Which Malaysian culture is most superior?: A Mother's Day musing Posted: 12 May 2013 12:44 PM PDT
Unfortunately it is the uselessness of culture that is often most attractive and get translated into sophisticated racist policies. Azly Rahman Happy Mother's Day and Happy Belated May Day! May the labors of love reign supreme.
I recall an old Malaysian radio advertisement: "May Day … May Day… I'm itching all over!" I suppose this is the predicament we all are in when we speak of the "mother of all issues": culture!
Mothers give birth to babies. Babies do not know what racism means until they learn from adults. And then they become defined through institutionalized racism produced by the Ideological State Apparatus. The child, is the father of Man, said a sage.
Where are we at, on Mother's Day and May Day?
Are we more race-conscious now than ever before? Are we really in the postmodern era in which politics of identity is taking its linguistic and semiotic turn – in which the ugliness and the beauty of race and ethnicity is surfacing and rearing their heads? Do we need a better understanding of the word "culture"?
Cultural wars By the growing number of race-related news-stories, letters to the editors, column writings, and opinions published by Malaysiakini, we seem to be arguing more intensely on the issue of race and social dominance.
We argue on which language is more superior, whose civilization originated first, to who this and that land belong to, or if God actually has a chosen people. We even go on a crusade and jihad based on the superiority of this and that culture and civilization. We then hear of suicide bombings in the name of this and that culture.
We let ourselves be shaped by theories of race and ethnicity. These theories were developed by those who think that human beings are material beings primarily and that race and ethnicity are constructs that must be made real. These theories might have originated from racists themselves.
We design systems of social dominance. We build our politics, schools, cultural institutions, organizations, youth movements, and all kinds of imaginary prisons based on notions of racial superiority. We design economic policies around these notions. We distribute justice based on them. We define citizenship based on these notions. We create imagined communities out of them. We then get trapped by the attempt to redefine what race, ethnicity, and culture means.
We include or exclude human beings using languages that gatekeep. We protect our economic interest using sophisticated language of institutionalized racism. The result: we see a manifestation of poverty based on the identification of race.
We then tried to correct the imbalances using the culture of Classical/Rostowian/Friedmanian economics and developmental/pluralistic politics. We used statistics to measure people and to argue of this and that distribution of the economic pie. We developed the culture of communalism based on the numbers we crunch.
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Finally My Chinese Friends Came on to the Streets – 505 Ini Kali Lah Posted: 12 May 2013 12:24 PM PDT
My Chinese friends fail to understand the true colours of DSAI. They don't know that the same fate which befell their Tamil and Hindus friends after GE 12 is going to befall them. M. Gunasekar Sometime in early 2008, I bumped into a Chinese friend and went for "yum cha" with him. During my conversation he said we Chinese don't need to go to the street to protest like Indians to make the change. Economy is in our control and we are powerful enough to make the changes without the need to take to the streets like our Indian friends. I nodded acknowledging his opinion and told him that a large number of Indians are below the poverty level and economically controlling less than 1.5 percent of the country wealth. What choice do they have to be heard by the ruling government? The Hindraf rally on 25 Nov 2007 was the highlight of Indians especially the uprising Tamils and Hindus in Malaysia. Police roadblocks started the week before the rally to create massive traffic jams across the city and the outskirts of Kuala Lumpur. Many were upset with the Indians for pouring onto the streets and literally making the capital city a standstill causing major inconvenience to everyone. Five thousand riot police members dispatched to the scene used tear gas and water cannon to disperse the crowds and 136 people were arrested. Less than four(4) months later the ruling government called for election and were caught with their pants down. The GE 12 showed how HINDRAF became one of the triggers for a major change in the course of the country. The general dissatisfaction with the regime ruled by UMNO which had been brewing for some years was the kerosene and the Hindraf Rally of 25 Nov 2007 was the tinder that sparked off the kerosene into a major explosion that has been called the Political Tsunami of Malaysian politics. The ruling UMNO-led BN government lost its two-thirds majority in Parliament and came close to getting just over half the seats in Parliament from the Peninsula. HINDRAF, which had barely existed for 3 years up to that time, and which was barely known up till Aug 2007 had suddenly caught the mood of a large proportion of Malaysians, not only Tamils and Hindus but the Chinese and a sizeable section of the Malays as well, causing a major upset in the process. In the lead up to GE 13 the Chinese came on to the streets with much bigger fanfare, driven up in festive mood that includes Bersih 2.0, Bersih 3.0, Himpunan Satu Juta Rakyat, Carnivals, Mega Ceramah, road shows, fund raising dinners and etc. "The urban Chinese especially... they are like... wow... suddenly, all that suppressed sentiment just erupted". They were so eager that even in the smaller ceramahs in the Malay kampungs, they went. PR's ceramahs attracted massive, almost frenzied crowds of predominantly Chinese voters who came decked out from head to foot in PR merchandise, from their T-shirts to caps, banners, balloons and even face paint. Many big ceramah events resulted in donations of up to over RM200,000, mirroring the number of supporters who not only turned up but were willing to part with money to back PR's campaign. Thousands and thousands of Chinese friends flocked the ceramah(s) to hear their 'heroes' and 'heroines' speak about a future without racism, a future without prejudice and injustice, a future that is bright, fair and corruption-free. Finally the judgment day came on 5th May 2013; my Chinese friends were so eager to cast their votes. Many could not sleep the night before dreaming that by the night of 5 May 2013 the country leadership will finally be transferred to their 'heroes' and 'heroines'. Out of the total number of 13,268,002 voters for the 222 parliamentary seats, 11,257,147 voters or 84.84 per cent cast their votes at the 13th general election (GE13), the highest percentage in any general election in Malaysia. Around midnight on the fateful day, the EC chairman appeared on the TV screens to make the official announcement that BN managed to win 112 seats which eventually climbed to 133 parliament seats that were more than enough to form the next government. My Chinese friends cried wolf with all sorts of allegations of electoral fraud in GE13. Their 'heroes' and 'heroines' of PR have made a number of allegations including tampering of ballot boxes, suspected foreigners being drafted in to vote, and supposedly indelible ink which easily washes off. PR maverick hero DSAI said effectively the elections were stolen by Barisan Nasional. In fact from the polling day itself, DSAI accused BN prematurely of stealing these elections, of massive fraud and irregularities. But until today, he has yet to come forward with a shred of evidence of any irregularities. What we have until today is just very blanket unsubstantiated allegations that these elections were marred by fraud and irregularities. My Chinese friends fail to understand the true colours of DSAI. They don't know that the same fate which befell their Tamil and Hindus friends after GE 12 is going to befall them. Remember all the promises made by DSAI before and during the GE 12 election campaigns to the Indians. Solving IC issues, Tamil Schools, Temple, Employment and many others, what happened? During the GE 13 campaigns "Anwar, Sivaji the Boss" were missing and missing too on the stage were the Indian leaders. PR only talked about Indians without IC somewhere around Aug 2012 of which by then BN was already half way through the process of issuing ICs to many Indians and Chinese. They also alleged that around 300,000 Indians were without ICs but where is the official data to substantiate their claims? PR seats allocation to Indians for GE 13 compared to GE 12 were down from 16 to 14. As DSAI mentioned in the meeting within the top management of PKR that you Indians have been the minority - take what is given and don't make a fuss of it. My dear Chinese friends, DSAI's manifesto were an "advertisement" to get the citizens to "buy his product" but after the purchase is done, DSAI doesn't provide "after-sales service". "When a consumer buys a product, they need a guarantee. However, based on DSAI's track record, there are no guarantees. It's sad that the impact of the Indian Tsunami in GE 12 which translated into 82 seats for PR did not result in a bigger anticipated Tsunami in 2013. It were merely a huge monsoon flooding that swept across the country without creating bigger collateral damage to BN strongholds in ruling the country with their iron fist rule until the next GE. BN has institutionalized the way it manages politics in this country and to steamroll it out of power you need a mega force equivalent to a magnitude 9.0 earthquake. Final message to my dear Chinese friends - "Kita Mathrubum(ubah) Next Time Lah". |
GE13: What do Malaysians Want? Posted: 12 May 2013 12:19 PM PDT
BN did their worst – did we do our best? Have dissident Malaysian voters been asking what they want in this election apart from "ubah" and lowering the price of petrol? "Anything But UMNO" is an "away from" response. Have we listed out "towards" demands? Dr Kua Kia Soong, SUARAM Adviser In the aftermath of GE13, UMNO wants to know what BN detractors want. Malaysians have felt frustrated and sidetracked by their attempt at communalising the election results, something they have been doing even before Independence. BN did their worst – did we do our best? Have dissident Malaysian voters been asking what they want in this election apart from "ubah" and lowering the price of petrol? "Anything But UMNO" is an "away from" response. Have we listed out "towards" demands? RESPOND NOT REACT With all the visible injustice and foul play in the GE13, there is understandably plenty of pent-up frustration and anger among those who have experienced being wronged. And we know that that the roots of that injustice are to be found in an electoral system that has for years been inherently flawed. Having seen the videos of violence against migrant "voters" during this election makes me wonder if such a reaction is at least in part, the result of misplaced expectations. If the BN government had listened to the demands by Malaysian civil society, they would not be asking us what we want AFTER the election. The following are some of our fundamental demands which call for an end to corruption, oppression and racism, and the reinstatement of justice, democracy and human rights. 1. One Person One Vote: We have known about gerrymandering in the country for decades and yet there was the false hope that GE13 was going to overcome this major impediment to electoral fair play. Notice that Bersih's 8 demands are short-term and do not include this mother of all unfree and unfair aspects of Malaysian elections, namely, undemocratic constituency delineation. The original Merdeka constitution provided that in drawing up constituencies, "there shall not be more than a difference of 15 per cent in the number of electors of any constituency to the electoral quota." The "electoral quota" or national average, was defined as the number obtained by dividing the number of electors in the Federation by the total number of constituencies. Section 2 (c) of the Thirteenth Schedule had stipulated that "the number of electors within each constituency ought to be approximately equal throughout the unit of review." The Constitution was amended in 1962 transferring the power to delimit parliamentary constituencies from the Election Commission to a bare majority of parliament. A new Thirteenth Schedule set out certain new features permitting a weightage of up to 2:1 in favour of rural constituencies, thus enabling differences of 100 per cent between urban and rural seats. A further constitutional amendment in 1973 took away altogether the original check in the Thirteenth Schedule on there being too great a disparity between urban and rural seats. Today, the absurdity of constituency delineation in Malaysia is exemplified by the contrast between 10,000 voters at Putrajaya federal constituency and more than 100,000 at Kapar, a disparity of more than 10:1. The Malaysian Chinese organizations which endorsed the Joint Declaration before the 1986 general election focused on this demand for fair constituency delineation as one of the main objectives for their Civil Rights Committee. But they have not followed up on this demand since then. Thus, this reform to the Malaysian electoral system should take top priority and not creating false hopes that lead to mobs beating up migrants. 2. End Racism and Racial Discrimination: Racism in the form of Malay-centric ideology has been the main instrument of rule by the Umnoputras ever since they have been in power. Their "1 Malaysia" exists only as a slogan – how else can they justify blatant racial discrimination in the economic, educational and social sectors? Thus, as soon as dissident voters show them what they think of the charade, the same trite rhetorical question is posed by their propaganda machines: "What more do they want?" One would have thought that the leaders of Hindraf knew that. Furthermore, I have shared the same rostrum with some of these Hindraf leaders at forums where I have pointed out that state racism in Malaysia has taken a morbid turn toward victimizing ethnic Indians, especially the poor and marginalized. This is seen in the disproportionate number of Indians among the victims of police shootings and deaths in custody. The implementation of the IPCMC should have been Hindraf's non-negotiable demand to the BN government. I had assumed that the Hindraf leaders would understand this analysis of state racism in Malaysia and the requisite political practice that logically followed from that analysis. Unfortunately, their theory and practice has followed the same backward example of "racial bargaining" typical of the MIC and the MCA. They have chosen to back the hegemonic oppressor and exploiter of the masses on the eve of the election by using the flimsiest excuse about being rebuffed by PR. But then such opportunism has been seen ever since careerist politics came into existence. I stand to be proven wrong and will render an unreserved apology to these Hindraf leaders if they prove to be dedicated and selfless activists who refuse to accept any government or bureaucratic posts in this administration but operate as an NGO to monitor the implementation of their "blueprint". One would have thought that the abolition of the New Economic Policy should have been the sine qua non for Hindraf in any tryst with the two coalitions since the NEP is the main perpetrator of racial discrimination in Malaysian society and the main obstacle to progress. The actions of the Hindraf leaders seem to suggest that they condone the NEP as long as the Indians also get a slice of the cake –regardless of whether any slice is apportioned to the Orang Asli, the poor Chinese and others! I might add that in their exuberance for "Ubah", the dissident voters neglected to call for the abolition of the NEP which had a sell-by date of 1990. Consequently, Pakatan Rakyat got off easy with a manifesto that did not have to promise abolishing the NEP if they got into power. We have since been promised a mythical "withering away of the NEP" if PR comes into power! These are the nuts and bolts of racism and racial discrimination in Malaysia that reforming Malaysians should respond to instead of the knee-jerk reaction to the racism that underpins UMNO and that has not changed ever since the umnosaurus had spots! 3. Elected Local Government: We want this third tier of government to be elected by the people and not appointed by the state governments as prizes for toadies. Again, this vital democratic demand was not in the PR manifesto and negligent "democrats" must take some of the blame for this oversight. An elected local government should go hand-in-hand with the reform to decentralize government and empower people at the local level to take charge of education, transport, housing and even community policing. 4. End Corruption Corruption in Malaysia needs to be curbed effectively through the setting up an Independent Anti-Corruption Commission answerable to parliament with the power to recommend prosecutions for all offences of corrupt practice; a Public Accounts Committee in Parliament that is chaired by an Opposition Member of Parliament and not by the ruling coalition; tighter regulation to prevent money laundering and the outflow of illicit money; eliminating opportunities for corruption by proscribing the "revolving door" opportunities between the civil/armed services and the private sector; ensuring the government ministry/department head accounts for every discrepancy in the annual Auditor-general's report and pays for any negligence or corruption involved; open tendering all privatised projects, and for all wakil rakyat and heads of civil and armed services to declare their assets and those of their family's. 5. Uphold the Rule of Law The rule of law ensures that laws are enforced impartially and there is full protection of human rights, especially for minorities. This requires the existence of an independent judiciary, an impartial Civil Service, and an incorruptible police force. The BN government has often confused the rule of law with rule BY law, in which the law is a mere tool for the government that suppresses in a legalistic fashion. Good governance to uphold the rule of law requires repealing all laws that allow torture, whipping, detention-without-trial and incommunicado detention; abolishing the death penalty in Malaysia; ratifying the International Covenants on Civil and Political Rights and on Economic, Social & Cultural Rights, the Convention against Torture and the Convention on Refugees; implementing the Independent Police Complaints Committee (IPCMC); establishing a law reform commission to restore the independence of the judiciary; reviewing the Federal Constitution and all laws that are unjust and violate human rights, and resolve the conflict of jurisdiction between civil and syariah laws; establishing a Royal Commission of Inquiry to solve once and for all the problem of citizenship for Malaysians, their foreign spouses as well as the problem of undocumented migrants in the country; ensuring social justice for lesbians, gays, bisexuals and transgenders (LGBT). 6. Human rights of women, workers and indigenous peoples: Good governance requires respect for women's human rights and dignity including incorporating the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women (CEDAW) and its provisions into national law; reviewing and amending all laws and constitutional provisions that discriminate on the basis of gender; confronting sexism and prejudice based on gender stereotypes; equal pay for women holding similar posts as men; ensuring through competent national tribunals and other public institutions the effective protection of women against any act of discrimination. Workers' rights must be recognized by ensuring labour laws are compatible with the International Labour Organisation (ILO) Convention; encouraging and promoting workers' unionisation; legislating a progressive guaranteed minimum wage for all workers, including foreign workers; abolishing the Contractor for Labour System and restoring direct two-party employment relationship between principal/owners of workplaces and the workers that work therein; ensuring all workers are employed as permanent employees who enjoy all benefits, including maternity rights and an extended retirement age. Recognise the right of the Orang Asal to self-determination, sustainable development and protect the native customary rights of the Orang Asal to their traditional lands and territories. 7. Freedoms of expression, assembly and association: Full participation in a democratic society requires the freedoms of expression, assembly and association to prevail. The freedom of expression and information cannot prevail until we abolish the Sedition Act, the Official Secrets Act and the Film Censorship Act; enact a Freedom of Information (FoI) Act at federal and state levels which is reflective of the peoples' right to know, with the public interest as the overriding principle; prevent the monopoly of ownership and control of the press and broadcasting stations by political parties or corporate bodies. Media organs paid for by tax payers – including RTM and Selangor Times - must be independent and not be used as propaganda organs of the ruling coalitions. Good governance relating to the freedoms of assembly & association entails repealing the Police Act, the Societies Act, the Universities & University Colleges Act, Peaceful Assembly Act 2011 and other relevant laws which restrict these fundamental freedoms, and granting students of voting age the full freedoms enjoyed by other Malaysian citizens. These were some of the fundamental demands of the Malaysian civil society in the GE13 together with those for a progressive economic, fiscal, defence, energy, environmental, educational, social and cultural policies. The BN and PR coalitions would do well to note what Malaysians want in the 13th general election. |
APA LAGI CINA MAHU? – A Chinese Responds Posted: 12 May 2013 12:12 PM PDT
For Malays to need UMNO or any protection, the Malays must feel vulnerable or weak. Obviously if the Malays were strong, they would need no such protection. Ng Chak Ngoon IRRELEVANCE "Apa lagi Cina mahu?" is a question asked by UMNOputras based on the tacit assumption that they have the divine right to rule, and that if they are not returned to power, there must be something wrong with the electorate. Hence the question: "What more do you want?!" being asked, perhaps in real or mock exasperation. The implication of this question is that the Chinese have already been given so much and yet they are still asking for more. Therefore, the Chinese must be greedy. As Chinese, I am offended by the arrogance in that question. We should not mistake it for the slightly differently worded but very different question of "Apa Cina mahu?" If anyone, it should be the Malays who voted against UMNO who should be asked this "Apa Lagi" question. They obviously include the most educated who have benefited from the NEP by way of scholarships abroad, contracts and promotions. THE BN STRATEGY
Instead of mulling over that question, we as Malaysians, Malays or non-Malays, should be asking "Apa masaalah Malaysia?", "What is wrong with Malaysia?" so that we can arrive at the answer and therefore the possible solutions. To my mind, the essence of Malaysia's problems is that this country has been ruled by kleptomaniacs nurturing a racial divide to keep themselves in power for more than 50 years. Let us try to understand how BN has been doing it. UMNO tells the Malays that if not for UMNO, Malays would be overwhelmed by the non-Malays ignoring the fact that Malays form the majority in this country, and that in a democracy the majority rules. If UMNO loses power, the Malays do not lose power. It is only a change of government in which Malays will still predominate. Mathematics of racial composition demands it. At the same time UMNO periodically threatens the non-Malays with bellicose statements and acts such as imposing unnecessary constraints on the Chinese and Indian communities simply to remind them that they need MCA and MIC, effectively UMNO's goons, to protect them from UMNO. This is classic protection racket except that is has been given the racial slant. It has worked well. It keeps the country divided so that the UMNOputras, MCAputras, MICputras, and other BNputras can retain power to continue stealing the country's wealth. HOW IT WORKS
The myth that UMNO propagates may be summarized this way: The Malays need help and only UMNO can help them. Without UMNO, the Malays would be overwhelmed by the non-Malays, especially the Chinese. Therefore, the Malays must support UMNO to save themselves. For Malays to need UMNO or any protection, the Malays must feel vulnerable or weak. Obviously if the Malays were strong, they would need no such protection. Therefore, for UMNO to remain relevant to the Malays, Malays must remain weak, and UMNO has been striving to keep Malays weak. UMNO keeps Malays weak by making them economically vulnerable, i.e. poor, so that they will always depend on UMNO, for handouts and other benefits. UMNO keeps Malays poor by restricting the majority of Malays to learning only one language, Bahasa Melayu, the Malay language. Equipped with only Bahasa, the Malays are trapped within UMNO's patronage system in at least two ways. Firstly, a Malay finds it impossible or at least very difficult to acquire the skills needed to compete with others when almost all new technology comes in some other language. That is why Malay graduates educated in local institutions of higher learning are mostly employed in government service and GLCs. The benefit to UMNO is that these Malays are completely under UMNO's control to become UMNO's "safe deposit". The ability to trace every ballot paper to its voter is part of this control. Only those Malays who have learnt enough English are equipped to compete with others and can venture into the private sector. This is the segment of the Malay community that now rejects UMNO. Secondly, when most Malays can only understand Bahasa Melayu, they can receive only information via the UMNO-controlled media: radio, television, and local Malay newspapers. All other sources of information are effectively cut off. Restricted to a one-food diet which shapes their world view and attitudes, these Malays can be manipulated in any way that UMNO wants. These are the two reasons why UMNO is so adamant in retaining Bahasa as the sole medium of instruction despite the negative impacts on the Malay community; it is the lock that guards UMNO's safe deposit of loyal supporters. The Malay community is now split in two: UMNO's safe deposit and the enlightened Malays. The former consists of those who know only their own language, are generally poorer and therefore dependent on UMNO handouts. They are captives within the UMNO economic and propaganda domain. The other segment consists of enlightened Malays, mostly English literate, independent of UMNO's patronage, often internet savvy and therefore well informed. Wise to UMNOputras' chicanery, they tend to be the most critical of UMNO. The gradual decline of UMNO can be inversely correlated with the increase of this segment of the Malay community. WHAT DO THE CHINESE WANT?
Essentially all the Chinese in Malaysia want is to be part of this country or at the very least left alone to prosper. Instead, under the guise of NEP, Chinese have been excluded from certain economic sectors, and in extreme cases, robbed off successful businesses and substantial properties. For the ordinary Chinese, opportunities for higher education in local institutions have been limited. An average Chinese family has to come up with anywhere from tens to hundreds of thousands ringgit for each kid to go through college, depending on the route taken. Do I need to go on with this list of grievances? These problems created by UMNO are felt by the Chinese and other non-Malays at very personal levels. Is it any wonder that we detest UMNO? But even without inflicting these sufferings on the non-Malays, BNputras are a bunch of crooks who would be booted out of government in any practicing democracy. Therefore, what the Chinese want is no more than what many enlightened Malays also want: NO MORE UMNO. |
New voter who voted twice on 5th May 2013 to prove a point Posted: 12 May 2013 12:10 PM PDT
BUKTI KUKUH PENIPUAN SPR! bacalah, laporan POLIS pun sudah di buat, seorang ANAK MUDA mengundi 2 kali dalam 1 masa di kuantan, oleh kerana beliau tidak mahu bersetongkol dengan kerajaan 46% BN, maka ini jawapan beliau.. SPR telus ke? Malaysia Flip Flop "Saya Mohd Fadhli bin Khaharruddin, membuat laporan mengenai daftar undi yang membolehkan saya mengundi sebanyak 2 kali di pusat mengundi SK Sungai Isap, Saluran 4. Saya mendaftar undi pertama saya pada pukul 10.30 pagi dan undi kedua pada pukul 1.15 petang. Sewaktu undi ke-2 saya tidak membuang undi tetapi berhasrat menyimpan kertas undi dan no saluran sebagai bukti bahawa prosedur dan kredibiliti SPR yang lemah, seperti dakwat yang tidak kekal dan kebolehan mendaftar 2 kali, tetapi tidak dibenarkan oleh KTM pusat saluran 4. Repot ini dibuat untuk mengelak daripada didakwa mempermainkan sistem pilihanraya. Sekian."Draf diatas sudah cukup ringkas menceritakan apa yang berlaku. Disini saya ingin menjelaskan secara teliti untuk menempis tohmahan buah mulut khabar angin liar.
Selesai mengundi buat kali pertama, saya pulang ke rumah dengan niat untuk makan tengahari, saya basuh tangan menggunakan sabun mandi(jenama tidak pasti) dan saya dapati dakwat kekal luntur dijari telunjuk tangan kiri kesannya berpindah ke tangan kanan dalam keadaan comot. Saya cuba menggunakan peluntur (Depex) yang terdapat didalam tandas untuk hilangkan saki baki comot pada kedua-dua belah tangan. Terbukti, jari kiri saya bersih tanpa ada kesan dakwat kekal.
Saya mencari penyelesaian di internet dan media sosial menjumpai banyak lagi kes sama berlaku di serata Malaysia. Hal ini membawa kemusykilan kerana isu dakwat ini telah dibincang sejak 2008 hingga 2013 dan badan Suruhanjaya Pilihanraya Malaysia (SPR) secara jelas mendakwa dakwat kekal dapat bertahan 5- 7 hari walaupun dibasuh menggunakan medium berbeza. Saya mengambil keputusan tanpa apa-apa perancangan untuk cuba mengundi buat kali ke-2 pada pukul 1.15 petang. Barisan daftar undi tidak seramai seperti pagi. Saya beratur pada pusat mengundi yang sama, saluran yang sama seperti pada pengundian pertama waktu pagi. Semasa dipanggil untuk daftar undi oleh kerani pengundian,saya ikut prosedur sama; tunjukkan kad pengenalan, jari dicalit dakwat kekal,dan penerimaan kertas undi. Saya berjaya melepasi prosedur yang sama tanpa sebarang masalah! Read more at: http://malaysiaflipflop.blogspot.com/2013/05/new-voter-who-voted-twice-on-5th-may.html |
EC may have problems re-delineating new seats in PR states Posted: 12 May 2013 12:05 PM PDT
(The Sun Daily) - The Election Commission (EC) may find itself faced with obstacles when it gets to the task of re-delineating the electoral constituencies. This will especially be so in Penang, Kelantan and Selangor where Pakatan Rakyat (PR) not only controls but holds two-thirds majority after the recent general election. Under Article 113 of the Federal Constitution, the EC has to review the division of federal and state constituencies, and recommend changes as necessary every eight to 10 years. The last re-delineation exercise was conducted in 2003, making this year the deadline for a review of the 222 parliamentary and 505 state constituencies. The re-delineation process requires either a simple majority in the respective legislative assemblies to approve the recommendations (if there is to be no change to the number of seats) or a two-thirds majority if there is to be an increase in the number of seats. If the states do not consent, the constituencies will remain unchanged. Barisan Nasional has two-thirds majority only in Perlis, Malacca, Johor, Sabah and Sarawak. In Penang, Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng told a press conference yesterday said any redelineation exercise which does not uphold the "one-person-one-vote" principle is a no-go for the PR government. He said the upcoming redelineation exercise must emphasise this value, and PR will not agree to any new delineation of constituencies at the parliamentary or state level if the precept is not upheld. The disparity between votes and seats won has led critics to allege gerrymandering, the practice of creating partisan-advantaged constituencies, as the cause for the inequality. Several quarters have called for a more equal representation in the constituencies, and for equal weightage in votes between rural and urban seats. The Malaysian Bar has also called on the EC to give effect to "as equal as possible" a representation in each seat, whether parliament or state. Bar Council president Christopher Leong said the process must be underpinned by principles of equality. "A delineation exercise must be conducted with the objective to achieve equality, and equal representation as far as possible. "It must not be lopsided, where an MP of one constituency represents 100,000 people while another speaks for only 15,000 people," he said. Some parliamentary constituencies, like Kapar in Selangor and Gelang Patah in Johor, have over 100,000 voters while the smallest seat is Putrajaya with 15,000 voters. Leong added that while urban constituencies will have more people due to economic opportunities, this does not mean depriving urbanites of a fair voice in the legislative assemblies. |
There for the taking Posted: 12 May 2013 11:57 AM PDT
(NST) - If paedophiles knew they could get away with having sex with children just by offering to marry them once they are damaged, then, all children are in danger of these sexual predators, who would take greater risks, because legal precedent would be on their side. The law must protect children from rape, not marry them off to rapists AN advanced civilisation can be measured on how well it protects its children. But, based on an incident that occurred in the Kota Kinabalu Sessions Court last week, the legal system could set this country back half a century. A 40-year-old manager, who had been charged with raping a 13-year-old schoolgirl, had the charge dropped when he decided to marry the girl he had allegedly raped, and the girl accepted his offer. Subsequently, the girl withdrew her accusation against the man, leading the public prosecutor's office to "have no objections" to dropping the charge. The man and the girl are reportedly in the process of getting married in the syariah court. From a societal point of view, it is understandable that the girl's parents may want to marry her off, because in the paternalistic and chauvinistic culture that is still Malaysia, great value is placed on a woman's virtue. To have been robbed of that virtue, even if through no fault of her own, places less value on her worth. Although this idea of a girl or woman being seen as goods that are either brand new or slightly used is deplorable, it is a mindset that has yet to change. From the prosecutor's point of view, it is very difficult to continue with the prosecution if the complainant refuses to cooperate. It might even be seen as an act of compassion to not force the girl through the trial process, especially if the girl is convinced she would have a better life without it. It is unclear whether the alleged rape in question was on account of the girl being underage, or whether the two were a couple. In any case, the issue of consent cannot come into play, since the law says that girls under the age of 16 are incapable of giving consent or understanding the nature of what they are consenting to. Either way, the solution that has been arrived at does nothing to protect children, and girls in particular. If paedophiles knew they could get away with having sex with children just by offering to marry them once they are damaged, then, all children are in danger of these sexual predators, who would take greater risks, because legal precedent would be on their side. And if a girl fancied a sexual relationship with an older man, it doesn't take much to legalise it. An underage Muslim girl cannot get married without the syariah court's consent. But, if the court's understanding of a solution involves covering the shame and reducing the chances of further sin, then, the last gatekeeper falls. When society, parents, prosecutors, judges and courts are complicit in marrying off children, what hope is there that these children's bodies and future will be respected and protected? |
Battle begins for a bruised but wealthy MCA Posted: 12 May 2013 11:53 AM PDT
(fz.com) - After a disastrous general election outing, the posturing for control of MCA has begun as the party heads for internal polls that begin in June. MCA president Datuk Seri Dr Chua Soi Lek has resisted calls for his immediate resignation, insisting that he still has "loose ends" to tie up after MCA's most devastating general election. On Saturday, MCA's presidential council unanimously decided that it would commence party elections in June starting with branch level polls and leading up to the national level contest for the party's top jobs by October. Already, three main factions are moving into place to take control of the central committee and the party's powerful positions. At present, one faction consists of MCA deputy president Datuk Seri Liow Tiong Lai's supporters. This group feels strongly that Chua should step down immediately to let Liow take over the mantle. The personable Liow is seen as a more acceptable face for MCA, some say. Party veterans and workers have noted that it was an uphill climb for MCA to showcase its candidates for the general election campaign as the party had been tainted by the memory of Chua's sex video scandal in early 2008. A second faction consists of supporters of former MCA president Datuk Seri Ong Tee Keat, led by MCA vice-president Gan Ping Sieu. Ong's faction is calling for immediate party polls where the former Transport Minister is expected to go head-to-head with Liow for the party's top job. In the last MCA leadership crisis, Ong and Chua were engaged in a bitter spat that ended with Chua defeating Ong and former MCA president Tan Sri Ong Ka Ting for the presidency. Tee Keat is said to be waiting to make a comeback after Chua's intervention caused Tee Keat to be dropped from defending his Pandan parliamentary seat. Barisan Nasional's candidate Garry Lim, a local leader chosen by Chua himself, lost the bid to PKR strategy director Rafizi Ramli. Gan too was unexpectedly not fielded to contest the Kluang parliamentary seat. Instead, MCA's Datuk Dr Hou Kok Chung contested the Johor seat but lost to DAP's Liew Chin Tong. The third faction of Chua's loyalists is led by secretary-general Datuk Seri Kong Cho Ha. This faction is backing Chua to stay on in the presidency during the party's tumultuous post-general election period. It is understood that this group is hoping to buy some time to re-group after the general election. Read more at: http://www.fz.com/content/battle-begins-bruised-wealthy-mca |
Ex-judge warns Chinese of Malay backlash for betrayal against BN Posted: 11 May 2013 11:24 PM PDT
Clara Chooi, TMI Former Court of Appeal judge Datuk Mohd Noor Abdullah today warned the Chinese community to prepare for a backlash from the Malays for their alleged "betrayal" against the ruling Barisan Nasional (BN) in Election 2013. At a forum this afternoon, the high-ranking judge reportedly accused the Chinese of plotting to "seize political power" from the Malays, despite already having benefited economically from the "Malay's hand of friendship". "For the Malays, the 'pantang larang' (taboo) is to be betrayed, because when they are betrayed, they will react and when they react, their dendam kesumat tidak tersudah-sudah (wrath will be endless). "When Malays are betrayed, there is a backlash and the Chinese must bear the consequences of a Malay backlash," he was quoted as saying on independent news portal Malaysiakini today at the forum titled "GE13 post-mortem: Muslim leadership and survival" organised by the UiTM Malaysia Alumni Association and Gabungan Melayu Semenanjung. To stress his position, Mohd Noor, who currently sits on the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) complaints committee, said the Malays have always been on the defensive but if the community were to move to the offensive, they should demand for the creation of more Malay rights, including larger reserve lands and a higher Bumiputera equity target. "The nice term would be called 're-organising society' but the crude term would be for Malays to emigrate into the cities so that we will own the houses together with others and not only be able to just look at them." "Arrange it in such away, that from today on, every businesses would have a 67 percent share ready for Malays to be taken up at any time," he was quoted saying. Post-Election 2013 has seen scores of BN and BN-friendly leaders take pot shots at the Chinese community for their clear backing of federal opposition Pakatan Rakyat (PR) during the tumultuous polls last week. But while they argue that it had been a "Chinese tsunami" that had cost BN to bleed seats, analysts and PR leaders have denied this, pointing to the 51 per cent in popular vote that the opposition had won against BN's 48 per cent. Instead, they have argued that the vote trend did not reflect a Chinese vs Malay contest but rather an urban vs rural divide that has resulted in the emergence of two Malaysias. Umno-owned daily Utusan Malaysia has been pushing the view that the election results had been because the Chinese had voted against BN, publishing daily news and editorials to expound this point, which has been backed by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak. After its controversial "Apa lagi Cina mahu (What more do the Chinese want?)" headline earlier this week, the paper continued again today to question Chinese voters over their switch from BN to PR in last week's polls, claiming that they had been cheated by DAP, which it labelled as the country's "most racist party". The Umno-linked daily's editors wrote today that most of the Chinese community had rejected BN in Election 2008 despite controlling the country's economy and purportedly being the richest ethnic group in Malaysia. "In the 13th GE, the Chinese community once again chose to trust DAP more, which plays up thick racial sentiments. The Chinese tsunami is larger this time," the editors going by the name of Awang Selamat wrote in a weekly analysis carried in the paper's weekend edition Mingguan Malaysia. "As far as Awang knows, the Chinese are not easily fooled repeatedly. But why allow themselves to be cheated by DAP that is the most racist party," the editors wrote. They further claimed that the Chinese community appeared to be giving their blessings for the "extremism" displayed by DAP leaders, alleging that some Chinese employers had threatened their staff to support DAP. READ MORE HERE |
Karpal Singh issues quit threat if DAP joins forces with Barisan Nasional Posted: 11 May 2013 10:55 PM PDT
(THE STAR/ASIA NEWS NETWORK) - Democratic Action Party chairman Karpal Singh said he would leave the party if it were to join Barisan Nasional. "Joining Barisan is completely out of the question. I'll be the first to walk out if that happens, and I'm sure 100 per cent of party members will walk out with me," he said. However, Mr Karpal said DAP was prepared to work with Barisan if the ruling coalition was willing to fully accept the opposition Pakatan Rakyat's election manifesto. "(DAP adviser) Lim Kit Siang said it would be better if Barisan joins Pakatan. "We can work with Barisan, only if they accept the Pakatan manifesto, then we will give serious consideration (to collaborate)," he said in his speech at a DAP conference attended by its elected representatives. Former Information Minister Tan Sri Zainuddin Maidin had suggested in his blog that DAP should join Barisan to represent the Chinese community. Penang Chief Minister and party secretary-general Lim Guan Eng said the DAP would never join Barisan due to differing principles. "We have our ideals and principles. If we wanted to have positions and join Barisan, we could've been ministers a long time ago instead of crawling in prison," he said in his speech. Mr Lim Guan Eng said the party's central executive committee had endorsed Parti Keadilan Rakyat leader Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim as the opposition leader for the current parliamentary term. |
Don't be childish, ex-aide tells Anwar Posted: 11 May 2013 07:49 PM PDT
(Asia One) - Anuar Shaari has dared his former boss, Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, to challenge the election result in Permatang Pauh first if he was still persistent in questioning the validity of the 13th General Election. Anuar said the opposition leader was being "immature" by questioning the election results, which saw the opposition pact win additional seats. "I feel that he is being pathetic by throwing tantrums in front of his supporters in Kelana Jaya stadium." Anuar said if Anwar wanted to prove that the claims of electoral fraud were true, then he should question the election result in Permatang Pauh first. "If he is truly convinced that there is electoral fraud, why not challenge the election results in Permatang Pauh and do a recount before stepping onto other people's territories? "In fact, if he had won the Permatang Pauh seat this time when the election is rigged, then the winner for Permatang Pauh must have been Dr Mazlan Ismail from Barisan Nasional." He challenged Anwar to come back to Permatang Pauh to conduct a recount of the ballot and determine who the real winner was. "I request the help of the Election Commission on this matter. It is time Anwar faced the fact that the people are not going to pick him as the next prime minister. "He has lost the support of the Malays and it is about time for him and his supporters to start behaving like adults." Anuar was echoing the sentiments of Mazlan, who on Friday had also challenged Anwar to back up his claims that the election results were fraudulent by first agreeing to a recount in Permatang Pauh. Mazlan had hit out at Anwar, saying the de facto PKR leader was practising double standards by questioning the election results while keeping silent about Permatang Pauh. "We are talking about the same Election Commission and the same electoral system, but Anwar did not dispute the results in Permatang Pauh because he won the seat," Mazlan had said. |
After polls, ousted PAS conservative moots merger again with Umno Posted: 11 May 2013 07:27 PM PDT
Clara Chooi, TMI National reconciliation post-Election 2013 must begin with the Malays first, maverick PAS politician Nasharuddin Mat Isa said today as he moved again to revive unity talks between the Islamist party and ruling Umno. The PAS conservative, who was edged out by the party's progressives during thei 2011 internal polls, insisted that negotiation to unite both warring Malay-centric parties must be continued for the sake of strengthening Islam and the position of the Malay race in the country. "To me, the unity of PAS and Uno must be a continuing agenda. I only cannot accept it when what is being pursued in the unity between PAS and Umno, there are those who say their face should be spat on.... what religious teaching is this?" he was quoted saying by state news agency Bernama today. Nasharuddin (picture), the prime mover behind the early talks of a possible unity government between PAS and Umno, reportedly added that the difference of views between the two parties were not important as both struggles are founded on the pursuit of protecting Islam and Malay rights. "The question is whether we should wait for complete destruction before we speak of consolidation, like elsewhere in the Muslim world. "After destruction, it comes back to 'ground zero' and only then, there is awareness of the need for unity," he was quoted as saying in Bernama. Nasharuddin, who was left out of the recent polls race, added that from his experience, "not all in Umno are demons, and not all in PAS are angels." READ MORE HERE |
Gerakan must pullout now from BN Posted: 11 May 2013 06:56 PM PDT
A former Gerakan official has also urged premier Najib Tun Razak not to appoint "backdoor" ministers and deputies. Humayun Kabir, FMT Gerakan leaders must pull the party out of the Barisan Nasional coalition and form a third front if it is to be relevant in the 14th general election. In making the call former Gerakan national youth vice chief S Paranjothy, also urged party leaders to stop playing second fiddle to Umno's divide and rule policy. He said the current "dead-wood" party leaders were nothing more than "yes-men" to Umno and must be replaced with a new mindset. Paranjothi said it was vital now for the party to enage new young dynamic leaders who can guide the political direction for "a the nation for all Malaysians", which he added was what the younger generation had advocated in the recently concluded polls. "Stop being subservient to Umno and walk out from BN to regain our lost party pride otherwise we will become permanently irrelevant. "The present leaders are only being `yes men' to Umno's racist policies to safeguard their own personal interests instead of looking after the welfare of the party and its members," said Paranjothi. He said Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak must also stop selecting BN candidates who have "lost in the general elections as senators and make them backdoor ministers and deputy ministers." "Where is the political pride of BN in selecting such political rejects which will only anger the voters further and move them closer to the opposition. "There is a wide talent of good leaders with quality merits who can be selected for the posts instead of those who have been rejected by the voters," opined the Gerakan leader who is also the party's Taman Ehsan branch chief. Paranjothi said it was obvious that the party leadership had not learned from the 2008 political tsunami but had instead clung on to the old mindset that had greatly diverted from the original political path set by the party founders in March 1968. Gerakan can be relevant He argued that racist parties such as MCA and MIC are a dying breed in the present political scenario but Gerakan being a multi-racial party could reform itself to form the third front to attract all the younger generations. READ MORE HERE |
Racism Posted: 11 May 2013 06:21 PM PDT
Racism is usually defined as views, practices and actions reflecting the belief that humanity is divided into distinct biological groups called races and that members of a certain race share certain attributes which make that group as a whole less desirable, more desirable, inferior or superior. NO HOLDS BARRED Raja Petra Kamarudin The word 'racism' is currently being very freely used to describe what happened last Sunday. DAP accuses Umno of being racist while Umno accuses DAP of the same thing. The problem is some of these people do not understand what the word 'racism' means. In fact, many Chinese readers have accused me of being a racist mainly because they do not understand what the word means. Maybe this is because there is no equivalent word in Chinese -- as there is none in Bahasa Malaysia as well. What is the Bahasa Malaysia word for racist anyway (other than 'rasis')? (Utusan Malaysia, 12 May 2013) -- UMNO bukan parti rasis – PM: Perdana Menteri, Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak menegaskan, UMNO bukan parti rasis kerana ia sentiasa memberi keadilan kepada rakyat tanpa mengira kaum di negara ini. Many people are confused about the meaning of racism (the belief that race accounts for differences in human character or ability and that a particular race is superior to others -- or discrimination/prejudice based on race), parochialism (narrowly restricted in scope or outlook such as provincial) and nationalism (devotion to the interests or culture of one's nation). For example, during World War II, the Americans thought that Japanese pilots would never be able to beat American pilots because of the way the Japanese are 'built'. Due to their short body and slit eyes, they make poor pilots. Or so the Americans thought until the Japanese whacked them good and proper. This would be racism. The Americans considered the Japanese inferior to the 'whites' because the Japanese were not built like the 'whites'. For a long time, the European Christians (plus the Vatican) considered the natives of the Americas, in particular those of Latin America, as not human -- a sort of animal on two legs that could talk. Hence it was not wrong to kill the Native Americans (or what they used to call the American Indians) because these people, just like animals, do not have a soul. You only need to look into the eyes of the American Indian to know that they do not have a soul, said the Pope in Rome. And this, too, was why it was considered okay to capture and sell the black Africans as slaves and kill them like pigs if they resisted or tried to escape. It is because they are not white so that would mean they are not really human beings. Now, what happens if Kelantanese want a 'local' political party to rule their state (such as PAS, as opposed to Umno, which is a 'Kuala Lumpur' party)? This would not be called racism. That is parochialism. It is not that the PAS candidate is Malay while the Umno candidate is Chinese. Both are Malay. But one Malay is from a 'Kelantan' political party while the other Malay is from an 'outsider' political party. In Terengganu, if a person from Besut contests in, say, Kemaman, this Besut candidate would most likely lose. The voters may be Umno members but if the Umno candidate is from Besut while the PAS candidate is a local Kemaman chap, then there is a strong possibility that the Kemaman voters will vote PAS rather than Umno even if these voters are Umno members. Hence it is not party loyalty but the spirit of daerah (district/province) that prevails. 'Anak Kemaman' (a child of Kemaman) is more important to the Kemaman voters than keahlian Umno (Umno membership). A Chinese born in Melaka can contest in Penang or a Chinese born in Penang can contest in Johor and would most likely win because the Chinese support the party. This may not work on the Malay voters. Only in rare cases can a Malay candidate cross state boundaries (or even district boundaries) and still win. The Malay candidate who crosses boundaries must be an extremely 'strong' personality to win in another kawasan (area). But don't think that the Chinese are not sometimes parochial as well. I have known DAP to get a 'headache' because the Hakka voters insisted that the DAP candidate must be Hakka. If not then they will vote MCA (who fielded a Hakka candidate) instead of DAP. Is this racism? How can it be racism when both candidates are Chinese? The only thing is he or she must be Hakka Chinese and not a non-Hakka Chinese. As I said, there are 'exceptions to the rule', even amongst the more parochial Malays. For example, Onn Jaafar from Johor won in Kuala Terengganu and Mat Sabu from Penang won in Kelantan. Then we have Saifuddin Nasution Ismail, the PKR Sec-Gen, who was born in Singapore and yet won in both Kedah and Kelantan on a PKR and not PAS ticket (but lost this time around in Kedah against a 'local boy'). Finally, there is nationalism. Japanese will only buy Japanese products even when they travel to Singapore or Kuala Lumpur to shop. The Japanese are not racist for buying Japanese products. They are nationalistic in wanting to support Japanese industries. Some Malaysians only fly MAS even if they have to pay more or buy fuel from Petronas even if they have to drive farther to find a Petronas petrol station for the same reason. I whack the Chinese. And for that I am being called a racist. But do I think that the Chinese are not 'real' citizens of Malaysia and therefore do not deserve equal treatment or I think that the Chinese are inferior people? Far from it! In fact, I think the opposite. But I also whack the Malays (and have been doing so for a long time). So does that make me a racist when I am also Malay? A racist is supposed to be someone who discriminates or looks down on another race. You may argue that for the last two years I have not been whacking the Malays much whereas for the 20 years before that I was whacking the Malays kau-kau. Well, what more can I say about the Malays that I have not already said? I have already repeated so many times the same criticism and anything more I can say about the Malays will just be more of the same thing, which I have already said hundreds of times (yes, hundreds of times at hundreds of articles a year over the last almost twenty years since 1994). For 20 years I was never called a racist for whacking the Malays. In fact, I was called a 'towering Malay'. Only when I started whacking the Chinese am I suddenly a racist. The bottom line is you can whack your own race as much as you want, and the more the better, but you must never 'touch' the other race. In that case, should we criticise the Arab extremists for killing innocent Jewish schoolchildren when we are not Arab? Should Australians criticise the Umno Malays for what the 'whites' view as fraudulent general elections in Malaysia? You can only whack someone of your own race but not someone from another race even if there is cruelty and injustice involved. So that would mean non-Malays or foreigners should not criticise Umno or the Arabs unless you are Malay or Arab. Is that how it works? And if you do not follow this 'rule' does that make you a racist? Okay, let us now talk about the so-called Chinese Tsunami last Sunday, 5th May 2013. Never mind whether it was or was not a Chinese Tsunami. Umno says it was. DAP says it was not. However, even if it was a Chinese Tsunami, what is wrong with that? Is that racism? That is called parochialism. So you voted for your community. So what? That does not make you a racist. Let's go to another example. Would a Chinese win if he/she contested in, say, Besut? Let's say a PAS Chinese candidate born in Bagan, Penang, contested in Besut against an Umno Malay candidate born in Jertih, Terengganu. Would the PAS members in Besut vote for PAS or for Umno? Hence both PAS and Umno would not only field Malay candidates in Besut but the Malay must also be local born. Even Anwar Ibrahim may lose against a local boy like, say, Idris Jusoh. So this is not about race. This is about 'good politics'. And it is not race that decides but parochialism. And that is the same reason why Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail will never win a seat in Singapore even though she was born in Singapore and even if Singapore laws allow her to contest. She is not Singaporean. Period. Racism is foul. Parochialism is normal. Nationalism is commendable. Just don't confuse one with the other. And do not label everything as racism. If not then the 'Malay' government of Malaysia will have no business to protest if one day the US attacks China. Umno is neither Chinese nor 'white'. ************************************************ Racism is usually defined as views, practices and actions reflecting the belief that humanity is divided into distinct biological groups called races and that members of a certain race share certain attributes which make that group as a whole less desirable, more desirable, inferior or superior. The exact definition of racism is controversial both because there is little scholarly agreement about the meaning of the concept "race", and because there is also little agreement about what does and doesn't constitute discrimination. Critics argue that the term is applied differentially, with a focus on such prejudices by whites, and defining mere observations of racial differences as racism. Some definitions would have it that any assumption that a person's behaviour would be influenced by their racial categorization is racist, regardless of whether the action is intentionally harmful or pejorative. Other definitions only include consciously malignant forms of discrimination. Among the questions about how to define racism are the question of whether to include forms of discrimination that are unintentional, such as making assumptions about preferences or abilities of others based on racial stereotypes, whether to include symbolic or institutionalized forms of discrimination such as the circulation of ethnic stereotypes through the media, and whether to include the socio-political dynamics of social stratification that sometimes have a racial component. Some definitions of racism also include discriminatory behaviours and beliefs based on cultural, national, ethnic, caste, or religious stereotypes. Racism and racial discrimination are often used to describe discrimination on an ethnic or cultural basis, independent of whether these differences are described as racial. According to the United Nations convention, there is no distinction between the terms racial discrimination and ethnic discrimination, and superiority based on racial differentiation is scientifically false, morally condemnable, socially unjust and dangerous, and that there is no justification for racial discrimination, in theory or in practice, anywhere. In history, racism has been a major part of the political and ideological under-pinning of genocides such as The Holocaust, but also in colonial contexts such as the rubber booms in South America and the Congo, and in the European conquest of the Americas and colonization of Africa, Asia and Australia. It was also a driving force behind the transatlantic slave trade, and behind states based on racial segregation such as the USA in the nineteenth and early twentieth centuries and South Africa under apartheid. Practices and ideologies of racism are universally condemned by the United Nations in the Declaration of Human Rights. READ MORE HERE: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Racism |
Next Selangor MB must be all about the people - analysts Posted: 11 May 2013 03:51 PM PDT
(Malaysian Digest) - Political analysts say whoever chosen by the leadership of the opposition alliance to be the next Selangor Menteri Besar (MB)should put aside political differences and work closely with the federal government to resolve a host of issues besetting the residents in the state. Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM) senior lecturer and political analyst Assoc Prof Sivamurugan Pandian said, right now, hopes were high for Selangor residents who wanted a leader that could make decisions and policies in the best interests of the people. "I think the time has come for the next MB to work closely with the federal government to resolve long-standing issues besetting the residents in Selangor, especially the water issue. "The state government should cooperate with the federal government, irrespective of their political differences, and ensure all decisions do not burden the people," he told Bernama. The outcome of the 13th general election (GE13) showed each PAS and DAP securing 15 seats in the Selangor State Legislative Assembly, while PKR obtained 14 seats. Commenting further, Sivamurugan said the next Selangor MB had the ethical duty to give importance to the construction of the Langat 2 water treatment plant to ensure adequate supply of clean water in Kuala Lumpur, Putrajaya and Selangor until 2025. He said the MB should also hold a party post, at least at the state level, besides having sound knowledge on administration to lead the state. "The MB, as the leader of the state, should have these two criteria to ensure no one overrides him in whatever way," he said. When asked who would be the best candidate to fill the MB post, Sivamurugan said Tan Sri Abdul Khalid Ibrahim seemed to have the capability to lead the state for the second term. Abdul Khalid from PKR was first appointed as the Selangor MB on March 13, 2008. He is also the first person among the opposition leaders to be appointed as Selangor MB. All 13 previous ones were from Umno, a major component party of the BN. Meanwhile, another political analyst and media consultant, Anbumani Balan, said Selangor residents needed a dedicated menteri besar to serve them and to ensure sustainable development for the state. "Selangor is an important state and very much close to Kuala Lumpur and Putrajaya and whoever chosen as the next menteri besar should avoid harping on the same issues arose in previous administration," he said. Anbumani said the new MB must also engage everyone, including BN component party leaders, NGOs and residents, in the decision-making process. "Whoever chosen as the next menteri besar must not only be liked by the three parties in the opposition alliance, but by all in general," he said. Anbumani also believed that 'proxy war' was taking place with regards to the MB post issue and this could be dangerous if prolonged. "The opposition alliance leadership in Selangor should make a firm and bold decision on the selection of menteri besar, taking into account the strong mandate given by the people to them in the general election," he said. The polemic about who should be appointed as the next Selangor MB has been hotly debated by the opposition alliance party leaders as no final decision has been made to date. |
‘Utusan’ questions Chinese vote, claims ‘racist’ DAP lied Posted: 11 May 2013 03:43 PM PDT ![](https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/blogger_img_proxy/AEn0k_tZlVNpGF8gspGPZhBjwlItqV-sctyB-M5BiVc4fkWjxCuD84WBIF87fmh39zr4W-knJbCJGgcZuWZA-b9RkNYHBQl92E6OJ95ozibLWtXkcQqJ7Q0my9yJQQ=s0-d)
Ida lim, The Malaysian Insider Utusan Malaysia has continued to question Chinese voters over their switch from Barisan Nasional (BN) to Pakatan Rakyat (PR) in last week's polls, claiming that they had been cheated by DAP, which it labelled as the country's "most racist party". The Umno-linked daily's editors wrote today that most of the Chinese community had rejected BN in Election 2008 despite controlling the country's economy and purportedly being the richest ethnic group in Malaysia. "In the 13th GE, the Chinese community once again chose to trust DAP more, which plays up thick racial sentiments. The Chinese tsunami is larger this time," the editors going by the name of Awang Selamat wrote in a weekly analysis carried in the paper's weekend edition Mingguan Malaysia. "As far as Awang knows, the Chinese are not easily fooled repeatedly. "But why allow themselves to be cheated by DAP that is the most racist party," the editors wrote. They further claimed that the Chinese community appeared to be giving their blessings for the "extremism" displayed by DAP leaders, alleging that some Chinese employers had threatened their staff to support DAP. It said that many Chinese businessmen, including those who had benefitted from government contracts, had allegedly funded the PR to bring about the fall of the BN government. It went on to say that the Chinese community had supported "illegal" rallies protesting against the polls results, while saying that Chinese youths had followed the DAP leaders in throwing insults. "Hakikatnya, (the truth is), DAP won many parliamentary seats but still continued to carry out various provocations. So the question what more do the Chinese want, is relevant although kurang disenangi (it was not well received)," the paper said in reference to its headline earlier this week. Utusan had, on Tuesday, front-paged the incendiary headline titled "Apa lagi yang Cina mahu?" (What more do the Chinese want?) in an attempt to shape the elections outcome as a Malay versus Chinese vote. In a separate opinion piece titled "Mengurus tsunami Cina PRU-13" (Managing the GE-13 Chinese tsunami), Zulkefli Hamzah today wrote that Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak had attempted to win over the Chinese community and reverse their lack of support in 2008 by "giving them anything that they asked for". "His hope is for the Chinese voters to return to BN. "But that did not happen and it was even worse. Imagine the disappointment of BN, especially the prime minister. So he is qualified to express his disappointment by describing what had happened as a Chinese tsunami," Zulkefli wrote in justifying Najib's choice of words after last Sunday's polls. Najib had used the term "Chinese tsunami" after the results showed that the BN retained power but had its worst showing in elections, winning only 133 federal seats after it ceded an additional seven seats to PR. Mingguan Malaysia also featured an opinion piece by columnist Baharom Mahusin, who wrote that the Chinese community is no longer the "kingmaker" in the country's polls. "The Chinese are not the kingmaker in Malaysian politics because BN still rules the country without their support, but racial relations after GE13 will enter a new suasana (environment). "The voting patterns in GE13 that are racial in nature - that was mirrored in the Chinese tsunami - should strengthen BN's iltizam (will) and courage to carry out affirmative policies for the Malays, Bumiputeras in Sabah and Sarawak as well as the Indians that are far behind economically," he wrote when putting forth a few lessons learnt from last Sunday's polls. READ MORE HERE |
Azmin-Syed Husin spat causes furor over Twitter Posted: 11 May 2013 02:59 PM PDT
(The Star) - An online spat between PKR deputy president Azmin Ali and his predecessor Dr Syed Husin Ali has created a flurry of reaction from party supporters who have appealed to them to stop it. Syed Husin sent a tweet to Azmin following the latter's recent slew of press conferences over party matters and appointment of the Selangor Mentri Besar. Syed Husin questioned why Azmin went to the media and said this would only cause Umno to "dance for joy". He noted that Azmin might have had a misstep, adding that his action and statement could affect the party's credibility. Azmin responded with two tweets, telling Syed Husin to stop the hypocrisy; claiming that it was a question of credibility only if it affected others but not himself (Syed Husin). In the second tweet, Azmin told Syed Husin that he, too, knew what was going on and claimed that the former PKR deputy president had also sent a tweet "attacking" party leader Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim for not choosing his relative. The war of words between the two, prompted various reactions from party supporters including user @syamrin81 who tweeted to the two of them not to take their fight to Twitter but to handle it internally. "Do not use the tweet ammunition. Show your maturity. Think of it as a fight between a husband and wife. YB Azmin, you are an admirable leader." @hanifwahid concurred, stating: "Is there not a dressing room to discuss all of this?" Another user @HussainMohdAmin told the duo that it was enough and advised Syed Husin to take a break and Azmin to be patient. "Penat sgt tu. Sabar la jika x dpt jd MB. Lain kali cube lg (Tiring. Be patient if you do not become a mentri besar. Try again next time," he tweeted. User @eddyquay said Azmin should be left alone as it was his prerogative to make any comments. Another, @PakcikJoe told Azmin and Syed Husin to take the chill pill. "Relax la...rakyat br nak bersatu yg korang dok berebut jawatan ni dah kenape ? ptt la x menang federal (Relax. The people are just about to be united. Why are you all fighting for positions? No wonder (the party) did not win federal (government)." |
21 Malaysians held for Merlion Park protest Posted: 11 May 2013 02:46 PM PDT
(TMI) - Singaporean authorities yesterday arrested 21 Malaysians for staging a protest at the Merlion Park against the outcome of last Sunday's Malaysian general election, the Straits Times reported today. In a statement last night, the police said that "while foreigners are allowed to work or live here, they have to abide by our laws", said the report. "They should not import their domestic issues from their countries into Singapore and conduct activities which can disturb public order, as there can be groups with opposing views. Those who break the law will be seriously dealt with." The protestors were reported to be mostly young people, with many dressed in black, the protest colour of Malaysia's opposition Pakatan Rakyat coalition. Before the arrests, some of those in the group posed for pictures with the Merlion as the backdrop. Last week, the police warned nine Malaysians for "actively participating" in an illegal gathering at Merlion Park on Wednesday, when about 100 people went to protest against the Malaysian election results. Last Friday, the police said the work and visit passes of the nine were being reviewed by the authorities, and their employers would be informed. A second protest had been planned for yesterday, but its organiser cancelled it after being advised to do so by the police. The report also mentioned the police reminding migrant worker rights activist Jolovan Wham of his responsibilities as organiser of a Speakers' Corner demonstration today, which is also related to the Malaysian general election. He has been told to take appropriate measures to ensure that the event complies with Singapore laws, said the Straits Times. |
High Commissioner: Merlion Park protestors should face consequences Posted: 11 May 2013 02:38 PM PDT
(Bernama) - The protest in Singapore is illegal and those who knowingly organised and participated in such an illegal activity should face the consequences, says Malaysia High Commissioner to Singapore Datuk Md Hussin Nayan. "I hope Malaysians working or studying in Singapore will reflect more on their situation before acting illegally," he told Bernama when contacted here. Md Hussin was responding on reports of the arrest of 21 Malaysians in the republic on Saturday. According to media reports, Singapore police arrested 21 Malaysians after they were caught staging a protest at Merlion Park, here. The arrest came after warnings were issued to nine Malaysians for "actively participating in the illegal gathering" at Merlion Park on Wednesday, where a crowd of about 100 people had gathered to protest against the recent Malaysian election results. Md Hussin said Malaysians should learn to appreciate the positive aspects of life in their host country and return to contribute to the national reconciliation process in Malaysia after the 13th general election. "Extremist and emotional reactions have no place in building a stable, prosperous and peaceful Malaysia," he added. Singapore police had earlier reiterated that such gatherings were against Singapore's laws, while foreigners who were allowed to work or live here, would have to abide by the republic's laws. "They should not import their domestic issues from their countries into Singapore and conduct activities which could disturb public order, as there can be groups with opposing views. "Those who break the law will be seriously dealt with." |
Berapa Lama dan Berapa Banyak Lagi Melayu-Bumiputera Harus Berkorban dan Dikorbankan? Posted: 11 May 2013 01:53 PM PDT
Sudah terlalu banyak pengorbanan yang dilakukan demi sebuah negara yang bernama Malaysia. Pengorbanan tersebut hanya dilakukan oleh orang Melayu dan Bumiputera. Namun PRU13 menyaksikan dan menyimpulkan bahawa segala pengorbanan serta keistimewaan yang diberikan kepada mereka, sebenarnya hanya sekadar sebelah pihak. Kedahan69ers Dalam Islam, antara adab keduniaan yang diajarkan ialah, umat Islam perlu mendahulukan sesama sendiri terlebih dahulu. Umat Islam amat digalakkan mengurangkan pergantungan kepada kaum lain. Bahkan sistem ekonomi Islam yang seringkali disamakan dengan sistem SOSIALIS tertutup, juga melebihkan umat Islam berbanding umat lain. Dari sekecil-kecil barangan dan perkhidmatan sehinggalah sebesar-besarnya, umat Islam perlu memantapkan ekonomi umat bagi memastikan kuasa umat berada pada tahap tertinggi. Pada zaman-zaman keemasan era Islam, dari Andalusia sehinggalah ke tanah Maluku, umat Islam menguasai ekonomi serta jalan dan laluan perdagangan. Umat Islam, terutama sekali yang berbangsa Arab, selain daripada berniaga dan berdagang, turut mengembangkan dakwah di mana-mana sahaja mereka singgah. Begitu juga dengan umat Melayu yang menghuni kepulauan Nusantara. Suku-suku kaum yang kecil dan bertebaran, disatukan dengan Islam dan di Malaysia mereka dikenali sebagai Melayu sungguhpun mereka terdiri daripada Banjar, Jawa, Acheh, Kadazan, Iban, Murut, Dusun, Batu Bara, Minangkabau dan sebagainya. Bahkan Cina dan India kemudiannya, turut dikenali sebagai Melayu apabila mereka memeluk Islam dan mengamalkan adat istiadat Melayu serta berbahasa Melayu. Manakala bagi golongan yang tidak memeluk Islam tetapi bercakap dan bertoleransi dengan adat Melayu pula digelarkan sebagai Peranakan. Perdagangan menjadi nadi utama empayar-empayar Islam. Penguasaan dan monopoli beberapa bahan mentah yang amat diperlukan oleh dunia, juga berada di tangan orang Islam. Namun bermula daripada kejatuhan Granada ke tangan Isabella dan Ferdinand di Sepanyol, Islam tidak lagi menjadi penguasa. Jajaran perdagangan mulai dikuasai oleh musuh Islam. Bahkan kegemilangan Islam telah pun dipadamkan dari rekod-rekod sejarah. China mulai diangkat sebagai pemangkin ketamadunan dunia. Apa-apa sahaja kemajuan dan perintisan, semuanya dikatakan berasal dari China. Sehinggakan tulisan terawal juga dikatakan berasal dari China. China dilihat sebagai sebuah tempat besar yang menyediakan pelbagai ketamadunan dan kemajuan. Tempat-tempat lain di seluruh Asia tidak setanding langsung dengan China. Orientalis merupakan pelapor yang membesar-besarkan cerita berkenaan. Orang Melayu di wilayah-wilayah Nusantara diingatkan yang mereka tidak lebih baik daripada China yang menurut Orientalis telah bertamadun ribuan tahun berbanding orang Melayu yang hanya berkolek, berkemban dan berkaki ayam, malah ada yang tinggal di atas pokok. Semuanya dilakukan oleh Orientalis dan penjajah bagi menghalalkan kemasukan buruh-buruh China yang sedang melarikan diri daripada kebuluran, kemiskinan dan kedaifan di tanah asal mereka. Walaupun yang mula-mula menemui bijih timah di Tanah Melayu adalah Long Jaafar, antara pewaris kerajaan Empayar Kedah Tua yang akhirnya hanya mendapat Larut Matang-Selama sebagai wilayahnya, tetapi yang menjadi penguasa kemudiannya dengan bantuan penjajah adalah taukeh-taukeh dari China yang didalangi oleh kepala-kepala kongsi gelap. Selepas menguasai pengeluaran bijih timah dan getah, kaum pendatang yang dibela oleh penjajah kemudiannya menguasai perbankan pula. Bank-bank saudagar ditubuhkan di serata tempat yang mereka kuasai seperti Kuala Lumpur dan Ujung Pasir. Apabila negara ini mulai bersedia untuk berkerajaan sendiri, kaum Cina yang sudah senang-lenang dengan perlindungan penjajah British, cuba meraih kerakyatan dari negara penjajah tersebut. Hanya sebilangan sahaja yang diterima sebagai rakyat Britain secara automatik mengikut peraturan Komanwel, manakala sebahagian besar yang lain, diberikan pilihan sama ada pulang semula ke negara asal mereka atau pun menjadi rakyat negara yang akan merdeka ini. Sekali lagi Raja-Raja Melayu dipujuk memandangkan bagi orang Melayu dan Bumiputera negara ini, Raja-Raja Melayu adalah kepala mereka. Setelah Raja-Raja Melayu diminta mengorbankan tanah untuk Rancangan Briggs menubuhkan perkampungan-perkampungan baru yang menghentikan bekalan makanan, kewangan, perubatan dan sokongan kepada pengganas komunis yang terdiri daripada orang Cina sendiri, sekali lagi Raja-Raja Melayu diminta berkorban dengan menerima kaum pendatang sebagai rakyat mereka demi sebuah kemerdekaan yang diimpikan oleh rakyat negara ini. Pengorbanan besar yang dilakukan oleh Raja-Raja Melayu dan orang-orang Melayu sendiri, sebenarnya tidak dihargai oleh kaum berkenaan. Mereka memulakan kempen menghapuskan Bahasa Melayu sebagai Bahasa Kebangsaan. Mereka juga mengaktifkan kempen menghapuskan hak-hak keistimewaan Melayu dan Bumiputera sepertimana yang termaktub dalam Perlembagaan Malaysia. Mereka mempersoalkan kedudukan Raja-Raja Melayu dan mereka juga mempersoalkan keistimewaan agama Islam di negara ini. Sudah terlalu banyak pengorbanan yang dilakukan demi sebuah negara yang bernama Malaysia. Pengorbanan tersebut hanya dilakukan oleh orang Melayu dan Bumiputera. Namun PRU13 menyaksikan dan menyimpulkan bahawa segala pengorbanan serta keistimewaan yang diberikan kepada mereka, sebenarnya hanya sekadar sebelah pihak. Berbanding memberikan kerjasama atau bersungguh-sungguh untuk memupuk perpaduan di kalangan rakyat negara ini kerana mereka asalnya adalah tetamu yang dilayan baik, sebaliknya mereka pula yang meminta segala-galanya dari tuan rumah. Berbanding memberikan kerjasama dan terlibat secara aktif dalam perpaduan nasional sepertimana yang diimpikan oleh sebilangan besar rakyat Melayu, mereka sebaliknya lebih senang memencilkan diri dengan KECINAAN mereka yang amat tebal. Sekolah Cina, Kebudayaan Cina, Bahasa Cina, bahkan Agama Cina semakin menjadi-jadi. Dasar Pelajaran Kebangsaan yang digubal untuk memastikan sistem pendidikan satu aliran, ditentang dengan sekuat-kuatnya. Takut undi Cina tidak akan berpihak kepada Perikatan dan kemudiannya Barisan Nasional, menyebabkan segala dasar yang digubal, DITUNDA sehingga ke hari ini. Hari ini, Dasar Pelajaran Kebangsaan bukannya semakin didekati, bahkan semakin dijauhi. Apatah lagi dengan gula-gula pilihanraya yang memberikan seribu satu macam kelebihan kepada sistem pendidikan Cina bahkan melebihi daripada apa yang diberikan kepada sekolah-sekolah kebangsaan, membuatkan sebilangan besar mereka besar kepala. Ditambah pula dengan ketakutan terhadap desakan serta hasutan DAP, membuatkan sebilangan besar pemimpin Barisan Nasional berpendapat mereka perlu menurut kalau tidak mahu kalah dalam pilihanraya-pilihanraya seterusnya. Begitu juga dari segi ekonomi. Terlalu banyak pengorbanan dilakukan dan keistimewaan diberikan hanya semata-mata untuk tidak mahu dikenali sebagai RASIS. Tolak ansur keterlaluan tersebut tidak dihargai dan disyukuri sebaliknya lebih banyak pula yang diminta hanya dengan pandangan bahawa Melayu dan Bumiputera tidak berkeupayaan dan tidak berkemampuan. Sekarang, hasil telah ditunjukkan. Pengajaran telah diberikan. Terpulanglah kepada pemimpin Barisan Nasional, khususnya UMNO dan parti-parti berasaskan Bumiputera untuk bertindak, sama ada mereka masih lagi menagih simpati dan undi mahupun sokongan daripada bukan Melayu-Bumiputera, ataupun mereka akan mula mengubah struktur dan trend tersebut agar sokongan kepada mereka pula tidak berkurangan atau hilang? Found at: http://kedahan69ers.com/berapa-lama-dan-berapa-banyak-lagi-melayu-bumiputera-harus-berkorban-dan-dikorbankan/ |
Much ado about GST Posted: 11 May 2013 01:43 PM PDT
Vinodhani Nair, Business Circle We first heard about the idea of a goods and services tax (GST) back in December 2009 when it was first tabled in Parliament after close to half a decade of discussions. To learn more about GST in Malaysia: English: http://www.gstmalaysia.org/gstcourse/images/GST-Customs-Malaysia-GST-Malaysia-GST-Course-1.pdf BM: http://www.gstmalaysia.org/gstcourse/images/GST%20Malaysia%20GST%20Course%203.pdf GST, which was supposed to be implemented in Q3 of 2011, is expected to replace the current sales and service taxes in the country. While still in the offing, the GST is said to have far-reaching implications for businesses. In a media statement released by KPMG Malaysia prior to the supposed implementation, it reportedly said: "It is not just a tax issue; it is a 'whole of the business' issue." In fact, it went on to state that no one will be exempt from the GST regime, from multinational companies to small- and medium-business owners; therefore, the business community must start to plan and manage this tax transition. Akin to the concept of a value-added tax (VAT) practised in many countries, the GST is said to be a broad-based tax of a fixed percentage on most goods, services and other items sold or consumed in a particular country. Britain and Australia have already introduced VAT or GST, and nearer to home, Singapore has implemented GST for a while now on most goods and services. Simply put, a business or person who has registered and incorporates GST in the sales pricing to his/her customer, can claim credit for the GST included in the prices of business purchases. Therefore, a retailer, for instance, will remit the net GST on the value-added element of the goods or services. However, it is the end user or customer who will be bearing the ultimate GST and, in fact, a business concern does not bear the economic cost of the tax. KPMG said that "to achieve an effective GST implementation, it is vital that each business must understand how GST will impact at pre- and post-implementation levels. In this respect, not only must businesses pay attention to achieving compliance with the GST law and regulations, but it is also pertinent to consider whether there are any opportunities that should be pursued. GST is here to stay and risk management of GST issues must be part of the organisation's risk management process." Read more at: http://www.businesscircle.com.my/much-ado-about-gst/ |