My earlier bit: Rocky’s Bru and Jeff Ooi makes an extremely sharp catch. The NST Group Editor a plagiarist? A copy-cat? I’ve read through the evidence, and my view is that it is conclusive, and it is damning.

These links from Jeff: Mr. Pereira’s article (pdf), Mitch Albom’s article (pdf), Jeff’s comparison (pdf).

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Definitions of plagiarism: Wikipedia and Merriam-Webster

Where I went to Uni, plagiarism was treated as a sin roughly on the same scale as say cold blooded murder (not that all of us heeded the lesson, kononnya). I do believe journalists adhere to a very similar code.

I tried not to jump to conclusions, and read the comparisons very closely. I strongly encourage you to do the same. Links to both articles are still up and live at time of writing.

Against that same available evidence, I asked myself, was it an acknowledged imitation (such as is common in all creative arts)? Was it coincidence? Was it subconscious borrowing?

All this and more I tried to ask, and I can’t say any of the answers I was forced to give came anywhere close to a ‘yes’.

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The destruction of a man’s career is no trite business. While graver sinners, such as Jasin MP Dtk Mohd Said bin Yusof, may still roam free, one might still sympathise with the personal turmoil experienced these days by say our Dtk Zakaria of Klang.

Nonetheless, human sympathy aside, a spade is a spade and plagiarism is plagiarism. To my mind, there is no recourse for Mr. Pereira. This is his defnining moment.

Should he do anything short of come clean about his misdoing and take all the drastic, appropriate action, I reckon Mr. Pereira would be doing no less than renouncing all claims to any semblence of honour.

His only hope to salvage any dignity at all is a full and unreserved confession and apology, a resignation in all likelihood, and firm commitment to steer away from any attempts to wiggle out of responsibility, put some ridiculous spin or make any kind of denial at all.

There is already a chorus of ’shame! shame!’ But I would personally like to reserve joining that chorus until we see what Mr. Pereira does in response.

Tags-Brendan Pereira, Integrity, NST, Responsible Free Speech

Tags: Integrity, Responsible Free Speech by Nathaniel Tan
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I only came across two articles covering this sad and mysterious K. Suresh incident that indicates negligence on the part of the police, no matter what happened.

The first article is from Bernama, and has the depressing title: “Police find no element of crime in Suresh’s death” :| Again, let’s not forget the concept of criminal negligence.

The NST piece is aptly titled “It could have been carelessness“. Could? There’s no doubt that it was. Only thing is, the police are harping on the wrong carelessness as it were.

Selangor Police Chief Datuk Ismail Omar seems to be giving all the ‘right’ assurances (about the seriousness of the investigation) but asking all the wrong questions.

“The policemen who released that detainee should have checked the cell and ensured nothing had been left behind,” he fumed.

“Even if something had been left behind, such as the veil, why had it been left there for more than a month?

“Investigations are ongoing to verify the identity of the last suspect detained in the lock-up and who was responsible for releasing him.”

It is learnt that the closed- circuit television camera had also been switched off because the cell had not been used for a period of time.

Who gives a rat’s ass why or how some piece of cloth was left in the cell? The saree (or “Samarinda pelikat” :P ) isn’t what killed him. Either he killed himself, or somebody. Thanks to a (criminal?) oversight, it’s a bit hard to tell now isn’t it?

Yah, I also believe in turning lights off when you’re not using them, but CCTV’s are extremely important in this case. Liddat how do you expect us not to wonder if the CCTV’s weren’t ‘accidently’ left off?

Isn’t that what they’re there for? So that no doubt can be thrown on the good name of our police force?

As for Suresh, was he suicidal? Could he have had any reason to take his own life?

Stop chasing a piece of cloth, Datuk. Find out why your men weren’t watching their ward, and find out exactly what happened in that cell.

Tags-Government Negligence, Law Enforcement

Tags: Government Negligence, Law Enforcement by Nathaniel Tan
1 Comment »

I strongly believe there hasn’t been sufficient discussion regarding the FTA being negotiated between us and the USA. It seems like the government is trying hard to push it through with the minimum amount of scrutiny.

There are groups concerned, thankfully, and a whole bunch of them protested as the negotiations re-opened at the Sheraton Imperial. Some coverage information here, a statement from an anti-FTA coalition, and a pretty good article in Malaysiakini focusing on the fallout a FTA would have on everyday rakyat, especially women. Read it. Get to know what’s going on!
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Such civic participation is also being touted by the All PJ Pro-Action Committee (Appac), who seem to be going on a national roadshow to promote participation of the rakyat in their local councils. Sokong!

More active participation will clearly lessen the abuses of power as seen with this whole Dtk Zakaria business in Klang. And fo’ real, PJ people know about abuses of power.

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PKR as usual is nowhere in the mainstream press, but just a quick point to a Malaysiakini article about his handing leadership (due to age, apparently) of PKR Youth to acting chief 31-year-old lawyer Samsul Iskandar. Of mild interest:

Samsul, who served as youth vice chief for four years, added that (the) youth wing intends to foster closer rapport between opposition parties PAS and DAP.

Hmm.. Nice work, if you can get it.

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The Star pointed to a Harian Metro article about a bunch of Mat Rempit who forced a guy out of his car at a traffic light, then robbed and beat the crap out of him. This took place in Jalan Maarof, Bangsar. Me and my younger sisters drive by there all the time.

Still game to play nice with them, Dtk Abdul Azeez and Putera Umno?

Tags-Civics, Economy, Government Policies, International, Local Government

Tags: Government Policies, Local Government, Civics, Economy, International by Nathaniel Tan
1 Comment »

Dtk Z, Dtk Z…

I’ll try to be relatively short on this eventful day.

The “grassroots” appear to still be quite supportive of Dtk. Reporting on the two protests at the infamous mansion over the weekend, Malaysiakini has some imagery on just how supportive they can be.

DAP Selangor vice-chief S Selvadurai in his police report claimed that he was punched by some of the mob members - believed to be Zakaria’s supporters.

They were also seen brandishing steel pipes, but Selvadurai did not specify in his report if they used them on him.

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Parti Keadilan Rakyat Selangor vice-chief Khairul Anuar Zainudin, who was at the demonstration, claimed racial slurs were made the mob, as most of the protestors where ethnic Chinese.

“They played up racial sentiments. They were shouting ‘Cina balik!’ (Chinese get out!), ‘Kalau kamu mahu Mei 13, saya hari ini boleh bagi kau’ (If you want May 13, I can give it to you today)” said Khairul when contacted.

Two other eye-witnesses confirmed that such words were used by the group which backed Zakaria.

Khairul claimed he learned that these people were not from Kampung Idaman, which is itself a lower-income multicultural village.

There’s a painful does of reality for you :(

The Star has a colorful article describing the chaos and disarray facing Klang’s Umno division, who nonetheless appear determinedly united behind Dtk Zakaria.

I don’t know if the other two Klang Municipal Council members who were found to be constructing illegal mansions are Umno members. If they are, I don’t envy the division’s present handful.

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The Star had the presence of mind to look into the political process through which councillors are chosen, providing some useful insight.

They also had this rather odd article, which may be the longest ‘interview’ Dtk Zakaria has given so far. And what auspices is the rather sympathetic article under? Vasthu Sastra. Indian Feng Shui :|

The piece gives you an insight into Dtk’s present circumstances though - constantly surrounded by supporters with walkie talkies and all.

Tags-Civics, Demonstrations, Integrity, Local Government, MPK, Politics, Umno, Zakaria Md D

Tags: Local Government, Civics, Integrity, Malaysian Politics by Nathaniel Tan
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Chief Minister of Sabah Datuk Musa Aman thinks the state Forestry officials did right in burning down 28 squatter houses in the Paitan Forest Reserve.

Protecting our forests is all good and well, but you’re telling me that there was no better, less malicious way of handling this situation than burning everything to the ground before the settlers could remove their belongings?

Humane, consistent efficiency, friend - not vengeful demonstrations of overwhelming force.

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I fear that this kind of power tripping - along with the chance to cash in perhaps - is what led to a craze for Immigration and Customs jobs among civil service applicants. The following (astonishing!) stats from the Star can be verified through this webpage I think (I managed to confirm at least one) -

According to the Public Services Commission website, about 76,662 people applied for 1,104 vacant positions for Immigration officers while another 78,113 vied for 867 posts of Asst Supt of Customs.

Other startling figures in the PSC website: assistant anti-drug officers (7,241 applicants for one vacancy); research officers (15,000 applicants for one vacancy); science officers in the Chemist’s Department (14,608 applicants for 10 vacancies); technical assistants (14,636 applicants for 19 vacancies); and diplomatic and administrative officers (36,121 for 50 vacancies).

Yah. You may have better statistical odds of getting into Oxbridge or an Ivy League :(

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The rakyat clamours for jobs with the kerajaan, while the kerajaan clamours for ‘foreign’ expertise, albeit without much success.

It sounds like Human Resources Minister Datuk Dr Fong Chan Onn’s answer to scientists who don’t want to stay in Malaysia is: build them bigger and better toys!

Sigh, bigger and ‘better’ hardware isn’t always the answer you know. Read the complaints more carefully, it’s a lot about the mentality, lack of meritocracy in the system, disorganisation and general lack of first class (read: mature and reasonable - nothing so special) thinking. Not just about better equipment. That kind of thinking just leads to more money being wasted (like the money spent getting scientists back who eventually cannot tahan and jump ship again).

The Christian Federation of Malaysia also has a thing or two to say about the incident involving the harassment of foreign retirees by religious officials in Langkawi.

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British DPM says interfaith talks are good. Betcha everyone smiled politely and failed to mention that the government likes to forbid such things (because the rakyat stupid, emotional and cannot understand properly, kononnya).

He was also “quick to dismiss a foreign reporter’s suggestion that the use of the Internal Security Act was the reason for Malaysia’s harmony.”

Our own DPM’s response? Welll…. it’s not just the ISAlah……..

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To their mild credit, the government says a full report on the LRT overhanging incident will be made public. Good, in principle. We’ll wait for said report.

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And lastly, guns still flying around, yuck!!

Tags-Economy, employment, Government Appropriation, Government Negligence, Government Policies, illegal arms, International, ISA, Law Enforcement, public transport

Tags: Government Policies, Government Negligence, Government Appropriation, Economy, Law Enforcement, International by Nathaniel Tan
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(Correction: According to time stamps, Rocky’s Bru was actually the first to catch this. Sorry!)

FLASH: Jeff Ooi makes an extremely sharp catch. The NST Group Editor a plagarist? A copy-cat? I’ve read through the evidence, and my view is that it is conclusive, and it is damning.

Will write more on this later, but for now, these links from Jeff: Mr. Pereira’s article (pdf), Mitch Albom’s article (pdf), Jeff’s comparison (pdf).

Tags-Integrity, Responsible Free Speech

Tags: Integrity, Responsible Free Speech by Nathaniel Tan
1 Comment »

Yet another death in detention under extremely mysterious circumstances. Not sure, but I think the NST first broke the story, and there were follow-ups today there and in the Star as well about how the IGP is demanding a detailed report. Hopefully, we’ll all get one and hopefully, this isn’t just bluster and filler from Tan Sri Musa.

Sorry for the following long quote, but the original NST article will disappear from the Internet soon enough.

Suresh Kunasekaran / K. Suresh (a 26 yr old despatch worker with a battery company) was found in a cell meant for women, hanging from the window with a saree tied around the neck about 2pm (on Friday, Oct 27th, 2006)

“No one could tell us exactly what happened. Where did the saree come from? Why was he in the women’s cell? Why was the closed-circuit television camera not working?” his mother Liew Kiew asked.

The 47-year-old general worker at a plastics factory in Sungai Choh, said her neighbours told her he was confronted by two police officers on motorcycles at a workshop near his Taman Teratai home in Sungai Choh on Friday morning.

About 11.30am, he was picked up by a patrol car and taken to the Bukit Sentosa police station.

About midnight, says Liew Kiew, she was woken up by a policeman who told her Suresh had died in police custody.

She woke up her two daughters and her husband, Kunasekaran Rengaya, 47, and they went straight to the police station.

“They told us that he was found dead in his cell and that they were investigating whether he had committed suicide. They told us to come back at 8am.

“We later found out from someone else that he was alone in a cell meant for women, and that he was hanged from the cell window with a saree,” she said.

Could the circumstances be more bizarre? :( What on earth happened??

Today’s NST reports that Suhakam apparently plans to have an inquest. Commissioner Datuk N. Siva Subramaniam echoes Mrs. Liew Kiew’s frustrations:

Siva said: ” I want the police to answer several questions.

“How did the saree get into the lock-up? Assuming that the deceased managed to bring the saree into the lock-up, what were the police doing? Aren’t they supposed to monitor detainees? Secondly, what could have pushed the deceased to commit suicide only a few hours after being detained?

“Thirdly, why the delay in informing the family of his death?”

Questions upon questions. But I bet you somebody out there knows the answers.

It seems that there has been a spate of deaths in detention in the last few months, all under very suspicious circumstances.

Police Watch Malaysia appears to have done some good work documenting many of these cases. This group seems to concentrate a bit on problems within the Indian community.

I try to be well aware of the pitfalls of seeing the ethnicity angle in every problem, but it is also worth pointing out that Indians make up a hugely disproportionate percentage of detention under the Emergency (Public Order and Prevention of Crime) Ordinance 1969, a much less famous but much more often used cousin to the ISA. Please see the link for more info.

I’ll try to keep an eye out for developments on this case.

Tags-Government Negligence, Law Enforcement

Tags: Government Negligence, Law Enforcement by Nathaniel Tan
3 Comments »