Hindraf to debate Article 153 - in British Parliament

The debate over Article 153 of the Federal Constitution pertaining to the definition of 'bumiputera' may shift overseas from Malaysia's Dewan Rakyat to the British Parliament, if efforts by Hindraf chief P Waythamoorthy come to fruition.

According to Waythamoorthy (right), a gathering of the Queen's Counsels (QC) will debate Article 153 in light of declassified documents on the talks held between Tunku Abdul Rahman and officials of the British government pertaining to Merdeka.

While other details of the conference have not been finalised - it has yet to be determined whether the event will be in the House of Commons or the House of Lords - discussions are ongoing with QCs from Doughty Street Chamber, said Waythamoorthy.

The agenda for the conference, he added, will include debates on

- the issue of special Malay privileges and whether or not it is a “myth” created by Umno

- the aspirations of non-Malay communities who are not included in Article 153's classification of 'bumiputera' (Malays and the natives of Sabah and Sarawak

- the powers of the King in relation to Article 153

- whether Article 153 should be scrapped

“We will invite Perkasa chief Ibrahim Ali and his mentor Dr Mahathir Mohamad to participate in the conference,” Waythamoorthy when contacted by Malaysiakini.

“We would definitely want the Attorney-General of Malaysia (Abdul Gani Patail) to be there as well to state the Malaysian government's position before the international community,” he added.

The issue of Article 153 was raised recently when Minister in the Prime Minister's Department Mohd Nazri Abdul Aziz told Parliament that 'bumiputera' in the constitution referred to the Malays, the natives of East Malaysia and the Orang Asli of Peninsula Malaysia.

Some have opined that as Article 153 refer only to two categories of communities, the Malays and the Orang Asal of Sabah and Sarawak, the Orang Asli are not included in the definition and, therefore, not considered to be in the category of those accorded 'special privileges'.

Given Waythamoorthy's call for Article 153 as a whole to be scrapped, however, Nazri said this reason alone compromises the former's right to return to Malaysia.

Waythamoorthy, in self-imposed exile in London, has been granted asylum by the British government.

Waythamoorthy said he does not rule out the participation in the conference of groups such as the Common Interest Group Malaysia headed by Jeffrey Gapari Kitingan as well as some Orang Asli associations.

Asked what he hoped to accomplish with holding a conference so far away from Malaysian shores, Waythamoorthy said such a discussion would never be allowed back home.

There is also the complication of his passport being revoked, he added, preventing him from traveling to Malaysia.

“What we are going to prove through the conference is that Umno has been misleading everybody on Article 153 and taking them for a ride,” said Waythamoorthy.

“We will easily establish this during the conference. We are backed by the Federal Constitution, including Article 153 and the declassified papers on the Merdeka talks,” he added.

'Show me the money'

In place of the current Article 153 should be a new provision addressing the 'underclass' of all Malaysians, said Waythamoorthy.

Until that is done, he asserted, the current law “denies us our rightful place in the sun.”

It also means non-Malay Muslims can seek its 'privileges' through the “backdoor” and claim to be Malays and natives”.

“There is no basis in law for a non-native to claim that he's now a native by the backdoor method of professing Islam and claiming to be a constitutional Malay,” stressed Waythamoorthy.

On the other hand, there remain 'genuine' Malays throughout the country and natives in Sabah and Sarawak who are claiming to have been overlooked and ignored by the government and the New Economic Policy (NEP), he said further.

“It's time that the Malays and Sabahan and Sarawakian natives stand up and ask their leaders what has happened to the money (allocated by the NEP). Why isn't it in their pockets?” he asked.

Editor.

1 - 20 of 20 comments

• 

  by DC - an hour ago

  What is the stand of PKR & PAS on this, please ask the leaders not the mandores? it would be interesting how they see this if HINDRAF embarks in its journey to clarify the true meaning and intention of the Article 153 as oppose to what UMNO keeps parroting to fill its own coffer rather than public interest. My guess, they will keep quiet, as usual worried about the vote bank not the public.

• 

  by Sivadas bBalakrishnan - 4 hours ago

  Dear Mr Waytha sir, Brilliant job. You are doing what no one else would dare to even think of. Way to go sir. Your move will put many things in their right perspective. It may be a long journey but a fantastic move. You have added spice to your move by inviting Ibrahim, Mahathir and the AG to face the international community. I wonder, how they are going to face the situation if they come at all but like I said earlier, it will open up a whole new horizon. KUDOS to you sir, we are all with you.... observer.....?????

• 

  by Really !!!!! - 4 hours ago

  Root cause of all the ills is definitely UMNOputra dictated by one man. The component parties are non existent periphery idiots who did not even raise a voice not to mention bark. May their souls be sick to the core. May the sick and suppressed rise from the ashes.

• 

  by Leong SK - 5 hours ago

  Waytha Thambi, pls play fair, you know Ibrahim does not have the english to debate at an international forum so why call him just to belittle him. Actually article 153 can be very good if it is not abused. Actually Malaysia is very well endowed by God.Rubber, tin, oil palm, petroleum semua ada. No natural disaster. Yet why NEP has failed to eradicate hard core poverty among malays, the answer lies in mahathir's 22 yrs of missrule.NEP was abused to enrich cronies and in some instances there was overzealous implementation like the johore civil service which is nearly 100% malay. In brunei they don't have income tax nor hard core poverty, we should be richer than brunei. Ask Che det lah who lost money at maminco and when mohamad nor was bank negara chairman how much money we lost at forex, not to mention money lost through AP. M'Sia started losing money to a bottomless pit through crony contracts and OSA. This is the real enemy of the people.

• 

  by DontPlayGod - 5 hours ago

  UMNO has hijacked, and pirated almost everything that can be hijacked and pirated. The judiciary, Petronas money(our money), the NEP(Tun Razak meant it to be an upliftment of all the disadvantaged and poor, irrespective of race), and not only of article 153. When independence was proclaimed, if I know my history well, all communities will guaranteed their rights, and that their culture, language, and way of life is guaranteed. But UMNO has hijacked all this, and has chosen to interpret what was not in the spirit of independence. They keep on harping on "special rights"(only God knows what this means), the "social contract"(if it ever existed in the first place. Can anyone prove that there was a social contract?). It is hard to believe that the constitutiion, drawn up by the British, and other Commonwealth countries, will draw up a racist, discriminatory, and apartheid constitution. Please UMNO, MCA, MIC and the Bar council, elaborate further on this.

• 

  by Maddy - 6 hours ago

  “We will invite Perkasa chief Ibrahim Ali and his mentor Dr Mahathir Mohamad to participate in the conference,” Waythamoorthy when contacted by Malaysiakini. i like it

• 

  by temenggong - 6 hours ago

  The way I understand it, there can never be reconciliation between Pakatan and Hindraf unless they agree to scrapping Article 153. So it's gonna take a while. Meaning, it is up to Pakatan to articulate their position unambiguously! Meanwhile, let us not waste time with Hulu Selangor - rapproachment is not going to take place. IOW, the seat is BN's.

• 

  by suhaimi - 6 hours ago

  Dey thambi, nice job. When you use your brain or brains,you are up to the mark and definitely I am with you. But when you use your ass or testicles as your alternative brains, then Im afraid your are alone. Anyhow well done for the initiatives. Hope to see you more often at the national archives.

• 

  by sedar - 6 hours ago

  Mr. Waytha, UMNO is the one use BUMIPUTRA to get money without do any hard work just get 30% free share from all the company as a director , not only 1 company as so many company , all is their relations not poor malays , example mamak mahathir why he need to be a adviser to Petronas until now even though he already millionair not giving to other people bcz money , if he give up his post also sure to his relation only. Not to poor malays. Like AP who having all AP for cars MAHATHIR son , MALAYS please open your eyes , why still weed BUMIPUTRA status . I working as security guard only , I never get any project or money , I still servive with my security guard sallary but UMNO malays i see very rich without no work. How ???? use BUMIPUTRA status get projek , get Director in company no need work goyang kaki sign dapat bulan bulan GAJI Director . Melayu biasa masih macam itu juga , Kelantan majoriti MALAYS tapi tak nak bagi royalti sebab bukan orang UMNO so apa guna "BUMIPUTRA" status

• 

  by Mydin Kutty - 7 hours ago

  This is a bold challenge to Ibrahim Ali's Perkasa. Only Hindraf leaders would have such boldness. Unfortunately PR supremo deals with rejects and moles.

• 

  by ragindran - 7 hours ago

  Hats off to u Wetha. U r 1 in a million man. D persistent, d courage,d guts, d brilliance in u is adorable man. Go ahead with yr genius idea in exposing d demonic UMNO's sinister wrongdoings all these years. I just pray & hope tat u Hindraf guys will sit & discuss things out with PR leaders for d sake of fellow indians in Malaysia. U guys r d real political tsunamis of Malaysian politics. Bravo Bro.

• 

  by 2genMalaysian - 8 hours ago

  Keep going Sir.I wish I had 1/100 the guts you have.I am an Indian but I wish that HINDRAF will fight for ALL malaysians.Otherwise,HINDRAF is no different from the racist devils we already have.The truth is,poverty exists in ALL communities & therefore the struggle should reflect that.Pakatan has been in power in 4 states for only 2 years & we cannot demand changes ovenight.Remember,the $$$ for all projects comes from the federal government & we all know what they are capable of..just ask the kelantan people.It sickens me that the UMNO/BN people are allowed to rob the country blind..hence their super rich kids,including the blood sucking royalty.The only way,Waytha,is to form a strong bond with Pakatan,understand their limitations & work as team to unseat the thieving,murdering scum we have now for a government

• 

  by Democrat - 9 hours ago

  Way to go Waytha!. It's time someone bring home the truth that UMNO pirates have been using article 153 to loot the country all for themselves. Pribumi means = Orang Asli, Kadazan, Iban and other natives. The rest of Malaysians are immigrants from Indon, China and India. Article 153 has used as back door entrance for mamaks and the likes to become 'native' and access to the juice!

• 

  by Gandhi - 9 hours ago

  The plot thickens and it's now getting more interesting to know the facts.

• 

  by magnus - 11 hours ago

  1. "“It's time that the Malays and Sabahan and Sarawakian natives to stand up and ask their leaders what has happened to the money. Why isn't it in their pockets?” he asked." BINGO! Let's invite all to this debate to understand how those "good Muslims" in UMNO have fooled the entire Rakyat since 1969 through an impotent muzzled Press and a cowed emasculated Judiciary. So hat's off to Mr Waythamoorthy, for this and that smart plan to sue the British Government for failing in their duty to ensure that all in their former colony were protected as equal citizens under the Constitution they wrote for a democratic Malaysia. 2.""Given Waythamoorthy's call for Article 153 as a whole to be scrapped..Nazri said this reason alone compromises the former's right to return to Malaysia." Mr Nazri, you know Mr Waythamoorthy is a bona fide jus soli citizen with protected rights under the Malaysian Constitution to his citizenship and to his speech so you're out of order making that cheap threat mate.

• 

  by kelantanese - 11 hours ago

  Majority malay state of Kelantan has been denied their rights to the Petronas oil royalty. UMNO is the culprit of denying the money coz of their dirty political agenda.

• 

  by Putra - 11 hours ago

  Mr. Waytha, you are the only man who voiced for the poor and marginalized people to save them from DEVIL UMNO. well done go ahead.

• 

  by gibran - 11 hours ago

  Moorthy is a brilliant guy. He will actually be an asset to PR . Some how someone should help hindraf and PR reconcile their differences. The torn in the whole misunderstanding started with Kampong Buah Pala. LGE why don't you release all the documents pertaining to it, so that everyone understands the problems better.

• 

  by Putra - 12 hours ago

  mr.waytha, you are the only man out of malaysia who talk for the poor n marginalize people to save from devil UMNO. well done go ahead.

• 

  by My1ASS - 12 hours ago

  Wow that is just fantastic. Way to go WM !

HRP puts off decision, keeps 'em guessing - Malaysiakini

Yet-to-be-registered Human Rights Party have not decided on whether to join the fray in the Hulu Selangor by-election.

Pro-tem secretary-general P Uthayakumar (below) said the party's central committee was supposed to make a decision today, but the meeting has been postponed to a later date.

"We have deferred the meeting to a later date to do further research and get more information on Hulu Selangor," he said when contacted this afternoon.

Uthayakumar also said that the decision would be made public within a week.

The interest in HRP's foray into the by-election has been further fuelled by Kota Alam Shah state assemblyperson M Manoharan, who yesterday urged PKR to field Uthayakumar as Pakatan Rakyat's candidate.

PKR's Indian leaders, however, have given mixed reactions to the prospects of Uthayakumar riding on PKR's back in the by-election.

MIC has since confirmed that their number 2 man, G Palanivel, would be BN's candidate for the contest.

Hulu Selangor parliament seat fell vacant following the death of its representative, Dr Zainal Abidin Ahmad three days ago.

Ganabatirau and Vasanthakumar

The constituency in the northern region of Selangor has 63,593 voters, of which 19 percent are Indians. Malays make up the majority with 53.9 percent, and Chinese, 26.7 percent.

Meanwhile, today's edition of Tamil daily Malaysia Nanban said that the appearance of former Internal Security Act detainees V Ganabatirau and K Vasanthakumar - both former comrades of Uthayakumar - in the Kuala Kubu Bharu campaign rally with PKR supremo Anwar Ibrahim has increased speculation that one of them may be fielded as the PKR candidate.

Ganabatirau is a DAP member whereas Vasanthakumar submitted his membership form to join PKR during the Bukit Selambau by-election.

Soi Lek is new MCA president, Liow deputy

Malay chair in Victoria University New Zealand.Indian chair in University Malaya closed down.

One of the proposals to the Reid Commission in 1956 by then Malayan Indians in the prelude to the independence of Malaysia was the setting up of an Indian chair which when incorporated was the Indian Studies Department in University of Malaya. But in their process of “ethnic cleansing” of the Indians in Malaysia, UMNO has closed down this Indian Studies Department also as part of UMNOs’ racist , religious , extremist and supremacist agenda.

But just see how civilized and humane the Western world is and how small Malaysia is when a Malay Chair is actually set up at the Victoria University in New Zealand which has almost zero Malays or Malay culture.

This is UMNO Malay-sian Prime Minister Najib Razak ‘s One Malaysia !

P.Uthayakumar

Independent Judiciary in Malay-sia ?

While the odd Independent High Court Judge in Malay-sia granted RM 2.5 Million in compensation to Malek Hussien for being unlawfully detained tortured and assaulted under the ISA, the UMNO controlled Court of Appeal Judges dismissed this award ( see NST 26/3/2010 at page 23 )

This is all the more reason why the Hindraf Lawyers despite it being over 10 months since the release from their unlawful ISA detention have refused to file a civil suit against the UMNO controlled Malay-sian government.

Because they will not get Justice in the UMNO controlled Malay-sian Courts.

P.Uthayakumar

PART TWO - What position should HRP take in the Hulu Selangor by-election

Hindraf endorsed the PR opposition two years ago in the general elections, expecting a change in policy on the problems and issues of the Indian poor that had resulted in their marginalization. PR won big on that endorsement but the policy changes never materialized. They, instead continue to play the same game as UMNO, get the votes with promises and then forget completely about these promises while creating perceptions and illusions to deceive the people and maintain the status quo. Get by till the next elections.

Hindraf realized from this experience that it is not good enough to remain just an NGO as it has only served to create awareness and build up expectations without the means of actually delivering on the expectations of the Indian poor. So the political party HRP has been created, as the vehicle for this delivery.

The Indian votes will not be simply given away. HRP will become the leader of the Indian poor to guide them to vote to win true representation in the halls of power, without having to depend on intrinsically undependable other parties. This is the delivery mechanism conceived in the creation of HRP.

Given this it behooves HRP to decide on the best possible position for the Indian poor vis-à-vis their votes at every by-election and every general election and swing the Indian votes appropriately. The following is my analysis and recommendations to HRP in the upcoming Hulu Selangor
by-election for the position that best fits their purpose.

Just focusing on the Indian votes, my conclusion in PART ONE of this article was that the Indian votes will swing away from PR anyway, in this by-election, without any effective countermoves by PR. The Indian vote swing in my opinion is going to be the bigger of the two possible swings away from PR - Malay votes and Indian votes swing, and the Indian votes will therefore be the decider in this by-election. The Chinese votes are solidly anti-establishment and will remain behind PR.

There are no major new Malay issues in Hulu Selangor which can cause a major shift in the Malay electorate voting pattern. UMNO will play its normal game. So even if that causes some swing it will likely be in the region of a few percentage points. PR for its part,will play up the injustice issue against Anwar in the Sodomoy II trial. A swing of 3% either way ( at this point it is not certain that it will swing away from PR, but that is one very likely scenario) means a 1.6% swing in the final tally. Compare this with what is a highly probable scenario as far as the Indian votes are concerned - the swing in the Indian voters can be expected to be significant and about 10% to 30% clearly away from PR.

If HRP contests in this by-elections it will likely capture a majority of that swing of the Indian votes. Of course, one can challenge that, as there is no precedent yet of this capacity of HRP. In any case HRP will take a substantial number of Indian votes away from both BN and PR but more from PR than from BN and the fight will then move to the Malay votes. BN clearly has the advantage here. So HRP’s contesting will have the default effect of delivering BN the advantage.

If HRP does not contest, these swing votes will obviously go to BN. This 10-30% swing will translate to about 2% to 6% in the final tally. Let us assume the better case and less likely scenario for PR with the Malay votes where PR does gain more Malay votes, that will be an increase of about 1.6% favourable versus a 2-6% unfavourable swing away of the Indian votes. Net result is still a BN win.

In both the above scenarios PR stands to lose. The only way for PR not to lose the Indian votes will be to gain a strong endorsement from HRP/Hindraf. Now, if HRP/Hindraf does this, it will mean giving advantage to PR. Giving advantage to PR does not help with HRP’s agenda as it stands now, as the policies of the PR governments and the BN government are not really very different from the Indian poor standpoint.

HRP therefore should take a completely neutral stand – by not giving advantage to either side. Let them battle it out on their own strengths and whatever the Indian votes they can pick up let them do it on their own strengths.

As much as HRP is totally opposed to UMNO/BN it cannot give PR carte blanch advantage without a reason. That reason cannot be just to eliminate UMNO. PR must offer clear policy change in exchange for any endorsement before HRP considers giving any advantage to PR.

So, HRP should not endorse PR overtly or BN by default until it knows that it is going to make a difference to the problems of the Indian poor. In this elections it is too late for any such policy change either by BN or PR– so plainly HRP should stay clear out of this election and endorse neither party overtly or otherwise.

The lesson from all this is that HRP is giving new awareness to the Indian poor in this country that they should use their only remaining equal right – that of the vote, wisely, to get what is due to them.

In summary my recommendation is that the best position for HRP in the Hulu Selangor by-elections is to remain totally neutral and continue to educate and organize the Indian poor and continue to build on the Political Empowerment Strategy enunciated by Uthayakumar. That is surely the way forward for the Indian poor.

Subramaniam Bharathy

NGOs, MIC want to know why Hindu Endowment Board chairman changed

By K. KASTURI DEWI

GEORGE TOWN: Several non-governmental organisations (NGOs) and state MIC representatives are demanding to know why there was a sudden change in the Hindu Endowment Board’s chairmanship.

Penang MIC political bureau vice-chairman N. Ahilan said it was reported that former board chairman A. Tanasekharan, who had served as chairman for the last two years, was removed and would now serve as vice-chairman.

Deputy Chief Minister (II) Dr P. Ramasamy will take over as the board’s chairman effective April 1.

“The local Indian community, especially the NGOs, demand to know why there was a sudden change and also the reason surrounding the need for the change.

“There are a lot of talks and rumours going around within the community and it is only fair that the Indian community here is told certain things such as who made the decision to change the chairman.

“The present state government emphasises transparency but why was the information kept from the public, especially the Indian community?” he said just before members of several NGOs staged a peaceful protest in Bandar Baru Air Itam on Sunday.

Ahilan was commenting on a recent call made for religious-based NGOs to be given the main task of running the board.

Former Arulmigu Balathandayuthapani Waterfall Hilltop Temple committee member M. Gunasegaran, who is also Jalan Udini MIC chairman, said under the previous administration, there was only one politician sitting on the board but now there were five.

“Previously when Barisan Nasional was ruling the state, they questioned why there was a politician sitting on the board but now that they are in power, there are five of them.

“It appears the current state government has converted the board into a political institution,” he said.

Bukit Gelugor Indian Welfare Association chairman K.S. Madhu said the Indian community was not happy with Dr Ramasamy’s appointment as the community needed someone who could devote more time to manage the board’s affairs.

“He is already holding too many positions. Can he devote more time to manage the affairs of the board?

“They should open it up to allow NGOs to run the board as they will have more time to focus on the board’s affairs,” he said.

Dr Ramasamy had said that the call to have NGOs run the board had come up in the past but the board does not need specialised religious bodies to run it as long as it is managed rationally and objectively.

Oral sex: Anwar's lawyer raps AG for not charging Soi Lek

By Free Malaysia Today Staff

KUALA LUMPUR: Attorney-General Abdul Gani Patail has been accused of double standards over his decision not to charge newly-minted MCA president Dr Chua Soi Lek for 'sexual deviancy'.

According to Sankara Nair, Chua's alleged offence fell under Section 337B of the Penal Code, the same law under which Opposition Leader Anwar Ibrahim has been charged for allegedly sodomising his former aide Mohd Saiful Bukhari Azlan.

“Despite several police reports made on it (Chua's case), the AG refused to charge him when incontrovertible evidence is staring at us all.

“This is discrimination of the highest order and a clear testament of the AG's bias,” said the lawyer, who represents Anwar.

In a statement issued shortly after Chua clinched the MCA presidency this evening, Sankara described the AG's action as “prosecutorial dishonesty and unevenhandedness”.

Oral sex no different from anal sex

“There is explicit evidence by way of a video, of a former minister of health of the present ruling party, who has just won the presidency of his party.

“The VCD has been in the public domain for about two years. The video shows him engaging in oral sex with a woman. He is married and has grown children,” he said.

Sankara also noted that Chua had publicly admitted that he was the actor in the video and subsequently resigned as minister.

The lawyer stressed that oral sex with or without consent is no different from anal sex.

In view of this, Sankara urged the AG to drop the charge against Anwar.

Malaysia must end abuse of migrant workers

© Amnesty International">

Some migrants are held in deplorable conditions in immigration detention centres

© Amnesty International

© Amnesty International">

Many migrants are forced to work in hazardous situations, often against their will

© Amnesty International

© Amnesty International">

Large-scale, public roundups of migrants in markets and on city streets are common

© Amnesty International

© Amnesty International">

Most workers have taken out high interest loans and can't afford to return home

© Amnesty International

24 March 2010

The Malaysian authorities should take action to end widespread workplace and police abuses of the migrant workers who make up more than 20 per cent of the country's workforce, Amnesty International said in a report released on Wednesday.

Trapped: The Exploitation of Migrant Workers in Malaysia documents widespread abuses against migrant workers from eight South Asian and Southeast Asian countries who are lured to Malaysia by the promise of jobs but are instead used in forced labour or exploited in other ways.

"Migrant workers are critical to Malaysia's economy, but they systematically receive less legal protection than other workers," said Michael Bochenek, the report author and director of policy at Amnesty International. "They are easy prey for unscrupulous recruitment agents, employers and corrupt police."

Migrants, many from Bangladesh, Indonesia, and Nepal, are forced to work in hazardous situations, often against their will, and toil for 12 hours a day or more. Many are subject to verbal, physical and sexual abuse.

Most pay recruitment agents substantial sums of money to secure jobs, work permits and training. Once they arrive, they often find that much of what their agents told them about their new jobs is untrue — the pay, type of work, even the existence of those jobs or their legal status in the country.

Most workers have taken out loans at exorbitant interest rates and simply cannot afford to return to their home countries. Some are in situations close to bonded labour.

Nearly all employers hold their workers' passports, placing workers at risk of arrest and in practice preventing them from leaving abusive workplaces. Coercive practices such as these are indicators of forced labour.

Labour laws are not effectively enforced, and labour courts may take months or years to resolve cases. For domestic workers, who are not covered by most of the labour laws, recourse to the courts is usually not an option.

"Malaysia can and must do better for its workforce. Everyone, regardless of immigration status, is entitled to safe and fair working conditions and to equal treatment under the law," said Michael Bochenek.

Amnesty International's report concludes that many workers are victims of human trafficking. The Malaysian government has the responsibility to prevent such abuses but instead facilitates trafficking through its loose regulation of recruitment agents and through laws and policies that fail to protect workers.

In addition, Amnesty International heard over a dozen cases in which Malaysian authorities delivered immigration detainees to traffickers operating on the Thai border between 2006 and 2009.

Malaysia imposes severe and excessive criminal penalties — in some cases caning — on migrants who work without proper permits, even when errors by the employer are the reason for immigration violations.

Large-scale, public roundups in markets and on city streets and indiscriminate, warrantless raids on private dwellings in poorer neighbourhoods are common. Police frequently ask migrants for bribes. Those who cannot pay are arrested and held in deplorable conditions in immigration detention centres.

"The Malaysian government must stop criminalizing its migrant worker force and instead tackle forced and compulsory labour," said Michael Bochenek. "Until Malaysia's labour laws offer effective protection and are effectively enforced, exploitation will continue."

Amnesty International called on the Malaysian government to reform its labour laws and promptly investigate abuses in the workplace and by police. Malaysia should also make more effective use of its Anti-Trafficking in Persons Act to prosecute individuals who recruit, transport or receive workers through fraud or deception in order to exploit them.

This work is part of Amnesty International's Demand Dignity campaign, which aims to end the human rights violations that drive and deepen global poverty. The campaign will mobilize people all over the world to demand that governments, corporations and others who have power listen to the voices of those living in poverty and recognise and protect their rights. For more information visit the Demand Dignity website.

Malaysia: Trapped: The exploitation of migrant workers in Malaysia

Perkasa no threat to Umno

The perceived idea that Perkasa is a platform for Umno rejects -- since a sizeble number of its members are Umno members, those out of the mainstream and who have lost in elections -- is said to be the other reason why some Umno leaders are staying away from the organisation.

ZUBAIDAH ABU BAKAR, New Straits Times

AN Umno division chief was seen sitting in a car, the windows wound down, listening to speeches at the official launch of the district's Malay rights group Peribumi Perkasa Negara or Perkasa.

That's an irony. He had received an invitation and should be sitting onstage.

It was later revealed that the politician wanted to play it safe. He wasn't sure if he should openly display support to the organisation that has been in the limelight of late.

His fear is genuine. If the Umno leadership is not happy with Perkasa, he would be in trouble.

But he is curious. His best bet would, therefore, be to listen to what the speakers had to say and pray hard that no one would spot him that night. It would be bad luck indeed if he were.

Unlike some of his counterparts in other Umno divisions, he is among those who have reservations about Perkasa, an organisation led by expelled Umno member and Pasir Mas independent MP Datuk Ibrahim Ali.

There are suspicions that Ibrahim is using Perkasa as his own personal platform to remain relevant in local politics as there is less room for him to build his political fortune as an independent lawmaker.

With the perception that Perkasa is trying to hijack Umno's role as the bastion for the Malays and their struggles, the division chief's response to the invitation was understandable.

Perkasa believes that its struggle reflects the original objectives behind the formation of Umno in 1946 and therefore, should be supported by the Malays.

The organisation is trying hard to reach out to the Malays through various activities including setting up a Facebook account, which unfortunately until today had only attracted 17 members as of yesterday, the day it held its inaugural annual general assembly.

Perkasa has spread to all states since Ibrahim founded it two years ago. It has been vocal on issues on Malays and Islam; protested against liberalisation of the economy and actively lobbied the government to retain the affirmative action policy favouring the Malays and in the soon to be announced New Economic Model.

"Its not true that Perkasa poses a threat to Umno...we are just defending the rights of Malays as spelt out under the Federal Constitution and social contract," Ibrahim said recently.

Ibrahim reiterated this at yesterday's assembly: "People say Perkasa wants to compete with Umno. We are not competing with any parties as we are not contesting in the elections."

An Umno division leader from Perak, however, does not think Perkasa is apolitical but he is happy that there is now an organisation providing an alternative platform for Malays to fight for their rights.

Selangor opposition leader Datuk Seri Dr Mohd Khir Toyo says Perkasa is only a non-governmental organisation like Suqui (the Malaysian Chinese Organisations Election Appeals Committee), fighting for the rights of the community they represent.

Perkasa may also help Umno win back Malay votes lost to the opposition.

The perceived idea that Perkasa is a platform for Umno rejects -- since a sizeble number of its members are Umno members, those out of the mainstream and who have lost in elections -- is said to be the other reason why some Umno leaders are staying away from the organisation.

There are some supporting Perkasa behind closed doors but many Umno veterans, former elected representatives and party members have no qualms showing their support in public.

Many also are not Perkasa members, like former Umno secretary-general Tan Sri Sabaruddin Chik.

There is also the belief that Perkasa is a vehicle for extremist Umno members and thus, there is concern that the organisation could undermine Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak's 1Malaysia concept.

This has kept some Malays away from Perkasa, which according to Ibrahim, was willing to work alongside Umno in upholding and safeguarding the rights of Malays, Islam, Bahasa Malaysia and the Malay rulers.

Former prime minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad said Perkasa's existence was due to a weak Umno and that the government should listen to the Malays, not just the non-Malays.

"Maybe there are Umno members who are not happy and they want to also fight their cause on a platform like Perkasa.

"There were many Umno members present at the opening of Perkasa assembly, this is alright..I do not think Perkasa is undermining Umno's role at all," adds Sabbaruddin.

Kubu Gajah Umno division chief Datuk Raja Ahmad Zainuddin Raja Omar says the fear that the organisation would take over Umno's role is unfounded.

It's still a long way for Perkasa to go in order to rise into an effective pressure group within the Malay community.

More important is whether its approaches are acceptable to the majority of Malays.

Mahathir and Ibrahim – an 'ultra and a liar'

KUALA LUMPUR: Dr Mahathir Mohamad has come full circle – from an ultra back again to an ultra – and that, according to Lim Kit Siang, is the greatest tragedy.

The DAP stalwart was incensed that the former prime minister gave his patronage to a right-wing organisation called Perkasa when he opened its inaugural assembly yesterday.

By throwing his weight behind a supposedly non-governmental organisation, Mahathir, said Lim, has repudiated “Bangsa Malaysia and Vision 2020 which he enunciated in 1991”.

But the DAP veteran launched a scathing attack on Ibrahim Ali, the president of Perkasa who was waving a keris in the company of Mahathir and other “warriors” to signify that the movement is ready to shed blood to defend Malay rights. (It brings back images of Hishammuddin Hussein waving a keris at the Umno general assembly in 2005, for the same reason – to defend Malay rights.)

Lim said, judging by the incendiary speech Ibrahim made, Perkasa is built on stilts of lies. He accused the maverick politician of telling a lie when the latter blamed the DAP and the Malaysian Malaysia slogan for mainly causing the May 13 race riots.

“Has Ibrahim Ali taken 41 years after the 1969 tragedy to make this 'discovery'? he asked.

He said if the DAP and the slogan were what triggered the riots, the party would have been banned long ago and its leaders thrown behind bars.

Lim said it is lie that the DAP is against the Malays, Islam and wants to do away with the Malay Rulers.

He cited an incident in the 1970s when Ibrahim, then a student leader, sought his help to escape detention under the Internal Security Act. Lim was then the parliamentary Opposition Leader.

“Why sought my help if DAP leaders were so anti-national and disloyal as he now wants to depict?” asked Lim.

He also noted that the Perkasa assembly coincided with the launching of the Chinese edition of Zaid Ibrahim's book entitled “I, too, am a Malay”.

“What a sharp contrast in the imageries evoked in the two events,” said Lim. The book evokes the “all-embracing hopes of all Malaysians for a progressive, prosperous common future regardless of race, religion or region”. And Perkasa?

Perkasa, he said, is “anchored in a hankering for the past, oblivious of 52-years of nation-building”.The “neo-organisation” is even dismissive of the 1Malaysia concept... “all to allow Umno-putras to perpetuate the abuses of NEP by exploiting the name of Bumiputeras”.

Free Anwar Ibrahim

From Swampland( The Time)

Jerusalem
By Joe Klein

There were lots of fascinating developments at the Brookings US-Islamic forum in Doha over the weekend, which I’ll be writing about in detail over the next few days–and one very depressing development. Anwar Ibrahim, the charismatic Malaysian reformer, came to Doha directly from a Kuala Lumpur courtroom, where he is being tried for sodomy; he returned to Malaysia Sunday night. The Malaysian government has been after Ibraham for the past decade now, jailing him, convicting him of sodomy (that is, of homosexuality) once–a verdict that was partially overturned–and is now trying him again.

Let’s leave aside the human rights outrage…well, maybe not–anti-sodomy laws are barbaric. Period. In any case, using claims of homosexual activity to discredit a political opponent is disgraceful. Ibrahim is married; his wife insists these charges are trumped up. There is, however, a young man, a former aide, who has made the accusation. No doubt, these charges would never have been brought if Ibrahim weren’t such a well-known and outspoken voice for freedom.

I’ve met Anwar several times and had memorable conversations with him. He is a wise, decent and courageous man. Last year, at the Doha Forum, Anwar took the opportunity of Barack Obama’s Inauguration to chide his fellow Muslims: the question is no longer what the Americans should do, he said (I’m paraphrasing here), but what we Muslims can do to get our act together, to establish just and democratic governments in our own countries.

On Sunday in Doha, Anwar met Hillary Clinton…and Clinton agreed to have her picture taken with him, which is a significant public sign of support that I hope the Secretary will follow up with a phone call to her Malaysian counterpart. Anwar’s trial will be finished in the next week or so; he told me he fully expects to go back to prison. The thought of staying in Doha, or emigrating to the United States hasn’t crossed his mind. He’s a Malaysian patriot and a fighter for democracy of international significance. He deserves all our support.

Read more: http://swampland.blogs.time.com/2010/02/15/free-anwar-ibrahim/#respond#ixzz0jT5CC12S

Chua Is New MCA President, Liow Deputy President

KUALA LUMPUR, March 28 (Bernama) -- Former MCA deputy president Datuk Seri Dr Chua Soi Lek won the president's post with a slim 68-vote majority Sunday, edging former number one Tan Sri Ong Ka Ting and incumbent Datuk Seri Ong Tee Keat in the party's elections.

Dr Chua, 62, polled 901 votes to Ka Ting's 833. Tee Keat came in third with 578 votes.

Health Minister Datuk Seri Liow Tiong Lai clinched the deputy president's post when he garnered 1,171 votes to beat former vice-president and fellow Cabinet minister Datuk Seri Kong Cho Ha by 65 votes. Kong had obtained 1,106 votes.

For the four posts of vice-president, sole woman contender Datuk Seri Dr Ng Yen Yen had the highest number of votes - 1,528, followed by former vice-president Datuk Donald Lim (1,469), Deputy Finance Minister Datuk Chor Chee Heung (1,202) and Central Committee (CC) member Gan Ping Sieu (also 1,202).

Today's victory is a pleasant one for Dr Chua, who had to battle the two heavyweight rivals but showed that he remains popular in the party despite many upheavals.

On Jan 2, 2008, he quit his Cabinet post and MCA vice-presidency after admitting that he was the man in a widely circulated sex video.

In the October 2008 party elections, he defeated former secretary-general and Ka Ting's brother, Datuk Seri Ong Ka Chuan, for the party's second highest post.

He was involved in a leadership tussle with Tee Keat when he was sacked in August last year for tarnishing the party's image because of the sex video.

He was reinstated as a party member by an extraordinary general meeting which also passed a vote of no-confidence in party president Tee Keat.

Subsequently, he was reinstated as deputy president by the Registrar of Societies, who in turn relegated Liow, who had filled the deputy president's post by then, back to vice-president.

Dr Chua buried the hatchet with Tee Keat to forge a "greater unity" plan but continued to face resistance from Liow and his supporters, including Youth chief Datuk Dr Wee Ka Siong and Wanita head Datin Paduka Chew Mei Fun, who continued to push for fresh polls.

On March 4 this year, he resigned with 21 other CC members to pave the way for the fresh polls today, his second resignation in two years.

A total of 2,315 of the 2,377 eligible delegates voted today, the highest ever turnout in the party's history.

A total of 101 candidates contested the posts of president, deputy president, vice-president (four) and CC member (25) in this party polls, which were last held in October 2008.

sedihnya...akhirnya Ezam melutut menyembah Muhiyuddin

Sedih hanya itu ayat yang keluar bila cheGuBard ditunjukkan gambar Ezam melutut menyembah Muhiyuddin. Ezam memang punya sosok panglima...namun akhirnya ia melutut di depan manusia.... sedih sedih...

Panglima Raja Sesumpah.



Inilah wajah panglima lompat raja sesumpah yang akhirnya terpaksa melutut menyembah Muhyidin untuk dapat selempang darjah tertinggi silat lincah malaysia.

Ibrahim Ali Imam segala katak serta Koh Tsu Koon turut hadir pada majlis Raja Sesumpah melutut menyembah Muhyidin. Maknanya Ezam telah bertukar dari kem Najib kepada kem Muhyidin.

Ezam juga mahu jadi panglima silat seperti Fairus rupanya. Setahu saya Ezam silat kuntau tu dia pandai la.

Fairus bukan sahaja lompat parti tetapi lompat pertubuhan Silat.

Pada bula Ogos 2007 di Pulau Pinang, Anwar ditabalkan sebagai Ketua Khalifah Imam Besar Pertubuhan Seni Silat Pusaka Gayong Malaysia di saksikan oleh Fairus dan Mahaguru Dato' Majid.

Tetapi akhirnya Fairus melompat ke Silat Gayong Malaysia bersama Najib dan terus umum masuk umno di Kuala Lumpur. Macam-macam lompat ada.

Bila saya dedahkan wajah sebenar Fairus yang tidak hadir ke Mesyuarat Jakim 7 kali hingga menyebabkan Exco Agama P,Pinang diberi kepada YB Hj Malik, wartawan bertanya saya, apakah sebab Fairus sertai umno?

Jawabnya mudah...saya kata mana ada orang masuk umno ikhlas berjuang...
Siapa kata...Ezam raja sesumpah yang kata...bukan saya yang kata..
Buktinya apa? Cuba anda tonton Video ini.



Zahid Md Arip mantan cucu Ghafar Baba pernah berpantun...

" Kapal layar belayar sudah...
Tertulis dalam lipatan sejarah...
umno dulu haram sudah...
umno kini haram jadah...

Maknanya Zahid, Ezam, Lokman Nor Adam, Roslan Kassim, Hanapiah Man, Ghani Haron, Nazmi, Sd Johari, Hamdan Taha termasuk yang terbaru Fairus semuanya haram jadah rupanya..bukan saya kata, tetapi Zahid Md Arip yang kata..




Inilah rumah baru Ezam yang sedang diubah suai. Inilah bukti Ezam raja sesumpah ikhlas berjuang dalam umno. Rumah pun bertambah besar.

Soi Lek wins, Liow is MCA No 2

He wins...Dr Chua Soi Lek is the new MCA president. - Picture by Jack Ooi

By Clara Chooi and Asrul Hadi Abdullah Sani - The Malaysian Insider

KUALA LUMPUR, March 28 — Datuk Seri Dr Chua Soi Lek was elected MCA president while Datuk Seri Liow Tiong Lai became the deputy in a hotly-contested party election today.

Dr Chua beat incumbent Datuk Seri Ong Tee Keat and former president Tan Sri Ong Ka Ting, who was bidding a comeback to active politics.

He won with 901 votes while Ka Ting took 833 votes and Tee Keat 578 votes. For the deputy race, Liow won 1,171 votes against Kong’s 1,106.

Speaker Datuk Yik Phooi Hoong announced the results at the MCA headquarters this evening.

The four new vice-presidents are Datuk Dr Ng Yen Yen (1,528), Datuk Donald Lim (1,469), Datuk Chor Chee Heung (1,202) and Gan Ping Sieu (1,202).

Ong earlier arrived smiling as tension mounted outside Dewan San Choon at the MCA headquarters for the results of the closely-fought presidential race.

Party insiders say early indication had shown that Dr Chua was in the lead with at least 1,000 votes in his favour.

“From what I was told, Dr Chua has 1,085 votes while Tee Keat has something like 600 votes or so. Ka Ting has the remainder,” an insider said.

A total of 2,315 out of the 2,318 central delegates who registered for the polls had cast their votes when the process ended shortly after noon today.

Dr Chua, the former Health Minister whose political career came to an abrupt halt after a sex scandal in 2007, is apparently a favourite among the grassroots leaders, said the insider.

“For Ka Ting, it is not easy for him to make such inroads with the delegates after making a sudden comeback like that. What he is doing is just calling in old favours and reviving old friendships,” he added.

According to officials, three delegates had not collected their ballot papers.

The extraordinary general meeting was adjourned at 12.30pm by assembly Speaker Datuk Yik Phooi Hoong and delegates proceeded to the building’s foyer for lunch.

A total of 101 candidates are contesting for the 31 posts in the MCA central committee (CC).

The election was called after 21 CC members resigned early this month to protest against Tee Keat’s presidency.

The Transport Minister was elected in 2008 after Ka Ting stepped down in the aftermath of the party’s losses in Election 2008.

Perkasa Pertubuhan Nasional Mamak Mamak Malaysia

Zimbabwean sings for social change

Prudence Mabhena, a Zimbabwean singer-songwriter born with arthrogryposis, is now a star at home, after a documentary based on her life won an Academy Award last month.

Mabhena has long struggled against discrimination, and she hopes the Oscar success will bring a change in social attitudes.

Haru Mutasa has the story.

Perkasa lodges police reports on Anwar & PKR sec-gen

Mahathir launches Malay-rights group Perkasa

What position should HRP take in the Hulu Selangor By-elections.

PART ONE

I am simply awed by the extent to which our people out there in cyberspace are victims of wishful thinking. Let me quote from one self assured Kgen a commentor in Malaysiakini “HRP ('Hindu', not 'Human' Rights Party?) can only be a spoiler for Pakatan as they cannot hope to win this seat. If Pakatan loses in a tight contest, HRP will be condemned by all races as Umno's stooge and Uthayakumar will be hailed as the backhanded Umno 'mandore'”.

I say wishful thinking, because what we have staring at us in our face is a clean BN win, with or without HRP participation. Yet some like Kgen seem not to be able to see this simple fact. The only way that PKR can win this election is if they put up a real credible candidate like Zaid Ibrahim and get a strong endorsement from a strong grassroots Indian organization like the Human Rights Party. Any other way, no one can stop a BN win.

That this cannot be seen simply amounts to wishful thinking.

Let me explain: The electorate was 63,600 strong in 2008 March. The number of people who voted on that fateful day was 47,600. Let us assume for the purpose of this analysis that the 25% who did not vote on that day were evenly spread between the Malays, Chinese and Indians. There were some 1500 spoilt votes. Given that the BN candidate was Indian, it is likely that most who spoilt their votes that day would have been Malay voters, because of their indifference. The Chinese and Indian voters were all charged up to vote out UMNO.

If 53% of the voters on that day were Malay, and 1500 votes were spoilt it would mean 23,700 Malay voters voted on that day. 13,300 Chinese and 9,000 Indians also voted that day. G. Palanivel of MIC received 22,979 votes that day. His opponent the late Dr Zainal Abidin Ahmad (may his soul RIP) of PKR got 23,177 votes. Almost even.

It would be reasonable to say that at least 60-70% of the votes of the Indians went to PKR or 5,500 to 6,300 Indian votes went to PKR. And it would also be reasonable to say that at least 70-80% of the Chinese votes went to PKR or 9,200 to 10,300 votes. So the non Malay votes that went to PKR were from 14,700 to 16,600.

That means PKR only received 6,500 to 8,400 Malay votes. Of the votes PKR received that day only 28% to 36% were Malays votes. 40-45% of the votes they received were Chinese votes and 20 – 32% of the votes were Indian votes.

If there is going to be a swing in the votes it would not be too unreasonable to assume that the swing will come from both the Malay as well the Indian votes and they will be both away from PR. The Chinese votes are solidly anti –establishment and will remain with PR.

UMNO will play up the Malay insecurity feelings of losing out to the non-Malays – a theme it has begun playing up through Perkasa. What with Muhiyddin Yassin leading the bye election campaign in Hulu Selangor. PKR does not have much to go on except Anwar’s sodomy case this time around. The rural voters anyway are the backbone for UMNO and rural Malays are not the forte of PKR. That is why PKR received so few Malay votes the last time in rural Hulu Selangor. So after all the plusses and minuses, in our ethnocentric system, UMNO will come out ahead of PKR for the Malay votes compared to the 2008 elections.

The Indian vote swing will be even more significant as there is a growing disenchantment among the Indian voters that PR has done a number on them in the last two years just like UMNO did in the preceding half century. With the Deputy President of MIC who is the present candidate coupled with the ethnocentric nature of our politics and in the absence of a countervailing force like an endorsement from Hindraf for PR, the swing of Indian votes away from PR is inevitable. There is not much difference between the devil and the deep blue sea – both ways you will die, but which is the less painful way, will be the decision criteria.

This trend was already set in Bagan Pinang, now the same will happen in Hulu Selangor. The Indians in PR will not be able to reverse that. They could not do much in Bagan Pinang. A PR win will require no less than a clear endorsement from the Human Rights Party for the Indian votes to keep them from sliding away to BN.

So what do you have – a PR victory? A PR victory that HRP is about to spoil?

Subramaniam Bharathy

Nepalese guard caught playing doctor

KUALA LUMPUR, March 27 —A Nepalese has been caught operating as a “doctor” running an illegal clinic in the city, despite having arrived in the country with a permit to work as a security guard

The 42-year-old’s “clinic”, located on the fourth floor of Plaza Taleju in Jalan Silang, bore a signboard in Nepalese, to prevent detection by the authorities.

It catered only to the “doctor’s” compatriots who were diagnosed and prescribed medicine for a reasonable fee.

However, the masquerade came to an end today when an integrated operation mounted by the authorities uncovered the illegal clinic.

The authorities involved officers from the immigration department, police, Rela and the Kuala Lumpur City Hall (DBKL).

DBKL health and environment assistant officer Shafie Phen said: “The ‘doctor’ entered Malaysia using a work permit for security guard, but we wonder how he could open a clinic instead.

“Although he claimed to have experience as a paramedic in Nepal’s military service, it is not recognised here,” he told reporters at his office after the raid.

Shafie said the man was believed to have “provided” medical services for over a year.

“He was handed over to the immigration department to facilitate investigations under the Immigration Act 1963,” he said.

The two-hour operation which began at noon, was aimed at rounding up illegal immigrants at several locations in the city.

During the operation, 15 hawker stalls operated by foreigners in Selayang were sealed, while closure orders were issued to six other premises in Jalan Silang for law violations.

Ninety-one people from Myanmar, Bangladesh and Nepal, aged between 20 and 50, were also nabbed at Central Market, Chow Kit and Petaling Street areas for not having valid travel documents. Nineteen of them are women.

All of them were taken to the immigration department’s temporary detention depot in Putrajaya for further investigation. — Bernama

Tea with the Economist

Mahathir has come full circle – from an ultra back again to an ultra repudiating Bangsa Malaysia and Vision 2020

By Lim Kit Siang,

Two events held almost simultaneously today highlighted the two facets in the battle for the hearts and minds of Malaysians – the launching of neo-NEP Perkasa by Tun Dr. Mahathir Mohamad at PWTC and the launching of Datuk Zaid Ibrahim’s book “I, too, am a Malay” (Chinese edition) by Dr. Chen Man Hin in Subang Jaya.

Almost at the same time that the former Prime Minister was awarded the Bintang Perkasa Pribumi Negara after launching Perkasa, Dr. Chen formally launched Zaid book.

What a sharp contrast in the imageries evoked in the two events – the launching of Zaid’s book invoking an inclusive and all-embracing hopes of all Malaysians for a progressive, prosperous common future regardless of race, religion or region with the launching of Perkasa anchored in a hankering for the past, oblivious of 52-years of nation- building, even dismissive of Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak’s 1Malaysia concept, all to allow Umno-putras to perpetuate the abuses of NEP by exploiting the name of bumiputras.

As the press have contacted me for my reactions to the Perkasa launch and its inflammatory speeches, this is my preliminary response until I have full access to the speeches concerned.

From the incendiary speech of the Perkasa President, Datuk Ibrahim Ali, it is clear that Perkasa is built on stilts of lies.

It is a lie that DAP and the Malaysian Malaysia slogan were among the main factors that caused the May 13 riots.

Has Ibrahim Ali taken 41 years after the 1969 tragedy to make this “discovery”.

If DAP and Malaysian Malaysia were the causes of May 13 in 1969, DAP would have been banned long ago and DAP leaders would have languished in jail and unable to participate in Malaysian electoral politics in the past nine general elections.

Or is Ibrahim suggesting that the Special Branch and the past five Prime Ministers had been remiss in their national duties in failing to take action against DAP, which he alleged as a threat to national security and perpetrator of May 13 riots?

It is a lie that the DAP is against the Malays, Islam and wants to do away with the Malay Rulers.

In the seventies, Ibrahim frantically sought my help as Parliamentary Opposition Leader when he was trying to escape detention under the Internal Security Act for his activities as a student leader.

Why sought my help if DAP leaders were so anti-national and disloyal as he now wants to depict?

Ibrahim Ali is not important. What concerns me more is the patronage given to the neo-NEP Perkasa by Mahathir.

Mahathir has come full circle, from an ultra back again to an ultra – repudiating Bangsa Malaysia and Vision 2020 which he enunciated in 1991.

This is the greatest tragedy.

Women Should Enhance Intellectual Capital, Says Najib

KUALA LUMPUR, March 27 (Bernama) -- Women in the country should enhance their intellectual capital in line with the transformation process taking place in the country, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak said.

He said Malaysia would undergo a massive transformation under the New Economic Model (NEM), and women, as the country's asset, should continue to progress under the new initiative which was aimed at creating a high-income Malaysian society, among others.

"How do we create high-income Malaysians is an issue that has to do with women empowerment, and the source of wealth under the NEM is the strength of mind and the power of intellect.

"So the intellectual capital among women should undergo a shift and when this is done, when the transformation of Malaysia is completed, women will become a true asset which we can be proud of," he said when opening the Women and 1Malaysia Convention here on Saturday.

Also present were Najib's wife Datin Seri Rosmah Mansor who is the patron of the convention, and Women, Family and Community Development Minister Datuk Seri Shahrizat Abdul Jalil.

The prime minister said Malaysian women had achieved progress by leaps and bounds not only in terms of position but also the sectors they ventured into.

"I am proud to see that Malaysian women are in high spirit and more determined than ever to achieve success; they are there in all initiatives launched by the government.

"When I introduced 1Malaysia, they are there to support the vision," he said.

This proved that Malaysian women were also undergoing a transformation process in terms of thinking and this augured well for the country's progress, he said.

This would be the kind of spirit that would spur Malaysian women towards greater success, he said.

He said the government, through gender equality principles and the 1Malaysia concept which upheld justice for all, would continue to provide as wide an opportunity as possible for women to achieve success.

The one-day seminar, themed "Empowering Women Through 1Malaysia", comprised three parallel sessions each for teenagers, professional women and civil society organisations.

Hisham/Musa Photo Caption Contest Pt. 2! :)

not as funny as the last one, but…. :P :)

Hisham: .. When this photo op finish, will you stop standing so damn close!!

Musa: … Ala shaddupla you, you look like a wanker

MMSP: Another split in the party