Digest on Malaysian News

Is it time for us the motorists of Malaysia to brace for yet another round of fuel price hikes right after RON97 went up 15 sen at the beginning of this month?

The Malaysian Insider reports that key players including Dometic Trade, Cooperative and Consumerism Minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob and Pemandu CEO Datuk Seri Idris Jala will meet today to discuss another round of fuel hikes at 3 PM today, this time across the board, affecting other fuels such as LPG, and RON95 petrol.

Word is that another fuel hike could be announced as early as this evening. RON95 is currently sold at RM1.85 per liter while the recently hiked RON97 goes for RM2.30 per liter. Diesel is sold at RM1.75 per liter to the public.

Datuk G. Palanivel is set to take over the MIC leadership from Datuk Seri S. Samy Vellu next week, making him the eighth president in the party's 64-year history.

Samy Vellu, who has helmed the party for almost 31 years, is set to hand over the reins to Palanivel after the party's Central Working Committee (CWC) meeting on Monday.

"It's either going to be on Monday or at a special handing over ceremony on Tuesday," a party insider told Bernama here Friday.

MIC vice-president and Human Resources Minister Datuk Dr S. Subramaniam would assume the number two post, he said.

Palanivel, 61, the Deputy Minister of Plantation Industries and Commodities, had been informed of the transition, and was preparing himself to take over the number one post, he said.

Samy Vellu is expected to brief Palanivel on party affairs and give him access to all important party documents either on Monday or Tuesday, the party insider said.

Palanivel, a former editor with Bernama, takes over the MIC at a time when the country is preparing for a possible snap poll, which political observers predicted could be early next year.

The former press secretary to Samy Vellu, the Works Minister from 1979 to March 2008, would be faced with the task of remaking the party in time to face the 13th general election.

The MIC was only three years old when Palanivel was born. At that time, the party was helmed by Budh Singh, who led the MIC from 1947-1950, after which the presidency was assumed by K. Ramanathan for less than a year.

The first MIC president was John A. Thivy from 1946-1947. After Ramanathan, the party was helmed by K.L. Devaser who became MIC's fourth president. The fifth and sixth presidents were Tun V.T. Sambanthan and Tan Sri V. Manickavasagam.

The first four presidents had only ruled the MIC for a short period (less than three years) while Sambanthan presided over the party for 18 years (1955-1973).

Manickavasagam served for six years.

The seventh and current president, Samy Vellu, still holds the record as the longest-serving president, exactly 31 years since 1979.

Palanivel will assume the presidency from Samy Vellu upon which the MIC will hold its triennial presidential election either in March or April 2012.

Malaysian political blogs (or anti-establishment blogs, if you may call it) are busy spreading news about the Quality Concrete Holdings Get-Rich-Quick Scandal.

Quality Concrete Holdings (QCHB), the infamous company partly owned by Taib’s sister, Roziah @ Raziah Mahmud, and Taib’s first cousin, Hamed Sepawi (reported to be worth at least RM600 million), is at the epicentre of another scandal rocking Sarawak. Read mocsarawak.wordpress.com - Blocking Taib’s ‘Get Rich Quick’ land scheme.

Quality Concrete Holdings Bhd has a license to extract timber issued by the Director of Forest Department, Sarawak. This is for a period of one year effective 20 November 2009. The license covers the bulk of the last of remaining rainforest between Sebangan and Sebuyau rivers. Read more at cobboldjohn.com - The damage done to Sebangan and Sebuyau Rainforest by Taib’s cronys.

Some 100 Ibans from 15 longhouses in upper Sebangan in Simunjan, Sarawak, appeared en masse at the Kuching High Court this morning, to sue two logging companies, two of their own government-appointed village leaders and the Sarawak government. The Iban landowners have named as defendants timber concession licence holder Quality Concrete Holdings, contractor Royal Billion, as well as two community leaders, Penghulu Merum anak Babu of Kampung Arus, Sebangan and Tua Kampung Agu anak Kaleng of Kampung Bajong Ili, as well as the Sarawak government. Read more at Hornbill Unleashed - 15 Iban villages sue company of Taib’s sister.

Sarawak Chief Minister Tan Sri Abdul Taib Mahmud returned Wednesday from his pilgrimage to Mecca and said he has received the inspiration on when to call the next state elections.

"I have the inspiration but I won't tell you (the date)," he told reporters at the Hornbill Skyways Hangar here.

Abdul Taib, who is Sarawak Barisan Nasional chairman, said the state elections could be held in any of the 12 months in the year and that it was a matter of preparing the election machinery.

Political observers have predicted that the state elections will be held next month at the earliest and by March or April next year at the latest. The current term of the Sarawak legislative assembly expires in July next year.

Sarawak Barisan has 62 seats in the 71-seat assembly, with 34 held by Parti Pesaka Bumiputera Bersatu (PBB), 11 by Sarawak United People's Party (SUPP), nine by Parti Rakyat Sarawak (PRS) and eight by Sarawak Progressive Democratic Party (SPDP).

The remaining nine seats are with the DAP, which has six, PKR one, and two independents, one of whom is Barisan-friendly.

On another matter, Abdul Taib said the Sarawak Barisan would let party-less Pelagus assemblyman Larry Sng decide on his political future.

He said that if Sng wanted to remain in Barisan, he would have to apply to be a direct associate member as his present status was unclear.

Sng, 31, who is assistant minister in the Chief Minister's Office, was reported saying on Nov 19 that his political future was uncertain as he was not sure whether to contest in the next state elections.

Sng won the seat on a PRS ticket in 2006 and the party sacked him the following year citing insubordination. Abdul Taib retained him in the state administration in November last year despite him being party-less.

Recommended reading:
* Sarawak State Election will not be held until 2011

Chin Hock Nam, a taxi driver who called himself “Uncle” was jailed 14 years and ordered to be whipped five times for raping, attempting to rape and molesting seven underage girls. 14 years is too light. What has becoming of Malaysian judge. Chin Hock Nam should be sentenced for LIFE.

He was sentenced to 82 years in jail but will only be behind bars for 14 years as the Ampang Sessions Court ordered that the sentences run concurrently from his date of arrest.

Chin Hock Nam, 54, changed his mind and pleaded guilty to all charges when the case, which was supposed to be tried in camera, began yesterday.

In sentencing, Ampang Sessions Court judge Azwarnida Affandi said she took into consideration the fact that the offences had become rampant and that all his victims were underage as well as Chin’s guilty plea. Azwarnida, you are too lame for giving him 14 concurrently years. Chin Hock Nam should stay and rot in prison for 82 years !.

Azwarnida jailed him 14 years and ordered that Chin be caned twice for each of the two counts of rape.

She also jailed him 14 years and ordered him to be whipped once for the attempted rape charge.

Azwarnida also jailed him eight years for each of the five molest charges involving four victims.

Registrar of Societies (ROS) director general Datuk Md Alias Kalil yesterday brushed aside suggestions that the registration of Parti Ekonomi Rakyat Sarawak Bersatu (PERSB) was deliberately being withheld.

He pointed out that PERSB was one of the 21 new political parties throughout Malaysia of which registration is still being processed by the department.

PERSB aims to contest in all 71 seats in the coming state election.

“It is still under consideration…Not just one party, we are talking about 21 parties,” he said without elaborating further, when asked by reporters after the closing of a management course for Kuching and Samarahan organisations at a hotel here.

PERSB, a party comprising mainly former members of Parti Pesaka Bumiputera Bersatu (PBB), handed over its registration to ROS on April 20.

It has even declared that it will put up independent candidates if the party is not registered in time for the state election which must be called by next July.

It also claimed that it is self-sufficient and not sponsored by outside individuals because it is funded with money from Koperasi Ekonomi Rakyat Sarawak Berhad (KERSB), which is in the jatropha plantation business.

To a question, Md Alias said there are now six Sarawak-based political parties in ROS’ registry, while four Peninsular-based parties have set up branches in the state.

He also said Sarawak ranks fifth among the states in Malaysia in terms of number of organisations and associations.

“There are 2,792 organisations in Sarawak and 3,484 branches which include those of political parties,” he said.

On another matter, he said ROS has deregistered 22 organisations in Sarawak so far this year.

“More than 90 per cent of those deregistered were because they failed to submit their annual returns to us,” he said.

The closing ceremony yesterday was officiated by Housing and Urban Development Minister Datuk Amar Abang Johari Tun Openg, who told the participants to be constructive in managing their organisations.

“Work together within the framework of the law. Otherwise, the organisation gets deregistered. And once deregistered, that’s the end.

“Nobody wants to be in organisations if they want to be destructive (and not constructive),” he said.

Yesterday’s course was the seventh organised by ROS in Sarawak this year as part of its outreach programme.

Similar courses were held in Miri, Bintulu, Sibu, Kapit, Sarikei and Marudi.

There are around 1,300 organisations in Kuching and Samarahan.

Fifteen new organisations also received their certificates yesterday, and another seven received certificates of approval to their constitution.

Recommended reading:
* Parti Ekonomi Rakyat Sarawak Bersatu supports two terms tenure of CM

This page is reserved for the upcoming polling result (slated on Nov 04) for P185 Batu Sapi, Sabah. View N45 Galas election result. Check also the latest at BatuSapi.BlogSpot.com

Updates:
08:30pm - Official result: BN wins Batu Sapi by whopping 6,359 majority. Linda Tsen (BN) 9773; Yong Teck Lee (SAPP) 2031; Ansari Abdullah (PKR) 3414.
08:05pm - EC official results, BN: 7689, PKR: 2786, SAPP: 1726, Majority: 4903. Total 40 of 46 ballot boxes received.
07:50pm - Count for 30 streams announced. Linda Tsen leads with 5,467 votes followed by Ansari 2,427 votes and Yong 1,306 votes.
07:36pm - Returning officer Mohd Hamsan Awang Supain announces tally for 10 (of 45) streams. Linda Tsen leads with 1,440 votes followed by Ansari with 697 votes and Yong with 331 votes
07:19pm - Unofficial Result: BN: 5051, PKR: 1709 SAPP: 1018
05:30pm - Voter turnout at 5pm 15,774 or 61.47%.
03:30pm - At 3pm, the voter turnout at Batu Sapi polling was 13,318 voters or 52.06% of the electorate.
01:00pm - voter turnout is 41.06% or 10,505 voters, according to the EC.
11:30am - Voter turnout at 11am is 7,313 or 28.59% of the electorate.

Tsen Thau Lin (BN) will be up against Sabah Progressive Party (SAPP) candidate Datuk Yong Teck Lee and PKR's Ansari Abdullah.

Batu Sapi has 25,582 voters comprising 59.02% or 15,099 Muslim bumiputeras, Chinese (38.06% or 9,737), non-Muslim bumiputeras (2.69% or 689) and Indians (0.22% or 57).

A riverine accident between an express boat and a timber barge has been reported in Ulu Tatau, in remote Sarawak. 20 are missing and fear dead. This could be the worst express boat in accident in recent history of Sarawak waterway transportation. And what was the timber barge doing in remote Sarawak anyway.

The body of a baby girl was recovered and about 20 are feared dead after an express boat collided with a timber barge and sank, pitching more than 30 passengers into the Ulu Tatau River in central Sarawak, between Bakun and Bintulu.

Eleven people managed to swim to shore and were rescued but the rest are believed to be trapped underneath the boat.

Search and rescue is ongoing in the remote location near a timber concession camp called Kem Kelubuk even though nightfall has turned the place pitch dark.

The body of the five-month-old baby has been sent to the Bintulu Hospital for post-mortem.

Survivors have also been sent to the hospital.

The incident, which is said to have happened at about 2pm, is the worst river tragedy in Sarawak.

The Sarawak police, the Fire and Rescue Department, the Fisheries Department, the Marine Police and a local community organisations and longhouse folks are now involved in a frantic search and rescue operations.

The nearest settlement is Rumah Ado, a Punan longhouse located at least two hours by timber track from Tatau Bazaar which is some 120kms from Bintulu town, 220kms from Miri.

Police in Bintulu, which is the nearest urban centre, have rushed dozens of men, vehicles and equipment to help their counterpart in the Tatau district police station, said Bintulu Police Chief, Supt Sulaiman Abdul Razak.

"All government departments, voluntary groups and community associations from here and Tatau are helping out in the search and rescue efforts,'' he said.

The place gets very dark by 6.30pm.

Former Catholic priest of Belaga, Michael Jok, who is now a social activist, said he heard from his contacts in Tatau that those missing could be trapped beneath the capsized boat that had rammed into the timber-barge.

It is learnt that aside from native villagers, the express boat was also carrying government officers who were carrying out site survey in the remote interior.

As at 7.30pm on Monday, confirmed reports coming out from Tatau said that the 11 rescued - eight adults and three children - were being rushed to the Bintulu Hospital.

Recommended reading:
* Excessive logging in Sarawak caused Rajang River log-jam

The Prime Minister has called it “A Budget by The Rakyat” because it will for the first time incorporate the views of Malaysians who have sent their comments to his blog.

Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak said Budget 2011, to be unveiled today, would set the pace for the transformation of Malaysia into a developed and high-income economy by the year 2020.

Transformation is certain to be the key message in his speech starting at 4pm at the Dewan Rakyat. He is expected to outline various measures to improve the rakyat’s lives, especially those in the lower income group.

Recommended reading:
* Penang recorded a budget surplus of RM77million for 2009

The 50-km long log-jam that blocked Malaysia’s biggest river shows the scale of unchecked deforestation in the highlands of Borneo and raises fresh concerns about how the state of Sarawak manages its natural resources, . This is Malaysia’s mighty Rajang River as it has never been seen before, choked from side to side — for kilometre after kilometre — by thousands upon thousands of dead trees. Source: Malaysia’s million dollar question — where did the logs come from?

Environment and Public Health Minister Wong Soon Koh declared the log-jam to be a “natural calamity of gigantic proportion” and blamed landslides in highland logging areas. He said: “The wooden debris which was swept away could have been accumulated there for the past 40 or more years.” Pure bullshit from WSK.

Land Development Minister James Masing blamed unscrupulous timber companies and said that whoever caused the problem should be punished. Another hypocrite talking. JM is the assembly of Baleh (where the incident started) and he is the Land Development Minister. Things happen right under his nose and he make don't know.

One blogger called Tbsbidayuh summed up the mood when he wrote: “Thank you to the monsoon rain for revealing state government ignorance on taking care of environment.”

River transport at standstill as debris clog rivers: It has never occurred over the past 50 years that such a large amount of debris flowed down to completely cover the river, blocking any navigable passage.

CM: We will probe cause of logjam: “I have asked the people to investigate the cause as this is the first time we have such a thing. So we should not just jump to conclusions. When pressed on what he thought would be the cause of the massive clogging, Taib said he did not know as he was not a scientist. Taib, is also Minister of Planning and Resource Management.

Soil erosion, eh: BorneoPost, the government's mouth piece reported that many attribute the logjam at Rajang River to soil erosion at Baleh. BorneoPost is diverting the issue and failed to report on the root of the problem.

Debris in river push water treatment up 119 pct. Sibu Water Board (SWB) forked out an additional RM19,000 (119 per cent increase) on water treatment as a result of the debris and muddy water in the river. By now the log are at the sea, so who will make complaints.

Ecological disaster along Rajang in Sarawak: It is a major disaster - disrupting navigation, causing structural damages as well as adversely impacting aquatic life. Thousands and thousands of logs and associated debris have been floating down river and have reached the sea. The actual total damage caused will be hard to tell but it will be pretty high. The fate of the thousands of logs in the open sea is anyone's guess. A tree floating down the river may be caused by natural causes but thousands of neatly cut logs are not caused by nature.

What is Taib response to this environmental disaster? All timber businesses are control by the Chief minister. But the disaster in the mighty Rejang river hopefully open his eyes, that is if the Chief Minister still can process in his brain what his eyes are seeing. Power and corruption not only blind a man but make a person insensitive to reality. This some truth here.

Recommended reading:
* Siltation in Rajang River due to heavy deforestation
* Siltation killed fish at Batang Rajang
* Who's protecting Sarawak virgin jungles

Sabah Progressive Party (SAPP) pledged to bring the Federal Government and the British Government to Court for dishonouring the Malaysia Agreement once getting the mandate from the people.

President Datuk Seri Panglima Yong Teck Lee said that among others, the clear breach of agreement was on the Borneonisation of the federal public service in Sabah in pursuant to the Malaysia Agreement that was signed in London on July 9, 1963.

He said SAPP’s legal team had studied the matter for quite a long time and after researching the speeches of leaders from all parties and relevant documents, especially the agreement’s contents itself, they opined that the Malaysia Agreement was enforceable in the court of law.

“The promise of Borneonisation of the public service is very well documented in the many memoranda submitted by the leaders of North Borneo and Sarawak, in the Memorandum of the Malaysia Solidarity Consultative Committee, the Cobbold Report, and the Inter-Governmental Report.

“Finally, it became a legally binding enforceable right of Sabah and Sarawak in the Malaysia Agreement,” he said when opening the annual general meeting for branches in SAPP Petagas CLC at its chief, Dullie Mari’s residence in Kampung Muhibbah here on Friday.

“Many Malaysians do not realise that Malaysia itself is a creation of the Malaysia Agreement signed in London on July 9, 1963. The parties to this international treaty were the United Kingdom, Federation of Malaya, Singapore, Sarawak and North Borneo (now Sabah),” he said.

He said that the Agreement contained 10 articles, which are clear and easy to understand.

On the other hand, everybody knew that those promises stipulated in the Agreement had been broken by both the Malayan and British governments.

“Until now, 47 years later, all we have been hearing are empty promises. It is no wonder that even the Federal Minister of Information found it so casual to “re-assure” Sabah on the Borneonisation of the public service during the last Malaysia Day,” he said.

On this note, he said SAPP was not talking about the Armed Forces and security personnel, medical, scientific other high-tech services that Sabah needs, but tens of thousands of officers and clerical staff in many federal departments and agencies in Sabah.

“It is as though there are no capable Sabahans,” he said, adding that an example of this was the posting of 76 computer technicians to Sabah schools in April, which was objected by the teachers’ unions in the state.

“The education minister does not even bother to explain. It is now learnt that more than 400 computer technicians are being posted to various schools in Sabah with costs of living and transport allowances, taking up the teachers’ quarters and depriving local staff. Is this job too difficult for Sabahans?” he asked.

Yong claimed that previous employment and promotions of locals had been reversed with a stroke of the pen and that even recently at the mini Putrajaya (Sabah Federal Administrative Complex) even clerks and drivers were sent from the Peninsula Malaysia.

“We want to make it clear that Malaysians in Sabah, known as Sabahans, have nothing against our fellows Malaysians from the Peninsular. We share their predicament caused by the failures of the BN-Umno government in the country.

“But, we worry also about the job opportunities of young Sabahans, increasing in numbers of whom face a bleak future. If even computer technicians are posted from the Peninsular what hope do the locals have?” he asked.

Yong said that as true Malaysians, the people of Sabah sincerely believed that the Federal Government must honour the letter and spirit of the 1963 Malaysia Agreement, including the promise of Borneonisation of the public service.

The Inter-Governmental Report of 27 February, 1963 had referred to the famous Cobbold Report dated 21 June, 1962, which in Chapter 4, Para 148 (i) of the recommendations of the Cobbold Commission clearly stated that the Borneonisation of the public services should proceed as quickly as possible, he said.

He said Article VIII of the Agreement stipulated that “the Governments of Malaya, North Borneo and Sarawak will take such legislative, executive or other action as may be required to implement the assurances, undertakings and recommendations in Chapter 3 of, and Annexes A and B to, the Report of the Inter-Governmental Committee signed on 27 February 1963, is so far as they are not implemented by express provision of the Constitution of Malaysia”.

Yong said Lord Cobbold had recommended that “the Federal Services in the Borneo territories should be regionalised and officers should be appointed in the territories with sufficient authority to deal with local matters. I add a personal recommendation that, when expatriate officers are no longer needed for these posts, they should normally be filled by officers from the Borneo territories”.

“But where are all these promises?” he asked. Based on all these documents and evidence, it is clear that the people of Sabah can sue those involved in the Malaysia Agreement based on this legal binding commitment, he said.

Nonetheless, Yong said legally the only party that can represent the people of Sabah in the litigation is the State Government, while others even SAPP in its present state now doesn’t have enough locus standi to do so because they are not the State Government.

“So, I would like to state here that once SAPP form the new State Government after the 13th General Election, we will issue a six-month notice to the Federal Government to implement Borneonisation as agreed upon in the Malaysia Agreement 47 years ago,” he said.

Yong said that if after six months the Federal Government failed to make any substantial change, then the SAPP State Government would seek legal recourse.
“What is there to discuss? It is not like the Agreement was only signed today but it has already been for 47 years, so what else is there to negotiate,” he said to thunderous applause from the delegates.

To internationalise the matter, he said SAPP would go to London where the treaty was signed and sealed and take similar action against the British Government.

“They (British government) have to be responsible for what they have done,” he said.
In fact, the transfer of sovereignty of Sabah from the United Kngdom to Kuala Lumpur in Article IV of the Malaysia Agreement included thecondition that such transfer of sovereignty is in accordance with the Malaysia Agreement and the constitutional instruments that form part of the Agreement, he said.

Yong told the delegates here that the local leaders in the State cabinet who most of them are lawyers knew about this.

“But, they will not dare to voice it out because they are worried of losing their positions, projects and so on … they are answerable to Kuala Lumpur but for SAPP, no. We want an autonomous State Government that answers to no one but the people of Sabah,” he said.

The former Chief Minister pointed to the foresight of Lord Cobbold who in his words in the report said:

“It is a necessary condition that, from the outset, Malaysia should be regarded by all concerned as an association of partners, combining in the common interest to create a new nation but retaining their own individualities. If any idea were to take root that Malaysia would involve a “take-over” of the Borneo territories by the Federation of Malaya and the submersion of individualities of North Borneo and Sarawak, Malaysia would not, in my judgement, be generally acceptable or successful.”

Also on hand were deputy president Datuk Liew Teck Chan, former Finance Minister Datuk Mohd Noor Mansoor, vice president Amde Sidek, Wanita chief Melanie Chia, Youth chief Edward Dagul, Information chief Chong Pit Fah and supreme council members as well as the candidates for the upcoming SAPP party election.

Nurul Izzah Anwar described the true meaning of Malaysian Constitution. via MalaysiaChronicle.

As I spoke in Penampang, Sabah last night, I am reminded that we have just celebrated Malaysia Day.

I am also reminded that the original intent of the constitution is to serve as the protector for all Malaysians, not just for the selected few.

Decisions and events made in the past are being felt today, and what we decide today as the people will indeed shape our tomorrow.

With that in mind, I am happy to note that the effort to create a culture of constructive engagement with all concerned Malaysians for a better Malaysia, has received wide response of all types; whether in support or in opposition to the arguments set forth in the past two previous articles.

I see this as a healthy beginning, as all opinions must be accepted and considered constructively in the spirit of a true democracy.

Both my previous articles touched on framing a much-needed understanding of our constitution.

I highly recommend that all these articles are read together with the Malaysian Constitution.

Therefore, this third article focuses on searching for the true meaning of a constitution, as the constitution is the primary reference document of a legitimate and sovereign nation.

It is crucial for any citizen of any nation to understand their legitimate rights, especially in light of the need to clarify and reconcile a constitution, when facing with the challenges and contradictions in the context of nation building, where democracy and an open society is a prerequisite, to continue developing in a globalised and competitive world.

Unless the citizens of a democratic nation truly understand the meaning of a constitution, the constitution can never be the foundation of a nation, which will only allow tyranny and injustice by the ruling elites to reign supreme.

The prime minister recently stated that we will be a failed state if we do not transform the nation, only confirms that we need a Political Contract. I had suggested the need to add a fifth pillar to the existing four pillars of the National Transformation Agenda, which is Political Reform.

I have also alluded that Political Power without a Political Contract based on the spirit and letter of the original constitution is akin to playing football without rules. The “game” would be unfair and unjust as it would only serve the interest of those in power and not the people.

The questions posed in this article are applicable universally to any democratic nation in the world, while certain examples are specific to our country for illustrative and educational purposes only.

The Purpose of a Constitution

A constitution is essentially the written supreme law of a nation that can be viewed as a form of a contract between a representative government and the governed (citizens).

The supreme law means it is the primary governing law that sets the legal golden standard (benchmark) of which any introduced law is determined to be either in conformance (consistent) or otherwise.

For example, the Malaysian Constitution states in Article 4(1) “that the constitution is the supreme law of the federation and any law passed after Merdeka Day which is inconsistent with this constitution shall, to the maximum extent of inconsistency, be void.”

However, for 50 out of our 53 years as an independent nation, this fundamental principle of Article 4(1) has been superseded with Part XI — Special Powers, Articles 149 and 150 (amended in 1960) that allows for laws that are inconsistent or contradictory to the constitution be made.

Since independence, we have had five emergency proclamations, including the 1964 Indonesia-Malaysia Confrontation and the racial riots of 1969, of which most of it has yet to be repealed.

The laws passed and still in force stemming from these Article includes, the Internal Security Act (1960), the Sedition Act (1948), the Printing Presses & Publications Act (1984), the Universities and University Colleges Act (1971), the Societies Act (1966), the Police Act (1984) and the Official Secrets Act (1972).

Therefore, how can citizens of any democratic nation reconcile the existence of draconian anti-democratic laws and the continued enforcement of emergency ordinances that subjugates a constitution with inconsistencies and contradictions from its mutually agreed original form?

Constitution as a Contract

A nation is a sovereign entity guided by a constitution that is a form of a contract between a legitimate representative government and the governed (citizens).

A contract is an instrument to bind an agreement between parties. In regards to a constitution, it then can be deconstructed into the key elements of a contract which are:

• The Offer – to be a lawful citizen of a country.

• The Terms – articles or laws establishing the rules, rights and responsibilities which are used in defining the relationship between the government and the governed (citizens).

• The Acceptance – to agree and accept the offer and terms unconditionally.

• The Consideration – citizenship rights in exchange for affiliation and delegation of specified powers to the government.

• The Capacity of Contracting Parties – competence and free will to enter into a contract.

• The Intent of the Parties to Contract – mutual assent or a “meeting of the minds” of the parties on all proposed terms and essential elements of the contract.

• The Object of the Contract – must be legal, binding and enforceable to all citizens.

Therefore, how can any citizen of any democratic nation reconcile between other forms of “contracts,” established by the few, which may be in breach of an existing “constitutional contract”?

Constitution as a Delegation of Political Powers Instrument

The constitution is in essence the granting (delegation) of legitimate political powers from the citizens through the following levels of governing structures, from the people to a local government to a state government to a central or federal government, based on mutually agreed terms and by a “legitimising” selection process of free and fair elections.

The governing pillars of a nation can be in the form of a Constitutional Monarchy with a democratically elected parliament to form a legitimate government.

Free and fair elections are the foundation of a democratic nation that votes a legitimate three-tiered form of representative government (local, state and federal governments) with a specified tenure.

Therefore, how can citizens of any democratic nation accept the withdrawal of free and fair elections to appoint either a “legitimate” local, state and federal government?

How can citizens of any democratic nation call for restoring elections that were originally in a constitution but for specific reasons were later withdrawn?

How can citizens of any democratic nation ensure that all elections are indeed free and fair without any forms of discriminatory practices and undue advantage for only selected incumbent political parties?

How can any citizens of any democratic nation call for the sanctity of a balanced and equitable relationship between states in a federal system that could have avoided the current Kelantan oil royalty claim issue or the implementation of the 20-point agreement for Sabah and 18-point agreement for Sarawak?

Principles of “Legitimate” Political Powers

The legitimate political powers are defined by the “limits of power” and “separation of powers” principles.

The constitution under the “limits of powers” principle recognizes the protection of certain fundamental rights and liberties of the individual citizens such as equality, freedom of speech, freedom to assemble, freedom of association, freedom of religion, and right to property among others.

Therefore, how can citizens of any democratic nation accept in any form the denial of their fundamental rights and liberties without recourse or judicial review as defined by the “limits of power” principle?

And the constitution, under the “separation of powers”, principle organises government into three branches: the executive, the legislature and the judiciary.

The amendment to the constitution and forming of laws is done by tabling, debating and passing a majority vote by members of the legislature.

The interpretation of the constitution and laws is delegated to the judiciary.

The administration of the constitution and laws is delegated to the executive.

Therefore, how can citizens of any democratic nation accept the centralisation and interference by one branch over another in contradiction of the “separation of powers” principle?

And, apart from having the judiciary interpret the constitution, a parliament to amend the constitution and an executive to administer the constitution, why not add a fourth “element” to decide on the constitution which is a people’s referendum mechanism to exist?

Malaysian Constitution as a “Tree of Democracy” metaphor

Finally, I want to poetically frame the Malaysian constitution using the “Tree of Democracy” as a metaphor, which was inspired by a constitutional crisis in Perak, that allows us to see the entire constitutional framework, that permits us to clarify and reconcile any constitutional contradictions that may exist that unless resolved, may do more harm than good to our beloved nation.

The roots of the tree is the Malaysian “National Principles and Philosophy” or Rukun Negara.

I believe that the Rukun Negara is our “lost contract” for Malaysians. If we had been guided by the Rukun Negara which is comprehensive and equitable, then we would have been a better nation than what we are today.

The Rukun Negara should be read and understood by all Malaysians which is as follows;

Our nation, Malaysia, is dedicated:

to achieve a greater unity of all her peoples; to maintain a democratic way of life;

to create a just society in which the wealth of the nation shall be equitably shared;

to ensure a liberal approach to her rich and diverse cultural traditions; and to build a progressive society which shall be oriented to modern science and technology;

We, her peoples, pledge our united efforts to attain these ends, guided by these principles:

BELIEF IN GOD (KEPERCAYAAN KEPADA TUHAN)

LOYALTY TO KING AND COUNTRY (KESETIAAN KEPADA RAJA DAN NEGARA)

UPHOLDING THE SUPREMACY OF THE CONSTITUTION (KELUHURAN PERLEMBAGAAN)

RULE OF LAW (KEDAULATAN UNDANG-UNDANG)

COURTESY AND MORALITY (KESOPANAN DAN KESUSILAAN)

If we do not protect the “roots” of our nation, then shouldn’t we fear that our “Tree of Democracy” will wilt soon?

The trunk of the tree is our Malaysian Constitution.

The Constitution is divided into 15 parts and 13 Schedules with 230 articles.

The Constitution has been amended 42 times with over 675 individual amendments.

If we do not protect the “trunk” that makes our nation stand, then shouldn’t we fear that our “Tree of Democracy” will fall soon?

The three branches of the tree are the Malaysian Executive, Legislature and Judiciary. This would include local, state and federal governments.

If we do not protect the “branches” that supports and serve our people, then shouldn’t we fear that our “Tree of Democracy” will rot soon?

The leaves of the tree are the individual Malaysian citizens.

These are the 26 million ‘leaves’ that are attached to the tree equally and provides nourishment (and taxes, if I may add) through honest hard work, sacrifices and loyalty.

If we do not protect the “leaves” that nourishes our nation, then shouldn’t we fear that our “Tree of Democracy” will be leafless soon?

The flowers and fruits of the tree are the many achievements and benefits of nationhood.

These are the countless small and big achievements and benefits that have been produced that must rightfully be enjoyed by all Malaysians.

If we do not protect the “flowers and fruits” produced by our people, then shouldn’t we fear that our “Tree of Democracy” will be barren soon?

And the two main impediments for our “Tree of Democracy” to continue growing tall among other trees in the forest of nations are:

Parasitic “Money” plants, that selfishly saps the nutrients of the tree and;

the unfertile soil of corruption, anti-democratic laws, racism and institutional abuse.

Therefore, let us protect our “Tree of Democracy” by continuing to remove parasites and rejuvenate a fertile soil through Political and Civil Reforms.

In Conclusion

So what will be our path, which is either to live by the spirit and true meaning of our constitution for a better Malaysia or to live in the shadow of a constitution in Malaysaja?

The time to decide is now.

(Nurul Izzah is the Lembah Pantai MP and the daughter of Opposition Leader Anwar Ibrahim)

The Chinese should not be seen as kaum pendatang (migrant folk) and have been loyal citizens of Malaysia for the past three to five generations, said Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak. via TheStar

“We should not look behind with sentiments of the past. We must look forward because we are building a Malaysian nation that is progressive and successful on the global stage,” he said when opening the 57th MCA general assembly on Sunday.

“We should not look behind with sentiments of the past. We must look forward because we are building a Malaysian nation that is progressive and successful on the global stage,” he said when opening the 57th MCA general assembly on Sunday.

Najib urged the public to focus on how the Chinese and Indian communities could work with the Malay and other communities to create a fair society despite differences in interpreting what constituted a fair society.

“There can be a big polemic on what is a fair society. A Malay leader’s definition of fair can be different than your definition of fair but eventually we must converge,” he said.

Najib said there was a need to develop the economy equitably to have a fair distribution of wealth depending on the size of the community.

“It is a conventional wisdom and rational thinking that if the majority of a country has a very small percentage of the wealth, that is not equitable. I think MCA would also agree.

“So, we need to have a nice balance that the Malay feels they have a bigger share in economic wealth but the Chinese also feel they are growing economically in our system,” he said.

He added that was the reason to aim for a 6% economic growth in the next 10 years to ensure the economic pie grew.

“When you expand the pie, in absolute terms, we are getting better. We must look for a fine balance. Malays also have their aspirations and their fears, the other communities have their wishes. In all these things, let us look at it from the Malaysian context,” he urged.

He also urged the country to find ways to work together to bring to fruition policies contained in 1Malaysia, Government Transformation Programme, Economic Transformation Programme and 10th Malaysia Plan.

“We must be realistic, not emotional. Not racist but realistic. Embrace the need to work together like how our forefathers have shown the way,” he said.

Najib also reminded that the 1Malaysia concept was a work in progress to create an equitable and fair society.

“When I announced 1Malaysia, it cannot be that at the stroke of a pen, everything is perfect, it is a work in progress, a journey, leading us to something better,” he added.

He said even after 22 years in as Prime Minister, Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad admitted his failure in trying to change the mindset of Malaysians.

Najib stressed that the Government did not condone racist remarks made by its officers but due investigative process must be taken before action could be taken.

“One officer made a racist remark, we take action. We don’t condone racism, I assure you. But proper investigation must be done with due process. But the issue has been amplified because of information communication technology,” he said.

He said that racist remarks should be taken in its cultural context to be sure it did not carry a derogatory connotation.

He gave the example of him being able call his Northern Malay friend with dark skin Non Tok Yu (dark soy sauce) without it being taken as an insult.

“If they made remarks, you must understand the cultural setting. Of course, if applied in the context of Malaysian Indian, it’s derogatory. I don’t use that to describe my friends in MIC,” he said.

This page is reserved for the upcoming polling result (slated on Nov 04) for N45 Galas. Read also P185 Batu Sapi election result.

UPDATES
08:30pm: Official result: Barisan Nasional regains Galas. Ab Aziz Yusoff (BN) 5324 votes, Dr Zulkefli Mohamad (PAS) 4134; Majority: 1190
07:23pm: Unofficial results BN leads by slim majority midway in the tallying process
06:45pm: Final voter turnout 9,555 voters or 82.71%.
04:20pm: EC: Voter turnout as at 4pm is 7,561 or 66.23%.
01:30pm: Voter turnout is 55.75% or 6,441 voters, EC announces.
10:15am: Voter turnout as at 10am is 24.02% or 2,775 voters. The figure does not include turnout in six orang asli polling stations.

The Election Commission (EC) has set Nov 4 as polling day for the Galas state assembly seat, if there is a contest, while nomination day is Oct 26, its deputy chairman, Datuk Wan Ahmad Wan Omar announced.

He said the election would use the Master Electoral Roll (DPI) 2009 which was merged with the First Quarter and Second Quarter Supplementary Electoral Roll 2010, which had been updated up to Sept 27.

He said the EC had also set Wednesday as the day of issuing the writ and Thursday for the notice of election.

“The EC had received the official notification from the Kelantan state assembly speaker on Sept 28 regarding the vacancy in the State Assembly seat N45 for Galas, Kelantan following the death of the incumbent Assemblyman Chek Hashim Sulaima on Sept 27.

“Subsequently, the EC had a special meeting on the matter and decided that a by-election would be held within 60 days of the date of vacancy to fill up the vacant seat,” he said at a media conference at the EC headquarters, here.

Chek Hashim, 46, from PAS, died of cancer.

In the 2008 general election, Chek Hashim wrested the Galas state seat located in the Gua Musang parliamentary constituency from the Barisan Nasional with a majority of 646 votes.

Wan Ahmad said Galas had 11,553 registered voters comprising 11,426 ordinary voters and 127 postal voters.

He said of the total, 7,125 voters were Malays, while 2,317 voters were Chinese, Indians (185), Sarawak Bumiputera (10), Orang Asli (1,889) and others (27).-Bernama

Samy Vellu is finally stepping down. GAS can now celebrate. MIC’s longest serving president, Datuk Seri S. Samy Vellu, said he is stepping down in January to make way for his deputy Datuk G. Palanivel.

“Today, I’m officially announcing my decision to step down and pass the leadership to my deputy in January next year,” he told reporters after chairing the party’s Central Working Committee here.

He said that he had announced his decision to the CWC earlier.

Samy has held the presidency since 1979 for 11 consecutive terms.

He was the Works Minister of Malaysia and the longest serving minister in the Cabinet until he lost his parliamentary seat in the 2008 general elections.

Recommended reading:
* MIC's MIED corruption scandal
* After Samy Vellu there will be no MIC

Lest we forget, Sep 16 is Malaysia Day. September 16 (or 916) is the most significant date in the history of Malaysia and must be remembered and appreciated always by us and the future generations because on this auspicious date Sabah and Sarawak successfully formed the Federation of Malaysia together with Malaya.

Sep 16, 2010 will be the 47th Malaysia Day and for the first time, it has been declared as a national public holiday. Imagine, for 46 years this important day was never formally celebrated in West Malaysia.

SHARE HOLDING FACT: Formation of a country called Malaysia was made possible with three partners, namely, Malaya, Sabah and Sarawak. That means, each partner share would be at least 30%.

REALITY: Sabah and Sarawak contribute 100% of their oil revenue to the Federal government but only received 5% in return.

MYTH: Sabah and Sarawak joined Malaysia.

IN TRUTH: Sabah and Sarawak NEVER JOINED Malaysia. Sabah and Sarawak help to form Malaysia.

To all Malaysian readers, Happy Malaysia Day.

malaysia ~ If you like this informative post, please subscribe to my full RSS Feed

Malaysia's unemployment rate rose to 3.7 percent in June due to an increase in the number of unemployed persons.

This was compared to the unemployment rate of 3.2 percent a year ago, the Malaysian Statistics Department said in a statement here on Monday.

According to the department, the number of unemployed persons had increased from 370,000 a year ago to 426,600 in June this year.

In the month under review, labor force in Malaysia had increased from 11.41 million to 11.62 million, while the population outside labor force increased from 6.71 million to 6.88 million.

malaysia ~ If you like this informative post, please subscribe to my full RSS Feed

Kinabatangan Member of Parliament Datuk Bung Moktar Radin on Wednesday won an appeal in the Syariah High Court here to set aside the one-month jail sentence imposed on him in May for committing polygamy without consent.

However, Selangor Syariah Chief Judge Mukhuddin Ibrahim ordered Bung Moktar, 51, to pay the RM1,000 fine, in default six months' jail, which was also imposed on him by the Gombak Timur Syariah Lower Court on May 19.

The lower court had imposed the jail sentence and fine on Bung Moktar for committing polygamy without the court's permission with popular actress Izette A. Samad, 31, at house No. 12, Jalan TC2B/3 Cemerlang Heights, Taman Melati, Gombak, at 8.50 pm on Dec 16 last year.

Other pro-BN media said it is a Ramadan gift for Bung Moktar. But we all know that Bung Moktar will not serve his jail sentence because he will lose his MP privilege and BN will never let that happen.

malaysia ~ If you like this informative post, please subscribe to my full RSS Feed

The alleged affair between Farah Azlina Latif and Mohd Saiful Bukhari Azlan has thrown a spanner to the prosecution work in the current trial of Anwar Ibrahim sodomy case.

Opposition leader Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim wants his second sodomy charge to be struck out, following allegations that deputy public prosecutor Farah Azlina Latif and Mohd Saiful Bukhari Azlan, the complainant and chief witness in the case, were having an affair.

Anwar’s lead counsel Karpal Singh told the High Court on Monday that he had filed an application for Anwar’s charge to be struck out at the High Court Registry.

He claimed that the integrity of the prosecution team led by Solicitor-General (S-G) II Datuk Mohd Yusof Zainal Abiden had been compromised as a result of the alleged affair, and that Mohd Yusof should “take the blame”.

“Farah would have been privy, of course, as part of the prosecution team, to investigation papers.

“There is a strong likelihood of Saiful had access to all documents, including the statement by Datuk Seri Anwar,” he said, adding that both would have committed an offence under Section 8(1) and (2) of the Official Secrets Act (OSA) 1972, as investigation papers were classified under the act.

He said that as such, the charge against Anwar ought to be struck out by the court.

Section 8(1) relates to any person who has in his possession or control any official secret, and communicates it, while Section 8(2) relates to any person who receives any official secret.

At about 11am, Anwar lodged a police report against Farah Azlina and Saiful, claiming that they had committed an offence under the act.

“There has also been no denial on this allegation so far by either the Attorney-General, Farah or saiful.

“Now they have the opportunity to reply to the affidavit,” Karpal said.

He also said that the alleged affair was a matter for the Syariah courts to look into.

Mohd Yusof, however, argued that they were “bare allegations without any substance”.

When asked by the press later if the prosecution was denying the allegations, he asked a question in return: “Do they (the defence) have personal knowledge of this?”

On July 27, A-G Tan Sri Abdul Gani Patail confirmed that Farah Azlina was dropped from the prosecution team in Anwar’s second sodomy trial.

Farah Azlina was also dropped from the Prosecution Division of the A-G’s Chambers for the same reason.

Anwar, 63, had claimed trial to sodomising his former aide Mohd Saiful, 25, at Desa Damansara Condominium in Jalan Setiakasih, Bukit Damansara between 3.01pm and 4.30pm on June 26, 2008.

The case had opened Monday to hear the cross examination of Hospital Kuala Lumpur general surgeon Dr Mohd Razali Ibrahim, who is the second prosecution witness in the case.

However, Justice Mohamad Zabidin Mohd Diah fixed Aug 9 to hear and dispose of the striking out application first.

Source: TheStar

malaysia ~ If you like this informative post, please subscribe to my full RSS Feed

This handsome fella is the 'ultimate' icon/ambassador for 'Barang Naik'; barang sentiasa naik 24-jam! Photo courtesy of KK, Sabah-based award-winning photographer Mr CV Chong.

Of late, "BN" has become an increasingly popular acronym for "Barang Naik" - thanks to the Govt's recent decision to cut subsidies (a politically-correct term), which in a way confirmed Minister in the PM's Department, Datuk Idirs Jala's concern & projection of the nation's dire financial position, to be true.



In Msia, the word 'barang' also generally refers to male genital organ; hence "Barang Naik" could also mean an ERECTION besides price hike (a politically-incorrect term at this point of time). Therefore, BN is truly a controversial acronym that brings a mixed feelings to the masses, depending on how & where it is used, whether in the bed, or in the supermarket.

malaysia ~ If you like this informative post, please subscribe to my full RSS Feed

Umno is against any form of racism and does not support Perkasa said Datuk Seri Nazri Aziz.


“We should get rid of Perkasa,” said the Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department on Tuesday in the Parliament lobby when reporters asked for his response to MCA vice-president Datuk Donald Lim’s suggestion that the Chinese should form their version of Perkasa.

"What's the point of having another extremist body? We want to get rid of Perkasa,” he said.

He said that Umno was seeking to distance itself from Perkasa but acknowledged that no action could be taken against people who proposed such extremist bodies unless a police report was lodged against them.

malaysia ~ If you like this informative post, please subscribe to my full RSS Feed

Will Sarawak United People’s Party (SUPP) be represented by its youth chief Sih Hua Tong to contest the Batu Lintang seat during the coming state election?

Deputy Works Minister Datuk Yong Khoon Seng said that he was confident with this even though the matter has not been confirmed yet.

“To me it’s confirmed, but it still has to go through the usual system – to be reviewed by the state Barisan Nasional (BN).

“Sih’s name is in the list of candidates to contest the Batu Lintang seat,” Yong told reporters after the closing ceremony of ‘Program Mesra Rakyat’ at RPR Batu Kawa Phase 1 here yesterday.

He said the final decision would be announced by BN at a later time.

“Election is very unpredictable. Today it may be different, but tomorrow it would be another thing. We cannot predict anything, but generally the people’s support for the BN government in Batu Lintang is ‘boleh tahan’,” he added.

Yong, who is SUPP vice president, was clarifying the issue after he spoke about it briefly during his speech at the closing ceremony.

He had then said Sih might be one of the candidates to contest the Batu Lintang seat.

Meanwhile, Sih said the decision to put him up as a candidate was up to SUPP and BN.
“We SUPP Batu Lintang branch, despite losing the seat during the 2006 state election, still serve the area and the people, and go to the ground often.

“We will continue to serve the people the best we can,” he stressed.

SUPP lost the Batu Lintang seat to DAP’s Voon Lee Shan during the 2006 state election.

Apart from that, SUPP also lost the Padungan, Pending and Kota Sentosa seats in Kuching Division to the opposition.

On another note, Yong when asked on his opinion on the newly established Parti Ekonomi Rakyat Sarawak Bersatu (PERSB), said he did not know much about the party.

“I only heard about it when I was at the Parliament meeting. The only detail I know is they want to contest 71 seats in the state,” he said.

malaysia ~ If you like this informative post, please subscribe to my full RSS Feed

Dalat assemblywoman Datin Fatimah Abdullah is not surprised that Parti Ekonomi Rakyat Sarawak Bersatu (PERSB) protem president Salleh Mahali plans to contest in Dalat.

“It is no surprise to me because he had intended to do so for quite a while,” she told reporters after officiating at the SMK Sungai Maong Open Day here yesterday.

“We know him. The people know him. Let the people judge for themselves. Let the voters decide. After all, this is a democratic country,” added Fatimah.

Salleh stated his intention in a press conference yesterday, saying that he would contest for the Dalat seat in the state election which must be called by July next year.

Fatimah revealed that during the last election in 2006, Salleh was suspected of supporting an independent, and had tried to contest against Chief Minister Pehin Sri Abdul Taib Mahmud in Mukah.

Of course, added Fatimah, he denied it. She said the people by now should know Salleh’s character and record in the party.

On another note, Fatimah was also asked about PERSB’s call to limit the term of Chief Minister and cabinet ministers to a maximum of two terms.

“It is unreasonable because it shows that they (PERSB) do not know the administration processes. For a state like Sarawak, which is big and has many segregated rural populations, it is not easy.

“It takes a lot of time,” she said, while pointing out that it took Taib more than two terms to turn Sarawak into what it was now.

“It is not easy. It takes a lot of political will, experience, innovation and creativity to be able to do what Pehin Sri has achieved now.

“For them to suggest that two terms is enough, it shows that they don’t really understand the process of running the state, let alone develop it.

“What Sarawak has now is not mere hard work for 10 years or two terms. It is based on so many years of hardwork and high commitment, as well as creativity and innovation,” she said.

Meanwhile, Assistant Minister in the Chief Minister’s Department (Islamic Affairs) Datuk Daud Abdul Rahman said it was up to the people to decide on the duration for the Chief Minister’s post.

He said to limit a leader’s length of service would be waste of one’s ability, adding that the state needed a highly capable Chief Minister like Taib to plan and carry out development projects.

“If we limit those who have the quality, most likely programmes that had been planned will not be carried out,” he said.

In any case, Daud, who is also the vice president of Parti Pesaka Bumiputera Bersatu (PBB), said it was too early for PERSB to voice out its dream as they were not even approved by the Registrar of Societies (ROS) yet.

The PERSB sponsorship committee, led by Salleh Mahali, was launched on Friday. Among its aims was to impose a limit on how long an individual could serve as a Chief minister, deputy chief Minister and state cabinet member.

According to PERSB, this was to avoid abuse of power.
malaysia ~ If you like this informative post, please subscribe to my full RSS Feed

Salleh Mahali is currently the party pro-tem president Parti Ekonomi Rakyat Sarawak Bersatu (PERSB).

Salleh Mahali, who is former information chief of the Dalat branch of Parti Pesaka Bumiputera Bersatu Sarawak (PBB), said the presence of the party is solely to fight for the interests of the rakyat.
malaysia ~ If you like this informative post, please subscribe to my full RSS Feed

Parti Ekonomi Rakyat Sarawak Bersatu (PERSB) aims to limit the tenure of the Chief Minister to only two terms if the party wins the coming state election.

The two-term rule will also be applied to the post of deputy chief ministers, ministers as well as all other political appointments in the state.

Party pro-tem president Salleh Mahali said this was one of the points spelt out in the party’s manifesto for the coming state election.

He said this during a press conference held at a local hotel here yesterday.

Salleh, who is former information chief of the Dalat branch of Parti Pesaka Bumiputera Bersatu Sarawak (PBB), said the presence of the party is solely to fight for the interests of the rakyat.

“The formation of the party is to fight for the rakyat, especially those in the rural areas who are being oppressed and are suffering in their own homeland,” he said, adding the party is not being sponsored by any political party. He said the party is self-sufficient because it receives its monies from Koperasi Ekonomi Rakyat Sarawak Berhad (KERSB), which is in the jatropha plantation business.

He also disclosed that the party’s candidates for the coming election have signed letters declaring that they would not jump to other parties should they win the election or involve themselves in activities that go against Projek Ekonomi Rakyat Sarawak (PERS) – which is connected to the party. Meanwhile, the party’s pro-tem secretary Mohammad Noh Bakeri said the party had re-submitted its application to the Registrar of Societies (ROS) on April 20 after its earlier submission on January 21 was rejected by the Registrar due to certain reasons.

“We hope that our party’s application would be approved as soon as possible, which ROS has no reason to reject because the formation of PERSB is solely to give democratic rights to the rakyat in determining the state’s leadership in the future,” he said.
malaysia ~ If you like this informative post, please subscribe to my full RSS Feed

Prawns, crabs and fish caught from Sungai Sarawak can be consumed at the public's own risk as the river is among the most polluted in the state.

State Natural Resources and Environmental Board (NREB) controller Peter Sawal, however, did not press the panic button yet as there are many local fishermen whose livelihood still depended on the river.

"We know that the river, especially near Bintawa Industrial Area, has higher level of metal content compared with other parts of the river, between Batu Kitang and Kuching Barrage.

"However, we do not want to cause panic among the the people over the situation."

According to a book entitled A Field Guide to the Fishes of Kuching Rivers: Sarawak, Malaysian Borneo, written by Katherine Atack, a student of University Malaysia Sarawak, there are more than 100 species of freshwater fish thriving in the Sarawak River.

Sawal pointed out that even though fish, prawns and crabs thrived in the river, that did not mean that they were safe for consumption.

A check with the Malaysian Fishery Development Board, State Veterinary Department, the Agriculture Department and the Health Department revealed that no government agency have been designated to ensure the safety of the fish, crabs and prawns of the river for consumption.

According to Sawal, what made the aquatic lives of Sungai Sarawak hazardous for human consumption was the intake of black and grey water from the residents of Kuching.

"What made matters worse is that four of Sungai Sarawak's tributaries, such as Sungai Maong, Sungai Bintangor, Sungai Padungan and Sungai Sekama are highly polluted."

According to NREB's Environmental Quality Reports 2008, the monitoring results indicated that the rivers were all polluted by coliform bacteria (FCC and TCC).

All these rivers were located in the vicinity of, or flowed through, the urban centres of Kuching city.

Captain Goh Chin Guan, controller of the Sarawak River Barrage, concurred that the toxicity of the river lately had been very dirty as the water from the source upstream carried with it all the rubbish and waste.

Goh said the frequency of flashing the river water above the barrage would depend on tides, rain and drought.

Sawal said that despite the bleak picture, Kuching could brace for a better waste water management system which is in the pipeline with the soon-to-be-constructed Kuching City waste Management system.

malaysia ~ If you like this informative post, please subscribe to my full RSS Feed

Felda is filing a defamation suit against several Pakatan Rakyat leaders, Suara Keadilan publishers and reporters for making a false claim that Felda was bankrupt and in disarray. Petronas, Felda, Sime Darby, MISC, Bank Bumiputra, etc. When are we going to learn? Come election, the rakyat vote them back into government for a mere RM50. That's what most of the poor kampung folks get.

Deputy Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department Datuk Ahmad Maslan said they would sue them for hundreds of millions of ringgit.

“Felda is certainly not bankrupt as it has RM12.2bil in net assets,’’ he said.

Among those who would be named in the suit are Opposition leader Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, PKR political bureau member Datuk Zaid Ibrahim, PAS’ Kuala Terengganu MP Mohd Abdul Wahid Endut, former Land and Co-operative Development deputy minister Datuk Dr Tan Kee Kwong who has now joined PKR, as well as Suara Keadilan chief editor Suhaimi Said, its owner and writers.

“We have spoken to our lawyers and we want to initiate a suit against them for making the false claims (in the Suara Keadilan June 22-29 edition).

“The title “Felda bangkrap” shows they have ill intention to discredit Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak,’’ he said.

Ahmad had earlier called for a press conference to counter the lies spread by the opposition leaders.

“The lies have adversely affected investors’ and stakeholders’ confidence in the agency,’’ he said.

He said although Felda’s cash reserve had dropped from RM4.08bil in 2004 to RM1.35bil last year, its fixed asset had appreciated greatly from RM9.17bil to RM15.37bil during the corresponding period.

Felda is the world’s largest fully integrated oil-based plantation group owning 92 factories worldwide. Felda is also Malaysia’s biggest plantation owner with estates covering 853,000 ha nationwide.

Ahmad said the agenda of the opposition was to erode Felda settlers’ confidence in Umno.

“We know what they are up to because Felda settlements are Barisan Nasional strongholds, and the opposition leaders are willing to resort to lies to fish for votes,’’ he said.

Felda is also taking action against Dr Tan for stating in an open letter that the Prime Minister was single-handedly destroying Felda.

Zaid and Klang MP Charles Santiago had called on the authorities to investigate Dr Tan’s claim.

malaysia ~ If you like this informative post, please subscribe to my full RSS Feed

A group of sacked MIC grassroots leaders have set up an Anti-Samy Vellu Movement (GAS) to push the party president to step down immediately. The movement would be launched on May 30, said sacked MIC deputy youth leader V. Mugilan.

Activities would start in Kuala Lumpur and move on to other cities to explain why Samy Vellu should relinquish his post now.

Mugilan said the movement would last as long as Samy Vellu held on to his office.

“I have no personal agenda against Samy Vellu. My agenda are the poor Indians and MIC members who have been cheated,” said Mugilan, adding the movement was multiracial and “anybody who did not like Samy Vellu are invited to join.”

Mugilan, at a press conference here, said would not appeal his sacking as deputy youth leader but would instead appeal to remain as a member.

Also attending the press conference was rebel MIC leader G.Kumar Amaan, who on Friday backed Mugilan and also openly called on Samy Vellu to step down immediately.

Mugilan was sacked on Thursday after calling for Samy Vellu to step down as soon as possible ahead of the planned exit next September.

Since then, two others have joined him in calling for Samy Vellu's early retirement - Kumar and fellow central working committee member KP Samy.

Recommended reading:
* Shut up - Muhyiddin told MIC
* After Samy Vellu there will be no MIC

malaysia ~ If you like this informative post, please subscribe to my full RSS Feed

Estate worker earns RM33 a month after deductions. This is a discrimination to the Indian community and other estate workers. Blame it on Sammy Vellu, Barisan Nasional and the big oil palm companies.

ALTHOUGH the country has progressed after 53 years of independence, some families in plantations in the Hulu Selangor area earn only about RM200 a month, reported Makkal Osai.

N. Subramaniam, a father of four, has been working in estates for over 30 years but only took home RM33 after deductions to his April salary.

He said his family was able to survive as his wife, a factory worker, earns about RM600 monthly but she has to work six days a week from 7am to 7pm.

Plantation supervisor K. Sinniah, 53, said life was hard in the estates and some workers pawn their valuables for money. Others turn to loan sharks during emergencies.
malaysia ~ If you like this informative post, please subscribe to my full RSS Feed

Speech by Wong Ho Leng, newly elected MP of P212 on 16th May 2010 at the announcement of the results of the Sibu by-election

1. Terima kasih Sibu. Terima kasih Malaysia.

2. One small step in winning Sibu is one big step in winning power in Petrajaya, and a giant step forward in winning power in Putrajaya.

3. Change we can. Tonight, the people of Sibu have created history.

4. Together we won an election that was deemed impossible just a week ago, against the full brunt of the Barisan Nasional money and government machinery.

5. It is a miracle that we created together.

6. Forever, the history of Malaysia will remember 16th May 2010 as the begining of the awakening of Sarawak, and Sibu as the bastion of hope for all Malaysians.

7. From now on, no one will take us - the people of Sarawak - for granted.

8. The victory is not just a victory for DAP. It is a victory for the people of Sibu, Sarawak and Malaysia.

9. I wish to thank all voters of Sibu for making this bold and historic decision.

10. Let me assure you that I will serve all voters of Sibu, regardless of whether you have voted for me or not.

11. And I will speak up for all fellow Malaysians to bring about fundamental change for Sarawak and Malaysia.

12. Finally, to DAP members and leaders, partners in Pakatan Rakyat and all volunteers who worked tirelessly for this by-election, from the very bottom of my heart, thank you.

Wong Ho Leng
MP, Sibu



malaysia ~ If you like this informative post, please subscribe to my full RSS Feed

Two Crocodiles were sitting at the side of the swamp near the lake. The smaller one turned to the bigger one and said, "I can't understand how you can be so much bigger than me. We're the same age; we were the same size as kids. I just don't get it."

"Well," said the big Croc, "what have you been eating?"

"Politicians, same as you," replied the small Croc.

"Hmm. Well, where do you catch them?"

"Down the other side of the swamp near the parking lot at PutraJaya."

"Same here. Hmm. How do you catch them?"

"Well, I crawl up under one of their Perdana cars and wait for one to unlock the car door. Then I jump out, grab them by the leg, shake the shit out of them and eat 'em!"

"Ah!" says the big Crocodile, "I think I see your problem. You're not getting any real nourishment. See, by the time you finish shaking the shit out of a Politician, there's nothing left but an asshole and a briefcase.

malaysia ~ If you like this informative post, please subscribe to my full RSS Feed

The DAP pulled off a surprise win in the Sibu by-election today, defeating Barisan Nasional’s (BN) SUPP by 398 votes in a hard fought race, official results show. BN had earlier been expected to retain its Sarawak stronghold but lost despite the best efforts of Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak.

10:55pm - DAP wins Sibu with 398 majority - official. DAP wins with 18845, BN 18447, Ind 232, Majority is 398

08:50pm - UNOFFICIAL: DAP 18570 BN 15980 IND 201 majority 2590. Postal votes not counted. 109 out of 110 boxes counted.

Official postal votes BN 2323, DAP 70, Ind 36. Total ballots issued: 2827. Rejected: 208. Unreturned: 190

Related posts:
* Sibu election result
malaysia ~ If you like this informative post, please subscribe to my full RSS Feed

Sibu election result. Bookmarked this page. More info will be updated on the election day.
OFFICIAL BN 16124 IND 196 DAP 18775 majority 2651 for DAP. Postal votes not tallied.


10.35pm: It appears that there was some minor dispute over the postal ballots. However, it is learnt that the Election Commission will be announcing the result soon.

It is almost certain that DAP has won this closely fought by-election by between 300 and 400 votes.

10.00pm: All 110 boxes counted, but 2,537 postal votes cast not tallied yet.
DAP 18,775
BN 16,124
Independent 196

9.20pm: DAP has claimed victory in the by-election, although the official result has not been announced by the Election Commission

8.45pm: Official results - 95 out of 110 boxes counted
BN 13,425
DAP 15,493

Following is the voter turnout statistics when polling for the Sibu parliamentary by-election closed at 5pm Sunday.

Total No. of Registered Voters : 54,695 (including 2,537 postal voters)

Number of voters who cast ballots : 32,742

Voter turnout : 59.86 per cent

malaysia ~ If you like this informative post, please subscribe to my full RSS Feed

The DAP will go ahead with the “Allah” issue in its campaign for the Sibu by-election, ignoring police warning to all political parties that they can be detained under the Sedition Act and Internal Security Act. Its candidate for the by-election, Wong Ho Leng, said nothing would deter him and other Pakatan Rakyat leaders from conveying the truth to the people on the matter.

“The facts must be made known,” he told a press conference here yesterday.

Wong said the Home Ministry must withdraw its appeal against the High Court's decision which had overruled the government prohibition on the use of the word “Allah”.

“PAS is able to declare that there is absolutely nothing in the Quran which forbids the use of the term and has been steadfast in the rights to freedom of religion of non-Muslims,” he said.

On Monday night, Christian leaders from Pakatan held a fellowship to share their political calling.

Dr Tan Kee Kwong, a PKR central committee member, called on Christians in Sibu to use their conscience in picking a clean and incorruptible elected representative.

Dr Tan urged them to vote for Wong if they loved the country and children.

“If Sibu can change, the whole of Sarawak can change,” he said.

Wong invited the audience to query former Perak Mentri Besar Datuk Seri Nizar Jamaluddin, who was present, on PAS leadership and the allegations made against the party by Barisan Nasional leaders.

“Nizar is here, so ask him whatever question you have about PAS. Satisfy yourself before you go home tonight,” he said.

He refuted the allegation by Sarawak United People's Party that a vote for DAP was a vote for PAS.

Recommended reading:
* East Malaysian Christians allowed to use the term "Allah"
* Allah and the misinformed Muslims

malaysia ~ If you like this informative post, please subscribe to my full RSS Feed

BN promised RM1billion to solve Sibu's flood problem, IF the voters voted for their candidate, Robert Lau Hui Yew of SUPP. In the case of Sibu flood problem, even RM1 billion may not be enough because if you dredge the Rajang River today, tomorrow it will be shallow again because nobody control the siltation from upstream. No one from the state government is controlling the logging activities up river because the timber companies are their buddies.

A long-term solution to the flood problem here has been drawn up at a cost of RM1bil, says Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin.

“It would be carried out over two Malaysia Plans,” the Deputy Prime Minister added. “The first phase, costing nearly RM300mil, has started,” he said, adding that because of the expense, the project had to be carried over the 10th and 11th Malaysia Plans. “The Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment will be implementing the project,” he told reporters after attending a dialogue session at SK Agama Sibu.

Four flood mitigation projects are in progress and the first phase is expected to be completed by September.

Muhyiddin, who is also Education Minister, said the Government had always assisted Chinese and Tamil primary schools nationwide. “We spend at least RM1.8bil to pay the salaries and allowances of these schools’ teachers,” he added.

Earlier, Muhyiddin announced a RM500,000 allocation for SK Agama Sibu to build a new computer lab and upgrade other facilities.

He said Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak would address the needs of Chinese-medium schools tomorrow and Thursday when the Prime Minister pays a visit to the town.

Recommended reading:
* Siltation killed fish at Batang Rajang
* Sibu flood mitigation plan is not going anywhere

malaysia ~ If you like this informative post, please subscribe to my full RSS Feed