Thursday, 28 February 2013
Muslim Brotherhood Islamists Surround Christian Church in Attempt to Stop Construction
Security forces were deployed to the area to convince the group to step down and allow work to resume, the sources claimed.
Ramsis al-Deiry, a member of the Shubra al-Kheima archbishopric's Millet Council, said group of Salafis and members affiliated with the Muslim Brotherhood surrounded the building and prevented workers from resuming construction.
Labels:
Islam Discrimination
Hindraf: Pakatan manifesto a big letdown
Election pledges completely ignores Indians and even Anwar’s pledge to resolve the 350,000 stateless Indians issue within 100 days is not mentioned, says Waythamoorthy
GEORGE TOWN: Pakatan Rakyat election manifesto…
More ►
More ▼
Election pledges completely ignores Indians and even Anwar’s pledge to resolve the 350,000 stateless Indians issue within 100 days is not mentioned, says Waythamoorthy
GEORGE TOWN: Pakatan Rakyat election manifesto has sidelined, isolated and marginalised the already much maligned ethnic Indian community, charged Hindraf Makkal Sakti today.
Its supremo, P Waythamoorthy, accused Pakatan of completely ignoring the needs and interests of the Indian community in its election pledges.
He summed up Pakatan’s so-called people’s manifesto as one that has disappointed Indian Malaysians and does not value the community’s support or needs.
“In one stroke, the manifesto has said so many things that disappointed us. It is deeply distressing, not so much by what it says, but by what it does not say.
“It failed to even acknowledge, let alone recognise, the community’s longstanding woes,” the Hindraf chairman said in a statement.
In recent talks with Pakatan leaders, especially PKR, he said they failed to take note that Hindraf had been diligently working with them to bring solutions for these serious problems.
When questioned on this, PKR de facto leader Anwar Ibrahim said that Pakatan’s manifesto transcends racial groups as well as subgroups including the Indian community.
“If this was the case, how does Anwar justify specific pledges to the Malays, Chinese, Orang Asals, Sabah and Sarawakians, the ex-armed forces and Felda settlers in the manifesto?
“The provisions there do not seem to transcend racial groups and subgroups,” said Waythamoorthy.
“Enough has been said of Pakatan moving away from racial politics but that is more a statement of its intent than the frame for its policies.
“Pakatan has been using this once too often as a cover to ignore the problems of the Indian poor and marginalised.
“That should leave anyone with a strong liberal and democratic conscience, disturbed,” added Waythamoorthy.
He said that it was time to address the Indian problem permanently, to eliminate its root cause – the institutional discrimination – and bring back the almost 1.3 million poor and working class Indians into the mainstream of economic development.
He cited an independent study from the Centre for Policy Studies concluded in 2000 that 600,000 estate workers have been forcibly displaced in the country.
Pakatan taking the same path
He added that Hindraf estimated the figure had reached at 800,000 now.
“This massive forced displacement is a direct result of state development programmes operating in the milieu of institutional racism,” said Waythamoorthy.
By ignoring the problem with the “transcends race argument” and the acceptance of serious violation of human rights, he accused Pakatan of taking the same Umno-led BN path.
He pinpointed that Anwar’s pledge to resolve the 350,000 stateless Malaysian Indians issue within 100 days “found no mention in the manifesto”.
In its various meetings and communications, he said Hindraf had stressed to Anwar and Pakatan allies the need for a targeted and pointed programme to address this serious accumulated problem arising from all the human rights violations of the past 56 years.
He said Hindraf’s proposals were stipulated in its five-year blueprint for the Indian community submitted to all Pakatan parties – PKR, DAP and PAS.
He said the blueprint sought to address issues of institutional discrimination and equal rights of land procurement for economic purposes, equal business opportunities which included business loans, permits and educational opportunities.
He said the annual budget required to fully implement the blueprint was a mere RM4.5 billion or 1.8% of the 2013 annual national budget.
This sum, he insisted, was a reinvestment on human capital to stimulate progress and development in lives of marginalised people.
“Our proposed solutions are permanent, practical and comprehensive. Pakatan confirmed verbally that it was in principle agreeable with the blueprint,” said Waythamoorthy.
He noted that Pakatan not only failed to give a single pledge in its manifesto to address any of the Indian problems, but it also did not formally endorse the blueprint.
Even though Hindraf recognised that it was Pakatan’s prerogative, he said the movement was more concerned with “loss of a historic opportunity to get the process of change rolling”.
Kingmakers sidelined
Meanwhile, Malaysian Indian Progressive Association (Mipas) secretary-general S Bharatidasan asked why Indians were left out in Pakatan’s latest manifesto.
“Remember that we are kingmakers in several seats and a majority of us supported Pakatan in the 2008 general election,” he said.
Bharatidasan demanded the opposition pact prepare specific allocations and programmes for Indians, as the community is still lagging in many fields.
“We also demand Indians be given seven ministers and eight deputy ministers’ posts should Pakatan form the next federal government,” said Bharatidasan.
- See more at: http://www.freemalaysiatoday.com/category/nation/2013/02/27/hindraf-pakatan-manifesto-a-big-letdown/#sthash.NFQctR41.dpuf
▲
Its supremo, P Waythamoorthy, accused Pakatan of completely ignoring the needs and interests of the Indian community in its election pledges.
He summed up Pakatan’s so-called people’s manifesto as one that has disappointed Indian Malaysians and does not value the community’s support or needs.
“In one stroke, the manifesto has said so many things that disappointed us. It is deeply distressing, not so much by what it says, but by what it does not say.
“It failed to even acknowledge, let alone recognise, the community’s longstanding woes,” the Hindraf chairman said in a statement.
In recent talks with Pakatan leaders, especially PKR, he said they failed to take note that Hindraf had been diligently working with them to bring solutions for these serious problems.
When questioned on this, PKR de facto leader Anwar Ibrahim said that Pakatan’s manifesto transcends racial groups as well as subgroups including the Indian community.
“If this was the case, how does Anwar justify specific pledges to the Malays, Chinese, Orang Asals, Sabah and Sarawakians, the ex-armed forces and Felda settlers in the manifesto?
“The provisions there do not seem to transcend racial groups and subgroups,” said Waythamoorthy.
“Enough has been said of Pakatan moving away from racial politics but that is more a statement of its intent than the frame for its policies.
“Pakatan has been using this once too often as a cover to ignore the problems of the Indian poor and marginalised.
“That should leave anyone with a strong liberal and democratic conscience, disturbed,” added Waythamoorthy.
He said that it was time to address the Indian problem permanently, to eliminate its root cause – the institutional discrimination – and bring back the almost 1.3 million poor and working class Indians into the mainstream of economic development.
He cited an independent study from the Centre for Policy Studies concluded in 2000 that 600,000 estate workers have been forcibly displaced in the country.
Pakatan taking the same path
He added that Hindraf estimated the figure had reached at 800,000 now.
“This massive forced displacement is a direct result of state development programmes operating in the milieu of institutional racism,” said Waythamoorthy.
By ignoring the problem with the “transcends race argument” and the acceptance of serious violation of human rights, he accused Pakatan of taking the same Umno-led BN path.
He pinpointed that Anwar’s pledge to resolve the 350,000 stateless Malaysian Indians issue within 100 days “found no mention in the manifesto”.
In its various meetings and communications, he said Hindraf had stressed to Anwar and Pakatan allies the need for a targeted and pointed programme to address this serious accumulated problem arising from all the human rights violations of the past 56 years.
He said Hindraf’s proposals were stipulated in its five-year blueprint for the Indian community submitted to all Pakatan parties – PKR, DAP and PAS.
He said the blueprint sought to address issues of institutional discrimination and equal rights of land procurement for economic purposes, equal business opportunities which included business loans, permits and educational opportunities.
He said the annual budget required to fully implement the blueprint was a mere RM4.5 billion or 1.8% of the 2013 annual national budget.
This sum, he insisted, was a reinvestment on human capital to stimulate progress and development in lives of marginalised people.
“Our proposed solutions are permanent, practical and comprehensive. Pakatan confirmed verbally that it was in principle agreeable with the blueprint,” said Waythamoorthy.
He noted that Pakatan not only failed to give a single pledge in its manifesto to address any of the Indian problems, but it also did not formally endorse the blueprint.
Even though Hindraf recognised that it was Pakatan’s prerogative, he said the movement was more concerned with “loss of a historic opportunity to get the process of change rolling”.
Kingmakers sidelined
Meanwhile, Malaysian Indian Progressive Association (Mipas) secretary-general S Bharatidasan asked why Indians were left out in Pakatan’s latest manifesto.
“Remember that we are kingmakers in several seats and a majority of us supported Pakatan in the 2008 general election,” he said.
Bharatidasan demanded the opposition pact prepare specific allocations and programmes for Indians, as the community is still lagging in many fields.
“We also demand Indians be given seven ministers and eight deputy ministers’ posts should Pakatan form the next federal government,” said Bharatidasan.
- See more at: http://www.freemalaysiatoday.com/category/nation/2013/02/27/hindraf-pakatan-manifesto-a-big-letdown/#sthash.NFQctR41.dpuf
Go to the moon, Vell Paari tells Perkasa
Responding to Perkasa's stinging criticism, the MIC leader says that it is them and not him who is the real liability to BN.
KUALA LUMPUR: Malay extremist group Perkasa has…
More ►
More ▼
Responding to Perkasa's stinging criticism, the MIC leader says that it is them and not him who is the real liability to BN.
KUALA LUMPUR: Malay extremist group Perkasa has launched a scathing attack against MIC leader S Vell Paari and defended academic Ridhuan Tee Abdullah over his controversial article.
In an online news report, the movement’s secretary-general Syed Hassan Syed Ali described the MIC strategy director as a publicity hound attempting to reverse his sinking political fortunes.
Calling Vell Paari a liability to Barisan Nasional, he said Indian community leaders close to Perkasa had advised the MIC leadership to ignore Vell Paari because his voice was no longer important.
Responding to the criticism, the MIC leader said that he was willing to sponsor mirrors for the members of Perkasa.
“It is obvious that they have not looked at themselves in a mirror. These imbeciles label me a burden to BN when Perkasa was responsible for alienating non-Malay votes with their racism.
“So I hope with these mirrors, they could take a good look at themselves before pointing their stained fingers at others.
“It also seems that my voice was important enough to draw a reaction from Perkasa,” he told FMT.
Furthermore, Vell Paari said unlike Perkasa president Ibrahim Ali, who hopped from BN to the opposition, and then back again, he continued to remain with the ruling coalition.
“Their leader is a frog, who would never turn into a handsome prince no matter how many times you kiss him and these people have the audacity to talk about me. I find that amusing,” he added.
Barking for the right reasons
As for him being a publicity hound, Vell Paari quipped that he was glad to be compared to an animal that was considered grateful.
The MIC leader added that at least he was in the news for barking in defence of preserving this nation’s multiracialism unlike Perkasa which was in the news for being rabid, and therefore should be put to sleep.
“Once again, with the mirrors I am willing to present Perkasa, they could at least stand before them and ask, ‘mirror, mirror on the wall, who is the biggest threat to BN of them all’,” he added.
Commenting on Syed Hassan’s remark that Indian leaders close to Perkasa had advised MIC’s top brass to ignore him, Vell Paari said he was shocked that the movement’s leaders had Indian friends.
“And if there are Indian community leaders willing to be close to such bigots, it is their voices which must be ignored, not mine.
“I love my country more than I love the party that I belong to. So I would not stop criticising those who threaten my nation with their venom,” he stressed.
Does Perkasa represent the Malays?
Vell Paari also took Syed Hassan to task for claiming that the former’s views did not represent the sentiments of the Indian community.
“This is the problem with those who only read certain newspapers and live in a cocoon.
“It is Perkasa’s views that do not represent the feelings of the ‘true’ Malays as illustrated by the handful of supporters who turned up for their so-called counter protest against Bersih.
“We could even ask the Malays in PAS and PKR if Perkasa represented their voice,” he added.
Quizzed on Perkasa’s defence of Ridhuan’s article, saying that there were some elements of truth in it, Vell Paari said that statement alone proved the mindset of the movement’s leaders.
“These people are criticising me for criticising a racist. Perkasa and people like Ridhuan belong on the moon and not in a multi-racial nation like Malaysia,” he said.
On Syed Hasan’s warning that Vell Paari and opposition Indian leaders should refrain from making threats and hurtful remarks, the MIC leader said the Perkasa secretary-general should advise his president first.
“Ibrahim Ali called for the burning of Bibles. I am asking for action to be taken against a racist. So in what warped logic, am I the greater threat?” he asked.
“Ridhuan stands accused of plagiarising and being a fraud. Is this the type of people Perkasa wishes to defend? That speaks volumes about Perkasa, doesn’t it?” he added.
The MIC leader also clarified that he was not demanding an apology from Ridhuan but rather wanted him sacked for his insensitive remarks.
- See more at: http://www.freemalaysiatoday.com/category/nation/2013/02/27/go-to-the-moon-vell-paari-tells-perkasa/#sthash.Qy0h2I8d.dpuf
▲
In an online news report, the movement’s secretary-general Syed Hassan Syed Ali described the MIC strategy director as a publicity hound attempting to reverse his sinking political fortunes.
Calling Vell Paari a liability to Barisan Nasional, he said Indian community leaders close to Perkasa had advised the MIC leadership to ignore Vell Paari because his voice was no longer important.
Responding to the criticism, the MIC leader said that he was willing to sponsor mirrors for the members of Perkasa.
“It is obvious that they have not looked at themselves in a mirror. These imbeciles label me a burden to BN when Perkasa was responsible for alienating non-Malay votes with their racism.
“So I hope with these mirrors, they could take a good look at themselves before pointing their stained fingers at others.
“It also seems that my voice was important enough to draw a reaction from Perkasa,” he told FMT.
Furthermore, Vell Paari said unlike Perkasa president Ibrahim Ali, who hopped from BN to the opposition, and then back again, he continued to remain with the ruling coalition.
“Their leader is a frog, who would never turn into a handsome prince no matter how many times you kiss him and these people have the audacity to talk about me. I find that amusing,” he added.
Barking for the right reasons
As for him being a publicity hound, Vell Paari quipped that he was glad to be compared to an animal that was considered grateful.
The MIC leader added that at least he was in the news for barking in defence of preserving this nation’s multiracialism unlike Perkasa which was in the news for being rabid, and therefore should be put to sleep.
“Once again, with the mirrors I am willing to present Perkasa, they could at least stand before them and ask, ‘mirror, mirror on the wall, who is the biggest threat to BN of them all’,” he added.
Commenting on Syed Hassan’s remark that Indian leaders close to Perkasa had advised MIC’s top brass to ignore him, Vell Paari said he was shocked that the movement’s leaders had Indian friends.
“And if there are Indian community leaders willing to be close to such bigots, it is their voices which must be ignored, not mine.
“I love my country more than I love the party that I belong to. So I would not stop criticising those who threaten my nation with their venom,” he stressed.
Does Perkasa represent the Malays?
Vell Paari also took Syed Hassan to task for claiming that the former’s views did not represent the sentiments of the Indian community.
“This is the problem with those who only read certain newspapers and live in a cocoon.
“It is Perkasa’s views that do not represent the feelings of the ‘true’ Malays as illustrated by the handful of supporters who turned up for their so-called counter protest against Bersih.
“We could even ask the Malays in PAS and PKR if Perkasa represented their voice,” he added.
Quizzed on Perkasa’s defence of Ridhuan’s article, saying that there were some elements of truth in it, Vell Paari said that statement alone proved the mindset of the movement’s leaders.
“These people are criticising me for criticising a racist. Perkasa and people like Ridhuan belong on the moon and not in a multi-racial nation like Malaysia,” he said.
On Syed Hasan’s warning that Vell Paari and opposition Indian leaders should refrain from making threats and hurtful remarks, the MIC leader said the Perkasa secretary-general should advise his president first.
“Ibrahim Ali called for the burning of Bibles. I am asking for action to be taken against a racist. So in what warped logic, am I the greater threat?” he asked.
“Ridhuan stands accused of plagiarising and being a fraud. Is this the type of people Perkasa wishes to defend? That speaks volumes about Perkasa, doesn’t it?” he added.
The MIC leader also clarified that he was not demanding an apology from Ridhuan but rather wanted him sacked for his insensitive remarks.
- See more at: http://www.freemalaysiatoday.com/category/nation/2013/02/27/go-to-the-moon-vell-paari-tells-perkasa/#sthash.Qy0h2I8d.dpuf
Kayveas: Is Palani powerless or just ignorant?
The PPP chief, while telling MIC to stay out of their spat with Nanban, questions the party chief's credibility in standing up for the Indian community.
PETALING JAYA: People’s Progressive…
More ►
More ▼
The PPP chief, while telling MIC to stay out of their spat with Nanban, questions the party chief's credibility in standing up for the Indian community.
PETALING JAYA: People’s Progressive Party (PPP) president, M Kayveas, condemned MIC’s support of Malaysia Nanban over its humiliating statements against the Indian community.
The Tamil daily, in an article on Feb 20, opined that the Indian community could be won over with “free food and tasty mutton”, and that PPP was prone to doing that to rake in votes.
The article questioned if such a move by PPP, which is a Barisan Nasional component party, would favour the ruling coalition in attracting the Indian community’s votes.
Angered by the article, party members and Kayveas were reported to have ambushed the daily’s headquarters in Jalan Ipoh, seeking clarification.
Kayveas, in denying the news reports, said: “First of all, we didn’t ‘ambush’ the daily. We were in fact invited to the Nanban office by the director Ahmad Mydin Sikandar Batcha.
“He wanted to show us proof that what was written was indeed true. They promised a public apology the next day but instead now claim that we had ambushed them.”
‘Why should I apologise?’
Kayveas also said that a number of MIC men were present, claiming to be “security” personnel when he and other PPP members visited the Nanban office.
“Why does MIC need to send ‘security’ [personnel] for Nanban? They have nothing to do with this. Police officers were already deployed and they helped settle the issue before we left,” he said.
Kayveas also said that MIC Youth chief T Mohan and strategy director S Vell Paari have told him to apologise to Nanban for his actions.
“Why should I apologise to them? What did we do to harm them? Why are they not standing up for the Indian community? What is their motive really?” he asked.
When asked if he had contacted the MIC president G Palanivel with regard to this issue, he said: “I only received a reply from Palanivel saying ‘you are free to do your part’.”
“This clearly means that he isn’t going to do anything about this. Is he powerless or is he just being plain ignorant?” he said.
Kayveas assured that PPP will continue to fight for Indians and suggested that it was best for MIC to stay out of this matter as “I know how to handle this issue amicably”.
- See more at: http://www.freemalaysiatoday.com/category/nation/2013/02/27/kayveas-is-palani-powerless-or-just-ignorant/#sthash.5A42um12.dpuf
▲
The Tamil daily, in an article on Feb 20, opined that the Indian community could be won over with “free food and tasty mutton”, and that PPP was prone to doing that to rake in votes.
The article questioned if such a move by PPP, which is a Barisan Nasional component party, would favour the ruling coalition in attracting the Indian community’s votes.
Angered by the article, party members and Kayveas were reported to have ambushed the daily’s headquarters in Jalan Ipoh, seeking clarification.
Kayveas, in denying the news reports, said: “First of all, we didn’t ‘ambush’ the daily. We were in fact invited to the Nanban office by the director Ahmad Mydin Sikandar Batcha.
“He wanted to show us proof that what was written was indeed true. They promised a public apology the next day but instead now claim that we had ambushed them.”
‘Why should I apologise?’
Kayveas also said that a number of MIC men were present, claiming to be “security” personnel when he and other PPP members visited the Nanban office.
“Why does MIC need to send ‘security’ [personnel] for Nanban? They have nothing to do with this. Police officers were already deployed and they helped settle the issue before we left,” he said.
Kayveas also said that MIC Youth chief T Mohan and strategy director S Vell Paari have told him to apologise to Nanban for his actions.
“Why should I apologise to them? What did we do to harm them? Why are they not standing up for the Indian community? What is their motive really?” he asked.
When asked if he had contacted the MIC president G Palanivel with regard to this issue, he said: “I only received a reply from Palanivel saying ‘you are free to do your part’.”
“This clearly means that he isn’t going to do anything about this. Is he powerless or is he just being plain ignorant?” he said.
Kayveas assured that PPP will continue to fight for Indians and suggested that it was best for MIC to stay out of this matter as “I know how to handle this issue amicably”.
- See more at: http://www.freemalaysiatoday.com/category/nation/2013/02/27/kayveas-is-palani-powerless-or-just-ignorant/#sthash.5A42um12.dpuf
Ramasamy: BN behind rallies backing me
The idea is to cause a split in DAP, says the Penang deputy chief minister.
PETALING JAYA: Penang deputy chief minister P Ramasamy today accused Barisan Nasional of masterminding protests…
More ►
More ▼
The idea is to cause a split in DAP, says the Penang deputy chief minister.
PETALING JAYA: Penang deputy chief minister P Ramasamy today accused Barisan Nasional of masterminding protests that ostensibly championed him as a victim of alleged manipulation of DAP election results.
Commenting on a report appearing in FMT yesterday, he said it was wrong to call them “pro-Ramasamy rallies” because they were held not out of concern for his political career but to cause a split in DAP.
The participants were not even DAP members, he added.
“There was one protest held in Perai by members of the Indian Progressive Front (IPF) and another by anti-Pakatan people in Georgetown,” he said. “They definitely have no love for me.”
He said he was certain that the protests were organised by elements in BN.
Yesterday, a group of DAP grassroots members called on the party to investigate demonstrations that depicted Ramasamy’s defeat in last December’s central executive committee (CEC) election as a defeat to the Indian community.
The group, who included Penang DAP Indian Bureau secretary S Sukumar and Bagan Luar branch chairman G Asoghan, asked the party to identify the mastermind of the protests and remove them from DAP.
Speaking on the behalf of the group, Asoghan said many grassroots leaders and members were astonished by the protests and the press statements issued about them.
The polls were marred by a glitch that was attributed to miscalculations on Microsoft Excel spreadsheets. Ramasamy was subsequently co-opted into the CEC.
Ramasamy told FMT he had never complained about the results. “I was the first to accept the CEC election results,” he said.
- See more at: http://www.freemalaysiatoday.com/category/nation/2013/02/27/ramasamy-bn-behind-rallies-backing-me/#sthash.JnvYSBCY.dpuf
▲
Commenting on a report appearing in FMT yesterday, he said it was wrong to call them “pro-Ramasamy rallies” because they were held not out of concern for his political career but to cause a split in DAP.
The participants were not even DAP members, he added.
“There was one protest held in Perai by members of the Indian Progressive Front (IPF) and another by anti-Pakatan people in Georgetown,” he said. “They definitely have no love for me.”
He said he was certain that the protests were organised by elements in BN.
Yesterday, a group of DAP grassroots members called on the party to investigate demonstrations that depicted Ramasamy’s defeat in last December’s central executive committee (CEC) election as a defeat to the Indian community.
The group, who included Penang DAP Indian Bureau secretary S Sukumar and Bagan Luar branch chairman G Asoghan, asked the party to identify the mastermind of the protests and remove them from DAP.
Speaking on the behalf of the group, Asoghan said many grassroots leaders and members were astonished by the protests and the press statements issued about them.
The polls were marred by a glitch that was attributed to miscalculations on Microsoft Excel spreadsheets. Ramasamy was subsequently co-opted into the CEC.
Ramasamy told FMT he had never complained about the results. “I was the first to accept the CEC election results,” he said.
- See more at: http://www.freemalaysiatoday.com/category/nation/2013/02/27/ramasamy-bn-behind-rallies-backing-me/#sthash.JnvYSBCY.dpuf
Labels:
DAP
India's Political Despair
Narendra Modi: Can he cure the paralysis?
|
There is an overwhelming sense of disconnect among the citizens of…
|
Narendra Modi: Can he cure the paralysis?
|
There is an overwhelming sense of disconnect among the citizens of India for the upcoming 2014 general election. Not even the current €560 million VVIP (very very important persons) helicopter procurement scandal, which has ensnared retired Air Chief Marshal SP Tyagi, a former chief of the Indian Air Force, and his relatives, has disturbed the ennui in the populace.
India's shrill TV news anchors line up politicians, retired judges and social activists every night with exaggerated outrage to debate abuse of power, corruption and even murder but nothing changes.
Despite the campaign of reformer Anna Hazae, which drew millions of protesters last year, ther appears little shame among the political class. About a third of sitting members of parliament have serious criminal cases pending against them. Long misused and abused by politicians, the lowly-paid police are demoralized and cynical. The courts carry a backlog of cases that take forever to be heard. Citizens have lost faith in the institutions of the state. The world's greatest democracy is dysfunctional and no one seems to care anymore -- least of all the electorate.
India is a nation without leadership. Prime Minister Manmohan Singh has long given up any pretense of vision or mission for the country. He is waiting to be released from his thankless burden next year. He would have gone earlier if the party had a credible replacement. True power remains behind the curtain with Congress president Sonia Gandhi and her coterie of confidants.
Another Italian job
Opposition politicians were quick to bray 'Italian connection' when the luxury helicopter scandal broke -- a hark back to the Bofors scam of the 1980s which also involved an Italian arms dealer, Ottavio Quattrocchi and the Nehru-Gandhi family. That probe faded inconclusively, like probes into so many other scams, after the initial furore.
The Bofors scandal cost Rajiv Gandhi his clean image and got the Congress routed in the 1989 general election although the New Delhi High Court quashed charges of bribery against Rajiv and others in early 2004. Congress was returned to office in the mid-2004 general election.
Prosecution in Italy led to the arrest this February of Guiseppe Orsi, CEO and chairman of Finmeccanica, the Italian company behind the Augusta-Westland helicopter deal. Kickbacks of €51 million (US$68 million) to senior politicians in Italy and India along with former Air Force Chief Tyagi and his three cousins, surfaced during the trial. For comparison, the Bofors kickbacks to politicians and defence officials amounted to US$12m.
The easy access which the Italian arms dealers had to the Ministry of Defense and military chiefs, reinforces the suspicion that the Congress high command ghosts lurk somewhere in the background. Elections cost a lot of money and ruling parties in the Third World routinely hack defensce procurement and infrastructure contracts to siphon off taxpayer funds. Individuals in the pipeline get rewarded to front for politicians, facilitate the theft and keep their mouths shut.
Three highly placed men intimately involved in the copter deal are beyond the arm of the law by virtue of their lofty constitutional positions: Pranab Mukherjee was Minister of Finance in 2005 when the contract was approved; Bharat Vir Wangchoo was director of the Special Protection Group set up after the assassination of Indira Gandhi and MK Narayanan was National Security Advisor. Pranab is now President of India, Vir Wangchoo is Governor of Goa and MK Narayanan is Governor of West Bengal. All three are protected by legal immunity.
Congress loses support but no swing to BJP
One would normally expect disgust with the ruling party to swing votes to the opposition. The India Today-Nielsen 'Mood of the Nation' poll of Jan 2013 projected a -7.7 percent% swing away from the Congress-led, United Progressive Alliance (UPA) coalition. But poll responses indicate that will translate to only a paltry +1.6 percent gain for the opposition National Democratic Alliance (NDA) led by the Hindu fundamentalist-backed Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).
The reality in Indian politics since 1989 is that no single party can command enough seats in parliament to form a majority government. The 2004 general election saw the UPA gain majority by cobbling formal and informal alliances with smaller regional parties.
The bulk of the swing away (+6.6 percent) from the UPA, according to the pollsters, will benefit the smaller regional parties fixated on local issues far from the center in Delhi. Both the Congress and the BJP have presence in the north but are weak in the southern and eastern states.
The increasing reliance for parliamentary support on a mixed bag of regional parties - few of whichm ideologically align with either the Congress or the BJP, contributes to policy paralysis at the center. The smaller parties enjoy disproportionate leverage in horse-trading for ministerial posts without the experience or administrative competence to discharge their duties.
The legacy of the despotic leadership and paranoia of Indira Gandhi in the late 1970s keeps a capable crop of Congress leaders in Delhi while lesser mortals head states. Indira believed in keeping her rivals close where she could watch them. The BJP has a surprisingly strong set of chief ministers in their states. The BJP's best talent is not at party HQ in Delhi.
BJP ambivalent about next prime minister
While the Congress has only itself to blame for wasting its mandate, the BJP is in disarray over its leadership. The chief minister of Gujarat, Narendra Modi, having just won a resounding third term, is the best candidate for the prime ministership in a BJP-led coalition in 2014.
However the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS), the Hindu-nationalist movement which dictates political policy to the BJP, seems ambivalent. Modi's economic management in Gujarat and his modernist leadership are winning him political points across the country. He is less dependent on RSS patronage than most other BJP politicians. That discomforts the RSS.
To the rest of the country Modi comes across as a capable manager who gets the basics right while other chief ministers flounder. He runs a disciplined civil administration and has consistently delivered economic growth above the national average. To digital natives who would figure significantly in the 2014 election, Modi is a politician who understands their culture and uses social networking platforms to connect with them.
Modi's major black mark that he has great difficulty removing is his role in the horror of the 2002 Gujarat Hindu-Muslim riots. Many in the country believe he allowed the massacre of Muslims by looking the other way.
The Indian middle class is far more comfortable with a secular India than a narrowly Hindu one. They embrace meritocracy and open opportunities without the baggage of caste divisions and feudal social entitlements. Their instincts are to support secular parties and politicians. It is a polity for Congress to lose, which they effectively have done.
(Cyril Pereira [ cyrilper@gmail.com] is a regular contributor to Asia Sentinel.)
Labels:
India
43-Days to 13GE – Has Transparency International Malaysia provisions to delete and disqualify signatories to its Election Integrity Pledge who blatantly violate its four principles in the run-up to the 13GE?
By Lim Kit Siang,
The Pahang Mentri Besar Datuk Seri Adnan Yaakob has followed in the footsteps of the Prime Minister, Datuk Seri Najib Razak and the Min…
More ►
More ▼
The Pahang Mentri Besar Datuk Seri Adnan Yaakob has followed in the footsteps of the Prime Minister, Datuk Seri Najib Razak and the Min…
By Lim Kit Siang,
The Pahang Mentri Besar Datuk Seri Adnan Yaakob has followed in the footsteps of the Prime Minister, Datuk Seri Najib Razak and the Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department, Datuk Seri Nazri Aziz to criticise Pakatan Rakyat leaders for their reluctance to sign the Transparency International-Malaysia’s (TIM) Election Integrity Pledge which was signed with such fanfare by the Prime Minister last Wednesday.
Adnan repeated the “old chestnut” that Pakatan Rakyat leaders are reluctant to sign the TIM Election Integrity Pledge because they have something to hide and that they are still doubtful whether the opposition coalition could responsibly run the country if they come to power.
Speaking at the opening of a meeting of the Pahang branch of the Malaysian Trades Union Congress in Kuantan on Sunday, Adnan said : “In future, if they abuse their powers, then the opposition leaders will give the excuse that they did not sign the integrity pledge to escape.”
I am shocked at such nonsensical argument spouted by a Mentri Besar, completely ignoring the laws of the land, religious teachings and ethics against corruption and abuses of power.
Is Adnan seriously suggesting that all the Barisan Nasional leaders, whether at the national or state levels, whether Prime Minister, Deputy Prime Minister, Ministers, Mentri-Mentri Besar, Chief Ministers and State Excos can claim entitlement to corrupt practices and abuses of power solely on the excuse that they had not yet signed the TI Election Integrity Pledge?
It is these lame excuses of UMNO/BN leaders which have raised questions and concerns whether the TIM Election Integrity Pact is meaningful or whether it is being used to “whitewash” all the corruption and abuses of power which have been committed by UMNO/BN leaders whether at the national or state levels in the past.
Even officials of the Election Commission (EC), which should be an independent, professional and credible body to conduct free and fair elections in the country, have joined the bandwagon to echo UMNO/BN leaders’ criticisms of Pakatan Rakyat on the TIM Election Integrity Pact.
The Deputy Chairman of Election Commission, Wan Ahmad Wan Omar, hit out at Pakatan Rakyat by declaring that it is “a shame” that opposition party leaders are shying away from signing TIM’s Election Integrity Pledge.
The real shame is the Election Commission’s failure to understand it is only confirming its subservience and subordination to the ruling coalition of UMNO/BN to the extent of echoing UMNO/BN criticisms against PR, when the Election Commission should stay above the fray to conscientiously carry out its constitutional duty to conduct free and fair elections in the country.
If Wan Ahmad wants to dabble in politics, he should resign from the Election Commission and contest the 13GE as a BN candidate instead of continuing to undermine the independence and integrity of the Malaysian electoral process by being a subservient agent of Umno/BN.
Wan Ahmad said it is incumbent on candidates contesting in the general election to sign the pledge as the people desired representatives not merely to profess to have integrity but to practise it as well.
He said he believed the people would feel more assured in their choice if the candidates had no qualms about signing the pledge, as what Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak had done.
Although I must say that Wan Ahmad has given more sensible arguments than Adnan Yaakob to present the case for candidates signing the TIM Election Integrity Pledge, his remarks reek of hypocrisy and dishonesty as the Election Commission has never taken a stand against the rampant corruption of money politics by UMNO/BN in previous general elections.
I have qualms about signing the TIM Election Integrity Pledge precisely because of the Prime Minister’s cynical signature without showing any signs that he is serious and fully committed to its principles, and the abject and disgraceful role of Election Commission in the past in ensuring a clean, ethical, free and fair elections in the country.
TIM’s Election Integrity Pledge stipulates four principles for all signatories to observe in the 13th general elections, viz:
• Truth, integrity, ethical conduct and accountability, including not accepting or giving bribes or being involved in corrupt practices in any way;
• Upholding and giving priority to the interests of the rakyat as a whole;
• Good governance and transparency; and
• Compliance with all the applicable laws and regulations of Malaysia.
Has TIM any mechanism to receive and investigate public complaints that signatories have violated the four principles enshrined in the Election Integrity Pledge – even in the run-up to the 13GE?
Are there any provisions for TIM to delete and disqualify signatories to its Election Integrity Pledge who blatantly violate its four principles in the run-up to the 13GE?
For instance, within days of signing the Election Integrity Pledge, the Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak has violated his commitment to conduct a clean and ethical election campaign, when he declared in Kuala Terengganu on Saturday that “a vote for DAP is a vote for the oppression of Muslims” – a most unethical and shameless incitement of racial and religious hatred which is also totally against Najib’s signature 1Malaysia policy.
Will TIM communicate with Najib that the Prime Minister has violated the Election Integrity Pledge which he had signed last Wednesday to conduct a clean and ethical election campaign?
Will TIM ask the Prime Minister to withdraw and apologise for the irresponsible and unethical statement which is not only baseless and irresponsible but a most shameful example of incitement of racial and religious hatred and conflict?
If Najib is not prepared to withdraw and apologise for his unethical remark, will TIM delete Najib’s signature from its roster of signatories and disqualify him as eligible to be a signatory because of his blatant disregard of the four principles laid down in the TIM Election Integrity Pledge?
▲
The Pahang Mentri Besar Datuk Seri Adnan Yaakob has followed in the footsteps of the Prime Minister, Datuk Seri Najib Razak and the Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department, Datuk Seri Nazri Aziz to criticise Pakatan Rakyat leaders for their reluctance to sign the Transparency International-Malaysia’s (TIM) Election Integrity Pledge which was signed with such fanfare by the Prime Minister last Wednesday.
Adnan repeated the “old chestnut” that Pakatan Rakyat leaders are reluctant to sign the TIM Election Integrity Pledge because they have something to hide and that they are still doubtful whether the opposition coalition could responsibly run the country if they come to power.
Speaking at the opening of a meeting of the Pahang branch of the Malaysian Trades Union Congress in Kuantan on Sunday, Adnan said : “In future, if they abuse their powers, then the opposition leaders will give the excuse that they did not sign the integrity pledge to escape.”
I am shocked at such nonsensical argument spouted by a Mentri Besar, completely ignoring the laws of the land, religious teachings and ethics against corruption and abuses of power.
Is Adnan seriously suggesting that all the Barisan Nasional leaders, whether at the national or state levels, whether Prime Minister, Deputy Prime Minister, Ministers, Mentri-Mentri Besar, Chief Ministers and State Excos can claim entitlement to corrupt practices and abuses of power solely on the excuse that they had not yet signed the TI Election Integrity Pledge?
It is these lame excuses of UMNO/BN leaders which have raised questions and concerns whether the TIM Election Integrity Pact is meaningful or whether it is being used to “whitewash” all the corruption and abuses of power which have been committed by UMNO/BN leaders whether at the national or state levels in the past.
Even officials of the Election Commission (EC), which should be an independent, professional and credible body to conduct free and fair elections in the country, have joined the bandwagon to echo UMNO/BN leaders’ criticisms of Pakatan Rakyat on the TIM Election Integrity Pact.
The Deputy Chairman of Election Commission, Wan Ahmad Wan Omar, hit out at Pakatan Rakyat by declaring that it is “a shame” that opposition party leaders are shying away from signing TIM’s Election Integrity Pledge.
The real shame is the Election Commission’s failure to understand it is only confirming its subservience and subordination to the ruling coalition of UMNO/BN to the extent of echoing UMNO/BN criticisms against PR, when the Election Commission should stay above the fray to conscientiously carry out its constitutional duty to conduct free and fair elections in the country.
If Wan Ahmad wants to dabble in politics, he should resign from the Election Commission and contest the 13GE as a BN candidate instead of continuing to undermine the independence and integrity of the Malaysian electoral process by being a subservient agent of Umno/BN.
Wan Ahmad said it is incumbent on candidates contesting in the general election to sign the pledge as the people desired representatives not merely to profess to have integrity but to practise it as well.
He said he believed the people would feel more assured in their choice if the candidates had no qualms about signing the pledge, as what Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak had done.
Although I must say that Wan Ahmad has given more sensible arguments than Adnan Yaakob to present the case for candidates signing the TIM Election Integrity Pledge, his remarks reek of hypocrisy and dishonesty as the Election Commission has never taken a stand against the rampant corruption of money politics by UMNO/BN in previous general elections.
I have qualms about signing the TIM Election Integrity Pledge precisely because of the Prime Minister’s cynical signature without showing any signs that he is serious and fully committed to its principles, and the abject and disgraceful role of Election Commission in the past in ensuring a clean, ethical, free and fair elections in the country.
TIM’s Election Integrity Pledge stipulates four principles for all signatories to observe in the 13th general elections, viz:
• Truth, integrity, ethical conduct and accountability, including not accepting or giving bribes or being involved in corrupt practices in any way;
• Upholding and giving priority to the interests of the rakyat as a whole;
• Good governance and transparency; and
• Compliance with all the applicable laws and regulations of Malaysia.
Has TIM any mechanism to receive and investigate public complaints that signatories have violated the four principles enshrined in the Election Integrity Pledge – even in the run-up to the 13GE?
Are there any provisions for TIM to delete and disqualify signatories to its Election Integrity Pledge who blatantly violate its four principles in the run-up to the 13GE?
For instance, within days of signing the Election Integrity Pledge, the Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak has violated his commitment to conduct a clean and ethical election campaign, when he declared in Kuala Terengganu on Saturday that “a vote for DAP is a vote for the oppression of Muslims” – a most unethical and shameless incitement of racial and religious hatred which is also totally against Najib’s signature 1Malaysia policy.
Will TIM communicate with Najib that the Prime Minister has violated the Election Integrity Pledge which he had signed last Wednesday to conduct a clean and ethical election campaign?
Will TIM ask the Prime Minister to withdraw and apologise for the irresponsible and unethical statement which is not only baseless and irresponsible but a most shameful example of incitement of racial and religious hatred and conflict?
If Najib is not prepared to withdraw and apologise for his unethical remark, will TIM delete Najib’s signature from its roster of signatories and disqualify him as eligible to be a signatory because of his blatant disregard of the four principles laid down in the TIM Election Integrity Pledge?
Labels:
BN
85-year-old coffeeshop serves its last meal on Thursday
The StarStory and photos by VINCENT TAN
Popular coffee shop Sin Seng Nam will close shop tomorrow, after 85 years of being in business.
Located
along Medan Pasar or…
The StarStory and photos by VINCENT TAN
Popular coffee shop Sin Seng Nam will close shop tomorrow, after 85 years of being in business.
Located
along Medan Pasar or the old “Market Square” in Kuala Lumpur, the
coffeeshop has been operating from a three-storey pre-war building,
which until recently was owned by the descendants of Loke Yew.
Sin
Seng Nam is a beautiful example of architecture of the Malaysian
pre-war kopitiam, with its high ceilings and swinging wooden windows,
which make the place airy.
The
building is over 100 years old, having been built in 1906. The
Hainanese kopitiam has been very much a part of the building’s history
and added to the old world charm that its surrounding area once had.
The nearby shophouses are still standing and in need of a fresh coat of paint.
But
it is a far cry from the business and financial district it once was,
with the premises now run by foreign workers. In fact, the area near the
clock tower has been made into a pedestrian-only area.
Sin Seng Nam serves as the last reminder of Medan Pasar as it once was.
“My
father, Choong Yoo Ying and his two brothers started the kopitiam in
1928 when Medan Pasar was still one of the main roads in Kuala Lumpur,”
said second-generation owner Choong Ah See, 62.
Adorning
the walls of the kopitiam are old prints, which includes photos of
Medan Pasar with and without the small clock tower built in 1937 to
commemorate George V’s coronation and pre-war vehicles lining the
pre-war shophouses.
Choong
took over from his father in the mid-1980s after he passed away and his
uncles retired. He has been busy running the shop while his business
partners manage the kitchen.
Choong’s
sister Siew Yong, 70, operates the popular chicken rice stall, which
not only sells roasted and steamed chicken during weekdays, but also
fish and chicken curries on selected days.
Work starts at 5am, when Choong comes in to start the fires for his charcoal-fuelled grill and boil water for drinks.
Then his brother-in-law Wong Ah Toy, 78, and nephew Tan Loong, 36, come in at 11am to prepare for the lunch crowd.
Back
in the old days when the superior courts were located in the Sultan
Abdul Samad building, it was a favourite haunt among lawyers.
They used to sit there enjoying cups of coffee and discussing their cases.
Even
till now, some lawyers still come to Sin Seng Nam as some law firms are
located in the area and the Bar Council building is right opposite the
coffeeshop.
“The
lawyers used to walk here from the old courthouses in their robes. And
during the trial of Mona Fandey and other popular cases, many
journalists covering the cases frequent the shop for meals,” said
Choong.
The
kopitiam was also a regular meeting place for politicians such as Lim
Kit Siang and Karpal Singh, as well as corporate figures such as Tan Sri
Francis Yeoh and his brother Datuk Mark Yeoh.
Mark
fondly remembers Sin Seng Nam as his favourite lunch place when he was a
chambering law student attending court at the Sultan Abdul Samad
building.
“I
am sad that it is closing as it has been a part of my life for the last
30 years. I liked their fried meehoon for breakfast and chicken rice
for lunch, but we had to be there by noon or it was sold out,” said
Mark.
He
added that Sin Seng Nam was an institution, but hoped it that Choong
and his nephew Tan could re-open a similar establishment somewhere else.
Even now, the kopitiam is still a hive of activity, especially during lunch hour.
Staff from nearby banks come here for the chicken rice, Hailam noodles and chicken chop.
Choong
said the wooden cash counter was there from his father’s time, as was
the wooden cabinet and stool. The cash counter and cabinet will be sold
to Heritage House.
“It
is not easy running a restaurant. Maybe now I can take a rest and spend
more time with my family,” said Choong, who has a son and daughter.
“I
was also lucky that the Loke family did not raise the rent too much
over the years. Nowadays, the rent in this area can cost five figures,”
he said.
In response to whether it will be difficult leaving the business, he said: “I have mixed feelings.”
Opposition Manifesto Like Alice In Wonderland Fantasy, Says Shahrizat
SEREMBAN, Feb 27 (Bernama) -- The opposition's manifesto for the upcoming 13th general election is like the "Alice in Wonderland" children's fantasy story as it contains dream promises that are…
More ►
More ▼
SEREMBAN, Feb 27 (Bernama) -- The opposition's manifesto for the upcoming 13th general election is like the "Alice in Wonderland" children's fantasy story as it contains dream promises that are impossible to come true.
Wanita Umno chief Datuk Seri Shahrizat Abdul Jalil said the promises in the manifesto were lies and mere political gimmick to fish for votes in the elections.
"When I looked at the manifesto carefully, I shook my head in disbelief as it is an over-the-top political gimmick that is irresponsible and I think, the worst ever dished out by the opposition.
"Wanita (Umno) has been going to the ground, visiting one house after another and the feedback is that the public too find the election manifesto unbelievable," she said after visiting and handing out aid to injured construction worker Wong Kok Leong at his house in Taman Bunga Blossom, here, Wednesday.
Shahrizat was asked to comment on the Pakatan Rakyat election manifesto announced by the loose opposition pact of PAS, DAP and PKR on Monday.
She said while the manifesto if implemented could cause the country to go bankrupt, it also seemed to have very little concern for the people's welfare as there was no mention of how they could help the less fortunate.
Shahrizat, who is former women, family and community development minister, also expressed sadness and regret over PAS spiritual leader Datuk Nik Abdul Aziz Nik Mat and president Datuk Seri Abdul Hadi Awang's insulting statements on the giving of the aid, Bantuan Rakyat 1Malaysia (BR1M), and its recipients.
"Their statements do not reflect the party's struggle as an Islamic party although they had before harped about establishing a welfare state.
"So, what is their actual welfare concept and struggle if they cannot help the poor and low-income group?" she said.
During the visit, Shahrizat who is the National Welfare Foundation's board of trustees chairman, handed over RM2,000 and daily essentials to Wong to lessen his family's burden after he stopped work following an accident at the workplace last December.
Wong, 48, who has a wife and two school-going children, broke his pelvic bone in the accident and the injury has also affected his urinary tract.
▲
Wanita Umno chief Datuk Seri Shahrizat Abdul Jalil said the promises in the manifesto were lies and mere political gimmick to fish for votes in the elections.
"When I looked at the manifesto carefully, I shook my head in disbelief as it is an over-the-top political gimmick that is irresponsible and I think, the worst ever dished out by the opposition.
"Wanita (Umno) has been going to the ground, visiting one house after another and the feedback is that the public too find the election manifesto unbelievable," she said after visiting and handing out aid to injured construction worker Wong Kok Leong at his house in Taman Bunga Blossom, here, Wednesday.
Shahrizat was asked to comment on the Pakatan Rakyat election manifesto announced by the loose opposition pact of PAS, DAP and PKR on Monday.
She said while the manifesto if implemented could cause the country to go bankrupt, it also seemed to have very little concern for the people's welfare as there was no mention of how they could help the less fortunate.
Shahrizat, who is former women, family and community development minister, also expressed sadness and regret over PAS spiritual leader Datuk Nik Abdul Aziz Nik Mat and president Datuk Seri Abdul Hadi Awang's insulting statements on the giving of the aid, Bantuan Rakyat 1Malaysia (BR1M), and its recipients.
"Their statements do not reflect the party's struggle as an Islamic party although they had before harped about establishing a welfare state.
"So, what is their actual welfare concept and struggle if they cannot help the poor and low-income group?" she said.
During the visit, Shahrizat who is the National Welfare Foundation's board of trustees chairman, handed over RM2,000 and daily essentials to Wong to lessen his family's burden after he stopped work following an accident at the workplace last December.
Wong, 48, who has a wife and two school-going children, broke his pelvic bone in the accident and the injury has also affected his urinary tract.
Where will Pakatan find RM46bn to fulfil its promises?
Pakatan Rakyat has come up with a statement to show where it will get the money to finance its campaign promises.
Pakatan estimates that its promises will cost RM46bn to…
More ►
More ▼
Pakatan estimates that its promises will cost RM46bn to…
Pakatan Rakyat has come up with a statement to show where it will get the money to finance its campaign promises.
Pakatan estimates that its promises will cost RM46bn to implement. This RM46bn includes a RM12bn reduction in oil revenue as a result of raising oil royalty payments (to oil-producing states) to 20 per cent from the present 5 per cent. Toll abolition will cost RM6bn. The plan to abolish study loans, provide free education and raise teachers’ allowances will cost a further RM8bn. An injection of RM5bn will also be made into the affordable housing programme.
Where will this RM46bn come from? Pakatan claims it is able to save 24 per cent of the Selangor state government’s expenditure by wiping out leakages and corruption and reviewing expenditure priorities. If this performance (24 per cent saving) is extrapolated to the federal operating and development expenditure totalling RM206bn, Pakatan claims that it will be able to save RM50bn. This, I believe, is eminently possible given the staggering corruption, wastage, cronyism, patronage and rent-seeking we have seen.
Other revenue will come from a reduction of subsidies to IPPs and the reallocation of the huge sum presently allocated to the Prime Minister’s Department to more pressing expenditure priorities.
My note: Tolls need not be completely abolished. They can be used to invest in public transport. That should provide a few additional billion ringgit.
Also, additional allocations need to be made to lift the government’s public health care spending to 6 per cent of GDP from the present meagre 2 per cent – though no doubt the government can also save plenty by re-nationalising drug procurement and health care support services. Of course, care must also be taken to retain skilled staff in the public health care system.
▲
Pakatan estimates that its promises will cost RM46bn to implement. This RM46bn includes a RM12bn reduction in oil revenue as a result of raising oil royalty payments (to oil-producing states) to 20 per cent from the present 5 per cent. Toll abolition will cost RM6bn. The plan to abolish study loans, provide free education and raise teachers’ allowances will cost a further RM8bn. An injection of RM5bn will also be made into the affordable housing programme.
Where will this RM46bn come from? Pakatan claims it is able to save 24 per cent of the Selangor state government’s expenditure by wiping out leakages and corruption and reviewing expenditure priorities. If this performance (24 per cent saving) is extrapolated to the federal operating and development expenditure totalling RM206bn, Pakatan claims that it will be able to save RM50bn. This, I believe, is eminently possible given the staggering corruption, wastage, cronyism, patronage and rent-seeking we have seen.
Other revenue will come from a reduction of subsidies to IPPs and the reallocation of the huge sum presently allocated to the Prime Minister’s Department to more pressing expenditure priorities.
My note: Tolls need not be completely abolished. They can be used to invest in public transport. That should provide a few additional billion ringgit.
Also, additional allocations need to be made to lift the government’s public health care spending to 6 per cent of GDP from the present meagre 2 per cent – though no doubt the government can also save plenty by re-nationalising drug procurement and health care support services. Of course, care must also be taken to retain skilled staff in the public health care system.
Labels:
PR
Wednesday, 27 February 2013
Hindraf 'very disappointed' with Pakatan manifesto
Hindraf has expressed “extreme disappointment” with Pakatan Rakyat’s manifesto, saying that it has neglected the interests of the Indian Malaysian community.
“Our disappointment is deep and distressing - caused not…
“Our disappointment is deep and distressing - caused not…
Hindraf has expressed “extreme disappointment” with Pakatan Rakyat’s manifesto, saying that it has neglected the interests of the Indian Malaysian community.
“Our disappointment is deep and distressing - caused not so much by what it says, but by what it does not say.
“Pakatan has chosen to completely ignore the needs and interests of the Indian community in the country in its election pledges and, in that one stroke, has said so many things,” said chairperson P Waythamoorthy in a press statement today.
PKR de facto leader Anwar Ibrahim had previously rebutted similar complaints about the manifesto by saying that its promisestranscend racial boundaries.
However, Waythamoorthy pointed out that the manifesto makes promises specific to the Malays, Chinese Malaysians, Orang Asli communities, armed forces veterans, and Felda settlers.
“The provisions there do not seem to transcend racial groups and subgroups. Enough has been said of Pakatan moving away from racial politics, but that is more a statement of their intent than the frame for their policies.
“They have been using this once too often as a cover to ignore the problems of the Indian poor and marginalised,” he said.
“Our disappointment is deep and distressing - caused not so much by what it says, but by what it does not say.
“Pakatan has chosen to completely ignore the needs and interests of the Indian community in the country in its election pledges and, in that one stroke, has said so many things,” said chairperson P Waythamoorthy in a press statement today.
PKR de facto leader Anwar Ibrahim had previously rebutted similar complaints about the manifesto by saying that its promisestranscend racial boundaries.However, Waythamoorthy pointed out that the manifesto makes promises specific to the Malays, Chinese Malaysians, Orang Asli communities, armed forces veterans, and Felda settlers.
“The provisions there do not seem to transcend racial groups and subgroups. Enough has been said of Pakatan moving away from racial politics, but that is more a statement of their intent than the frame for their policies.
“They have been using this once too often as a cover to ignore the problems of the Indian poor and marginalised,” he said.
Waythamoorthy also lamented that Pakatan has not endorsed Hindraf’s five-year blueprint, which he said offers a “permanent, practical and comprehensive” solution to the problem of marginalised Indians for a “mere” RM4.5 billion a year.
“This sum should be seen as a reinvestment on human capital which would bring about progress and development in the lives of these marginalised people,” he said.
This was despite numerous meetings with Anwar and Pakatan leaders, during which verbal agreement was expressed ‘in principle’ with the demands in the document.
While acknowledging that it is Pakatan’s prerogative whether or not to endorse the blueprint, Waythamoorthy said: “What we are more concerned about is the loss of a historic opportunity to actually get the process of change rolling, if it continues in this vein.”
“This sum should be seen as a reinvestment on human capital which would bring about progress and development in the lives of these marginalised people,” he said.
This was despite numerous meetings with Anwar and Pakatan leaders, during which verbal agreement was expressed ‘in principle’ with the demands in the document.
While acknowledging that it is Pakatan’s prerogative whether or not to endorse the blueprint, Waythamoorthy said: “What we are more concerned about is the loss of a historic opportunity to actually get the process of change rolling, if it continues in this vein.”
Labels:
Hindraf
Indian M'sians are nobody's 'fixed deposit'
As widely acknowledged, premier Najib…
As widely acknowledged, premier Najib Abdul Rahman has lost much ground with his dithering and flip-flop actions. He had started out in 2009 with great promise and bravado, telling his audience of the BN’s determination to reverse the losses of 2008.
He would be extremely happy if he scrapes through with a win if elections are called now.
In his desperation, Najib has ‘bought’ every vote he can garner. Some of his latest antics border on the ridiculous.
Beating
drums, speaking in Mandarin on radio and wearing a red traditional
Chinese costume to convey Chinese New Year greetings, as well as
wearning the traditional Indian jippa and exhorting Indian Malaysian voters to have nambikei (trust) in him are most recent examples.If only someone would give him a good knock on his head and remind him of his job specs as prime minister!
It is not his job to generate ‘likes’ by shaking hands and handing out goodies, as if he were Santa Claus.
At the top of his priorities should be to ensure that the country is managed efficiently, so that citizens enjoy a rising standard of living and in a safe, just and secure environment.
But I digress.
The BN believes that the Indian vote is there for the taking. This was true in the past, particularly, pre-2008. However, the present is a different story. The Indian electorate has wised up.
Despite
the claims by MIC, IPF and the PPP that the Indian vote is showing
strong signs of returning to the BN fold, it is increasingly clear that
the community is weary and feels let down by these parties. Take, for example, the recent outburst by Vel Paari, MIC strategy director and son of former party president S Samy Vellu, that the MIC is just too intimidated by Umno to speak up for the community.
This is a more accurate description of the pathetic state of the BN parties claiming to represent Indian Malaysians.
Fallacy packaged as strategy
So, why the deception that Indian Malaysians have returned to the BN fold?
It is a fallacy packaged as a strategy to create a herd mentality in BN’s favour. Such a move is also aimed at undecided voters that their lot is better served if they vote for the eventual winner.
It also attempts to convince the ‘not so well informed ones’ that Najib must be doing a good job for so many Indian Malaysians to view BN favourably. It would be the case of a self-fulfilled prophecy.
Personally, I have faith in Indian Malaysian voters - that they will exercise their vote judiciously in GE13.
Those
who I meet regularly say that they can see the dramatic change that has
been wrought by the Pakatan Rakyat-led governments in Penang and
Selangor. They are no longer easily fooled. They want to be convinced that election pledges have a realistic chance of being implemented.
Mere slogans and acronyms that are hardly matched by realities on the ground are being viewed with scorn and derision and, I believe, will be ultimately rejected by the rakyat.
Najib must be told that Indian Malaysians will not support BN based on sweet promises and pledges.
They must see real and meaningful changes that can undo the wrongs of the past and bring genuine prosperity, opportunities and quality into their lives.
M MANOHARAN is the DAP’s Kota Alam Shah assemblyperson.
Labels:
Malaysian Indians
Anwar: Indians not left out of manifesto
Giving the examples of schools, the PKR…
Giving the examples of schools, the PKR de facto leader said all Chinese and Tamil schools as well as missionary schools would be assisted.
“It is not directed at a particular community. This is an assurance that every citizen - Malay, Chinese, Indian, Kadazan or Dayak - is accorded the respect and given the attention.
“I
met leaders of the Indian community last night in Hulu Selangor and
generally, they are very receptive as education is a major problem,
issues of marginalisation of the community and crime had been raised.
However, these issues are addressed in our national thrust in the
Pakatan Rakyat policy which is not addressed to the subgroups,” he said.“This is the manifesto of the rakyat where we address issues of rising prices, commodities, lodging, good governance and support for all types of schools.”
He emphasised this is not a BN manifesto as the Pakatan manifesto transcends racial boundaries.
Anwar had been asked why there were no specific policies addressed to the Indian community in the Pakatan manifesto.
‘Lahad Datu shows weak enforcement’
On the issue of the incursion in Lahad Datu, Anwar said the federal government has been extremely soft in dealing with this and it is compromising the people’s security in Sabah.
He said Sabah joined Malaysia with the expectation that there will be security.
“The
premise of legitimacy of any government is to protect the security of
the country. I can understand there have been negotiations but the
authorities have been exceedingly soft on the militant activity. “I have received a lot of calls from friends in Lahad Datu and they express a lot of concern why the government is taking so long. There is no clear position or tough stance taken and this is certainly a cause for concern,” he said in commenting on the incursion by 30 armed Filipinos there since Feb 9.
Earlier, Anwar announced that an International Conference on Malaysia’s 13th general elections would be held on March 4 and 5, where he said there are serious concerns over the integrity of the election process as highlighted in the reports of the parliamentary select committee on electoral reforms.
“The conference will be held even if Parliament is dissolved and it will see the participation of a Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department, the speaker, members of Parliament, non-governmental organisations like Bersih, and the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission chief commissioner Abu Kassim Mohamed.”
There will also be international speakers from Brazil, Thailand, Indonesia, the Philippines, India and Australia.
Asked whether there is a possibility the international participants being deported as had happened to Australian lawmaker Nick Xenophon, Anwar said there is no guarantee under this semi-authoritarian regime.
“We hope this will not happen and the speaker has agreed to give his cooperation in participating in the conference,” he said.
Anwar also questioned the BN’s sincerity in signing the integrity pledge as some of those who signed have questionable integrity following allegations of corruption, and other scandals like the Port Klang Free Zone, Scorpene submarine and the National Feedlot Corporation.
Labels:
Anwar,
Malaysian Indians
Wanted by Interpol, Iran’s Ex-Intelligence Minister To Run For President
One of the most feared…
One of the most feared figures of Iran’s Islamic establishment has announced his candidacy in the country's June 14 presidential vote.
Ali Fallahian, a member of Iran’s Assembly of Experts who served as intelligence minister under former President Hashemi Rafsanjani, has been accused of involvement in the killings of Iranian dissidents and is on Interpol’s wanted list for alleged participation in the 1995 bombing of a Jewish center in Buenos Aires that killed 85 people.
He announced his candidacy on February 19 in Birjand. “People’s requests to me have reached a threshold; my candidacy in the presidential vote is definite,” Fallahian said.
Fallahian, who ran unsuccessfully for president in 2001, said his campaign slogan will be “Advanced Islamic Country,” and that stabilizing prices and fighting inflation will be among his priorities.
READ NEXT: Who Will Be Iran's Next President?
Fallahian seemed to suggest that if he were elected he would halt Iran's controversial uranium-enrichment program. "Enough of nuclear. We don't want nuclear enrichment, we have already mastered its knowledge," he said.
He also appeared to suggest that he would seek improved ties with the United States. "Given the many offers made by the Americans at different occasions, and the U.S. need for Iran’s support to create stability in the region -- including in Afghanistan, Iraq, Tunisia, and Egypt -- I see a bright horizon for the ties between Iran and the U.S," he said during his announcement.
But Interpol would like to see Fallahian in custody. And he is the second Iranian official on Interpol's wanted list to announce presidential aspirations.
The other is Mohsen Rezai, secretary of Iran’s Expediency Council and a former commander of the Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps (IRGC). Rezai said on February 19 that he will officially announce his candidacy in the coming days.
Like Fallahian, Rezai is suspected of playing a role in the Buenos Aires Jewish center bombing.
Associated With Several Murders
For many Iranians, Fallahian’s name is closely associated with several murders and disappearances of Iranian intellectuals while he was serving as intelligence minister from 1989 to 1997.
Rights groups and a German court have linked the 68-year-old to several such murders, both inside and outside the country, and he has also been implicated in the 1992 assassinations of three Iranian Kurdish opposition leaders.
After Fallahian left office his senior deputy, Said Emami, and several other Intelligence Ministry officials were arrested for the murders of four dissidents in 1998 and 1999. Emami subsequently died in prison and the authorities described his death as a suicide.
Fallahian finished sixth in the 2001 presidential election that kept reformist Mohammad Khatami in power. He received 0.2 percent of the vote.
Some observers have suggested that the cleric knew he didn’t have a chance of winning and only ran to try and clear his name.
In his bestselling book, “Dungeon of Ghosts,” Iranian journalist Akbar Ganji connected the series of dissident murders to leading figures, including former President Rafsanjani and Fallahian, who was identified as "The Master Key."
In a recent interview with the "Tejarat Weekly," Fallahian told a reporter he didn’t want to be asked about things that happened while he was intelligence minister. "I want to become president, ask me economic questions," he said.
Labels:
Middle East
Oxford exploitation trial: Man 'prepared girl for gang rape'
 |
The nine men, from Berkshire and Oxfordshire, are accused of
sexually exploiting six girls, aged between 11 and 15
|
A teenager has told the Old Bailey a man carried…
|
The nine men, from Berkshire and Oxfordshire, are accused of
sexually exploiting six girls, aged between 11 and 15
|
A teenager has told the Old Bailey a man carried out a brutal sexual assault to "prepare" her to be gang-raped.
The girl, who was 12 at the time, said Mohammed Karrar used sex toys and numbing cream used by dentists during the incident at an Oxford flat.
Sobbing during her evidence, she said five or six men then came to the flat and all raped her on the kitchen table.
Mr Karrar is one of nine men who deny a total of 51 offences including rape and trafficking from 2004 to 2012.
The latest witness was asked if the attack had caused discomfort and uttered the word "much" in reply, before breaking down in tears.
She said the men who attacked her drank alcohol and took drugs before taking it in turns to rape her.
Men 'swarmed around'
"I just wanted it to stop," she said.
But she told the court the men produced a gag to stop her cries.
She also said Mr Karrar and his brother Bassam took her to sex parties in Wycombe where groups of men would "swarm around" her.
As many as 10 men would come to the parties, she said, playing out sexual fantasies including handcuffing her, horse whipping her and dripping hot wax on her.
"Forgive me," she said. "I feel stupid.
"At the time I thought he (Mohammed Karrar) loved me."
The trial is now expected to last until May. .
The defendants, all in custody, are:
- Kamar Jamil, 27, formerly of Aldrich Road, Oxford
- Akhtar Dogar, 32, of Tawney Street, Oxford; and his brother Anjum Dogar, 30, of Tawney Street, Oxford
- Assad Hussain, 32, of Ashurst Way, Oxford
- Mohammed Karrar, 38, of Kames Close, Oxford; and his brother Bassam Karrar, 33, of Hundred Acres Close, Oxford
- Mohammed Hussain, 24, of Horspath Road, Oxford
- Zeeshan Ahmed, 27, of Palmer Road, Oxford
- Bilal Ahmed, 26, of Suffolk Road, Maidenhead
Labels:
Islam Discrimination
Majority of voters unhappy with ‘Project IC’ as Sabah RCI continues
KUALA LUMPUR, Feb 26 – Nearly nine out of 10 voters disagree with Putrajaya’s past moves in granting
An
independent poll shows that 86 per cent of voters in Peninsular…
More ►
More ▼
An
independent poll shows that 86 per cent of voters in Peninsular…
KUALA LUMPUR, Feb 26 – Nearly nine out of 10 voters disagree with Putrajaya’s past moves in granting
An
independent poll shows that 86 per cent of voters in Peninsular
Malaysia disagreed with the government’s past action that has seen the
foreign population boom in the Borneo state and earned it the moniker
‘Project IC’. – Reuters pic
citizenship to Indonesians and Filipinos to live and vote in Sabah, according to the latest voter survey amid an ongoing royal investigation into the flood of foreigners there for the past 20 years.
Independent pollster Merdeka Center For Opinion Research, which surveyed 1,021 voters in Peninsular Malaysia at the end of January, reported today 86 per cent saying they disagreed with the government’s past action that has seen the foreign population boom in the Borneo state and earned it the moniker “Project IC”.
The survey also found 60 per cent of voters saying they believed a large number of foreigners were still getting the blue-coloured identity cards marking their status as citizens.
The longstanding issue of illegal immigrants that has continued unchecked for decades has turned emotive among Sabah natives like the Kadazandusun and Murut communities, many of whom feel that the state has been robbed of its sovereignty through the massive influx of foreigners from neighbouring Philippines and Indonesia.
More than a quarter of Sabah’s population are foreigners, totalling a staggering 889,000 out of the 3.2 million-strong population in Sabah, or about 28 per cent, based on a 2010 census.
Sabah has 926,638 voters, according to a June report in English-language daily The Star.
The large number of foreigners has also worried Sabah natives, who often blame them for the rise in crime and for stealing job opportunities.
More than 100 armed Filipino gunmen intruded into Lahad Datu on February 9, claiming ties with a Sulu sultanate that gives them ownership of Sabah. They have since refused to leave.
Recognising the political significance of Sabah’s illegals problem, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak had agreed to form a royal commission of inquiry (RCI) to look into it.
Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad, Malaysia’s longest-serving prime minister who was in power from 1981 to 2003, has been accused of spearheading the so-called “Project IC”, in which citizenship was allegedly given to immigrants for their votes.
But former Sabah Chief Minister Tan Sri Harris Salleh, who administered the state from 1976 to 1985, has denied at the RCI of the existence of “Project IC”.
Dr Mahathir told a press conference last month that foreigners in Sabah had indeed received citizenship, but stressed that it was “within the law”.
The inquiry before a five-member panel led by former Chief Judge of Sabah and Sarawak Tan Sri Steve Shim Lip Kiong resumes on March 5.
The January 23 to February 6 survey, which was funded internally by the Merdeka Center, aimed to gauge voters’ perceptions of issues in the run up to the 13th general election due soon. It had a margin error of three per cent.
The research house said the survey took place after the January 12 People’s Uprising rally backed by Pakatan Rakyat (PR) leaders in the national capital here as well as the ongoing media coverage of the Sabah citizenship-for-votes royal inquiry.
It noted that other issues that formed the talking point to its survey included carpet dealer Deepak Jaikishan’s and former Inspector-General of Police Tan Sri Musa Hassan’s statements controversial statements against the government, and the “Allah” religious dispute.
▲
An
independent poll shows that 86 per cent of voters in Peninsular
Malaysia disagreed with the government’s past action that has seen the
foreign population boom in the Borneo state and earned it the moniker
‘Project IC’. – Reuters piccitizenship to Indonesians and Filipinos to live and vote in Sabah, according to the latest voter survey amid an ongoing royal investigation into the flood of foreigners there for the past 20 years.
Independent pollster Merdeka Center For Opinion Research, which surveyed 1,021 voters in Peninsular Malaysia at the end of January, reported today 86 per cent saying they disagreed with the government’s past action that has seen the foreign population boom in the Borneo state and earned it the moniker “Project IC”.
The survey also found 60 per cent of voters saying they believed a large number of foreigners were still getting the blue-coloured identity cards marking their status as citizens.
The longstanding issue of illegal immigrants that has continued unchecked for decades has turned emotive among Sabah natives like the Kadazandusun and Murut communities, many of whom feel that the state has been robbed of its sovereignty through the massive influx of foreigners from neighbouring Philippines and Indonesia.
More than a quarter of Sabah’s population are foreigners, totalling a staggering 889,000 out of the 3.2 million-strong population in Sabah, or about 28 per cent, based on a 2010 census.
Sabah has 926,638 voters, according to a June report in English-language daily The Star.
The large number of foreigners has also worried Sabah natives, who often blame them for the rise in crime and for stealing job opportunities.
More than 100 armed Filipino gunmen intruded into Lahad Datu on February 9, claiming ties with a Sulu sultanate that gives them ownership of Sabah. They have since refused to leave.
Recognising the political significance of Sabah’s illegals problem, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak had agreed to form a royal commission of inquiry (RCI) to look into it.
Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad, Malaysia’s longest-serving prime minister who was in power from 1981 to 2003, has been accused of spearheading the so-called “Project IC”, in which citizenship was allegedly given to immigrants for their votes.
But former Sabah Chief Minister Tan Sri Harris Salleh, who administered the state from 1976 to 1985, has denied at the RCI of the existence of “Project IC”.
Dr Mahathir told a press conference last month that foreigners in Sabah had indeed received citizenship, but stressed that it was “within the law”.
The inquiry before a five-member panel led by former Chief Judge of Sabah and Sarawak Tan Sri Steve Shim Lip Kiong resumes on March 5.
The January 23 to February 6 survey, which was funded internally by the Merdeka Center, aimed to gauge voters’ perceptions of issues in the run up to the 13th general election due soon. It had a margin error of three per cent.
The research house said the survey took place after the January 12 People’s Uprising rally backed by Pakatan Rakyat (PR) leaders in the national capital here as well as the ongoing media coverage of the Sabah citizenship-for-votes royal inquiry.
It noted that other issues that formed the talking point to its survey included carpet dealer Deepak Jaikishan’s and former Inspector-General of Police Tan Sri Musa Hassan’s statements controversial statements against the government, and the “Allah” religious dispute.
Labels:
Illegal Immigrant,
NRIC,
Sabah and Sarawak
Seeking Najib’s help to solve Indian woes
Hindraf Makkal Sakti says it will side with whoever is willing to help the Indian community.
GEORGE TOWN: After fruitless meetings with Pakatan Rakyat, Hindraf now wants to meet Prime…
More ►
More ▼
GEORGE TOWN: After fruitless meetings with Pakatan Rakyat, Hindraf now wants to meet Prime…
Hindraf Makkal Sakti says it will side with whoever is willing to help the Indian community.
GEORGE TOWN: After fruitless meetings with Pakatan Rakyat, Hindraf now wants to meet Prime Minister Najib Tun Razak to endorse its blueprint for the Indian community.
Hindraf Makkal Sakti chief P Waythamoorthy said the decision to meet Najib was made after much deliberations at all levels of the leadership and with the Indian community.
He said the meeting was to secure Najib’s written assurances and endorsement for its blueprint designed to improve the Indian working class community.
“After a long deliberation on the issue, we have decided to meet the prime minister to resolve Indian problems.
“We are not interested in politicking,” he said today.
Hindraf has already held a series of meetings with Pakatan leaders, notably from PKR, to get the coalition’s written assurances and commitment for its blueprint if Pakatan were to capture Putrajaya.
He said, as expected, Pakatan was more interested in using Hindraf to garner Indian votes than looking into the predicament of the Indians.
Waythamoorthy brushed aside criticisms by pro-Pakatan supporters and bloggers that the movement was playing both sides of the political divide for the best deal.
Stressing that Hindraf was not interested in political mileage, he said Hindraf cannot afford to be topsy-turvy, partisan and partial when dealing with Indian problems, which have existed for decades.
He said Hindraf had to meet Najib because it did not want its struggle for the Indian community to hit a snag after the general election if Barisan Nasional retained the federal government.
“What if Pakatan loses the general election? What should Hindraf do then? How is it going to deal with a BN government to resolve Indian issues?
“It will be a Catch-22 situation for us then,” he said.
To contest in the GE?
He said that Hindraf had written letters to Najib and Opposition Leader Anwar Ibrahim on Aug 29 last year requesting for meetings.
“We stated clearly that we want to meet them in their respective capacities as the prime minister and prime minister-in-waiting,” he said.
Minister in Prime Minister in charge of parliamentary affairs Mohd Nazri Aziz said on Nov 7 last year that the government was willing to talk with Hindraf on the Indian issues.
On Jan 26, this year, the government lifted the ban on Hindraf.
During Hindraf roadshows on its blueprint, Indians have openly called on the movement to hold talks with both BN and Pakatan to resolve the community issues.
They have also openly backed Hindraf to contest in the coming election even as independent candidates.
No date has been fixed for Hindraf’s meeting with Najib.
▲
GEORGE TOWN: After fruitless meetings with Pakatan Rakyat, Hindraf now wants to meet Prime Minister Najib Tun Razak to endorse its blueprint for the Indian community.Hindraf Makkal Sakti chief P Waythamoorthy said the decision to meet Najib was made after much deliberations at all levels of the leadership and with the Indian community.
He said the meeting was to secure Najib’s written assurances and endorsement for its blueprint designed to improve the Indian working class community.
“After a long deliberation on the issue, we have decided to meet the prime minister to resolve Indian problems.
“We are not interested in politicking,” he said today.
Hindraf has already held a series of meetings with Pakatan leaders, notably from PKR, to get the coalition’s written assurances and commitment for its blueprint if Pakatan were to capture Putrajaya.
He said, as expected, Pakatan was more interested in using Hindraf to garner Indian votes than looking into the predicament of the Indians.
Waythamoorthy brushed aside criticisms by pro-Pakatan supporters and bloggers that the movement was playing both sides of the political divide for the best deal.
Stressing that Hindraf was not interested in political mileage, he said Hindraf cannot afford to be topsy-turvy, partisan and partial when dealing with Indian problems, which have existed for decades.
He said Hindraf had to meet Najib because it did not want its struggle for the Indian community to hit a snag after the general election if Barisan Nasional retained the federal government.
“What if Pakatan loses the general election? What should Hindraf do then? How is it going to deal with a BN government to resolve Indian issues?
“It will be a Catch-22 situation for us then,” he said.
To contest in the GE?
He said that Hindraf had written letters to Najib and Opposition Leader Anwar Ibrahim on Aug 29 last year requesting for meetings.
“We stated clearly that we want to meet them in their respective capacities as the prime minister and prime minister-in-waiting,” he said.
Minister in Prime Minister in charge of parliamentary affairs Mohd Nazri Aziz said on Nov 7 last year that the government was willing to talk with Hindraf on the Indian issues.
On Jan 26, this year, the government lifted the ban on Hindraf.
During Hindraf roadshows on its blueprint, Indians have openly called on the movement to hold talks with both BN and Pakatan to resolve the community issues.
They have also openly backed Hindraf to contest in the coming election even as independent candidates.
No date has been fixed for Hindraf’s meeting with Najib.
Dividing the divided
A forum organised to foster closer relations between Tamils in Malaysia, further divides the already fragmented Malaysian Indian community.
PETALING JAYA: Last Saturday, the Tamilar Action Force (TAF), made up…
More ►
More ▼
PETALING JAYA: Last Saturday, the Tamilar Action Force (TAF), made up…
A forum organised to foster closer relations between Tamils in Malaysia, further divides the already fragmented Malaysian Indian community.
PETALING JAYA: Last Saturday, the Tamilar Action Force (TAF), made up of mostly Indian opposition state assemblymen and members of parliament held a forum entitled “Our Community, Our Strength: The future of Tamilargal (Tamils) in Malaysia?”
The forum brought forward speakers like Bersih co-chairperson S Ambiga, Penang Deputy Chief Minister P Ramasamy, Teluk Intan member of parliament M Manogaran and activist A Rajaretinam, among others.
But it was a speaker from Tamil Nadu, India, who stole the show with his “shallow” reasoning that Malaysian Indians should first identify themselves as Tamils before saying that they were of Indian origin living in Malaysia.
Malaysian Tamils make up at least 75% of the total 1.8 million Indians in this country. The remainder 25% are Telegus, Malayalees, Sikhs and other ethnic Indian communities.
S Seeman, an opposition leader in Tamil Nadu from the Naam Tamilar party, stirred up the event with his provocative and ill-informed speech which was meant to rouse up sentiments among Tamils to love their lineage.
Just a day before the event, Seeman held a press conference where he said his visit to Malaysia was to unite the fragmented Malaysian Tamils and instil the spirit of “Tamil-centric” among the Tamils here.
He was totally against the Malaysian government’s initiative to unite the Malaysian Indian community.
“Tamilians in Malaysia should be proud to recognise themselves as Tamils and not Indians,” said Seeman at the forum.
Clad in pants and shirt, compared to the other male speakers who were all wearing dhotis (a sarong- type white attire for men) and jippas, a traditional shirt-like attire for Tamil men, Seeman said Malaysian Tamils should be thankful that all the privileges are bestowed on them but not the other Indian communities in the country.
He said Malaysian Tamils should be proud that festivities and privileges in Malaysia are focused on the Tamils.
He cited the public holiday for Thaipusam, and allocations given to Tamil schools as examples.
These statements, among others, definitely will not go down well with the other Indian communities in Malaysia.
Alarming comments
Seeman also said it was “stupid” for one Tamil to wish another “Good Morning”.
“Instead you should wish in your own mother tongue which is Tamil… that is the Tamil way,” he said to applause from about 1,000 Malaysian Indians at the forum.
A check on TAF’s Facebook page was even more alarming.
It resembles a “racist” page with people bashing the other Indian communities.
“This forum is for Tamils,” said one comment while the following comment read: “Don’t let the Telegu and Malayalee [in]“, followed by other statements.
Although TAF’s aim is to unite the Tamils in Malaysia, it seems to be dividing the already splintered Indian community.
This is even more dangerous when its office-bearers are made up of political leaders, who might even be in the next federal government.
But they must bear in mind that Indians are a minority in Malaysia and that they should not be divided further as this could lead to their extinction in Malaysia.
▲
PETALING JAYA: Last Saturday, the Tamilar Action Force (TAF), made up of mostly Indian opposition state assemblymen and members of parliament held a forum entitled “Our Community, Our Strength: The future of Tamilargal (Tamils) in Malaysia?”The forum brought forward speakers like Bersih co-chairperson S Ambiga, Penang Deputy Chief Minister P Ramasamy, Teluk Intan member of parliament M Manogaran and activist A Rajaretinam, among others.
But it was a speaker from Tamil Nadu, India, who stole the show with his “shallow” reasoning that Malaysian Indians should first identify themselves as Tamils before saying that they were of Indian origin living in Malaysia.
Malaysian Tamils make up at least 75% of the total 1.8 million Indians in this country. The remainder 25% are Telegus, Malayalees, Sikhs and other ethnic Indian communities.
S Seeman, an opposition leader in Tamil Nadu from the Naam Tamilar party, stirred up the event with his provocative and ill-informed speech which was meant to rouse up sentiments among Tamils to love their lineage.
Just a day before the event, Seeman held a press conference where he said his visit to Malaysia was to unite the fragmented Malaysian Tamils and instil the spirit of “Tamil-centric” among the Tamils here.
He was totally against the Malaysian government’s initiative to unite the Malaysian Indian community.
“Tamilians in Malaysia should be proud to recognise themselves as Tamils and not Indians,” said Seeman at the forum.
Clad in pants and shirt, compared to the other male speakers who were all wearing dhotis (a sarong- type white attire for men) and jippas, a traditional shirt-like attire for Tamil men, Seeman said Malaysian Tamils should be thankful that all the privileges are bestowed on them but not the other Indian communities in the country.
He said Malaysian Tamils should be proud that festivities and privileges in Malaysia are focused on the Tamils.
He cited the public holiday for Thaipusam, and allocations given to Tamil schools as examples.
These statements, among others, definitely will not go down well with the other Indian communities in Malaysia.
Alarming commentsSeeman also said it was “stupid” for one Tamil to wish another “Good Morning”.
“Instead you should wish in your own mother tongue which is Tamil… that is the Tamil way,” he said to applause from about 1,000 Malaysian Indians at the forum.
A check on TAF’s Facebook page was even more alarming.
It resembles a “racist” page with people bashing the other Indian communities.
“This forum is for Tamils,” said one comment while the following comment read: “Don’t let the Telegu and Malayalee [in]“, followed by other statements.
Although TAF’s aim is to unite the Tamils in Malaysia, it seems to be dividing the already splintered Indian community.
This is even more dangerous when its office-bearers are made up of political leaders, who might even be in the next federal government.
But they must bear in mind that Indians are a minority in Malaysia and that they should not be divided further as this could lead to their extinction in Malaysia.
Labels:
Malaysian Indians
Probe pro-Ramasamy rallies, DAP told
Grassroots members say the party must sack the mastermind and his minions.
GEORGE TOWN: Several DAP grassroots members here have called on their leadership to investigate the series of protests…
More ►
More ▼
GEORGE TOWN: Several DAP grassroots members here have called on their leadership to investigate the series of protests…
Grassroots members say the party must sack the mastermind and his minions.
GEORGE TOWN: Several DAP grassroots members here have called on their leadership to investigate the series of protests organised by several groups against the party polls held last December.
Bagan Luar branch chairman G Asoghan, its secretary V Krishamurthy, Penang DAP Indian bureau secretary S Sukumar, life members R Vanoo of Taman Alma and K Dayalan of Datuk Keramat want the party to find out who has been masterminding the protests and kick him and his minions out.
Speaking on the behalf of the group, Asoghan said many grassroots leaders and members were astonished by the protests and the press statements issued about them.
He said many were asking why the demonstrations involved only Indians whose main concern appeared to be the defeat of Deputy Chief Minister II P Ramasamy in last December’s central executive committee (CEC) polls.
Asoghan and his group are curious over why the protestors portray Ramasamy’s defeat as a “defeat to the Indian community” when he was not the only Indian candidate who failed to make the grade.
They pointed out that Tronoh assemblyman and former Perak assembly speaker V Sivakumar were also defeated even though he garnered more votes than Ramasamy.
Other Indian candidates who lost were former Senator S Ramakrishnan, Teluk Intan MP M Manogaran and Kota Alam Shah assemblyman M Manoharan.
“Victory and defeat are common in politics,” Asoghan said, “but they seem to suggest that Ramasamy’s defeat was due to some technical glitch.
“The party leadership has already explained it. But they are still harping on it.
“The party leadership must probe to the bottom of the issue and flush out the culprits.”
In early January, DAP officials admitted that a technical glitch had forced a review and alteration of results of the CEC polls held in Penang on Dec 15.
Following the rectified vote tabulation, Zairil Khir Johari, political secretary to party secretary general Lim Guan Eng, was elected to the CEC with 803 votes to secure the 20th spot. He was initially at the 39th spot, with only 305 votes.
Vincent Wu, who was originally elected at fifth spot with 1,202 votes, dropped to the 26th spot with 669 votes. He was later reappointed to the CEC as a co-opted member.
The fiasco triggered protests across the country by Indian groups, some claiming to be party members, calling on the party to hold fresh polls.
They have consistently attacked the party leadership, especially the secretary general, and expressed disappointment over Ramasamy’s defeat.
Ramasamy has, however, been co-opted into the CEC and retained as the party’s deputy secretary general.
Last week, party chairman Karpal Singh said DAP would provide an explanation to the Registrar of Societies with regard to complaints made by some of its members concerning the vote tabulation fiasco if the need were to arise.
▲
GEORGE TOWN: Several DAP grassroots members here have called on their leadership to investigate the series of protests organised by several groups against the party polls held last December.Bagan Luar branch chairman G Asoghan, its secretary V Krishamurthy, Penang DAP Indian bureau secretary S Sukumar, life members R Vanoo of Taman Alma and K Dayalan of Datuk Keramat want the party to find out who has been masterminding the protests and kick him and his minions out.
Speaking on the behalf of the group, Asoghan said many grassroots leaders and members were astonished by the protests and the press statements issued about them.
He said many were asking why the demonstrations involved only Indians whose main concern appeared to be the defeat of Deputy Chief Minister II P Ramasamy in last December’s central executive committee (CEC) polls.
Asoghan and his group are curious over why the protestors portray Ramasamy’s defeat as a “defeat to the Indian community” when he was not the only Indian candidate who failed to make the grade.
They pointed out that Tronoh assemblyman and former Perak assembly speaker V Sivakumar were also defeated even though he garnered more votes than Ramasamy.
Other Indian candidates who lost were former Senator S Ramakrishnan, Teluk Intan MP M Manogaran and Kota Alam Shah assemblyman M Manoharan.
“Victory and defeat are common in politics,” Asoghan said, “but they seem to suggest that Ramasamy’s defeat was due to some technical glitch.
“The party leadership has already explained it. But they are still harping on it.
“The party leadership must probe to the bottom of the issue and flush out the culprits.”
In early January, DAP officials admitted that a technical glitch had forced a review and alteration of results of the CEC polls held in Penang on Dec 15.
Following the rectified vote tabulation, Zairil Khir Johari, political secretary to party secretary general Lim Guan Eng, was elected to the CEC with 803 votes to secure the 20th spot. He was initially at the 39th spot, with only 305 votes.
Vincent Wu, who was originally elected at fifth spot with 1,202 votes, dropped to the 26th spot with 669 votes. He was later reappointed to the CEC as a co-opted member.
The fiasco triggered protests across the country by Indian groups, some claiming to be party members, calling on the party to hold fresh polls.
They have consistently attacked the party leadership, especially the secretary general, and expressed disappointment over Ramasamy’s defeat.
Ramasamy has, however, been co-opted into the CEC and retained as the party’s deputy secretary general.
Last week, party chairman Karpal Singh said DAP would provide an explanation to the Registrar of Societies with regard to complaints made by some of its members concerning the vote tabulation fiasco if the need were to arise.
Labels:
DAP
CWC men defend Palani as transformer
They say it’s not true that he lacks support among MIC’s policymakers.
PETALING JAYA: Two members of MIC’s central working committee (CWC) today rejected allegations that party president G Palanivel…
More ►
More ▼
PETALING JAYA: Two members of MIC’s central working committee (CWC) today rejected allegations that party president G Palanivel…
They say it’s not true that he lacks support among MIC’s policymakers.
PETALING JAYA: Two members of MIC’s central working committee (CWC) today rejected allegations that party president G Palanivel lacked support from the policy making body.
Madhu Marimuthu and A Sakthivel denied that Palanivel was losing his grip on the party, as suggested in an FMT article that appeared yesterday.
Madhu said the president had always been open to points raised by party members, whatever level they came from.
“Listening and accepting dissenting viewpoints has been part of Palanivel’s agenda of transforming the party,” he said. “He is willing to go to the ground and listen to the pulse of the people.”
Madhu, who also worked under Palanivel’s predecessor S Samy Vellu, said the two had different leadership styles and personal characteristics.
“Different individuals have different ways of communicating their opinions,” he said.
“When I had differing views with either president, I would call him and meet him personally or highlight the issue at the party’s highest level, the CWC.”
Sakthivel said his faith in Palanivel had never wavered.
“He is always open to feedback from all levels of membership,” he said. “He is in fact getting stronger.”
Sakthivel claimed that Palanivel’s work had benefited not only the Indian community, but other members of Malaysian society as well.
“Since he took over, he has worked very hard in increasing temple funds and even funds for TEKUN, which helps the agricultural society to grow,” he said.
TEKUN is the Malay acronym for Amalgamated Fund for Commercial Ventures, which is administered by the Ministry of Agriculture and Agro-Based Industry.
Sakthivel called on MIC members to unite and to focus on ensuring the party’s success in the 13th general election instead of fanning disagreements.
“Elections are around the corner,” he said. “If we want to do well, then we have to work hand in hand with each other and put our personal differences aside.”
Madhu made a similar call and also urged BN coordinators at MIC’s parliamentary and state constituencies to continuously engage Palanivel to ensure that the party perform better than it did in 2008.
▲
PETALING JAYA: Two members of MIC’s central working committee (CWC) today rejected allegations that party president G Palanivel lacked support from the policy making body.Madhu Marimuthu and A Sakthivel denied that Palanivel was losing his grip on the party, as suggested in an FMT article that appeared yesterday.
Madhu said the president had always been open to points raised by party members, whatever level they came from.
“Listening and accepting dissenting viewpoints has been part of Palanivel’s agenda of transforming the party,” he said. “He is willing to go to the ground and listen to the pulse of the people.”
Madhu, who also worked under Palanivel’s predecessor S Samy Vellu, said the two had different leadership styles and personal characteristics.
“Different individuals have different ways of communicating their opinions,” he said.
“When I had differing views with either president, I would call him and meet him personally or highlight the issue at the party’s highest level, the CWC.”
Sakthivel said his faith in Palanivel had never wavered.
“He is always open to feedback from all levels of membership,” he said. “He is in fact getting stronger.”
Sakthivel claimed that Palanivel’s work had benefited not only the Indian community, but other members of Malaysian society as well.
“Since he took over, he has worked very hard in increasing temple funds and even funds for TEKUN, which helps the agricultural society to grow,” he said.
TEKUN is the Malay acronym for Amalgamated Fund for Commercial Ventures, which is administered by the Ministry of Agriculture and Agro-Based Industry.
Sakthivel called on MIC members to unite and to focus on ensuring the party’s success in the 13th general election instead of fanning disagreements.
“Elections are around the corner,” he said. “If we want to do well, then we have to work hand in hand with each other and put our personal differences aside.”
Madhu made a similar call and also urged BN coordinators at MIC’s parliamentary and state constituencies to continuously engage Palanivel to ensure that the party perform better than it did in 2008.
Labels:
MIC
‘A question of moral authority’
Like most Malaysians, S Ambiga's patience is also wearing thin over the prime minister's feet-dragging in dissolving Parliament.
VIDEO INSIDE
KUALA LUMPUR: At one point when the prime minister’s rating…
More ►
More ▼
VIDEO INSIDE
KUALA LUMPUR: At one point when the prime minister’s rating…
Like most Malaysians, S Ambiga's patience is also wearing thin over the prime minister's feet-dragging in dissolving Parliament.
VIDEO INSIDE
KUALA LUMPUR: At one point when the prime minister’s rating was up, speculation was rife about a snap polls. But now, the nation is left wondering if the general election would ever be called.
Like most Malaysians, S Ambiga’s patience was also wearing thin. And she warned that each sunset further eclipsed the present administration’s moral right to govern.
The Bersih co-chairperson, without the slightest hesitation, pointed to a lack of confidence when quizzed on the reasons behind Prime Minister Najib Tun Razak’s feet-dragging.
“We have been waiting for this election for the longest time and Malaysians are truly fed up.
“As I have said before, this ongoing delay would work against the present government, simply because you cannot keep people guessing for so long,” she told FMT in an exclusive interview.
Stressing the importance of the March 8 date, which five years ago witnessed Barisan Nasional suffering its worst ever electoral setback, Ambiga said Malaysians had expected the 13th general election to be held before or around that period.
“We know now that is not going to happen, timing wise,” she added.
Ambiga said that the date was an important aspect despite the prime minister and his Cabinet having until April 28 to remain in office.
“Of course, under the Federal Constitution, Parliament carries on for five years from the date of the first meeting… so they can carry on until April 28, at which time it [Parliament] dissolves automatically.
“But my own view is whether this government has the moral authority to carry on for a long time after March 8… there is a psychological factor with Malaysians in relation to that date,” she added.
Ambiga said she was aware of the reports which claimed that the delay was due to the government transformation programme, candidates list, issues in relation to the manifesto and so forth.
“I am sorry, none of that washes with me. You have been preparing for this election for two years, you cannot say now that you are not ready. That too is not a very good sign.
“So I can only attribute the delay to a lack of confidence… and I think they should get on with it. A lot of Malaysians would be relieved when the date of the dissolution is announced because it means that we can get on with our lives,” she added.
Ambiga also cautioned the Election Commission against pushing the polls further using the 60-day window period from the date of the dissolution as provided by the law.
“I think it would be unwise. We don’t know what operates in the mind of the EC. I hope they would be independent about this, they have not been independent about much before this,” she said.
Najib must stand firm
As for Najib inking the Election Integrity Pledge, Ambiga said while it was commendable that the prime minister had set the tone, he however needed to consider the wordings in the document, especially with regard to ethical conduct.
“Ethical conduct also means the way you run your campaign, the things that you say. Recently, there had been utterances by certain members of Parliament… it looks to me as if they are not really practising ethical conduct.
“So I think this is something that they really need to think about. I was happy when the prime minister signed it [the pledge] because I thought ‘fine,we would now see an end to political violence and we would now see a more professional way of handling the elections, where members of parliament behave better’… but I am not seeing it happening,” she added.
Therefore, the Bersih leader called on Najib to issue a strong statement on political violence, which had become a common occurrence in the run-up to what was considered to be a pivotal general election.
“So for me, signing this pledge is one thing. There are actually many things which the prime minister can say and do from now to show that he means what he says in the pledge,” she added.
In the document, under the words “I am signing this Election Integrity Pledge because”, Najib wrote: “I
believe that as the BN leader, I have to set a strong tone. Only a candidate who is deemed to have fought a clean and fair election would lead to a trustworthy government respected by the people.”
Reject racist and sexist politicians
Ambiga also urged Malaysians not to allow racist and sexist politicians to walk though the doors of Parliament as elected representatives.
“I have sat in Parliament and heard the level of the debates, it was extremely low, people shouted at each other a lot. I remember in one session, schoolchildren were there to observe the process. I was thoroughly ashamed that schoolchildren were watching that,” she said.
Although the former Bar Council president did not advocate using the Sedition Act against those who stoked racial and religious flames, she however noted that the law seemed to be invoked on a selective basis and even used against lesser evils.
Once again, she called on the prime minister to stand firm on this as well.
Responding to a question, Ambiga also shared her personal views on Najib’s endorsement of Abdul Taib Mahmud, the controversial Sarawak Chief Minister accused of numerous misdeeds.
“Going by the [integrity] pledge, issues of transparency, good governance, no corruption, I would have thought you would have to choose all your candidates very carefully.
“I think we all know what is in the public domain and if the chief minister stands up to scrutiny on the issues of corruption and abuse of power,” she added.
Anger brewing in Sabah
Commenting on the Royal Commission of Inquiry (RCI) on the issuance of identity cards to foreigners in Sabah, Ambiga said it was nothing new but the revelations on the process was spine-chilling.
“I understand that people are now trying to suggest that the whole IC issue in Sabah was a result of corrupt immigration officials who were out to make money, and that was all there is to it.
“I would be very careful to draw that kind of conclusion because ultimately we need to answer the question why were they on the electoral roll instantly as well. Clearly there was a plan,” she added.
Ambiga said that the officials were aware of this issue even before the RCI started probing the matter.
“So my question is, what were they doing all these years when they knew the electoral roll had these issues. There appears to be evidence coming out that people were voting with red ICs,” she added.
Reiterating that it was not something new, Ambiga however pointed out that Sabahans were becoming increasingly vocal, despondent and disillusioned over the issue.
“So whether the tipping point has arrived and whether they want to make a difference in this election, is something that we have to just wait and see,” she said when asked if the RCI findings could tip the scales in favour of the opposition.
▲
VIDEO INSIDE
KUALA LUMPUR: At one point when the prime minister’s rating was up, speculation was rife about a snap polls. But now, the nation is left wondering if the general election would ever be called.Like most Malaysians, S Ambiga’s patience was also wearing thin. And she warned that each sunset further eclipsed the present administration’s moral right to govern.
The Bersih co-chairperson, without the slightest hesitation, pointed to a lack of confidence when quizzed on the reasons behind Prime Minister Najib Tun Razak’s feet-dragging.
“We have been waiting for this election for the longest time and Malaysians are truly fed up.
“As I have said before, this ongoing delay would work against the present government, simply because you cannot keep people guessing for so long,” she told FMT in an exclusive interview.
Stressing the importance of the March 8 date, which five years ago witnessed Barisan Nasional suffering its worst ever electoral setback, Ambiga said Malaysians had expected the 13th general election to be held before or around that period.
“We know now that is not going to happen, timing wise,” she added.
Ambiga said that the date was an important aspect despite the prime minister and his Cabinet having until April 28 to remain in office.
“Of course, under the Federal Constitution, Parliament carries on for five years from the date of the first meeting… so they can carry on until April 28, at which time it [Parliament] dissolves automatically.
“But my own view is whether this government has the moral authority to carry on for a long time after March 8… there is a psychological factor with Malaysians in relation to that date,” she added.
Ambiga said she was aware of the reports which claimed that the delay was due to the government transformation programme, candidates list, issues in relation to the manifesto and so forth.
“I am sorry, none of that washes with me. You have been preparing for this election for two years, you cannot say now that you are not ready. That too is not a very good sign.
“So I can only attribute the delay to a lack of confidence… and I think they should get on with it. A lot of Malaysians would be relieved when the date of the dissolution is announced because it means that we can get on with our lives,” she added.
Ambiga also cautioned the Election Commission against pushing the polls further using the 60-day window period from the date of the dissolution as provided by the law.
“I think it would be unwise. We don’t know what operates in the mind of the EC. I hope they would be independent about this, they have not been independent about much before this,” she said.
Najib must stand firm
As for Najib inking the Election Integrity Pledge, Ambiga said while it was commendable that the prime minister had set the tone, he however needed to consider the wordings in the document, especially with regard to ethical conduct.“Ethical conduct also means the way you run your campaign, the things that you say. Recently, there had been utterances by certain members of Parliament… it looks to me as if they are not really practising ethical conduct.
“So I think this is something that they really need to think about. I was happy when the prime minister signed it [the pledge] because I thought ‘fine,we would now see an end to political violence and we would now see a more professional way of handling the elections, where members of parliament behave better’… but I am not seeing it happening,” she added.
Therefore, the Bersih leader called on Najib to issue a strong statement on political violence, which had become a common occurrence in the run-up to what was considered to be a pivotal general election.
“So for me, signing this pledge is one thing. There are actually many things which the prime minister can say and do from now to show that he means what he says in the pledge,” she added.
In the document, under the words “I am signing this Election Integrity Pledge because”, Najib wrote: “I
believe that as the BN leader, I have to set a strong tone. Only a candidate who is deemed to have fought a clean and fair election would lead to a trustworthy government respected by the people.”Reject racist and sexist politicians
Ambiga also urged Malaysians not to allow racist and sexist politicians to walk though the doors of Parliament as elected representatives.
“I have sat in Parliament and heard the level of the debates, it was extremely low, people shouted at each other a lot. I remember in one session, schoolchildren were there to observe the process. I was thoroughly ashamed that schoolchildren were watching that,” she said.
Although the former Bar Council president did not advocate using the Sedition Act against those who stoked racial and religious flames, she however noted that the law seemed to be invoked on a selective basis and even used against lesser evils.
Once again, she called on the prime minister to stand firm on this as well.
Responding to a question, Ambiga also shared her personal views on Najib’s endorsement of Abdul Taib Mahmud, the controversial Sarawak Chief Minister accused of numerous misdeeds.
“Going by the [integrity] pledge, issues of transparency, good governance, no corruption, I would have thought you would have to choose all your candidates very carefully.
“I think we all know what is in the public domain and if the chief minister stands up to scrutiny on the issues of corruption and abuse of power,” she added.
Anger brewing in Sabah
Commenting on the Royal Commission of Inquiry (RCI) on the issuance of identity cards to foreigners in Sabah, Ambiga said it was nothing new but the revelations on the process was spine-chilling.
“I understand that people are now trying to suggest that the whole IC issue in Sabah was a result of corrupt immigration officials who were out to make money, and that was all there is to it.
“I would be very careful to draw that kind of conclusion because ultimately we need to answer the question why were they on the electoral roll instantly as well. Clearly there was a plan,” she added.
Ambiga said that the officials were aware of this issue even before the RCI started probing the matter.“So my question is, what were they doing all these years when they knew the electoral roll had these issues. There appears to be evidence coming out that people were voting with red ICs,” she added.
Reiterating that it was not something new, Ambiga however pointed out that Sabahans were becoming increasingly vocal, despondent and disillusioned over the issue.
“So whether the tipping point has arrived and whether they want to make a difference in this election, is something that we have to just wait and see,” she said when asked if the RCI findings could tip the scales in favour of the opposition.
Labels:
Ambiga
Poll: Eight in 10 Malays say Allah solely for Muslims
(The Star) - Eighty-three percent of Muslims interviewed in a recent poll agree that the usage of the word “Allah” is their absolute right, a survey here says.The poll…
(The Star) - Eighty-three percent of Muslims interviewed in a recent poll agree that the usage of the word “Allah” is their absolute right, a survey here says.The poll by the Merdeka Centre for Opinion Research showed that 52% “strongly disagreed” with Perkasa president Datuk Ibrahim Ali's alleged call to seize and burn copies of the Bible which contain the word “Allah.”
The results were part of the poll titled “Public Opinion Survey No. 1/2013 Peninsular Malaysia Voter Survey,” which was conducted between Jan 23 and Feb 6.
A total of 1,021 registered voters were interviewed via telephone for the survey, which was aimed at gauging voters' perceptions of issues in the lead-up to the general election.
The survey revealed that 48% of the respondents were “happy with the Government” while 45% reported that they were “happy with Barisan Nasional.”
Some 61% of the respondents expressed satisfaction with the performance of Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak.
Participants also rated fighting corruption as the top issue that required attention from the Government, followed by fighting inflation, improving the police and public safety, providing affordable housing, expanding public infrastructure in rural areas and improving government efficiency.
Labels:
Allah issue
Who has been funding Bala for the past 5 years?
(Perak Today) - After about 5 years private investigator, Balasubramaniam Perumal (Bala) went to hiding in India, last Sunday, February 24, he came back to KLIA, welcomed by about 50…(Perak Today) - After about 5 years private investigator, Balasubramaniam Perumal (Bala) went to hiding in India, last Sunday, February 24, he came back to KLIA, welcomed by about 50 PKR supporters.The welcoming ceremony confirmed that the party does have its involvement in running an evil plot to manipulate the murder case of Mongolian model, Altantuya to be linked to Prime Minister, Dato’ Seri Najib Tun Razak.
The first thing Bala did when he got to KLIA was being under oath while holding onto a Bhagavad Gita and said that the first Statutory Declaration (SD) which links Najib in Altantuya's murder was true, but the SD2 was forced onto him, which proves PKR’ role in this case.
Instead of denying SD2, wouldn’t it be better for Bala if he simply denies the third SD, he did already make false SDs, why not make up to 10 SDs?
It is interesting to see how Malay Muslims in PKR accept Bala’s action with the Bhagavad Gita, perhaps they are exited to see it considering that even PKR General Leader is not confident over the oath made witnessed by Allah S.W.T.
During an interview with the media in KLIA, Bala had announced his preparedness to help Pakatan Rakyat’s campaign by travelling across the country exposing the truth behind Altantuya’s murder case.
This does not shock people, because everyone knew that Bala’s SD1 had links with PKR main leaders as they hope that manipulations and speculations on Altantuya’s murder case could bring Najib down.
PR’s effort did not give any positive result after Bala denied Najib’s involvement, added with Raja Petra Kamaruddin’s statement saying that he did fabricate Altantuya’s story by manipulating everything, and admitted that PM and his wife did not have anything to do with the case.
Instead, it was exposed that PKR’s General Leader, Anwar Ibrahim’s role, which was involved in an effort trying to convince the murder suspects, Azilah and Sirul to mention Najib’s name in this case.
Any of Bala’s move after this would not help PR in any way because people no longer believe in the credibility of this private investigator hired by Razak Baginda.
People are more interested to know why Bala would steal the RM50,000 given by Razak Baginda which is supposed to be handed to Altantuya, and if Bala did not mean to steal it, people want to know where did the money go?
And most importantly, people want to know who has been funding Bala for the past five years.
That should have cost more than the RM50,000.
Obviously the fund came from PKR leaders, because the party even sponsored Elizabeth Wong’s secret lover, Helmi Malik in Indonesia as part of their efforts to put a stop on their scandal from public eye.
The question here is, who is the leader and where did the money come from?
Labels:
PIBala
Who still cares about the third voice?
This time, we are in fact in an urgent need to listen to the third voice outside the two coalitions. Unfortunately, due to the need of political correctness, today's society…This time, we are in fact in an urgent need to listen to the third voice outside the two coalitions. Unfortunately, due to the need of political correctness, today's society has become more and more intolerant of voices and views outside the BN and Pakatan Rakyat.Lim Mun Fah, Sin Chew Daily
It is believed that the BN and Pakatan Rakyat are now ready for the general election and their full-fledged campaigns will be launched on the nomination day. It can be foreseen that it will be an unprecedented season that floods new media with wars of words.
It is a season for politicians to show their eloquence, literary talent, wisdom and ideologies. Their words and deeds will be fully exposed through the media. After a rapid fermentation process, they will dominate the people's thinking and affect the future of the society, as well as the country.
It is also a season of the emergence of differences. Different views, different perspectives, different ideas and different ideologies will emerge and bring controversies, discords and debates. All of a sudden, we will realise that there are actually so many differences, in terms of race, religion, culture, education, economy and other areas, in the society. All of them seem out of place and the serious misunderstanding and deep contradiction seem to have split us in half, surprising and worrying us.
Election is not a carnival in which everything will restore calmness after a spree. Election has its greater significance and impact. A major election can even play the role of a historical turning point. Some remarks and ideas made by important politicians during election period will also leave traces and bring continuous or even dominant influences to the post-election society.
After the 2008 political tsunami, we seem to have been living in an unimaginable political ocean, suffering from endless provocations, including political language and behaviours, almost everyday. In just about five years, changes to the country's political ecology are actually shockingly great.
If the political game between the ruling and alternative coalitions can make our society more democratic, free, fair and clean, it will be a blessing for the people and the country. However, if the political game turns into a malicious battle, causing the rights and wrongs of public affairs can only be divided according to the boundaries of political parties, and makes ballot the only truth while trapping the society in a confronting binary impasse, it is then an absolute crisis of sinking democracy, instead of a turning point.
This time, we are in fact in an urgent need to listen to the third voice outside the two coalitions. Unfortunately, due to the need of political correctness, today's society has become more and more intolerant of voices and views outside the BN and Pakatan Rakyat. All people, regardless of media practitioners longing for neutral or scholars claiming themselves objective, once they start talking, they will be labelled as lackeys of the BN or hired thugs of Pakatan Rakyat, making them to immediately shut their mouths to avoid causing more troubles.
A society that cares only about votes and neglects reasoning will always force those who wish not to take side to remain silent, or even indifferently keep a distance from political parties. If this happens, the rational third voice will be absent and the direction of social values and public opinions will then be completely manipulated and dominated by politicians. If a so-called democratic country does not allow the presence of diverse voices, it will be a bad omen for the rise of political violence. It is definitely not a good thing for the country's progress of democracy!
Labels:
3rd Force
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)