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• Police raid Suara Keadilan office
• PI Bala passes away
• ‘Where did the Sultan get money from?’
• Pakatan will shut down Lynas, says Fuziah
• Himpunan Hijau divided over Wong Tack’s polls debut

Police raid Suara Keadilan office Posted: 14 Mar 2013 06:14 PM PDT The raid is said to be in connection with Tian Chua's twitter message last week alleging that the Lahad Datu intrusion was staged by Umno. Alyaa Azhar and Priscilla Prasena, FMT Suara Keadilan, the official mouthpiece of PKR, was raided this morning by a group of six policemen. The web portal reported that six policemen raided its office, checking computers at about 10.15 this morning. "They [the police] are an investigating team from Johor Baru," the website said, adding that the raid was in connection with Tian Chua's statement on Lahad Datu which was uploaded by Keadilan Daily on March 1. Yesterday, the PKR vice-president was charged with sedition at the Sessions Court for allegedly attributing the bloodbath in Lahad Datu to an Umno conspiracy. Deputy Public Prosecutor Yusaini Amer Abdul Karim claimed in court that Tian Chua committed the offence when he labelled the Lahad Datu intrusion as an Umno conspiracy, adding that the incident had raised questions and doubts on Umno's "shadow play" (wayang mainan). Tian Chua was also charged with describing the Sulu gunmen's incursion as a government plot to frighten the people and for alleging that Umno was trying to divert people's attention from the issuance of identification cards to foreigners in Sabah. Some of the remarks were published in a Keadilan Daily article titled "Insiden Tembak-Menembak Konspirasi Umno" dated March 3. The web portal also said several Suara Keadilan staff were on duty at the second floor of the building in Jalan Metro Pudu, Cheras, when the police came knocking. "They notified the staff that they were there to confiscate computers which were used to upload the Batu MP's statement. They also showed a warrant allowing them to search the premises," the portal said. Written notes However, lawyer Latheefa Koya, who was contacted by the portal staff, told them to tell the police to deal with her. "After contacting Latheefa, the policemen then said they wanted written notes of Keadilan Daily reporter Aisha Geoffrey, who was called twice previously to the Petaling Jaya district police headquarters to give her statement. "However, Aisha was on leave today. The police then left without taking anything after half-an-hour and told the staff that they will wait for Aisha to return to work," the portal said. READ MORE HERE

PI Bala passes away Posted: 14 Mar 2013 04:24 PM PDT Private investigator P Balasubramaniam, who rocked the nation which his statutory declarations on the murder of Altantuya Shaariibuu, has passed away. (FMT) - Private investigator P Balasubramaniam, who rocked the nation which his statutory declarations on the murder of Altantuya Shaariibuu, has passed away. When contacted, both PKR vice-president N Surendran and Subang MP R Sivarasa confirmed this. Sivarasa said, via Twitter, that Balasubramaniam passed away in a clinic in Rawang which he went to after suffering from breathing difficulties. "He was scheduled for a bypass surgery in about three weeks. Pending medication and treatment, Balasubramaniam had a follow-up with his doctors this morning in SJMC and looked fine. Unfortunately, he had breathing difficulties at about 1.30pm," he wrote. Balasubramaniam's friend, M Sadasivam, 57, also confirmed to FMT that the former went for a check up at Subang Jaya Medical Centre (SJMC) this morning. "They found that he was doing fine and sent him home. Once home, he had lunch and took his medication. Right after that, he was on the couch watching TV when suddenly he complained of chest pain and was short of breath," he said. Sadasivam said that Balasubramaniam's wife first refused a post mortem and took the body home from the Sungai Buloh Hospital. Sivarasa later advised the wife that it was best to take the body back to the hospital for a post mortem. Balasubramaniam's remains have been taken to the hospital again for a post-mortem. It is not certain when his funeral would be held. Black magic? Balasubramaniam suffered heart problems on March 5 and was admitted to the SJMC. He was discharged on March 12. In his first statutory declaration, he had implicated Prime Minister Najib Tun Razak and his wife Rosmah Mansor in the murder of Altantuya. He then retracted his allegation in a second SD, following which he left the country. Upon his return recently, Balasubramaniam swore on the Hindu holy book Bhagavad Gita that the contents of his first SD was true. Only on Tuesday, Bala told FMT that he would rest for at least a month following his mild heart attack last week, putting the breaks on the opposition's plans for his nationwide ceramah before the 13th general election. READ MORE HERE

‘Where did the Sultan get money from?’ Posted: 14 Mar 2013 03:20 PM PDT The former premier says that "some people" would think an invasion would be beneficial to them. Anisah Shukry, FMT How did a poor man like the Sultan of Sulu amass enough money to mount an armed incursion into a foreign country? Former prime minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad posed this question today when asked to respond to claims of a third party's possible involvement in the Royal Sulu Army's attacks on Sabah. "The question is this: all operations cost money. If you are completely bankrupt I don't think you can mount an invasion. So where does the money come from?" he asked. Prime Minister Najib Tun Razak had previously said in an interview that Philipine president Benigno Aquino had informed him that the people behind the Lahad Datu attacks were quite poor. "They certainly don't have the means to launch such an operation against Malaysia and, therefore, he thinks they are funded from somewhere," Najib had said on the "Conversation with the PM" programme aired on TV3. Mahathir suggested today that "some people" would think an invasion would somehow benefit them, although he stopped short of naming them. "This is a question I personally want to ask and I think the police want to know where the money has come from," he added. READ MORE HERE

Pakatan will shut down Lynas, says Fuziah Posted: 14 Mar 2013 12:44 PM PDT The Kuantan MP said that the rare earth plant should be allowed to operate in Malaysia even if there is small chance it is safe. G Vinod, FMT PKR vice president Fuziah Salleh said  today that Pakatan Rakyat would shut down Lynas (M) Sdn Bhd if it wins federal power in the general election. She also said that Pakatan's recently launched manifesto was crystal clear about it and reiterated that Lynas should not be allowed to operate in Gebeng or anywhere else in Malaysia. "Even if there is a slight chance that Lynas is safe, it still shouldn't be there.The plant was built on peat soil, with the underground water flowing less than a metre deep from the surface. "In addition, the plant is built too near to the  residents, river and the sea," said Fuziah On Tuesday, PKR supremo, Anwar Ibrahim told the Sydney Morning Herald that Lynas would be allowed to operate if it is found safe. Fuziah, who is also Kuantan MP, said that she would remain firm to her conviction as she was one of the earliest elected leader to oppose Lynas in the Parliament since 2008. She also said that the right place for Lynas to operate would be  in the middle of the Australian desert. "That is where the toxic radioactive waste can be returned to its place of origin, which is in Mount Weld in Western Australia," said Fuziah. READ MORE HERE

Himpunan Hijau divided over Wong Tack’s polls debut Posted: 14 Mar 2013 12:26 PM PDT Kong See Hoh, The Sun Daily Himpunan Hijau is divided over its chairman Wong Tack's (pix) decision to contest in the 13th general election (GE13), with naysayers asking him to quit his post and threatening to leave the environmental group. According to an Oriental Daily News report today, Himpunan Hijau steering committee member Clement Chin said some of the panel members were against Wong contesting in the elections but did not have the courage to speak up. Instead, they have chosen to stay away from the committee meetings where Wong received endorsement to contest, he said. Chin pointed out that 70% of the 10 central steering committee members who gave Wong the thumbs-up are either DAP or Parti Keadilan Rakyat members. He said the endorsement by the 10 does not reflect the wishes of the majority of the steering committee members. He told the daily he and other naysayers are considering quitting Himpunan Hijau or launching a protest to keep the group non-partisan. On Tuesday, DAP secretary-general Lim Guan Eng announced that Wong will be contesting the Bentong parliamentary seat under the party's ticket. Bentong is held by MCA deputy president Datuk Seri Liow Tiong Lai, who is also health minister. Stressing that Himpunan Hijau can work with political parties but not for them, Chin said Wong should resign from his post. He urged Himpunan Hijau to re-elect a new chief, saying the environment group should remain independent and non-partisan. Suaram director Dr Kua Kia Soong, who left a civil rights group to join DAP in the 90s, also felt Wong should resign from his post as he cannot represent Himpunan Hijau in the race for the Bentong seat, and should contest in his personal capacity. Meanwhile, political analyst Datuk Cheah See Kian said Wong should make it clear whether he is contesting in his personal capacity, for Himpunan Hijau or DAP. On Wong's chances, he said it remains to be seen if he can create an upset in a "mixed" constituency where bumiputras, who are known to be less enthusiastic than Chinese about green issues, account for more than 40% of the electorate.

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• In Came Tun Musa
• The Chua Tian Chang Sedition Case
• Liar, Liar, Liar Wong Tack!
• Will Malays vote MCA in GE13?

In Came Tun Musa Posted: 14 Mar 2013 08:30 PM PDT But these are promises and, like all election promises, they are not cast in stone. Even the Barisan Nasional had, over its long rule, amended and abolished some of its cherished policies and programmes. That the BN leaders and supporters quickly lampooned and berated the PR economic agenda as set out in its 2013 General Election Manifesto is only to be expected. Both the Prime Minister cum Finance Minister, Mohd Najib Abdul Razak, and (Tun) Dr Mahathir Mohamad, were reported as saying that the PR economic agenda was impractical and could bankrupt the country. In his blog posting entitled 'Change', Dr Mahathir, among other things, wrote: "Five years for the (PKR de facto leader) Anwar (Ibrahim) or (PAS president Abdul) Hadi (Awang) -led opposition to govern is dangerous. Many things can be destroyed in five years. We have some experience in this. "Already we see this person who claims to fight for free speech suing and resorting to the courts to shut the mouths of his critics. Other powers of the government will be similarly abused. "Nepotism and cronyism will be employed as indeed they are in the party he now heads." Musa Came to PR Defence   What is not expected is for the former Deputy Prime Minister, (Tun) Musa Hitam, to join the fray and contradict Mohd Najib's and Dr Mahathir's assertion. In a March 13 report headlined 'Pakatan regime won't bankrupt nation, says Musa Hitam', the Malaysian Insider news portal quoted him as saying, Malaysia would not become bankrupt if PR trumps the BN in the race for Putrajaya in the GE. Knowing Musa-Anwar relationship, I believe the statement is less about endorsing Anwar and his People's Pact than about resurrecting his long-drawn rivalry with Dr Mahathir. Although Musa was for five years – from 1981 to 1986 - Dr Mahathir's deputy, there is little genuine respect between them. So, with Dr Mahathir positioning himself as Mohd Najib's 'panglima' (warrior) in the battle against Anwar in the GE, Musa is set to resume his diatribe against his former boss. After resigning as Sime Darby's chairman, Musa is free of all links with the government and, therefore, free to speak as he likes. Furthermore, Musa was appointed to the board of Sime Darby not by Mohd Najib but by (Tun) Abdullah Ahmad Badawi. READ MORE HERE

The Chua Tian Chang Sedition Case Posted: 14 Mar 2013 09:16 AM PDT This is not unique to Malaysia. It is common in developed democracies to treat words attacking the government as sedition during times of invasion and war. As quoted by Keadilan Daily, PKR's dedicated house organ – and presumably one of the publications on which a PKR officer may rely to accurately relay his words – Chua allegedly said the following: 1. "The shooting in Lahad Datu is believed to be a planned conspiracy of the Umno government to divert attention and intimidate the people." 2. "The incident has raised many questions and doubts as to the drama staged by the Umno government." 3. "The intrusion in Lahad Datu was only a drama of the government to intimidate the people to make it seem that Sabah is not peaceful." 4. "There is a conspiracy by the Umno government to divert the attention of the Sabah people, particularly from the issue of giving identity cards to foreigners." It is important to distinguish what Chua allegedly said from how his words have been characterised. He was not criticising the Government's handling of the Lahad Datu situation; if he said what has been alleged, he was asserting that the Government enacted the entire conflict, either murdering soldiers, police, and civilians, or pretending to do the same. If he said what he is alleged to have said, he is also accusing police and soldiers of either faking their comrades' deaths, or being complicit in their murders. By any reasonable measure, this is sedition – it directly attacks the Government and its ability to prosecute war, not its actions, in an attempt to weaken it during a time of conflict. Chua's defence, such as it is, is fairly traditional PKR rhetoric. "This is a politically-motivated charge. I will fight this slander to clear my name," Chua told the Sessions Court while claiming trial. His lawyer, N Surendran, added that as the Prime Minister had promised the repeal of the Sedition Act, Chua should not be charged under it. Putting aside the illogical nature of the lawyer's claim, it is important to understand that almost every country in the world – including the world's leading democracies – has a long history of treating attacks on the government during a time of military conflict as criminal sedition. The United Kingdom has a storied history of sedition charges. Although the charge itself was largely abolished only in 2010, the charge was used heavily during the extensive conflicts in which Britain found itself for the last three centuries. In every major conflict in which Britain found itself embroiled, it charged its own citizens with sedition for attacking Britain's involvement in the war itself. In the last 150 years alone, the Boer War, World War I, and World War II saw dozens of sedition trials each, with convictions almost a foregone conclusion. Most recently, during the Troubles in Ireland, the UK liberally employed sedition charges against attempts to aid the Irish Republican Army (which was at the time planting bombs in and around schools, train stations, and other areas with high civilian traffic) or undermine the effort against the IRA, even into the 1970s. A movement to repeal sedition as a crime began after Ireland calmed, but was delayed in the wake of the July 7 attacks, only coming to fruition in 2010 when Britain faced no significant internal conflict. Even so, sedition remains a crime for aliens in the UK. The United States, despite a tendency to very broad interpretations of free speech, has been a vigorous proponent of sedition charges from the country's very beginning. Washington most recently criminalised sedition – and charged for it en masse – throughout the twentieth century and beyond. During World War I, the US charged and prosecuted over 2,000 American citizens with sedition, which was the crime of interfering with the war effort through speech. During World War II, sedition charges were unused until German submarines appeared off the American coasts – and then the government began charging in earnest. Communists and communist allies were charged and convicted of sedition for the simple act of espousing communism – that is, that there should be an organised movement to overthrow the US government. This occurred during the 1940s and 1950s, when the United States was not formally at war, but was locked in its Cold War struggle with the Soviet Union. Indeed, the United States has never needed a formal declaration of war to prosecute for sedition. American citizens promoting the idea that the archipelago territory of Puerto Rico should be a sovereign nation have been convicted of sedition in the 1970s and 1980s. Terrorists – American citizens who sided with al Qaeda – have been charged with sedition before and after the September 11 attacks; many have not gone to trial merely because they have fled the country or have been killed during America's extensive terror-related conflicts over the last decade. Australia criminalised sedition in 2006, only modifying the laws slightly after a change in Government. India retains an extensive sedition law. Canada has existed under American protection since the end of the Second World War and so has not significantly prosecuted for sedition since then, but retains laws against sedition. Yet sedition charges have become less common than in the past in major democracies. Some suggest this is because their laws and customs have broadened to accept even incendiary speech. This is not so. READ MORE HERE

Liar, Liar, Liar Wong Tack! Posted: 14 Mar 2013 09:06 AM PDT Wong Tack, the man behind the movement of Himpunan Hijau, which has been opposing the Lynas rare earth project, surprised everyone when he was named as a DAP candidate to contest the Bentong parliamentary seat in the general election. His candidacy was announced by Lim Guan Eng who said that Wong was a natural choice as both DAP and Himpunan wanted to see a greener Malaysia and the closure of the Lynas Corp rare earth plant in Gebeng. We now know that Wong Tack had been hiding behind the mask of the green movement to brand himself as a champion against the controversial Lynas project to score political points. This is evident from a China Press report on Thursday that Wong had been a DAP member since 2011 but does not hold any party post. Since day one, he had fooled the people, especially the Gebeng folks. He failed to declare his political interest and had even been quoted by the Chinese newspapers that he had no political links or allegiance with any political party. And in January this year only, Wong told Malaysia Insider that Himpunan Hijau did not see the necessity in fielding candidates for the 13th general election. "At this moment, we don't see the necessity but…feel that (we should) focus on strengthening Pakatan Rakyat's position," he was quoted as saying. But now he is making a U-turn and has instead offered himself as a candidate. This flip flop is amazing because just a month ago, he declared that he was not interested in politics and that he will not be contesting any seat. READ MORE HERE

Will Malays vote MCA in GE13? Posted: 14 Mar 2013 05:45 AM PDT Bentong The Malay lifeline gave MCA altogether nine seats, if not for which the Chinese party would have suffered a washout. But that was five years ago. The MCA stock now has few takers from the Chinese community. It has greatly dipped in value among the Malays too. The recent development over the Bentong seat raises some questions. Currently the Bentong electoral roll has 46 percent Chinese, 43 percent Malays and 9 percent Indians. Given this demography, would it actually be a safer bet to field an Umno, rather than an MCA candidate for Parliament? Three other seats can also serve to illustrate a similar predicament arising from the loss of confidence in the MCA. Padang Serai Is there any reason at all why BN should not give Padang Serai to the MIC to contest instead of to the MCA? Padang Serai in Kedah is a Malay-majority Parliament constituency which has a 22.3 percent Indian electorate. This figure is just a hair's breadth away from the total of 22.6 percent Chinese voters. In 2008, Padang Serai was lost by ­­Datuk Boey Chin Gan (MCA) to N. Gobalakrishnan (PKR). The general consensus is that Indian support has returned to BN whereas the Chinese vote has moved even further away from the ruling party. Wangsa Maju Another notable seat lost by the MCA in GE12 was Wangsa Maju, a 52.5 percent Malay-majority area. The present incumbent Wee Choo Keong is popular with the Malays partly due to his Kelantan origin. Wee had won the seat on a PKR ticket by a slim margin of 150 votes but later turned independent in May 2010. His probable challenger is Yew Teong Look of the MCA who has continued to service the area despite his 2008 loss. Yew is known to the Chinese ground as a diligent worker and is most likely to receive the nod again from his party. Meanwhile PKR is tipped to field Dr Tan Tee Kwong, a former Deputy Land and Cooperative Development Minister and ex-Gerakan man. READ MORE HERE

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• Kee Thuan Chye and Shen Yee Aun
• 13th GE may reflect ‘fallout’ from Lahad Datu Standoff
• NGO Activists & Political Opportunism
• My political thoughts during the Hunger Viratham Day Four

Kee Thuan Chye and Shen Yee Aun Posted: 14 Mar 2013 05:41 PM PDT   Anas Zubedy    Kee is a 58 year old Baby Boomer and renowned writer of a best seller. Shen (better known as SYA) a Gen Y and only 26 years of age but is actively writing via his blog and the social media. Kee is proficient in English, SYA in Bahasa Malaysia. But both of them share one common vision – a better Malaysia. While they may share a common Vision, they differ in terms of politics. SYA is obviously MCA and Kee is perceptibly a DAPster (borrowing Helen Ang's categorization). Kee recently wrote an open letter to Chua Soi Lek (click http://www.malaysia-today.net/mtcolumns/guest-columnists/37380-open-letter-to-chua-soi-lek ) and SYA responded with an article (click http://1sya.com/?p=1720 ). Some say that SYA's counter arguments made Kee's points not only shaky, but on the verge of being 'bullshit' ie the title of the latter's best seller, 'No More Bullshit'. Kee should be given a chance to clear himself.   SYA has challenge Kee for a debate. Personally, I am not into debates among politicians and those who talk politics - unless it is in the parliament. To me debates are good for the academia and academicians. But Kee should at least write back and defend his article. At the least it would be nice to see rationale and mature discussion between someone from the 'old school' and another representing 'the new and the young'.  The 'old' and the 'young' should see themselves as 'equals' and face-off each other as fellow Malaysians for the betterment of the nation.

13th GE may reflect ‘fallout’ from Lahad Datu Standoff Posted: 14 Mar 2013 05:27 PM PDT   Someone or some party may want the Suluks in particular out of the 13th GE. Are the loyalties of these people to the ruling Barisan Nasional (BN) suddenly suspect?  Joe Fernandez It cannot be denied that for various reasons the on-going Lahad Datu Standoff may have an effect on the forthcoming 13th General Election results in Sabah. The jury is still out on the question of who stands to "gain" most and who stands to "lose" i.e. if the General Election in eastern Sabah is held at the same time as in the rest of the Territory and country. Judging from former Sabah Chief Minister Harris Salleh's reported appeal letter this week to Home Minister Hishammuddin Hussein Onn, the police are seizing the Malaysian personal documents of Suluks in Semporna and Lahad Datu and tearing them up before their very eyes. Apparently, these documents include IMM13 immigration documents issued to refugees and MyPRs or the red-coloured Permanent Residence Identity Cards. If so, someone or some party may want the Suluks in particular out of the 13th GE. Are the loyalties of these people to the ruling Barisan Nasional (BN) suddenly suspect? Philippine news reports speak only of the Suluk fleeing as "refugees" to the nearby Philippine islands and of the 800,000 Filipinos in Sabah being sent back in the wake of the revelations at the on-going Royal Commission of Inquiry (RCI) on the extraordinary rise in the state's population in recent decades. Among the reported demands of one Sultan Jamalul Kiram III, the main figure in the Lahad Datu Standoff, is that the Sulu people in Sabah not be deported to the Philippines "since they were in their own country (Sabah)". Why did Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR) vice president Tian Chua claim, not once, but on several occasions that the Lahad Datu Standoff is a conspiracy hatched by Umno?   Four seditious statements attributed to Tian Chua The sedition charges brought against Tian Chua on Thurs 14 Mar, 2013 attributed four statements to him as follows: 1. The shooting in Lahad Datu is believed to be a planned conspiracy of the Umno government to divert attention and intimidate the people. 2. The incident has raised many questions and doubts as to the drama staged by the Umno government. 3. Described the intrusion in Lahad Datu as only a drama of the government to intimidate the people to make it seem that Sabah is not peaceful. The intrusion in Lahad Datu was only a drama of the government to intimidate the people to make it seem that Sabah is not peaceful. 4. There is a conspiracy by the Umno government to divert the attention of the Sabah people, particularly from the issue of giving identity cards to foreigners. Tian Chua was charged under Section 4(1)(b) of the Sedition Act 1948 and can be penalized under Section 4(1) of the same act which provides for a maximum fine of RM5, 000 or up to three years in jail, or both, upon conviction for the first offence, and up to five years jail for subsequent offences.   Don's statement should be read together with purported Tian Chua statements Tian Chua's purported statements should be read together with that by, for example, Dr. Gerhard Hoffstaedter of the University of Queensland, Australia, who shared his take on Tues 12 Mar, 2013 with the Voice of Russia "on the armed conflict in the Malaysian state of Sabah, where a ragtag band of fighters from the so-called Royal Army of the Sultan of Sulu clashed with Malaysian troops". "Now, PM Najib's approval ratings have been going down quite rapidly over the last couple of weeks, so he is unlikely to call it (GE) now," according to Hoffstaedter . "A standoff in Sabah could delay elections certainly in Sabah perhaps, maybe even in the entire country, it could show a force on his part, could reassert him, could give him a bounce back in the polls. I mean these are some of the questions being asked - why now?" Hoffstaedter adds that "these claims from the sultanate of Sulu have been there for a very long time and the timing does seem either suspicious or odd at least and raise questions especially because his (Najib's) poll showings are quite bad" The Opposition, noted Hoffstaedter, has worked very hard since already shaking up the establishment in 2008 in the last election when they denied the ruling coalition a 2/3 majority, which it had enjoyed since independence, "and a lot of observers expect the opposition if not to outright win, to cause another major shakeup in Malaysian politics at the next elections". Tian Chua being charged comes amidst speculation that Opposition Leader Anwar Ibrahim may be arrested for his long-standing links with Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) Leader Nur Misuari and, by extension, his purported links to the Lahad Datu Standoff.   Nur Misuari's about-turn on Lahad Datu interesting Nur Misuari, probably alarmed that Anwar may indeed be arrested, has been singing a different tune in recent days. In a statement on Wed 13 Mar, 2013, MNLF Chairman Muslimin Sema declared that his organization "respects and recognizes the decision taken by the people of Sabah to form Malaysia in 1963". If only it was true! No referendum was held in Sabah, Sarawak, Brunei and Malays on Malaysia. Earlier, after Lahad Datu erupted into an armed uprising, Nur Misuari warned Najib not be big-headed, warned him against targeting the forces of the so-called Royal Sulu Army (RSA) in Sabah and further warned that the MNLF would not hesitate to send forces to Lahad Datu to fight alongside the so-called Sulu Sultan's forces. In another bizarre statement, Nur Misuari claimed that Sarawak belonged to him from the time of his great-great grandfather or something to that effect. Now, Nur Misuari is claiming that the MNLF forces in Lahad Datu, apparently disguised as the RSA, went there without his knowledge.   Suluk, Bajau complain of marginalization, disenfranchisement The bottomline is that the pro-tem United Sabah National Organization (Usno) under Badaruddin Mustapha, the son of a former Governor and Chief Minister, has evidently been making some headway in Suluk areas in particular in alliance with the State Reform Party (Star) led by Jeffrey Kitingan. Usno candidates are expected to stand under a common independent symbol and/or under Star. There's also talking of Star "loaning" candidates to Usno, whatever it means. Suluk and Bajau community leaders were the only ones who agreed in 1963 to the formation of Malaysia. Since then, they have been complaining of marginalization and disenfranchisement following the continuing influx of Bugis illegal immigrants – Najib's community -- in particular from Sulawesi in Indonesia. To add insult to injury, the Pala'u or Bajau Laut (sea gypsies) along the eastern seaboard of Sabah continues to remain stateless. The Usno is trying to take up their cause but to no avail, according to Usno vice president Abdullah Sani. It has been estimated that at least 12 state seats were created in the aftermath of 1994, the fall of the PBS Government, based on MyKads issued to those who were not eligible to hold them and not entitled to obtain them. The 12 state seats saw the number of Muslim-majority seats in Sabah increasing to 32 from 20, while the number of Orang Asal seats remained at 20 and Chinese at 8. There are 60 seats in the Sabah Assembly while this Nation in Borneo has 26 seats including Labuan in the Malaysian Parliament. Besides, the 20 original Muslims seats were held by Usno before the party was deregistered and Umno took its place.   Jeffrey admitted meeting a Sulu claimant last year Usno is determined to wrest back these 20 seats and has indicated it has no interest in the other 12 Muslim-majority seats. PKR, it's known, has been working these 12 state seats besides other Muslim and non-Muslim seats in Sabah. It's not known whether Star will be vying for the said 12 seats since the party, under its Plan Z, had previously said to would, together with Usno, go for all 60 state seats in Sabah and the 26 Parliamentary seats including Labuan. Jeffrey has also admitted in a recent press statement that he did meet in mid last year in Kota Kinabalu with a claimant to the Sulu Sultanship – not Jamalul Kiram III -- who wanted him to attend his coronation in the Philippines. He declined the invitation.   Joe Fernandez is a mature student of law and an educationist, among others, who loves to write especially Submissions for Clients wishing to Act in Person. He feels compelled, as a semi-retired journalist, to put pen to paper -- or rather the fingers to the computer keyboard -- whenever something doesn't quite jell with his weltanschauung (worldview). He shuttles between points in the Golden Heart of Borneo formed by the Sabah west coast, Labuan, Brunei, northern Sarawak and the watershed region in Borneo where three nations meet.

NGO Activists & Political Opportunism Posted: 14 Mar 2013 05:15 PM PDT   Dr Kua Kia Soong, SUARAM Adviser   Wong Tack's decision to enter the political arena under the DAP banner should be respected. I did the same in 1990 with 25 other civil rights activists. There is however, one important difference. Our then leader Mr Lim Fong Seng was the Chairman of Dong Zong. He was also the de facto leader of the civil rights movement. When we decided to enter the political arena, he resigned his post in Dong Zong forthwith and so did the rest of us from our posts in the civil rights movement.   The point we were making was clear. We would be taking civil rights issues into the political arena but the civil rights movement must go on as before as a non-partisan movement, ready to defend civil rights whichever political coalition is in power. This was our declaration at the "818 Democratic Uprising" on 18 August 1990: "…While we have taken this political road, we would like to reaffirm the important role that pressure groups and NGOs have to play in a democratic society for ultimately, the particular pressure group knows best and will be prepared to fight for the issue at hand. Thus, the women's movement is spearheading the struggle for women's rights, the civil rights movement does the same for our civil rights, the unions champion workers' rights, etc….We hope the community will continue to press for the democratic demands and promote inter-cultural understanding based on mutual respect and common values." (Kua Kia Soong, 'The Malaysian Civil Rights Movement', SIRD 2005: 98)   Any Movement or NGO has to be Non-Partisan Political parties and politicians can twist and turn, come and go but movements such as the workers' movement, women's movement, civil rights movement and the green movement must go on forever. Politicians like to spout the platitude that "politics is the art of the possible" but movements must bear pressure on them to make their demands possible.   Now, before Wong Tack has even started his career as a politician, he is already faced with his first dilemma. The Pakatan Rakyat de facto leader, Anwar Ibrahim has demonstrated the "art of the possible" by declaring that if PR comes into power, Lynas will be given a chance to prove the plant's safety. This is a far cry from PR's previous declaration that they would close the plant down if they come into power and Wong Tack himself vowing to burn the damned plant down himself!   Wong Tack has since backtracked but we have not heard the stand by the Himpunan Hijau committee. Is it because they are so caught up with the political hoopla they have also stepped down a notch from their previous uncompromising stand? It's time they found their own voice now that their erstwhile chairperson has gone on to pursue his political career.   More Turbulence Ahead for Green Movement The wave of activism and awareness about green issues in recent months has been unprecedented and that is a tribute to Himpunan Hijau's efforts in opposing the noxious Lynas plant at Kuantan. It has linked up to the struggles at Bukit Koman, Pengerang and even the uplands of Sarawak. However, the need for a non-partisan movement is underscored by the political values of both BN and PR to suck up to multi-national corporations and the big developers in their race to see which administration can attract more investors. This is fatal to the green movement. Thus, we see the readiness to compromise with Lynas. Then there will the decision about the other toxic industries to be seduced to take up the excess energy from the mega dams in Sarawak. Will the "art of the possible" also result in PR accommodating these other mega dams?   PR has so far not only failed to tell us their defence policy, they have also not elaborated on a sustainable energy policy apart from withdrawing subsidies to the IPPs. These have grave consequences for the green movement.   Then, instead of waiting for a PR takeover of the federal government before implementing people-centred public transport system in Penang, the state government there has gone ahead and signed the contract for the tunnel project and more highways for the island. They have tried to justify this by saying that they do not want to be a "do nothing" administration. If that is the case, their role model must surely be Dr Mahathir they have ravaged all these years.   Furthermore, the green movement has to take up the issue of gross deforestation by the Kelantan and Kedah state governments besides the abuse of our forest lands by the BN government. The movement can only do its work if it is non-partisan.   And talking about land, the green movement has to bear in mind that the recognition and protection of Orang Asli customary land rights is part of their concern if they are truly committed to a green agenda. While the BN government has been tardy in protecting Orang Asli land rights, PR's Buku Jingga and election manifesto are also silent on the Orang Asli land rights. Meanwhile, the Orang Asli are fighting a court battle against the Kelantan state government over their land rights.       Watch out! The Rich are bankrolling both Coalitions! The root of the problem is, the rich and super-rich are smarter than you think. Ever since the political tsunami of 2008, they have been backing both horses, the BN and PR. Thus, apart from getting their mega projects approved in BN-run states, they are also feted in the PR-run states for both coalitions are committed to neo-liberal policies and bending over backwards to attract investments so that they can boast that they are more "investors-friendly"! The rich are laughing all the way to the bank…   Thus, notice that both coalitions do not have any progressive fiscal policy to finance people-friendly public projects such as housing, health, transport and other social policies. Just look at elections in the developed countries – there contending political parties' fiscal policies are the bone of contention. Parties have to tell us where the revenue is coming from and not fling goodies and freebies at us without justifying where the revenue is coming from. Furthermore, can PR tell us if they are going to buy those Typhoons from BAE costing more than 5 billion ringgit if they come into power? Are we purchasing any more submarines? Can these be cut so that we have more money to spend on education, transport and other public expenditure? How much defence expenditure are they going to cut?   It's amazing – in the most capitalist country in the world, viz. the US, Obama is prepared to tax the rich. Even Warren Buffet, one of the richest people in the US, feels the rich should be taxed at a higher marginal rate than the rest of us. But in our country, the rich carry on as usual, whichever coalition is in power!   SOP for NGO Activists Wong Tack is certainly not the first NGO activist to go into the political arena. Ever since the political tsunami in 2008, many NGO activists have been seduced into the glamorous career in government while other lean and hungry YB wannabes are hopefully biding their time.   I say good luck to them. The only standard operating procedure they should bear in mind is that, when they venture into the political arena, they should resign from their posts in the movement or NGO as a matter of course.

My political thoughts during the Hunger Viratham Day Four Posted: 14 Mar 2013 05:07 PM PDT   There are six major proposals in Hindraf's 5 year blueprint. The first 5 are specific to programs and recommendations that directly impact the lives of the Indian poor. The sixth proposal is however universal in its implications to all of Malaysian society and is clearly a proposal that when realized will make Malaysia a mature democracy.   P. Waythamoorthy   This is the fourth day of my Hunger Viratham. Today I have begun limiting my talking. I spend my time in prayers, thinking, writing and resting.   In this third part I will be penning my thoughts on the contributions that Hindraf is making and has made to move Malaysia to be a true democracy.   Part 3   Hindraf is moving Malaysia towards true democracy   There are six major proposals in Hindraf's 5 year blueprint. The first 5 are specific to programs and recommendations that directly impact the lives of the Indian poor. The sixth proposal is however universal in its implications to all of Malaysian society and is clearly a proposal that when realized will make Malaysia a mature democracy.   The sixth proposal in the Blueprint reads:   6. Bringing Human Rights Practice in Malaysia up to International Standards   1)        To bring the standard of Malaysian law to be consistent with international human rights law and international humanitarian law by signing and ratifying the following International Covenants of the United Nations and then to adjust the Malaysian laws to be consistent with our commitment to these International laws..    ·                International Covenant  on Civil and Political Rights (CCPR) ·                International Covenant on the Elimination of all forms of Racial Discrimination (CERD)   2)        To adopt the guiding principles as set forth in the Guiding Principles on Internal Displacement by the United Nations.   The implications of the signing and ratification of these UN Covenants obliges Malaysia to the elimination of all forms of racial discrimination. Parties are obliged to not discriminate on the basis of race, not to sponsor or defend racism, and to prohibit racial discrimination within their jurisdictions. They must also review their laws and policies to ensure that they do not discriminate on the basis of race, and commit to amending or repealing those that do.   This sixth demand in our blueprint is clearly consistent with all the Human Rights work that Hindraf has been doing. These Human Rights legislations are protective laws. Malaysia is a multicultural, multiethnic society and  is vulnerable to manipulations of greedy elements within.   Just look at what has happened in our country. An institutionalized racist regime has developed since the inception of the nation. Dr. Benjamin Bowling of School of Law, King's College London defines Institutionalized racism thus: Institutionalised racism is the process by which people from ethnic minorities are systematically discriminated against by a range of public and private bodies. If the result or outcome of established laws, customs or practices is racially discriminatory, then institutional racism can be said to have occurred.   The hallmarks of the institutionalized racist regime in our country are: a)        The Federal Constitution basically establishes 2 classes of citizens, vide Article 153, the root of the racist system.  b)        The State sanctions racist and religious extreme laws and policies c)        The State controls the Government Administration through one racial and religious group d)        The State channels most funds for economic/education/social development programs and licenses, permits etc., to one             race e)        The State controls Religious freedom to the disadvantage of non-Muslims, imposes of Muslim religious laws on non-              Muslims and extends the jurisdiction of the Syaria Courts onto non-Muslims. f)         The State sponsors violence and threats of violence both directly and indirectly (outsourced) on the citizens to create             fear among the non-Malay non-Muslims. g)        The State sanctions draconian, punitive laws and gives blank cheques to the Police to make arbitrary arrests of             dissenters. h)        The State explicitly and implicitly declares that the Malays  are the masters  (Malay Supremacy) and the sons of soil.   All of this is in direct contravention to the stipulations of the International laws. Hindraf in including this into the Blueprint is boldly speaking up for all Malaysians.   The Blueprint document that boldly calls for the establishment of a set of laws that will eliminate racism in our country is categorized as a narrow race-centred document by our detractors. Both BN and Pakatan today are not inclined to open their mouths on these issues now or ever. Yet they can call themselves " Beyond Racial Boundaries" and "1Malaysia" and turn around and brand Hindraf as a racist or an extremist organization.   In addition to these demands in the Blueprint, much of what Hindraf pursues relates to changes that are fundamental in nature. It is our belief that only changes that are fundamental can promote the cause of true democracy. Instead what we get today that which is called change and progress towards more democracy are cosmetic changes, one upmanship changes or just simple face changes. What we need are some fundamental changes like: Clear and unambiguous commitment to the principles of Equality for all as stipulated in Article 8 of the Federal Constitution as in the original Reid Commission submission. Strict adherence to the original spirit and intention of the Malaysian Constitution .  Constitutional amendments  to incorporate a truly impartial and independent Constitutional Court .  Increased checks and balances to maintain integrity of the key institutions of the Government. To implement new economic programs to benefit all Malaysians irrespective of   race and religion. To provide protection for minority rights. To give Borneo states their promised autonomy as per the 1963 Malaysia agreement. To adopt and ratify all International Human   rights treaties and to abolish all repressive laws. These are some of the fundamental changes that Hindraf struggles for. In doing this Hindraf is promoting the cause of a more mature democracy in our country, of a more robust and prosperous Malaysia for all. The reality of Malaysia is it is a multicultural and multiethnic nation. The way forward is more fundamental change consistent with this reality. If all we tinker around with is some nominal change at the fringes we are going to be getting more of the same for years to come. Those that wish to see our demise cast us as a narrow racist organization, inspite of the fcat that we struggle to promote democracy boldly. They use a convoluted definition of racism to cast us thus. We we stand up for the victims of institutionalized racism, and in which book of true learning does that constitute racism. The basis for truth cannot be who can shout louder.

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Himpunan ‘Anwar dalang Lahad Datu’ depan Masjid Negara Posted: 14 Mar 2013 06:09 PM PDT Siri jelajah 'Anwar Dalang Lahad Datu' anjuran badan bukan kerajaan (NGO) berhaluan kanan itu bermatlamat meyakinkan orang awam supaya menolak Pakatan Rakyat dalam pilihan raya umum (PRU) 13 kerana menjadi punca pencerobohan 'Sultan Sulu' di Lahad Datu. Antara NGO terbabit Pertubuhan Peribumi Perkasa (Perkasa), Jalur Tiga (Jati), Tolak Individu Bernama Anwar Ibrahim (Tibai) serta Jaringan Melayu Malaysia (JMM). Selain Anwar, beberapa pemimpin Pakatan termasuk Naib Presiden PKR Tian Chua juga dibidas kerana kenyataannya mengaitkan Umno dengan insiden tembakan antara anggota keselamatan dengan kumpulan penceroboh. "Kita takkan biarkan Tian Chua berkuasa…lepas PRU kita humban dia dalam longkang," laung Mursyidul Am Tibai Zahid Mat Arip dihadapan kira-kira 100 orang selepas menunaikan solat Jumaat. Menjadikan lori sebagai pentas bergerak untuk ceramah, nyanyian lagu 'Negaraku' serta bendera Jalur Gemilang turut diagihkan kepada umum. Presiden Perkasa Datuk Ibrahim Ali ketika berucap mendesak supaya segera diwujudkan Suruhanjaya Siasatan Diraja (RCI) mengenai isu Lahad Datu. Katanya, semua pihak termasuk anggota keselamatan dan pembangkang perlu dipanggil membantu siasatan. `Wujudkan kertas putih' "Kita mesti desak wujudkan kertas putih untk hilang keraguan siapa dalang di sebalik insiden Lahad Datu. "Kalau tak berbagai tuduhan akan terus berlaku dan takkan selesaikan masalah," katanya. READ MORE HERE

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