Did I not tell you?

The Chinese call these people running dogs. I would not call them that though. I think it is not right to call them running dogs. I love dogs. I think dogs are lovely creatures. Why should we honour these 13 non-Malay members of Barisan Nasional by calling them running dogs?

NO HOLDS BARRED

Raja Petra Kamarudin

Umno papers slam MACC critics in Teoh’s death
The Malaysian Insider, 19 July 2009

Umno-controlled newspapers, Berita Harian and Mingguan Malaysia, today slammed critics for demonising the country’s graft-busters over Teoh Beng Hock’s death, with one suggesting there is an agenda to weaken Malay-controlled institutions.

Both newspapers accused the opposition of politicising the political secretary’s death on July 16, with Mingguan saying the federal opposition Pakatan Rakyat (PR) was using the incident to divert attention away from internal problems and weaknesses.

But Berita Harian suggested the agenda was to weaken Malay-controlled institutions in the article, “Kematian Teoh timbulkan pelbagai spekulasi politik”, written by the New Straits Times group managing editor Zainul Ariffin Isa.

He wrote that political opportunism can turn grief into political capital, and death can be made a catalyst to stoke anger and racial sentiments.

“It is not just the Chinese or supporters of the Pakatan Rakyat who know anger and seek justice.

“Suspicions have been raised especially among the non-Malays that MACC, which like other departments have many Malay officers, selectively chose non-Malays to be investigated,” he wrote.

The new boss of the Umno-owned New Straits Times group did not, however, address complaints raised by two DAP men who were also, like Teoh, brought in for questioning.

The two DAP men, one a Chinese and the other a mixed Malay-Chinese, claimed racial insults were hurled at them by the MACC officers.

Like Teoh, both men were not suspects, but “witnesses,” according to MACC officers.

So far, leaders of the PR alliance, led by Opposition Leader Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, have not referred to race in their statements demanding the MACC be held responsible for Teoh’s death.

Zainul appeared to suggest that Teoh’s death was an accident and that the MACC officer involved was Malay when he wrote in Berita Harian that “when a victim of an accident was non-Malay, who was previously investigated by a Malay, the speculation is great.”

By suggesting anti-Malay sentiment in Teoh’s death, he also appeared to suggest that government departments were Malay-based institutions rather than a non-partisan civil service.

“Why did the Selangor MB, a Malay, question those of his own race to act fairly?” Zainul wrote.

Mingguan Malaysia, which is also owned by Umno, also attacked the PR alliance for politicising the death.

The newspaper said the controversy could not be resolved through demonstrations or wild accusations.

Mingguan suggested instead that the opposition was using Teoh’s death to distract attention from its own problems.

*************************************************

I have tried to explain this in the past but it has fallen on deaf ears. Some even think I may be seeing ghosts in the shadows. But I have attended enough Umno gatherings in my lifetime and have enough Umno friends in high places to know what I am talking about. Nevertheless, most of those who disagree with my views are those who comment from the comfort and safety of their homes and offices and would most likely not be at the Kelana Jaya stadium today. This means, basically, they do not really have their ears to the ground and comment without the benefit of having their fingers on the pulse.

Let me put this to you in plain words and as clearly as I can. Umno considers the government machinery as a Malay vehicle. The government machinery -- whether it be the Election Commission (SPR), police, the anti-corruption agency (MACC), the Information Ministry (that controls the mainstream media and radio and television stations), institutions of learning (from kindergartens right up to universities), etc. -- are there to serve Malay interests. And make no mistake about this.

There is a government propaganda outfit called Biro Tata Negara (BTN) whose job is to conduct courses and deliver lectures around the clock to government officers and students before and after they enter university. BTN’s main focus is to indoctrinate Malays with the idea that Malaysia is a Malay country. The Chinese, Indians and ‘others’ are immigrants. After allowing them citizenship status these Chinese, Indians and ‘others’ now demonstrate ingratitude and start demanding all sorts of unreasonable things such as equal rights -- forgetting that they are mere guests in this country and are therefore second-class and not first-class citizens.

The army is Malay. The police is Malay. The universities and all institutions of higher learning are Malay. In fact, you name it and it is Malay. There are no two ways about it. And if the Chinese, Indians and ‘others’ refuse to accept this then they should leave this country and go back to the country where they originally came from -- be it China, India, or wherever.

Okay, you may argue that today’s Chinese, Indians and ‘others’ were all born in Malaysia. None were born in China, India, or wherever. Their grandparents or great grandparents may have been born in China, India, or wherever. But almost all the Chinese, Indians and ‘others’ were born here in Malaysia. So that automatically makes them citizens and not immigrants although they may be descendants of immigrants.

I mean, every single US citizen (other than the native Indian) is a descendant of immigrants even if they themselves may have been born in the US and did not migrate to America. So, grandchildren or great grandchildren of immigrants are not called immigrants but are called US citizens. And all US citizens are regarded equal. No US citizen has more rights than another US citizens based on which country his or her forefathers came from.

But that is in the US. That does not apply to Malaysia. In Malaysia, the descendants of the immigrants who came from one of the Indonesian islands have more rights than the descendants of the immigrants who came from China, India or any territory that is not part of the Indonesian islands. That is how it works in Malaysia.

And the Malays are constantly reminded about this. And all those descendants of immigrants not from one of the Indonesian islands will also be constantly reminded that they are guests in this country, do not have equal rights, and are classified as second-class citizens akin to an immigrant.

And that is why Chinese, Indians and ‘others’ are treated more brutally when arrested or detained. They not only suffer verbal abuse and racial slurs but will be physically abused as well. And that is why the death under detention rate for those who are not descendants of immigrants from one of the Indonesian islands is very high. Most, however, die ‘sudden deaths’ or collapse and die for no apparent reason other than medically related ‘natural causes’.

Let me make it clear, again. The Malaysian government is a Malay government. The government’s job is to serve the Malays and protect Malay interests. Yesterday, the Deputy Prime Minister said so in case anyone may have forgotten this. And this will remain so as long as Barisan Nasional stays in office. Umno has promised the people this.

And any Malay who wants to change this arrangement is a traitor to his race. His or her citizenship should be withdrawn and he or she should be expelled from the country. This, Umno has made very clear more than once.

The descendants of immigrants from China, India or any territory not within the Indonesian islands have no problem with this though. They accept the fact that they are second-class citizens under the classification of pendatang. And that is why they are members of Barisan Nasional. And the job of these 13 non-Malay members of Barisan Nasional is to ensure that Umno stays in power although Umno has less than half the seats in Parliament. On its own Umno is out of office. With the 13 other non-Malay members giving Umno the mandate it can stay in office.

The Chinese call these people running dogs. I would not call them that though. I think it is not right to call them running dogs. I love dogs. I think dogs are lovely creatures. Why should we honour these 13 non-Malay members of Barisan Nasional by calling them running dogs?

Pakatan, reunited by death

The crowd of thousands at the Kelana Jaya stadium to protest the suspecious circumstances surrounding Teoh Beng Hock's death. - Picture by Jack Ooi

By Adib Zalkapli - The Malaysian Insider

PETALING JAYA, July 19 – Showing cracks just recently, a mere 16 months after their historic electoral gains, Pakatan Rakyat (PR) today once again attempted to strengthen their alliance and present a united front days after the death of DAP activist Teoh Beng Hock.

Teoh, political secretary to Selangor executive councillor, Ean Yong Hian Wah, was found dead on July 16 outside the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) office in Shah Alam. The 30-year-old was earlier questioned for alleged abuse of public funds by his superior.

“Beng Hock is our hero,” Datuk Husam Musa, a member of PAS’s central working committee, declared to the some 2,000 people at Teoh’s memorial in Stadium Kelana Jaya.

“There is no doubt that Beng Hock was murdered,” the PAS leader told the crowd who were mostly clad in black for the memorial. “Malaysia is not safe anymore,” he added.

Just days before, MACC opened investigations on seven Selangor lawmakers, including Ean Yong Hian Wah, the state executive councillor came under attack from Pakatan’s own backbenchers.

PKR’s Azmin Ali, who is the party’s chief whip in the state assembly, called for the executive council posts to be reshuffled, questioning the ability of some of the members of the administration to perform their duties.

Protestors burning copies of Umno-owned Berita Minggu for turning anger over Teoh Beng Hock's death into a racial issue. - Picture by Jack Ooi

PKR MP Wee Choo Keong, who left DAP to form his own party before standing on the party’s ticket in Election 2008, joined in to accuse an unnamed state executive councillor of having ties with secret societies.

Today, leaders of the three PR parties, including Selangor Mentri Besar Tan Sri Khalid Ibrahim and Penang Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng, shared a stage to take advantage of the public anger over Teoh’s sudden death.

“How can a bright young man walk into MACC office as a witness, only to return as a dead body?” DAP strongman Lim Kit Siang asked the crowd.

Lim reiterated his stand for Royal Commission of Inquiry to be formed to investigate the death, adding that Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak’s cabinet should resign if that did not happen.

He also asked for the cabinet to take responsibility and demanded that MACC chief commissioner Datuk Seri Ahmad Said Hamdan resign over Teoh’s death.

Lim dismissed the suggestion by Malay dailies today that the federal opposition was trying to undermine Malay-led institutions.

“MACC is not a Malay institution, it is a Malaysian institution,” declared the DAP veteran.

After the speeches PR supporters were seen burning copies of Malay newspapers to express their anger over the articles criticising the opposition for allegedly politicising Teoh’s death.

The rally ended just before sunset with DAP chairman Karpal Singh declaring that the party will take MACC to court.

Teoh’s funeral will be held tomorrow at his hometown, Malacca, and Opposition Leader Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim is expected to attend.

Najib’s representative faces hard questions from Teoh family

Oh spending time with the grieving parents of Teoh Beng Hock. - Picture by Choo Choy May

By Syed Jaymal Zahiid- The Malaysian Insider

ALOR GAJAH, July 19 – The prime minister’s personal emissary to the Teoh family home here – political secretary Oh Ei Sun – was taken aback when Teoh Beng Hock’s mother confronted him, demanding that he do something about her son’s tragic death.

Oh, who had come to convey the PM’s condolences, was visibly shaken but he quickly recovered and spoke to the family for a few minutes.

Later, at a brief press conference, he said: “I received a phone call from the prime minister last night. He told me to come here and offer his personal condolences to the family.”

While he was speaking to the media, Teoh’s younger sister came out and confronted him again, “What are you going to do about this?”

Oh told her that he would convey to the prime minister the family’s demand for a royal inquiry into Teoh’s death. He also said the Cabinet would discuss the matter this Wednesday.

Teoh’s family told Oh that they want to make it clear that they chose not to have a second autopsy because they did not want to prolong the pain, and not because they accepted the first report. Also, they want the PM to attend to this personally.

On the distraught family taking out their anger on him, Oh said he was not upset but emphatised with them as he, too, had suffered a personal loss recently.

After the press conference, there was a poignant moment when Beng Hock’s father, Teoh Leong Hwee, grasped Oh’s hand and pleaded for help to find out how and why his young son died.

Uthayakumar forms Human Rights Party - Malaysiakini

Hindu Rights Action Force (Hindraf) leader P Uthayakumar today announced the formation of a multiracial party called the Human Rights Party (HRP).

"We will fight our own cause... we can't count on others to do so for us," he said, adding that Pakatan Rakyat, like Barisan Nasional, is not addressing the needs of marginalised groups.

"But now the time has come for us to move forward with the Hindraf people's Makkal Sakthi wave," the pro-tem secretary general told some 2,000 supporters in Klang.

HRP will continue to champion Hindraf's 18 point-demand.

"I have identified 15 parliamentary and 38 state assembly seats... with about 20 percent to 46.2 percent Indian voters in about nine states," Uthayakumar said.

Nevertheless, he affirmed that Hindraf would remain apolitical and would be led by his brother Waythamoorthy, who is in self-exile in London.

Launches book penned in detention

Besides announcing the advent of the new party, Uthayakumar, who is a lawyer, also launched his book titled 'Malaysian Indian Political Empowerment Strategy: The Way Forward'.

According to him, the book was conceived during his 514 days in detention under the Internal Security Act.

Uthayakumar and four other Hindraf leaders were detained under the ISA in 2007 shortly after staging a mammoth street protest which drew tens of thousands of disgruntled Indian Malaysians to the streets of Kuala Lumpur.

Addressing his supporters, Uthayakumar said: "I don't want to be known as a politician. I would rather be known as a political activist."

"Our main thrust is to be the focus group in putting the Indians in Malaysia back on the mainstream development of Malaysia after 52 years of having been left out," he added.

Although the party's struggle focuses on the upliftment of the Indian community, Uthayakumar however stressed that it would not shut its doors to the plight of other communities.

Despite submitting their application to the Registrar of Societies (ROS) on June 18, HRP has yet to receive the green light.

This, according to Uthayakumar, is in stark contradiction to the Makkal Sakthi party which was registered within two weeks.

Uthayakumar launching his new party

Part 1


Part 2

Royal Commission = Royal Circus of Malaysia

Loyar Burok
Fahri Azzat


This post is reproduced from here

Like many others, I am appalled at the death of Teoh Beng Hock at the Malaysian Anti Corruption Commission’s (MACC) building. But like them, I remain unsurprised. The Royal Malaysian Police (RMP) has for many years had suspects and persons accused of crime ending up dead whilst being in their custody. Predictably no action was taken in most of those deaths. No reforms were carried out to stem the corruption in the RMP. MACC has in that respect raised the bar and outdone the RMP with the death of a mere witness who was in their custody. So let us applaud MACC for meeting expectations on their performance. I certainly hope that they will not live to their high standards so that witnesses and suspects emerge alive after their interview with them.

What I find disappointing with regards to this crime is that Teoh’s family and many others are calling the government to set up a Royal Commission to investigate. I am not sure who advised them to make such a demand and why others are calling for it, but it really is a very sorry demand. Those making such a call are asking for so much less than what Teoh deserves and speaks tellingly of an intellectual bankruptcy and the utter desperation in our country.

Why do I say this?

Firstly, the Royal Commissions of Malaysia are in truth the Royal Circus of Malaysia. There is acrobatics, illusions, mind-boggling stunts, pomp, fanfare, widespread media coverage, outstanding characters and a host of willing participants. The only difference is that the tax payers, you and me, pay for this circus instead of those who attend it. After the show, everybody goes home, discusses it at the kopitiam for a week or so and forgets about it. Corruption, abuse of power and elitism continues unabated, unrestricted, unlimited, and then intensifies.

Second, since the Royal Commission is really a circus, we cannot expect anything meaningful to come out of it. The purpose of a Royal Commission is the illusion of doing something meaningful when its true purpose is entertainment - both to the power elite and the rakyat. I am certain that those in power like to call this a ‘win-win’ situation. The rakyat gets their little show of accountability and the powerful have the opportunity to show they care when they really don’t give a damn and are ready to blow any of us up if we become a real nuisance. Like Altantuya. Like Bala. Like Raja Petra. Like all those other people we don’t know who were killed on instructions of the powerful.

From my count from Wikipedia, we have had 9 Royal Commissions. Before calling for another, we should stop to ask what the ratio is of Royal Commissions held to meaningful significant reform occuring as a result of the Royal Commission. The results are pathetic. Let us consider the last two Royal Commissions.

Has anything meaningful come out of the Royal Commission of Inquiry into the VK Lingam tape in 2007? Former premier, Datuk Seri Abdullah Badawi, confirmed before his retirement that of the four files opened in purported investigation, three have been closed for no further action. Naturally, he did not disclose what or who were the subject in those files that were closed and the one remaining open. VK Lingam is still happily appearing in court without any hinderance or difficulty. Tun Ahmad Fairuz is comfortably drawing his pension and retirement though the Commission found him to be lying. Tan Sri Vincent Tan is still a successful influential tycoon in our country. All those who stand accused at the Royal Commission are still going about their business as if the entire affair was one long, tedious and facical documentary.

And has anything come out of the The Royal Commission to Enhance the Operation and Management of the Royal Malaysia Police held in 2004? Nothing, except the recent statement by the present Home Minister, Datuk Seri Hishamuddin Hussein, on 23 June 2009 to assure us that his Ministry will be completely ignoring the Royal Commission proposals and ‘come up with a new strategy to boost public confidence in the police force, instead of revisiting the 125 recommendations made by the Royal Commission’s report on the police.’

So if a Royal Commission is held for Teoh, that is what will happen. It will prove entertainment for the nation for a few days or weeks and then his death, what he stood for, what he tried and wanted to achieve for our country will be forgotten. This is a country that forgets easily. And nothing helps it forget more easily than circuses like this that reduce this tragedy into mere consumer entertainment - consumed and annihilated.

So I would urge forgetting about calling for the Royal Commission. Understand that it is a tool of repression. Do not be fooled by the label. The power elite are not going to do anything that would significantly harm their own self-interests. If this Royal Commission was really going to bring the perpetrators to the book, do you really think they will expose themselves to such a liability? No. There will be fall guys that will turn the entire proceedings into a charade. Look at the prosecution in the high profile cases - the mastermind is never caught. Only the actual hands of the operations, are charged and convicted. Altantuya is exemplary of this - the two Special Branch officers may have killed her, but what was their motive? They had instructions - who issued them? Who stands to gain from her death and their convictions?

Let us honour Teoh Beng Hock properly and take the cue from his family when they called for others to not politicise his death. Let us call for something meaningful and that would shame both the RMP and the MACC.

Let us call for Teoh Beng Hock’s death to be investigated independently by the Scotland Yard and then disclosed directly to the public by them. Let us leave it to the professionals and leave the politicians out of it. Leave it to an agency with no interest in our politicians or our system, whose only interest is in the culprits.

Because to call for the Royal Commission, would be akin to Teoh Beng Hock dying needlesly, wastefully and tragically, all over again.

Developer threatens to sue Penang state govt for RM150 mil

The Sun
by Himanshu Bhatt and Bernard Cheah

SEBERANG PERAI (July 19, 2009): The developer of the Kampung Buah Pala land has told the state government that it would sue for at least RM150 million if its plans for the site are obstructed, Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng said today.

Nusmetro Ventures (P) Sdn Bhd sent a letter to the state last week saying it would claim compensation for losses incurred if the state took action to block it, Lim said.

Nusmetro has given villagers until Aug 2 to move out before it takes possession of the land.

Lim had told reporters on July 8 that the state was considering its powers under section 116 the National Land Code which stipulates a building on alienated land cannot be demolished, altered or extended without prior consent in writing of the appropriate authority.

Lim had said although a writ of possession had been served on the villagers, the developer still needed local government approval to demolish the houses.

Yesterday, he said the state legal adviser was in the process of referring the matter to the courts.

"We will still go ahead with getting a solution for the residents," he said, adding that the state would not be deterred by the developer’s letter.

Lim, who is also Bagan MP, said this at a press conference after opening a free medical consultation camp at the Sri Bagan flats in Bagan Dalam.

Also present were Permatang Pasir MP Datuk Mohd Hamdan Rahman and Bagan Dalam state assemblyman A. Thanasekharan.

The event included a registration exercise for elderly people under the state’s new senior citizens registration programme.

Lim said that under the programme, an heir specified by a senior citizen in his or her registration form would be given RM1,000 by the state upon the demise of the senior citizen.

"This is meant to encourage and cultivate caring among the people for their elders," he said.

The scheme would be effective after March 8 next year when the state-wide registration exercise is expected to be completed.

Lim said the state would by that time also unveil its policy to support its senior citizens.

Meanwhile, Deputy Chief Minister (II) Prof Dr P Ramasamy said the state was committed to helping Kampung Buah Pala residents, despite them releasing 20,000 DVDs containing footage of several Pakatan Rakyat (PR) leaders, including Ramasamy, making pledges to preserve the village before the general election last year.

He said a second meeting with the villagers had been fixed for Wednesday night. An earlier meeting last Thursday was attended by only 10 residents or their representatives.

Pas Selangor Desak Tubuh Suruhanjaya Siasatan

KENYATAAN MEDIA
BERHUBUNG INSIDEN KEMATIAN MENDIANG TEOH BENG HOCK DI DALAM TAHANAN SPRM

PAS SELANGOR MEMANDANG SERIUS INSIDEN KEMATIAN SETIAUSAHA POLITIK KEPADA SALAH SEORANG EXCO SELANGOR, MENDIANG TEO BENG HOCK SEMASA BERADA DI DALAM TAHANAN SPRM.
PENDIRIAN PAS SELANGOR ADALAH SEPERTI BERIKUT :-
1. PAS SELANGOR MENGGESA AGAR KERAJAAN MENUBUHKAN SATU SURUHANJAYA BEBAS YANG DIANGGOTAI OLEH SEMUA PARTI POLITIK SERTA PANEL BERKECUALI DIDALAM TEMPOH 14 HARI DARI TARIKH INSIDEN YANG BERLAKU DAN MENDESAK AGAR SURUHANJAYA TERSEBUT MENGELUARKAN KERTAS PUTIH YANG DIUMUMKAN KEPADA RAKYAT.
2. PAS SELANGOR BERPENDIRIAN BAHAWA SPRM HANYA BOLEH DISIASAT OLEH SURUHANJAYA BEBAS YANG LAIN KERANA PIHAK POLIS TIDAK MEMPUNYAI BIDANGKUASA YANG MENCUKUPI BAGI MENYELESAIKAN KES INI DAN SEKALIGUS MEMBERSIHKAN NAMA SPRM KERANA TERIKAT KEPADA PERATURAN YANG DIILETAKKAN OLEH MENTERI DALAM NEGERI.
3. PAS SELANGOR MENDESAK AGAR SEMUA SIASATAN YANG DILAKUKAN TERHADAP MANA-MANA EXCO KERAJAAN NEGERI SELANGOR DIHENTIKAN SERTA MERTA SEHINGGA SURUHANJAYA SIASATAN SELESAI MELAKUKAN SIASATAN DAN SPRM MEMBERSIHKAN NAMANYA.
4. PERISTIWA INI SANGAT MEMALUKAN SPRM DAN MENGHILANGKAN KEYAKINAN RAKYAT TERHADAP SPRM TERUTAMA TERHADAP TAHAP KESELAMATAN SAKSI SEMASA BERADA DI DALAM TAHANAN.
5. JIKA SURUHANJAYA INI TIDAK DILAKUKAN, MAKA PROSES PENGEMBALIAN KEYAKINAN TIDAK BERLAKU, KREDIBILITI DAN PROFESIONALISME SPRM SEBAGAI AGENSI PENGUATKUASA KERAJAAN AKAN TERUS DIPERTIKAIKAN OLEH MASYARAKAT.
PAS Selangor juga mengucapkan takziah kepada keluarga dan sahabat mendiang di atas peristiwa yang sangat menyedihkan ini. Semoga, pihak yang terlibat dapat bersabar di atas kehilangan tragis orang yang disayangi.

Shah Alam. 17hb Julai 2009,
Mohd Khairuddin Othman
(O19 289 7187)
SETIAUSAHA
BADAN PERHUBUNGAN PAS NEGERI SELANGOR

Chua's Quit Decision Will Not Impact Johor: MB

JOHOR BAHARU, July 19 (Bernama) -- Datuk Chua Jui Meng's decision to quit MCA and join Parti KeAdilan Rakyat (PKR) would not be of much impact to the political scene in Johor, said state Barisan Nasional (BN) chairman Datuk Abdul Ghani Othman.

He said, in as far as the opposition coalition in the Pakatan Rakyat was concerned, the people's support appeared to have waned, right after the 12th general election.

"The support was fierce in the election and we thought Pakatan Rakyat would blossom in Johor. But when the election was over, the support seemed to have faded," added Abdul Ghani, who is also menteri besar.

He was speaking to reporters after chairing the Johor Umno Liasion Committee meeting at the party's office here Sunday.

Taking that into consideration, Abdul Ghani did not think that the move by Chua, a former health minister, would spark new support for PKR.

He believed that PKR was trying to take advantage of the racial diversity that Johor had, by enticing support from the Chinese community.

Despite the waning support, Chua was expected to bring some support into PKR, especially in Bakri, where he had some followers after being a MCA leader there for many years, observed Abdul Ghani.

He reminded BN component parties in state to view the matter (Chua's quitting) as a signal for them to start making some changes to strengthen themselves.

Many Indian Parties Not Healthy

SEREMBAN, July 19 (Bernama) -- MIC president Datuk Seri S. Samy Vellu today said having many Indian-based political parties could cause the community to be split.

He said he took a serious view of the matter and urged the government to be careful when approving such new parties.

"The MIC is having a programme to unite the Indian community, such developments are not healthy for the community so I urge the political parties to work with us," Samy Vellu told reporters after officiating the 63rd Negeri Sembilan MIC delegates convention here Sunday.

He however was confident that the Indian community would support the MIC given that the party was established for 63 years.

"Many Indians meet me about problems and this is proof that the MIC is still relevant and can look after the interests of the Indians," he said.

To date there are about six Indian-based parties, namely the MIC, the Indian Progressive Front, the Malaysian Indian United Party, the Malaysia Makkal Sakti Party, the Malaysian Indian Democratic Action Front (Mindraf) and the Parti Hak Asasi Manusia.

Samy admitted that a small number of Indians alleged that the MIC did not look after the interests of Indians with problems.

As a result about 40 per cent of the Indian support had swung towards the opposition since 2008, he said.

"Today we see the Indian support for the MIC and the Barisan Nasional returning," he said.

He said the MIC today wanted to change and take steps to set up the party's community service centres in every state to help the Indian community.

Earlier the centre was only based in Kuala Lumpur and did not include centres set up by state assemblymen and members of parliament.

'Beng Hock is our hero'

By Jeff Ooi,

An impromtu call attracted more than 3,000 people to the Kelana Jaya stadium this afternoon, or what ought to be a lazy Sunday. It was a two-hour gathering to mark the political murder of Teoh Beng Hock in the MACC Selangor HQ.

It wasn't about the death of a Chinese Malaysian.

Rather, it was about the death of an Anak Malaysia, as evident from the diverse demographics of the crowd, and the speakers who offered their eulogies.

“How can a bright young man walk into MACC office as a witness, only to return as a dead body?” Kit Siang asked the crowd.

Kit reiterated the party's demand for a Royal Commission of Inquiry to be formed to investigate Teo's death, and he wanted Umno, MCA and Gerakan to support the call.

He also asked for the cabinet to take responsibility and demanded that MACC chief commissioner Ahmad Said Hamdan should resign or be sacked over Teoh’s death.

Emphatically, Kit dismissed the suggestion by the two Umno-owned Malay papers that said that Pakatan Rakyat was trying to undermine Malay-led institutions.

“MACC is not a Malay institution, it is a Malaysian institution,” Kit declared to roaring applause of the crowd.

“Beng Hock is our hero,” Datuk Husam Musa, a member of PAS’s central working committee, declared to the stadium crowd. “There is no doubt that Beng Hock was murdered.”

All pictures by Paul Choo, LensaMalaysia

Photographer Paul Choo and I will drive to Alor Gajah, again, to join the mourning masses and attend Teo's funeral tomorrow morning.

You are our Malaysians' Malaysia hero. You will not die in vain.

I was quoted in three separate press statements -- here (in Malacca), here (in Kuala Lumpur) and here (in Malacca).

Keadilan Untuk Semua

Bahagian 1:

Bahagian 2:

Bahagian 3:

Bahagian 4:

Saya pernah dipukul dan diaibkan. Dibiarkan terbujur kaku kesejukan di dalam pusat tahanan Bukit Aman. Tiada rawatan segera, hanya menanti takdir Tuhan, tidak pasti selamat ataupun tidak. Sudah pasti ramai yang tidak menyangka, malah saya sendiri sukar membayangkan, ada di antara pimpinan intitusi keselamatan dan keadilan negara ini, yang diharapkan melindungi rakyat, mampu bertindak melampaui batas. Lebih dari 10 tahun telah berlalu, rakyat Malaysia mahukan yang lebih baik untuk semua. Akan tetapi penguasa semakin lalai dari amanah yang diberikan.

Belum lagi negara kita pulih dari kesedihan dan kemarahan kerana dikejutkan dengan kematian sdr Teoh Beng Hock. Sudah ada mereka yang sanggup merendahkan akal budi serta harga diri dengan terjun menjerumus ke dalam jurang yang paling dalam; jurang kebencian dan perkauman. Kerana ingin mengampu, ada di antara media kongkongan umno-bn sedang mula mencatur serta menuai bibit-bibit perkauman sempit, demi melepaskan beban tanggungjawab beberapa institusi seperti SPRM, Kehakiman dan Polis.

Terhakisnya keyakinan rakyat terhadap institusi Kehakiman, Polis serta SPRM adalah akibat perbuatan sendiri. Rakyat tidak sesekali boleh diperbodohkan. Mereka menuntut penjelasan berhubung skandal pita video V.K Lingam, skandal PKFZ, skandal pembelian Eurocopter komisen kapal selam beratus juta dan tuduhan pembabitan pegawai atasan polis dengan kumpulan kongsi gelap.

Berhadapan dengan kemarahan serta ketidakyakinan rakyat terhadap sistem yang mereput, maka tidak menghairankan lah propaganda murahan dianyam oleh sang picisan, walaupun ianya ternyata gila. Hasrat dan keinginan rakyat diketepikan, yang penting penguasa tidak dituding bersalah dan terpaksa memikul beban. Para pengampu tidak pernah peduli sekiranya apa yang ditulis dan disiarkan meloyakan. Makanya kegilaan dan meloyakan, bukanlah sesuatu yang asing melainkan ianya senantiasa bertaut demi mengolah persetujuan mereka yang diperintah.

Kegilaan dan alasan meloyakan seperti ini mengingatkan saya kepada bait-bait kisah yang terkandung di dalam Illiad dendangan penyair buta Homer. Apabila ditanya kepada Agamemnon, mengapa bertindak merampas kekasih Achilles. Sang penguasa menjawab, bukan salahnya sendiri melainkan ianya kerana mahkluk Erinys merasuki dengan ate(keinginan), lalu menyebabkan dia merampas kekasih kesatria Greek tersebut. Agamemnon, takut dan gusar amarah Achilles serta tentera Greek sekaliannya, sanggup menyajikan alasan seperti itu, biarlah ianya meloyakan dan tidak masuk akal. Persamaan di antara Agamemnon, penguasa rakus Greek dan para pengampu yang wujud sekarang amatlah jelas sungguhpun hidup di zaman berbeza.

Namun saya yakin Rakyat Malaysia sedar isu pokoknya ialah Keadilan. Samada ianya membabitkan mendiang Teoh, Kugan dan Allahyarham Rumie Azzan Mahlie, apa yang dituntut ialah Keadilan. Kezaliman tidak pernah mengenali warna kulit, asal ras dan kepercayaan. Mereka yang menzalimi dan dizalimi, bukannya hak eksklusif mana-mana kaum dan agama. Merenung pesan Al- Quran jelas sekali gesaan agar ditegakkan Keadilan dan menentang kezaliman.

“Demi sesungguhnya! Kami telah mengutus Rasul-rasul Kami dengan membawa bukti-bukti dan mukjizat yang jelas nyata, dan Kami telah menurunkan bersama-sama mereka Kitab Suci dan keterangan yang menjadi neraca keadilan, supaya manusia dapat menjalankan keadilan…” (surah al hadiid: 25)

Kebobrokan dan kezaliman berterusan tidak boleh lagi dibiarkan. Oleh kerana itu PAS, DAP dan PKR bersatu di bawah payung Pakatan Rakyat. Kami bertekad menegakkan Keadilan dan membawa perubahan kepada sistem yang sepatutnya berkhidmat kepada rakyat melewati batas ras kebudayaan serta kepercayaan. Tragedi yang menimpa Allahyarham Rumie Azzan Mahlie, Kugan dan Teoh sewajarnya mengingatkan kita, Melayu, Cina, India, Kadazan dan Iban untuk bersatu segera melakukan Perubahan.

ANWAR IBRAHIM

Militant issues threats over Uyghur unrest - CNN

(CNN) -- A militant leader whose group has links to al Qaeda denounced Chinese treatment of Uyghur Muslims in western China and threatened to seek "revenge."

Police patrol Urumqi, China, on Saturday, July 11.

The leader of the Turkistan Islamic Party, in a video that appeared on Islamic Web sites, blames the Chinese for "genocide" against people in East Turkistan -- what some Uyghurs calls the region of Xinjiang province in western China where they live.

Earlier this month, Uyghurs demonstrated in Urumqi, the Xinjiang capital, to protest the killing of two Uyghur migrant workers at a toy factory in the southeast Chinese province of Guangdong in late June after a brawl between Uyghur and Han people.

The Urumqi protest turned violent, and fighting ensued in that city and elsewhere, with Uyghurs and Han attacking each other.

The remarks were delivered by Seyfullah, commander of the Turkistan Islamic Party and dated July 8. They came after the violence erupted between Uyghur Muslims and Han Chinese.

The speaker urged his people to "kill the Chinese Communists where you find them, take them and besiege them and ambush them wherever you can."

"Let them know that these Muslim people have men who will seek their revenge and they are about to do that very soon, before the horses of God will reach you, God willing, so be prepared for that moment because we are too getting prepared."

The U.S. State Department said the group has taken credit for violent incidents in the past.

Justice For Beng Hock

Memorial services draw hundreds

Teoh's death: The answer is in the next elections!

OPINION Our nation has produced varying responses to the violent death of one of her young sons, Teoh Beng Hock. These reactions shed some light on our political system and collective conscience.

Ordinary Malaysians have expressed shock, dismay, and anger. Demonstrations and candle-light vigils have begun, symbolising an outpouring of sympathy for Teoh’s fiancée and family, and anger that the MACC has washed its hands in public and shrugged off any responsibility.

Leaders spanning the political spectrum, from the MCA’s Dr Chua Soi Lek, Umno Youth’s Khairy Jamaluddin, to PAS Vice-President Salahuddin Ayob, the PKR’s Anwar Ibrahim, the DAP’s Lim Kit Siang, and the national human rights commission Suhakam, have called for an independent Royal Commission to reveal the truth.

A glance at the huge number of readers’ comments on news portals like the Malaysian Mirror, and blogs like Malaysia Today, reveals an explosion of rage and mourning. Readers demand an unfettered investigation. Some call for divine justice. A few call for retaliation.

Some, including blogger Rocky’s Bru, condemn politicians such as the DAP’s Lim Guan Eng for trying to gain political mileage from the young DAP aide’s death. Yet it is undeniable that Teoh’s death is deeply political, for Teoh died during an MACC probe targeted at Pakatan Rakyat (PR) representatives.

The MACC has not answered allegations of corruption among Barisan Nasional representatives, such as Dr Mohd Khir Toyo, with nearly the same fanatical hounding the MACC has given PR reps. After Teoh’s death, Khir blurted out disingenuous claims that he thought the MACC to be even-handed. He alleged that he, too, had been questioned by the MACC, for eight hours, a “similar treatment” to Teoh’s. It can be assumed Khir’s “similar treatment” did not involve a fall from a tall building.

One or two readers of news sites and blogs said Teoh “must have been guilty” of some unspecified crime. They claimed that otherwise, Teoh would not have been called in for questioning. One reader said Teoh must have felt guilty after being interrogated, and, as a result, jumped to his death. In response, other readers directed furious tirades at the abject stupidity of these remarks.

But then the Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department, Nazri Aziz, sprang to the MACC’s defence. The minister said the MACC had told him they had released Teoh after questioning him. “Don’t just accuse MACC for being responsible for this, wait for the investigation… (Teoh) should have gone home. We couldn’t have known he wanted to jump from that building,” he argued.

Angry readers and journalists poured scorn on the minister’s purported telepathic knowledge that Teoh had jumped, and had not been pushed. Perhaps the honourable minister felt he should be appointed as chairman and sole member of the investigative commission, since he seems to have superhuman insight.

Well-rehearsed response

Leading Cabinet ministers recited identikit lines in a well-rehearsed response: the police were mounting an investigation, and no one should reach premature conclusions (except, it seems, for one psychic Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department).

Deputy PM Muhyiddin Yassin told Malaysians to “stay calm” and not to over-react. He set a proud example of not over-reacting himself, appearing impassive and completely unmoved by the death of a young MACC witness – a young man planning to be married that day.

At first, Muhyiddin paid scant attention to demands for a Royal Commission. The next day, he backtracked, and said the Cabinet, at its meeting next Wednesday, would “consider” a royal investigative panel.

The strength of public feeling must have shaken his earlier stand that the public would have to await the results of police investigations. Muhyiddin had claimed the police would be “hands on” and would “leave no stone unturned.”

Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak offered his condolences to Teoh’s family. Najib said, "The government hopes that the people will remain calm and patient. Let's leave it to the authorities to investigate."

Is this a tenable proposition?

Teoh died after falling from the building where he had been interrogated by the MACC for almost eleven hours. The MACC were the authorities, and the authorities were already investigating. They were investigating PR members of the Selangor State Assembly.

The MACC must have placed enormous pressure on Teoh, the young political secretary to the DAP’s Executive Councillor Ean Yong Hian Wah, during that long night.

Teoh could not be reached on his mobile telephone: he had been isolated and deprived of communication with the outside world. The MACC officers questioning Teoh have not been named. The MACC have not offered an official version of the events of that night. There was no camera coverage of the interrogation.

Tan Boon Hwa, Kajang Municipal Councillor, was interrogated by the MACC on the same evening as Teoh. He accused MACC officers of trying to extract a fake confession from him. He says the MACC forced him to stay on his feet from 10pm to 2am, and threatened him with physical violence.

Teoh must have been deprived of sleep too, and may have been deprived of food and water. The MACC admitted Teoh had been “tired”. It does not require any stretch of the imagination to deduce that Teoh may well have been harassed and abused, as Tan described.

Teoh’s lawyer, M Manoharan, said the MACC would not allow him to accompany Teoh. Even if Teoh had been a criminal suspect in police custody, rather than an MACC witness, he would have had the right to seek legal advice. The MACC violated the rule of natural justice.

Who guards “the authorities”?

The question remains: who guards the guardians? If the police investigation is to be “hands on”, as Muhyiddin boasted, will this bring us closer to the truth?

The police left plenty of evidence of being “hands on”, when they beat Kugan Ananthan in police custody in January. The police have been silent on the result of the investigation, classified as murder. Kugan, a previously healthy and strapping 22 year old man, died bearing signs of having been flogged by police. The police then confiscated material evidence from Kugan’s post-mortem examination in Universiti Malaya. The “authorities” also fell back on technicalities in court, slowing down efforts by Manoharan, also Kugan’s lawyer, from retrieving the seized evidence.

The Public Prosecutor’s Office, the MACC, the police, and the judiciary have become profoundly politicised. The public perception is that they have become organs of state-sanctioned violence, and that the “authorities” have lost their moral authority.

“Leave it to the authorities”? Malaysians may provide a resounding answer to this question in the next elections.

Malaysia’s police, judiciary and civil service were once respected throughout the world. We have now become an international anomaly. Malaysia is a self-declared democracy, with a proud history of independence and self-determination. Yet our nation is now wracked with unprecedented, catastrophic scandals, hobbling our constitution, such as in Perak, and our state institutions, such as the police and the MACC. Our state institutions can be returned to health, but only if voters insist on accountability and new blood.

In the final analysis, though, these state institutions exist merely to serve people; to serve Malaysians. The most abiding and memorable response to this tragedy, the response that matters most, is not to be found in the politicians’ speeches, the blogs, or in the headlines. It is to be found in the image of Teoh’s grieving fiancée and family, burned indelibly into our collective memory.

WHY ROYAL COMMISSION OF INQUIRY A MUST

There are two ways in which a public inquiry may be held over the circumstances leading to the death of Teoh Beng Hock.

As already suggested, the setting up of a Royal Commission of Inquiry would go a long way in finding ways and means by which incidents like these are no more in future. Its terms and reference should be cast wide. It should look into things like the interrogation techniques used, the time and conditions under which a person may be interrogated.

Second, we should be looking the places where interrogations take place. There should be CCTV camera’s placed there and the footage of these recordings must be made available to those interrogated upon request.

I have done a case in which a restaurant owner was taken to a police station in Johor where he was beaten whilst tied up and then he was hung upside down from an iron bar, his pants removed and chemical liquid poured onto his private parts in the course of interrogations. The defendants denied it. We won the case. The prosecution did not appeal. A video would have helped indeed.

I am currently doing a case in which a young girl was allegedly raped in an interrogation room in a police station early one morning by a policeman in uniform. Again the defendant denies it. He claims it was consensual. A 17 year old girl. In a police station. At 5am. Consensual. A video would help.

And of course, we have the case of A.Kugan where a suspect was beaten to death in police custody. Gani Patail is not very sure of what to do. A video would help him.

These are just a few examples. There are other horror stories of hot water treatments in police stations, threats of death and so on. Well, that for another time.

Third, we should be looking at the rights of families where a death occurs. In Kugan’s case it is quite clear that but for the family’s barging into the mortuary and taking photographs and video’s of Kugan, no one would have realized the severity of the beatings which reflected as bruises and marks all over his body.

Likewise in Teoh’s case, a request to look at the body at the scene by lawyers was denied. We know the scene of the crime must be preserved for the best forensic results. But we can surely have rules for the family and their lawyers or experts to view the body from a distance so as to decide whether or not they want to have a second opinion.

Further, I feel it is very important for the law to demand that forensic personnel be compelled to speak to the family of the deceased at the scene after they have completed their investigations before removing the body. They should inform the family of their preliminary findings. This is never done. The families are left in a lurch as to what is the cause of death and they have no way to actually decide whether a second opinion is needed. It’s quite simple. How do you ask for a second opinion if you don’t know what the first one is?

Third, the law must make it a point to distinguish between ordinary deaths and deaths in custody. Where a death occurs in custody, then the police or the other investigating body becomes suspect. The law must give the family the option to have a second autopsy after they are appraised of the findings of the first. If they are satisfied with the initial report there is no need to go further, but if they are not, they have a right to a second opinion.

The other point is this. The family should be permitted to get any government or private pathologist to help them. It Teoh’s case, the family was asked to get a pathologist at the very last minute. This made it very difficult and we were only able to secure help from Thailand. And in Kugan’s case, we were given the runaround by the police up to a point that demonstrations needed to be held.and ultimately, we got Dr Prashant to help. Now, the AG has roped him into the prosecution team as well.

And, whilst on this topic, we should make sure that if the family opts for a government pathologist, then the state should bear the costs of the second autopsy. In Kugan’s case, we collected donations to foot the bill of RM3000.

There is also the question of formulating laws which protect the police or other officials in investigations of this nature. Ordinarily a lot of speculation and theories are channeled against them but we must understand that that is because of the problems I have spoken about above. Given the way in which the family and public are left in the dark about these very sensitive and important details, temperatures would indeed be expected to rise.

Quite apart from a Royal Commission of Inquiry, the law provides for inquests to be held in cases of sudden death. Take the Sujatha inquest as an example. Here a Magistrate will hear all witnesses in public before coming to recommendations as to the possible causes of death and also if anyone is to be held responsible. The terms of reference are narrower in that the Magistrate sits to merely ascertain the cause of death and proposed suspects. It does not go further in terms of what is discussed above, which a Royal Commission of Inquiry can look into.

I have advised Teoh’s family to call for both. A royal commission of Inquiry would be broader in its terms of its reference. It would look at the cause of death and more importantly the circumstances surrounding interrogations and the rights of suspects and their families. If a Royal Commission of Inquiry is not set up then we would ask for an inquest to be held.

July 19, 2009

GOBIND SINGH DEO

MP for PUCHONG

Umno papers slam MACC critics in Teoh’s death

KUALA LUMPUR, July 19 — Umno-controlled newspapers, Berita Harian and Mingguan Malaysia, today slammed critics for demonising the country’s graft-busters over Teoh Beng Hock’s death, with one suggesting there is an agenda to weaken Malay-controlled institutions.

Both newspapers accused the opposition of politicising the political secretary’s death on July 16, with Mingguan saying the federal opposition Pakatan Rakyat (PR) was using the incident to divert attention away from internal problems and weaknesses.

But Berita Harian suggested the agenda was to weaken Malay-controlled institutions in the article, “Kematian Teoh timbulkan pelbagai spekulasi politik”, written by the New Straits Times group managing editor Zainul Ariffin Isa.

He wrote that political opportunism can turn grief into political capital, and death can be made a catalyst to stoke anger and racial sentiments.

“It is not just the Chinese or supporters of the Pakatan Rakyat who know anger and seek justice.

“Suspicions have been raised especially among the non-Malays that MACC, which like other departments have many Malay officers, selectively chose non-Malays to be investigated,” he wrote.

The new boss of the Umno-owned New Straits Times group did not, however, address complaints raised by two DAP men who were also, like Teoh, brought in for questioning.

Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim and Lim Kit Siang hold a press conference near the MACC office. Umno-owned media have accused the opposition of politicising Teoh Beng Hock’s death. — Picture by Choo Choy May

The two DAP men, one a Chinese and the other a mixed Malay-Chinese, claimed racial insults were hurled at them by the MACC officers.

Like Teoh, both men were not suspects, but “witnesses,” according to MACC officers.

So far, leaders of the PR alliance, led by Opposition Leader Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, have not referred to race in their statements demanding the MACC be held responsible for Teoh’s death.

Zainul appeared to suggest that Teoh’s death was an accident and that the MACC officer involved was Malay when he wrote in Berita Harian that “when a victim of an accident was non-Malay, who was previously investigated by a Malay, the speculation is great.”

By suggesting anti-Malay sentiment in Teoh’s death, he also appeared to suggest that government departments were Malay-based institutions rather than a non-partisan civil service.

“Why did the Selangor MB, a Malay, question those of his own race to act fairly?” Zainul wrote.

Mingguan Malaysia, which is also owned by Umno, also attacked the PR alliance for politicising the death.

The newspaper said the controversy could not be resolved through demonstrations or wild accusations.

Mingguan suggested instead that the opposition was using Teoh’s death to distract attention from its own problems.

Uthayakumar sets out to create Indian clout with new party

Uthayakumar (front, third from left) is mobbed by his supporters during today’s launch of the latest Indian-based party, Human Rights Party Malaysia. – Picture by Baradan Kuppusamy

By Baradan Kuppusamy-The Malaysian Insider

KLANG, July 19 — P. Uthayakumar today launched his Human Rights Party Malaysia (HRP) before 3,000 cheering hardcore supporters by lambasting Umno for sidelining Indians for 52 years, while also training his guns on Pakatan Rakyat (PR) for winning on Indian votes but failing to help the community.

He said the cavalier attitude of Umno and PR towards Indians was because the community lacked political clout, and he is now offering a unique scheme where marginalised Indians could create this clout as well as pressure for public resources to uplift the community.

Under the scheme, Indians in certain states should re-register as voters in select constituencies where there are about 20 to 30 per cent Indian votes, he said.

“By doing this they would create Indian majority parliamentary and state seats in the country and can, if united, win the seats easily,” he said.

“We will use the clout created by controlling these seats to bargain for the community,” Uthayakumar said.

“We will no longer be political beggars,” he said to a standing ovation from supporters, who arrived from across the country, many of whom wore Hindraf’s saffron-coloured T-shirts. Uthayakumar, who wore a similar T-shirt with his fiancée, was mobbed by his supporters.

Uthayakumar, who is secretary general of the party, announced the names of state leaders at the function and vowed to fight on until the “last drop of my blood.”

“I will not betray you, I will not sell you for some crumbs and I will never give up the struggle,” he said to huge applause.

Elaborating on his scheme, he said DAP veteran Lim Kit Siang and party secretary general Lim Guan Eng were classic examples of politicians who have “migrated” from their hometowns to fight and win and hold office in other states.

“We should be like them. We must create Indian power centres in all states, re-register ourselves in those constituencies and elect our own representatives to parliament,” he said.

“Only in that way can we create clout,” he said, adding that currently Indians were members in numerous political parties. “Our votes are split and we are dismissed as non-entities.”

He said the new party can win 15 parliamentary and 38 states seats if this scheme was implemented successfully.

“This is what we are going to do for the next two years …to get Indians to re-register in selected constituencies to create Indian community power centres,” Uthayakumar said.

Among the areas he identified are Padang Serai in Kedah; Ipoh Barat, Sungei Siput and Bagan Datuk constituencies in Perak and Ulu Selangor; along with Kota Raja and Klang in Selangor.

Uthayakumar spoke for nearly two hours, listing out all the grievances the Indian community suffers from – poverty, neglect, and marginalisation – and laid the blame at the feet of Umno.

“It is Umno that rules the country, it is Umno that decides who gets what and how much, not Barisan Nasional (BN),” he said. “Umno is the enemy but it is a very smart enemy and we have to watch out for it.”

Also present were DAP Teluk Kemang MP M. Manoharan, human rights lawyer N. Surendran and PR supporter David Balla who is the key financier of the new party.

Manoharan said he was there as counsel for Uthayakumar and added he takes the criticism of PR in his stride.

He urged party supporters to beware of Umno, which will work with the Special Branch to sow disorder, confusion and splits within the party.

Uthayakumar also lambasted the DAP for failing to resolve the woes of the villagers of Kampung Buah Pala in Penang.

About 30 Buah Pala residents were also in the audience cheering him on.

“Guan Eng can, with one just signature, settle the Buah Pala issue but he has refused to do so giving all kinds of excuses,” Uthayakumar said. “The reason is we are politically weak.”

He cited as example the sole DAP representative who could bring the PAS-led Kedah PR government to its knees by pulling out of the coalition over an abattoir to slaughter pigs.

“Just one man can do that…imagine 15 or 20 MPs (of our party) walking out. How much we can achieve,” he said.

First and only Indian based multi-racial political party? - Harris Ibrahim

Malaysianinsider reports that Uthayakumar explained that his spanking new party, Human Rights Party Malaysia is the “first and only Indian based multi-racial political party which is in the opposition and which is not aligned to Umno/BN”.

Indian-based, yet multi-racial?

Er, how does this work?

If any of you can figure this out, do write in and share with the rest of us, will you?

In the opposition?

Since when?

All I will say is, Uthaya, you just undid all the good that came out of that rally on 25th November, 2007.

Well done.

UMNO will be drinking to your good health!

Musa Hassan given 48 hours to announce that he will not seek another renewal of term as IGP or a parliamentary and civil society roundtable for a new

BY Lim Kit Siang,

I am giving Tan Sri Musa Hassan 48 hours to announce that he will not seek another renewal of term as Inspector-General of Police and will give way to a current serving police officer or a Parliamentary and Civil Society Roundtable for a new IGP to create a safe Malaysia will be convened.

The reasons why the country needs a new IGP would have the support not only of the Malaysian public at large, but also the majority of the police personnel, and would include the following:

• Failure of Musa in Key Performance Indicators (KPI) as IGP in the past three years, in all the three core police functions to keep crime low, eradicate corruption and protect human rights. In fact, it is no exaggeration to say that under Musa, Malaysians are even more unsafe from street crimes now than when he became IGP in September 5, 2006.
• The re-appointment of Musa for another term of IGP cast an adverse aspersion on all the senior police officers, as if there is not a single one out of the eight top police officers occupying key police positions below the post of IGP who are qualified or competent enough to become the new IGP to provide a new police leadership and culture to roll back the tide of crime in the past five years.

I am going one step further, and am asking the Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak to emulate his father, the second Prime Minister Tun Razak to appoint a new Inspector-General of Police still with four or five years of service brimming with ideas to plan out and implement police reforms instead of the current practice of appointing senior police officers left with one or two years’ service more interested about post-retirement arrangements.

Justice for Beng Hock Memorial Vigil

Venue : Stadium Kelana Jaya

Date : 19 July 2009, Sunday
Time : 4.30pm
Attire : Black

Enquiries: 03-79578022

Top Pakatan Rakyat leaders, NGOs leaders will be present

(Sticky post – scroll down for new posts)

Show cause letter to IPF

Sunday, July 19, 2009
The troubled Indian Progressive Front (IPF) split into four factions is in further mess. The registrar of societies issued a show cause letter, dated July 10th, why the party cannot be deregistered, according Makkal Osai daily report.

makkal osai
Greedy Jayashree wants the million dollar IPF building at any cost

The registrar sited seven reasons:

1. Puan Sri Jayashree’s appointment on April 20 2008 as acting President at the extra ordinary Central Committee meeting breached clause 77 of party constitution.

2. The sacking of deputy president Senggutuvan a/l Veeran breached clause 71.

3. The sacking of Vice President Mathiyalagan a/l Veeraiya breached clause 71.

4. Annual General Meeting must be held by September every year. The party held the AGM on December 14 2008 breaching clause 84.

5. The notice given for the AGM on December 14 2008 to the members was less than 60 days breaching clause 87.1

6. The appointment of two deputy presidents for the year 2006 – 2008 violates clause 63 of the party.

7. Instead of five vice presidents, the party elected three vice presidents breaching clause 74.5

makkal Osai

Jui Meng's entry into PKR: A reason to celebrate?

By Anil Netto,

While many Pakatan supporters were rejoicing over Chua Jui Meng’s entry into PKR, I had this nagging feeling.

The Pakatan probably needs a psychological boost after Pas’ reduced majority in Manek Urai.

But isn’t there a danger that if more BN types, sidelined by their respective parties, are welcomed to the Pakatan fold, the Pakatan could one day end up becoming “BN Lite”? In the case of Chua, he looks set to be invited to sit on the PKR Supreme Council.

Already there is concern in some circles about some of the ex-Umno types in PKR. Will the party now have to wrestle with ex-MCA types? Remember, race-based politics is not something that is easily shed.

My concerns over such political “catches” were confirmed when I got a late night text message from a political analyst who said he was not euphoric over MCA members joining PKR after suddenly seeing the light. Why does Anwar keep courting such people, he asked. Why not citizens with no political baggage – but with a proven track record in struggling for justice and freedom along multi-ethnic lines?

Don’t ordinary citizens count? Are the Pakatan leaders so desperate for BN leaders to jump like ‘kataks’ into their ranks?

Aside from that, how are we to change the course of Malaysian politics, economics and other spheres when a future Pakatan government could very well see a number of ex-BN leaders from race-based parties in positions of influence? Where are genuine meaningful reforms going to come from then?

Of course, people can change and evolve over time. It is good that Jui Meng says he wants to work to preserve a two-party system and work for change.

But Pakatan leaders must exercise greater “quality control”. What is Jui Meng’s stand on the ISA and other oppressive laws, for instance? What progressive policies did he introduce when he was Health Minister to improve the affordabilty and accessibiltiy of quality health care for all – and to make sure that no Malaysian is denied quality health care due to lack of means?

It is not enough to just focus on attracting “talent” or big names. Future leaders must be those who have shown over time that they are 110 per cent committed to human rights, democracy, social justice, workers’ rights and people-centred, ecologically friendly development before they can be welcomed with open arms as fellow travellers in the reform process.

That raises the question which the Pakatan should mull over: is it seeking power as an end in itself or as a means to realise social justice, democracy and human rights?

Utusan - the newpaper

My Sinchew

OF LATE many readers of Chinese newspapers, ask a lot of questions about Malay language paper Utusan Malaysia. I won’t repeat the questions. Suffice to say they been asking “why Utusan do this, do that?” I think we all know what “this and that” means. And I’m not going to try to answer the queries either. But what I want to do is to take readers on a journey back in time. Through a book published in 2001 and written by Said Zahari, one of the greatest journalists in the world.

Said Zahari or Pak Said as he is fondly known was editor of Utusan Melayu in 1959 (the paper as we know today is called Utusan Malaysia but the original name has been retained for the company running it ie Kumpulan Utusan Melayu or the Utusan Melayu Group .)

The book I am talking about is entitled “Dark Clouds At Dawn, a political memoir. ” What better way to know Utusan than to read a book written by its former editor, especially as illustrious as Pak Said. To many, Pak Said is a symbol of press freedom.

“Dark Clouds At Dawn ,a political memoir ” is not only about Utusan, the newspaper. It’s ,well, a political memoir as its title suggest, written by a journalist and not a historian. In the words of Pak Said, “I have written this book as a journalist , reporting and commenting on what I saw and experienced ,what I felt from my own perceptions and observations of people, the situation and events of the period”. The “period” was in the 1950s and 1960s in Malaya and Singapore. And one of its defining moment was the Utusan Melayu strike of 1961.

From the pages of “Dark Clouds At Dawn , a political memoir”, we learn that “ Utusan Melayu was a thorn in Britain colonial flesh.” We readers are told that “ Utusan Melayu was an independent paper ” but had angered UMNO and incurred the wrath of Tunku Abdul Rahman, Tun Razak Hussein, Syed Jaafar Albar the ‘Lion of UMNO and others.

Needless to say, UMNO wanted control. We read in one of the pages of “Dark Clouds At Dawn, a political memoir,” that Syed Jaafar Albar had demanded that “ Utusan Melayu must refer to us first before writing it’s editorials”.

The book tells us that a four pronged policy was drawn up by UMNO, dubbed “ surrender terms,” for Utusan Melayu to follow.

An UMNO strongman from Terengganu, Ibrahim Fikri , was assigned by the party leadership to hand over the “surrender terms” to the Editor of Utusan Melayu, Said Zahari. It was July 1961.

As we read on, we learn that Pak Said and his journalists “wanted to ensure Utusan Melayu continue to be an independent national newspaper, not controlled by any political party”.

“ Our stand was that only an Utusan Melayu that was free from such control could truly serve religion, country and all Malay people, not just a handful in a political party.

Only with a free policy could Utusan Melayu be the voice of the people, fighting for the interests of the people with sincerity, integrity and courage”, wrote Pak Said.

He went on to write. “ But UMNO wanted Utusan Melayu to be totally different. That Utusan Melayu should belong to UMNO and should only serve that political party”.

Hence on July 21 1961, Pak Said led his journalists and other workers of Utusan Melayu to go on strike and fought against the UMNO take over plan. After days went by, Pak Said left Kuala Lumpur to visit the Utusan Melayu staff who were also carrying out the strike at the newspaper office in Singapore. But when Pak Said wanted to return to Malaya, he was prohibited from entering Johor Baru. By order of the then Foreign Minister of Malaya he was instructed to turn back to Singapore.

“From that day, I lost contact with the strikers’ camp in Jalan Chan Sow Lin ” (the Utusan Melayu office in Kuala Lumpur,) wrote Pak Said. Thus the Utusan Melayu strike failed. It lasted 90 days. UMNO had won.

Perhaps the UMNO victory was imminent. Pak Said had written:

“On the day Ibrahim Fikri walked into my office to hand me his four pronged surrender “terms”, I knew that the Utusan Melayu,the independent national newspaper for more than two decades, was dead. What lived on was a bogus Utusan Melayu. (By MOHSIN ABDULLAH/MySinchew)

(MOHSIN ABDULLAH is now a freelance writer after leaving a TV station as editor-in-chief).
MySinchew 2009.07.18

DSAI Akan Menziarahi Keluarga Teoh Beng Hock

DSAI dan pimpinan Pakatan Rakyat akan menziarahi keluarga mendiang Teoh Beng Hock di Alor Gajah esok, 20 Julai 2009 pada jam 10.30 pagi.

Pejabat Dato’ Seri Anwar Ibrahim

Justice for Teoh Solidarity Gathering Today! Kelana Jaya Stadium, July 19, 4.30pm

by Nathaniel Tan

Don’t forget!

Time to pay our respects, and stand up for justice.

Umno Leaders To Attend Training, Motivation Programme

SHAH ALAM, July 19 (Bernama) -- Umno leaders at all levels are to attend a training and motivation programme in stages beginning next month to help strengthen the leadership and enable the party to continue championing the plight of the Malays and Malaysians, Umno deputy president Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin said.

He said the programme, which would inject a new spirit into the participants, would be held first for members of the party's supreme council at the Umno Empowerment Training Institute (ILMU) in Janda Baik, Pahang.

The programme, which had been agreed to by the party's management committee and the supreme council, would be held subsequently throughout the country for Umno divisional and branch leaders, said Muhyiddin, who is the deputy prime minister.

"The programme will involve all levels of leaders because they are the prime movers who will guide party members in the branches, and we want to project a new image," he told reporters after opening the delegates meeting of the Shah Alam Umno Division, here, Sunday.

Muhyiddin said the programme would incorporate modules for people-friendly approaches and actions such as listening to and resolving the people's grouses in an effective manner. He said participants of the programme would be exposed to new approaches to be applied by Umno to enable them make prudent and matured decisions on what they should do at the respective divisions and branches.

Muhyiddin said the chairman of the training committee, Umno vice-president Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi, would prepare the modules of the programme for application by Umno leaders at all levels for a two-year period.

"We realise that the community evaluates Umno from what has taken place so far. We want Umno leaders, after they have attended the programme, to strive not only to get closer to the people but also champion the plight of the Malays and Malaysians," he said.

Meanwhile, in his speech earlier, Muhyiddin urged Umno leaders to take proactive measures to strengthen the party.

He said that the other Barisan Nasional (BN) component parties should also strengthen themselves so that the BN was seen as formidable and energised to continue with its struggle for the people.

Farewell Beng Hock.... you won't die in vain

By Jeff Ooi,

This morning, I joined my party leaders to pay our last respect to Teo Beng Hock at his family home in Alor Gajah.

All pictures by Paul Choo, LensaMalaysia

I noticed both Umno's Najib and MCA's Ong Tee Keat have sent their wreaths to the Teo's family, expressing their condolences.

However, it's saddening that the Umno-owned Malay papers have started to paint racial innuendos in their Op-Ed pieces as follows:

1 ) Mingguan Malaysia: Antara misteri dan politiking
2 ) Berita Minggu: Kematian Teoh timbulkan pelbagai spekulasi politik

You may read an English summary of these two devilish Umno-controlled papers's venom in Malaysian Insider.

Through the Chinese press in Malacca, I called for calm to all mourners expected to turn up for Teo Beng Hock's funeral tomorrow morning

We need to respect the wishes of the deceased's parents who wanted a smooth last ride for their son, despite insisting that they wanted truth -- the whole truth and nothing but the truth -- from a Royal Commission of Inquiry.

They won't take any report from the MACC or the Police for an answer.

I hope the Umno-owned Malay papers who incite more hatred towards Najib. MACC and its chief Ahmad Said Hamdan had done much to sabotage Najib's credibility as the agency is parked under the Prime Minister's Department.

I have also discussed with my comrades in Malacca, YB Sim Tong Him and Saudari Kerk Kim Hock, to ensure all banners for tomorrow's funeral are properly filtered so the Malay papers' racial undertones will not be allowed to incite any untoward incidents.

Teo's death is a political murder. We shall avenge all wrongs politically and democratically.

As we bid farewell to Beng Hock, we want a smooth last ride for him.

Jui Meng quits MCA, joins PKR - Malaysiakini

Former health minister Chua Jui Meng today announced that he was defecting to the opposition by quitting MCA and joining PKR.

"I am resigning as a member of MCA and with the permission of PKR's de facto leader (Anwar Ibrahim), I'm announcing that I'm joining PKR," he told a crowd of 1,000, which responded with loud shouts of 'reformasi'.

"I'm convinced that today I'm standing on the right side of history, especially at this defining critical moment of our history, in joining PKR."

In hearing the response of the jubilant crowd, Chua quipped: “You know, I never got so much applause like that ever in MCA.”

He and Anwar appeared together this afternoon at PKR's 'The Truth Behind the Scandals: Perak, PKFZ and the BN Conspiracy' forum in Sunway Resort Hotel & Spa.

The forum participants applauded as Chua and Anwar entered the hall at 3.30pm. A banner 'Congratulations to Chua for joining PKR' was unfurled as the former MCA vice-president walked in.

According to Chua, he decided to join PKR because Umno was undermining the country's two-coalition political system.

He added that the death of Teoh Beng Hock, the political aide of Selangor executive councillor Ean Yong Hian Wah, was the “tipping point” in his decision to defect.

Teoh's body was found on Thursday sprawled on the roof of an adjacent building after he had undergone questioning late into the night at the offices of the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC).

In joining PKR, Chua said he was taking a "new journey, a journey of change".

Chua was accompanied by former MCA senator David Yeoh Eng Hock and former Lumut parliamentarian Yap Yit Thong - both of whom also announced they were joining PKR, which drew a thunderous applause from the crowd.

Pakatan seeks to regain momentum

Malaysiakini had on Thursday reported that Chua would defect to PKR. On that day, Chua called an emergency meeting of his Bakri MCA division where he resigned as its division chief after 23 years.

It is believed that the opposition is seeking to use Chua's defection to regain momentum for the opposition which has been floundering due to internal bickering and a resurgent Barisan Nasional under new Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak.

The other senior former minister to have recently joined PKR is former Umno leader Zaid Ibrahim.

Chua, 64, had contested for the MCA president's post twice and lost to two Ongs - Ong Ka Ting in 2005 and Ong Tee Keat in 2008.

He was not picked to defend his Bakri parliamentary seat last year.

The seat was subsequently won by DAP's Er Teck Hwa - making Bakri the sole parliamentary seat in Johor to fall to the opposition in the 2008 general elections.

Chua: Wow, nine times

Chua said BN's power grab in Perak and the wooing of PAS by Umno to form a unity government based on race and religion have both contradicted Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak's '1Malaysia' motto.

“What will happened to the Chinese, Indians and other races? And of course, there is the prosecution of the PKR de facto leader once again for sodomy.”

Chua said that although Anwar had been acquitted by the Federal Court years ago, he was now been charged again for sodomy.

“I've heard that Anwar was charged for allegedly sodomising Saiful (Bukhari Azlan) eight times...,” said Chua.

He was quickly corrected by the crowd that the actual number was nine times.

“Wow, nine times! Then I take off my hat to you, sir - 62-year-old and can sodomise nine times although he has a medical history...

“Not only should you be the head of the opposition, you should be the prime minister!” he joked as Anwar, who was sitting at the other end of the stage, looked flustered.

To be given a 'prominent' post

At the press conference later, Anwar said that Chua would be given a major role to play in PKR.

“Chua's role will be the prominent one. Other than the supreme council, I would seek the approval of the president (Wan Azizah Wan Ismail) and the political bureau to immediately accept him (as appointed member),” he said.

However, Chua brushed aside suggestions that he quit MCA because he would be given a top position in PKR.

“I joined the party without condition. There is also no condition set by Anwar before I join PKR,” he said.

On his relationship with MCA boss Ong, the former party vice-president said that they would have a healthy respect for each other although he has chosen to go on separate ways.

“He is my friend and he is a man of ideals and principles. I respect him for that and I think he will accept me for that too. I believe that our relationship will continue as friends,” he said.

Q & A with Chua

Why did you deny (on Thursday) that you were joining PKR?

I was wrongly quoted - I never denied and I never confirmed. I did tell them (journalists) that you would know when the time is right.

I always maintained that one must be consistent, don't tell lies. If you can't tell people now, tell them to wait. And in any case what I said in Bakri, in terms of the need for major reforms - deep reforms not superficial reforms - the journalists should have understood...

Have you submitted your resignation to (MCA president) Ong Tee Keat?

I will be doing it, I have announced it. I did announce my resignation just now, this other thing is just the formality of sending a letter.

Are you disappointed with where the MCA is heading to?

No, I'm not going to touch on that - whether I'm disappointed or not. There is some reluctance, of course, as to why I have left MCA.

Before this, I have issued two manifestoes - in 2005 and 2008. I have compared the contents of the manifestoes and the vision of Anwar and his Malaysian agenda in the last general elections. I see many areas of commonalities where there can be in agreement. That was the thing that really persuaded me that PKR is the right channel for me to join.

My life, my career, (all this while) I have make sure that the government takes care of all the races. What I'm going do is to help him (Anwar) achieve his Malaysian agenda.

What took you so long to join PKR?

Very simple, I have stated this very clearly. I wanted to reform MCA. You may not know this, when I campaigned for presidency, (I argued that) MCA should reform whether or not Umno reforms itself. If Umno refuses and only initiates superficial reforms, then MCA must come out of Barisan Nasional.

Did you join PKR because you lost in the MCA president contest?

That does not arise at all. I could lose and win, and it is the same with me. When I lost last year to Ong Tee Keat, I right away invited him to my division in Bakri and told the Chinese community over there that we have no problem in contesting against each other.

When we contest based on principles, we can still remain friends.

__________________________________________________________________

What compelled me to ditch BN?- Malaysiakini

There has been much speculation recently in the media as what my next move in politics would be.

Today I make one of the most important decisions of my life, to leave the MCA and to join PKR. A few days ago, I resigned as chairman of MCA Bakri division, a post I have held for 23 years, freeing me to undertake a fresh struggle for the realisation of my vision for reforms. These are contained in the manifestos I wrote during the MCA presidential elections of 2005 and 2008.

Today I announce that I am resigning as a member of MCA. Now I announce I am joining PKR.

Today I am persuaded that I am standing on the right side of history at a defining and critical moment of our nation's history. What has compelled me to do so?

The 2008 general elections witnessed the passionate desire of 52 percent of Peninsular Malaysians for change. This astounding voting power gave birth for the first time to a two-party system. As a result, we have seen a hitherto unseen phenomena of Umno leaders saying “if we do not change, the people will change the government".

Out of this desperation, Malaysians see the Umno-led government making some movement towards appeasing the people. That is the fruit of people's power.

Two-party system undermined by Umno

Today we see this nascent two-party system under threat, the unrelenting harassment by the Umno-led government to divide and destroy the two-party system, the hard-earned gains of last year's general election.

We see the abuse of power in the use of the federal institutions to harass, persecute and prosecute the leaders of the opposition, institutions that were supposed to protect the rights of the citizens
of Malaysia.

The tragic death of 30-year-old Teo Beng Hock is the consequence of one such institution going overboard in its action. The seizure of power in Perak, the wooing of PAS by Umno to form a unity government based on race and religion, the farcical persecution and prosecution of Anwar Ibrahim once again for sodomy despite the reports of two hospitals - one from Hospital Kuala Lumpur - to the contrary, all these are indicative of a pattern of attempts to topple this precious two-party system.

It seeks to remove the people's new-found choice to choose between two political fronts. If this conspiracy succeeds Umno will continue to be the dominant political party going back to its old ways unfettered.

It is in these times of trouble and crisis for PKR and Pakatan Rakyat that has precipitated my decision to join them. It is in these difficult circumstances that I want to contribute in humility to the preservation of this two-party system. My hope is that ordinary Malaysians will stand up and be counted in the struggle to protect, preserve and promote the growth of this system. Count me in.

There are other reasons why I am joining PKR. I see in Anwar a kindred spirit seeking for change, for deep and genuine reforms. I know also that multiracial political parties caring for all races is the way forward.

I know that I am leaving the comfort and security of my present life for a road less travelled, a tough and rough road and that ahead of me awaits hardships. I am prepared for this last hurrah of my life. May God bless our endeavours, our struggle. CHANGE!

Chua Jui Meng
Former MCA vice-president and former health minister