Can non-Muslims enter Muslim houses of worship?

By Ding Jo-Ann |The Nut Graph

“Orang bukan Islam adalah dilarang memasuki ruang solat kerana mereka ini dalam berkeadaan hadas besar apatah lagi berada di bahagian imam dan menyampaikan ucapan kepada umat Islam di dalamnya.
“Oleh itu, kita akan mendapatkan laporan dan penjelasan daripada nazir serta jawatankuasa surau berkenaan mengenai perkara ini. Jika dakwaan ini benar, kita akan memaklumkan kepada pihak Majlis Agama Islam Selangor (MAIS) dan tindakan tegas akan diambil.”

Datuk Mohammed Khusrin Munawi (pic source: jais.gov.my)

Selangor Islamic Department (JAIS) director Datuk Mohammed Khusrin Munawi. He said JAIS would take stern action against the Surau Al-Huda committee in Kajang Sentral for inviting Serdang member of Parliament Teo Nie Ching to speak in the prayer area of the surau.
Teo, a DAP politician, said she had gone to the surau to hand over a Selangor government donation for repairs to the surau’s fence and to join the breaking of fast. She said she had been invited by the surau committee to say a few words to the congregation, which she did. The committee has reportedly since been suspended by the Selangor Islamic Council (MAIS) over the incident. (Source: Tindakan tegas jemput bukan Islam — JAIS, Utusan Malaysia, 26 Aug 2010)
Teo’s explanation:

“As I was invited to give a brief speech, I made a sincere effort to explain the state’s education programme for the benefit of the people.
“I regret that the matter has caused restlessness among Muslims nationwide and this issue has been further heated up by certain quarters due to political reasons.”

Teo, explaining her reasons for entering the surau. She said she would clarify the matter and apologise to the Sultan of Selangor over the incident. (Source: Serdang MP to apologise over surau gaffe, The Star, 29 Aug 2010)

“Tok Guru (Nik Aziz) clarified to me that from the viewpoint of Islam, it is not an issue for a non-Muslim to enter a surau or mosque.
“He said that in fact, during the time of Muhammad, non-Muslims entered the mosque (of Medina) to meet with the Prophet.”

Teo, after she met with Nik Aziz. She said he encouraged her to visit Muslim houses of worship, saying there was nothing wrong with non-Muslims visiting and entering suraus and mosques. Teo visited a Bukit Mahkota surau on 29 Aug 2010 and said she would continue to visit mosques and suraus when invited. (Source: Teo: Nik Aziz encourages me to visit more suraus, Malaysiakini, 30 Aug 2010)
Umno’s & Perkasa’s response:

“Teo had no business to be inside Surau Al-Huda as she was deemed dirty but Nik Aziz said its alright, we are modern now. What disaster can we expect next?”

Hishammuddin Hussein (pic courtesy of theSun)

Home Minister Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Hussein saying he was shocked Teo had the support of PAS spiritual leader Datuk Nik Abdul Aziz Nik Mat. He said it was clear DAP was adopting an extreme approach by questioning the rights and privileges defended by Malay leaders and rulers. (Source: Mosque visit: Teo was “deemed dirty”, says Hisham, Malaysiakini, 30 Aug 2010)

“We don’t want excuses or justification. The issue is about the sensitivity of other religions.”

Umno Youth chief Khairy Jamaluddin saying DAP was “insensitive” for attempting to justify Teo’s visit to the surau. He also called Teo “naïve” and said her explanation on her visit was an afterthought after coming under fire. He said the DAP must understand that the majority of Muslims were upset by Teo’s conduct. (Source: Khairy calls DAP insensitive, Teo naïve over surau visit, The Malaysian Insider, 28 Aug 2010)

”Nie Ching sepatutnya tahu bahawa menjadi ahli politik bukanlah lesen untuk memecah-belahkan perpaduan rakyat berbilang bangsa dan keharmonian negara.”

Wanita Umno chief Datuk Seri Shahrizat Abdul Jalil, condemning Teo’s visit. Shahrizat said Teo was disrespectful to Islam and the sanctity of mosques and suraus. She said Teo should not have entered the surau without covering her “aurat”. Teo had entered the surau without covering her hair. (Source: Tindakan biadab DAP terhadap umat Islam, Utusan Malaysia, 27 Aug 2010)

“The Selangor Islamic Religious Council must charge the Serdang MP for desecrating the Al-Huda Surau.”
“In America, Islamic preacher  Malcom X, who preached to Christians and entered their churches was shot dead but in Selangor an ‘unclean DAP politician’ was dragged into the surau’s prayer room.”

Perkasa president Datuk Ibrahim Ali, calling for strong action to be taken against Teo for desecrating the surau with her visit.  (Source: Ibrahim Ali demands action against Teo over surau visit, The Malaysian Insider, 29 Aug 2010)

“Orang bukan Islam hanya boleh melawat kawasan masjid atau surau tetapi tidak boleh memasuki ruang solat rumah ibadat berkenaan apatah lagi memberi ceramah kepada jemaah surau berkenaan.
“Perkara ini disifatkan serius dan ia perlu disiasat secara menyeluruh dan jika benar ia berlaku ia seakan-akan satu bentuk penghinaan terhadap orang Islam.”

Mashitah Ibrahim (© parlimen.gov.my)

Deputy Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department Datuk Dr Mashitah Ibrahim saying Teo should not have been allowed into the surau’s prayer area.  (Source: Tindakan YB Serdang cemar imej Islam, Berita Harian, 28 Aug 2010)

“We cannot accept Malaysians who are unfamiliar with Islamic traditions, especially those who are leaders. If they are still ignorant after 53 years of independence, we urge them to leave the country.”
“I would like to remind DAP not to use Islam to gain political support. Don’t use Islam as a tool to fish for votes from Muslims.”
“An apology would not suffice because we Muslims [...] feel that we are gravely insulted.”

Seputeh Umno Youth chief Mohd Razlan Muhammad Rafii saying that Teo’s act was seditious and could cause religious conflict. He urged the Home Ministry to take action against Teo as an apology did not suffice. (Source: Umno, PAS Youth wings clash over Teo, Malaysiakini, 30 Aug 2010)
PAS and PKR’s response:

“Tidak salah orang bukan Islam termasuk wanita masuk dalam masjid sama ada untuk berucap atau apa sahaja asalkan berpakaian sopan bagi bukan Islam dan menutup aurat bagi orang Islam.”

Nik Aziz, defending Teo’s surau visit. He said her visit did not go against Islamic laws and was a way of bringing Muslim and non-Muslim communities closer together. (Source: Isu takzirah dalam surau: Nik Aziz pertahan Teo, Utusan Malaysia, 28 Aug 2010)

“The attacks on YB Teo for giving aid to the surau’s fence deviates very much from the teachings of Islam and is an embarrassment to Muslims.”

Press statement from Selangor Menteri Besar Tan Sri Khalid Ibrahim‘s office. (Source: Selangor MB says attack on Teo shames Islam and Muslims, The Malaysian Insider, 30 Aug 2010)

“Does Umno Youth know that the prophet had often received non-Muslim guests at the Nabawi Mosque? [Are] the mosques and surau in Malaysia holier than the Nabawi Mosque to the point where non-Muslims cannot enter?”

Selangor PAS Youth chief Hasbullah Ridzwan, challenging Umno Youth to a debate on whether it was acceptable for non-Muslims to enter mosques and suraus. He advised Umno to consult experts on religion first before issuing statements. (Source: Umno, PAS Youth wings clash over Teo, Malaysiakini, 30 Aug 2010)

“It is usual for BN parties like MCA, MIC, Gerakan, Sabah and Sarawak (sic) to come to mosques and give speeches.”
“When BN does it, there is no issue. But when Pakatan Rakyat does it, there is an issue. This is a cheap issue.”

PAS vice-president Salahuddin Ayub accusing BN of double standards for criticising Teo’s visit, saying members of BN component parties also do the same. (Source: PAS veep says BN attack on Teo “a cheap issue”, The Malaysian Insider, 28 Aug 2010)
What does Islam say?

“Non-Muslims can enter into a mosque or surau with the right intent, like to get to know Islam, understand and study it. They are also allowed to enter the houses of worships to conduct dealings with Muslims.”

Former Perlis Mufti Mohd Asri Zainal Abidin. He said to his knowledge, nothing bars a non-Muslim from entering a Muslim house of worship. He said non-Muslims were allowed to enter the mosque during the time of the prophet Muhammad. (Source: Scholars: Islam doesn’t bar non-Muslims from mosques, Malaysiakini, 29 Aug 2010)

“According to history, the Prophet (while he lived) in Medina did not repulse any visits by Jews or Christians who wanted to meet him even when he was in the mosque of Medina.”
“They would come with a request, seeking justice (in a dispute) or for an administrative or other matter.
“It is understood from such incidents that there is no prohibition in Islam for meetings to be held within mosques other than the Masjid Al-Haram in blessed Makkah so long as they are held with good intentions.”

Selangor mufti Mohd Tamyes Abdul Wahid in a 9 Nov 2009 letter to the Jais’s chief assistant director in charge of mosques. (Source: Islam doesn’t bar non-Muslims from mosques, Malaysiakini, 29 Aug 2010)

“We strongly feel that disallowing non-Muslims from entering mosques only portrays a negative image of Islam and is not in line with the examples set by the Prophet. It is well known from the tradition that the Prophet allowed Christians from Najran to pray in his mosque in Madinah.
“It is in the interest of maslahah or common good of Islam that non-Muslims should feel welcomed and not intimidated from visiting mosques. Calls to ban non-Muslims from entering mosques or any knee-jerk reaction by the Islamic authorities to bow to certain political pressure in preventing the commendable attitude of cooperation and mutual respect is regrettable and uncalled for.”

Muhammad Adli Musa and Wan Norhaziki Wan Abd Halim, analysts with the think-tank Islamic Renaissance Front (IRF) on the controversy over Teo’s surau visit. IRF holds that banning non-Muslims from entering Muslim places of worship goes against the universalism of Islam. (Source: IRF stand on the Issue of Non-Muslims Entering Mosques, press statement, Islamic Renaissance Front, 2 Sept 2010)

Is Najib prepared to put his 1Malaysia policy to the test by leading a nation-wide “Say No to Racism” campaign starting with errant Umno leaders, government officials and Utusan Malaysia?

By Lim Kit Siang,

Although the Director-General of Education Tan Sri Alimuddin Mohd Dom has issued a circular dated August 26 to all school principals and teachers warning of action to be taken for racist remarks in schools, the absence of action against the two school principals in Johore and Kedah who had made racist remarks stands out like a sore thumb.

More than three weeks have passed and both principals had not yet been referred to the police, let alone the Attorney-General’s Chambers.

This is totally at variance with the “Zero tolerance for racism” belatedly made by the Prime Minister two weeks after the deplorable incidents involving the two school principals.

The Prime Minister should realize that the escalation of the rhetoric of race and religion makes a total mockery of his 1Malaysia slogan, one reason why there is so little national enthusiasm for the Natioal Month theme of “1Malaysia – Transforming the Nation”.

Is Najib prepared to give flesh to his “Zero tolerance for Racism” declaration and put his 1Malaysia policy to the test by leading a nation-wide “Say No to Racism” campaign starting with errant Umno leaders, government officials and Utusan Malaysia?

The Cabinet at its meeting this Wednesday could not make a more useful decision than to launch a nation-wide “Say No to Racism” campaign to end the escalation of racist bigotry and religious extremism which has increasingly invaded the public space and consciousness.

The “Say No to Racism” should be a truly national one, rising above party politics, leveraging on the fact that the overwhelming majority of Malaysians regardless of race or religion abhor racial and religious extremism and mobilizing the good sense and goodwill of the majority of Malaysians to take a clear and unequivocal stand to denounce racism in any form.

Don't Question Social Contract, Says Najib

PUTRAJAYA, Sept 6 (Bernama) -- Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak reminded the people today against questioning provisions in the constitution, particularly those related to the social contract, saying they had been agreed upon by the nation's forefathers.

"We should uphold what has been agreed upon by our forefathers, by the past generations, which have enable us to reach where we are today," he said at the Prime Minister's Department's monthly gathering on Monday.

He said that to safeguard race relations, the society should be mindful of one another's sensitivities and refrain from engaging in acts that could hurt the feelings of other communities.

"If we can refrain from doing these two things, we can cool off a lot of heat and I believe it can contribute towards strengthening the country's national unity and political stability," he said.

Najib said both aspects were also important in managing the country's politics and racial relations.

"We have been saying that the country's pillar of stability is national unity; if we don't manage race relations properly, it can affect the country's stability," he said.

He also called on civil servants to fully understand and internalise the 1Malaysia concept and set examples for others to emulate.

"Please remember that it is our responsibility to care for the country for our future generations. Let us not damage what is already in good condition," he said.

He also wished the staff of the department a Happy Aidilfitri.

-- BERNAMA

Call to enact anti-torture law

The Sun 
by Bernard Cheah

GEORGE TOWN (Sept 5, 2010): A human rights non-governmental organisation has proposed that an anti-torture legislation be introduced in the country.

'Malaysian for Beng Hock' Campaign adviser Datuk Dr Toh Kin Woon said there should be a change in the way enforcement officers handle individuals who are alleged to be involved in criminal activities.

"Why should those suspected of crime be beaten up or killed while in custody?" he asked, adding that those accused should instead be taken to court.

He also said that under the proposed anti-torture law, government officers found guilty of torturing others would be punished.

Toh said there had been several cases of people dying while under custody of authorities, such as the police, and now under the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC), in view of the death of Teoh Beng Hock in July last year.

"If we are to looking for a torture-free society, there should not be any form of torture at all," he said at the 'Penang for Beng Hock' Forum held at Han Chiang College, attended by over 200 people today.

The public forum was jointly organised by Suaram Penang together with Aliran, Sembang-sembang Forum, Lim Lian Geok Cultural Development Centre (LLG) Penang Branch and Amnesty International Malaysia.

The other panel speakers were Aliran president P Ramakrishnan and Amnesty's executive director Nora Murat.

Toh, who is also LLG president, said the public wanted the truth about who is responsible for Teoh's death and why.

"We have been feeling anger, rage, and grief since (the incident) last year. But now, we want the truth," he said.

Teoh, 30, the political secretary to Selangor State Executive Councillor Ean Yong Hian Wah, was found dead on July 16 last year on the Fifth Floor, Plaza Masalam after giving evidence at the office of the MACC, Selangor on the 14th Floor of the same building.

Ramakrishnan echoed Toh's statement, saying that the issue should have been pursued more vigorously. He also suggested that a Royal Commission of Inquiry should be set up to look into the matter as well.

A 20-plus minute video clip of Teoh's sister, Teoh Lee Lan, giving updates on the inquest as well as the family's situation was screened at the forum.

The inquest into Teoh's death resumes on Sept 20. -- theSun

Saira Shameem: We sanitized our past because its unpalatable to our present

 
Saira Shameem: Sex, Sexuality and Merdeka

Basque separatist group announces ceasefire

Madrid, Spain (CNN) -- The Basque separatist group ETA released a ceasefire statement Sunday to various media, including the Basque newspaper Gara, where it typically releases information.

ETA has announced ceasefires before and broken them, notably the unilateral 2006 ceasefire that was announced as "permanent," only to be broken months later with a car bomb at Madrid's airport that killed two people.

In a statement published on the Gara website on Sunday, ETA --- which is blamed for more than 800 deaths in its long fight for Basque independence in northern Spain and southwest France -- calls on the Spanish government to "agree to the minimum democratic solutions necessary to start a democratic process."

Officials at Spain's Interior Ministry said the ceasefire announcement was being studied cautiously but that no senior officials were due to speak publicly about it, CNN affiliate CNN+ reported.

The prime minister's office told CNN it had no comment.

The latest ceasefire announcement was not unexpected, following weeks of calls for a new peace process by some smaller leftist Basque political parties.

The ceasefire announcement also follows months of what is widely regarded as a successful police crackdown against ETA operatives in Spain and also in ETA's hideouts in neighboring France and Portugal.

Police have arrested many of ETA's suspected top operatives, as well as many ETA foot soliders, and seized bomb-making materials and weapons from hidden arms caches, virtually shutting off ETA attacks.

In its ceasefire announcement Sunday, ETA said that "months ago it decided not to carry out armed offensive actions," but made no mention of what it might consider a "defensive" action.

The announcement was accompanied an ETA video which showed three apparent ETA members seated at a table in front of an ETA banner and facing a camera. They wore white face hoods with eye holes but their mouths covered, black berets and black jerseys.

The person in the middle apeared to do all the speaking in the ancient Basque language -- not in Spanish -- and the voice seemed to be that of a woman.

ETA is listed as a terrorist group by the United States and the European Union for its campaign of car bombings and shootings.

The Spanish government of Prime Minister Jose Luis Rodriguez Zapatero began a peace process in 2006 during the last unilateral ETA ceasefire, but after ETA's airport bomb, the government called off negotiations.

Since then, officials of Zapatero's government have said they would accept only a definitive statement from ETA to end its armed fight, and to announce when and where it would lay down its arms forever, and not simply a ceasefire.

Only then would the government be willing to consider leniency for some of the more than 500 ETA prisoners in jail.

The Basque region in northern Spain already has considerable home-rule authority, with its own police, parliament, taxing power and control of health and education. But ETA rejects those as partial steps, and has fought for full independence.

ETA's goal is an independent Basque nation comprising the three-province Basque region and the neighboring Navarra region in Spain, along with three departments in southwest France that also have Basque roots. About three million people live in those areas now.

ETA's ceasefire statement called on the international community to get involved in the Basque peace process.

On Sunday, the leader of the Sinn Fein party in Northern Ireland said he supported the ceasefire.

"Gerry Adams has welcomed ETA ceasefire announcement," the Sinn Fein party said on its Twitter page.

Stateless in Malaysia - the poor suffer most

(Malaysiakini) Fifteen year old Citra Dorai was born in a prison in Alor Setar and her knowledge about the circumstances surrounding her birth is rather vague.

She has been illiterate all her life as she does not have a birth certificate or an identity card which makes it impossible for her to register for any school.

Her mother died recently and her father has left her and two other siblings in the care of an aunt, and Citra (left) is totally uncertain of her future.

"I want to be like everyone else, to go to school, and to have something to do in the future," she said, teary-eyed.

Citra, is among 40-odd stateless persons who turned up at the Human Rights Party's office in Perai today, to fill in their national registration forms.

More than 20 children, with ages ranging from two to 15 years, were accompanied by their equally stateless parents, to try and reverse their situation by registering their plight.

The effort is part of the HRP's national campaign to assist stateless persons, as most of them come from the Indian community.

Citra is also part of the 150,000 Malaysians who were born and bred in the country but who continues to suffer as stateless persons for various reasons ranging from not having parents' with citizenship to refusal to follow suit when a spouse or parent converts to Islam.

Disappointing meet

On Aug 13, HRP leaders met with NRD officers in Putrajaya, but came home feeling disappointed that the officers gave the impression that the problem was not as serious as they had made it out to be, said the party's national advisor N. Ganesan.

"But we have proven our point, in just a month, without even a campaign, only word by mouth, we have managed to gather some 40 stateless people in this office," he said.

"We want the NRD to take ownership of this problem and try to resolve this issue; it cannot deny that this is a big problem," Ganesan (right) added.

Ganesan, a lawyer by profession, reiterated that what has been constitutionally guaranteed has been systematically and procedurally denied to the poor and vulnerable.

"This has contributed further to their marginalisation and continuing dispossession from mainstream Malaysia," he added.

Meanwhile, the NRD has responded to the allegations by stating that the mobile registration program known as MyDaftar has been travelling to several Tamil schools and Indian estates to register undocumented children this year.

Its public relations officer Janisiah Mohd Noor stated in an email reply, that for cases of mixed marriage sans conversion, the matter should be referred to the appropriate religious department for more clarification.

She also stressed that the parents must be in legal wedlock to be registered as the child's parent.

Janisiah claimed that the main reason for this statelessness plaguing the poor Malaysian Indians is due to their ignorance of law, unregistered marriages, and domestic problems.

Ganesan said the forms provided by the NRD was complicated that even an educated, un-marginalised middle class person would find a daunting task to fill in all their particulars.

"Please be reminded that these people with the stateless problems are from the working class; everyday they go to the NRD and are rejected due to incomplete forms, they lose a day's wage," he said.

"They have to return again and again before they get their forms rights and for many of these working class people, they simply cannot afford the time, so they let things continue to hang," he added.

UMNO Education Minister Muhyiddin Yasin’s racial discrimination of burnt down Kulai Besar Tamil school and all 523 Tamil schools in Malaysia.

This afternoon at about 2.00pm a group of 100 students and parents of the Kulai Besar Tamil school ,Johor and HRP supporters by prior written appointment with the Education Minister Muhyiddin Yassin came to see him at Parliament house to present a memorandom on the burnt down and dilapidated state of the Kulai Besar Tamil school and almost all of the 523 Tamil schools in One Malay-sia.

This apprixiamtly 100 year old Tamil school which unlike almost all

the Malay and Chinese schools was never rebuilt in the 53 years of Malaysia’s Independence. This school was partly burnt down and is still endangering the lives of the 1299 pupils studying therein.

But the racist and religious supremacist UMNO Education Minister does not care as it only concerns the poor and politically powerless Indians . And neither has the 82 MP’s and top leaders form PKR,DAP and PAS including their 11 Indian mandore MPs lend voice to the Indian poor.

As usual UMNO sent in their Indian mandore policeman to create an Indian versus Indian fight situation as per UMNO’s 53 year old strategy. But HRP did bite the bait and completely ignored these Indian police mandores.

At the press conference HRP Information Chief S.Jayathas expressed disappointment that the Education Minister or his representative had refused to be present and does not care about the plight of the 523 tamil school in Malaysia.This is also in contravention of Article 12 of the Federal Constitution (no discrimination in education) and the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child which is entitled to compulsory free education.Jayathas asked why does this only happen to tamil Schools in Malaysia? Jayathas also announced HRP and HINDRAF’S call for all 523 Tamil Schools in Malaysia to be made fully financially aided government schools with equal status, facilities and teaching staff like any other malay muslim school after having granted all these Tamil schools land and they be gazette accordingly.

HRP Central Committee Member Mahesan of Johor Bahru whose daughter also studies at this school said that pupils are forced to study in “khemah Kenduri”and Shipping Cabins.causing school children to get wet in the rain and falling sick and being on medical leave and studying under punishing conditions. He also asked why temporary classrooms have not been built despite it being over three months now.

As this UMNO Education Minister or his representative refused to be present despite HRP’s written letter . S.Jayathas , Johor based HRP Central Committee member Mahesan and a group of the Kulai Besar Tamil school pupils laid their memorandum down at the enterance to Parliament, sang the Hindraf trademark song Tholvi Nelai Yena Ninaithaal and shouts of Hindraf Valga,manitha urimai valga and then dispersed peacefully .

UMNO thinks it can ignore HRP but we warn UMNO that it was these kinds of even smaller protests that eventually led to the 100,000 Hindraf Rally on 25th November 2007.Slowly but surely Hindraf & HRP is picking up steam to wipe out UMNO in the 2012/2013 general election.

The official memorandum will be sent to Putrajaya for the Wednesday cabinet meeting on 8/9/10.

The protestors then dropped by to the HRP HQ in Bangsar for a one hour briefing by P.Uthayakumar on the next course of action.

A consensus was derieved to get all 523 Tamil schools especially those with similar problems to gather peacefully outside the UMNO Prime Minister Najib Razak ‘s office in Putrajaya on the 25th of November 2010 if this Kulai Besar Tamil school problem and that of all the other 523 are not attended to and all the 523 Tamil schools are not being made fully aided.

S.Thiagarajan.

Sabah, Sarawak to change history soon, Anwar predicts

Anwar is increasingly confident of how the Borneo electorate feel about government change.

KELANA JAYA, Sept 5 — Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim claimed tonight that Pakatan Rakyat (PR) had successfully worked its magic in the Barisan Nasional (BN) fortresses of Sabah and Sarawak, and predicts that the two East Malaysian states would lead the charge in changing the country's history.

Speaking to a small but highly-charged crowd at the Pesta Borneo programme in the PKNS Sports Complex, the PR de facto leader explained that he was reassured of this when he visited Limbang and Lawas in Sarawak last week.

“Now, I am absolutely confident that the history of Malaysia will change because of the people of Sabah and Sarawak.

“We have had our independence for more than 50 years and now, we will change... change for justice, for human rights, for respect. You will determine the history of Malaysia,” he said.

His words were met with thunderous applause from the crowd of East Malaysian youths, one of whom even stood up on his chair to lead the crowd to louder cheers.

“Malaysia is a land of justice. Men and women here were born free. So we must be able to accept and respect each of our differences and honour the constitutional guarantee of freedom and justice for all Malaysians,” he said.

Anwar noted that during his trip last week, his observation of the people in Sarawak showed him that East Malaysians badly yearned for change.

“There is a very encouraging trend now in Sabah and Sarawak. There is a greater awareness there... contrary to the media interpretation.

“There are people there who actually want change and justice and they want to defend their rights to their land. If this is the trend, then Sabah and Sarawak will determine the future of the nation,” he said.

Anwar urged the youths to ensure that they counted themselves in the equation, pointing out that they would be the ones responsible for the nation's future.

“So please... be counted. We have a responsibility. We fight not because we harbour grudges, not because we want to steal the land of others but because we want the rights to our own.

“We do not steal the rights of others but we fight for our own. This is a very important beginning and we will persevere until we see a united, just Malaysia,” he said.

Anwar's romantic words worked wonders in the crowd and although small in numbers, their cheers filled the hall like they were thousands.

Outside the function later, Anwar said he was confident the PR had done its job well and right in Sabah and Sarawak.

“I am very confident that we will do very well (in the Sarawak elections). We are working the ground and I see all.. the Dayaks, the Malays, Chinese, everyone working hard together,” he said.

He noted that PR's preparations for the impending Sarawak polls were on track and announced that a major function would be held this September 15 in Sabah. - The Malaysian Insider

Karpal: Enact Race Relations Act

By Athi Shankar - Free Malaysia Today

GEORGE TOWN: The DAP has demanded the federal government to take immediate steps to legislate the long pending Race Relations Act to curb growing racism in the country. Citing the recent racial slurs uttered by high-ranking public officers as syndromes of disharmony, DAP national chairman Karpal Singh warned that the situation could become chaotic and lead to violence if the government does not initiate steps to curb it.

He recalled that Rural and Regional Development Minister Shafie Apdal, when in charge of Unity, Culture, Arts and Heritage portfolio, had announced a few years ago that the government would legislate the Race Relations Act.

He chided the government for failing to pursue the matter further.

The veteran politician now wants the government to issue directives to the Attorney-General Chambers to immediately draft the bill pertaining to the Act.

He said the bill should be tabled at Parliament, preferably in the next session, to enable the government to obtain public feedback, including the opinions of both Barisan Nasional and Pakatan Rakyat MPs, to refine and strengthen the proposed Act.

He added that the proposed Act should be a comprehensive, punitive and deterrent legal mechanism against all types of offences related to racism and utterance of racist remarks, which, sadly, have become the order of the day.

“When government officers utter racial slurs on a routine basis, it is a serious matter. The need for a Race Relations Act has become urgent,” the two-term Bukit Gelugor MP told reporters in his office today.

He was commenting on recent racial slurs uttered by two headmistresses in Kulai, Johor, and Bukit Selambau, Kedah, respectively against non-Malay pupils.

Pre-planned plot

Press reports today exposed another incident in Kuala Lumpur where an ethnic Malay police inspector told off a local elderly ethnic Chinese snatch theft victim to “go back to China” because she could not speak in Bahasa Malaysia.
Given the similarities in the racial remarks, Karpal hoped that it was not a pre-planned plot by the National Civic Bureau (Biro Tata Negara).

Calling on the A-G's Chambers to prosecute “racist” officers, he expressed reservation that mere suspension and transfer would not be effective to deter future racist statements.

Karpal said Prime Minister Najib Tun Razak should put into practice his “zero tolerance to racism” agenda by legislating the proposed Act soon.

He said Najib should also be partly blamed for the growing trend of racial slurs by government officers because “he let his former aide Nasir Safar go scott-free after making racist attacks on ethnic Malaysian Indians and Chinese early this year”.

Nasir had allegedly said that ethnic Indians were beggars while ethnic Chinese were whores.

Karpal said the proposed Race Relations Act should never protect anyone from prosecution, “no matter how high the person's position is”.

On controversial rapper Wee Meng Chee, or popularly known as Namewee, Karpal said the rapper should be spared prosecution under the Sedition Act 1948 or any other draconian law.

Namewee is under investigation for producing an allegedly seditious video recently.

The rapper first ran into trouble with the authorities with his controversial “Negaraku” video clip in 2007.

“Namewee was only reacting to current trend of racial slurs being uttered by government officers.

"If Namewee were to be charged under the Sedition Act, the government officers too should be charged under the same Act,” Karpal said.

Gerakan rocked by growing disillusion

By Hawkeye

GEORGE TOWN: The political temperature in the Pearl of the Orient is expected to heat up in the coming weeks as Penang Gerakan is now believed to be facing a state leadership crisis. With PKR and DAP holding their respective party elections in the coming months while Umno prepares for its annual general assembly next month, Gerakan has suddenly now also generated public interest following a stunning announcement by its state chairman Dr Teng Hock Nan.
On Saturday, Teng unexpectedly revealed that there is a group out to oust him.

Gerakan was once considered the political mainstay in Penang, having ruled the state since 1969.

The party, formed by the late Dr Syed Hussin Alatas, is mostly a Penang and Perak-based party judging from the election of its leaders from both states.

The current president is Minister in the Prime Minister's Department Dr Koh Tsu Koon, a former long-serving Penang chief minister while the secretary-general is Teng Chang Yeow, the younger brother of Teng Chang Khim, who is the Selangor DAP state legislative assembly speaker.

Chang Yeow is said to be a dark horse in the present dispute over who should best lead Penang Gerakan now.
Since its thumping loss in the 2008 general election, Penang Gerakan is "wandering in the dark" as it comes to terms with its role as an opposition without any electoral seats here.

Teng, a veteran and considered chief minister material, caught many by surprise when he revealed the existence of the group, said to originate from the Bayan Baru division, which enjoys support in most other divisions.

"I am ready to call for an extraordinary general meeting if there is proof that party members in Penang want me out," said the doctor, who is also a Gerakan vice-president.

"I may have antagonised many members after being in politics for many years," a sombre Teng told a press conference.

Shadowy group

It is learnt that some Gerakan leaders are speculating that Umno may be behind this shadowy group as it is urging its Barisan Nasional coalition partner to make changes to its perceived weak leadership ahead of the next general election.

Penang is considered one of the country's most developed states, similar to Selangor.

Gerakan is now at a crossroads, said its former vice-president Huan Cheng Guan, who quit the party last year and join a new entity called Parti Cinta Malaysia (PCM).

Huan said Gerakan may have all but abandoned its plan to recapture Penang as the Chinese sentiment is still with the DAP.

The party is now focused on other states such as Sabah, hence the move to oust Teng, Huan said.

It is also learnt that PCM is quietly trying to recruit disgruntled and disillusioned Gerakan members, whose rank is said to be growing by the day as Gerakan grapples with the new political reality in the country.

Chaos at Bukit Gelugor PKR nominations

By Athi Shankar - Free Malaysia Today

GEORGE TOWN: Chaotic scenes marred Bukit Gelugor PKR division nomination day yesterday when a group of members arrived late to submit their candidature forms. The nomination process was held between 10am and 4pm at Taman Tun Sardon market complex in Gelugor.

The nomination hall door was already closed when the group, allegedly led by the division treasurer Francis Xavier, arrived at the venue to submit nomination papers after 4pm.

Upon seeing the hall door closed, they allegedly kicked, banged and attempted to forcibly opened it, while calling on the returning officer to open the door.

However, the returning officer was unperturbed and stuck to the rules, keeping the door closed.

When the hall door was re-opened about 30 minutes later, the errant members, believed to be associated with the division chairman S Raveentharan, confronted the returning officer to accept their forms.

But the returning officer refused to do so, pointing out that the nomination lengthy six-hour period was over.

However, when Raveentharan, also the Batu Uban assemblyman, called on the PKR national headquarters for clarification, an unidentified official directed the returning officer to receive the forms and submit them to Kuala Lumpur office.

It is learnt that the official told the returning officer that the PKR national election bureau would make the final decision on the controversial issue.

A close fight

Earlier Raveentharan had submitted his nomination papers, together with seven other candidates' forms, at 3.50pm.

Raveentharan, also the party national deputy secretary-general, would defend his post at the division polls scheduled on Sunday Oct 3.

He will face off former Barisan Nasional assemblyman Lim Boo Chang, who joined PKR after the March 2008 general election.

A lawyer by profession, Lim, formerly a Gerakan, then a MCA elected representative, submitted his papers early.

Predicted to be a close fight, the Raveentharan versus Lim contest would be among major battles for divisional supremacy in Penang.

Chaos and fracas were not something new in the division..

During its annual general meeting (AGM) on Sunday Machr 28, tempers flared and a chair was flung forcing the meeting to be postponed.

The AGM will now be held together with the division elections at Taman Tun Sardon market complex.

State PKR secretary Abdul Halim Hussain admitted that he had heard about the incident and said the state leadership would investigate the controversial incident in Bukit Gelugor.

He said he would talk to the returning officer about the incident.He reminded party members to strictly observed the party's election rules and regulations.

“As far as the state is concerned, no nomination papers should be submitted nor accepted after 4pm.

“The shameful incident undermined our efforts to ensure a smooth, proper, free and fair electoral process,” Abdul Halim told FMT, not ruling out of a possible disciplinary on the alleged troublemakers.

Elsewhere smooth

Abdul Halim, who is the state assembly speaker, meanwhile will face businessman Mohd Shukri Ishak for the Balik Pulau division chairman post.

Both submitted their nomination papers in time at the division office in Kongsi, Balik Pulau town yesterday.

The position has been vacant since former chairman Mansor Othman transferred his membership to Permatang Pauh division, headed by party president Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail.

Deputy Chief Minister 1 Mansor shifted to be closer with his constituents in his Penanti assembly seat.

Both Abdul Halim and Mohd Shukri are currently Balik Pulau division vice-chairmen.

Abdul Halim said he was offering himself for the position to provide a strong leadership and strengthen PKR's position in Balik Pulau parliamentary, which has traditionally been an Umno stronghold.

In Bayan Baru division, which is sandwiched between Bukit Gelugor and Balik Pulau divisions, Pantai Jerejak assemblyman Sim Tze Tzin will square off with former MIC Bayan Baru division leader M Nyanasegaran for the chairman post.

Like Lim, Nyanasegaran joined PKR after the last general election.

Unlike Bukit Gelugor, the nomination proceeding in Balik Pulau and Bayan Baru took place smoothly. Balik Pulau and Bayan Baru polls are scheduled on Sat Sept 25.

Given to their official state positions, Abdul Halim, Raveentharan and Sim all start as favourites in what are expected to be closely fought contests.

Tackling racism in Malaysia

By Sakmongkol AK47,

For the past few days I have written several articles about racism in Malaysia. my objective is to see the extent of racism in our country. My report is, racism is extensive and it exists openly and subtly. We see things in our respective race-blinkered lenses. Every Malaysian has his quotient of ethnicity. We have to learn to live with this fact. We can't purge our Malay-ness, our Chinese-ness or our Indian-ness that are in us.

But as long as our racism is not allowed to forcefully prevail onto another race's domain, it is all right. Or as long as it's not reflected in our daily interactions with people of other race, that is ok.

Which leads me to this conclusion. If we were to rely on human voluntariness to expel racism, we are bound to fail. I now believe that we require explicit laws which outlaw racism. We have to simply outlaw policies, rules, regulations that promote racism and discrimination. We have to outlaw all political parties that adopt race, religion or culture as their political foundations from competing in general elections. Only political parties that reflect the proportional racial mix of this country are allowed to participate in general elections.

Hence Barisan Nasional cannot contest in elections unless its candidates are 60% Malays, 30% Chinese and 10% Indians and others. Barisan Rakyat cannot contest in general elections unless its candidates are similarly arranged. This way ensures inclusiveness of all Malaysian races. Maybe, this can start Malaysia on the road to a two-party system.

Racism becomes a problem when its translated out into the open as a social policy. Rules, regulations and policies that seek to discriminate others on the basis of their racial background skin colour, religion, culture and language are racism. When you see a sign board that says dogs and Chinese are not allowed here- that is racism because it discriminates the Chinese on account of his ethnicity. If Christopher Wan didn't make it to IGP because he is Chinese that is discrimination.

If I were to view Chinese as devilishly cunning, skilled, powerful and therefore evil, I am being a racist. If I were to see Malays and others as subhuman, beastly, and inclined to immoral acts, I am also being racist in my attitude. My focus is either someone is evil or inferior because of his racial background. Hence the Chinese is evil because he is greedy, wants everything, our wealth, our women, our children. The Malays are evil because they are lazy, violent and are interested in stealing our women. We adopt these views to justify our treatment of these people.

We justify excluding Chinese from political power because they are inherently evil, cunning, manipulative, greedy etc. we justify excluding Malays because they are lazy, incompetent, less humanlike, etc.

Racism is simply unqualified hatred of one race on another based on skin colour, language, religion, physical appearance and so forth. Racism takes place when one race views another as genetically inferior and having less human attributes. Hence when someone says, Malays are inherently lazy because of genetic reasons and because of that not qualified to participate in commerce, be senior executives and so forth, that is racism. When someone says, the other is a lazy bump and hasn't got good work ethics because he is Malay that is racism. When someone says, TNB is tiu na bu because the workers there are mostly Malays, that is racism.

The basis for such hatred and anger or the only reason explaining the loathing is another person's racial background, skin colour, culture and religion.

There is open and subtle racism. Among Malays, their racism is easily discernible as it is commonly held, that the institutions before us are all embodiment of Malay racism. By institutions, I mean and define them to be public institutions. A restrictive definition makes the concept, operational. This allows us to exclude having to discuss a wider field. As Malays dominate in public institutions, whatever actions these institutions take, are taken as representing the latent racism of Malays that operate at personal levels.

When siti Inshah Mansor abused non Malays because of their ethnic background, that is racism. But what if Siti Inshah Mansor was verbally abusive because the students were vandals or were gangster-like, can she be classified as racist? Her choice of words were unfortunate but were her actions prompted by the students' different racial background?

The other races are racist too. In non public institutions, discrimination against the Malays is widely practised. This is subtle racism. The capable Malay is often bypassed in terms of promotion in Chinese owned companies. Malays are suited to PR work only, arranging end of year dinner parties, soliciting GROs for the boss, ordering RM 3000 a bowl shark's fin soup for the taikor, organizing sporting activities etc. The technical stuff?- that's off limits.

Accessibility to supply sources is often restrictive to Malay businessmen. The retailing and wholesale businesses are practically off limits to Malays. Having dominance in these areas, surrendering accessibility is almost unheard of.

In other words, business policies define Malays as inferior people and therefore discriminated against.
The irony is racism in non public institutions is often disguised behind the concept of meritocracy, suitability, capabilities, efficiency and so forth. Hence its often bandied around, that because of commercial dictates we want Mandarin or Cantonese speaking candidates. Oh, the Malays are disqualified because they don't have good work ethics. Come on- very often the work requirement in the relevant fields does not require a qualification in rocket science.

TNB is lambasted and verbally abused and assaulted not because its manned by Malays but because it is inefficient. See how clever the racism is disguised under the concept of efficiency.
Because the test is to look at the non Malays who are chosen to perform the tasks which are said to require meritocratic qualifications. A Chinese is equally inept at speaking and writing in English, he is equally lazy, equally mediocre in certain areas but because, the shots are made by non Malay bosses, the Chinese will get the job.

While the racism of the Malay appeared to be an accepted fact, mere mention of the possibility that a Chinese can be a racist too, unearth vehement protests. To me, the Chinese is equally capable of self denial as do the Malays. So don't come down on us with all those patronizing clichés of what gives…your caliber is skin deep and so forth. Spare us the nausea please. Perhaps its your own racism that prevents you from acknowledging your own prejudices.

Hence we come to the sobering realization that racism is alive and pervasive in our society.
Have anyone given a thought as to why the majority of maid abuse cases involved Chinese families against Indonesian maids? Could it be that the Indonesian maids are looked upon as the Malay species and therefore subhuman and inferior? They are fit to eat with dogs, eat leftovers etc. And that all the cruelty and abuses imposed on them are but vengeance by the Chinese on Malays to compensate for their own perceived racist victimization?

When Namewe asks didn't you read, who made Malaysia rich can be translated into we Malays owe the Chinese a living. That is precisely the basis of the behavior which Namewee exhibited when he hurled all the abusive and expletives on the TNB workers in Muar. Banana sucking Malays are just peons, security guards whose primary function is to slave it out so that people like Namewee will not experience blackouts. Malays are fit to be jagas, security guards policemen and soldiers ensuring this country is safe so that people like Namewee can make this country rich. What gave people like Namewee the right to speak in such arrogant manner to salary earning workers?

Because you banana sucking Malays owe us a living, we have the right to speak to you, to speak down on you in whatever way we desire. We can tiu kau or tiu nia bu you and there is nothing you can do about it. Would Namewee behaved the same way, if the TNB officers were Chinese?
How does one manage all the negative ethnicity and prevent them from being the catalyst of open racial war?

We have tried to do it through economics. It has failed. Or rather the policy or the economic model with which we thought could save the situation has failed. When the NEP was created, its overriding aim was national unity. It was to be achieved through (a) eradication of poverty(b) wealth distribution or rather wealth creating resources distribution.

It didn't work because the implementation of the policy was flawed. I am not going to advance another economic model in its place as I don't have one shelf-ready. Maybe the New Eccomic Model which the PM swears by, can work. We don't know because we haven't seen the model yet other than some noises coming from labs sanctioned by a special driving school.

But if that policy or elements of that policy can cause so much divisiveness and animosity , they must be abandoned and replaced. It is illogical to keep pushing for the adoption of such policies or elements of such policies.

Equally too, if the present un-interfered economic system or elements of the system cause so much enmity and bitterness, they too must be modified.

Surat Ketua Penerangan Keadilan Membantah Rencana Joe Fernandez

Dear Editors,
I am writing to complain about Joe Fernandez’s report “S’wak PKR tells Anwar to settle Sabah crisis swiftly” on 3 September where he has unfairly and without justification exaggerated the impact of the case of the 12 Sabahans’ suspension for registering Parti Cinta Sabah on Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR) in Sarawak..
In the report, he has misquoted Baru Bian, PKR Sarawak Chief several times (misquoted sections are underlined below).

“We told Anwar frankly that the issue of the 12 Sabah PKR leaders facing disciplinary action is affecting morale and preparation in Sarawak,” said state PKR chief Baru Bian (right). “He must be bold and decisive. This issue had been settled. Suddenly, it flared up again and caught us all by surprise.”

“These are small places and yet the turnout was something that Anwar himself did not expect,” he said.

“When asked about the chances (for the opposition coalition) in Sarawak, (Anwar) told them that he was an incurable optimist,” he said.

“PKR national vice-president Jeffrey Kitingan (left) from Sabah has been instrumental in building up the party in Sarawak,” he said.

He completely agreed with Chua Jui Meng, who accompanied Anwar (right), that “there should be no witch-hunt as agreed under the Dec 13 formula”.

“According to Anwar, some new evidence had surfaced that necessitated the taking of the pending disciplinary action against the Sabah 12,” said Bian. “He doesn’t see the new evidence as covered by the peace plan.”

“Anwar stressed on the new evidence and thinks that the disciplinary process should have been allowed to run its course,” said Bian, who is a practising lawyer.
“Instead, there was a pre-emptive rush to judgment on the appeal process. Some media reported that only three leaders would be suspended and the others let off with warning letters.”

“The final verdict, whatever its form, cannot logically be announced before the appeal process had been completed,” he said.

Anwar was also anxious to assure the gathering in Kuching that he “was not anti-Christian as painted by some of the media in the wake of the disciplinary action against the promoters of PCS”.

“We must give Anwar the benefit of the doubt in the conduct of the disciplinary and appeal process,” said Bian.

“It shouldn’t be long before we can bring this unfortunate episode to a close.”

Being a party man, he said, he “draws a firm line against washing dirty linen in public”.
We find the reporting totally unacceptable and done in mala fide as there seemed to be an agenda to paint PKR and especially Anwar in a bad light and as an anti-Christian.
We reiterate that the 12 Sabahans were suspended because they registered a new party – an act which is a serious breach of party rules and has nothing to do with the fact that some of them are Christians or Kadazan Dusuns. Baru Bian was of course dismayed over the report and has written to Steven Gan on this issue. We also reproduce Baru Bian’s sms to Joe Fernandez over the recent article:

Friend,
You have not kept your words. You not only put words into my mouth but “quoted” me all the way in your article which were not quite accurate. I am afraid, I cannot trust you any more.Very disappointed!
BBian
Nor is this the first time that Joe Fernandez has written in such a manner on PKR and Anwar. In fact, this seemed to be a constant recurrence as can be seen in the following articles (there are more) which also contain similar flaws, misquotations and negative slants.
“3 Sabah PKR leaders suspended, 9 warned”, August 30, 2010
This was not even a decision taken at the PKR Central Committee Meeting. Instead, the decision was to accept the recommendation of the disciplinary committee to suspend the 12 – to take effect from 4 January 2010 till 3 January 2011. The Party has also indicated that they can appeal on the decision and the appeal will heard as soon as possible so that those who have been nominated may be able to participate in the party elections. This is contrary to what has been reported.
“Sabah a daunting challenge for Anwar”, August 29, 2010
The whole story claiming that Anwar was snubbed due to the Party action against the 12 Sabahans was completely untrue and based on unkind interpretations of what actually happened e.g. he was said to not received any visitors from the time he checked into the hotel till the time he went to the state council meeting when in fact he only had an hour to rest before going to the said meeting; that there was a low turnout of 300 people when in fact the hall in the hotel was packed; and the assumption that the ceramah in Sepanggar was cancelled as a reaction to the suspension when in fact, it was cancelled due to the inability to obtain a police permit. Further the whole article was littered with very negative phrases which was not justifiable on the facts,  such as “put up with the indignity”, “sheepishly”, “mock politeness”, “console Anwar”, “snub on Anwar” etc.
“Jeffrey tells Anwar to stay away from Sabah”, August 27, 2010
The sms from Jeffery to Anwar was taken out of context and misrepresented as a whole to give the impression that Jeffrey told Anwar to stay away from Sabah and that he would not be welcomed at the moment. This is misleading as the sms from Jeffrey merely advised Anwar to reconsider the visit and it was not a warning or a strong message as portrayed. Furthermore, the visit was scheduled by the entire Sabah PKR leadership and Jeffrey’s sms was not a collective decision.
Whilst we respect and appreciate the work of Malaysiakini that has contributed to independent journalism, freedom of the press and information, we unfortunately have to reject the type of journalism that is practiced by Joe Fernandez. We have thus instructed our PKR leaders not to deal with him anymore and we would appreciate if you could assign other journalists to cover PKR issues.
Once again, we are disappointed that Malaysiakini seems to have fallen below the standards required when it comes to reporting on PKR. We sincerely hope that Malaysiakini does not fall into the ongoing trend that have affected several online media and blogs that thrive on exaggeration or creating PKR scandals when there is none, and quoting unnamed or insider sources when party leaders are available for comments or to provide  alternative explanations.
Thank you.
Yours faithfully,
Latheefa Koya
PKR Information Chief

Call for return of civility, reason and rationality in public discourse and an end to any form of racial or religious slurs in public domain particularly on the social media and Internet

By Lim Kit Siang,

The rise and frequency of instances of racial and religious slurs in the public domain particularly on the social media and the Internet must be a matter of grave concern to all Malaysians.

All right-thinking Malaysians regardless of political affiliation should join hands to call and work for a return of civility, reason and rationality in public discourse and an end to any form of racial or religious slurs particularly on the social media and Internet.

The quality of Malaysian public discourse must not be degraded and sullied by lies and falsehoods, racial bigotry and religious intolerance which can only undermine and subvert the very fabric of Malaysian society.

The Prime Minister, Datuk Seri Najib Razak has called for speedier action by the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) against those who post racial or religious slurs and misuse the social networking websites.

MCMC can be assured of public support for any strict action against abuses of the Internet as putting up content with racial and religious slurs which could spark off tension in our country.

The MCMC must, however, jealously protect its credibility and legitimacy by never losing public confidence in its independence, integrity and professionalism as a key institution to protect the national interests and not to be the tool of any sectional or partisan political interests or even the government-of-the-day.

Beng Hock is not forgotten

By Anil Netto,

Some 300 people packed a hall in Penang this afternoon for a Malaysians for Beng Hock forum organised by civil society groups.


Pictured above is Nora Murat, executive director of Amnesty International Malaysia. She challenged the government to declare Malaysia a torture-free nation – Photo by Anil
Aliran president P Ramakrishnan called for the Beng Hock inquest to be disbanded with a royal commission of inquiry set up in its place.
“If you want real change, then change the government,” he asserted, at which the crowd erupted in thunderous applause.
The other speakers were Beng Hock’s sister, Teoh Lee Lan (via recorded video) and Toh Kin Woon.  The forum, moderated by Ng Eng Kiat of Suaram, was held at a hall in the Han Chiang School.