Who hijacked Merdeka? August 31, 2007
Posted by elizabethwong in Current Affairs, Democracy, Event, History, Malaysia, Note2Self, Politics, Southeast Asia.24 comments
An unfactored immobility saw my switching on the telly close to midnight only to view what was the start of the BN General Elections Campaign 2007.
From here on, kiddies will learn that only Umno, MCA and MIC were part of the independence struggle. Repeat a lie enough times and they will swallow. Then again, they’ve been shoving this rubbish of a propaganda for decades now, only this time, we get the visual effects, not to mention:-
a. The Prime Minister’s Son-in-Law aka Tok-Mat-Rempit being given the ‘honours’ to lower the Union Jack and to hoist the national flag. One can tell, he really practised for hours on end;
The Unfinished Business of Merdeka August 30, 2007
Posted by elizabethwong in Current Affairs, Democracy, Event, Human Rights, Malaysia, Politics, Southeast Asia.10 comments
… Suaram calls on the people to seize back power to determine the future of our country and continue the spirit of Merdeka, fighting for the full realization of fundamental rights and an accountable and responsible government.
(This is our statement for Merdeka – a call to action and not just talk.)
Merdeka lawsuit in UK August 30, 2007
Posted by elizabethwong in Current Affairs, Event, Huh?!, Human Rights, International, Malaysia, Politics, Race Relations.14 comments
By the time we clock off from work today to join the Merdeka celebrations, a Malaysian, Waytha Moorthy, who leads the Hindu Rights Action Front (HINDRAF), will be filing a public interest lawsuit at the English courts, asking the British government, among other things, 100 billion sterling pounds for “crimes against minorities”.
He is also claiming for:-
‘Ganyang’ Malaysia II August 29, 2007
Posted by elizabethwong in Human Rights, International, Malaysia, Southeast Asia.55 comments
(poster oleh mob1900)
Selepas kasus Donald Kolopita dari tim karate Indonesia yang ditahan lalu dipukul oleh polisi Malaysia tanpa alasan, pemerintah Malaysia seharusnya meminta maaf.
Tetapi ini tidak berlaku.
Donald, sampai hari ini, masih memerlukan rawatan hospital.
Sekarang, rakyat Indonesia mula beraksi di depan kedutaan and kantor pemerintah Malaysia, dari Sumatera ke Pulau Jawa. DPR pun mahu masuk dalam gelanggang. Ada segolongan yang sedang buat ‘sweeping’ – mencari rakyat Malaysia untuk dipukul, seperti mana di Surabaya.
Apa salahnya, kalau pemerintah Malaysia mengaku salah? Mengapa mereka harus melindungi polisi suka menyalahgunakan kuasa mereka?
Mungkin pihak polisi udah biasa memukul orang Indonesia, orang Myanmar, membuli TKI di sini. Tetapi kali ini, kononnya mereka terpilih orang yang salah.
Pak Lah dan Musa Hassan – “Say sorry!”
Industrial Relations Act August 27, 2007
Posted by elizabethwong in Democracy, Economy, Huh?!, Malaysia, Note2Self, Politics, Southeast Asia.6 comments
Members of the Malaysian Trade Union Congress had gathered at Parliament this morning to hand in a letter of protest against the amendments to the Industrial Relations Act, scheduled to be first bill debated today.
However, the police prevented them from entering this public building.
One of the secretaries of the Back-Benchers Club came out to inform the unionists that the Supply Bill (Additional) will be debated instead and will take a few days. When I was told of this, I said, this can’t be. The Supply Bill is only at first reading.
“Come back on Wednesday, Thursday…” the secretary said, and proceeded to take their letter.
Come noon, guess which bill was first up for debate? (more…)
The Limits of Nostalgia August 27, 2007
Posted by elizabethwong in Columns, Current Affairs, History, Malaysia, Writings.6 comments
A new online magazine, Bolehland.com, premiered a fortnight ago, featuring 12 columnists under 40. They include Brian Yap (who has a column in NST and soon to be a film-star); Fahmi Fadzil (actor); Li Tsin (Malaysiakini journalist); John Lee (frightfully bright 17-year old who’s been writing on politics and current affairs for the past 2 years); Nat Tan (editor of ‘Mahathir vs. Badawi’ – a book still on the top 10 bestseller list); and many others.
My piece came out last Monday.
Around this time of the year, we gorge ourselves, willingly or otherwise, at the buffet table of unlimited servings of sepia images and faded texts; this year with a little more pomp and frenzy, partly spearheaded by officialdom to put out a good show and partly fueled by the government’s recent reaffirmation that Malaysia is an Islamic state.
While there is ample critique of the government’s use and abuse of ‘history’, not much has been said or written on contradictory reactions, bordering talismanic and involving equally solemn rituals of:- (1) whipping out the Federal Constitution (original) (2) reciting the Rukun Negara; (3) bringing forth the spectre of the ‘Social Contract’ (original) and (4) invoking the spirit of the (original) Merdeka Declaration.
What’s in your MyKad? August 24, 2007
Posted by elizabethwong in Democracy, Huh?!, Human Rights, International, Malaysia, Note2Self, Politics.15 comments
Press Statement: 24 August 2007
SUARAM DIRECTOR DENIED ENTRY INTO SARAWAK
MYKAD IS AN ACCESSORY OF A MALAYSIAN POLICE STATE
Dr Kua Kia Soong, a director of SUARAM was denied entry into Sarawak at 9pm, 23 August 2007. Kua, who is also principal of the community-funded New Era College, was on his way to officiate the graduation ceremony of teachers who have attained the New Era College Diploma in Education at Kuching and Sibu.
After screening Kua’s MyKad, the immigration officer at Kuching airport informed him that he had been refused entry into Sarawak because he is on the “blacklist for involvement in anti-logging activities”. From the computer reading of Kua’s MyKad, the officer also knew that Kua is a former member of parliament.
Remembering 87/88 August 23, 2007
Posted by elizabethwong in Current Affairs, History, Human Rights, Malaysia, Politics.11 comments
With the criminal justice system under the public microscope of late, a number of former key players (then Attorney-General Abu Talib Othman and then Inspector-General of Police Haniff Omar) no doubt feel compelled to suggest how things were so much better during their time.
Yeah. Right. Hah.
An interesting but unsurprising interview on Malaysiakini, was given by Abu Talib today, touching on the turbulent years of 87/88, which saw the arrests of more than 100 people under the Internal Security Act and the demise of judicial independence.
Abu Talib conceded that many decisions he had made during his tenure as AG were controversial but defended his actions as it was done based on applicable law.
“Yes, I accept that (certain things were controversial). I drafted 121(1A) (of the Federal Constitution). I amended the ISA (Internal Security Act), which is now very controversial.” (Source)
What Abu Talib didn’t detail was that the amendment to the ISA centred on the right to judicial review. Thanks to this, a Ministerial Order to incarcerate a person without trial effectively cannot be challenged in court.
No more news on Namewee August 21, 2007
Posted by elizabethwong in Current Affairs, Democracy, Human Rights, Malaysia, Politics, Race Relations.21 comments
Malaysiakini reports the directive by the Internal Security Ministry to the mainstream media to stop publishing reports related to the ‘Negarakuku’ controversy, unless it comes from the prime minister and his deputy.
The Publications Control and Al-Quran Texts Unit senior officer Che Din Yusof was quoted as saying,
“Yes, the directive was issued today …What more is there for the papers to write? Enough is enough.” (Source)
Deja vu, anyone? Whatever happened to fair comment or the right of reply of the accused?
(BTW: The Minister for Internal Security is … the PM)
Isham Rais, “A sign the Malaysian project has failed” August 21, 2007
Posted by elizabethwong in Current Affairs, Event, Human Rights, Malaysia, Note2Self, Politics, Race Relations.3 comments
In Johor yesterday, Umno Youth Chief, Hisham Hussein insisted Namewee would not escape legal action even after his apology.
‘‘Pergerakan Pemuda UMNO tegas dengan pendirian bahawa kalau sudah melanggar undang-undang, ia tetap salah dan sama ada dia memohon maaf atau tidak, ia bukan satu isu.” (Utusan Malaysia)
Deputy minister for Internal Security, Johori Baharum said the Attorney-General would decide what kind of action will be taken and added that he agreed one needs to be firm because, “It is an insult to us and the country.” (Utusan Malaysia)
In contrast, below are snippets from the KeADILan forum last night on Namewee, held in packed auditorium in Selangor Chinese Assembly Hall. (For an easier viewing experience, press the ‘play’ button to start, then ‘pause’ for it to download fully before resuming to ‘play’.)
elizabeth wong 