Klik GAMBAR Dibawah Untuk Lebih Info

Sumber Asal Berita :-

Malaysia Today - Your Source of Independent News

Are we Malays weak?
Suaram Exposes the Real Foreign Lackeys
When D-day comes for Malaysians …
Ban Cyanide in Gold Mining Action Committee (BCAC) urges public to show support to the Raub ...

Posted: 04 Sep 2012 09:40 AM PDT

But only one in six Malays is an Umno member. There are more of us and less of them. Even if one Umno member dies today, there are still five other Malays around to champion Islam and preserve the Malay sultanate.

Mohd Ariff Sabri Aziz (FMT)

I have a special note for the Malays and Bumiputeras in this country. As long as Malays are articulate and as long as there are laws that govern our existence and regulate the conduct between persons, it is we who must look out for our own interest. Not Umno.

Malays form 61% of our 28 million population. Umno members are 3.2 million. But only one in six Malays is an Umno member. There are more of us and less of them.

Even if one Umno member dies today, there are still five other Malays around to champion Islam and preserve the Malay sultanate.

It's not true that if Umno dies, Islam and the sultanate will die too. It's not true that if Umno dies, the Malays are destroyed.

What is true is this: those who will die are Najib Tun Razak (Prime Minister), Dr Mahathir Mohamad (former premier), Muhyiddin Yassin (Deputy Prime Minister) and Noh Omar (Umno Selangor deputy chief). The other Malays will survive.

Likewise, if MCA dies, the Chinese will be strong. If MIC dies, the Indians will still survive.

So, why then are we (Malays) depending on Umno? Does Umno even has the capacity to look out for us?

Are Malays weak?

The last time I heard, even Mahathir assailed the quality of the Umno people. He said Umno is rotten to the core and consists of half-past six fellows. He said Umno is corrupt from the bottom to the very top!

How then can the fate of this country be made to depend on mediocrity?

We must also reject Umno's instigation that if it loses, the Chinese will take over the administration of the country.

Seriously, can this happen?

Malays are six people, Chinese three and Indian one. Can three Chinese take on more than six Malays?

Even if they teamed up with the Indians, can four non-Malays quash more than six Malays? Are we Malays that weak and incapable?

Suaram Exposes the Real Foreign Lackeys

Posted: 04 Sep 2012 09:11 AM PDT

Recently, it was even rumoured by some quarters that a tycoon is funding Suaram. This is an insult to Suaram – there are certainly more than one tycoon supporting us!

Dr Kua Kia Soong, Suaram Adviser

Ever since SUARAM's complaint to the French courts regarding the suspected corruption involved in the purchase of the two Scorpene submarines, the BN government has been behaving like a cat in a tin pot republic. The theoretically "above politics" civil service – the Companies Commission, Perkeso and even the Inland Revenue - have been roped in to try to pin something on SUARAM.

Finally, yesterday (3.9.2012) the Domestic Trade, Cooperatives and Consumerism Minister claimed that "a 'high level of suspicions' has been found in the accounts of Suara Inisiatif Sdn Bhd, a company "linked" to prominent human rights NGO Suaram." According to Ismail, it was found that only 0.06 per cent of the company's activities considered were as trading, while the rest was "money collecting". He further alleged that the sources of the donations included NGOs from Washington and New York as well as the German Embassy in Malaysia.

Well, let me assure SUARAM supporters that our company lawyers tell us that our accounts are well above board…

THE MALAYSIAN GOVERNMENT IS THE BIGGEST RECIPIENT OF FOREIGN FUNDS

So is it a big secret that Malaysian NGOs have been receiving foreign grants among other donations all these years? You mean, the Malaysian government has been ignorant of this all these years? And the Special Branch too? And CCM, Perkeso and the Inland Revenue too?

The fact is that practically EVERY Malaysian NGO working on human rights, women's issues, indigenous peoples' issues, migrants and refugee issues and such issues have been supported by foreign funders all these years. The fact is that the BN government does not really care about such issues as human rights since it has been an inveterate violator of human rights all these years.

But what Malaysian NGOs receive from foreign funders is peanuts compared to what the Malaysian government gets from foreign funders. Practically every mega project in Malaysia since Independence has been financed by foreign backers. The same goes for mega arms deals. In 1994, I blew the whistle on the 'Aid for Arms' deal with the British government. It is a good example of how much funding the Malaysian government gets for just one project:

In 1994, a scandal erupted concerning the UK funding for the Pergau hydroelectric dam in Kelantan. Building work began in 1991 with money from the UK foreign aid budget. Concurrently, the Malaysian government bought around £1 billion worth of arms from the UK. The linkage of arms deals to aid is illegal in Britain and it became the subject of a UK government inquiry from March 1994. In November 1994, after an application for judicial review brought by the World Development Movement, the High Court held that the then-Foreign Secretary, Douglas Hurd had acted ultra vires by allocating £234 million towards the funding of the dam, on the grounds that it was not of economic or humanitarian benefit to the Malaysian people.

So, for just one project, namely, the Pergau dam, the Malaysian government received GBP 234 million. Can you imagine how much foreign funding the Malaysian government has been receiving all these years since Independence?

WHAT? A MALAYSIAN TYCOON SUPPORTING SUARAM TOO?

We also try to raise funds locally through annual fund-raising dinners and such. Recently, it was even rumoured by some quarters that a tycoon is funding Suaram. This is an insult to Suaram – there are certainly more than one tycoon supporting us! Some state governments also support us and it is time the federal government donates to SUARAM too since SUHAKAM also appreciates the work done by SUARAM!

We welcome donations from any source but don't expect SUARAM to compromise its commitment to justice, equality, democracy and human rights.

SUARAM's PRINCIPLED ANTI-IMPERIALIST STAND

The foreign funders know full well that SUARAM is a unique human rights organisation because it cannot be corrupted into betraying its anti-imperialist principles nor can it be cowed by an authoritarian government. That is why we have existed this long.

For instance, name the Malaysian NGO that has been the main coordinating secretariat for the Anti-US demonstrations and protests all these years? Yes, it is SUARAM. We are part of the "Stop the War Coalition" and have coordinated Anti-US demonstrations and protests against the US-led occupation of Iraq and Afghanistan and Israeli atrocities in Gaza. The Malaysian government usually pours cold water on our efforts by directing the police to train their water cannons on anti-war demonstrators at the US Embassy. No organisation should claim to be anti-imperialist if they have done nothing to protest the US and NATO coalition wars.

The following is a list of anti-US imperialism protests and statements coordinated by SUARAM in recent years:

- 4th anniversary protest against the occupation of Iraq at the US Embassy, 18 Mac 2007;

- 3rd Anniversary Protest at US Embassy, 19 Mac 2006;

- 2nd Anniversary Protest against the Occupation of Iraq, 20 Mac 2005;

- World-wide protest against the Iraq War at US Embassy, 15 Feb 2003;

- Anti War protest at US Embassy, 15 Feb 2002.

As a founder and director of SUARAM, I have spoken out and written articles condemning US imperialism consistently as follows:

- "Non-aligned movement and double standards", condemning US intervention in Latin America, notably in Cuba, Chile and El Salvador and Britain's duplicity in the Falkland Islands (The Star, 30.3.83);

- "Superpowers and apologists" condemning the US invasion of Grenada (The Star, 23.11.84);

- "Libya, superpowers and self-determination" condemning the US bombing of Tripoli and Benghazi (Nanyang Siangpau, 14-16 May 1986);

- "Peace and self-determination in the Gulf", condemning the US invasion of Iraq during the Gulf war (NST and Sinchew Jitpoh, 24.1.91);

- "Questioning Arms Spending in Malaysia", my latest book exposes the efforts by US, British, French, Russian governments in unscrupulously selling arms to countries like Malaysia (Suaram, 2010)

Which other Malaysian organisation has been as consistent in opposing and condemning US imperialism all these years? SUARAM also played a key role in the last important peace conference for East Timor in 1996 together with other NGOs. We have also been an active component for the campaign for democracy in Burma.

WHO ARE THE REAL FOREIGN LACKEYS?

This is a snippet taken from my 2010 title "Questioning Arms Spending in Malaysia: From Altantuya to Zikorsky". From this, Malaysians will be able to judge who the real lackeys of the foreign powers are:

"Brothers in Arms:

The Non-Aligned Movement was founded upon the principles of peace, neutrality and impartiality to the Superpowers. A genuine non-aligned policy can therefore go a long way toward ridding us of the need to procure expensive arms. But despite Malaysia's avowed non-aligned policy and Dr. Mahathir's anti-US posturing during his term in office, Malaysia has all along been partial to the US. Both countries have been holding joint military exercises since the early 1970s. Then, when Mahathir visited Washington in 1984, this relationship was formalized in an agreement signed by the Malaysian Prime Minister and the then US Defence Secretary Caspar Weinberger:

'At Malaysia's request, the agreement on Bilateral Training and Educational Cooperation has been kept secret. One reason for the secrecy is that Malaysia has championed nonalignment and has strongly argued for the creation of a Zone of Peace, Freedom and Neutrality in Southeast Asia.'

"Speaking to newsmen after opening the Third Defence Services Asia 1992, then Defence Minister Najib Tun Razak said that Malaysia supported the continuing American military presence in the region. Malaysia signed an acquisitions and cross-servicing agreement in 1994 that allowed US Navy ships to visit Malaysian ports for repair and replenishment. The contract was renewed during Abdullah's tenure in 2005; each year, US Special Forces train at Malaysia's jungle-warfare school and bilateral military-to-military cooperation is growing rather than diminishing. The administration of US President George W Bush was also rather appreciative of Malaysia's security and counter-terrorism efforts.

"President Barack Obama has also been making a concerted effort to engage Malaysia and other Muslim nations since he came to office. The current Prime Minister, Najib Razak, has become much more open to the USA. His government, for example, has been trying to reach a free trade agreement with the Americans and after his much publicised audience with Obama in April 2010, has immediately fallen in with the US policy to impose sanctions on Iran. The US and Malaysia carried out a number of joint exercises in 2008, including a special forces exercise involving a US Delta Force unit and Malaysian Special Forces:

'The trend is expected to continue steadily in the coming years particularly given the good relations between the senior officers of the Malaysian armed forces and their US counterparts.'

"At a time when Najib and other UMNO leaders are trying to allege that the Opposition leader Anwar Ibrahim has 'CIA connection', this excerpt of a speech by Najib on 'Malaysia-U.S. Defence Cooperation: the Untold Story' at the U.S. Heritage Foundation on 3 May 2002 should put Malaysians in the true picture of who has been holding secret liaisons with the U.S.:

'For many years U.S. and Malaysian forces have cooperated on a wide range of missions with virtually no fanfare or public acknowledgement. And in spite of its success, our bilateral defence relationship seems to be an all too well-kept secret…Historically, Malaysia has been a steady, reliable friend of the United States. Our multitude of common interests includes trade and investment on a sizeable scale and security cooperation across a range of fronts…

'Malaysian forces regularly conduct joint training with United States counterparts and the United States routinely enjoys access to Malaysian airfields and ports. Also, Malaysia provides one of the few bases outside the United States for U.S. military jungle-warfare training. U.S. troops are warmly welcomed in Malaysia and enjoy training there. In particular, there have been more than 75 U.S. military ship visits in the past two and a half years. The United States conducts training exercises with the Royal Malaysian Air Force, flying with and against them in mock battles. U.S. Navy SEALs conduct training in Malaysia twice a year. The U.S. Army does field exercises with the Malaysian army. Finally, 1,500 Malaysian defence personnel have benefited from the U.S.-sponsored IMET (international military education and training) program...

'As you can see, cooperation between our two nations started long before September 11, 2001. But the horrific events of that day galvanized our relationship as never before. Prime Minister Mahathir has been vocal in condemning the attacks, and we have been happy to provide an elevated level of cooperation with the United States on a range of fronts. For example: The United States averages more than 1,000 over flights per year. Since September 11, this number has increased dramatically, and all requests have been approved...

'The United States has excellent access to Malaysian intelligence. Malaysia occupies a strategic location along the Straits of Malacca and the South China Sea, and devotes considerable resources to maintaining safe and free shipping lanes for commercial and military vessels. Since September 11, Malaysian forces have been protecting U.S. ships in the Straits…

'Over the years, some in the United States have misinterpreted some of (Dr. Mahathir's) straight talk. Let me be clear: Strong friendships can withstand strong words. Malaysia and the United States have been close for decades. Our multi-faceted relationship will have its high and low points, but the core values our nations share endure…'" (Kua Kia Soong, 2010:8-11)

What Does SUARAM Do With Its Funding?

The funding we get goes into nurturing young activists in human rights work. We employ a handful of dedicated young staff that would normally be dynamic leaders earning higher salaries in the private sector but have chosen this path of service in human rights work. The elder members of the SUARAM secretariat like me have always been non-staff volunteers in overseeing the running of the organisation.

SUARAM is the main NGO opposing detention without trial - SUARAM was born after Operation Lalang in 1989. Since then, it has been the main coordinating secretariat for the Movement against the ISA and other detention without trial laws, the EO and the DDA. Our office serves as the refuge for those whose family members have been victims of state oppression. We send Urgent Appeals throughout the world whenever any detention or other violations of human rights happen.

SUARAM's Annual Human Rights Report - Despite its small staff, SUARAM publishes the only credible and detailed Human Rights Report every year without fail and has been doing so since 1998. Such a report is an invaluable service to all the peoples of Malaysia irrespective of ethnicity, religion or creed.

SUARAM's Coalition Building Work - Since its founding, SUARAM has worked toward a healthy democratic movement in the country and we could well say that Gagasan Rakyat and all the efforts by SUARAM in the last 20 years have produced today's two-front system and the political tsunami of 2008.

Human Rights Education and Training - Throughout its existence in the last 20 years, SUARAM staff and secretariat have been involved in human rights and environmental education, giving talks, organising seminars and providing training.

Campaigns for indigenous peoples and marginalised communities - SUARAM has initiated campaigns against the Bakun dam, the Selangor dam to protect the interests of indigenous peoples, the environment and the interests of Malaysian tax payers. We have also supported marginalised communities such as the urban settlers, estate communities and refugees when they have met eviction and state oppression.

In other words, SUARAM has always scrupulously fought for justice, equality, democracy and human rights in Malaysia and spoken out against imperialism and militarism in the rest of the world…

When D-day comes for Malaysians …

Posted: 04 Sep 2012 08:57 AM PDT

Is it wrong for the people to follow, adhere and practice leadership by example? No it is not wrong. But the example is not exactly right! That is the problem with Malaysia.

Lim Victor

STOMPING and burning of pictures of community and political leaders was a democratic Western culture now common in the violent Middle-East.

In Malaysia, it is becoming a popular culture today – thanks to the Barisan Nasional (BN)-Umno culture.

The stomping of the picture of Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak on the eve of Independence Day (Merdeka Day) on Aug 30 just shows how some Malaysians hate him. Not an iota of respect for the man who, after more than four years, still doesn't have the guts to call for a national poll to secure his own mandate to rule.

Well! It has been a long wait and this coward can hang on till latest next June. This, however, is not the theme of this blog post because a coward does not deserve any recognition.

My theme for this blog post is 'Leadership By Example!', at one time propagated by the evil and Satanic believer Mahathir Mohamed, our Prime Minister for 22 years – good riddance.

Now, is it wrong for the people to follow, adhere and practice leadership by example? No it is not wrong. But the example is not exactly right! That is the problem with Malaysia.

To all Malaysians, please reflect just who started all such "violent" and uncouth show of disrespect to their community and political leaders in Malaysia in recent times?

Umno-Perkasa-Utusan Malaysia-Jati and now, soon-to-be Mat Rempit policing! Now, does that not ring the bells!

When the actions and behaviour of Mat Rempit – which the Royal Malaysian Police Force (PDRM) labelled as road thugs (hey! Don't tell me you have forgotten that? I have not, you Hishammuddin shit-head) – are endorsed by the law, it is time for the lawlessness and looting culture. When the Mat Rempit starts to loot, what is the PDRM going to do? Nothing my friend, because it is endorsed and supported by Umno, just like how Perkasa can run amok for all you care and there is still no crime.

Now, BN-Umno, may I remind your shit-head that whatever hate or evil recourse that you resort to, it is a double-edged sword. You swear, you burn, you stomp, you abuse, you lie, others can also do the same. So continue to fan more discord and hatred and try to divide this nation! You will surely fail in this ICT (Information Communications Technology) era.

The people are more informed to make their own judgment, they are also more educated and intelligent – unlike BN-Umno and its lapdogs who continue to live in their cocoons and give blind loyalty, no matter how their dignity is stomped on.

To all Malaysians who will have their day to cast their ballots to elect the government of the day in the 13th General Election, don't blame others for the government that you elect. After 55 years, that is long enough a time for you to decide what is right and good for your children and country.

Ban Cyanide in Gold Mining Action Committee (BCAC) urges public to show support to the Raub ...

Posted: 04 Sep 2012 08:52 AM PDT

This will be the last chance for the Bukit Koman, Raub residents to seek justice through legal channels. Therefore, we urge the public to support us on Sept 6 (Thursday), 9am at Palace of Justice, Putrajaya. We hope to see you there!

Himpunan Hijau Raub (FHHR) and Ban Cyanidei n Gold Mining Action Committee (BCAC) was encouraged by the turn out of 15,000 people from all walks of life at the peaceful Green Gathering held in Raub last Sunday @2 September 2012.

The Committee wishes to take this opportunity to entend our heartfelt gratitute to individuals and organizations that help us to organize this gathering, especially comrades from other green movement, civil societies and organizations; lawyers that offered legal aids and observers; PDRM that facilitated security and traffic control; medical team that provided medical aid; volunteers and all the sponsors.

Last but not least, we wish to thank those who participate the gathering and stay until the end of the gathering despite the hot sun, your participation gives a boost to our movement.

Although the gathering is a success, and we had voice out our strong objection against the use of cyanide and other hazardous chemical compounds in extracting the gold which will continue to harm the health of the residents and pollute our living environment, but our struggle has not end yet.

The Federal Court will hear the appeal of leave application of judicial review brought by the Committee on Sept 6 2012, to seek review of the Department of Environment's approval of the Preliminary Environmental Impact Assessment report submitted by Raub Australian Gold Mining SB (RAGM).

On 2009, The High Court dismissed the leave application for judicial review with the ground that the residents were out of time to apply for judicial review. On 2011, the committee appealed to Court of Appeal but the Court of Appeal upheld the decision of High Court. The Committee then decided to appeal to Federal Court and was granted leave to appeal.

Ban Cyanide in Gold Mining, Reclaim our safe homeland!

Court case background:

• 13 Jan 1997, DoE approved the PEIA submitted by RAGM without the residents' knowledge.

• 4 Dec 2006, residents learned about the usage of cyanide in the nearby gold mine and formed the "Bukit Koman Action Committee Against the Use of Cyanide in Mining of Gold" (Committee).

• October 2007, after various effort and attempts, the residents finally got hold of the PEIA and appointed experts to review the documents.

• 21 March 2008, the Committee through its lawyers filed an application for leave for judicial review to request among others the following:

a) The setting aside of the approval of the PEIA given on 13-1-1997 by the Director General (DG) of the DoE;

b) The setting aside of the DG's decision that a Detailed EIA is not necessary;

c) Submission of a fresh DEIA by RAGM including the requirement for public participation.

• 1 June 2009, High Court dismissed the application with no order as to costs on the ground: "The application for leave for judicial review should have been brought within 40 days from the date of the approval of the PEIA or the date the villagers knew about the approval of the PEIA."

• On 3August 2011, the Court of Appeal upheld the High Court decision in holding that the residents were out of time in seeking for leave for judicial review (the decision). The appeal was dismissed with no order as to costs.

• On 7 August 2011, the villagers decided to appeal to the Federal Court.

• On 11 Jan 2012, a three-man Federal Court panel chaired by the Chief Judge of Sabah and Sarawak Tan Sri Richard Malanjum allowed the residents' application for leave to appeal against the High Court's decision. The appeal will be heard by the Federal Court on 6 September 2012.

Kredit: www.malaysia-today.net

Rabu, 5 September 2012

Malaysia Today - Your Source of Independent News

Malaysia Today - Your Source of Independent News

0 ulasan:

Catat Ulasan