ABOLISH ISA

Hi all... Vanakam,

If we could recall, I have told about the story of Sanjev Kumar last 
month after getting the real story from inside KEMTA.

There were some from this online forum didn't believe me then and 
also challenge me. 

For your information, Sanjeev Kumar is a young man who is only 25 
years old. 

He never had any record of crime before his detention.

Just got married about 6 months prior to his detention.

Was held under police custody for 55 days and none of the family 
members knew what happened and where he was.

Later he was brought to Kemta and then only the family knew that he 
was held under ISA.

It is so funny as the police finally decided to held him under ISA 
as he was charged to be a spy for foreign nation !! But so far no 
official charge made against him.

During his 55 days held by police, he was brutally beaten and this 
young 25 old guy was unable to walk. His legs and knees were swollen 
and cant stand neither walk.

While he was held in Kemta no officer/ prison personnel helped him 
for daily movement. He crawled and moved with his wheelchair and his 
mobility was bad due to his unheal injuries on his body.

One day suddenly his family was told that he is been hospitalised !! 
When they reached there, it was horrified moment for his young wife 
and his family looking at Sanjev whom use to be healthy and handsome 
guy now lying on bed without moment.

He is now half paralysed !!! His left side and both leg cant be 
used....

The camp personnel claimed he fell down and injured caused one side 
of the paralysed !!

Do you want us to believe this claim by Kemta personnels.

All this sad story were kept within the family and they were 
harassed and warned by SB that Sanjeev would be even worse if they 
open their mouth.

Family requested if he could be brought for further check to heal 
his paralyse and wounds. It was rejected. The camp even refused to 
take the police report made by his wife and denied her request to 
get a letter from him about his condition. 

He is isolated in Kemta and not many knew about him. The helping 
hand were other detainees there whom most of them are Malays whom 
helped him to move to toilet and others.

His condition were brought to daylight none other than our great 
HINDRAF leader, P. Uthayakumar thru his lawyers. This is good 
example that Hindraf leader, P.Uthaya Kumar is still fighting for 
justice for Malaysian Indian though he is held under the same camp.

He wants the Malaysians to know the bad things covered all the while 
under this draconian ISA.

Sanjeev family were given courage by Uthaya's lawyers and finally 
they agreed to come forward to tell the story. GMI also helped them 
to seek and engage for a lawyer.

Though many report and complaints made by his family but there is 
official statement from the Home Minster about this. ISA is a tool 
that been abused by Home Minister and police. 

We as Malaysian citizen in general need to voice out boldly against 
this draconian law by supporting the activities that call for ISA 
Abolishment. Recently even the BN components and Law Ministers is 
talking about reviewing ISA. 

Do you think if people were quiet and sympathise on ISA would bring 
them out?

It was continuous pressure and demo/vigil that made the govt to open 
mouth about ISA review.

Sanjeev condition was known thru great soul P. Uthayakumar who 
still struggle from inside, just imagine many more people's fate 
that were unknown under ISA. So far 10,662 people were held under 
this draconian law and it took away many innocent person's life and 
their right.

Let us all join together to Abolish ISA in Malaysia.

Let us free Malaysia from ISA.

Vaalge Hindraf Makkal Sakthi.
Admin.Hindraf@ gmail.com

MALAYSIAKINI - Mukhriz Mahathir - We need Survey Posted: 29 May 2008 10:28 AM CDT Tun Mahathir son, Mukriz suddenly being so famous after all these years. Of course one of the reason because his father was very loud criticizing Pak Lah and other UMNO leaders. It was phenomenal, when someone had dedicated most of his life for UMNO, quits just like that. But of course, Tun Mahathir had think it carefully ahead all of us. However, MUkhriz does not follow Tun action like his brother Mokhzani and other UMNO members. Mukhriz suggest we need a survey. A survey involving all three million Umno members should be held to gauge the support for party president Abdullah Ahmad Badawi. This call was made by Umno Youth executive council member Mukhriz Mahathir today. In fact, he said, the survey was also the wish of the Umno grassroots. Bernama reported him as saying that the survey could be conducted by distributing special forms to party members to enable them to state their actual stand. Party members can be asked to decide if they support the present leadership or otherwise, added the Jerlun MP. "There are probably many Umno members who wish to express their feelings but unfortunately they have been deprived of their rights by leaders who are more interested in their own position," he told reporters in Temerloh after attending a function last night. Mukhriz said that he had met with several Umno members who had expressed their disappointment because their rights had frequently been denied. These members have decided not to be active in the party, added Mukhriz. Silent protest "The silent protest by the party members is even more dangerous than open expression of opinion," he said. Mukhriz said the grassroots members had also suggested that they be allowed to vote in the party elections in future. Mukhriz has been a constant critic of Abdullah, also the prime minister, and has even openly urged the latter to step down for failing his task as the party president. His father Mahathir, another vocal critic of Abdullah, had shockingly quit the party on May 19 in protest over the present leadership. He has vowed to return only after Abdullah has been replaced. Mukhriz has indicated his willingness to vie for the Umno Youth chief post in party polls in December.

CHERAS TRAGEDY - FRU SQUAD Posted: 29 May 2008 08:25 AM CDT I went through Malaysiakini news today and read about this. It was something fishy going on. A teenager claim that he was beaten seriously by a group of FRU squad. By his account, he was only a curiosity-seeker who wanted to know what was going on at the site of a disputed barricade near Bandar Mahkota Cheras (BMC) last night. In no time at all, however, Chang Jiun Haur was soaked in his own blood after being repeatedly beaten by 20 riot squad (FRU) personnel armed with batons and kicked with boots. Chang, 21, his sister and two friends were driving away from the site of the barricade about 11.30pm, when their car was surrounded by police personnel who had earlier dealt with a fracas involving BMC residents. A high-ranking police officer at the scene claimed that Chang had run over a FRU personnel with his car. “He asked for it. He ran over a policeman and he got what he deserved,” the officer toldMalaysiakini a few minutes after the incident. Asked to identify the person who was hit by the car, the officer had initial difficulty in persuading the individual to come forward. When he did so, the man - who appeared unscathed - claimed: “He tried to run me over... look at my baton, it is broken. What more evidence do you want?” However, a police officer who took Chang to the Kajang Hospital said none of the personnel had been hit by the car. Chang, when met at the hospital at 12.30am, denied this as well: “We had just come back (to Kuala Lumpur) from Port Dickson and wanted to see what was going on.” He was lying on a bed, with a bloodied mouth. His shirt had been torn off by the police, and his shorts were drenched in blood. He was crying from the shock and trauma, and was unable to say much more. It is learnt that Chang was placed in the intensive care unit. The other occupants of his car were arrested last night, but were released today according to BMC Open Road Committee chairperson Tan Boon Hwa who has been keeping tabs on last night’s dramatic events. DAP Selangor executive councillor Ronnie Liu, who visited Chang later last night, said the police had over-reacted and that the excessive use of force could not be justified. “The police should maintain law and order and not assault people. I am disappointed. My party will provide Chang and the others with lawyers,” Liu said. According to Liu, the beating was so severe that Chang lost one or two of his teeth. ‘Journalists attacked’ Chinese-language dailies reported today that more than 10 people were seriously injured in yesterday’s incident, which saw BMC residents assaulted by ‘thugs’ allegedly hired by toll concessionaire Grand Saga. However, the company has disassociated itself from the incident, also saying it does not condone violence. About 7pm yesterday, defiant residents attempted to tear down the barricade that had just been rebuilt, but were confronted by unidentified men armed with iron rods, helmets and sticks. “They attacked the residents immediately. About 10 people were assaulted, and three of them were reporters. Their cameras were confiscated as well,” claimed Tan. Star reported that Utusan Malaysia photographer Roy Azis Abdul Aziz had been beaten up when he tried to take photos of the fracas. BMC resident Chin Kee Chong’s right arm was broken (right) and he suffered injuries to his head, while another resident - Lee Ah Seng - sustained severe injuries to his head, which required seven stitches. Some residents claimed that several policemen present during the incident had failed to intervene. Kajang police chief Shakaruddin Che Mood, however, said they were only traffic policemen whom he had sent to the area for traffic control. “They were too busy controlling traffic and could not do anything,” he told reporters, adding that five police reports have been lodged on the assault. Grand Saga has been involved in a long-running dispute over its bid to block a toll-free access road from BMC to the Cheras-Kajang Highway. The barricade has been rebuilt on three occasions, after being torn down by residents. The Selangor menteri besar's political secretary, Nik Nazmi Nik Ali, has said that a response will be issued today over last night’s incident. Watch 6-min video of police beating Chang

Release HINDRAF 5- International Watch dog Posted: 29 May 2008 08:20 AM CDT Malaysiakini reports that an international human rights watchdog today urged the government to immediately release the five Hindraf leaders presently being detained under the Internal Security Act. The watchdog also wants the government to repeal the colonial era law which provided for detention without trial. The International Federation of Human Rights (FIDH), in a report released today, said that the five Hindu Rights Action Force leaders should be released immediately and unconditionally as their detention was arbitrary. FIDH also urged the government to similarly release all other ISA detainees who are being held without valid legal charges. The five Hindraf leaders - P Uthayakumar, M Manoharan, R Kenghadharan, V Ganabatirau and T Vasantha Kumar - were detained on Dec 13 last year for allegedly being a national threat for organising talks and demonstrations highlighting the plight of the Indian community here. "I perceive personally ISA is a risk to Malaysian security because if there are people who have committed terrorist offences, we have to know what they did. "But in fact, it is all unknown," said Laurie Berg, an Australian lawyer, who was present during the release of the report. She added that everyone has a right to know when someone was detained under the ISA and on what grounds they were being detained. "(However) it's impossible to know why anyone is detained under ISA and we might have to just speculate the reason," Berg told the press conference held at Selangor Chinese Assembly Hall, Kuala Lumpur today. According to an official figure, some 70 people are presently being held under the ISA. Appearance before a judge vital The report also said that the physical and psychological integrity of the five Hindraf leaders should be guaranteed in all circumstances. It also added that the five should have access to their legal counsel, medical assistance and family members. In recent months some of the Hindraf leaders, especially Uthayakumar, have complained that they were not being afforded proper medical treatment. The Federal Court had recently thrown out the appeal by five Hindu Rights Action Force (Hindraf) leaders to be released from detention under the Internal Security Act (ISA). The ruling meant the five have almost exhausted their legal battle and will have to remain detained under the security law. Berg said that the report prepared by the Paris-based organisation would be submitted to the Malaysian government, the European Union and the United Nations. Apart from repealing the Act and releasing all ISA detainees, the watchdog also recommended that: All arrested under the ISA should be brought before a judge to be informed of the charge(s) being preferred against them. The detainees must be allowed access to their lawyers and family. Everyone must be tried in conformity with international fair trial standards. ‘Not interfering' Berg also brushed aside questions when asked if the report would be perceived as interfering in Malaysian affairs. "We are just trying to encourage the government to do what it has told the international community it will do in respecting the human rights," said Berg. "What we can do is to get Malaysians to see what we believe is their own interest to abolish ISA and also to create more secure and prosperous nation." The press conference was hosted by Abolish ISA Movement (GMI) and was attended by the families of the detainees, including Vasantha Kumar's wife K Vickneswary.

AMNESTY INTERNATIONAL REPORT ON MALAYSIA 2008. 
Friday, May 30, 2008

MALAYSIA 
Head of State Yang di-Pertuan Agong, Tuanku Mizan Zainal 
Head of government Abdullah Ahmad Badawi 
Death penalty retentionist 
Population 26.2 million 
Life expectancy 73.7 years 
Under-5 mortality (m/f) 12/10 per 1,000 
Adult literacy 88.7 per cent 

At least 10 people died in police custody in 2007. Despite continuing reports of such deaths and of excessive use of force against peaceful demonstrations, the Malaysian government failed to implement key recommendations for police reform. Scores of people were detained without trial under various emergency laws.

Restrictions on freedom of religion continued. Grievances felt by many among the ethnic Indian Malaysian minority community, including discrimination and economic marginalization, were aggravated by the destruction of reportedly unauthorized Hindu temples. Mandatory death sentences continued to be issued. Refugees and migrant workers were arbitrarily detained and assaulted during immigration raids.

Police reform
A Bill to establish a Special Complaints Commission (SCC) to monitor and investigate complaints of misconduct by police and other law enforcement officers was introduced. The Bill prompted concerns that the recommendations of a 2005 Royal Commission of Inquiry were not adequately reflected, particularly as regards the proposed SCC’s independence and investigative powers. Not only did the Bill grant the Prime Minister broad powers to appoint and dismiss Commissioners, but it also included the Inspector-General of Police as a permanent SCC member. The SCC also did not have the power to oversee police investigation of complaints.

The Criminal Procedure Code was amended to provide increased protection to people under arrest. It required the police to inform detainees arrested without a warrant of the circumstances of their arrest and, in most cases, to allow detainees to contact a family member or a lawyer.

Deaths in custody and excessive use of forceAt least 10 people died in custody in 2007 including at least two reported suicides, and police reportedly continued to use excessive force on peaceful demonstrators.

On 10 and 25 November, police sprayed peaceful protesters with tear gas and irritant-laced water cannons during two mass demonstrations, the first calling for free and fair elections and the second highlighting the discrimination and other grievances felt by ethnic Indian Malaysians.

Detention without trial
The use or threatened use of the Internal Security Act (ISA) continued to be employed to suppress perceived critics of the government, with a specific threat to bloggers. Following the November demonstrations, the Prime Minister warned that the ISA could be used to prevent “illegal” protests. The ISA allows for detention without trial for up to two years, renewable indefinitely.

At least 83 people were detained under the ISA.
Most were alleged members of Islamist groups, including Jemaah Islamiah. At least four suspected Jemaah Islamiah members were arrested in 2007, and at least 16 were released during the year, having all been detained for over four years. Many were given restricted residence orders.
Others arrested under the ISA included five leaders of the Hindu Rights Action Force, a group campaigning for the rights of ethnic Indian Malaysians, who were sent directly to Kamunting Detention Camp. Five others, arrested for allegedly spreading rumours of racial riots, were subsequently released.

In October 2007, Abdul Malek Hussain, an ex-ISA detainee, was awarded damages of 2.5 million ringgit (approximately US$746,000). The judge ruled that he was unlawfully detained in 1998 and that he had been assaulted and tortured in custody.

Suspected criminals continued to be detained under the Emergency Ordinance (EO) (Public Order and Prevention of Crime) and the Dangerous Drugs (Special Preventive Measures) Act (DDA). Under both, suspects could be detained for up to 60 days for investigation after which a two-year detention order, renewable indefinitely, could be applied. Between January and August, 550 people were detained under the DDA. Both the EO and the DDA put suspects at risk of arbitrary detention and torture or other ill-treatment.

Migrant workers, refugees and asylum-seekers
Mass arrests of migrant workers, refugees and asylum-seekers by the People’s Volunteer Corps (Rela) continued. According to a government news agency, 24,770 migrants had been detained by Rela as of August 2007. Rela officials continued to be accused of using excessive force and arbitrary detention when conducting raids.

Migrant workers were also subjected to psychological and physical abuse by agencies and employers. They were often denied equal access to benefits and protections guaranteed to Malaysian workers, including maternity provisions, limits on working hours and holidays.

Cruel, inhuman and degrading punishments
Caning continued to be used for many offences, including immigration offences. Irregular migrants (those lacking proper documentation) and refugees were reported to have received canings.

Death penalty
In March, the government passed amendments to the Penal Code introducing mandatory death sentences for acts of terrorism that result in death. Anyone found guilty of providing funds for terrorist acts that result in death would also receive a mandatory death sentence. Death sentences continued to be passed during 2007, with mandatory death sentences for drugs trafficking. The authorities did not disclose details of executions.

Freedom of expression
On 13 July, People’s Justice party staff member and internet blogger Nathanial Tan was arrested at his office and detained under the Official Secrets Act. He was arrested on suspicion of having access to state secrets, namely official documents relating to corruption allegations, posted on his blog.

Freedom of religion
Restrictions on the right to religious freedom remained. People wishing to convert out of Islam continued to face barriers to having their conversion recognized by the civil courts.

In January, Revathi, a Muslim by birth, was detained at the Malacca Syariah High Court while applying to have her religious status recognized as Hindu. She was taken to a religious rehabilitation camp in Selangor and held there for six months. In March, the Islamic authorities removed Revathi’s daughter from her husband, and placed her in the custody of Revathi’s Muslim mother.
A 100-year-old Hindu temple was destroyed in Shah Alam in November, on the eve of the Hindu festival Deepavali. Several people were injured and 14 were arrested as devotees tried to stop the demolition. Other reportedly unauthorized Hindu temples were demolished to make way for development projects in 2007 despite petitions by local Hindu communities.

Rights of transsexuals
On 30 July, Ayu, a transsexual, was seriously beaten by officials from the Melaka Islamic Religious Affairs Department (JAIM). They reportedly punched and kicked her, rupturing a pre-existing hernia. A JAIM official stated that Ayu was detained for committing the “offence” of “men dressing as women in a public space”, which is punishable by a fine of 1,000 ringgit (US$300), a six-month prison sentence or both under the Melaka Syariah Offences Act.

Posted by JD

ALL MALAYSIANS ARE EQUAL IN STATUS & RIGHTS

All Malaysians have special rights

Azly Rahman | May 26, 08 12:11pm

"Therefore, the rakyat must unite and never raise issues regarding Malay rights and special privileges because it is a quid pro quo in gratitude for the giving in of citizenship (beri-paksa kerakyatan) to 2.7 million non-Malays into the Tanah Melayu federation.. ..Thus, it is not appropriate for these other ethnic groups to have citizenship, only (later) to seek equality and privileges," said Tengku Faris, who read from a 11-page prepared text. As a Malaysian who believes in a social contract based on the notion that ‘all Malaysians are created equal’, I do not understand the ‘royal statement’. If it comes from the Biro Tatanegara (BTN), I can understand the confusion. But this is from a royal house.  This statement was valid 50 years ago, before Independence.  This is an outdated statement that is not appreciated by the children of those who have laboured for this nation.  I believe we should look forward to institutionalising ‘special rights for all Malaysians’. The word ‘special’ is in itself special. Culturally it can either denote an enabling condition or a disabling one.  In the study of religion, one is bestowed a special place for living life well or for doing good deeds. In educational studies, ‘special education’ caters for the needs of those with a disabling physical, emotional or cognitive condition.  In all these, ‘special rights’ are accorded based on merit. One works hard to get special offers and into special places.  In the doctrine of the ‘divine rights of kings’, one's special right is the birthright. Louis XVI of revolutionary France, Shah Jehan of Taj Mahal fame, Emperor Hirohito of Japan, Shah Reza Pahlavi of Revolutionary Iran, King Bumiphol Adulyadev, and the sultans of Melaka were ‘special people’ who designed institutions that installed individuals based on rights sanctioned through a ‘mandate of heaven’.  Such people use specialised language to differentiate who is special and who is not. Court language is archaic, terse, meant to instill fear and to institutionalise special-ness. The language of the street or market is fluid, accommodating, meant to instill open-ness and institutionalise creativity at its best and further development of the ‘underclass’ at its worst. This continuum of language, power, and ideology is characteristic of histories of nations. In Malay history, istana language is enshrined in the hikayat and in Tun Seri Lanang's Sejarah Melayu. Street language used in Malay folklore and in bawdy poems, pantun and stories of Sang Kancil. Class consciousness, many a sociologist would say, dictates the special-ness of people across time and space. Historical-material ism necessitates the development of the specialised use and abuse of language. One can do a lot of things with words. Words can be deployed to create a sustainable and profitable master-slave relationship. A better argument Let us elevate the argument so that we will have a better view of what race, ethnicity, nationalism and cosmopolitanism means. I propose we review what “special rights of the Malays" mean in light of 50 years of Independence and post-March 8, 2008. I agree we must give credit to those working hard to "improve the psychological well-being of the Malays" and for that matter for any race to improve its mental wellness. This is important. This is a noble act.  The question is: in doing so, do we want to plant the seeds of cooperation and trust - or racial discrimination and deep hatred? Herein lies the difference between indoctrination and education. These days, the idea of Ketuanan Melayu is going bankrupt, sinking with the bahtera merdeka. It works only for Malay robber barons who wish to plunder the nation by silencing the masses and using the ideological state apparatuses at their disposal.  In the case of the BTN it is the work of controlling the minds of the youth. Its work should not be allowed any more in our educational institutions. It is time our universities especially are spared counter-educational activities, especially when they yearn to be free of the shackles of domination. Over decades, many millions of Malays and non-Malays have not been getting the right information on our nation's history, political-economy, and race relations. History that is being shoved into us or filter-funnelled down the labyrinth of our consciousness is one that is already packaged, biased, and propagandised by historians who became text-books writers. History need not be  Malay-centric. Special rights for all Malaysians should be the goal of distributive and regulative justice of this nation, not the "special rights of a few Malays". History must be presented as the history of the marginalisd, the oppressed and the dispossessed of all races.  We toil for this nation, as the humanist Paramoedya Ananta Toer would say, by virtue of our existence as anak semua bangsa ... di bumi manusia. Malaysia is a land of immigrants. In this regard we can learn from the former British colony called America. Whatever its shortcomings, it is a land of immigrants and is still evolving. A black man or a woman can become president. This is what America conceives itself to be and this is what Malaysian can learn from. Can a non-Malay become prime minster if he/she is the most ethical of all politicians in the country? No one particular race should stake a claim toMalaysia. That is an idea from the old school of thought, fast being abandoned. Each citizen is born, bred, and brought to school to become a good law-abiding and productive Malaysian citizen, is accorded the fullest rights and privileges and will carry his/her responsibility as a good citizen.  That is what ‘surrendering one's natural rights to the state’ means. One must read Rousseau, Locke, Voltaire, and Jefferson to understand this philosophy. A bad government will not honour this -  and will fall, or will sink like the bahtera merdeka. The history of civilisations provides enough examples of devastation and genocide as a consequence of violent claims to the right of this or that land based upon some idea of ‘imagined communities’. We must teach our children to make a history of peace among nations. This must be made into a new school of thought: of ‘new bumiputeraism’ that encompasses all and does not alienate any. Life is too short for each generation to fight over greed. The eleventh hour of human existence and our emergence in this world has brought about destruction as a consequence of our inability to mediate differences based on race, colour, creed, class and national origin. Each ethnic group thinks that it is more socially-dominant than the other. Each does not know the basis of its ‘self’. Each fails to realise its DNA-make up or gene map. Life is an existential state of beingness, so must history be conceived as such. Nationalism can evolve into a dangerous concept - that was what happened toEurope at the brink of the two World Wars. It happened in the former Yugoslavia,Rwanda, and in Indonesia when Suharto fell.  I argue that we must evolve in the historical presence of historical constructions. The past and the future is in the present. Let us no argue any more over this or those rights. Let us instead treat each other right.

UMNO POLITICS

M. Bakri Musa

Morgan-Hill, California

May 26, 2008

The furor over Tun Mahathir’s quitting UMNO cannot hide an increasingly obvious and ugly reality:  Abdullah’s incompetence as Prime Minister.  Ranting and raving against Mahathir will not alter this singular fact.

Only an ardent few – his family members, closest advisors, and those beholden to him – believe that Abdullah has executed the duties of his office diligently.  These individuals will forever remain faithful to him even if he were to drive the country to ruins.  Consider that Saddam Hussein and Shah Pahlavi still have their ardent admirers today. For others, their only excuse for wanting Abdullah to stay is for “party unity.”

Mahathir’s poser to Abdullah’s putative successor Najib Razak on whether he is loyal to UMNO or to Abdullah is a dilemma shared by all party members.  Najib as well as all UMNO members would do well to re-read our classic Hang Tuah-Hang Jebat legend, and in particular ponder the fate of not only the two protagonists but also the sultan and the Melaka sultanate.

In 1987 when UMNO was split, a consequence of the Mahathir-Razaleigh rivalry, the party was weakened but it survived because it had a strong leader.  Early in its history when its first president Datuk Onn left the party, the impact was minimal as the party was strong and it had a cadre of capable young leaders like Datuk Razak.  This time however, both the party and its leader are weak.

If party members were to shy away from doing the dirty but necessary job of removing Abdullah from the leadership of UMNO, and thus the Prime Minister’s office, then others would by default remove that office from him, and from UMNO.  With every delay, Abdullah (and UMNO) gets weaker while Anwar Ibrahim (and his Pakatan Rakyat) becomes stronger.

Seeing Through Abdullah

Like Mahathir, most Malaysians believed in Abdullah, at least initially as evidenced by his overwhelming electoral victory in 2004.  Barely four years later, they, like Mahathir, are sorely disillusioned.

Some still believe (or more correctly, hope) that Abdullah could yet salvage his leadership.  This hope for a miracle is misplaced.  Incompetence cannot be readily remedied, especially in someone with a demonstrated flat learning curve.  Besides, the highest office in the land cannot be used as a training ground.  We cannot have an “intern” Prime Minister; the stakes are just too great.

If Abdullah could not lead when he had a commanding mandate, what chance is there for him now that his hold is tenuous at best?  He is already consumed with putting out political brush fires, distracting him from his most important task of leading the nation.  Abdullah is now clearly damaged goods; Malaysia deserves better.

Only a tiny minority saw through Abdullah and recognized his emptiness right from the very beginning.  It is more with sorrow than vindication that I admit to being in this group.  I would have preferred to have been proven wrong.

I have never met Abdullah; my assessment of him is based entirely on his records and accomplishments, or lack thereof.  Perhaps because of this I am not swayed by the man’s put-on piety, seeming humility, or servile loyalty.  Those attributes are held in high esteem in Malay culture, which may explain why many, including the shrewd Mahathir, overestimated Abdullah’s ability.

Abdullah was a longtime civil servant rising to Deputy Secretary-General in the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sports before entering elective politics.  Respectable enough achievement, but then that ministry is not exactly the hotbed for superachievers.

Before being kicked out of the Cabinet in 1987, a casualty of the Mahathir-Razaleigh rivalry of the time, Abdullah had served as Minister of Education, and later, of Defence. One is hard pressed to discern his legacy in both positions.  A measure of his worth was that the best he could do outside of government was as a ticket agent … in his sister-in-law’s travel agency!  That was the private sector’s valuation of his talent and experience, despite having served in two most senior and prestigious portfolios.

Later when he rose up the UMNO hierarchy, Mahathir invited him back to serve as Foreign Minister and later, Home Affairs.  In the latter position he was responsible for the Police.  Our current inept and  corruption-ridden police force is his legacy.

Mahathir’s Mistake

You have to give credit to Mahathir.  Not only did he admit to his colossal mistake in selecting Abdullah back in 1998, he is also making a vigorous effort to undo it.  Admitting to or rectifying your error is a rare attribute among leaders.

Abdullah has yet to learn this essential lesson.  Merely uttering that you are taking responsibility, as Abdullah did for his party’s routing in the last election, is not enough; you have to act on it.

The current crisis in UMNO is not, as is widely commented upon, simply a battle between Abdullah and Mahathir.  The fundamental issue is Abdullah’s incompetence, and its impact on the nation.

Winning an election is a partial measure of effective leadership; it is not the only or the full measure.  Abdullah’s predecessors Tunku Abdul Rahman and Hussein Onn were both successful at elections, yet when their leadership was found wanting they withdrew gracefully.  Britain’s Margaret Thatcher also had the grace to resign when support for her was declining even though she had led her party through three successive electoral victories.

Abdullah has neither the grace nor the competence of Thatcher.  He is too syok sendiri (self indulgent) with the perks of his office, with its luxurious corporate jets and palatial mansion, to even contemplate resigning.  It is easy to be stubborn in such circumstances.  Like a dumb mule surrounded by lush hay, Abdullah will not move.  It will continue mindlessly chewing the cud, oblivious of the turmoil it caused.  It is well to remember that a mule with too much hay will inevitably succumb to lethal gas bloat.

Many consider Mahathir’s resigning from UMNO an irrational act as that would only hasten the ascent of his old nemesis, Anwar Ibrahim.  To me, however, Mahathir may be signaling something significant.  He must believe (or have reasons to) that Anwar’s chances are real and strong.  By resigning now, Mahathir would be spared the fallout from UMNO’s inevitable implosion.  He could then with a satisfied smirk remind us, “I told you so, this Abdullah is a disaster!”

Many are wondering why Abdullah is not coming out swinging at his tormentor.  There is a reason for Abdullah’s reticence.  His entanglement in the UN’s Iraq Oil for Food Program scandal is only a hint and a glimpse.

I am reminded of J. Edgar Hoover, the longtime FBI director who was the most feared and powerful man in Washington , D.C. , simply because he held so many secrets of important people.  Nobody dared touch him for fear that he would spill the beans.

Mahathir was Prime Minister for over two decades.  He is also a shrewd observer of human behavior and a meticulous record keeper.  Think of the many shenanigans committed at home and abroad by our sultans, ministers, and other senior officials that were simply hushed up, let alone prosecuted.  Those who are tempted to sneer at the old statesman better have pristine personal and official backgrounds; otherwise they would be well advised to maintain their “elegant silence.”

Notice Mahathir’s immediate stinging riposte to Shahrir Samad and Musa Hitam recently.  In so doing Mahathir sends a not-so-subtle message to his other detractors, including those on the Royal Commission on the Lingam Tape, that their stinking laundry too could be aired out for all to see and smell.  As Prime Minister, Mahathir must have had more than his share of favor seekers, shameless flatterers, and the outright corrupt who groveled before him. He could easily expose them. If that is blackmail or vengeance, so be it.

I have a different take on Mahathir’s behavior. Far from being blackmail or nasty vengeance, such ugly revelations could prove to be a necessary national catharsis.  Much as I hate to see what would be revealed, it would be good to have all the rot finally out in the open.  The hope is that the subsequent shame will effect some change.

As a former physician Mahathir knows only too well that the best if not only remedy for a long festering abscess is to lance it wide and deep, letting all that trapped putrid pus out.  Only then could the healing begin.  If that were to happen, we can all thank Mahathir.  The man may yet make his greatest contributions after he retired.

by Din Merican

Tunku Abdul Aziz: The great meddler or the crisis inventor?

SUNDAY, MAY 25, 2008

Tunku Abdul Aziz: The great meddler or the crisis inventor?

IT is too much to expect Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad to feel the slightest guilt for any of his more questionable actions when he was prime minister of Malaysia.

Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad's resignation from Umno last Monday has left the nation in a state of uncertainty.

His resignation from Umno in a fit of spite has left the nation in a state of uncertainty at a time when we could all do without the kind of crisis that the former prime minister is exceptionally good at inventing.

It must be an emotionally bruising experience for Dr Mahathir, who once held sway over us, to be told bluntly that his tantrums and ravings were not getting him anywhere.

Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi has made it clear that he has no intention of taking the taunts lying down. He will not allow the wily practitioner of confrontational politics to dislodge him from his perch.

Dr Mahathir has a long history of mounting vicious personal attacks against those, including Bapa Malaysia, he wanted to bring down.

He has recklessly propagated the politics of fear among the Malays following Umno's recent electoral reverses, with consequences too terrible to contemplate.

His championing of such unworthy causes as ketuanan Melayu and other forms of Malay chauvinism can lead to an exaggerated sense of insecurity among the Malays which could well lead to an escalation of racial frictions.

Many Malays question the motives of the man who claims to love the Malays and yet is apparently bent on weakening them even further. Does Dr Mahathir not care that the journey he is embarking on, to serve his selfish ends, will divide and destroy Umno?

I am on record in my column in August 2006 as telling Dr Mahathir, in terms more direct than usual even for me, to stop taking pot-shots at his anointed successor and to let Abdullah get on with the difficult job of governing a difficult country that has yet to find its identity 50 years after Merdeka.

By way of underlining my message, I took special care to tell him in the nicest possible way to start getting used to eating humble pie once out of office.

I did not say it would be easy to begin with, but I said it would not be impossible as both Tunku Abdul Rahman and Tun Hussein Onn had learnt to do it with inordinate charm and dignity.

For good measure, I told him to disabuse himself of any notion he might harbour about his indispensability to the Malaysian body politic.

Umno should consider itself fortunate to be rid of him. I hope history will be kinder to him than many Malaysians now think he deserves.

I am writing this column in the peace and quiet of the Goodenough Club of the University of London in Mecklenburgh Square WC1 which has for sometime now become my favourite London base.

Here in civilised, understated surroundings I am allowed the luxury of detachment, be it ever so brief, from the Malaysian political scene that is getting more muddled and muddied by the day.

Distance allows us a priceless opportunity to stand back and reflect without the distorting influence of being too close to events. Malaysians must learn to recognise and distinguish the wanton destroyers from the true builders of our nation in the wider context.

Yesterday, London put on its best spring weather - bright sunshine bursting through some light cloud cover, with some lovely soft cool breezes caressing your face to put Londoners and visitors in good cheer.

I made my way to Buckingham Palace to fulfil a promise I made a few weeks ago to feast my eyes, together with thousands of tourists from all over the world, on an ancient British military ceremony of "Changing the Guard", an event that is steeped in the best British military traditions, marked by pomp and circumstance.

This was no run of the mill ceremony of changing the guard at the most famous palace in the world.

I was there to see the 120 officers and men of the 1st Battalion of the Malay ceremonial guard company on parade on the forecourt of Buckingham Palace, together with the red-coated Welsh Guards, with their respective bands in attendance, playing in the case of the Royal Malay Regiment selections from traditional Malay music.

It was an elaborate ceremony, and I had a lump in my throat to see how splendidly the Malays performed, in complete harmony with their Welsh counterparts. If they had been wearing the bearskin and the red coat, at a hundred paces, no one would have noticed anything out of turn.

They looked extremely smart in their pristine white ceremonial dress and the green gold-banded songkok. What a splendid way to showcase our military professionalism before thousands of admiring people every day of the week.

Those of us who seek refuge behind a false sense of national dignity should see the display of the highest degree of discipline and professionalism by our soldiers while carrying out their London Public Duties. The overall security of the palace is provided by a special elite police detachment.

There is nothing demeaning about these high-profile ceremonial duties. They are undertaken as a tribute to the sovereign of a friendly nation with which we have enjoyed close links for a very long time.

The fact that the Queen of England is Head of the Commonwealth should not be lost on those of us who value our commonwealth connections. Let us learn to appreciate and value true and trusted friends, and learn to be gracious in our dealings with those who have come to our aid on numerous occasions when the peace and security of our nation were at risk.

Those who say it is all a waste of money are missing the point completely, because the value of forging ever closer links with friends of Malaysia cannot be measured solely in terms of money.

We have to put the London Public Duties in their proper context, and I have no doubt that the Malaysian Armed Forces Council made the right decision to put our magnificent soldiers on parade in the British capital as a tribute to the Queen of England as Head of the Commonwealth and also to the loyalty and professionalism of our armed forces. In a sense, it is a celebration of Malaysian and British Arms.

The writer is a former special adviser to the United Nations secretary-general on ethics. He can be contacted at tunkua@gmail.com - New Straits Times

UMNO Malays: They Just DON'T Seem to Get It !

Sunday, May 25, 2008  10:02    From Malaysia-Today: Read here full article by Raja Petra Kamarudin Excerpts: Read here for more ".. Make no bones about it. UMNO CANNOT form the governmentWITHOUT Sabah and Sarawak PLUS the Indians and Chinese from Peninsular Malaysia. So Ali and his bunch of 40 Umno Supreme Council Members, a.k.a the 40 thieves, have been proven wrong. Umno is still as proud as ever, or rather arrogant. But then arrogance is the classic symptom of Acquired Intense Denial Syndrome, or AIDS. And just like the other form of AIDS, Acquired Intense Denial Syndrome is also incurable, or so it seems in Umno’s case. Since 8 March 2008, Umno has been holding rallies, seminars and conventions all over Malaysia. I personally attended some of them and even brought my Indian and Chinese friends along so that they could witness for themselves what is being said at these events. The Malays have lost political power. The Malay states have fallen into Chinese hands. It was a big mistake giving citizenship to the Indians and Chinese back in 1957. The Indians and Chinese are ungrateful and no longer support the government. This happened once before in 1969 and Umno ‘solved it’ by triggering the May 13 race riots. Kuala Lumpur was kicked out of Selangor and turned into the federal capital so that Selangor can remain a Malay state even if Kuala Lumpur falls into Chinese hands. Umno created Shah Alam as a ‘Malay city’ so that the Chinese and Indian population in the state can be ‘diluted’ whereby the Malays can retain power in Selangor. I watched the faces of the Indians and Chinese in the assembly as they shook their heads in disbelief that the Umno Malays would utter statements that are not only provoking,DOWNRIGHT RACIST , but a breach of Malaysia’s infamous Sedition Act as well. Of course, no police officer made a police report, as what happened in my case, and no computers were confiscated nor was anyone charged for sedition. But this is not because they were not seditious. It is because those who uttered these seditious statements are Umno Malays and Umno Malays are ABOVE the law. They somehow believe that the Malays have lost political power. The fact that this time around there are 121 Malay Members of Parliament as opposed to only 120 in 2004 seems to have escaped them. And the fact that the Malays voted for the Indians and Chinese even though they contested under the DAP banner, plus the fact that Barisan Nasional is in power because of the Indians, Chinese, Kadazans, Dayaks, Ibans, etc., also seems to have escaped them. Did the Umno people NOT see the Indians from Hindraf wearing PAS T-shirts and carrying PAS flags in a Chinese temple in Port Kelang while shouting ‘Allah Akbar’ during the DAP ceramah? Did the Umno people NOT see the Malays from Kampong Raja Uda in Port Kelang vote for an Indian Member of Parliament and a Chinese State Assemblyman,both from DAP, when since Merdeka of 51 years ago they had always voted Barisan Nasisonal (and the Alliance Party before that)? Did the Umno people NOT see the God of Money statue in Kuala Kedah hold a PKR flag in one hand and a PAS flag in the other when this temple had been a MCA stronghold since Merdeka of 51 years ago? Did the Umno people NOT see the Malays in Kampong Baru open the doors of their houses so that the Hindraf Indians who were being chased by the police after being tear-gassed could seek refuge? Did the Umno people NOT see the PAS Malays drag the Indians and Chinese blinded by tear-gas into the Jamik Mosque so that they could escape retaliation from the police during the 10 November 2007 Bersih march? No, this is NOT about the Chinese and Indians voting opposition to kick the Malays out. It was also NOT about the Chinese and Indians ganging up on the Malays. It was about the Malays, Chinese and Indians uniting under the umbrella of People’s Power. The Indians call it Makkal Sakhti. The Malays call it Suara Rakyat, Suara Keramat. In English that means the people’s voice is a sacred voice. And from that was born People’s Power or Makhal Sakhti. - Raja Petra Kamarudi

Passport Photocopy- Proof of Home Minister is a liar and should resign

Wednesday, May 21, 2008

Passport Photocopy- Proof of Home Minister is a liar and should resign

HINDRAF
135-3
Jalan Toman 7

Kemayan Square
Seremban

PRESS STATEMENT 21st May 2008

RE : PROOF HOME MINISTER LIED AND MISLEAD THE PUBLIC
HOME MINISTER SHOULD RESIGN

I enclose below a scanned copy of my passport, which clearly shows that my passport expires in October 2010.

The statement made by the Home Minister is a blatant lie and deliberately intended to mislead the Malaysian public who were outraged by the action of the Government against me.

I do not for a moment doubt that the real intentions of the Government is that upon the revocation the British authorities would deport me back to Malaysia only to be arrested under the ISA

In light of the blatant lie I call upon the Home Minister to tender his resignation from the cabinet with immediate effect to safeguard the good name and integrity of the Governnment


P.Waytha Moorthy
Chairman
HINDRAF

Kesetiaan kepada UMNO

FRIDAY, MAY 23, 2008

Kesetiaan kepada UMNO

1. Saya kurang faham dakwaan pemimpin-pemimpin tertentu UMNO bahawa mengkritik atau mendesak Presiden UMNO berhenti bermakna tidak setia kepada UMNO. 

2. Tun Razak dan beberapa pemimpin UMNO yang lain telah tidak bersetuju dengan yang di Pertua UMNO Dato Onn Jaafar berkenaan dengan cadangannya untuk buka UMNO kepada semua kaum sehingga Dato Onn terpaksa undur. 

3. Apakah sikap dan perbuatan Tun Razak dan rakan-rakannya ketika itu bermakna mereka tidak sayang dan tidak setia kepada UMNO?

4 Pada 1969-71 Tun Razak dan lain-lain pemimpin UMNO secara tidak langsung tidak bersetuju dengan kepimpinan Tunku Abdul Rahman dan Tunku telah undur diri.

5. Apakah Tun Razak kerana menolak kepimpinan Tunku, iaitu tidak setia kepada Tunku sebagai Presiden UMNO maka dianya tidak setia kepada parti?

6. Pada tahun-tahun 1986-7 [Tun] Musa Hitam, Tengku Razaleigh dan DATO SERI ABDULLAH AHMAD BADAWI bertindak untuk menjatuhkan saya sebagai Presiden UMNO. Mereka jelas tidak setia kepada saya.


7. Apakah saya tuduh mereka tidak setia kepada parti? Apakah mereka dilarang berjumpa ahli-ahli UMNO? Apakah mereka ditegah berkempen untuk memburukkan nama saya, tidak undi saya? Apakah tentangan terhadap saya dianggap oleh saya dan oleh mereka sebagai tidak setia ada parti?

8. Sepatutnya setelah Dato Seri Abdullah kalah dia tidak diterima masuk UMNO Baru kerana tidak setia kepada saya. 

9. Tetapi dia diterima masuk dan dibenar bertanding jawatan ahli Majlis Tertinggi dan kemudian Naib Presiden. 


10. Jika saya pegang kepada tafsiran sesiapa yang tidak setia kepada saya tidak setia kepada parti, apakah akan saya lantik sekali lagi Dato Seri Abdullah sebagai Menteri dan kemudian sebagai Timbalan Perdana Menteri, dan seterusnya. 

11. Saya tak suruh ahli UMNO sokong apa yang saya lakukan.

12. Tetapi fikirkanlah akan kewajaran dakwaan sesiapa yang tidak setia kepada Dato Seri Abdullah adalah tidak setia kepada parti UMNO. 

13. Apakah UMNO adalah Dato Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi dan Dato Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi adalah UMNO? 

14. Jika Abdullah Ahmad Badawi dengan UMNO adalah sama dan satu, maka parti ini bukan lagi UMNO. Apa perlunya saya jadi ahli dalam parti Abdullah Ahmad Badawi?

15. Hanya mereka yang berkepentingan sahaja yang menyebar dan mendokong konsep UMNO adalah Dato Seri Abdullah dan tanpa kesetiaan kepada Dato Seri Abdullah maka ahli tidak setia kepada UMNO.

Mahathir s/o Mohamed, you are despicable!

May 24, 2008

Mahathir s/o Mohamed, today you have reached an all time low.

Malaysiakini reports today that in Tokyo, you warned of possible unrest in our country, and said that “extremists” among different communities had begun to voice their opposition and make unfair demands on the government, trying to “divide rather than unite.”

Malaysiakini quotes you :

“Now we are seeing the different races making demands on the government, which they perceive as a weak government”

The Malaysian Insider reports that on 17th May, in Johor, whilst speaking at a gathering, you referred to the Hindraf memo, and then said :

“What does it say? Malaysia for Malaysians! This is the reality of the present situation. If we do not speak up, if we choose to keep quiet, we will lose our rights and the other races will take over. When that happens, it will be like Singapore. Do you think we will still have control?”

What, Malaysia is not for Malaysians? For who, then?

Racists like you only?

Who is the extremist now, intent on dividing our people, if not yourself?

I checked your blog to see if perhaps you might have posted something there that would suggest you have been misquoted.

This is what I found you had written on 16th May, 2008, under the heading ‘Ketuanan Melayu’ :

Dalam 50 tahun kita merdeka, kuasa politik ada pada kita. Ini membolehkan kita panggil diri kita “Tuan”. Tetapi kita tidak Tuan sepenuhnya. Kita boleh jadi Tuan dengan ertikata yang bermakna jika orang Melayu berkebolehan dan berjaya dalam bidang ekonomi dan sosial juga. Ini boleh dihasilkan jika kita sanggup tuntut ilmu dan segala kemahiran dizaman teknologi tinggi. Tetapi kita amat kurang berusaha kearah ini. Kita lebih suka cari jalan mudah. Biar sahaja orang bekal segala-galanya kepada kita.

Hari ini kuasa politik pun sudah terlepas dari tangan orang Melayu. Dan orang bukan Melayu tidak lagi menghormati orang Melayu dan institusi-institusi Melayu. Segala-gala yang dianggap sebagai hak istimewa orang Melayu disoal dan dicabar. Dan orang Melayu tidak membuat apa-apa untuk menangkis semua ini dan mengukuhkan kedudukan mereka.

Sebaliknya mereka meminta-minta orang tertentu mempertahankan kedudukan orang Melayu. Tetapi ini adalah usaha “passing the buck” kata Mat Salleh, termasuk alasan bahawa semua ini adalah kerana Dr Mahathir yang memerintah 22 tahun dan pilih Dato’ Seri Abdullah sebagai penggantinya.

Nasib orang Melayu ada ditangan orang Melayu. Kita tidak jadi “Tuan” dengan mengungkit sejarah semata-mata. Kita boleh jadi “Tuan” jika kita berani bertindak, kita sanggup menghadapi risiko, kita berusaha untuk menguasai semua ilmu dan kecekapan sehingga tidak perlu bergantung kepada sesiapa.

Was it not you, in mooting your Vision 2020 in 1991, who advocated a Bangsa Malaysia? See what you said then :

By the year 2020, Malaysia can be a united nation, with a confident Malaysian society, infused by strong moral and ethical values, living in a society that is democratic, liberal and tolerant, caring, economically just and equitable, progressive and prosperous, and in full possession of an economy that is competitive, dynamic, robust and resilient. There can be no fully developed Malaysia until we have finally overcome the nine central strategic challenges that have confronted us from the moment of our birth as an independent nation.

See your first and eighth strategies to achieve this vision.

The first of these is the challenges of establishing a united Malaysian nation with a sense of common and shared destiny.This must be a nation at peace with itself, territorially and ethnically integrated, living in harmony and full and fair partnership, made up of one ‘Bangsa Malaysia’ with political loyalty and dedication to the nation.

The eighth is the challenge of ensuring an economically just society. This is a society in which there is a fair and equitable distribution of the wealth of the nation, in which there is full partnership in economic progress. Such a society cannot be in place so long as there is the identification of race with economic function, and the identification of economic backwardness with race.

Now as you traverse the country spewing your racist rhetoric of ketuanan Melayu just to save your own sorry butt, why don’t you also apologise to your audience for sowing this idea of Bangsa Malaysia, for advocating an end to identification of race with economic function?

Why don’t you also tell them about the friends that you’ve enriched at their expense?

Why don’t you tell them that in the name of ‘membasmikan kemiskinan’ you have entrenched them in abject poverty?

Understand this, Mahathir s/o Mohamed.

We survived, notwithstanding your 22 years.

Notwithstanding your plunder of this nation’s wealth and resources.

And whilst you talked then of Bangsa Malaysia but did little, we will walk that talk.

We will begin to build our Bangsa Malaysia.

Understand that if many feared you before, now you are viewed with scorn.

Posted by Haris Ibrahim Filed in Say No to Racism