Posted on

Perkasa holds ‘funeral rite’ in front of Guan Eng’s house

By Susan Loone and Low Chia Ming | May 10, 2012
Malaysiakini

A group of 30 members from Malay rights pressure group Perkasa held a “funeral rite” in front of Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng’s house in Pinhorn Road today, to show their dissatisfaction at the latter’s rule in Penang since 2008.

The group led by state Perkasa Youth chief Risuan Asuddin showed up at about 10.20am and threw posters of Lim at his front gate and placed a framed photo of him with a garland of flowers to signify his “death” to the Malay community.

The group stayed around Lim’s house for about 15 minutes to express how Lim had neglected the community before convoying to Komtar, the state’s administrative centre, where Lim’s office is situated.
Continue reading “Perkasa holds ‘funeral rite’ in front of Guan Eng’s house”

Posted on

Anwar: Hanif must step down as panel chief in Bersih 3.0 probe

By Shazwan Mustafa Kamal
The Malaysian Insider
May 11, 2012

PETALING JAYA, May 11 — Tun Mohammad Hanif Omar must step down as head of Putrajaya’s independent panel probe on the Bersih 3.0 violence, Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim said last night.

The PKR de facto leader said this was necessary to ensure the panel was completely fair and neutral in its investigations into incidents surrounding the April 28 rally.

Former Inspector-General of Police Hanif was delusional in thinking Bersih 3.0 would bring a resurgence of communist threat, said Anwar.

“Tun Hanif still thinks he is the Inspector-General of Police fighting the communists, need to fight Chin Peng to the end… eh it (the communist threat) is already over,” Anwar said at a Pakatan Rakyat (PR) ceramah attended by over 1,000 supporters.

“I am asking that Tun Hanif withdraw as chairman. Do not fool the people. You know you are not neutral, insulting Bersih… the other panel members should also step down,” Anwar demanded.

DAP parliamentary leader Lim Kit Siang echoed Anwar’s remarks, saying that Hanif’s appointment was the “worst” decision the Najib administration had made in three years.

“Tun Hanif should be a star witness in the enquiry, not the chairman… save the enquiry from embarrassment,” the Ipoh Timor MP said to loud cheers from people at the ceramah.

“Tun Hanif says Bersih 3.0 was a plot to overthrow the present government… where is the proof?

“Rational Malaysians won’t accept this explanation… that there were pro-communist elements during the rally,” said Lim. Continue reading “Anwar: Hanif must step down as panel chief in Bersih 3.0 probe”

Posted on

Plain meaning of ‘independent’

by Clive Kessler
Malaysiakini
May 10, 2012

Excuse me, but as a puzzled outside observer I just do not understand.

Or perhaps it is the case that others do not understand the “plain meaning” of everyday words?

Yesterday Hanif Omar was named to head an “independent” commission of investigation into the events of April 28.

Yet several days ago he joined forces, and combined his voice, with two other former inspectors-general of police to call for action against the leaders of the Bersih movement for mounting a “coup attempt”.

“Independent”? Continue reading “Plain meaning of ‘independent’”

Posted on

We should say yes to La Rue’s offer

— Khoo Ying Hooi
The Malaysian Insider
May 10, 2012

MAY 10 — Malaysia is one of the 47 members sitting in the United Nations Human Rights Council (HRC) for the second term covering 2010-2013. When our Foreign Affairs Minister, Dato’ Sri Anifah Aman opined that there is no necessity for outsiders, in this context, the Special Rapporteur on the Promotion and Protection of the Right to Freedom of Opinion and Expression, Frank William La Rue to investigate the Bersih 3.0 rally that took place on April 28. He is stretching the truth way a little because, I quote, “We are a sovereign nation. We are capable of doing our own impartial investigation and we have faith in the authorities and the police. For responsible Malaysians, I don’t think this is an issue. We don’t need someone to investigate what transpired in our country. We have seen it on television and there are people who were actually on the spot who witnessed what happened.”

He also added that “The government is going to appoint a panel to investigate; therefore I do not see the necessity. I mean, maybe it’s possible, but I do not see the necessity for any outside organisation to determine whether we are free or fair.”

In declaring its intention for its candidature, the Malaysian government circulated a memorandum dated March 9, 2010, outlining its human rights record and its pledges and voluntary commitments. As the member of the HRC, Malaysia’s voluntary commitments and pledges include “deepening and widening our cooperation with and support for the work of various UN actors and mechanisms involved in the promotion and protection of human rights such as the … Special Procedures of the HRC,” which includes Special Rapporteurs, Working Groups, and Independent Experts.

If we take a peek to the UN General Assembly resolution A/RES/60/251, it states clearly that members of the HRC shall uphold the highest standards in the promotion and protection of human rights; fully cooperate with the HRC; and be reviewed under the Universal Periodic Review (UPR) mechanism during their term.

However, the way Anifah Aman described the Special Rapporteur and the HRC which we are a member, as the “outsider” and the “outside organisation” is detrimental to the country. It doesn’t reflect the commitments that the government has promised to the HRC and it is obviously just another diplomatic exercise. Continue reading “We should say yes to La Rue’s offer”

Posted on

Durian runtuh or durian mengkal?

— Sakmongkol AK47
The Malaysian Insider
May 10, 2012

MAY 10 — FELDA settlers were described as “shedding tears of joy” by Bernama Online following the prime minister’s announcement that they were to expect a windfall of RM15,000 each following the listing of FELDA Global Venture Holding (FGVH).

Let me simplify the issue at hand. This is a bare knuckle fight between the bad guys (FGVH) and the good guys (the settlers). Let’s face it, if Najib sides with the settlers he would ask FGVH to issue 80 per cent of the shares to the settlers and settlers’ interests. Instead the settlers get the smaller portion while the bulk goes to his corporate buddies.

What did he agree to? This man who proclaims people first, performance this and that? Close to two billion shares are offered at RM4.65 per share which will see FGVH collecting some RM9 billion. How is the earnings distributed? Sixty per cent to the minister in charge of FELDA who is Najib. Forty per cent to FELDA? Out of the RM3.6 billion, FELDA uses RM1.69 billion to pay the durian runtuh? And the remainder has to be used to pay off debts owed by FELDA such as the RM3 billion to EPF? Then how much is left with FELDA to run the business that it owns?

Is RM400 million a year sufficient for FELDA to finance its operations and carry out its social responsibilities in FELDA schemes involving 220,000 people? Continue reading “Durian runtuh or durian mengkal?”

Posted on

Besok perayaan ulang tahun Umno, walaupun Umno itu sudah tiada

— Aspan Alias
The Malaysian Insider
May 10, 2012

10 MEI — Dengar khabarnya Umno akan “celebrate” ulang tahun yang ke 66 besok dengan perhimpunan ahli parti yang besar-besaran. Katanya Umno berumur 66 tahun besok, 11hb Mei. Upacara sambutan besaran-besaran ini akan menjadi seperti pelancaran untuk menghadapi pilihanraya yang bakal diadakan sekejap sahaja lagi.

Saya lebih tertarik jika Umno hanya mengadakan doa selamat besar-besaran untuk Umno yang telah mati itu bukannya merayakan hari lahirnya. Parti itu telah mati dan semua orang tahu siapa yang merancang kematiannya dan kenapa kematian Umno itu amat perlu bagi seorang pemimpin pada tahun 1988 dahulu. Tidak payah diulangi lagi kerana blog inilah yang telah mengulangi kejadian itu berpuluh-puluh kali sebelum ini. Umno sekarang sepatutnya merayakan ulang tahun yang ke 24 sahaja kerana itulah umur sebenar parti Umno yang sekarang ini.

Sepatutnya ulang tahunnya dirayakan pada bulan Februari yang lepas. Tetapi Umno terpaksa mengambil dan menukar tarikh lahirnya ke11 Mei kerana itulah tarikh lahir Umno yang sebenarnya. Saya dan siapa pun tahu kenapa Umno memilih 11 Mei itu sebagai hari ulang tahun parti itu. Sebabnya senang; kerana Umno asal itu merupakan parti tulin perjuangan untuk orang Melayu dan rakyat Malaysia amnya. Umno baru ini ingin menumpang “kekeramatan” Umno lama itu maka ia memilih untuk menggunakan tarikh kelahiran parti yang telah mati dibunuh pada tahun 1988 dahulu sebagai tarikh ulang tahun parti yang baru berumur 24 tahun itu. Continue reading “Besok perayaan ulang tahun Umno, walaupun Umno itu sudah tiada”

Posted on

UN does not approve tear gas as a riot control agent

Dr Lin Mui Kiang
Letter
Free Malaysia Today
May 10, 2012

The United Nations in Malaysia would like to refer to the article published in The Star on May 7, 2012 titled ‘Police: Tear gas used at rally safe, UN-approved’. We very much regret that the UN in Malaysia was not consulted before the publication of this article as it contains serious inaccuracies.

The UN has consistently condemned the excessive use of force, including through the use of tear gas. Please also note that the Office of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) and Special Procedures of the Human Rights Council have on various occasions publicly expressed concerns about reliable reports indicating that civilians who died from tear gas suffered complications from gas inhalation, and that security forces have been firing metal tear gas canisters from grenade launchers into crowds.

The UN Special Rapporteur on Freedom of Expression after his mission to the Israel and Occupied Palestinian Territories (OPT) in December 2011 noted that “while the use of tear gas to disperse a crowd may be legitimate under certain circumstances, tear gas canisters should never be fired directly at demonstrators.”

Moreover, unlike what is alleged in the article, the UN does not set international standards on different kinds of irritants, nor has the UN approved ‘CS Gas’ as a ‘riot control’ agent.

As far as the use of force is concerned, the relevant UN instrument is the Basic Principles on the use of Force and Firearms by Law Enforcement Officials, which was adopted by the Eighth United Nations Congress on the Prevention of Crime and the Treatment of Offenders in 1990, not the Chemical Weapons Convention (CWC) of 1993. I provide its general provisions below: Continue reading “UN does not approve tear gas as a riot control agent”

Posted on

Hanif should be the last person to head probe of Bersih 3.0 violence as he should be one of the “star” witnesses to substantiate his allegations that Bersih 3.0 was a coup attempt which involved pro-communist sympathizers

It is most ironical that the Prime Minister, Datuk Seri Najib Razak said in an interview on Sinar.FM radio station this morning that as Prime Minister he could not even afford a single mistake, and “if we have to make 10 major decisions, we need to get 10 out of 10 right”, as he had just made probably his worst decision in his three-year premiership.

This is the appointment of former Inspector-General of Police, Tun Hanif Omar as chairman of the six-member Independent Advisory Panel to investigate the Bersih 3.0 violence and brutality.

Right from the second after the announcement by the Home Minister, Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Hussein last evening, Hanif’s appointment as the head of the Bersih 3.0 panel had received immediate brickbats and all-round disapprobation and condemnation as being utterly inappropriate, rendering the whole probe not only lacking in independence but totally bereft of credibility and legitimacy.

I do not think it is possible to find another announcement of the composition of a public inquiry by the government in the nation’s 54-year history which had attracted such instant and all-round rejection and condemnation by major national stakeholders in the country!

The answer is very obvious. Hanif is the last person to head the probe of Bersih 3.0 violence as nobody would believe that he could be impartial and unbiased after he had publicly supported Najib’s irresponsible, wild and baseless allegation that Bersih 3.0 “sit-in” at Dataran Merdeka on April 28 was a coup d’etat attempt by the opposition to topple the government when there is not one iota of evidence whatsoever. Continue reading “Hanif should be the last person to head probe of Bersih 3.0 violence as he should be one of the “star” witnesses to substantiate his allegations that Bersih 3.0 was a coup attempt which involved pro-communist sympathizers”

Posted on

How BN lost this fencesitting voter: Open letter to PM

Daniel Tan | May 8, 2012
Malaysiakini

I am your average Joe in my late 40’s, living a comfortable life in a quiet suburban part of KL. I call myself a political atheist with no particular inclination to any political party.

You can call me a fencesitter or a middle ground voter. In the last 20 years of my voting life, I have always voted based on issues, swinging my votes between BN and the opposition depending on the hot issues of the day.

I voted BN in 2004, giving your coalition a massive mandate post-Mahathir and the reverberating message of ‘Change’ espoused by your predecessor.

And when the message remained just a message, four years on, I voted for the opposition, and what followed is history.

I understand you are trying very hard to court people like me and I supposed all this alphabet in the soup monikers – ETP, GTP, NEM, etc. are part of your big strategy to win urban voters like me.

Honestly, I am not sure I am thoroughly convinced. Continue reading “How BN lost this fencesitting voter: Open letter to PM”

Posted on

The unshackling of M’sia’s rakyat

Yee Siew Meng | May 9, 2012
Malaysiakini

Bersih 3.0 is probably the biggest civil protest the country has ever seen. Reports have suggested anywhere from 150,000 to 250,000.

It is hard to establish the figures but depending on which side of the fence you are sitting; I would say that it was an intimidating number of people. Definitely more than Bersih 1 and Bersih 2.

Bersih 3.0, to me was a watershed event, much like BN’s loss of the two-third’s majority in the 2008 general election.

Each time an event like Bersih 3 occurs the ground shakes and the fault lines open up. In 2008, the obvious changes were the new governments which took over the states of Penang, Kedah, Perak and Selangor.

Many were elated but something unseen happened in the psyche of Malaysians which shook the social structure of Malaysia.

The groundswell in 2008 loosed the shackles of fear which had gripped our fathers’ generation. The deep-seated fear shackled our freedom, divided our communities, silenced our elders and compromised our faith. Continue reading “The unshackling of M’sia’s rakyat”

Posted on

‘Brutal’ M’sian police must learn from 1992 LA riots

Ye Choh Wah | May 7, 2012
Malaysiakini

The police brutality towards the Bersih crowd reminded me of incident in 1992 when the police in Los Angeles, USA, brutally beat up an unarmed black man named Rodney King.

The whole scene was videoed by an amateur (video was not so prevalent then).

Four white policemen were charged but eventually acquitted on April 29th 1992 (almost exactly twenty years ago from 428).

The next day, riots broke out that crippled the city of LA for days. Buildings were burned. There was looting, shots fired and the whole city was closed down.

At the end of the day 54 people were killed.

I happened to be visiting LA that time. My flight had to be diverted to Ontario, two hours drive away, with airlines arranging coaches to take us back to LA.

Upon reaching LA, the city was basically shut down. There were many burnt buildings and smoke everywhere.

We had a hard time to even find food. We had to cancel our plans to visit Disneyland the next day and left town.

However, being a much more open and transparent country, the whole incident did change the police force in LA, every other city in US and the world (except Malaysia maybe). Continue reading “‘Brutal’ M’sian police must learn from 1992 LA riots”

Posted on

Govt backs off on proposed amendments to Election Offences Act

Hemananthani Sivanandam & Tan Yi Liang
[email protected]
9 May 2012

KUALA LUMPUR (May 9, 2012): The government has decided to withdraw the Election Offences (Amendment) Bill 2012 in the face of much resistance from both Barisan Nasional and opposition lawmakers.

Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department Datuk Seri Nazri Aziz said today he will table a motion in the Senate tomorrow to officially withdraw the bill which the cabinet, the Election Commission (EC), and the opposition had unanimously agreed upon.

The bill to amend the Election Offences Act 1954, which the Dewan Rakyat had passed on April 19, had been heavily criticised for amendments which among others, included the removal of:

Section 11(c), which required printed campaign material to carry the name and address of the printer and publisher;

Section 26 1(e) which allows for checking of the identity of any person entering a polling centre by the candidate or their staff; and

Section 26A Sub-sections (2) and (3) which allow for election agents or candidate to be present at election booths. Continue reading “Govt backs off on proposed amendments to Election Offences Act”

Posted on

Did the police lose control that day?

by Azrul Mohd Khalib
The Malaysian Insider
May 09, 2012

MAY 9 — In my column last week on Bersih 3.0, I was quite hesitant to share in detail my account of what I had seen and experienced on the streets of Kuala Lumpur later that day. My belief that with the many videos, photographs and victims of police misconduct (read: brutality), the truth would surely get out. There would be no denying the fact that the police on that day had lost control of their men.

But I am now quite disquieted by the fact that there seems to be a group of people out there who are saying that the actions of the police (tear gas, water cannon, detention, forceful and abusive treatment of those being arrested) were justified as the rally participants had breached the perimeter of the security barricade, resisted arrest and engaged in hand to hand combat. Basically, that they had it coming because the rally participants provoked the police.

Let’s first put things into perspective. Continue reading “Did the police lose control that day?”

Posted on

Bunyi guruhnya kuat, hujannya renyai-renyai

— Aspan Alias
The Malaysian Insider
May 09, 2012

9 MEI — Saya telah mendengar secara resminya pengumuman Perdana Menteri Najib Razak tentang “durian runtuh” seperti yang heboh diperkatakan sejak hampir setahun yang lalu.

Saya yang bukan peneroka ini pun tertunggu-tunggu “durian runtuh” ini kerana ia telah mendapat liputan media yang meluas kerana ia berkait rapat dengan penyenaraian FGV di Bursa Malaysia pada bulan Jun yang akan datang ini.

Dengan skala publisiti yang meluas ini saya beranggapan yang “durian runtuh” yang diperkatakan oleh pucuk pimpinan kita itu akan melebihi RM100,000 ribu seorang untuk diseimbangkan dengan publisiti yang teramat meluas sejak berbulan-bulan dahulu.

Cara PM Najib bercerita tentang “durian runtuh” itu, seolah-olah jumlah yang akan diterima oleh peneroka itu tidak boleh kurang dari RM100,000 dan dibayar serentak kepada setiap orang peneroka yang telah meneroka hutan belantara untuk dijadikan perladangan yang terbesar di dunia.

Rupa-rupanya jumlahnya hanyalah RM15,000 sahaja dan akan diberikan dalam tiga peringkat selama tiga bulan. Kalau mengadu, nanti dikatanya peneroka tidak bersyukur. Kalau tak adu pula, ia sangat tidak berbaloi dengan publisiti yang meluas berterusan sejak beberapa bulan yang lalu. Continue reading “Bunyi guruhnya kuat, hujannya renyai-renyai”

Posted on

Lim Teck Ghee responds to Chandra Muzaffar’s refusal to engage on the Net and his threat

by Dr Lim Teck Ghee
CPI
09 May 2012

Commentary
In my note to Chandra on May 6 which he acknowledged, and which was sent well before this latest rebuttal, I had written:

“I hope we can have a sustained discussion on the important subject that you have identified. I don’t think a one-off debate is a good way to have that discussion. I know politicians and their supporters love it but we are not politicians.”

Chandra’s latest reply continues to insist on a one-off debate and argues that a prolonged discourse in lieu of a debate will “generate more heat than light”.

I disagree. So do the great majority of online commentators that have followed our exchange. Despite attempts by cybertroopers to disrupt feedback, many readers have encouraged us to engage over the Net that is an open and unfettered public space in which they can also contribute their say.

If I had thought that the scholar rather than the ex-politician in Chandra would prevail, I was mistaken. Continue reading “Lim Teck Ghee responds to Chandra Muzaffar’s refusal to engage on the Net and his threat”

Posted on

Gov’t withdraws Election Offences Amendment Bill

By Aidila Razak | May 9, 2012
Malaysiakini

In a rare move, the Election Offences Amendment Bill will be withdrawn from the Dewan Negara tomorrow following “a lot of resistance”.

According to Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department Nazri Abdul Aziz, the decision to abort the Bill was arrived at today after a 10-minute meeting between the government, the opposition and the Election Commission (EC).

“I will table the motion in the Dewan Negara tomorrow,” he told reporters at the Parliament lobby today.

The means that the Election Offences Act remains at status quo for the next general election.
Continue reading “Gov’t withdraws Election Offences Amendment Bill”

Posted on

Why was Nazri’s parliamentary answer that the Cabinet has agreed to set up RCI on illegals in Sabah blacked out in Sabah press today when it should make it to all the front-page headlines?

A most bizarre and extraordinary development highlighting the triple woes about good governance in Malaysia – the unhealthy state of media freedom in Malaysia, the veracity of Ministerial statements and assurances in Parliament and thirdly, the continued contempt and disregard for the long-standing legitimate grievances of Sabahans by the Barisan Nasional Federal Government.

The question all Sabahans and Malaysians are entitled to an answer is why the written parliamentary answer of the Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department, Datuk Seri Nazri Aziz tabled in the Senate yesterday that the Cabinet has agreed on Feb. 8 this year to set up a Royal Commission of Inquiry (RCI) on the illegal immigrant problem in Sabah was blacked out in the Sabah press today when it should make it to all the front-page headlines?

In fact, the news story was also killed in all the Malaysian mainstream mass media and all other language print media – except for the Sun, which appeared as page lead “RCI on illegals in Sabah” (p. 2), Star online (2.45 pm yesterday) and a few online portals like Malaysiakini and FreeMalaysiaToday.

Is it true that Bernama, which had earlier yesterday sent out a news bulletin on Nazri’s parliamentary answer confirming the Cabinet decision on Feb. 8 to form the RCI, had a few hours later sent out a retraction of the news item? Continue reading “Why was Nazri’s parliamentary answer that the Cabinet has agreed to set up RCI on illegals in Sabah blacked out in Sabah press today when it should make it to all the front-page headlines?”

Posted on

Police brutality unacceptable

KJ John
Malaysiakini
May 8, 2012

I am boiling mad! I am really angry with the police force, that they willingly and voluntarily inflicted wanton abuse and injury to so many civilians.

One does not need more evidence. Just scan the YouTube uploads and it will become evident to any observer.

Abuse is abuse of the law and the special privilege and the concomitant responsibility of being in a uniform which we are called to, and demanded to respect.

In fact, the uniform even carries the insignia of the royal emblem of Malaysia.

Surely therefore there must be standard operating procedures related to “under what conditions are the Public Order and Preservation Ordinations motions can be called upon” and applied towards violators.

If one is unsure, please go also on the net and find out for yourself, as an ex-military officer has already described and qualified for such “approved procedures of relevant actions”.

If the IGP cannot explain all the obvious abuse by the police upon innocent civilians who simply want a peaceful assembly, then I would like the IGP to resign.

I recognise that his deputy is a worse off character based on his history of public statements and moreover the IGP is a much more sincere and simpler man, but I think the Rupert Murdoch Principle set by the British Parliament must apply. Continue reading “Police brutality unacceptable”

Posted on

Say no to foreign interference

— Ali Kadir
The Malaysian Insider
May 08, 2012

MAY 8 — No matter who finally rules Putrajaya, one principle must remain sacred: that foreigners should not interfere with the internal affairs of this country.

This rule would apply to the United States, Australia, Singapore, China and even Saudi Arabia.

It is a most natural part of international relations that countries want to have leverage over each other, mostly through trade, financial aid, access to markets, visas, etc. Some try and interfere in more subtle ways like cutting down scholarships and quotas.

According to Jamil Khir (the same chap who used zakat money for his legal expenses), a Saudi Arabian diplomat in KL said that his government was considering cutting haj visas because of disturbance caused by Bersih 3.0. That is the prerogative of the kingdom and it would be perfectly understandable because Saudi Arabia opposes any expression of freedom of assembly or for that matter any other democratic right.

These are the people who shudder at the thought of the Arab Spring. So we should expect the Saudi government to react in this threatening manner. Continue reading “Say no to foreign interference”

Posted on

Bersih: Putrajaya urging foreign governments to crack down on Bersih protesters

By Clara Chooi
The Malaysian Insider
May 08, 2012

KUALA LUMPUR, May 8 — Bersih alleged today that the Najib administration has requested that the governments of other countries crack down on Malaysians who participated in Bersih 3.0 rallies overseas.

In a statement here, the election watchdog said such action should be “deplored” and urged Malaysians across the globe to support the safety of their fellow citizens living outside the country.

“We express concern that the Malaysian government appears to be requesting governments not disposed to democratic reforms to launch a crackdown on Malaysians living in their countries who participated in the global Bersih 3.0 event on April 2012.

“If these reports are true, it is a negative development that must be deplored, and we urge all Malaysians to unite in support of the safety of our fellow citizens,” the group said in the statement.

Bersih 3.0 was said to have been attended by tens of thousands of Malaysians not merely within the country but across the globe, where similar rallies for free and fair elections were held in 85 cities across 35 countries. Continue reading “Bersih: Putrajaya urging foreign governments to crack down on Bersih protesters”