post Christmas Contemplation

Sitting here on Boxing Day, relaxing and enjoying my cup of Coffee. I am thinnking back and reflecting on my day yesterday......so much to learn :-)

I woke up early (despite a late night on Christmas Eve) and attended the combined church service at River of Christ Church in Kota Damansara. Pastor Monica sent a very interesting Christmas Message to all: let us be a beacon to shine forth the Love of Jesus simply by showing forth the inner peace that we have as believers in Christ. Indeed a peace that we can only have if we truly Trust in the Lord. How many of us practicing Christians can claim to have that!

Perhaps its time to search our inner selves.

This Christmas was even more meaningful when I attended the Christmas Carnival organised by the Combined Churches in Kota Damansara. They have been doing this for many years!

Its a Carnival where the churches and the volunteers share the Joys and Spirit of Christmas with the local community. Good condition used clothes were collected from church members and were sold at the Carnival for prices as low as RM1.

Food were given FREE whilst game coupons were sold at RM1. Many members were buying Game Coupons and giving it out for FREE to the kids. This is indeed the Spirit of Giving and Sharing.

With the game coupons children and adults were playing Fun Fair Type games and winning gifts and prizes. Everyone goes away a winner - the Joys of the season were shared and experienced by all. The Love of God reaches out to all.

Although it was a a programme organised by the churches - there was no preaching but yet the Love of GOD was shared by all, experienced by all.

This is the kind of programme that communities must organise regularly where differences are set aside, unity and cooperation encouraged to grow.

This programme puts to shame all the Mesra Rakyat Programmes that the Political offices organised. We have lots to learn from this Christmas Carnival.

Well, it was indeed a Blessed Chhristmas for me........

the week that was

This past week has been an interesting week for my hobby. My interest in observing social behavioral patterns has gone on overdrive.
First there was the Tanjung Road or rather in my books, the SONY Ramp closure. The closure came about because of anger and I do not at all blame the party concerned. I would have done exactly that.
The anger was triggered by the selfish act of one party and using influence and money, made use of others. Worst still, people are so easily influenced and do not behave objectively, and this included professionals!
Now it looks like two groups of residents are being made to challenge each other. SAD!
Have we forgotten what ALL RESIDENTS stood united and fought for in March 08 – Good Governance, Competency, Accountability and Transparency. I truly hope and pray that the solution for this issue will come from these fundamentals. It is all about Responsibilities and the Rule of Law: that MUST always be upheld!
To tie this to politics, to warn, to bully to pressure the elected representative is senseless. The same representative who stood on the platform of activism, on issues such as environment, who was the hero when the forests got gazette in now the villain. From hero to villain, in the eyes of the very same people because of an opinion that is not on their side: is this the change we asked for in GE11?
We voted for change and the changes may take time. In the meantime, are we prepared to change ourselves? Or are we still the same old JOE; my Wakil Rakyat is only good if he or she agrees with my view, if oppose than he or she is bad.
No! We must be willing to accept differing views and try to convince others of our views when we differ. Having tried, if we fail, we respect and accept that other person’s views. Instead of being negative, lets learn to encourage more, to learn and search for the positive instead of highlighting the bad.
Moving on from the ramp closure, the week continued with the MBSA Head of COB Dept refusing to accept a JMB that was formed. Again, I get a chance to see human weaknesses coming in to cloud their judgment.
Owners’ rights were thrown out the window because the Head of Dept was egoistic. As a result, he made decisions on baseless facts. The JMB was rejected because “the minutes were submitted by the residents instead of the developer”. Does it make a difference? So when challenged to put it in writing, of course he could not.
Meanwhile, owners are sent running here and there…..
Now when pushed, the Head of Department than puts in writing that there was no list of eligible owners and he could not confirm if the elected committee members are indeed owners. Therefore, another meeting has to be convened, this time by an appointed owner instead of the errant developer. So when the appointed owner informs that there is still no list of eligible owners, the Head of Department says he can get it.
If he can indeed get it, can he not just get it and confirm the elected committee members are eligible: why the need to waste time, money and effort for another AGM? Meanwhile, the owners are deprived of their rights and the errant developer continues to rule and bully!
Another example of human behavioral pattern: where our judgment gets clouded by our weaknesses.
The persistent bully gets away and the honest, quiet and silent Joe suffers.
Malaysia, we must change and we must be willing to stand up against the bully. We must be willing to voice out for the silent. We must be willing to reward the honest and bring to task the bully. We must let common sense rule and not be ruled by greed, selfishness and ego.
I end with a quote from an elected representative; one with guts and principles: “I had to sacrifice privacy, freedom, writing, reading – priceless. Sometimes I think of my easy wonderful life before all this crap.”

Sivarasa's Deepavali Open House - Pictures

An Interview with Peter Chong

Watch this interview on:

www.dawningeyes.blogspot.com/?zx=c878fe20fc05e2f6

Happy Deepavali

I would like to take this opportunity to wish all my Hindu brothers and sisters A HAPPY and BLESSED DEEPAVALI.

May this festival of light bring us good health, peace and happiness.

Whilst we celebrate this joyous occasion, let us also remember our continuing struggles in Malaysia to bring about a true democracy with justice and fairness for all. The recent “cow head” incident in Shah Alam as well as the Bagan Pinang by-election results remind us that there are still more obstacles to overcome.

It is critical for the future of Malaysia and our children and their grandchildren that the agenda for reform in Malaysia must persevere. A two party system must prevail with a genuine democracy and real freedom for its citizens. The ruling coalition’s race-based “divide and rule” politics must one day be cast into the dustbin of history and be replaced with a pluralist, multiracial politics grounded in genuine respect for one another. The wealth of this nation must be fairly used for the benefit of all our citizens and not, like now, usurped by a corrupt elite. It is truly ironic that in a country with much resources and a limited population, we display the worst distribution of wealth in SE Asia and rank amongst the worst in Asia. The new political vision we bring will ensure good clean and transparent governance and ensure that economic prosperity is open to all. At the same time, we will be vigilant to ensure distributive justice - that the needs of the poor and the marginalized will be met regardless of their race or religion and that no citizen will be denied access to decent healthcare, education and housing.

During the Deepavali celebration, let us take comfort in its meaning for Hindus. Deepavali, the festival of Light, is a celebration of the ultimate triumph of Good over Evil. As long as we stay committed to truth and justice, our struggle will prevail.

Therefore, with determination and perseverance, we can together bring change to Malaysia; to make a better Malaysia for All, Justice For All.

Once again, A HAPPY DEEPAVALI

ALL ARE WELCOME.....

You are cordially invited to attend and participate at

A TOWN - HALL MEETING


GATED AND GUARDED COMMUNITY - The Issues and The Way Forward

COME ** LISTEN ** SPEAK ** BE HEARD


Dianjurkan oleh Pejabat Ahli Parlimen Subang
YB R. SIVARASA
Dengan kerjasama Pejabat ADUN Bukit Lanjan
YB ELIZABETH WONG

Tempat: Dewan Masyarakat BU 3
Tarikh: 24hb Oktober, Sabtu
Jam: 10:00pagi - 1:00tgh

RSVP: 012 905 9948 (Peter Chong) Email: pet_luc2002@yahoo.com


The Meeting was attended by over 80 residents. Many spoke-up and raised their concerns and comments. Thank you all.....

Greetings!

Kepada semua yang berugama Islam:

Selamat Hari Raya Aidil Fitri - Maaf Zahir dan Batin

HAPPY MALAYSIA DAY!

I join the call to All ANAK BANGSA MALAYSIA:

Four Principles of Empowering Peace

In this regard, peace associated with fear that inhibits us from full participation in public affairs is but pseudo peace.

True peace must be empowering and inclusive to allow all Malaysians to contribute to and enjoy the national life. True peace requires rule of law and protection of human rights. It is therefore political, but in no way partisan.

We call upon every Malaysian citizen and organization, especially the politicians and political parties, to sign up to the following principles:

1. Zero tolerance for violence as a political means
Civilized life requires restrain and self-control. Conflicts should be solved through dialogues, deliberation, debates or litigation. There must be zero tolerance for the use, threat or incitement of violence as a political means, regardless of circumstances or subject matters.

In this sense, the perpetrators of the cow-head protest should be charged for incitement of violence, not sedition or illegal assembly. The thugs who threatened to rape Rodziah Ismail and to murder Khalid Samad, the elected representatives in Shah Alam, must be investigated and prosecuted for criminal intimidation. The threat of sexual violence, a common trait in many communal conflicts, is especially alarming and absolutely intolerable.

2. Fighting Hatred with Reason
Hatred exists in every society and can only be effectively eliminated by reason, not law. Given a vibrant public sphere, the flaws of hate speeches can be exposed and the perpetrators shamed. Legal suppression only weakens the society’s resistance to hatred by removing the need for intellectual rigour and moral courage to confront bigotry.

The latest harassment of Malaysiakini by the Malaysian Communication and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) for featuring video-clips of the cow-head protest and the Home Minister’s press conference justifying the act is not only violating freedom of expression, but also protecting violence from public shaming.

3. The State’s Duty to Protect Political Participation
The state which monopolizes the legitimate use of violence should exist only to protect citizens from private violence, not to inflict more violence than necessary. The state’s coercive power therefore must never be used against peaceful political activities. Instead, the state has the duty to protect political participation.

Instead of arbitrarily arresting over 160 1BLACKMalaysia protesters, lawyers on duty, 589 Anti-ISA protestors and bystanders, the anti-PPSMI, Kampung Buah Pala and Hindraf protesters, and using unnecessary violence, the police should have only controlled traffic and maintained order. After all, the validity of the protesters’ causes should be judged by the citizen, not the police or the Executive.

4. Upholding Elected Government
The threat of political violence is greatest when political elites resort to means other than elections to attain power. Democracy is the only guarantee for political stability and peace. Politicians and political parties must therefore do their best to win elections honestly, not usurping power after elections. Otherwise, democratic breakdown may lead to coups or revolutions.

The Perak coup has seen an elected government being overthrown by a host of unelected institutions including but not limited to the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC), the Election Commission (EC), the Judiciary, the bureaucracy and the police. The partisan investigation of MACC in Selangor amidst the Barisan Nasional’s express wish to takeover the state had led to the death of Teoh Beng Hock, the first of a state official in the custody of a federal agency. If there is no firmed commitment from both sides of the political divide to democracy, the next election may see the military being the next unelected institution dragged into political struggle.

On the auspicious birthday of Malaysia, which should have been made a national holiday 46 years ago, let us all vow to make empowering peace the basis of public life of our nation so that all of us may enjoy real freedom.

Anak Bangsa Malaysia, indeed!

Sharyn Lisa Shufiyan, 24 Conservationist

“Both my parents are Malay. My mum's heritage includes Chinese, Thai and Arab, while my dad is Minangkabau. Due to my skin colour, I am often mistaken for a chinese..
I'm happy that I don’t have the typical Malay look but I do get annoyed when people call me Ah Moi or ask me straight up "Are you Chinese or Malay"
Like, why does it matter? Before I used to answer "Malay" but now I'm trying to consciously answer Malaysian instead.
There's this incident from primary school that I remember till today. Someone told me that I will be called last during Judgement Day because I don’t have a Muslim name. Of course, I was scared then but now that I'm older, I realise that a name is just a name. It doesn’t define you as a good or bad person and there is definitely no such thing as a Muslim name. You can be named Rashid or ALI and still be a Christian.
I’ve heard of the 1Malaysia concept, but I think we don’t need to be told to be united. We've come such a long way that it should already be embedded in our hearts and minds that we are united. Unfortunately, you can still see racial discrimination and polarisation. There is still this ethno-centric view that the Malays are the dominant group and their rights must be protected, and non Malays are forever the outsiders.
For the concept to succeed, I think the government should stop with the race politics. It's tiring, really. We grew up with application forms asking us to tick our race. We should stop painting a negative image of the other races, stop thinking about 'us' and 'them' and focus on 'we', 'our' and 'Malaysians'.
No one should be made uncomfortable in their own home. A dear Chinese friend of mine said to me once, "I don’t feel patriotic because I am not made to feel like Malaysia is my home, and I don’t feel an affinity to China because I have never lived there.
I know some baby Nyonya friends who can trace their lineage back hundreds of years. I'm a fourth generation Malaysian. If I am Bumiputra, why can’t they be, too? Clearly I have issues with the term.
I think the main reason why we still can’t achieve total unity is because of this 'Malay rights' concept. I'd rather 'Malay rights' be replaced by human rights. So unless we get rid of this Bumiputra status, or reform our views and policies on rights, we will never achieve unity.
For my merdeka wish, I'd like for Malaysians to have more voice, to be respected and heard. I wish that the government would uphold the true essence of parliamentary democracy. I wish for the people to no longer fear and discriminate against each other, to see that we are one and the same.
I wish that Malaysia would truly live up to the tourism spin of Malaysia truly Asia. Malaysians to lead - whatever their ethnic background. Only ONE NATIONALITY -MALAYSIAN. No Malays, No Chinese, No Indians - ONLY MALAYSIANS. Choose whatever religion one is comfortable with.
WELL SAID LADY........YOU JUST DID YOUR GREAT GRANDPA PROUD.



MERDEKA MERDEKA MERDEKA

Sharyn is the Great Grand Daughter of Tunku Abdul Rahman

We are not enemies, but brothers...

The following piece jointly written by Nurul and Nik Nazmi is well worth reading


The recent demonstration by a group claiming to be residents of SS 23 in Shah Alam at the Selangor State Secretariat, where a cow’s head was paraded and then dumped on its ground is the surest sign that our country’s ethnic relations are at a critical point.

The action and rhetoric of these people go against every tenet of Islam and Malay culture. Nothing can justify their mean-spirit behaviour.

There were legitimate avenues by which they could have pursued their grievances, but instead they chose to threaten bloodshed unless their demands were met.

How can anyone possibly now have any sympathy to their cause in the face of such antics? They are making a mockery of the efforts of their Malay neighbours who were willing to discuss this matter in a sane and civilized manner. This is the bitter harvest of months, even years of sectarian posturing and the inflammation of ethnic fears by irresponsible elements in our society as well as politics.

Prime Minister Najib Tun Razak must walk the talk of his 1Malaysia ideology and ensure that the perpetrators of this deed do not go unpunished. We also applaud the courage of our fellow politicians, on both side of the aisle, who have had the courage to stand up and be counted against this act of hate.

While our immediate thoughts naturally turn towards anger and revenge, we must not give into such desires because that would mean the end of the Malaysia that we all know and love, the Malaysia that is just, tolerant and progressive, which we hope will someday prevail against the forces of extremism that threaten it.

Rather, all Malaysians of goodwill, regardless of their political affiliation should come together to condemn this senseless act and find an equitable solution to the issue that give rise to it.

We must not close our hearts and minds to each other despite this and many other future provocations that will surely come as the last-ditch efforts of the reactionary forces that have blighted our country are slowly but surely turned away.

We are a better country than this; we are a greater people than this. Let me end with the words of the great statesman Abraham Lincoln, delivered to a country that was facing similar divisions like ours:

“We are not enemies, but friends. We must not be enemies. Though passion may have strained it must not break our bonds of affection.”

We hope and pray that we can leave this sorry incident firmly in the past and move forward to a better Malaysia for our children and their children.


NURUL IZZAH ANWAR is Member of Parliament for Lembah Pantai as well as Keadilan Lembah Pantai Division’s Pro-Tem Head. She graduated from Universiti Tenaga Nasional in electronic and electrical engineering before furthering her studies at the School for Advanced International Studies, Johns Hopkins University, US in International Relations. She maintains a web presence at www.nurulizzah.com.

NIK NAZMI NIK AHMAD is Political Secretary to the Selangor Menteri Besar and State Assemblyman for Seri Setia. He is also a Keadilan Youth committee member. A graduate of King’s College, University of London in law, Nik Nazmi blogs at www.niknazmi.com

Happy Merdeka !

Well worth watching this video presentation,,,,,

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xn3Zi-gwEJg

click on the link to watch.

RAKYAT PANTANG DICABAR ....

Ceramah Perdana - Rakyat Pantang diCABAR! Membongkar Konspirasi BN Merampas Kuasa!

Speakers: YB SIVARASA, YB LOH GWO BERN, YB GAN PEI NEI, CHUA YEE LING

Date: Friday 28th August
Time: 8:00pm
Place: Dewan Masyarakat - Kg Baru Subang

BLOGGERS UNITED?? Lets Make a Stand!

Malaysians must rise to protect freedom of expression and information

Minister of Information, Communication and Culture Rais Yatim's announcement that the Federal Government plans to introduce an Internet filter is yet another example of the increasingly draconian nature of the Najib administration.

The MSC Malaysia 10 Point Bill of Guarantees spells out in no uncertain terms that there will be no censorship of the Internet. This plan clearly renders the bill meaningless.

Datuk Seri Rais' assurance that the filter will only target pornography holds no water. Instead, it marks the beginning of a slippery slope with no end to it, except possibly a Big Brother government that monitors every move made by Malaysians. A senior official with the National Security Council (NSC) was already quoted in an AFP report as saying that "bloggers who inflame racial sentiments" are targeted by this censorship plan.

It is clear that this is a backdoor way to censor views that are sympathetic to the Pakatan Rakyat, be they on blogs, news Web sites or forums.

The government needs to stop looking at banning as a catch-all solution. There are already adequate laws of the land such as the Multimedia Commission Act, the Penal Code and Defamation Act, while self-control and regulation must also be emphasised. To use China's flawed and postponed Green Dam as a model is highly frightening to Malaysians who cherish what little freedom we have to express ourselves. A University of Michigan study had exposed security vulnerabilities of this software. Furthermore, the result will likely be a proliferation of black market means to circumvent any censorship.

Despite being the Minister of Communications, Rais' hostility to the Internet is well known, as he recently described it as a form of ‘colonisation’.

I call on Malaysians, particularly those of the Internet generation, to rise up and protect the only space we have for open discussion of issues that affect our live and our country.

YB ELIZABETH WONG
Information Chief, Wanita Keadilan
State Assemblyman (Bukit Lanjan

And now the good news.........

What a way to start the month of August; for our Country this would have been a celebratory month.

But freedom (MERDEEKA) took a big step backwards with the arrests over the weekend at the Anti ISA protest. Much has been written and reported but here I want to write about the positive part of the whole event.

YB Sivarasa plus a group of us took the KTM train from Sungei Buloh to Bank Negara. On the train, there were so many friendly faces, strangers who became friends, united by a common cause; going to lend support to the Anti ISA march.

Yes there was the hard handedness of the FRU / Police. However, there was the great comaraderie, the unity amongst all the races - that was truly ONE MALAYSIA. For me it was more HARAPAN NEGARA - that despite all teh negatives, there is still great hope for the nation.

I must thank the two PAS YOUTH (AMAL) group boys who helped pull me aside following the tear gas attack while we were at the corner of SOGO. They got me out, sat me down, got me more water and left on another mission to rescue. TERIMA KASIH guys!

There was the strangers who were sharing their water, salt and words of encouragement etc etc.
That is the Spirit of Muhibbah!

Siva's arrest and subsequent detention at the FRU Depot in Cheras brought forth another eye opener. The FRU guys manning the gates were RUDE and just plain RUDE! However, I also saw the professional and helpful nature of SGT SHUKOR. Despite being in a most difficult position, he helped and assisted in a manner which I believe went beyond the call of his duty. SYABAS SGT SHUKOR! Another Anak Harapan Negara.

Than that patience and gentlemanly behaviour of the Vice President of the Bar Council. His patience in speaking to the RUDE n ARROGANT FRU guys, his composure is something to be examplified. Adding to that was his care and concern for others shown in the way he organised refreshments and snacks for all and the courtesy to tell others about the snacks being HALAL and all. I salute you BRO! and indeed an Honour to have met you!

Than on Sunday YB Elizabeth Wong touched my heart with her kind simple gestures. She indeed showed forth her compassion and kind heart. She went out herself, probably queued up for a while to place orders and brough back KFC and ice cream for all of us who were baking under the hot Sunday afternoon sun. Thank you ELI!

Later in the evening I also found out that she took the trouble to go out again to buy a tent to shield some of us from the sun. Gosh, is there an end to her kind concerned initiatives? There's more...

This afternoon at the Jalan Duta Courts, she again showed her kind human side; the trouble she took to quickly get food for Sivarasa and than for the two juveniles released the previoud night. Elizabeth once again showed that she is Harapan Negara; Anak Bangsa Malaysia indeed!

In seeing all the positive things happening over this weekend, I must raise my hat to the great and wonderful work of the Majlis Peguam team! That great gentleman who was there from 8:30 am till at least 8pm that night and yet still had his cheery smile...bro, I salute you.

The rest of the Majlis Peguam team too, too many to identify individually but all of you: Terima Kasih. Thank you for being true Anak Bangsa Malaysia, u all are Harapan Negara!

As we move on into August, with the fasting month, the chinese 7th month celebrations and our National Day celebration, I hope for a Better Malaysia indeed.

MANSUHKAN ISA!

STAND UP n be COUNTED!

AUTISM....Know more about it

The National Autism Society of Malaysia (NASOM) who is currently operating in 3C building has requested my office to assist with an awareness program for the community in Subang Jaya and MPSJ staff in 3C. NASOM would love to see residents from various community groups present for this talk. Do join us if you can.

Date : This Sunday, 2 August 2009
Time : 10.00am to 12.00 noon
Venue : Kompleks 3C MPSJ, Jalan PJS 11/2, Bandar Sunway
ADMISSION IS FREE!

TALKMuch has been said about autism recently. But what really is autism? – A disease, an illness or a disorder. Is it hereditary, can it be cured? Many are still unaware of this condition whilst some pass it off as a phase in the child’s life and that the child will grow out of it. Mistaken and misunderstood, child with autism are sometimes labelled stupid, mischievous or even institutionalised.Autism is a lifelong complex neurological disorder that affects 65 million worldwide (World Autism Organisation, 2009). It blocks the ability of the child to communicate and inhibits emotional and social development. It is associated with rigid routines or repetitive behaviors such as obsessively following schedules or arranging belongings in a specific way.TALK OUTLINE· What is autism? · Characteristics of autism.· Early signs of abnormality. · Can autism be cured?· How we can help?THE SPEAKERRica Frances Talon, Master of Arts (Major in Psychology), Ateneo de Manila University, Philippines and Master of Education (cand.) University Malaya (Specializing in Special Education) has been working in the field of psychology and education for more than sixteen years. Her work in the sixteen years has seen her involved in various capacities covering human development, which includes assessment, counselling and therapy, education, training and development, supervision, human resource development and research.Her main focus typically involves the development of children, adolescents and adults, including students, teachers, counsellors, administrators as well as other people with special need eg autism, ADD/ADHD, emotional-behavioural disorders and psychiatric problems, Down Syndrome, learning difficulties, brain injury and other at-risk individuals, as well as children and adolescents who are gifted.In 2008, Rica pursued her career further and went to Europe as an academic visitor in Roehampton University, London, Charles University, Prague and Fontys OSO, Netherlands. This was part of a research scholarship funded by the European Commission. Currently, Rica is involved with The National Autism Society of Malaysia (NASOM), providing her professional services as member of the Multi Disciplinary Team.

Thank you. See you there!

Regards,-- Hannah YeohAhli Dewan Undangan Negeri SelangorN.31 Subang Jayahttp://www.hannahyeoh.com

TBH - My dear friend; go rest in peace...

We shared the same two chinese characters in our names. We shared the same struggles in our quest for a Better Malaysia. We shared the same roles; you as an assistant to an Exco member amd I with an MP.......so different yet so much in common

But now, as you go to get your rest in peace, the struggle goes on. I pray for closure for your family, friends and relatives. But there will be NO CLOSURE for truth and answers to the final hours of your life.

We must not let your death be in vain; all errors, administrative or otherwise to the procedures of interrogations etc must be corrected.

In the same way, the roles and functions; plus the necessary protection and immunity for PA's must also be addressed. We, the PA's are in a particularly vulnerable position; with little or no official protections but having to bear the roles and responsibilities, in many instances, equal to that of the elected representatives. We are not complaining but we ask to be given due care.

Bro, as you look down now from above, I pray for guidance and protections for all of us here. Be pleased that your passing has indeed brought together everyone from all races and political believes, UNITED as one: One Nation, One People! Kami semua sebagai SATU BANGSA MALAYSIA!

Amen!

ECUMENICAL SOCIAL FORUM
ON
THE CHALLENGE OF REGISTERING
AND BEING A
RESPONSIBLE VOTER !

will be held from
2.00 -4.00PM,
Saturday, 1ST AUGUST 2009
at
TAMIL METHODIST CHURCH, KUALA LUMPUR
197 JALAN SULTAN ABDUL SAMAD, 50470 KUALA LUMPUR

Moderator
Tan Sri Ramon Navaratnam

Panelists
YB Datuk Seri Nizar Jamaluddin
( MP for Bukit Gantang and former Mentri Besar of Perak )

Datuk Ambiga Sreenivasan
(former Bar Council President)

Datuk Christopher Wan Soo Kee
(Member of the Election Commission)

Forum Discussion



ALL ARE WELCOME!


Contact CCM Secretariat
COUNCIL OF CHURCHES OF MALAYSIA
No.10. Jalan 11/9 46200 Petaling Jaya, Selangor Tel: 03-79567092 Fax: 03-79560353
Email: cchurchm@streamyx.com Website:ccmalaysia.org

Words from the Bible....Isaiah 1:17

Learn to do right: Seek justice

Encourage the oppressed; rebuke the oppressor.

Defend the cause of the fatherless: plead the case of the widow.



"We have to be the change we advocate"

Born in the 50's , 60's & early '70s

The article below was written by Patrick Teoh in his blog "Niamah!!".

First, we survived with mothers who had no maids. They cooked /cleaned while taking care of us at the same time.

They took aspirin, candies floss,fizzy drinks, shaved ice with syrups and diabetes were rare. Salt added to Pepsi or Coke was remedy for fever.

We had no childproof lids on medicine bottles, doors or cabinets and when we rode our bikes, we had no helmets.

As children, we would ride with our parents on bicycles/ motorcycles for 2 or 3. Richer ones in cars with no seat belts or air bags.

Riding in the back of a private taxi was a special treat.

We drank water from the tap and NOT from a bottle.

We would spend hours on the fields under bright sunlight flying our kites, without worrying about the UV ray which never seem to affect us.

We go to jungle to catch spiders without worries of Aedes mosquitoes.

With mere 5 pebbles (stones) would be a endless game. With a ball (tennis ball best) we boys would ran like crazy for hours.

We catch guppy in drains / canals and when it rain we swim there.

We shared one soft drink with four friends, from one bottle and NO ONE actually worry about being unhygenic. We ate salty, very sweet & oily food, candies,bread and real butter and drank very sweet soft sweet coffee/ tea, ice kacang, but we weren't overweight because..... . WE WERE ALWAYS OUTSIDE PLAYING!!
We would leave home in the morning and play all day, till streetlights came on.

No one was able to reach us all day. AND WE DONT HAVE HANDPHONE S TO BUG US. And we were O.K. AND WE ARE SAFE.

We would spend hours repairing our old bicycles and wooden scooters out of scraps and then ride down the hill, only to find out we forgot the brakes. After running into the bushes a few times, we learned to solve the problem .

We did no t have Playstations, X-boxes, Nintendo's, multiple channels on cable TV, DVD movies, no surround sound, no phones, no personal computers, no Internet. WE HAD FRIENDS and we went outside and found them!

We fell out of trees, got cut, broke bones and teeth and we still continued the stunts.

We never had birthdays parties till we are 21

We rode bikes or walked to a friend's house and just yelled for them!

The idea of a parent bailing us out if we broke the law was unheard of. They actually sided with the law!

Yet this generation has produced some of the best risk-takers, problem solvers and inventors ever!

The past 40 years have been an explosion of innovation and new ideas.

We had freedom, failure, success and responsibility, and we learned HOW TO DEAL WITH IT ALL! And YOU are one of them! CONGRATULATIONS!

You might want to share this with others who have had the luck to grow up as kids, before the government regulated our lives for our own good.

And while you are at it, forward it to your kids so they will know how brave their parents were.


-- “To do all the good you can, by all the means you can, in all the ways you can, in every place you can, at all the times you can, to everyone you can, as long as you ever can.” - John Wesley

KUGAN no 2 ??

Died In Police Custody - Ganapragasam Antony

On the way home on Wednesday (10 June) 53 years old Ganapragasam was detained by the police for the investigation for theft.Only the following day when he was taken to court for remand order, his wife was informed about the nature of his arrest. According to his wife, she saw bruises on his face.

Ganapragasam told the magistrate that he was assaulted by the police while in their custody.

However, on the 14 June (Sunday), the wife of the deceased was told to be at the mortuary of University Hospital.

Read more at: with pics and video

http://dawningeyes.blogspot.com/2009/06/died-in-police-custody-ganapragasam.html

This is Interesting....Come Do Your Part

The Arrest of the Lawyers @ Balai Polis Birckfields

“certain quarters who are out to create trouble” - that is the quote from the IGP in his media interview on arrival at the KLIA. ( Errr, this IGP seems more like a politician; giving press interviews even on arrival from an overseas trip. Is he not a civil servant too and are they not subjected to certain do's and don't with regards to these kind of publicity??)

Anyway, the IGP was quoted as calling the 5 Lawyers as people who were out to create trouble - what trouble may I ask? These 5 YOUNG LAWYERS were there to carry out their professional duties; upholding basic human rights and the rule of law. They were standing and waiting patiently by the gate of the station for at least half an hour waiting for permission to enter the premises.

They were denied entry into the police station with the excuse that the Investigating Officer and the OCPD were at a meeting. I would have thought that at the very least these lawyers should have been invited in to the station, given a place to sit while waiting for the officers to finish their meeting. Instead they were made to stand by the road outside the police station. For this action alone, I think the PDRM owes the lawyers an apology!

Infact I would urge the National Union of Journalists to also lodge a formal complaint and protest that a Jounalist, carrying out his duty was also arrested that night. He has there to do his professional duty but was arrested. This was despite the fact that he had on his MEDIA tag on.

I witness all these as I WAS THERE that night. Infact I was there right up to 3:15am!

This whole incident could have been avoided right from the beginning. The group of around 30 young people sat down peacefully and quietly with their lighted candles in support of a friend who was arrested much earlier.

If the police and the OCPD in particular, had been more professional, all these arrests could have been easily avoided. The young people could have been allowed to carry-on the vigil and if they were properly informed and advised to end their vigil, they would have done so.

Instead, the OCPD chose to come out in full force (and infact not even in uniform) and told them to disperse immediately giving the vigilist no chance at all to even move away. The OCPD himself manhandled a female vigilists (which I also believe is not right) before handing the female vigilist to a female uniformed officer.

So when the OCPD did not respect the PDRM's own standard operating procedures in carryig out his duties - all kinds of problems started surfacing ending with the arrest of the lawyers. Now, in order to safe face and protect their A##%$s they start fire-fighting. We now see all kinds of remarks and quotes which just makes the whole issue worst.

The PDRM should just carry out their internal investigation; and based on eye witnesses accounts, suspend the OCPD - make a public apology and move on. Instead by prolonging the issue, we now have even calls for the Minister and IGP to resign;

Being there that night and following through all the events the eventually unfolded, I support the call to suspend the OCPD and the resignation of the IGP. Their action and words are nothing short of a disgrace to the already tarnished image of the Police DiRaja Malaysia.

May13th...40years on

Today, the 40th Anniversary of that black day in Malaysia's history. The day that "Unity in Diversity" actually died in Malaysia.

I was only 6 years old at that time and was living in Penang where Dad was in the Special Branch. What do I remember of it? Absolutely nothing.......except for what I later learnt as I grew up.

This evening I attended the 513 to 1Malaysia Forum at the Civic Center in MBPJ. I was interviewed by the ANTARA News Agency - on why I was there. I was there to learn more about 513 from the people who were in the thick of it than.

I was also asked what I thought would be a lesson to be learnt. I said that the lesson we must learn is that Unity is the only way forward - One Nation, One People: ANAK BANGSA MALAYSIA.

This evening at the Civic Center which was filled to capacity and with many more outside - the message was clear: We want to move forward - leaving behind the shadows of 513. That BNs (and UMNOs) politicis of FEAR is no longer LAKU.

My wish and prayer now is that all those present this evening, would put into action what they agreed to and applauded. If only each can share this thought and idea with two others.....and each one willing to stand up and be counted (and risk being put in the lock-up) than and only than can we see the light at the end of the tunnel.

If most of us still continue to be complacent and keep talking with no action and waiting for others, especially for the politicians to bring about change, than nothing will happen. the Tsunami of 8march08 would be nothing is we the rakyat are not prepared to take that second step.

.."for evil to succeed, it is enough that the good do nothing.." Bangkit la ANAK BANGSA MALAYSIA demi masa hadapan Malaysia. HARAPAN NEGARA ada ditangan anda - Anak Bangsa Malaysia

A Community Servant's Lamentation

I have committed myself to serving my community. I want to leave this country a better place, A Better Malaysia for my son and all those coming after me. I see things that are wrong and I want to correct them.

However, serving the community is a very expensive hobby. One needs strong financial support and most of all strong emotional support from those closest to you. Their understanding is most important to keep one moving forward.

In serving the community, there will be lots and lots of obstacles from all angles. There will be people who will discourage you and throwing a wet-blanket. There will be those out to frustrate your attempts and efforts to make things better.

There will be those whom we are helping that will show no appreciation but instead mock you. There will be those whom we are helping and who turns around and instead of being thankful, will treat you like a servant, as if we owe it to them to serve them.

All these are external challenges that we can easily overcome or just simply to ignore. Afterall, in committing to do volunteer community services, we do not seek to be appreciated nor to gain any personal favours. We just want to see a better community.

However, emotional support, love and care from our close ones are important elements that every volunteer needs. That encouragement from family and close ones are pillars of support. Therefore, for those who are not committed enough to go out there and serve, it is most important and necessary for you to give moral and emotional support plus encouragements to those who are out there.

Even if you cannot give the support, one should not send out negative vibes to these volunteers. Just being there would be good enough. However, sometimes in frustration we may make negative comments that can be demotivating.

I have personally come across many instances of negative comments.
“You are a failure, you have no right to talk to me!” .
“You are so stupid – helping others for what? What do you get?”
Coming from strangers is ok, but from love ones, it hurts right at the heart!

Nevertheless, I press on, putting full faith in GOD that he has plans for me. I did not give up a senior corporate position for nothing; I did it because I believe that I can make a difference. I choose to take the road less travelled because I believe that once I journey on this road, others will join me. Together we can make a difference though there may be struggles along the way.

Glory be to GOD from whom my strength comes.

1Black Malaysia - Join me in wearing BLACK!

The Coalition for Free and Fair Elections (BERSIH) held a press conference this morning in relation to the ongoing Perak constitutional crisis and the much anticipated sitting of the Perak state legislative assembly on 7th May, 2009.
I reproduce below the full text of the press release issued by BERSIH this morning.
___________________________________________________________
We the Coalition for Free and Fair Elections (BERSIH) call upon all Malaysians to wear black to work, to school, in play or at home the coming May 7th (Thursday) to present “1BLACKMalaysia” to Prime Minister Najib Razak as our strongest protest to the on-going Perak coup he has orchestrated.
Despite the court’s scheduled hearing on the legality of Zambry Abdul Kadil’s legality as the Menteri Besar on May 5th and 6th, a sitting for the Perak State Legislature has been scheduled to begin on May 7th bypassing the speaker V. Sivakumar.
A motion has also been tabled to replace the speaker, who has vigorously defended the Legislature’s rights and power throughout the coup, with R. Ganesan, a non-lawmaker from the Malaysian Indian Congress (MIC).
To prevent the public from knowing what would happen in the assembly, a “media curfew” was imposed whereby only 13 selected media outlets are granted access, on top of a general lockdown of the city of Ipoh, where the Legislature is seated. While the Zambry regime had since retracted the “media curfew” under strong public outcry, the initial move reveals a regime that fears public scrutiny.
These latest developments show total disregard of Najib Razak on rule of law and constitutional democracy in Malaysia. He has also ignored the voters’ wrath on unconstitutional means of power grab, as showed in the Bukit Gantang by-election where the margin for the ousted MB Mohammad Nizar increased by over 2000 votes.
Najib’s slogan: “1Malaysia, people first, performance now” is now a cruel joke on Malaysians. Is this the old “1Authoritarian-and-CorruptMalaysia” getting worse? What “people first” when people are forced to be blind, deaf, mute and immobile with the media curfew and city lockdown? What “performance now” when the “performance” in law-breaking may never be known?
In response to all these, we urge all Malaysians to wear black on May 7 th. It will be a peaceful but powerful message of civil disobedience that we the people are politicians’ bosses and no politicians defiant of public opinion can escape punishment at the next poll. Civil disobedience is a peaceful act that every citizen can participate and make a difference. In history, civil disobedience led by Mahatma Ghandi, Martin Luther King and the Polish people had successfully ended tyranny and injustice without bloodshed or disruption.
Let’s paint every state and territory, every town and village black with our clothes, headbands, hats, turbans, veils, armbands, ribbons and stickers on that day. Let everyone see a sea of black walking into an office, a market, a mosque, a temple, a church, a college, a park, a bus, a commuter or LRT car, a ferry or an aeroplane .
Let us be united in one BLACK colour and let show the world that the 1Malaysia under Najib Razak is “1BLACKMalaysia” living in darkness.
Let’s show the world that Malaysians will stand up against any invasion of democracy, freedom and peace by unscrupulous politicians. We will not allow coup be the way to power in Perak, or anywhere in Malaysia. No one shall take away our democracy, freedom and peace. Najib may hijack our unelected institutions like the judiciary, civil service, police and Election Commission, but he will never win our heart and mind. And he is no reformist until he dares to face elections in Perak.
Let us show Najib in one colour - “1BlackMalaysia!“. Let us tell him in one voice for Malaysia: “Democracy First!” Let us pose him the one solution for Perak: “Elections now!“
Yes, Mr Prime Minister of Malaysia, and the World, listen to us: 1BlackMalaysia! Democracy First! Elections Now!

Walk with us......

I find the letter by Meng Yee in Malaysiakini ; his thoughts most refreshing and I reproduce it here in full.

Yes, The Change that came on 08/03/2008 must also come with a change in our mindset, otherwise it would come to nothing. We must walk that talk - and be willing to "soil our hands" to effect the changes that we want.

Indeed, "For eveil to succeed, it is enough that the good do nothing...."

Come, lets walk together...hand in hand, side by side.....

We're the shareholders, not bosses

Meng Yee Apr 20, 09 4:59pm

I refer to the letter YB, don't forget who the real bosses are.I understand the writer's trend of thought and idea and in principle he is right. Those in public service serve the rakyat and govern the country for the good of the nation as a whole. They are like he said the general managers or CEOs and we are the board of directors, the stakeholders. They are accountable to us, the rakyat. However, I caution against the use of the ‘boss' analogy simply because if you spend anytime on the ground, you will understand what the state assembly person goes through. Members of the rakyat, truly act like bosses and insist on calling their state representatives at all times of the day. They give instructions to do this and to do that and threaten like the assembly person owes them a big favour. You may say, that's part of the job and who in the first place asked them to run for office? Let me tell you as one who was involved with an opposition party prior to March 8, 2008. Let me remind many what the sentiments were like then. Whenever there was any call for support or anything to do with the opposition, most would run away as if the opposition were lepers. Few were willing to sacrifice. Many lived in fear, tremendous fear. There was blatant injustice then as there is now. There was corruption and daylight robbery from our national coffers but as long as there was rice on the table, many closed an eye or even both eyes. The judiciary and the constitution were raped and abused as if the ends justified the means. Even the royalty were snubbed. Many, however, were to afraid to speak up. The opposition workers were many who had nothing to lose. Either they were young and idealistic or old and poor and not much to lose to the BN gestapo. Some of the leaders today are from this pool of people who joined the opposition parties then. They are the ones with guts, who are farsighted and visionary. They were prepared to face the consequences of BN's gestapo. Many are young and adapt well to the new politics. So I hope that many will understand that these YBs serve the country and have sacrificed much. We are the stakeholders and we should support them rather than lord over them. Malaysians are very good at complaining but when it comes to rolling up our sleeves, we shy away. How will our young respect us when we are afraid to get our hands soiled? Stakeholders must be involved and interested to work to ensure the CEO succeeds. Was it not Kennedy who said ‘Ask not what your nation can do for you but rather what you can do for the nation'? And Bush Sr who dreamed of the ‘thousand points of light' in relation to volunteerism. It is time Malaysians show commitment by joining a political party and show outright open support for what they believe is right and true. Every decision made in Parliament and in the state assemblies affects us and if we remain armchair critics and finger-pointing directors than we will progress nowhere. We appreciate those who work feverishly for the good of the rakyat because we are not willing to stand in place for what they have done. We appreciate their day and night service as many have loss their personal space and freedom. Having said this, we will kick out those who are self-serving as we have seen many of them in the last 50 years. So perhaps a better analogy is ‘stakeholders' in a company and not bosses.

Woman...Ladies...where is your voice!!!

This report from STAR following the appointment of the New Cabinet is such a sexist report. It made me puke! - The sad part is that nobody has actually raised an issue about it..so here I am with my two cents worth................!

Women's appointment .. so few of them is an issue to pick up...not their dressing or lack of it ...please get our perspective right!

Women...STAND UP for GENDER EQUALITY....!!!!

Senator Heng caught off-guard
KUALA LUMPUR: Senator Heng Seai Kie had planned to look her best at the swearing-in of Wanita MCA chief Datin Paduka Chew Mei Fun as a senator yesterday but she ended up “less dressed” than she intended.
This is because the Perak Wanita MCA chief, who is usually immaculately dressed, was too stunned to make herself up after hearing of her appointment as the new Deputy Information, Culture, Arts and Communications Minister.
A senator since November 2006, Heng, the Wanita MCA secretary-general, never expected to be included in Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak’s new Cabinet line-up when she received a call yesterday.
“It was quite unexpected for me,” said Heng, who showed up at the Senate wearing a simple long-sleeved blouse and pants.
The senator was looking plain without make-up although she managed to complete her hairdo at a salon.

The Death of Democracy and The sinking of our Judiciary?

"I don’t have to tell you how to judge the judge. You must know by now how to do it if you have read my articles in the Internet. You will know he is a bad judge if he behaves unfairly to one side as against the other. It is your perception as a member of the public that matters and not what the judge thinks of himself.
A judge who does not appear to be fair is useless to the judicial process. As such he is a bad judge and is therefore unfit to sit on the bench. The other essential qualification of a judge is to administer justice according to law. That said, we can now judge this judge.
Article 72, Clause (1) of the Federal Constitution clearly states:
72. (1) The validity of any proceedings in the Legislative Assembly of any State shall not be questioned in any court.
Yet Mr Justice Balia Yusuf Wahi, who knew that the Speaker’s order which was made in the Legislative Assembly was a proceeding in the Legislative Assembly, dismissed the Speaker’s application to strike out the summons of the three turncoat assemblymen who were asking the court to question the validity of what the Speaker had done in the Assembly. As you know what the Speaker did in the Assembly, rightly or wrongly, is not to be questioned in any court. Isn’t what the judge had done by dismissing the Speaker’s application to strike out the turncoats’ summons, not administering justice according to law? The judge had gone against the Constitution of Malaysia which is the supreme law of the land. What do you call a judge who has defied the law of the land? A renegade judge? - The Malaysian Insider

Welcome Back.......err you never did leave

The Press Statement from Eli, printed in full below is in fact the best news for a Better Malaysia...! But reading her statement which must surely have been a tough task for her too, i felt for her; the pain, the anger and for me the pride of knowing her, Anak Bangsa Malaysia!

her statement...

These past two months have been more than an ordeal, one which I would never have wished for any citizen to have to suffer through.
I have been stripped bare publicly – both figuratively and literally – by force and against my will. My personal life has been violated and assaulted by none other than criminals. Even up to this evening, I continue to receive threats from unknown persons.
This is not a scandal, as some have suggested, but a clear criminal act. This is no less a form of criminal intimidation, a form of political violence, and one which, if I chose to retreat into silence, would in turn indirectly affect women, especially women politicians.
Gutter politics is not and should not be part of our political culture, and for those who depend on exploiting and supporting such a crime, is an indication of the kind of politicians and persons they are.
I stand for a person’s right to privacy. I stand for ‘New Politics’ – a politics that encourages intellectual discourse, reasoned polemics and ideological debates, not one which resorts to gutter-level politicking which seek to smear, to slander and to violate one’s privacy to score political points.
This is the hardest decision that I have to make in my life and it is with the greatest humility that I accept the Selangor state’s offer to remain in office.
I wish to thank menteri besar and the Selangor exco, my staff, my fellow Aduns, fellow politicians from Pakatan Rakyat and Barisan Nasional, PKR leaders, the women’s wing of PKR and the grassroots, and my legal team for their support and guidance.
Respectfully, I wish to thank HRH the Sultan of Selangor for his guidance.
I am humbled by the encouragement and support shown by the media, my family and friends, the NGOs, the tens of thousands of people who signed the petitions on my behalf and who wrote to me, and especially my constituents who stood by me in these trying times.
I also wish to thank the police for their professionalism in addressing the issue at hand and I look forward to them apprehending and charging the criminals soonest.
My only wish is to serve my constituents and the state to the best of my abilities and with the help and cooperation of the people, to make this state, this country a better place for all. The struggle continues, and our work has just begun.
Elizabeth WongAdun Bukit LanjanExco for Tourism, Consumer Affairs and the Environment

A week of Hell and back......

Sinnce last Sunday afteroon, I had been indisposed.

It started off with bodyaches and headaches followed by high fever that just refused to go away. I was completely knocked-off, lying in bed for two solid days.....with no appetite either.

Finally on Wednesday enough strength to get my ass to the clinic..........where the good doctor immediately gave me a jab, took my blood and put me on drip, right there at the clinic. I was terribly dehydrated by than. (YEAH - 3 needles in all!)

My blood test resut expected that very night or latest in the morning, so after 2 bottles of drip, i was packed off home. That night was yet another sleepness night making it 4 nights in a row!

Early next morning, the clinic called and asked me to go over. Confirmed - it is DENGUE!. Surprising my platelet count was not too bad....128 from the norm of 150. Still, the doctor insisted that I should be warded.

I decided against hospitalisation as I was informed they would just be putting me on drip and taking my blood daily for monitoring. I opted to stay home. Drowned myself in glucose 100+. In addition I started on Salted Soya Bean Milk, PhosChol (Phosphatidylcholine) and Vitamin C. I was also fed the Cambridge Diet. YUKS!

I was also given chinese traditional body detox treatment.

I also had "spring chicken" (Frog) boiled with little bitter gourd and honeyed dates as nutrition soup. This was excellent : wonderful taste!

Meanwhile, my fever had gone off and I started having diarrhea. It turned out to be the salted soya bean; it was meant to do that - to cleanse and detox my system. I still could not take solid food as I kept feeling nauseous. With no solid food, I had no energy and kept feeling tired and sleepy. But I could feel myself getting better.

Finally, Friday and I started on a litte solid food....and that night I was able to sleep better too. Saturday too on a bit more solid food and finally this morning, went out for breakfast though I could only finish half a bowl of bitter gourd soup noodle.

And yes, I could also sit up and write this blog and clear my mail box which has since been full.

It has been one long week....

In Celebrating A PR Victory at Batang Ai

Ngajat - A traditional Iban warrior's welcome dance - here performed by a Malaysian of Chinese cultural heritage from West Malaysian - this is ANAK BANGSA MALAYSIA!!!

My tribute in honour of PR's upcoming victory at Batang Ai - a Victory for Anak Bangsa Malaysia.

from my older files.....

Last night, I had dinner at a Malay café which was located in the compound of the owner’s home. We were seated right infront of the main door of the house. The owner was having some kind of prayer session.

Anyway, visitors were coming to the house. As each group came, we noticed the way the younger ones would go up to the older ones to SALAM them, clasping both hands and bringing it to their lips. Now, it is scenes like this that makes me really and truly proud to be Malaysian.

My dinner friends who normally had negative comments on other cultures commented on the scene. She said; “see, the Malay community still keeps this aspect of their culture. So sad that the Chinese have lost this”.

How true it is. In our multi cultural society, instead of harping on the negative, let us pick up on the positive aspects of each other’s culture and make it a part of our own blend of intercultural mix that we shall call Kebudayaan Malaysia – The Truly Malaysian Culture! It is this soft touches that will bring us forward.

Let us forget the racial bias’ness, negative racial comments etc. I pray that our representatives in the House of Parliament will take note of this and start showing some respect. As our MP’s, people look up to you for leadership.

Name callings cannot be accepted especially from our “leaders” and more so, when in the Honourable House. I think our MP’s are actually cowards because they use the immunity shield of the house to call each other names.

I took offence last week when one MP compared the nuisance in the house to the market. If only the MP can “turun padang” and walk around the market. He would notice that our market folks are about the most polite people around. Everyone is either a “leng loi”, “leng chai” abang, kak; you hear no beruk or monyet from them!

It is thus my wish that this short write-up will bring our attention to the greatness and beauty of the multi cultures in our society. Let us stick to the positives aspects and promote them instead of comparing the negative.

MP’s, please do not compare our markets to the rowdiness of the Parliament. Instead, learn from the market and apply them in Parliament. There is absolutely no harm to call your fellow Parliamentarian, even those from the opposite bench, Saudara/saudari. I always find it rather “strange” to call each other YB??

from my older files.....

I remember that I used to enjoy going to visit my friends living in the kampong located behind our house in Penang. It was a mixed race kampong. We were living in the government bungalows at Lahad Road; our house help, the trishaw pakcik and others were from that kampong.

All the bungalows in the area including the low rise apartments had no fencing. Similarly, the houses in the kampong too did not have any fencing. Most of the time, the doors to our house, as well as to the other houses both the bungalows and those in the kampong were left open. Perhaps this is what Open House really means.

Everything was peaceful; very few cases of housebreaking and theft. As children, we were running in and out of each others homes. We enjoyed our childhood. We were blessed with the life and soul of community living.

I recall how when my friends went through their passage to adulthood ceremony; the circumcision, the other boys were there to lend our moral support. When they had their religious classes, we were hanging around outside waiting for them to finish so we can go back to being the police or thief.

Today, we still have this kampong, community living atmosphere in the cities. We call them apartments or condominiums. The compound are fenced-up with private security guards on duty. Despite the fencing and guards, most of our doors are kept tightly shut with perhaps two or three sets of high quality locks and latches!

We call this progress and development but in truth we are losing our freedom, we are caging ourselves. Our confined space than contributes towards increasing our stress levels and blood pressure. We hardly know our neighbours; and when we do meet them it is just that pretentious smile and a quick hi-bye routine.

Lets ask ourselves; if you are out and something is being delivered to your home, do you have your neighbours telephone number? Can you call him/her to accept the item on your behalf first? Oh, by the way, do you even know who your neighbour is? Sad isn’t it?

I have been going round many apartments and condominiums meeting owners and residents to share information about the formation on the Joint Management Body to manage these properties. I always have the same feeling in these places be it a middle cost apartment or in a high end condominium.

I always get the feeling that many residents are suspicious of each other. Many residents know the face but do not really recall their neighbours name. Infact, if they bump into each other on the streets, they may not acknowledge each other.

Where is that community spirit – that good old kampong, all neighbours are my family feel? I say the fault lies within each and everyone of us. Lets get out of our shell; bring back that glorious good old days of true My Community, My Family. RUKUN TETANGA, Semangat Muhibbah!

from my older files.....

An Open Letter to All Candidates of PRU-12

It has now been over one month since the PRU-12. The Federal and State governments have been formed. However, it is sad to note all kinds of blaming and excuses, analysis and explanations on why some have lost and others won. We read this everyday in all the main stream media as well as in the alternative media in cyberspace.

Whether it is the Barisan National or Pakatan Rakyat ruling, one thing remains; we are still an Asian community with great and admirable culture. One of these is the fact that our culture teaches us to learn from our mistakes. Our culture also teaches us not to gloat over our victories.

Therefore, it is sad to read the news of how our politicians still refuse to admit defeat and learn. Instead, some choose to live in denial. I quote Marina Mahathir in her column: Living in Denial

Denial is a dangerous trait to have because it blinds us to problems we need to confront in order to solve them

To those who lost, dare to admit it, dare to fail. There is absolutely nothing wrong in failure but everything wrong when we do not learn from it. It is only when they learn and change that they may win at the next election!

Similarly, for those who won, that victory comes with a lot of responsibilities. All eyes are on you to perform and deliver. The priority is to deliver first and than to correct the previous mistakes; not fault finding to punish and gain political mileage. The same people that voted you in can also vote you out; and it is these same people who voted you in, who is watching you. You owe it to the rakyat to perform and deliver.

Therefore, I urge all parties to practice our Asian culture; learn from our mistakes and be humble with our victories.

Most important of all, let us move ahead. We cannot afford to have our country to remain on election mode and be static, whilst the rest of the world moves ahead. When this happens, it actually means that we have gone backwards. We cannot afford for this to happen.

So to all elected representatives – even when you have not been sworn-in yet, you have a duty to perform. And you were elected to represent the people, not your political bosses. Get a move on; proof your worth. To those who were not elected this time round, remember, during your campaign, you promised to serve; even in defeat, you can still serve!

Hidup Malaysia, Maju Malaysia! Malaysia-ku Gemilang!

from my older files.....

Mengenai AIR , hak asas warga Kondominium dan Pangsapuri.

Menyediakan bekalan air yang bersih, selamat dan pada kadar yang berpatutan kepada Rakyat adalah menjadi tanggungjawab kerajaan. Di Malaysia, tanggungjawab ini adalah di bawah kerajaan negeri.

Sebagai satu keperluan asas, maka semua perkara berkenaan dengan bekalan air seharusnya disediakan sama rata kepada semua Rakyat. Oleh itu, warga Kondominium dan Pangsapuri berasa kecewa kerana mereka dikehendaki membayar air pada kadar yang lebih tinggi berbanding dengan warga perumahan bertanah (landed property residents). Justeru, mereka telah menubuhkan satu jawatankuasa kerja (CAHC) untuk menyeru dan bekerjasama dengan pihak berkuasa untuk mengatasi masaalah ini.

Sebagai kerajaan yang prihatin dan berjiwa Rakyat, Kerajaan Selangor telah bersetuju bahawa Warga CAHC boleh membayar air pada kadar yang sama dengan warga perumahan bertanah. Walaubagaimanapun, beberapa masaalah pengurusan masih harus dipertimbangkan.

Kerajaan Negeri mencadangkan bahawa Warga CAHC mesti memohon sebagai Individu mengikut Jawatankuasa Kondominium / Pangsapuri berasingan kepada SYABAS untuk akaun individu mengikut unit-unit perumahan berasingan di Kondominium / Pangsapuri tersebut. Tetapi, permohonan ini perlu dipersetujui dan dibuat oleh Syarikat Pengurusan Kondominium dan Pangsapuri itu.

Soalan yang pertama: Mengapakah seorang rakyat perlu memohon untuk mendapatkan HAK ASAS-nya? Kedua: Mengapa pula hak asas ini perlu dipersetujui oleh pihak ketiga (Syarikat Pengurusan Kondominium/Pangsapuri)?

Kami mencadangkan supaya Kerajaan Negeri yang prihatin ini seharusnya, melalui Akta Kerajaan Negeri meluluskan undang-undang supaya semua rakyat tidak kira jenis tempat penginapan persendirian mereka membayar bekalan air pada kadar yang sama. Bagaimanapun, kadar yang lebiih rendah untuk penghuni rumah murah boleh terus diberikan kadar rendah yang sedia ada.

Kini, SYABAS akan mengeluarkan satu bil untuk bekalan air seluruh Kondominium / Pangsapuri kepada syarikat pengurusan. Syarikat itu pula akan menghitung pengunaan bekalan air oleh setiap unit penginapan dalam Kondominium / Pangsapuri tersebut. Perbezaan antara, unit air yang digunakan oleh semua unit individu dengan bil SYABAS menjadi penggunaan bersama (Common Use) dan dibiayai secara purata oleh semua warga tempat tersebut melalui Bayaran Pengurusan Bulanan.

Dalam garis-panduan kerajaan untuk Warga CAHC berhijrah kepada Meter Individu, kadar untuk bekalan air gunasama (Common Use) adalah pada kadar Perdagangan (Commercial Rate). Mengapa pula?

from my older files.....

I refer to the report by Chia Ying in today’s STAR Metro, Lee: Application Not The First. http://thestar.com.my/metro/story.asp?file=/2008/6/25/central/21624396&sec=central

I am absolutely surprised that an ADUN and / or Local Councillor carries so much authority in local governance. The former Subang Jaya assemblyman was quoted as saying; “There was no need for a public hearing as I had rejected it outright then, because it's a waste of public funds and time…….” He was referring to a developer’s proposal to develop a piece of land in USJ6.

My concern is the fact that an Adun / Councillor can make such a decision with no respect to laid down laws and procedures. Is a developer not entitled to a fair hearing also, if his application is submitted according to laid down guidelines?

In the same way, if an Adun / Councillor can reject outright, as boasted by the ex Adun, then he can also approve an application. Perhaps this answers the question on why there is an apparent over-development in Subang Jaya, especially in the Taipan area. Perhaps, Mr Lee could also explain why a development in USJ11 was approved without the affected residents given the opportunity of voicing their concerns in a Public Hearing. Was it also a waste of public funds, since the ADUN believes in the project?

Now I can understand why we have a local council, MPSJ in particular that seems to have little regard for public interest. Their hands are perhaps tied because we had a bunch of “napoleans” breathing down their necks. When the PM mentioned about these Little Napoleans, we had assumed it was the civil servants, but now it seems it is the BN politicians.

May the newly appointed councillors to be sworn in soon, carry out their duties with due respect to the procedures as laid down. No one; residents, developers or investors are above the law – transparency, accountability and good governance are all we ask for – is that too much to expect?

from the files....

Demi Bangsa dan Negara Ku…..

Yes indeed, like many other Malaysians out there, young and old, I am willing to give up my life to defend my country. This is “tanah tumpah nya darah-ku”. This is where I was born, and this is the land I will protect and defend.

When I say, “Saya rela mengorbankan nyawa-ku untuk mempertahankan Bangsa and Negara ku..” the bangsa I mean is BANGSA MALAYSIA! Having been born after 1957, I am a Malaysian in and out. I am ANAK MALAYSIA – 100%, full stop.

Therefore, I make special reservations when we fight for the freedom of the Hindraf 5. I cannot see myself supporting the cause when it is about 5 Indian guys! However, I support the cause that we should get rid of the ISA completely. Therefore, it is not the 5 Hindraf guys freedom but all detainees held under ISA.

In the same way, I fully support Raja Petra – and the fight to abolish the Sedition Act – not for any racially motivated objectives. We defend our rights to Freedom of Speech; the rights of all of us as Bangsa Malaysia living in a free Malaysia. I will lay down my life to protect our rights for the law to protect us, the citizens of this democratic country. I will fight abuses, where politicians from whatever party it is, abuse their positions for their own goals. We as Bangsa Malaysia, cannot accept any situations where the laws are bended or short-circuited for individuals interest as is obvious in the Raja Petra case.

As a proud Bangsa Malaysia, I will not accept when parliamentarians abuse their position of immunity in the house. The people’s representative cannot and must not insult the handicapped and get away with it. Likewise when they are disrespectful to our royalty, they too should be admonished. However, if they use their position and knowledge to advise on the rights of citizen, on the provisions of the constitution; it is their duty. The parliamentarians who instead harp on and turns it into a racial issue, should be “sent to hell” (meaning to have the full extent of the law on them).

Therefore, I laud the call of the Minister to Drop the ‘ketuanan’ issue unless of course the ketuanan is followed by rakyat; ie ketuanan rakyat. Indeed, as Bangsa Malaysia, we defend our rights, Ketuanan Rakyat is paramount – we are the masters of our own Malaysian Race.

The journey is long and winding but it can be reality when we can stand up and walk the talk. Let’s join hands in this long difficult journey for a better tomorrow for our children and their children.

from the files....

I refer to your article in the Metro today:
Councillor questions Hannah Yeoh seating at place reserved for councillors
By STUART MICHAEL

It saddens me that the newly appointed councillor, refered to in the article does not really understand his role and responsibilities. As a councillor, he should concentrate more on his job within the council and community during the meetings than picking on such irrelevant matters.
The fact that an elected representative of the people had taken the effort to sit-in as an observer should be applauded. As a guest at the meeting, the YB or for that matter any other concerned resident, that attends the meetings, should be treated as a guest. In our culture, we treat our guests with respect and will provide them with all necessary necessities to make their visit comfortable.
Therefore, when staff members of the council gave her the seat where a socket is available for her laptop, there is nothing inappropriate about it.
The fact that the councillor brought up the matter, either for reasons of embarassing the YB or whatever reasons, is most inappropriate.
I pray that such incident will not happen again, and that councillors will concentrate on more important matters. The MPSJ council is not a place for playing politics and the role of the councillors is to serve the community. If any councillor feels that they cannot accept such a role and responsibility, ie serving the community; than they should do the right thing and resign. The council is not an avenue for the councillors to glorify themselves or be used as a platform for political advancements.

from my older files.....

(sometime in second quarter 2008)

And finally the Selangor State Assembly members have been sworn in. They are now officially the elected members – the Wakil Rakyat.

Congratulations to all – specially to the New Speaker and Deputy Speaker. Indeed, history has been created. This truly is the change that the Rakyat is looking for when we exercised our vote on 8th March 2008.

The new State government must also remember their role is to serve the Rakyat. Thus it is the welfare of the Rakyat that comes first before anything else. Therefore, the appointments of individuals to positions of responsibility should have this as its priority over and above the political loyalty.

It is therefore most commendable for the Penang Chief Minister to appoint a member from the opposition coalition into some of the state’s agencies. It is putting the people’s welfare first – putting the best man, in his opinion, - for the job.

I sincerely hope the Selangor State Government would also be doing this. Even having a member from BN as councillor in the local governments would be a good thing. It can automatically be a check and balance; good governance and transparency!

We must not forget that we are all human and have our own individual weaknesses. Power can corrupt as we have seen it happen before. We cannot allow that to happen again in our community. Therefore, the new State Government should put in place measures to self-check themselves and what better way than appointing even BN members into the state agencies.

Ultimately, and I repeat it again – it is the welfare of the Rakyat – that is paramount.

It is thus very sad and disappointing to read about the seating arrangements in the Johore State Assembly. Opposition ADUNs were given seats right at the back. We must not forget that Opposition and the Ruling Party, jointly become what we call and respect as Democracy. The Opposition must be given the due respect being a component of Democracy.

The Opposition’s role is the check and balance in the system of democracy. They should rightly be placed right in front, opposite the leaders of the ruling party. If the Johore State Assembly cannot even respect this basic principle, than they have not respected the principles of Democracy: they have not respected the rights of the Rakyat.

Even after 50 years, there is yet so much more for all of us to learn. I am sure I speak for the Rakyat when I say, all is not lost yet! Let’s keep on moving ahead after that giant leap we took on the 8th of March 2008.

BN, PR and the Rakyat, to paraphrase a quote from the Prime Minister, Let’s not work for anyone, but let’s work together; for our nation, our Malaysia.

of Taxis and Call a Cab Services..

Today I did not have a car - out of service.

I planned to use the services of a cab. I needed to get to PJ Sec14 by 2pm so I started to call for a cab from 12:30.

I called two companies, but no cab available and I kept trying both companies for over an hour. Each time I called, I would be put on hold for at least 2 minutes than to be told that there is no cab in the area.

I got really mad so I told the cab company I will add on RM20 to the fare.......immediately, they told me there is a cab available! That made me even more angry....of course I cancelled it! And they keep calling back saying they have cab available now.

Gosh, is this how our cab services work? The worst is that we always see taxis parked at the bus stops waiting for customers and when approached they will not use their meter and ask for an exhorbitant fare!

And no one can or is doing anything about it......!

The best is yet to come...

One year on……
March 8th 2009, what would have been a significant date for Malaysians in general, passed as quietly as it had come. To many Anak Bangsa Malaysia, it was just another day.
The anniversary of the 8th March 2008 Political Tsunami was not celebrated as much as I would like to have seen. Than again, there was not much to celebrate.
During this year, we witnessed the death of democracy and the voice of the rakyat in Perak. This is particularly sad as I am a proud Perakian. However, I still believe that Democracy can and will be “resurrected” .
Many of my fellow Malaysians have over the many months lamented that “things are not happening even with the Pakatan Rakyat government – what’s happening?”
I questioned the same in the early months after March8th 2008. Than I realized that it is not enough just to complaint – get into it and help get things moving! Initially, I was determined that PR does not keep using the excuse of “we just got in – give us some time” Thus I got myself in and volunteered myself to help in Selangor.
I can honestly state that the PR government is doing their best to get things moving and bring in changes. This is despite the frustrations and sabotages that they have to face even from amongst the civil servants. Nevertheless, one thing is for sure happening – that things are being done in the best interest of the Rakyat in general, with transparency.
Change management is not an easy task to handle. We have a mindset that has developed for over at least one generation – it takes time.
Some of the PR leaders themselves are products of the past 50 year’s thinking and methodology of doing things. All of us,also grew up in this same culture – thus we cannot just expect changes politically. We as concerned citizens and Anak Bangsa Malaysia must also make that commitment within ourselves to change.
From the governance point, PR has appointed a mix of people, both party and from amongst the professionals into the local councils. This is perhaps the first step towards re-introducing Local Government Elections.
Many of us, may not even know of this or understand what it means. The councilors, at this lowest level of governance are doing the best under difficult circumstances. In some local councils we see better results than in others but we keep moving forward.
The politicians at the state and executive levels – some still have the “mind-set” as mentioned above. Instead of allowing the councilors to do their job, they try to “influence” and exert their authority. Can we blame them: they were approached and pressured by the rakyat (their voters) and they must be seen to do something? So it goes back to my earlier argument that we ourselves must change our mindset.
We must put in the effort t o do things in the proper way. That “kau tim” mentality must no longer be practiced. We can and must use our influences in a positive way. More importantly, we must educate others within our circle of influence to do likewise.
Changes must come from the people and not just from the politicians. The rakyat must have the political will to change, we must walk the talk.
First we put our crosses in the ballot paper for change; now let us walk that talk and begin the walk for change.
This is just the beginning, better things are in store; let that change begin with ourselves!

Thinking Malaysians

A blog is supposed to be for one to write his thoughts. However, from time to time, I do the "copy and paste" thing when I read something that reflects what I am thinking. It is an easy way out but for me it is because I have high respect for the fellow blogger and more so the way he has put his thought (our thoughts) in words.

So today, I am copying what RPK has written about education (I confess this is done without his approval). Well, you post it in the blog than it belongs to everyone else now, especially if it is for a fellow blogger and Anak Bangsa Malaysia.

Anyway, thank you Yg Mulia :-)

""On the second news item about the English language, Lam Thye was only half-right. He only spoke about the weak implementation of teaching English for science and maths. Actually, we have a weak education system, full stop.When we stifled the education system by banning students from thinking that was when our education system started going downhill. The Japanese learn in Japanese, the Thais in Thai, the Indonesians in Indonesian, and so on. If you want to go to France to study you need to first learn French. Has using languages other than English ever been a problem for non-English speaking countries?However, in these countries I quoted, they allow students to think. In Malaysia, we do not allow the same. We even have laws that make it a crime for students to get involved in politics.Students must be allowed to think. They must be allowed to dissent if they wish to. Only through activism will students develop. Telling students what they can and cannot think does not help them develop. This is where the problem lies.They can speak Swahili for all I care. But as long as they are allowed to think and can think for themselves then they can develop into the type of people we would like them to. But to treat students as if they were children would mean they would grow up to become children.Innovation can’t be stifled. By stifling the freedom to develop means we are stifling growth itself. And that is why Malaysian students can’t develop. It is not about the language. It is about what we have not allowed them to become.""

Anak Bangsa Malaysia - One Nation, One People

This is one of the cultural events that I enjoy attending.

Inter racial mixes......and more importantly, continuing with our cultural heritage.

Here Anne, wife of YB Sivarasa lighting the oil lamp to launch the Harvest Festival, Ponggol.

ALLAH - now you can , now you cannot

Yesterday the papers announced that the Catholic publication can use the word ALLAH albeit with some very "stupid" conditions. I believed that even with the announcement by the Minister, the Catholic Church did not view it as any form of victory.

Than today, the same Minister withdraws that permission..............hmmmmm???

Just yesterday we had the news of the increase of toll with the Minister making all sorts of justifications for the increase. Than within 24 hours, that decision changes again, after "intervention" by the PM.

Gosh, are we Anak Bangsa Malaysia being treated like idiots or what? What kind of governance is this when serious decisions like the above two examples can be turned around with hours....is there no form of responsibility before making such announcements - so buat aje la, orang tak suka, kita tukar balik la....kita kan gomen!

God help us!

CONDOLENCES - HARIS BRO

Just received news of the passing of Haris' mother:

Al Fatiha.............may she rest in peace!

My prayers with Haris and family

Councillors and Council Meetings...

I am now sitting in on the Full Board Meeting of the Selayang Local Council.

A Full Board Meeting is held once every month for council to evaluate the activities for the month as well as to review the reports of the sub committees.

I am most disappointed that only around 70% of the councillors have any opinions and are speaking-up. Are the rest of them so well briefed on what is happening and agreeing to whatever that is presented; or do they have no opinions whatsoever.

I do wonder sometimes (most of the times) about these silent councillors. Are they truly able to serve their communities? What messages are these councillor giving to the rakyat about what the Pakatan Rakyat government is doing. I feel that many of these councillors are indeed a disservice to Pakatan Rakyat.

We hear that at times the existing staff of the Councils are trying to frustrate the Pakatan Rakyat government. Here, it is an example that the PR appointed councillors themselves are frustrating the Pakatan Rakyat government.

Civil Society, please stand up and make your voices heard!

One week is a long time in politics.....

These wise words were spoken many many years ago by a British Parliamentarian and indeed it rings true even today; infact within the cyber space, one day is also a long time........

Malaysian politics have always been interesting and more so in the past week

Eli's picture - not completely naked but the press portrays it as if it is some sort of porno materials. The play of words in headlines (which by the way, Eli was on front page for most of the week - despite parliament being in session!). I am not to judge on morals, but Eli has clearly been victimised here. The show of support for her from friends and strangers alike has been most touching.

I have attended no fewer than 5 Support Eli gatherings....and at each and every gathering, I was touched. If only Eli could have been present to see and feel for herself the outpouring of support.
Sometimes, in public life, this kind of support is the kind of reward that means so much...but public life also comes with the negative part which sadly is what is being experienced by Eli.

However, I know Eli is a strong lady and will gain strength in God to see her through this obstacle. She will come back stronger than ever; and hey Eli, remember you told me about the few pairs of old shoes in your car, well now you know where to throw them!!! hang on there my dear sister!

RPK, with his "final words" and the appeal hearing last Monday. Being in court made me ashamed of our judiciary; yet at the same time proud of my fellow Anak Bangsa Malaysia for their care and show of support; especially the younger friends. Again, I submit to the Will of God; and I am proud to be apart of the Prayer Support group for RPK - everynight at 10, lets say a prayer in our own hearts, for justice!

Now I also realise why The Palace of Justice is known in Bahasa Malaysia as Istana Kehakiman and not Istana Keadilan; they do not seem to want to practice keadilan. That is a Judicairy Palace ruled by the judges appointed by the government instead of a Palace of Justice to protect the rights of all who go before them.

If I am a lawyer I would be ashamed of the system we have in the country now. I ask lawyers to make a firm stand to change it!!!!

Perak....oh I carry 08 in my IC, I am a Perakian. Whatever is happening there is truly sad. It is the death of democracy. And worst still the Sultan is now dragged into the mess! I truly pray that justice prevails and the voice of the people will be respected. Perhaps as someone did suggest, all Perakians should wear a black armband to mourn the death of democracy in Perak.

PKR - CNY dinner of 500 tables; my my my, that was an impressive turn out and show of support. The whole event was very much a people orientated event where our representatives were given due respect but without all the protocol. PKR and Pakatan Rakyat has proven yet again that they are a government of the people for the people!

If there was a black dot was when I noticed a "leader" who jumped in to PKR from the chinese party under BN. This "leader" walked in but was full of arrogance accompanied by two bodyguards; gosh people like this coming in to PKR would bring a negative influence. They must learn to change and adapt to the PR culture and not bring in the BN culture!

Rumours going round is that this leader may be a candidate should there be a by-election in Bkt Lancan.I dread to imagine this happening.............would I campaign for a leader like this - NO WAY! But of course I will not do anything to challenge her but actively campaigning for this leader, no way !

My thoughts for this week in a nutshell