Tuesday, September 30, 2008

MPAJ deputy president suspended

The Majlis Perbandaran Ampang Jaya deputy president Hamid Hussain has been suspended from his position pending internal inquiry into his order to demolish a Hindu temple despite the Selangor State Government's directive not to do so.

So what was Hamid Hussain's agenda in disregarding the state government's directive? Was he aligned to Umno in order to sabotage the Pakatan Rakyat's policies? We urge the state government to investigate Hamid deeper to ascertain his connection with other parties or political groups which might have instigated him to act in a racist manner.

Stay tune and read more

Tuesday, September 23, 2008

Racial Harmony, with Equality as well.

The cabinet had recently approved the proposed Race Relations Act in order to strengthen ties among different races in our nation.

After a very long 51 years of independence and Barisan Nasional’s (BN) governance, a law being finally proposed to strengthen our racial ties. This clearly shows that the BN government had evidently failed to enhance and preserve racial harmony and national unity all these years, despite having a cabinet level ministry of doing so.

What had the BN government been doing all these while? Not only they had failed in their governance to promote good harmonious and a united racial ties amongst Malaysians, but they also failed to ensure our very education system promotes and do the same. This shows that our education policy of today also failed to unite the entire nation. Even racist teachers still exist in some schools today, policies or rules that segregates between muslims and non-muslims in their daily school activities and so on. Some of these teachers even went to an extend of sending out hate messages to the students and pupils. That means, these poor children were racially split from small and had in fact no understanding on national unity at all. Even government agencies are sometimes seen as racist oriented, like the most recent reported outrage in Biro Tata Negara (BTN) which is under the Prime Minister’s Department itself!

Each of everyone of us, be it old or young, a professional or laborer, or a manager, executive, clerk or even dispatcher or general worker must also play our part as normal peace loving civilized humans to ensure and enhance racial and religious harmony among ourselves, in our neighborhood, community, schools, universities, workplaces, offices, our families and our generations to come.

By getting a so-called Race Relations Act into force clearly proves that the education system and the national policy outlined by the BN government had failed totally, and taking facts into this picture again, even the BN’s inter-racial power sharing coalition itself also failed, with its component parties like MCA, MIC, Gerakan, PPP, SUPP, LDP, PBS. PDS, Upko or PBB failed to prevent their dominant partner Umno from raising its racist jargons and supremacy over them.

Situation proven, most of Umno’s coalition partners fell apart when the election results were announced, thanks to Umno and for their arrogance. The non-Umno parties were proved powerless at that time in preventing Umno from unleashing its radical racist stand onto the people.

Just because of Umno’s dominance and unjust attitude, one-sided policies and cronyism continue to play their role actively in ensuring the entire nation’s riches and wealth flow into their hands without interference in the name of protecting one’s race as they claimed.

Therefore, in drafting the Race Relation Act, the BN politicians should excuse themselves completely from the role and take total responsibility for their failure in promoting and upholding the national unity.

The other thing is getting only Race Relations Act into force itself isn’t sufficient, as in order to seek a harmonious inter-ethnic relations workable in our community, the subject of equality must also put into force in order to demonstrate an effective pull on the actual string. Everyone of us, be it Malay, Chinese, Indian, Kadazan, Iban, Murut, Sikh must be seen, treated and managed in an equal manner in terms of law, policies, development, infrastructures, economy and so on. A very clear example will do like, a rich bumiputra who wanted to purchase a bungalow or property automatically gets a 5% or perhaps even 10% discount, whereas a poor non-bumiputra man who wanted buy only a low-cost house does not even entitle to have any discount at all. Another example demonstrates, a rich bumiputra enjoys rights to purchase shares from newly public listed companies at a discounted value and eventually became even wealthier after his “discounted” investments. While a non-bumiputra man who wanted to purchase shares was asked to go to the share market instead to purchase at market value.

So, are all this equal? That is why in getting Race Relation Act into the picture itself isn’t enough, as the government also need to re-look into other areas, policies or even some legislations that had eventually hurt the relationship of this subject. A lot more has to be done, in order to neutralized the entire situation. If not, an Act specifically for Race and its Relations would not do any betterment in long term, as some of the implementation may come into conflict with our laws or may have some impact on certain establishments.

Monday, September 22, 2008

Guan Eng blames BN for investors' uncertainties

Penang Chief Minister and DAP Secretary-General Lim Guan Eng said that the BN should be blamed for the poor showing of foreign investors into our country.

He also slammed Finance Minister II, Tan Sri Nor Mohamed Yaakop for blaming the Pakatan Rakyat and Opposition Leader Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim recent actions which caused the investors to shy away from the country.

Just because BN could not manage the nation's economy and investments, they tend to push the blame on the Pakatan Rakyat who wanted to set things right and wipe out corruptions, power abuses and cronyism.

Stay tune and read more

Sunday, September 21, 2008

Guan Eng opens new service centre today

Penang Chief Minister and DAP Secretary General Lim Guan Eng today officially opens his new service centre in Jalan Raja Uda, Butterworth.

Guan Eng who is also the Bagan MP officiated his parliamentary service team as well. The service centre will operate daily from 8.00pm to 10.00pm from Monday to Friday.

Friday, September 19, 2008

Teresa has been released today

Selangor State Executive Councillor and DAP National Organising Secretary Teresa Kok has been released from the ISA detention today at 1.00pm.

Her release was later greeted by her parents and DAP members who were there waited for her.

Teresa in the press conference this afternoon said that she is considering legal actions against those who had defamed her and the party on matters which were not related to her.

Sin Chew reporter released

Saturday, 13 September 2008

The Sin Chew Daily reporter Tan Hoon Cheng has been released today at 2.30pm after being detained for about 16 hours and is now back to her home in Bukit Mertajam this evening.

Meanwhile, the National Union of Journalist (NUJ) which represents all journalist in the nation expressed anger on Hoon Cheng's arrest.NUJ president Norila Mohd Daud today blasted the arrest of Hoon Cheng under the ISA as unjust.

Teresa not involved in azan petition, says mosques

Saturday, 13 September 2008

Both Masjid Kota Damansara and Masjid Kinrara, the two mosques which were embroiled in an azan controversy, said DAP National Organizing Secretary Teresa Kok was not and never involved in the petition to lower the volume of its loudspeakers for azan.

So, why is Teresa being detained for nothing? The police special branch should instead look for the Selangor Umno chief Dr Mohd Khir Toyo who put up the flame on this issue for his own political agenda.

ISA Chaos in our Nation

Saturday, 13 September 2008

First, our Raja Petra Kamaruddin was arrested, now more arrest are coming up in the Umno latest agenda. Another Ops Lalang is on its way.

Desperate to cover up the embarrassment on its own racist tag, the Umno-led federal government yesterday unleashed its revenge on the people and the entire nation with the much hated Internal Security Act (ISA) detention plans.

Sin Chew Daily report Tan Hoon Cheng was detained at her house last night for her report on former Bukit Bendera Umno division chief Ahmad Ismail’s racist statement during the by-election in Permatang Pauh.

Hoon Cheng, the award winning journalist who had much experience in her field was arrested instead of the real perpetrator of these racist remarks, Ahmad Ismail. A case of protecting their own Umno people from being prosecuted!!!!The other reporters, Kelvin Lee of Guang Ming Daily and Tan Ming Xao of Nanyang Siang Pau who were also together with Hoon Cheng as witnesses to Ahmad Ismail’s racist statement went into hiding to avoid arrest from the police special branch.

Selangor State Executive Councillor and DAP National Organizing Secretary Teresa Kok was also detained late last night based on an accusation from Selangor Umno chief Dr Mohd Khir Toyo and Utusan Malaysia press that she had instigated a residents’ petition against a mosque’s azan, which she had no knowledge of nor involve with.

In this case again, the real perpetrators Dr Mohd Khir Toyo and Utusan Malaysia escaped and Teresa was made a scapegoat and victim. Another Umno leader is protected like this!!!Umno leaders and members who were wrong in their actions and had created chaos in situations with racist jargons and hatred were all immune and above the law because of their special privileges and powers. They were all immune because they are Umno leaders holding powerful positions in the party.

Chaos, Chaos in the entire Nation!!! In order to curb the increasing influence of the oppositions and the people’s discontent over the Umno’s upholding its racist tag, the Umno-led federal government had resorted to such a low-class tactic in order to put fear on the population and to divert the truth away from the public’s attention.

So why are MCA, Gerakan, PPP, SUPP, SAPP, etc are still in the BN to serve as running dogs for Umno? Where are their conscience and humanities?

We must Change the entire situation before it is too late.

Umno’s act of Revenge

Saturday, 13 September 2008

The actions recently carried out by the Umno-led federal government to detained several people of an ordinary background, some politicians and bloggers who are out there to promote a greater accountability and transparency in the country under the Internal Security Act (ISA) has been seen as an act of revenge from the dominant party in the Barisan Nasional i.e. Umno for being exposed and wronged in publicly of their increasingly dangerous racist tag.

To Umno, those people who had tried to express the truth and correct the wronged were a threat to their positions and powers currently in hand. Umno leaders and members fear when their wrongs, corrupt and incorrect practices are expose they will stand to lose their reputation and powers.As such, in order to maintain their grip in power, they create fear and worry among the population with such arrests and detention as a “warning” sign not to outdo Umno and its leaders in whatever ways.

Another way is to warn or possibly shut down newspapers and press who report to the nation accurately on what is happening and the current situation, to cover up the facts from reaching our people and the rest of the population.With all these hanky-panky doings, Umno will be able to continue with its powerful machineries by absorbing the entire nation’s riches, values and monies into their hands with no interference nor check and balance.

Therefore, we must come out to protect our kids, our love ones and our generations to come and let us hold our hands together in solidarity to protest against such unjust actions by Umno which are making our country uglier.We are grateful to our nation called Malaysia but Umno is betraying the entire nation and its people instead. So, Change !!!

3 newspapers issued with show cause letters

Friday, 12 September 2008

The federal government's home affairs ministry has asked Sin Chew Daily, The Sun Daily and Suara Keadilan to show cause over their news coverage on a number of political issues.Some racial outburst and flames put up by the Umno people and now the BN-Umno is blaming the press for reporting the truth to the people and the nation. Umno is doing this simply to cover up their own weakness and their inability to control their party members.

What wrong had all these journalist done? This entire situation is completely unjust ! Justice is gone ! Our people will have no free flow of information anymore.

Racist Program in BTN a Shame

Friday, 12 September 2008

We as Malaysians are gravely saddened and disappointed with yet another episode of a racist manifestation this time round at the prime minister department’s very own agency, the Biro Tata Negara (BTN) or known in English as “National Civic Bureau” or shall we say “Nazi Commissioning Bureau”?

A few outraged parents of the JPA (Jabatan Perkhidmatan Awam) scholarship students came up and highlighted the pains and experiences their children had undergone in the five-day indoctrination program which is mandatory prior to their overseas studies.During the session all Malays and Non-Malays were segregated into different sessions, where all Malays will go by their own sessions while the Chinese and Indians in another. In the Non-Malay session which consist of Chinese and Indian students, they were lectured on the country’s history and how the Chinese, Indians had came over, taken place and finally obtained their citizenships.In these sessions, the instructors also told them that they should be thankful of their citizenship status and place to stay and live. The instructors also stressed that they should not question the rights and privileges of the Malays. The Malays too have their own similar session and were told by their instructors that they should not mix too freely with their Non-Malay friends and students.

We are now questioning Pak Lah and Najib ! Why are these young innocent minds being polluted with ideas on racism, separation and hate? Aw few thousand had went through this program and more are expected to attend the same in future. Why did the JPA and BTN allowed such Nazi-inspired racist instructors to implement racist and racial disintegration programs to create hatred and fear among these peace loving, innocent youngsters? Is this the way the JPA and BTN works in order to discourage and prevent more Non-Malays from entering the civil service upon completion of their studies?We can’t allow these Nazi stooges from continue going around the nation championing their supremacy over other people and disintegrating our national unity by promoting hate, hate and more hate and nothing else but hatred.

For 51 years, Malaysia now is simply going deeper down into the category of a Failed State simply because BN-Umno is continuing and encouraging the policies of backwardness.

We cannot allow this to happen and We must Change very quickly.

ACA commissioning delayed?

Friday, 12 September 2008

It seems the federal government’s plan to take the Anti Corruption Agency (ACA) out from the prime minister’s department jurisdiction and commissioning it as Malaysian Commission on Anti Corruption (MCAC) which will report directly to parliament has been delayed again and no further news on its implementation or plans.

What went wrong why was it being delayed again? The reasons for the delay were also not known to any parliamentarians or the public.In order to fight corruption, our nation needs a capable and efficient body to effectively execute its tasks without fear or worry.Right now, the ACA which is still under the prime minister’s department had not being effective in demonstrating its efficiency and transparency in combating corruption at all levels.

The agency is still being ineffective in flushing corruptions involving personalities of high status and some believed that interference from certain interests still occurs to prevent investigation from being moved on to protect cronies and parties that might be from the top echelons.As such, an independent MCAC is needed as soon as possible.

Penang Land Scams bundles up to RM35 mill

Friday, 12 September 2008

There are 10 land scams costing more than RM35 million discovered and highlighted in the Auditor-General’s Report for Penang recently.According to Penang Chief Minister and DAP Secretary-General Lim Guan Eng, the state government has been harping on this issue since it took office on March and now the Auditor-General had also highlighted those same cases.Some of the most serious cases which were highlighted in the report involving a land worth RM23.8 million. The fraud involved a church land which was transferred to an individual after the status was modified using a forged court order.

The AG’s report also confirmed that the land and mines office employees and officers who handle the documentations do not have any experience or expertise to validate the land documentations resulting in the land owners being cheated.

Most of the cases reported were currently under police investigations.

Penang seeks RM970 mill for flood mitigation

Friday, 12 September 2008

The Penang State Government is seeking about RM970 million from the federal government to implement its flood mitigation projects to prevent the repeat of the 6 September’s flash floods.So far, the federal government had allocated only RM327 million for the four major flood mitigation projects under the Ninth Malaysia Plan but many areas are still experiencing similar problems.

According to Penang Chief Minister and DAP Secretary-General Lim Guan Eng, the state government had already identify seven more areas that needed flood mitigation to be implemented which cost about RM670 million while another RM300 million is needed to build 50 water pump stations and 5 retention ponds.

Areas affected by the flash floods were Jalan P.Ramlee, Teluk Kumbar and Teluk Bahang in Penang and Kapung Tok Suboh in Bukit Mertajam.

Still no action against Azhar “Tembak” Ibrahim

Friday, 12 September 2008

Despite police report being lodged against Penang Umno secretary Datuk Azhar “Tembak” Ibrahim. The police has yet to take any action against him for criminal intimidation.Datuk Azhar had on 5 September at Menara Umno told a crowded press conference that the Sin Chew Daily’s reporter who wrote on Datuk Ahmad “Gantung” Ismail’s racist outburst should be shot.

We view Datuk Azhar’s threat on a particular person’s life as serious and urge the police to quickly investigate and charge Datuk Azhar for attempted murder.We also urge the police to ensure the safety and well-being of the Sin Chew Daily’s reporter and take immediate action should any Umno member or supporter try to harm or endanger her life.

Azhar "Tembak" Ibrahim

Wednesday, 10 September 2008

After action was taken against Ahmad "Gantung" Ismail for his racist outburst and defiant act, why is there no action taken against the Penang Umno secretary Azhar "Tembak" Ibrahim for calling on the journalist who reported Ahmad's statement in the press to be shot at point blank.Azhar's action should be deemed as criminal and attempted murder.

Meanwhile, the Penang State Government had also lodged a police report against Azhar over the threat on the Sin Chew reporter's life. The police report was lodged by the Chief Minister's Political Secretary Ng Wei Aik and Jelutong MP Jeff Ooi.We also urge the police to ensure the safety and well-being of the Sin Chew reporter since the threat on her life issued by the Umno leader.

Ahmad "Gantung" Ismail

Wednesday, 10 September 2008

The Umno supreme council meeting chaired by Pak Lah this afternoon had decided to suspend the membership of its Bukit Bendera division chief Datuk Ahmad Ismail for three years over his racist outburst and defiant attitude towards the party leadership.

Ahmad still in defiant held another press conference just now criticising the Umno leadership over his membership suspension which will last for three years and urged his members and surporters to await his return to Penang.With Ahmad suspension taking into effect, he is no longer the divisional chief and branch chairman of his locality which he controlled previously.

Hate Does Not Do Any Good

Wednesday, 10 September 2008

First, we have Datuk Ahmad “Nazi” Ismail calling the our Chinese community here squatters, then later he said the Chinese community here are in fact squatters, temporary residents of this country and so on. Ahmad’s further remarks followed, “the Malaysian Chinese here were like the Jews in America”, which continue to steam up the hatred, abuses, racist slogans, curses and shouts from his local Umno members and supporters.

Then came Datuk Azhar “Tembak” Ibrahim who called on the journalist who wrote Ahmad’s racist statement in the newspaper to be shot at point blank, followed by chants from Umno members and supporters, “tembak, tembak, bunuh” and so on.All these situation happened at the Penang state Umno headquarters in Menara Umno. The situation at that time was very tense like a civil war in this country is ongoing, like a band of militias are listening to hate speeches made by their warlords and leaders.

These Umno leaders’ understanding on religion and race seems to focus their entire energies on hate, hate and more hate, then violence. Looks like they have nothing better to do in their lives, other than hatred and violence.

Why promote all these hatred and violence in the name of racial politics. It doesn’t do any good to anyone of us, our beloved children and our generations. Let us all do away with race based elements in this country and work as one, as a Malaysian.Such race elements must be stopped. Enough is Enough.

“We know who to vote out in next GE”

Wednesday, 10 September 2008

A survey made on the vast majority of our Chinese community particularly in the Penang state had overall confirmed that most of us are disappointed with the racist remarks and statements made by the Bukit Bendera Umno division chief Datuk Ahmad “Nazi” Ismail and such act had clearly reflected that the maturity in upholding the national unity would be impossible if Umno continue to stay in power.

Hence, according to the majority of the respondents, they would like to keep this issue in view and carry on with their daily lives as they had already know who should be “voted out” in the next 13th general elections to ensure a “no return” for that particular racist and violence based political party. Thus, in general, chances of that political party to regain Penang would definitely be a “zero percent”. Well, these responses are merely a survey and we will not any concrete results till the next 13th general elections.

Therefore, we would like to advise our voters to vote wisely in the next general election to ensure the continuity of our Malaysian Malaysia Unity spirit.You should defend your rights and dignity with just two votes, i.e. 1 state and 1 parliamentary seat each. Vote as a True Malaysian.

Ahmad and Penang Umno defiant

Wednesday, 10 September 2008

Despite mounted pressure on the Umno supreme council and its party president to act against the sadistic Bukit Bendera Umno division chairman Datuk Ahmad "Nazi" Ismail for his racist attacks on the Malaysian Chinese, Ahmad and his buddies in Penang Umno remained defiant, insisting that what Ahmad had mentioned in the by-election campaign were correct and accurate, blaming Gerakan and Dr Koh Tsu Koon instead on the current situation.

The Umno supreme council meeting which commenced at 2.30pm this afternoon has yet to finalise its decision or action to be taken against the arrogant Ahmad and his clans.Will the Umno supreme council satisfy the demands of MCA, MIC, Gerakan, PPP, SUPP, PBS, etc ? What action would Umno take against Ahmad? Demonstration by Ahmad's supporters seems to be tense outside the conference room where the top Umno leaders currently meets.

Azhar Ibrahim's behaviour unbecoming

Wednesday, 10 September 2008

In the recent press conference with his colleague Bukit Bendera Umno division chairman Datuk Ahmad "Nazi" Ismail, Penang Umno Secretary Datuk Azhar "Tembak" Ibrahim had openly called on the journalist who reported Ahmad's statement in the press on the racist remarks to be shot.

It seems that most Umno leaders in Penang had choose violent action as a way to resolve matters or make matters worst so that everyone will be afraid of them. Such an uncivilised acts by both Azhar and Ahmad are considered low class and unwarranted in this nation.Penang Umno leaders fearing of losing its grounds and influence in the state had resorted on violent and scare tactics in order to create fear among the population.

Such statement shows the racial and violent stands by of these Umno leaders who use their political powers to enrich themselves and their cronies. They are pretending as if they are defending the rights of the bumiputras but in actual fact wanted to contain their positions of power, riches and benefits of their associates.

Ahmad won, Pak Lah snubbed

Monday, 8 September 2008

In last week's Penang Umno state liaison committee meeting, its chairman Pak Lah failed to persuade the Bukit Bendera Umno division chairman Datuk Ahmad "Nazi" Ismail to apologise but instead Ahmad got an overall support from the Penang Umno state liaison committee members and the other division chairmen urging Ahmad not to apologise to the Chinese community.

As the radical racist support for Ahmad in Umno intensify, Pak Lah's call for national unity was again sidelined and ignored by his own Umno grassroot leaders who by now going out of control. Pak Lah was not able to control nor contain the radical racist leaders in his party. Is Pak Lah losing support from his own base?

Meanwhile, Ahmad and his Umno gangs held another press conference, this time demonstrating to the press and public how they took down the poor Dr Koh Tsu Koon's potrait and tore it into pieces, thus throwing it into the waste paper basket, with chants of anti Chinese, anti Gerakan and supremacy slogans could be heard at the conference room. Besides, Ahmad also called on the Umno's leadership to expell Gerakan from BN.Some heated arguments had also occurred between some of the journalist present and the Bukit Bendera Umno division leaders. So, what next ?

Ahmad Ismail refused to apologize

Friday, 5 September 2008

The racist Bukit Bendera Umno division chairman Datuk Ahmad Ismail yesterday pledged not to apologise to the Malaysian Chinese community citing his statement mentioning the community were mere temporary residents in Malaysia as correct.

So, its shows that how arrogant are most Umno leaders of today. Should we let Umno continue to rule our nation with its racist and Nazi-inspired policies of hatred, suspicions, divide and rule by the racial separation with national integration and unity being sidelined forever for the sake of its cronies and families, the whole country will surely be ruin into chaos one day.

Even, Gerakan acting president Dr Koh Tsu Koon had even openly admitted that with Umno’s continuous arrogance towards the non-bumi communities, BN will have a “no return” in Penang forever.

So why Gerakan is still squatting in the BN fold. Gerakan should had left BN long ago after seeing the irrelevance of BN to the people. And so does PPP the smallest party in the BN coalition which had been unfairly treated most of the time.

Datuk Ahmad does it again

Thursday, 4 September 2008

Well, well, well, we just heard the Bukit Bendara Umno division chairman Datuk Ahmad Ismail embroiled into yet another scandal after his racist hate speech in Permatang Pauh on 25 August recently.The Penang Development Corporation (PDC) had lodged police and ACA reports against Datuk Ahmad and his now defunct company called Popular Profile Sdn Bhd (which Ahmad was the principal director) over its failure to refund the amount RM500,000 to the state after a failed land deal.

Popular Profile Sdn Bhd had since wound up in 2005 due to a number of business failures and losses incurred.Popular Profile Sdn Bhd, which was onwed by Datuk Ahmad had bought a 4.2ha industrial land in Bukit Minyak for RM5.5 million in 1997. The company placed a 20% deposit amounting to RM1.1 million on 9 May 1997, but could not afford to pay the full amount later and had requested the agreement to be cancelled and the money was refunded on 30 May 1998.PDC at that time, then agreed to return 10% of the deposit amount while the remaining 10% was forfeited due to the cancellation of the land deal. But the 10% that was refunded should have been paid to Perbadanan Usahawan Nasional Berhad (PUNB), the entity who financed the land purchase and not directly to Popular Profile Sdn Bhd.

Noting that Popular Profile Sdn Bhd did not want to settle its loan amount at PUNB, the PDC which was at that time chaired by former chief minister Tan Sri Dr Koh Tsu Koon of the previous BN state government, had to fork out another RM500,000 to help Popular Profile Sdn Bhd to settle its loan in PUNB in order to retrieve the land title.

So why didn’t the previous BN state government pay the amount directly to PUNB but choose to channel the payment to Datuk Ahmad’s company instead, and then when Datuk Ahmad refused to settle his loan in PUNB, PDC have to fork out another sum to settle Datuk Ahmad’s liability in PUNB? Why didn’t Dr Koh at that time, take into consideration on the importance of the land title which was still in PUNB’s custody prior to the refund of the deposit to Datuk Ahmad?These are clearly an element of corruption and misused of power and we urge the police commercial crimes division and the anti-corruption agency to file an official investigation onto this scam as soon as possible.

Najib apologised, Ahmad hide

Wednesday, 3 September 2008

Yesterday Umno deputy president Datuk Seri Najib Razak apologised to the Malaysian Chinese community for its Bukit Bendera division chairman Datuk Ahmad Ismail's racist remarks against the Chinese community.

First of all, why is Najib apologising and not the real culprit Datuk Ahmad Ismail? Where is he and why is he hiding from the people? Be a man, come out and apologise to the Chinese community for your mistakes.

16 Sept will be a public holiday in Penang

Wednesday, 3 September 2008

Penang Chief Minister and DAP Secretary-General Lim Guan Eng yesterday confirmed that 16 September will be a public holiday in Penang to mark the anniversary of the formation of Malaysia.However, according to Guan Eng, the state government decided not to implement the holiday this September as businesses and manufacturers were not given ample time to prepare.

When contacted, the Penang Chinese Chamber of Commerce and Federation of Malaysian Manufacturers welcomed the state government's move to differ the holiday to next year and mentioned that all their members will have no problem in accepting another holiday next year since they will have enough time to prepare for the day.

Umno's rule going for a dive, Malaysians are winning

Monday, 1 September 2008

Malaysiakini reports Umno president and prime minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi's repeated calls for unity in face of the current economic situation and Pakatan Rakyat's mounting pressure to take over the federal government.

This shows the popularity of the Pak Lah's administration had deteriorated since after the 8 March general elections, couple with an intended challenge to his leadership and some sensitive racial sentiments were again raised which made the entire multi racial communities in this nation to stay away from BN's machinery and some prominent backers in the business and financial circles are also believed to have begin to withdraw their support for the coalition.Malaysians of various ethnicities today had came up strongly to reject the Umno's Nazi-inspired political and racist style of rule and dominance which resulted the entire institution of the once much admired Umno had became irrelevant in today's political scenario.

A reform Umno or a rejuvenate Umno, will it come through ? Its a clear no as long as the conservatives still run the show. Please be reminded, we are all Malaysians. Why can't you all be Malaysians like us?

Racism still an agenda after 51 years of independence

Monday, 1 September 2008

As Malaysiakini writes, racism still haunts nation eventhough our nation had already achieved independence 51 years ago.Well, to be honest, what we saw, what we heard and what we observed are all facts.

The latest bombardment by Umno Bukit Bendera Division chief Datuk Ahmad Ismail who stated that our Malaysian Chinese are mere temporary citizens (orang Cina hanya tumpang di negara ini sahaja) in the recently concluded Permatang Pauh by-election is another clear fact and example on how strong a one-race political sentiment is in our nation today. We don't have to say more, its simple because its an Umno product.

The fact is that Umno still wacks its racial jargon eventhough there is a Barisan Nasional coalition bundled with a couple of other races' parties like MCA, MIC, Gerakan, PPP, SUPP, PDS, PBB and a lot more. Then at Pakatan Rakyat consisting DAP, PKR, PAS.

Umno is acting like a Nazi-inspired political organisation by continuing its racial agendas and supremacy over others, similar to that of the Hitler's Nazi Party who played Aryanism during their rule in Germany from 1933-1945.When asked about Datuk Ahmad Ismail's action, the Umno president Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi refuse to acknowledge Datuk Ahmad's mistake but instead insisted that Datuk Ahmad did not mean it.

What did Pak Lah mean Datuk Ahmad didn't mean it??? Worst still Datuk Ahmad also stated that he will not apologise to the Malaysian Chinese community and stood by his statement. A very very clear fact of Umno's arrogance and dominancy.

The Umno @ Nazis are ruin the entire nation with their so-called hate and war statements which will create fear to all our communities. We cannot let this happen anymore.

Unseen Frustrations in the BN Fold

Sunday, 31 August 2008

Well, today is our Merdeka Day celebration and our prime minister had indeed spread his message around the nation calling for the preservation of stability and harmony. At one occasion Pak Lah called for more interfaith activities to boost unity among our Malaysian communities.

Then the deputy prime minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak joined in by making the similar statement across the nation, followed by unity, culture and heritage minister Datuk Shafie Apdal stating that Malaysia has citizens of different races and faiths, co-existing harmoniously in tolerance and unity.

MCA president Datuk Ong Ka Ting later joined the scene by calling on various parties to respect each other’s existence, stop bad mouthing each other and rally together for the nation.With all the strings of calls and urges to uphold the spirit of national unity, tolerance and harmony among ethnicities of this nation, what really Umno, MCA, MIC, Gerakan, PPP, SUPP, etc also known as Barisan Nasional when we bundle them up, had ever done so far to preserve the entire episode?

When Umno delegates came up with a lot of slanderous, racist and seditious statements and remarks in the live telecast of the Umno general assembly few years ago calling to “wage war” against other ethnics with “bloodshed” to create and promote fear among those innocent people out there who were trying to gain their rights, have their voice heard, have their grievance heard, promoting unity and interfaith activities.

And there goes another few racist and seditious statements again made by leaders of a major BN component party itself, called none other than Umno, Umno and Umno !!!Then come a most recent attack by another Umno leader who came from their Bukit Bendera division, when its division chairman Datuk Ahmad Ismail said that the Chinese community here were mere temporary citizens of this nation.

What had MCA, MIC, Gerakan, PPP, SUPP, etc had done so far to teach and remind their so-called “taiko” how to behave? So far, we could only see junior level leaders in Gerakan and MCA making their stand heard and wanted Umno’s Datuk Ahmad Ismail to apologize to their fellow BN coalition partners.

Then the Gerakan Tanjung division came forward to make a police report against the Bukit Bendera Umno division chairman. Will the police take action against him, will Datuk Ahmad be charged in the court, or will the authorities detain him under the ISA? Well, the whole stack of situation is still uncertain as no action has been initiated against Datuk Ahmad so far, simply because he is a key Umno divisional leader who has unlimited access to the Umno president and the prime minister’s department.

And there goes a proposal made by Gerakan acting president Tan Sri Dr Koh Tsu Koon saying that he will bring up to the BN supreme council meeting soon a proposed code of ethics for all BN component party leaders to adhere with and how to behave.Will Tan Sri Dr Koh’s proposal be accepted by the Umno supremos or just simply being swung out of the window or more decently end up in Pak Lah’s waste paper basket instead?Of course so, because Umno as a “taiko” would not want to be treated like a child in the eyes of their coalition partners in the BN.

Sooner or later the Gerakan acting president would end up with a bash from the top Umno leaders and big guns instead, before the BN supreme council meeting adjourns.A recent call in the Kedah and Perak Gerakan’s state delegates conferences urging the party’s national leadership to withdraw from the BN and stay in the middle path.

Another statement by MCA presidential candidate Datuk Ong Tee Keat saying MCA may withdraw from BN if Umno continues with its racial supremacy agenda against other communities. Lastly, SAPP rebelled the BN, citing unfair treatment in Sabah, its community and the party as well.The rest of the BN component parties are still keeping mum and raising their discontent only in their hearts and among their grassroots level with too little impact to influence their national leaders respectively.

Some of these component parties may turn their blind eyes and close their ears on these discontents in order to secure their positions and financial allocations for the purpose of “development”.So what is Barisan Nasional actually? A mere dictatorship within a democratic entity. Sounds like being part of a Nazi or Fascist institution.

Revoke Datukship of Umno Division Chairman, if possible

Sunday, 31 August 2008

We would like to call on the Penang State Government to check and confirm if the Datukship of Bukit Bendera Umno Division chairman Datuk Ahmad Ismail was conferred by the Penang Yang Dipertua Negeri.

If the Datukship was conferred by the Penang Yang Dipertua Negeri, the Penang State Government should recommend that the title should be revoked in line with Datuk Ahmad’s racist remarks in the recent by-election campaign which he quoted the Malaysian Chinese in this country as mere temporary citizens.

This is because the racist characteristic and attitude of Datuk Ahmad were unbecoming and his actions were a disgrace, shame and disrespect to the Penang State and our people as a whole.

Our Merdeka Wish

Sunday, 31 August 2008

On 29 August, our prime minister Pak Lah read the Budget 2009 proposal to the entire nation with a lots of offer in terms of cash, incentives, developments, tax cuts, service renewals and so on …………

But we also want our pride, our rights, peace and harmony, justice and human rights, our expression, our voice and concern to be heard and a lot more.Today is 31 August and we are celebrating the 51st anniversary of Malaysia as an independent nation.

In conjunction of this Merdeka celebration, will Pak Lah be able to fulfill the following wishes for us? For an,

Independent Judiciary Commission (currently under the prime minister’s department);
Independent Elections Commission (currently under the prime minister’s department);
Independent Anti Corruption Commission (currently under the prime minister’s department);
Independent Attorney General’s Chambers (currently under the prime minister’s department);
Independent Police Complaints and Misconducts Commission (IPCMC);
Independent Inter-Faith Commission;
Independent Communications and Multimedia Commission;
Independent Registrar of Societies (currently under the ministry of home affairs).

Some of the above were actually promises made by the Barisan Nasional federal government but until today none of the above proposals has been materialized so far.Why are they keeping quiet on these?

Umno must apologise

Friday, 29 August 2008

The Bukit Bendera Umno Division chairman Datuk Ahmad Ismail must apologise to the Malaysian Chinese community for making a racist statement during the recently concluded Permatang Pauh parliamentary by-election.

The Umno division chairman had earlier stated in his election campaign that the Chinese community in Malaysia were mere temporary citizens which is deemed racist.Therefore, DAP demand a public apology from the said Umno leader and request him to make a statement to retract his message with regrets.

Happy 51st Merdeka

Friday, 29 August 2008

DAP Bagan would like to wish all our fellow Malaysian citizens a Happy 51st Merdeka Anniversary.May the spirit of Bangsa Malaysia, with Malaysian First Malaysia flourish in our nation. Let us all stand up high together in one, as a Malaysian for our nation called Malaysia.

Merdeka, Merdeka, Merdeka !

IPCMC in Cold Storage

Friday, 29 August 2008

In accordance to the findings made by the special commission to revamp the police force previously, it has been recommended that the Independent Police Complaints and Misconduct Commission (IPCMC) to be established to oversea the malpractice, power misuse and misconduct in the police force.

The BN federal government delayed and delayed and later came up with an idea: Special Complaints Commission (SCC) to replace the IPCMC which caused widespread protest from all corners of the nation because the SCC was out of the topic then.

After the 8 March general elections which saw the disastrous defeat of the Barisan Nasional in the hands of the Pakatan Rakyat, the federal government promised to push ahead and expedite the implementation of the IPCMC based on the people's mandate.

Today, its nearly at the end of August and the federal government had failed to come up with IPCMC framework. Looks like BN is trying to delay the IPCMC again and shift the attention to other issues. How long is the BN going to keep the IPCMC in the cold storage? Have you forgotten your promise to the people?

RPK uploads new site for the public

Friday, 29 August 2008

Malaysia-today.net has been blocked, but it did not prevent blogger Raja Petra from uploading another new site for public view.

According to Raja Petra, he had made available all Malaysia-today.net articles in the new site named http://mt.harapanmalaysia.com and the public can continue viewing the latest information and updates via this website.

Malaysia-today.net blocked by MCMC

Friday, 29 August 2008

The Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) had on 27 August confirmed that they had blocked the website of Malaysia-today.net which Raja Petra Kamaruddin hosted for alleged inaccurate information.

We see the blockade on this website as being unjust towards one’s right of expression and would like to call on the federal government to reconsider such move to block the website and its censorship intention.Malaysia-today.net is the most popular news portal with viewers and readers actively posting their views, comments and feedbacks almost everyday on current issues affecting the nation.

With the Malaysia-today.net now being blocked from public view, we are worried that other websites and blogs which are critical to the government may also face the blockade or censorship, or a possibility being forced to shut down.Under the MSC Malaysia 10-Point Bill of Guarantee, it has been part of its commitment to ensure no internet censorship will be carried out but why is there a blockade and censorship now?

Expose the Culprits and Demand Apology: CM told

Friday, 29 August 2008

Penang Chief Minister and DAP Secretary-General has been urged to expose and tell the people of Penang who was the culprit who had sabotaged Penang’s investment opportunities by informing the federal government to scrap the second Penang bridge project.

The culprit who is also currently an Umno state assemblyman and former state executive councilor in the previously toppled BN state government had earlier urged the federal government to scrap the second bridge project.Prior to that, the said Umno state assemblyman had also called on the federal government to scrap and withdraw all mega projects and development plans for Penang state after their 8 March general election defeat to mark its revenge on the voters.As much sabotage and spoilt has been done on the Penang investment plans and opportunities, job opportunities in the state are also soaring.

Therefore, the said Umno state assemblyman should come out and apologize to the people of Penang for sabotaging the state’s economy. This person, whom we called “YB” is out there aiming to destroy the economy and livelihood of our people, thus threatening the security well-being of our neighborhood and this has to be stopped.We urged the state government to take stern action and demand for public apology for what he had done onto us and stop his further sabotage plans.

South Korean Investor Driven Away

Friday, 29 August 2008

Penang had lost a multi billion ringgit of investment from a South Korean based company which plan to set up a plant in Batu Kawan in Seberang Perai but instead opted out for another neighboring country.

Penang Chief Minister and DAP Secretary-General Lim Guan Eng said the Korean company changed its mind after a former Barisan Nasional state executive councilor had urged the federal government to scrap the second bridge project.The Korean investor reviewed the project as Batu Kawan wa no longer strategic if the new second bridge linking Batu Maung to Batu Kawan was scrapped.Guan Eng also referred to a report from a Malay daily which quoted the former BN state executive councilor as saying the second bridge should be scrapped if the project cost reaches RM6 billion.

After the statement was published in the daily, when the company learned of, it indicated that it was no longer interested in opening the manufacturing facility in Penang anymore.The Penang State Government has been working hard to attract more investors into Penang but instead there are those out there who are sabotaging our efforts by instilling, fear, hatred and instability to scare those investors away in order to achieve their mere personal political agenda.

Utusan Malaysia Apologised to Karpal

Friday, 29 August 2008

The Umno-owned newspaper, Utusan Malaysia had made an official apology to DAP National Chairman Karpal Singh.

The newspaper in its article earlier had named and branded Karpal as anti-Islam.Utusan Malaysia had filed an official apology with Karpal based on the facts that their reporters made the mistake and misquoted Karpal’s statement.

Anwar’s victory with an increased majority

Wednesday, 27 August 2008

PKR advisor, Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim won the Permatang Pauh parliamentary seat yesterday which marks his return to parliament after a forced absence of about ten years.In the yesterday’s by-election, Anwar garnered 31,195 votes defeating his opponents, Arif Shah of BN who got 15,524 votes and Hanafi Hamat of AKIM got only 92 votes.

Anwar also won with an increased majority of 15671 votes, while his wife and PKR president Datuk Seri Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail had previously won the seat with a majority of 13,338 votes during the 8 March general elections.The significant victory by the Pakatan Rakyat in Permatang Pauh also confirmed that the voices of change are still strong and the people wanted Pakatan Rakyat to continue their role in the parliament as well as in the Penang state.

Meanwhile, DAP Secretary-General and Penang Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng said the win was a huge victory for the whole nation and an impetus for the Penang state government.Guan Eng also said that the victory shows that the people wanted the process of transformation to a new Malaysia to continue under Pakatan Rakyat’s guidance.

Guan Eng : Never lose sight of the Rakyat

Wednesday, 27 August 2008

Penang Chief Minister and DAP Secretary-General Lim Guan Eng reminded party leaders and members never lose sight of the Rakyat.Guan Eng said the results of the 8 March general election had significantly shown that the Rakyat in Penang, Perak, Selangor, Kedah and Kelantan had rejected Barisan Nasional and it is now DAP and Pakatan Rakyat’s responsibility to deliver and to ensure BN will never return to these five states.

In order to fulfill these, we have to complete the Rakyat’s aspirations and uphold our policy of Competency, Accountability and Transparency (CAT) to ensure clean governance and enhance our future prospects.As such, DAP leaders and members need not to be reminded no to be involved in unethical and corrupt practices. So far, it is noted that none of our party leaders or members have been involved in any such negative elements.

New DAP Central Executive Committee Line-up

Sunday, 24 August 2008

The new DAP Central Executive Committee line-up has been confirmed as below :-
Chairman: Karpal Singh
Deputy Chairman: Dr Tan Seng Giaw
Vice Chairman: M. Kula Segaran, Chow Kon Yeow, Teresa Kok, Tunku Abdul Aziz Tunku Ibrahim
Secretary-General: Lim Guan Eng
Deputy Secretary-General: Prof P. Ramasamy, Chong Eng, Ngeh Koo HamNational
Treasurer: Fong Kui Lun
Assistant National Treasurer: Nga Kor Meng
National Organising Secretary: Tan Kok Wai
Assistant National Organising Secretary: Vincent Wu
National Publicity Secretary: Tony Pua
Assistant National Publicity Secretary: Teoh Nie Ching
Political Education Secretary: Anthony Loke
Assistant Political Education Secretary: Jeff Ooi Chuan Aun
International Secretary: Liew Chin Tong
Education Bureau: Chong Eng
Education (Chinese) Bureau: Sim Tong Him
Education (Tamil) Bureau: M. Manogaran
Labour Bureau: A. Sivanesan

Congratulations to all new appointees.

26 August, a special holiday in Penang

Sunday, 24 August 2008

The Penang state government had officially declared 26 August as a special public holiday in conjunction of the Permatang Pauh by-election in order to encourage higher voter turnout on that day.

Penang Chief Minister and DAP Secretary-General Lim Guan Eng made the official announcement today, said the special public holiday is needed because the election commission had purposely fixed the polling day on a working day instead of a usual weekend. With this holiday, Guan Eng said it will further encourage voters to turn up in force to cast their votes.

Voters should be given the opportunity to exercise their rights to vote as stated in the federal constitution.

Tunku Aziz Tunku Ibrahim officially joins DAP and made National Vice Chairman

Sunday, 24 August 2008

We have great news for our DAP members.We would like to announce the latest talent to have joined DAP is none other than Tunku Abdul Aziz Tunku Ibrahim whom most of us would regard as a towering Malaysian.

Tunku Aziz explained that he chose DAP because while other parties talked about democratic principles, "DAP is the party that tries much harder to put it into practice" and he had been targeting the party "for 20 years without their knowledge". Tunku Aziz was later appointed as the party's National Vice Chairman.

Tunku was formerly the vice-chairman of Transparency International and founder President of the Kuala Lumpur Society for Transparency and Integrity, the Malaysian Chapter of Transparency International. He was also formerly Bank Negara adviser, Group Director of Sime Darby and Director of Commonwealth Secretariat. He has even been appointed by United Nations Secretary-General Kofi Annan as the Special Adviser on the Establishment of the Ethics Office.

Congratulations and Welcome Onboard, Tunku.

Gerakan Youths wanted withdrawal from BN, where's Gerakan's direction now?

Sunday, 24 August 2008

First Perak Gerakan Youth in their recent state delegates conference passed a resolution calling on the Gerakan national leadership to withdraw from Barisan Nasional, later Perak Gerakan's main body's state delegates conference did the same,then followed by Kedah Gerakan Youth who also made the similar call for the Gerakan leaders to consider leaving BN due to Umno's continuous dominance and arrogance within the BN partnership.

We had already saw the departure of senior members like, Wong Hoi Cheng (Penang state youth liaison committee member), Lee Kah Choon (deputy secretary-general), Rhina Bhar (wanita chief), Dr Toh Kin Woon (central committee member), now J.F Lim (Bagan division youth secretary) and soon to be Dr Tan Kee Kwong (FT state liaison committee chairman). News were also heard that several Gerakan members in Teluk Bahang are also following suit quit en-bloc to join DAP and PKR.

The off shots of these occurance is particularly on Umno's attitude towards its BN component parties which caused a disastrous defeat of Gerakan, MCA, MIC and PPP. Since after the general election, the leadership effectiveness of Gerakan acting president Dr Koh Tsu Koon have also had many question marks still not answered todate. Delegates who are expected to raise their resentments and questions in the October national delegates conference might put Dr Koh's position in jeopardy.

Dr Koh aim to obtain confirmation to the party presidency may see a possible challenger who wanted to bring Gerakan out of BN and rejuvenate the party.The possible contender to the party presidency Mah Siew Keong (current youth chief), according to a Gerakan insider, is believed to have been informally endorsed by former Gerakan president Dr Lim Keng Yaik to contest for the top post.

Former Gerakan Youth leader resigned

Sunday, 24 August 2008

Former Gerakan Youth Bagan Divison Secretary J.F.Lim had resigned from the party with immediate effect.Lim announced his resignation yesterday citting uncertainties and instability in Gerakan as the reason for his departure from the party.

Besides, Lim also said that the original ideology which the Gerakan has been fighting for i.e. Bangsa Malaysia no longer exist and its objectives are currently exist only in papers with no clear fact being carried out. This is because, Umno being a dominant party in the BN had made clear that the Bangsa Malaysia concept cannot be accepted in principle.

Lim faxed his resignation letter to the state Gerakan headquarters yesterday morning.

Inaccurate News Reports

Saturday, 23 August 2008

Ever since the start up of the Permatang Pauh by-election events, we could see the mainstream medias mainly the Star, Straits Times, Berita Harian, Utusan Malaysia, RTM, TV3 and Bernama are giving their maximum reports openly supporting the BN candidate and giving its advantage views inaccurately and one-sided.Reports on PKR candidate Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim are little or sometimes unseen in certain coverage.

Sometimes inaccurate reports were also released to discredit the Pakatan Rakyat by showing news of people being beaten up by PKR supporters, etc. No reports were highlight on PKR supporters being beaten up by BN workers or supporters and these reflects an unfair and one-sided coverage in order to discredit one party and give advantage to another.Anyway, we are delighted that the people are now politically matured to judge between the wrongs and the rights and we hope their will cast their decisions into the ballot boxes on 26 August 2008 to show their will for change is strong.

DAP 15th National Congress, Kuala Lumpur CEC Election Results

Saturday, 23 August 2008

In the DAP 15th National Congress held today, the delegates had elected the following Central Executive Committee members :

Lim Kit Siang 624
Lim Guan Eng 620
Tan Kok Wai 571
Fong Kui Lun 504M.
Kula Segaran 500
Teresa Kok 495
Tan Seng Giaw 492
Chong Chieng Jen 476
Karpal Singh 471
Ngeh Koo Ham 455
Anthony Loke Siew Fook 452
Ahmad bin Ton 448
Tony Pua Kiam Wee 446
Chong Eng 434
Teng Chang Khim 417
Nga Kor Ming 417
Chow Kon Yeow 410
P. Ramasamy 340
Boo Cheng Hau 332
Gobind Singh Deo 305

Total Delegates 948
Delegates Present 739 (77.95%)
Ballots issued 721
Total Valid Votes 705
Spoiled Votes 16
Unreturned Ballots 0

Congratulations to all elected CEC members.

Gerakan CC member quits party

Wednesday, 20 August 2008

Gerakan central committee member Datuk Dr Toh Kin Woon had resigned from the party yesterday, a day after he visited the PKR Permatang Pauh operation centre to express his support for Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim's candidacy in the Permatang Pauh by-election.

Meanwhile, a Penang Gerakan Youth state liaison bureau vice chairman is also expected to quit the party tomorrow following his entry into DAP recently. He said he decided to quit Gerakan as the party had became irrelevant and due to Umno's continuous racial dominance in the BN. He also expressed his dissatisfaction over Umno's continuous arrogance towards the people and the community. "Gerakan promised to change and reform itself but until now nothing has been done and old faces are still at helm after their recent party elections at branch and divisional levels", he added.

Keep politics away from transport projects

Saturday, 16 August 2008

The federal government should implement transportation projects particularly in Penang state for the benefit of all people and not only for political reasons or relationships.Transport minister Datuk Ong Tee Keat said yesterday he strongly believed that what was being carried out and what was supposed to be implemented by the federal government should be continued instead of halting it, for the sake and welfare being of the people.

Datuk Ong was speaking to the reporters after meeting with Penang Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng, State Executive Councillors Lim Hock Seng and Chow Kon Yeow at Komtar.Datuk Ong later joined Guan Eng, Hock Seng and Kon Yeow for a briefing by the Keretapi Tanah Melayu Berhad (KTMB) officials on the 329 km Ipoh-Padang Besar electrified double track project which is currently ongoing.According to Guan Eng, they held positive discussions related to a number of issues and challenges in Penang.

Among subjects discussed was the future plans for the Bayan Lepas Airport which requires a systematic and dependable operation to cater the increasing number of visitors and tourist.Guan Eng also added that the State Government had also set aside a 40.5ha land for the airport’s future expansion.

Penang needs funds to expand dam

Saturday, 16 August 2008

According to Wawasan Open University School of Science and Technology Dean Professor Datuk Dr Dick Ho Sinn-Chye, the Penang Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng’s prediction of a possible water crisis in Penang by the year 2012 will come true if the federal government does not provide funding for the RM1.2 billion Mengkuang Dam expansion project.

Penang seriously needs the funding from the federal government to carry out the project. Apparently, the water supply is getting less due to the increasing demand from the state’s growing population.Dr Ho also said that a quick way to prevent a water crisis in Penang is to expand the dam’s capacity as soon as possible.

Dr Ho also added there is no alternative solution, other than the dam’s expansion, when asked if the project would be too expensive.Guan Eng had also mentioned recently that the state would face a water crisis if the RM1.2 billion Mengkuang Dam expansion project is not implemented and completed by the year 2012.

The dam’s expansion project was shelved by the federal government recently after former state executive councilor and state Umno secretary Datuk Azhar Ibrahim called on all infrastructure projects in Penang to be suspended or cancelled immediately.

Azhar should take responsibility for his words and actions

Saturday, 16 August 2008

Former Penang state executive councilor and state Umno secretary Datuk Azhar Ibrahim should take responsibility for urging the federal government to withdraw and cancel all major infrastructure projects at the Penang state on aftermath of the 8 March general elections.

We view Datuk Azhar’s call for the federal government to withdraw or cancel all development projects in Penang as an act of sabotage, aimed to avenge the Barisan Nasional’s defeat in the general elections.As the result of Datuk Azhar’s call, the federal government had agreed to shelved the RM1.2 billion Mengkuang Dam expansion project which was urgently required to resolve the future water crisis in Penang.

We want to remind Datuk Azhar and Penang Umno that they should not blame or put their anger onto the people for the BN’s defeat but should instead look at themselves for their pass deeds of arrogance, racist stand, misused of power, corrupt practices and their disrespect towards other communities and religions.

Action against Bar Council unjust

Friday, 15 August 2008

Minister in PM's Department Datuk Ahmad Zahid Hamidi’s call for actions to be taken against the Bar Council and its office-bearers for organizing the forum on conversion of Islam has been viewed by many as being unfair.It is not fair for Datuk Zahid to implicate the Bar Council and its office-bearers under the Seditions Act because of the forum where its objective was to help to resolve issues related to conversion to Islam currently faced many people and families.These lawyers by profession who were all well-versed in their respective legal fields are merely trying to solve problems of families affected by the Syariah judgments which are not presentable in the civil courts for appeals.

Why did Datuk Zahid said these lawyers are trying to create chaos by instigating and encouraging people to go against Islam? Where on earth did he get these information that the Bar Council’s action is against Islam and the federal constitution?

Datuk Zahid should check the facts first before making a conclusion that the Bar Council was guilty of this and that offences, as we could all see till today, none of these lawyers make any statement pertaining proposals to go against Islam or whatsoever nor having anything to do with the call to abolish Islam as an official religion in the federal constitution. Such negative response were believed to be from Umno and pro-Umno NGOs whose aimed is to serve and protect their own interest.Datuk Zahid’s call is also viewed by many as unbecoming and political motivated.

Malaysians disappointed with demo against Bar Council. Where to now?

Friday, 15 August 2008

The Gabungan Pelajar Melayu Semenanjung (GPMS) which is dominated by Umno Youth who was also part of the demonstrating groups outside the Bar Council building that ambushed the forum on conversion of Islam is continuing its fuss over the Bar Council again for not accepting GPMS’ request for a meeting one day prior to the forum.

The GPMS leadership should be very clear that the Bar Council had already made several statement explaining the objective of the forum and urged people not to be worried of the impact as their primary purpose of this forum has been clearly outlined: to help resolve issues and problems of families affected by the conversion of Islam and to prevent more misconception.

When the Bar Council is trying to “cure” and seek a prevention, isn’t that good for the whole community as a whole? In other way the Bar Council is also doing their part to preserve national unity by offering their legal expertise to prevent such occurrence from further affecting and harming the multi racial communities in our nation.

So we are asking why did the Umno Youth (of course with GPMS too), the Persatuan Peguam Syariah Malaysia and the Persatuan Pengguna Islam Malaysia in particular made and provoked the situation into saying that this forum had threatened the official religion of this nation. From where and which part of the forum’s agenda that stated such and such move and action would neutralize the official religion of this nation from the federal constitution?

Furthermore, a statement by the president of the Persatuan Peguam Syariah Malaysia that the Bar Council presidency should be given to a Muslim lawyer in order to avoid such forums to be organized in future is not a professional statement based on his legal qualification and profession. He is now trying to uphold religion on top of the legal profession.So, is there a Syariah Constitution now to overrule the Federal Constitution? Where is the sense of National Unity after 50 years of independence?

Judge's transfer, is there a motive behind?

Monday, 11 August 2008

Judge SM Komathy Suppiah who presided over PKR advisor Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim's alleged sodomy case has been transferred.During the hearing of Datuk Seri Anwar's sodomy charges, Justice Komathy had allowed Datuk Seri Anwar to be bailed out at RM20,000. After the case was heard and the next mention/trial date was fixed, Justice Komathy was apparently transferred out from her chambers in a very short notice without any reason given whatsoever.Was this transfer political motivated, to allow a more pro-government judge to take charge of the next court hearing/trial?

As we could see, Justice Komathy did nothing wrong in allowing bail for Datuk Seri Anwar and we believed that she had carried out the proceedings in a just and fair manner.But we also must not forget that by allowing bail to Datuk Seri Anwar had also make certain BN leaders in the federal administration uncomfortable because of the upcoming Permatang Pauh by-election where Datuk Seri Anwar is expected to present his nomination form for the election candidacy.

Some poweful people were hoping for the other way round (disallowing bail to Anwar by sending him to jail awaiting trial).Who will be the next judge to chair the trial then? Will Datuk Seri Anwar have a fair trial on his case?

Why can't Bar Council organise the forum?

Saturday, 9 August 2008

The Bar Council intends to hold the forum entitled "Conversion to Islam: Article 121 (1A) of the Federal Constitution, Subashini and Shamala Revisited" within its own premises on Aug 9.However, its plans has been met with immediate protests from UMNO Youth, PAS and even the Deputy Prime Minister, Datuk Seri Najib Abdul Razak himself. UMNO Youth exco member, Datuk Pirdaus Ismail was reported to have issued the warning "Don't play with fire! Don't ever touch religious and racial (matters)!" He even asserted that "It is pointless to organise forums based on intellectualism, professionalism or controversial issues when the safety, peace, harmony and stability of the country were being compromised."

PAS party president, Abdul Hadi Awang argued that "although, PAS accepts the freedom of expression of various parties to dialogue and discuss issues of public interest, nevertheless, issues concerning Islam is something already guaranteed in the Federal Constitution." According to Hadi, any discussion pertaining Islam, said Hadi, should involve those who had sufficient knowledge and are authorities in the subject as it will otherwise "only confuse the real understanding of Islam and cause undue tension."

At the same time, Datuk Seri Najib Abdul Razak chipped in that the Bar Council Malaysia's proposed forum entitled Conversion to Islam is unsuitable to held in an open manner. Firstly, the entire basis of such a forum being held is due to the controversies and parties victimised as a result of difference in interpretations of Article 121 (1A). Hence a forum held to discuss these differences is certainly constructive towards setting a foundation for "safety, peace, harmony and stability of the country", as opposed to the threats issued by UMNO Youth.

Secondly, the question that is discussed is a question of law and not a question of religion. This means that the status of Islam as the official religion of the Federation is unquestioned. The forum does not seek to interpret Islam which is the role of the theologians, but to understand, interpret and make constructive suggestions on the law in the interest of all Malaysians.

Thirdly, by demanding that the forum be "closed" in nature, the Deputy Prime Minister is in fact denying the rights of Malaysians to better understand the laws of the land. If ignorance of the law is not a justifiable excuse in the courts of law, then surely, law-abiding citizens must not be denied opportunities seek a better understanding of the law and its implications.

The DAP stands firm that there are probably no better party to organise and lead discussions on the Constitution and the laws of Malaysia than the Bar Council. It will make a complete mockery of our legal and judicial system if its very practitioners are denied opportunities to discuss or explain our laws.

Penang will face water shortage if …

Friday, 8 August 2008

The BN federal government’s decision to suspend the RM1 billion allocation for the expansion of the Mengkuang Dam in Permatang Pauh will cause critical water shortage for Penang’s increasing population in four years time.As such, the expansion of the dam must be implemented by early of next year and completed by year 2012 to ensure Penang has enough raw water to cater the increasing water demand till 2024.In this case, the BN federal government’s decision to suspend the RM1 billion allocation is questionable because they should know that Penang is seeing an average population growth rate of 2.86% annually.

The BN has not been responsible to the people at all and such action cannot be accepted be it whatsoever reasons. Was it because this area is a PKR stronghold and PKR advisor Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim is making a comeback soon? If so, the suspension of the allocation has been a political motive all the while, aimed to punish our Penangites for voting the Pakatan Rakyat into governing Penang.The BN must also remember that the allocation was originally confirmed under the Eight Malaysian Plan and brought over to the Ninth Malaysian Plan which was to be fully financed by the federal government.

The Mengkuang Dam is the single most important strategic water reserve in Penang because it stores water from the Sungai Muda from which the Penang Water Supply Corporation (PBAPP) extracts about 80 percent of its daily water.Penang’s population has been increasing from 1.23 million people in 1998 to 1.52 million people at the end of year 2007 and is expected to touch 2.06 million people by the year 2020. The current storage capacity is 23.6 billion liters and the expansion aims to increase the capacity to 86.4 billion liters.Besides, the expansion could also help to mitigate floods as there is a system to channel excess water from several areas in Seberang Perai to the dam.

So, is the BN taking the good away from the people to avenge their 8 March defeat? Come on, the people of Penang are taxpayers too and they have their rights. The BN cannot just take away the people’s right because of politics. Why politicize the water, facilities and development for revenge?

Strive for Malaysian Unity

Friday, 8 August 2008

Politically or ethically, we all should strive for Malaysian unity amongst us instead of racial unity which emphasize only on Malay unity, Chinese unity or Indian unity and let suspicions onto each other continue like what is Umno always doing?Why is Umno always strive for unity for only one race? Why other races were always sidelined in the course of unity? Umno is always voicing its racist stance without regard or respect to the populations of multi-ethnic and multi-cultural society in our nation.

It is important for all of us being Malaysians to strive and enhance our national identity instead of talking about only one race, this race or that race. We are all born and breed in this soil and we must use our rights as Malaysians to protect the national entity of ours by not upholding only one’s race rights and so on.Being a true Malaysian does not mean we have to be less Malay, less Chinese or less Indian and so on.

Being a true Malaysian is to uphold our nation’s unity without disregard of any races in our policies and implementations. Being a true Malaysian will consist of a harmonious multi-cultural society which will enhance our respect, understand and tolerance of each other’s multi-ethnic backgrounds and by being a true Malaysian will make us unite in the name of our nation which is called Malaysia because Malaysia belongs to all Malaysians and not to any particular race.

So, let us start calling ourselves Bangsa Malaysia in this upcoming Merdeka event and do not let those racist take this away from us.

EC's election date a political sabotage

Thursday, 7 August 2008

We would like to express our grave disappointment over the by-election date on 26 August which was announce by the Election Commission recently.It is unfair and disgusting to see that the Election Commission had decided to call 26 August which falls on Tuesday as the by-election date knowing very clear that it is a weekday where everyone is working.

The Election Commission had failed to see the importance of the voters or may it be a political sabotage sanctioned by both the BN and the commission itself in order to reduce the voter turn out on that day.In this case, we view such move as unfair and attempt to disrupt the actual election process. Therfore, we call on the Election Commission to revise the by-election date to weekend as soon as possible, failing which, we shall consider such decision as an attempt to sabotage the electoral process.

Gerakan Youth SLC member joins DAP

Tuesday, 5 August 2008

Another Penang Gerakan Youth state liaison committee member is expected to join DAP later this month.Bagan Jermal DAP Secretary, Viktor Wong said today the Gerakan youth state liaison committee member had earlier approached him to express his interest to join DAP and had in fact recommended his membership application to a branch of his choice.

Right now, we will not be able to confirm the situation as at to-date because his membership application is still in the process of submission and we will announce once his membership is accepted and approved by the party’s central membership sub-committee.

With such crossover, it is proven that Gerakan and other Barisan Nasional component parties are no more relevant in the eyes of its members as it cannot really practice what it had preached i.e. non-racial politics and Bangsa Malaysia concept because as a component member of the Barisan Nasional, everyone has to be subservient to the racist Umno’s dominant force who reign supreme over others.

People are now fed up with Umno’s arrogance and dominance over other BN parties, particularly the MCA, MIC, Gerakan and PPP who dare not stand up against their "master" and also had no regards to the existence and well-being of other communities.

DAP fully support Anwar's candidacy

Friday, 1 August 2008

Following the resignation of PKR President Datuk Seri Wan Azizah Ismail from her parliamentary seat in Permatang Pauh to pave way for her husband to seek for a come back to the parliament, the DAP would like to affirm our fullest support to his bid to return as a parliamentarian.

With the nomination and by-election dates which will be announce soon, DAP will do its very best as a coalition partner of Pakatan Rakyat, to ensure Datuk Seri Anwar's victory.DAP also condemn any possibilities by the Barisan Nasional government to seek an arrest warrant onto Datuk Seri Anwar in order to block him from seeking as a candidate to the by-election and should such measures are carried out, it will be unjust and dictatorial.

DAP would also look forward towards a fair and a just by-election for Datuk Seri Anwar's participation and any attempts to prevent him from doing so will be seen as a crime against democracy and humanity.

Dr Hilmi admitted error, what about Dr Koh?

Thursday, 31 July 2008

Former Penang deputy chief minister and Umno state assemblyman Datuk Seri Dr Hilmi Yahaya admitted fault for a land deal blunder that could cost the Penang state government some RM40 million in total.Dr Hilmi surprised his Umno colleague in the state assembly when he stood up and admitted his responsibility over the error which occurred when he was the state religion, land, planning and development committee chairman from 1999 to 2004 in the then Gerakan-led BN state government.

According to Dr Hilmi he felt responsible for the error over the land deal which he made.Penang Chief Minister and DAP Secretary-General Lim Guan Eng had earlier revealed that the previous state government had approved the 4.3ha plot of land to an individual apparently a quarry operator.The individual took the case to the court when the state government cancelled the land transfer. The state government incurred losses when the court decision favoured the individual with a final judgment of RM29 million as compensation. With interest of 8% per annum since 2004 then, the compensation could reach up to RM40 million by now.

Guan Eng also commended Dr Hilmi for admitting his mistake in the quarry case and for taking responsibility over it.What about former Penang chief minister and Gerakan acting president Dr Koh Tsu Koon? Why is he keeping quiet over this error which was made during his era? As the chief minister from 1999 to 2004, Dr Koh should also take responsibility over the error which incurred millions of Ringgit, which means wastage of public fund. Why were the people not informed on this during his reign?

What is socialism?

Tuesday, 29 July 2008

Central to the meaning of socialism is common ownership. This means the resources of the world being owned in common by the entire global population.But does it really make sense for everybody to own everything in common? Of course, some goods tend to be for personal consumption, rather than to share – clothes, for example.

People ‘owning’ certain personal possessions does not contradict the principle of a society based upon common ownership.In practice, common ownership will mean everybody having the right to participate in decisions on how global resources will be used. It means nobody being able to take personal control of resources, beyond their own personal possessions.Democratic control is therefore also essential to the meaning of socialism. Socialism will be a society in which everybody will have the right to participate in the social decisions that affect them. These decisions could be on a wide range of issues – one of the most important kinds of decision, for example, would be how to organise the production of goods and services.

Production under socialism would be directly and solely for use. With the natural and technical resources of the world held in common and controlled democratically, the sole object of production would be to meet human needs. This would entail an end to buying, selling and money. Instead, we would take freely what we had communally produced. The old slogan of “from each according to ability, to each according to needs” would apply.So how would we decide what human needs are? This question takes us back to the concept of democracy, for the choices of society will reflect their needs. These needs will, of course, vary among different cultures and with individual preferences – but the democratic system could easily be designed to provide for this variety.We cannot, of course, predict the exact form that would be taken by this future global democracy.

The democratic system will itself be the outcome of future democratic decisions. We can however say that it is likely that decisions will need to be taken at a number of different levels – from local to global. This would help to streamline the democratic participation of every individual towards the issues that concern them.In socialism, everybody would have free access to the goods and services designed to directly meet their needs and there need be no system of payment for the work that each individual contributes to producing them.

All work would be on a voluntary basis. Producing for needs means that people would engage in work that has a direct usefulness. The satisfaction that this would provide, along with the increased opportunity to shape working patterns and conditions, would bring about new attitudes to work.

Gerakan's Heritage Claim

Monday, 28 July 2008

When Penang and Melaka states were jointly declared as World Heritage sites by Unesco recently, Gerakan leaders, Tan Sri Dr Koh Tsu Koon and Teng Chang Yeow were quick to claimed their credit and achievement, nad denying any roles that the present state government had taken since 8 March 2008.

First of all, why did Dr Koh and Teng wanted to deny the present Penang state government of its role in the recent achievement ?When Unesco made the declarations recently, Penang Chief Minister and DAP Secretary-General Lim Guan Eng did not claim its rights nor credit towards the Unesco's award. Guan Eng had instead credited and dedicated the achievement to the tireless NGOs and the people of Penang who had long worked very hard to help Penang aclaim this international recognition.

So why did the Gerakan leaders politicised and made so much fuss on this ? The heritage recognition was meaned for everyone in Penang who had contributed towards the effort and such achievement does not solely belongs to any parties including Gerakan, MCA, PKR, DAP or any of its leaders. The recognition in fact belongs to everyone in Penang.

Bagan township abandoned

Saturday, 26 July 2008

As we could see today the Bagan township situated in the heart of Butterworh has been widely abandoned by most federal government departments and agencies who had either shifted to Bukit Mertajam or Kepala Batas.Most of these agencies shifted without giving prior notice to the population and hence, most of us were left in the dark, searching for certain offices and agencies without first knowing its actual locations.

Ever since the federal government's withdrawal from the Bagan township, the area has been left out and had since turned into a quiet and most areas were unlively like it has been previously. So why are the feds abandoning the Bagan townfolks. Their reasons to centralise their federal administration offices and to reduce cost were in fact unreasonable and a way too simple to be accepted by most of us.

Is it because the Bagan parliamentary constituency has been long an opposition stronghold and knowing that the fact the Bagan townfolks wanted a check and balance to continue effectively, the population were punished by moving away most of the public administrations.

Kepala Batas Hospital : Nothing but a decoration

Saturday, 26 July 2008

Kepala Batas Hospital which was situated in the parliamentary constituency of Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi was initiated and build when Pak Lah took over the reign from former premier Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad.

Pak Lah's move after became prime minister is to upgrade his constituency to a possible city status in near future, where several major federal government agencies were relocated to this area to boast development and to increase the property value in that area.

To fully equip his constituency, a healthcare centre was top on his development list reasoning that the present Seberang Jaya Hospital could not accomodate the entire Seberang Perai population and the purpose of the Kepala Batas Hospital was to support the population in his area which had seen its population increasing since then.

However, after years goes by, Kepala Batas Hospital has been build and now operational with the most sophisticated health system installed, the hospital was still seen as merely a decoration only to uphold the township status for Kepala Batas for the sake of Pak Lah.Most patients who had checked in or visited the Kepala Batas Hospital had complained that they were often turned away by the health staff there and referred to Seberang Jaya Hospital (which has been overloaded almost daily) instead, reasoning that shortage of medical officers (doctors), specialists and support staff to cater the health needs of the Kepala Batas population.

The situation had not improve ever since the hospital was officiated till today and the Kepala Batas Hospital still sits in that particular area today with insufficient health provision to its people there.Well, the hospital is still there anyway merely as a window dressing to suit Pak Lah's constituency status as a developed township after he became prime minister. Wastage of public funds.

Gerakan's road sign, a hypocrite

Saturday, 26 July 2008

The recent move by a group of Gerakan Youth members led by former Penang municipal councillor Dr Thor Teong Ghee to put up six additional road signs in Chinese language around Georgetown has been seen as a hypocrite move and had its own political agenda.In fact ever since after the DAP-PKR formed the new Penang state government, the state executive council led by Chief Minister & DAP Secretary-General Lim Guan Eng had already initiated plans to have some parts of the roads in Georgetown marked with multi-lingual road signs where the Chinese language is to be one of them, in order to promote tourism and to enhance its heritage values.

What had Gerakan done for the past 30 years of their governance over Penang state ? Did they initiate any plans to have those Penang roads marked with multi-lingual road signs ? The answer is a No ! because the BN's dominant party, Umno had been against such move since then and they are also against such move now at the state assembly without first consulting their fellow BN party member, Gerakan.Its seems that the two BN component parties, one reign supreme over the others, while the other looks inferior were not sitting together for a common stand.

They were at loggerheads ever since they jointly governed the Penang state where the later was seen often paving way and subservient to the one with dominant stand.Besides, Dr Thor Teong Ghee's move to installed these road signs in Chinese was merely to gain some political milage of his own, as Dr Thor is also seen as a possible contender to the Penang Gerakan youth chairman's post following former Batu Kawan MP Huan Cheng Guan not to seek re-election. The other possible contender in the Gerakan youth party election is state youth secretary Oh Tong Keong.

Guan Eng : Fulfil Merdeka Promises

Thursday, 24 July 2008

Our nationhood was based on the 1957 Merdeka social contract that promised us much, but delivered little. Fifty years ago, we were promised democracy. We were promised justice, equality, rule of law and integrity. We were promised that we’d be treated with human dignity.

We were promised freedom.We are still awaiting these promises.Why are these promises unfulfilled?First, our fundamental human rights, civil and political liberties embodied in the Federal Constitution as the highest law of the land, were slowly emasculated, diluted and rendered meaningless by repeated amendments. Second, those constitutional provisions that could not be amended were shoved aside by a unilateral declaration by then prime minister Datuk Seri (now Tun) Dr Mahathir Mohamad on Sept 29, 2001 that Malaysia is an Islamic state.

No heed was paid to the pronouncements made by our first three prime ministers prior to the 1980s nor to the ruling of the highest court in our land in 1988 that the Constitution defines Malaysia as a secular state.Third, the promulgation of state interventionist economic policies, led by the New Economic Policy (NEP), which was set up to eradicate poverty regardless of race but had promoted racial preferential quotas under the pretext of equitable wealth redistribution, and sanctioned political patronage and self-aggrandisement under the guise of wealth creation.This gave the NEP a bad name.

What many Malaysians, regardless of race, are furious with is that the NEP has been used to enrich the wealthy.Finally, the insidious erosion of our national psyche by systematically dividing Malaysians by race and religion - bumis and non-bumis, Muslims and non-Muslims.Whilst we can blame the British for introducing this divide-and-rule policy, the fault lines created have sheared our souls and haunt future generations by creating many nations of different races within a nation-state. Ethnicity and religious beliefs, not universal values of justice, end up shaping out outcomes. What is so difficult about accepting Bangsa Malaysia, which was described by Mahathir “as people being able to identify themselves with the country, speak Bahasa Malaysia and accept the Federal Constitution”?These are among the many challenges we face in realising the promises of Merdeka 50 years ago.

What’s stopped us from overcoming them is the failure of leadership, the absence of moral courage and outrage as well as, yes, the small-ness of our politics.We should look at the big picture.Globalisation is upon us and yet we are so unprepared. Looking at the big picture entails an international mindset that empowers every Malaysian with equal opportunity and does not entrap us with mediocrity and mindless slogans.

To lead Malaysia forward, we need intelligent, rational and unprejudiced Malaysians who respect diversity. At a time when we are celebrating our 50th Merdeka anniversary, we should be looking forward to one national ideal grounded on principles of justice, respect for human rights, freedom, integrity and human dignity. Let us transform Malaysia by being Malaysian first, based on democracy, equality and social justice for all.Let us transform Malaysia into a crime-free neighbourhood.Malaysians should enjoy the four basic rights of security – to live, work, study and play in a safe environment.

Let us transform Malaysia into an environment-friendly place, where fishes swim in clean rivers and orang utans, hornbills, pygmy elephants, tigers and rhinos roam freely in protected forests.Let us transform Malaysia from what it is now into what it should have been as envisaged by our founding fathers, by restoring the Merdeka Constitution. The original Merdeka Constitution did not allow for repressive laws such as the Internal Security Act and the Printing Presses & Publications Act. Not only was there independence of the judiciary, but there was also independence of the Elections Commission.

To ensure every Malaysian is allowed to participate in the democratic process, some of the elements of civil society must be evident: free association and expression; regulated but open and market-oriented economies; aid to the poor, orphaned, elderly, sick, or disabled; and finally, civic cultures that cherish diversity and individual freedoms but also respect human needs for community and shared visions for the common good.Our youths should be allowed freedom of expression, in the words of the French philosopher Voltaire, “I disapprove of what you say, but I will defend to the death your right to say it”.

We may disapprove of their views but we should not eat our young for their courage in expressing them. Repressing their courage will result in a creativity deficit.Can we discard our different ethnic backgrounds and religious beliefs for Bangsa Malaysia?

I have faith in the common decency, respect for diversity and proper sense of justice in our fellow citizenry to believe that Bangsa Malaysia Boleh!

Guan Eng: far cry from what was promised

Thursday, 24 July 2008

As much as the Penang government welcomes the federal authorities’ move to reinstate RM40 million of the state’s original 9th Malaysia Plan (9MP) allocation, Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng said today the amount is a far cry from the total RM 4.7 billion that Penangites had been promised.

Responding to Second Finance Minister Tan Sri Nor Mohamed Yackop’s announcement recently that the allocation for upgrading the Penang Hill funicular railway, would be topped up with RM100 million for purchase of new RapidPenang buses, Lim said the RM140 million is a mere 3% of the allocated RM4.7 billion shelved in the 9MP mid-term review."It's not 10%, it’s not 5%, but just only 3% of the RM4.7 billion promised to Penang," said Lim who expressed hope that the federal government would reconsider its decision and not defer the pending allocations for the Mengkuang Dam expansion, Penang Outer Ring Road (PORR) and the monorail.

"These are promises made, and promises made should be fulfilled," he stressed, adding he would meet Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi for a fourth time, to discuss this matter."Penangites are also tax payers, and they have a right to these projects," Lim told reporters after giving out letters of appointment to 148 Penang Village Security and Development Committee (JKKK) chairpersons at the Seberang Perai Town Hall here today.

Lim also said each JKKK chairperson would only be given an allowance of RM200 per month, compared to the previous allowance rate of RM600."We don't want to see a person taking up this post for money. He should do this to provide service to Penangites."The state government will allocate RM 1,000 for each JKKK's annual administration cost.

Wednesday, September 17, 2008

Is Malaysia A Multi Racial Nation ?

Tuesday, 22 July 2008

Malaysia, a Multi racial country? Racial & Religion issue has always been a barrier of having complete peace and unity. For the past 50 years,the ruling Government under BN has successfully kept the peace of the country by power sharing with others, MCA, MIC, Gerakan and other enthic groups,but to many this agreement is of the past, as the nation develops, population increases and the demands of the rakyat for rights of being one , MALAYSIAN!

Leaders of the component parties in BN has been criticised for not standing up for their respective race, as seen in the last general Election, the BN suffered a humiliating defeat to the opposition.Measures should be taken to curb further racial remarks and sentiments by the BN leaders particularly UMNO.Many has in fact criticised the Malay race,but then again, the leaders are responsible for the state of the Malays today.

As law abiding citizens, we should not further aggravate the situation than it is now. We can only change this through our rights to vote, and that time will come,until then we should still maintain and respect each other.

Syed Hamid created havoc in KL roadblocks

Thursday, 17 July 2008

We are expressing our grave dissappointment over the action of home minister Datuk Syed Hamid Albar in ordering the police to carried out road blocks which created a massive traffice jam around Kuala Lumpur recently.He reasoned his action is to counter an intended demonstration which were planned by some opposition parties and to curb illegal street rallies which was believed to be rumoured by some elements in the Barisan Nasional itself.

As such, havoc and chaos in KL roads where daily road users were frustrated by their work late ins, delayed deliveries, patients delayed scheduled medication and so on. Some students are also reported to had failed to reach their colleges and schools in time to sit for their exam papers and had to reschedule their papers to some other days.

First of all, why has Syed Hamid had to depend on rumours to start a massive security check on the innocent people of the city ? Why can't he check the facts first prior to his irresponsible actions ?We supposed the government and the police force have the sufficient security intelligence facilities to counter such rumours by having such information checked and validate first prior to their unneccessary response. Why are they not utilising these facilities but put all the blame on the Pakatan Rakyat instead ?

Petronas' Huge Profit. What We Got ?

Tuesday, 15 July 2008

The federal government linked petroleum corporation, Petronas had today announced a hugely improved profit of about RM61 Billion after a drastic increase of fuel prices made by the BN government recently.As the result of this profit, much of the funds were channelled into the federal government's treasury as annual bonus and dividend.With the increasing inflation as the result of the higher fuel prices and coupled with dissatisfaction amongst us on the rising cost of living, food, utilities, clothings, properties and even basically small amenities.

What had the BN government done so far to ease the burden and pain which are pressuring the people continuously ?What will the RM625 do for us in long term and will that ease our costs burden effectively ? Our next generation, children and grandchildren will have to bear with the current situation in the near future as the result of the highly mismanaged free market capitalist economy.What good does the BN government's capitalist economic policies have for us as majority ?

Todate, it had only benefited much of the BN cronies, rich and elites whereas the moderates and poor remained struggling to have their ends met everyday.Worst still, the unemployed, retrenched and lowly paid employees out there who are still fightingto meet their ends and with these number of people are increasing, so do the crime rates ! Nothing, no concrete measures has been done so far by the BN government.

Barisan Nasional = Barang Naik = Bebanan Negara !

Second Penang Bridge Project may fail if ...

Saturday, 12 July 2008

The second Penang Bridge project may fail to materialise if the agreement cannot be reached by this August between the bridge developer UEM Builders Bhd and its Chinese partner, China Habour Engineering Co. Ltd.The delay in agreement between UEM and China Habour is because both companies had disagreed on the final cost structure of the project.

As such, both companies should settle their disputes and disagreement as soon as possible as it will become an embarassment to the state and the whole nation should the major partner pull out and the project is cancelled.The BN federal government should take full responsibilities to ensure the second bridge project takes off as scheduled. Failing to ensure the success of the project may further jeopardize the investors' confidence and affect the economic well-being of Penang as well.

An unjust act of political vengeance to punish Penangnites

Tuesday, 8 July 2008

Second Finance Minister Tan Sri Nor Mohamad Yakcop is trying to distract attention away from the Federal Government’s victimization of Penang by claiming that the Penang state government is too obsessive with mega projects such as building the monorail system.

Such attacks by Tan Sri Nor only shows his guilty conscience at being exposed for not loving his home state by supporting the drastic cut in development funding for Penang by RM 4.7 billion.Tan Sri Nor should realize that unlike the previous docile state government, the new state government is a people’s government. The new Penang state government leaders will refuse to be treated by the Federal government like a doormat that is “weakened, trampled and ineffective” (as stated in the blog Faith Journey http://www.christian-journey.com/on-doormats/).

Any government leader who loves Penang would be upset when projects in Penang are cancelled in an arbitrary and high-handed manner without consultation or justification.Penang is willing to accept cash of RM 4.7 billion to focus on agricultural development to focus on food economics and security as a replacement.

After all, Penangnites also pay tax and it is only fair that the Federal government gives back some of what it takes as it would be a gross injustice to only know how to take but not to give. The question for Tan Sri Nor is how is he helping to develop Penang when he supports the reduction of such funds and removal of projects. If he refuses to refund in cash the RM 4.7 billion taken away from Penang, isn’t such actions tantamount to trying to undermine or even “sabotaging” Penang’s economy.

Such decisions have given the impression that both the Prime Minister and Tan Sri Nor deliberately wants Penang economy to fail. But Penang people will prove them wrong by demonstrating our self-reliance, resilience and ability in accordance with the governing principles of CAT- competency, accountability and transparency.