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KJ – The Oxon Lembu Bodoh
Insane for another bird park in Malacca
Perjuangan Gerakan Mansuhkan ISA 2.0
Open Letter sent to Prime Minister Najib Razak
*Save Malaysia Stop Lynas press conference on 18th Oct 2011*
SAMM bersolidariti dengan Aziz Bari dan sokong tindakan Dr.M satu ketika dulu
NEW EDITION OF ‘MAY 13’ BY POPULAR DEMAND
EU-Malaysia FTA: National Sovereignty & Policy Making at Risk with State-Investor Dispute ...
PPSMI - An Opposing View
Unnecessary Spat
Time To Deliver Again: Domestic Laws And Procedures Must Stand Up To International Scrutiny
The most cruel cut of ‘em all

Posted: 18 Oct 2011 07:57 PM PDT

By Todak

Hello KJ,

When the LawyerBuruk Kerishamuddin became the UMNO Youth Chief, he was made a full Minister of Youth and Sports (though he f**ked up the SUKOM accounts).

But you, CarryBolawee (your FIL has small or no bola) when you became UMNO Youth Chief you were not even given the half-minister's post which went to the son of mamak kutty, someone below your Oxford educational level and your deputy. Are you not ashamed of this big slap in the face by Najib in front of your Youth members? Najib saw through you as nothing but an Ox-fart lembu.

As a chieftan of a prominent youth movement, irrespective of political alignment, should you not remember your role in caring for all the younger generation of Malaysians, unless, and in fact you have, proven yourself to be a racial bigot, twisting, tweeting and biting a poor young boy just because his Dad is ethnic Chinese, and in the Opposition.

Your time at Oxford failed to teach you humility. As a responsible Youth Leader you should have stopped and reprimanded those UMNO bloggers from attacking Guan Eng's son, but instead, you saw it fit to join in the fray and defended these brutes, bullies and their un-Islamic merciless bashings. You have seized this as an opportunity to gain political mileage which you have long lost to Mukhriz.

You are mistaken, my Oxon lembu. They have abandoned you. This goes back to the days when your FIL was PM. Remember, Syed Mokhtar Al-Bukhary used to walk straight into Dr. M's PM office (mamak-to-mamak) without an appointment. He tried to repeat his dramatic entrance when your FIL was PM. You stopped him and sent him away telling him that all business appointments with PM had to be arranged with you. He also remembers you for sabotaging his TNB's projects. Now, he and his buddies are enjoying the sweet taste of revenge.

As for us, Malaysians will forever remember you for this most unkindest cut delivered to a young man yet to come out in life as a man!

Todak.

Insane for another bird park in Malacca

Posted: 18 Oct 2011 07:32 PM PDT

By SM Mohd Idris, Sahabat Alam Malaysia

Sahabat Alam Malaysia (SAM) is unequivocally opposed to the plan for the largest bird park in Southeast Asia sited at the Botanical Gardens in Ayer Keroh Malacca. It would be insanity on the part of the Malacca Chief Minister if he harbours such an ill-conceived plan when zoos and animal establishments in Malaysia are widely known and reported to be in appalling states.

State Governments, Councils and individuals may be rich in ambition to have the largest, biggest or grandest zoos and aviaries but do they know or care about the basic care and welfare of animal and their requirements? Judging from the past, the lack of ability to run zoos or bird parks may cause many of the birds to be reduced to a spectacle of abuse or neglect and many may die eventually.

The question everyone or every animal welfare group should ask is from where and how the birds are sourced. Sourcing for 6000 birds from 300 species to fill the largest aviary will fuel the trade in live birds that not only enriches the pockets of traders and poachers, it may cause more than half of those caught to die as a result of the birds being packed into crates and transported over long distances. There will be little concern for wastage of bird life as these profiteers in the bird trade can literally get away with murder.

The other question we ask is why undertake to house such a huge collection of birds knowing that space would be shockingly inadequate. If the Malacca State Government is serious about best practices for the aviary then the project would not have started with demand for 6000 birds due to the inadequacy of space. The Malacca Government fails to recognize that animals and birds have a basic need for the appropriate amount of space. No amount of behavioural enrichment can compensate for the spatial needs of the birds.

SAM fails to see the need for an aviary in the middle of a botanic garden. The botanic garden itself is good enough to be a major tourist attraction with its wide varieties of plant species considering the immense beauty and variety that the plant kingdom offers. The garden is also a place which attracts native birds. It could be an idyllic oasis for the free-roaming birds in the centre of the city.

Constructing an aviary within the gardens is a cruel attempt to bring nature to people where we can see birds in flight and chirping away when in reality the birds are living under captive conditions only to be displayed for man's amusement. Life in captivity can never be adequate for the fulfillment of any species or individual, since the best habitat for animals is in their natural environment. All species are born free, and detention or isolation, whether of birds or humans, is an expression of cruelty and inhumanity.

This brings to mind the question of staffing and a host of other issues: 1) Whether staff are experienced and qualified to care for the different exotic birds that have special needs?

2) Any ability or expertise to manage and train inexperienced staff?

3) The level of veterinary care and hygiene standards?

4) Resources available to upgrade exhibits?

5) The ability to keep up with a variety of environmental enrichment? and

6) The expertise for managing such a large and diverse aviary?

From the above-stated reasons SAM calls on the Malacca Government to abandon its plan for the establishment of the largest bird park in Southeast Asia.

In view of the many zoos that were closed by the authorities due to the appalling conditions of confinement of the animals and the atrocious abuse and neglect of these animals, SAM once again reiterate its stand for closure of bad zoos and limit the number of zoos to a few good ones.

SAM would also urge the Ministry of Natural Resources and the Environment and the Department of Wildlife to completely stop the issuing of new licences for upcoming zoos and to continue monitoring all existing zoos in order to reform the wild animal industry.

S M Mohd Idris
President
Sahabat Alam Malaysia (SAM)

Perjuangan Gerakan Mansuhkan ISA 2.0

Posted: 18 Oct 2011 07:14 PM PDT

Oleh Suara Felda

Salam Perjuangan.

Wakil-wakil Warga Felda daripada kakitangan dan peneroka telah dipanggil oleh ISA untuk mengadakan sesi taklimat bersama Pengerusi Felda pada 19 Oktober 2011 di Dewan Perdana Felda dengan aturcara pertemuan peneroka bermula pagi hingga tengahari dan pertemuan bersama pengurusan pula pada sebelah petang. Mungkin pasukan ISA risau bahawa ramai Warga Felda tidur atau menukar saluran lain semasa temuduga ISA di TV3 tempohari.Warga Felda secara profesionalnya akan menghadirkan diri walaupun mengetahui bahawa mereka sedang memasuki perangkap dipasang ISA dan Sabri Ahmad iaitu:

1) Warga Felda menjangkakan ulangan kata-kata retorik transformasi dan kelebihan penyenaraian serta sebab mengapa ISA perlu menerajui KPF
2) Warga Felda menjangkakan nama PM akan dijual berkali-kali sehingga dari perasaan kasih akan bertukar benci kerana PM bersengkongkol dengan ISA yang mengetepikan pandangan pengurusan Felda dan peneroka, setelah keputusan dibuat dan hingar-bingar berlaku, barulah terkinja-kinja cari sokongan
3) Warga Felda menjangkakan segala bentuk gula dan pemanis akan diberikan kepada peneroka manakala kepada pengurusan dan kakitangan akan dijanjikan tali gantung jika berani menentang.
4) Warga Felda sudah mula berlatih paksa diri untuk gelak kerana lawak pak pandir ISA yang akan menggunakan jenaka yang membesar-besarkan diri dan merendah-rendahkan orang lain
5) Warga Felda tahu gambar mereka menghadiri program ini akan diambil dan boleh diberikan kepada akhbar atau kepada PM sebagai bukti sokongan meningkat kepada ISA
6) Warga Felda tahu ada antara mereka akan ada yang diwawancara dan terpaksa memberi jawapan yang memuaskan hati ISA sebagai menjaga periuk nasi mereka

Sesungguhnya, warga Felda bersedia memberi kemenangan kosong ini kepada ISA dan juak-juaknya di atas faktor kekuatan kuasa politik dan kewangan ISA dan Sabri Ahmad. Warga Felda mengucapkan tahniah di atas penubuhan Gerakan Mansuhkan ISA 2.0 dan menyokong Gerakan Mansuhkan ISA 2.0 melakukan perkara berikut:

Meminta Gerakan Mansuhkan ISA 2.0 mencabar kenyataan ISA samad:

"Saya yang paling layak…Dato Dzul dan Dato Sabri tidak layak kerana ada kuasa eksekutif"

1.       Memberikan bukti undang-undang Koperasi Permodalan Felda (KPF) yang menyatakan beliau layak menjadi Pengerusi KPF sekalipun berkali-kali menggunakan nama PM
2.       Memberikan bukti undang-undang KPF dan undang-undang koperasi yang menyatakan Dato Dzul tidak layak memegang jawatan Pengerusi KPF serta ingin menegaskan bahawa Dato Sabri Ahmad tidak layak memegang jawatan Pengerusi KPF berdasarkan undang-undang kecil KPF
3.       Membuktikan bahawa tindakan beliau bukan bersifat penyingkiran atau rampasan kuasa Pengerusi KPF melalui:
a.       Membuktikan tindakan beliau mengikut kronologi adalah melalui saluran undang-undang KPF dan koperasiyang sah
b.      Mengemukakan bukti perletakan jawatan Pengerusi KPF sekarang, pengumuman dalam mesyuarat agung luar biasa dan bukti ianya telah diluluskan sebelum tindakan penyingkiran dilakukan semasa Mesyuarat Lembaga Pengarah Felda pada 22 Ogos 2011 iaitu semasa Pengerusi KPF yang juga Pengarah Besar Felda menunaikan Umrah di 10 Ramadan terakhir
4.       Memberikan bukti kukuh bahawa daripada berpuluh ribu lagi ahli KPF sedia ada, beliau adalah yang paling layak memegang jawatan Pengerusi Koperasi Permodalan Felda
5.       Memberikan bukti hak beliau untuk menjadikan KPF sebagai sayap pelaburan utama dan hak beliau menstrukturkan semula KPF berbanding hak berpuluh ribu ahli KPF yang sah dan lembaga pengarah yang dilantik oleh ahli-ahli KPF semasa Mesyuarat Agung. Ahli-ahli KPF adalah lebih berhak menentukan sama ada ingin terlibat dalam mana-mana pelaburan akan datang dan wajar diberikan penerangan semasa sesi Mesyuarat Agung yang telah dilangkaui sama sekali oleh ISA samad

Meminta Gerakan Mansuhkan ISA 2.0 mencabar kenyataan ISA samad:

"Saya tidak tamak jawatan….saya sudah biasa memegang jawatan Menteri Besar dan Menteri"

1.       Mendedahkan jawatan-jawatan yang dipegang dalam anak-anak syarikat Felda, tarikh mula jawatan tersebut dan jumlah elaun-elaun yang diterima
2.       Mendedahkan kaedah digunapakai bagi penyingkiran pemegang jawatan Pengerusi MSM Holding daripada Datuk Raja Sharifuddin Hizan, penyingkiran Tan Sri Yusof Noor dari Pengerusi Yayasan Felda dan sekarang penyingkiran Dato Dzulkifli Abd Wahab dari Koperasi Permodalan Felda dan terbaru sebagai Pengurus Felda United FC
3.       Mendedahkan secara telus kontrak-kontrak yang telah diberikan kepada kroni politik dan juga saudara mara sebagai contoh pemberian kontrak bernilai RM1 juta kepada CCM Pharma bagi perubatan jemaah haji yang dikaitkan dengan anak ISA sendiri
4.       Mencabar ISA samad membuktikan kata-kata beliau dengan menarik balik rampasan kuasa Pengerusi KPF serta-merta, mengisi borang keahlian dan menunggu kelulusan serta menunggu hingga cukup 2 tahun sehingga layak bertanding menjadi Pengerusi KPF

Meminta Gerakan Mansuhkan ISA 2.0 di atas permintaan warga wanita Felda mendesak Isteri ISA samad, Bibi Sharliza supaya:

1.       Tidak menjadikan mana-mana pejabat berkaitan Felda seperti Yayasan Felda untuk kegunaan peribadi beliau serta mengecam penggunaan wang Felda bagi membayar pegawai khas serta pembantu beliau dalam Felda. Tidak terdapat dalam peruntukan Felda untuk isteri Pengerusi Felda diberi keistimewaan tersebut dan tidak pernah dilakukan Isteri Pengerusi Felda dahulu
2.       Berhenti campur tangan dalam urusan pentadbiran dan program-program NGO wanita Felda
3.       Menggunakan wang sendiri jika berhajat mempopularkan diri dan mengejar jawatan dalam Wanita UMNO dan bukan menggunakan wang Yayasan Felda dan Felda dalam melaksanakan program kempen Wanita UMNO dalam rancangan-rancangan Felda

Gerakan Mansuhkan ISA 2.0 mendesak Sabri Ahmad, CEO Felda Global Ventures:

1.       Mendedahkan tempoh kontrak beliau sebagai CEO Felda Global Ventures dan jumlah elaun yang diterima bagi mengelakkan tuduhan beliau cuba menyambung kontrak perkhidmatan yang sangat lumayan dengan menyokong agenda ISA samad seperti rampasan kuasa Pengerusi KPF dan penyenaraian Felda Global Venture di BSKL
2.       Menjelaskan dakwaan bahawa perlantikan CIMB sebagai broker penyenaraian Felda Global Ventures telah pun disahkan melalui siri perbincangan yang diadakan baru-baru ini dan lain-lain kenyataan bermula sekarang sehingga waktu penyenaraian adalah sekadar silap mata. Sabri Ahmad diminta menjelaskan kenapa Maybank sebagai banker utama Felda di mana Felda di mana Felda mempunyai saham di dalamnya tidak diberi peluang sebagai broker semasa penyenaraian MSM Holdings
3.       Mengumumkan Pasukan Felda Global Ventures SB yang merangka kertas kerja penyenaraian Felda Global Ventures SB dan adakah pasukan yang sama terlibat dalam kerugian-kerugian di alami Felda di luar Negara seperti pelaburan ke atas Felda IFFCO, Twin Rivers Technologies, TRT-ETGO Canada, Felda Global Ventures Middle East dan Felda Global Ventures Arabia. Felda Global Venture SB perlu mendedahkan situasi sebenar terkini pelaburan tersebut kepada warga Felda dan adakah tindakan diambil kepada mereka yang bertanggungjawab terhadap pelaburan tersebut. Sabri Ahmad juga perlu dedahkan adakah orang yang sama mengendalikan Felda Global Ventures selepas penyenaraiannya walaupun orang yang sama terbukti tidak cekap
4.       Mendedahkan laporan terkini projek daging lembu halal yang diusahakan Felda IffcoAllana Malaysia Sdn Bhd yang telah dilancarkan PM pada 7 Jun 2011 dan berapa jumlah dibelanjakan bagi tujuan tersebut
5.       Menjelaskan secara terperinci pinjaman penggunaan wang KWSP sebanyak RM6 Billion, terma dan cagaran yang diberikan oleh KWSP serta tempoh pembayaran balik
6.       Mengakui bahawa tindakan penyenaraian ini cuma melibatkan kumpulan individu berikut iaitu:
a.       ISA samad
b.      Pengurusan tertinggi Felda Global Ventures
c.       GAPROF (entiti tidak berdaftar di bawah seliaan Seranta Felda UMNO, Jabatan Perdana Menteri)
d.      Seranta Felda UMNO, Jabatan Perdana Menteri
Manakala pandangan wakil gabungan peneroka dan pengurusan Felda diketepikan atas dasar hanya orang bisnes yang lebih mengetahui dan cukup sekadar diberi penerangan dan habuan semasa penyenaraian Felda Global Ventures sedangkan terlalu banyak keputusan pelaburan di atas mengalami kerugian
7.       Mengakui bahawa kempen 'Public Relation' Felda Global Ventures yang menyebut KPF membuat keuntungan RM300 juta semasa penyenaraian MSM Holdings adalah atas kertas semata-mata dan yang benar-benar membuat keuntungan adalah mereka yang melakukan jualan keuntungan jangka pendek. Kempen 'Public Relation' Felda Global Ventures yang dijalankan oleh Jabatan Komunikasi Korporat Felda Global Ventures juga tidak menjelaskan:
a.       Semasa penyenaraian MSM Holdings, 90% kakitangan Kumpulan Felda, peneroka dan generasi baru Felda tidak mendapat pink form atau white form bagi tujuan pemilikan saham MSM Holdings
b.      Hakikat situasi pasaran semasa dunia serta pada tempoh penyenaraian iaitu pada tahun 2012 di saat pasaran dunia dijangka meleset dan mendedahkan syarikat-syarikat Felda yang bernaung di bawah Felda Global Ventures kepada faktor pengurangan ekuiti milik Felda kepada pihak luar dan risiko tinggi pendedahan aset-aset seperti tanah, bangunan pejabat dan hotel, kilang, mesin-mesin, produk dan jenama milik Felda
8.       Mengakui bahawa kedudukan ISA samad dan Sabri Ahmad adalah selamat kerana bertaraf kontrak dan jika berlaku perkara buruk kerana penyenaraian tersebut seperti kemelesetan ekonomi, ISA samad, Isteri dan Sabri Ahmad pada bila-bila masa boleh meninggalkan kontrak mereka dan membiarkan warga Felda menanggung kesan dan akibat penyenaraian tersebut

Akhir Sekali, Warga Felda menyokong Gerakan Mansuhkan ISA 2.0 yang bermatlamat utama untuk mendesak perletakan jawatan ISA samad sebagai Pengerusi Felda dan lain-lain jawatan di dalam entiti-entiti Felda dan dengan ini menyeru Warga Felda bersama-sama:

1.       Menandatangani Petisyen Meminta Perletakan Jawatan ISA samad sebagai Pengerusi Felda sama ada melalui kempen di rancangan-rancangan Felda, pejabat-pejabat Felda serta melalui kempen maya Facebook
2.       Menyertai Siri Solat Hajat selamatkan Koperasi Permodalan Felda dan anak-anak syarikat Felda
3.       Mendapatkan pandangan sebanyak mungkin dari pakar ekonomi bebas bukan sahaja segi kelebihan malah risiko-risiko pelaburan dan kesan penyenaraian Felda Global Ventures terhadap ekuiti milik Felda seperti pendapatan sekarang dan masa hadapan, tanah, lading, bangunan pejabat dan hotel, kilang-kilang, mesin dan lain-lain
4.       Mendapatkan pandangan pakar undang-undang koperasi seperti Suruhanjaya Koperasi berkenaan hak mereka dalam isu penyingkiran Pengerusi KPF sekarang serta meneruskan gelombang membuat laporan polis terhadap tindakan rampas kuasa Isa Samad
5.       Memulakan gelombang jingga dengan pemakaian baju berwarna dan bercorak jingga pada setiap hari Isnin berkerja
6.       Menyeru pengurusan Felda, kakitangan dan peneroka member ruang seluas-luasnya kepada pemimpin dan wakil Pakatan Rakyat untuk masuk Felda dan memberi penerangan isu-isu ini dan lain-lain sehingga matlamat bersama iaitu ISA samad, Isteri dan Sabri Ahmad disingkir keluar
7.       Menyeru pengurusan Felda, kakitangan dan peneroka menolak semua program penerangan yang dianjurkan oleh Felda Global Ventures dan Seranta Felda UMNO di kawasan-kawasan Felda dengan memboikot program penerangan tersebut sebagai balasan keangkuhan mereka menolak pandangan dan memperlekehkan pengurusan Felda, kakitangan dan peneroka
8.       Menyeru warga Felda menyertai himpunan Warga Felda Tolak ISA di Ibu Pejabat Felda pada tarikh yang akan diumumkan kelak
9.       Menyeru warga Felda dan rakyat bersimpati dengan warga Felda melakukan All-Felda Hartal 2011 melalui pemboikotan produk dan perkhidmatan di bawah Felda Global Ventures, terutamanya syarikat-syarikat yang dipengerusikan ISA samad. Senarai syarikat, barang dan produk perkhidmatan untuk diboikot akan diumumkan kelak
10.   Memberikan isyarat terakhir penolakan kepimpinan ISA samad di rancangan-rancangan Felda melalui undi rosak kepada calon-calon Barisan Nasional atau mengundi calon-calon Pakatan Rakyat sebagai pengajaran kepada PM dan wakil-wakil Barisan Nasional yang tidak mengendahkan suara Warga Felda

Open Letter sent to Prime Minister Najib Razak

Posted: 18 Oct 2011 06:56 PM PDT

By Hatef Mokhtar, AFTQ

His Excellency Dato' Sri Haji Mohd Najib bin Tun Haji Abdul Razak

AFTQ and its team wants to bring to your attention and notice that since independence Malaysia and its citizens suffers from un-necessary regulations which were introduced to deny or limit the fundamental rights to the people. At the time of taking charge of the prime ministerial position on April 03, 2009 under the prestigious banner of UMNO you have made few commitments to open new constitutional reform process and empower the Malaysian people with the full fledged un-regulated rights which they are being demanded from decades.

Though the steps are being taken to defunct Internal Security Act for a greater freedom to Malay people but still there are numerous draconian laws which betrays them from their constitutional rights which are in the sake of local governance they have continued to scare citizens of their freedom.

The Article 10 which provides and states about the freedom of speech:

"Every citizen shall have the right to freedom of speech and expression, subject to any reasonable restriction imposed by federal law in the interest of the security of the Federation, friendly relations with other countries, public order, or morality or in relation to contempt of court, defamation or incitement to any offence."

Need to be amended if in the true sense the free and a complete democratic society is to be establishing a vibrant example in the Malay Peninsula and to the people which provides the parliament to impose the laws to regulate it must be reformed.

Since the constitution adopted several laws like Sedition Act 1948, the Public Order (Preservation) Ordinance 1958, Police Act 1967 and the Printing Presses and Publications Act 1984. These laws curtailing the freedoms and liberties given under Article 10 has to be either withdrawn or amended accordingly to the more liberated human rights scenario which enjoys the world attention and the win the heartily support of Malay people.

Great developments are taking place in the world in the name of democracy and freedom of speech and on behalf of Armed for the Quill (AFTQ) an Oslo, Norway based organization formed with a mission to protect peace and freedom of speech wants to bring to your notice and to remind about your commitments which you have made from your people who believed you as their leader who will give them an environment in which they can practice their rights of fundamentals giving them a new lease of life into the world where they can live in a true democracy under the pure humane serenity.

People must be liberated and given freedom to adhere to their national policies rather not being forced to believe in the system which kills their own movement of thoughts this will not only restrict the complete growth process economically but also socially which this great country has enjoyed always.

So, we urge you not to sacrifice the freedom of speech and remove the regulations which limit its practice just behind the closed walls of households. It must be protected and conserved as the true rights which under constitution was promised to the people of this country but have never tasted its existence in their daily lives.

The laws which regulate this freedom must be withdrawn and should not be continued in today's free modern society which wants their rights to be respected and treated equally with importance. People shouldn't be denied from rights, from justice, from their freedom, one cannot regulate or restrict the movement of every one foot as freedom is the birth right of every human and the leader Mr. Najib Razak who tries to regulate the rights never found a place of admiration in the history.

As when a child is born he is born free, free from all the restrictions which this unjust political world impose later on them un-necessarily of knowing that one day the later generations will demand and fight for their liberties from the leader they have chosen or have believed in.

True prosperity is in the happiness of the people where they can live their lives restrictions free and the true leader is who respects the rights of his own people, who serves them honestly while working genuinely in the desire to work for their empowerment and lending a friendly hearing to their cries of causes which they want to raise.

In today's world there is no place for dictatorships and its authoritarian discriminatory rule, as you too are aware of the ongoing scenarios and about the corners of those nations becoming liberal raising their voices against those who have suppressed their say from decades. It is the era of democracy and the freedom which it brings along with its people friendly framework.

The great nation and regime is that which flows swiftly on the waves of tides which is slowly gathering moment to over throw those challenging its existence in whole new dawn of human rights which if kept suppressed in your country will lit the spark of new uprising as the one storming the rigid Middle East.

Prime Minister Mr. Najib Abdul Razak

The time is witness to those who have raised the light of liberty for their hoods and the beings living their lives in it have always succeeded as the great figure who have the special place not in the pages of historical archives but in the hearts of populous who will teach his generations to come to be like you as an inspiration for all those seeking the beginning of new breeze of hope where the blessings of a true smiles survives formed by their leader whom they have praised always and will continue to do so if the reality of their dreams to be fulfilled by you.

People of Malaysia has now risen up and they are feeling the need of urgent reforms in the respected Judicial and Political system which they expect you as the initiator for their new lease of life full of liberty and its rights which they can practice independently. There are lots of examples for you to look into when considering the future of Malay national strategy for more reformed and transparent democratic framework.

AFTQ too wants to provide you a helping hand if the need arises. The organization is committed to be a part of this approach and reform process if you chosen to do so. However we would like to mention you clearly the better you start early the better your strategy have chances to survive in this world and more it wins the heart of your people who will looked upon you as their inspiration if you engage yourself for the unconditional service of your nation and its citizens.

As you are aware completely about the recent scenarios and the agitations which goes against your regime damaging the national harmony and the one nation image of your country transforming it into a chessboard of politics where the whole nation has now been standing on the fault line between your rigid un-democratic system which whether Malays, Chinese or Indians living in the vicinity of your national boundaries even those who have immigrated themselves while getting attracted by your false positive image created by your party and your cabinet has never liked and of much felt betrayed, discriminated, isolated in their own environment dreamt by them and planned by the UMNO whose government now you head making them live under the world of strip wire where if they move out of your bounds their economies of scale and emotions would get wounded and a vibrant free democratic system which is the urgent demand of time and the people of Malaysia which would ensure them about their secure long lasting prosperous future and livelihood.

Even though Malaysia is heading towards its goal of becoming a developed economy by 2020 but the reality tells the different story of its path where your regime is leading this country. The path where nation has no future, no hope of any harmony, no great secular society, where people deprived of constitutional rights and the freedom to practice them, system infected with corruption and human rights violations are the norms of the day by the government as the major culprit.

The arrests of numerous politicians, journalists and many other figures under the false charges and unfair trails reflects the vulnerability of the national political scenario and its shortcomings, the arrest of opposition leader Anwar Ibrahim and Mat Sabu expose the reality hidden under the fake shine of this your party.

The reality is that no one can talk or speak about anything; only those which you want to hear can survive their echo. True leadership is not in controlling free voices or critics but in facing them with full reasonable answers while improving your executions of your unfulfilled promises hence curbing the entire negativity for future.

There are many questions being raised on your leadership and on the future of Malaysian secular society:

Do you think that there is anything wrong in wanting to understand why people are demanding their fundamental rights?
Is there anything wrong if a person speaks about or discusses the history of his own country just like Mat Sabu did?
Do you really believe that your country is unaware of the agitations and the violence which occurred in the scattered corners of your once society?
Are you confident enough that the people in your country are not being discriminated and being isolated with each other due to your unfriendly biased policies?
Do you really justify the trails going on Anwar Ibrahim, Mat Sabu and other people are fair enough and deserving?
Is your government serious and concerned enough about bringing a democratic reforms and transparent judicial system in the country?
Is this not a betrayal to your people who have been awarded by the freedom of fundamental rights and its powers by their constitution which your party and its regimes have regulated to control the freedom.

The questions are many and the cries are countless but it is all you who can decide the future of your nation and of your people.

Regards

Founder and Chairman

Hatef Mokhtar

Armed For The Quill (AFTQ)

Oslo, Norway

*Save Malaysia Stop Lynas press conference on 18th Oct 2011*

Posted: 18 Oct 2011 05:08 PM PDT

By SMSL

Recently through facebook and press statements by our people's representative YB Fuziah, questions were raised as to whether Lynas has begun their shipment of Rare Earth ores (REO) to the kuantan port , the relevant authorities and Lynas have come out with their own statements to deny the claim. SMSL has also received calls by concerned citizens regarding the same. We did an investigation and we wish to inform the public that:

1. REO cannot be shipped into Kuantan port without a permit from AELB
2. It will be shipped from Freemantle in WA to Singapore for transshipment before it reaches Kuantan port.
3. It will be labeled as radioactive once it reaches Kuantan Port but will not be Considered as radioactive anywhere along the route.
4. It will come in containers and be carted away immediately from the ship to the factory once it reaches the port after it has received custom clearance.

The above clarifies how the REO will be shipped into Kuantan Port. To this date, AELB has yet to come out and openly admit that the required permit has been obtained by Lynas Malaysia. Therefore the claim by parties that REO will be here by end of this month can only be confirmed by AELB as they are instrumental in allowing the REO to be imported.

We hereby call upon AELB and MITI to reaffirm their claim that they have NOT given any licenses including the pre operating license to Lynas. Any preemptive moves by Lynas or covert attempts by AELB or MITI in this matter will be construed as a grave betrayal of the trust of the people. The whole of Gebeng , Balok, Kemaman and Kuantan residents shall hold the AELB and MITI wholly responsible!

MITI and AELB have openly admitted that they have received the submissions by Lynas on the RIA, decommissioning and long term waste management plans in July and they have openly claimed to have rejected these documents as inadequate or unsatisfactory as we were told when we met MITI and AELB on the 7th Oct 2011. If MITI and AELB were to make themselves more credible to the people here they will have to be more open, more transparent and willing to answer questions by the affected residents and provide all information on whatever matters that are related to the Lynas plant. The port authority briefing concerning the impending import of REO is merely a standard port operating procedure but without more detail info from the relevant authorities like AELB and MITI, the whole of Kuantan, Gabeng, Balok and Kemaman have been put on the jitters. This is totally unacceptable. We hereby strongly urge the AELB and MITI to come out and openly declare that non of the licenses as required to import the REO and the pre-operation of the plant have been granted or issued to Lynas Malaysia!

The Lynas issue has advanced to the stage where people are beginning to lose faith on the ability and intent of the government and regulating authorities to safeguard their interests. SMSL has taken the initiative to study the option of bringing the case to court and we have our legal experts currently studying the best option available before we act. We urge all residents to be patient as any legal recourse has to be taken in full accordance to the country's judicial system. Rest assured that when the time comes we shall act.

SMSL has come a long way since its inception in March. During the course of this short journey, we have in our main focus to stop the operation of Lynas Advance Materials organized activities that helped to bring awareness to the people here. In the midst of our enthusiasm to advance this cause, some of our committee members or supporters might have inadvertently or without any malice offended parties and individuals in our interactions with them. We hereby sincerely apologize to these parties and individuals for our mistakes and we hope such incidents will serve to keep us on guard at all times to be more circumspect of proper demeanors and protocols. We believe apologizing does not mean that we are totally wrong and others are totally right, it just means that we value our relationship more than our ego!

Tan Bun Teet
0179730576
.

SAMM bersolidariti dengan Aziz Bari dan sokong tindakan Dr.M satu ketika dulu

Posted: 18 Oct 2011 05:05 PM PDT

Oleh che'GuBard, SAMM

Solidariti Anak Muda Malaysia (SAMM) dengan ini menyatakan sokongan terhadap kenyataan Profesor Aziz Bari yang menyatakan bahawa titah monarki boleh dikritik dan diperdebatkan. SAMM menyifatkan tindakan penguasa regim mengambil tindakan hanya kerana komen tersebut dilihat hipokrit, ugutan dangkal dan tindakan terkebelakang.

Dalam dunia yang terbuka ini semua perkara harus dihujahkan dengan matang. Ini bukan zaman rakyat khususnya anak muda menerima apa sahaja yag disuap dari pihak atasan. Zaman ini setiap hujah itu pasti akan dibahas dan dikritik jika perlu.

Begitu jugalah institusi monarki bukan sahaja di negara ini tetapi terdapat di seluruh dunia. Institusi monarki ini harus segera menyesuaikan diri termasuklah berevolusi sesuai dengan peredaran zaman. Mahu atau tidak ia sesuatu yang wajib demi kelansungan untuk institusi beraja.

SAMM merafak sembah menghormati titah kerabat monarki di Negeri Sembilan, Tunku Zain Al 'Abidin Tuanku Muhriz yang menitahkan bahawa titah diraja boleh dibincangkan oleh ahli akademik dan media, selagi ia tidak mendatangkan kemudaratan yang sebenar. Menunjukkan dengan jelas betapa dalam dunia terbuka ini institusi monarki harus bersedia untuk titah mereka diperdebatkan dan dikritik masyarakat.
Dalam memperkatakan perkara ini, mana - mana pihak pun pasti akan merujuk peristiwa krisis antara istana dan kerajaan di bawah bekas Perdana Menteri Dr.Mahathir. Namun bagi SAMM kami dengan jelas menyokong tindakan Dr Mahathir meminda perlembagaan negara membawa institusi monarki dalam realiti masyarakat kini.

Namun apa yang kami tidak setuju ialah cara bagaimana Dr Mahathir memalukan dan menghina institusi monarki dengan memberikan persepsi hina kepada institusi monarki demi meraih sokongan rakyat terhadap usaha pindaan perlembagaannya.

Merujuk peristiwa kedua pula di mana Menteri Besar pilihan Barisan Nasional, Idris Jusoh telah ditolak dari mengangkat sumpah di Terengganu. SAMM berpendapat sememangnya institusi monarki punya kuasa atau peranan dalam memperkenan siapa mahu menjadi ketua negara atau ketua negeri dalam pentadbiran politik tetapi institusi monarki juga harus berdepan dengan rakyat iaitu menjelaskan sebarang tindakan mereka dalam hujah yang boleh diterima. Pada ketika itu, istana harus tampil memberi penjelasan kepada rakyat Terengganu mengenai tindakan mereka.

Respon rakyat pada ketika itu yang dipengaruhi oleh parti politik juga ada yang tidak kena. Umno (pro Idris Jusoh) telah bertindak melulu sehingga menghina sultan dengan panggilan 'natang' (dialek Terengganu yang bermaksud binatang). Pihak yang bersetuju dengan keputusan menyingkirkan Idris pula telah menyokong Sultan secara melulu, ini tidak progresif. Seharusnya pihak ini merafak sembah meminta Istana tampil memberikan penjelasan kenapa tindakan itu diambil dan ini lebih progresif.

Pihak berkuasa juga dalam perkara ini menjadi kuda tunggangan regim. Sekiranya menghina monarki itu berpihak regim maka mata pihak berkuasa sengaja dibutakan, tetapi jika timbul saranan walaupun saranan itu ke arah memperkasa monarki diutarakan oleh pihak bukan dari regim, maka tindakan 'segera' diambil.

che'GuBard sendiri pernah berdepan situasi ini hanya apabila mencadangkan betapa penting peranan institusi monarki dalam menjaga kepentingan agama malah dalam perkara mutakhir ini sering pula dipertikaikan maka che'GuBard pernah mencadangkan agar sultan atau bakal sultan wajib sekurang - kurangnya memiliki diploma syariah islam atau berkaitan bagi membantu baginda membuat keputusan tepat bukan sekadar dipengaruhi 'nasihat' yang mungkin mewakili kepentingan tertentu. (klik sini untuk baca artikel tersebut)

Malangnya selepas posting yang ditulis sempena keputeraan DYMM YDP Agong ini dibuat, Ketua Pemuda Umno Rembau telah mengarahkan pemudanya membuat laporan polis terhadap artikel ini kononnya menghina monarki dengan tidak pandai hal ehwal Islam. Atas laporan dangkal itu maka berkejarlah polis menahan saya. Saya ditahan dalam serbuan polis ketika sedang mempengerusikan mesyuarat AJK cabang Rembau. Begitulah berterusan, ini membukti betapa hipokrit regim Umno. Mereka memperlaku institusi istana seumpama pelacur,a pabila suka dicari untuk berlindung tetapi apabila tidak suka diterajang hina.

SAMM ingin menyeru kepada institusi monarki negara ini agar sedar hakikat keperluan berevolusi mengikut zaman untuk kekal relevannya. Rakyat masih boleh menerima bajet yang besar diperuntukan untuk monarki dalam negara ini, tetapi rakyat sudah tentu tidak boleh menerima jika jumlahnya tidak masuk akal dalam keadaan rakyat terhimpit dengan perbagai kepayahan.

Intai dan pelajarilah institusi beraja di banyak negara bagaimana peranan dimainkan. Ada yang sudah umpama muzium dan alat keraian seperti kebanyakan negara Eropah termasuk England tetapi ada juga yang terus kekal dihormati seperti di Thailand. Ini bukan zaman Melaka, dunia berkembang pesat sewajarnya isi kandung dalamnya juga harus transform secepat perkembangan dunia jika tidak mahu ketinggalan. Rakyat tidak lagi boleh lagi dipaksa akur membuta tuli.
Akhirnya diingatkan juga institusi monarki ini seharusnya bukan punya orang Melayu sahaja. Institusi beraja ini seharusnya juga dihormati oleh semua bangsa atau keturunan yang diamnya dalam tanah jajahan ini. Untuk itu ruang perbincangan dan pemahaman sewajarnya harus juga sampai kepada semua rakyat.

che'GuBard
Solidariti Anak Muda Malaysia
http://www.anakmudamalaysia.com
http://chegubard.blogspot.com
chegubard@gmail.com

NEW EDITION OF ‘MAY 13’ BY POPULAR DEMAND

Posted: 18 Oct 2011 04:59 PM PDT

By Kua Kia Soong

The overwhelming response to the publication of May 13 in 2007 took everyone, including the author, by surprise. What people say about this book reveals the depth and diversity of feelings generated by this book from both supporters and detractors.

The book certainly struck a chord among Malaysians, releasing years of pent-up emotions regarding an episode in Malaysian history that had left a festering wound thereafter and torn ethnic relations asunder. Malaysians were clearly elated that the bubble of official myth-making about this tragic yet loathsome historical event had been finally burst.

This book maintains that the pogrom of May 1969 was actually orchestrated by the emergent Malay state capitalist class to facilitate a coup d'état against the Tunku. It explodes the myth created by the UMNO ruling class that the May 13 incident was a spontaneous post-election riot between the Malay and Chinese masses. This myth had been brazenly propagated at every general election since then to deter any challenge to UMNO dominance.

Interestingly, when the political tsunami of the March 2008 general elections happened and the Barisan Nasional suffered its heaviest defeat since 1969 with four states falling to the Opposition, "May 13" didn't happen!

The author would like to believe that the publication of this book had contributed in some way towards this new spirit in the Malaysian public sphere. The ghost of May 13 was finally buried! The hantu that UMNO told us dwelt within the communalist cave turned out to be nothing but a manufactured myth.

Yes, perhaps now that the BN government has realized that it is time for the government to act like a mature and enlightened democracy, they will decide to declassify the official secrets in the vaults of the Cabinet and the Special Branch. We might then be able to get to the full story of the May 13 Incident. But then again, these May 13 secrets may already have been destroyed to protect the villains and stymie the truth.

In recent years since the publication of May 13, we have seen more and more challenges to the official interpretation of history as well as the "official literature". The former was evident in the recent campaign to demonise the PAS deputy president Mat Sabu's interpretation of the Bukit Kepong incident; the latter was seen in the "Interlok" controversy over the stereotyping of Chinese and Indians in the official literature textbook.

Without a doubt, the publication of May 13: Declassified Documents on the Racial Riots of 1969 made publishing history and it was a landmark in the deconstruction of that blemish on Malaysian history. Just as it helped to free the minds of Malaysian voters at the 2008 general elections, the author hopes that the publication of this new edition will further liberate more Malaysian minds before the next (13th) general elections due very soon.

WHAT THEY SAY ABOUT THE BOOK

"May 13: A Sunday morning well-spent at the book launch. There was absolutely no doubt in my mind that Dr Kua had penned a very important book – indeed, to my mind, he has made "publishing history" of sorts. I came out of the book launch feeling only half-satisfied with the discussion that took place and half-pessimistic about the future. It did not, however, diminish my appreciation of Dr Kua's book as an important contribution to my understanding of Malaysia's contemporary history, and for such interesting and thoughtful presentations by the guest speakers."

l Rustam A. Sani, Suara Rakyat 13 May 2007

"Dr Kua Kia Soong's new book may look like a dry academic thesis, but it moves at a cracking pace. It is also undoubtedly one of the most important books ever published on Malaysian society and politics. May 13 made this country, or more accurately, it un-made it. This was the book that HAD to be written…To paraphrase Falstaff, you are not only insightful in yourself, but inspire insight in others."

l N.Surendran, Malaysiakini 17 May2007

"A day after the book hit the shelves, three senators called for action to be taken against the book and Kua, while Deputy Internal Security Minister Fu Ah Kiow said the ministry was studying the contents to decide on a course of action. Ten copies of the book have already been confiscated for "studying" by the Internal Security Ministry from a major bookstore chain in Kuala Lumpur."

o Andrew Ong, Malaysiakini 18 May 2007

"Lim considers the book important as he described it as "unbiased

information" on the May 13 incident which the government must

acknowledge."

l Dr Lim Teck Ghee, Malaysiakini 15May2007

"The allegations made in the book could stoke racial sentiments…I have been told that (Kua) named certain leaders as people responsible for the riots. That of course can lead to all kinds of unpredictable responses since the leaders he named were apparently not Chinese but Malay. It creates a difficult situation in our fragile society…Khoo said the authorities should have monitored the progress of the book earlier rather than reacting after the book was published…But then people will be unhappy that such actions curb freedom of speech, which is a very relative thing. People have to be careful in dealing with such matters."

l Prof Khoo Kay Khim, Malaysiakini 15 May2007

"Why can't we read declassified files of BOTH the Special Branch AND foreign diplomatic intelligence at the same time and compare them to get an even fuller and more accurate picture? Why must we always think in terms of 'this-OR-that', not 'this-AND-that' (get some tuition on Edward de Bono's Lateral Thinking, Prof!)? If the Special Branch was so knowledgeable at that time, why couldn't the authorities prevent the outbreak of the riots?"

l James Wong Wing-On, OnlineFriday 18 May 2007

"Banning a controversial book on the May 13 riots will violate the right to freedom of expression enshrined in the Federal Constitution… In an age where information flows freely, constitutional freedoms must be honoured rather than breached. Laws and regulations which purport to grant power to the state to proscribe publications arbitrarily must only be used under the most exceptional circumstances…The book may indeed be controversial but if the government does not agree with the issues raised, it should refute them in an open and transparent manner…More significantly, banning this book will reinforce its thesis that the May 13 riots were indeed caused by a coup plotted by certain leaders to oust (then premier) Tunku Abdul Rahman."

l PKR adviser Anwar Ibrahim, Malaysiakini 17 May 2007

"(Banning the book) is an act that is definitely contrary to the open and transparent society that our prime minister wants promoted… dissent and contrarian views must be allowed on any issue, event and incident if Malaysia is to progress towards a developed status. Kua's book on the May 13 racial riots is based on erstwhile classified records and information that have since been declassified. It is not therefore a book that is concocted but is based on historical records. Of course, one can disagree with his analysis and viewpoints. If so, one should then engage in a debate with him. But at no time must his book be confiscated and the public denied access to his book.

l Dr Toh Kin Woon, 18 May 2007

"If the government chooses instead to ban the book, it will effectively confirm the claims made in the book, amongst others, that the May 13 riot was a coup to remove the Tunku. If this is a truth that Malaysians cannot take after 39 years, then the government has failed for 39 years to lead the nation towards progress and integration."

l Civil Rights Committee & Writers Alliance Media Independence 17 May 2007

"Dr Kua Kia Soong's book provides a channel for our peoples to genuinely investigate the matters surrounding May 13 in the interests of nation-building and democratic discussion. It also serves as an important reference point for academic research. Dr. Kua is an intellectual who has shown his social responsibility and courage to make Malaysia a better place to live in.

l Youth For Change (Y4C) , 16 May 2007

"Spokesperson Hasmi Hashim said though the incident was deemed sensitive, continued efforts to re-examine facts based on latest researches to obtain new interpretations of the tragic event must be encouraged."

o Komunite Seni Jalan Telawi, Malaysiakini 19 May 2007

"As with Kua's earlier works, it is written in a passionate style that drives the narrative forward with a sense of urgency, so much so that reading it was a pleasure. I think that this is an important book. It raises issues and questions that challenge the official story of the riots and it adds new information that is vital if we as a nation are ever to truly understand that horrible period of our history.

l Azmi Sharom, The Star 31 May 2007

"I was taken aback by the statement of Dr Kua Kia Soong at the launching of his new book on the May 13, 1969 incident based on the reports of British Embassy personnel to the British Foreign Office that the incident was engineered by Umno members who were out to topple Tunku Abdul Rahman. He asked for a commission to be set up to get to the truth. Shockingly he is alleged to have added that, unless this is done or unless the truth is out, there cannot be national unity or something to that effect. At 38 years old, I think this is too "ancient" an animosity to be allowed to hold national unity to ransom. Should the past be allowed to destroy our future?

l Tun Hanif Omar, Sunday Star 3 June 2007

"The ministry has examined the book and decided that it will not be banned under the Printing Presses and Publications Act 1984. Prime Minister and Internal Security Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi said the book did not contain elements that could jeopardize national security. The police have never seized the book or issued any warning on it."

l The Sun, 19 June 2007

"Shamsul said that based purely on news reports on the matter, he did not technically consider the book academic material…Two conditions must be met - there must be two referees and that the book must be published by a recognised publisher of academic material."

l Prof Shamsul Amri Baharuddin, Malaysiakini 15 May 2007

"Keep up the good work Soong …Remember the definition of "academic" is:

'…any piece of writing that is understood by fewer than two people'."

l Dr. Paul Kelemen, Manchester University UK, 19 May 2007

"Thank you for sending us your article on the 1969 race riots in Malaysia. The article is a very important record that certainly needs to be published and we would be pleased to do so in RACE &CLASS. We will publish your article in the January 2008 edition of the journal. Warmest wishes."

l Arun Kundnani, Deputy Editor RACE & CLASS, Institute of Race Relations, London, 25 June 2007

"Dear Mr Kua, I have not had the pleasure of shaking your hand. I read your book in between trekking in the highlands of Ecuador last month. Most impressed with the frankness. You are a courageous man. I was in KL during May 13 teaching in the University Hospital. One day, should we have the karma to meet there are one or two non-documented tales I can tell you. We were in the thick of it. Congratulations."

o Kimboo, Sydney, 24 Mar 2008

"Popular Bookstore will continue to sell a controversial book on the May 13 race riots despite indications that a ban could be imposed. Customers had snapped up the books the moment they were put on the shelves, said a company spokesperson who declined to be named. However, he declined to reveal the number of books sold.

"This book has gained a lot of response from readers. The first shipment has already finished in such a short time and we already have a second order, which will reach next week," he said.

On Wednesday, Deputy Internal Security Minister Fu Ah Kiow said bookstores were permitted to sell the book, 'May 13: Declassified Documents on the Malaysian riots of 1969', written by academic Dr Kua Kia Soong. The ministry is mulling over whether to ban the book. Checks by Malaysiakini yesterday found that two major bookstores have stopped selling the book - MPH Bookstores and Kinokuniya Bookstore. However, Popular stated that it would continue to sell the book unless it is banned.

An MPH spokesperson, who also declined to be named, told Malaysiakini yesterday that it made the decision after officers from the ministry confiscated copies of the book on Tuesday. However checks today revealed that MPH had taken fresh orders for the book from the publisher. Kinokuniya said it pulled the books off the shelves due to bad publicity.

"The book has created a lot of controversy in the newspapers. We pulled the book off the shelves voluntarily," said manager Ebby Wong.

"At first, we thought this book was just a normal history book, or a journal. That's why we ordered only 30 copies," she said.

Wong said when the book was put on the shelves on Tuesday, all 30 books were sold within three hours.

"However, we find that the book is a cause of much controversy, as seen in the dailies. Therefore, we decided it was better to stop the sale of the books. We are imposing self-censorship," she added.

She said the bookstore will continue selling the book if the Ministry makes "a clear announcement" that the book is not banned. Wong said she did not have a chance to read the book. According to one of the ministry guidelines, the government has the right to confiscate materials found to cause racial disharmony."

o Malaysiakini, 18 May2007

EU-Malaysia FTA: National Sovereignty & Policy Making at Risk with State-Investor Dispute ...

Posted: 18 Oct 2011 04:56 PM PDT

By Charles Santiago

The Malaysia-European Union Free Trade Agreement fifth round of negotiations is underway in Kuala Lumpur. Deputy International Trade and Industry Minister Datuk Mukhriz Mahathir last month indicated that the present round of negotiation "was getting into specific terms".

One of the most worrying 'specific terms' is the FTAs investment chapter that the EU wants Malaysia to adopt. The purpose of the investment chapter is to ensure that interests of investors are protected.

Specifically, the investment chapter contains provisions that allow investors to sue governments directly.

The investment protection chapter allows investors to by-pass the domestic legal system and refers disputes to international arbitration. Most importantly, the state-investor dispute mechanism allows investors to sue governments before international arbitration panels.

More than 300 cases have been referred to international arbitration since the 1990s. Most of these cases have resulted in governments paying millions to investors.

Investors can use the investor-state mechanism to refer governments to international arbitration panels if it perceives that state policies jeopardize company profits.

Here in Parliament, we are making laws in the best interests of the nation. But these laws can be over-turned by an international arbitration panel if judged as detrimental to investors.

On 19th February 2010, Philip Morris filed a request for arbitration against Uruguay with the International Centre for Settlement of Investment Disputes (ICSID). The company argued that recent tobacco regulations enacted by Uruguay violate several provisions of the Switzerland-Uruguay bilateral investment treaty (BIT).

Specifically, Philip Morris is challenging three provisions of Uruguay's tobacco regulations: (1) a "single presentation" requirement that prohibits marketing more than one tobacco product under each brand, (2) a requirement that tobacco packages include "pictograms" with graphic images of the health consequences of smoking (such as cancerous lungs), and (3) a mandate that health warnings cover 80% of the front and back of cigarette packages.

Clearly, Philip Morris is critical of the health policy of the Uruguayan government as it will impact on its profits.

Such investor protection impacts on sovereignty of nations, disciplines governments and limits the state's ability to regulate and develop polices in the best interests of the rakyat.

Thus, it is in the interests of the Malaysia that the government does not give-in to the demands of the European Union.

Malaysia could learn from countries such as Australia.

The Australian government is opposing greater rights for foreign companies and thus opposes the inclusion of investor-state dispute settlement.

Its 2011 Trade Policy says, "the Government does not support provisions that would confer greater legal rights on foreign businesses than those available to domestic businesses. Nor will the Government support provisions that would constrain the ability of Australian governments to make laws on social, environmental and economic matters in circumstances where those laws do not discriminate between domestic and foreign businesses. The Government has not and will not accept provisions that limit its capacity to put health warnings or plain packaging requirements on tobacco products or its ability to continue the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme".

The Australian government, with its greater revenue and more lawyers to defend cases, is opposing investor-to-state dispute settlement mechanism. The Malaysian government should take a similar position to protect our regulatory space and sovereignty.

I call on the Malaysian governments to reject all pressure from the EU in the interests of the country.

Charles Santiago

Member of Parliament, Klang.

PPSMI - An Opposing View

Posted: 18 Oct 2011 04:50 PM PDT

By Feizrul Nor Bin Nurbi

I read with interest the ongoing debate regarding PPSMI as published in most dailies' 'Letters to the Editor' section. Perhaps I am stretching it a bit by calling it a debate when it is clear that only one side's arguments are prominent, and they are the views of the proponents of PPSMI.

Do allow me to give an opposing view.

From what I gather by reading the countless articles, letters and even SMSs espousing the virtue of PPSMI, I can surmise that the proponent of this policy based their support on TWO main arguments, which are -

ONE - the declining standard on English amongst graduates in this country that gravely affects their employability in the current fast moving world where English is the de facto lingua franca, and

TWO - the possibility of being left behind in the field of Science and Mathematics due to lack of references in Bahasa Melayu and their abundance in English.

Firstly, the hue and cry about the policy being revoked surprises me. It is surprising because those parents who painstakingly paint themselves as 'representing ALL parents in Malaysia' spent their blood, sweat and tears trying to defend the nation's interests, are actually barking up the wrong tree.

Why do I say this?

It is my humblest opinion that for one to be proficient in English, one has to learn English - simple and clear.

I come from a time where my English teachers made the language a fun and interesting subject to learn and experience, where interacting and communicating in the language was the order of the day through 'Speaker's Corners' and debates while learning the fine nuances of the language by - surprise! - watching TV, the popular "X-Files" in particular.

Where we read countless books and had written numerous articles, where book fairs were a thing to look forward to and the day our articles and letters were published in English dailies and magazines were most cherished of all.

We spent hours conversing student to teacher and amongst us students ourselves, where speaking up and expressing oneself via the language was very much expected. It helped being in a boarding school where we had a day in a week where we can only speak in English or risked being fined by the prefects.

All this experience back then have put me and my brethrens in good stead with our English.

Analyzing all this, it is important to note that the real key to our success with the language was the quality of those responsible in guiding us. In no way would I deny that we were lucky in that aspect. And for that I am thoroughly grateful.

This is the exact reason why I deem the PPSMI-proponents as barking up the wrong tree - instead of pushing for the Government to restore the quality of English learning in our education system, they are actually fighting to restore the usage of English in two highly technical subjects. And while at it with questionable quality of English too.

I believe it is our right as citizens to demand quality education system for our children. What we have now are clearly substandard, judging by the concerns voiced by employers regarding the quality of our graduates when conversing in the language.

Therefore demand it we should. Demand that a total rethink are done of the way English is currently taught in classrooms. Demand that the teachers put in place are of exceptional pedigree and themselves being strong in the language. Demand that only those passionate in teaching are being handed the responsibility by upgrading the teaching profession to the level of respect that it deserves.

But indeed those who fight for PPSMI and focusing their effort on something totally irrelevant, which in the end leaving the Government getting away with it scott-free.

Irrelevant I say? I stand by my earlier belief - learn English to master English.

How could one seriously believe that learning two highly technical subjects in Science and Mathematics can sufficiently improve a student's prowess in that language?

By going the PPSMI way what we get are pupils who can spew out Scientific and Mathematical jargons in English at ease, while struggling to string words into a proper sentence and actually using them in a conversation.

While there were those who excelled in both subjects during the PPSMI days, it is safe to note that those pupils were already proficient in English BEFORE learning Science and Mathematics in the language. It is due to this proficiency that they excel, not that they gain proficiency due to PPSMI.

Those championing PPSMI are largely well educated English-speaking urban dwellers at least in the middle class criteria. These people, who have been making such hue and cry regarding the policy revocation, are those who are able to prepare their children adequately by sending them to English-medium kindergartens and themselves conversing in the language at home. Thus it is not surprising that pupils from these families already have the proficiency in place to tackle the rigors of PPSMI.

While I am not undermining their effort in preparing their own children, do spare a thought to those parents unable to present similar preparations to their children.I am talking about those living below the poverty line, those from the kampungs, those families who have never spoken a word of English in their entire life.

And to expect their children to attend their first day of school and learn not one, but three subjects in English? It is just plain and simple murder!

Thus please by all means, stop being selfish.

And this talk about us lagging in the field of Science and Mathematics due to our lack of English-proficiency?

I say - if and when English is no more a problem to us, then the sky is the limit. When the prowess is high and ability is strong, learning and mastering any other subject where the medium of instruction is English will be a piece of cake.

Thus, ladies and gentleman of PAGE and whatnots, demand what is rightfully ours. Channel your efforts towards pushing the government to provide what is expected of them, and not towards the re-establishment of a policy that was barely a hunch at its inception and haphazard in its implementation.

A supporter whom I was in discussion before stated that when the best is out of reach, then settling for the mediocre option is the best we can do.

Let me tell you this - PPSMI is not even an option worth considering. Why settle when as citizens we deserve more. Definitely we deserve better.

Settling is for losers. I believe PAGE and other proponents will not consider themselves belonging to this category.

Fight for your cause, shout all you want, but my dear citizens, do not let what is rightfully ours taken away and substituted with something substandard, devoid of substance, and misleading at best.

The ball is in YOUR court. I rest my case.

Unnecessary Spat

Posted: 18 Oct 2011 04:47 PM PDT

By Amdee Sidik

The spat among the local leaders especially between SAPP and DAP don't go down well to voters and potential voters of opposition parties. Why must a problem be created unnecessarily, which could be resolved easily?

If the idea is to score political mileage, it isn't worth even thinking because people actually hate it. The only group that benefits out of this is the BN parties.

Local DAP leaders are prone of doing by creating spark of hatred which eventually lead to unnecessary strain to other fellow opposition leaders.

Politicians like us have different views of looking at politics and want as far as possible to align from this old designed mentality that only they can do politicking. We want something more forward looking to pursue people and state's interests

There is a need to plant new initiative among the younger leaders if we want to see real democracy in Malaysia and in Sabah exist in the future.

I'm expecting all opposition political parties to cooperate together. All should wrap their quarrel and let the General Election is done with, or else get out of politics.

This coming general election is significant and crucial indeed to people in Sabah, in particular the mental aspect, if we can't make political difference via ballot boxes this time, one can forget for sometimes but be prepared for the worst and pray, our country wouldn't not end up like Zimbabwe.

The present opposition leaders must put aside any differences and let consolidate energy against the rotten bullying BN government.

Why does DAP leader like Hiew King Cheu very impatient? I don't think Hiew is representing the rest of DAP in Sabah nor the national leaders' views.

Pakatan leader Anwar Ibrahim had made the statement very clear with regards to the likely status of collaboration between Pakatan and SAPP in this coming GE

Let me give my view bluntly, in Sabah, no matter how strong DAP is, assuming DAPP takes all Chinese seats (7) DAPP will never ever able to form a State government by itself. Thus rhetoric of this kind is just childish game.

In Sabah the need of cooperation among all opposition parties is real. No group is more important or less important. If the opposition wants to form a state government they have to subscribe to the idea of cooperation, otherwise all works over the years would soon vanish in the thin air.

I'm not defending Yong Teck Lee' past (SAPP President) but I would state my view where needed. I'm defending my party–SAPP. There are plenty of emerging good leaders in SAPP who work day and night with clear conscious, whose political struggle is for the good of the Rakyat and the State.

And mind you, we do it willingly, sacrifice our soul and almost everything else after all the hardship and 'tortured' we endured by BN bullying game. Opposition members aren't even allowed to used Balai Raya when those facilities meant for all Rakyat who paid taxes and levies to the government.

DAPP will never get en routed into rural Bumiputra Sabah, I bet not a seat! Let alone in Muslim areas.

As of now no other opposition party can match SAPP in term of their preparedness going into deep remote kampongs. All too often the Peninsular political parties did was, make a loud bang! And off they go while SAPP is here to stay.

Our leaders are not only they are Sabahan but also they represent cross section of local ethnics, many of them are new and unheard before unlike 'seasoned and retarded politicians'.

It's worth recruiting new ones if we want change to take place; SAPP has always been exploring quality leadership.

This is where I find that no right thinking leaders should explode unnecessarily without checking where and what SAPP has in store.

Hj Amde Sidik is Chairman for Citizen Journalist Malaysia and Deputy President of SAPP

Time To Deliver Again: Domestic Laws And Procedures Must Stand Up To International Scrutiny

Posted: 18 Oct 2011 10:58 AM PDT

By Lim Chee Wee

One of the consequences of living in a globalised world is that we can no longer hope to be left alone to develop our own domestic laws and procedures in isolation, totally removed from what is happening in the international arena.

The most recent example of this is the failure of the Malaysia-Australia arrangement in relation to the transfer of 800 asylum seekers from Australia to Malaysia in exchange for the resettlement of 4,000 refugees from Malaysia.

Not only did the arrangement succumb to a legal challenge in the High Court of Australia, but the attempt by the Gillard government to amend Australian law to get around the court ruling failed to obtain the requisite political support before being tabled in the Australian Parliament, and was thus withdrawn.

The Malaysian government has now announced another swap arrangement, this time of immigration detainees between Malaysia and Myanmar. Initial information from the mainstream media is that Malaysia will send back to Myanmar approximately 1,000 Myanmar citizens currently languishing in our immigration detention centres.

In exchange, the Myanmar government will repatriate an undisclosed number of Malaysians who are being detained in Myanmar.

The Malaysian Bar cautiously, and with qualification, welcomes this arrangement. We are aware of the squalid and over-crowded conditions in our immigration detention centres. They pose a direct and immediate risk to the health and safety of detainees. Any release from such appalling conditions would be good news to any detainee. However, care needs to be taken to ensure that those returned to Myanmar will not in turn be subjected to retributive or punitive action by their own government. No mention has been made of any monitoring mechanism and whether any determination has been made by Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees as to whether any of the detainees to be returned is a genuine asylum seeker.

While Malaysia's recent announcement that it will ratify the two Optional Protocols to the Convention on the Rights of the Child is also to be welcomed, it remains a fact that Malaysia and Myanmar are both laggards in respect of openness and transparency of governmental action and of ratification of international human rights conventions. As a result, this immigration detainee swap arrangement will not be subject to the same level of scrutiny, as was the case with the ill-fated Malaysia-Australia deal.

But it would be wrong for the governments of both Malaysia and Myanmar to assume that this arrangement will therefore slip away unnoticed by the international community. It is important that such an arrangement must still live up to the highest humanitarian standards.

The Myanmar government has been at pains to disclose a progressively liberalising face as it seeks to build support for its chairmanship of the Association of South East Asian Nations ("ASEAN") grouping in 2014. It has announced the setting up of a human rights commission, the release of political prisoners and a freer press.

Malaysia too has embarked on a similar push towards greater democracy in the run-up to the next general elections, widely expected next year. It is important for the ambitions of both governments to show that the implementation of this swap arrangement will stand up to international scrutiny.

This immigration detainee swap must also be located within the context of the need for a wider and more comprehensive regional mechanism that will allow for freedom of movement of nationals from one ASEAN member country to work in other member countries in order to address the differing labour demands in this region.

This is especially challenging in respect of the Malaysia-Myanmar relationship, where we face the issue of mixed migration of both documented and undocumented foreign workers as well as refugees. Such flows of people, from Myanmar and elsewhere, must be managed in a humane, respectful and protective way, whether in transit or at the destination. As it currently stands, Malaysia is already being accused of ill-treatment of Indonesian and Cambodian domestic workers, leading to a freeze in domestic workers from those countries to Malaysia.

It will also be crucial for the integrity of both governments, and of ASEAN itself, that these promises of reform are reflected in actual and meaningful law and policy changes that conform to international standards. If ASEAN, including Malaysia and Myanmar, wishes to be taken seriously in the international community, then there must be more than just platitudinous assurances that domestic laws and procedures will adhere to universal norms.

Much has been promised – now is the time to deliver.

LIM CHEE WEE is President of the Malaysian Bar

The most cruel cut of ‘em all

Posted: 18 Oct 2011 05:10 AM PDT

Thomas Lee Seng Hock

As a father, my heart goes out to Lim Guan Eng whose teenage son is being politically abused by the cruel inhuman Umno and other upstart politicians.

It is surely sad that the Malaysian political culture has descended to such a low gutter level that a 16-year-old innocent boy's life may be permanently damaged or even destroyed by the evil derogatory politicians who dragged him into a shameful circumstance with their mischievous wicked lies.

Such immoral morons should be politically castrated, and treated as beastly pariahs by all right-thinking and righteous persons for their extremely uncouth and uncivilized character and behavior, even if they have doctorate degrees or graduates of prominent prestigious universities like Oxford.

I know what it is to be falsely accused of something shameful like what the poor chap is subjected to, as I too had the misfortune of being a victim of such a cruel allegation. But being an adult, it was much more easy for me to overcome the deceptive stigma, and walk tall again since my conscience is totally clear before God and people, and certainly, myself. From young, I had adopted as my personal motto the three principles of "Honest to God, Honest to Myself, and Honest to People". Living by these three principles has sustained me through many crisis and periods of intense difficulty or even danger.

The immoral morons who initiated and perpetuate the lies about Guan Eng's son are definitely persons lacking in character, integrity, credibility, maturity, and, certainly, spirituality, whatever religious faith they profess.

They are surely people who are so stupid not to know and realize that their thoughtless remarks would cause inestimably emotional, psychological, and spiritual impact on the young innocent boy.

One thing I am very puzzled about is why the school authorities have not come forward to clarify and explain the whole matter, to give the boy his just and fair due. It is simply the height of irresponsibility for the school management to refrain from telling the truth, perhaps because of either political patronage or political pressure. In the name of justice and fair play, I demand that the school authorities concerned should come out with an official statement refuting the lies.

I believe the people, especially Penangites, should mobilize around Guan Eng and his family at this critical time when they are under fierce demonic attacks for what they stand for, fight for, sacrifice for, and even paid for with their personal freedom and life. I urge all believers in God to come together to uphold Guan Eng and his family members in prayers. This is the least we can do. The more concrete action is to ensure that Guan Eng is returned as the chief minister or our beloved Penang.

And to Guan Eng's son, I want to say that we believe you, and we will always love and care for you. The baptism of fire that you are going through now is going to make a great man out of you, like your grandpa Kit Siang and father Guan Eng. God bless and protect you always!

Kredit: www.malaysia-today.net

Rabu, 19 Oktober 2011

Malaysia Today - Your Source of Independent News

Malaysia Today - Your Source of Independent News

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