The Road Less Travelled

saturday sept 3

2011-09-03T12:47:00.001+08:00

Its Saturday again, the 8th after the historical 709 BERSIH march. Im sitting here with my Samsung Tab reflecting back on that great day.

Yeah, it was truly a special day and it brings a smile to my face each time i think, talk or recall that special day. I still distinctly remember having tears in my eyes while joining hundreds of others in singing the National Anthem on Petaling street. Smiling and shaking hands with complete strangers and friends, what an experience.

But now two months on, I wonder if that oomph, that 'semangat' is still burning inside us? It is still burning in me, to see Free and Fair elections come GE13. Of course the million ringgit question is when will be the GE13?

I feel sad to speculate that GE13 will come only after a turbulant time in Malaysia following Anwar's imprisonment. Yes, I am definitely sure he will be sent in yet again. Reformasi v2.0 cum BERSIH v3.0 will be a reality. This time round even more rakyat will be out on the streets. International attention will be even more than before.

UMNO will pull out all stops to 'fight' for their survival, grasping like a drowning man. Yes, it will indeed be a difficult moment for the nation but one that we would nevertheless have to go through. I just pray that there will be minimal blood shed and minimal damage and economic loss.

Emerging from that will be GE13 which will bring Malaysia into a new political chapter in our nation's history. What will we become after that?

I see changes but not immediate. Change will come slowly and i would rather see it come slowly but sustained instead of drastic but not long lasting.

The key factor would be in the hands of civil society who must keep the politicians in check. The new generation politicians must engage civil society to help bring Malaysia forward and to survive.

2011-09-02T02:20:00.002+08:00

It has been 3 months since my last posting. The past 3 months have been interesting, challenging and thought provoking. Now on the 3rd day of syawal, after a very relaxing short break, i sit reflecting on what I have gone through.

I start with my sad reflection of my nation's 54th Independent year.

I call it Independence Day and not Freedom or National Day. It is certainly not National Day as Malaysia was not formed on 31st Aug nor was she formed in 1957. On this date and year, the Brits left our homeland but the rakyat did not grt their freedom. Malaya was free from British colonisation, but Malaysia was yet to be formed.

Thus, we commemorate our Independence but we certainly do not celebrate our National Day nor is there cause to celabrate our freedom or Merdeka.

I noticed there are very few Jalur Gemilang flying either on vehicles or on buildings. This is despite the government's concerted effort to encourage people to fly the flag.

This is a loud and clear message from the people that the government should be listening to and respecting it. There is indeed little to celebrate but a whole lot to reflect on.

Apakah ertinya kemerdekaan apabila negara kita masih dalam keadaan darurat?
Apakah ertinya kemerdekaan kalau rakyat tidak bebas bersuara atau berhimpun secara aman?

I certainly see that the state of our nation today is because those who came before us chose to be silent.

Can we continue to be silent? A regime will continue to rule with little care and respect for the rights of the people if the people continue to be silent for whatever reason: fear, ignorance or simply because they are not bothered.

I appeal to my fellow Malaysians to give serious consideration to what kind of a nation you want to leave for your children and the next generation.

We cannot afford to remain silent. We owe it to our children to leave for them a nation that is truly independent and free where there is justice and rule of law.

We must give oud children a cause to fly the Jalur Gemilang with pride and to celebrate MERDEKA!

Inflation, Price Increase and Subsidies

2011-05-22T13:41:00.001+08:00

My Thoughts, week ending 21st May 2011

This week ended with talks or rather; with the UMNO Regime “preparing” the rakyat with news of the forthcoming price increase for RON95.

I am not one who advocates subsidies but as Najib has said, subsidies are like opium and the rakyat are addicted.

Therefore, it is very important indeed for the administration to look at its priorities especially when it comes to cutting subsidies.

Removing subsidies for RON95 and for sugar and diesel (as announced recently) are definitely not the way forward. These are basic items which will also be the “multiplier” – thus an increase in price would bring along a rolling effect on the price of many more basic necessities.

Whilst the UMNO regime has reported an inflation rate of 3% the truth and reality on the ground is that price of household items and basic necessities have increased by an average of 10% year to year with no corresponding increase in salary.

Thus at this point in time, reducing subsidies for RON95 as part of the administration’s subsidy rationalization plans is definitely not the way.

What more with the recent Bank Negara’s announcement of an increase in base rates means the rakyat would be burdened with higher loan repayments.

The average Malaysian family spends over 40% of their income on purchasing basic household necessities. Thus a big portion of our expenditure will be further hit by an increase in price of basic necessities.

Therefore with these real figures it would definitely not be morally right for the administration to even consider a reduction in the subsidies for RON95. Not at this point in time anyway.

What should rightfully be done instead is to have the political will to regularize the subsidies given that does not bring direct benefit to the lower income communities. Subsidies given to the Independent Power Producers for example, must definitely be re-looked at seriously.

Similarly, tightening the belt by the administration and leadership must be given serious priority. Unnecessary and wasteful spending must be curbed. Good governance and competency must be real and not just be given lip-service.

Public transportation must be on top of the list of priorities that the administration need to reform. The services must be efficient, user-friendly and affordable where the rakyat would be proud to use it and would encourage others to use it too.

Introducing minimum wages would be another way to spread the burden with businesses. With bigger take-home pay and thus stronger spending power, an increase in price of basic necessities due to reducing subsidies would bring lesser impact.

Yes I remain a proponent of rationalization of subsidies. The nation’s economic status must be real; based on real figures and not on these “subsidized reality”. There must come a point in time when we free ourselves of the addiction as suggested by Najib or as the doctor said,” we must get rid of the crutches.”

My thoughts 11-05-11

2011-05-11T17:02:00.001+08:00

The week that was…
The last week saw the return of our annual visit by the haze.
If the hot weather continues, the haze will only get worse and of course out will come the face masks of all shapes and colours; the new fashion statements.
As Anak Bangsa Malaysia, the last week also brought about the dark political sky to our nation.
The suggestion by the mainstream press about DAP supporting the churches to make Christianity the official religion in Malaysia is a serious matter. However, despite its serious repercussions , our ministers were quick in making comments and remarks without due consideration to its consequences.
DAP nor any other political party would in any way even think about let alone suggest to touch on the question of the official religion for our country. Some have argued that there is in fact no official religion in the Constitution; whatever it is, the general public assumes and respects that Islam is the official religion.
Therefore all official state functions will begin by reciting the prayer according to the Islam faith. However, there is nothing stopping the non-muslim participants for quietly murmuring a prayer in their own faith.
I am a practicing Christian, and for me personally and to many of my fellow Christian brothers and sisters, mine is not a religion. It is in fact a relationship between myself and my God. When I pray, it means I am communicating with my God; sharing my thoughts and seeking for his guidance. This is what a relationship means.
Therefore I do not think even for a moment that the church leaders would even want to suggest making Christianity the official religion in Malaysia.
Thus Utusan Malaysia’s irresponsible reporting plus a misleading picture smacks of insensitivity and mischief. As a responsible Prime Minister, Najib has little choice but to publicly rebuke the editors of Utusan Malaysia. If he fails to do that, it means that he is in fact condoning such irresponsibility. He cannot hide behind the fact of freedom of speech, because this kind of freedom is indeed very selective.
In fact, Freedom of Speech which even Pakatan Rakyat supports, does come with responsibility. When someone practices this Freedom without the responsibility, than they must bear the consequences.
I applaud the Penang PR Government for taking the initiative of banning Utusan Malaysia from covering their programmes. This is one such consequence of irresponsibility. I urge the other Pakatan Rakyat state governments to do likewise.
However, this cannot be compared with taking away the rights of Utusan Malaysia from covering their events simply because Utusan is bias in their reporting. It is their right to be bias leaning to their masters but being irresponsible is another thing altogether.
Than came Tuesday with the report that sugar prices will be raised by another 20sen per kilo. As usual, our dear minister goes overboard to justify the increase.
Comparing the price of sugar here with Singapore without comparing the income levels of the citizens is akin to “hazing” the rakyat’s view. However, the rakyat today, is not that easily conned. The cyberworld has opened the eyes of the rakyat.
By reducing the subsidy for sugar the government is reported to have saved RM116 million. This makes perfect sense; but not so when we see the same government allocating RM110 million to an NGO which comes under the patronage of the wife of the Prime Minister. How can the government therefore justify either spending the money for the NGO or increasing the price of sugar.
So yes the week has been hazy but as always, the haze will go away. Likewise, the “haze” of incomplete, misleading and irresponsible information to the rakyat will also go away. The rakyat will see the clear picture sooner or later; sooner I hope. When the picture becomes clear, that’s when it matters most, what they would do with the clear picture. Vote for Change!

life sentences

2011-05-05T11:30:00.000+08:00

Every life is sacred. Every person has a sacred right, not just to
breathe and have a heartbeat, but also to lead a normal, regular life
without unjustified persecution, harassment and victimisation. When
politicians and political parties destroy the lives of innocent people
in order to preserve their own power, that, to me, is evil. Or, to use
a milder term, let's just say it is immoral.

This is my bottom line: The PAP has no morals and no moral authority to
govern Singapore. Because it does not uphold the life and freedom of
individuals. Its stubborn refusal to drop the death penalty - including
mandatory death penalty for drug traffickers, giving judges no room to
consider specific circumstances of a case - only reinforces this lack
of respect for life.

public transport - MRT

2011-04-30T15:04:00.000+08:00

Petaling Jaya is facing an acute traffic congestion problem in almost the whole city. Most arterial roads are already at levels E and F and even beyond that. Due to lack of proper planning in the bad old days, even residential roads are now being used at through-ways. The current council faces a challenging task of balancing between new approving new developments and solving the traffic nightmare. Thus any proposal including the MRT that can contribute towards improving the traffic problem in the city would be most welcomed.
Therefore I sincerely believe that the MRT can be a savior. That is why we see so many residents being concerned and taking an interest in the project.

There is no doubt that an efficient public transport system is the only solution to the city's traffic problems.

SPAD as the monitoring body is indeed going in the right direction by having public consultations on the project. However, there must be sincerity and commitment to listen to and respect public opinion and not do it purely as a public relations exercise.

Currently, our public transport is in a big mess with the general public having little or no confidence at all. Therefore only 10% of Klang Valley residents uses public transport. Why so?

The current system is not user friendly, built and operated not for the user in mind but profit motivated.

It took at least 10 years for the current existing rail systems to be integrated and interconnected. Even today ticketing systems between the various operators are not fully integrated.

The interconnectivity between existing lines is a disgrace. One only need to look at the Rapid bus services and the current LRT shuttle services.

The connectivity between services at Hang Tuah and Masjid Jamek is truly an embarassment and a major inconvenience to users. The link between Dang Wangi LRT and the monorail is incomprehensible.

The Rapid Bus system when introduced assured us of 15mins waiting time for laluan utama and 30mins for laluan tempatan. Ask any user and they will tell you this is absolute rubbish.

The excuse given by the management of Rapid is even more mind boggling. The schedule could not be met because at the time of planning we did not anticipate the high volume of traffic on the road thus slowing down our buses. Secondly we have 1500 buses but only 400 operating because of maintenace and breakdowns.

All these are merely excuses which are also insulting the intelligence of the rakyat. These problems are due to poor planning and management by the operators.

The proposed MRT system will be operated by the same people currently providing our public transport services.

Pray tell how on earth can the rakyat have any confidence at all on this proposed project. Even though we know it is much needed but the rakyat have little or no confidence in its effectiveness.

I propose that much more effort, time and investment be placed in improving the existing systems. Set a specific target of higher ridership using the current public transport services.

In the meantime, spend time engaging the public on the proposed MRT. There is little point in rushing through the project just for the feel good 'syiok sendiri' syndrome. We do not have to do it just because our neighbours have it.

We must do it properly and get it right the first time. We must fully engage the rakyat and make this a project that the rakyat feel that they are a part of it.

The MRT project must be the pride of the nation and not be allowed to be a national disgrace!

Re: Malaysia's Emergency Ordinance

2011-04-22T15:58:00.001+08:00

PRESS RELEASE by N Surendran, PKR Vice President
Malaysia must end Emergency state
22 April 2011

Today Syria's authoritarian ruler Bashar al Assad was forced to lift
emergency rule which had been used to oppress and intimidate the
people of Syria for almost 50 years. The battle for freedom in Syria
is far from over, but this is a great new beginning for all
freedom-loving Syrians. The tyrant has been pushed into a corner and
it is only a matter of time before the people triumph. We in Malaysia
stand in solidarity with our brothers and sisters in Syria.

We understand their struggle, for we too are involved in a peaceful
struggle to regain our political freedoms from the intolerant Barisan
Nasional government. In Malaysia several states of emergency continue
unrepealed and with full legal force. It is time to repeal all
Emergency proclamations and laws which are deliberately and
maliciously being kept in existence by the Government. These emergency
proclamations were made between 1964 and 1977, including the 1964
proclamation meant to deal with the confrontation with Indonesia and
the 1969 proclamation made in the wake of the May 13 riots. Many
oppressive ordinances promulgated under emergency powers remain
operative and continue to be used by the authorities.

Emergency powers are invoked under Article 150 of the Federal
Constitution. It is clear from a reading of Article 150 that a state
of emergency can only be maintained where there is a real threat to to
the security or economic life of Malaysia. A state of emergency
maintained otherwise than in accordance with the preceding
circumstances is nothing short of governmental tyranny; a tyranny
which the Barisan Nasional government has had no compunction in
continuing over the past 50 years. Barisan Nasional's motive is simply
to frighten the people into submission and thus prolong their unjust
rule by unconstitutional means.

It is a great shame to our country that some of the worst North
African and Middle East tyrannies have recently lifted their
respective states of emergency, whereas several states of emergency
continue in our country. The core and the strength of the BN's lawless
abuse of the law to achieve their selfish ends resides in these
emergency powers. We urge the BN government to put the people before
their own narrow political agenda and to immediately lift all existing
states of emergency in Malaysia.

And the verdict is - MONEY SPEAKS!

2011-04-17T17:03:00.001+08:00

Malaysian politics is certainly a roller-coaster ride…..it goes up and it goes down but the only consistent factor is that the rakyat will vote for money.
All the recent by-elections were lost by Pakatan Rakyat because of two consistent factors outside of their control: ie Money and Postal Votes. These by-elections should be renamed BUY-elections.
So what can be done?
Pakatan Rakyat and especially PKR has lots to learn and change. Learn from past failures and learn from DAP’s campaign style and strategies.
PKR and to an extent PAS is still campaigning the old ways – the BN style. Sweet talk the rakyat, dish out a few candies here and there, “whack” the opponent. This approach does not work for PR because we lose out to BN’s huge machinery and endless bank account.
Look at DAP – their campaign is based on MARKETING; they sell themselves and their achievements with a mascot and theme song too. They even have cuddly toys that supporters buy and the voters see themselves as being a part of the whole campaign. It has been proven to work and being able to overcome even BN’s machinery and money.
We can argue that DAP’s win is because of the Chinese voters who cannot be easily bought. This is true too so BN may just spend more and do more in Chinese areas before the next General Elections.
So what is the next step for Pakatan Rakyat?
PR must seriously look into the issues that they are campaigning on. PKR’s approach of defending Anwar Ibrahim at all costs against Najib can no longer work. The REFORMASI struggle is no longer relevant if it remains focused on DSAI only.
Word on the ground in Sarawak is that they want to know what Pakatan Rakyat can do for them in real terms. They want to know how they can continue to earn a living and that their rice bowls will be protected.
The general man on the street in not bothered with talk of Justice for Teoh Beng Hock , of Kugan or Amirulrashid. In Sarawak for example, if a few people from Semenanjung is banned from entering Sarawak, so what – they are not bothered. If Taib is corrupt, so what – as long as I still can earn a living even though I dun have pipe water or electricity. I can still manage with a generator that the good BN government gave my village.
Clean and fair elections and a corruption free government: that is your problem. It does not matter to me – even when PR becomes government you cannot be clean. All politicians are the same. So I better stick with the ones I know from before.
So even here in Semenanjung, basic bread and butter issue matters to the makcik and pakcik in the kampong and they are the majority. Lopsided contracts, human rights are terms that are alien to them.
In as much as we are all concerned about these matters and it is these issues that form the basic fundamentals to our struggle, it does not work in an election campaign in the interiors and in the villages.
Even DAP’s wonderfully managed marketing campaign will not work in the interiors and in the villages.
Therefore PR must relook and rebrand themselves in order to have a fighting chance come the next GE. Perhaps, learning from DAP; PKR and PAS must start a Marketing Style campaign for the villages and the general middle and lower middle class Malay community.
It is undeniable that PR has got the Chinese and middle-class Malays and Indians in the pocket but PR must keep them in the pocket. PR has lots more to do to get into the hearts of the middle and lower-middle class Malays and Indian voters.
PR must be seen to be able to put food on their tables and a roof over their heads. PR must be seen to be able to give them a sense of security instead of being seen as people that always go protesting this and that; issues that they do not really understand.
For the urbanites, PR must ensure that in the States that they are governing now, pothole are patched, traffic lights are working, drains are flowing and developments controlled and sustainable. These issues if resolved assures that votes remain in PR pockets.
So the difficulty is in the bread and butter issues. BN has done a great job in telling the people that PR cannot do anything because they have never done anything. BN is right too because PR has never been in government to be able to do anything nor does PR have the money to do anything. So PR’s marketing must focus on educating the rakyat on PR’s current limitations and creating that dream of what PR can do and will do once in government.
Creating that dream (Yes We can) is what won Obama the presidentship. PR must likewise create that dream and certainly move away from REFORMASI and the DSAI shadow. Perhaps PKR should swallow humble pie and clinch on DAP’s ” UBAH” battle cry for the coming GE13 – and that dream of Putrajaya can indeed become a reality.
Berkhidmat Untuk Rakyat.

Residents want a sense of security before removing boom gates

2011-04-08T14:56:00.000+08:00

THE debate on gated and guarded schemes is the hottest and a long standing community issue that has drawn divided views in recent years.

The schemes, which are categorised by the Housing and Local Government Ministry as ‘gated communities’ that has strata titles and ‘guarded neighbourhoods’ — should only be guarded and not gated. These are forced by-products of high crime rates.

Earlier, residents and authorities called for proper guidelines to put a stop to noise pollution. However, the clauses that did not address to realities actually created more questions.

Aside from ambiguously requiring the consent of the majority, the guidelines demand that every boom barrier be manned by a security guard. Have they any idea how many entry and exit points a typical housing estate in the Klang Valley has? Asking the guards not to request for identification from anyone entering the area defeats the purpose of having security. So are the guards supposed to say ‘hi’ to the suspicious-looking people?

In an attempt to set the rules straight, the Petaling Jaya City Council sent out mass notices instructing residents’ associations to remove all barriers built on public roads on Boxing Day last year. The move drew a huge outcry and the matter is still left unresolved.

The directive was insensitive especially when residents have invested thousands of Ringgit in the scheme which was beginning to show results.

Many families — mine included — who are not rich, have to agree to gate-and-guard our neighbourhood because all other housing estates around us have already implemented the scheme. If we don’t do that, then our housing area will become a target for thefts and robberies.

I must admit that subscribing to the scheme has eased my worries as my parents and grandparents are at home.

While the scheme has successfully reduced crimes, it has produced some adverse effects like hampering fire engines and ambulances from reaching the homes of patients and victims as quickly as possible in emergency situations.

While we have to resort to stay behind locked grilles, boom gates and security personnel to feel safe, the situation in some other countries are very different. Homes in Australia do away with perimeter fences and women in Singapore can take public transport at midnight without fear of being robbed.

We all want the same thing — a sense of security.

While becoming comfortable with the gated-and-guarded schemes, we do not want this to be our culture or worst-case scenario, an unwanted identity of a world-class city we aspire to be.

Instead of hitting at the local council to make the schemes work, residents should check how much we have progressed to reduce dependency on the schemes.

Get updates from the police during dialogues and monitor the length of time used by the force to address safety issues.

Also, are CCTVs and other safety measures working effectively to combat crime?

Giving us a sense of security does not happen overnight. Convince us that when we take away the boom gates, we will still feel safe.

Reduced crime rates do not fully reflect the police’s efficiency. There are fewer crime cases because people have compromised on their lifestyle and prefer to stay ‘behind bars’.

Authorities should brief residents on the effectiveness of alternative measures such as auxiliary police, community policing and personnel re-deployment. Explore other means such as mobilising Rela to work closely with the residents.

At the end of the day, I would rather have my tax contribution going to uniformed bodies than to private security firms.

My Frustrations....

2011-04-08T13:18:00.000+08:00

I have commiteed my time, energy and resources to help bring positive changes to Malaysia. I have chosen to work through the Pakatan Rakyat because it is the only available avenue for the moment to fight against Barisan National.

BN has continued in their own manner despite the sounding they recieved in March 2008. Even though their "advisor and consultant" has been giving good advice to the PM, however the grassroots are not singing the same tune. The blatant disrespect of the voice of the people and corrupt practices continues.

Therefore, I have chosen to work through Pakatan Rakyat and i am indeed honoured to be able to serve the community through the office of the Member of Parliament for SUBANG, YB Sivarasa. I habour no political ambitions except to bring changes to the enitre system of governance and see good practices in operation.

I am therefore saddened to note that in many ways and far too often, our currently elected PR representatives seem to have too much ego in their heads. far too often I have noticed how our PR elected representatives are behaving exactly in the same way the BN counterparts were doing.

Although they started off in 2008 as being very people friendly and results orientated but as the months go by, they fall into the trap of their egos and pride. Arriving late to planned meetings, wanting to be "greeted" with grandiose are surely but slowly slipping in.

They want to take credit for almost everything and even when others are helping out, these elected representatives are not keen because they themselves are not present. It does not matter if the problems are not solved, it should not be handled because they still cannot find time to be present. The YB wants to be there first so they can claim credit; its their own ego that comes first - not the rakyat.

Therefore from my first hand experience, I know full well, Rakyat didahulukan is a load of rubbish not just with BN but also with many within PR too.

Some of the PR State government leaders (EXCO) continues to fall into the "trap" of listening to the existing civil servants who are indeed very good at "boot polishing". It was these same officers who were there with the BN government before this and thus the root of the administrative problems before. Now we are still listening to the same people.

Lest we not forget, it was this "poor management" of the government operations that got BN the boot. The average man on the street does not bother too much about the politics, but want to see proper administration - smooth flow of documentations, fair decisions for all, less pot holes, lamp posts that works, traffice lights that works, drains that flow ...... but when the operative fail to function with all kinds of excuses and our "leaders" listen more to them and buy their excuses instead of the residents, we are back to square one.

I admit that with our more open and people friendly approach, every resident is able to call us directly to complain and some of these complainants are a real nuisance but this is part and parcel of our job.

However, we should be good managers and get things done and be results orientated and in many cases be authoritative instead of being the nice guy, playing the "politician" even with these civil servants - who may proof to be our own downfall.

It is indeed a frustrating job......

My little part for Competency, Accountability and Transparency plus sustainabale development

2011-03-04T14:18:00.001+08:00

Ara Damansara residents irked by changes to project
Story and photo by YIP YOKE TENG
teng@thestar.com.my

THE Petaling Jaya City Council (MBPJ) spent much time drafting the Petaling Jaya Special Area Plan (RKK) but it is now said to go against the recommendations spelt out in the plan.

Residents of Ara Damansara found out the site for Ara Greens Wellness and Healthcare City project should have a plot ratio of 1:2 but the council had allowed 1:3.9.

The residents were also surprised to find out about the project’s conditional approval while it was agreed in the full board meeting in January the project was to be further reviewed.

They said another shocking find was that one of the blocks meant for service apartment later become a “hotel”.

A group of them visited the 3.24ha project site with Kota Damansara assemblyman Dr Mohd Nasir Hashim and Subang MP R. Sivarasa’s aide Peter Chong on Tuesday.

“The RKK recognises Jalan Lapangan Terbang Subang as a main road, development along the road can have a plot ratio of 1:4, and density should be reduced in accordance with its distance from the road and the LRT station. The project, as shown in this plan, should only have a plot ratio of 1:2,” said resident C.P. Lim, showing a print-out copy of the plan.

Concerns raised: Ara Damansara residents showing Dr Mohd Nasir (fifth from left) and Chong (second from left) the site on which the Ara Greens Wellness and Healthcare City project will be built and the relevant documents.
“The council has spent so much money commissioning the experts to come out with this plan, why are they not following it?” he asked.

He said the project had suddenly been changed to include a 180-room hotel, in place of the original service apartment with 180 units. The project will also include six blocks of medium-cost service apartments and one block of medical centre.

“The parking requirement will drastically change if they change the usage of the block from apartment to hotel. For service apartment, there must be 2.5 parking bays per unit and another 20% for visitors’ parking while hotel needs to have only one bay for every three rooms. Parking space will be reduced significantly,” Lim added.

The residents also highlighted that the site, as well as that of the adjacent proposed project named Lembah Penchala, was marked for recreational purpose in the Sime Pilmoor Development masterplan in 1995.

“Apart from the 5.3ha land, there were supposed to be two sites for secondary and primary schools but they are now occupied by a commercial area and an abandoned project. Where are the replacement sites? Why have the institutional land disappeared?” another resident Rajinderjit Singh said.

Lim pointed out that since the site was meant for recreational purpose, the utilities might not have enough capacity for such major development.

Chong said the council should explain as to why Form C, which means approval with condition, was issued to the developer while the council was supposed to review the project as requested by the full board.

“Once Form C is issued, all changes will need to be done at the state level, the council will no longer accept the appeals,” he said, adding there was a pressing need to look back at the minutes to find out what had happened.

Dr Nasir said he was also taken aback by the sudden changes in the development plan and questioned why the people were not consulted.

“We support development but there must be a balance. Development should not be done at the expense of the people,” he said.

On the other hand, a spokesman representing the developer clarified that the company did not have any intention to build a hotel.

“It could be miscommunication. The block is meant to be a service apartment, not a hotel” he said.

He added that the company was not aware whether the land was meant for recreational purposes but the current status was “commercial”, and the company had obtained conditional Development Order from the council.

As for the plot ratio, he said when the project was approved it was 1:3.9, and if a new plan had required the plot ratio to be changed, it should only be applied to future projects.

A truly Multiracial Chinese New year celebration

2011-02-22T11:29:00.003+08:00

Surviving the Coming Hard Time !

2011-01-31T20:47:00.000+08:00

By Stanley Koh

Stanley Koh was the head of research unit at MCA.

COMMENT

It turns out that the government you voted in will not hold your hand to see you through hard times. Instead, it will make sure to add to your suffering because that is the easiest way it can avoid going bankrupt.

Barisan Nasional has apparently decided that the time has come to remove or cut subsidies — the kind of subsidies that poor people depend on, not the kind enjoyed by big corporations and monopolistic suppliers of utilities and infrastructural support.

So what is the use of a government that will eagerly shake your hand during election time but will not hesitate to pull the rug from under your feet when it needs to save itself?

Few believe that the removal of subsidies on essential food items and fuels can save the Malaysian government from possible bankruptcy. If it does go bankrupt, it will be because it has failed to cleanse a corrupt system.

It is better for Malaysians to be rich and to control a bankrupt government than to be poor and controlled by a corrupt government. Many countries have rich citizens with bankrupt governments.

You do not need an economist to tell you that RM100 in Malaysia today does not buy as much as it did last year.

In what we may call the Malaysian Misery Index, we can see that food prices have been spiralling upwards for years. For example, fresh tenggiri, which was RM13.23 a kilo in 1997, now costs RM40 a kilo. A roasted duck cost RM13.47 in 1997, but is now at least RM38. And Malaysians have become used to the doubling in price of some food items during festive seasons.

Most Malaysians do not expect the situation to improve. Food prices will continue to go up and there is little hope that they will come down again.

Two years ago, the BN government announced that it had set up a US$1.25 billion fund to increase food production and that it was targeting 100% self-sufficiency in rice consumption. What has happened to the fund and the target?

Double whammy

When the GST (goods and services tax) is fully implemented in 2011, it will be a double whammy for poor and middle-income households, pensioners, the unemployed and single parents.

Some have argued that imposing GST on Malaysian does not make much economic sense when only 6.8% of the population are taxpayers and a large majority earn low incomes. Furthermore, it is acknowledged that most of us are paying hidden taxes in highway tolls and electricity tariffs.

Indeed, the future looks bleak.

Yet, quite a number of us are gullible enough to think that the government will protect consumers. Are we not being stupid? Isn't it better to be wiser and brace for tougher times ahead?

Instead of believing the promises of a government that has a dismal performance record, we should believe the law of inflation, which says, “Whatever goes up will go up some more.”

Ronald Reagan once described inflation as a violent mugger, a threatening armed robber and a deadly hit man. In the Malaysian context, that is an apt description not of inflation, but of the BN government’s behaviour and policies.

So how do we fight the inflation of food prices?

Economists generally agree that the average Malaysian household spends about 75% of its income on food. Food price hikes will therefore have an adverse impact upon disposable income and force us to make a lifestyle change.

To fight inflation

Here are some of the things we can do:

- Stop eating at expensive restaurants.
- Boycott traders, hypermarkets and hawker stalls that charge unreasonable prices.
-Shop intelligently for value and do not be too impressed by branding.
-Work out a budget before buying. Look out for special sales.
- Prevent wastage by not buying more than you can eat.
- Tell friends and acquaintances about shops that charge excessively.
- Avoid buying expensive beverages or foodstuff and find alternatives for nutritional value.
- Boycott chained markets and fast-food joints. They are monopolised by a few large companies and can therefore raise prices at whim.

Perhaps economist Milton Friedman was right when he said, “If you put the federal government in charge of the Sahara desert, in five years there will be a shortage of sand.”

Malaysians do not take the official Consumer Price Index (CPI) seriously. They know it does not accurately reflect price rises in essential foodstuffs.

Many suspect that the government uses it as an instrument to deceive the public into thinking that things are hunky-dory when they are not. The government develops statistics so that the inflation-weary public would direct its hostility towards businesses, and not blame official mismanagement.

The average household consumption expenditure over the last 20 years has increased by 181.8%. In 1973, it was RM412. By 1993-94, it had gone up to RM1,161. In 1999, it touched RM1,631.

According to Prof Lim Teck Ghee, real household income has been growing, but at the snail-pace rate of 0.9% per year. More than half of the population are in the low-income category.

Today, a family of five spends 50% to 60% of household income on food compared with 20% in 1998 and 15% in 1988.

Not long ago, there was official acknowledgement that 95% of families are finding it hard to cope with the rise in food prices.

In fact, the biggest failure of the Ninth Malaysia Plan is that it did not help Malaysians improve their quality of living. Inflation, whether it is imported or locally generated, raises the cost of living and lowers the quality of living.

'Why not change the government?'

In 2006, when Najib Tun Razak was Deputy Prime Minister, he asked Malaysians to change their lifestyle in the face of the rising cost of living.

A blogger by the name of Chong wrote in response: “Perhaps, the prime minister should have done some simple calculations himself. People like us basically have no lifestyle, just merely surviving with our earnings. So how are we going to change (our lifestyle)?

“Inflation has gone up 4.5% (and above) and the government is pushing the cost of living higher by increasing electricity tariffs, but our income remains the same.”

Others felt it would be easier to change the government than to change a non-existent lifestyle.

“Instead of listening to Najib asking us to change,” one critic remarked, “why not we change the government at the next general election?”

To me, that makes a lot of sense. Any government that is willing to build air-conditioned toilets around a city at more than RM100,000 each has no business planning a national economy.

When such a government decides to cut subsidies, many of us will wonder whether the so-called “savings” will instead go towards more majestic arches, fanciful lampposts, refurbishments of VIP residences, luxurious government bungalows and fruitless overseas trips by ministers.

Any government that stands accused of having wasted RM320 billion in 20 years — through corruption, wastage and mismanagement — definitely does not deserve to be re-elected.

Stanley Koh was the head of research unit at MCA.

Pertahankan Selangor demi Menyelamatkan Malaysia

2011-01-02T12:59:00.000+08:00

2011 – 365 days; 8760 hours - what lies ahead?
2011 is not only the beginning of a new year but also the beginning of a new decade. I do not know what lies ahead but what I know for sure, it would be a challenging year for Malaysia.
It begins with Selangor (the heart of the nation) being on the brink of a Constitutional Crisis. The appointment of the State Secretary would be the talk of the nation. The fed is bending the law, and trying to put in their own chosen candidate without consultation with the Mentri Besar.
Worst still, the palace bureaucrats seem to be in league with the Feds. Announcements and invitations to the swearing-in ceremony have already been sent out. The Selangor Constitution is specific in that the SS must be sworn-in in the presence of the Mentri Besar (effectively, his immediate boss) The same constitution is silent on the role of the Sultan in the swearing-in.
So, will the MB disobey the palace and refuse to attend the ceremony – and refuses to acknowledge the appointment of the SS?
I strongly believe that the MB should call for an Emergency State Assembly sitting, where the people’s voice through their elected representatives should be heard. A vote should be taken as to whether the nominated SS is acceptable or not; if not, ask the Fed to propose another name or select from one of those proposed by the MB.
This I believe is in the spirit of the Pakatan Rakyat manifesto of respecting the Voice of the Rakyat.
The Feds would probably not respect the vote of the State Assembly; let them do so at the risk of facing the wrath of the people.
The next step, would be going to the courts to resolve this constitutional problem. Let the courts decide on how the SS should be appointed. Again, we all know the Courts are controlled by the Feds with little or no respect to the Rule of Law. Let it be, because this is yet another nail into the coffin of the BN Government.
All this would remain fresh in the memories of the voters come the next elections as long as the rakyat are continuously reminded of this.
In the meantime, without an SS, the State would be in a limbo. The EXCO would need to work extra time to get the administrative arm to continue working. However, it cannot afford to use the non existence of the SS as an excuse for things not moving.
This would be an excellent test for the Pakatan Rakyat State Government on crisis management. Perhaps, Kelantan to be a good direction to look to for guidance and previous experience.
This would be a tremendously challenging task to start off the year on. Of course January 2011 will end with the Temang by-elections; the result would set the mood for the rest of the year.

Hidup Suara Rakyat

2010-10-07T10:46:00.003+08:00

As Shawal comes to an end, I sit here at the Café reflecting on the past two months beginning with Ramadhan.

No, Im not muslim: Im a Christian of Chinese cultural heritage, a Malaysian citizen and a proud Anak Bangsa Malaysia.

As our Muslim brothers exercised their Islamic duty to fast, I joined them at numerous breaking fast events, joining together the celebration. In the 30days, I had visited 6 mosques and around 15 suraus and at every location my presence was most appreciated; including breaking fast with His Highness, the Sultan of Selangor. I took the effort to dress in traditional Malay baju at each occasion and that was also very much appreciated.

Thus, I was most disappointed when the MP Serdang was chastised for entering and speaking at a Surau. Adding salt to the wound was the fact that she was also called for her statement to be taken by the police, supposedly to assist with investigations. Due to no fault of her own making, she had also to make an apology to the Sultan.

During this period also, there was the issue of the school principal tearing apart our fabric of unity. Race has always been a sensitive issue in our community and played up for political interests. Many have been disturbed by it but I still see unity and strength in our diverse culture.

Instead of continually harping and commenting on race issues and the problems within the political parties, we as Anak Bangsa Malaysia should be looking at highlighting our society’s strength and progress .

Let the papers and politicians shout and scream at each other over race and politics and whatever else, but let us continue to Unite as One Voice.

In the spirit of Shawal, to forgive and forget – we must as concerned citizens, encourage our politicians from both sides, and remind them of their duty to serve. It is also our duty as citizens to play our role of being the watch-dog to monitor the elected representatives.

Each political party would have their internal fights and struggle but ultimately, at the ballot box, it is our vote that matters most. So, let us use that vote wisely, let us be responsible in exercising our duty on polling day.

Meanwhile, like a parent, when their kids quarrel, the parent takes no sides. Good or bad, right or wrong, the children are still their own flesh and blood. Likewise, when both the government and opposition side quarrel, we take no sides. Both are a part and parcel of our democratic system; and both must respect us, the voters, the rakyat – “the parent”

However, as citizens we look and evaluate the strength of each party – we hear the arguments of each side, we see the action of each side. Like the parent, we silently ad quietly decide in secret, who to leave our property in the will (our vote)
We should not lower ourselves and start joining in the fray and arguing with the politicians in public. However, it is our duty to engage each side and discuss and perhaps clarify issues and understand their thinking. Engaging with the party does not mean we support their stand.

When citizens start being positive and encouraging when engaging with the politicians and civil servants, we can definitely see positive changes. Similarly, as a parent, we encourage our children; when they fall, we are there to pick them up, and guide them.

Thus the change that the citizens demanded in March 08 will only bear fruit when citizens also become agents for change; and not let politicians bring about the changes. We must not be complacent and sit back – we must keep them on their toes.
The current direct elections being introduced by PKR is yet another example where we should see the goodness in it, rather than the negative parts. Yes, there are teething problems, there are in-house quarrels, so be it. Let PKR solve it – if they do and come out stronger, we vote for them come next elections, if not; we punish them by putting our X somewhere else.

We want to see us being able to put enough food on our tables, to have a solid roof over our heads with our hard earned ringgit. We want to be able to put aside a little something every month for the rainy day ahead. How can PR or BN assure us of that?

My X will go to the one who can tell me, assure me and convince me.
Honestly, am I really concerned if the Deputy Party President is “nyanyuk” or a Trojan horse or an ultra or whatever other terms is being used. I am not convinced just by seeing you wear the 1-Malaysia logo everyday but I see how you behave, the things you actually do – not just the sweet words you whisper?

My X goes to the one who does and speaks the same thing, not to the one who speak one thing and does another.

Bread and butter issues are of utmost importance. However, to ensure security for my son, true sustainable UNITY is important too. I feel and I know, there is real UNITY on the ground. However, for their political advantage and/or survival, some politicians keep telling us that there is no UNITY and that we must give them our X to ensure there is UNITY.

These same politicians are in fact tearing apart our fabric of unity.
All we need to do is look around us and see the multi racial celebrations during the open house this past Syawal.

In the many programmes that I have attended, little children seeing me in my Baju Melayu would take my hands and bring it to their forehead as a sign of respect. On other previous occasions when I am not wearing my Baju Melayu, they would shake my hands and no more. This is not their fault but simply the way they were brought up.
I am not offended when they just shake my hands but I am proud and delighted when they bring my hand to their forehead. I see it as progress and there will come a day soon, when our children will see others as Malaysians and not as Malay or Indian or Chinese.

Hidup Suara Rakyat – Hidup Anak Bangsa Malaysia

Malaysia's religious problems: The way forward

2010-09-20T15:30:00.002+08:00

"You are my brother and I love you. I love you worshipping in your church, kneeling in your temple, and praying in your mosque. You and I and all are children of one religion, for the varied paths of religion are but the fingers of the loving hand of the Supreme Being, extended to all, offering completeness of spirit to all, anxious to receive all.

I love you for your Truth, derived from your knowledge; that Truth which I cannot see because of my ignorance. But I respect it as a divine thing, for it is the deed of the spirit. Your Truth shall meet my Truth in the coming world and blend together like the fragrance of flowers and becoming one whole and eternal Truth, perpetuating and living in the eternity of Love and Beauty."

— Kahlil Gibran, A Tear And A Smile (1914)

Religious pluralism is a cornerstone for achieving harmony in societies with people of varied faiths. Yet in multi-religious Malaysia politicians shy away from discussing religious pluralism. It is difficult to get straight answers about their stand on or commitment to it.

Take for example the recently concluded panel discussion on 'National Unity through Religion, Law and Shared Values' at UCSI University in KL. It is unclear whether religious pluralism or religious bigotry were fruitfully discussed. The contents of the discussion are not made public enough. It can be gleaned from news reports that there were barely satisfactory answers to barely satisfactory questions.

What is conspicuous is that there is an excruciating lack of focus on the heart of the issue.

Here I refocus attention on what really matters.

Good values and spirituality should be the essence, not religion per se

If a religious position is to be taken by any political party or any citizen that is founded on respect for religious beliefs and support for the freedom to practice any religion (or none at all), then this position should encourage living a life guided by a universal set of shared moral values and one containing aspects of the spiritual, whatever the religious or non-religious route taken. It follows that religion is a means towards these larger goals. This awareness is cardinal. Unity is achieved as a result of these common goals, not by having or propagating any particular religion.

What we should first abandon is the ambition to create a state of “one mankind under one religion”. We should not harbour false and childish hopes that only through one religion for all can we get people to step onto the expressway of righteousness and practice moral values, or that only thus can we lead everyone to the promised land of God-realisation, as if it is our duty and right. Such an aspiration is but a certain road to perdition.

Instead, we should be enlightened and courageous enough to consider accepting that people can take many valid paths towards goals of spirituality and right living.

We should be enlightened and courageous enough to consider admitting that no religion or belief system has a monopoly of or is exclusively privy to these moral values or “steps to the ultimate blessings of God or heaven”.

We should awaken to the fact that moral values and spiritual teachings are not exhaustively found in any one religion. The teachings of one religion can be instructive to adherents of another religion and vice versa.

We should be able to say that the choice of religion is a personal one; that in line with the right to freely practice one's religion as one shall practice it, religion and religious practices should not be imposed upon any individual such as by the authorities or the state, or by a society that has been so conditioned by state policy that it passively imposes religion upon its own members.

Should there be a public demand for religious guidance or for places of worship, then this shall be provided. In no uncertain terms should this be seen to imply consent for the imposition of religion or its practices by a righteous authority.

These are among the things that the so-called religious democrats should be forthright about, but are not.

This is what we should be striving for if we believe in a Malaysia that is just, free and harmoniously multi-religious, but are not.

There are serious obstacles to these that we are reluctant to come to terms with, but must.

Religious chauvinism as a disease to eradicate

These specific obstacles are almost never clearly enunciated. Here they are:

The desire amongst members of society to preach their religions as better or superior alternatives to the religions or belief systems of others and thereby to seek to convert others to their own religion
The related belief that non-believers are lowly, of unequal standing or blessing and their religions inadequate and contemptible
The refusal or inability to approve the values or truths contained in other religions or belief systems regardless of their merit
The related fear that this might shake one's faith in one's religion, or render one's religion comparatively less glorious, or disadvantage one's religion in the competition for religious propagation
The myopia of "only one brotherhood through one way of God" that prevents the acceptance of all religious adherents under an umbrella of one humanity in which other belief systems are acknowledged as valid.
This condition and process, which can for brevity be termed religious chauvinism, is the eye of the storm in all the religious tensions and misunderstandings we have witnessed in Malaysia.

The mentality described is widespread and fairly entrenched. The psychology of insecurity and the politics shaping it are interesting and worthy of separate examination.

But the implication is unequivocal. It clashes with the hopes of building a Malaysian society that is genuinely accepting (not merely “tolerant”) of a diversity of religions and cultures.

It means that lasting peace and unity amongst our people is to remain out of our reach so long as this is left to get out of control.

What remains to be done and a challenge to the politicians

It is for the preceding reasons that this matter must be urgently addressed. If a united Malaysia is in our interest, then an honest, open and peaceable national dialogue on this must commence. It should involve the issues mentioned here and others, such as religious propagation, its targets and the ethics of its methods.

Relegating religious talks of understanding to practically useless and toothless inter-faith panels behind closed doors is a cowardly act of evasion. Understanding and consensus must emerge from the majority — the entirety of Malaysians.

We should also cease deceiving ourselves with superficial multi-cultural and multi-religious images and slogans that are purpose-crafted for international consumption or national celebrations. This lulls us into inaction.

To dodge discussion by offering excuses (e.g., "Malaysians are not ready for this") is an unacceptable denial of reality and maturity. To delay further is to permit more, avoidable conflicts. It is to shirk from the shared responsibility of nation-building.

We need to stop the factors that perpetuate religious chauvinism, remedy existing attitudes and inculcate multi-culturalism and multi-religiousness as the definite Malaysian way.

In view of this, to the politicians and policymakers of Umno, MCA, PAS, PKR and DAP, I put the following question:

Do you have the guts, will and conviction (i) to discuss the issue of religious pluralism and bigotry clearly and openly; (ii) to establish multi-culturalism and religious pluralism as a prime policy and encourage it amongst your supporters and colleagues within your political parties; and (iii) to act decisively to correct the problem of religious chauvinism and prejudice such as those highlighted here?

By Pak Sako

SELAMAT HARI RAYA

2010-09-11T09:59:00.003+08:00

Wishing All Selamat Hari Raya Aidil Fitri - Maaf Zahir dan Batin

Ketika kau menjelajahi lingkaran sejarah mu itu,
Ketika kau disambar lintasan ilham yang menyentuhi kalbu,
Tanyalah tentang intisari cinta kasih yang mertabat dan
memperkasakan rakyat
Sebagai pedoman abadi, pada hari yang mulia ini.

Events Over Ramadhan

2010-09-11T09:52:00.004+08:00

From Andrew to Benjamin - and all Anak Bangsa Malaysia

2010-08-20T15:59:00.001+08:00

FIRST of all, Benjamin, let me say, “Congratulations!” I know you have worked hard over these last three years, endured many challenges and faced many tests. Learning lots of new stuff may be exciting, but I know it is not always easy. So I am proud of you, son, for having graduated today. It may only have been kindergarten, but I know it was a big and meaningful step for you.

Benjamin and big sister Samantha on graduation day
As I watched you and your classmates today, and the kids from all the other kindergartens walk up on stage to receive their certificates, I was reminded that this country of ours, Malaysia, is as much yours as it is mine. God has allowed me and all the other adults in this country a time to take care of it for you. But the day will come when we will have to turn it over to you and your friends.

I hope we won’t have messed up. I pray that we will have the strength and the courage to do the right things, so that we will be able to pass on to you, son, and those of your generation, a country that is successful. Not just rich in the things that we have — the tall buildings, the big houses, the fancy shops. But rich also in our hearts. To share love with one and all, to be kind and decent to others, to be fair and just to everyone, to let anyone who wants to come and live here and do an honest day’s work the right to call this country home.

I looked at you and your friends, boys and girls of different races and religions. You have all played together, learnt together, held hands, scraped knees, cried and laughed together. It is my solemn hope that it will always be this way for you all.

Don’t let anyone force you to believe differently. Watch out for people who will steal your innocence. Yes, you will grow up and find out for yourself one day that things aren’t exactly perfect. But that is no reason to prolong that imperfection.

Learn to work together to make things right, if not perfect. The things that you learnt in kindergarten — to share, to think of other people as well, not to take the best toys or yummiest food just for yourself — remember those lessons.

Maybe one day someone will come along and tell you that this country does not belong to you, and that we should go back to “somewhere else”. I can tell you someone in primary school told me that many years ago. Tell them they are wrong.

Great-great grandpa Khoo came from a village in southern China and eventually found work with Chartered Bank in Penang. When Chartered Bank opened a branch in Taiping in the early years of the 1900s, he moved there and that is where great-grandpa Khoo and grandpa Khoo were born. They grew up in this country, and worked all their lives as teachers to educate successive generations of Malayans and Malaysians.

The Sees and the Lims and Changs they married have probably been here much longer. Some of grandma Khoo’s aunties who dressed in sarungs and spoke Malay all the time and lived in a place called Malacca were killed by Japanese soldiers during what is known as World War II. That was when the Japanese ruled Malaya for a while.

All of these people who lived before you contributed in their own way to make this land a better place for their children, and their children’s children, and so on and so forth. When you learnt Negaraku in school, you sang, “Tanah tumpahnya darahku”. Through their blood, sweat and tears, all of these people who lived before you eked out a life and a future, and now that life and that future belongs to you, my son.

You are as Malaysian as any other boy or girl in this country, as are your classmates Iman, Danial, Harith and the rest. Don’t let anybody tell you all differently.

(© Theresa Thompson | Flickr)
In 15 years, you will get what is known as the right to vote, the right to choose the kind of people you want to lead this country. Claim that right and when the time comes, choose wisely.

Think of the kind of future you and your friends want for this country. Would you want a country where there is equal opportunity for all, where no one is intentionally left behind, where those who are less fortunate are helped to their feet, where there is fair play? It will be in your hands. If you want these things, you and your friends will have to work hard to achieve them. It will not be easy, but I know you will not give up easily.

Between then and now, I wish and pray that you will have a wonderful life. There will be lots more tests and exams to study for, lots more homework and lots more graduations. There will be more things to learn, more people to meet, more experiences, more places to visit.

I will always be your father, and I will always love you, in good times and bad. But I know I make mistakes sometimes, so I can be wrong sometimes. I hope you will be understanding when I make mistakes. But strive to be the best that God grants you the grace to be, and honour God always in your life.

Happy graduation, again, my son. And to our country, yours and mine, Happy Merdeka.

Thank you Andrew for sharing..

When our shadows are taller than our soul…

2010-08-03T00:21:00.003+08:00

My conscience infected by this non governmental organism called Art Harun. Thanks bro. :-)

August 02, 2010AUG 2 — “And as we wind on down the road, Our shadows taller than our soul”

Robert Plant: Stairway to Heaven

When our shadows are taller than our soul, at the end of it, we would be consumed with fear. Just as we are nearing death, and we realise that our sins have far outdone our good deeds, we would be consumed with nothing but fear of Judgement Day.

That is only to be expected. That is just a part of being a mortal human being.

When I learned about the arrest of about 30 people who attended an anti-ISA candlelight vigil at Amcorp Mall last night, the first thought which came through my mind was, why is this government so afraid of the people it wishes to govern?

It is like this government is bereft of any moral standing to govern. Like it fears any kind of expression of feelings by the people. Like it fears any show or display of whatever which teeny wee bit resembles an opposing opinion or stand.

No wonder even cartoon books lampooning the administration have been banned. Not long ago, even T-shirts bearing some depictions of funny cartoons and logos were seized at Central Market just because they “offend” the powers that be.

I asked on Twitter, when will this government ever respect the people’s Constitutional right to assemble peacefully and to express their opinion and themselves peacefully? When?

Why must the peaceful people of Malaysia, who just wish to express their stand against a totally archaic law, which has been abused again and again and again, in a totally peaceful manner be met with riot police, swarming and bearing down on them with batons and riot gear?

Just take a look at this video.

This was supposed to be a peaceful candlelight vigil to mark the 50th anniversary of the Internal Security Act 1960. In addition, of course the attendees wanted to make a statement that the ISA ought to be abolished. That was all.

What was so threatening about that that they had to be greeted by riot police in full riot regalia? And why must they be stormed at, swarmed on and dragged out like some armed bank robbers?

Has this government lost any kind of ability to treat the people with some common decency? Has this government no ability to acknowledge the existence of human dignity, some very basic form of rights which the people, as human beings, naturally possess?

Most importantly, has this government lost the plot?

The most sickening thing about this episode is the fact that all of us, members of civil society and the peace loving people of Malaysia, are made to swallow the blatant and nauseating hypocrisy of this government day in and day out.

All of us remember when some rabid mentalities from Shah Alam marched from the mosque while carrying a bloodied and severed cow head, stomped and spat on it in front of the State Secretariat, no less than our Home Minister said that those people felt “victimised” and that “they had only wanted their voices to be heard.”

He then met and sat with them and even had a press conference with them. This government actually cavorted with pure utter racists who were hell-bent on creating racial disharmony.

The few policemen who were around that day did not even lift a finger to prevent that shameful act which threw the whole country into a state of international infamy!

Oh, they had only wanted their voices heard.

Well, well Mr Home Minister, how about the attendees of the vigils last night? They wanted to overthrow the government, did they?

ALL THEY WANTED TO DO WAS TO EXPRESS THEIR STAND AGAINST THE ISA IN A PEACEFUL MANNER? (sorry, I had to shout!)

Why must they be treated like some criminals? Who was more threatening? Those people carrying the kepala lembu or the candles?

One should also remember when some Muslims threatened to have a big demonstration after Friday prayers over the “Allah” issue, it was no less than the Honourable Prime Minister who said that the government will not prevent such demonstrations. That statement was made knowing full well how the Allah issue was being used to fan racial hatred and how big such demonstrations can get, as it was planned to take place after Friday prayers. (Notice how these people just love to turn Friday prayers into a hotbed for demonstrations).

I remember clearly the Honourable Prime Minister saying that the planned demonstrations could not be stopped because “if people want to demonstrate, there is nothing the government could do”!

And what was the result of that statement? Yes, churches were burnt nationwide. Are we happy?

Why the double standard? Why the talam dua muka?

Why can’t some peaceful Malaysians be allowed to have a peaceful assembly to pursue a cause which they thought was worthy of their attention?

What is there to fear?

Some people really have to go back home tonight, stand in front of the mirror and ask him or herself, “What has become of me?”

Some activities I attended this past few weeks..

2010-07-31T16:05:00.004+08:00

Attended the Temple Celebration at Bandar Baru Sungei Buloh;

Also attended the Lembah Subang Low Cost Flats Community Sports Activity: presented prizes for the various events held over the week.

Towards Unity

2010-07-04T19:21:00.000+08:00

Sunday 4th July, my birthday weekend. It’s a gloomy day outside. As I sit now relaxing and reflecting on my day, my mood is as gloomy as the weather outside.
I feel gloomy despite that fact that by 2pm this afternoon, I had already attended two church services, one cultural event and two weddings. I should be happy as all these events are indeed happy occasions. However, I am sad because of these very same programmes.
The cultural programme was an Indian Youth Cultural Carnival. It was organized by an Indian Youth NGO and rightfully so, it showcased Indian culture such as traditional dances, kolam drawings etc. What’s sad about this event is that the audience and people who attended this event was almost 100% Indians.
Our society has been brought up to segregate ourselves based on race and religion. Right from our beginning, at the birth of our nation, the political parties were already race based; UMNO, MCA, MIC. Our founding fathers each stood for and “protected” the rights of the own race. It was from this beginning that our society than evolved.
After over 50 years, even our NGOs are race based; each protecting its own race. Even economically, we are race based with each race having their own Chamber of Commerce.
Back to the wedding reception that I attended; again it was very much a race based occasion. Both receptions were Malay weddings and thus the family obviously were Malays. It was the same with the relatives but friends, colleagues, neighbours? At the first reception, 100% Malays except for myself and my MP and my two colleagues were non Malays. The second wedding had a non Malay couple that I spotted.
I commented on this matter and my MP agreed that it is indeed a big problem that we have in our society today. This is a result of over 50 years of going in the wrong direction. Can we change this – what does it take to tear down this barrier?
My MP agrees that this is a difficult task and reckons that we may not be able to undo this race based mentality that easily. That remark brought and instant gloom to my mind; because I agree it is not an easy task.
Where do we go from here – what lies ahead?
I see a silver lining behind those dark clouds – where is that silver lining for ANAK BANGSA MALAYSIA?

I Spoke to NST

2010-05-23T19:12:00.000+08:00

Spotlight: African alienation
2010/05/23

Share | Scary, intimidating and rude are only some of the words used to describe Africans in Malaysia. Are we allowing a few bad apples to spoil the bunch? AUDREY VIJAINDREN and SONIA RAMACHANDRAN take a look at the issue.
MOST Malaysians are guilty of clutching their handbags a little tighter and avoiding eye contact when they spot an African.

They have, after all, been accused of committing various crimes in the country, especially black money scams.

Some have also described them as raucous and loud, and labelled them as troublemakers.

Are we allowing our prejudices to get the better of us?

Condominium, Apartment and Highrise Committee adviser Peter Chong said the general perception among Malaysians was that Africans caused trouble.

"We immediately have a negative thought when we mention them.

"In actual fact, it's our perception that is the problem. We are intimidated by their size and the way they look.

"They do cause trouble to a certain extent, but there are many other cultural differences that contribute to this.

"For example, for them, it is normal to say, 'Hello darling, how are you?', when they see a girl. But in Malaysia, that is rude and unacceptable."

Chong said the many black money scams had also contributed to this negative stigma.

"We assume that they are all bad, but that is not necessarily true. You see many of them actively involved in church music ministries.

"But this happens everywhere -- the good ones suffer because of the bad apples. Even our cab drivers suffer from this."

He said in many cases, the Africans, especially those who came here to study, were the victims.

"When African students arrive here, they need a place to stay. Because landed property is expensive, most of them end up renting apartments.

"Unfortunately, some colleges have taken advantage of this. They advertise pictures of apartments on their websites, claiming it's part of their campus.

"When the students arrive, many colleges put more than ten people in one unit, charging RM250 per person.

"But the actual rental for the unit may only be RM1,200. They are maximising the space because of greed," he said.

Malaysian Association of Private Colleges and Universities (MAPCU) president Dr Parmjit Singh said it was wrong to stereotype people.

"We must also recognise that not all the Africans in this country are students."

He said the Malaysian public had not matured enough to the level of living in a cosmopolitan environment.

"A large number of students from Africa are sponsored by their respective governments. That means, they are bound to be students who are bright and qualified for such scholarships.

"As much as we would like them to change and adjust to our culture, we should be equally ready to accept everyone from all parts of the world, in order to become an international hub for higher education."

Responsible colleges and universities, he said, had induction processes for their foreign students.

"Besides the higher learning institutions, the embassies and high commissions also play an active role in inducting students from their countries and educating them on the social norms of this country."

On renting residential units for students, he said the institutions had a major role to play.

"When we rent private residences to place our students, we play an active part in the meetings of the residential associations.

"We are willing to listen to any problems they might have with our students."

He said the number of African students in this country was not on the rise.

"It is a mature market and the population growth is from countries that are not mature."

Property management firm, VPC Alliance (PJ) senior general manager Daniel Kat, however, said there had been complaints about African students from other apartment and condominium owners.

Most complaints were over the students making noise after stipulated hours.

"I won't say all are misbehaving, but generally most of the complaints are related to breaking house rules and making noise at night.

"Some also get drunk and start misbehaving."

The problem with most of the students, he said, was that they brought their friends home to party.

"In some condominiums, more than 70 per cent of the units are occupied by students. It does not help that many of them bring their friends back."

What's the solution?

"Unit owners, colleges and universities must be more responsible.

"If the local government enforces a limit on the number of people in one apartment, there won't be many problems," said Chong.

The Higher Education Ministry, he said, should make it a licence condition for colleges and universities to have induction courses for all foreign students.

"It must also make sure these foreign students are actually here to study and not for other activities," he said.

Kat said a lot of local residents want the management of condominiums and apartments to reduce the number of foreign students in their units.

"We've talked to the agents and asked that they find local tenants instead.

"Another strategy is to try to increase rentals in order to deter foreign students from renting apartments."

'We are not monsters'

ABDULRAHMAN Muazu loves Malaysia but is thinking of leaving the country.

"I'm thinking of studying somewhere else as I don't have any local friends here. Malaysians don't talk to us and I think they are generally afraid of us. I feel really, really bad. People treat you as if you are a monster. We are not monsters.

"I think Malaysians are shy and they don't like socialising with foreigners. I don't blame them as some foreigners have been behaving badly and giving the rest of us a bad reputation," said the 19-year-old business information systems student from Nigeria.

That the locals were not talking with him, said Abdulrahman, had affected him psychologically.

"How would you feel if people don't talk to you? I love this country but I don't really enjoy it because I don't have any friends. Even our classmates just mix with us for group discussions and studies but there is no exchanging of phone numbers or socialising after class," he said.

When asked what he would wish for from the locals, Abdulrahman said: "I think they should judge each person individually. Please don't be prejudiced. People could be good and people could be bad. Try giving us a chance."

Ibrahim Muhammad Sakanau, 23, and his brother Shafie Sakanau, 20, said Malaysians were not at all friendly to them.

"Only my brothers are my friends. It bothers me. Maybe they don't talk to us because some Nigerians are behaving arrogantly in Malaysia. Maybe they think we are all like that. I've never been invited to the homes of any Malaysian during festive seasons and my classmates only mix with me during assignments.

"It hurts me a lot. Not all of us are bad," said Ibrahim.

Their house owner, Rachael Philip, has got no problems with renting her apartment out to African students.

"They are really nice. They always ask about my children when I go and collect the rental and there's always chocolates for the children. They are also very prompt with payments and always pay two months' rent in advance.

"The apartment is also in good condition. I am lucky I have good tenants. I had a local tenant previously and I had to beg him for rental every month. I feel we must not be so quick to judge," said Rachael.

Universiti Malaya education faculty department of mathematics and science visiting lecturer, Dr Kunle Oke Oloruntegbe, said Malaysians were generally accommodating and friendly.

However, Oloruntegbe, who is from Nigeria, said it did bother him that Malaysians rarely mingled with Africans.

"Many here seem to generalise all Africans as being the same and they stay away from us."

The father of six, who arrived here in October last year, said: "I am here alone so sometimes it does get lonely for me. Even the locals at the apartment I live in do not mix with me. They are friendly and they would greet me but it ends there.

"I would like to ask Malaysians to please look at us as individuals. Judge a person based on his character, integrity and honesty, not his face."

Abdul Aziz Abba Goni said there are many Africans who come to Malaysia with good intentions.

"Do not let colour or nationality stand in the way of one's perception of a human being. I have worked hard to obtain my degree and am looking forward to a brighter future because of what Malaysian education has offered me. I believe studying here was a wise choice and I am grateful for this experience.

"I wish no harm onto my hosts. I hope more Malaysians will meet positive ambassadors in the near future," said the 25-year-old postgraduate student.

'Too many ugly incidents'

AFTER living comfortably in the same apartment in Sunway for more than 10 years, Sylvia (not real name) is now afraid to step out of her home.

"When my husband and I first moved here, it was a really decent place.

"Our neighbours were nice and friendly, and we thought it was a great place to bring up children.

"We saw ourselves swimming with our kids in the pool and pushing them on the swings in the playground."

However, all that changed.

"In August last year, I noticed an influx of African residents. I believe most of them are students from Nigeria, but it's difficult to tell.

"It's extremely intimidating, because they go about in large groups, talking loudly and drinking alcohol.

"The way they speak and stand can be very intimidating. Even the way they look at you.

"You can see that some are serious in their studies. But many others leave their apartments everyday wearing 'bling-bling'.

"The girls are no different -- you can't help but wonder whether they are here to study or party."

She said there had also been many "ugly" incidents.

"More than once, these students parked their cars in my lot. When I asked them to move, they claimed to have diplomatic immunity."

She said in the past six months, she had taken extra precautions.

"I'm more aware of my surroundings. It can get very scary being alone in the lift with a bunch of foreign students, so I wait for the next lift.

"I've even stopped my daughter from going to the swimming pool and playing on the slides.

"It's unfortunate that we are so afraid to go out of our own apartment. I own a unit but can't even enjoy the rest of the facilities."

Sylvia said the situation had got so bad that she and her family were moving out.

"It may be unfair to judge them because they could actually be really nice people."

Read more: Spotlight: African alienation http://www.nst.com.my/nst/articles/28avafrican-2/Article#ixzz0oqPM4bxQ

Please Support this Youth Empowement Initiative

2010-05-08T07:28:00.003+08:00

I am embarking on this Youth Empowerment Initiative to promote Performing Arts amongst the community whilst also raising funds towards an Ambulance for St Johns.

Please come support this event and pass on to your family and friends. Come share and spread the message of Love and Hope and encourage our youth to make positive contributions to our community.

Sitting capacity is limited. Please reserve your Free Invitation as soon as possible.

Sadako - ToWish Upon a Crane is based on the Japanese legend of paper cranes and tells the true story of Sadako Sasaki, a 12-year-old girl who lived in Hiroshima, Japan. Born on 7 January 1943, Sadako was only two when the atomic bomb was dropped on Hiroshima.

The bomb took away many lives, including that of Sadako’s grandmother. Sadako survived the bombing unscathed and grew up as a normal, healthy girl… or so we thought. For 10 years after the bombing, Sadako was diagnosed with leukemia. A gifted athlete, Sadako wished for nothing more than to get well and be able to run again. Yet, her illness rendered her permanently hospitalized.

One day, Kenji, her best friend, visited her in the hospital. He presented her with a gift of paper cranes and reminded her of the legend, that if a thousand cranes were folded, your wish would be granted.

An inspired Sadako immediately took on the task of folding a thousand paper cranes, praying with every crane she folded that she would get well soon. It was a race against time, as Sadako’s health was deteriorating rapidly.

Will Sadako be able to fold a thousand cranes in time?

Demi Masa Hadapan Negara mu

2010-03-29T22:49:00.002+08:00

It is the optimism and the seemingly boundless energy of the beautiful youth of this nation that is going to make the difference.

As the Election Commission drags its feet in making any reaL effort to get to and register the as yet unregistered 5 million unregistered voters most of whom are aged 30 and below, some extraordinary young people intent on impacting the community have committed themselves to go to the ground and register 2 million voters over the next twelve months.

Herculean task?

Not for those who ask in faith, and then match that faith with selfless work.

The Voice For Choice initiative launches on the 3rd & 4th of April, 2010 at the following three venues :

Subang Parade
Amcorp Mall
Cineleisure, Kota Damansara.
The organisers inform me that whilst the launch, like the initiative as a whole, is intended to be fun-filled, the business of the day is still getting people registered so that they can do their civic duty of voiceing their choice of government through the ballot come the next General Election.

Voter registration booths will be open at all three venues abovementioned on both dates, from 10 am – 10 pm.

For more details, click on the badge below.

Reproduced below is an explanatory note of the organisers of this awesome initiative.

______________________________________________

First things first, to clear all doubts and suspicion, neither EPIC for UNITY or Voice your Choice are tools of any political party. We are strictly non-partisan and not affiliated with any political parties. We have found out that many people cannot comprehend this but YES, we are SINCERELY doing this because we realize as youths we need to take up our responsibility to make our nation something we can all be proud of. Nation development is rather tricky and even though we youths are anxious to make a difference we dare not say we can do it without the wiser more experienced generation. Therefore, all who have asked if there is an age limit or if you are TOO OLD? The answer is NO there is no age limit to dreams.

Voice you Choice is created by youths for ALL Malaysians

This is what it is all about…
This is not about PR or BN or any political parties
This is not about overthrowing the government
This is where corporate and political rivals can work together to meet a common need
This is where our faiths unite regardless of religion
This is about uniting all Malaysians for Malaysia
This is where we obtain the peace that comes from within and is not driven by our environment or circumstance. Peace is with those who can wake up every morning knowing they have done everything to the best of their abilities in making this country a better place.
This is about conquering ourselves, finding our voice and believing that it counts, only then can we know that this government, nation and world will be cured of the diseases that plague it.
This is about using a new yard stick to measure another fellow human, not by his race, status, and profession or academic achievement, but by the same believe that we want a better future and Equality for all.

The marker of success will be met when we successfully organize ourselves as one people, as organizations, and individuals. When we hit the 2 million mark, only then do we know that we have conquered our past and became one Rakyat.

We learn from our past but are never haunted by it. We are dedicated and committed to using our present to shape our future. Join us!

Read more about EPIC at:
www.dosomethingepictoday.blogspot.com

The 3rd Vote and Radical Reform

2010-03-23T09:52:00.003+08:00

Both Penang and Selangor have written to the EC for Local Government Elections. The EC appears to have discussed this in length and will make an announcement soon.

“We have completed our in-depth discussions into the matter. Wait for our decision that we will announce tomorrow,” EC deputy chairman Datuk Wira Wan Ahmad Wan Omar told The Malaysian Insider last night.

Whilst an elected local government is what Pakatan has promised in their manifesto; on hindsight and having seen first hand how the Local Government function, it believe that an elected local governemnt may not be the solution that rate-payers want.

Even as it is now, with a fully PR friendly elected council, things are not moving as fast and as efficiently as it should. So imagine if there is an elected council, there will definitely be a larger mix of ideologies in the council. The councillors will be spending more time politicking instead of getting things done.

At the Local Council level, all the rate-payer wants is transparency and accounctability, that rate payer's money is not wasted. More importantly, rate-payers want to see street lights that work, drains that flow and roads that are free of pot-holes, enough parking spaces, recreational spaces and free flow of traffic in commercial areas and most of all, a safe community.

Politics with all its good intent, cannot provide this because it is the nature of politicians to object to their opponents views and suggestions even if it is a good suggestion.

Therefore, i am of the opinion that the 3rd vote may not be the solution. I fully agree with the views of PAS:

“We are considering many possibilities, perhaps 60 per cent are elected and 40 per cent get nominated. If that is the case, then the groups that are under-represented after the election can get representation,” he added.

read more:
http://www.themalaysianinsider.com/index.php/malaysia/57170-third-vote-must-represent-all-races-say-pas

The state governemnt reserves the right to appoint members to the council to maintain executive control and ensure a fair balance of representation.

Of the present 24 councillors, I propose 8 to be elected, 8 appointed from amongst political parties with the balance made up of NGOs and professional bodies. I further propose that all 8 elected councillors be made FULL TIME councillors, being paid a salary equivalent to their scope of responsibilities (as compared to the public sector)

Pictures from the Open House at BU3

2010-03-04T11:22:00.000+08:00

When the Going gets Tough, the tough gets going

2010-03-04T11:12:00.001+08:00

PKR has the burden of history, it’s Umno’s true nemesis and suffers for that reputation.

Despite all the desertions and dissertations, PKR is the only party due to its ideology and membership make-up — in look and feel — which has the value proposition to compete with Umno.

The other Pakatan Rakyat parties?

DAP wants to shed its Chinese-only perception, and PAS is actively on the way to becoming a fully-integrated Islamic-principled party.

They need time to force some paradigm shifts and stay intact through that process to become what they desire.

But for now, it is PKR which fills that void, due to its history and development.

You have to move back in time to retrace this story, the story of PKR and to know what it was and is, what it always promises to become — and come short — and the common malaises which haunts it.

Somewhere in the vaults of the major media companies — from a time before Internet portals — various pictures of Barisan Nasional (BN) leaders celebrating their 1995 general election landslide victory sit. They are filed and stored, but not for reproduction in the present.

You will see a nervous but relieved Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad. The substantial losses of 1990 to the trio of Semangat 46-PAS-DAP and rebelling Parti Bersatu Sabah had died down. The economy was purring.

Nothing advertised the ‘times-are–a-changing’ better than having a Malay language graduate and Islamist firebrand rebranding himself as finance minister.

Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim will be found in that picture holding up Dr M’s hands and they would be smiling from ear to ear. Not far would be Datuk Seri Najib Razak, Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin, and all the usual characters from the Umno family.

Umno was in its zenith, it was impregnable. The landslide victory vindicating the thinking that a race party is the answer for Malaysia. Everyone was content.

It was postulated that only Umno could end its own dream. And the script went exactly that way.

The Anwar dismissal in 1998 and subsequent protests and trials were monumental but not decisive. It was the diaspora of Umno grassroot leaders and members into what was not an Umno-clone which was.

The creation of Parti Keadilan with the intention of seeking justice for all and political change was unprecedented. A large number of Umno members rejected Umno. Their reasons, their allegiance to Anwar and even naïve think that the move would result in immediate change did not affect the cumulative effect of it.

A sea was crossed, for a population afraid of drowning in a water bucket.

The colossal loss of Malay votes in Election 1999 meant PAS was the biggest parliamentary winner after BN. It was important for the Umno strategists that Parti Keadilan ended up third behind the religionists and DAP.

Let’s get this out of the way. Keadilan as a party is not the fear for Umno. Keadilan as a concept is. There was never a practically multiracial party with a Malay spine since the days of Datuk Onn Jaafar. And that was enough to scare the pants off Umno.

Which is why Election 2004 — despite the landslide win — remained somewhat unsatisfying to Umno for it did not bury Keadilan — which was now PKR following its marriage with Parti Rakyat Malaysia (PRM).

Everywhere PKR — especially the ex-PRM candidates — was falling like bowling pins and the defeated crew quickly licked their wounds and turned their eyes to events in Permatang Pauh.

Party president Datuk Seri Wan Azizah Wan Ismail was being run very close for what was to be their single parliamentary seat.

After several recounts, Azizah kept her seat in Dewan Rakyat.

PKR was to have a heart-beat until the next election.

In the 10 years of existence leading to Election 2008 PKR was plagued by problems. Of its Malayness isolating non-Malay issues.

Of leaders — who left the lap of luxury inside Umno and expecting a short spell in the desert — growing disappointed with a leadership which was struggling with its own teething problems.

Of its inspiration — Anwar — imprisoned for most of that time.

However, the ex-Umno faction gave the party reach to places like Dengkil and Bukit Semanggol and not just in Petaling Jaya and Johor Baharu. They were more than just the sentimental choice of unionists and NGOs — which PRM was unfortunately and unfairly stereotyped before merging with the less chic Keadilan dudes.

The party despite its lack of political wins was operating nationwide.

But the active political observer has to recollect that leading up to Election 2008 PKR had only one closely-won parliamentary seat to show, and lost the assembly contest in the Ijok by-election to a newbie candidate.

That is why the critique that PKR should have recruited better candidates for Election 2008 is hubristic if you have been rooting for change in Malaysia prior to 2008.

The idea of contesting with little financial support from a party with six wins in two general elections was not enticing enough to capable candidates.

Names had to be put on the ballot for all the parliamentary and assembly seats PKR negotiated with PAS and DAP, keeping to the promise of one on one contests against BN nationwide.

And in the future there will be other surprises in the party. PKR suffers more than DAP and PAS, because the two latter parties have been in the game longer as opposition parties, lived without political pork-barrel which comes with winning and are not inundated with those previously with the enemy.

That is why it is tough for PKR, but I feel they escaped the bigger body blow in 2004.

The concept of a multiracial party with substantial Malay presence will grow as fewer and fewer leaders in it would be ex-Umno men with living memories of a better life; joined by a generation of local graduates with less caution than their parents seeking a party to back their multicultural aspirations.

The challenge for PKR is to keep its general momentum through that transition.

They can’t counter the mainstream media attacks, costly branding exercises and the financial incentives BN relies on, but they have to sustain the broad belief in a multicultural Malaysia built on effective leadership not race leadership.

If PKR passes the present low-point then all roads will lead to Putrajaya eventually as mixed race-seats in the country hits past the critical mass line.

But politics is all year round even if elections are not. And as PKR deals with adolescence, trying to balance between better candidates and realpolitik maybe a few more people have to step forward.

They say in politics, half of it is in showing up.

Above article by Praba Ganesa;
http://www.themalaysianinsider.com/index.php/opinion/praba-ganesan/55180-pkr-will-go-on

Praba Ganesan is a Hulu Langat boy with a penchant for durians and debate. He is part of balairakyat, an NGO promoting ideas exchange

Bkt Lanjan's 2nd Service Center

2010-02-02T01:55:00.002+08:00

Pasukan Bukit Lanjan Opened their second service center at Bandar Sri Damansara......was in attendance to lend support :-)

ALL PRAISE BE TO ALLAH

2010-01-28T15:34:00.000+08:00

So we are now one month into 2010.
The ALLAH issue has overshadowed everything else – now everyone is talking about UNITY etc etc
However, I congratulate Bandar Utama Residents’ Association (BURA) for actually doing something instead of just talking about it. They organised the Ribbons for Peace, Unity and Love. I am proud to have been a part of that programme.
Subsequent to that, the The MP of Subang, YB SIvarasa had also organised a Unity High Tea session between leaders of the mosque community with the Parish Leaders of the Church of Divine Mercy, Shah Alam.
This was indeed a wonderful initiative welcomed by both the mosque and church sides. The informal dialogue is a prelude to an Inter Faith Round Table Dialogue to be organised at a later date. During this High Tea Session, it was also agreed that the mosque officials will host the next High Tea Session at the mosque compound for the church leaders.
Now all these are indeed a major step; real positive initiative by the people who are concerned about the burning of churches, mosques etc etc. Instead of just talking, there are doing something positive. It may be a small step but every journey begins with that one step!
Let the politicians and academicians ponder and take whatever advantage they want out of the whole issue. It is the Rakyat who will have to move and get things done…..and I am truly proud to be a part of both of the above initiatives.
I am sure many other communities are doing similar programmes elsewhere and it is all these small groups of people that will eventually bring about the big change!
May ALLAH the GOD of ALL, continue to bless this nation and guide us on the path of peace and progress………….All Praise to ALLAH!

post Christmas Contemplation

2009-12-26T10:46:00.002+08:00

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

2009-11-21T17:22:00.000+08:00

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

2009-11-10T15:04:00.006+08:00

An Interview with Peter Chong

2009-10-31T16:16:00.001+08:00

Watch this interview on:

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

Happy Deepavali

2009-10-16T23:57:00.002+08:00

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.....

2009-10-08T22:23:00.004+08:00

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!

2009-09-18T20:41:00.002+08:00

Kepada semua yang berugama Islam:

Selamat Hari Raya Aidil Fitri - Maaf Zahir dan Batin

HAPPY MALAYSIA DAY!

2009-09-17T00:56:00.000+08:00

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!

2009-09-13T21:56:00.001+08:00

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...

2009-09-02T11:10:00.002+08:00

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 !

2009-09-01T12:18:00.002+08:00

Well worth watching this video presentation,,,,,

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

click on the link to watch.

RAKYAT PANTANG DICABAR ....

2009-08-24T19:48:00.002+08:00

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!

2009-08-07T18:58:00.001+08:00

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.........

2009-08-03T23:43:00.002+08:00

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!

2009-07-31T18:04:00.003+08:00

AUTISM....Know more about it

2009-07-28T18:17:00.000+08:00

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...

2009-07-19T13:45:00.003+08:00

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!

2009-07-10T09:14:00.000+08:00

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

2009-06-28T10:37:00.002+08:00

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

2009-06-22T23:29:00.002+08:00

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 ??

2009-06-15T22:11:00.001+08:00

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

2009-06-06T10:19:00.002+08:00

The Arrest of the Lawyers @ Balai Polis Birckfields

2009-05-19T12:23:00.003+08:00

“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

2009-05-14T00:52:00.002+08:00

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

2009-05-12T11:59:00.003+08:00

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!

2009-05-06T03:45:00.000+08:00

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......

2009-04-22T15:32:00.002+08:00

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!!!

2009-04-18T21:35:00.002+08:00

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?

2009-04-17T18:09:00.000+08:00

"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

2009-04-15T17:52:00.001+08:00

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......

2009-04-05T15:29:00.003+08:00

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

2009-03-25T18:54:00.004+08:00

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.....

2009-03-22T18:06:00.000+08:00

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.....

2009-03-22T18:05:00.001+08:00

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.....

2009-03-22T18:04:00.001+08:00

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.....

2009-03-22T18:03:00.000+08:00

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.....

2009-03-22T18:01:00.000+08:00

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....

2009-03-22T18:00:00.000+08:00

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....

2009-03-22T17:59:00.000+08:00

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.....

2009-03-22T17:57:00.001+08:00

(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..

2009-03-20T13:42:00.002+08:00

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...

2009-03-13T10:26:00.000+08:00

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

2009-03-10T11:04:00.002+08:00

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

2009-03-06T00:54:00.004+08:00

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

2009-02-28T22:06:00.003+08:00

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

2009-02-28T22:01:00.001+08:00

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...

2009-02-25T10:38:00.002+08:00

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.....

2009-02-21T10:51:00.003+08:00

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

Privacy and our rights...

2009-02-16T12:29:00.002+08:00

I condemn without reservations the circulation of the nude pictures of YB Eli.

Our basic rights, even for public figures, must be protected at all costs. Whoever the culprit, must be brought to face the full force of the law! I trust that the police will do their best.

And for the rest of us, we must stand up to protect our rights as well as the rights of those around us. And i mean to stand up and speak up! Do something and not just stand and watch!

For evil to succeed it is enough that the good do nothing!

Anak Bangsa Malaysia must rise up to the challenge of making Malaysia a better place, even if we may not live to enjoy it!

For Principles....or public safety?

2009-02-11T20:12:00.002+08:00

IN recent weeks, the candle light (Mesra rakyat) vigils have been raided by the police who deemed the gathering as illegal. Each time we gather, they will come and warn us that we are illegal and ask us to dismiss. We would dismiss after about 10mins, always after the National Anthem.

Last week, the police seemed adamant about arresting people...they had already gathered and formed a cordon around the few vigilists there. However, with good sense on both sides, nothing untoward happened.

Now this week, today the CPO advised the State Exco that we should apply for a permit. I was informed that the MB had thus advised that we should do so. I am of the opinion that yes we could do so and I hope the police will approve in good will.

On the other hand, there is also our principle that we should not need a permit for such a gathering within a closed area, and having had the consent of the Datuk Bandar to use the premises.

Applying for the permit means giving in to the "abuse of power" of the police. However, on the other hand, I also hope that we can have our Mesra gathering without being disturbed and harassed by the police. I would like to encourage and see more young people coming out and standing up for a better Malaysia.

Following the "awareness" at the wake and funeral of Markus, Anak Bangsa Malaysia, there would be more young people coming out. However, the police harassment would than send these young people back into the closet.

So where do we go from here.........petey is troubled...:-(

Lions, Lions, Dragons and a Prosperous New Year Ahead

2009-02-10T09:26:00.002+08:00

So, it is Chap Goh Meh and finally all the Chinese New Year festivities come to an end.....err, there is still another one at MBPJ this Saturday 14th!

REST IN PEACE - Markus

2009-02-06T15:43:00.002+08:00

This afternoon I received (through my email) the sad news of the passing-on of a friend I had just recently had the pleasure of being acquainted with.

I had met Markus Ng at the weekly Mesra Rakyat gatherings at the tarmac of MBPJ every Sunday. The last I saw Markus was on Chinese New Years Eve.

He had called me aside and said he had something for me. He than took out a nicely and freshly printed name card. He had made a name card for himself carrying ANAK BANGSA MALAYSIA tagline.

This was his little way of supporting what I have been promoting ie: Anak Bangsa Malaysia; one nation, one people, one hope

Now this name card will be something I will cherish. Though I have not known him for long, this young man had impressed me with lots of passion and promise. In as much as I will miss him, I submit to the will of God. I know that now my dear Markus will be resting in peace while we continue to fight for a cause that he has been and continues to be a part of.

Amen!

When 08 is an embarassment...

2009-02-06T08:48:00.002+08:00

This past week has been truly an interesting week in Malaysian politics.

Certainly, the developments in Perak is most interesting.

I had expected that the best and right thing was for a Snap Elections in Perak. All expectations and hopes were in the hands of His HIghness.

Sadly, Tuanku chose to allow BN to rule the state, for whatever reasons best known to him alone.

I respect his decision though I feel sad. It is indeed a step backwards in the pursuit of changes. More so when all this is in Perak, the State of my birth. I carry 08 in my ID number. :-(

Words to Inspire....

2009-01-24T18:32:00.002+08:00

These words were spoken by Father O C Lim last year.....extracted from Pat Lu's posting:

"Our country enters the phase of naked display of aggression. When a regime is morally bankrupt it will use immoral means to hold on to power. We might be weak but we still have the power of prayer & silent witnessing. The unjust may break our bones but they can't break our spirit. " - Father O.C. Lim

And yesterday, at the PJ Courts when we were there to lend support to the 22 charged for illegal assembly: Pastor Sivin Kit interviewd Father O C Lim and this is amongst what Father Lim said: "Take Jesus away and I’ll be a coward"

Indeed, I would never have taken this road less travelled without the Strength that could only come from Him.

I share here too these words extracted from Pat Lu's postings:

"Christ has no body now on earth but yours,
no hands but yours, no feet but yours,
Yours are the eyes through which to look out
Christ's compassion to the world
Yours are the feet with which he is to go about
doing good;
Yours are the hands with which he is to bless men now."

"Let nothing disturb you.
Let nothing frighten you.
All things pass away.
God never changes.
Patience obtains everything.
Whoever has God lacks nothing.
God alone suffices."

Both poems above are by St. Teresa of Avila.

Mandarin Oranges....Police and more...

2009-01-23T15:08:00.002+08:00

For the past two Sundays, the peaceful MesraRakyat gatherings were disrupted by the police. Despite being in a public area, with permission from the owners, the gathering was considered to be illegal by the police. I had been receiving telephone calls almost daily from our friendly SB officer advising me not to attend the gathering and is possible try to call it off: my response has always been, I have no authority to call it off and as always, I WILL BE THERE!

For the past two weeks, I have been busy attending meetings to try resolve matters and helping make Malaysia a better place. It has been busy, frustrating but rewarding too in that I can make a difference.

Whilst it is still sad to see many people still having the "old mind set" but changes is not easy to come by. It may take a while to see changes in our society as a whole, it does not mean that we have to give up. Nor does it mean that people are unwilling to change. Change management takes time and I am glad to be able to be a part of this.

I am also glad to see many young people actively participating in events and gatherings to help bring about changes. More and more people are walking the talk instead of just standing by and watching.

These are people that gives hope for the nation. These are Harapan Negara and of course they are all ANAK BANGSA MALAYSIA.

Anak Bangsa Malaysia

2009-01-04T16:27:00.002+08:00

The following copied from YB Hannah Yeoh's blog. From day one that I met Edward, I have been impressed and standing by to give him my 100% support for what he stands for......May God continue to guide him as he journeys on to bring changes to this community. Edward - USAHA, HINGGA JAYA - To strive, To seek, To find but not to Yield!

My political secretary, Edward Ling has recently been included in the DAP Socialist Youth (DAPSY) leadership for 2008-2010. This is good news for the youth of Subang Jaya as this is a national committee. May the voice of our youth be heard in all areas of governance.

For those who do not know, Edward Ling played a key role in inspiring me to register myself as a voter prior to March 2008. His interest in politics started when he was still in school. He would read the newspapers more than his textbooks and that passion never ceased. Returning from Australia after obtaining his degree, he began to seriously consider how he could make a difference in our nation's politics. He would speak to his friends over coffee on the effect of corruption and danger of being indifferent. I was one of them at such coffee sessions. Sometimes, a single act of encouraging someone to do something small yet positive could lead to something way greater than what you can ever ask or imagine. Congratulations Edward! May you continue to inspire many more young people to bring change to this land. For more information on Edward, please visit his blog http://www.edwardling.blogspot.com/

Another Year Wiser...

2008-12-31T08:13:00.002+08:00

Here's wishing one and all a Blessed, Successful and Healthy 2009.

Let the lessons learnt in 2008, guide us to better things in 2009.
Let the experiences of 2008, inspire us to dream our dreams and make it a reality in 2009.

To seek, to find but not to yield. USAHA HINGGA JAYA!

Busy December...

2008-12-18T12:58:00.002+08:00

I have been terribly busy these past weeks leaving me with little time to post my blog. So what has Peter been up to...

I have kicked off the Harapan Negara project (harapannegara.blogspot.com) which is to build a Civil Society of Anak Bangsa Malaysia. A society where Good Governance (competency), Accountability and Transparency - CAT - is a part of our life. We practice it and expect others to practice it too.

However, for the society at large, in order to practice CAT, we must also empower them with awareness and knowledge of what is happening around us.

Therefore, AFP Resources Sdn Bhd has been set up as a resource center. This would be predominantly a Consulting and Training and Event Management company which will help human development of Anak Bangsa Malaysia - to build a competent human resource pool.

The future of Malaysia would truly be in the hands of all of us, Anak Bangsa Malaysia.

To some, this may seem like a dream: but dreams do come true, and all it takes is that first step. Who would have thought/believed that a black man would be in the White House?

What is your stand? To continue to watch from the sidelines and see history being made; or to be a part of it, and make history. Make Malaysia a better place; perhaps not for ourselves, but certainly for our children.

Harapan Negara - A Hope For The Nation.

With the stroke of a pen.....

2008-12-08T11:10:00.002+08:00

We are well into December, the season of sacrifice and goodwill.....

While many of us are thinking of what presents to buy for Christmas, the families of many of the ISA detainees are thinking of where the money will come from for their children's school books.

While we are thinking of where to have our Christmas Dinner, the same families are thinking of where the money will come from, to but food on their tables.

And these are families that have been made "single parent families" by the stroke of the pen of the Minister; not by the court of law. And all basic human principles and religion tell us that one is innocent until proven guilty!

All religion also teaches us about justice and standing up for the oppressed. Yes, many of us are standing up for justice; by being present and supporting the No to ISA candle light vigil,for example. Many of us come together as One United Voice; the Suara Anak Bangsa Malaysia. And YES! we can change things - but not immediately.

Meanwhile, the reality is that these families need to continue to live; they need real help. Please read the following blog: http://lailagmi.blogspot.com
Please try to help out in any way you can...

These families are also Anak Bangsa Malaysia; they too are our family, our brothers and sisters. Please do what you can especially for the innocent children, more so, during this, the season of goodwill.

I wish you all: Compliments of the Season!

Harapan Negara - Anak Bangsa Malaysia

2008-12-06T20:50:00.003+08:00

I am embarking on a journey to do something positive to contribute to make Malaysia a better place.

I have commited my time and energy to help my community. However, the reality is that doing volunteer work is an expensive hobby. To continue serving the community, we must be sustainable both physically and financially. Otherwise, no matter how passionate and sincere we are, the reality will hit us.

Therefore, with my partners, we are trying to link businesses, the government, NGOs and the community in a smart partnership. We are negotiating for government funds as well as financial backings from the business community.

With these funds, we can be more stable financially and be able to concentrate and commit fully to serving the community.By the Grace of God, we will also be financially strog enough to support and bring on board others to contribute their efforts and energy.

I am starting on a journey to help build a more competent and socially responsible community; a civil society. We have a pool of experts who will lend and share their experiences to train and build a more knowledgeable society. Each of these experts will be available to contribute their time and energy to the community.

Meanwhile, companies who believe and practices Social Responsibilities will be taken onboard as our partners. They will contribute financially as well as share their entreprenurial experiences. In return we will endorse these companies to the government and communities to expand their businesses. These companies, however, must meet the requirements that we would have set for Corporate Social Responsibilities.

Our mission is a Civil Society; practicing Good Governace, Transparency and Accountability at all levels of society. On this mission, our target would be Anak Bangsa Malaysia - One Nation, One Spirit, One Voice - the Voice of Anak Bangsa Malaysia. Our guiding priciples will be the 5 principles of the Rukunegara:
Belief in God - Loyalty to King & Country - Supremacy of the Constitution - The Rule of Law - Mutual Respect and Good Social Behaviour.

May the Good Lord grant me the Strength on this long and difficult journey; the Patience and Love to help others understand; the Blessings and Wisdom to overcome obstacles and challenges and the Humility to continue to bring Glory to His Name.

The Fire in Our Spirits

2008-12-01T10:28:00.002+08:00

Last night was the third Candlelight Vigil that I have attended at the PJ Civic Center.

As always, a wonderful crowd, mixed ages but one people: Bangsa Malaysia

Last night, that mystery lady who voiced her rights when she bumped into the Support ISA march the previous Sunday spoke. She related her experience and why she did what she did. One brave woman with a truly burning spirit because of her love for her country.

These Vigils still require a Police Permit which Councillor Richard still goes about applying on our behalf. And it is approved but with the usual clauses of what cannot be done.

The authorities should know by now that they can extinguish the light on our candles (the permit only allows candles for 15 minutes. However, they can never extinguish the fire in our spirit.

And it is this fire in the spirit of the people that will keep going to bring positive changes to this nation. The people gather everyweek because of their love for the country....to make this country a better place for the generations to come.

We sing the State and National ANthem with pride and glory in the true spirit of Patriotism.

And it is the combined fire in our spirits that will bring about the changes. Combined together, it will indeed be the true spirit of Malaysia Boleh! and one united voice: Suara Anak Bangsa Malaysia.

And after ISA, there are still more that this Suara Anak Bangsa Malaysia can do.....

May the Fire In Our Spirits Continue to Burn for a Better Malaysia!

May God Bless Us All

2008-11-26T13:37:00.000+08:00

Justice for all....all men are equal

2008-11-24T22:00:00.001+08:00

Justice for all....all men are equal
Posted by: petluc
I refer to your report on the Coalition of Malay NGOs and the 5 police reports they lodge.

I fully respect the group's rights to assemble and to march to the police station to lodge their reports.

However, I was just curious to know if this group had a permit; if yes, how come their application was allowed; on what grounds.

If no, than how come no FRU came out and no arrests made.

It was clearly proven that this group was violent in the fact that they even chased a women, who was also exercising her right to shout!

And since the group was already at the Balai, why no arrests made?

Same rule for all?? Nov 9 in PJ, still fresh in my mind

Sad...

The Victory of Good over Evil

2008-10-27T21:39:00.000+08:00

As I sit here sending out Divali greetings on my handphone, I feel so proud to be a Malaysian. In our country, we are exposed to the varied cultures in our communities. Whether or not we fully understand each culture, we nevertheless know a little about the celebration of each culture.

Here in Macau, most would not have an idea at all about the Divali celebration. Forget about any knowledge as to say the Oil Bath Ritual etc when they do not even know of the celebration. We cannot blame them as there are hardly any Indians here.
Nevertheless, as a Malaysian, I feel so proud and indeed so grateful. Understanding and celebrating other cultural celebrations has been a part and puzzle of growing up. And it is this knowledge and experience that has made me sensitive to other cultures and the differences. And it has contributed to making me a better person, (I hope ).

It is on this note, that I am thinking that Malaysia would indeed be a much better place if our children are taught more comprehensively about the various cultures. Teaching just the basics would probably not be enough. We need to teach our children to fully appreciate and understand each culture and religion in order that they can respect the differences. It is thus this respect for the differences of each others culture and religion that will bring Malaysia forward.

Happy Divali.

Happy Divali

2008-10-25T03:00:00.002+08:00

Here's wishing all my Indian friends Happy Divali. May the light of the festival bring love and joy to our hearts and soul. May the festival bring our nation to enlightenment......that the light will guide our leaders and show them the way.

My heart and prayers go out specially to the families of our Indian friends being held under ISA; just as it goes out to the families of all the ISA detainees too.

Happy Divali.

The Challenegs Ahead....

2008-10-23T15:11:00.002+08:00

"The quality and availability of public goods like education, public housing, public health, crime prevention have all declined, while child and aged care and public transport are near inexistent, resulting in a Hobson's choice for the poor and middle class in either facing the decline in living conditions or an ever higher cost of maintaining a decent lifestyle.

A total of 57.8 per cent of the country's 5.8 million families live on a combined monthly income below RM3,000, including 8.6 per cent who make less than RM1,000 per month. The already skyrocketing inflation, and the impending crisis, has hit them really hard.

The dependence on government-related employment and foreign workers over the last decade stops the economy as a whole from moving up the value chain and to respond to a crisis effectively. One in four of Malaysia's labour force is a legal foreign worker while approximately one in four in the workforce works for the public sector directly or indirectly, for instance, in government-linked corporations. The private sector lacks the capacity to innovate and compete internationally, thus hindering its ability to weather the storm.

The challenge of our time is to ensure that there is sufficient food on the table of the almost 60 per cent of our nation's families, and to ensure that their quality of life does not descend further."

With all these problems, we still see in our national papers, the headlines carrying news of the UMNO nomination; of House Speaker rejecting motions, suspending MP for seemingly minute and personal emotional reasons.....hmmm God help us!

There is also the added problems of retrenchment in the Singapore labour market, and thus all these will be back in Malaysia; can we just ignore these social problems?

So, all MPs and elected reps and councillors and all of us; GET REAL! The challenges ahead will be difficult but not impossible to overcome.

God's grace, peace and strength be with us all.

Love and Hatred.....where will each lead us to...

2008-10-15T20:50:00.002+08:00

For God so loved the world, that He gave....

As I sit here alone in my apartment, reading news about Malaysia, I cannot but feel sad and truly disappointed.

First there is the Utusan's cerpen about the killing of a Chinese Female YB; have we, Malaysians stoop so low. Where is the love in our heart? What are we teaching our children, it is so obvious that the cerpen is politically motivated.

I urge the leaders to handle this potentialy dangerous situation carefully and swiftly. Bring to task the people responsible for this; for even thinking about it. These are truly the people that should be in Kamunting for inciting hatred and causing fear in our land.

Hannah Yeoh's blog entry titled WIth Great Power Comes Great Responsibility sent me further into the DOWN mood.

When will we ever learn; truly indeed, we have still a long way to go in political and social maturity. We always expect others to do everything and we sit back to watch and comment. We want change , we want freedon but we do not want that responsibility that comes with it.

That is how Malaysia has been governed all these while; give them a little bit here and a little bit there and BN continues to rule. Than on 8th March, some people woke us up, and we all started enjoying this new change. A few weeks down the road, we go back to what we were used to before; sit, talk, complain and complain some more.

These few people who woke us up are still there and will be there to speak up and fight for what is right; even with threats. It is about time we, MALAYSIANS start walking the talk. Stand up and do something!

DO not just talk about injustice; do something about it; even a small gesture. Were you there at the courts when RPK's hearing was taking place? Were you there at the candle light vigils to free the ISA detainees? Or were you at home saying; "aiyooo these people ah.....causing traffic jam only...."

Well, my fellow Malaysians, please walk the talk - let us together give MERDEKA a new meaning.

Let us make change happen, for a better tomorrow for all!

Let us give that little sacrifice as GOD did, that He gavce his only Son......

Hate brings us pain, and only love can bring freedom and change!

Yesterday, today.....

2008-10-14T14:35:00.000+08:00

Yesterday I met a stranger...

Today this stranger is my friend. Had I not taken the time to say hello, or return a smile, or shake a hand, or listen, I would not have known this person. Yesterday would have turned into today and our chance meeting would be gone.
Yesterday I hugged someone very dear to me. Today they are gone... and tomorrow will not bring them back. Wouldn't it be nice if we all knew tomorrow would be here? But we don't, so take the time TODAY to give a hug, and a smile....

JUST FOR TODAY,

. ..smile at a stranger
...listen to someone's heart
...drop a coin where a child can find it
...learn something new, then teach it to someone
...tell someone you're thinking of them
...hug a loved one
...don't hold a grudge
...don't be afraid to say "I'm sorry"
...look a child in the eye and tell them how great they are
...don't kill that spider in your house, he's just lost so show him the way out
...look beyond the face of a person into their heart
...make a promise, and keep it
...call someone, for no other reason than to just say "hi"
...show kindness to an animal
...stand up for what you believe in
...smell the rain, feel the breeze, listen to the wind
...use all your senses to their fullest
...cherish all of your TODAYS

Today you were thought about by me....

What next....

2008-09-30T20:31:00.002+08:00

September comes to an end now. What lies ahead; the overall economy does not look good - banks collapsing, people panicking.......

One interesting news item in Hong Kong is how these people who bought bonds of these collapsed banks. They bought them through local HK banks, and now when these bonds seem worthless, they blame the bank. They are asking for government's compensation. They claim the banks never told them of the risks involved in buying these bonds.

However, when the opposite happens, these same investors will pocket the profits happily to the bank. I wonder...

Every investment has a risk involved and these investors whould know better. Therefore, it is scandalous when these same investors ask for compensation in such a situation.

Gosh...rich man's talk; surely there are other matters more urgent for the government to consider!

Towards the end of September, October beckons...

2008-09-28T22:19:00.001+08:00

As we approach October, I look forward to cooler weather ahead. However, typhoon season may not be over yet. Taiwan was badly hurt again and the storm is heading towards the mainland.

Come October 1st, China celebrates yet another National Day; this year's celebration would indeed be different. It would indeed be a special celebration: The success of the Beijing Olympics plus the success of the Space Mission. Truly good reasons to celebrate!

I am sure people of Chinese origin all over the world are proud of China's achievements. I consider myself MALAYSIAN but I am equally proud of what CHINA has shown to be capable of. My prayer and wish is to see the Chinese giving the West a run for their money; what they can do, the Chinese can do better!!!!

Whilst I would enjoy the Chinese celebration, my heart is still very much in Malaysia; What lies ahead for Malaysia in the coming months - my prayers are for changes for the better....for harmony and peace..and progress!

May this last quarter of 2008, see my dreams and wishes come true.