Saturday, 5 September 2009
Hindraf Candle Light Updates
Sixteen people, including former Internal Security Act detainee P Uthayakumar, were arrested at a candlelight vigil near Dataran Merdeka tonight.
The vigil, organised by rights group Hindraf, began with a march of a 100-strong crowd from nearby Masjid Jamek.
The participants, who were singing songs and carrying red and white roses and candles, called for Malaysians to respect one another's rights.
However, before they could reach Dataran Merdeka, the crowd was confronted by two dozens police officers.
The cops, who stopped the marchers at the junction of Jalan Parliament and Jalan Tunku Abdul Rahman, ordered the crowd to disperse.
The cops then began counting from one to 10 (right), and launched the arrests soon after.
Among those arrested were Hindraf leader S Jayathas and Uthayakumar's fiancee, S Indradevi.
Uthaya held on all fours
Uthayakumar, were among the last few individuals to be arrested. He was nabbed together with Indradevi while walking away from Dataran Merdeka.
Several police personnel pounced on Uthayakumar until fell to the ground. Once on the ground, he was held on all fours and rushed to an awaiting police truck.
In the wake of the arrests, participants began leaving the area at about 8pm, barely 15 minutes after the vigil started.
But some 30 minutes later, two more were arrested - Shanti Waytha Moorthy and Waytha Nayagi - some distance away from Dataran Merdeka while sending out alert SMSes.
Though never stated explicitly, it is understood that the vigil tonight was a reaction to the 'cow-head' demonstration last Friday by a group of Shah Alam residents opposing the relocation of a Hindu temple to their neighbourhood.
In contrast to the heavy-handed dispersal of vigil participants tonight, no action was taken against the 'cow-head' protestors.
Police double standards
According to Hindraf leader in exile P Waythamoorthy, the aim of the vigil was to “repair the damage to the centuries-long brotherly Hindu-Muslim relations in the wake of the cow-head protest in Shah Alam”.
In an immediate reaction, he condemned the arrest and accused the police of practising double standards in view of the 'cow-head' demonstration, which has caused public outrage, especially among Hindus.
“It is ridiculous that the Muslim extremist 'cow-head' protesters who were behaving in a violent manner, delivered fiery speeches promoting racial hatred and insulted Hindus were given full police protection.
“Whilst the Hindraf supporters who were armed with unlit candles and roses were violently arrested, bundled and taken into police lock-ups,” said Waythamoorthy in a statement late this evening.
Meanwhile, Kuala Lumpur police chief Muhammad Sabtu Osman said that 13 men and three women were detained.
 |
The participants, who were singing songs and carrying red and white roses and candles, called for Malaysians to respect one another's rights.
However, before they could reach Dataran Merdeka, the crowd was confronted by two dozens police officers.
The cops, who stopped the marchers at the junction of Jalan Parliament and Jalan Tunku Abdul Rahman, ordered the crowd to disperse.
 |
Among those arrested were Hindraf leader S Jayathas and Uthayakumar's fiancee, S Indradevi.
Uthaya held on all fours
Uthayakumar, were among the last few individuals to be arrested. He was nabbed together with Indradevi while walking away from Dataran Merdeka.
 |
In the wake of the arrests, participants began leaving the area at about 8pm, barely 15 minutes after the vigil started.
But some 30 minutes later, two more were arrested - Shanti Waytha Moorthy and Waytha Nayagi - some distance away from Dataran Merdeka while sending out alert SMSes.
Though never stated explicitly, it is understood that the vigil tonight was a reaction to the 'cow-head' demonstration last Friday by a group of Shah Alam residents opposing the relocation of a Hindu temple to their neighbourhood.
In contrast to the heavy-handed dispersal of vigil participants tonight, no action was taken against the 'cow-head' protestors.
Police double standards
 |
In an immediate reaction, he condemned the arrest and accused the police of practising double standards in view of the 'cow-head' demonstration, which has caused public outrage, especially among Hindus.
 |
“Whilst the Hindraf supporters who were armed with unlit candles and roses were violently arrested, bundled and taken into police lock-ups,” said Waythamoorthy in a statement late this evening.
Meanwhile, Kuala Lumpur police chief Muhammad Sabtu Osman said that 13 men and three women were detained.
Hindu temple & religious co-existence in 99.99% PAS ruled Kelantan -by P.Uthayakumar
HUMAN RIGHTS PARTY (HRP)
NO.6, Jalan Abdullah,
Off Jalan Bangsar,
59000 Kuala Lumpur,
Malaysia
Tel: 03-2282 5241
Fax: 03-2282 5245
04th September 2009
Media Statement
RE : Hindu temple & religious co-existence in 99.99% PAS ruled
Kelantan -by P.Uthayakumar
Since a two month old baby right up to my Form five, I was brought up
in Tumpat, Kelantan. As teenagers, we prayed and played at the Sri
Maha Mariaman Hindu Temple in Tumpat, Kelantan which was built by the
then colonial days Railway working class Indians. This Hindu temple is
in a 99.99% Malay Muslim dominated population and ruled by PAS. During
my last visit to this temple two years ago I was told that there are
only two Indian families left in Tumpat. But our Hinldu temple stands
right up to this day on the very main road leading into Tumpat town. I
nostalgically showed my wife and children the Hindu temple which I
grew up with. It is still the history and heritage of Kelantan right
up to this date. This our Hindu temple could now be demolished or
asked to be relocated as it is in a 99.99% Malay Muslim area or to be
moved out of the state of Kelantan as it is in a “Serambi Mekah”
State. I believe it would not even have crossed PAS’ Kelantan Menteri
Besar Nik Aziz’s mind. This is religious co-existence in practice in
99% Malay Muslim PAS ruled Kelantan. The biggest sleeping Buddha in
the world is not in Thailand, Cambodia Sri Lanka or India where
Buddhism originated from but it is in Kg. Neting, Tumpat Kelantan.
In multi racial and multi religious Malaysia it should be religious
coexistence as opposed to religious tolerance. Then we wont get the
case of the UMNO majority and dominant area like in Section 19 and 22
of Shah Alam objecting to hindu temple because it is a Malay Muslim
dominated area and the cow head protest by the religious extremist who
were never arrested on sight and who would never be seriously
prosecuted by the Attorney General in Prime Minister Najib Razak’s One
Malaysia. And so the racism and religious extremism continues in
Malaysia. In fact they had the support of even UMNO’s Home Minister
Hishamuddin Hussein who had justified their actions. To both the UMNO
controlled Federal government and the PKR controlled Selangor state
government and the other P.R ruled West Coast states you both have
something to learn from PAS ruled Kelantan.
By the stroke of the pen vide a circular by Prime Minister Najib
Razak, the PKR Selangor Menteri Besar the other P.R ruled Menteri
Besars and Chief Minister, all existing Hindu temples could be issued
with land titles and gazetted as Hindu temple reserves as is the case
even in the 99% Malay reserve land State of Kelantan. This would put a
stop and a finality to this new, unprecedented and unnecessary racial
and religious division and tension in Malaysian.
Similarly this should also be done for all Hindu crematoriums Tamil
Schools and Indian settlements like Kg. Buah Pala. This would actually
solve half the Indian working class problems once and for all.
But in both the aforesaid UMNO, PKR in Selangor and the other West
coast P.R ruled states, they are merely playing puppet shadow play
(wayang kulit) politics using their Indian “mandores” via the print
and electronic media by empty (kosong) announcements of the odd land
for Hindu Temples, Tamil Schools and Crematoriums here and there and
amplifying them as in the Malay proverb “Ayam telur sebiji rioh
sekampong”. These State governments who wield almost absolute powers
where it concerns their State land also do not issue a State
government letter on the aforesaid odd land that they announce, issue
land titles or gazette these Hindu temples, Tamil schools and Hindu
crematoriums accordingly. Thus the current predicament of the working
class Indians, the latest being in Kg. Buah Pala and Section 19 and
22, Shah Alam which is merely the tip of the iceberg of the Malaysian
Indian working class critical problems.
Only in Malaysia and especially in the name of development, the first
targets are Hindu temples, Hindu crematoriums Tamil schools and the
poor Indian land settlers. We have recorded thousands of such cases.
These problems hardly happens in the Malay, Chinese, Orang Asli, Iban
or Kadazan communities in Malaysia. It happens almost only to the
working class Indians. Why? But BN, PKR, DAP, PAS, NGOs’ and the
Malaysian civil society all proclaim to be “multi-racial and
multi-religious”.
All because the working class Indians have neither the political power
or the economic clout and what follows is there are no takers for
these critical Indian problems by almost all UMNO, PKR, DAP and PAS
(except in Kelantan) NGOs’ and the Malaysian civil society.
Thank you.
Your faithfully,
________________________
P.Uthayakumar
Secretary General (pro-tem)
Human Rights Party (HRP)
NO.6, Jalan Abdullah,
Off Jalan Bangsar,
59000 Kuala Lumpur,
Malaysia
Tel: 03-2282 5241
Fax: 03-2282 5245
04th September 2009
Media Statement
RE : Hindu temple & religious co-existence in 99.99% PAS ruled
Kelantan -by P.Uthayakumar
Since a two month old baby right up to my Form five, I was brought up
in Tumpat, Kelantan. As teenagers, we prayed and played at the Sri
Maha Mariaman Hindu Temple in Tumpat, Kelantan which was built by the
then colonial days Railway working class Indians. This Hindu temple is
in a 99.99% Malay Muslim dominated population and ruled by PAS. During
my last visit to this temple two years ago I was told that there are
only two Indian families left in Tumpat. But our Hinldu temple stands
right up to this day on the very main road leading into Tumpat town. I
nostalgically showed my wife and children the Hindu temple which I
grew up with. It is still the history and heritage of Kelantan right
up to this date. This our Hindu temple could now be demolished or
asked to be relocated as it is in a 99.99% Malay Muslim area or to be
moved out of the state of Kelantan as it is in a “Serambi Mekah”
State. I believe it would not even have crossed PAS’ Kelantan Menteri
Besar Nik Aziz’s mind. This is religious co-existence in practice in
99% Malay Muslim PAS ruled Kelantan. The biggest sleeping Buddha in
the world is not in Thailand, Cambodia Sri Lanka or India where
Buddhism originated from but it is in Kg. Neting, Tumpat Kelantan.
In multi racial and multi religious Malaysia it should be religious
coexistence as opposed to religious tolerance. Then we wont get the
case of the UMNO majority and dominant area like in Section 19 and 22
of Shah Alam objecting to hindu temple because it is a Malay Muslim
dominated area and the cow head protest by the religious extremist who
were never arrested on sight and who would never be seriously
prosecuted by the Attorney General in Prime Minister Najib Razak’s One
Malaysia. And so the racism and religious extremism continues in
Malaysia. In fact they had the support of even UMNO’s Home Minister
Hishamuddin Hussein who had justified their actions. To both the UMNO
controlled Federal government and the PKR controlled Selangor state
government and the other P.R ruled West Coast states you both have
something to learn from PAS ruled Kelantan.
By the stroke of the pen vide a circular by Prime Minister Najib
Razak, the PKR Selangor Menteri Besar the other P.R ruled Menteri
Besars and Chief Minister, all existing Hindu temples could be issued
with land titles and gazetted as Hindu temple reserves as is the case
even in the 99% Malay reserve land State of Kelantan. This would put a
stop and a finality to this new, unprecedented and unnecessary racial
and religious division and tension in Malaysian.
Similarly this should also be done for all Hindu crematoriums Tamil
Schools and Indian settlements like Kg. Buah Pala. This would actually
solve half the Indian working class problems once and for all.
But in both the aforesaid UMNO, PKR in Selangor and the other West
coast P.R ruled states, they are merely playing puppet shadow play
(wayang kulit) politics using their Indian “mandores” via the print
and electronic media by empty (kosong) announcements of the odd land
for Hindu Temples, Tamil Schools and Crematoriums here and there and
amplifying them as in the Malay proverb “Ayam telur sebiji rioh
sekampong”. These State governments who wield almost absolute powers
where it concerns their State land also do not issue a State
government letter on the aforesaid odd land that they announce, issue
land titles or gazette these Hindu temples, Tamil schools and Hindu
crematoriums accordingly. Thus the current predicament of the working
class Indians, the latest being in Kg. Buah Pala and Section 19 and
22, Shah Alam which is merely the tip of the iceberg of the Malaysian
Indian working class critical problems.
Only in Malaysia and especially in the name of development, the first
targets are Hindu temples, Hindu crematoriums Tamil schools and the
poor Indian land settlers. We have recorded thousands of such cases.
These problems hardly happens in the Malay, Chinese, Orang Asli, Iban
or Kadazan communities in Malaysia. It happens almost only to the
working class Indians. Why? But BN, PKR, DAP, PAS, NGOs’ and the
Malaysian civil society all proclaim to be “multi-racial and
multi-religious”.
All because the working class Indians have neither the political power
or the economic clout and what follows is there are no takers for
these critical Indian problems by almost all UMNO, PKR, DAP and PAS
(except in Kelantan) NGOs’ and the Malaysian civil society.
Thank you.
Your faithfully,
________________________
P.Uthayakumar
Secretary General (pro-tem)
Human Rights Party (HRP)
Chaotic town hall meet produces no solution
By Neville Spykerman and Syed Jaymal Zahiid - The Malaysian Insider
MBSA officers step in to separate protesters as arguments become heated at the town hall meeting. — Picture by Jack Ooi
Proceedings barely got off the ground before the protesters started shouting and booing at Khalid, along with Khalid Samad (MP for Shah Alam), and Shah Alam mayor Mazalan Md Noor.
Despite calls for calm, the ruckus continued with the upset residents yelling “Penipu!” (liar!) and “Bodoh!” (stupid!) each time Khalid attempted to address them.
Tempers frayed at one point, with rowdy protesters standing on their chairs while shouting.
One Indian Section 23 resident confronted a cow-head protester, prompting MBSA enforcement officers to step in to defuse the situation.
Tensions appeared to ease after that, but the protesters started to get worked up again when Batu Tiga state assemblyman Rodziah Ismail took to the podium. The residents accused her of ignoring their views when planning the relocation of the temple, pelting her with shouts of “Tipu!”
Khalid Ibrahim has said the state government will now reconsider the location of the temple, and that the state development board (PKNS) would need to come up with an amicable solution. This did not placate the irate residents any.
The situation deteriorated further when protesters insulted an Indian attendee, telling him Indians could easily stand listening to the “azan” (Muslim call to prayers) five times daily. This triggered another round of altercations even as the mentri besar plead for calm.
Neighbours went at each other over the now-controversial relocation of the Sri Mahamariamman Temple. — Picture by Jack Ooi
Proceedings kept being halted by shouting protesters, who made up one-third of the attendees. Around 40 Indian residents from Section 23, who are in favour of the temple relocating there, were also at the meeting.
With no clear outcome possible from the emotionally-charged meet, aides led the mentri besar away. The meeting ended with the situation exactly as it was, with no resolution in sight.
Last Friday, a group of 50 protesters from the Section 23 area in Shah Alam held a demonstration in front of the state secretariat building to protest the planned relocation of the 150-year-old Sri Mahamariamman Temple to Section 23 from Section 19. They brandished a severed head of a cow at the protest.
The 150-year-old temple was built on a plantation which over the years was developed into housing estates by the Selangor Development Corporation (PKNS). No provisions were made to relocate the temple, which is now in the middle of a Muslim majority area.
Money and Chinese food paves MIC campaign trail
By Baradan Kuppusamy - The Malaysian Insider
Vice-president contest front runner Datuk Dr S. Subramaniam (centre) campaigning outside a Chinese restaurant in Mentakap, Pahang. — Picture by Baradan Kuppusamy
Money, patronage and other incentives are being offered by many candidates with the amount and the quality varying.
Some delegates are not complaining, and are eagerly seeking out what is coyly referred to as nankodai or donations while others express shock at how “money politics” has spread in the party.
According to MIC insiders the going rate for a delegate is RM1,000 plus other incentives thrown in like expensive sarees, dhotis, and trips to Haadyai, Thailand across the Bukit Kayu Hitam border.
Some delegates are also demanding candidates settle their private problems like car and house instalments, top up their mobile phone accounts or “donate” hand phones.
“I feel sad about all this,” said delegate KP Samy from Klang, who is contesting for one of the 23 posts in the party’s Central Working Committee.
“I hope delegates will remain focussed on the issues and elect capable candidates and not sell their votes to the highest bidder.”
Unscrupulous MIC members have also joined the bandwagon claiming to be able to “influence” the delegates to vote for certain candidates and they often “bargain” with high-powered candidates for a “lump sum” settlement to deliver the votes.
In comparison to the backstage deals, the official campaign by party president Datuk Seri S. Samy Vellu is a tame affair and the highlight is a high-powered, multi-course Chinese dinner.
The attachment to posh Chinese restaurants is already causing some delegates to grow “sick” of Chinese food.
The Malaysian Insider was allowed into a posh Chinese restaurant in Penang on Sunday, to observe the official campaign which started with a speech by Samy Vellu explaining why he was supporting the candidates.
His reasons are always the same — he needs young, dynamic and capable leaders to help him run the MIC and represent the Indian community except that few of the candidates he has chosen fit that category of “young and dynamic.”
After the short speech, all the candidates are called up on the stage and paraded to the delegates. They don’t say a word and immediately return to their seats with dinner commencing immediately.
The dinner is only for official candidates and the rest of the contestants are barred from entering the hall, but they still come and campaign outside with their name cards and leaflets.
Candidates lining up the stairs of a Chinese restaurant in Yong Peng, Johor, to campaign as delegates walk up for a sumptuous dinner. — Picture by Baradan Kuppusamy
“Indian food is heavy on the stomach and uncomfortable when on the go,” said a Pahang leader adding that few Indian restaurants could accommodate 500 or more people.
“That’s why Chinese restaurants are preferred during MIC campaigns.”
“Besides, few hotels serve Indian food in the way Chinese food is served,” he said, adding that there are some delegates who are vegetarian while others don’t like Chinese dishes.
“They are very Indian and often complain,” he said.
The focus of the election is on the three-cornered deputy president contest between incumbent Datuk G. Palanivel, former deputy Datuk S. Subramaniam and incumbent vice-president Datuk S. Sothinathan.
The battle is fierce with new comer Sothinathan, only 49, and a former Samy Vellu blue-eyed boy making inroads into Samy Vellu’s vote bank that Palanivel is relying on to defeat Subramaniam.
Party insiders said the more votes Sothinathan — who is campaigning house to house — gets, the better the chances of Subramaniam edging Palanivel out.
“Both Palanivel and Sothinathan are fighting for the same vote bank while Subramaniam’s support in the MIC has remained intact as it had for the last 30 years,” a veteran MIC leader said.
He said based on the 2006 results Subramaniam has the support of about one-third of the 1,500 delegates while Samy Vellu had the remaining two-third in his grip.
However with Sothinathan in the fray, Samy Vellu’s vote bank is divided between backing the newcomer, who is well known and even admired, or backing Palanivel as they had in 2006.
This time, too, there are other new strands in the election.
One is that Samy Vellu, who lost his Sungei Siput seat in the 2008 general election, is unwanted by the Barisan Nasional and on his way out.
His decisions are no longer accepted without question in the MIC and noticeably key grassroots leaders shy away from him at public functions seeing proximity with him as a handicap.
Arrest and prosecute Hishammuddin for his provocative press conference statement defending the cowhead sacrilege
By Lim Kit Siang,
The Prime Minister, Datuk Seri Najib Razak yesterday reminded Muslims to avoid condemning or insulting other religions and the followers in their actions, but instead follow true Islamic teachings by respecting other religions.
Najib should first direct this advice and reminder to Umno Ministers and leaders at all levels as they have proved to be the greatest threats to inter-religious goodwill, harmony and understanding particularly in the five months of Najib’s premiership.
To set a good example that the Najib administration does not condone or countenance Umno Ministers or leaders setting the bad example of offending other religions and their followers, the Home Minister Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Hussein should be arrested and prosecuted for his provocative press conference defending the cowhead sacrilege on 28th August which marred the 52nd National Day celebrations three days later.
The Malaysian Communication and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) has directed independent news portal Malaysiakini to remove the video footages of Hishammuddin’s media conference defending and justifying the cow-head sacrilege for being “provocative” which contain “offensive contents with the intent to annoy any person especially Indians” and liable to offences under Section 211/233 of the Communication and Multimedia Act 1998 with a penalty on conviction to a fine up to RM50,000 or a jail sentence.
The other video footage MCMC wanted Malaysiakini to remove was on the cow-head demonstration and sacrilege in Section 23 of Shah Alam.
If a video footage carrying Hishammuddin’s media conference defending and justifying the cow-head sacrilege is liable to a criminal offence for being provocative and offensive to other religions, isn’t Hishammuddin even more guilty of such an offence and before any action is contemplated against Malaysiakini, action should have been taken against Hishamuddin first?
Would Hishammuddin be arrested and prosecuted for his utter insensitivity in defending and justifying the cow-head demonstration and sacrilege before any other action is contemplated against the media for reporting Hishammuddin’s press conference?
The Attorney-General Tan Sri Gani Patail has ordered the police to investigate further into the cow-head sacrilege. Will the police extend such an investigation to include Hishammuddin’s offensive and insensitive press conference?
Although Hishammuddin later backtracked from his press conference stance defending the Shah Alam protestors, his subsequent statement that the police should proceed with investigations and to bring to court those who brought the severed cow-head in the protest, Hishammuddin’s change of stance is only relevant as a plea for mitigation and cannot be a defence to the offence for which MCMC is acting against Malaysiakini.
If Hishammuddin has committed an offence, would the Attorney-General decide whether the Home Minister should be prosecuted and would the police arrest the Home Minister, especially as the Inspector-General of Police, Tan Sri Musa Hassan has just got another renewal as IGP for another year on Hishammuddin’s recommendation despite strong and the most legitimate grounds of opposition?
Malaysians and the world are shaking their heads in disbelief at the depth that institutional good governance has sunk to with the country reaching the lowest level of public confidence in the independence, professionalism and integrity of the key national institutions in the country.
The MCMC warning to Malaysiakini to remove the two provocative videos, one on the offensive and insensitive cow-head protest and sacrilege and the other on Hishamuddin’s press conference defending and justifying the cow-head sacrilege, remind Malaysians of the previous outrage when Sin Chew reporter Tan Hoon Cheng was detained under the Internal Security Act in September 2008 for reporting the offensive and provocative speech of Umno Bukit Bendera division chairman Ahmad Ismail on the Chinese in Malaysia as “penumpang” while Ahmad Ismail got away completely scot-free for his offensive and provocative remarks!
Is Malaysia changing for the better or getting worse?
Cows galore!
by Art Harun
The contents of my stomach flew out of my mouth onto the floor after reading Minister Datuk Seri Hishamuddin Hussein’s apparent defense of the cow-head demonstrators yesterday. Before I had finished wiping it, I was hit by another nausea inducing curve ball in the form of Datuk Mukhriz Mahathir’s statement supporting Hishamuddin’s.
Apparently now an offence should not be prosecuted if such prosecution might cause “further unrest”. Yes folk. It is the fasting month. Quite obviously, to certain Muslims, when food and drink are not consumed, blood circulation would be affected thus preventing the supply of oxygen to the brain. The result is calamitous. And not to mention rambunctiously funny.
Mukhriz must remember that when his father, Tun Mahathir Mohamad charged Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim for a cooked-up offence circa 1997-98, 100,000 people came out on the street. What do you call that? Peace and tranquillity?
People resting? Or was that “unrest”? So, please answer this. Since when has an offence not become prosecutable for fear of an unrest? No wonder that guy from Penang who called the Chinese and Indians “pendatang” was not charged. That would have caused unrest too, huh? I think I should speed up my invention of a talk cock eater.
As events would have it, while I was spraying Febreeze on my carpet — to clean out yet another puke after that statement — my stomach churned again.
This time from Minister Hishamuddin’s statement that those responsible for the cow-head demonstration should be charged in Court. I then felt faint. Everything went black. My head was spinning. I blacked out. Apparently I suffer from U-turn phobia.
Speaking of U-turns, guys and gals, you all would remember Minister Rais Yatim’s internet filter debacle. One minute he wanted to filter the internet and was driving 200 mph in his Proton Perdana to Filterville.
The next minute he made a U-turn, Of course, to the delight of all and sundry. Not after the whole world had read about the earlier decision though. The World – 1, Malaysia – 0.
Then His Royal Excellent I-have-changed-my-mode Minister announced that the Black Eyed Peas concert in Malaysia was only allowed for non-Muslims. Again, Minister Ng Yen Yen of the Tourism Ministry was so thankful for the wholly free publicity that Malaysia was having world wide. It looked like Ambassador Todt would be out of job soon, if our Government continues at this rate. The World – 2, Malaysia – 0.
Of course, a couple of days later, when the anger caused by the first announcement had barely subsided, the decision on the BEP concert was reversed. Now Muslims can go. I thought the news page I was reading did not upload completely. Because I was dead sure there must be a catch right? Like Muslims can go but shall be confined to a male and female-only areas on the roof of the stage or something. And they shall not dance. And Fergie must wear only batik baju kurung with a slit of not more than 2 inches in length. But no, there weren’t such limitations. Phew…. Anyway, by this time, the World led by 3 to Malaysia 0.
Apparently this is getting to be some sort of a tradition. This U-turning aka flip-flopping like some penguins walking on ice while wearing diving foot wear. Flip, flip. Flop. Like that. Flip, flip, flip. Flop. You get what I mean.
Before this, of course when Teoh Beng Hock was found dead at MACC’s office, our DPM quickly said there will be no Royal Commission. About three days later, a Royal Commission was duly established. The World – 4, Malaysia – 0.
Before that there was the issue of teaching Maths and Science in Bahasa Melayu aka Bahasa Kebangsaan aka Bahasa Malaysia aka Bahasa Baku and back to Bahasa Melayu. Flip and then flop. U-turn.
Ahah. Now His Excellent Minister Refined Rais is thinking of imposing conditions on ASTRO, contrary to the license being granted to Astro all these while. OSK has warned that this might have a negative impact on foreign direct investment.
Of course it will. Who in his or her right mind would want to come and invest in Malaysia if the parameters within which his or her business is to be carried out cannot be ascertained with certainty? The World – 5, Malaysia – 0.
But the one which stole the thunder form everything else was His Excellent former Minister -We-Have-Erections-Once-Every-Five-Years Zainuddin Mydin. Singapore was “sacked” from Malaysia because of Lee Kuan Yew’s Chinese-centric mantra. As if now, all Chinese Malaysians who are perceivably critical of the Government could be herded onto an island — ala the stray dogs in whatever pulau recently — and left to become cannibals out of hunger.
Of course, he had to leave the best for last. Yes. Singapore apparently has a third world democracy with a developed world mentality. Malaysia on the other hand has developed world democracy but a third world mentality. Mr Ex Minister, a democracy, unlike sex, does not have many positions or level. Either you have it or not. You do not have a doggie style democracy, a reverse cow gal democracy or whatever. Just plain democracy.
As for third world mentality, well, you can add Mad Cow disease to that as well. But it is not common among all Malaysians mind you. It only afflicts some people. They know who they are. The World 6, Malaysia 0.
Then, yesterday, TLDM received its first ever, ever, ever submarine.
The World 6. 1 Malaysia.
Syabas.
S. Subramaniam's own list of 23 candidates
KUALA LUMPUR: For the first time in party history, a deputy president hopeful has come up with his own list of candidates for the 23 central working committee seats.
Interestingly, 12 of the people in Datuk S. Subramaniam's list are from party president Datuk Seri S. Samy Vellu's "official" list of candidates.Subramaniam's candidates are P. Ananthan, R. Anbalagan, Datuk K. Tangavelu, K.P Samy, P. Sentamil Segar, A. Govindaraju, S.P. Manivasagam, N. Subramaniam, R. Rajendran, Seran Nadarajan and Moorty Ramasamy.
Those whose names also appear in Samy Vellu's list are P. Palaniappan, Datuk K.R.A. Naidu, Datuk Dr K. Rajapathy, Datuk M. Devandran, Datuk S. Ganesan, M. Asojan, A. Ganesan, Datuk G. Rajoo, S.S Rajagopal, Datuk V. Saravanan, K. Partiban and A. Saktivel.
Those whose names also appear in Samy Vellu's list are P. Palaniappan, Datuk K.R.A. Naidu, Datuk Dr K. Rajapathy, Datuk M. Devandran, Datuk S. Ganesan, M. Asojan, A. Ganesan, Datuk G. Rajoo, S.S Rajagopal, Datuk V. Saravanan, K. Partiban and A. Saktivel.
K.P. Samy, a Subramaniam loyalist, said it was now a do or die battle.
"This is the first time we are seeing two full official line-ups. We are ready to take over the party.
"We are serious. Subramaniam has to prove that he is ready to take over the party and this is why he has come up with his own official line-up."
It is understood that the candidates Subramaniam chose from Samy Vellu's camp were neutral in the proxy fight between him and the party chief.
Cow-head probe not over, says A-G
by Pearl Lee & Darshini Kandasamy
Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak had on Wednesday said he would let the police and the Attorney-General’s Chambers decide whether the group that had protested had violated any law, including the Sedition Act.
Home Minister Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Hussein also came out yesterday to dispute reports in several
pro-Opposition online news portals that he had come out in support of the protesters and justified the protest.
In a Press statement, the Home Minister stressed his ministry took a serious view of any issue that could
disrupt the harmony, unity, safety and stability of the country as well as of its multi-racial rakyat.
“We must acknowledge this country has national laws and rules that must be adhered to. In this matter, I cannot accept the actions of a few, who brought a religious symbol such as the cow's head, which clearly offended the feelings and religious beliefs of a certain group. I view this act as very serious and improper, as I have repeatedly stated before,” Hishammuddin said.
“With that, I have instructed the police to continue their investigations and to take stern action against anyone
responsible, specifically those who had tarnished the protest held by residents of Section 23 by bringing the cow’s head that created an overtly sensitive situation.”
He said police had identified those involved and will bring them to justice. Hishammuddin explained that on
Wednesday he held a meeting with the residents’ association and representatives of Section 23. He also contacted temple representatives to get the real picture of the situation.
He said he wanted to find a solution to the protest over the construction of the temple in the area to end the current situation.
During the meeting, he said he was able to hear for himself the residents’ grouses, including the purpose for
having the protest against the proposal to build a temple close to their homes, which clearly was not meant to hurt the feelings of any parties, including that of Hindus.
Yesterday, Opposition MPs and several Selangor exco members slammed the Home Minister and called for his sacking from the Cabinet after pro- Opposition news portals, notably the Malaysian Insider, suggested that the Minister was sympathetic towards the Malay-Muslim protesters.
MEETING CALLED OFF
A PEACE talk meeting between Section 23, Shah Alam, residents and Hindu Sangam leaders which was planned to be held at 10.30am today, has been called off.
A residents' action committee spokesman said it was cancelled as Selangor Menteri Besar Tan Sri Khalid
Ibrahim had also reportedly called for a meeting with the Sangam leaders about the same time.
The spokesman said he could not confirm if their meeting with the Sangam leaders had been cancelled or merely postponed.
He did not elaborate further.
Hishammuddin wants culprits to be brought to book
ATTORNEY-GENERAL Tan Sri Abdul Gani Patail says he will be able to decide earliest by next week whether to charge those behind last Friday’s cow-head protest in Shah Alam.
He told Malay Mail yesterday that the probe on the group of residents who protested against the relocation of a Hindu temple in Section 23, Shah Alam, and those who had brought the cow’s head to the Selangor State Secretariat building where the the protest was being held, was ongoing.
“I have gone through the files with the police on Wednesday and I have given instructions for further tatements to be recorded,” said Abdul Gani.
“Nobody’s dragging his feet here .... we need to ensure the matter is properly investigated in fairness to all parties”.
Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak had on Wednesday said he would let the police and the Attorney-General’s Chambers decide whether the group that had protested had violated any law, including the Sedition Act.Home Minister Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Hussein also came out yesterday to dispute reports in several
pro-Opposition online news portals that he had come out in support of the protesters and justified the protest.
In a Press statement, the Home Minister stressed his ministry took a serious view of any issue that could
disrupt the harmony, unity, safety and stability of the country as well as of its multi-racial rakyat.
“We must acknowledge this country has national laws and rules that must be adhered to. In this matter, I cannot accept the actions of a few, who brought a religious symbol such as the cow's head, which clearly offended the feelings and religious beliefs of a certain group. I view this act as very serious and improper, as I have repeatedly stated before,” Hishammuddin said.
“With that, I have instructed the police to continue their investigations and to take stern action against anyone
responsible, specifically those who had tarnished the protest held by residents of Section 23 by bringing the cow’s head that created an overtly sensitive situation.”
He said police had identified those involved and will bring them to justice. Hishammuddin explained that on
Wednesday he held a meeting with the residents’ association and representatives of Section 23. He also contacted temple representatives to get the real picture of the situation.
He said he wanted to find a solution to the protest over the construction of the temple in the area to end the current situation.
During the meeting, he said he was able to hear for himself the residents’ grouses, including the purpose for
having the protest against the proposal to build a temple close to their homes, which clearly was not meant to hurt the feelings of any parties, including that of Hindus.
Yesterday, Opposition MPs and several Selangor exco members slammed the Home Minister and called for his sacking from the Cabinet after pro- Opposition news portals, notably the Malaysian Insider, suggested that the Minister was sympathetic towards the Malay-Muslim protesters.
MEETING CALLED OFF
A PEACE talk meeting between Section 23, Shah Alam, residents and Hindu Sangam leaders which was planned to be held at 10.30am today, has been called off.
A residents' action committee spokesman said it was cancelled as Selangor Menteri Besar Tan Sri Khalid
Ibrahim had also reportedly called for a meeting with the Sangam leaders about the same time.
The spokesman said he could not confirm if their meeting with the Sangam leaders had been cancelled or merely postponed.
He did not elaborate further.
Sohaimi Denies Instigating Cow's Head Protest
KUALA LUMPUR, Sept 4 (Bernama) -- Umno Youth executive committee member Datuk Sohaimi Shahadan has denied that he had instigated the cow's head protest against a temple relocation proposal in Shah Alam on Aug 28.
Sohaimi, who is also Selayang Umno division chief, said although he took part in the protest march to the state secretariat from the Sultan Salahuddin Abdul Aziz Shah Mosque in Shah Alam, he was not behind it.
"As I left the mosque after Friday prayers, I saw Section 23 residents were gathering while several friends of mine were distributing fliers to the people.
"After reading the flier, I decided to join the protest march in a show of support for the residents over their predicament," he told a news conference here Friday.
Sohaimi said he was shocked when a man placed a cow's head at the gate of the state secretariat before it was removed as instructed by the police.
"The issue had been sensationalised by the opposition and the Selangor government. The question of insulting other religions and races does not arise," he said.
Sohaimi, who is also Selayang Umno division chief, said although he took part in the protest march to the state secretariat from the Sultan Salahuddin Abdul Aziz Shah Mosque in Shah Alam, he was not behind it.
"As I left the mosque after Friday prayers, I saw Section 23 residents were gathering while several friends of mine were distributing fliers to the people.
"After reading the flier, I decided to join the protest march in a show of support for the residents over their predicament," he told a news conference here Friday.
Sohaimi said he was shocked when a man placed a cow's head at the gate of the state secretariat before it was removed as instructed by the police.
"The issue had been sensationalised by the opposition and the Selangor government. The question of insulting other religions and races does not arise," he said.
Michael Jackson reaches his 'final resting place'
LOS ANGELES, California (CNN) -- Michael Jackson's family and about 200 of their closest friends gathered on a hill Thursday evening for their final farewell to the pop singer, who died 10 weeks ago.
Thursday's service for singer Michael Jackson began 90 minutes past the announced start time.
Jackson's burial may lay to rest some of the mystery and controversy that erupted with his sudden death on June 25.
His large family was divided over where the superstar's final resting place should be, but matriarch Katherine Jackson settled on a crypt inside the well-guarded and ornate Great Mausoleum at Forest Lawn cemetery in Glendale, California.
Thursday's service began 90 minutes past the announced start time, leaving dozens of celebrities -- including Elizabeth Taylor -- waiting in their seats for the 26 cars carrying the Jackson clan to arrive. 
It began with Jackson's five brothers -- each wearing a single sequined glove -- carrying his flower-covered bronze casket onto the outdoor stage among six large bouquets of white lilies and white roses, along with green topiaries.
His three children, led by daughter, Paris, 11, placed a crown atop their father's coffin, which a family spokesman said it was "to signify the final resting place of the King of Pop."
Jackson's children, parents and siblings took their seats in the front row, while his nieces and nephews filled several rows of white chairs behind them.
After an opening prayer by Pastor Lucius Smith, soul music legend Gladys Knight sang the gospel hymn "His Eye Is on the Sparrow."
Clifton Davis sang "Never Can Say Goodbye," a hit he wrote for The Jackson 5 -- the group that featured a young Michael and his brothers.
What was said by Jackson's father, Joe Jackson, and others who took the lectern is not publicly known, because the family barred news cameras from the ceremony. A family statement issued afterward said close friends and family, including the Rev. Al Sharpton, spoke "spontaneously to celebrate Michael's life."
News helicopters hovering above captured video from a distance, but without sound.
Lisa Marie Presley, one of Jackson's former wives and the daughter of Elvis, attended the service, according to the family statement. It did not mention Debbie Rowe, Jackson's second wife and the mother of his two oldest children.
Macaulay Culkin, the "Home Alone" actor who spent time with Jackson during his Neverland Ranch days, was there with his girlfriend, actress Mila Kunis.
Actors Corey Feldman and Chris Tucker were also seen arriving for the service.
Motown founder Berry Gordy, who gave Jackson and his brothers their first big record deal, and Quincy Jones, who produced Jackson's "Thriller" album, were there. Music producer Teddy Riley, who helped with Jackson's 1991 "Dangerous" album, attended.
The guest list included TV executive Suzanne de Passe, who produced a miniseries about Jackson's family, and Kenny Ortega, who was producing Jackson's comeback show.
Thomas Mesereau, the lawyer who successfully defended Jackson in a child molestation trial, sat just behind the Jackson family.
When the hour-long service ended, his brothers lifted Jackson's casket for a final time to carry him inside the Great Mausoleum, where he was placed in his crypt at 9:43 p.m. PT (12:43 a.m. ET Friday).
The family statement said it was "his final resting place."
The family and friends then drove to an Italian restaurant eight miles away, in Pasadena, California, for "a time of celebration."
The massive mausoleum, the final resting place for Clark Gable, Carole Lombard and dozens of other celebrities, is normally open to tourists, though the public is denied close access to crypts. Security guards, aided by cameras, keep constant vigil over the graves and crypts, which are surrounded by a world-class collection of art and architecture.
The Forest Lawn Web site boasts that the mausoleum, which draws its architectural inspiration from the Campo Santo in Italy, "has been called the 'New World's Westminster Abbey' by Time Magazine."
Visitors will see "exact replicas of Michelangelo's greatest works such as David, Moses, and La Pieta" and "Leonardo da Vinci's immortal Last Supper re-created in brilliant stained glass; two of the world's largest paintings," the Web site says.
Jackson's burial was delayed by division among family members, though Katherine Jackson would make the final decision, brother Jermaine Jackson recently told CNN.
He preferred to see his youngest brother laid to rest at his former Neverland Ranch home, north of Los Angeles in Santa Barbara County, California.
That idea was complicated by neighbors who vowed to oppose allowing a grave in the rural area -- and by Jackson family members who said the singer would not want to return to the home where he faced child molestation charges, of which he was ultimately acquitted.
The mystery of where Jackson would be buried became a media obsession in the weeks after his death.
After his body was loaded onto a helicopter at UCLA's Ronald Reagan Medical Center hours after his June 25 death, it stayed in the custody of the Los Angeles County coroner for an autopsy.
It was only later disclosed that Jackson's corpse was kept in a refrigerated room at the Hollywood Hills Forest Lawn cemetery until his casket was carried by motorcade to downtown Los Angeles for a public memorial service in the Staples Center arena.
Again, speculation about Jackson's whereabouts grew when the media lost track of his casket after his brothers carried it out of sight inside the arena. It was only recently confirmed that it was taken back to the Hollywood Hills Forest Lawn while awaiting his family's decision.
Though Thursday's interment may settle one Jackson mystery, a more serious one remains. The coroner announced last week that he had ruled Jackson's death a homicide. A summary of the coroner's report said the anesthetic propofol and the sedative lorazepam were the primary drugs responsible for the singer's death.
Los Angeles police detectives have not concluded their criminal investigation and no one has been charged.What Position Should the Indian Voters of Bagan Pinang Take?
A thought provoking article by Subramaniam Bharathy:
What Position Should the Indian Voters of Bagan Pinang Take?
Indians have not got what they wanted with their votes after the last GE. This is the Post 12th GE theme.
The marginalization continues apace in the 4 states of PR. Umno continues with its racial antics. The many faceted grievances of the Indians in the country see no light of day. In Penang we have got this lying DAP Chief Minister and a bunch of Indian Mandores in DAP and a string of broken promises by DAP. DAP washed its hands off a key Indian issue at Kampung Buah Pala. In PKR we have a bunch of wimps for MPs and Aduns. They are nowhere to be seen on Indian issues. In Perak and Selangor there has been significant land allocations to the Chinese by the Pakatan Rakyat Government but none whatsoever for the Indians. Temple demolitions go on in all the PR States. UMNO’s Hishamuddin the Home Minister says it is alright to slight the Indians in the country by desecrating their religious symbol. The Federal Government has done nothing on the Indian issues using the PR Government in the 4 States as their cover to continue to marginalize the Indians with their unchanging racist policies.
Why does all of this continue. PKR, DAP, MIC, UMNO, just want our votes – that’s all. They only return crumbs, like some minor funding for the schools or some land for the schools or some such token after the elections because they have to be seen to be doing something. They all reckon we are not significant enough to matter for more than that. That’s it they reckon we are not significant enough to matter for more than that.
We need a holistic approach to the Indian issues in the country. This is our demand. Then maybe we can consider other things, but bread and butter issues first. Look at the crime rates, the suicide rates, the alcoholism , the drug abuse situation, the unemployment rate, the limited opportunities for Indian businessmen and the drying up of educational and training opportunities in government institutes and public universities for Indians. The BN government and the PR governments are not taking us seriously enough to approach the problem in this holistic way. The 18 point memorandum of Hindraf clearly lays out what the Indians seek. They are not doing anything about the issues as we have raised them.
The only option we have now is to hit them where it will hurt. We must use our votes wisely to get them to reckon that we are significant enough in their political calculations.
As a test of this hypothesis we need to use our votes to make a difference for us in Bagan Pinang. Whatever the outcome in Bagan Pinang, it is not going to change anything significant. One more or less seat in the Negri DUN does not change anything for PR or BN. But it can help us make a point to whoever is interested in our vote that our votes come with a price.
There are 14192 voters. Let us assume an 80% turnout. That will make it 11,345 voters on voting day. Of this 66% are Malay voters –about 7500, 19.9% Indian voters –about 2270 voters, 10.5% Chinese voters – about 1135 voters. In the last election UMNO candidate got 6430 votes and won with a majority of 2,333 votes. In that election the PAS candidate won 39% of the votes or 4097 votes.This was at the height of the anti BN mood among the Indians and Chinese. That already stacks the cards against PR for this by-elections.
We must get all the Indian voters to abstain from voting this time in Bagan Pinang. Both BN and PR is no good for us up to now. Let PR suffer as a result of this. We will make a difference with our votes. If PR continues to ignore the significance of this point let them pay a price. If PR thinks it is important that they need the Indian votes, then show it in action and policy don’t just talk and make empty promises. We prefer you to UMNO, but only if you act and reflect it in your government policies. We can make you the difference – both ways.
We must make this point. This is our only way to make our point. This is our opportunity.
Subramaniam Bharathy
Updates on Kg.Buah Pala! 05/09/09
- Kg.Buah Pala villagers are still finding for an alternative to solve the matter amicably and in a manner for them to survive not to suffer. A prayer for the safety, health and happines held at the one and only temple in Kg.Buah Pala. The Villagers asked for hapiness and safety of their Heritage Villager and for the protection of the villagers. Even now, at the prayer ceremony they asked that Thomas and Gary from Nusmetro live with a happy life and may god bless him and open their heart to look at the poor fragile hearts of the Villagers here. Although many of them were hurt on the 3rd Aug 2009 brutal attack, we are still having hope and truth will prevail one day, Truth has no deadlines or expiry date, It will show up one day and the world will realise on all the suffering and injustices dumped here by the rich and the crazy racist politicians.
- There will be a Press Conference at 10.00am in Kg.Buah Pala. Several villagers made police report on the police brutality and was not been given cooperation. When they hear Kg.Buah Pala, their face changed and they dont bother to co-operate with the villagers!
- Chief Inspector Jamal, the man behind the brutality on the 03rd Aug 2009.
- Rwindraj@Cryingvoices
Nusmetro Press Conference on Kg.Buah Pala
Friday
4th Sept 2009
Notham Tower Hotel
Ref: Press Conference Nusmetro on the Kg.Buah Pala issue.
Nusmetro faced the Media with a different face today, we are not sure if Thomas Chan is pretending but we are sure that he is still lying. Today, Nusmetro Executive Director Thomas Chan said that from the 33 houses that they planned to build 24 has been assigned to the villagers that has signed the Agreement.( I really dont know why agreement he is talking about). The remaining 9 houses has not claimed by the Villagers and he is waiting for their concern to demolish the remaining houses. I dont know where he got the number(9) which is related to him well I guess) Actual number of villagers that has not agreed to the deal is 12! and not 9 as claimed by that sadist!. Why 12? because its 12 villagers who has not signed the any documents and has not agreed to the romantic version of conveniences by Rayer, Ramasamy and Lim Guan Eng.
Thomas Chan the Executive Director of Nusmetro from now on to be referred as Thomas 9, resembles State Government of Penang as opportunist to gain Publicity, when the villagers can directly deal with Nusmetro and solve the problem much earlier. He also stated that the Kg,Buah Pala issue has become a Racial issue thoroughout Penang and all over Malaysia. It is not a racial Issue, the Contractor, Developer, Chief Minister and the other cronies and companies are chinese base, so what? Even after the development project in Kg.Buah Pala, only chinese can afford it and maybe one or 2 malays and no Indians I guess. so what? this will only help the Chinese Chief Minister and the Chinese slave Rayer to secure their votes in the area of Gelugur and Seri Delima. Of course this is not a racial issue, then why everyone is talking about racial issues? he didnt say that.
Thomas 9 added several Demolition attempts has cost him so much until he has to raise the Amount of the house prices. Darshan and outsiders are said to be misleading the Villagers where else they are the one that protect and saving the village for so long through many negotiations.
Why in the first place a LAWYER is not allowed to represent the poor Villagers in any negotiation either with Nusmetro, Koperasi or State Government?
Kg.Buah Pala is known as Indian High Chaparral in Penang for its cattles and now Nusmetro is arrogantly saying that they will not compensate the Cattle Breeders! So much of land taken from the villagers and they are the rightful owners under the Trust! but this is a cruel world with cruel politicians and businessman! They Chase us out and our cows! Where are we going to take them? Where to breed them? What other business or occupation can we indulge in to survive with our family and kids!
The state government must be abe to give solution to the problem they started, they have to kill the fire that they ignite!
Although Thomas9 has said that this is not a racial issue, the Chinese House owners in Penang surrounding Kg.Buah Pala are not offering houses for the poor villagers for rental, they are saying that the Villagers will demand 100,000 after the end of the 1year contract which is very serious and need to be looked into by the State Government. Ramasamy and Rayer has to look into the welfare of the Indians here and not to burn them to dust!
The Villagers are said to have demanded RM300,000-RM500,000 to Nusmetro, which is in the category of "Another Lies by Nusmetro". The Villagers has never asked the Developer or the State Government for that amount, we are not asking for a bungalow, we only want a place to stay, All the villagers with dignity claimed!
Rwindraj@Cryingvoices
Updates on Kg.Buah Pala!
Kg.Buah Pala is still as beautiful as it is, the demolition process that medias proclaimed and made as if the Village has been swept is entirely wrong, the vilagers and the supporters from the Indians all over the world is great in defending the indian Heritage Village. Some even protesting that this is not a Heritage site, who cares about that, we want the welfare and the rights of the people to be defended, you steal someones land and home, unfair, at least give them a new home to stay and put it in a legal written agreement. Dont take the possession of others and leave them in the street instead, look at the Villages in Klang Valley (esp), most of the villages are occupied by Indonesian illegal imigrants and being protected, look at their houses and vehicles.. They are doing business so openly in the streets, village and town. Who questions them? As a citizen who has close touch with the public, I know and all of you knew that the illegal immigrants and illegal business sites are all over spreading like mushrooms, how come the authorities washed hand and close one eye? Why Kg.Buah Pala is pressured? It is only 6.5accres, is this the only land available in Penang to build a luxury condo? No more space in penang? Why do the state government so eager to chase this beautiful indian community from this area? Culture and unity will be badly affected through this process of development, what is the state governments' plan? To make sure no villages and heritage sites in Penang? and to build all the luxury and expensive condos and building which can only afforded by certain group of people? Nusmetro only demolished 3 empty houses that is not occupied and with the permission from the committee members, the committee and the Villagers gave all the cooperation to the bailiff and to the police yesterday, but the developer, police and bailiff back-stabbed us! We agreed that we allow them to break only 2 empty houses through our negotiation but after breaking that 2 houses, the developer was hungry for more and supported by the Bailiff, and carryon their gangsterism rules which was supported by the police and bailiff when defended by the Supporters with brutal treatment and arrest!
The house of one of the committee member Mr.Stephen was not demolished as claimed by some newspapers, they only manage to break a small portion at the side of the house which was built as a garage. Kg.Buah pala is still in the safe status for now, and another discussion to be held on next monday, between the Developer, Koperasi and the Villagers.
Rwindraj@Cryingvoices
Ninth by-election in the Nine State
This is going to be the ninth by-election since the last general election. And it is going to be held in the Nine State (Negeri Sembilan). This is also the ninth month (September) in the year ending with nine (2009). Is this a good omen or a bad omen for the opposition?
THE CORRIDORS OF POWER
Raja Petra Kamarudin
First, let’s look at what was.
N31 - Bagan Pinang
2004 General Election
Total registered voters - 10,777
Total votes cast - 8,022
% voter turnout - 74.44%
MOHD FAIZAL BIN RAMLI (BN) - 5,967 (74.38% of votes)
HASSAN BIN ALIAS (PAS) - 1,556
BN majority - 4,411
Spoilt votes - 499
2008 General Election
Total registered voters - 14,192
Total votes cast - 10,911
% voter turnout - 76.88%
AZMAN MOHD NOR (BN) - 6,430 (58.93% of votes)
RAMLI ISMAIL (PAS) - 4,097
BN majority - 2,333
Spoilt votes - 384
And what will we see for the coming by-election in the next month or two?
What will we see this coming by-election? Well, there are many factors to consider. First, of course, would be the candidate. Field the wrong candidate and we shall see a repeat of what happened in the recent by-election in Penang.
Next would be whether PAS can close ranks and unite because it appears like PAS is very badly split down in Negeri Sembilan.
One more factor would be the 5,000 plus postal votes from that state constituency (out of 7,000 postal votes for the Teluk Kemang parliamentary constituency, which Bagan Pinang comes under). That represents about one-third the total number of registered voters. If there is a free and fair election, and if the Election Commission (SPR) does not, as usual, ‘switch’ ballot boxes, then the opposition has a good chance of grabbing that seat. If not, then the fake postal votes would give Barisan Nasional a win with a majority of at least 2,000-3,000 votes.
Note that the number of Malay voters in this constituency is about two-thirds, which means most would come from the postal votes. There are about 10.5% Chinese voters, 19.9% Indian voters, and 3.5% others. This is an ideal breakdown for the opposition, if not for the 5,000 plus postal votes that can be manipulated in Barisan Nasional’s favour.
In 1999, Ruslam Kassim, the opposition candidate from PKR, won the majority of the postal votes in that parliamentary constituency, which the Bagan Pinang state seat comes under. In 2008, Datuk Kamarul Baharin Abbas, the Member of Parliament for Teluk Kemang and PKR’s head for Negeri Sembilan, lost that state constituency by only 2,000 plus votes in spite of the more than 7,000 postal votes.
So, Pakatan Rakyat still has a chance of winning that seat if they can keep those postal votes under control. Then the loss by a majority of 2,000-3,000 may instead be transformed to a win with a 1,500-2,000-vote majority.
That is my prediction if Pakatan Rakyat can address those three main issues above.
One thing to note is that in 2004 Barisan Nasional garnered 74.38% of the total votes cast while in 2008 it garnered only 58.93%. That is a large drop in share of votes. And the Barisan National majority of 2,333 for 2008 (down from 4,411 in 2004) include the more than 5,000 postal votes.
In a fair and free election, that seat is clearly an opposition seat. Come on Pakatan Rakyat. Give us a win with a majority of at least 1,500-1,800 votes. Of course, more would be better -- say 2,200?
Najib: Muslims must not insult other religions
MARAN, Sept 4 — Muslims were reminded to avoid condemning or insulting other religions and the followers with their actions, but instead follow true Islamic teachings by respecting other religions.
Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak said their offending actions could have detrimental effects as those who felt insulted could respond in a worse manner, hence causing racial disunity.
Quoting verse 108 in the Al-An’am chapter of the Quran, he said Muslims were also forbidden from insulting or desecrating anything that the followers of other religions worshipped so that they would in turn show respect for Islam.
He was speaking after breaking fast and performing Maghrib prayer with about 1,000 residents of Mukim Chenor at the Chenor Jamek Mosque, here, today. Also present were his wife Datin Seri Rosmah Mansor, Pahang Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Adnan Yaakob and Chenor assemblyman Datuk Tan Mohd Aminuddin Ishak.
Najib said Prophet Muhammad himself, when setting up the first Islamic state in Medina and drawing up the Constitution of Medina, made Islam the thrust of his administration but allowed the practice of other religions.
“This enabled the people of Medina to live in peace. In our country too, we have big minority groups....God willing, we will remain a peaceful country. If there have been no peace, we would not see rapid development in our country today.”
Najib also called on Muslims to return to the real religious struggle by avoiding jealousy, hatred, backbiting, confrontation and incitement, and to address the ills such as poverty.
“We must correct the negative perception of the West about Islam and Islamic countries by practising true Islamic teachings so that we can be good role models to others,” he said. — Bernama
Khir Toyo says his temple enclave would have prevented row
The Khir solution... former mentri besar Khir (red tie) has the answer to race relations, so says he. - Picture by Choo Choy May
SHAH ALAM, Sept 4 — Datuk Seri Dr Mohd Khir Toyo today rehashed a proposal for an Indian religious enclave for one Sikh and six Hindu temples in the city’s industrial heartland, arguing it would have solved the current temple row in the city’s Section 23 neighbourhood.
But the proposal had been rejected by the city’s Indian community, including representatives from Barisan Nasional (BN), as ludicrous and impractical.
The former mentri besar, who is now state opposition leader, scheduled a press conference today at the site in Section 18 near the Cadbury factory, to defend his administration’s efforts in solving the temple issue.
He also defended last Friday’s cow-head protest, saying no offence was meant, and that the protestors wanted to compare what he said was the stupidity of the animal to the Pakatan Rakyat (PR) state government.
A group claiming to be Malay-Muslim residents of Section 23 had marched to the state secretariat last Friday to oppose the state’s plan to allow the construction of a Hindu temple relocated from another location with a bigger Muslim majority.
The group threatened bloodshed while dragging a cow’s head to the gates of the state secretariat where they proceeded to stamp on and spit at the head. Their act has sparked a major uproar as Hindus consider the cow a sacred animal.
The protestors also claimed Section 23 was more than 90 per cent Muslim, and that having a temple nearby would disrupt their own religious practice.
But a check showed that the neighbourhood was multi-racial, with Indians making up more than a quarter of the population.
Khir defended his administration today, saying the Selangor State Economic Development Corporation had spent RM600,000 to lay down the infrastructure for the Indian religious enclave, which was divided into seven lots measuring 10,000 sq meters each.
“Where else in the country has a state government spent so much money for places of worships of other religions?” he said.
He said site was supposed to accommodate Hindu and Sikh temples from throughout Shah Alam and came ready with paved roads and parking lots.
However he said the Section 19 temple committee refused to accept the site and PKNS then found and alternative site in Section 22.
Khir lashed out at the current PR state government for blaming his administration for failing to solve the temple relocation issue and Umno for instigating the cow-head protest by residents from Section 23, last Friday.
He said the issue was similar to what was being faced by the Kampung Buah Pala villagers in Penang where PR made election promises they could not keep.
He said PR was now forced to relocate the temple to Section 23 despite objections from residents there.
“BN and Umno have no objections to temples being built so long as they are in conducive sites.”
However Hindu Sangam advisor Datuk A. Vaithilingam had told the press earlier today that the site in Section 18 was rejected by temple authorities because there were already other temples in the area and that the temple in Section 23 was meant to cater to Hindus in other areas.
“This should not matter because they have many Gods and separate temples for each.” said Dr Khir, who added that distance should not be a factor because everyone now drove cars.
Also at the the press conference were former BN executive councillor Datuk Nawawi Zin, former Batu Tiga assemblyman Datuk Salamon Selamat and at least one of the protestors who took part in last week’s demonstration.
Dr Khir, who returned from Mecca yesterday, said the Section 23 residents did not mean to insult Hindus by using a severed cow head, an animal which is sacred to their religion, during the protest.
“There was no religious significance in bringing the head. The cow is a stupid creature and they wanted to point out that the state government was being stupid.”
In an immediate reaction former Shah Alam City Council (MBSA) MIC councillor RS Maniam said the plan to relocate six Hindu and one Sikh temple to Section 18 was ludicrous.
“Where in the world are there so many temples located side by side?”
He said the plan was proposed by the previous state government between 2006 and early 2007 but failed to take off.
He said the Section 19 temple committee rejected the idea outright and was offered the alternative side at the industrial area in Section 22.
“However they accepted the site half heartedly because it was just too far away.”
Following the March 8 general elections, PR proposed to move the temple to Section 23.
Meanwhile Selangor Executive Councillor (Exco) member Dr Xavier Jayakumar pointed out today that no temple had moved to Section 18 because the people had rejected the idea.
“Why has no temple move to the site, if it was such a brilliant idea?” he asked.
Xavier said it was now easy for Dr Khir to make claims he had helped the Indian community but the reality is that the problem was not solved during his time as mentri besar.
Pilihanraya kecil Bagan Pinang : Rakyat lwn Barisan Neraka
By Haris Ibrahim,
Forget Permatang Pasir.
Forget Penanti.
Remember Teoh Beng Hock.
Remember Kugan.
Remember 1805.
Remember Hishamuddin’s ‘kick and spit on cow head no big deal’ press con.
Remember PKFZ.
Remember Altantuya.
Remember Scorpene.
Remember the RM24million mansion in Shah Alam.
Remember Najib’s tossing of scrap metal to the Indians in Penang.
Remember Perak.
EC, the rakyat await this by-election with glee.
Bring it on.
People, let’s make this by-election our election to rub BN’s nose right into the @#$% that they’ve been tossing our way for so long now.
We do not need to await nomination day to bring the good people of Bagan Pinang up to speed on what has been happening in the rest of the country.
Don’t forget that most, if not all, of the residents and voters there, would be dependent on the lying mainstream media for the news.
We know the kind of crap that they’re being fed.
Unless the EC races to fix nomination and polling day before Hari Raya, the forthcoming Raya holidays when people would be going back to Bagan Pinang would be an excellent opportunity to launch a ‘Balik Kampung Bawa Berita Benar’ campaign.
People, put on your thinking caps.
Think of effective sms campaigns.
Can anyone research to ascertain the internet penetration in the constituency?
Anyone reading this who is from Teluk Kemang or in the surrounding vicinity who might be able to lend advise on the most effective efforts to get news to the voters in Bagan Pinang?
People, let’s take the fight to Barisan Neraka.
Malaysiakini stands up to defy the oppressors
Malaysiakini reports today that the Malaysian Communication and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) has requested them to remove two ‘provocative’ videos relating to the cow-head protest from its website.
The two videos : the ‘Temple demo: Residents march with cow’s head‘ and ‘Hisham: Don’t blame cow-head protesters‘.
The second video captures Kerismuddin’s press con where he rises in defence of the protesters.
According to the Malaysiakini report, the request from MCMC came in a letter dated 3rd September in which monitoring and enforcement division senior acting director Abdul Halim Ahmad explained that the “videos contain offensive contents with the intent to annoy any person, especially Indians. This is an offence under Section 211/233 of the Communication and Multimedia Act 1998″.
I can understand the request to remove the first video arising from a concern that it might cause racial agitation.
Why the second video?
To avoid ministerial embarrassment?
If so, too little, too late.
Back to the matter of the alleged offence under the CMA, 1998.
I am reproducing both sections 211 and 233 of the CMA, 1998 below, highlighting three all-important words that I think ought to be noted.
211. Prohibition on provision of offensive content.
(1) No content applications service provider, or other person using a content applications service, shall provide content which is indecent, obscene, false, menacing, or offensive in character with intent to annoy, abuse, threaten or harass any person.
(2) A person who contravenes subsection (1) commits an offence and shall, on conviction, be liable to a fine not exceeding fifty thousand ringgit or to imprisonment for a term not exceeding one year or to both and shall also be liable to a further fine of one thousand ringgit for every day or part of a day during which the offence is continued after conviction.
233. Improper use of network facilities or network service, etc.
(1) A person who-
(a) by means of any network facilities or network service or applications service knowingly-
(ii) initiates the transmission of,
any comment, request, suggestion or other communication which is obscene, indecent, false, menacing or offensive in character with intent to annoy, abuse, threaten or harass another person; or
(b) initiates a communication using any applications service, whether continuously, repeatedly or otherwise, during which communication may or may not ensue, with or without disclosing his identity and with intent to annoy, abuse, threaten or harass any person at any number or electronic address,
commits an offence.
(2) A person who knowingly-
(a) by means of a network service or applications service provides any obscene communication for commercial purposes to any person; or
(b) permits a network service or applications service under the person’s control to be used for an activity described in paragraph (a),
commits an offence.
(3) A person who commits an offence under this section shall, on conviction, be liable to a fine not exceeding fifty thousand ringgit or to imprisonment for a term not exceeding one year or to both and shall also be liable to a further fine of one thousand ringgit for every day during which the offence is continued after conviction.
With intent to.
Steven Gan of Malaysiakini was quick to latch on to these words.
In that Malaysiakini report, this is what Steven is reported to have said :
“Our intent in putting up the videos was not to ‘annoy’ anyone, but to do our job as journalists to draw attention to the protest and to ensure action is taken so that incidents like this will not happen again in Malaysia.”
Malaysiakini then reports that Steven, its editor-in-chief, said both the videos are news events which are of public interest and that there were no plans to take down the videos and that Malaysiakini would be seeking legal advice.
If you ever needed a reason to stop buying the NST, Star, Malay Mail and the other MSM crap and instead subscribing to Malaysiakini, MCMC has presented it to you today.
First five months of Najib’s “1Malaysia. People First. Performance Now” slogan ends with MACC and Malaysian Police neck-to-neck as to which key nation
By Lim Kit Siang,
Yesterday morning, the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) Deputy Chief Commissioner Datuk Abu Kassim Mohammad was the special guest of the Star online live chat.
During Abu Kassim online chat, the newspaper carried an online opinion poll which produced the following results at 12.30 noon before it was taken off line:
1. How would rate the MACC’s performance so far in fighting corruption? (image)
Good – 3%
Fair – 0%
Poor – 98%2. Should MACC only ‘interview’ suspects during office hours? (image)
Yes – 79%
No – 6%
Depends on the situation – 15%3. How would rate the MACC’s handling of Teoh Beng Hock’s case? (image)
Good – 0%
Fair – 4%
Poor – 96%4.Should it be made compulsory for lawyers to be present, …(image)
Yes – 83%
No – 6%
Depends on the situation – 11%
It is tragic and pathetic that the first five months of the new Prime Minister, Datuk Seri Najib Razak’s “1Malaysia. People First. Performance Now” slogan is ending (as today marks Najib’s full five months as Prime Minister) with two key national institutions, the MACC and the Malaysian Police, neck-to-neck as to which organization has lower public confidence and esteem!
In the last week of July, the Home Ministry website carried an opinion poll whether the people felt safe, with the following results:
-
97% or 9,729 out of 10,060 respondents felt unsafe because of the high crime rate, with only 1% or 89 respondents felt safe and 2% or 242 respondents in the “uncertain” category.
-
95% or 8,883 out of 9,319 respondents felt that the safety of the people was not guaranteed as compared to 3% or 248 respondents who felt it was still guaranteed, with 2% or 188 respondents in the “uncertain” category.
-
94% or 8,743 out of 9,261 respondents felt that government had not done its best to ensure that the safety of the people was at the best level with 2% or 185 respondents felt that the government had done its best, and 4% or 333 persons “uncertain”?
It has been announced today that Tan Sri Musa Hassan’s contract as Inspector-General of Police has been renewed for another year although for the first time in the nation’s history, there had been an unprecedented nation-wide opposition to the second extension of Musa’s tenure as IGP.
It would appear that it is the very proof of failure to carry out the fundamental policing duties with 97% of the respondents in the Home Ministry poll felt unsafe at the high crime rate in the country and 94% of the respondents felt that the government had not done its best to ensure the safety of the people which are the key factors resulting in Musa’s favour and advantage, resulting in another year extension of his tenure as IGP.
By these same perverse standards, a MACC which is unable to command the confidence of 98% of the people to effectively combat corruption is the very MACC which is defended to the hilt by the Najib government.
With another one-year extension for Musa despite his abysmal performance, with 97% of the people who felt unsafe and 94% unconvinced that the police had done its best to protect the people’s safety, and a MACC where 98% lack confidence eight months after its establishment to replace the Anti-Corruption Agency, there appears to be no hope for any reforms to both institutions unless there is a total change of the federal government in the next general elections!
22 Kampung Buah Pala Residents Accept Developer's Offer, Agree To Shift
PENANG, Sept 4 (Bernama) -- The Kampung Buah Pala saga looks headed for an amicable settlement as 22 house owners agreed to accept an offer from the developer, Nusmetro Ventures (P) Sdn Bhd.
Nusmetro Director Thomas Chan said a meeting was held with Kampung Buah Pala residents yesterday and that they had agreed to accept an offer made by them (developer).
Nusmetro Director Thomas Chan said a meeting was held with Kampung Buah Pala residents yesterday and that they had agreed to accept an offer made by them (developer).
"During the meeting, 22 house owners singed letters of offer by the developer and agreed to shift peacefully," he told reporters here today.
Chan said they were offered a double-storey house and RM8,000 as expenses for shifting.
"We will start demolition works next week and carry on with the development as soon as possible. However, we will still give them time on compassionate grounds," he said.
Yesterday, Kampung Buah Pala Residents Association chairperson M. Sugumaran had said that they had no choice but to abide by the court's decision to vacate the land.
He added that all the residents were disappointed with the situation but had to accept the offer from the developer.
On June 24, the Court had ordered the residents to evacuate the village, covering some 2.6 hectares, and allow the landowner, Penang Government Officers Cooperative and the developer, to start work on the site.
Kg Buah Pala: No deal struck yet
By Anil Netto,
2219: Contrary to reports that a deal has been struck with all the villagers, half the remaining households have not yet accepted the developer’s vaguely worded compensation offer.
This is the current position:
- Those who had left much earlier and signed – 9 households
- Those who have now accepted and signed – 12 households
- Those who have not signed – 12 households
The above information was provided to me by Sugumaran, the village committee chairman, when I contacted him a moment ago.
“The 12 (who have not signed) are with us now.”
I asked him what they were looking for.
“We want a concrete proposal and not the vaguely worded offer that was given to us earlier. We want an assurance that if, for whatever reason, Nusmetro is unable to continue the project, whoever takes over the project will continue to honour the offer. The state or any other party must be willing to provide such a guarantee.”
Sugumaran added that the villagers, whose backs are against the wall after yesterday’s display of force and arrests, will be holding a meeting among themselves tomorrow night. Few outsiders – especially those who have never stepped foot in the village – understand what it is like for them to lose their village.
The villagers, still emotionally recovering from the traumatic experience yesterday, want the loopholes in the compensation offer to be removed and a proposal that spells things out clearly.
Leaving politics aside, to me, it’s not unreasonable to ask for something concrete; there have been too many previous cases of villagers and pioneers who were offered and promised all sorts of things to entice them to leave – only to find themselves stranded later because they had nothing legally enforceable.
MCMC shoots Malaysiakini the messenger; Khalid Samad’s piercing wit
by Nathaniel Tan
Two quick notes of a rather divergent nature (apologies!) : first, happy belated Onam to all Malayalees :) second, al-Fatihah for YB Azman Md. Noor, and takziah to his family :(
The Malaysian Communication and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) has requested independent news portal Malaysiakini to remove two ‘provocative’ videos, including the footage of the controversial cow-head protest, from its website.
“These videos contain offensive contents with the intent to annoy any person, especially Indians.
“This is an offence under Section 211/233 of the Communication and Multimedia Act 1998,” said monitoring and enforcement division senior acting director Abdul Halim Ahmad in a letter dated Sept 3.
Sigh.
While those dragging cow heads around and making death threats still walk free, the government decides to hentam the messengers.
Is this a variation on the case of Ahmad Ismail spreads hate, journalist Tan Hoon Cheng gets ISA?
Why so illogical!? If people are threatening violence, please charge them (they may yet, but goodness, it’s taking so long. Not like anti-government protest, arrest on the spot), and leave the ones exposing the madness alone!
Some more cannot make up their mind. Is it a big deal or not? You want to go after Malaysiakini, but Kerishamuddin says its all nothing to get fussed up about.
Howla? Which is it?!
Sigh.
YB Khalid Samad has been blogging quite well and quite extensively on this issue. With regards to the identity of the protestors, I have espoused the same view as his:
Tetapi saya yakin mereka BUKAN ahli PAS. Ini kerana sudah lebih 10 tahun saya menjadi YDP PAS Shah Alam dan tidak pernah saya lihat muka kedua-dua penganjur demo ini. Lagipun tiada ahli PAS yang akan sanggup menukarkan kalimah ‘Takbir’ kepada ‘Take Beer’ seperti yang dilaugkan oleh golongan ini.
No PKR member would make fun of PAS’ rallying cry in such a way either.
I liked this part, hehe:
Saya diberitahu ada pihak yang menyatakan bahawa Ibrahim dan Mahyudin, dua watak utama demo kepala lembu tempohari telah mengaku diri mereka sebagai ahli/penyokong PAS. Oleh itu ada yang bertanya kepada saya samada ianya benar.
Maka saya pun menjawab, “biasalah, pada masa ini siapa sanggup mengaku dirinya ahli UMNO?”
Aheheh.
Bagan Pinang Assemblyman Dies
SEREMBAN, Sept 4 (Bernama) -- Bagan Pinang assemblyman, Azman Mohammad Noor, of Barisan Nasional (BN) died this afternoon at the Seremban Specialist Centre. He was 54.
His son Hairol Asfani, 22, said his father died of blood infection.
He leaves behind a widow Normah Zainal Abidin, 49, and five children Mohd Khusairi, 23, Hairol Asfani, 22, Norsyazila, 19, Norsyafikah, 16, and Norsyafitra, 13.
When met at the hospital, Hairol Asfani said his father was admitted to the hospital at 3.30am due to fever.
"He complained of fever but was able to walk unassisted. After the breaking of fast yesterday, his condition worsened and he was unable to walk," he said, adding that all family members were at his bedside when Azman breathed his last at about 2.30pm.
AG Instructs Police To Further Investigate 'Cow Head' Incident
SUBANG JAYA, Sept 4 (Bernama) -- The Attorney-General has asked the police to further investigate the carrying of a severed cow head in a residents' demonstration in front of the Selangor State Secretariat building on Aug 28 to protest the relocation of a Hindu temple from Section 19 to Section 23.
"We had discussed the matter with the Attorney-General's Chambers three days ago and the AG instructed us to further probe the case, and we are now taking statements to facilitate the investigation," said Inspector-General of Police Tan Sri Musa Hassan.
Asked about an illegal assembly in connection with the 'cow head' incident, planned for tomorrow by certain quarters at Dataran Merdeka, he said police would not hesitate to take stern action against those involved.
"What is the need for the gathering? Don't be impatient to the extent of holding another illegal gathering tomorrow," he told reporters after handing over Raya goodies to officers and widows of the members of the police force, here, Friday.
In a another development, Musa said a local man in his 20's was arrested to facilitate the investigation into the murder of the Philippine embassy's social attache Finardo G. Cabilao on Aug 7.
Musa said there was no link between the murder and human trafficking activities, but probably the motive of the murder had to do with a homosexual relationship.
"It (the murder) was not due to jealousy but it is believed that the suspect was not paid for his service."
He said police were still investigating to get strong evidence such as the DNA of the suspect before reaching any conclusion.
The suspect was arrested on Sept 1 and the murder happened after the victim sought sexual service from the suspect.
Cabilao was found sprawled in a pool of blood with severe head injuries in the living room of his apartment in Taman Maluri, Cheras, on Aug 7.
Meanwhile, Musa said more than 6,400 packets of Raya cookies would be distributed to members of the police force, including 218 serving with the United Nations peacekeeping force.
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