Don't come home to Malaysia?

Don't Come home, Son is the titled of a much read post in Malaysian Insider...

Here's a short excerpt from the page

" To Second Finance Minister Datuk Seri Ahmad Husni Hanadzlah, this is what I have to say in response to your statement about emigration by ingrates.

Sometime in 1980, when I was a final-year student in London, I had a very short telephone conversation with my father. In those days, there were no call cards, skype or the like and international phone calls were expensive. He had a very simple message – “Don’t come home, son.” "

And after reading through the many comments... here I include my own.

__________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

This story has been oft told- and the reality is that many are facing this dilemma.

I notice that many comments came from the middle-aged, or the elderly, most of those whom have children.

I am currently 22, A Malaysian first, chinese second... and I regret to say that my parents also have that to tell me: Go Australia, Go Singapore, go somewhere where there's equality and a good way of life.

Am I being unfilial by not obeying that command?

I hope I am not- because I am filial to this motherland of mine.

Yes the road is getting bumpier, the scenery turning into shades of grey... but I believe 柳暗花明又一村, that is, there is light at the end of the tunnel.. and but hopefully that isn't the headlights of the oncoming train.

Jokes aside. This is my country. I am born here. I love this country because of its people, the multitude of colours, personalities and faces, the lahs, mahs, aiyoyos, the "teh-tarik KAU kurang gula mau buih manyak" orders... The Azan that we hear, the bells that ring, the smell of fireworks, the red pows and green pows..., recently Chong Wei’s smile after he won and how he kissed the Jalur Gemilang…. in this potpourri... the amalgam of culture and tradition--it is unique- found nowhere else on earth.

Sadly, things are getting ugly. Its getting from bad to worse... It feels like its getting nowhere. We want to throw in the towel, to abandon ship, to fight another day, or just let someone else take the fight.
But, do hear what I have to say

I was on a stint for a medical posting in UK for 3 weeks.

I admire the country for its cleanliness, its transport system that is always on time, its politicians who are forced to quit their post when they are suspected of corruption. (YES! being suspected is already a way-out ticket.) I look up to their waste management system, their council administration, their customer service.

I love how they manage their ecosystems, how they maintain their tourist spots, how their road signs come a few times before the fork of the road at 100m, 50m ( so unlike KL where some signs show up past the fork!), their cars come dirt cheap- (a 2nd VW beetle in mint condition goes for 14000 pounds- ard RM80000; the cheapest 2nd hand car I noticed was a Ford selling for 1400 pouns- around RM8000!)

But despite all that.. I wouldn't want to live there. It's not my home. My heart still lies with this country.

Many Malaysians living overseas have relatives sending over sambal-belacan, dumplings, otak-otak, and the whole assortment of spices, they yearn for the sights and sounds from home, they yearn for the -lahs at the ends of a sentence, they yearn for the connections to their identity... but all this yearning takes a backseat when the reality of life looms large, I know. They try to find a better life overseas…

But, note that where I've been its not that rosy, not that perfect.

Nottingham experienced a bar-room brawl culminating in a shoot-out a week before I arrived. The 2nd hand bike I bought was stolen just 3 hours after I oiled the chains. The hostel I was provided with was broken in and a laptop stolen. Illegal immigrants make their presence felt now and again, almost all stores close at 5pm, the weather is extremely depressing during winter, (it was already moodiness inducing in autumn), the cost of accomodation is high despite the overall cost of living is manageable.

I'm not sure whether my message remains coherent- but I really do feel that hujan batu di Malaysia is better than hujan emas di UK, AUS atau pulau Singa. Because I grew up here. Because It's where I belong.

Should I migrate somewhere,I can’t help but feel that there will always be the nagging feeling that I missed out. The feeling that I stopped guiding my daughter through university and abandoned her in Primary 6…. The nagging thought that I gave up too early…. The sensation of emptiness in a foreign land where you know you don’t really belong, you want to make a pilgrimage home just to see how your hometown has changed

I won’t give up, not just yet. I will fight for change. I will exercise my vote. I will spread the word that we are taking this country back. For those of you who thinks that Malaysia is a lost cause- you should have gone to the Saya Anak Bangsa Malaysia Roadshow- there you will be inspired. You may catch a glimpse of it here http://resonating-ripple.blogspot.com

Many people have given up the good fight without even trying. They lament and complain, but they did not strive to better the condition , they didn’t heed the clarion call for change, they didn’t voice their support for the cause, they didn’t sign petitions, they didn’t rally to the peaceful marches… they just threw in the towel before they broke a sweat.

Now would it hurt if we just try? Try to make our voices heard? Try to strive a little before calling it quits? Try to push for change instead of sitting arms crossed and waiting for things to happen?

I end my comment with these observations:

The lawyers think that doctors get easy money- pop-pop the stethoscope and there's RM50-
The Doctors think that the accountants have less risks and the money comes easy,
The accountant thinks that the engineers job is more engaging and interesting
The engineer thinks that lawyers earn easy money- just sign a document and there's RM50


Indonesians come to Malaysia,
Malaysians migrate to Singapore,
Singaporeans go to Australia,
Australians go to Europe,
Europeans come to Malaysia for Malaysia my second home. (oh ok, not that true but you get the drift)

the moral of the story- be content with what you have and you are always happier that way.

I may be young, you may think my views are idealistic, too far fetched, unattainable… but I beg thee, just try.

Saya Anak Bangsa Malaysia roadshow- Taking back our country

 

Yesterday, on the 23rd of January 2010, the Saya Anak Bangsa Malaysia Roadshow came to KL, at the KL Selangor Chinese Assembly Hall.

I came, I saw, I went back Inspired...

and here is a summary of the event, to be completed tomorrow (today is 24th)and the pictures will be loaded in around the 26 when I have access to my own computer.

It has since been completed. Photos Tomorrow

PART 1

!!! There is an alternative to the “official warped version of our Nation’s Independence History”- Sepuloh Tahun Sebelum Merdeka- by Fahmi Reza!

 

Although I arrived at the screening 20 minutes late, here are my impressions

The message:

1) PUTERA-AMCJA fought for our independence as hard if not harder than our textbook version of UMNO-MCA-MIC coalition (UMMC)

They were more Left-Wing and thus The British picked the UMMC to lead instead.

There was an alternative Constitution for Malaysia and the Malaya’s people rejected the Reid Commission’s version through a nationwide “hartal”. A voluntary stop work protest involving the whole of peninsular Malaya. The Alternative Constitution was ignored by the British. It was better as it was written by the populace, much fairer, and just.

The Left-wing statesmen were silenced when their influence unsettled our colonialists. The silencing was done through the veil that was named “The communist Emergency” where 28000++ people were arrested and dibuang negeri etc for
 Being a communist
 Colluding with communists
 Involved in suspicious activities, communist sympathizers

In which over 10000 of those were Malays. The communist emergency was an excuse to remove these nationalists who were doing too good a job at awaking our sleeping populace about their rights and the colonialist’s wrongs.

2) The Mainstream Media- exactly like what we have today, have bootlicking policies and thus painted a bad picture of PUTERA-AMCJA. The Racist agenda have been subliminally planted by these ppl who claimed
 Chinese and Indian immigrants are only here for the ride- to grab what they can and send everything back home to China and India. NONE of them plan to stay so why plan our country’s constitution with them in mind
 That these immigrants, being here, stripped the “hujan emas di tanah Melayu” from reaching the Tempayans of the Malays… siphoned it away…
 The sowed mistrust, further consolidating the British’ ‘Divide and Rule’ policy. ( this policy ensures the 3 races will never unite, and without unity, the British will continue to rule with impunity)
 ( The British’s pre-requisite to allow independence was: Only if there was unity of the races—ahhhh, how ironic eh?)

3) Dato Onn’s attempt to Change UMNO (United Malays National Organisation) to United Malayans National Organisation which will enable non-Malays to enter.. did not receive support from the members, and he stepped down. (this was in our history texts, but was not significant when not interpreted in context)

These are some of the messages---

But the take home message: Learn about the True History of our Nation. Not the glossed over –snipped edges one

Comments:

Fahmi Reza is a first time director and his efforts must be commended. The Movie was interesting and the subtitles helped a lot. But the length and myriad of topics covered are not necessarily in chronological order and tends to confuse me. Maybe an edited short 5 minute version may pique the interest of the masses to see the full length version. 


PART 2

Human Beings, All born free and Equal

This part of presented by Jahaberdeen Mohd Yunoos and pastor Sivin Kit. (the name intrigues me to no-end and in fact I can’t get the name out of my head! What-the…)

 

Quotations from the Quran dominated Mr Jaha's presentation and while the content was clear, It did bore me-
I think part of it had to do with my discomfort and disagreement with Islam’s and Christianity’s holy scriptures that state that
- Their creator created earth and all beings on it for Mankind’s use- and we are entitled to use whatever we set our eyes upon, all the natural resources, all the animals are for our consumption. The Creator offered Animals to lead. But they declined, so mankind stepped forward and took charge instead.

Being an Agnostic, I disagree.
First, the concept that earth was ‘created’ is moot. Second, that we are stewards of mother earth and we have responsibility to care for it is not highlighted, instead, we are told to use all that we see.

Where lies prudence? Consideration for our progeny? Sustainability?
The environmentalist in me is considerably irked whenever I hear such statements
“ all flora and fauna are created for men’s use. “

ditto when The Selangor Department of Environment- Puan Che Asmah Ibrahim, gave her Keynote address during the See Green, See Life Environmental Carnival

Therefore I made my exit 10 minutes into the presentation to view the stands outside, only to comeback midway into Sivin Kit’s Presentation. His slide presentation was unique and technologically appealing, (note to self- must learn what programme was he using) but regrettably, I phased out and didn’t quite grasp the message.

Edit 27/1/10 His slides can be found here
After having a full look at his presentation, I find his slides very meaningful and it makes me regret not being there throughout. Thus I have removed my comments from previously

Comments


PART 3

Art Harun: Dispelling myths of the constitution (if does have another title, I think)

 

First we are enlightened on the principles of a constitution. (written here with my layman understanding of it)

 A constitution or Perlembagaan is a document of a country where all laws and ordinance are enacted with the constitution as a blueprint, as a template… A suitable analogy for the scientifically inclined is it is just as how proteins are encoded based on genes imprinted in our DNA

 Such a document is not static. It is not set in stone. It is subject to revision, to amendments, to fortifications, to repeals- by parliamental debate and voting. So far around 600 different alterations have been made to our constitution. It is intended to be revised, intended to be so by Lord Reid, by the British, by our Late Tunku

With that In mind, lets come to what Articulations Harun has to bring to the fore

A few Articles of the constitution are laid bare here

1) Article 153 – Special rights of the Malays and the Indigenous people
Where the rights are actually special positions.. to be looked after by the Yang di-Pertuan Agong, who merely acts on the advice of the Prime Minister. So when people claim debating the constitution (as in the Perak Constitutional crisis) is an ACT of TREASON or menderhaka, it is incorrect.

4 points of Article 153 is with regards to
 the giving of scholarships
 the placement in civil service
 the entrance to institutions of learning
 the giving of contracts and tenders

one key point to note here that the entrance to institutions of learning only applies to academic placements after MCE. That is, after SPM. So the MRSM system for Secondary school education where only a quota of 10% are given to Non-bumis entrance is contravening the constitution. So, should that be revised?

By questioning the suitability of the articles, we promote debate on whether such an article is still relevant in this day and date.. because the constitution was set up more than half a century ago. And as said before, It is intended to be revised. In fact, the British had in mind to repeal Article 153 fifteen years post independence, where they believed our Malay citizens have reached equal footing with the rest of Malaysians. That is by 1971 or 72, this article should have undergone revision and removed should it be appropriate.

Harun is of the opinion that now, almost 40 years after the intended date of revision, where our Malays have reached economic superiority…… why should the so called tuan Tanah still require protection, why are they thought to require crutches?

 

2) Article 11 (if not mistaken) Islam as the official Religion of Malaysia
Here, Harun shows that in no way should article 11 be interpreted to mean that Malaysia is not a secular state.

Islam is the official religion Malaysia means: It is the official religion for official ceremonies, for Islamic prayers to start begin during fuctions, for Islamic holidays to be national holidays, and many more interpretations, but all within this understanding.

No where does it say that Malaysia is a Religion based Country with Islamic Laws overseeing Common Law and all its peoples must profess one religion. That would be contravening article 12 (once again if not mistaken) that grants the right of religion to every citizen of Malaysia.

Many other people would be able to explain this better than I can but this is the gist of it.

The confusion arised because our dear Dr M told the Parlimentarians that Malaysia is an Islamic state and many jumped the gun to give fantastic spin to its interpretation.

Previously (and some say they still do) PAS was adamant on making Malaysia an Islamic Nation. As per the constitution it is not possible, but that doesn’t stop people from harping over it.

Comments:
(I’ll be taking off at a tangent here, skip this part if you want to stay on course )

I don’t really see what benefits one can gain, Islamic state or not. Civilian laws are quite adequate to police our peace. Syariah law may put some people off, but I for one, and I speak for myself only, favour Hudud laws. Chop the thief’s hand off and he is very unlikely to steal for the rest of his life.

Yes, yes you may argue its uncivilised, barbaric and such. But laws from western nations are not that perfect. Civilised laws did nothing to prevent school shootings to occur. On the other hand, School Canings and other forms of capital punishment, which our parents were brought up with, served the nation well.

Too many young children of today are much too sheltered and protected in bubble wraps that they grow up indifferent, unapologetic, demanding, materialistic and individualistic, if you ask me

note: I do have double standards. I don’t think Karthika deserve to be whipped. But I really hope snatch thieves can have some of their appendages separated from them. It may not be the answer to the root cause of the issue, but it certainly works as a deterrent.


INTERLUDES

Tea break: Observations
1) The food was tasty! I like the corn pudding very much!
2) A big Thank you to the organizers for choosing a caterer that avoids the use
of polystyrene. The white coffins are in my sights far too often.

 

3) The crowd didn’t mingle that much- hmmm, make that I didn’t mingle that much-
- I felt out of depth, somewhat shy because everyone seemed to know at least someone else in the crowd, me being an exception. There’s no need to be shy, I know- I’m not that shy actually but somehow I didn’t know how to start a conversation with this crowd. Felt I was too young and knew too little.

Musicians: 5 minute breaks serve to break the monotony; where a busker (street musician) and one of the Voter registrars (Danny) gave a political pop entertainment!

1) the musicians were obscured becaused they didn’t take centre stage. Literally, they were given a spot just at the left side of the hall where they were not very conspicuous.

2) the PA system experienced technical faults on both occasions… the audience were not captured in the first few crucial minutes so many left the hall during this interlude

3)The Drums Session:

 

I don’t know the name of the coordinator, but I met him once during a Jom Tangani Stress Carnival At Sekolah Menengah Taman Permaisuri passing percussion instruments into young hands and coordinating a fruitful musical session. He is back here today, apt at ‘making noise’ and making that racket tuneful!

 

This session was fun, somewhat too loud if you’re in the front ten rows, can’t see the performers that well if you’re beyond ten but it made at least 3 quarters of the audience stamp their feet or clap their hands! And just as the organizers intended it to be- it is a wake up session for the attendees! My ears rang for 10 minutes into the next presentation though hehe.

 

PART 4
Haris Ibrahim from the People’s Parliament

Haris Managed to drive the message home strongly, straight to the heart. I felt my heart sink, and saw an elderly gentleman take off his glasses and ran his arm beneath his brow…

Haris’ Title was Are we a nation in distress?
I say: "The Hell we are."

 

- We are the world’s laughing stock for so many reasons!
We’re at war over a single word.
We are caning a woman,
We lost two jet engines,
We’re buying decade old train carriages for astronomical prices,
We are now on the way to the international courts for debt on the loan of THE EYE ON MALAYSIA,
We could not accept Chin Peng, but open arms wide and gave almost state burial for the terrorist, Nordin bin Md Top
We’ve slipped off the ladder of transparency international, our ex-PM claims “a few” corrupt politicians have been given the boot by the current PM, but wouldn’t say who are the rest?

- Mat rempits are given offers to journey to the north pole and rehabilitated while our indigenous people are being trampled
- Our education system is going nowhere. We’re still debating on the medium of instruction, flippity-flappity-flap. Our graduates have no motivation nor direction in life.


- Religious harmony wise, after the cephalic bovine incident, we are now dealing with arsons, some idiots are stoking the fire by burning THEIR own place of worship

- The poor are poorer, the rich aren’t that well off, the very rich are moving their businesses overseas.. they claim its just too volatile here

- Our ministers claim that we have eradicated poverty. We have a poverty percentage of 3% country wide. But that’s based on the cut off point of RM760/mth. Jayanath recommended any family of 5 who survives on that paltry sum to be the advisor of our Economic Planning Unit.

 

 

Are WE not a nation in distress?

DID WE LET IT HAPPEN?
Haris drove the message that the state of the nation, all its failures, all its institutions’ failures (the police, the executive, the judiciary, the Elections commission, the civil service) are to be borne by us, its citizens.


When A. Kugan Died- with 1805 others in a span of 7 years (averaging at 23 deaths per month under police custody) we pointed fingers at the men in blue.

When Teoh Beng Hock Died we pointed our fingers at MACC

When PKFZ happened we point our fingers at the Public Accounts Committee, and so many others

When corruption occurs we point our fingers at the police, at the bureaucratic red tape, at the greedy officials…

We sought to distance ourselves from these events, saying:
“It’s their fault, not ours.”
“Those greedy pigs, only know how to fill their pockets”
“those ma-ta only want duit kopi and never catch criminals”

But the failure of the system is our failure. Why is it our failure?

It’s our failure to push for change
It’s our failure for not ensuring check and balance occurred
It’s our failure for giving duit kopi when we are arrested, instead of letting the law take its course.
It’s our failure to voice our dissatisfaction, to show that we, the people will take no more shit.

We gave up the chance to show that we the citizens care, we take notice and we will take the matter into our votes; when we did not join the Bersih rally, the Bar council March, The anti-ISA candlelight vigil…

If 200 000 gathered in a peaceful rally- (its enshrined in the constitution as a freedom of expression, provided it is done peacefully)
The authorities would certainly get the message that people are angry, that they can no longer act aloof as though nothing happened, that we are watching, that we will kick them out should they continue.

Here’s my imagination of a typical rally

People come in the hundreds, the FRU and police come with their batons and tear gas,
The people run, or they stand, but in the end they disperse, a few get arrested, maybe one gets charged in court. Should it be done on a weekday, the authorities will say don’t disrupt the economy, people will complain about traffic jams that occurred, Economic losses will exaggerated out of proportion and the PM will say” don’t la go rally, stay at home la and be good citizen”. The Mainstream media downplays the protest of 500 people into “50 ignorant troublemakers”


Now imagine a Ideal Rally.

On a Weekend, with a permit if possible, with a suitably titled agenda
“ We want ISA abolished”, for example

-People gather in the number of two hundred thousand, 200,000.
-(It’s not impossible- KL has the population of 1-2 million)
-All the police and FRUs will be outnumbered, in fact if the whole crowd stamped
their feet at once KL will experience a Richter 3.0 earthquake,
-The Lockups of the whole KL will not be able to fit 1% of the crowd
-The Magistrates will have a headache trying to charge 100 people.
-The Blogs and facebook and the internet will be a flurry of activity and the
mainstream media will be forced to report the truth as the evidence is too much to be
silenced.

In the end, the police and FRU stand and watch, the protesters get their message across. The politicians will be afraid, very afraid that the protestors will translate this action into votes come the next election-----

AND THEY WILL MAKE NECESSARY AMENDMENTS TO THE LAW AND CONSTITUTION.

Should you think this is impossible, Think about the Everyone Connects event at Jalan Bukit Bintang just 2 months ago featuring the hit song ‘Through my Window’, by the group bunkface. Multiply the turnout by a couple of times, and we have a perfect rally.


PART 5: THIS IS MY HOME. I CARE. I WANT TO MAKE IT BETTER
JAYANANTH APPUDURAI

 

 

 

Mr Jaya brought the audience down memory lane into nostalgic café, he told us why he loves this country, and invites everyone to think of their children.



The take home message: “CAN/ DO YOU WANT TO TELL THE CHILDREN OF THE NATION THAT MALAYSIA IS A LOST CAUSE?

Part 6
Question and Answer

 

The Q&A session to me was very fruitful, and it lasted around an hour, if not for the time, 7.45pm, we could have continued on…. But we overshot the time by a whole hour, skipping the film screening of Gadoh

Everyone felt the roadshow was a success, but everyone chipped in to make it better

A question from the audience took everyone by surprise: “how did you all fund this?”
I guess that part escaped most of our minds …

the answer to that was, funds are only raised through donations and the sales of SABM merchandise- such as the T-shirts and badges.

So someone suggested “let’s get a donation box going!” and most chipped in generously.

Food for thought:
It seemed very appropriate when a member of the audience suggested it, but I’m not quite sure it would have been very nice if the organizers started passing the donation box around from the outset.

Some Questions and Suggestions exchanged

 

1) The medium of the roadshow should be in Bahasa or English? According to Mr Jaya, the organizers tried using Bahasa in Penang, and it did not work out too well.

I think a healthy mix of both would be fine. Since all screenings are subtitled, they are not a problem. Also, since the whole event is videotaped, SABM can store it in their website archive for people to download, and subtitled inserted where appropriate. That way, the topics discussed in coming roadshows can by dynamic and continuously evolving, since the public can refer to previous topics online, or through CDs.

alternatively, when the public registers for the roadshow, probably the organizers can ask them to include the preferred language medium- and they can adjust the presentation accordingly, at different localities.

2) The time- someone felt the whole roadshow was too long. It should be more concise, and to the point.

 

I THINK- each topic attracts different people - the length may be maintained, but have a thorough overview of each topic/ event of presentation and let the audience decide which particular event attracts them, and they can come for that.

That said, The Q&A session should be right after each presentation, with a review at the end of the day. Lumping it all at the end of the roadshow risks the presenter being not around, or the audience that sat for that event has already left.

Probably SABM can have a FAQ section on understanding MALAYSIA on their website too.

Having the recordings also solve part of the problem.

3) Another interesting question was: Can the Voter’s vote be tracked by the SPR?
The answer – IT SHOULD NOT HAPPEN. Haris himself found a polling officer scribbling something down when he was registering to vote, he confronted him and the guy tried to downplay it. Haris remained firm and said- “if its nothing, erase it now “

I THINK – many Aunties and Uncles fear for their safety, and Ricebowls. They are not assured that their votes are not tracked, and they do not know the consequence should it occur. I guess, “it should not happen” is not a good enough answer for many, as their concerns lie with “what if it does”. I don’t know the answer- and I’ll let the organizers answer this.

4) It appears this roadshow only appeals to the educated professionals, how can the roadshow appeal to kampong-folk, and would they be interested?

The panellists’ answer
- kampong folk may be more enlightened and brave compared to urban folk, and
Haris cited a very humorous example!
- They are going for roadshows all over the country, the next one- February 6 in Ipoh
- the public can help by urging their relatives, friends and colleagues to attend the
roadshows slated to happen in other parts of the country.
- if there is a kenduri/ wedding somewhere in Sekinchan/ Sungai Petani- try to gather round the community over there and do ask the organizers to make an appearance.. they will definitely try to make it there
- The audience can pass what they learned from the roadshow to their friends, and the campaign to “balik kampong bawa berita” must go on to enlighten the masses who have been brainwashed by the mainstream media. SABM and the bloggers will be coming up with printable articles that the public can bring home during festive seasons- this coming CNY is a good opportunity. Let the atuks and neneks read the articles from the MSM and the alternative source and make their own comparison.

I THINK- THIS IS GREAT! I have nothing to add :-)

5) “How to appeal to the masses.” “All the talk is great- but not all can relate the problem to their rice bowl and thus not many are keen to act”. -Others don’t know how to act.

 

The proposed solution offered by members of the floor - Make the presentation more related to the public’s everyday life- make the examples heartfelt, “it could happen to you”, relatable

For SABM to list down the 10 things for people to do- easy simple things that can help spread the message.

I THINK-
- 10 tahun sebelum merdeka did a good job of comparing the effect of the People’s Constitution in comparison with our current Constitution
- Interfaith Dialogues to follow up on the discussion on religion
- Art Harun’s discourse of the Constitution’s articles- how does it relate to our current issues.. why should we be concerned, what are SABM’s following up action- proposing an amendment to the constitution? This is a good time to garner support
- Haris Ibrahim told us that by supporting the rallies we are making a difference. Many Chinese (I feel ashamed for my brethren) are not willing to put their necks out on the chopping board, they try to avoid trouble… how to change this mentality? Is there any other way for the public to show their support for a cause… something more concrete than a petition but less ‘risky’ than a demonstration?
- Mr Jayanath- try to beef up the presentation so that many Malaysians feel the warmth of the country, that patriotism isn’t that demanding, that we can make things happen—give examples of things that we MADE HAPPEN, so that people are inspired. Once again- the Chinese have the tendency to abandon ship when there’s any signs of failure… utterly ashamed of this: How do I convince them that we are not a lost cause?
- Q&A: before the start of the Q&A: the Mc can probably recap the questions from previous roadshows, so the audience would be aware of overlap.

 

6) This will be my section on the whole event, probably some repeats what I have mentioned above, briefly

The Good:
 The event was a success! My estimated audience turnout was aroud 300 people
 The panellists were good! The content was good! We learnt a lot


The Bad
 The hall arena was air-conditioned, but just behind it, some members of the audience and some of the organizers smoked… that wasn’t very nice. My dad was wondering whether I have a newfound habit when he caught a whiff

How to make it better:
- More details on the content of the speakers, to interest the public
- Topics should have clear goals and objectives,
- Q&A should be after each event, with a concluding Q&A session at the end
- Based on this Q&A- an FAQ section can be posted on the SABM website, thus avoiding repeats
- The screen at the Chinese assembly hall was small, but most likely it couldn’t be helped.
- Depending on the location and venue- ushers may be needed to fill up the blank space
- The anti-ISA booth and voter registration booth was in a cramped position, also I don’t think the organizers had a choice
- Attendees really shouldn’t smoke in a non-smoking area
- To encourage people to vote- cite concrete examples on how important each individual vote is. Have simple calculations of “what could have been” in so many states? Let the voters do the math and know what influence and power they could have. I’m only one person- why should I matter is a mentality that must be tackled with in so many different issues- Global Warming, Recycling, Voting, Rukun Tetangga, Gotong-royong… Let everyone come up with suggestions on how to address this.



Finally I want to congratulate the organizers for doing such a great job!!
Thank you guys for giving your time, money and energy for such a noble cause.
It will not be thankless, and we will help see the effort through~
Because of you, MALAYSIA IS NOT A LOST CAUSE.

 

 

 

P.s- Let us all help to promote the subsequent roadshows!

Great Roadshow- Forum not to be Missed!

Think that our country is sinking?
That every other word is sensitive nowadays?
Think that something should and can be done?

Well, you're in luck coz

Saya Anak Bansa Malaysia is on a roll with another road show, This time in Klang Valley!

Topics and Speakers on the day include:

The founding of the Nation, The truth
Fahmi Reza, Art Harun

Human beings, all born free and equal
Jahaberdeen Mohd Yunoos
Sivin Kit

Nation in Distress?

Did we let it happen?
Haris Ibrahim

This is my home. I care. I want to make it better.
Jayanath Appudurai

In the tradition of SABM, do please bring along a friend of another race!

Date 23 Jan Saturday
Time 2pm

To register
Call 03-2095-0435 12pm-7pm
or email events@sayaanakbangsamalaysia.net

for more info, click here


Note the difference with between Jibby's 1Malaysia, here

if you ask me; One's an effort through the heart, another's a half-baked farce

This is just so beautiful .. Saya Anak Bangsa Malaysia :-)

After what transpired some time ago at Section 23 left a sour taste in our mouths...

I feel so glad to see damage control is actually underway... in the form of visiting the hindu temple in question by Haris Ibrahim and gang...

http://harismibrahim.wordpress.com/2009/09/07/the-beautiful-malay/

It just touches me that such a simple move in such a time can mean so much...

remember that the UMNO goons who orchestrated the protest that day... they never apologized. Not one bit. And no remedial action were done by them to ease the tension.. if fact they brought the tension up a notch by the uncivilised behaviour shown at the problem solving session held by the Selangor government to find a solution...

Let's leave that episode behind, and move on...

There are many beautiful Malays in our Midst... Haris Foremost, Zaid Ibrahim, hat's off to him...Marina Mahathir; a bow to her.....

and the many well mannered muslim folk who themselves divulged that...

"who are we to complain about the relocation of the temple?
We have our Azan five times a day and our neighbours take it in their stride while we protest over the chiming of the bells of the temple?
Do they not have rights too?"

This is the kind of attitude we need.. understanding, empathy and sharing... only then can there be hope for our beloved country... And that is the spirit behind the Saya Anak bangsa Initiative by Haris...

I can't say the same for the 1Malaysia thingy by Najib... its too frought with contradiction and irony...

Either way.. let us feel grateful that there will always be clear minded people in the midst of the confused crowd... let us follow their lead and make Malaysia a better place!

Happy Hari Malaysia come 16th of September!

1 Malaysia, My foot

No I'm not making a mockery of this supposedly (yes, supposedly) Noble Cause.

Not when the people pushing for it are making a mockery of it themselves!

Espousing Racial Unity while encouraging Ethnic Divide..

Is Hypocrisy part and parcel of BN's existence?

this plunging of the knife, deepening the gorge that exist between Malaysians has been the only thing they know ever since the 1990's. Its their only reflex, their only defense mechanism, their only strategy.

So blatant is this that traces of it are everyday in UTUSAN and BERITA HARIAN, lesser in the Star, but also in quite a few chinese dailies.

Everything political event will be given a spin, every white cloth given a dye.

and worst of all... this 1malaysia thingy, is a stolen Idea from Haris Ibrahim's Anak Bangsa Malaysia Initiative... the first movement to push the bangsa Malaysia concept along..

This hypocrisy is getting on my nerves.


This article is by Ktemoc

Malay language mainstream media's racist game - will Najib ever speak up?

Sim Kwang Yang wrote a fine article in Malaysiakini titled The Umno dilemma.

He talked about PM Najib being aware of the new mood of the electorate, and of the Pakatan offering the rakyat the Ketuanan Rakyat as a far more attractive and inclusive alternative to UMNO’s Ketuanan Melayu.

Najib, as Sim observed, attempted to meet the new mood by making and managing the required change to his advantage, in offering a new political ideology to win back the middle ground.

As Sim said: Najib immediately announced plans for Umno's reform. The top party leadership was to be elected directly by the grass-root members in future, to eradicate money politics during party election, a measure that was first mooted by Ku Li.

He then proposed a series of 'liberalisations', and created the new old 1Malaysia slogan. Sloganeering is part and parcel of Malaysian politics, and gullible middle-ground Malaysians with a tendency for wishful-thinking are particularly susceptible to it.

For a while, it looked like the new Najib administration did have a fresh new mask to change the public perception of Umno.

But alas, as Sim noticed: Usually, when the Umno ... boss comes up with a new slogan, you hear it being echoed ad infinitum down the line by leaders at various levels like loyal parrots.
This time though, the various proposals by the new PM were welcome by a deafening silence from his own people.
The only voice was the stinging remark by the former PM Dr Mahathir Mohaham, reiterating Umno's communal ideology, as if to rebuke Najib's 1Malaysia policy.

This is significant. Utusan Malaysia, the bastion of Umno propaganda machinery and official organ of Umno ideology, was seen soon after to make every political issue into racial one, from Teoh Beng Hock's death, to the anti-ISA mass rally on Aug 8.

So, it shouldn’t be surprising to see provocative pieces coming out from the UMNO (perhaps no longer Najib's) controlled media, such as the recent sh*t-stirring invocation to Malays to have a bit of balls and stand up to those arrogant rapacious ‘nons’.

That such seditious incitement of the 'Malays are cowards' article was permitted to be published without a peep from Najib would point to either his complicity in or his helplessness against the insidious untuk bangsa clarion call, the latter case notwithstanding his claim to be a warlord of UMNO.

UMNO die-hards believe that the ethno-centric clarion call could re-marshal the faithful and perhaps more back its keris-ed banner. The by-election results in both Bukit Gantang and Manek Urai seem to support this belief.

Today, another of those seditious incitements published in Berita Harian, was picked up by The Malaysian Insider, titled Kaitan demonstrasi, kempen hentam Melayu — Abdul Rahman Sulaiman

It said: Sesiapa saja yang mengikuti gelagat politik DAP akhir-akhir ini akan dapat mengesan satu pola yang lebih mirip atau menjurus ke arah satu kempen atau gerakan terancang memburukkan kepemimpinan atau institusi Melayu.
Quick tranlation: Observers of DAP would have seen in its politics a pattern of campaigning to belittle Malay leaders and institutions.
Yes, we've heard that one before when the demands for MACC to account for a death in custody.

I need only paste here the article's last three paragraphs for you to see what the article has inflammatorily argued as the DAP's Malay bashing campaign, a swift escalation of the earlier ‘Malays are cowards’ instigation:

Adalah dipercayai bahawa pembabitan dalam demonstrasi menentang ISA pada Sabtu lalu juga sebahagian daripada kempen menghentam Melayu itu dalam erti kata kerajaan yang dijadikan sasaran dianggap sebagai kerajaan Melayu.

Malangnya, strategi berkenaan nyata meleset apabila sebahagian besar pembabitan terdiri daripada orang Melayu sehingga ada di kalangan mereka berasa diperbodohkan penganjur.

Sampai bila kempen menghentam Melayu ini akan diteruskan? Apakah Melayu sanggup membiarkan persepsi bahawa yang malas itu Melayu, yang rasuah itu Melayu dan yang bodoh itu Melayu berterusan tanpa penyudah?

Expect Najib to remain silent on this racist incitement.
Obviously UMNO believes in pursuing its untuk bangsa strategy, which has been why DPM Muhyiddin had described Anwar Ibrahim as a traitor to the Malay race, while the UMNO mouthpieces like Utusan has termed PAS as a tool of the DAP to divide and rule the Malays.

But alas, despite that insult to PAS, people like Dr Hassan Ali and the Kulim Wonder have one way or another convinced UMNO it’s on the right (racist) path.

Sim termed his article The UMNO Dilemma because (as he wrote):

... the racial tirade is also revealing. It shows the inability of Umno to create a new narrative to meet the changing reality of Malaysia. When provoked into action, their reflex reaction is to revert back to the tired, archaic, irrelevant, fossilised and outdated, discourse of their past.

In effect, their racial discourse can only please the believers, but will do nothing to win over converts from the non-believers. It will alienate the Chinese and the Indians even more, thereby negating all BN effort to win back the middle ground.

It all goes to show how hard it is for an old political party that is used to enjoying political hegemony to reform itself when it is on the decline. Simply put, Umno is full of too many warlords with too much political baggage and too much vested interests. It has become like a dinosaur with a small head and a huge body, that finds it simply too sluggish to move anywhere, metaphorically.

Well fine, but where’s the dilemma?

Sim also wrote:

They see the various races as monolithic entities going at one another's throat. Apparently, they are stuck in the time capsule of the 1960s. In reality, there are no such monolithic racial entities. The social economic changes in the country in the past decades have allowed the various ethnic entities to evolve into very complex, diverse, and multi-layered organisms.

I looked at dramatic images of the mostly Malay police force beating down on the mostly Malay anti-ISA protestors, and I see the deep wound inflicted by Umno on the Malay soul. Such a scene was unthinkable mere decades ago!

malaysiakini photo

In short, political propaganda must fit some of the reality of lived experience. The chief worry of the Malay men and women, especially those in the urban centres of Malaysia, is the task of keeping or seeking a good job, rising price hikes in all things necessary for basic daily living, avoiding criminals, and the children's education.

In this struggle for survival, many see the government as the culprit of their sufferings, and not the Chinese or the Indians, who suffer alongside them.

I'll be kind to Najib and give him the benefit of the doubt and say, maybe he sees what Sim has said, that in this struggle for survival, many see the government as the culprit of their sufferings, and not the Chinese or the Indians, who suffer alongside them, but alas, obviously not Muhyiddin Yassin and many other top UMNO leaders.

And what do those mutes stung by hornets, namely MCA, Gerakan, MIC, and PPP, have to say?

end of article

http://ktemoc.blogspot.com/2009/08/malay-language-mainstream-medias-racist.html

A Must Read. Period.

Reading articles like these always make me feel justified for recommending the Sun newspaper to everyone. (www.sun2surf.com)

the articles are neutral, and the comments by the like of Citizen Nades, Nuri Vittachi are all constructive, sensible and pack a punch. And this article, by Yeo Yang Poh published on Monday, 3rd August 09.. is another stellar piece that makes you think and concur.

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WHY march, when the government has said that it will review the Internal Security Act? Why march, when there are other very cosy ways of giving your views and feedback?

One would understand if these were questions posed by nine-year-olds. But they are not. They are questions posed by the prime minister of this nation we call our home. Answer we must. So, why?

Because thousands who died while in detention cannot march or speak any more. That is why others have to do it for them. Because persons in the corridors of power, persons who have amassed tremendous wealth and live in mansions, and persons who are in the position to right wrongs but won’t, continue to rule our nation with suffocating might. And they certainly would not march. They would prevent others from marching.

Because the have-nots, the sidelined, the oppressed, the discriminated and the persecuted have no effective line to the powerful. Because the nice ways have been tried ad nauseam for decades, but have fallen on deaf ears. Because none of the major recommendations of Suhakam (including on peaceful assembly), or of the commissions of inquiry, has been implemented.

Because the proposed Independent Police Complaints and Misconduct Commission (IPCMC) is not in sight, while corruption and insecurity live in every neighbourhood; and (despite reasoned views expressed ever so nicely in opposition) Rela (people’s volunteer corps) is being brought in to make matters even worse. The proponents in “Su Qiu” (remember them?) were not marchers. In fact it is hard to find nicer ways than “su qiu”, because the term means “present and request” or “inform and request”. In terms of putting forward a view or a request, it is the height of politeness.

Yet they were labelled “extremists” – they who did not march. And now you ask, why march? Because you gave non-marchers a false name! You called them the “silent majority”, who by virtue of their silence (so you proudly argued with twisted logic) were supporters of government policies since they were not vocal in raising objections.

You claimed to be protecting the interest of the “silent majority”. Now some of them do not want to be silent anymore, and you are asking why? Yes, because double standards and hypocrisy cannot be covered up or explained away forever; and incompetence cannot be indefinitely propped up by depleting resources.

Because cronyism can only take care of a few people, and the rest will eventually wake up to realise the repeated lies that things were done in certain ways purportedly “for their benefit”. Because the race card, cleverly played for such a long time, is beginning to be seen for what it really is – a despicable tool to divide the rakyat for easier political manipulation.

Because it does not take much to figure out that there is no good reason why Malaysia, a country with abundant human resources and rich natural resources, does not have a standard of living many times higher than that of Singapore, an island state with no natural resources and that has to import human resources from Malaysia and elsewhere. Because, in general, countries that do not persecute marchers are prosperous or are improving from their previous state of affairs, and those that do are declining.

Because Gandhi marched, Mandela marched, Martin Luther King marched, and Tunku Abdul Rahman marched. Because more and more people realise that peaceful assemblies are no threat at all to the security of the nation, although they are a threat to the security of tenure of the ruling elite.

Because politicians do not mean it when they say with a straight face or a smile that they are the servants and that the people are the masters. No servant would treat his master with tear gas, batons and handcuffs. Because if the marchers in history had been stopped in their tracks, places like India, Malaysia and many others would still be colonies today, apartheid would still be thriving in South Africa, Nelson Mandela would still be scribbling on the walls of Cell 5, and Obama would probably be a slave somewhere in Mississippi plotting to make his next midnight dash for the river.

And because liberty, freedom and dignity are not free vouchers posted out to each household. They do not come to those who just sit and wait. They have to be fought for, and gained. And if you still want to ask: why march; I can go on and on until the last tree is felled. But I shall obviously not. I will end with the following lines from one of the songs sung in the 1960s by civil rights marchers in the US, without whom Obama would not be able to even sit with the whites in a bus, let alone reside in the White House:

“It isn’t nice to block the doorway It isn’t nice to go to jail There are nicer ways to do it But the nice ways have all failed It isn’t nice; it isn’t nice You’ve told us once, you’ve told us twice But if that’s freedom’s price We don’t mind ...”

(Yeo Yang Poh is a former Bar Council president.)
_____________________________________________________

April 7 elections--They lie They Cheat They steal...

- Main Busuk

Recently we heard from the MSM that MAFREL ....

MAFREL NOT ALLOWED TO ESCORT BALLOT BOX TOGETHER WITH SPR OFFICIALS FROM POLLING CENTRE TO COUNTING CENTRE.
..Mafrel and political parties agents can only follow separately with their own transportations.

AND MORE Importantly
Mafrel observers are also denied to witness the important counting process.

that's allowing more loopholes to be exploited by the ruling coalition than there are potholes in KL.

Then theres the plague of Phantom voters that have infested Our elections for too long. PAS supporters have often blocked the buses ferrying these ghosts from reaching polling centres in Kelantan. But it's harder to do when you've got POLICE (independent body?) escorting (yes! nanny /Bodyguards for the phantom voters) them.

Now they even have decoy buses to divert the limited resources of PR. Some of the spectres magically vanish before the buses are stopped..

The situation in Bukit Selambau reveals all...
______________________________________________________

Suspected cars with Pengundi Hantu


12.00pm from BS - Taman Ria 1 bus pengundi hantu. Taman Ria Jaya 4 buses. All suspected phantom voters. Indian driver. Passengers can’t be located. Suspected that some have already been despatched.

11.22 from BS - Suspected 1 more bus of hantu at Bandar Baru.

11.21 from BS - Police escorted bus all the way to Gurun. Bus at balai polis Gurun. 1 PKR rep allowed in. Gate to the balai polis closed. 22 people in front of the balai polis.

10.55am from BS - Nanda and Ariff following 1 bus pengundi hantu from Bukit Lembu to Sg Lalang. Police car escorting front and back of bus.



___________________________________________

How do they 'create' phantom voters? By buying the IC's of voters for a price then telling them not to turn up during polling day. They ICs are given to individuals from other states but are under the payroll of you-know-who.

The following is an example of how it is carried out.
______________________________________
April 6

We got word today that marine police had been intimidating the fishermen operating illegally in Kuala Sepetang.

Seems they were asked to disclose their ic numbers and to not turn up at the polling stations tomorrow.

_____________________

For the latest election results, click the following links

Bukit Selambau
Batang Ai
Bukit Gantang

At 'press time', PR is leading in BS and BG.. but lost BI.

BN Pulling out all the stops...?

... Or is it plugging all the leaks?

Imagine a boat ridiculously ridden with holes yet the crew defiantly tries to paddle on.

Miles away from land, they knew this would not come to pass if they took the journey to Bolehland seriously and mended every leak the moment it sprung up.

But they were too caught up with merrymaking to give a hoot about the boat's condition.




Now unceremoniously jolted awake by the ice cold water gushing in, they were at a loss and proceeded to jam their thumbs into the holes.

In the hope that they'll reach land? No, they couldn't care less... they just wanted to go on merrymaking till the cows come home.

BN has tried to do damage control... by averting the attention of the people away from the shenanigans of Khir Toyo, from the absurdities of the Ali Rustam Fiasco, and desperately trying to win the by-elections.

The played up the Sultan's issue in Bukit Gantang to sway the votes of the malays. 'Penderhaka'!!!, they called PR, their short memories unable to recall just a year ago UMNO-folk staged a street protest against the Sultan of Terengganu's decision to elect Ahmad Said as the Menteri Besar. They of course didn't have an inkling it was them who engineered the constitutional amendment to strip the sultans' immunity. That's what too much merry-making does to you.

In fact, Khir toyo was having fun all they way to Orlando Disneyland using public funds! and he brought his maid along!!!

http://resonating-ripple.blogspot.com/2009/03/star-nst-utusan-berita-harian.html

http://malayscandals.blogspot.com/2009/04/khir-toyo-disneyland-scandal.html

To placate the Chinese, they dangled the carrot of having a Chinese Deputy Prime Minister. Shall that come to pass? Another Sleight of Hand to distract the masses... Another plastic carrot whisked out whenever the burdened beast(rakyat) can take no more? Why choose this opportune moment to drop this bomb? What about an Indian Deputy?

Releasing the ISA detainees including 2 of the Hindraf 5 is a desperate attempt to garner the affection of the Indians within the country. But do we realize with each Premier's transition this wayang kulit plays out? Political detainees are let out like a burst dam then slowly stuffed back in? If Najib is indeed sincere in his effort, he should abolish the act
Who knows when the 13 will be fettered again?
In Bolehland you can be jailed for your own protection ( Reporter Tan Hoon Cheng)
You can be cuffed up in front of your house if you're 30 minutes EARLY for court proceedings (you get this service only if you're from the opposition-lah)

These are mere acts running up to April the 7th. See through the disguise... Election promises have just the tendency to evaporate as soon as they take form.

When the sailors are tired of merrymaking.. they may just abandon ship.
What then, happens to us?

The Star, NST, Utusan, Berita Harian deafeningly silent?

PNSB gave BALKIS RM 5 Million

PERMODALAN NEGERI SELANGOR BERHAD Is the State owned Company in which the ex-president was the MB of Selangor
(Khir toyo[l])

The Ex-President of Badan Kebajikan Isteri-isteri Wakil Rakyat Selangor (Balkis) is the
wife of Khir toyo
Datin Seri Zaharah

Does that sound remotely Wrong to you?

In the last five years PNSB has given BALKIS RM 5’190’000.

Source from Executive director of PNSB
Y.Bhg Datin Hajjah Khairiyah Bt. Abu Hassan

In a hearing by SELCAT (Select Committee on Competence, Accountability and Transparency) on misappropriation and misuse of funds by BALKIS.

This is on top of Given by
RM958000 Selangor Economic Development Body
RM673000 Darul Ehsan Company
RM450000 Selangor Government
RM46000 Selangor Agricultural Development Body

Totalling at RM 2’127’000

With grand total of RM 7’317’000 given to BALKIS in 5 years

And that’s not all of it, we wait with baited breath of further exposes.

What is the problem here you ask?
All that money comes from taxes that we pay

Why does the Wife’s Club of Selangor Enjoy such Sponsorship?
And the bigger question What did they do with the money?

The answer will of course be ...
Shopping, Country Hopping, Food, Parties.
A suit for Khir Toyo worth RM 3600 as a gift for officiating a ceremony
RM 140’000 to pay for a mass wedding
Etc etc etc

If only the details can be widely published

A paltry sum of RM 50000+ was given as aid to Cambodia to give credence to the name of ‘badan kebajikan’. During which nearly RM 25000 were spent on paying for the BALKIS delegates’ bed and board and the cost for hiring a film Crew.

Well In the meantime theStar and NST, Government controlled Newspapers have ‘conveniently’ avoided reporting this finding to the public.

On March 8th BALKIS transferred out its coffers amounting to RM9.9 Million to BAKTI (Badan Amal dan Kebajikan Tenaga Isteri-isteri Menteri) to prevent the money from going to the incoming government

An online search for related news on the SELCAT findings on UTUSAN MALAYSIA and BERITA HARIAN turned up blank too!
So called unbiased reporting!

How did I arrive on the news then? Via Guang Ming Daily.

Bumiputeras Under threat.

Why is this post tagged as a political post?
Because It's against the
"mempertahankan hak-hak bumiputera" rhetoric of BN

As I said before in the previous post
Mempertahankan Hak Hak bumiputera (link)

It's absolutely against the much proclaimed slogan that "the NEP, the many lopsided policies and deals our government has schemed are for the benefit of the 'bumiputera'". It is a shallow and transparent lie... as not only all strata of the society are marginalized. some are downright downtrodden.. while people like the former MB of Selangor Khir Toyol who are ethnically Javanese and are recent migrants to Tanah Melayu are given exulted status. You can see his many shenanigans here...

Khir Toyol Busted

then spare a moment to think..... that why are people like him allowed to prosper and our own Native Malaysians fester?


These real indigenous people of the land are always under threat, bullied and forced to bow down to the combined might of plantation conglomerates and grubby handed politicians who approve all the plantation projects, hydroelectric Dams knowing full well the land is under customary rights...rightfully belonging to the "Orang Asal".

Read the following article by Norle Grace Mercado
________________________
Sarawak in East Malaysia is part of the Borneo Island that harbours one of the last remaining rainforests in Asia.

It is also home to the Dayaks (indigenous people), who comprise almost 60% of this largest Malaysian state’s population, and who have inhabited these rainforests and adjoining lands for generations – through the traditional governance system that has existed long before any foreigner set foot on their lands, ensuring the rights of the people over lands and the usage of lands.

However, today, these majority Dayaks have got marginalised in their own native places and their lands have forcibly been taken over for palm oil plantations by the government as well as by private companies and corporations.

This has jeopardised the survival of the Dayaks in Sarawak, and is also leading to the decimation of rainforests and their replacement by mono-culture plantations of oil palms. Worse, the people’s demands for justice have been met with use of force and legal actions against them by the state or at the behest of the plantation owners.

As many as 170 cases have been registered against the indigenous people. This is clear violation of the Native Customary Rights of the people. The land disputes also violate the UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples which states:

‘Indigenous peoples have the rights to own, use, develop and control the lands, territories and resources that they possess by reason of traditional ownership or other traditional occupation or uses, as well as those which they have otherwise occupied.’

In April 2008, an International Fact Finding Mission (FFM) comprising an eminent judge from India and civil society members from Thailand and the US visited the state of Sarawak to look into the alleged violations of the people’s native rights and privileges.

The mission visited about 70 villages in south, central and north Sarawak, talked to over 800 people individually or collectively and collected evidences of people’s traditional ownership of the lands there.

The evidences prompted the mission to deduce that while people have pre-established rights over land, which have been recognised by the federal court of Malaysia, these are not recognised as such by the executive body on ground.

It has also been found that in cases where communities have been party to giving their land to oil palm plantations, the plantation owners have rarely honoured their agreements with the people. The cases documented by the IFFM are contrary to the principles of the Roundtable on Sustainable Palm Oil as well.

Moreover, IFFM noted that palm oil plantations are being expanded at a rapid pace and there are strong prospects of corporations going for agro-fuel, which will only worsen the state of the indigenous people in particular and the rainforests in general.

____________________________

We must stand up for such blatant injustice.
Not only are our cousins over the south china sea affected..
the many orang asli staying in the peninsula...

From those in Pahang to the Orang Jahai of Perak... all are being marginalized.

But these Malaysians are strong and they have a backbone... unlike many of our low-class politicians screwing up our country.

They fend for themselves well but the odds are stacked against them..
to show support, please visit

www.coac.org
http://www.foodsov.org/html/petition12.php

I thank you all for being considerate for our fellow Malaysians suffering in their own land.

Chinese: Loving PAS over UMNO anytime? Learn more about PAS? (Facebook)

This is a Note entry from my Facebook post which I forgot to put up :-)

____________________________________

UMNO is a communal organization- it used to strive for the betterment of the Malay Society.
Now it strives for the betterment of its members only, with the top crop clinching everything leaving only scraps for those in the lower rungs. UMNOputras gain shamelessly from the schemes that they plot however the large section of Malays are blinded into believing that UMNO is doing something for them when most of them are left exactly where they are 30 years ago.

PAS as a state government has been fair to all whereas the same cannot be said about BN governed states. Yup, we may see less progress from Kelantan but It is mostly because the Federal Gov. has withheld funds to the opposition state... much like what it did to Penang -- scrapping the Penang monorail project and draining out its funds...

Now, a moment to learn a little bit More about PAS

PAS has two bandwagons. The Erdogan and the Ulamas. The Erdogan, that Nizar belongs to wants to take PAS more to the centre and make it more multicultural, inclusive and even secular to a degree - with an emphasis on a welfare state. A welfare state vision and that of what the centre-left DAP wants is very similiar.

With Nizar, we further give power, credibility and confidence to the Erdogan bandwagon and also contribute to a stronger opposition. This is UMNO's worse nightmare: a more multicultural PAS that operates more from the centre. Mind you that operating form here, does not mean they have to leave behind some of their conservative values.

The Erdogan bandwagon of PAS realises that only with the support of the Chinese and Indians, can they ever be a viable alternative. Even many Malays middle class Malays have this similiar view, especially in developed states like Selangor and Perak.

Maybe we Chinese are more concerned about the restrictions on alcohol and gambling but really will it affect us as much as we think it will? It really isn't that bad... Just ask why the Chinese in Terengganu vote for PAS over BN. Hudud laws or not, generally we non-muslims are not affected.

I used to critical of PAS but Having seen what a credible leader they can churn out-- in the form of Nizar Jamaluddin... I'm starting to shift my allegiances!

At the end of the day my views may be too ideal, I may have too lofty a notion but then lets just have it as food for thought.

Ky. with help from anonymous...

Hypocrites in UMNO claiming Moral high ground over Elizabeth wong's case- my foot!

For the Full Report... Aisehman
Thanks for the eye opener!


Here's the menantu of someone important.



Here's a particular someone who loved to menghunus keris

Mempertahankan hak bumiputra- ketuanan bumiputra

Sebagaimana yang diketahui, NEP diwujudkan untuk meningkatkan status sosial Bumiputra di negara ini dan sebagaimana yang diketahui, hanya segelintir daripada rakyat biasa yang meraih faedah daripada agenda ini.

Bagi kebanyakan masyarakat bumiputra, yang miskin kekal miskin manakala yang kaya terus mengumpulkan harta benda atas sebab mereka merupakan UMNOputra dan bukan 'sekadar bumiputra biasa'

Sebenarnya NEP yang sepatutnya merapatkan jurang social antara penduduk ini telah mendalamkan lagi jurang tersebut. Dan sekiranya orang Melayu sendiri tidak meraih faedah daripada Polisi polisi kerajaan Barisan Nasional,

Bagaimana pula bagi golongan bumiputra pra-Tanah Melayu? Pernahkah terfikirkan hak hak mereka? Orang aslilah yang menetap di Tanah ini sebelum Kesultanan Melaka tetapi tidak pernah hak hak mereka dipertahankan. Merekalah Bumiputra yang sebenar dan asli tetapi merekalah yang paling dipinggirkan dan diabaikan.

Mereka dibuli dan digertak... DIpergunakan oleh Kerajaan yang merampas tanah milik pusaka, dibuli oleh Industri pembalakan yang menceroboh ke kawasan suci mereka dan tindakan Industri ini disokong oleh Kerajaan BN yang tidak berperikemanusiaan disebabkan sogokan wang ringgit. Lebih teruk lagi di sabah dan Sarawak, anak anak dara penduduk peribumi dirogol oleh pekerja industri pembalakan dan pihak polis biarkan sahaja tanpa sebarang siasatan. Inikah dianggap Adil?

Apakah Barisan Nasional telah lakukan untuk Bumiputra di Negara ini selain menghulurkan tangan dan seterusnya terus masukkan ke dalam poket sendiri?

Bandingkanlah dengan pihak Pakatan Rakyat di Perak yang dalam masa singkat 10 bulan telah mengembalikan keadilan ke atas Bumiputra negara ini. Inilah kerajaan yang patut disanjung kerana mempertahankan hak hak bumiputra dan hak hak rakyat dan bukan sekadar mengeluarkan omong omong kosong semata mata- seperti mana yang diperlakukan oleh UMNO.

• As Menteri Besar, Datuk Seri Mohd Nizar Jamaluddin cancelled all logging and plantation activities in Orang Asli settlements around Gopeng that were affecting more than 2000 Orang Asli.

• YB Sivanesan announced the return of approximately 400 acres of Orang Asli ancestral land to the Orang Asli that had been earmarked for logging activities by the previous government in Mukim Teja near Gopeng.

• The State Government announced the return of approximately 500 acres of Orang Asli ancestral land to the Orang Asli of Kampung Chang Sungai Gepai in Bidor, which had been earmarked for a Botanical Garden by the previous government.

• A special task force on Orang Asli land rights was set up to formally recognise all Orang Asli customary land in Perak. The task force committee comprises two tiers. The second tier is exclusively managed by the Orang Asli communities themselves, and meeting halls in the State Secretariat building are provided to the Orang Asli for their use.

• The Administration commissioned a special Orang Asli Officer for the state of Perak whose function is to resolve all problems of the Orang Asli within the state.

• A series of consultations with the public and NGOs on development activities in Ipoh has been held. For example, public opinion was sought in relation to the proposed development of Yau Tet Shin Market.

• Both Malay and Chinese residents of new villages and Kampung Tersusun are now being granted permanent land titles in stages.

Dan fikirkan ini... tiada Wakil Rakyat Orang Asli dalam Kerajaan negeri Perak tetapi hak hak mereka tetap dijaga dengan baik. Pihak Media yang dikawal oleh BN sering melontarkan fitnah terhadap Pakatan Rakyat mengatakan bahawa mereka hanya mementingkan hak hak orang Cina dan India dan mengabaikan golongan Bumiputra dan hak hak Melayu. INI SEMUANYA FITNAH!

Towards Racial Harmony

that's them sleeping together in the living room.. haha

Racial Politicking must stop.

It's just not feasible and extremely unhealthy for the growth of the country.

When I was small I supported the 'weighing-scales' for it symbolizes balance and harmony.

The older I grew the more I saw the truth behind the banners and flags.

Come elections I shudder at the sight of string and strings of political flags spread across traffic lamps and fences.

I was muddled....

Now past 21 it became more and more clear...

There is no best government- Barisan or Pakatan.
What we need is check and balance. No party should hold the reigns of the government for too long or else corruption and mismanagement will set in.

BN has been holding on for 51 years and counting. Yes there has been progress but recently the coalition has poised itself for a nosedive, a downward spiral even.
It is not a graceful loser. It isn't that great as a winner as well.

Post March 8 we have seen sour grapes in action where the Penang Monorail project has been shelved because it has fallen to the opposition.

We have seen how it corrupted the election machinery - The case of the indelible ink being scrapped at the very last minute.

We have seen how it has manipulated the media - The mainstream media

The English Media- TheStar and The New Strait Times
The Malay Media- Utusan Melayu (which is almost a subsidiary of UMNO berhad)
The Chinese media even - papers under MCA

where biased views and opinions; half truths and full lies rules the day
- Case in point The Teresa Kok - mosque issue.

Utusan has vehemently pointed all fingers at her for silencing the azan where the issue never arised in the first place. This fact has been clarified by the ulamas themselves clearing her of the accusation but Utusan continued the bombardment.

coverage of Issues which glorify BN are given front page news while the not so pretty side of things are hidden under the rug

Disparaging news about the opposition are splashed on the front page of all BN controlled newspapers. The recent one the departure of a PKR politician is the best example... on the front page of Sunday Star 28th December the blaring title states

RIFT IN PAKATAN

The BN manipulates the security forces, the police - Causing the diversion of the police's civil duties from crime prevention to pre-emptive strikes on the opposition and any dissident voices. Use of ISA on reporters, RPK, opposition politicians, the Hindraf.... Stopping peaceful events like the JERIT cycling campaign, candlelight vigils- approval of use of excessive force during 'enforcement' duties... allowing pro-BN activities to run amok....

the final Straw for me is when BN manipulates the people. Destroying racial harmony, creating ethnic tension by propagating non-existent issues-proclaiming that

Ketuanan Melayu is under attack while people like Raja Petra and Syed Husin Ali clearly stated that they themselves do not comprehend the term Ketuanan Melayu - its a mirage and it definitely isn't under threat.

However racial tensions are not the fault of one individual, group or party
This in one case where the all races are equally guilty..

We have to realise that No one is threatening no one- read Kaum Malaysia Tertindas

However, such problems are worsened by misinformation and purposeful misdirection
Read UMNO's real face

This must not continue- such Schemes benefit no one and we as Malaysians end up losing.

I want to live in a harmonious country. I want my chinese friends to be able to live
under one roof with Malaysians of all colours. These are my housemates in Laman Midah Apartments and we enjoy cooking dinner together, gossiping and trading naughty jabs... Can't the whole country be this way?





That's us practising physical examination on a stuffed cat





Another naughty photo I took of them, if not for our different sleeping times and if the hall was slightly bigger I would be sleeping in one of the blankets too!

Can't this be a common sight?

Let us please boycott acts that drive the wedge deeper.
Let us hold hands to pull out the thorns driven into us by politicians
Let us be free of prejudice and racial bias that indirectly our friends and parents fed us
Let us be open minded and accepting,
Let us attempt to understand and realise that red blood runs in all of us

By Reading news that are neutral - TheSun, Malaysiakini

By learning each other's language, traditions, customs, religion

By Realising that many politicians of today who are self-crowned Champions of race are actually renegades that betray the country and constitution

By Realising that you can speak up and by heard. By choosing your words well, by being neutral, theres so much you can change.

By opening your heart and mind to the truth. And the truth is we can cross the divide.



I may be an island in promoting racial harmony among friends, but I have not given up because I have someone to confide in and share my aspirations. If you are someone who loves this country and wishes for racial harmony, please join hands with me.

Arigato Gozaimasu