Altantuya’s dad to proceed with suit

The Star

SHAH ALAM: The father of murdered Mongolian Altantuya Shaariibuu has withdrawn his application for a review of the Public Prosecutor’s decision not to appeal against the acquittal of political analyst Abdul Razak Baginda.

However, Dr Shaariibuu Setev’s lead counsel Karpal Singh said his client would go ahead with a RM100mil civil suit against Abdul Razak, the Malaysian Government and two others who would be mentioned at the High Court here on Nov 25.

High Court Judicial Commissioner Hinshawati Shariff then struck out the application without costs yesterday.

Earlier, Karpal told the judge that his client had asked him to withdraw the application after being advised that there were two case laws binding the High Court on the Attorney-General’s discretion as Public Prosecutor.

He said Article 145(3) of the Federal Constitution had also given the power to the Attorney-General whether to proceed or not with the appeal.

He then asked the court to set aside an earlier order to strike out the application from Senior Federal Counsel Datuk Kamaludin Md Said, who said he had been informed of Dr Setev’s intention in an e-mail from the Mongolian consular department.

Lawyer K.K. Wong, representing Abdul Razak, did not object.

Shah Alam High Court judge Justice Mohd Zaki Md Yasin had acquitted and discharged Razak, 49, without calling for his defence on Oct 31 last year for a charge of abetting in Altantuya’s murder.

Lead prosecutor Tun Abdul Majid Tun Hamzah later announced that it would not appeal as the court had made a finding of fact in its decision.

Police Special Action Force members Kpl Sirul Azhar Umar and his co-accused Chief Insp Azilah Hadri were found guilty of the murder.

Outside the courtroom, Karpal Singh told reporters that he would appeal to the Government to settle the matter out of court.

“The Government should accept responsibility as Altantuya was murdered here.
“It is my view that the Government is liable to pay damages as two

Menangani Permasalahan Rakyat

Celoteh di kawasan Parlimen sendiri tidak semestinya isu nasional atau dasar.

Di Seberang Jaya akhir minggu lalu saya diminta menggesa Majlis Perbandaran Seberang Perai (MPSP) menyiapkan lebih banyak tong sampah di kawasan perumahan, memastikan perairan parit tidak tersekat dengan sampah, dahan pokok terlalu rendang mengganggu keselesaan penduduk ditebang dan permohonan meluluskan bumbung tambahan di kedai kopi sekitar Sama Gagah.

Jawatankuasa Masjid Seberang Jaya pula mengemukakan permohonan agar dibina sebuah bangunan kecil untuk penempatan anak-anak yatim.

Agak menarik ialah pasar Ramadhan yang dikendali pemuda, sekitar 130 gerai semuanya. Ada yang meminta dipertimbangkan samaada dapat dijalankan saban minggu.

Demikian di antara isu yang harus ditangani sebaiknya!

ANWAR IBRAHIM

The Rule of Law and Judicial Independence

Speech by Dato’ Seri Anwar Ibrahim at the launching of “Anwar on Trial – In the Face of Injustice” by Pawancheek Marican in Kuala Lumpur on 14th September, 2009 at the De Palma Hotel, Ampang

———-

Today I would like to share with you some thoughts about a subject which I believe is close to our hearts. Not just to politicians, lawyers or social workers but to every member of society. It is so close that without it the very foundation of a free and democratic society crumbles. It is called the rule of law.

According to F.A. Hayek, this means that government in all its actions is bound by rules fixed and announced beforehand which make it possible to foresee with fair certainty how the authority will use its coercive powers in given circumstances, and to plan one’s individual affair on the basis of this knowledge. That definition is indeed a powerful formulation of the concept but I would hasten to add a major rider to it, which is, that the coercive powers referred to must be predicated on the basis that the laws in the first place must meet the criterion of justness. Hence the rule of law means the exercise of publicly justifiable power. I emphasise the phrase ‘publicly justifiable power’ because not every law that comes out of Parliament is publicly justifiable. In other words, the rule of law requires the application of moral standards to legislative output. And this is because every individual possesses rights founded on justice which are inviolable. The positivity of law is not sufficient to establish its lawfulness. If laws are unjust then the rule of law itself is in jeopardy.

The Internal Security Act is a classic instance of this injustice. It offends against human dignity and it violates our fundamental rights but it still continues to be used arbitrarily against those seen as possible threats to the ruling elite. We have a written constitution which guarantees our liberties including freedom from arbitrary arrest. Yet the use of the ISA to silence political dissent makes a mockery of this guarantee. Just two months ago, we witnessed one of the largest manifestations of the people’s opposition to this draconian law but tragically, the UMNO-controlled agencies responded with even greater use of tyranny and oppression.

So among the paramount characteristics of the rule of law concerns the judiciary. In this regard, judges must exercise their powers in accordance with the rule of law and not the rule of men. Translated into the real world, this means the judiciary must not be accountable to the Prime Minister. If the rule of law is to mean anything, one of the essential prerequisites is that the judiciary must be independent.

We saw back in 1988 how the institution was dealt a fatal blow by the powers that be then and we saw in 1998 how it was not just me who was given a black eye but the judiciary itself, thanks to the perverse decisions of two High Court judges then. These are the same judges who now warm the seats of our Appellate courts, enjoying the fruits of their perversity, as it were. Is it then any wonder that today history is again repeating itself?

We would have thought that the lessons of March 8th 2008 would have taught the political masters some fundamental truths regarding the legitimate expectations of the people. One of which is that the people don’t want to see the judicial process turned into a circus. We are tired of seeing judges as mere puppets dancing to the tune of the political masters.

The latest instance of this judicial aberration can be seen in the decision just last week in respect of the suit filed by the legitimate Pakatan speaker over the Perak debacle on May 7, 2009. The court held that in accordance with Article 72 of the Federal Constitution, “the validity of any proceeding in any state assembly cannot be questioned in any court”. Well, that indeed sounds very impressive and laudable in the context of respecting the concept of the separation of powers. But then why is it that in the same breath the court also held that the legislative assembly’s decision to remove the speaker and to appoint someone else was conclusive and had been fairly determined by the state assembly? I have heard of judges making wrong decisions based on a misinterpretation of the law but I don’t recall judges blowing hot and blowing cold in the same judgement. In coming to this conclusion, we may say that the court has sunk into the abyss of judicial reasoning displaying in the process clear symptoms of judicial schizophrenia. The question now is not whether we should challenge such a decision. Indeed we must, but I believe even more importantly, there is a moral duty to speak out against such a gross travesty of justice.

In practical terms, judicial independence must mean protecting citizens against illegitimate usurpation of power. Indeed, the travesty of justice that continues to plague us in the Perak debacle remains a stark reminder that the separation of powers envisaged in a democracy remains largely a mirage in the constitutional landscape.

The topic of our gathering tonight is the launch of this important book and recognition of its author, a dear friend of mine, Pawancheek Marican. It is of course rare to find in today’s Malaysia such a comprehensive account of an event so controversial in our nation’s history. Applying no varnish to the entire sordid affair I believe this text will be a signpost for generations of Malaysians on the dangers of absolute power. He has also paid a great tribute to the the legal team that defended not just me but an entire nation against the onslaught of executive power run amok. For those present and absent who had a hand in the trial and particulary the lawyers, words cannot convey the deep gratitude that I, Azizah and my family have for their work – which I might add is not yet done.

Now with reference to the trials prosecuted against me, as so well documented in Pawancheek’s book, suffice it to say that the judges were essentially under the thumb of the Executive. There is a saying that when the law is subjugated to the chicanery of politics, that is, where the judges are subservient to the political masters, the administration of justice becomes both farcical and perverse.

In a real democracy, the use of judicial high-handedness to bring down a political opponent won’t be tolerated because of the existence of a transparent court system and a process of accountability. In a sham democracy, however, judicial highhandedness is given free rein and transparency is irrelevant. Those prosecuted for political reasons are thus condemned even before the trial begins. It is not just about me or some of our friends here today.

There are now a few other high profile cases pending. For example, the persecution of Raja Petra will certainly be top on the list of the study on the breakdown of the rule of law. I emphasise the word ‘persecution’ because the manner in which he is being hounded is no longer prosecution but sheer audacious use of blatant state powers in order to bring down one one of the government’s most strident and vocal critics. These actions violate the dignity and honour of all Malaysians.

Instead of being the ultimate guardians of our liberty from executive tyranny, the judiciary is then transformed into principals in the destruction of the very process it was entrusted to protect. Indeed, the undermining of judicial independence by political interference has negative repercussions not only on society at large but on the nation as a whole. Very often the inability to assert independence seems to be inversely proportional to the degree of integrity. Judges must display competence and expertise and they must be above suspicion. We are by now very familiar with the videotape of the “correct, correct, correct” judicial scandal but have we seen any action yet? And where judges are not seen to be absolutely above board, the establishment of equity and fair play in commercial and economic deliberations will be largely illusory. This would also explain why Malaysia continues to occupy dismal positions in the corruption index, not to mention how much further we have sunk in competitiveness.

Another crucial criterion for the rule of law is that the discretion of law enforcement agencies must not be allowed to pervert the cause of justice.3 We know that not only the judiciary but the police and the Attorney General’s office play essential roles in the preservation of the rule of law, failing which they are easily used to pervert the law. Selective prosecution, police highhandedness and arbitrary arrests, and now of course the actions of the MACC, all collectively serve to pervert the cause of justice rather than uphold the rule of law. And in all these, the ruling UMNO government is not only complicit but blatantly instrumental in perpetuating these gross transgressions. The upshot is harassment, oppression, and in most cases, the extermination of the small fry while the large predators continue to roam free. The Pakatan controlled government of Selangor will remain a classic case study of the systematic abuse by Federal law enforcement agencies under the thumb of the ruling federal clique.

The arrogance of power has rendered them completely impermeable to public opinion. The extension of the IGP’s contract just last week flies in the face of the overwhelming chorus of objections from the people. The increasing incidences of custodial deaths and the blatant bias of the MACC in carrying out its duties are but two examples of this breakdown in the rule of law.

The very root of this problem goes to the question of accountability. We have seen what it is like. Without accountability these agencies literally get away with murder. They are certainly getting away with corruption. The instances are too many to enumerate but it would be accurate to say that the amounts involved get bigger by the year. We know about the billions earmarked for the stimulus packages but where has the money gone? How much longer can we allow public financial resources to be used in complete disregard of the rules of accountability?

The proper application of the rule of law would have meant that those who occupy the seats of power must be subject to scrutiny and held accountable for their misdeeds. They must realise that power and authority are but duty and obligation and not right and privilege. Will they ever be brought to justice?

In the final analysis, the idea of justice to man is so central to the rule of law that you can’t have one without the other. Corruption and the abuse of public office, the absence of transparency in financial dealings, the perversion of justice by the law enforcement agencies and the dereliction of judicial duty – these are indeed characteristics of the rule of men, and not the rule of law. The trappings of democracy cannot mask this perversion.

Reform is way overdue but on the eve our our Malaysia Day celebrations let us renew our commitment to freedom and to justice.

Thank you.

Alcohol: Second caning in Najib's home-state

By Jeff Ooi,

The NST reported today that Pahang-based syariah court judge Abdul Rahman Mohd Yunos had sentenced a second person to caning for drinking alcohol.

This time, the convicted man is an Indonesian, Nazarudin Kamaruddin, 46.

Recently, Indonesian descendant Kartika Sari Dewi Shukarno, a 32-year-old mother of two, was sentenced to caning for drinking beer by the same syariah court judge. [ See over 1,700 items on the subject in Google News. ]

However, after public outcry especially from human rights advocates and the global media, Kartika’s case is being reviewed by an Islamic appeals court judge and her caning could be carried out after the fasting month of Ramadan is over.

Interestingly, both sentences were meted out in Pahang, which is the home state of Prime Minister, Najib Razak.

August 27, Malaysiakini carried an Op-Ed from Agence France Presse (AFP) that highlighted the seeming rise of political Islam in Malaysia, and that the nation's secular status is under threat.

PR Senior Leadrs should make their stand on KBP

Press statement

HINDRAF is appalled by the demolition of the last remaining Indian Heritage village in Penang today aided, abetted and assisted by the Penang State Government.

Malaysians should be aware that Hindraf assistance to help preserve the village was sought on the 26^th June 2009 when the villagers have been battling a more than 10 years struggle to preserve their village. Upon our campaigns and questions on the legality of the attempt to demolish the village many eye opening facts surfaced.

Till date Lim Guan Eng has refused and deliberately diverted from answering the real questions posed on him on the saga of KBP.

The final act of wiping out the village would serve as the beginning of the end of DAP rule in Penang and support for DAP nationwide. Hindraf has on its own accord mobilised thousands of supporters to campaign for PR in the last GE without even being invited to do so because we believed the time to rid the evil BN regime has come. But the actions and inactions of DAP in Penang and their subsequent lies, denial and silence on many legitimate questions posed on the issue have caused many Malaysians to lose hope on change and make assumptions DAP is no better than the evil UMNO and BN.

The fact that senior leaders within Pakatan Rakyat- Dato Seri Anwar Ibrahim, Hadi Awang,Tok Guru Nik Aziz, Syed Husin, Karpal Singh and others who have remained silent and tight lipped causes Hindraf to wonder if they are actually held at ransom by Lim Guan Eng for reasons only known to them.

The Rakyat voted for a change- change that they believed would enhance a more democratic Government that is open, transparent and friendly that would take into considerations human factors, fairness, right of the poor, defenceless and marginalised.

It is very troubling that a senior citizen of the village had attempted to torch herself in order to protect her home. The conclusion that could be made is that the state Government under DAP has turned into an evil regime. We urge senior leaders in PR to break their silence and come in the open on their stand on the KBP issue. Should they fail to do so, a wrong signal would be sent to the public that would erode the confidence of rakyat on PR which would pay a hefty price in the next GE.

If nearby Chinese fishing village – Bang Liau and Chinese jetties Clan in George Town can be recognised as a heritage village what sin has the people of KBP committed to face extinction?

P.Waytha Moorthy

Chairman

HINDRAF

Yemeni girl, 12, dies in painful childbirth

AMMAN, Jordan (CNN) -- A 12-year-old Yemeni girl, who was forced into marriage, died during a painful childbirth that also killed her baby, a children's rights group said Monday.

Fawziya Ammodi struggled for three days in labor, before dying of severe bleeding at a hospital on Friday, said the Seyaj Organization for the Protection of Children.

"Although the cause of her death was lack of medical care, the real case was the lack of education in Yemen and the fact that child marriages keep happening," said Seyaj President Ahmed al-Qureshi.

Born into an impoverished family in Hodeidah, Fawziya was forced to drop out of school and married off to a 24-year-old man last year, al-Qureshi said.

Child brides are commonplace in Yemen, especially in the Red Sea Coast where tribal customs hold sway. Hodeidah is the fourth largest city in Yemen and an important port.

More than half of all young Yemeni girls are married off before the age of 18 -- many times to older men, some with more than one wife, a study by Sanaa University found.

While it was not immediately known why Fawziya's parents married her off, the reasons vary. Sometimes, financially-strapped parents offer up their daughters for hefty dowries.

Marriage means the girls are no longer a financial or moral burden to their parents. And often, parents will extract a promise from the husband to wait until the girl is older to consummate the marriage.

The issue of Yemeni child brides came to the forefront in 2008 with 10-year-old Nujood Ali.

She was pulled out of school and married to a man who beat and raped her within weeks of the ceremony.

To escape, Nujood hailed a taxi -- the first time in her life -- to get across town to the central courthouse where she sat on a bench and demanded to see a judge.

After a well-publicized trial, she was granted a divorce.

The Yemeni parliament tried in February to pass a law, setting the minimum marriage age at 17. But the measure has not reached the president because many parliamentarians argued it violates sharia, or Islamic law, which does not stipulate a minimum age.

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

Editor's note: CNN does not usually identify children of alleged abuse, but in this case the girl and her family gave CNN permission to tell her story and use her name.

Nujood Ali, 10, has been chastised by some in Yemen for speaking out about her arranged marriage.

SANAA, Yemen (CNN) -- July 16, 2008 Nujood Ali is 10 years old, but she already has been married and divorced. It was an arranged marriage in which she said a husband three times her age routinely beat and raped her.

"When I got married, I was afraid. I didn't want to leave home. I wanted to stay with my brothers and sisters and my mom and dad," she said, speaking to CNN with the permission of her parents.

"I didn't want to sleep with him, but he forced me to. He hit me, insulted me."

As she plays marbles with her brothers and sister, Nujood is a portrait of innocence, with a shy smile and a playful nature.

But what happened evokes anger and shame. Asked if what she went through was torture, she nods quietly.

Nujood's parents married her off in February to a man in his 30s whom she describes as old and ugly.

Her parents said they thought they were putting her in the care of her husband's family, but Nujood said he would often beat her into submission.

Nujood then turned to her family for mercy.

"When I heard, my heart burned for her; he wasn't supposed to sleep with her," said Nujood's mother, who asked not to be identified.

But, initially, she also told her daughter she could not help her -- that she belonged to her husband now.

Nujood's father, Ali Mohammed Ahdal, said he is angry about what happened to his daughter. "He was a criminal, a criminal. He did hateful things to her," he said. "He didn't keep his promise to me that he wouldn't go near her until she was 20."

When contacted by CNN, the girl's former husband declined to comment.

Nujood's parents, like so many others in Yemen, struck a social bargain when they decided to have their daughter wed. More than half of all Yemeni girls are married off before the age of 18, according to Oxfam International, a nonprofit group that fights global poverty and injustice.

Many times girls are forced to marry older men, including some who already have at least one wife, Oxfam said. According to tribal customs, the girls are no longer viewed as a financial or moral burden to their parents.

"There is always a fear that the girl will do something to dishonor the family: She will run away with a guy, she will have relations with a boy. So this is always the phobia that the families have," said Suha Bashren of Oxfam International.

Bashren calls the tradition of child brides in Yemen a national crisis. She works with young girls to protect them from early marriage, abuse and one of the highest maternal mortality rates in the world.

The Yemeni government is holding legal and religious workshops to try to deal with the issue of early marriage. But experts say marrying off a young daughter is generally still seen as the right thing to do.

"A lot of people in the public don't think that this is wrong or that what happened to her was abuse," Bashren said.

In Yemen, there is nothing new or extraordinary about Nujood's story because children have been married off for generations. The country's legal minimum age for marriage was 15 till a decade ago, when the law was changed to allow for children even younger to be wed.

But what is most unusual is that this young girl took such an intensely private dispute and went public with it.

Nujood said she made up her mind to escape from her husband, describing how on a visit to her parents' home she broke free and traveled to the central courthouse across town and demanded to speak to a judge.

"He asked me, 'What do you want?' And I said, 'I want a divorce.' And he said, 'You're married?' And I said, 'Yes,'" she recalled.

What unfolded in those few days in April gripped the country on the southern tip of the Arabian Peninsula.

Nujood got her divorce, but based on the principles of Islamic Sharia law, her husband was compensated, not prosecuted. Nujood was ordered to pay him more than $200. The human rights lawyer who represented her donated the money.

But for this determined spirit, it was still a sweet victory.

"I did this so that people would listen and think about not marrying their daughters off as young as I was," she said with a shy smile.

Now back at the family home, she said she won't go outside to play -- that all the attention bothers her. Some still condemn the young girl for speaking out, believing that she shouldn't have challenged convention.

Human rights advocates said it will take more than a generation if this practice is to change in Yemen for other children.

"These girls are living in a misery that no one is talking about," Oxfam's Bashren said.

Kampung Buah Pala - Fiery Threat

Get set for a Pakatan surprise in Bagan Pinang

NGOs to MCMC: Stop targeting Malaysiakini

Heart-wrenching sight for oldest resident - Malaysiakini

It was a heart-wrenching moment for octogenarian Draviam Arul Pillay as he witnessed his home and memories violently snuffed out by a demolition team at Kg Buah Pala.

Using sledgehammers and other equipment, developer Nusmetro's demolition team tore down the house of Kampung Buah Pala's most senior resident Draviam Arul Pillay, 84, the father of the village association secretary Joseph Stephen.

Villagers watched in dismay as the rampaging demolition team destroyed Draviam's (left) family house under the watchful presence of a large police squad including a light strike force unit.

His daughter, Thavamani Draviam, 44, was overwhelmed by the sight and could not contain her tears and anguish at witnessing the destruction.

She scolded the workers who went about their task with no regard for the fact, or knowledge, that they were demolishing the home in which she was born.

"We built the village ... it's ours. Now they have robbed us off our home," said Thavamani, who had to be consoled by her family members.

After partially tearing down Draviam's home, the demolition team moved on to residents' association assistant secretary, C Tharmaraj's home.

Tharmaraj's mother R Indrani, 62, caused a stir when she threatened to torch herself as the demolition team was dismantling her house gate.

She came out from her house with a bottle of liquid, believed to be kerosene, and doused herself with it.

Then she produced a match box and threatened to immolate herself if the demolition team did not leave the place immediately.

Upon seeing her going berserk and shouting at them, the workers quickly left the area.

Her son, Thanaselan calmed down the tearful Indrani and took her inside.

A final RM125,000 offer

Resident K Murugan told Malaysiakini that developer Nusmetro Venture (P) Sdn Bhd's director Gary Ho today offered a one-off RM125,000 final compensation to some of the villagers who did not accept the earlier double-storey house offer.

He said Ho also told the residents whose houses were demolished today that they would be relocated for a month to a nearby apartment pending further decisions on the matter.

"It's like we are at the mercy of the developer today because the state government, courts and police are all against us for standing up for our rights," said Murugan.

During the demolition, some villagers vented their anger and frustration against everyone, including Ho, the police, the demolition team and even the village association leaders.

At 3pm, the demolition team were virtually done and had demolished 13 houses of the 17 houses earmarked for destruction.

Residents then started retrieving items of value from the debris of their homes. Several were heard yelling out names of elected representatives for not coming to their aid in their time of need.

"They came here for votes and promised to save our village. They even pledge to stop any demolition attempt over their dead bodies. Now our village is gone, the politicians are not around to stop it," said one of them.

Four house owners negotiated successfully with Ho to allow them to dismantle their homes by themselves.

Earlier, a scuffle nearly took place between cattle farmers and the demolition team when they attempted to flatten cowsheds with a bulldozer.

Timely police intervention prevented a near-ugly situation and the team then dropped the idea when told that cattle rearing ground was not part of the Oasis project site.

The demolition team then left the site with police escort.

Islam & Malay Muslims are not the problem: UMNO, MCA, MIC, GERAKAN and their stooges are

Wong Mun Chee

Only UMNO and its lackies have the means, motive and opportunity in making it appear like Islam and the Malay Muslims are the problem for ‘others’.

Sure, I was out spoken about Kg. Buah Pala issue, with such complimentary remarks, that I am even branded as a Gerakan, UMNO stooge. With all the negative elements, my stand still in affirmation that the LGE-led DAP government of Penang sold their soul for monetary gains and that they have achieved in subjugating those poor folks in Kg. Buah Pala with their media power and falsified events to achieve their own needs. So what is the difference between BN and Pakatan Rakyat when the public is in despair? To me, BN and Pakatan are no difference if what is truthful, fair and just is not served. The change of guard that we observed is superficial if we are superficial ourselves and primarily the critics for their own needs.

On the Section 23 Shah Alam issue, fortunately, the anticipated respond on the cow head incident tilted and has in effect strengthen the belief amongst the Malaysians in our Muslim brothers and sisters that the other races can find solace. It is enlightening that our sensible and level-headed Muslim brothers are able to speak out to maintain a balance in this multicultural society in allowing the freedom to practice each one’s way of live.

Do you think, the UMNO-led BN, having been in power for 52 with Mahathir’s iron fist for 22 years, can be erased within a blink of eye? Not a chance, because with well-planned provocation, the anticipated response can even become a weapon in the arsenal of the agent provocateur.

Those affiliated and pre-staged events to inflame religion intolerance or for the matter what one comments is only possible if it serves one’s own needs. As much as they are the agent provocateur, we the general public are no better when we observe and practice everything in a race and religious outline as opposed to a truthful cause in fairness and equality although sometimes in our mind it is skewed as a racist agenda.

In the Kg. Buah Pala issue, the agent provocateur was the DAP and they stooped so low akin to another UMNO in disguise to defend themselves in malicious ways. Why do you need to defend and justify truth if that was you seek? Truth has no substitute. Truth is truth and that is the reality whether you like it or not you have to deal with it.

I had once the opportunity to spend about seven hours in conversation with the late MGG PILLAI before his demise and his greatest hope for the country was our Muslim brothers & sisters.

We all know that those in power, whether it is Muslim or others, will always cohort to create an atmosphere to maintain their own status quo, but we as the public should slowly drift away intelligently from a race- or religion-based biasness in strengthening our unity. Even in the opposition we have division of a somewhat race-based affiance. It is not a perfect system, but the change can only appear if we are in unity on a humanitarian cause irrespective of origin.

By way of deception and manipulation, the elected members have taken the public for a ride over the last 52 years by supportive policies that lend the appearance of legitimacy and credibility to an operation justified for a pre-determined agenda that only serves their own needs.

Today, the public, meaning you and me, take a bit more trouble to find out what is actually happening to our society for the effort that we put in individually to make sure that we can participate and create the change in our own ways.

To create the change in unity, we first need to be independent and unshackled in our own thoughts for what is truthful, just and fair. Knowledge alone will not suffice but the wisdom to see it once you are truly awaken. Once we overcome this, then it does not matter who says what, as long it what is truthful, just and fair for the community that we intend to create and to live together.

UMNO, MCA, MIC, GERAKAN and their stooges will continue with their antics, but it is us, the public, you and me, that will make the difference when we are in unity for what is fair, just and equal. Once you come in terms with yourself in unity with the public for a society’s concern, then you have the wisdom rather than the half-truth knowledge that appeases you for your own individual collaboration.

If you feel like a truly Malaysian, then you understand the message, not how it is benefiting me, as that has been the modus operandi imbibed in us courtesy of UMNO led scumbags and now we have seen in Kg Buah Pala issue.

Your choice is our society’s need if you can be truthful to yourself.

The Hitchikers' Guide to the MCA Galaxy

During the last lap, the going rate for an EGM requisition signature was up to RM35,000, because he just wanted to meet 921 signatories. "921" refers to the triad "21" - and this was confirmed by his hardcore supporter, Kapar MCA division chief Dato Song Kee Chai.

THE CORRIDORS OF POWER

I Love Malaysia

Wondering what the hell is MCA going through now? Lost in unfamiliar names? Can't make sense of the "I say this, you say that?". Here's a simple guide to help you stay on top of the MCA Mess.

THE WHAT

The whole battle revolves around one man - Chua Soi Lek - who was caught having sex with a woman who's not his wife, on video. MCA sacked him for that, just as any worker would have been sacked if they were caught with their pants down and it is beamed worldwide, worse still if it is one of the top Internet searches on porn sites. The whole MCA mess revolves around him trying to hang on to power. Can you imagine a crook trying to become the PM?

THE WHO

Let's put this one in simple terms for this one: It's a battle between the New MCA and the has-beens. On one side of the ring is the president Ong Tee Kiat, who's solidly backed by his three other Cabinet ministers and eight deputy ministers and more than two-third of his central committee. On the other side, is a bunch of has-beens. In random order of uselessness:

1) Tan Chai Ho - former deputy Home Minister whose atrocious English and Malay would have made him MCA President for Eternity if they could be translated into votes. He was also linked to the triads, and several years ago, he officiated an office lot of his "friend" in his then constituency, Bandar Tun Razak. Later, his "friend" was found dead after a police shootout near Seremban, and was later identified as head of the brutal M16 Gang.

2) Loh Seng Kok - In MCA's 60-year history, he is the only MP who served only one term (in Kelana Jaya) and was not fielded again. Poor performance would have been an understatement. The voters in Kelana Jaya got so mad at his poor record, they voted for videoman Loh Gwo Burne instead in 2008.

3) Chong Itt Chew - Another has-been whose power base is in Kedah, where he used to be an exco. Now, itching for a comeback. Just ask any housing developers in Kedah. They would tell you that even if all the houses in Kedah were to turn into closets, it still cannot store the skeletons he has. But possibly there may be just enough room to keep his ill-gotten gains.

In simple terms, it's a bunch of losers sleeping on the same bed sharing different dreams, and led by a porn star. Ohhhh.... they're soooo screwed.

THE WHY

One man wants to become the MCA president and Health Minister. The rest just wanna tag along. Not convinced? Look at his EGM resolutions. They include two seemingly disconnected but related points: The first is to get rid of OTK through a motion of no confidence. The second is to reinstate CSL as deputy president. When No 1 is gone, No 2 takes over. Sweet and simple. The rest of the gang just want to hitch a ride on the laughing stock of the international community.

Ok, point taken about the MCA presidency, but why Health Minister? Why not Transport, Tourism, or even Womens' Affair (hey, at least it's still a Cabinet post)? Someone's got unfinished business there after collecting the loot and making sky-high promises. The triads are angry, they have not received their dues. At least three Ministry of Health-licensed drugs-labelling firms and one hologram manufacturer (for medicine) have effectively signed blank cheques and gotten nothing in return. At that time, no one thought he was going to call it a day so soon. And Maha Global Sdn Bhd, which made some RM19 million clean profit from the land scam (http://mohlandscam.blogspot.com) has all but run out of cash after bribing delegates to sign the EGM requisition and the Malaysian Insider (the PR firm, which tries to pass off as a news portal) to spin lies.

THE WHEN

If CSL had his way, he would have wanted to become the MCA president when he was in his mother's womb. He started the EGM signature campaign DAYS after winning the 18 October 2008 MCA elections (it's like working towards a divorce days after getting married). Let's put it in perspective: if the Ah Longs are coming after you and splashing your house with red paint every other day, would you have killed for that winning lottery ticket your friend now has? Would you have killed your own parents just so you can inherit their wealth earlier?

The MCA EGM has been called. One can almost see CSL lining up at the Wisma MCA in Jalan Ampang now, eager to cast his ballot and trying to imagine the massage rooms and saunas he can build in the presidential office once he takes over and the hot chicks he can hire as secretaries.

THE HOW

If CSL's campaign had a theme song, it would go like this (sang to the tune of "Old Macdonald): "Bribe, bribe, bribe, bribe, let's give bribe. And they'll support me." CSL calls OTK "grandfather of nonsense", but he himself is the "Grand Old Man of Money Politics" in MCA. He gives money like it's a cure for A(H1N1). During the last lap, the going rate for an EGM requisition signature was up to RM35,000, because he just wanted to meet 921 signatories. "921" refers to the triad "21" - and this was confirmed by his hardcore supporter, Kapar MCA division chief Dato Song Kee Chai (http://www.nst.com.my/Current_News/NST/articles/04ems/Article/index_html).

Le'ts leave out the triads link for now, as they are massively pissed with CSL.

Next, CSL runs to Bintulu MP Tiong King Sing, who's agreed to bankroll CSL with only one condition: sweep PKFZ under the carpet once he takes over. The deal is sealed faster than CSL gets it up with the blue pill. Then, CSL runs up to PM Najib, who at first bought into all the weeping and whining, but later PM saw through the man, whose screen experience is of pornographic proportions.

What the public was not told: The Secret Cabinet Papers

That is why those behind the PKFZ scandal are not scared. They did not do anything wrong. They did not commit a crime. They just did what the Cabinet knew all along they were doing and with the full permission of the Cabinet.

THE CORRIDORS OF POWER

Raja Petra Kamarudin

In Malaysia, Federal Cabinet papers and State EXCO papers are automatically protected by the Official Secrets Act -- whether stamped RAHSIA or not. Of course, so are any other papers marked RAHSIA, Cabinet papers or otherwise -- which is why Ezam was found guilty and sentenced to two years jail when he had in his possession ACA (now MACC) investigation papers related to Trade Minister Rafidah Aziz’s corrupt acts. And the irony of it all is that the ACA as well as the A-G had recommended that Rafidah be arrested and prosecuted although this did not happen in the end because the Prime Minister did not allow it.

One of the reasons these papers are marked RAHSIA, other than for purposes of national security, is to hide the corrupt acts of those who walk in the corridors of power. What the public does not know can’t hurt the public, is the warped logic of the government of the day.

What Malaysia needs is a Freedom of Information Act instead of the Official Secrets Act that we now have. Or at least classified papers (RAHSIA) not involving defence or national security should be declassified after, say, 15 or 20 years, so that the public will know what went on behind the scenes in the corridors of power. (And it should be the task of an independent Ombudsman-type committee that vets these papers and not the decision of just one man).

Well, Malaysia Today can’t wait for papers of public interest to be declassified or for the Official Secrets Act to be abolished and replaced with a Freedom of Information Act. That is why, today, we are publishing the ‘secret’ Cabinet papers related to the PKFZ scandal so that Malaysians will know that the Cabinet had actually endorsed the entire fiasco.

There is no corruption involved in the PKFZ fiasco -- at least not as far as the government is concerned. What happened was exactly what the Cabinet wanted to happen. And that is why no action is being taken with regards to the RM12.5 billion disaster. It was no disaster. The Cabinet knew all along what was going on. And the Cabinet approved it.

That is why those behind the PKFZ scandal are not scared. They did not do anything wrong. They did not commit a crime. They just did what the Cabinet knew all along they were doing and with the full permission of the Cabinet.

By the way, you had better not print out these papers as the police might arrest you and charge you under the Official Secrets Act. Tomorrow, we will reveal more. In the meantime take a look at these four pages. They reveal much as to why Malaysia is having to pay RM12.5 billion of taxpayers’ money to enrich a few who walk in the corridors of power, plus some of their cronies.

This is a Malay-Chinese ‘joint venture’ at its best involving those from Umno and MCA.

Stay tuned for more revelations and by the time we are finished you might just decide to pack your bags and leave the country.

Samy Vellu runs damage control over Mahathir insult

Samy Vellu says his party will discipline the delegate who insulted Dr M during the MIC general assembly yesterday. — Pciture by Jack Ooi

KUALA LUMPUR, Sept 14 — The MIC will take disciplinary action against one of its delegates who had suggested that a garland of slippers be placed on the portrait of former prime minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad at the party’s general assembly yesterday.

MIC president Datuk Seri S. Samy Vellu said he deeply regretted the statement made by the delegate and would ask the delegate concerned to give an explanation to the party’s Disciplinary Committee.

Samy Vellu said in a statement today that he had asked the delegate concerned to end his speech immediately after making the statement on the “garland of slippers” yesterday, but his instruction was not reported by the media.

He said this to clarify the report in a Malay language daily today on the statement by a MIC delegate who wanted the garland of slippers to be placed on Dr Mahathir’s portrait.

Samy Vellu said he had informed the MIC delegates to give the highest respect to Dr Mahathir who had done a lot for the country.

“I realise that Tun Dr Mahathir’s statement on the MIC had offended many delegates but there was no necessity to criticise him in such a manner,” he said.

Samy Vellu said he respected the delegates’ freedom to debate on any issue but when it touched on a national leader, he had to intervene.

Dr Mahathir had given his views on the MIC, Samy Vellu and the decision of former MIC deputy president Datuk S Subramaniam to contest the post of deputy president at the MIC general assembly held on Saturday and yesterday, which had angered several MIC members.

Meanwhile, the criticisms made by the MIC delegates against Dr Mahathir had drawn brickbats from Umno leaders who described such an act as excessive and rude.

Umno Youth vice-head Datuk Razali Ibrahim said such an act was not part of the Barisan Nasional (BN) culture and that the MIC should be responsible and take appropriate action.

“Action must be taken by the BN if the MIC does not take any action on the matter. It must be taken to uphold decorum in the BN,” he said in a statement today.

Razali, who is also the Deputy Minister of Youth and Sports, said Umno Youth felt that “such an act does not help to divert public attention from the actual position of the MIC. Respect must be earned and not demanded.”

In Alor Setar, the Kedah Umno expressed regret over the attitude of the MIC delegate concerned and described such suggestion as uncalled for and should not have been made by the member of a BN component party.

The State Umno Liaison deputy chairman, Datuk Paduka Ahmad Bashah Md Hanipah, said although Dr Mahathir was said to have interfered in the affairs of the MIC by making the statement, there were many other ways to convey their displeasure.

“The suggestion reflects that the Indian community in the country does not appreciate Dr Mahathir’s deeds and contributions to the community. This shows their shallow thinking.

“In this context, Kedah Umno wants MIC president Datuk Seri S. Samy Vellu to tender an open apology to Dr Mahathir,” he said. — Bernama

Pakatan courts Subra to trigger exodus from MIC

By Baradan Kuppusamy - The Malaysian Insider

KUALA LUMPUR, Sept 14 — Pakatan Rakyat (PR) has started making advances towards Datuk S. Subramaniam and several of his key men just a day after the MIC veteran was defeated in a three-cornered contest to be deputy president of the Barisan Nasional (BN) party.

Also being wooed is K.P.Samy, the Klang businessman and event manager S. P. Manivasagam, both of whom had won as Central Working Committee members in Saturday’s party polls.

The Malaysian Insider understands that while PKR is said to be interested in Subramaniam, the DAP is more interested in K.P. Samy as they see him as a credible Indian grassroots leader in Selangor with connections to the Hindraf movement.

Samy is being courted by top DAP leaders like Ipoh Barat MP M. Kulasegaran and Penang Deputy Chief Minister Prof Dr P. Ramasamy, sources said, adding that he was seen as someone who was able to fill a vacuum in the DAP’s Indian leadership in Selangor.

Samy however is waiting for Subramaniam to make the big decision — to stay in MIC, join Pakatan Rakyat or take over one of the newly set-up Indian political parties.

Hundreds of thousands of MIC members who have been loyal to Subramaniam in the past four decades are expected to leave the MIC and follow Subramaniam, whatever direction he takes.

Subramaniam is weighing whether to leave before he is sacked or wait for the outcome of the disciplinary action charges he is facing which most likely lead to his expulsion from the party.

When contacted PKR leader Tian Chua said that while the party keeps an “open door policy,” he claimed it was not keen to court any MIC leader because they may no longer be relevant in national politics.

“There are leaders who simply want to extend their shelf life in politics and might cross over from other parties where they are defeated,” Tian Chua told The Malaysian Insider.

“We are not interested in such people,” he said adding however that “those wanting to cross over must genuinely believe in and defend Pakatan policies.”

Subramaniam’s supporters are urging him to take over one of the newly registered Indian political parties.

They say the new party would be an overnight success because nearly 300,000 of his supporters are expected to leave the MIC if he quits.

MIC president Datuk Seri S. Samy Vellu claims the MIC has a membership of over 600,000 but like Umno and MCA, a large percentage of their “members” voted for PR parties in Election 2008.

“Subramaniam’s people cannot claim 300,000 would leave with him from MIC because they have already fled in 2008,” a former MIC leader said when asked about the latest development.

Another option Subramaniam, 65, can take is to simply retire.

In the election two days ago, Subramaniam took 547 votes in an indication his support in the MIC has remained intact over the years while that of the president’s had eroded significantly after the third contender Datuk S. Sothinathan took 280 votes.

Samy Vellu’s man Datuk G. Palanivel won by only 82 votes compared with his 495 majority in 2006.

Combined, a total of 827 of the 1,450 delegates voted against the president’s choice.

MIC sources say the rise of the anti-Samy Vellu faction is the real reason why action is being taken against Subramaniam who has become a serious threat to Samy Vellu and his man, Palanivel.

“Samy Vellu wants to continue for a good many years and by sacking Subramaniam he is removing his most direct threat to power,” an MIC insider said.

“Palanivel is a Yes-man and unlikely to threaten the party leader in any significant way,” the sources said. “But Subramaniam is a clear and present danger for both Samy Vellu and Palanivel.”

The fight ahead might well overshadow the just concluded election battle.

PR wooing for more BN rejects

PR is now out shopping for the losers of the MIC elections. Subramaniam has been in MIC all these years, he has lost and it looks like he may not get another chance in MIC. Consider his track record. Why is he attractive to PKR? What has he done as a Politician, as a Deputy Minister, as a leader of the party that was supposed to represent the Indians. Can any one tell of one significant thing he has done for the people he was supposed to have represented?

If PR is trying to woo politicians like him into PR , then think for a moment, just what kind of a party is PR. They just picked up another BN reject recently, Chua Jui Meng. This tells us a lot about PR, PKR and DAP, the key players in this buyout game. Let me quote The Malaysian Insider:
‘The Malaysian Insider understands that while PKR is said to be interested in Subramaniam, the DAP is more interested in K.P. Samy as they see him as a credible Indian grassroots leader in Selangor with connections to the Hindraf movement. Samy is being courted by top DAP leaders like Ipoh Barat MP M. Kulasegaran and Penang Deputy Chief Minister Prof Dr P. Ramasamy,’.

We have been and still are hoping that with a PR government at the Federal level, there will be policy changes. But with all this kind of leadership manouvres, that looks a remote possibility. I fear it is going to be more of the same nonsense. These politicians ultimately are interested only in votes of the people.. They are all the same, let us not delude ourselves.

There will probably be some changes, maybe to the ISA, maybe to the judicial system, maybe to the Police, maybe to the Election commission operating methods, a few more goodies to the poorer Malays and to the non-Malays. But I do not expect that there will be more than that. Basic policies relating to how the resources of the nation will be managed will remain. The elite will continue to garner the lion’s share of the national resources and the rakyat will get the tidbits.

For policy change to happen, the policies of the different parties must be guided by some ideology. Except for PAS, the other two parties have no formal ideology to guide them. They have populist policies which is just another way of saying let something trickle down to the rakyat . This is their informal ideology. Give just enough to win in elections. This is what I predict PKR and DAP will be doing.

But many will say, no, this cannot happen. Surely .

Wasn’t it supposed to be that way when the alliance government was formed in 1955. They got Merdeka for all Malaysians, did they not. Then what happened, why are we all up in arms today against them. What happened to UMNO, MCA and MIC along the way. What happened was that the power elite of the country took over.

In appearance UMNO,MCA and MIC work for the people. In reality they work for themselves and all the power elite of this country, but not for the people. What you get is a business/politics nexus and all the incumbent violations of the Federal Constitution and massive corruption of individuals, systems and institutions.

Is Pakatan Rakyat really any different. The predictors tell us they are no different.

Back to us citizens. We as citizens of the country need to become more aware of all these tendencies and start making preparations to increase accountability of politicians - something that they abhor.They will try to keep us divided so we cannot get together and hold them accountable. Just like what Kapitan Lim Guan Eng has done in Kampung Buah Pala. As long as the villagers were united they held him accountable. The moment he had them divided he washed his hands off the case.

Let us not be naïve and think that we are going to get a Federal Government that is going to change everything when PR takes over the reins in Putrajaya. Few things will change, most will not. The predictors are suggesting that. The only way we can change is to continue to hold every political party, every politician, every government accountable to the rakyat for their every performance. We the rakyat have the responsibility to do that.

This is going to come only through struggle. Do not just think the world will change after the next elections as many people keep reiterating to us whenever we talk about the failures of the DAP government in Penang. Do not be deluded that the answer to the woes of Malaysia and Malaysians will all be settled after the next General Elections.

I for one can already see how DAP is going to be driving their policies if ever (god forbid) they get to Putrajaya

Cabinet on Wednesday should ask for Musa Hassan’s resignation as IGP in view of the 25-rank drop of Malaysia’s security indicator

By Lim Kit Siang,

The Cabinet on Wednesday should ask for Tan Sri Musa Hassan’s resignation as Inspector-General of Police in view of the 25-rank drop of Malaysia’s security indicator resulting in a three-point drop in Malaysia’s global competitiveness ranking in World Economic Forum (WEF) Global Competitiveness Report 2009-2010 released last week.

Malaysia has dropped three positions to 24th from 21st ranking last year in the latest WEF GCR announced just before the WEF’s annual meeting of the New Champions, dubbed “Summer Davos”, in Dalian China.

This was essentially the result of a much poorer assessment of its institutional framework – with every indicator in the area exhibiting a downward trend since 2007, causing Malaysia to tumble from 17th to 43rd position in this dimension in just two years.

Security in Malaysia is of particular concern with its ranking dropped 25 levels to 85th.

The WEF GCR sub-index on “Security” is made up of four indicators and Malaysia scored very poorly in everyone of them, viz:

Business cost of terrorism	97
Business cost of crime and violence	95
Organized crime	83
Reliability of police services	48

This is what the WEF GCR 2009-2010 stated:

“According to the business community, the potential of terrorism (97th) and crime (95th) both impose significant costs.”

A comparison with the WEF GCR 1999 highlights the worsening of the crime situation of the country in the past ten years, which was supposed to be rectified by the Royal Police Commission as the first initiative of the former Prime Minister, Tun Abdullah Ahmad Badawi five years ago – but the reverse has taken place, with the country in the throes of the worst crime-and-order situation in the country’s history.

There are only two indicators on the security sub-index in the WEF GCR 1999 report, one on “Effectiveness of Police Force” and the other on “Organized Crime”.

Malaysia was ranked No. 25 out of 59 countries in 1999 on “The effectiveness of police force” index to measure “what extent can police service be relied upon to enforce law and order in your country” with “1=cannot be relied upon at all; 7= can always be relied upon”.

Malaysia scored 5.14 and was ranked No. 31 out of 59 countries in the WEF GCR 1999. Ten years later, in the WEF GCR Report 2009-2010, Malaysia was downgraded to 4.7 and ranked No. 49 out of 133 countries.

Countries which ten years ago were regarded as less safe and secure as their police force were not as reliable, competent and professional have overtaken Malaysia in the estimation of foreign investors – including countries like South Korea, Vietnam and Taiwan.

The index on “Organised Crime” for Malaysia in the past decade is most shocking and outrageous.

This indicator poses the question whether “organized crime (mafia-oriented racketeering, extortion) impose costs on business in your country” with “1=significant costs; 7=no costs”.

Malaysia scored 5.76 and was ranked No. 22 out of 59 countries in 1999 but ten years later, the score went down to 5.0 and plummeted 61 places to be ranked No. 83 out of 133 countries.

Among the countries Malaysia has overtaken in the past ten years in having a more serious problem of “organized crime” in Asia are Hong Kong, South Korea, India, China, Thailand, Indonesia and Japan.

The WEF GCR report on the security situation in Malaysia is an indictment on the service record of Musa Hassan as he must singly bear the greatest blame for the worsening security situation in the country which has undermined Malaysia’s economic well-being and international competitiveness as he was the nation’s top cop in the past three years.

If Najib is serious about efficiency and productivity of public service delivery, we should be having a new IGP as there can be no worse KPI for Musa Hassan as IGP in the past three years than the WEF Global Competitiveness Report citing worsening security as a major reason for Malaysia’s three-point drop of Malaysia’s global competitiveness.

It is most shocking that Musa should have his tenure as IGP renewed for another year. Will the Cabinet now ask for Musa’s resignation as IGP in view of the blistering WEF GCR 2009-2010 on the dismal security situation in the country under Musa’s watch?

Subra faces 5 charges

The Malay Mail,

Frankie D'Cruz

Monday, September 14th, 2009

PRESSURE: Subramaniam (centre) at the MIC general assembly on Saturday

DEFEATED deputy presidential candidate Datuk S. Subramaniam will face at least five charges by the MIC disciplinary committee in an apparent move to expel him from the party.

Sources said more charges could be piled against Subramaniam as “complaints are mounting”.

It was believed that the committee has five “open-shut” cases that would lead to the 65-year-old veteran politician’s expulsion from the party.

The alleged five acts by Subramaniam that tarnished the party’s image were:

• confirming the confession of stolen votes by former vice-president Datuk V. Govindaraj in the election for deputy president in 1977, first reported by Malay Mail;

• asking his newspaper, Makkal Osai, to publish lies aimed at undermining the credibility of the MIC;

• seeking outside help to achieve his aim of winning the post;

• practising money politics. (While Subramaniam has claimed that his defeat was due to money politics, Samy Vellu said he too could prove that he (Subramaniam) had used money to gain support); and

• bringing in more than 500 youths, described by Samy Vellu as gangsters, to disrupt the party’s 63rd general assembly on Saturday.

It was also believed that Subramaniam can expect a showcause letter “very soon as the leadership do not want his shadow cast over the party as there are lots of things to address”.

Asked if Subramaniam would quit the party rather than face the charges, a party member said: “I have known him for a long time and I don’t think he will run away.

“Rather than be a coward, he will see an expulsion as an advantage to his political career. The close outcome of the results shows he still commands considerable support in the party and being the fighter he is, he will fight to the end.”

Meanwhile, Subramaniam’s supporters have refuted allegations of 500 youths being brought to PWTC to frighten the delegates into voting for him.

They said there were only about 100 youths and they were all outside the hall. They wore red T-shirts with a picture of Subramaniam with the words “Change for the Better”.

“They were not unruly and the only time they yelled in unison was when they shouted ‘Hidup BN, hidup BN’ on the arrival of Datuk Seri Najib (Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak),” a supporter said.

On why the youths had to be present, he said: “Since they brought in their people, we also had to show we have people.”

Samy Vellu claimed yesterday that some of the youths entered the hall when the voting was in progress and that “we had a tough time getting them out of the hall”.

He said he had never seen such an incident during the MIC general assembly. The party has details of the youths and has informed the relevant authorities.

Subra weighs his options

SUPPORTERS of Datuk S. Subramaniam have described the MIC as an “exclusive club” where they do not have a place any longer. “We don’t think we will be welcome to this ‘exclusive club’ and we will be heart broken to leave the MIC,” said Bandar Bukit Sentosa MIC branch chairman N.Gopal Krishnan.

He said many of Subramaniam’s supporters were huddled in discussion over the weekend to weigh his options as well as theirs, he said.

Some, he said, would like to stay on and fight another day while others felt the current MIC would not be accepted by the rakyat.

“It’s a difficult decision because the party would most likely expel Subramaniam for alleged misconduct,” he said.

Several supporters who spoke with Malay Mail echoed similar views. They asked that their names not
be mentioned because they have “unfinished business” and will also face the disciplinary board if they spoke up against the leadership.

Subramaniam, 65, has asked his supporters not to say or do anything rash. His aides said he knows that he
wields a strong influence in the party and has refused to be drawn into discussing his next move.

Subramaniam’s support in the MIC has reportedly been up to 50% of the total number of party delegates in the MIC at any one time, Gopal Krishnan said.

Gopal said anti Samy Vellu sentiments were regrettably split, causing Subramaniam to bear the brunt of a defeat “in a battle that was actually between Samy Vellu and Subramaniam”.

He analysed that 629 votes polled by deputy president Datuk G. Palanivel was pro-Samy Vellu while the combined anti-Samy Vellu votes was 827.

Gopal noted that the 547 votes received by Subramaniam and the 280 votes that the second challenger Datuk S. Sothinathan garnered “are actually a defeat for Samy Vellu.”

Some of the supporters speculated that Subramaniam might helm one of the new Indian parties, notably Makkal Sakti.

“If Subra leaves the MIC he has no problems of having to please campaign financiers who are dependent on government munificence.

“There was no such thing in Subra’s campaign. Those who helped financially did so voluntarily and do not expect anything. They did it to serve the community,” said a close aide of Subramaniam.

The aide said Subramaniam, who is Seputeh division chairman, had always been uncomfortable with the opposition, and as such “Pakatan Rakyat is out of the question.”

He said Subramaniam, who appears to be enjoying an increased respect in the MIC and with a wider segment of the Indian community despite the defeat “has a huge decision to make.”

*********

Vote analysis shows dissent

Submitted by pekwan on Monday, September 14th, 2009

• elections
• Malaysian Indian Congress (MIC)
• results
• Politics

More than half did not go with president’s choice

Kharleez Zubin

Monday, September 14th, 2009 07:43:00

Chandran: Actually the results show delegates are losing confidence in the president

CONTRARY to claims that the Indian community and MIC members are against the BN and not the party president, a party veteran says the results of the recently concluded party polls and the general election indicate otherwise.

“If you analyse the party election results carefully you will see that the 1,456 delegates have not all supported the president’s choice for the number two post,” said V.S. Chandran, the former Hulu Selangor division chief and one time close associate of party president Datuk Seri S. Samy Vellu.

He said more than half the delegates voted for the two candidates the president had campaigned against.

“If you add the number of votes for Datuk S. Subramaniam (547) and Datuk S, Sothinathan (280), they in total command 827 votes while the president’s choice, Datuk G. Palanivel only received 629 votes,” he said.

“You can read it many ways but the results signify that more than half the delegates are not supportive of Samy Vellu,” he said, adding it indicated that the members were not 100 per cent behind the president.

Besides, he said, it was the first time that five state leaders, who are all Samy Vellu supporters failed to retain their CWC posts. They are from Negeri Sembilan, Perak, Kedah, Penang and Malacca. “Although all the president’s men won most of the posts, the results show there is growing dissent among party members,”
he said, adding that if the 100 votes from Putri, Putra, youth and women delegates that went to Palanivel were not taken into account the latter would have lost to Subramaniam.

He said, it was nonsensical for Samy Vellu to say that the Indian community and the MIC members were against the BN which was the reason for MIC’s poor showing the last general election.

“If Samy Vellu was popular among the community he should have won his Sungai Siput parliamentary seat against a relative unknown,” Chandran said, adding that if Samy Vellu continued to lead the party into the next general election, BN would lose more seats.

Speaking to the Press on Saturday after the delegates had cast their votes, Samy Vellu indirectly accused Umno, the leader of the BN coalition of neglecting the Indian community which resulted in the failure of MIC to deliver the votes during the last general election.

“Many are blaming (me), saying people are fed up with me but they are fed up with BN, not me. I can directly say this because I am not afraid of anybody.”

He also lashed out at former premier Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad for saying that he (Samy Vellu) didn’t do anything for the Indians and added that he had fought hard for the community but nothing much materialised over the years.

He also took a swipe at Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak, saying his reform initiatives for the community were “a bit too late”.

ALL EARS: Delegates listening to the president’s winding up speech at Putra World Trade Centre yesterday

*******

Palanivel’s first big task

Submitted by amir azree on Monday, September 14th, 2009

• elections
• Malaysian Indian Congress (MIC)
• PALANIVEL
• results
• Politics

He has daunting job of getting Indians to vote for BN in Bagan Pinang

Frankie D'Cruz

Monday, September 14th, 2009 11:07:00

DATUK Seri S. Samy Vellu, the MIC president, says the first duty of Datuk G. Palanivel, who was elected deputy president for a second term, is to head the MIC election machinery for the Bagan Pinang by-election in Negeri Sembilan.

His task will be to plan strategies to rally Indian support and deliver the 20 per cent Indian votes in the 14,192-voter constituency to the Barisan Nasional. Palanivel will have a daunting task ahead as he has to prove that he is the right man to convince the Indian voters to vote BN.

Umno vice-president Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Hussein, in talking up BN’s chances of retaining the Bagan Pinang State seat yesterday, said it was an Umno stronghold that the party would defend vigorously.

The MIC will want to prove that the Indian community, under the leadership of Samy Vellu and his new team, can deliver the Indian votes.

“Palanivel cannot take it easy here as it will test his qualities as party leader to the fullest,” said Indian political analyst Dr Patrick Seevendra.

However, Dr Seevendra doubts Palanivel can rise to the occasion in such a short time because “he has been in
the shadow of Samy Vellu all this while”.

He sees Samy Vellu campaigning vigorously in Bagan Pinang although certain quarters feel his presence could be a disadvantage.

Samy Vellu has pledged that the MIC, as the biggest Indian-based party in the country, would take concrete
steps to regain the support of the community.

He said that the party, which has 630,000 members, would also continue with the efforts to restore the community’s support for the BN.

“We have started the process since the last general election. Through the various steps taken by the MIC, the Indians are returning to the BN. This process will continue,” he said when closing the general assembly yesterday.

The racial breakdown of the constituency is Malays (66.6 per cent), Indians (19.9 per cent), Chinese (10.5 per cent) and others (3.5 per cent). Bagan Pinang is the ninth by-election since Election 2008. The three-party alliance of Pakatan Rakyat has won seven of the eight previous contests.

The Bagan Pinang seat fell vacant following the death o f assemblyman Azman Mohammad Noor of BN on Sept 4. Azman, a first-term representative had garnered 6,430 votes over his Pas rival Ramli Ismail’s 4,037, earning
him a 2,333 win.

The Election Commission will meet today to determine the dates for nominations and polling. Bagan Pinang seat is one of five State seats under the Teluk Kemang parliamentary constituency.

Two are held by Umno, two by PKR and one by DAP. Teluk Kemang is represented by PKR’s Datuk Kamarul Baharin Abbas who defeated MIC deputy president candidate Datuk S. Sothinathan by 2,804 votes. Sothinathan had won with a 17,777 vote majority in 2004.

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Jaspal refutes appointment as pleasing the Sikhs

Submitted by amir azree on Monday, September 14th, 2009

• elections
• Jasper Singh
• Malaysian Indian Congress (MIC)
• results
• Politics

Monday, September 14th, 2009 11:18:00

NEWLY-APPOINTED MIC treasurer-general Datuk Jaspal Singh (pic) says he never expected to be appointed to such a high-ranking post in the party when he decided to contest the MIC polls.

“It was a big surprise to me,” Jaspal told Malay Mail last night.

“I had little expectations when I stood in the party elections.”

Together with Datuk J. Randhir Singh, they were the only Sikh representatives who vied for places in the Central Working Committee (CWC), and won.

Jaspal however refused to attribute his appointment as the party’s strategy to please the Sikh community by allocating a spot in the committee for at least one Sikh representative.

“I don’t see it that way,” said Jaspal.

“I believe the president appointed the committee members based on their credentials and whether they are able to carry out tasks assigned to them. I’m chosen for this post because the president trusts my ability.

“It doesn’ t matter whether you are a Sikh or a Telugu. What ’s important is whether you can do the job for your party.”

The Kedah born 47-year-old is currently heading the new MIC headquarters project that is under construction
in Bandar Utama. Jaspal also said that his appointment as treasurer general would make it easier for him to deal with the project, in terms of looking for funds and financial support.

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NST,

Sothi blames it on money politics, smear campaign

2009/09/14

KUALA LUMPUR: Former MIC vice-president Datuk S. Sothinathan said he is disappointed that his attempt to secure the party's No. 2 position has failed.

The former deputy natural resources and environment minister said he did not expect to lose since he detected strong desire from party members and delegates for change.

"So, I am puzzled with the voting trend of the delegates."

Sothinathan said he also expected Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak's speech, which saw him being given standing ovations several times, to influence the delegates to vote for change.

"I expected the tide to turn especially after the speech by the prime minister.

"This, however, was not translated into the necessary votes," he said in in a telephone interview yesterday.

He blamed his loss on money politics and a smear campaign.

"Even on the last day, there was a campaign against me," he added.

In the vote for the deputy presidency, Datuk G. Palanivel won with a reduced majority.

The incumbent deputy president garnered 629 votes, warding off a spirited challenge from former deputy president Datuk S. Subramaniam, who received 547 votes, and Datuk S. Sothinathan, who got 280 votes.

There were four spoilt votes.

Palanivel's majority in the elections in 2006 was 495 votes.

Sothinathan said he would not rush into doing anything following his loss.

"I will need to think carefully before I make a decision."

Buah Pala villagers grapple with harsh reality - Anil Netto

It was never meant to be this way. Valli Perumal’s father bought a house in this village when he retired in 1965 after the previous owner returned to India.

“Have you heard anything about our houses?” asks a despairing Valli Perumal- Photo by Anil

Perumal had worked with the city council and thought that the tranquil village provided an idyllic setting for his family.

Valli was fifteen then, and she grew up in the village. The family reared goats for a livelihood.

Now 59, she lost her cancer-stricken husband a couple of years ago. She lives with her two daughters – one of them works in an electronics factory, the other in a hotel – alongside her sister, who owns the house, and their extended family.

She looked at me and asked me with a faint glimmer of hope. “Have you heard anything about our houses?”

But her misty eyes betrayed her despair and the deep sadness; the black rings hinted of sleepless nights.

I asked her how she felt – which immediately struck me as a dumb question. I didn’t know what else to say. All the usual questions that journalists normally ask seem redundant. How do you talk to someone whose house is being demolished?

She was at a loss for words. But no words were needed. Her face said it all.

Electricity had already been cut off in her home and its seven occupants are spending the night in darkness.

I asked her if the demolition crew had wrecked her home and she nodded. So how were they using the house?

“Oh, they tore down a section of the wall, but we are still using the rest of the house.”

A friend of mine said he had spoken to another villager, who told him: “All my children are sleeping outside. I have nowhere else to take them.

“I am not greedy if I did not take the compensation because all I wanted was my family home which is here. It is sentimental to my family.”

Buah Pala villagers spend night in darkness - Anil Netto

Kampung Buah Pala villagers have been thrown back into the Dark Ages after electricity was disconnected in most of the houses still standing, many of them partially damaged.

Photos by Anil Netto,

Small groups of dejected and subdued villagers and other visitors sat huddled in quiet conversation along the lane under the glare of street lights.

Several houses still standing used candles to illuminate their partly broken homes. A stray dog trotted aimlessly along the lane.

Meanwhile, 12 households lodged a police report at the Jelutong police station tonight claiming that the developer had no right to commence demolition of their homes as the Federal Court order only gave them vacant possession, according to a village spokesperson.

A few of the villagers have not given up hope of moving to an alternative site to set up a cultural village.

Kg Buah Pala disintegrates under hammer blows

It was a sad, sad day for Kampung Buah Pala as a demolition team smashed the homes of villagers who had struggled to protect and preserve their 200-year-old settlement.

Photos by an eye-witness

1930: “My heart is completely broken today. Where were all the NGOs and political parties?” lamented a volunteer who had stood by the villagers. “Nobody was there … to see for themselves the pain the people went through. (I was) standing there and watching the demolition helplessly.”

“Even trees were not spared. A goat took refuge under a tractor. Dogs and cats were helpless with nowhere to go.”

1249: Kampung Buah Pala is rapidly disintegrating as the developer’s wrecking crew carries out symbolic demolition of nearly all houses. A porch is smashed here, a room there, a wall torn down over there, bringing down the roof…

No resistance is offered amidst emotional scenes as the villagers appear utterly demoralised during the developer’s fourth demolition effort backed by police. In the end, after all the promises to defend the village made by various politicians, the villagers are left to mourn alone as the developer tears down their precious homes.

A slice of history is being wiped out to make way for a luxury condominium project, ironically named “Oasis”. The real oasis was Kampung Buah Pala – an alternative way of life, more in harmony with nature, now lost as the concrete jungle encroaches relentlessly. All in the name of ‘development’.

Once again, a developer triumphs over ordinary residents – and a village that means so much to its inhabitants disappears.

MAKAN SUAP

1. Ada orang politik yang berpendapat jika dapat jadi Presiden parti maka kemenangan mereka dalam pilihanraya terjamin.

2. Justeru itu mereka ini berusaha untuk menentukan kemenangan mereka melalui penyingkiran ahli yang tidak menyokong mereka, mengguna wang untuk membeli sokongan atau mengguna apa-apa kuasa yang ada pada mereka untuk menyogok, menjanji sesuatu kepada yang akan menyokong atau mengugut.

3. Hasilnya mereka menang dalam parti. Tetapi rakyat memerhati segala tindak-tanduk pemimpin dan ahli seperti ini. Apabila rakyat lihat perjuangan parti bukan lagi untuk rakyat; apabila mereka lihat rasuah dan ugutan yang menentukan kepimpinan, maka kepercayaan kepada parti dan pemimpinnya akan terhakis dan mungkin hilang lenyap.

4. Rakyat tidak dapat membuat apa-apa, terutama apabila mulut rakyat tertutup. Demikian juga ahli parti. Tetapi apabila Pilihanraya Umum diadakan maka rakyat sebagai pengundi akan nyatakan kekecewaan mereka.

5. Inilah yang telah berlaku pada Pilihanraya Umum ke 12, 2008.

6. Apakah kekecewaan rakyat disedari oleh pemimpin dan parti-parti politik. Hingga kini tidak ternampak yang parti dan pemimpin sudah betul-betul sedar.

7. Yang merebut jawatan masih merebut dengan penggunaan cara-cara lama. Pembersihan parti tidak juga dilakukan. Pengamal politik wang masih diterima dan diberi tempat.

8. Ahli-ahli biasa parti tidak memprotes sikap lama diteruskan. Bahkan ramai juga ahli yang berpendapat apa salahnya menabur wang. Mereka juga akan dapat sedikit habuan.

9. Apabila ramai rakyat sebagai pengundi sudah benci kepada parti kerana amalan rasuah dan bodoh-sombong, janji pembangunan dan menabur wang tidak akan berkesan lagi. Ingatlah apabila kelebihan undi sedikit sahaja, kehilangan sokongan daripada sebilangan yang kecil rakyat pun boleh sebabkan kekalahan.