti-Trafficking of Persons Act 2007 and its gazetting is another positive development in the protection of the rights of women and children.

However, Suhakam suggested that more must be done to protect children in view of the increasing number of cases of abuse and violence against children.

The commission also expressed its frustrations at the government's cold response to its various proposals.

"Since its inception (in 2000), Suhakam had made numerous suggestions to improve the protection of human rights.

"The commission hoped that the government would give attention to the recommendations made through various reports to date. As a member of the United Nations Human Rights Council, Malaysia should play a leading role in upholding human rights."

Time for the daring questions

2008-05-16T08:40:00.002+08:00

Source : M'Kini

With stakes reaching above the moon, Umno is now looking like an upside-down circus, with the weakest man on top and the strongest apparently cowed into submission - and seen as vulnerable as he is forced down the crest of popular accusations linked to an on-going murder trial.

In the run-up to the party supreme council election scheduled for December, some veterans are screaming over unfair and undemocratic practices of the party president and his clique.

Bent on scuttling challengers, Pak Lah has once again been abusing democratic rights in Umno as he did in 2004.

Former party president and premier Dr Mahathir Mohamad, who is hoping for the Number Two to go for Number One in December, said his “cowardly” protégé and candidate for the top post in Umno had told him he had to have the president’s permission in order to meet with him (Mahathir).

Mahathir, who dubbed the deputy prime minister a coward during a recent talk to Malaysian students in Manchester, is now making the man look like a schoolboy of 10 who is afraid to play truant and meet his former boss to discuss why the party had lost as badly as it did in the March 8 general election.

The ruling coalition, Barisan Nasional, lost five states and for the first time in history, was denied a two-third majority in Parliament. It has made the prime minister a lame duck and his authority has been defied by several Malay rulers who refused to accept his candidates for menteri besar.

Pak Lah, is refusing to step down and instead is said to be using his regime-support apparatus to deny his challengers constitutional rights and due democratic process.

It’s a repeat performance many find intolerable, the first being the siege of Tengku Razaleigh Hamzah that he had applied in 2004. It left the prince with a single nomination in his attempt to contest for Umno president.

Party divisions were ordered to deny him the 60 nominations he needed to qualify. He obtained only one nomination, from his own division of Gua Musang.

As Tengku Razaleigh riled about the plot mounted to ruin his bid in his second attempt to contest for president, Mahathir publicly rued the deputy president’s apparent disability, asking what kind of a political party Umno has become under Pak Lah.

In these circumstances, the name calling and the diminution of the Number Two left in its wake a remarkable turn of events that finally thundered with Raja Petra Kamaruddin’s article in his blog, Malaysia Today.

Abusive agencies

Even as Mahathir wonders out loud what kind of party Umno has become under his successor, observers are quick to ask why he had enhanced the set of regime-supportive apparatus that made it possible for the party president to preside as a dictator.

Mahathir may not have set up most of the quasi-political agencies that had made Umno a rather muscular giant. But he strengthened them, ostensibly in an attempt to “institutionalise Umno”.

The Biro Tatanegara in the Prime Minister’s Department is one of several agencies responsible directly to the prime minister and empowered to intercept, and has been intercepting, the democratic political processes.

It began employing ex-commandos during Mahathir’s premiership and has been alleged to have been using intimidation and coercion with impunity to keep party members subdued and the opposition endlessly harassed.

With power and substantial funds, these agencies promptly became abusive.

Seranta, another quasi-political agency set up during Mahathir’s regime, sent more than 3,000 members to stay for months within the small state constituency of Kuala Nerang in Terengganu, to appeal for votes and ensure victory in the PAS territory in the early 1990s.

Discipline could hardly be sustained among the participants and several of the young women became pregnant while villagers complained of the men troubling village girls. Maybe the idea was to quickly increase the number of voters.

Trouble in these agencies has brewed from the early days. In the 1980s when Sanusi Junid was secretary-general of Umno, he loudly proclaimed his disgust when he was given a set of ‘blue’ videos made by and which featured members of Kemas, yet another quasi-political agency.

The videos were made for sale, leaving Sanusi aghast and spoilt for a decision whether or not to lodge a police report against the instant film-stars and film-producers.

Many who had asked before about the kind of a political party Umno was, were left unheard.

elonging to the politically favoured agencies, however, must have made these vivaciously talented people highly influential in the party, for very conceivable reasons.

Pak Lah, it is alleged widely, has been excessively using these agencies along with the police. Even many senior journalists were debarred from the mainstream media ever since he became PM, a reason why they became effective bloggers.

Abuses like these had obviously been one of the major causes for the massive rejection of the ruling party by members of Umno, a factor that will surely be carried through to the next general election and will ensure the end of Umno’s unbroken rule since 1955.

These abuses were etched in blood when members of the police special squad attached to the defence minister and deputy premier Najib Abdul Razak have been charged with the murder of Altantuya Shaaribuu, who worked as translator for his political strategist Abdul Razak Baginda.

[Najib has denied any involvement in the case.]

How we protect ourselves from such powers of the regime’s special apparatus, therefore, becomes the biggest question for the nation, daring each and everyone to ask the questions Raja Petra voiced on our behalf.

Is it then time to call an end to Umno and for the members to seek other and more realistic means for regime change rather than continue to wail like beaten banshees over ruined chances to democratically contest in the party?

It is also pertinent to ask if it is at all useful for Tengku Razaleigh to keep trying to breach the siege in Umno.

Or, would he serve the nation better should he call it a day and join Anwar Ibrahim in PKR as a faction, or revive his old vehicle, Semangat 46?

Academics debate the 'social contract'

2008-05-15T16:23:00.001+08:00

Source : M'Kini

Academicians may differ on the meaning of the country's 'social contract' but their opinions were unison when saying

Ketuanan Melayu (Malay supremacy) does not exist.

Malaysiakini contacted several academicians to comment on royal professor Dr Ungku Abdul Aziz’s claim that there was no physical social contract between Malaysia's diverse ethnic communities.

"There is no such thing as social contract. It was a fantasy created by politicians of all sorts of colours depending on their interest," said Ungku Aziz at a forum in Shah Alam over the weekend.

He also said the social contract should rightly be called an "economic contract" to justify affirmative action in areas of education and health for groups that needed it most.

While some academicians diverged on the matter, many of them systematically noted that the constitution and the ‘social contract’ does not imply any form of Malay mastery or dominance in relation to power.

Here are their views:

Professor Shamsul Amri Baharudin, UKM's Institute of Ethnic Studies (KITA) director

First of all I would like to say he is giving an economist response whereby he goes by the letter of the law and he’ll look at statistics and the cost-benefit analysis of things. I don’t know what he reads aside from economic books but political scientists and historians have said that we do have a social contract.

Our constitution has a general and miscellaneous section. No other constitution in the world has this section and it shows that the Reid Commission acknowledged the right of Malay rulers, customs and language. The social contract is a convergence of different opinions. It is an agreement to be different by the people.

The translation of ketuanan Melayu is wrong. It is not Malay supremacy, it is Malay sovereignty. Ketuanan is a very colonial term. Abdullah Ahmad had very little knowledge as to what it means when he first raised it in 1986. Sovereignty is not a foreign concept as it is prevalent in other countries such as Belgium and England with monarchs. The idea that Malays are the boss and the rest is not, is a misconception.

Nobody is dominant. The social contract was raised when the constitution was created and the Reid commission included the condition to satisfy all groups possible. The people then began to see it as a form of agreement and convergence. However, later on, people started seeing it as a contract. Not in a legalistic sort of way but how it was made and how the terms are constantly being renegotiated.

(PKR de facto leader) Anwar (Ibrahim)’s ketuanan rakyat (people supremacy) is no different from ketuanan Melayu. If rakyat means demographics and clearly Malays and bumiputeras being the majority at 60 percent. It is just another idiom to hide the point that Malays are sovereign. Don’t just focus on Malay sovereignty because otherwise it would just be ethnic talk and not a constitutional or Malaysian talk. We have to get rid of such racist perceptions.

Has anyone asked why Sabah has 20 extra conditions like requirement of work permits from those in Peninsula Malaysia? Why don’t we talk about that? We have to look at the social contract from the larger context and not just at the Malays. Peninsula Malaysians should demand for work permits to be abolished if Sabah wants more royalties. The problem is that the issues are skewed and people are blinded by it.

In 1969, the consultative councils made up of 100 representatives around the country thought of formulating this policy in addressing the problems of backwardness faced by the ethnic groups. They were thinking of solving the ownership problems as almost 60 percent of property belonging to foreigners and 21 percent to the Chinese. The NEP was about increasing property ownership so that it reflected the demographics equitably. The majority at that time did not have majority ownership so to change this, they started with the economy.

Article 153 of the constitution provides the basis which creates the paradigm for NEP. NEP provided the package that stated the target and objectives but there are other ways of doing this. The discussion and debates that we have now is how the package is not working. It is creating unhappiness all around. This is why ‘Umnoputera’ is now a word, not bumiputera. If you want to go back and change things, the Parliament will have to change it and make it clearer. The social contract will remain relevant so long as the constitution is relevant. The social contract is realised in the constitution which gives us the symbol of the contract.

The NEP was created from the understanding of Article 153 and it ended in 1990. But it persisted until now so it is known as ‘Never Ending Policy’. However, I think it warrants another name - ‘Never Ending Polemic’ as it continues to divide society. Society is already divided ethnically and to proceed to the next stage, the politicians should use rational thinking instead of exploiting the emotional thinking of the people. The nature of political parties that are ethnicise is that they have to go on being emotional to garner votes.

To me, (Umno Youth chief) Hishammuddin (Hussein) and (DAP chairperson) Karpal (Singh) are no different. They are voicing different voices but it’s all the same and it’s divisive. Our politicians organise themselves on differences. Hussein Onn from Umno is the greatest example. After two years he was expelled from his party which shows that if you took a non-ethnic stand, it’s goodbye for you.

Professor James Chin, Head of Arts, Monash University

Historically, Ungku Aziz is correct. If you look at the historical documents deposited in London regarding the formation of Malaya, you won’t find it. As far as I know, the word ‘social contract’ was first used in the 1980s.

The understanding of the social contract depends on which elites you look at. The documents deposited in ISEAS (Institute of Southeast Asian Studies) library by MCA elites states clearly that the Malays will get special help in things like the civil service and scholarships but there will be a time when these will stop.

This cannot be confused with the constitutional rights that was agreed to in Article 150 to 153 because it has no details. The constitution does not spell out the operations of the special rights like the New Economic Policy (NEP) on quotas and equity ownership. All it says is that Malay will have special privileges.

Look at any historical official documents like the minutes of the Alliance meeting and the Reid Commission from the 1940s to 1960s - you will not find the word social contract ever being used.

The context of the 'social contract' that it is being used now implies that non-Malays, in return for their citizenship, have to acknowledge that the Malays are politically supreme and cannot be challenged, ever.

Keeping the ‘social contract’ alive implies that non-Malays can never ask for equality. The implication is quite clear as it means that the current argument in having a more equal Malaysia will not succeed.

Dr Mavis Puthuceary, Associate Research Fellow at Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (UKM)'s Institute of Malaysian and International Studies (IKMAS)

Ungku Aziz is right. It is not a social contract which implies the relationship between the state and the people. If you look at the Western concept of social contract like John Locke, the idea of a social contract is that people give up some powers to their political representatives in return, the state will protect them.

There is no social contract because it involves the leaders of the Alliance and the bargain was then placed in the constitution but that does not represent a social contract. The social contract did not come into debate until Abdullah Ahmad raised it in 1986 that there was something that was agreed to by a few people in the past that binds future generations. I’ve challenged it.

The whole question on power sharing is very relevant. One needs to spell it out and it must be agreed upon but some leaders still disagree on what it means. Some say the non-Malays agreed to ketuanan Melayu in this so-called social contract but some say non-Malays only agreed to some kind of bargain without conceding their right to liberal democracy, equal rights and justice.

Political parties are using the social contract out of this context and it has no meaning in Malaysia. So that’s why we need a discourse and debate on this. We need to work out a national consensus in figuring out what and where do we go from here and now. We can all agree that something more than a bargain was made when the state was formed but I won’t call it a social contract.

Dr Azmi Sharom, Associate Professor, Law Faculty, University Malaya

In the context of the constitution, there is a certain give and take because the constitution provides for special privileges to Malays. In any normal or ordinary constitution, there would not be any racial bias in it. But this was agreed to by the non-Malays so these special privileges is the beginning of the so-called social contract.

However, to a certain extent it is true - the special privileges involves safeguarding the Malay language, the Sultanate and Islam on the surface appears to be going against the grain of equality. The non-Malay Malaysians were happy to accept this then. But the idea of give and take does not extend to the concept of Malay supremacy created by political parties, namely Umno.

The original constitution has elements of compromise but that compromise is from the layman’s perspective, the document does not suggest Malay supremacy or mastery. Ketuanan Melayu is a fallacy. I just don’t see the justification for this. The so-called social contract is relevant only to racists and people who want Malaysians to continue to be divided along racial lines.

But I am also uncomfortable with Ungku Aziz’s view that the social contract should be called an economic contract. The society made a compromise and it is not a contract which implies the people are bound to it for life. Citizenship is not about the economy but the society.

Dr Johan Saravanamuttu, visiting researcher at ISEAS, Singapore

It is obviously a term used by political analysts and there is no formal or legal contract. But the 1957 constitution was written based on a considerable amount of negotiations including various ethnic and political groups. Not all of their demands could have been included therefore when the constitution was agreed upon by all parties after the entire process, for all intents and purposes is the social contract of Malaysians. The constitution incorporated many of these provisions which people have generally learned to accept.

The relevance of this is that the constitution is a document that is historical and represents the agreement by particular political parties at that particular era. The impact in reading beyond the document is that it lays out provisions of a pact that is not meant to be absolutely permanent. After all, the constitution has been amended hundreds of times, it means the conditions are not cast in stone.

On ketuanan Melayu, there si no such thing as ketuanan Melayu. It is a concoction by political entrepreneurs by Umno on promoting Malay supremacy. The constitution does not say anything about Malay supremacy but only on the special privileges such as land and language afforded to them. It is the jaundiced Malay politicians who use it too embed themselves in position or create and perpetuate power for themselves.

Dr Chandra Muzaffar, academician and political scientist

Well I think that it is true that the social contract doesn’t exist as a physical document which is drafted and sealed or has a label that tells us it is a social contract. What we have is the Merdeka constitution which is an attempt to balance interests between different communities and ethnic interests within a framework for a certain vision of what a nation state is.

It is very clear that the nation state would be called Malaysia and the basis of the state was from a Malay polity that features the Malay monarch, Islam as the religion of the federation and the Malay language. On the special position of the Malays and indigenous communities is part of the Merdeka constitution, there was a feeling by the Reid commission that the massive accommodation of recent domiciled non-Malays required some sort of protection of the Malay community which was economically weaker than say the Chinese. The special position was a socio-economical condition.

I don’t see ketuanan Melayu as part of the social contract or Merdeka constitution. By accepting the Malay polity, it does not make Malays and non-Malays unequal and it doesn’t make non-Malays second-class citizens. Ketuanan Melayu is an idea that is an impediment to ethnic relations for the country. It does not mean one race is dominant and another race is subordinate or a master-servant connotation.

Uthayakumar refuses 'secret date' with heart institute

2008-05-14T16:01:00.001+08:00

Source : M'Kini

Detained Hindu Rights Action Force (Hindraf) legal adviser P Uthayakumar is “being pressured to secretly undergo treatment” at the National Heart Institute, claimed his brother Waytha Moorthy.

In a statement issued from London, where he is living in self-imposed exile, Waytha Moorthy (photo) said his brother is being compelled to do so without his family members being informed.

“Uthayakumar fears for his life and does not wish to be treated without the presence and knowledge of his family members at the National Heart Institute,” he wrote.

Uthayakumar is one of five Hindraf leaders being detained for two years at the Kamunting detention camp in Taiping, Perak. They were arrested under the Internal Security Act (ISA) on Dec 13 last year, which allows for detention without trial.

A diabetic for 12 years, Uthayakumar is said to have developed a heart ailment. He has been admitted twice to the Taiping hospital, in January after a hunger strike and again from April 7-10.

Waytha Moorthy, who is Hindraf chairperson, alleged that the “prison director and other government officers” have been applying pressure on Uthayakumar.

“He has written to the prison director, requesting (that) his family be informed and for access to his lawyers while in hospital. His lawyer (N Surendran) had also written to the prison director on Uthayakumar’s requests.

“We are puzzled why the prison director is compelling him to undergo secret treatment and is threatening to lodge a police report against Uthayakumar for wilfully refusing treatment. (This is) still a democratic country and there should be transparency and openness (about) his treatment.”

Urging Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi to look into the situation, Waytha Moorthy also posed the query if a “silent agenda” is involved.

‘He’s no terrorist’

Contacted today, Surendran said some irregularities were detected during Uthayakumar’s last visit to Taiping Hospital and “there may be some damage to his heart”.

“He wants to go as soon as possible because he is anxious about his health but he wants his family there because he is worried as to whether major procedures will be involved,” said Surendran.

“They refuse to tell us when they (intend to) take him, saying that this must be kept secret for security purposes.

“What is there a need for security? He is no terrorist. This is an excuse to traumatise the family and make things as difficult as possible for him.”

Hindraf supporters have held rallies demanding the release of their leaders, as well as access to medical attention for Uthayakumar.

Hindraf rally turned Malaysian Indians against government

2008-05-14T15:29:00.001+08:00

Source : Thethaindian.com

Kuala Lumpur, May 14 (IANS) Malaysia’s ethnic Indians staged “a silent revolution” against the government, “triggered” by the Hindu Rights Action Force (Hindraf), during the March general elections, a minister has said. Malaysian Human Resource Development Minister S. Subramanian Tuesday described a rally organised by the Hindraf in November last year as the “trigger factor” that turned the Indian community against the government.

Hindraf had organised the protest rally on behalf of Malaysia’s two million Tamil Hindus. The rally of an estimated 10,000 people was declared illegal and forcibly dispersed by police using water cannons. Five Hindraf leaders were jailed for two years for organising it.

“They were listening all this while and we were just oiling the spring. But the bursting point arrived. We have to rectify this fundamental problem to regain their support,” Subramanian told members of his Malaysian Indian Congress (MIC) at a party meet in Malacca.

The MIC, part of the ruling Barisan Nasional (BN) coalition, lost badly in the March polls. The BN itself lost the two-thirds majority advantage, emerging victorious but weaker with simple majority.

The simmering of discontent had been going on for a long time. The MIC was aware of the discontent but could not do much, except to manage it, the minister said.

Subramanian urged BN leaders to accept “the new reality” and change their mindset to ensure that ethnic minorities did not feel “not equal” to majority Malays, he was quoted as saying by The Star newspaper.

“There must be a massive change in the mindsets of BN leaders, particularly those from the United Malay Nasional Organisation (Umno), for the coalition to regain the people’s support,” Subramanian said.

“There must be a conscious effort to provide this sense of equality. This is the secret recipe to solve the problem. The thinking of all leaders should be this: I must be multi-racial in nature,” he added.

He urged MIC leaders at the grassroots level to hold dialogues with the leaders of Umno and other component parties “on the need to change their political thinking in line with new realities”.

Hindraf 5's appeal dismissed

2008-05-14T13:28:00.001+08:00

Source : M'Kini

The Federal Court today dismissed the appeal by five Hindu Rights Action Force (Hindraf) leaders to be released from detention under the Internal Security Act (ISA).

The five are P Uthayakumar, V Ganabatirau, R Kenghadharan, T Vasantha Kumar and M Manoharan.

The Hindraf leaders were arrested on Dec 13 after the government accused them of being a threat to national security.

On Nov 25, they had organised a mammoth rally which drew some 30,000 disgruntled Indian Malaysians to the streets.

Their supporters however argued that the five - four of whom are lawyers - were merely raising issues concerning the community.

Numerous quarters, including Barisan Nasional (BN) component parties such as MIC, MCA and Gerakan, have called for their release.

Girl with 10A1s shocked by PSD’s rejection

2008-05-14T11:52:00.002+08:00

Source : The Star

YennaMike Says : "Well done K.Kamine Devi, it's good to see youngster like you are now standing up and question your right for what you are entitled too. To the Government and the Education Department...please wake up and do what you suppose to do and explain the reason for this rejection in Public if you dare...!!!

IPOH: K. Kamine Devi was shocked that the Public Services Department (PSD) had turned down her application to study medicine overseas despite her having scored 10A1s in last year's SPM.

This after the PSD had issued a statement recently guaranteeing scholarships for students who scored 9As in their SPM.

Let down: Kamine showing Sivanesan her SPM results. With them are her parents B. Karunakaran, 52, and R. Ragini, 49.

What was worse was that her application for a matriculation programme was also rejected.

Kamine, 17, said she had her heart set on becoming a doctor and even participated in an attachment programme in April that exposed her to a doctor’s job.

“I couldn't believe my eyes when I found out on Sunday through the PSD website that my application was unsuccessful,” she said yesterday, adding that she checked the result of her application several times.

“I felt that my world collapsed that day,” said the former student of SMK Ahmad Boestamam in Sitiawan, about 90km from here.

Speaking at a press conference called by the Perak Health, Environment and Human Resources Committee chairman A. Sivanesan, Kamine said her quality control father who earns RM3,600 a month could not afford to send her overseas to pursue Medicine.

“I just want to become a doctor so I can serve the country,” said Kamine, who was also active in her school co-curricular activities.

Sivanesan said the rejection of Kamine’s application made a mockery of the PSD’s earlier statement.

“The PSD should have taken the top-scorers result from the Malaysian Examination Syndicate and offer scholarships to the students. It is up to the students whether to accept or reject the scholarships,” he said.

He invited parents of bright children who faced a similar predicament to see him.

“I will assist them in writing to the PSD,” he said.

FAMILIES OF HINDRAF,ISA DETAINEES SAY DETENTION CENTRE IS UNSAFE.

2008-05-14T10:15:00.002+08:00

Source : New Kerala.com
Image : Net

Kuala Lumpur, May 13 : Families of Internal Security Act (ISA) detainees have said that the Kamunting Detention Centre in Putrajaya is unsafe, and have demanded that Malaysian Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi visit the place to assess the conditions for himself.

Hindu Rights Action Force (HINDRAF) national co-ordinator R.S. Thanenthiran led a group of supporters and family members of several ISA detainees to the Prime Minister's Department yesterday to hand over a memorandum, urging Abdullah to abolish the Internal Security Act (ISA).

The memorandum was received by Abdullah's special officer, Ravin Ponniah.

Thanenthiran claimed the conditions at the camp were not healthy, not only for the detainees, but also for the camp personnel.

"The water is filthy while shrubs and bushes are overgrown and not maintained. The overall condition is inconducive and no longer safe for both the detainees and security officers there," the New Strait Times quoted him, as saying.

Asked if he had evidence or photographs to show the condition of the camp, Thanenthiran said he did not bring the photographs.

"The PM should spare some time to check on the condition at the camp and visit the detainees. The families of ISA detainees are appealing to him to visit the camp. We believe that he has been misinformed on the conditions at the camp," he added.

The memorandum also seeks the abolition of the ISA and the release of the five Hindraf leaders -- M. Manoharan, P. Uthayakumar, V. Ganabatirau, R. Kengadharan, and K. Vasantha Kumar. The five were detained under the ISA by the Home Ministry for their involvement in a street demonstration in Kuala Lumpur on November 25 last year.

Malaysian Indian youth groups seek education funds

2008-05-14T08:29:00.001+08:00

Source: Indian edunews

Kuala Lumpur: A coalition of Indian youth groups is asking the Malaysian government to fund their social education programmes that would help curb unrest in the community.

The coalition, headed by the Malaysian Indian Youth Council (MIYC), will be submitting its requests to the government through Malaysian Indian Congress (MIC) president S. Samy Vellu within the next two weeks.

MIC vice-president S. Veerasingam said the MIYC, together with other Indian-based groups, held a seminar on Sunday where issues pertaining to education, employment, social problems and the economic status of Indians were discussed, the Star newspaper reported on Monday.

Veerasingam, speaking at a Hindu New Year carnival in Brickfields, said the group wanted Tamil schools to become fully-aided government schools - a move that would necessitate the various state governments to allocate land for building the schools.

"They also spoke about the need for providing proper places of worship, especially where new developments are coming up".

"Promises and pledges made during the election campaigns should also be carried out," he said. IANS

MALAYSIAN POLICE VIOLATES ARTICLE 10 FEDERAL CONSTITUTION-MALAYSIA DEGENERATING INTO A POLICE STATE

2008-05-13T10:00:00.000+08:00

Source : Hindraf.Org

HINDRAF
135-3 JALAN TOMAN 7
KEMAYAN SQUARE
70200 SEREMBAN
NEGERI SEMBILAN

12TH MAY 2008-05-11

RE: MALAYSIAN POLICE VIOLATES ARTICLE 10 FEDERAL CONSTITUTION MALAYSIA DEGENERATING INTO A POLICE STATE

HINDRAF DEMANDS P.UTHAYAKUMAR BE GIVEN URGENT MEDICAL TREATMENT AND ISA ABOLISHED.

HINDRAF condemns the conduct of the Malaysian Royal Police Force for acting above the constitution in arresting peaceful protesters who had gathered at Jalan Gurney Penang to protest the denial of fair and urgent medical treatment to P.Uthayakumar.

Protesters had dispersed after about 40 minutes when certain individuals were particularly targeted in the arrest in particular bloggers and a member of Penang Watch. The bloggers were filming the unlawful conduct of the Police when they were arrested and their films confiscated.

Concerned citizens from Suaram and other Human Rights bodies who witnessed this unlawful act had themselves arrested for lodging Police reports against the Police. It is disturbing to note the Police getting intimidated with Police reports lodged by members of the public and the trumped up charges against them for lodging police reports.

The act of arresting them is clearly high handed and intended to instil fear on the people not to question the conduct and authority of the police. Malaysia is a democratic country and the arrogant attitude of the Police coupled with the sanction of the Inspector General of Police on most occasions is definitely degenerating Malaysia into a Police State.

HINDRAF warns the Government that the people could not continuously be fooled into believing the propaganda advocated by the Police. The Police are losing credibility and confidence of the people and we hold the Inspector General of Police responsible for this gross violation of the legitimate right of its citizens to hold peaceful protests in accordance to Article 10 of the Federal Constitution.

HINDRAF calls upon the Government to take heed of the grouses of the rakyat and immediately refer Mr.P.Uthayakumar to the National Heart Institute and take positive steps to table an act of Parliament to abolish the Internal Security Act.

HINDRAF expresses its greatest gratitude to supporters, Human Rights Organizations/activists and Parliamentarians who had attended the peaceful protests organised nationwide.

P.Waytha Moorthy
Chairman
Currently in London

A Mothers Day appeal - release my Uthayakumar

2008-05-13T09:27:00.000+08:00

Source : The Star

KUALA LUMPUR: P. Uthayakumar’s mother has made a Mothers Day appeal to the Government for the release of her son and all other Internal Security Act (ISA) detainees.

K. Kalaivaniy made the appeal when she came to Parliament yesterday to tell her grievances to Opposition Leader Datin Seri Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail and DAP veteran Lim Kit Siang.

She came with a group of people, including Hindraf national coordinator R.S. Thanenthiran.

Kalaivaniy handed the two opposition leaders a letter of appeal that she wrote to Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi.

“My son has been detained for five months for trying to do something good for Malaysia. He is suffering in the detention camp, his hands have developed rashes and he is wearing pants torn at the knee.

“He has a heart problem and he needs to be sent to Institut Jantung Negara. Please give him medical attention,” she told reporters in Tamil.

She added that all the detainees held under the ISA had mothers worrying about them, and urged for their release.

Dr Wan Azizah and Lim said they had both submitted questions to be raised in Parliament relating to Hindraf, but the questions were refused.

Time for Khalid Ibrahim to go...??

2008-05-12T17:46:00.002+08:00

Source : Via M'Kini a write up by Richard Teo

I refer to the Malaysiakini report Barricade row: Pakatan state gov't 'weak'

Ever since the beginning when Pakatan Rakyat under Khalid Ibrahim took over the reins of the Selangor government, there was already signs of a weak government.

Events until now have not dispelled those lingering doubts. Immediately after taking control of the government, there was strong compelling evidence that the previous administration was shredding important state documents which could have incriminated their administration and yet Khalid chose to ignore them with a nonchalant attitude as if it was of little importance.

That single act of omission has virtually deprived the rakyat of the opportunity to punish those perpetrators of their crime for which they were so eager to conceal and destroy.

When Penang's chief minister announced their intention to abolish the NEP and replace it with one that is more equitable there was a deafening silence from the Selangor state government.

Either Khalid didn’t hear the announcement or he had totally forgotten about the Pakatan's manifesto.

Khalid's reluctance to prosecute those Umno leaders responsible for shredding those state documents is understandable. After all, he was once a blue-eyed boy of Umno who so happened to lose their favour sometime ago.

Fortune has been kind to him and now that he is in the driver's seat, he is slowly remembering his old Umno roots.

As long as Selangor continues to be under the helm of Khalid, there will be little change from its previous Umno predeccessor. After all both Khalid and Mohd Khir Toyo came from the same Umno origin.

In the case of the Bandar Makhota Cheras barricade, the whole matter could have been expeditiously resolved if there was strong leadership.

Land in the state comes under state jurisdiction and if the incumbent government cannot even settle what is within their purview then Pakatan Rakyat is heading for a very short term.

Five years in politics is a very short time. If the Pakatan cannot reform the state governments like it promised, then maybe the rakyat will have to look for an alternative government.

Reform - NLFCS

2008-05-12T09:42:00.004+08:00

Source : Reform NLFCS

Well, where do I start with this....

Let's start with what NLFCS (National Land Finance Cooperative Society) is about.

NLFCS was started by the late Tun Sambanthan out of concern for plantation workers working in fragmented plantations that were being sold by the British after Malaysia achieved independence. The idea was to pool capital from plantation workers so that they could buy out these plantations and amalgamate into larger groups. The plantation workers would own shares in the co-operative who would manage these larger holdings and provide benefits (both financial and social) to its members.

If anyone can give a better history of NLFCS please do...

After Tun Sambanthan, the chairman has been Tan Sri Somasundram (can't find dates for this, info on NLFCS is sparse).

I don't have much dealings with NLFCS, just what I hear. This is about my experience of working with Premium Nutrients and what I know. I want to remain anonymous because what I write will undoubtedly hurt people I know. It will be interspersed with things I have heard (but not directly experienced), but at the end of this piece, I hope to summarise the pertinent facts that could be checked.

Firstly to get it out of the way - the things I know about NLFCS and the questions they raise.

Tan Sri Somasundram has been there for decades (2 at least). Everyone who came to Premium Nutrients via NLFCS transformed from being strong supporters of NLFCS to being disillusionised.

As a co-operative, there is meant to be one vote per person, but challengers are not encouraged and I understand strong arm tactics are used. Like MIC, even thought a look at the rules would assume the party is democratic, the actual practice is not. A lot of feudalistic practises and hero worship really with a dash of nepotism.

Tan Sri Somasundram's son has been given a management position thought I have no idea what qualifications or experience he has or what kind of vetting process they have. From my experience in Premium Nutrients, there is no vetting process. All the orders come from the top, as I said a very feudal structure. (this is one fact that can be checked, on what basis did TSS's son get the position?)

Premium Nutrients

I will list things as I remember them and I hope they will form a cogent narrative.

Premium Nutrients was meant to be the flagship company of NLFCS. An example for people of Indian ethnic origin in Malaysia and for the co-operative concept/movement. It operates from an industrial area in Pasir Gudang and is a speciality fats (vegetable) company.

I worked in the accounts department of that company and had access to various documents during my time there.

The company has a very poor reputation. A lot of our raw materials (Palm Kernel etc) are only sold to us on an advance payment basis supply because of our poor reputation for payment (there were bankruptcy proceedings instigated by suppliers on the company when it was called Premium Vegetable Oils - this is another fact that can be checked). On the chemical side (various gases and other material we would need to run the chemical processes that would turn Crude Palm Kernel Oil into the end product) there would be a rotation of suppliers we would use, changing them when they asked for payment. The purchasing manager would promise payment to them when negotiating these supplies and then disappear and be uncontactable and the accounts department would have to deal with the resultant angry phone calls.

Most of the assets of the company of the company have covenants and liens on them and new machinery are acquired on a leasehold basis. I don't believe the company actually hold titles to any of its assets as there are first and second liens on almost everything.

While companies started in the area around the time has speed past and expanded. Premium Nutrients is in pretty much the same state it has since it started other than a minor expansion in the 1980's.

There has not been much though into the long term future of the company and it has been run as is.

It is sad to see a company which had such potential and had such dedicated and committed personnel in the lower echelons being run into the ground. The ideals of NLFCS that I thought would permeate within the company hit the brick wall of higher management and their self interest

The company is (as far as I know, I can't vouch for the history of the co since it began) on its third set of Auditors, the last 2 having resigned. They had an EGM to vote on the new auditors recently and I am not surprised that nothing seemed to have been raised about this. For auditors to choose to resign, would basically indicate that they can no longer approve the company accounts.

They co used to play a lot of tricks. They would have a tank of sludge (waste material that is a cost since you would have to pay to get rid of it/make it less pollutant) and have a layer of expensive oil on top. So when it came to value the oil in the tank, only the top level of oil would be used for analysis and hey presto, a cost would turn into a 5m dollar asset and this would in turn lower the cost of goods sold (which would affect the management fee, more on that later). I am not sure how this was down. For an analysis, they usually take samples from pretty deep in the tank, so doing the above would usually not be possible but this was what I was informed had happened during the year end audit process and is something I can't personally verify.

The other thing that I personally witnessed that was practised (and many companies do this) is to push sales on products that fail their quality test. This is to "book" higher sales for the quarter by raising an invoice and then financing on the back of the invoice (bill discounting). The product would inevitably be returned by the customer but in the next quarter (with the associated cost of return borne by the company) but by then the company would have already booked the sale and the management company would get the resulting management fees (I will talk more about the management fees below)

The personal impression I got was that the company was not profitable at all. That the profits were simply paper or accounting profits. The constant cashflow constraints, the pumping in of money from NLFCS every few years, the increasing debt that the company has taken over time would seem to prove my impression, whatever the annual accounts might indicate. A healthy profitable company that is not expanding, not increasing capital expenditure, does not need more debt and more money pumped in simply to run its operations. This would imply a deeper malaise.

I am not sure what oversight there is in NLFCS's investment in Premium Nutrients, and how the cash infusions have been approved. Tan Sri Somasundram (TSS) is also a big shareholder in the company (the 2nd largest holder with 43.5m shares – 12.93%, he bought 6.6m more on the 21/06/07 for approximately 1.8m ringgit). Therefore there is a clear conflict of interest in being the Chairman of NLFCS which is the biggest shareholder in the company and his personal shareholdings. If you have shares in a company, would you not as a chairman of its biggest shareholder, pump more money in so it would not fail? irrespective of your primary (and only) duty to NLFCS members.

There are a couple of conflicts of interest between the management of Premium Nutrients when I was there, and Tan Sri Somasundram and NLFCS.

Lets start with the management co. Before its floatation, Premium Nutrients was managed by a management company incorporated (I believe) in Singapore. I have been reliably told that this management company, 7 M Management, has as one of its beneficiary TSS, so another humongous conflict (to those with the know-how, please check to see who 7 M's ultimate beneficiaries are).

The management fee (20% (I believe - my memory may not be so good)which is a huge chunk of cash to take before all other expenses are paid) was based on the gross profit. As explained above, the accounting gross profit is easily manipulated, and calculating a management fee based on the gross profit provides absolutely no incentive to keep cost down. As you can see very poor corporate governance. What I witnessed was a company being leveraged to pay dividends and management fee to a few, while money was being pumped in from NLFCS to keep it afloat (my personal opinion, but please check the facts yourself).

The co. obviously has a very high turnover among staff. I understand they had brought new senior management recently.

Let's go through the company announcements, just to see the hanky-panky going on.

Announcement released 03/05/05

The audited and unaudited accounts had a 2.04m ringgit difference! In the unaudited accounts the company posted a 8m ringgit profit and the audited accounts showed a 6m profit!

Announcement released 02/05/06

Group Financial Controller and someof the senior staff have resigned, therefore the annual audited accounts will be delayed

Announcement released 02/06/06

Annual audited accounts could not be completed in time because the auditors resigned! Jeez, auditors want their fees, if they resign, it's basically saying things (accounting-wise) are so bad they would rather forgo their fees than audit the company's accounts and agree with it.

Announcement released 26/06/06

32m listing status cost previously written off, to be reinstated as an asset retrospectively? Why on earth do this?

Announcement released 26/10/07

Sells part of Malim Sawit (its plantation arm and crown jewel) for 22m to Revenue Direction Sdn Bhd. Who is Revenue Direction Sdn Bhd? Who are the ultimate beneficiaries? This could be legitimate of course, but after all the shenanigans I have witnessed, I have to be doubtful.

06/05/08 - Annual accounts.

Have a look at pg 53. That is a page full of conflicts of interest.

Of course everything could be managed for the best now, but with so little oversight in the past and in the present, people tend to take advantage.

I hope something is done so that such blatant abuse of trust and governance is a thing of the past in Malaysia and those who have enriched and continue to enrich themselves on the back of others know they no longer have carte-blanche.

Anti-ISA rally: 7 arrested in Penang

2008-05-12T08:21:00.001+08:00

Source : M'Kini

Arrest-free protest at KLCC - Video Link

Seven persons were detained, including a blogger and a woman activist, during a 45-minute anti-Internal Security Act demonstration in George Town, Penang this morning.

Among those were social activist BK Ong (photo) and blogger K Satish Kumar, who were arrested after they took part in the demonstration held at Gurney Drive at about 11.10am.

Meanwhile, rights group Suaram activists Lau Shu Shi and Teh Chun Hong were detained after they lodged police reports at the city police headquarters in Jalan Patani, Georgetown at 2.45pm.

Five were freed on police bail after being held for seven hours. However, Lau and Teh had been remanded and are expected to brought to court to be formally charged tomorrow.

The other three released today were K Sudhagaran Stanley, M Suparamaniam and B Vimal.

Georgetown police chief ACP Azam Abd Hamid said Ong and Satish Kumar were picked up because they were 'active' during the demonstration held by nearly 150 people near the Gurney Drive roundabout at 10am.

The gathering, part of a nationwide protest, was to urge the government to release all ISA detainees and grant Hindraf legal adviser P Uthayakumar proper medical treatment.

Uthayakumar, who was detained under the ISA on Dec 13 last year along with four other Hindraf leaders, is said to be suffering from heart complaints.

His family said that as a result of his detention, he is riddled with a blood sugar level of 13.5, disrupted eyesight, chest pains, and possibly damaged heart muscles. His supporters want the government to refer him to the National Heart Institute (IJN) for further treatment.

The demonstration in Penang was jointly organised by the Penang group of Hindu Rights Action Front (Hindraf), Suaram, Penang Watch, Tanjung Workers Service Centre, Repeal ISA Coailition (GMI).

Incident-free gathering in KL

A similar gathering was also held in Kuala Lumpur this morning, with about 30 people - including Subang MP Sivarasa Rasiah - assembling at the Kuala Lumpur City Centre shopping mall. This was a revisit by Hindraf to the location after its mammoth Nov 25 rally last year which attracted about 30,000 people.

As a result of that massive rally, the government launched its crackdown on Hindraf, culminating in the detention of five leaders in Kamunting detention camp. Hindraf chairperson P Waythamoorthy is presently in self-imposed exile in London.

R Kannan, a Hindraf coordinator who was the key organiser of the Kuala Lumpur protest, said that the government had been silent on the numerous appeals lodged to seek immediate medical treatment for Uthayakumar (photo).

“Even criminals are given medical treatment, so why not our Uthayakumar? He has done so much for the people, we cannot let this happen,” said Kannan.

“Uthayakumar has been having diabetes since early on. The medication he has received is not sufficient,” chipped in MP Sivarasa who joined in the gathering to show support for the movement.

“We also demand that all ISA detainees be released. We should emulate our neighbours Thailand and Indonesia for fair trials,” he added.

It is also learnt that Uthayakumar’s mother would be handing in a memorandum to the prime minister tomorrow, calling for the release of all ISA detainees.

“We hope they will consider releasing the detainees this time,” added Kannan.

No arrests were reported in Kuala Lumpur although there was a strong police presence. Similar gatherings were also held in Ipoh and Seremban today.

Arrested for not dispersing

In Penang, OCPD Azam said Ong and Satish were picked up to question on their role in the demonstration.

A police team from the Pulau Tikus police station arrived at the demonstration scene at 11.10am and told the demonstrators to abandon the rally and disperse from the area.

However, Ong and Satish were arrested in Gurney Plaza, about 500 metres away, after they had left the venue.

Azam claimed the duo failed to adhere to police instruction to abandon the 'illegal' rally and leave the area.

However, a Hindraf activist from Penang, K Vasantha, 26, said the demonstrators were not told to disperse immediately.

"We were given 45 minutes and we complied to it. I don't understand why our friends were arrested," she said.

The Suaram duo however were detained after Lau lodged a police report against police harassment at the rally.

Lau had just came out from the Jalan Patani police station premise when an unidentified police officer raised his voice against her.

When Lau told the officer to lower his voice and show respect to her, a shouting match ensued between them. She was then taken under the police custody for questioning.

Teh was also detained for recording the Lau incident. His video camera was also seized.

Second rally in Penang

No untoward incidents were reported, however at another Hindraf demonstration in Megamall Pinang in Prai.

Led by Makkal Sakti coordinator RS Thanenthiran (photo), about 300 people took part in the rally.

The rally lasted for about 40 minutes before the demonstrators dispersed peacefully in the present of about 100 riot police personnel armed with batons and helmets.

At both rallies in Penang, protesters display banners rallying cry for the release of the detained five Hindraf leaders and urging the government to repeal the tough ISA, which allows for detention without trial.

Besides Uthayakumar, the other four Hindraf leaders detained are M Manoharan, R Kenghadharan, V Ganabatirau and T Vasantha Kumar.

Free Hindraf detainees or face more demos

2008-05-12T08:20:00.000+08:00

Source : M'Kini

Ethnic Indian activists today warned the government to provide medical aid to one of its leaders and free those detained under tough internal security laws or face more street rallies.

About 30 protesters from Indian rights group Hindraf blocked the entrance to a shopping mall at the iconic Petronas twin towers in downtown Kuala Lumpur to demand medical attention for P Uthayakumar, who is diabetic.

Uthayakumar and four other members of the rights group Hindraf have been detained under the tough Internal Security Act (ISA) since December after holding an anti-discrimination rally.

"This gathering is to send a clear message to the government," Hindraf coordinator S Jayathas told reporters.

"If (the government) deny (treatment to Uthayakumar and do not release the ISA detainees), then we will have a bigger gathering, that is definite," he said.

Hindraf leaders angered the government last November with a mass rally alleging discrimination in Malaysia, which is dominated by Muslim Malays.

Mounting anger within the Indian community was said to have been a factor in the government's drubbing in March 8 polls where it lost its two-thirds majority in parliament.

Nationwide protests

Opposition lawmaker Sivarasa Rasiah, who turned up to support the event, said the government should release ISA detainees unless they had proof to charge them in open court.

"As far as I am concerned, one day under ISA detention is too long, one ISA detainee is too many," he added.

Close to 300 policemen were deployed outside the busy shopping mall to control the protesters, with watercannon vans and riot police waiting nearby.

Hindraf supporters carried posters showing a weak-looking Uthayakumar behind bars as the crowd yelled, "Abolish the ISA" and "Freedom."

Similar protests were held in six other locations through the country, organisers said.

Rights groups say 70 people, mainly alleged Islamic militants, are being held under the ISA.

Parts of the ISA date back to the British colonial era, when it was used against communist insurgents. It provides for two-year detention periods that can be renewed indefinitely.

Correct, correct, correct, it's Fairuz

2008-05-10T08:37:00.001+08:00

Source : M'Kini via AFP

A royal inquiry has identified a former Malaysian chief judge as the man involved in a video clip allegedly showing a senior lawyer brokering judicial appointments, reports said today.

In a front page headline, the influential Star newspaper said the inquiry panel identified former chief Justice Ahmad Fairuz Sheikh Abdul Halim as the man on the other end of the line with senior lawyer VK Lingam in the 2001 clip.

The five-man inquiry panel, which submitted a lengthy report to the Malaysian King on Friday after a long hearing, found the clip to be authentic and the conversation to be true, the paper reported, quoting commission sources.

Commission chairman Haidar Mohamed Noor has called for the full findings of the report to be made public but Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi said he had yet to read the report so could not yet decide on its release, the paper reported.

Drunk or bragging

Commission officials could not be reached for comment.

Former deputy premier Anwar Ibrahim unleashed a furore last year by releasing the clip, which apparently showed the lawyer telling a judge over the phone that he would put him forward for a top job.

The government then set up a royal commission to investigate the tape, with prominent witnesses like former premier Dr Mahathir Mohamad, a cabinet minister and several former high-ranking judges taking the stand.

Lingam has refused to confirm he is the man in the video, and said that if it was him he must have been drunk or simply bragging.

The scandal has affected the image of Malaysia's judiciary and questions have been raised over the outcome of legal cases involving figures implicated in the scandal.

Parameswara didn't convert, Hang Tuah not Chinese

2008-05-08T08:33:00.003+08:00

Via M'Kini by Donplaypuks | May 7, 08 4:11pm

I refer to the letter Don't butcher history to create your own 'truths'.

‘Truth Seeker’ perpetuates a number of common errors regarding Parameswara and other matters. Historical records referring to Parameswara are attributable to 3 sources:

1. The Portuguese Gordinho D'Eredia, son of a Portuguese mariner and a Melakan lady from Macassar, referred (circa 1600) in his writings to a Melakan ruler called 'Permicuri.' Not much more information emerged from this source. The Sejarah Melayu for example, makes no mention of a Parameswara at all.

2. The Portuguese mariner Tom Pires who lived in Melaka, referred to a ‘Xaquem Darxa’ and a ‘Modafarxa’ in his 1513 Suma Oriental.

3. The Chinese Ming Dynasty (1368-1644) archives have records of the visit to Nanking of the envoys and rulers of Melaka. These were:

(a) Pai-li-mi-su-la in 1405

(b) his son Mu-kan-sa-yu-ti-er-sha in 1414 and

(c) his grandson Hsi-li-ma-ha-la-che in 1424

These visits to China and the court of Emperor Yung-Lo were to pay tributes to China and seek protection for Melaka against Thai and Indonesian invaders. The three above have been interpreted respectively as:

(a) Parameswara

(b) Megat Iskandar Shah

(c) Sri Maharaja

The two visits to China in 1414 and 1424 were also to report the deaths of Parameswara and Megat Iskandar Shah respectively, and to re-affirm the close relationship between China and Melaka. All three Rulers of Melaka and their envoys made their respective journeys to China in one of Admiral Zheng He's (Cheng Ho) several fleet-ships.

It is clear from these records that Parameswara never converted to Islam. He was an Indian Hindu or an Indian/Malay/Aboriginal Malay mixed Hindu who fled Palembang in Sumatra to eventually found Melaka circa 1400 AD.

It was Sri Maharaja who converted himself and the court of Melaka to Islam, and as a result took on the name of Sultan Muhammad Shah (possibly the ‘Modarfaxa’ of Tom Pires) sometime after 1435.

Megat Iskandar Shah was thought to have changed his name after marriage to a Pasai princess, the name ‘Megat’ signifying a marriage between a commoner and one of royal stature. But his conversion to Islam is in doubt, given that his son was named Sri Maharaja and therefore, the possibility of another non-Malay wife emerges.

These details of Parameswara and the succession to the Melakan throne were resolved definitively by our own Professor Wang Gungwu in his paper ‘The First Three Rulers of Melaka’ published in 1968. This is the basis on which current school history text-books are constructed vis-B-vis the Melaka Sultanate.

With regard to Raja Chula, we can take a more definitive stance, ie, that without a shadow of a doubt, this is a reference to Raja Chulan/Cholan of the Chola Dynasty (7-13 century AD) of South India. The most famous of these Indian Hindu Kings were Rajaraja Chola and his son Rajendra Chola who invaded Southern Thailand, Kedah, Perak, Johor and Sumatra about 1000 AD.

With regard to the legend of Hang Tuah and questions about his origin/ancestry, I believe that many have been misled that Tuah and his musketeers were of Chinese descent. That it was verified by DNA tests. Such a claim can be found on the Internet and refer to a source, viz., The Federal Association of Archaeology and Research of Michigan, USA.

This is a spurious claim and the association referred to, in fact, does not exist.
There is also a hypothesis that ‘Hang’ is associated with the Chinese Princess Hang Li Po from China who married Sultan Mansur Shah of Melaka in 1459. But there is nothing offered by way of tangible proof/evidence by those who espouse this line of thinking. What is true though, is that, Hang Tuah is dismissed in a single line in school history text-books. The Education Ministry will have to answer this mystery.

But what is really sad is that our children are taught as though Malaysian history suddenly began in 1400 with an Islamic Melaka. The cultural influences of India in particular, and China, in South East Asia span over 2,000 years, starting perhaps with the arrival from India of the Brahmanical prince/scholar Aji Saka in Java in AD78, through to Vietnam, Cambodia (Indo China), Thailand, Burma, Indonesia, Bali, Borneo, Brunei and beyond.

We are led to believe that the Indians and Chinese first arrived on the shores of Malaysia in about 1850 as desperate indentured labourers, farmers and miners.

Nothing could be further from the truth. The findings at Bujang Valley speak of an ancient Indian/Hindu presence in Kedah. There were Chinese settlements in Pahang and Kelantan around the 13th -14th century and in 12th century in Singapore. The early Brunei Sultanate had a Chinese Queen. One need not ponder at length the implications of Angkor Wat and Borobudur or that 40%-50% of Bahasa Malaysia comprises Sanskrit/Tamil words.

The time has arrived for us to record our history as the facts tell us and not as we would like to wish it for. The truth will never hurt anyone. Lies, always will.

Wife: Uthayakumar very ill...

2008-04-28T14:26:00.002+08:00

Source : M'Kini

Detained Hindu Rights Action Force (Hindraf) leader P Uthayakumar has taken ill again and would undergo medical tests at the hospital today.

His wife S Indra Devi, 36, who visited him at the Kamunting Detention Centre in Taiping yesterday, said her husband suffered heart problems and severe skin allergy for the past few days.

"His diabetic level is also high," she said.

Uthayakumar’s condition is reportedly stable after being treated by doctors at the centre.

She said Kamunting authorities had assured her that her husband would be taken to the hospital for further medical tests.

"We demand the authorities to provide the best medical care to protect his health," she told Malaysiakini when met outside the detention camp, where about 2,000-odd Hindraf supporters from all over the country gathered to call on the government to release all five Hindraf leaders held under the Internal Security Act (ISA).

Besides Uthayakumar, the others are M Manoharan, R Kenghadharan, V Ganabatirau and T Vasantha Kumar.

The five were arrested on Dec 13 last after organising a mammoth rally in Kuala Lumpur on Nov 25 against perceived marginalisation and discrimination of Malaysians of Indian origin.

Uthayakumar’s failing health has become a contentious subject for several human rights groups and social activists in recent days.

Various NGOs and politicians have condemned the camp authorities for allegedly failing to attend to Uthayakumar’s deteriorating health condition over the past month.

'Callous treatment'

Social reform group Aliran described it as "callous treatment of a human being."

Its president P Ramakrishnan said it was hard to believe and unacceptable that in a country that had exalted the virtues of Islam Hadhari could be so callous in the treatment of a human being.

"As a result of this gross negligence and wanton cruelty, Uthayakumar had fallen ill and had to be hospitalized," he said.

The Kamunting authorities, he said, had shirked their responsibility for the welfare of a detainee under their care.

"As a human, he is entitled to receive medical attention like any other Malaysian," he added.

Indra Devi’s statement refuted claims by the Human Rights Commission of Malaysia (Suhakam) commissioner N Siva Subramaniam that Uthayakumar was being put under good medicare at the camp.

"It was not true that he had been denied medicine for diabetes over the past month despite repeated requests to the director of the Kamunting camp," said Siva Subramaniam.

However, in an open statement sent to Hindraf or now popularly known as Makkal Sakti, the movement’s self-exiled chairperson P Waythamoorthy accused Siva Subramaniam and his team of lying..

"How could Sivasubramaniam be satisfied with the medication given to Uthayakumar when he had never interviewed my brother?" said Waythamoorthy in an online posting.

Losing steam

Makkal Sakti supporters, who held the gathering, later converged for a prayer session for their leaders at a Hindu temple in Taiping.

While calls from various groups for the release of the Hindraf five and other ISA detainees - estimated to be 80 at present - have gained pace over the past few months, the fire among Makkal Sakti supporters seems to be dying.

Yesterday’s gathering was more of a subdued affair than a fiery protest, which has been synonymous with Hindraf activities for the past two years to secure the freedom of their leaders.

This could have been due to fatigue, loss of interest after the election euphoria or poor organising by the coordinators.

Whatever the reason, the lack of enthusiasm was evident and the passion expressed by Makkal Sakti activists in front of the detention camp was not one to savour.

An estimated 500-car Makkal Sakti convoy from all over the country started to throng near the detention camp at about 2.30pm.

A small group of activists held a banner calling for the release of their leaders while others were mainly passive on-lookers.

Several Makkal Sakti supporters held up portraits of the five Hindraf leaders, and that of Mahatma Gandhi. They chanted `Makkal Sakti’ and `Release Our Leaders.’

The gathering, which apparently was carried out without a police permit, did not last long.

Point made

The crowd lost its momentum when Makkal Sakti coordinator RS Thanenthiran arrived at 3pm and told them to depart from the scene to a Hindu temple in Taiping, the Arulmigu Balathandayuthabani Alayam near Maxwell Hill.

Thanenthiran and his supporters were also warned by Deputy Taiping OCPD Supt Syed Wahab Syed Majid that "the demonstrators could be forcibly evicted if necessary."

"This is illegal assembly. You all are ought not to be here," he told Thanenthiran.

Syed Wahab later told Malaysiakini that the warning was given because he did not want any untoward incidents to happen near the detention camp.

Despite Syed Wahab’s warning and pleas by Thanenthiran and one of his deputies, MN Anbalagan, several Makkal Sakti supporters appeared reluctant to move.

Finally by 4pm the crowd dispersed under the watchful eyes of about 200-odd police and the Federal Reserve Unit (FRU) personnel.

Thanenthiran said later that the assembly was organised to compel the federal government to release the five Hindraf leaders.

"We have made our point with our massive presence today.

"We will go to the temple to pray for divine intervention to secure the freedom of our leaders," he told the supporters.

Why bother waking up at 3am to study...?

2008-04-28T09:38:00.004+08:00

YennaMike Says : " I read this letter publish on M'Kini website an it's sad to see especially from a students that has scored straight A's in her exam. This is the real fact on what is going on over here in Malaysia. There are many more students out there whos' future and dreams has been destroyed by the quote system set by our "irresponsible" government. Like millions of other fellow Malaysian...i pray that soon all this will be over and equal educations are available for all Malaysians...!!!

I refer to the letters A daughter devastated, a mother with no answer and Education system quota abused.

To ‘Schoolteacher, I would like to share with my case which is very similar to your case. I am a SPM leaver with an SPM result of 11A1s and I have a mother, whose is also a teacher in a government primary school. I am also the eldest daughter and I have two more younger brothers. With my family middle-class income, it's impossible for me to further my studies at a private college/university or overseas unless with a scholarship. I am pretty confident with my achievements as I hold extra-curricular posts eg, ,vice president, secretary, school prefect and I even went for the National Service programme.

I understand your daughter's feeling pretty well because I also was rejected for matriculation also for most of the scholarships that I've applied for (Petronas,Yayasan TNB,Yayasan Telekom,Yayasan Khazanah). Until now, I've only been called for an JPA interview.

Honestly, I don't really feel surprised I got rejected for those GLC scholarships and matriculation. As we know, matriculation is only open 10% for us, the non-bumis. Just imagine, out of 100 students, there are only 10 seats for us, the non-bumis. Frankly, I would feel surprise if I got an offer for matriculation.

In my school, there are about 20+ straight As scorers and they also did not get any offer for matriculation or other scholarships. We have only gone for the JPA interview so far. Even for the Petronas interview (they called it Petronas Educamp), out of the 20+ top scorers, only two managed to get selected. (One of them scored 11 A1s and one A2, another scored 11As and one B3, both non-bumis)

However, some of my Malay got an offer to do matriculation even with an SPM result of only 5As. I felt so hurt. I am so sad because I seem to be discriminated against. Nobody appreciates my talent, nobody appreciates my ability. As if our country has more than enough talented scholars.

So, to our country’s leaders, don't blame those talented scholars who do not want to come back to serve Malaysia. Don't forget who ‘threw’ them away before treating them as if they were rubbish. Frankly, sometimes I do question myself, why bother to torture myself? Why bother to wake up at 4am, sometimes even 3am to study? Why bother to score a straight A1s?

My mother once told me she is so disappointed with the Malaysian education system. Although I strived hard to score well in the SPM, but in the end, I ended up with no scholarship offer. Well, I am left the one and only hope- JPA. But my mother advised me not to put to much hope on this government scholarship.

Come on, after 51 years of independence, racism still exists in our country. We, the non-bumis, are like the blacks in US. In the past, US white people detested and discriminated against the blacks. They even put notices like,’No dogs and Blacks allowed’ in public places. Now, our government is putting up notices like ‘Only 10% non-bumis are allowed’ for matriculation.

(And who knows if the figure of ‘10%’ is true? They might take 7% of non-bumis only, who knows?)

Our government also puts up notices like ‘These courses are only reserved for the bumiputera’ for IPTA course with SPM qualifications. For your information, courses like,’Asasi Sains’, ‘Prepatory courses for medicine’ at local unisare only for bumiputeras. Non-bumis, wait until your next life!

Most of my friends and me will choose to challenge of the tough STPM if we really don't get any scholarship offer.And I believe, STPM is the last choice but is it is also the choice of most non- bumis after a series of disappointments. I observed a few batches of my own Form 6 seniors and there were almost zero bumis in the Form 6 Science Stream. Of course, since they got into matriculation with 5As,or even with 2As from SPM, why bother to take the STPM?

My last word to ‘Schoolteacher’ is that all those moral values and history they teach in school is really rubbish. My friends and I knew this when we started on those subjects. To ‘Hamisu’, my mother has already advised me to be a Pakatan Rakyat supporter.

NATIONWIDE CONVOY TO ABOLISH ISA ON 27TH APRIL 2008...

2008-04-26T13:36:00.002+08:00

Source : Makkal Sakti Blog

Fri, 25/04/2008

Hindraf is planning to organise a special prayers in Kamunting Mariamman Temple, Taiping for the speedy recovery of P. Uthayakumar and release of all detainee under ISA.

We are planning to create awareness and show sign of protest against this draconian law, ISA as well through Nationwide Motorcade Convoy leading to Kamunting Mariamman Temple.

Below are details :-

Date : 27th April 2008 ( Sunday)

There are few gathering spots for all the motorcar and superbike before we proceed to Kamunting.

Below are the details of start off.

For Klang Valley and southern region :- PLUS Plaza R&R Rawang
Time : 8.30 am
Contact : Mr Selvam ( 016-6626579)

For Ipoh : Ipoh Kallumalai Temple, Perak
Time : 11 am
Contact : Mr Vetha ( 017-5005658)

For Northern region : PLUS Plaza R&R Juru
Time : 10.30 am
Contact : Mr Anba ( 012-4071867)

There will be special prayers and speech from HINDRAF Coordination team on the current HINDRAF struggle.

Pls do call the above number to confirm. Some stickers and posters will be given to all cars.
Let us all join together to show our support to our heroes and protest to repeal ISA.

Nandri.
Vaalge HINDRAF
Vaalge Makkal Sakthi

Kannan R
Hindraf National Event Coordinator

Daughter of Hindraf leader presents letter to palace

2008-04-25T17:06:00.002+08:00

Source : The Star

KUALA LUMPUR: A group of Hindu Rights Action Force (Hindraf) supporters gathered at Istana Negara here Friday in solidarity for the abolishment of the Internal Security Act (ISA) and the release of its five members detained under the Act.

The group's intent was penned in a letter purportedly written by Hindraf chairman P. Waythamoorthy's five-year-old daughter Vwaishhnnari, who was accompanied by her aunt during the event.

The three-page letter, childishly written on yellow paper with stickers of comic character Garfield wearing a royal crown and wielding a scepter requested for the Yang Di-Pertuan Agong to urge Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi to abolish the "draconian ISA".

It read: "It is my humble request that you urge the Prime Minister to abolish the draconian ISA in your opening Royal Address in Parliament on April 29th and advise the Prime Minister to treat all Malaysians, especially the minority communities equally.

"Thank you Your Highness and I would eagerly wait for your speech before the TV," it further read.

Among other points raised in the letter included that "five of my uncles have been kept in jail without trial" and "many others are also held for very long, as the government claims they are JI members without proof".

Vwaishhnnari remained shy and rarely spoke throughout the event as she was carried by her aunt M. Philomena, 48, a housewife.

"I passed this letter to the Chief Minister of Penang yesterday, noting him of the matter.

"I deeply feel my father's absence and miss him dearly," she said when approached by reporters.

Her father is currently in London in self-imposed exile.

The five-year-old later presented the letter to the palace. The letter was received by the senior private secretary of the Yang Di-Pertuan Agong.

She was accompanied by Kapar MP S. Manikavasagam, Teluk Intan MP M. Manogaran, Hindraf coordinator S. Jayathas and lawyer N. Surendran.

A squad of policemen closely monitored the 30-minute gathering which ended at noon.

Good News : Makkal Osai's permit renewed

2008-04-24T17:26:00.001+08:00

Source : M'Kini

The government has made an about-turn - a week after banning Tamil daily Makkal Osai. Its publishing permit has been renewed and the newspaper will hit the stands on Saturday.

On April 16, the daily received a letter from the Home Ministry stating that its permit would not be renewed. No reasons were given for this.

The daily, which is closely linked to former MIC deputy president S Subramaniam, subsequently filed an appeal.

Industry sources claimed that the ministry's decision was related to Makkal Osai's extensive coverage of opposition-related news and the Hindu Rights Action Force (Hindraf).

HINDRAF CHAIRMAN'S LETTER TO THE YANG DI PERTUAN AGONG

2008-04-24T10:11:00.000+08:00

Source : Makkalakti

Private Secretary to His Majesty
Duli Yang Maha MuliaTuanku Mizan Zainal Abidin
Ibni Al-Marhum Sultan Mahmud Al-Muktafi Billal Shah
Istana Negara
Kuala Lumpur.
23rd April 2008.

Dear Sir,

Re: W.Vwaishhnnavi (5 years old) wishes to present Roses and a Humble Request to His Majesty the Yang Dipertuan Agong on His Majesty’s Royal Address at the First session of the 12th Parliament 2008.

On behalf of the Malaysian Indians we pray for the health and happiness of His Royal Highness the yang Dipertuan Agong and his family members.

We write to seek an urgent appointment with your goodself on the 25th April 2008 at 11.15 am upon the request of W. Vwaishhnnavi a 5 year old to present Roses and make a special request to His Royal Highness The Yang Dipertuan Agong on His Highness Royal Address at the opening ceremony of the First session of the 12th Parliament which is due on the 29th April 2008.

We humbly apologize for the short notice given and hope you would be able to convey our sincere apologies to His Majesty the yang Dipertuan Agong.

W.Vwaishhnnavi would be present at the Royal Palace on the 25th April 2008 at 11.15 am to submit her Roses and request personally.

Should you require any further information kindly contact our National Coordinator Mr. Tanendran on 0194105283.

Your understanding and co-operation is very much appreciated.

Yours in Service

P.Waytha Moorthy
Chairman
HINDRAF

LETTER : HINDRAF CHAIRMAN'S FORMAL COMPLAINT TO UNCHR

2008-04-24T10:09:00.000+08:00

Source : MakkalSakti

Hon. Madam Louise Arbour
United Nations High Commissioner on Human Rights
Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights
Palais Wilson
52 rue des Pâquis
CH-1201 Geneva, Switzerland
17th April 2008.

Dear Madam,

RE: SERIOUS HUMAN RIGHTS VIOLATIONS AFFECTING THE ETHNIC INDIAN MINORITY COMMUNITY IN MALAYSIA.
50 YEARS OF HUMAN RIGHTS VIOLATIONS AND THE ETHNIC COMMUNITY REMAINS A PERMANENTLY COLONIZED COMMUNITY.
APPOINTMENT OF SPECIAL RAPPORTEUR ON HUMAN RIGHTS AND FUNDAMENTAL FREEDOMS AFFECTING THE ETHNIC MALAYSIAN INDIAN COMMUNITY.

I write both in my personal capacity as well as chairman of the above-mentioned organization.

Malaysia achieved independence in 1957 from the United Kingdom Government. 200 years ago the British colonial masters exported indentured laborers from South India into then Malaya and when the country achieved independence these ethnic Indians were left behind without their rights being adequately protected in the new Federal Constitution that was then drafted.

Over the last 50 years the ethnic Indian minority community has suffered various Human Rights violations under the hands of the majority Malay UMNO led political party who controlled other coalition political parties within the Government. Amongst the violations are as follows:

FREEDOM OF RELIGION

No Freedom of Religion, thought or conscience. Citizens are denied their right to renounce their religion or to revert to their original religion/faith.
Demolitions of places of worships particularly belonging to Hindus, which has been in existence since the time, they were imported as indentured laborers. It is believed that about 10,000 temples have been demolished over the last 50 years.
No new allocations in terms of funding and grant of land for erection of places of worships for the benefit of non-Muslims.
Christian churches are particularly targeted in that they are not allowed to build new churches though they have the necessary funding and land for those purposes.
Non- Muslims are compelled to seek redress in the Muslim syariah courts should either one of the spouse convert to the Islamic faith.
Islamic laws are deliberately imposed on non-Muslims.

EDUCATIONAL RIGHT
80% of the 523 Ethnic Tamil schools are poorly maintained and hundreds remain in a dilapidated condition. The Government has failed to take the responsibility for the Ethnic Tamil schools after independence and there is a silent agenda to permanently phase out these ethnic Tamil schools, which provided education in the mother tongue language of the Tamil community in Malaysia. Similar fate befalls the ethnic Andra, Malayali and Punjabi ethnic schools in Malaysia. No new Tamil schools are built by Government in new townships despite the ethnic Indian population increasing threefold since independence.

Indian students are denied places in Local Universities and higher educational institutions under the quota system which favors the Malays Muslim community which regard themselves as BUMIPUTRAS ( sons of soil) and hence they fill up most places of universities though they do not qualify for the respective courses.

No scholarships grants for education for ethnic Indian community either locally or overseas as provided for the Malay community.
No adequate grant/allocations in the annual budget for the building of new Ethnic Indian Schools or maintenance of those.

INTERNALLY DISPLACED COMMUNITY

The majority Indian community who belonged to the plantation sectors become internally displaced persons when their traditional plantation land is acquired by Government for purposes of development and their very social living lifestyle are disrupted. They are not provided adequate compensation for their contributions for the country’s economy over the last 200 years, not provided new job opportunities, training programs ect. No permanent alternative is given to resolve their housing problems and ultimately they end up as squatters in Urban and remain poor, underclass and neglected. No programs and schemes are introduced to uplift their economic condition as compared to what is done to the Malay community. When their plantation land is taken they lose their land, houses, temples, schools and end up a new poor class neglected society.

UNDOCUMENTED ETHNIC MINORITY MALAYSIAN INDIANS

Despite 50 years of independence, there are thousands of ethnic minority Malaysian Indians left being undocumented, without birth certificates, identity cards, marriage certificates ect. This in effect precludes and excludes them from even the formal primary schooling structure, obtaining licenses to run a business or from securing employment.

PATHETIC MONTHLY WAGES

After 46 years of independence the State has finally capped the monthly salary of the plantation workers at RM 325.00 (USD85.00) and RM 350.00 (USD 92.00) per month for rubber tappers who are mostly ethnic Malaysian Indians.

NO BUSINESS LICENCES/OPPORTUNITIES

Mearge or no business licenses, permits, business loans, opportunities, small businesses, commercial licenses for Malaysian Indians to run businesses resulting in less than 1% Indian participation in the country’s economic wealth.

KG. MEDAN “GENOCIDE”

The genocide by a state sponsored mysterious mob against the innocent and unarmed people of Kg.Medan in 2001 left 100 over killed and / or seriously injured still remains a mystery. The Malaysian Human Rights Commission refused to hold an inquiry while the state refused to hold a royal commission of inquiry. The Courts/Attorney General refused to hold inquests into the deaths contrary to Article 5 of the Federal Constitution and section 339 of the criminal procedure code. Worst still only USD 526 to a maximum of USD 6,578 for some victims being permanently maimed and/or loss of life cases was awarded for the said victims though RM136.8 billion was approved for the 2006 budget.

VICTIMISATION BY POLICE STATE

Indians formed about 60% of suspects shot dead by the police including an 8-month pregnant Indian lady, 60% of innocent people dying in Police custody, lockups and other detention centers.

The above are meant to give you an overview on the situation affecting the ethnic Indian community who has suffered for the last 50 years since Independence.

The Government of Malaysia portrays to the world that Malaysia is a multi racial and multi ethnic society that lives in peace and harmony. Unfortunately peace and harmony in Malaysia means the ethnic Indian community is compelled to remain silent on the atrocities that befall them and should they protest in a peaceful manner the Government takes severe action against them.

The recent attempt by HINDRAF to raise the violations against the Ethnic Indian community was seen as attempt to challenge the Malay Muslim supremacy UMNO led Government and hence our Organization was branded as an extremist organization. HINDRAF organized a peaceful gathering on the 25th November 2007 to submit a petition to Her Majesty The Queen of England and the event saw an unprecedented crowd of more than 100,000 people coming to the streets to protest the marginalization, oppression and suppression they suffered. This was seen as a threat and immediately within days our organization was accused falsely of having links to terrorists organizations.

On the 13th December 2007 5 key leaders of HINDRAF was detained under the draconian Internal Security Act which means detention without trial. This was deliberately done to instill fear onto the ethnic Indian community and to suppress the emerging “new voices of democracy” and to stamp out the democratic Movement.

We have suffered in silence thus far and when finally we came out to voice our dissatisfaction the Government attacked us with tear gas, chemical laced water cannons and baton beatings by the brutal Royal Police Force. Hundreds our peaceful protesters were arrested manhandled, beaten up, thrown into lock ups, humiliated for belonging to the ethnic Indian community, and slapped with trumped up criminal charges of attempted murder and denied bail. The State Attorney General took the trouble to personally attend these cases to show to the whole country how serious they are if their “might” is challenged.

The Malaysian ethnic Indian has no other choice but to seek redress and solutions at the doorsteps of the United Nations. On behalf of all those oppressed suppressed and marginalized ethnic Indian community I formally request that you exercise all powers conferred upon you by this most supreme world democratic organ to appoint a SPECIAL RAPPORTEUR ON THE HUMAN RIGHTS AND FUNDAMENTAL FREEDOMS AFFECTING THE ETHNIC MALAYSIAN INDIAN COMMUNITY who are and remain a permanently colonized community in Malaysia.

Thank you

Yours in service

P.Waytha Moorthy
Chairman
HINDRAF

Author, blogger, activist Rustam Sani dies

2008-04-24T10:00:00.002+08:00

Source : M'Kini

YennaMike Says : Condolences to the family members of Late Mr. Rustam Sani - may he rest in peace...

Author, blogger, and social activist Rustam A Sani passed away early this morning in his house in Gombak, Selangor. He was 64.

He was an academician, a newspaper columnist and a poet, besides being involved in a multitude of political, social and literary activities.

The son of celebrated Malay nationalist leader Ahmad Boestaman, the Tanjung Malim-born social scientist was formerly the deputy president of Parti Rakyat Malaysia, which have since merged with the Parti Keadilan Nasional to form the PKR.

He left behind a wife, two children - a son and a daughter, and a grandchild. It is learnt that Rustam passed away after suffering from difficulties in breathing early this morning.

According to daughter Ariani, he could have suffered a heart attack.

"It was all so sudden. We had dinner together last night. He collapsed after having problems breathing at about 2.45am," she said between sobs.

In recent years, Rustam was known for his occasional blog postings in his 'Suara Rakyat' and 'Karya Semasa'.

Rustam obtained his Malay Studies degree from Universiti Malaya, and later took his Masters degree in United Kingdom (University of Reading and University of Kent) and later United States (Yale University) and Sweden (Uppsala University).

A prolific writer, he had written half a dozen books in both Bahasa Malaysia and English on a wide range of topics. He had been known mainly, however, for his writings on the Malay left-wing nationalist movement.

Rustam was an associate professor at Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia’s political science department in the 1980s.

The funeral hearse left at 1pm for the nearby Masjid Al-Sharif where the body stayed until Zohor prayers. The burial rites were completed by about 3 pm at the Taman Danau Kota Muslim cemetery in Setapak, Kuala Lumpur.

Selangor Mentri Besar Khalid Ibrahim arrived just in time for the prayers at the masjid.

Condolences from friends

Among those seen offering their condolences to Rustam’s family included top opposition politicians Anwar Ibrahim, Wan Azizah Wan Ismail, Nurul Izzah Anwar, Syed Husin Ali and Dr Xavier Jeyakumar (PKR), Kamaruddin Jaffar, Syed Azman Syed Ahmad Nawawi and Salahuddin Ayub (PAS) and Lim Kit Siang, Teng Chang Khim and Fong Kui Lun (DAP).

Also at Rustam’s house this morning were ex-New Straits Times editor-in-chief A Kadir Jasin, ex-Utusan Malaysia editor-in-chief Johan Jaffar and former director-general of Dewan Bahasa dan Pustaka Hassan Ahmad.

Said PKR’s Latheefa Koya, “He had been a progressive and outspoken Malay leader. We will always remember him as a brilliant intellectual with great leadership qualities but prefer to keep a very low profile. And despite his recent health conditions, he continued to be active through his writings on the Internet.”

Syed Husin credited Rustam as the key mover behind the merger between of Parti Keadilan and Parti Rakyat Malaysia.

"Much of the papers regarding the merger was done by him. When he decided to do anything, Rustam put all his energies to it. Basically, he was an intellectual with a conscience."

Meanwhile, former schoolmate Kamaruddin had fond memories of their early days together.

“I have known Rustam since the 1970s when we were at the University of Kent. Rustam was a fighter and an intellectual - a political analyst whose stand has always been consistent in the struggle for the rakyat,” he said.

“We did not agree on everything but he was a very jovial and pleasant individual, for whom I always had a great deal of respect.”

Johan extolled Rustam as “one of the best columnists Utusan Malaysia ever had”.

“His worldview was moulded by his father’s struggle. He was a towering figure - one of the finest intellectuals in the country. He was critical, including of me, but he was fair.”

Nurul Izzah said that Rustam had a very close relationship with her family. “We didn’t expect this to happen. He was witty, sometimes sarcastic, but a wonderful man.”

A writer to the end

Even to his final day, Rustam wrote from morning to dusk, said his son Azrani.

"From the time he wakes up, he would start writing. He was very dedicated to the importance of ideas and the need to raise social conciousness."

He was to launch two of his latest books - ‘Failed nation? Concerns of a Malaysian Nationalist’ and ‘Social Roots of the Malay Left’ - on Saturday.

Publisher SIRD said the event will go ahead and will now be a memorium for the author. The launch will be officiated by PKR de facto leader Anwar.

It will take place at 3pm on April 26 at the Perpustakaan Raja Tun Uda (Selangor State Library) in Shah Alam.

Hindu Gymkhana to be handed over to Hindu community: Sassi Palejo

2008-04-23T09:44:00.002+08:00

Source : The News.com

Sindh Minister for Culture and Tourism, Sassi Palejo, has declared that the National Academy of Performing Arts (Napa) will be shifted from the premises of the Hindu Gymkhana. The historical site will then be handed over to the Hindu community as it was a hub for the minority community.

She said that the Jinnah Courts Hostel, Karachi, will also be vacated by the Rangers and this historical building would be preserved as a cultural heritage site.

The provincial minister said this while talking to a delegation of the Pakistan Film and TV Journalists Association (PFTJA) on Thursday who called on the minister at her office. The delegation comprised of President, PFTJA, Abdul Wasee Qureshi; General Secretary, Athar Jawed Soofi; and other members of the association Qaiser Masood Jaffery and Zeeshan Siddiqi.

She said that there was no doubt that the Napa had been serving its cause to a great extent, and personalities such as Zia Mohiuddin, Talat Hussain and Rahat Kazmi were working hard for the promotion of performing arts.

However, she said, this place belonged to the Hindu Gymkhana and the Hindu community was a peaceful one and the government would have the site vacated by Napa and hand it over to the minority community so that they could take part in their cultural activities.

She said the Napa would be shifted to another place as the government did not want to create a conflict with the Presidency.

Sassi Palejo said that steps were being taken to vacate the Jinnah Courts Hostel of the Rangers. The minister said that India made all efforts to promote its culture across the globe, and assured that the PPP government would also take steps to reconsider the cultural policy of the country to promote Pakistani culture in the world.

She claimed that there was massive corruption in the culture and tourism department and the government was taking steps to investigate this corruption. She assured that stern action would be taken against the corrupt officials that were found guilty.

Palejo said that the government was planning to introduce a policy to connect all libraries, including Liaquat National Library, through the internet and that all the libraries would be equipped with DVD and VCD facilities as well as other modern equipment.

She said that the government would also build a museum and cultural complex each at Sehwan Sharif and Bhit Shah.

S'gor: All, but Hindraf leader, sworn in...

2008-04-23T09:40:00.001+08:00

Source : M'Kini

All Selangor state assemblypersons were sworn in today at the state’s Dewan Undangan Negeri in Shah Alam with the exception of Hindu Rights Action Force (Hindraf) leader and Kota Alam Shah state assemblyperson K Manoharan.

Manoharan is currently undergoing a two-year detention under the Internal Security Act (ISA).

To compensate for his absence, newly appointed Dewan Undangan Negeri Speaker Teng Chang Khim said Manoharan’s detention will not affect his formal appointment.

"There has been a precedent where the swearing in process was brought to the Kamunting detention camp so there should not be a problem with doing it for Manoharan," explained Teng to reporters after the swearing in ceremony for the 55 representatives.

Manoharan was arrested on Dec 13 with four others shortly after the Nov 25 rally organised by Hindraf which drew some 30,000 people to the streets.

His detention however does not legally affect his position as a state representative as there are no written laws to stipulate that an ISA detainee cannot continue to perform his or her duties while being detained.

Teng then elaborated by referring to a case in 1978 where two DAP elected MPs Chan Kok Kit (Sungai Besi) and Chian Cheng Kai (Batu Gajah) were both sworn in as MPs while serving their ISA detention. Both Chan and Chian were accused of disrupting national security.

Mano to swear in only when ready

There was a different opinion on the same matter however coming from Selangor Menteri Besar Khalid Ibrahim.

Manoharan will only swear in once he is ready, said Khalid. Asked what he meant by this, he replied that Manoharan "will be sworn in as Adun (state assemblyperson) in the Dewan."

Continuing, Khalid said Pakatan Rakyat has and will continue to push for Manoharan’s ISA charged to be dropped so that he can serve his constituents but conceded that the matter was beyond the state’s jurisdiction.

"This matter is a federal level matter and there is only so much we can do as to only try and urge the federal government to drop the charges against Manoharan," he said.

Attorney-General Abdul Gani Patail told the country's highest court three weeks ago that the five activists should not be released as they are a threat to national security.

Home Minister Syed Hamid Albar has said that Manoharan could be sworn in before the state Speaker at the Kamunting detention centre as this has been done in the past.

Cooperation with ex-BN leaders

On another matter, Khalid said that his government would not dismiss the possibility of working with former BN state leaders for the sake of the state's development and future.

Khalid however said the decision would depend on the state executive councillors, whether they would need the services of the individuals concerned.

"It depends on them, but we hope for strong cooperation among them so as to provide the best services possible, for the people.

"Change will take place as only those qualified and professional enough will be given the trust to carry out the tasks," he told reporters after the swearing-in ceremony.

He said this in response to questions if Selangor would follow the lead of Pakatan Rakyat-led Penang to appoint former BN leaders to serve the state government.

HINDRAF takes it's case to UN

2008-04-23T08:23:00.003+08:00

Source : Indianknight402 Blog

The Hindu Rights Action Force is urging the United Nations to appoint a special rapporteur to specifically look into the plight of the Indian community in Malaysia.

The request was made by Hindraf chairperson P Waythamoorthy in a letter written to the United Nations High Commission on Human Rights which is based in Geneva, Switzerland on April 17.

“The Malaysian ethnic Indian has no other choice but to seek redress and solutions at the doorsteps of the United Nations,” he said in the letter, a copy of which was made available to Malaysiakini.

“On behalf of all those oppressed, suppressed and marginalised ethnic Indian community I formally request that you exercise all powers conferred upon you to appoint a Special Rapporteur on the Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms Affecting the community,” he added.

In his letter, Waythamoorthy - presently based in London following a government crackdown on Hindraf leaders - gave examples of various issues in which the members of the community were sidelined as a result of government policies.

“The majority Indian community who belonged to the plantation sectors become internally displaced persons when their traditional plantation land is acquired by government for purposes of development and their very social living lifestyle are disrupted.

“They are not provided adequate compensation for their contributions for the country’s economy over the last 200 years, not provided new job opportunities and training programs.

“No permanent alternative is given to resolve their housing problems and ultimately they end up as squatters in urban and remain poor, underclass and neglected.

“When their plantation land is taken they lose their land, houses, temples, schools and end up a new poor class neglected society,” he said in his letter.

UN’s fact-finding mission

Waythamoorthy also told Malaysiakini that he was invited to make a presentation on the conditions of the Malaysian Indians at the United Nations Human Rights commission in Geneva on April 17.

“The meeting served as an eye opener to the United Nations Human Rights council. It was the first time serious human rights violations on Malaysia was presented,” he said.

He said that he was given as assurance by the world body that it would seek an explanation from the Malaysian government.

“They also said they would request an invitation from Malaysia to visit for purposes of fact-finding on the issues raised,” he said.

Hindraf became prominent after raising various issues pertaining to the Indian community in this country. On Nov 25, it organised a mass rally in Kuala Lumpur in which about 30,000 people took part to show their anger against the government for failing to uplift the community.

Following that five top Hindraf leaders, including Waythamoorthy’s brother Uthayakumar, were detained under the Internal Security Act for two years for allegedly being a national threat.

Waythamoorthy left the country to India, and then to the United Kingdom, to canvass international support for Hindraf’s cause.

Uthaya's condition a mockery of human rights...!!!

2008-04-22T13:30:00.001+08:00

A Letter by Vig via M'Kini

I refer to the letter Uthayakumar's medical condition dangerous.

I am absolutely disgusted with the blatant treachery and severely discriminating practices of prison personnel at the Kamunting detention centre - the withholding medication and the unlawful punishing of Uthayakumar is anything but sickeningly inhumane. I call upon and challenge all powers that be to press forward as well as arise to the request of all Malaysians, to attend to the suffering of Uthayakumar immediately and indefinitely.

What we have right here right now blown-up in our faces is an absolute farce in the shape of a bomb that has resulted in a mockery of human rights. Its violation simply speaks volumes of intolerable disregard to all humans alike. How can a man diagnosed with diabetes be served with food of high sugar content? Detainee, criminal or simply civilian; isn't it onus on prison officials and their venerable wardens to dispense medication at their steady disposal and mercy for anybody who has been inexorably incarcerated?

Until further notice and with not much ado, I sincerely hope my request for the Home Ministry to step-in and look into this matter would bear fruition; in the form of already overdue specialist attention of the highest class to Uthayakumar at IJN. Given the prognosis without professional observation further, the victim will definitely succumb to deadly disease for his end-organs are steadily and consistently showing aggravated symptoms of nervousness followed by vascular failure even as I write. His vision is impaired and tenacious heart as well, has weakened in its relentless beat for retribution given his efforts for the Malaysian people.

I pledge, cadge and beg the local and international community to voice and protest in light of this pathetic and execrable hegemony practiced by the detentionists; to imprison and vilify these five for stressing the grieving plight of marginalised people in Malaysia. Please do not misconstrue or misinterpret my request for my concern is not to corner or gain political mileage given that I may be mistaken for a particular race or group in this country. I also do not engage in any sort of banal or vapid discourses with terrorists outside of this sacred land. All I wish for is the sincere display of magnanimous altruism on humanitarian grounds to prevail in the wake of sickening insouciance deployed histrionically, to harm innocent prisoners of conscience.

Uthayakumar deserves utmost respect irrespective and regardless of his 'perceived' misdoing or crime. One cannot be held against herself or himself for highlighting the indiscriminate oppression of any one particular race in this country. He may have been held in captivity for standing-up and voicing-out against discriminatory and prejudicial not to mention bigoted policies and systems here yet, nobody believes this to be an excuse let alone justification enough for not affording and according him specialist medical treatment.

We know that should the law of the land and the wrath of the gods be unleashed in due course, actual criminals and the real perpetrators will be sentenced to appear and explain themselves with impunity but without exoneration, for hurting and silencing innocent people.

Until then let us hope that not a single member of the five detainees, each ironically representing a state won by the solid and transparent opposition, are surreptitiously gagged and murdered as we comfortably sleep in our warm beds. I pray for haste with forthcoming attitude by the Home Ministry to administer the best of medical aid at the sincere request of all Malaysians; to be rushed to the withered Uthayakumar.

I also hope the plain ineffectiveness and the indolent attitude mastered by certain people in power will not prevail in the deliberate wake of his weakening condition.

AWAY...

2008-04-17T14:53:00.002+08:00

DEAR READERS AND GUEST OF YENNAMIKE,

I'LL BE AWAY FOR FEW DAYS AND WILL BE BACK ONLINE FROM MONDAY THE 21st ONWARDS. IN THE MEANTIME I WILL TRY MY BEST TO UPDATE MY BLOG DURING MY BREAK....

MANY THANKS

REGARDS

YENNAMIKE...

Tamil daily Makkal Osai's publication permit rejected...!!!

2008-04-16T17:15:00.004+08:00

Source : M'Kini
Image : IMOL

The Home Ministry today rejected the renewal of Tamil daily Makkal Osai's publication permit, a move believed to be related to the widespread coverage given to the opposition.

Contacted this afternoon, Makkal Osai general manager S M Periasamy confirmed that the ministry had issued the letter which stated that the daily's application 'will not be considered'.

The letter did not state any reasons for the rejection.

According to Periasamy, the daily - which is closely linked to former MIC deputy president S Subramaniam - had submitted an application in July, three months ahead of the permit's expiry.

More Update Read HERE

Mum appeals to PM for Uthayakumar's transfer

2008-04-16T10:21:00.001+08:00

Source : NST

PUTRAJAYA: P. Uthayakumar's mother has appealed for her son to be admitted to the National Heart Institute (IJN) or a private hospital of her choice.

K. Kalaivaniy, 64, claimed that Uthayakumar's health was deteriorating at the Kamunting detention centre.

She said Uthayakumar, 46, a diabetic, was admitted to the Taiping Hospital in December for high blood sugar but was prematurely discharged despite high glucose levels.

She also claimed prison authorities were deliberately ignoring her son's medical needs and this had worsened his condition.

Saying she feared for his life and safety, she appealed to Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi to transfer her son to the IJN or a private hospital of her choice.

She said she was willing to bear the cost of medical treatment as she did not wish to burden the authorities with unnecessary medical bills.

Kalaivaniy was accompanied by 70 Hindu Rights Action Force supporters when she went to the Prime Minister's Department to hand over her letter.

She also urged the prime minister to immediately release all five Hindraf leaders.

Sept 15 trial for Hindraf’s 66

2008-04-16T10:18:00.000+08:00

Source : The Star

SHAH ALAM: Sixty-six Hindu Rights Action Force (Hindraf) supporters charged with allegedly participating in an illegal assembly at Batu Caves on Nov 25 will have their case heard at the Sessions Court here in September.

Judge Azimah Omar fixed Sept 15 to 19 and Sept 22 to 26 for the trial, which is expected to see about 80 witnesses brought in to testify.

Sixty-four of the accused also faced an additional charge of causing mischief by damaging seven vehicles in the Batu Caves Sri Subramaniar temple premises between 1am and 8am on the same day.

Initially, 69 people, including five students, were arrested and separately charged in the Shah Alam and Selayang courts in December.

The prosecution had withdrawn the charge of causing mischief against the students but maintained the charge of participating in an illegal assembly against two of them.

The remaining 64 people face both charges.

Padang Serai MP N. Gobalakrishnan is among the 66 people who will be tried in September.

Deputy public prosecutor Nik Suhaimi Nik Sulaiman told Azimah that the Attorney-General’s Chambers was also considering the representations made by the defence team on the charges brought against the accused.

All 66 were released on a RM500 bail with one surety each and have to report to the nearest police station once a month.

HINDRAF PRESS STATEMENT 15 APRIL 08

2008-04-16T08:58:00.001+08:00

Source : makkalSakti.blogspot
Image : BMahendran

PRESS STATEMENT

HINDRAF views the current medical onslaught by the Kamunting Prison Authorities against Human Rights Defender and Prisoner of Conscience P.Uthayakumar seriously and believe this is deliberately calculated to harm and cause serious health damage to Uthayakumar .

For more than a month prior to April 7th 2008 Uthayakumar was denied his diabetes medication and attempts by his family members to hand over the necessary medications to him directly has been hampered. Medications that were handed over to prison officer En Shaharam on 13th March 2008 by his lawyer went mysteriously missing. 6 attempts/ written requests by Uthayakumar to meet the Prison director to discuss the issue of medication was ignored . He was continuously served high sugar content diet despite his vehement objections but had no choice but to consume those under protest.

The Prison Hospital does not have a qualified full time doctor of even a visiting doctor. On 18th March 2008 a Prison Hospital assistant was (HA not a qualified doctor) pestering Uthayakumar to take some other medications instead of his regular prescriptions but Uthayakumar refused.

The following incidents that took place at the Taiping Hospital remains a puzzle:

Uthayakumar was deliberately chained to the bed like a common criminal.
Premature discharge ( after 2 days) despite his high sugar level and damage to heart muscles Other tests results unknown i.e. kidney and liver functions

In light of the above circumstances HINDRAF calls upon the Prime Minister to immediately accede request made by the mother of Uthayakumar to immediately refer him to the National Heart Institute or other private Hospital chosen by the family.

HINDRAF is of the opinion that there is a silent agenda and plot to cause harm to the health of Uthayakumar and urges the Prime Minister to intervene immediately before matters turn worse.

P.Waytha Moorthy
Chairman
HINDRAF.

LETTER OF APPEAL TO MALAYSIAN PM FROM MOTHER OF P.UTHAYAKUMAR.

2008-04-16T08:39:00.001+08:00

Source : Makkalsakti. blogspot
Image : BMahendran

K.Kalaivaniy
30/1226 Lorong Belatek 7/2
Batu 3 Jalan Rasah
Seremban
Negeri Sembilan
15th April 2008.

Y.A.B. Dato Seri Abdullah Haji Ahmad Badawi
Prime Minister of Malaysia
Putrajaya

Dear YAB,

Re: 5 HINDRAF LEADERS UNJUSTLY DETAINED
P.UTHAYAKUMAR SUFFERS SILENT DEATH IN PERMANENT INCARCERATION.
DENIAL OF MEDICATION AND PREMATURE DISCHARGE A MYSTERY
APPEAL TO RELEASE THE MESSENGERS OF TRUTH.

I am the 64-year-old mother of P.Uthayakumar who now suffers silent death in the lock up of Kamunting Detention Centre Taiping.

On the 8th April 2008 my son who is being detained under the much-criticised Internal Security Act since 13th December 2008 was admitted to the Taiping Hospital for high blood sugar as a result of being denied diabetes medication for more than 1 month. Upon admission his blood sugar level was 18.8 (normal being 6). His protein and uric acid level was also very high.

Upon examination the doctor who treated Uthayakumar had told him that his heart muscles were damaged but needed an Eco cardiogram to confirm this. However due to severe lack of facilities at the Taiping Hospital, he was given 28th of April 2008 for the said tests.

I also verily believe that my son’s other organs especially kidney and liver are equally affected but there is an attempt to cover this up by the Hospital and Prison Authorities. Despite our request the Hospital does not wish to divulge with matters concerning his health on grounds he is a detainee and that they have instructions from the “top” not to reveal anything.

What disheartened me further was the need to prematurely discharge Uthayakumar from hospital 2 days later despite his glucose level at 13.5 and upon discharge he was again deliberately denied his medication for more than 20 hours. To make matters worse he was deliberately served diet with high sugar content despite his objections and compelled to consume the above-mentioned unhealthy food.

My son complains of reduced vision in eyes, weakness and discomfort heart. I am advised and belief he is suffering a silent heart attack as a result of his health condition.

I belief the Prison authorities under “mysterious instructions” are deliberately ignoring his medical needs and diet to accelerate/worsen his medical condition so that he would suffer severe health conditions.
The conducts of prison authorities are scandalous and I have lost confidence on them and the Home Minister who remains silent on the issue.

I fear for the life, safety and health of my son.

I earnestly believe that there is a silent agenda to “inflict” and cause serious harm upon my son, as diabetes is known to be silent killer.

As an old aged mother I can’t bear to see my son silently dying in the prison and make this appeal to you directly to help facilitate the immediate transfer of my son to the National Heart Institute or a private hospital of my choice so that I could help my son undergo his medical needs, treatment and care.

I am not an educated person but from what I have read in the Tamil dailies, you have always assured all Malaysians irrespective of race and religion that you are a caring Prime Minister. My son is silently dying and there appears to be attempt and conspiracy to inflict harm on him.

I appeal to you as a compassionate Prime Minister to immediately instruct the prison authorities to liase with me to facilitate Uthayakumar’s immediate transfer to a private hospital. I am willing to bear the cost of private medical treatment on my son and do not wish to burden the state with unnecessary medical bills.

I also appeal to you Mr. Prime Minister to immediately and unconditionally release all 5 HINDRAF leaders currently detained as they only acted as messengers of truth to bring to your attention the sufferings of the ethnic Indian minority community in Malaysia. It is a known fact that post November 25th has opened up the eyes of Malaysians of all races of the Indian community plight.

I also noted and admired your humbleness when upon severe defeat at the recently concluded elections you had openly admitted your mistakes and had promised to make changes, which actually touched millions of fair-minded hearts in Malaysia. The people on the ground do not believe the Intelligence reports that the 5 are a national threat and I am certainly sure by now you would have obtained independent advice and realise you had been given wrong reports pertaining to the genuine struggle of HINDRAF.

My sons and hundreds of thousands other Malaysian Indians are born post independence and they think Malaysian. As Malaysians, none can blame them for seeking equality, fairness and justice as they rightly feel Malaysian. The country is progressing and so are the people, so let us allow legitimate voices of democracy.

I appeal to you Mr. Prime Minister as a father to this nation to exercise compassion and fairness to all your “children”. The families of the 5 are suffering daily. They shed tears daily unable to explain to their young children why their fathers who spoke the truth are incarcerated. Their young children suffer psychological scars as a result of being denied the love and care of their fathers.

Mr. Prime Minister I beg you to immediately release them on humanitarian grounds and let the whole Malaysia proudly say we have a Prime Minister who is caring, fair and exercises wisdom.

Yours faithfully

K.Kalaivaniy

Tamils Ignore Government Order to Not Celebrate Tamil New Year

2008-04-16T08:16:00.001+08:00

Source Link Thaindian

CHENNAI, INDIA, April 13, 2008: Even as several major temples “obeyed” the diktat of the Tamil Nadu government and avoided special worship, the laity here celebrated Tamil New Year with usual gaiety Sunday. Just as the biggest Hindu Shiva temple in Mylapore area here allowed people to offer special prayers, the famed Vishnu shrine at Srirangam, 300 km south of Chennai and considered a “heaven on earth”, celebrated the occasion with pomp. The Meenakshi Amman temple at Madurai, 400 km south of here, steered clear of controversy and avoided any special prayer.

The government early this year declared that from now on, Pongal, the harvest festival falling Jan 14, would herald the Tamil New Year. It prohibited special prayers on the traditional Tamil New Year day in all government-controlled temples. It also banned the reading of the Tamil almanac on the traditional New Year day in shrines. Hindus across the state, however, celebrated the occasion regardless of the government’s fiat. Festoons were seen everywhere and feasts were held at almost every home.

A leading Hindu priest explained why the masses ignored the wishes of the DMK government. “This is as per the Hindu calendar’s 60-year cycle that has been in vogue since the time of the Vedas, of which astrology and astronomy are essential parts. And it is not just the Tamils - several Indian subcultures have a New Year almost at the same time,” said Shankara Shastri, a priest consulted by many leading business houses here.

Abdullah paving the way for the imminent return of Anwar?

2008-04-15T13:42:00.001+08:00

A Nice article from : http://thinkvision.wordpress.com/

Pak Lah stated that the government will not apologize to former Lord President Tun Salleh Abas and 2 other judges sacked in the 1988 judicial crisis but will look at ways to make amends to them. The govermnent, he said, was studying the matter, adding that a decision would be made after a Cabinet paper on it was submitted. The star reported here.

If he is not thinking of an apology, what does he meant by making amends to the aggrieved party? Is he planning to reinstate them to their former positions? That looks unlikely since it has been 20 years that they were sacked. Tun Salleh Abas has since became a farmer and he probably doesn’t give a hoot to that position now. However if the government compensate them for their loss of income and pensions in lieu of reinstatement, that would be a big vindication of their sacking.

If the government moved to exonerate former Lord President Tun Salleh Abas and gang, this would certainly set a political precedent that would also pave the way for the government to consider the best way to make amends to Anwar Ibrahim for his political motivated convictions for sodomy and corruption. This precedent will enable Pak Lah to move for reinstatement of Anwar to his previous position in UMNO with all his previous privileges intact and guaranteed. This way, Anwar will be given a choice to return to UMNO and if he took up the offer, he would not be seen as a traitor to Pakatan Rakyat. He would just be reclaiming what he deserved and moved back to mainstream politics.

For Pak Lah, this strategy is 2 pronged. First this will enable him to justify to UMNO that he is serious about taking responsibility for BN recent loss and he will be seen as doing something to revive BN in particular UMNO. Judging by the support for Anwar at the grassroot level, his move will bring instant support for UMNO too. He could also moot the idea of merging the multi-racial PKR into the fold of UMNO and at the same time openly invite MCA, MIC and other BN’s component parties to jointly form the new political entity in Malaysia. This way, he will be remember as the father of a new Malaysia, albeit a sleeping one.

Secondly, with Anwar at his side, Pak Lah could buy more time for reform within UMNO and BN in general. He would also be shielded from all the UMNO’s crocodiles and vultures that are snapping at his feet and hovering over his head respectively. This move will definitely send Mahathir and his cohorts with a one way ticket to the moon. Najib would dare not utter a single whimper as he would be threatened to be sent to Mongolia as Malaysia’s sacrificial lamb offering. This way Pak Lah could at least stay on for the next 5 years or at least until the next GE13. Anwar would be allowed to consolidate his power base within UMNO and be set to take over from Pak Lah after GE13. This move would also resurrect Khairy within UMNO and preserve his relevancy for the making of a future PM.

In the event of PKR crossover to UMNO, DAP and PAS could also consider the same initiative. They would realize that without Anwar at their side, the would loss all relevancy in the Malaysian political scene. They could keep Penang and Kelantan respectively but for how long? Without the federal government financial muscle, the Rakyat will eventually return the ruling parties to power again. In the short term they could play the role of friendly opposition in parliament until their relevancy is no more.

Anwar is not particularly hard-up with any invitation from Pak Lah. But Pak Lah only life line is with Anwar. Both men may have some deep respect for each other from their previous life, judging from the very restrained comments and soft attack on each other. Even Khairy, the firebrand of UMNO hardly attack Anwar. The only time he lashed out big at Anwar, he was slapped with a 10 million lawsuit. I guess it’s just for show to maintain Khairy image as UMNO bad boy and Anwar’s image of good guy. A really good acting job. So far both sides have taken out an insurance policy on each other just to be safe.

With the passing of Black 14 and the dawn of White 15, Anwar is again in the spotlight. He will have many options presented in front of him on his path to be Malaysia new Prime Minister.

Anwar reinstated to UMNO and replaced Pak Lah as PM after his retirement post-GE13.
Once 82 MPs sworn in on 28th April, mass defection from BN component parties member. Wan Azizah appointed as first Malaysian female PM. Anwar supports her as adviser. Anwar will contest in by-election and take over her place in one year time.
Once 82 MPs sworn in. Anwar make his move by contesting in by-election in Bandar Tun Razak after Tan Sri Khalid vacated his Parliamentary seat. Anwar win parliamentary seat and trigger mass defection from BN component parties. Anwar setup new ruling coalitions and become Malaysia sixth PM.
Anwar appointed as senator. He triggers massive defection from BN components parties enough to form 2/3 majority in Parliament. Pakatan Rakyat amends constitutions to enable senator to be appointed PM. This might be wishful thinking but anything is possible after the 8th March political tsunami!
Anwar appointed as senator. 20+ BN’s MPs defected but not enough to form simple majority. Yang Dipertuan Agung intervened by appointing Anwar as PM as he felt Anwar is the best person for the job due to the weakness of Pak Lah in holding BN together.
The above might be the fantasies of the author but one thing is for sure: the imminent return of Anwar Ibrahim, the prodigal son of modern Malaysia. He has been transformed from a ‘has been’ to a ‘must have’. Whether Pak Lah, Mahathir or UMNO like it or not, he will be the man to watch out for in the next decade.

His choice of middle path has endeared well with Malaysian of all races and religions. He does not attack his former mentor for he only dismisses him as old and forgetful. He also does not attack his predecessor for he dismisses him as frequently sleeping on the job. He does not also play the blame game for he took the bull by the horn and chart a path of political reforms acceptable by you and me. Only the corrupts and imbeciles will go against him.

In another words, the buck stops with Anwar. We now have the making of the next great Prime Minister in Malaysia. May all our wishes come true soon enough.

HINDRAF MEDIA EVENT 15 APRIL 2008

2008-04-15T09:13:00.000+08:00

Source : Email

MEDIA EVENT

Appeal to Prime Minister YAB Abdullah Ahmad Badawi by mother of Human Rights Defender and Prisoner of Conscience P.Uthayakumar to help seek consent of Home Ministry to refer Uthayakumar to the National Heart Institute urgently and to seek for a complete medical check up following denial of diabetes medication, premature discharge from Taiping Hospital and the continued serving of high sugar content diet.

Date : 15th April 2008

Venue : Prime Ministers office Putrajaya

Time : 10.15 am

Hindraf Lawyers, leaders, Members of Parliament and supporters would be present. A Press statement would be issued thereafter.

We seek the co operation of HINDRAF supporters to inform all our supporters via text/sms to attend to show support.

For further information please contact Mr. Kannan 012 269 0024 or Mr Jayathas 012 6362287.

P. Waytha moorthy
Chairman
HINDRAF
Currently in London

HINDRAF FORUM ON 19 APRIL 2008 IN PENANG

2008-04-15T08:56:00.002+08:00

Source : Makkalsakti.blogspot

Dear readers,there will be a forum on abolishing the ISA organized by HINDRAF Penang on 19 April 2008 at the Penang Chinese Town Hall.Everyone of us who holds justice and freedom as our fundemental rights please lend your support to this righteous cause.Visit this Link Click Here

ABOLISH I.S.A" STOP CRUELTY!!!! FREE OUR HINDRAF LEADERS

-There are hundreds of people being detained under the I.S.A
- How would you feel if you were arrested for fighting for your rights?
- How would you feel if your family or friends is being detained without trial?
- Are your mouth and eyes force to be SHUT?
- Do you love freedom and democracy?
- Do you believe all human has their rights to stand for what they believe?

In democratic country we DO NOT NEED I.S.A. which infringes basic Human Rights!

The I.S.A is a violation to the WORLD INTERNATIONAL HUMAN RIGHTS ACT

A forum on Abolish ISA will be held:-
DATE: 19th April 08
TIME: 7pm till 11pm
VENUE: Penang Chinese Town Hall PENANG

GUEST AND VIP :
YB LIM GUAN ENG
YB PRO. RAMASAMY
YB KARPAL SINGH
YB RSN RAYER
YB RAVEEN
THANENTHIRAN

SPECIAL INVITED SPEAKERS :
MR. SYED IBRAHIM (GMI President) & MS. NALINI (GMI Secretary)
MS. LATIFAH KOYA (Human Right Lawyer)

For more info contact:-

STANLEY:- 016 - 498 2125 EVENT COORDINATOR
KALAY:- 012 - 563 7614 EVENT COORDINATOR
SELVA:- 016 - 489 4830 EVENT COORDINATOR
VASANTHA:- 012 - 462 8353 HINDRAF PENANG COORDINATOR

WE DEMAND AS CITIZENS OF MALAYSIA:
ABOLISH ISA!
RELEASE ALL ISA DETAINEES!
CLOSE DOWN KAMUNTING DETENTION CAMP!

Hindraf detainee faces harm, says mother

2008-04-15T08:54:00.000+08:00

Source : Indiainfo.com

Sunday, April 13, 2008 13:41 [IST]

Kuala Lumpur: The mother of a Tamil Hindu leader has alleged that her son was being served food with excessive sugar by jail authorities even though they knew he suffered from diabetes and other ailments.

K. Kalaivanyi, the widowed mother of P. Uthayakumar, one of the five leaders of the detained Hindu Rights Action Force (Hindraf), on Saturday lodged a police report alleging that there was a "silent agenda" to harm her son.

Uthayakumar is lodged in the Kamuntin Detention Centre. Friends say he is weak and had been denied his medication after being prematurely discharged from the hospital the day before.

Lawyer Uthayakumar, 46, was arrested with four other Hindraf leaders Dec 13 for allegedly trying to incite Hindus over the plight of two million Tamil Hindus who came to Malaysia during the British era. They are being detained for two years under the stringent Internal Security Act (ISA).

20,000 DEFY POLICE TO CELEBRATE ANWAR'S BAN EXPIRY

2008-04-15T08:35:00.002+08:00

Source : M'Kini

About 20,000 people attended a rally in central Kuala Lumpur tonight to mark the expiry of Anwar Ibrahim ban from public office, a decade after he was sacked as deputy prime minister.

The crowd defied a ban on the event which was held in Kampung Baru despite scores of riot police were deployed in the futile attempt to stop the illegal gathering.

"We have not issued any permits for the gathering. I advise all the supporters not to attend it. The gathering is banned," city police chief Muhammad Sabtu Osman told AFP earlier today.

At about 9.15pm, Anwar took the stage to tell his supporters to wait two weeks on whether he would be running for parliamentary seat and return to active politics.

PKR bagged 31 seats in last month's general elections and Anwar had said that one of the parliamentarians would resign so that the party de facto leader could contest in a subsequent by-election.

In his speech, Anwar also attacked his nemesis, former premier Dr Mahathir Mohamad, and accused him of abuse of power.

"He has made the judiciary worse. He is worried that I'll be the next PM," he said.

Anwar also lambasted Najib Abdul Razak, saying that the prime minister-in-waiting was "not fit" to assume the post.

After speaking for one hour, Anwar was told by the police to stop the gathering.

He subsequently told the crowd that he would "lead by example" and requested the crowd to disperse.

Once seen as the heir apparent to long-time leader Mahathir, Anwar was subsequently convicted on sex and corruption charges and spent six years in jail, before storming back to prominence in March elections.

With Anwar at the helm, a reinvigorated opposition seized a third of parliamentary seats and five states in the worst ever showing for the Barisan Nasional coalition that has ruled for half a century.

Now the 60-year-old maverick is once again being touted as a future prime minister, but this time for his Pakatan Rakyat opposition alliance which he has described as a "government-in-waiting".

The sodomy charges were later dropped but the corruption count prevented him from standing for public office until tomorrow.

Surprise in store

Anwar had been expected to re-enter Parliament quickly through a by-election in one of the seats held by his party, and to challenge Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi in a symbolic no-confidence vote soon after.

But in light of the stunning and unexpected gains, he has said he is in no hurry to act and will instead focus on building up the opposition.

Meanwhile, party's deputy president Syed Husin Ali had earlier rejected the police objections to the rally, but said PKR had made confidential alternative arrangements for the celebration.

"We will go ahead with it for the simple reason that that area is a private area, it is not a public area," he said of the proposed venue.

"We can't understand why there is this sudden change of mind on the part of police... in fact, they were originally involved in discussions to control traffic and ensure security."

Pressuring the police

Syed Husin said he suspected the government, which has been badly rattled by the unprecedented election setback, may be putting pressure on police.

"They might fear that there might be some strong political influence that this gathering might have on the public," he said.

Abdullah has refused to stand down despite the electoral debacle, insisting he has a mandate to rule and promising to introduce long-heralded reforms that voters punished him for never delivering.

But the opposition and many political commentators believe the coalition will continue to flounder and that Anwar could seize power within a few years, or perhaps even a few months.

"I think they are very likely to form the next government and it's a matter of timing, of when this will take place, whether it's at the next elections or before then," said Tricia Yeoh of the Centre for Public Policy Studies.

FREE HINDRAF 5 AND ALL ISA DETAINEES CAMPAIGN...

2008-04-15T08:32:00.001+08:00

Thanks to : http://malaysianindian1.blogspot.com/

To: The Prime Minister and Government of Malaysia

No law in Malaysia shames the country or undermines its democratic system of government more than the Internal Security Act (ISA), which allows indefinite, arbitrary detention without trial.

The ISA stands out as a barbaric law that goes against all our notions of what law and justice should mean. The ISA is an evil, anti-democratic law that can have no place in a country that upholds the Rule of Law.

The ISA subverts natural justice. Natural justice demands that any person accused of a crime should have the right to due process and to be presumed innocent unless and until he or she is convicted in an independent, open court of law.

Without due process and legal checks and balances, ISA detainees are left at the mercy of their captors. Detainees have complained of cruel, inhuman and degrading treatment while under detention.

We therefore call for the immediate repeal of the ISA.

Please write to the Malaysian government and UN to express your protest.

YAB Dato’ Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi
Blok Utama, Bangunan Perdana Putra,
Pusat Pentadbiran Kerajaan Persekutuan
62502, Putrajaya. Malaysia
Telephone: 603-8888 8000
Fax: 603-8888 3444
Email:ppm@pmo.gov.my

YAB Dato’ Sri Mohd Najib Bin Tun Haji Abdul Razak
Aras 4, Blok Barat,Bangunan Perdana Putra,
Pusat Pentadbiran Kerajaan Persekutuan
62502, Putrajaya. Malaysia
Telephone: 603-8888 1950
Fax: 603-8888 0035
Email: tpm@pmo.gov.my

Datuk Seri Syed Hamid Albar
Minister of Home Affairs & Internal Security Address:
Minister of Internal Security and Home AffairsLevel 12, Block D1, Parcel D,
Pusat Pentadbiran Kerajaan Persekutuan
62546, Putrajaya, Malaysia
Telephone: 603-8886 8000
Fax: 603-8889 1613
Email : pro@mois.gov.my

Chairperson of United Nations Human Rights
Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights, Palais des Nations, CH-1211 Geneva 10, Switzerland

POLICE REPORT TEMPLATE FOR UTHAYAKUMAR! EVERYONE MAKE A POLICE REPORT NOW !

2008-04-15T08:29:00.002+08:00

Dear HINDRAF Supporters,

We Penang HINDRAF supporters lodged 8 police reports in Patani Road Police station, alleging that Uthayakumar (diabetic patient) had been denied proper medical treatment. This is deliberately done just to harm Uthaya’s health. We want police to take action before his health deteriorates any further.

Below are the name and report numbers :
1) Saraswaty – Kamunting/001629/08
2) Sivakumar – Kamunting/001636/08
3) Sivabalan – Kamunting/001632/08
4) Haribalan – Kamunting/001633/08
5) Kalaiselvam – Kamunting/001635/08
6) Sunthar – Kamunting/001634/08
7) Valliamal – Kamunting/001630/08
8) Thurairaj – Kamunting/001631/08

We Penang HINDRAF supporters encouraging the other concern citizens to lodge similar Police report against Commandant of Taiping Prison and Home Minister. HINDRAF Penang strongly demanding Commandant of Taiping to STOP his abusive act. This is against basic Human Rights.

Dear HINDRAF Supporters, refer below sample report. Lodge Police report URGENTLY in your own state throughout the country:

Police Report by:

Nama:

No K/p:

Alamat:

On the 8th April 2008 Mr.Uthayakumar who is a detainee held at the Kamunting Detention Centre under the draconian Internal security Act since 13th December 2008 was admitted to the Taiping Hospital for high blood sugar. Upon admission his blood sugar level was 18.8 ( normal being 6). His protein and uric acid level was also very high.

I now lodge this report against the Director of Prisons Kamunting and the Minister for Home Affairs for:

1) Deliberately and maliciously over more than a month denied diabetes medication to P.Uthayakumar.
2) Prematurely discharged Uthayakumar from Taiping Hospital despite knowing he was still ill, weak and needed medical attention
3) Exerting pressure ( I believe) on hospital doctors to discharge P.Uthayakumar despite knowing he was not fit to be discharged.

Upon examination the doctor who treated Uthayakumar believed that his heart muscles were damaged but needed an ECO cardiogram to confirm this. However due to severe lack of facilities at the Hospital, he was given 28th of March 2008 for the said tests.

Upon prematurely being discharged from hospital despite his glucose level at 13.5 he was again deliberately denied his medication for more than 20 hours. To make matters worse he was deliberately served diet with high sugar content despite his objections.

Mr.Uthayakumar complains of reduced vision in both eyes, weakness and discomfort heart. I am advised and belief he is suffering a silent heart attack as a result of his health condition.

I belief the Prison authorities are deliberately ignoring his medical needs and diet to accelerate/worsen his medical condition so that he would suffer severe health conditions.

The conduct of prison authorities are scandalous and I have lost confidence on them and the Home Minister.

I fear for the life, safety and health of Mr.Uthayakumar:

I earnestly believe that there is a silent agenda to "inflict" and cause serious harm upon Mr.Uthayakumar as diabetes are known to be silent killer.

I am willing to bear the cost of private medical treatment on Mr.Uthayakumar and urge the Prison authorities to immediately transfer him to the National Heart Institute without delay.

I would hold the Kamunting Prison Director and the Home Minister responsible should anything untoward happen to Mr.Uthayakumar.

I now make this report to urge the police to investigate the mysterious circumstances under which Mr.Uthayakumar was prematurely discharged from Taiping Hospital. This is the second time they had done the same to Mr.Uthayakumar.

Truly,

.......................

Family: Uthaya suffered a silent heart attack

2008-04-12T20:29:00.001+08:00

Source : M'Kini

The Malaysian Indian United Party (MIUP) today joined a chorus of calls being made to the government to ensure that ISA-detained Hindraf legal advisor P Uthayakumar is given a proper medical treatment.

MIUP president KS Nallakaruppan said that it was the duty of the government to ensure Uthayakumar received proper medical treatment for his diabetes.

“The detention centre authorities must make sure that Uthayakumar and the other four Hindraf detainees are in good health,” said Nallakaruppan today.

“The authorities must not fail in their duty to provide healthcare for these detainees.

“If they are needed to be admitted in a hospital, they then should be admitted. If they need to see a specialist, again, the detention centre must make arrangements for that,” he added.

He also warned that the detention camp authorities should not turn the admission of any of these Hindraf leaders into a government hospital into a media event.

“We see them parading Uthayakumar in handcuffs while being taken to the hospital and back to the detention centre.

“This shouldn’t happen. He is not a criminal. If you are taking him to the hospital for treatment, then make sure that he gets the propers treatment,” he said.

Nallakaruppan also urged the detention centre authorities to allow Uthayakumar to receive his proper medications from his doctors.

Similarly, Nallakaruppan added that two other Hindraf detainees - V Ganabatirau and R Kenghadharan - had also complained of being denied medical treatment.

“I urge the authorities to look into this matter seriously. I know how it feels to be locked up and being denied medical treatment. The government must show its humane face by giving proper medical treatment for these detainees,” he added.

Family: a silent heart attack

Uthayakumar, Ganabatirau, Kenghadharan, M Manoharan and T Vasantha Kumar - all key leaders of Hindu Rights Action Force - were detained under the Internal Security Act on Dec 13 shortly after organising a mammoth rally in Kuala Lumpur on Nov 25 which saw some 30,000 Indians taking to the streets.

Uthayakumar, a diabetic for the past 12 years, was admitted to the Taiping hospital in Perak on April 7 after his sugar level rose to more than three times the normal level.

His lawyer Santha Devi Velusamy complained that he was not given his diabetes medicines for the past one month despite making repeated requests to the detention centre director.

Uthayakumar was discharged from the hospital on April 10 and taken back to the detention centre but his family members insist that he is still not well.

Uthayakumar’s brother and Hindraf chairperson P Waythamoorthy today criticised the authorities for prematurely discharging his sibling from the hospital.

In a statement issued from London where he is currently based, Waythamoorthy urged all Hindraf supporters to lodge police reports against the director of detention centre and the Home Affairs Minister for “negligently and prematurely discharging Uthayakumar thus seriously damaging his health”.

“My family member who visited him confirms his complaints of decreased vision, giddiness, weakness and uncomfortable feeling in the heart.

“The doctor who examined him at Taiping hospital suspected he may have damaged heart muscles and is suffering a silent heart attack as a result of being denied diabetes medication for more than a month,” he said.

Police reports lodged

Waythamoorthy added that a proper test to confirm Uthayakumar’s heart condition is only available at the Taiping hospital on April 28.

“His condition is so serious and my family are willing to bear the private medical expenses. He needs to be referred to IJN urgently and we need the public to support our request for urgent private medical treatment,” he added.

Waythamoorthy also claimed that upon Uthayakumar’s discharge from the hospital, he was again denied medication for more than 20 hours and served diet with high sugar content.

In order to force the government to provide proper medical treatment to Uthayakumar, his mother K Kalaivaniy and fiancée Indra Devi Subramaniam lodged separate police reports at the Seremban and Brickfields police stations respectively this morning.

Yesterday some 300 Hindraf supporters gathered at the Kamunting detention centre to protest against the lack of medical treatment for Uthayakumar.

School relocated from cemetery to basement

2008-04-12T08:51:00.002+08:00

Source : M.Kini

The SRJK (T) Ladang Bukit Jalil earned a reprieve of sorts when the Deputy Education Minister Dr Wee Ka Siong visited them on Tuesday.

For instead of moving the 102 school children to an area meant to house the dearly departed, Wee suggested the ground floor of Kuala Lumpur City Hall's (DBKL) low-cost flats instead.

The flats are part of a relocation plan for estate workers, who for years tapped rubber in the area before the land was reclaimed by the government.

While most of the land was developed into the Bukit Jalil national stadium for the Commonwealth Games in 1998, condominiums and even medium cost housing, scant attention was paid to the rubber tappers who were there prior to Independence.

Of the 1,600 acres which were bought by the government, only 40 acres are left for the rubber tapping community of mostly Indian descent.

To add to their misery, according to a DBKL development plan, 13 hectares are already earmarked as Muslim, Buddhist, Hindu and Christian burial sites.

In a report last November, a plot of land among the cemeteries measuring 0.4 ha was reserved for the Tamil school and a Hindu temple.

At a press conference today, the Tamil Foundation Malaysia (TFM), EWRF, Group of Concerned Citizens and other NGOs expressed their unhappiness with the new proposal made by the deputy minister.

TFM president K Uthayasoorian said the ground floor of the said flats where residents park their vehicles and dump rubbish was a poor choice for the school to move to.

"Moreover, unsavoury elements tend to hang around these places and will pose a danger to the students," said Uthayasoorian.

Enrolment would suffer

Another reason which makes the ground floor an unacceptable choice was that the flats were only a transit point for displaced families, he said.

"The enrolment will suffer the most when the tenancy agreements for these families are not renewed after three years," he added.

Parent Teacher Association chairman S Balakrishnan also voiced their concerns over the absence of proper documentation for the temporary relocation of the said school.

Balakrishnan told Malaysiakini that until now there are no written agreements on how long the relocation will last or when the new school will be built has been forthcoming.

"In the absence of any black-and-white (proper contracts), we won't go anywhere," said Balakrishnan.

"We are worried if there is no definite deadline, the school may be just left there (under the DBKL flats) forever," he added.

GMI: Enough of 6 years of ISA cruelty

2008-04-12T08:40:00.001+08:00

Source : M'Kini

As part of its ongoing campaign to seek justice for all Internal Security Act detainees, the Abolish ISA Movement (GMI) today launched a host of new measures to highlight the perils of detention without trial.

For starters the movement aim to collect 300,000 letters from member of the public to be sent to the United Nation in the hope of raising the human rights issues in Malaysia. They would also be sent to Home Minister Syed Hamid Albar.

The new campaign - themed ‘Enough of six years of cruelty’, to signify the duration 10 men have been detained for allegedly being members of Jemaah Islamiah - was launched this morning at a press conference in Kuala Lumpur.

According to GMI president Syed Ibrahim Syed Noh the campaign will also try to gain the support of the 82 Pakatan Rakyat members of Parliament.

The letter will be sent to the Home Minister Syed Hamid Albar and High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR), United Nation in Switzerland.

Syed Ibrahim was confident that the new campaign would augur success, taking note of the recent dramatic changes in the country’s political landscape.

“If people have shown their courage to deny Barisan Nasional two-thirds majority in the Parliament, let’s all of us rise again to pressure the government to release all the ISA detainees,” he said.

Although principally the campaign was targeted for the 10 alleged JI detainees who have been incarcerated for six years, GMI reiterated that all other ISA detainees including the Hindraf 5 must be tried fairly in courts or released unconditionally.

Also present at the press conference were GMI campaign manager Noorlaila Othman and member of Human Rights Committee of the Bar Council Syamsuriatina Ishak.

‘Call for media to play their part’

According to Noorlaila, the campaign was a response to Syed Hamid’s call last Sunday that the government would abolish the ISA if the people wanted it.

“This is what we are doing, we’ll take the challenge. We will show him that the people do not want the ISA.” she said.

Noorlaila - whose husband is one of the ISA detainees- added the letter-signing marathon campaign might be new to the Malaysian public compared to other countries and urged to media to promote this cause to the public

She added that the movement’s previous postcard campaign by GMI in 2006 has helped the release of nine ISA detainees.

The campaign is a continuation of an international campaign organized by the Islamic Human Rights Commision (IHRC) launched last year.

Meanwhile, Syamsuriatina said that one of the efforts undertaken by the Bar Council to support GMI was by having lawyers visiting ISA detainees in Kamunting detention camp.

“This will help monitor the situation of the detainees. It will give them moral boost,” she said.

Release Uthayakumar

GMI also revealed that of the 10 who had been in detention for six years, five have been given an extension for a further two years, making their detention to run into eight years.

All of the detainees are allegedly members of the JI extremist group. To date, none of the detainees have been charged for any offences in an open court.
Syed Ibrahim also questioned why the 10 detainees were not released when 40 others who were detained for the same reason have been released in the past years.

“These are questions that have always been asked by the media. Is there any reason why they are being detained for so long?” he asked.

Syed Ibrahim also said that the movement was also said, concerned with the health of Hindraf legal advisor P Uthayakumar, also an ISA detainee.

“This has happened before. And it can be used as a form of mental torture on the detainees. For them to be denied the rights for medical treatment is a violation of human rights. It’s a gross injustice,” he said.

He added the government must take this matter seriously and allow Uthayakumar to be given full medical treatment. He also called for the release all the Hindraf 5 leaders.

Supporters rally for ill Uthaya

2008-04-12T08:25:00.002+08:00

Source : M'Kini

YennaMike Say: It shows that the peoples' government refuses to hear and action peoples' repeated call to release Hindraf 5. Uthaya hanging there brother...unseen forces at at work...

Some 300 Hindu Rights Action Force (Hindraf) supporters today rallied in protest over alleged denial of medical attention being given to ISA detainee P Uthayakumar.

The placard-armed crowd gathered in front of the Kamunting detention camp in Taiping at about 2pm today and held their peaceful protest while being under the watchful eyes of about 50 police personnel for about 90 minutes.

Hindraf coordinator S Thanentheran told Malaysiakini that the crowd were outraged that Uthayakumar - one of the movement’s most recognisable face - was not treated humanely.

“His potassium level is very low. It has caused him to become weak. His diabetic readings are also dangerously high at 15.5. His vision is failing him.

“Hindraf supporters are angry, as they know his condition. This is very inhumane of the government. We hold ministry and camp commandant responsible for his life,” he said.

Camp officials had admitted Uthayakumar to the Taiping Hospital on April 7. He was discharged two days later. Thanentheran said that Uthayakumar has yet to recover fully.

“His detention diet is not suitable for a diabetic. He is not allowed to give himself insulin shots. His sole medications are pills which are not enough,” he added.

Observe law

Thanentheran had earlier failed in an attempt to convince camp authorities to allow a private doctor to treat Uthayakumar.

Padang Serai MP N Gobalakrishnan who also attended the rally warned that the camp authorities must not be negligent in ensuring the well-being of detainees.

“I believe if the camp denies Uthayakumar right to seek medication and doctor of his choice, they are violating the law. Action can be taken against them,” he said, adding that the Home Ministry must act on the matter.

Gobalakrishnan however commended the police for their cooperation extended during the peaceful protest.

Hindraf Leaders' Wives Oppose Anti-government Rally

2008-04-08T16:07:00.000+08:00

Source : News Post India
Sunday 06th of April 2008

The wives of four detained Hindu Rights Action Force (Hindraf) leaders in Malaysia have urged their supporters and well-wishers to stop public protests against the government as it may jeopardise chances of the four leaders' release.

The wives of the four leaders were reacting to an SMS campaign asking ethnic Indians to gather outside the home affairs ministry Monday as a sign of protest against the Hindraf leaders' detention.

The wives of detained Hindraf leaders - M. Manoharan's wife S. Pushpaneela, V. Ganabatirau's wife B. Buvaneswary, K. Vasantha Kumar's wife K. Vikneswary and R. Kenghadaran's wife M. Kalaivani said they didn't want their husbands to suffer the consequences of such an act.

'We would like to humbly request all Hindraf supporters not to participate in any demonstration or rally,' urged Pushpaneela.

She said many elected leaders were working hard for their husbands' release and 'it would be best to wait patiently for the outcome of their collective efforts', the New Straits Times said Sunday.

The four men and another Hindraf leader P. Uthayakumar were held under the Internal Security Act at the Kamunting Detention Centre in Taiping, Perak, after they organised a protest rally in Kuala Lumpur Nov 25, 2007.

The Hindraf claims to speak for the over two million Tamil Hindu settlers who came here during the British era, and now allege discrimination in jobs and education for the ethnic Indian community.

Kalaivani said the proposed gathering might jeopardise their husbands' chance of being released if it got out of hand and turned ugly.

Teacher Buvaneswary concurred and urged Hindraf supporters to remain calm and not aggravate the situation. Vikneswary said she appreciated the care and concern shown by Hindraf supporters but the best thing to do was to wait patiently.

'This is not the time to gather in big groups and protest,' she said.

Meanwhile, Hindraf national event coordinator Kannan Ramasamy said the protest Monday was merely a submission of a memo by Hindraf lawyers to Home Minister Syed Hamid Albar.

'Only a few of our lawyers and several immediate family members of the detainees would be there,' he clarified.

'We are requesting Datuk Seri Syed Hamid to be more responsive as he is the one who has the authority to release them in his capacity as home minister,' said Ramasamy.

Albar has said that he would 'not be swayed by sentiments' and decide on the issue 'in the best national interests'.