Will Other Communities Also Start Making Similar Demands?

P. Waytha Moorthy

This is the 13th day of my Hunger Viratham. The visitors are streaming in and it is becoming more difficult to stay focused on my writing. It has somewhat slowed down my writing. Still, there is no let up in my resolve to achieve our goals of obtaining binding endorsement and commitment to implement Hindraf’s proposals and I continue with my Hunger Viratham.

More people are beginning to ask just where the BN and the PR political leaders are. Do they not care?

Well, I will let them answer the people.

For today I will discuss the question of the costs of implementation of Hindraf’s five-year blueprint proposals.

The politicians in power go to great length to propose, promote and implement mega project like the MRT, the High Speed Rail Link between Kuala Lumpur and Singapore and the Undersea Tunnel linking Penang to the mainland. These projects can cost when done, from RM10 billion to RM80 billion.

Over 1,700 Malaysians Abroad Register for Postal Voting

A total of 1,779 applications for postal voting have been received from Malaysians abroad so far since online registration was launched on December 21 last year.

Election Commission deputy chairman Datuk Wan Ahmad Wan Omar said the highest number of applications came from Australia with 406, followed by the United Kingdom (323), the United States (131), China (104) and Qatar (91).

“The EC’s decision to allow all Malaysians abroad to register online and through e-mail has proven to be effective as many took the opportunity to do so.

Education Blueprint 2013-2025: The Danger of Making a Wrong Diagnosis

Sandra Rajoo 

The revised education blueprint 2013-2025 will soon be out. Judging by the proposals in the preliminary report I am not optimistic that this new version will adequately address our education woes. Will the eleven strategic ‘shifts’ reverse the current situation? The people in the education ministry (MoE) seem to think so, yet concerned educationists, this writer included, are not convinced. These so-called new initiatives are not new. Every now and then authorities rehash them to appease critics and justify their role as custodians of education. Attempts made to get feedback from the public were half-hearted, leaving many disappointed and annoyed. Where is the sincerity?

But what is alarming, in my view, is that this blueprint and its ‘transformation’ hype is not addressing the real problems which have distorted foundations and created deep cracks in our education system. It has merely scratched the surface of our predicament. Pumping in millions of ringgit will not make any difference if the analysis is wrong and the bottom line is ignored, and nicely phrased words make no difference if not properly translated into action.

Negara, Not Negeri, Status for Sabah

KUALA LUMPUR: Sabah was supposed to retain its “negara” or national status in a series of arrangements to ensure that the rights of Sabahans would forever be protected during the formation of Malaysia.

This little known fact was revealed at a national conference on marginalised communities, which arrested the attention of the participants.

They were told that the ideals that gave rise to the birth of a new nation in 1963 have, however, been eroded until those rights have all but disappeared.

“Sabah was given the understanding that it was to remain a national entity within the Malaysian Federation, which was to be a partnership of four national units – Sabah, Sarawak,  Singapore  and Malaya,” deputy president of CigMa or Common Interest Group Malaysia, Daniel John Jambun, said in his presentation titled “Lest We Forget”.

Elaborating further, he said: “We were to remain as a ‘negara’ (nation), not to become a ‘negeri’ (state).

“What eventually transpired was a process during which Sabah (like Sarawak) became one of the 13 states in Malaysia, no longer on the same status as Malaya, but just one of the states.”

Later, Jambun said that it was also the reason why Sabah’s head of state was officially called Yang di-Pertua Negara from 1963 till the early 1980s when the title was changed and reduced to Yang di-Pertua Negeri.

Jambun’s paper was based on a book of the same name authored by Dr Chong Eng Leong who agreed to have his book  presented as a conference paper to the 220 delegates.

Chong’s book outlines the major losses Sabahans have suffered since independence due to various national policies following the formation of Malaysia.

Chong’s book focused on the “KL-encouraged” influx of Muslim illegal immigrants from Indonesia and Mindanao in the southern Philippines that served to dilute the once majority Christian native population in Sabah.

Sabah’s Economy on ‘Death Row’

Vidal Yudin Weil 

Upon this coming Chinese Lunar New Year in 2013, the zodiac snake will once again dawn the world. With so many political and fiscal uncertainties staring Sabah in the face, will she ever survive the python squeeze or will asphyxia be her final fate?

Or will the worst be reserved instead for the ruling coalition which has hogged the nation’s seat of power for more than half a century of dividing the people and rule, when the celestial serpent finally devour the entire Barisan Nasional in an election tipped to be held in or around February?

Will Malaysians in the country and the diaspora around the world watch and scream their lungs out with roaring ecstasy of colossal joy when past corrupt and vicious leaders and all their greedy cohorts are hunted down like fallen tyrants in the likes of Saddam Hussein, Muammar Gaddafi, Chen Shui Bian, Joseph Estrada, or Gloria Arroyo and put behind bars for crimes committed against citizens and looting the nation when Anwar Ibrahim does become the new Prime Minister of Malaysia?

The Jewish people believe that the world will end when every Jew scattered around the globe return to their homeland in Israel.

I personally believe that our motherland will eventually become a paradise when all her people can finally live together without hate, segregation, and persecution.

Many people in Sabah including Malaysians from Peninsular and Sarawak who have settled down here know very well why the BN federal government is issuing MyKads to immigrants and allowing them to flood Sabah.

Selangor Sultan: I am Above Politics, Let’s be Clear About This

Wong Chun Wai and Loong Meng Yee, The Star

Selangor will be one of the hardest fought states in the coming general election. As polling day nears, the Sultan finds himself a victim of attempts to drag his name into politics.

Sultan Sharafuddin Idris Shah said he was sad that he had become the target of groups and individuals who deliberately twisted his words and actions to imply that he was partial towards Umno.

“Why should I? I have nothing to gain from siding with Umno, PKR or any party,” he said. “What has Umno given me?

“Those that brand me as an Umno man, prove it. Show me when was I inclined to be with Umno. Do not blindly accuse me of things I am not guilty of. I have no political agenda.

“As head of the state, I am above politics. Let's be clear about this,” the outspoken Ruler said.
Speaking his mind: The Sultan of Selangor gesturing during the exclusive interview with The Star. Speaking his mind: The Sultan of Selangor gesturing during the exclusive interview with The Star.

Sultan Sharafuddin said he had now adopted a cautious mode when making speeches; but said he would speak up on issues affecting Islam and the welfare and harmony of the people.

In a candid interview with The Star, the Sultan said he would remain consistent against allowing mosques to be used for politics in Selangor, saying: “Politics and religion should not mix.”

DAP Bimbang Tangkapan Khalwat ke atas Bukan Islam

Md Izwan, The Malaysian Insider

DAP menyuarakan kebimbangan ekoran tangkapan khalwat ke atas pasangan bukan Islam baru-baru ini di Kelantan sambil menggesa kerajaan PAS di negeri tersebut mengambil langkah sewajarnya untuk menangani isu tersebut dengan secepat mungkin.

Dalam satu kenyataan hari ini, Setiausaha Agung DAP Lim Guan Eng mempersoalkan sikap penguatkuasa agama di negeri tersebut dan berharap tindakan segera diambil.

“Jika kerajaan PAS Kelantan gagal mengambil tindakan ke atas tindakan penguatkuasa itu yang mengeluarkan saman kepada pasangan bukan Islam tersebut, ia adalah membelakangi prinsip dalam Pakatan Rakyat (PR) yang menghormati kebebasan beragama,” kata Lim (gambar).

“Ia juga akan merosakkan hubungan dalam PR.”

Dalam laporan The Star hari ini, empat orang bukan Islam ditangkap di Lapangan Terbang Sultan Ismail Petra dan dikenakan saman kerana “tingkahlaku kurang sopan”.

“Walaupun saman itu adalah kerana ‘tingkahkalu kurang sopan’, parti lawan (Barisan Nasional) dan media pro-kerajaan telah memutar-belitkan isu ini sebagai khalwat dan mengatakan undang-undang Islam cuba dikenakan kepada bukan Islam,” tambah ketua menteri Pulau Pinang itu.

Ku Li Warns of ‘Prostitution’ Among Professionals

KUALA LUMPUR: Professionalism is at its lowest point in history, said Umno veteran Tengku Razaleigh Hamzah, citing “prostitution” in the law, police force and education, among others.

“There can be prostitutes in each and every professional practise… people who are motivated by power, lust and greed for which they are willing to sacrifice the sacred trust that society has placed in them,” said Razaleigh.

In a strongly-worded speech at a dinner last night, Razaleigh, popularly refered to as Ku Li, said that unprofessional conduct was “most blatantly evident” in the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC).

“Although established in the midst of much fanfare as part of the government’s reform programme, sad to say, the hopes of the people were dashed soon after it was formed,” declared the Gua Musang MP.

“The people were disappointed when the agency appeared to show interest in petty matters while failing to address more urgent and important cases of corruption.”

The death of two witnesses in the anti-graft agency’s headquarters, he said, had further stirred speculation about the professionalism and integrity of the officials there.

“We are not unjustified in wondering if the agency is really serious about fighting graft, or merely finishing off political ‘enemies’,” said Razaleigh.

He also levelled criticism at civil servants in general for “constantly pandering to political masters”.

He cited their “deafening silence” in cases such as the alleged destruction of the Selangor state government’s records five years ago, after BN lost the state to the opposition coalition.

“Not a whimper was heard from the custodians of public records in this country, despite the fact that they are believed to have their own code of professional ethics,” said Razaleigh.

Warga Setia Kuasai Bahasa Kebangsaan

Rejal Arbee

Menghairankan kerana selepas merdeka selama lebih 55 tahun dengan persetujuan menjadikan bahasa Melayu bahasa kebangsaan, penggunaannya masih menjadi persoalan. Terbaru ialah usaha untuk meningkatkan penguasaan dan penggunaan bahasa Inggeris dalam negara.

Diakui bahasa Inggeris sudah pun menjadi bahasa antarabangsa yang sepatutnya boleh dikuasai rakyat. Usaha juga perlu dilaksanakan supaya semua lepasan sekolah dan universiti kita dapat menguasai bahasa Inggeris dengan baik.

Tetapi apakah penguasaannya hanya boleh dilakukan dengan mengabai atau memperlekehkan bahasa Melayu hingga ada pula beberapa kerat rakyat yang mahu sekolah Inggeris, iaitu sekolah dengan bahasa Inggeris sebagai bahasa pengantar, dikembalikan?

Apakah ini saja jalannya untuk memastikan seseorang pelajar fasih bertutur dan menulis dalam bahasa Inggeris? Mestikah penguasaan baik bahasa Inggeris hanya boleh dicapai dengan mengabaikan bahasa Malaysia?

Tak serius guna bahasa Malaysia
Sehingga sekarang masih terdapat sebilangan rakyat negara ini yang berterusan tidak serius berhubung penggunaan bahasa Malaysia hingga ada lepasan sekolah, khususnya dari sekolah jenis kebangsaan Cina (SJKC) yang tidak boleh bertutur atau memahami bahasa Melayu dengan baik.

Persoalan mengenai penggunaan bahasa Malaysia sebagai bahasa pengantar di sekolah tidak seharusnya timbul lagi, begitu juga pandangan bahawa hanya dengan wujudnya sekolah bahasa Inggeris barulah rakyat negara ini boleh menguasai bahasa itu.

Entrepreneurs in Southeast Asia

Murray Hunter, Asia Sentinel

Throughout Southeast Asia, attempts by governments to promote the creation of entrepreneurs have almost unquestionably been regarded as a policy instrument for promoting economic growth. But reality doesn’t support the image. Creating new entrepreneurs may actually be dampening economic growth, a far sight from the creative economies many governments aspire to develop.

The data in most developing Southeast Asian countries just doesn't seem to support this. The truth of the matter may be very different. While lightning strikes people figuratively about as often as it strikes literally, entrepreneurship can be more aptly described as a narrative about survival and subsistence than growth and glory. Are Asian policy-makers fooled by the hype that entrepreneur development creates economic growth?

Entrepreneurship: Open a Kedai Kopi
On the ground across Southeast Asia, very little innovation can actually be seen. The majority of new SMEs do not create any new innovation and as a consequence do not contribute to economic growth. The Global Entrepreneurship Monitor (GEM), a body founded by Babson College and the London Business School, has found that the majority of new enterprise start-ups occur within the service and retail industries.

It appears that very few people actually formally scan the environment for opportunities. If people did, they would not start up in industries with high competition and low profit margins, as the majority do. In fact most people have a natural inclination to imitate others, employing no innovation whatsoever – witness for instance entire streets made up of shops selling exactly the same things side by side, an odd phenomenon in Asian cities. Witness any beach in Asia where an entrepreneur opens a string of tourist huts, only to see a half-dozen just like it sprout up, driving down the price for beach goers and cluttering the landscape.

The Choices Before Us - Emigration, Encampment or Engagement

Thomas Fann

I had an interesting conversation with a friend this week about some of the choices made by people we know.

Over dinner, my friend related to me about his brother who had worked and lived in France for many years, and how he had decided to return to Malaysia for his retirement only to find out that his citizenship has been revoked.

He tried to appeal to the government but was turned down and he returned to France dejected.

He also related about his sister’s family who also wanted to return but, after coming back for a holiday and looking over the socio-political environment and inequality here, changed their mind.

My friend further told me that many people he knows are making plans to emigrate to Singapore or Australia.

It was a dinner conversation that left me with a heavy heart because I know that these are not isolated stories but all too common and true, attested to by statistics. For more numbers on immigrants and emigrants, Tindak Malaysia has done the homework for us and you can read about it here.

Abuse of Toll Road Privatisation in Malaysia

‘Graft In Military Housing Since 90s’

Syed Jaymal Zahiid, FMT

Corruption involving military housing had been widespread since the 1990s, the president of the Malay Army Veteran Association (PVMT) Mohamad Ali Baharom alleged today.

Yesterday the 2011 Auditor-General report revealed that the Defence Ministry had spent a whopping RM3.2 billion for poor quality living quarters with a 84% cost overrun from the initial cost of RM1.2 billion.

The quality of the quarters was said to be marred with damages and construction defects causing safety concerns for occupants. Reparations were slow to come and low quality furniture was supplied.

The report also stated that the contractors failed to complete construction within the initial contract period and were given time extensions of 94 to 1,240 days.

“This issue has been around since I was still in the army. That was in the 1990s. It is blatant cheating (by the contractors),” Mohamad, better known as Ali Tinju, told FMT in a brief interview.

The PVMT president said similar complaints were lodged with Mindef on the poor quality of housing and suspected corruption in the process but the issue never got out into the open.

Mohamad alleged government-owned National Housing Company Bhd (SPNB) had also provided poor quality housing despite being awarded hefty contracts later distributed to politically-connected contractors.

Warga Asing Beli Kad Pengenalan Palsu Diberi Peluang Mengundi

Edy Noor Reduan Solidariti

Anak Muda Malaysia (SAMM) sekali lagi mendesak keras supaya SPR dibubarkan terlebih dahulu sebelum pilihanraya. SAMM sebelum ini telah membuat pendedahan kerjasama SPR dan JPN untuk menutup kerja kotor penipuan pilihanraya, hari ini mendedahkan kes terbaru yang menunjukkan warga asing diberi kelayakkan mengundi - satu pengkhianatan besar terhadap kedaulatan negara

Merujuk kepada laporan Akhbar Daily Express bertarikh 29 September 2012, seorang warga asing bernama Hassannuddin Bin Manna memberitahu mahkamah bahawa dia telah membeli Mykad palsu dengan harga RM1000. Mahkamah juga telah memutuskan Hassannuddin didenda dan dipenjara kerana memiliki dokumen palsu, sekaligus mengesahkan Kad Pengenalan yang diperolehi Hassannuddin adalah palsu.

Namun setelah disemak nombor kad pengenalan milik Hassannuddin (741029125463), SAMM mendapati nombor Kad Pengenalan palsu tersebut wujud dalam pangkalan data SPR dan juga merupakan pengundi yang sah.

Persoalannya, bagaimana seorang warga asing yang telah didapati bersalah oleh mahkamah kerana memiliki kad pengenalan palsu didapati layak untuk mengundi? Kad

Penganalan yang dikenalpasti tidak sah, tetapi sah untuk mengundi mengikut bancian senarai pengundi SPR? Bagaimana ini berlaku?

Kad pengenalan ini juga didapati mempunyai rekod di JPN dengan status 'telah diambil'. Ini bermakna Kad Pengenalan palsu ini telah diluluskan di JPN. Siapa pegawai yang meluluskannya? Siapakah kerani kaunter yang melepaskan kad pengenalan palsu ini untuk diambil?

Apakah ini satu lagi kerjasama utuh di antara Suruhanjaya Pilihanraya (SPR), Jabatan Pendaftaran Negara (JPN) dan juga melibatkan bantuan dari Jabatan Imigresen? Inikah hasil daripada program 6P yang cuba dilaksanakan secara terburu-buru oleh Jabatan Imigresen?

Isu pemberian Mykad kepada warga asing merupakan satu isu yang sangat serius ketika ada warga sendiri yang masih tidak diberi kad pengenalan kerana birokrasi melampau.

Percayalah lambat laun warga negara sendiri terpaksa merempat di bumi bertuah ini. Keadaan menjadi lebih parah apabila warga asing diberikan pula hak untuk mengundi oleh SPR...

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Bahan Sejarah Sekadar Diperam

Jabatan Muzium Dan Antikuiti, Filem Negara Malaysia (FNM) dan Jabatan Arkib Negara adalah tiga agensi kerajaan yang menyimpan banyak bahan bersejarah negara.

Jabatan Muzium mempunyai koleksi artifak, benda atau objek, manakala FNM dengan koleksi visual atau gambar bergerak, Jabatan Arkib sudah tentu menyimpan banyak manuskrip penting sejarah Malaysia.

Tidak cukup dengan tiga agensi ini, Jabatan Penyiaran Malaysia ada Radio Televisyen Malaysia (RTM) yang sudah tentu menyimpan banyak footage atau pita yang mengandungi peristiwa bersejarah.

Malangnya, ketiga-tiga agensi ini termasuk RTM bagaikan pasif untuk mempromosikan sejarah negara, lebih-lebih lagi ketika kita menyambut kemerdekaan ke-55 dan tidak lama lagi ulang tahun penubuhan Malaysia pada 16 September ini.

Kita yang sering lalu lalang di lebuh raya Mahameru atau Jalan Travers, tertanya-tanya kenapa tidak ada kain rentang besar yang memaparkan sejarah kemegahan negara?

Explain Unisel Debt, Khalid Told

(The Star) - Selangor Umno is calling on Mentri Besar Tan Sri Khalid Ibrahim to explain a RM54.8mil debt incurred by state-owned Universiti Selangor.

Its deputy chief Datuk Seri Noh Omar said the loss was sustained after Pakatan Rakyat took over the state in 2008.

Showing a copy of the university's 2010 audit report to the members of the media, Noh questioned why the information was not made public.

“He (Khalid) and the state financial officer signed the report on Aug 27.

“So, what is he waiting for? The people of Selangor need to know the truth,” he told reporters after the opening of the Tanjung Karang Umno division' meeting yesterday.

Malaysian May Not Be Financially Ready to Retire: Survey

(Bernama) - A study on retirement trends in East Asia has revealed the increasing vulnerability of Malaysians due to early retirement age as well as low rates of pension receipt under the Employees' Provident Fund and the lack of old-age poverty floor.

The study report, "Balancing Tradition and Modernity: The Future of Retirement in East Asia", is based on a survey that the Centre for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS) conducted in Malaysia, China, Hong Kong, Singapore, South Korea and Taiwan, according to Prudential in a statement on the survey findings.

The CSIS East Asia Retirement Survey reveals that an astonishing 92 per cent of current retirees in Malaysia report that they had already left the workforce by age 60 and suggests that Malaysia's pattern of premature retirement will likely persist. Malaysia is the only country in the survey whose fertility rate is above the 2.1 replacement level and the only one that will have a growing population and workforce in the coming decades, the report said.

Q & A on The Hudud and Qisas Enactment

1. What is the Hudud and Qisas Law?

Hudud and Qisas laws deal with offences and punishments that are interpreted by Muslim juristic scholars to be derived from the Qur’an and the Sunnah (of the prophet). Hudud literally means limit. According to some scholars, the word “hudud” is not used in the Qur’an specifically in terms of punishment. However juristic opinion has reduced hudud to mean mandatory punishment. Under Hudud law, theft, robbery, illicit sex, alcohol consumption and apostasy are considered offences. Punishment for these offences are corporal in nature, involving whipping, stoning to death and amputation of limbs. Qisas (law of retaliation) refers to offences that involve bodily injury or loss of life. The punishment is death or imprisonment, but compensation in the form of a sum of money or property (diyat and irsy) is accepted if the guardian of the victim forgives the offender. In Malaysia both Hudud and Qisas offences are contained in the set of legislation known as the Syariah Criminal Code Enactment. In Kelantan the law is formally called the Syariah Criminal Code (11) Enactment 1993 and was passed on November 25, 1993. In Terengganu the Syariah Criminal Offences (Hudud and Qisas) Bill was passed on July 8, 2002.

2. What offences are covered in the Kelantan and Terengganu Enactments?

Six offences are recognised under the Enactment as Hudud offences, namely:

• Sariqah (theft) 
• Hirabah (robbery) 
• Zina (unlawful carnal intercourse) 
• Qazaf (accusation of zina which cannot be proved by four witnesses) 
• Syurb (drinking liquor or intoxicating drink) 
• Irtidad or riddah (apostasy)

The second set of offences refer to homicide and bodily injury and listed under Qisas.

Indonesia-Malaysia Bersatu Bisa Jadi Pemain Penting Ekonomi Dunia

Kuala Lumpur - Kerjasama ekonomi yang erat antara Indonesia dan Malaysia diyakini dapat menjadi satu kekuatan ekonomi penting di dunia. Karena kedua negara berjiranan tersebut dinilai memiliki karakter struktur perekonomian yang tidak jauh berbeda.

"Kalau kita pelajari struktur ekonomi Indonesia dan Malaysia, mempelajari sejarah kebangsaannya, maka kedua negara ini sebetulnya bukan negara yang berkompeitsi, tapi dua negara saling melengkapi menjadi satu kekuatan yang bisa menjadi pemain penting dunia," ujar Dekan Fakultas Ekonomi Universitas Sumatera Utara, Jhon Tafbu Ritonga.

Hal itu dikatakannya dalam seminar yang diselenggarakan KBRI Kuala Lumpur bertema 'Peluang Peningkatan Kerjasama Ekonomi Indonesia-Malaysia: Menelaah Program Transformasi Ekonomi Malaysia', Rabu (28/4/2011).

How Malaysian Society Crushes Their Kids Potentials

 

1. In Malaysia, it's very hard to sell books or any educational material to kids. But it is ten times easier to sell kids on cigarettes, gossip's magazines and computer games Now, here's the one million dollar question for us to ponder, "Is it possible for us to make critical field such as history and science interesting to our young Malaysian?'

2. First of all, we were born genius, a natural explorer and a curious scientist. When we were young, we wonder what's out there. We began to wonder about the sky, the rivers, the stars, the people around us and our environment. Our old days were our greatest discovery period.

3. But then something happens, when we hit the 'Malaysian Society Synchronisation' year, the period that consist of our primary and secondary school in this country. That is when our potential was literally hammered out of us. The days when every little flower of curiosity  is crushed by our 'know-it-all' society and the 'flawless' educational system itself.