2009 February » jelas.info

Umno YouThugs 4eva! :P

Feb 272009

Sigh, God knows I don’t always agree with what Karpal Singh says. And to be perfectly reasonable, the whole ‘celaka’ thing was uncalled for and non-productive.

All that said, mobbing a dude in a wheelchair like a bunch of gangsters? Inexcusable.

Well, forgive me for ‘politicising’ this affair, but if we really want to rid our culture of such thuggery, it seems the only thing to do is to rid ourselves of Umno and BN.

I’m cognisant of the calls to stop politicking and get back to government, and have actually written a long piece on the matter which I hope will be published soon.

In the meantime though, to summarise, we should be reminded that getting better, violence-free government will *probably* have to be done via political means.

It’s not enough to denounce Umno YouThugs. They really don’t give a rat’s ass about y/our denouncements. What we need to do is to get them out of power. The reality is, there’s no getting them out of power without replacing them with a viable alternative.

I think that now is the time to help strengthen those alternatives. Should the day when said alternatives take power and turn sour, we’ll give ‘em hell too then. But one step at a time.

Bias, bias, bias – Lingam, Jed, Najib

Integrity, Responsible Free Speech 5 Responses »

Feb 262009

The trend of who is prosecuted and who is not continues to be infruriating.

After Khalid vs Khir, latest to escape is those involved in the Lingam tape scandal. Of four involved, the MACC decided “No Further Action” for one individual, the AG’s chambers decided the same for another two. Something tells me that the last sucker involved will be Lingam himself, and he’ll be hung out to dry.

As usual, the big fish will just swim happily away, immune from justice.

In other news, Najib threatens the two Pakatan assemblymen making the MACC report in Perak, saying they were induced by Najib’s agents. I guess threats are the only language available to thugs and kingpins.

I wonder what the middle ground thinks – that Najib really did try to bribe these guys, however indirectly, or that these two men are completely fabricating things?

Lastly, on the latest blogger to face prosecution, I have to echo Tony and also admit some past acrimony with Jed, having had some of my loved ones ‘suffer’ at her hand. Nonetheless, what she had to endure is worrying.

Her experience mirrors mine somewhat. I’m not entirely sure and don’t remember the names perfectly, but sounds like the dude who searched her house may have been the same as the one who searched mine (the ridiculously unnecessary steps taken in the process belie logic) and ordered my arrest.

She agreed to go for questioning without a lawyer, and I didn’t – which is essentially what landed me under lock and key.

Like Tony, I will not dwell on the merits of her case, but echo his sentiments that this is again suggests a trend of bias. It seems only individuals of certain characteristics are to become targets of the cold, hard hand of what passes for the law in Malaysia.

Below is her press statement.

Lembu, Najib, Perak, Recusals

Malaysian Politics 6 Responses »

Feb 252009

On some less “sexy” topics.

I happened to be at the Semangat 46 Lembu gathering today, where PKR Youth took issue with the MACC’s selective handling of corruption cases. They took a live cow (along with a cute cardboard submarine) along to emphasise the point :P

Quite an effective gesture, even though the poor animal looked a bit under strain.

We’ll see if the MACC acts on the RM 20 million and RM 8 million + logging concessions scandal unfolding in Ipoh, or whether they will ignore like they ignored the Kedah case.

It looks like the onslaught intensifies. RM 20 million is a lot of money. Even I’m not sure I could withstand that temptation (hint, hint BN! hahaha).

But jokes aside, I think we are getting a good glimpse of what a Najib premiership would look like. An era dominated by a pagan religion where money (and the occasional see four?) is enthroned and worshiped as the solution to all problems, the law be damned.

On the issue of law, I would also like to highlight the manner in which the judicial commissioner who was to hear the Nizar vs. Zambry suit nobly recused himself:

Kuala Lumpur High Court judicial commissioner Mohamad Ariff Md Yusof today decided to recuse himself from hearing the case of who is the rightful Perak menteri besar.

Ariff, a former PAS member, had held posts at branch and division levels and had contested on a party ticket in the 2004 general election for the Kota Damansara state seat.

Maybe I’m exaggerating, but I’m tempted to say “See? People with Pakatan associations are quick to sacrifice his own position so that justice is both done and seen to be done.”

Compare this with Augustine Paul, who saw absolutely no reason to recuse himself from RPK’s trial.

"Unnatural" Sex

Laws 6 Responses »

Feb 252009

Update: See funny related post on the Penile Code, by Aisehman :P :)

This, once again, is not exactly the kind of thing you’ll find me blogging about, but I suppose the occasion calls for it.

Firstly, I am no big fan of Chua Soi Lek’s politics.

That said, to be the subject of criminal investigation for oral sex is just plain ridiculous. Can you imagine how many Malaysians would have to be hauled to court?

I think it is imperative to be just in the administration of justice. If a prominent politician should be charged for oral sex, than all the rest of us “guilty” of the same should also be charged. If not, such selective application of the law would be clear injustice.

As has been written, it’s a different matter entirely if we are talking forced oral sex or any type of rape.

Also, I did some asking around, and as far as I can tell, even religious law is unclear on the issue of consensual oral sex (apparently there is some difference of opinion). If this is so, why on earth do we continue to enforce colonial laws that belong to the Middle Ages??

Sigh.

Anyway, while I am (as is rarely the case) on this subject, there are two pieces of writing that I felt like sharing. Whatever our views, the eloquence therein deserves close consideration. The first is by Pang Khee Teik on Astro censorship, the second is a speech the won the Human Rights public speaking competition some time back by Gabrielle Chong Yong Wei. I am happy to call both friends.

In these writings, and the issue above, I do fully appreciate the conservatism of Malaysia in general, and respect the views of many of its citizens. In the long run, I may also find myself picking and choosing which political battles to fight.

This may not be the time and place, but should we one day get the opportunity, I hope we can at least engage in open, frank, and mutually enlightening discussion, such that everyone along the spectrum of opinion might gain a better appreciation of the diversity of views.

Billions about to be embezzled via water deal?

Malaysian Politics 7 Responses »

Feb 242009

I too have been asked to publicise the following statement.

I had not been following the matter closely, but at the risk of sounding overly partisan, it sounds like:

- Pakatan trying to get the best deal (ie, lowest water bills) for the rakyat, and
- BN trying to screw it up to save their cronies at the taxpayer’s expense.

Hmm. Trying to steal billions from under our noses, while making noise about a bunch of cows?

Did I miss something? More ‘complicated’ than that? Please feel free to enlighten me.

Joint Media Statement by Member of Parliaments in the Selangor Water Review Panel in Kuala Lumpur on Monday, 23rd February 2009:

Federal Government Sabotaged Offer by Selangor Government to Acquire Water Assets and Concession in the State

The Selangor state government made an offer to 4 privatised water service providers – Puncak Niaga Sdn Bhd (PNSB), SYABAS, SPLASH and ABASS to acquire their water assets and concessions on the 13th February 2009.

The combined RM5.71 billion offered was made with the objective to deliver the lowest possible water tarriffs for the residents of Selangor and Kuala Lumpur. At the same time, the offer was consistent with, and guided by the terms and conditions specified in the concession agreements signed willingly by all parties involved. It was a comprehensive offer because it encompasses the audited asset value of all water-related assets as well as a very fair and reasonable return to the capital invested by the respective concessionaires.

However, before the concessionaires are able to respond to the state government’s offer by the 20th February, we are shocked that the Ministry of Energy, Water and Communications, via Dato Teo Yen Hua, CEO of National Water Services Commission (SPAN) announced on the 18th February that the Federal Government will proceed to negotiate directly with the water concessionaires.

Instead of supporting the state’s offer, SPAN intentionally threw a spanner in the works to sabotage the Selangor state’s attempt at delivering the lowest possible water tarriffs to her people.

For with an alternative competing offer which will not only encompass higher cash valuation but also more lucrative terms and conditions from the Federal Government, SPAN has single-handedly destroyed any likelihood of a positive response from the concessionaires to the state government.

Therefore with SPAN’s interference, it was not surprising that the concessionaires rejected the state government’s offer on 20th February, last Friday. We will like to call upon the Minister to explain the actions of his Ministry for sabotaging the efforts of the Selangor State Government.

We will like to reiterate our position that if the offer from the Federal Government to acquire these assets and concessions at the same or lower price than what the Selangor state government has offered, we will not only agree to letting the Federal Government lead the negotiations, but also provide the Ministry with our full support and co-operation.

If however, the Ministry offers the concessionaires a much higher cash value for its assets as well as lucrative license terms for them to continue as the water operators in the state, the Minister must explain why he is forsaking the rights and interest of 7.3 million population of Selangor and Kuala Lumpur.

We will also like to emphasize to the Minister that under the law, particularly the Water Services Industry Act 2006, as well as the terms of the current concession contracts, the Selangor state is a counter-party to all previous and future agreements. Hence the attempt by the Federal Government to unilaterally negotiate with the concessionaires is illegal and will be subjected to future dispute and complications.

Therefore, we call upon the Federal Government to respect the rights of the State and let the Selangor Government proceed with the negotiations with the concessionaires in the interest of the people of Selangor and Kuala Lumpur.

Tony Pua, MP Petaling Jaya Utara
Charles Santiago, MP Klang
William Leong, MP Selayang
Dr Dzulkifli Ahmad, MP Kuala Selangor

Child Porn Scandal: Has MACC's Ahmad Said's impartiality been compromised to protect his son? (updated)

Malaysian Politics 41 Responses »

Feb 232009

Two things I pretty much stay away from blogging about – people’s families, and people’s sex lives. You’ll never see pictures of the sexy exploits of politician’s sons on Jelas (though perhaps, that’s more due to jealousy than anything else, haha).

I thought about it though, and in this case, I think it is in fact in the national interest – due to a question that needs to be answered (see below).

After making enquiries, I’m pretty sure that MACC Chairman, Ahmad Said – the man who is wrongfully and prejudicially intent on declaring Tan Sri Khalid Ibrahim guilty before proper prosecution takes place – has a son named Ahmad Shauqi.

It turns out, Ahmad Shauqi is a pilot who was recently found guilty in Australia for bringing child porn into the country (I suspect that the website referred to him as ‘Ahmad Said’ because they thought that that was his surname).

Whether he was really smuggling child porn, or whether he was simply the victim of that ridiculous amounts of spam we all get and unfair targeting by Australian authorities is outside the scope of this blog’s speculation.

I also think that the Malaysian police are supposed to conduct their own investigation and prosecution into this case. Apparently, this police investigation and prosecution never took place.

It’s this last bit that raises serious questions that take this out of the personal/family sphere, and into the public sphere.

As a public official, Ahmad Said must be free of any aspersions that suggest an inability to carry out his duties freely, fairly and independently.

Should Ahmad Said have a son who seems to have “escaped” criminal proceedings here in Malaysia, I think we cannot say that Ahmad Said is in a position to enjoy full public confidence.

After all, it then becomes reasonable for us to question: Has Ahmad Said been coerced into pursuing only selective MACC prosecutions against certain parties in return for having his son granted immunity from criminal prosecutions?

I wish to emphatically state once again that I have little interest in sullying Ahmad Shauqi’s name, in his alleged crime, and especially in connecting whatever his misdeeds may or may not be to his father. I am not interested in Ahmad Said’s parenting abilities, or the moral integrity of the rest of his family.

I am however, forced to take an interest in the ability of Ahmad Said to fulfill his duties as a public official impartially. Should he fail in this task, then it falls to us as the public to investigate all the possible reasons why. Unanswered questions will only cast further aspersions into the integrity of the already sullied MACC.

Update 4.30pm – A commentator reminded me to include something I meant to originally: If Tan Sri Khalid is indeed guilty of corruption, then there is no excuse not to prosecute him as the law calls for. I just really hope that the same exacting standards will be applied stringently to all, whichever side of the political divide they are on.

Choo Kok Wei: Another student victimised by abuse of UUCA

Education 4 Responses »

Feb 232009

Yet another student to be charged under the UUCA >:( He wasn’t trying to topple the government. All he was doing was trying to get lower bus fares for students already facing a tough time :(

When will these people get it? As long as you have repressed and oppressed universities, you can forget about ever having world class university graduates.

The ability to inquire freely is the first and foremost hallmark of any university worthy of the name.

Below are details from DEMA, including a letter you can send:

Choo Kok Wei, a final semester student from University Utara Malaysia (UUM) has been charged by university authority because he has planned a protest in online media and released press statement regarding bus fare issue in UUM. He was asked to attend disciplinary proceeding on 25/2 (Wednesday), 9.25am at Bilik Mesyuarat Sri Delima, Tingkat 5, Bangunan Canselori.

We strongly feel that the UUCA charge should be withdrawn because:

a) Choo Kok Wei has done nothing wrong. He was trying to help the students to voice out their unsatisfaction towards the policy and showed it to the authority.

b) Freedom of expression should be preserved in a democratic campus as stated in Article 19 of Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR) and Article 10 of Federal Constitution in Malaysia.

c) Choo Kok Wei has shown a role model by concerning in campus policy and tried to gather the opinions of students to help improve the university.

Background of the incident:

On 3/1/09, a bus company in Universiti Utara Malaysia (UUM) named Unic Symbol Business Sdn. Bhd. had released a notice about the upgrading of E-bus System and increment in bus fare starting from 17/01/09. Under the new system, two plans will be introduced:

1. RM90 plan: Unlimited times of bus riding for the whole semester. But a matric card can only be used once in 15 minutes to avoid students from sharing the same matric card.
2. RM22 plan: Contains 40 points, which means 40 bus rides. This is equal to RM0.55 per ride (one way). In this way, the bus fare has increased 37.5%, from RM0.40 to RM0.55 per ride (one way).
3. The remaining credits for both plans cannot be transferred to the next semester.

The news spread fast and students were unhappy with the changes made.

On 12/1/09, Choo Kok Wei and friends had set up an online petition specifically for UUM students at www.petitiononline.com/20090112/petition.html to gather students’ support as a protest towards the bus issue. So far 509 signatures had been collected.

On 19/1/09, Choo Kok Wei and friends have met with Deputy Vice Chancellor and he has promised to fulfill some of their demands. Deputy Vice Chancellor has agreed to reduce the bus fare to RM0.40 but university will review the rate from time to time. Remaining of the credits can be brought forward to the next semester. Deputy Vice Chancellor also ensured that voices of students will be taken into consideration in the future. But he refused to open the contract with UNIC to the public because it is confidential.

A month later, on 19/2/09, Choo received a letter from the Disciplinary Board of UUM, charging him for planning a protest in online media and released press statement regarding bus fare issue in UUM.

Date	Incident
03/01/09	A bus company in Universiti Utara Malaysia (UUM) named Unic Symbol Business Sdn. Bhd. had released a notice about the upgrading of E-bus System and increment in bus fare starting on 17/01/09. Under the new system, two plans will be introduced: RM90 plan: Unlimited times of bus riding for the whole semester. But matric card can only be used once in 15 minutes to avoid students from sharing a matric card. RM22 plan: Contains 40 points, which means 40 bus rides. This is equal to RM0.55 per ride (one way). In this way, the bus fare has increased 37.5%, from RM0.40 to RM0.55 per ride (one way). Remaining credits for both plans cannot be transferred to the next semester. The news spread fast and students were unhappy with the changes made.
12/01/09	Choo Kok Wei and friends had set up an online petition specifically for UUM students at www.petitiononline.com/20090112/petition.html to gather students’ support as a protest towards the bus issue. Initially it was planned to be held for five days and then a memorandum will be sent to the Deputy Vice Chancellor, Y.Bhg. Tan Sri Dr. Nordin Kardi, Ph.D. 2pm Within few hours, the number of signature had reached 200. 3pm Kok Wei received call from Security Department (UK) during lecture, so he didn’t answer it. 5pm The online petition website had been blocked by UUM but Kok Wei and friends were able to find ways to access to it later and spread it to the students.
13/01/09	8.30am UK officer Selvaraju a/l Subramanian (Investigation Department) called Kok Wei and wanted Kok Wei to go to UK immediately. 11am Selvaraju called Kok Wei again during his assignment discussion. Kok Wei wasn’t able to make it and Selvaraju threatened Kok Wei that he would go to Kok Wei’s room. 6.30pm UK sent an official letter to Kok Wei, asking him to go to UK office for discussion on the next morning. Immediately, Kok Wei replied UK that he would meet UK on 17/01/09 after meeting with Deputy Vice Chancellor.
14/01/09	8.10am Selvaraju called Kok Wei, saying that he couldn’t accept Kok Wei’s request to postpone the meeting. He wanted Kok Wei to go to UK immediately. Again, Selvaraju threatened that he will write a letter to Deputy Vice Chancellor so that Kok Wei will be kicked out from hostel.
15/01/09	Kok Wei resent appointment letter to Deputy Vice Chancellor to postpone the meeting to 19/01 because 17/01 was public holiday.
17/01/09	12.30pm Kok Wei went UK to meet Selvaraju as promised in the replied letter. Kok Wei admitted that he set up the online petition. During the interrogation, many irrelevant questions were asked. 5pm Interrogation went on for 4 and a half hours and finished at 5pm.
19/01/09	The number of signature for the online petition had reached 500. 11.35pm Kok Wei and friends met with Deputy Vice Chancellor and handed in a memorandum. Four demands have been raised: Maintain the bus fare at RM0.40 per point or reduce it to a rate lower than RM0.55 per point. The remaining credit can be brought forward to the next semester. University has to be transparency in the contract with UNIC and also other contracts in the future, so that students are able to supervise it. Students are involved in any decision making that are concerning the benefits of the students. Deputy Vice Chancellor has agreed to reduce the bus fare to RM0.40 but university will review the rate from time to time. Remaining of the credits can be brought forward to the next semester. Deputy Vice Chancellor also ensured that voices of students will be taken into consideration in the future. But he refused to open the contract with UNIC to the public because it is confidential.
19/02/09	At Night Choo received a letter from the Disciplinary Board of UUM, charging him for “planning a protest in online media and released press statement regarding bus fare issue in UUM”. He was asked to attend disciplinary proceeding on 25/2 (Wednesday), 9.25am at Bilik Mesyuarat Sri Delima, Tingkat 5, Bangunan Canselori.
22/02/09	8.30am Kok Wei sent a letter asking for postpone, but has been rejected by the secretary of UUM Disciplinary Board without reading at the letter. Kok Wei wasn’t able to meet the Deputy Vice Chancellor because he is not in the office.

Democracy in UUM

Students as one of the stakeholders of a university should be given opportunity to monitor every contract or affairs that are related to the campus and especially to the students. The bus fare issue in UUM will definitely affect the students because they are the ones who are using the service and they need to pay for it. Thus, any changes in the service should involve students’ opinion and thoughts so that the policy will do good to the students.

In this case, Choo Kok Wei was trying to uphold the principles of campus democracy by raising the issue amongst the students so that they have a platform to voice out their opinion. 509 signatures of UUM students have been collected in a short period has shown that students are unsatisfied with the change in bus service. The authority should therefore take into account the students’ consideration, not charging Choo Kok Wei to create fear among the students as a warning to them.

All contracts and trading should be transparency so that everyone can monitor it. Students should be encouraged to show concern about the university policy and give their opinion freely. The charging of Choo Kok Wei is a retrogression of democracy in UUM.

Demands

Hence, DEMA calls upon authority of UUM to withdraw disciplinary charge from Choo Kok Wei immediately. DEMA also urges the authority of UUM to open the contract between UUM and UNIC to the public to show that there is no conflict of interest in this issue.

What Can You Do?

1. Fax the sample letter below to UUM authority immediately.

Pejabat Naib Canselor:

No. Fax: 04-9283180

2. Call UUM authority to ask about the case and protest towards the UUCA charge on Choo Kok Wei.

Pejabat HEP:

Tel: 04-9284070/3224

Pejabat Naib Canselor:

Tel: 04-9283001

Released by,

Malaysia Youth and Student Democratic Movement (DEMA)

Tan Sze Ming (UUM Coordinator)

012-4046310

sze_min310@hotmail.com

Sample Letter

Please state your protest by sending a letter to the Vice Chancellor of University Utara Malaysia (UUM).

To:

Y. Bhg. Tan Sri Dr. Nordin Kardi, Ph.D
Vice Chancellor

Pejabat NC,

Bagunan Canselori
Universiti Utara Malaysia

06010, UUM Sintok

Kedah Darul Aman.

Tel: 04-9283001

No. Fax: 04-9283180

Withdraw Disciplinary Charge on Choo Kok Wei Immediately

We/I from ______________________, oppose the action of UUM authority for charging a final semester student, Choo Kok Wei, for practising his rights as student and a Malaysia citizen, to set up an online petition to gather students’ voices on the UUM bus fare issue.

2. We/I strongly feel that the disciplinary charge should be withdrawn because:

1. Choo Kok Wei has done nothing wrong. He was trying to help the students to voice out their unsatisfaction towards the policy and showed it to the authority.

2. Freedom of speech should be preserved in a democratic campus as stated in Article 19 of Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR) and Article 10 of Federal Constitution in Malaysia.

3. Choo Kok Wei has shown a role model by concerning in campus policy and tried to gather the opinions of students to help improve the university.

3. Students as one of the stakeholders of a university should be given opportunity to monitor every contract or affairs that are related to the campus and especially to the students. Thus, any changes in the service should involve students’ opinion and thoughts so that the policy will do good to the students. Students should be encouraged to show concern about the university policy and give their opinion freely. The charging of Choo Kok Wei is a retrogression of democracy in UUM.

4. We/I urge that UUM authority:

a) to withdraw disciplinary charge from Choo Kok Wei immediately.

b) to open the contract between UUM and UNIC to the public to show that there is no conflict of interest in this issue.

c) to preserve the freedom of expression of the students as stated in Article 19 of Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR) and Article 10 of Federal Constitution in Malaysia, and uphold campus democracy.

Yours faithfully,

______________

( )

CC:

Y.B. DATO’ SERI MOHAMED KHALED BIN NORDIN

Menteri Pengajian Tinggi,
Kementerian Pengajian Tinggi,
Aras 7, Blok E3, Parcel E,
Pusat Pentadbiran Kerajaan Persekutuan,
62505 PUTRAJAYA.

Tel : +603-8883 5010

Faks : +603-8889 1952

Emel : menteri@mohe.gov.my

RSF & RPK

Responsible Free Speech 4 Responses »

Feb 202009

The 2nd public service announcement for today. Was supposed to publish earlier, but blog was down.

This is on RPK, who we are all concerned about, as Monday approaches. Living under threat of having one’s liberty suspended indefinitely is a horrifying thing.

I think I agree with his strategy though, should he be incarcerated once again (though not quite to the point of death, of course). Momentum is crucial in any campaign.

Here’s an open letter from Reporters Without Borders:

“Your Majesty, do everything in your power to prevent any judicial error”
Open letter to the king of Malaysia about blogger Raja Petra Kamaruddin

Reporters Without Borders secretary-general Jean-François Julliard wrote today to Tuanku Mizan Zainal Abidin Ibni Almarhum Sultan Mahmud Al Mukhtafi Billah Shah, the king of Malaysia, asking him to intercede in the case of “RPK”.

“Your Majesty,

Reporters Without Borders, an organisation that defends press freedom worldwide, would like to draw your attention to the case of Raja Petra Kamaruddin, a journalist also known as “RPK,” who is charged under the Internal Security Act (ISA) in connection with articles posted on his Malaysia Today blog (http://mt.m2day.org/2008/) and who now faces the possibility of being imprisoned again.

In the speech you gave today, you described the younger generation as Malaysia’s hope and future. RPK is a model of the free speech this generation should enjoy.

The way the federal court in Putrajaya is conducting RPK’s case is travesty of justice. The court’s impartiality is jeopardised by the fact that Augustine Paul, one of the three judges on the panel handling the case, issued a ruling against RPK in 2001 as a “threat to internal security.” RPK had posted comments online that lambasted the judge for his role in Anwar Ibrahim’s corruption trial – comments that were widely circulated on the Internet.

The decision by judges Nik Hashim Nik Ab Rahman and Zulkefli Ahmad Makinuddin to reject a request by RPK’s lawyers to recuse Judge Paul seems to be unconstitutional. Paul chose not to remain in court to hear the application for his recusal, leaving the other two judges. However, the law requires that such an application by heard by three federal judges.

Since the start of this case, the police and government officials have acted outside the law as established by the constitution. RPK was jailed under the only section of the ISA that allows the authorities to imprison a person without giving their reasons. And the charges brought against him violated some of his basic rights, including individual freedom (article 5.1), freedom of expression (article 10.1) and freedom of religion (article 11).

Malaysia has ratified the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, so such violations of freedom cannot continue. This situation threatens the rule of law in Malaysia and offers an extremely negative image of your country internationally. In the current context, it seems clear that this is a political manoeuvre to silence RPK and put pressure on Malaysia’s civil society leaders.

We believe that it is your role, as your country’s monarch, to defend your people and ensure respect for their basic rights, while remaining completely neutral and independent of any political party, as required by the constitution. This is why we are seeking your help and why we ask you to ensure the withdrawal of the appeal against RPK’s release and to prevent any other attempt to detain him under the ISA.

These proceedings are a challenge which Malaysia should take care to meet. A new hearing has been set for 23 February. We urge you, Your Majesty, to do everything in your power to prevent any further judicial errors.

We trust you will give our request your careful consideration.

Respectfully.”

Nurul Izzah's open letter on crime in Bangsar

Crime 7 Responses »

Feb 202009

The first of two public service messages for today. I was asked to help publicise YB Nurul Izzah’s open letter on crime. My family and so many others have been victim before, so it’s always something good to fight for:

Dear Friends,

I am writing this letter to you, Bangsar residents and visitors, because as of now, the crime rate in Bangsar has reached alarming levels. More and more people in Bangsar are becoming victims of snatch thefts, break-ins, and assaults. Even prostitutes are now seen along Jalan Telawi nowadays.

Many of you have written letters to inform me of all the above, thank you for doing so. I have to emphasize that I welcome any kinds of comments, criticisms and constructive arguments. I believe it’ll help me to assist you better. But do remember, that while I am here to help. I cannot do it alone.

Thus far, I have managed to conduct dialogue sessions with the police (both closed, and open door meetings), make unannounced visits to different police stations in Bangsar, Pantai Dalam, Sri Sentosa, and ultimately request for formal meetings with top police echelons in Brickfields. It is important to hightlight the ever persistent issue of crime in Bangsar, as well as other areas in Lembah Pantai.

We must speak up against crime, such as the assault that took place even at commonly frequented sites such as the Gujerati Association. I met with the community at the crime scene, bringing together, them (the affected community) with C/Insp. Mat Shahrizan Said (the OCS of Pantai Police Station). It is a frightful thought to worry about our childrens’ safety when they are having activities at the center, especially when police patrol exists.

I will continue to highlight these issues to the media, as well as raise them in Parliament. But again, the most important avenue I have is to appeal for your help. Please come out and state your concerns in front of the police this 28th of February at Pusat Komuniti Bukit Damansara (near Sekolah Sri Cempaka). Let’s unite in our effort to help create a safer environment for our children, family and friends.

This session will include suggestions for the police to improve their services. We will open these suggestions for a frank discussion with the people of Bangsar and the Police. I have invited the Deputy OCPD of Brickfields, Supt. Azri Rahman to the forum.

To ensure we are not faulted for not cooperating with security apparatus, I must also ask all of you to lodge a police report if you have been a victim of crime. No matter how difficult the process may be, we must register crime into the national statistics. The thrust of our campaign from now on will be “LODGE A REPORT. PUNISH THE VILLAINS!”. We must do our part, and the police will always be reminded to do theirs!

Join me this Saturday, 28th February 2009, at Pusat Komuniti Bukit Damansara (near Sekolah Sri Cempaka, next to Saidina Omar Mosque). Or visit http://www.nurulizzah.com/site/stopcrime/ for more info.

Nurul Izzah, MP

Lembah Pantai

19th February 2009

Brave Sivakumar

Malaysian Politics 21 Responses »

Feb 192009

pre-script: jelas.info was down for a few days. I’m not very happy with my service provider Shinjiru. Their suspension of my account not only came without warning, it appears to have lost some of my data. Grrr.

Over lunch, it occurred to me – an arrest of Perak DUN Speaker V Sivakumar or similar prosecution seems likely.

We will have a chorus of politically motivated people screaming “Derhaka! Derhaka!”, Sedition Acts, ISA, and to top it all off, Hamidah Osman will probably be running after him with a big stick.

Note: If Sivakumar is removed, via whatever means, and Jelapang/Hee’s resignation not recognised, then – in an irony of ironies – I suppose Hee might take over, by virtue of her being/been Deputy Speaker.

I thus consider Sivakumar to be at extremely high risk presently, a position I’m sure he knew he would find himself in. Something tells me though, that he went into it head held high and ready to fight whatever comes. Brave man.

I see the suspensions as another move in the game of chess that Perak has become. I will leave the lawyers to elaborate on the legal issues that arise.

My position on Perak has not changed, and far and away, the best solution to this mess is to let the people of Perak decide.

In the meantime, I hope Sivakumar will find many friends and Malaysians from all backgrounds behind him.

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