(From today's Wall Street Journal Asia.)
Malaysia Protects Racial Harmony?
Your Oct. 22 editorial "Malaysian Hindus" relating to the Malaysian Hindu Rights Actions Force (Hindraf) suggests that our government does not allow peaceful protests. We do. All Malaysians have freedom of speech and the right to protest peacefully. Peaceful protest, however, does not involve inciting racial and religious hatred or endangering the public. With rights come responsibilities, and this is the same in every democracy.
Ahead of demonstrations, Hindraf repeatedly did not inform police or get permits. Their rallies were illegal and turned violent, with significant damage occurring to property and serious injuries being inflicted on the public and police. Hindraf are an extremist organization. In an interview with Singapore's New Paper, one of Hindraf's leaders was reported as saying that violence may be used by some and civil war was unlikely but a possibility. The organization has incited racial and religious hatred, attempting to drive a wedge between Indians and other races. It is clear that if Hindraf's activities are not stopped, public safety and the cohesion of Malaysia's multiracial society will be at risk.
This action is against extremism, not against Hindus. We have and will take action against any individual or group that is inciting racial or religious hatred, regardless of their political affiliation. This is why we have banned many extremist Muslim groups in recent times. The top priority of any government is to protect the security of its citizens.
Hindraf does not represent all Malaysian Hindus or Indians. The Indian community is represented by legitimate, elected state assemblies and members of Parliament whom the government meets regularly. We will continue to work with them closely and listen to all communities in Malaysia as part of the normal democratic process. Malaysia's multiracial harmony is one of our country's great strengths and must be protected.
Syed Hamid Albar
Minister of Home Affairs
Putrajaya, Malaysia
Wednesday, October 29, 2008
Monday, October 27, 2008
Ex-leader uses blog to needle Malaysian government
Monday, October 27, 2008
By Seth Mydans
Published: October 26, 2008
KUALA LUMPUR: In a vast office at the top of one of the world's tallest buildings, former Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad sits at a broad, glass-topped desk, scribbling his thoughts on a pad of unlined paper.
For 22 years Mahathir was the most powerful person in this land, and his thoughts were commands as he reshaped the country in his own grand image.
But he has become an irritant and a spoiler five years after stepping down, turning against his handpicked successor, Abdullah Ahmad Badawi, and he has fallen victim to the press controls he perfected as prime minister.
It is mainly a system of self-censorship in an atmosphere of pressure and intimidation that produces an obedient press and has seen the closure or banning of many publications.
"Where is the press freedom?" he exclaimed two years ago, apparently surprised to be suddenly ignored. "Broadcast what I have to say! What I say is not even accurately published in the press!"
Earlier this year, like many other inconvenient critics, he joined what seems to be a political wave of the future, creating his own acerbic blog - www.chedet.com - an online journal where he vents in both English and Malay several times a week.
Around the region, bloggers like him are becoming a fifth estate, challenging the government's monopoly on information in Singapore, evading censors in Vietnam and influencing events in places like Thailand, Cambodia and China.
In March, political experts say, Malaysia's bloggers helped tip the balance, contributing to the biggest upset the governing party, the United Malays National Organization, had suffered since independence in 1957. For the first time in decades, it fell below two-thirds of the seats in Parliament, and it lost control of 5 of 13 states.
Two months after that, in May, Mahathir went digital, cutting and thrusting with elan.
"It is time the so-called intellectuals realize they were being duped by the Master of Spin," he wrote on Aug. 21, referring to his bitter enemy, Anwar Ibrahim, who was his deputy prime minister and now leads the opposition.
"The pious Muslim, who is also the bosom pal of Paul Wolfowitz, the neo-con Jew, the killer of Muslims," he said, referring to the former U.S. deputy secretary of defense.
Blogging on Sept. 3, he offered a sort of mission statement.
Many people are with him as he harasses the government, he asserted. "But they are not prepared to say it openly. That was why I started my blog. About six million had visited my blog site and tens of thousands have commented and supported me."
In case anyone doubts this, he posts the comments, by the dozens and hundreds, page after page, day after day. It turns out he has a lot of fans out there.
"Amazingly brilliant!" reads one comment. "I can't stop laughing... you made my day Sir!"
"HAHAHAHA :) ...This is your BEST posting so far, my dear Tun!!" reads another, referring to Mahathir by an honorific.
"Dearest Tun," reads another, "You are sooooo right.. spot on.. bulls eye.."
And just to clear up any possible misunderstanding, another writes: "You, sir, are the most brilliant politician Malaysia has ever been blessed with."
In the upheaval of the March election, several bloggers, following an opposite trajectory from that of Mahathir, used their online popularity to win seats in the national or state parliaments.
The most prominent was Jeff Ooi, 52, a former advertising copywriter who was one of Malaysia's first political bloggers, in 2003, at www.jeffooi.com.
"The government doesn't have a clue how to handle bloggers," he said in an interview. "If I were a dictator I would be despairing. What do you do against this?"
The government's assault on Ooi - "very hostile," he said - included threats of imprisonment without trial, attacks in the government-friendly press and defamation lawsuits, which are popular among leaders in Southeast Asia.
But that only seemed to make him a hero, and when he decided to run for Parliament with the opposition Democratic Action Party, he already had a big head start.
"As a person that has consistently faced threats as a blogger, I had a kind of iconism and imagery that this is someone you can trust, someone the government fears, someone you need to put into Parliament," he said.
But he said it is much harder to blog from the inside. "The trade-off is that I have to write with measured words," he said. "I am no longer my old self. I thought I had to take it to a higher level, and a lot of readers are getting disappointed. It isn't the same blogger that they used to know."
Mahathir Mohamad, the former prime minister of Malaysia, at his office in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia,
on Sept. 30. (Palani Mohan for the International Herald Tribune)
Earlier this year, Ooi said, he attended a public forum with Mahathir, and he claims that he is the one who persuaded the old war horse to get blogging.
"I threw him a challenge," Ooi said. "A blogger shares a few prerequisites. One, he is strongly opinionated. Two, he could be controversial. And, thirdly, he is an agent provocateur on issues.
"I thought Mahathir fulfilled all three."
The result, Ooi said, was "a miracle, he scored about 10 million visitors within months."
Now, a convert to free speech, Mahathir is using his blog to champion the most recent victim of government censorship, Raja Petra Kamaruddin, the country's highest-profile blogger, who posts his slash-and-burn commentary on his site, www.malaysia-today.net. The site has been blocked, but readers are redirected to another address, which continues to be updated.
The government has fallen back on the kind of tactics that Ooi said it threatened against him, charging Raja Petra with sedition and locking him up for two years without trial for comments he has posted.
Mahathir, the country's former strongman, sounded almost like Che Guevara when he said in his blog that the arrest showed "a degree of oppressive arrogance worthy of a totalitarian state."
Furthermore, locking people up is futile, he said in an interview in his sky-high office. There is no way the government can arrest all the bloggers, even if it wants to.
At least, he said, "I hope so. Otherwise I'll be in, too." - IHT
JIMMY E JELANI
By Seth Mydans
Published: October 26, 2008
KUALA LUMPUR: In a vast office at the top of one of the world's tallest buildings, former Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad sits at a broad, glass-topped desk, scribbling his thoughts on a pad of unlined paper.
For 22 years Mahathir was the most powerful person in this land, and his thoughts were commands as he reshaped the country in his own grand image.
But he has become an irritant and a spoiler five years after stepping down, turning against his handpicked successor, Abdullah Ahmad Badawi, and he has fallen victim to the press controls he perfected as prime minister.
It is mainly a system of self-censorship in an atmosphere of pressure and intimidation that produces an obedient press and has seen the closure or banning of many publications.
"Where is the press freedom?" he exclaimed two years ago, apparently surprised to be suddenly ignored. "Broadcast what I have to say! What I say is not even accurately published in the press!"
Earlier this year, like many other inconvenient critics, he joined what seems to be a political wave of the future, creating his own acerbic blog - www.chedet.com - an online journal where he vents in both English and Malay several times a week.
Around the region, bloggers like him are becoming a fifth estate, challenging the government's monopoly on information in Singapore, evading censors in Vietnam and influencing events in places like Thailand, Cambodia and China.
In March, political experts say, Malaysia's bloggers helped tip the balance, contributing to the biggest upset the governing party, the United Malays National Organization, had suffered since independence in 1957. For the first time in decades, it fell below two-thirds of the seats in Parliament, and it lost control of 5 of 13 states.
Two months after that, in May, Mahathir went digital, cutting and thrusting with elan.
"It is time the so-called intellectuals realize they were being duped by the Master of Spin," he wrote on Aug. 21, referring to his bitter enemy, Anwar Ibrahim, who was his deputy prime minister and now leads the opposition.
"The pious Muslim, who is also the bosom pal of Paul Wolfowitz, the neo-con Jew, the killer of Muslims," he said, referring to the former U.S. deputy secretary of defense.
Blogging on Sept. 3, he offered a sort of mission statement.
Many people are with him as he harasses the government, he asserted. "But they are not prepared to say it openly. That was why I started my blog. About six million had visited my blog site and tens of thousands have commented and supported me."
In case anyone doubts this, he posts the comments, by the dozens and hundreds, page after page, day after day. It turns out he has a lot of fans out there.
"Amazingly brilliant!" reads one comment. "I can't stop laughing... you made my day Sir!"
"HAHAHAHA :) ...This is your BEST posting so far, my dear Tun!!" reads another, referring to Mahathir by an honorific.
"Dearest Tun," reads another, "You are sooooo right.. spot on.. bulls eye.."
And just to clear up any possible misunderstanding, another writes: "You, sir, are the most brilliant politician Malaysia has ever been blessed with."
In the upheaval of the March election, several bloggers, following an opposite trajectory from that of Mahathir, used their online popularity to win seats in the national or state parliaments.
The most prominent was Jeff Ooi, 52, a former advertising copywriter who was one of Malaysia's first political bloggers, in 2003, at www.jeffooi.com.
"The government doesn't have a clue how to handle bloggers," he said in an interview. "If I were a dictator I would be despairing. What do you do against this?"
The government's assault on Ooi - "very hostile," he said - included threats of imprisonment without trial, attacks in the government-friendly press and defamation lawsuits, which are popular among leaders in Southeast Asia.
But that only seemed to make him a hero, and when he decided to run for Parliament with the opposition Democratic Action Party, he already had a big head start.
"As a person that has consistently faced threats as a blogger, I had a kind of iconism and imagery that this is someone you can trust, someone the government fears, someone you need to put into Parliament," he said.
But he said it is much harder to blog from the inside. "The trade-off is that I have to write with measured words," he said. "I am no longer my old self. I thought I had to take it to a higher level, and a lot of readers are getting disappointed. It isn't the same blogger that they used to know."
Mahathir Mohamad, the former prime minister of Malaysia, at his office in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia,
on Sept. 30. (Palani Mohan for the International Herald Tribune)
Earlier this year, Ooi said, he attended a public forum with Mahathir, and he claims that he is the one who persuaded the old war horse to get blogging.
"I threw him a challenge," Ooi said. "A blogger shares a few prerequisites. One, he is strongly opinionated. Two, he could be controversial. And, thirdly, he is an agent provocateur on issues.
"I thought Mahathir fulfilled all three."
The result, Ooi said, was "a miracle, he scored about 10 million visitors within months."
Now, a convert to free speech, Mahathir is using his blog to champion the most recent victim of government censorship, Raja Petra Kamaruddin, the country's highest-profile blogger, who posts his slash-and-burn commentary on his site, www.malaysia-today.net. The site has been blocked, but readers are redirected to another address, which continues to be updated.
The government has fallen back on the kind of tactics that Ooi said it threatened against him, charging Raja Petra with sedition and locking him up for two years without trial for comments he has posted.
Mahathir, the country's former strongman, sounded almost like Che Guevara when he said in his blog that the arrest showed "a degree of oppressive arrogance worthy of a totalitarian state."
Furthermore, locking people up is futile, he said in an interview in his sky-high office. There is no way the government can arrest all the bloggers, even if it wants to.
At least, he said, "I hope so. Otherwise I'll be in, too." - IHT
JIMMY E JELANI
Sunday, October 26, 2008
Top financial analyst is DAP’s latest recruit
By Debra Chong
KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 25 — In a comfortably worn blue-collared T-shirt, beige slacks and a hefty backpack slung over one scrawny shoulder, Teh Chi-Chang looked more like your average University Malaya economics undergraduate than the mighty economics consultant that he most assuredly is.
Teh is the new economics advisor to DAP secretary-general Lim Guan Eng. - Picture by Choo Choy May
At only 37, the Ipoh-born, taichi-loving Teh is the new economics advisor to DAP secretary-general Lim Guan Eng, replacing Petaling Jaya Utara MP Tony Pua who now has his hands full dealing with national publicity.
Teh's responsibilities are two-fold: to advise the secretary-general on macro-economic policies; and to act as a human resource centre to the party on all economic matters.
Two weeks ago, he conducted a workshop to brief the DAP MPs on the current global economic situation and how it translates to the domestic scene. It was sort of an Economics 101.
"They come from different backgrounds. Most don't have a good grasp of economic terms. Being able to communicate concepts clearly is key to the success of an economic policy as well," he said.
He said: "You can have sensible ideas but if you cannot convince the people, there is no point," and added: "Hopefully it will lead to better policies that enable us to go forward."
Asked if he thought poor communication was one of the reasons for the government's failure to promote economic growth, Teh snorted. "I don't think they are even trying. They are avoiding the issues completely."
Invariably, the discussion turned to the current heated 2009 Budget being debated in Parliament. The former financial analyst, a graduate from the University of Warwick and Cambridge University, was full of criticism against the government's proposed Budget. As expected of a professional, he remained cool-headed and was able to express his objections in a clear and precise manner.
"As analysts, we also start our estimations based on the most current information available," he said.
"The Budget debate is academic," Teh stated. "The government needs to go back and revise on the oil prices."
To sum up Teh's argument: The government's main source of revenue is based on its oil and oil-related exports. If the cost per barrel is high, then the pile of money in its account would be great. However, the price of oil has dropped drastically since the Budget was released 1½ months ago, effectively reducing the amount of income available for spending.
"The problem is the government is practising an expansionary fiscal policy just like they did during the good times," he sighed.
He likened the current gloomy economic situation to a person who has just lost his job.
"There is no more income and you have to rely on your savings. At that point, you have to prioritise your expenditure. What are the necessities and what are the luxuries?" he asked.
Teh suggests that the government focuses on plans that improve on local infrastructure such as drainage and roads and postpone extravagant projects for example the high-speed broadband and overpriced military purchases such as the RM2.3 billion Eurocopters.
"You can postpone it three, four years. While defence is a very important aspect of a nation's security, I highly doubt that anyone is going to invade Malaysia any time soon," he remarked drily.
He urged the government to encourage domestic spending rather than rely on foreign spending. With the entire world hit by an economic glacier, he was doubtful that foreign investors would bother coming in at the moment. They too had to prioritise their survival.
At any rate, what foreign investors looked for are political stability and an efficient government, Teh emphasised.
"Don't get caught up in Anwar's politics," he cautioned the Barisan Nasional government. He pointed out that the BN seemed to forget it only needs eight seats to get a two-thirds majority in Parliament while the opposition Pakatan Rakyat needs 30 more to claim a simple majority.
"It's simple mathematics," he laughed.
He also advised the government to show reason and competence.
"Competency is not shown when the Home Minister says a person was arrested for her own 'protection'," he said, referring to Datuk Syed Hamid Albar's explanation over the recent detention of a Chinese press reporter under the pre-emptive Internal Security Act.
Teh started his new job in September. Prior to that, he was the Asia-Pacific equity research director for utilities and media at Citigroup, one of the world's leading financial institutions. Before that, he was head of equity research for Malaysia. And before that, the executive director and country head of research at Hwang-DBS Vickers Research.
It makes one wonder, what on earth had happened to compel this wonder boy to give up a lucrative career for a position in an opposition political party.
Teh shrugged. He had been an analyst for 15 years. No matter how attractive the promotion, in the end, the work was the same.
"You only have one life and there are so many things to do," he remarked.
As an analyst and a taxpayer, he had been appalled by the government's reckless handling of the economy. The results of the March 8 general election had shown him that others felt the same. He wanted to play a role in bringing about a change.
He contacted Tony Pua and was impressed by the latter's grasp of economics despite being a lay person. Likewise, Pua was impressed by Teh's "impeccable credentials" and urged him to take an active position in the party.
Teh resisted. He wanted to help improve the economy, not play politics. It was not until he met party workers, especially the staff at DAP's headquarters that he was inspired and humbled.
"What struck me was how dedicated the people were at DAP. It was an eye-opener. You know they are not doing it for the money. They are doing it for a cause and a belief."
KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 25 — In a comfortably worn blue-collared T-shirt, beige slacks and a hefty backpack slung over one scrawny shoulder, Teh Chi-Chang looked more like your average University Malaya economics undergraduate than the mighty economics consultant that he most assuredly is.
Teh is the new economics advisor to DAP secretary-general Lim Guan Eng. - Picture by Choo Choy May
At only 37, the Ipoh-born, taichi-loving Teh is the new economics advisor to DAP secretary-general Lim Guan Eng, replacing Petaling Jaya Utara MP Tony Pua who now has his hands full dealing with national publicity.
Teh's responsibilities are two-fold: to advise the secretary-general on macro-economic policies; and to act as a human resource centre to the party on all economic matters.
Two weeks ago, he conducted a workshop to brief the DAP MPs on the current global economic situation and how it translates to the domestic scene. It was sort of an Economics 101.
"They come from different backgrounds. Most don't have a good grasp of economic terms. Being able to communicate concepts clearly is key to the success of an economic policy as well," he said.
He said: "You can have sensible ideas but if you cannot convince the people, there is no point," and added: "Hopefully it will lead to better policies that enable us to go forward."
Asked if he thought poor communication was one of the reasons for the government's failure to promote economic growth, Teh snorted. "I don't think they are even trying. They are avoiding the issues completely."
Invariably, the discussion turned to the current heated 2009 Budget being debated in Parliament. The former financial analyst, a graduate from the University of Warwick and Cambridge University, was full of criticism against the government's proposed Budget. As expected of a professional, he remained cool-headed and was able to express his objections in a clear and precise manner.
"As analysts, we also start our estimations based on the most current information available," he said.
"The Budget debate is academic," Teh stated. "The government needs to go back and revise on the oil prices."
To sum up Teh's argument: The government's main source of revenue is based on its oil and oil-related exports. If the cost per barrel is high, then the pile of money in its account would be great. However, the price of oil has dropped drastically since the Budget was released 1½ months ago, effectively reducing the amount of income available for spending.
"The problem is the government is practising an expansionary fiscal policy just like they did during the good times," he sighed.
He likened the current gloomy economic situation to a person who has just lost his job.
"There is no more income and you have to rely on your savings. At that point, you have to prioritise your expenditure. What are the necessities and what are the luxuries?" he asked.
Teh suggests that the government focuses on plans that improve on local infrastructure such as drainage and roads and postpone extravagant projects for example the high-speed broadband and overpriced military purchases such as the RM2.3 billion Eurocopters.
"You can postpone it three, four years. While defence is a very important aspect of a nation's security, I highly doubt that anyone is going to invade Malaysia any time soon," he remarked drily.
He urged the government to encourage domestic spending rather than rely on foreign spending. With the entire world hit by an economic glacier, he was doubtful that foreign investors would bother coming in at the moment. They too had to prioritise their survival.
At any rate, what foreign investors looked for are political stability and an efficient government, Teh emphasised.
"Don't get caught up in Anwar's politics," he cautioned the Barisan Nasional government. He pointed out that the BN seemed to forget it only needs eight seats to get a two-thirds majority in Parliament while the opposition Pakatan Rakyat needs 30 more to claim a simple majority.
"It's simple mathematics," he laughed.
He also advised the government to show reason and competence.
"Competency is not shown when the Home Minister says a person was arrested for her own 'protection'," he said, referring to Datuk Syed Hamid Albar's explanation over the recent detention of a Chinese press reporter under the pre-emptive Internal Security Act.
Teh started his new job in September. Prior to that, he was the Asia-Pacific equity research director for utilities and media at Citigroup, one of the world's leading financial institutions. Before that, he was head of equity research for Malaysia. And before that, the executive director and country head of research at Hwang-DBS Vickers Research.
It makes one wonder, what on earth had happened to compel this wonder boy to give up a lucrative career for a position in an opposition political party.
Teh shrugged. He had been an analyst for 15 years. No matter how attractive the promotion, in the end, the work was the same.
"You only have one life and there are so many things to do," he remarked.
As an analyst and a taxpayer, he had been appalled by the government's reckless handling of the economy. The results of the March 8 general election had shown him that others felt the same. He wanted to play a role in bringing about a change.
He contacted Tony Pua and was impressed by the latter's grasp of economics despite being a lay person. Likewise, Pua was impressed by Teh's "impeccable credentials" and urged him to take an active position in the party.
Teh resisted. He wanted to help improve the economy, not play politics. It was not until he met party workers, especially the staff at DAP's headquarters that he was inspired and humbled.
"What struck me was how dedicated the people were at DAP. It was an eye-opener. You know they are not doing it for the money. They are doing it for a cause and a belief."
Friday, October 24, 2008
The "Social Contract" - Abused By UMNO Scoundrels.
THURSDAY, OCTOBER 23, 2008
Social contract revisited
From The Middle Ground by Romerz
Comments by Sarawak Headhunter
The Sultan of Perak, Sultan Azlan Shah, had proposed that the social contract be explained at educational institutions to enable the young generation to have an in-depth understanding of the pre-independence agreement. (Malaysia Insider report HERE)
What is meant here of course is the pre-independence of Malaya, not Malaysia.
In an immediate response, Education Minister Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Tun Hussein was confident that Sultan Azlan Shah's proposal would serve the nation well if implemented. However he added that a comprehensive study must be done first before implementation can be carried at the earliest in 2010. (Bernama reportHERE)
By 2010 UMNO hopes to have brought all dissent under control, so that all Malaysians will be cowed into accepting the "social contract" according to UMNO. There will thus be no necessity for any actual study or further need to explain this purported "social contract" - UMNO would by then have bullied everyone else into accepting its revisionist version of the same - one which will put all other citizens of non-Malay origin - including the Bumiputras of Sarawak and Sabah into 2nd and 3rd class positions.
Personally, I think there remains many of us within Malaysia who either do not acknowledge the existence of such a contract, or if we do, do not know what it was all about since there are no written documents recording the agreement of the parties to this contract and all the parties to this contract are now deceased.
The fact is that no fuss was made during Tunku Abdul Rahman's time as Prime Minister about this "social contract", whether about its existence or non-existence or its implementation. The ultras - extremist Malays - in UMNO (whose privileged sons are in the process of inheriting their positions in UMNO) who were impatient to rise to power and wealth which they saw as rightfully theirs, notwithstanding that some of their parents may have just got off the boat not too long ago, saw the opportunity to discredit Tunku Abdul Rahman whom they saw as being too soft with the Chinese.
The Chinese therefore had to be put in their place and forcefully reminded to whom they owed their "citizenship", so that these elite Malays could claim their "birthrights", and it was for this purpose that the "social contract" was invoked and abused, even at the expense and on the backs of the not so privileged Malays (and other Bumiputras from Sarawak and Sabah who had been roped in for good measure but who would mostly remain poor for the next 40 over years).
The closest piece of written document we have to which this 'social contract' must have given birth to is the merdeka federal constitution, not the present day skewed federal constitution, which has been amended 400+ times since 1957.
I agree with both Sultan Azlan Shah and Datuk Seri Hishammuddin that it will serve the nation well if the younger generations understand the objectives behind the formation of Malaysia.
This probably refers to the independence of Malaya, since the formation of Malaysia would entail broadening the scope of the "social contract" to include the non-Malay and non-Muslim Bumiputras of Sarawak and Sabah, which expanded "social contract" has been also subject to severe abuse by the ruling Malayan elites in general and the ruling Malayan Malay elites in particular.
Shouldn't we be having discussions first on whether the social contract exist in the first place and the intentions of the merdeka federal constitution, with its conflicting articles regarding to race and religion?
The "social contract" exists only in the minds of the ruling Malayan Malay elites only, especially when they want to justify anything they do by way of (abuse of) the process of law, administration and government. The elite Malay hold on power and control of wealth depends entirely on being able to convince or bully the other races into believing that such a "social contract" exists or else the latter will find their blood being spilled. Deny it at your own peril!
These Malays (with whom many more enlightened Malays do not agree, it must be said) do not see enforcement of this "social contract" - the real essence of which, entirely different from that in their perverted minds, is in reality already enshrined in the Federal Constitution - through due process of law but rather through coercion and even deadly force if necessary.
Many NGOs have tried to organize forums to discuss and better understand our merdeka federal constitution before but the government of the day have always allowed disruptive forces to curtail such intellectual discussions.
They cannot allow any real intellectual discourse since this will show clearly how they have not only misled the entire Malay race and in fact the entire nation with their version of the "social contract" but also how they have abused it for their own personal benefits.
As a first step, if Datuk Seri Hishammuddin is sincere about Sultan Azlan Shah's proposal, then he should convince his cabinet colleagues to allow government sanctioned discussions to take place, behind closed doors if necessary. Better still the government itself organize such discussions with representations from all stakeholders of this country.
Impossible! Since when has Kerismuddin been sincere about anything? He would prefer to choke on his own keris first or preferably make you choke on it. What stakeholders, the ones with stakes through their hearts and other body parts? What rights do you think you have? The only rights that you have are those which UMNO allows you to have. Do you seriously think that the UMNO lanun will acknowledge any legitimate rights other than their own to legally rob, loot and pillage the entire nation?
And do not forget to put on the table for discussion not only the merdeka federal constitution but the 20-point Sabah Agreement and 18-point Sarawak Agreement which led to the formation of Malaysia in 1963.
They will never agree. The consensus on the Sarawak side will be that Sarawak wants out of Malaysia.
Until and unless we can come to an agreement or compromise on all these fundemental issues, we will continue to have conflicts amongst all Malaysians since we can't even agree on a common platform to build our future on.
There can never be a common platform founded on the lust for power and greed for wealth of the ruling elites of the nation.
51 years already wasted but better late than never. With royal consent, all that is needed now is the political will ....... but will this be found wanting?
I think you already know the answer yourself. Good try anyway.
Samuel Johnson said that “Patriotism is the last refuge of the scoundrel.” To that in the Malaysian context must be added the "social contract". These scoundrels in UMNO and the BN will do anything to stay in power.
How do we negotiate or discuss anything with scoundrels like these?
THURSDAY, OCTOBER 23, 2008
Social contract revisited
From The Middle Ground by Romerz
Comments by Sarawak Headhunter
The Sultan of Perak, Sultan Azlan Shah, had proposed that the social contract be explained at educational institutions to enable the young generation to have an in-depth understanding of the pre-independence agreement. (Malaysia Insider report HERE)
What is meant here of course is the pre-independence of Malaya, not Malaysia.
In an immediate response, Education Minister Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Tun Hussein was confident that Sultan Azlan Shah's proposal would serve the nation well if implemented. However he added that a comprehensive study must be done first before implementation can be carried at the earliest in 2010. (Bernama reportHERE)
By 2010 UMNO hopes to have brought all dissent under control, so that all Malaysians will be cowed into accepting the "social contract" according to UMNO. There will thus be no necessity for any actual study or further need to explain this purported "social contract" - UMNO would by then have bullied everyone else into accepting its revisionist version of the same - one which will put all other citizens of non-Malay origin - including the Bumiputras of Sarawak and Sabah into 2nd and 3rd class positions.
Personally, I think there remains many of us within Malaysia who either do not acknowledge the existence of such a contract, or if we do, do not know what it was all about since there are no written documents recording the agreement of the parties to this contract and all the parties to this contract are now deceased.
The fact is that no fuss was made during Tunku Abdul Rahman's time as Prime Minister about this "social contract", whether about its existence or non-existence or its implementation. The ultras - extremist Malays - in UMNO (whose privileged sons are in the process of inheriting their positions in UMNO) who were impatient to rise to power and wealth which they saw as rightfully theirs, notwithstanding that some of their parents may have just got off the boat not too long ago, saw the opportunity to discredit Tunku Abdul Rahman whom they saw as being too soft with the Chinese.
The Chinese therefore had to be put in their place and forcefully reminded to whom they owed their "citizenship", so that these elite Malays could claim their "birthrights", and it was for this purpose that the "social contract" was invoked and abused, even at the expense and on the backs of the not so privileged Malays (and other Bumiputras from Sarawak and Sabah who had been roped in for good measure but who would mostly remain poor for the next 40 over years).
The closest piece of written document we have to which this 'social contract' must have given birth to is the merdeka federal constitution, not the present day skewed federal constitution, which has been amended 400+ times since 1957.
I agree with both Sultan Azlan Shah and Datuk Seri Hishammuddin that it will serve the nation well if the younger generations understand the objectives behind the formation of Malaysia.
This probably refers to the independence of Malaya, since the formation of Malaysia would entail broadening the scope of the "social contract" to include the non-Malay and non-Muslim Bumiputras of Sarawak and Sabah, which expanded "social contract" has been also subject to severe abuse by the ruling Malayan elites in general and the ruling Malayan Malay elites in particular.
Shouldn't we be having discussions first on whether the social contract exist in the first place and the intentions of the merdeka federal constitution, with its conflicting articles regarding to race and religion?
The "social contract" exists only in the minds of the ruling Malayan Malay elites only, especially when they want to justify anything they do by way of (abuse of) the process of law, administration and government. The elite Malay hold on power and control of wealth depends entirely on being able to convince or bully the other races into believing that such a "social contract" exists or else the latter will find their blood being spilled. Deny it at your own peril!
These Malays (with whom many more enlightened Malays do not agree, it must be said) do not see enforcement of this "social contract" - the real essence of which, entirely different from that in their perverted minds, is in reality already enshrined in the Federal Constitution - through due process of law but rather through coercion and even deadly force if necessary.
Many NGOs have tried to organize forums to discuss and better understand our merdeka federal constitution before but the government of the day have always allowed disruptive forces to curtail such intellectual discussions.
They cannot allow any real intellectual discourse since this will show clearly how they have not only misled the entire Malay race and in fact the entire nation with their version of the "social contract" but also how they have abused it for their own personal benefits.
As a first step, if Datuk Seri Hishammuddin is sincere about Sultan Azlan Shah's proposal, then he should convince his cabinet colleagues to allow government sanctioned discussions to take place, behind closed doors if necessary. Better still the government itself organize such discussions with representations from all stakeholders of this country.
Impossible! Since when has Kerismuddin been sincere about anything? He would prefer to choke on his own keris first or preferably make you choke on it. What stakeholders, the ones with stakes through their hearts and other body parts? What rights do you think you have? The only rights that you have are those which UMNO allows you to have. Do you seriously think that the UMNO lanun will acknowledge any legitimate rights other than their own to legally rob, loot and pillage the entire nation?
And do not forget to put on the table for discussion not only the merdeka federal constitution but the 20-point Sabah Agreement and 18-point Sarawak Agreement which led to the formation of Malaysia in 1963.
They will never agree. The consensus on the Sarawak side will be that Sarawak wants out of Malaysia.
Until and unless we can come to an agreement or compromise on all these fundemental issues, we will continue to have conflicts amongst all Malaysians since we can't even agree on a common platform to build our future on.
There can never be a common platform founded on the lust for power and greed for wealth of the ruling elites of the nation.
51 years already wasted but better late than never. With royal consent, all that is needed now is the political will ....... but will this be found wanting?
I think you already know the answer yourself. Good try anyway.
Samuel Johnson said that “Patriotism is the last refuge of the scoundrel.” To that in the Malaysian context must be added the "social contract". These scoundrels in UMNO and the BN will do anything to stay in power.
How do we negotiate or discuss anything with scoundrels like these?
ARREST OF 11 PEOPLE AND 6 YRS OLD UTHAYA KUMAR`S NIECE VWAISHNNAVI WAYTHA MOORTHY IS UNLAWFUL AND A CRUEL ACT
Ms Navanethem Pillay
UN High Commissioner
Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights
Palais Wilson
52 rue des Pâquis
CH-1201 Geneva, Switzerland
Secretary-General Mr Ban Ki-moon
UN Headquarters
First Avenue at 46th Street
New York, NY 10017
Dato' Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi
Prime Minister's Office, Main Block,
Perdana Putra Building,
Federal Government Administrative Centre,
62502 Putrajaya, MALAYSIA.
Dato’ Seri Anwar Ibrahim
Malaysian Opposition Leader
A-1-09, Merchant Square, Jalan Tropicana Selatan 1
47410 Petaling Jaya
Malaysia
Dato' Seri Syed Hamid b Syed Jaafar Albar
Kementerian Hal Ehwal Dalam Negeri, Malaysia
Blok D2, Parcel D
Pusat Pentadbiran Kerajaan Persekutuan
62546 Putrajaya.
Tan Sri Dato' Seri Musa Bin Dato' Hj. Hassan
Ibu Pejabat Polis Diraja Malaysia
Bukit Aman
50560 Kuala Lumpur. 24.Oct.08
ARREST OF 11 PEOPLE AND 6 YRS OLD UTHAYA KUMAR`S NIECE VWAISHNNAVI WAYTHA MOORTHY IS UNLAWFUL AND A CRUEL ACT
In regards to the matter above, i condemn the arrest of the 11 people including a six year old girl who had gathered in Purtaraja to submit an Deepavali appeal for the release of all the ISA detainees to the Prime Minister.
This Act again is an barbaric and unlawful action taken by Polis Diraja Malaysia under the instruction of the UMNO led Government in Malaysia.
This little girl was there on a sign of love for the Prime Minister, seeking the release of her uncle Mr Uthaya Kumar and all the detainees of this cruel and unjust Internal Security Act.
She even extended and invitation to the PM for him to come to her house on Deepavali.
All the other 11 people including the Wife of Waytha Moorthy who were there in a very peaceful manner for the same intentions was also arrested.
This arrest is not only an insult to the Indians but to all Malaysians whom belief in Human Rights and respects the Federal Constitution.
The arrest is against the World Human Rights Standards and Article 10 of the Federal Constitution which guarantees freedom of assembly to all.
It is such a shame for Malaysia to be in the United Nationals Human Rights Council when the Ruling UMNO Government can oppressed it`s nation with their ruling power.
A 6 year child is being detained for an so called illegal assembly.
But when contacted, Kuala Lumpur Police Chief Muhammad Sabtu Osman clarifies that she is not arrested but under her Mother care.
How can a 6 year old girl be under her Mother`s care in Lock up ?
Would it not effect the child's Mind and her growing up process.
How would she feel being surrounded by bars and police personals ?
She was only there to submit an appeal and invitation to the PM but now see`s her self and her Mother detained.
Is the UMNO government trying to shut the mouths of it`s nation and blind them of their rights ?
All 11 of them are being investigated under the Societies Act. The ban on HINDRAF it self is an illegal action taken by the Home Ministry.
Article 10 of the federal Constitution provides rights to form an association.
The action taken by Home Minister Syed Hamid Albar, again is an violation to the federal constitution and a illegal move.
Who should be arrested now ?
Should Syed Hamid Albar be charged in court for violating the Constitution ?
Should the Police be charged in Court for disrupting a peaceful assembly ?
Where is the Law in this country ?
The UMNO government, Police and Ministers are them self's breaking the law.
But why are they putting up a drama in the eyes of the world.
The home minister had recently said that he belief, he had the support of the Indian community on the Banning of HINDRAF.
Is the Home Ministers deaf of all the criticism on that issue by the elected representative in parliament.
HINDRAF represent the Hindu and Indian Community in Malaysia.
They had fought for the demolitions of the Holy temples and for the rights of Indians in Malaysia.
What wrong has HINDRAF done that it deserve to be ban ?
Is UMNO shaken of the HINDRAF movement which reveals the cruelty and evilness of the ruling government.
What more will the ruling Government do to oppressed it`s nation and hide
all it`s wrong doings.
The ISA ? The police Act ? The Media and Publication Act ?
Enough is Enough!! The cruelty has to stop.
Justice needs to prevail it`s self.
All the culprits needs to be brought to court and Evil needs to be defeated.
This is my beloved country and i want to see change upon this country.
The younger generation does not tolerate racial outburst and wrongdoings of the government.
The Internal Security Act must be abolished. The heroes of this country must be freed.
I, with much disappointment seek and appeal for the release of all the 11 people whom were arrested in Putrajaya.
How much more does this nation need to go through? Have UMNO not learned enough from the previous General Elections?
Is Malaysia a police state ? Released them immediately without conditions.
I also appeal for the Cruel Internal Security Act to be abolished.
This is the cry and will of this nation.
Hundreds of rallies and vigils had been organized by various people to send a message to the government for this act to be abolished, but the government seems not to be listening.
The government seems to be doing what they want and not what it`s nation wants.
So please listen to this Nation and bring peace and justice upon this Country.
I also call apon Syed Hamid Albar to resign as the Home Minister as he has failed in his duties and has rejected the will of this nation.
He no longer fits to be a Home Minister as he is a shame for Malaysia.
If the Government still does not listen to the will of this nation and does not abolish the ISA, then Malaysia no longer fits to be in the United Nationals Human Rights Council because it`s such a shame for us to talk about human rights when we do not practice it.
God Save My Country!!!
K. Sudhagaran Stanley
Human Rights Activist
Malaysian Citizen
UN High Commissioner
Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights
Palais Wilson
52 rue des Pâquis
CH-1201 Geneva, Switzerland
Secretary-General Mr Ban Ki-moon
UN Headquarters
First Avenue at 46th Street
New York, NY 10017
Dato' Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi
Prime Minister's Office, Main Block,
Perdana Putra Building,
Federal Government Administrative Centre,
62502 Putrajaya, MALAYSIA.
Dato’ Seri Anwar Ibrahim
Malaysian Opposition Leader
A-1-09, Merchant Square, Jalan Tropicana Selatan 1
47410 Petaling Jaya
Malaysia
Dato' Seri Syed Hamid b Syed Jaafar Albar
Kementerian Hal Ehwal Dalam Negeri, Malaysia
Blok D2, Parcel D
Pusat Pentadbiran Kerajaan Persekutuan
62546 Putrajaya.
Tan Sri Dato' Seri Musa Bin Dato' Hj. Hassan
Ibu Pejabat Polis Diraja Malaysia
Bukit Aman
50560 Kuala Lumpur. 24.Oct.08
ARREST OF 11 PEOPLE AND 6 YRS OLD UTHAYA KUMAR`S NIECE VWAISHNNAVI WAYTHA MOORTHY IS UNLAWFUL AND A CRUEL ACT
In regards to the matter above, i condemn the arrest of the 11 people including a six year old girl who had gathered in Purtaraja to submit an Deepavali appeal for the release of all the ISA detainees to the Prime Minister.
This Act again is an barbaric and unlawful action taken by Polis Diraja Malaysia under the instruction of the UMNO led Government in Malaysia.
This little girl was there on a sign of love for the Prime Minister, seeking the release of her uncle Mr Uthaya Kumar and all the detainees of this cruel and unjust Internal Security Act.
She even extended and invitation to the PM for him to come to her house on Deepavali.
All the other 11 people including the Wife of Waytha Moorthy who were there in a very peaceful manner for the same intentions was also arrested.
This arrest is not only an insult to the Indians but to all Malaysians whom belief in Human Rights and respects the Federal Constitution.
The arrest is against the World Human Rights Standards and Article 10 of the Federal Constitution which guarantees freedom of assembly to all.
It is such a shame for Malaysia to be in the United Nationals Human Rights Council when the Ruling UMNO Government can oppressed it`s nation with their ruling power.
A 6 year child is being detained for an so called illegal assembly.
But when contacted, Kuala Lumpur Police Chief Muhammad Sabtu Osman clarifies that she is not arrested but under her Mother care.
How can a 6 year old girl be under her Mother`s care in Lock up ?
Would it not effect the child's Mind and her growing up process.
How would she feel being surrounded by bars and police personals ?
She was only there to submit an appeal and invitation to the PM but now see`s her self and her Mother detained.
Is the UMNO government trying to shut the mouths of it`s nation and blind them of their rights ?
All 11 of them are being investigated under the Societies Act. The ban on HINDRAF it self is an illegal action taken by the Home Ministry.
Article 10 of the federal Constitution provides rights to form an association.
The action taken by Home Minister Syed Hamid Albar, again is an violation to the federal constitution and a illegal move.
Who should be arrested now ?
Should Syed Hamid Albar be charged in court for violating the Constitution ?
Should the Police be charged in Court for disrupting a peaceful assembly ?
Where is the Law in this country ?
The UMNO government, Police and Ministers are them self's breaking the law.
But why are they putting up a drama in the eyes of the world.
The home minister had recently said that he belief, he had the support of the Indian community on the Banning of HINDRAF.
Is the Home Ministers deaf of all the criticism on that issue by the elected representative in parliament.
HINDRAF represent the Hindu and Indian Community in Malaysia.
They had fought for the demolitions of the Holy temples and for the rights of Indians in Malaysia.
What wrong has HINDRAF done that it deserve to be ban ?
Is UMNO shaken of the HINDRAF movement which reveals the cruelty and evilness of the ruling government.
What more will the ruling Government do to oppressed it`s nation and hide
all it`s wrong doings.
The ISA ? The police Act ? The Media and Publication Act ?
Enough is Enough!! The cruelty has to stop.
Justice needs to prevail it`s self.
All the culprits needs to be brought to court and Evil needs to be defeated.
This is my beloved country and i want to see change upon this country.
The younger generation does not tolerate racial outburst and wrongdoings of the government.
The Internal Security Act must be abolished. The heroes of this country must be freed.
I, with much disappointment seek and appeal for the release of all the 11 people whom were arrested in Putrajaya.
How much more does this nation need to go through? Have UMNO not learned enough from the previous General Elections?
Is Malaysia a police state ? Released them immediately without conditions.
I also appeal for the Cruel Internal Security Act to be abolished.
This is the cry and will of this nation.
Hundreds of rallies and vigils had been organized by various people to send a message to the government for this act to be abolished, but the government seems not to be listening.
The government seems to be doing what they want and not what it`s nation wants.
So please listen to this Nation and bring peace and justice upon this Country.
I also call apon Syed Hamid Albar to resign as the Home Minister as he has failed in his duties and has rejected the will of this nation.
He no longer fits to be a Home Minister as he is a shame for Malaysia.
If the Government still does not listen to the will of this nation and does not abolish the ISA, then Malaysia no longer fits to be in the United Nationals Human Rights Council because it`s such a shame for us to talk about human rights when we do not practice it.
God Save My Country!!!
K. Sudhagaran Stanley
Human Rights Activist
Malaysian Citizen
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