Hot air balloons by both RPK and Dr Lim on the MoU between HINDRAF and BN

Hot air balloons by both RPK and Dr Lim on the MoU between HINDRAF and BN.

Before even divulging into to the contents of the MoU between BN and HINDRAF, one needs to look into the intention or what was intended.

To understand the intention, one needs to look why and how the intention came about.

Why and how the intention is purely based on the 4 issues stipulated in the MOU which is:

1. Uplifting displaced Estate Workers;

2. Addressing Statelessness among the Indian Poor;

3. Increasing educational opportunism from Pre-school to University for the poor Indians;

4. Increasing Employment and Business Opportunities for the poor Indians.

What is an MoU and how effective of the MOU actually becomes obsolete when the intention is not met. Whether it is workable or not is not the issue but was there an intention.

The intention is entered in good faith on a gentleman agreement based on the spirit and morality of it, not one to figure out what is the time line, what it could have been and what should have been for a community that is long neglected but rather a genuine intention to hold to one’s end of the bargain to bring them in par with the rest of them.

Both these laureates meaning RPK and Dr Lim Teck Ghee don’t delve on the issues but rather indulge with their swing song on why, how and what is should have been rather than having the courage to address the issue as listed above.

Really!!! Are these the soothsaying martyrs for the community?

Does it really matter whether there is an MoU or not between BN and HINDRAF if there is no real intention by the governance of the day.

Does it really matter whether HINDRAF can take BN to court over the breach of intention of the government of the day?

Does it really matter what anyone can say about it without actually being in a position to do anything to resolve the impending issue for the poor Indians.

Does it really matter, if we individually in our heart are still driven for who is going to be in power and who is not in anticipation within our own cocoon without actually understanding the predicament of the Indian poor and their ability to sustain their pride and dignity to live a normal life in Malaysia without fear and favor?

Does the intention meet’s the objective for the poor Indians or another political drive as and when it fits us?

Intention does not need a legal standing or an abridged method but works on a pure sense of morality and principle on the issues that seems to keep haunting us when we fail our social responsibilities in our self- indulged manner.

Social human responsibilities to our own mankind are not derived on who says or what fits an agenda but rather whether you have the courage on a subjective basis to address it when the truth faces you like the state of the poor Malaysian Indians.

So in essence it really does not matter who says what, but rather what is the role, what and how an intention plays a part in any individual who seek to ensure that the plight of the wilfully neglected Indian poor in Malaysia can continue to have a voice in a non-partisan manner.

Liberty cannot be established without morality, nor morality without faith. The faith can only be sustained when the role we play collectively has the liberty not to fool ourselves subjectively in the truth that affects our fellow poor Malaysian Indians in an unjust manner.

Thank you.

R.Shan

(Human Being)

‘Let voters decide on Kajang move’

(The Sun Daily) - Datuk Ambiga Sreenevasan (pix), still unhappy over how the Kajang by election was “forced’ upon constituents, wants voters to decide whether the reasons for the “Kajang move” are valid.

The former Bersih 2.0 chairman said she had made her position on the matter very clear from the start.

“I’m not so naïve to see that these things do not ever happen. What I said was they must give a good reason (on why the by-election is necessary) and I think they’ve given some reasons,’ she told theSun.

Ambiga said she knows all too well why the Kajang by-election is being held but added that voters should accept the reality of the situation.

“I urge the Kajang voters to use the by-election as an opportunity to voice their grievances by casting their ballots on polling day set for March 23,” the former Bar Council chairman told theSun.

The by-election follows the sudden resignation of former assemblyman Lee Chin Cheh on Jan 27.

It is expected to be a six-cornered fight with four independents and MCA vice-president Datin Paduka Chew Mei Fun going up against Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, the de facto PKR leader.

Ambiga, who is now the legal adviser for the Centre to Combat Corruption and Cronyism (C4), also called on the government to be more serious in combating corruption and for perpetrators to “face the full force of the law”.

“They should make it clear that there is zero tolerance for corruption, which means if anyone is caught, they would be charged and face the full force of the law.

“But, above and beyond that, leaders must show leadership. They need to show that they won’t indulge in any of these practices and abuses of power that we’ve been complaining about in the past. Therefore, strong leadership is important,” she said.

She added that educating the public and conducting anti-corruption programmes at the state or national level would benefit the nation.

Court of Appeal Registrar Must Reveal Reasons for Unusual Haste in Fixing Fitnah II Appeal dates

Subject: Press Statement: Court of Appeal Registrar Must Reveal Reasons for Unusual Haste in Fixing Fitnah II Appeal date

I refer to the appeal of the Fitnah II case by the BN government against opposition leader Anwar Ibrahim on 6 &7 March 2014.

We are disturbed by the unusual haste in which the March 6 &7 dates have been fixed.

The appeal had been fixed for case management on 28.2.2014. Anwar’s lawyers then received a call from the deputy registrar of the Court of Appeal (CoA) asking for free dates between March 7 and March 10, 2014. It should be noted that the dates insisted upon by the CoA are on the eve of the nomination day for the Kajang by-election. ( If Anwar is convicted, he would be disqualified from contesting the by election.)

On 28 February 2014, the court insisted on fixing March 6 &7 as the appeal dates. The dates were fixed despite Anwar’s lawyers stating that those are not their free dates. Why was the CoA in such a hurry to fix these dates?

More surprisingly, the CoA had on 12 Feb had allowed a stay of the Fitnah II appeal pending disposal of Anwar’s appeal to Federal Court on the application for Judy Pereira to be recalled.

Having granted the stay, why did the CoA rush to fix the appeal dates even before the Judy Pereira appeal was heard?

In fact, Anwar had up to 6 March to file his petition of appeal for the Judy Pereira appeal to the Federal Court. However in a highly unusual move, Shafee Abdullah filed an application to strike out the Judy Pereira appeal. More surprisingly the Federal Court allowed on 4th March the striking out of the Judy Pereira appeal, which decision was clearly wrong in law and in fact.

It should be remembered that the Fitnah II appeal is a matter of great public interest. The court must be candid and transparent in managing the Fitnah II appeal.

The Malaysian public has a right to fullest disclosure pertaining to this appeal.

We hereby call upon the Chief Registrar of the CoA to disclose the reasons for the hurried fixing of the Fitnah II appeal dates.

Issued by

N Surendran

Vice President Keadilan

&

Member of Parliament, Padang Serai

IGP Khalid and AG Gani must explain why they have abdicated from their responsibility to uphold the rule of law and preserve the peace in Malaysia in allowing Perkasa to break laws and commit breaches of peace outside Federal Court

By Lim Kit Siang,

It has been reported that the 500-odd people mobilised by Perkasa outside the Federal Court in Putrajaya this morning hearing the appeal on the use of the term ‘Allah’ turned unruly and threw objects at the front-door of the Palace of Justice, with many trying to breach the police barrier and enter the court building.
This is the report from The Malaysian Insider by Jennifer Gomez entitled “Perkasa supporters upset by church lawyers, try to get into courthouse”:

“The crowd outside the Palace of Justice in Putrajaya turned unruly just before the Federal Court stood down with many trying to breach the police barrier and enter the court building.
“Shouting and screaming, some members in the crowd threw a microphone and water bottle at the glass door entrance to the building.
“The crowd was 4m from the main door as police stood guard.
“Perkasa president Datuk Ibrahim Ali said that the crowd advanced towards the main glass door of the Palace of Justice as they had got word that Catholic Church lawyers questioned why the use of the word ‘Allah’ by Christians was being made an issue now when it had been in use in the weekly Herald for 14 years prior to 2009.
“’The supporters heard that this was the submission made by the Catholic Church lawyer, so they got upset.’ He added that no one had instructed them to advance.”

Ahmad Fadli KC of Malaysiakini filed the following report “Angry crowd tries to barge into court”:

“A fracas erupted outside the Palace of Justice in Putrajaya today, where members from various Malay rights NGOs had gathered for the appeal hearing on the use of the term ‘Allah’.
“About 11:15am, members of the crowd, who demanded that ‘Allah’ be exclusive only to Muslims in Malaysia, tried to push through policemen guarding the entrance to enter the court lobby.
“The crowd chanted ‘La ila ha Illalah (There is no God except Allah)’ and marched in solidarity to pressure the policemen.”

Imagine what would have happened if it was not Perkasa, but some Catholic organisation which had mobilised the 500-odd supporters outside the Federal Court this morning which had “turned unruly”, “shouting and screaming, some members in the crowd threw a microphone and water bottle at the glass door entrance to the building”; “tried to push through policemen guarding the entrance to enter the court lobby” allegedly in protest for being offended by submissions made by the Muslim lawyers demanding that ‘Allah’ be the exclusive term only to Muslims in Malaysia?
Would there be police arrests of the Catholic organisers and supporters of the gathering, including being charged for offences under the Penal Code for offences against the public tranquillity such as Section 141 for trying to “overawe by criminal force or show of criminal force” the judiciary from the lawful exercise of its public duties?
Or what would have happened if there had been two groups, one mobilised by Perkasa and the other mobilised by some Catholic organisers, outside the Federal Court, and both had turned ugly and unruly this morning?
The police and Attorney-General’s Chambers should explain why the double-standards in not upholding the law to prosecute Perkasa leaders and supporters for offences against public tranquility in seeking to overawe the judiciary outside the Federal Court this morning?
Very irresponsible and even reckless statements were made at the Perkasa gathering outside the Federal Court this morning, which continued the pattern of incessant incitement of racial and religious animosities and hatred in recent months in utter disregard of the law and the national objective to promote inter-racial and inter-religious peace, harmony and goodwill in Malaysia.
Are the police and the Attorney-General’s Chambers going to continue their stance of the traditional three monkeys, of having eyes that see not, ears that hear not and mouths that speak not?
At a time when the country is facing the unprecedented threat to inter-racial and inter-religious peace and harmony caused by incessant incitement of racial and religious animosities and hatred calculated to cause racial chaos and religious conflagration, the government agencies and institutions responsible for upholding the rule of law and keeping the peace and harmony in the country cannot continue to abdicate from their responsibilities.
Malaysians have a right to expect the Inspector-General of Police Tan Sri Khalid Abu Bakar and the Attorney-General Tan Sri Gani Patail to speak up and explain they have continued to be remiss in their oaths of office to uphold the rule of law and to preserve the peace and harmony of the diverse races and religions in the country.

Sultan Abdul Halim Muadzam Shah Bridge Will Help Spur Economic Growth - Najib

KUALA LUMPUR, March 5 (Bernama) -- Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak said Wednesday he believed that the launching of the Second Penang Bridge - named Jambatan Sultan Abdul Halim Muadzam Shah - will act as a catalyst for more economic activities not only in Penang, but also in the northern region.

The Prime Minister said the launch of Second Penang Bridge was another testament of the Federal government's unwavering will to deliver on its promises.

"Above all else, we are committed to improving the livelihood of the people. It is my sincerest hope that people in the northern region will capitalise on the development opportunities generated by the Second Penang Bridge project.

"The bridge was built with you in mind. The bridge is there to serve you; make the most out of it," Najib said in his latest posting in his blog www.1malaysia.com.my.

He said apart from its most obvious role of providing connectivity and accessibility to the Penang International Airport, he foresaw that the bridge would eventually become a national icon much like the Golden Gate Bridge in San Francisco and the Sydney Harbour Bridge in Australia.

Najib said facilitating the movement of goods and people galvanised a nation's commerce and that was why he held dearly to the idea that an efficient transportation system was one of the most important components of economic growth.

"The government has set continuous plans to improve public transportation and infrastructures - LRT, MRT, improvements in railway connectivity, highways around Peninsular and East Malaysia, etc, to ensure social mobility for all Malaysians," he said.

Built at a cost of RM4.5 billion, Northerners could now look forward to shifting their economic focus from agriculture to industry, said Najib.

"I have been made to understand - and fully expect - that 65,000 job opportunities will be created by the development projects surrounding the Second Bridge.

"The government's central thrust has always been to deliver on our promise: that all Malaysians shall stand to benefit from any federal development project," he said.

"In many ways the Second Bridge is an important milestone for Malaysia. The idea was first mooted in 1995 by (Malaysia's fourth prime minister) Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad.

"This was followed through by (Malaysia's fifth prime Minister) Tun Abdullah Ahmad Badawi who decided that it should be located in the southern part of the island so as to stimulate economic growth in the northern states well as in the Northern Economic Corridor," he added.

He said the Second Bridge - connecting Batu Maung on the island and Batu Kawan on the mainland - will serve as the alternate crossing to Penang.

"It is estimated that number of vehicles using the first Penang Bridge (built in 1985) will increase by 68% (i.e. 67,000 vehicles) by 2020.

"Thus, the second crossing will greatly ease congestion of incoming and outgoing traffic to the island. I am convinced that this will, in turn, tremendously boost the income potential and quality of life of the people in the surrounding areas," Najib said.

The Second Bridge, he said, was in itself a modern day engineering marvel.

He said it was the also the longest bridge in the world that incorporated the High Damping Rubber Bearing (HDRB) as its seismic isolation system with the ability to withstand earthquakes of up to magnitude 7.5, besides being the longest bridge in South East Asia, spanning 24 kilometres (16.9 kilometres over water).

"Another innovative feature is the emphasis on environmental friendliness in the design and construction of the toll plaza serving the bridge.

"It carries a Gold rating of 80% on the Green Building Index (GBI). This measure is aimed at promoting energy efficiency, internal environmental quality and sustainability in operating the Toll Plaza," he added.

The colour purple to spread message of peace

Malaysians divided on how to discipline children

Saudi women demand end of male control - Al Jazeera

Activists say the laws restricting women in the kingdom are not based in religious teachings.

Saudi Arabia is also the only country in the world that bans women from driving [Reuters]

 

Saudi women activists have petitioned the country's consultative council to back a demand to curb the "absolute authority" of male guardians over women in the kingdom, a signatory has said.

Activist Aziza Yousef told AFP news agency on Sunday that "rights activists have petitioned the Shura (consultative) Council on the occasion of the International Women's Day [on March 8] demanding an end to the absolute authority of men over women".

They demanded "measures to protect [women's] rights," in their petition to the Shura Council, she said.

Saudi Arabia imposes a strict interpretation of Islamic law, forbidding women to work or travel without the authorisation of their male guardians.

It is also the only country in the world that bans women from driving, and a woman cannot obtain an identification card without the consent of her guardian.

Laws in the kingdom enforcing such restrictions on women "are not based on religious" teachings, said Yousef.

The petition, signed by 10 female activists, also calls for allowing women to drive.

Three female members of the Shura Council presented a recommendation that women be given the right to drive in October, but the male-dominated 150-member assembly blocked the proposal.

Women in Saudi must obtain permission from a male guardian to perform "certain surgeries" and to "leave the university campus during study hours," she added.

She cited a recent case in which a pregnant student had to give birth on campus after a women-only university in Riyadh denied access to paramedics.

And a university student died in February after paramedics were prevented from entering her campus because they were not accompanied by a male guardian, a must according to the strict segregation rules in the Muslim kingdom.

The Shura Council is appointed by the king and advises the monarch on policy, but cannot legislate.

Minister praises how Singapore promotes national unity, religious harmony – Bernama

Minister in the Prime Minister's Department Tan Sri Joseph Kurup (pic) says Malaysia is looking at
Singapore's model to further promote national unity and religious harmony among its citizens.

"Overall, our national unity and religious harmony is quite good. Every religious festivity such as Chinese New Year, Hari Raya, Christmas, Pesta Kaamatan in Sabah, Hari Gawai in Sarawak, the leaders open their houses for the people to visit," he told Bernama at the VIP Complex in Changi Airport today.

Kurup was here on a three-day working visit begining Sunday to see and understand national unity and religious harmony among Singaporeans.

"We are here to study Singapore's way of managing community centres and how Singaporeans, permanent residents and foreigners alike integrate themselves via various activities at community centres.

Apart from officials from the Department of National Unity and Integration, Prime Minister's Department, his delegation included 30 top religious leaders of all faiths from Malaysia.

"We will do some analysis on this (community centres). I will forward this to the government for consideration if it is something that will promote national unity, understanding, peace and promote harmony," he said.

Among the places visited, by Kurup was Anchorvale Community Centre, an integrated complex in Sengkang West Constituency Office.

He was received by Senior Parliamentary Secretary for Foreign Affairs and Culture Community and Youth, Sam Tan and Member of Parliament for Ang Mo Kio Group Representative Constituency, Dr Lam Pin Min.

At the centre, Kurup said: "I can see the elderly and the young interacting at the centre.

"I was told that that is a centre for them to mingle around and to promote national unity. That is one component in the process towards promoting national unity.

"I also made a courtesy call on Acting Minister of Culture, Community and Youth, Lawrence Wong and we talked about the Maintenance of Religious Harmony Act.

On Monday, Kurup visited Tampines and met with Masagos Zulkifli, the Senior Minister of State, and Ministry of Home Affairs.

"There I learnt something. He brought me to his service centre where he provides a lot of services to all communities. It is not only to unite the people but also to maintain relationships," he said.

On Tuesday, Kurup said he visited Harmonis Centre initiated by Muslim groups and "I can see that it is accepted by all".

"The centre is a place for them for interfaith dialogue and to make people understand, appreciate, and respect the religion, so that they do not hurt each other.".

Kurup also visited Onepeople.sg Centre and met with Member of Parliament Zainudin Nordin.

He said the centre's concept is similar to 1Malaysia - People First where you need to integrate to establish the national identity.

Kurup said his visit together with religious leaders was to familiarise them with what Singapore is doing in promoting national unity and religious harmony.

"From the feedback that I received, they are very happy and overall our visit has been very fruitful," he said thanking all those involved, particularly the MPs and the minister concerned who were so kind to give us all the information. – Bernama, March 4, 2014.

Stand up against ethnic and religious extremists

The Malaysian Bar welcomes the recent urging by the prime minister for all Malaysians not to pay heed to the extremist elements in Malaysia.

The prime minister has succinctly identified the dangers, for Malaysia and Malaysians, of pandering to these elements, describing their actions as wrong and tending to destroy the trust between races.

He has warned that we must not let these instigators overpower us.

The Malaysian Bar echoes the urging by the prime minister for us as citizens to come together and support each other in building trust, cohesion and unity for the preservation of harmony.

The reminder by the prime minister for us to have faith in ourselves and our fellow Malaysians does not come too late.

The Malaysian Bar supports the proposal by Lim Kit Siang for all moderate Malaysians to stand together and unite to isolate extremists and traitors who wish to create chaos by inciting racial and religious hatred, conflict and tension.

All quarters should rise above politics in addressing and working for harmony and unity. Support each other towards the common goal, and endeavour to stamp out extremism in our country.

There should be no place for bullies, bigots and racists. The issue of ethnic and religious tension is far too serious a matter for games of political one-upmanship.

We encourage all Malaysians to heed the prime minister’s proposal to continue working together for a cohesive and united Malaysia.

---

CHRISTOPHER LEONG is president of the Malaysian Bar.

Anwar wants Malays to read Ramayana

Anwar encourages the Malays to read classical Hindu texts and for Hindu's to read the Quran to better understand each other.

KAJANG: Pakatan Rakyat candidate for the Kajang state seat by-election Anwar Ibrahim told a group of Malay youths that to understand the Indian community they needed to read and understand classical Hindu texts such as the Ramayana, Mahabharatha and the Thirukkural.

He said that it was vital for them to do so because it would enable Malaysians to better understand one another.

“Yesterday I met a group of Malay youths. I told them to read the Ramayana and Mahabharatha. I also told them to read the Thirukkural,” said Anwar who is Permatang Pauh MP and Opposition Leader in Parliament.

The Ramayana is an epic poem that narrates a journey of virtue to annihilate vice portrayed by Prince Rama and King Ravana. It was authored by sage Valmiki.

Mahabaharata is a tale of war between cousins, the Pandavas and the Kauravas.

Both texts are the greatest Sanskrit epics on ancient India.

“The Thirukkural is a summary of thoughts in Indian society touching on every aspect of life,” the PKR de facto leader explained.

Anwar was speaking at a dinner function attended by 150 Indian representatives from various NGOs, parent teacher associations, temple committees and associations at the Metro Prescott Hotel last night.

On the same theme he also encouraged Hindus to read the Quran.

“I am confident that this is the new Malaysia. I am still Muslim and Malay,” Anwar said.

He explained the insecurities present in the mind of the Malays and said that the challenge now was to change the Malay mindset.

“Malays see this land as theirs and feel like they are bowing down to the Chinese. My challenge is to break that perception.”

Anwar blamed the Umno-led federal government for the Malay community’s unreadiness to change their perception.

“They (BN) must be ready to lead because this will not make the Malays lose out. We need to build up the Malay community’s self confidence,” he explained.

Touching on the Indian community he acknowledged that there was a high percentage of the community getting themselves involved in criminal activities.

“Even though the Indian population is small, they are over-represented in Sungai Buloh,” he said in reference to the prison he was imprisoned in for six years.

The talk was part of Anwar’s campaign for the Kajang by-election.

Pakatan is fielding Anwar whereas BN has fielded MCA vice president Chew Mei Fun.

Kita party founder Zaid Ibrahim and dangdut singer Herman Tino are contesting in the by-election as independents.

The state constituency has 39,278 registered voters, majority of whom are Malays. Nomination has been set for March 11 and polling on March 23.

The Kajang state seat fell vacant following the resignation of incumbent assemblymen Lee Chin Cheh of PKR on Jan 27.

The state seat comprises 39,728 registered voters. At the last general elections in May, 2013, the seat saw a voter turnout of 87.9% with 541 spoilt votes. It has 48% Malay voters, Chinese 41%, Indian 10% and others 1%.

Volunteers keep Seaport Tamil school going (Video)

Volunteers keep Seaport Tamil school going

Left with just 28 students, former teachers have taken to guiding primary school students on a pro bono basis.
FMT FOCUS
PETALING JAYA: Despite their existence protected under the Federal Constitution, Tamil schools have always found themselves in a lurch due to lack of support from the government.

They used to number in the thousands but now there are only about 500 left after many rubber estates, which used to house vernacular schools, were taken away in the name of development.

One such school is the Sekolah Tamil Seaport, which is the only Tamil school remaining in Kelana Jaya.

In December last year, the school headmistress, under the instruction of the Education Ministry, took away all of the school amenities to a new one in Kampung Lindungan, about 4 kilometres away.

However, 28 of the 115 students have refused to move to the new school, and their parents and former students formed the ‘Save Our School SJK (T) Seaport Movement (SOSS)’.

For now, they have several former teachers guiding the remaining students, on a pro bono basis.

“I’m doing this to preserve the Tamil language and our culture,” said G Murugasu, one of the five teachers volunteering at the school.

Although the teachers do not have a fixed salary, parents have collected donations to contribute towards their daily expenses.

When FMT visited the school last week, only two teachers were present, as the rest were on leave.

“They have other commitments. We cannot force them because they are doing it on a voluntary basis,” said Murugasu, who retired from the service in 2002.

Asked if it was possible for one teacher to teach so many subjects, he said that it was a normal practice at several other Tamil vernacular schools.

“There are schools where the teachers teach various subjects. Here, our emphasis is on reading, writing, Mathematics and languages,” he said.

Touching on the forced closure of the school, an upset Murugasu said that the school must be allowed to continue its operations.

“Why should the school be closed? There are 30 students here and there is a building to cater to them.

“The new school (in Kampung Lindungan) can focus on the Indian community there,” said Murugasu, who used to teach at the Seaport Tamil school in the 90s.

‘Give back school’s operating license’

He also asked for the school’s facilities to be returned and urged the government to provide the necessary for the school to continue operating as usual.

A check by FMT found that the school library, sports facilities store and science laboratory were all left bare, possibly taken to the new school.

“Apart from this, students are deprived of text books, the RM100 book vouchers, Food Supplementary Programme (RMT) and milk scheme,” said Murugasu.

K Letchimy, who operates the school canteen, said she has three children studying the school and would not budge from her decision to keep them in the current school.

“We don’t want to transfer our kids as the school in Kampung Lindungan is a far from where we live,” said the 40-year-old Letchimy, who lives in Lembah Subang.

Letchimy also claimed that she was ‘harassed’ by the school headmistress who is now heading the Tamil school in Kampung Lindungan.

“The headmistress always calls, telling me if I transfer my children they will receive the RM100 book vouchers. But we don’t want it. I just want our children to be schooled here,” she said.

Asked if it was alright for one teacher to teach her children several subjects, Letchimy said she has no problems with that. “I have no qualms. My son who is in Year Six is a better student now.”

Malaysia Tamil School Boards president, R Kannan, pointed out that the new school, which was completed in December last year, is built on a one-acre land.

“This is contrary to PKNS’ promise that it will build a new school on a five-acre land. What difference can a one-acre land make? The so called improvement is only on paper,” he said.

On the school license being revoked, Kannan said it was daylight robbery.

“The school’s operating licence was taken away from this school. We are now requesting the Education Ministry to give back the operating licence,” said Kannan.

Kannan, who is also part of the SOSS, is also requesting the Selangor state government to gazette the land to the school as promised in 2008.

Last week, several parents from the school submitted a memorandum to the United Nations (UN) and Suhakam in an effort to retain the old school.

The school, which was taken over under the name of development by the Selangor State Development Corporation (PKNS) in 1965, was founded about 80 years ago.

The Education Ministry has said that it would not recognise the 28 students if they continue studying in the old school, including the six students who are due to sit for UPSR later year.

SOSS will also be admitting 21 pre-school students beginning this month.

‘Haze reduces visibility, makes Palani invisible’

The environment minister, says an MIC man, should be appointed as the country's Special Envoy of Temples in India.

PETALING JAYA: The haze that has enveloped Kuala Lumpur and Selangor over the past few days has not only reduced visibility but has also made Natural Resources and Environment Minister G Palanivel invisible, former MIC strategy director S Vell Paari said today.

“While a large portion of Malaysians are suffering as a result of inhaling the unhealthy-level of polluted air, Palanivel seems to be oblivious to it.

“He does not have even the courtesy to call for a press conference to calm ruffled feathers of the rakyat. He should be the one explaining to the people about the haze,” he said, taking an aim at his party president.

“As the minister responsible for environment, Palanivel has a duty of care to the citizens of Malaysia to explain the real situation. But I think he is not even bothered,” he said in a press statement today.

He said the behaviour of Palanivel was unbecoming of a minister in charge of the environment as he seemed not to be bothered to tackle issues effecting the ministry.

“Palanivel is not bothered to issue any directives for the safety of our children and the elderly. Do we need this kind of a irresponsible minister?,” questioned Vell Paari, an outspoken party leader who was dropped from MIC central working committee (CWC) in July last year.

The country, especially the Klang Valley, has been experiencing haze over the past week due to bush fires caused by the ongoing drought. The burning of agriculture land in Indonesia has not helped alleviate the situation here.

The air pollutant index (API) climbed to as high as 137 in Port Klang on March 3, with seven parts of Kuala Lumpur and the states of Selangor and Negri Sembilan recording levels above 100, which is classified as unhealthy.

An API reading of between 0 and 50 is considered good; 51 to 100, moderate; 101 to 200, unhealthy; 201 to 300, very unhealthy; and 301 and above, hazardous.

“From May till September last year, we experienced one of worst haze situations in the country. During the period, Palanivel reacted very late, only after getting lambasted by various politicians and non-governmental associations.

“Since then, we have had flash floods, dam outpouring in Cameron Highlands and now an equally bad haze, but Palanivel is no where to be seen. Does he need to be pushed every time?” asked Vell Paari.

Set KPI for NRE minister

Vell Paari said Prime Minister Najib Tun Razak and his deputy Muhyiddin Yassin seemed to have taken over the responsibilities from Palanivel as they are the ones who are on the ground when a natural calamity occurs.

“The prime minister and his deputy cannot do it all, while Palanivel goes on his usual holidays to either India or Australia.

“In my opinion, Palanivel should be appointed as the Special Envoy of Temples to India. That is what he (Palanivel) does best.

On a more serious note, Vell Paari said Najib should set key performance index for ministers like Palanivel and ensure these ministers be truthful in giving their performance figures.

“I am very curious to know if Palanivel has any KPI as he is seen to be nowhere near of fulfilling it. I am sure issuing statements once in a blue moon does not satisfy the KPI.

“I request the prime minister to publicly announce the KPI set for the Natural Resources and Environment Ministry and its minister because all Malaysians need a well-equipped, responsible and caring Natural Resources and Environment Minister,” he stressed.

Why the Hindraf ‘MoU’ was doomed to failure

Lim Teck Ghee

Various explanations have been advanced as to why P. Waytha Moorthy resigned from his Deputy Minister position in the Najib administration and why the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed between the Barisan Nasional and Persatuan Hindraf Malaysia never got off the ground.

Predictably the two parties to the agreement have sought to blame the other side for this debacle. Waytha has pointed the finger squarely at the Prime Minister and his lack of leadership qualities and insincerity in implementing the MoU. From the other side, statements from the Prime Minister’s Umno cabinet colleagues, Khairy Jamaluddin and Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Hussein, have depicted Waytha as being selfish, ineffective in representing Indian issues and as “not a team player”.

Comments from both aligned and unaligned commentators have been more circumspect in assigning blame for the failure of what can be regarded as a landmark MoU between the ruling party and a dissident political force. While some have lauded Waytha for quitting his position in government when he realized that the Prime Minister was not going to honour the pre-election commitments made to the Indians through the MoU, others have questioned Waytha’s impatience in giving up so quickly and easily.

The latest post by Raja Petra Kamarudin summarises the concern of more than a few observers that “eight months is too early to bail out”. According to Raja Petra, who has a consistent, even if sometimes controversial, record of raising the bar on political standards himself, Waytha should “publicise his MoU with Najib and list out which of the promises were supposed to have been delivered in six months, which he says were not delivered. Surely not everything had a six-month timeframe.”

Raja Petra, has a point. But it should not only be Waytha and the Hindraf central committee that are answerable. The government needs to table its own version of which parts of the MoU have been implemented during the period of Waytha’s tenure in the cabinet; which are being planned for implementation in the next few months; and the schedule for implementation of the full programme of Indian advancement leading up to the next general election.

After all, the Prime Minister in his delayed (and rather mild) response to Waytha’s resignation had noted that “I would like to stress that, in line with my dream to form a more approachable government that always gives help to those who need it, we will implement socio-economic development programmes for the Indian community, as well as the other races.”

So these details of which parts of the MoU have been implemented and which have not, should not be difficult to share with the public, even with Waytha’s departure. For interested members of the public, the full MoU is available on Hindraf’s website (see http://www.hindraf.co/index.php/news-statements/1168-mou-hindraf-bn) but not in any other government website, including the Prime Minister’s Department to which Waytha was attached.

Real reason for Hindraf MoU failure

In retrospect, it is clear that the MoU never stood a chance of succeeding even if Waytha decided to stay the course and not bail out prematurely as some have described it. There were three strikes against Waytha and the MoU.

The first was that he was fighting for an Indian cause against a bureaucracy that has been dominated by the Malay agenda, and is run by a predominantly Malay civil service.

The second is that the implementation unit and the independent budget that he was counting on to tackle the problems of Indian marginalization would have cut into the turf of existing power groups and alignments, including those associated with the MIC and other Indian interest groups aligned to the BN.

But perhaps the most potent strike was that of a Prime Minister who vacillated between his 1Malaysia vision and the ketuanan Melayu culture and ethos of his own party, and who eventually decided that his own vision had to give way. Whether this was because of political expediency or political dishonesty will have to be left to the public to decide.

The fact that Najib met with Waytha in 16 separate meetings is not indicative of a leader who had no time for the Indian cause or saw it as unimportant. It may have been due to sheer political expediency but I personally think Najib was initially sincere and confident that he could push through at least some parts of the MoU agreement which would have kept Waytha in his cabinet and swayed Indian support back to the BN.

But the combined resistance ― mostly from within the civil service but also from Umno and some MIC politicians as well ― was too great.

Is any meaningful social engineering for marginalised Indians possible?

Some 800,000 displaced estate workers and the estimated 350,000 stateless persons of Indian origin tell a story not simply of neglect but of deep-seated political negligence. It also tells of the way in which institutionalised racism has blighted the civil service. This institutionalised racism is the most damaging legacy that BN rule has left the country. It is now so embedded in the civil service that it can hold politicians ― even the Prime Minister himself ― to ransom.

Raja Petra is right when he warns that “(t)here is no quick or fast track to social re-engineering”. But how can any social re-engineering come about when the civil service and implementation machinery is not responsive and accountable; is opposed to change; and sees any reform as undermining national (read Malay) interests.

A stronger, more forceful and principled leader in the Prime Minister’s seat may be able to trigger the social re-engineering that the country badly needs. But such a leader does not appear visible at all on our horizon.

Are the Police and MCMC investigating and taking any action against cyber lies and falsehoods about Muslims being converted to Christianity calculated to incite racial and religious animosity and hatred in country?

By Lim Kit Siang

Are the police and the Malaysian Multimedia and Communications Commission (MCMC )investigating and taking any action against the lies on the Internet about Muslims being converted to Christianity calculated to incite racial and religious animosity and hatred in the country, in the larger plot to pit race against race and religion against religion in Malaysia?

It is recently reported that a photo of a women’s rights activist, Yu Ren Chung and several others attending a government function has been circulating in cyberspace as ‘proof’ of the country’s Muslims being converted to Christianity.

The photo circulating in blogs since 2012 shows him among with a group seated on wooden benches, many of them women wearing headscarves.

In actual fact, the photo was taken at the International Institute of Islamic Thought and Civilisation’s (Istac) main hall in Bukit Tunku, Kuala Lumpur, and not at a church as alleged by the blogs.

The event was hosted by the National Population and Family Development Board (LPPKN) on Feb 29, 2012 to discuss the National Family Policy, and was attended primarily by civil servants as well as a small number of NGO representatives.

However, Malaysian and Indonesian blogs have used the photo claiming it shows Muslims who had just been baptised, with some blaming DAP and PAS for the issue.

It is most shocking that Istac has become a church.

But what is most reprehensible and deplorable are the devious and wicked designs of irresponsible elements in our midst who are prepared to go to any lengths to incite racial and religious animosities and hatred in the country to pit race against race and religion against religion to set the country aflame.

An example must be made of these irresponsible and despicable people and actions out to destroy the peace and harmony of plural Malaysia.

Are the police and the MCMC taking pro-active actions to hunt down the perpetrators of such foul and despicable deeds to pit race against race and religion against religion to send a strong warning that the guardians of law and order will not stand idle at such provocative and anti-national actions calculated to cause mischief and disharmony in plural Malaysia but will strike strong and hard against such anti-Malaysia and treasonous activities.

DAP MPs will be demanding in the forthcoming Parliament reconvening next week what action the authorities have taken against such cyber lies and falsehoods calculated to sow discord and disharmony in our multi-racial and multi-religious nation.

Press Release | Stand Up, Speak Out and Unite Against Ethnic and Religious Extremists

The Malaysian Bar welcomes the recent call by the Prime Minister for all Malaysians not to pay heed to the extremist elements in Malaysia.

The Prime Minister has succinctly identified the dangers, for Malaysia and Malaysians, of pandering to these elements, describing their actions as wrong and tending to destroy the trust between races.  He has warned that we must not let these instigators overpower us.

The Malaysian Bar echoes the call by the Prime Minister for us as citizens to come together and support each other in building trust, cohesion and unity for the preservation of harmony.  The reminder by the Prime Minister for us to have faith in ourselves and our fellow Malaysians does not come too late.

The Malaysian Bar supports the call by Lim Kit Siang for all moderate Malaysians to stand together and unite to isolate extremists and traitors who wish to create chaos by inciting racial and religious hatred, conflict and tension.

All quarters should rise above politics in addressing and working for harmony and unity.  Support each other towards the common goal, and endeavour to stamp out extremism in our country. There should be no place for bullies, bigots and racists.  The issue of ethnic and religious tension is far too serious a matter for games of political one-upmanship.

We encourage all Malaysians to heed the Prime Minister’s call to continue working together for a cohesive and united Malaysia.

Christopher Leong

President

Malaysian Bar

Principals Can Close Schools If Haze Worsens - Muhyiddin

PUTRAJAYA, March 4 (Bernama) -- Principals and headmasters can close schools under their jurisdiction if the air pollutant index (API) reading exceeds 200 during the current haze enveloping the Klang Valley, Deputy Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin said Tuesday.

Muhyiddin, who is also the education minister, said the Education Ministry had activated the standing instruction for schools to take the appropriate action should the haze worsen.

The principals and headmasters had only to notify the district education officer of the closure of their schools, he told a news conference after chairing the 67th meeting of the National Council for Local Government, here.

"The principals and headmasters are empowered to make decisions in accordance with the guidelines," he said.

Also present at the news conference were Urban Well-being, Housing and Local Government Minister Datuk Abdul Rahman Dahlan and the deputy minister, Datuk Halimah Mohamed Sadique.

Muhyiddin said that should the API reading exceed 100, students at risk of suffering asthma attacks were discouraged from participating in outdoor activities.

If the API reading exceeded 150, all outdoor activities would have to be scrapped, he added.

Today, seven areas in the Klang Valley, including Banting, Kuala Selangor, Port Klang, Petaling Jaya and Shah Alam in Selangor, recorded an unhealthy API as of 1 pm.

According to the Department of Environment (DoE) website, the API reading exceeded 100 for Banting (121), Kuala Selangor (102), Port Klang (117), Petaling Jaya (121) and Shah Alam (117). Batu Muda in Kuala Lumpur recorded an API reading of 115 and Nilai in Negeri Sembilan, 110.

API readings of between 0 and 50 indicate that the air quality is good; 51 to 100, moderate; 101 to 200, unhealthy; 201 to 300, very unhealthy and 300 and above, dangerous.

Mah Meri: Gasping for breath beneath palm fronds

'More beautiful than women, horses and all other animals': Welcome to the Arab beauty contest where million-dollar CAMELS with false eyelashes and lip filler compete for huge prizes

• Visitors trek across desert for lavish event in Liwa, United Arab Emirates
• Men happily declare they prefer camels to their wives - and all other women
• Prize camels can change hands for as much as £1.8million at all-male event
• Festival also features camel races and milking competitions

Thousands of men leer on, playboys skid around outside in expensive cars, and top models command fees reaching into the millions as part of the biggest beauty contest this side of Dubai.

But, unlike most pageants, it is not women on display but camels - a situation which suits the exclusively male attendees just fine.

Visitors to this sprawling event held annually in Liwa, United Arab Emirates, happily admit that they consider the winning camels - which change hands for almost £2million each - more beautiful than their wives, and indeed any other woman.

+12

'Sexy, yeah?': One of the prize camels poses for the cameras in the United Arab Emirates

Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2571324/More-beautiful-women-horses-animals-Welcome-Arab-beauty-contest-million-dollar-CAMELS-false-eyelashes-lip-filler-compete-huge-prizes.html#ixzz2uwWQltI9 

ISLAM'S FINAL VERDICT ON MS.WORLD PAGEANT :IT IS "WORST THAN BUYING AND SELLING SLAVES" AND IS A FORM OF "HONOR KILLING OF WOMEN"

Miss World demeans women.
Since the premiere held in 1951 in the United States, a competition for the World Beauty Queen (Miss World) got a response in many areas.However, the event is organized by the Miss World Foundation was also condemnation and rejection by various communities in different parts of the world. 
Not least in the Middle East. female human rights activists in Iraq, for example, considered that this kind of event is a form of honor killings of women. Wave rejection came from the Muslim community. In Iraq, the Islamic militant group in 2006 threatened to kill Miss World Iraq, concerned ultimately forced to flee to Jordan. pros and cons
 In 2002 Miss World haunts Nigeria to cause physical violence. Nasr al-Islam group hunt down a local journalist named Daniel Asyoma. 's due to an article in the local media were very hurt Muslims. In the article, the reporter wrote, if Prophet Muhammad was still alive, would undoubtedly approve of this event. "It could be also marry one of the contestants," wrote Asyoma who then fled to the outside Nigeria.
.So, what are the views of  fatwa institutions in Muslim-majority countries related to Miss World? The fatwa institutions agreed that Muslims should not organize and participate, either as facilitators, participants, or cheerleaders in contests that emphasize the beautiful face. 
View as presented by Dar al-Ifta of Egypt, Saudi Arabia's Council of Senior Ulema, al Assembly Palestine-Ifta, the fatwa and each institution in Jordan, Lebanon, Libya, Syria, Tunisia, and Morocco. 
According to Sheikh Hisamuddin Affanah, this contest is contrary to the principles and values ​​of Islam, as well as the form of imitation of the Western culture. The event has the potential to degrade women. Beautiful face and body used as a medium of propaganda and promotion. "It's worse than buying and selling slaves," he said.
BUT KILLING WOMEN FOR HONOR BY STONING,MARRYING AND RAPING LITTLE GIRLS ETC.ETC.ETC, IS NOT AGAINST "PRINCIPALS AND VALUES OF ISLAM".
SOURCE PLEASE USE GOOGLE TRANSLATE  http://www.republika.co.id/berita/dunia-islam/fatwa/14/03/01/n1raxd-fatwa-tentang-miss-world-di-dunia-islam-1

Air quality in six locations in Klang Valley and Perak record unhealthy levels

Six locations in the Klang Valley, Putrajaya and Perak recorded unhealthy air quality this evening.

Air quality continued to deteriorate in Kuala Lumpur and Putrajaya as air pollutant index (API) for Cheras and the administrative capital registered a reading of 105 and 110, respectively, as at 5pm today.

Port Klang, which had consistently recorded unhealthy readings today, recorded 131 while Banting was at 117.

Outside the Klang Valley, air quality in Seri Manjung registered 107 while Kg Air Putih in Taiping recorded an API of 102.

Petaling Jaya and Shah Alam are hovering near unhealthy levels, at 95 and 98 respectively while Batu Muda in Kuala Lumpur recorded a reading of 91.

An API reading of between 0 and 50 is considered good; 51 to 100, moderate; 101 to 200, unhealthy; 201 to 300, very unhealthy; and 301 and above, hazardous according to the Department of Environment.

In a Bernama report last week, Malaysian Meteorological Department (JMM) director-general Datuk Che Gayah Ismail said the current air quality had no links with the eruption of Mount Sinabung in North Sumatera, Indonesia or other outside factors.

Instead, the unhealthy readings have been traced back to domestic sources such as smoke from forest fires, factories, vehicle emissions and the open burning of land.

The hot and dry weather, without any rainfall for several days, had only made the situation worse, Che Gayah had said.

Earlier today, the authorities carried out cloud seeding which saw slight rain in various parts of the Klang Valley. – March 3, 2014.

MIC man challenges Waytha to contest in Kajang

The former deputy minister can use the by-election to prove that he still commands support of the Malaysian Indian community, says its youth chief.

PETALING JAYA: A MIC leader today challenged former deputy minister in the Prime Minister’s Department P Waythamoorthy to contest the Kajang by-election to prove that he still has the support of the Malaysian Indian community.

“Instead of sitting in his office and issuing press statements targeting Prime Minister Najib Tun Razak and MIC, he should make a comeback as a politician and contest the Kajang by-election,” said former MIC Youth information chief S Subramaniam.

He said the by-election would be the best opportunity for Waythamoorthy to prove that he indeed had the support of the two million strong Malaysian Indian community.

“He wants to champion the cause of the community. It would be better if he contested in the Kajang state seat by-election. Although it would be an uphill battle for him to win the seat, at least he will know how many of the 4,000 Indian voters in Kajang support him.

“I challenge him to get at least 50% of the Indian votes. This will prove that he is indeed an Indian leader acknowledged by the community. Otherwise he should just zip up because he threw away an golden opportunity to serve the community as a deputy minister.

“He did a disservice to the community by resigning as deputy minister. He thought he would become a hero with the resignation but he was wrong. His action backfired. Now he is struggling to find a platform to say whatever he wants,” said Subramaniam.

He said if Waythamoothy can muster more than 2,000 Indian votes in Kajang, “I would personally support him to raise Indian related issues to the government.”

Three days to accept challenge

Subramaniam said anyone can claim that they had the peoples’ support but the most important thing is to prove it.

“We give him three days to accept the challenge. If he fails to stand up to this challenge then he should stop his mini-serial of issuing press statements every day,” added Subramaniam.

The MIC man also wanted Waythamoorthy to answer three questions before running down the government and MIC.

“Firstly, what is the status of the class action suit against the United Kingdom government in the Royal Court of Justice in London for US$4trillion (US$1million for every Malaysian Indian)?” he asked about the suit filed by Waythamoorthy on Aug 31, 2007.

In the suit, Waythamoothy on behalf of Hindraf, wanted United Kingdom to pay each Indian family in Malaysia RM1 million for bringing their ancestors from India to work in Malaysia about 100 years ago.

“Secondly, Waythamoorthy must unveil details of how much government funds he received and how he spent it while he was a deputy minister,” he added.

Subramaniam said Waythamoorthy must also answer queries as to the fate of RM800,000 banked into the Hindraf account in 2007.

A Malay’s perspective on HINDRAF’s plight

As a 50 something Malay who grew up in the estates during the 60′s & 70′s, I have many friends from the estates. Although I was from a poor family, with the assistance of the government I was able to move myself up the ladder to a comfortable position today.

Firdaus Alam, a former estate boy

I have been following the HINDRAF movement for some time since pre GE12. They have risen against the tide of Malaysian politics to address various issues ranging from statelessness, education, employment, institutionalized discrimination, forceful religion conversion etc.

In the beginning after their rally in 2007, like many Malays, I was upset with their allegation that the Malaysian Indians have been treated unfairly in Malaysia.

Do the Indians hate the Malays? Impossible!!!

Malays have a closer cultural affinity to Indian Malaysians than to Chinese Malaysians, to be honest. Well, from my point of view anyway. Malays don’t have any qualms eating at an Indian restaurant, but do you see many Malays eating at Chinese restaurants? So from a Malay man’s perspective, I was confused with the statement from Hindraf that the Malays are marginalizing and discriminating the Indians.

Then there was the allegation by the Malay media spin doctors that they were connected to LTTE and therefore are aggressive towards the government to create havoc in a stable country like ours.

As I started reading more of HINDRAF since their rally, I began to understand their movement better. I found out that they had sent over 3,000 memorandums to the government on the plight of the poor Indians prior to their rally which was to no avail.

Then they did an eye catching act by initiating the law suit in Britain to catch the attention of the government as it had spread like wild fire in the international scene.

This is when I realized that they were seeking attention to address the issues that the Indians appear to be hoodwinked or sidetracked due to political interests and are not, per se, against the Malay community.

As usual the Indian parties within the BN coalition discarded them as a nuisance and the government followed suit by further sidelining them without even listening to their plight.

As a 50 something Malay who grew up in the estates during the 60′s & 70′s, I have many friends from the estates. Although I was from a poor family, with the assistance of the government I was able to move myself up the ladder to a comfortable position today.

In retrospective of my yesteryears, I began to enquire about some of my Indian friends from the estate. Many had dropped out after Form 3 & Form 5 without continuing their education due to their parents’ financial (dis)ability although I must admit some of them were indeed cleverer than I. Even the Tamil school in my estate looks the same as it was 40 years ago.

After the HINDRAF leader resigned from his position, I had the opportunity to go through their MOU with BN and noted that their demands seeking to streamline the statelessness issues affecting the displaced estate workers, their well-being, increasing educational opportunities as well as employment and business opportunities appear to be a fair demand for them.

Oh, yes!!! I always have a favorite tag line amongst my Malay friends, “Nothing wrong with the Indians, look at AK and TF. They are symbols of Indian success in the country”.

Actually, I used to argue with my friends that they are only looking at it in a superficial manner because it is obvious Hindraf is fighting for the poor Indians, not the urban, educated, middle class or rich Indians and similar ones in other races but the bottom 60- 65% who live in small towns, rural areas.

Another indicator that I always reflect on is the number of Indian beggars, homeless ones, suicidal rate and the increase in gangsterism amongst the Indians compared to the 70′s & 80′s. Why is there such a sharp increase over the last 30 years? Do we even question this or rather conveniently ignore it?

I believe it is these Malaysians that Hindraf fights for when the other communities contemptuously shun them as a societal sore even when they are Malaysians!

Another spin that has been created by the Malay media is that the Indians are encroaching into the rights of the Malays. I think this is bullshit. I think what the Indians are seeking is a piece of the cake in the nation – not the whole cake; therefore, the other stakeholders like the Malay and Chinese need to understand their plight and work with them to address it.

Obviously, the Indian political parties in BN are ineffective as they had let this segment of our community slide down the scale in the development of the nation.

Now, after the resignation of the HINDRAF bloke from the government, it appears that the Malay media has gone on spin again. I fail to see why the Malay media is trying so hard to influence the Malay readership when reasonable and sensible Malays in the street are aware of the problems faced by the Malaysian Indians.

In all fairness, I think the request made by HINDRAF to lift our fellow Malaysian Indians is a fair one.

The Malay politicians in this country need to come to their senses and think more objectively rather than playing politics in protecting their useless allies by running away from their responsibilities to ensure the well-being of the Malaysian Indians who also happen to be our brethren.

As for my Malay folks out there, many of us came from a rural settings and have been fortunate that the system has been helpful for us to progress in our lives. It is about time for us to view things beyond just fluttering the eyelids and acknowledge that something needs to be done to improve the state of the Displaced Estate Workers and their generations.

Thank you.

Rise of religious classes in public schools questioned

(Sydney Morning Herald) – Segregating children based on religious faith, or for other classes, has detrimental effects and is at odds with the inclusive philosophy of public education.

Hindu, Buddhist and Islamic scripture classes are growing rapidly in NSW public schools, and students are on waiting lists for the popular ethics classes.

But as the popularity of the religious and ethics classes grows, some academics argue that segregating children based on religious faith, or for other classes, has detrimental effects and is at odds with the inclusive philosophy of public education.

Ethics classes, which started in 2011, had about 13,000 students this year, up from 8000 12 months ago.

About 250,000 students in NSW public schools get Christian religious education, with the largest providers coming from Catholic and Anglican churches.
The NSW Islamic scripture program teaches more than 22,000 Muslim students, up from 17,000 at the end of 2010. The number of students taking Hindu dharma classes has doubled in the past five years and is fast approaching 10,000. Judaism classes are attended by 2700 students.

Southern Cross University sociology of religion expert Cathy Byrne says segregation on religious grounds is outdated, inappropriate and educationally unsound.

”International research has shown children learn best about these ideas when they are given the opportunity to dialogue with others of their own age,” she said.

Dr Byrne said ethics classes have ”a fine and worthy intention” but ”even if you have a school that has ethics volunteers, you can still get the outrageous distribution of inappropriate fundamentalist and proselytising material”, she said.

Read more: http://www.smh.com.au/national/education/rise-of-religious-classes-in-public-schools-questioned-20140301-33sq6.html#ixzz2uraQW7jp

TIME: Losing Faith: Malaysia Should Be An Example Of Religious Tolerance

Page 50, March 2014 issue

Yes, Ally Hazran Hashim and Siti Kassim are among the unsung heroes and heroines of Malaysia and I welcome the public to pinpoint and identity more “unsung heroes” out to save Malaysia from the voices and forces of hate, bigotry and intolerance

By Lim Kit Siang,

On Saturday (1st March) I issued a statement calling on Malaysians to pay tribute to ordinary Malaysians who are the country’s unsung heroes who dare to stand up for a better Malaysia whether in terms of a better education system, clean elections or inter-religious harmony, for they are the salt of the earth who will ensure that Malaysia will achieve her greatness instead of becoming a failed state.

I named three persons, viz:

· *Mohd Nor Izzat Mohd Johari, the head of Suara Guru Masyarakat Malaysia (SGMM), who is facing mean, petty and punitive persecution although he had rendered great national service in spearheading the protest against the woes of the badly-planned and poorly-conceived student-based assessment (SBA) system; and

· *Royal Malaysian Air Force pilot Major Zaidi Ahmad who is facing court martial for his patriotic duty of speaking up about the indelible ink fiasco in the recent 13th General Elections; and

· *Azrul Mohd Khalib, social activist, who led a Malaysians for Malaysia group to spearhead a “Walk for Peace” movement among ordinary Malaysians who care about the country to push for national healing in the face of the worst racial and religious polarization in the nation’s 56-year history.

On my Facebook on the statement, Linda Chong wrote:

“Mr Lim Kit Siang, I think U have left out Ally Hazran Hashim in his role in meeting up with fellow christians in a Kajang church lately…please check this up.”

I checked up and I agree with Linda that Ally Hazran Hashim qualify to be among the unsung heroes who are making unusual efforts to help make a better Malaysia.

A Star article dated Feb. 9, 2014, entitled “Moderate Muslims fight back for multifaith Malaysia” by Hariati Azizan chronicled Ally’s great deed and is commendable reading by all Malaysians who want a better Malaysia.

This is from the Star article:

In the spirit of the World Interfaith Harmony Week, some Malaysians are seeking to promote diversity, peace and understanding.

WHILE some irresponsible groups have been swamping churches with banners and messages of hate, training consultant Ally Hazran Hashim, 47, decided to rally some friends to gather at his hometown church, the Holy Family Church in Kajang, with flowers, oranges and messages of love last Sunday.

This small act of compassion and harmony is exactly what the country needs amid the religious and racial tension that remains unabated.

“It was basically to show the Christians in Kajang that not all Muslims are against them. I also wanted to create awareness for all Muslims that such acts of love sharing will bring respect to our faith, Islam. Islam means peace and we represent the true Muslim believers who want peace, love and unity among all Malaysians regardless of race and religion.”

Like many, Ally is disheartened by the actions of certain groups who have been fanning racial tension in the country.

“It has prompted me to do something that will bring the focus back to unity. I really believe Malaysia as a multiracial community loves peace. It is only a few who are creating or being used to create disharmony.”

Driven by his dream of unity, Ally wasted no time in meeting Father George Harrison about organising the “Love & Peace Offering”. As soon as Father Harrison agreed, he posted a shout-out on Facebook.

“I was touched by the response I got. Some people from Kuala Lumpur and Petaling Jaya also gave their support and said they would join me.

“I was amazed with more than 15,000 likes from other FB members and groups, and well-wishes from many Muslims from all over Malaysia. I even got a message from Datin Paduka Marina Mahathir who couldn’t join us in Kajang as she was in London during that time. That was a real motivation for me to go forward with the event.”

To his delight, he adds, a group from a Hindu temple also said they were interested in joining him.

Ally admits he has been a moderate Muslim from young.

“My personal conviction and my upbringing was always to respect other religions, and as my mother used to say: ‘Never condemn others because it is as if you are condemning your Creator himself.’ That is what I have always believed in and hold on to till today,” he says.

Fear of reproach and criticism did not enter his mind even once.

“I only wanted to go back to the basics and remind people that God created us all as human beings and the purpose of the Creator is to see everyone living peacefully, loving one another, sharing and understanding and respecting each other.

“Anyway, when God is with me, why should I be afraid of human beings? I am sharing peace, which is Islam’s true meaning, with people of other faiths. I don’t see anything wrong in preaching our faith through a simple gesture of a love offering. Let this be a sign for those who are against the true teaching to repent and understand what Islam really means.”

Still, although he believes moderation is the right path to take (“Moderation always wins … Islam speaks of moderation,” he says), Ally feels there are times when a strong stand is needed to maintain peace.

“This is where I feel the authorities have failed, because they have not taken stern action against those who try to provoke and create unrest among races in Malaysia.

“The extremists must be brought to the court of law so that it will deter others from creating chaos and putting fear among peace-loving Malaysians.”

Ally says he has lodged various police reports against Man Namblast and Mohd Hidayat who insulted Thaipusam on Facebook, the petrol bombing at Penang’s St Assumption Church, and also the May 13 demonstration by some Malay NGOs in Seberang Prai.

“I hope action will be taken against them. I have also written to our top leaders and the religious leaders to ask them to put a stop to this racial and religious instigation.”

With some friends, the human behavioural physiologist who runs a training consultancy firm in Kajang is working to organise more interfaith gatherings, beginning with a visit to a few places of worship in Brickfields on Feb 23.

“My humble wish is that everyone will start the ball rolling in their own states too.”

His mega plan, however, is to organise a gathering of all faiths in Kajang soon, he says.

“Kajang can be the starting point of unity and peace sharing among Malaysians of all religions… let the Kajang candle light up Malaysian unity. Watch my Facebook space under the name Ally Hashim Hazran and join us.”

The label “moderate Muslim” makes her uncomfortable but lawyer Siti Kasim did not have to think hard about which side she is on when it comes to “extremist” Muslims.

“I have been following closely the development on the way our country is moving towards the ‘Talibanisation’ way of life. The issue of the banned words generally and the usage of the Allah word specifically is the icing on the cake. I can see the situation getting from bad to worse,” says Siti, who was one of the people who organised the visit to the Our Lady of Lourdes Church in Klang last month to help defuse the brewing religious tension in the country.

Very much a believer that her faith is between her and God, Siti says the attitude and behaviour of the noisy “extreme” groups riled her up so much that she was determined to make her stand on the issue.

“I feel my country has been hijacked by extremists who have a very narrow view of what Islam is. I feel these people are insulting me and other Malays, as if we don’t have our own brain to think.

“These so-called defenders of Islam and Malay rights act as if they are representing Islam and all Malays. Every time I read the news, my heart rate goes up another notch.”

When she talked to her friends, she realised they felt the same way. “We felt we must do something. So we agreed to go to the Klang church to show solidarity with our Christians friends. I wanted to get other friends to join me, so I set up an event page on Facebook and sent invitations to everyone on my Friends’ list.

My other friends had the same idea and they started to use the event page to get their own friends on board, and it just went viral from there.”

The response was astounding and 30 people turned up at the church to give out flowers to the congregation as a peace offering.

“I was surprised! We just wanted to be there to show to our Christian friends that there are other Muslims who disagreed with what was going on. We also wanted to tell these so-called Muslim NGOs that they do not speak on the behalf of all Malays and not to take us for granted,” she shares.

Siti Kasim is known for her strong voice in the human rights circle – she once chastised Lembah Pantai MP Nurul Izzah Anwar for backing down from her comment that freedom of religion is a human right for all – and this is seen in her frank words on the matter.

“The authorities seem to be endorsing these extreme groups. It seems like no one from any political divide is willing to risk their political career to do what is right. No one is willing to come forward officially to condemn their behaviour.”

Siti also says she is a strong proponent for a secular state.

“The state should be neutral. This neutrality is what is meant by secularism. It is a political principle where a secular state may be supported by religious believers and be the home of widespread religious belief.

“To me, secularism is the best guarantee for a multifaith situation. Religion will flourish under secularism. No one would be able to use religion as a political tool.”

When asked if she was worried about backlash or being reproached for her stand, Siti says, “Worried? In all honesty, I am not. I am more worried and angry at the way our country is going. I really don’t care if anyone criticises me or calls me names as I have been called a murtad many times over. I am not afraid of them as they are not God. I am only answerable to God.”

Siti calls on those who are concerned about Malaysia’s slide towards intolerance to come out and speak up.

“Show the authorities that the silent majority is no longer going to be silent. If the politicians aren’t able to do their job, we are no longer going to be quiet. More and more people are beginning to realise there is no reason to be in fear anymore. We do not have to go into battles to win the war, but speak up and stand up we must.”

Siti shares that she and her friends are not planning visits to other churches but will support other solidarity initiatives in other towns and states.

Last week, she went to support Ally’s unity initiative in Kajang.

“He contacted me to go and support him there. So I went with a few other friends. I hope there will be others, especially more Malays, who will organise the same.”

What Siti is planning is to get people out to Putrajaya on March 5 for the Leave Hearing (for the Allah case) at the Federal Court.

“I hope to show the public and the authorities that there are citizens including Malays who do not support the banning of the word Allah.”

Back to her issue of her discomfort at being called a moderate Muslim, Siti has this to say: “A Muslim is a Muslim. There are no two ways about it. The question is, which version of Islam I believe. I believe in universal goodness and compassion.

“My stand on interfaith issues is very simple. Respect. If we want other religions to respect ours, we must give the same courtesy to them too.”

From the Star report, we have uncovered another unsung heroine, lawyer Siti Kassim.

I welcome more inputs from Malaysians to pinpoint and identity the unsung heroes who are doing their patriotic duty to build a better Malaysia and not to allow the voices and forces of hate, bigotry and intolerance to destroy our multi-racial and multi-religious Malaysia.

(Media Statement in Kuala Lumpur on Monday, 3rd March 2014)

Selangor Water MoU Focuses On Implementation Of Langat 2 Project - Muhyiddin

KAJANG, March 3 (Bernama) -- Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin said the memorandum of understanding (MoU) on the restructuring of the Selangor water industry focuses more on efforts to ensure the Langat 2 Project can be implemented, not to raise water tariff.

The Deputy Prime Minister said the MoU between the federal and Selangor governments focused more on important issues such as the date for commencing work, the acquisition of more than 75 plots of land and the appointment of the contractors.

"That (water tariff increase) I do not know, so far we are just discussing the important stage of ensuring that the problem of water shortage in the Klang Valley can be resolved immediately.

"To me, this matter is of more importance, although the question on water tariff is also important but since water management is under the purview of the state government, it's too early for me to say there is an improvement or otherwise," he told a media conference after chairing the meeting of the Barisan Nasional (BN) By-Election machinery for the Kajang state constituency at the Hulu Langat Umno office, here Monday.

He was commenting on the statement by the PKR strategic director, Rafizi Ramli, that the agreement might result in a rise in the water tariff.

Commenting on the hot weather and the haze that occurred in several states now, Muhyiddin advised the public to comply with the advice issued by the Health Ministry to ensure that they remained healthy.

Waytha: Let Kajang be Indian referendum on BN- Malaysiakini

 

Persatuan Hindraf Malaysia (PHM) chief P Waythamoorthy has urged that the Kajang by-election be a referendum on BN's contribution to the Indian community.

The proposal comes after Waythamoorthy drew flak from his former BN colleagues who dismissed his claims that the ruling coalition failed to help the Indian community.

"I now urge Youth and Sports Minister Khairy Jamaluddin and Defence Minister Hishammuddin Hussein to join forces with their 'team players', MIC, and come up with a full report of what the government has done for the Indian community over the last 20 years.

"Both Khairy and Hishammuddin are most welcome to go around with their team players to the 10 percent Indian voters in Kajang and present their case.

"This exercise, if both the ministers dare do, would give them a yardstick to gauge what they and their team players have done for the community," he said in a press statement today.

Khairy (left) and Hishammuddin had critcised Waythamoorthy for attacking BN after quitting the government and accused him of not being a team player when he was deputy minister in the Prime Minister's Department.

Waythamoorthy was appointed as deputy minister after throwing his support behind BN in the last general election in exchange for the ruling coalition's support of the movement's blueprint on helping the Indian community.

A memorandum of understanding (MOU) was signed between the two parties but Waythamoorthy resigned on Feb 10, after nine months in government, claiming BN had refused to uphold the agreement.

"Hindraf maintains its claim that the Indians in Malaysia have been marginalised from the mainstream development of the country," said Waythamoorthy.

He said there had not been any significant allocation for the Indian community for almost 50 years and any allocation in recent times have only come in the form of election goodies.

"All the so-called allocations that had come by in the last five years (were) in piecemeal manner manned by the existing political parties without much accountability, transparency or a monitoring process, except for rhetoric whenever aelection came by.

"The whole purpose of the Hindraf MOU with BN was to ensure that a special unit is dedicated to ensure that a fair amount of funds are allocated on a targeted basis for the uplifting of the Indian poor to resolve their issues permanently," he said.