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.

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.

Victim of Scam in Puduraya Bus station

All of us are probably not spared from a (rather reluctant) visit to our Capital's (in)famous bus terminal at least once in our lives

Over the years plenty of incidents have happened and over time some have been addressed, though many still remain unresolved...
Touts, Pickpockets (despite the police beat base being set up long time ago.) to count a few.

and one that is occuring right beneath our noses for as long as the station has been operating...

One that all of us has been victim to. 99% I dare say, if not all of us.

Its one where the malay proverb
"Sikit sikit lama lama jadi bukit" applies

30 cents per person
Multiply it a couple of times
And it becomes RM 821250!!

Simple mathematics will tell you how the sum is arrived at

based on my observations at the toilets

30 cents per person
Rate of 10 persons every 5 minutes at normal times
Rate of 10 persons every 2 minutes during peak hours (Even higher on Fridays)

Average that to 200 per hour

15 operating hours per day

30 days per month

12 months a year

0.30 X 200 X 15 X 365 = 328500

Wait.. don't forget there are at least 3 toilets at Pudu

328500 X 2.5 = 821250 per year

That translates to Nett income of 68437.5 per month

PREPOSTEROUS!!!

No matter how you look at it.. let's just say I overestimate by 75 %
821250 X 0.25

Is still 200000
TWO HUNDRED THOUSAND
per year!!!

And despite earning this much, the toilets at pudu raya have absolutely zero maintenance... unless flushing the toilets once a day counts as maintenance. In the mens' on 1st floor noo flushing mechanism exists. What you get is a hole in the wall, where a tank used to be.


Wait.. come to think of it, Don't forget the sales of Tissue paper too!

And to think most of us have no means of avoiding this "scam".



Finally.....

Want to get rich?

Build a toilet today.

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.

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

Worthy reads!- for Malaysia

http://acura86.blogspot.com/2008/08/unsung-heroes-of-merdeka.html

http://www.malaysiakini.com/news/95309

http://www.malaysiakini.com/news/95296

Please boycott the UMNO-backed newspaper UTUSAN for racial harmony! Peace
It's fanning hatred year round.


_________________________________________________________

I'm currently reading

March 8 the day Malaysia woke up- by Kee Thuan Chye

Ethnic relations- By Syed Husein Ali

And will give a review and summary after I gleaned d gems from the books!

Is it a Malaysian culture to litter?- KL's Rubbish. (Cf. UKM's Trash)

In Kuala Lumpur, the City Hall has hit out at irresponsible revellers who littered Jalan Sultan Ismail during the Christmas eve celebration.

City Hall director-general Datuk Salleh Yusup said though the public had a right to party they should not go overboard and dirty the place.

Trash city: Jalan Bukit Bintang practically awash in a sea of rubbish left behind by Christmas revellers.

“We had a tough time clearing the mess left behind by these irresponsible revellers. They obviously do not bother about cleanliness and left the mess for others to clean up.

Thousands of people flocked to Bukit Bintang area on Christmas eve, causing the usually clean area littered with aerosol cans used in the Christmas revelry.

IS IT a MALAYSIAN CULTURE to LITTER?

Let us JERIT for change!

http://www.jerit.org/

remember the blog post on the bukit antarabangsa landslide which featured the top ten most wanted list of the Malaysian Police?

this pretty much confirms it. What insight by eyeswideopen

Here's one of the cyclers comment on what really happened... in contrast to what Khalid, 'respected' chief of police said. read post below

A day that saw an incident free day of cycling took a turn at Rawang . We arrived in Rawang at about 4.30pm. We were supposed to meet up with YB ADUN Rawang, Gan Pei Nei at Rawang Jaya . She and her delegation planned to cycle with the JERIT convoy from there to Rawang town.

But a roadblock greeted us at Rawang . As usual the police requested for names and IC of all the cyclist and coordinator. We intervened and told the police that it is not necessary to record names and addresses of all cyclist as we have a list that we can give it to them. After much argument we took back all the IC of the cyclist and gave the coordinators IC to record . Myself ,Sugu, Saras,Rani ,Mohan gave our IC to be recorded . The IC were returned after recording. But my IC changed hands to another officer .

Soon the police received new directions. The bus was to held and myself and the coordinators were asked to come to the balai . Eventhough we managed to get the cyclist to continue to cycle , but they were stopped again further ahead . As the cyclist met up YB Gan Pei Nei group , they were stopped from cycling to town . After some negotiations by Gan Pei Nei , the convoy proceeded into town . They cycled around Rawang town and stopped at a coffee shop for a drink .

Myself ,Sugu and Saras made our way to the balai polis . At the balai , Saras immediately checked on the 7 junior cyclist in the bus that was brought in to the balai . The police were already intimidating the children, asking them questions. Some officers also asked the cyclist if Dr.Kumar had paid them money to participate in the campaign.They harassed the cyclist who were in the bus . Saras and Sugu intervened and chased out the officers from the bus .

I met up with Gan Pei Nei who then arrived at the balai . We went over to see the OCPD , Abdul Rahim . He was asking the same stupid questions ,whether did we get a permit to cycle. He said ,it does not matter if other OCPD have allowed the cyclist , but we supposedly should have seeked his permission in his district .OCPD instructed all the bicyclist to be brought to the balai . We objected and said that we have given all the names and there was no need to have any statements taken .

Later the OCPD instructed statements to be taken from all the 7 cyclist that were already in the bus. He said that he wanted to verify if there were under aged children being abused . I followed them. Informed the officers that they cannot take statement, and we will not give statement . The cyclist will only give their details only .

Soon all the cyclist were already brought in the balai . Dr.Kumar arrived shortly . I and Dr.Kumar met up with the OCPD . He still insisted that he wanted to take statements from all the cyclist. We showed him that we have consent letters from all the parents . We gave the police a copy . After much negotiations ,we agreed poiice to record details of all the cyclist accompanied by us . As this was going on , I was taken by the OCPD to his room . He explained that he still considered that the event was a procession . He confirmed that I will be charged under Section 27 of the police Act’ illegal assembly’. Kumar also had his statements taken later .

At this moment , we were quite sure that all will be released after giving the details to the police . This was when matters took a turn , when the Selangor CPO arrived , Dato Khalid .

Immediately the CPO ,OCPD and other officers went for taklimat. About an hour later the CPO arrogantly came down and announced that all 50 cyclist and all the 15 coordinators will be arrested . We were gathered at the parking lot. They put a yellow tape around us .All those below 18 years old were separated from the seniors .

By this time a crowd of supporters were already swelling outside the balai . A candle light vigil began . Makkal Sakti slogans and songs were sung . There were also PKR , DAP and PAS members .

The police made arrangements for the welfare officers to take the junior cyclist away .They would be then handed ’safely’ to their parents.

The police went all out to harass us . Edmund Bon , lawyer informed us that the police were going to expel the permit and the driving licences of all the lorry drivers and bas driver. JPJ officials also arrived. They examined the bus , lorry , looking for something to issue summon on .The driving licences and road tax of the lorry and bus were taken away .

As protest outside gathered momentum , a complete battalion of FRU ,Water cannon arrived . The crowd outside carried on chanting and demanding for our release. As they were about to use the water cannon, the rain poured heavily. The police did not use the water cannon .

As rain kept pouring heavily , the car park where all of us who were being detained began flooding . All of us were standing cold in a river of water . We demanded to be shifted out of the parking lot . As usual the police buat tak tahu . Tempers flared . I moved to rip of the yellow police tape and walk out of the parking lot . The rest followed. A fight pursued between us and the police as they were trying to push us back into the parking lot and we were moving out . The officers couldn’t stop us . The Light Strike Force rushed in . They pushed us back with their shield and batons .

The CPO looked and couldn’t do anything . Immediately the police brought all the cyclist below 18 years of age into a dry place at the balai meeting room upstairs .

As this was happening , we were also amazed at the 300 0ver crowd outside that stood in the heavy rain and did not budge . FRU cordoned the police station entrance . The welfare officers couldn’t find a place to take the junior cyclist , thus they stayed at the meeting room . The junior cyclist told the police they refuse being brought away by the welfare officers and they rather remain arrested with the others

At about 2 am , I and Kumar were given the bail sheets . Soon the rest were being taken details and issued bail sheets . Some comrades spent the nite with the junior cyclist at the balai meeting room .

At about 3.30 am all walked out of the balai polis Rawang . It was a eventful nite .

---------------------------

The bukit antarabangsa landslide cover up?土崩事件瞒天过海

I didn't know this as a fact because I have not been reading newspapers. But then again, a hell lotta help it would have been as this is not published in the Malaysian Main stream Media.

Thank you, Eyes Wide Open for Opening my Tightly Closed Lids.

notsleepinganymore.blogspot.com

The following is from MalaysiaKini.

In a frantic attempt to save his wife, a 31-year-old executive was forced to dig through the earth with his bare hands until his fingers bled.
He felt a sense of relief when rescue personnel arrived at the scene. But to his horror, they refused to help him, apart from throwing him a spade.

The startling accusation was made by the family of bukit antarabangsa landslide victim Ng Yee Peng. The startling accusation was made by the family of Ng Yee Ping, a 30-year-old accountant who perished in the Bukit Antarabangsa landslide tragedy on Saturday.


Yee Ping , who delivered a son two months ago, is believed to have died of internal injuries due to broken ribs.

However, Selangor police chief Khalid Abu Bakar came to the defence of the rescue personnel, citing their lack of training as a reason.

Speaking to reporters at the funeral service for Yee Ping yesterday (Monday), her family vented their frustrations claiming that she could still be alive if rescue personnel had acted promptly.

Recounting the ordeal, yee Ping's mother-in-law Wong Sai Mooi said she and her husband had escaped through the second-floor window. She then called out for her two sons.

"I heard my sons reply, I also heard my grandson crying. I felt relieved but did not know that my daughter-in-law was buried alive.

"Then I heard my eldest son (Yee Ping's husband) calling his wife, telling her to remain conscious," she was quoted as saying by China Press.

At this point, Wong (left) said she knew that her daughter-in-law was trapped, but fearing that there could be another landslide, she told her sons to leave the damaged bungalow.

However, yee Ping's husband refused to leave his wife behind, and after handing his newborn son to his brother, he started to dig with his bare hands. His brother later returned to help him.

'They treated her like a dead dog'

After some time, just as they managed to reach the victim's hand, several rescue personnel passed the area. The brothers asked them for help but were told to wait until more personnel arrived.

"Later, a few rescue personnel arrived at the scene but they just threw a spade at (my sons) and did nothing," she alleged, claiming that Yee Ping could still be alive if they had assisted.

"But they didn't (help). (They treated her) like some dead dog or cat. Would they have done the same if one of their family-members was involved?" she asked bitterly.

Wong's husband, Ng Yong Shun, 56, also accused the rescue personnel of looting his house and consuming his expensive wine.

He claimed that when he returned to the house on Sunday morning, he was shocked to discover several men in uniform lying on his bed, smoking and drinking his wine.

"One of them had even asked me whether I still wanted these things, if not I should give it to them. Later, my wife and I examined our safety box and found it opened. Several branded watches and jewellery were missing," he said.

According to Oriental Daily News, Ng said he lost 80 bottles of expensive wine worth RM160,000 and six watches worth RM180,000.

Police chief: 'I don't believe'


Commenting on the accusations yesterday, Khalid said he found it hard to believe that rescue personnel would have acted in such a cold-hearted manner.

"I don't believe that they would sit there and drink alcohol and so on. If there is such a person, could he be seen as a human being?" asked the police chief.

Khalid said the police would meet with the family to gather more information and conduct a thorough probe into the matter.

On the same note, he explained that some rescue personnel who are untrained are not allowed to conduct certain rescue operations.

"You don't expect an ambulance driver to save a buried victim. He is not trained, so if we request untrained personnel for help and they refuse, we shouldn't blame them.

"This is because their lives are in danger too. I think we should respect their decision. To dig and save someone, one has to be trained. For an untrained person, it's a very dangerous task," he said.

Is it a carnival?

Khalid also expressed disappointment with the media for publishing such accounts without verifying the matter with him.

"I hope that before you all write your news, you will consult me first, and make sure such things really happened. Is there anything wrong with that?

"Please, we are working hard here, and you are making it into a situation where people would have a negative impression of us," he told reporters.

Khalid also saw red when quizzed on the 'carnival-like atmosphere' with the abundance of food and other facilities for rescue personnel.

"What do you think? Does it really look like a carnival? If that is the case, you write (what you want), there's no need to ask for my opinion," he thundered.

"Is it a carnival or is the rescue team working hard? If you think it's the former, you just write, it seems you have enough intelligence to comment on it," he added. (Malaysiakini)



-----------------------------------------------------

First and foremost, Look again at the photo of the Police chief. Compare it to this



This guy is the La Habra Police chief, (really just the photo of a 'police chief'- googled). With blood shoot eyes and some measure of intensity- this is the look of someone who smells like smoke because he has been through fire. Nothing less than what is demanded of a high ranking officer.

Now look again at this.


With droopy eyes (lack of sleep from work commitment? I doubt)... More likely from the dullness of his job going after this hit list of Most-wanted-mob-list as directed by our dear ol BN government. (taken from eyeswideopen)

The cop's list of top ten threats to national security (this list was compiled after exhaustive research done by glancing through various news reports):

10: Voters who vote for Pakayan Rakyat
9: Private investigators who make Statutory Declarations
8: People who want fair elections
7: Poor Indians
6: Reporters
5: Pakatan Rakyat politicians
4: Bloggers
3: Groups of women, children and elderly folk "illegally" singing Negaraku and lighting candles
2: Teenage cyclists on a cross-country journey
1: 6-year-old girls with teddy bears and home-made greeting cards

What have you done about the MAT REMPIT menace? What have done about Snatch Theft and robbery? What are you guys DOING? REALLY?

Droopy eyes aside look at his body shape. WOW! Must be from all those rigourous marching exercises and lean food that security personnel consume in other to be fit for all types of duties. 我的天!

His brushing off of the responsibility smacks of pure apathy.
"This is because their lives are in danger too. I think we should respect their decision. To dig and save someone, one has to be trained. For an untrained person, it's a very dangerous task," he said."

Is it on unstable ground? I don't know
Is it raining by the buckets complicating rescue efforts? I'm not sure

But What I know is in this it doesn't take rescue helicopters but just plain digging to save one's life. What is so dangerous about it when the husband dug with his bare hands at ground zero until he bled? Is one of the many bystanders pitching in to help shovel off the mud too much to ask? Especially so when they have already reached her hand? (digging by hand no less)

Digging earth Needs NO qualifications!

The looting of a disaster victim just plain rubs salt into the gaping fresh wound.
I'm really at loss on what to say about that.

I don't think someone recently bereaved has any mood to care about watches and wine unless it is perpetrated by the very people who indirectly caused his daughter in law's death by 袖手旁观!

and we all know the expected outcome of the "internal investigation" of the looting incident, don't we?

Finally, to qoute a fellow blogger:
"What a bunch of cowardly cops! IT is time the government spent money to train rescue staff and not waste more money on submarines and helicopters that you don't need when the public needs some very basic emergency services."

Yes, indeed.