Why can’t we protest? 30 June 2008

I noticed that a lot of people are very unhappy with the government these days.

Be it corruption, be it indecision, be it insensitiveness, be it because of the fuel hike or because of Anwar Ibrahim.

There’s a multitude of reasons why people are sick and tired of this present administration.

But what do we do to show our displeasure?

Well of course, we can vote against the party in power. But the elections have just recently been concluded. Some of us voted against this government, yet we still have to live with it. Such is democracy.

Does that mean that in these 4-5 years time, all we do is wait for the next elections? If so, we might as well live under a monarchical system in the past: take it all in until the present ruler whom we despise dies or the country is taken over by enemies.

But we live in a democracy. And democracy guarantees certain rights to the citizens.

Article 10 of our Federal Constitution states that every citizen has the right to freedom to assemble peaceably and without arms.

Yes, regardless of what the authorities say, we have the right to peaceful assembly. Most of the time, we’re told that demonstrations and protests jeopardizes public security. We’re also told that such demonstrations are ‘not our culture’. This is especially true when the demonstrations are anti-government.

Of course, whenever it’s someone from the ruling party, it’s quite alright to demonstrate. They are supposedly a peaceful lot, and would never create any trouble.

But back to our enshrined rights. So we do have a right to demonstrate peacefully, don’t we?

Because it gives our country a bad image? Well unless we start burning effigies and start rioting, a peaceful assembly is normal and would not be frowned upon by the international community. They have protests all the time in the West.

So what’s the problem? Why can’t we protest?

Do we sit quietly, resigned to our fate as nobodies in our own nation?

Or do we exercise our constitutional rights?

DSAI 29 June 2008

I have actually refrained myself about writing about Mr. Anwar Ibrahim for a long time. Quite a feat actually, considering that I think myself as a ’socio-political’ blogger, and Malaysian politics these days revolve around Mr. Anwar.

10 years ago, in 1998, when he was sacked from his post as Deputy Prime Minister and charged with corruption and sodomy, I was only 15 years old. Yet, the reformasi wave swept me and even though I was too young to actually join in the rallies and demonstrations, I was convinced of his innocence, as many people did. Even more so for me, as my family was directly involved in the events leading up to his sacking.

I remembered the sense of anger amongst the people at that time. The internet revolution was just beginning and not many had access to it. So those with internet access would print out pieces of information from the internet and distribute amongst family and friends. His subsequent beatings at the hands of the then Inspector General of Police and the legal circus that he was subjected to made people angrier. The opposition gained a lot of support, riding on the wave of emotion on what Mr. Anwar had to endure.

Yet, I did notice that in school, opinions on the issue from those people that actually cared about politics were varied. Being teenagers, we were influenced by our parents, and as such, what my schoolmates thought of the issue at that time reflected the public perception at large. Some believed that he was a sodomite. Some, like me, didn’t.

Ultimately though, when the 1999 General Elections came, Mr. Anwar’s tribulations did not echo deep enough into the hearts of Malaysians as one would imagine. Yes, UMNO lost a few seats and PAS gained Terengganu, but Barisan Nasional still retained its two thirds. A mere hiccup to the ruling party, but no reason to ring the alarm bells.

Analyzing the results in hindsight, although there was a massive swing in Malay support, non-Malay votes for the Barisan held firm, if not increased. Many people, rightly so, opted for the devils in the government that could give them stability, rather than the unknown entities making up the opposition. Events in Indonesia did not help: the fall of the Suharto regime was marred by violent riots that were directed at ethnic Chinese. In the end, apart from Mr. Anwar, there were no other major issues that could turn the elections.

Fast forward 10 years later, and some 3 months ago we saw an unprecedented elections result. The man widely credited in orchestrating the widespread gains of the Pakatan Rakyat was Mr. Anwar. Some say that Anwar had made a political comeback. Some called him the ‘Prime Minister in waiting’. Some see him as Malaysia’s saviour.

10 years ago, I was a teenager. Easily influenced, highly emotional. I could not see the bigger picture. If I could vote, I’d probably would vote for the opposition because of Mr. Anwar.

10 years later, my decision to cast my vote for the opposition had nothing to do with the ex-Deputy PM. Yes, I attended some of his talks and rallies, and whilst there were immensely enjoyable, my decision on March 8 was not influenced by Mr. Anwar.

***

10 years later, I believe that I am mature enough to think rationally. I am not so willing to jump on the Anwar-led Pakatan bandwagon, even though I am sick of the present administration. My ‘objectivity’ will not allow me blindly support Mr. Anwar, even though I admit that I am attracted to his reform agenda.

This is because Mr. Anwar, whether he wants to admit it or not, caries some political baggage from his past. This was a man who was a student leader, jailed for his anti-establishment tendencies, and subsequently joining the party whom he directed his fiery speeches against in his student days. Mr. Anwar, undeniably, was a part of the very same flawed government and flawed political party that are now his political opponents. I myself have heard stories of some of Mr. Anwar’s questionable actions in the past. It has not helped that Mr. Anwar’s has a bad track record with his close friends. Mr. Chandra Muzzafar, Mr. Nalla Karrupan and Mr. Ezam are some of the high-profile friends of Mr. Anwar who have subsequently turned against him, with a vengeance.

Understandably, there are many who view him with suspicion.

Can a leopard change its spots, his detractors ask. Has Anwar Ibrahim has truly changed?

I cannot answer that. That is why I’m still reserving my judgment on Mr. Anwar.

But if we believe that people can change, then what does it take for people to change? Surely, what Mr. Anwar had endured, being smeared all over the media, being called a sodomite, being beaten up and jailed, surely these are things that would change someone. Surely the pain of being separated from the family he loves and the solitude of prison would be enough for someone to change for the better?

I want to believe that he has changed. That Mr. Anwar is the man to lead our country forward.

Because right now, Mr. Anwar is promising reforms that appeals to me. Yes, his detractors will say that it is merely empty promises and sweet talks to entice us, but isn’t politics the art of promise? Isn’t talking what the present government is doing as well? What more, the present government actually has the means to ‘walk the talk’ but yet all they do and all we get is merely talk. Where is the judicial reform? Where is the ACA reforms? Where is the media freedom?

In a situation where all that we have is talks and promises, Mr. Anwar’s words are far more appealing that the government’s.

Another thing which Mr. Anwar has and the present government doesn’t is the ability to unite Malaysians, regardless of colour and creed. Look at his ceramahs. We see Malaysians sitting together as one, united in hope and admiration for their hero. And these people need no compulsion, they need no promise of free food or RM100 ‘duit makan dan minyak‘ or whatever. They came voluntarily.

In a country whose unity needs severe reparations, Mr. Anwar’s ability to unite is surely a plus point.

***

At the height of his influence, just as he was knocking on the door of Putrajaya (so he claims), we were shocked to learn that his 23 year old aide had filed a police report that Mr. Anwar had sodomized him.

Yesterday, at 1.15 am, I received an SMS update from the Star:

An aide of a senior opposition politician has alleged in a police report that the politician sodomized him, he has been warded in hospital.

At that time, I wondered who the ’senior opposition politician’ was. My mind never contemplated Mr. Anwar at all.

When I checked Malaysiakini, imagine my shock to know that the ’senior opposition politician’ that allegedly sodomized his aide was Mr. Anwar.

I could not believe it.

1998, all over again?

From then on, things happened like a whirlwind. Mr. Anwar released a press statement, denying the allegations as fabrications. Pictures of his accuser were distributed all over the internet, the most telling one being the picture of him with an assistant to a high-ranking minister at the lobby of the said minister’s office. Prime Minister Abdullah Badawi denied any government involvement. Mr. Anwar, claiming that he fears for his personal safety, has sought refuge in the Turkish embassy. All this are reported on the internet and I don’t think I need to repeat them to you.

To me, it’s the timing that casts the biggest doubt to this latest facade. After public opinion of the present government is at an all time low with the fuel price increase and fears of inflation, after the Barisan Nasional is feeling the heat in the form of rebel SAPP MPs and a certain statutory declaration, we suddenly have another person who accused Mr. Anwar of sodomizing him. Coincidence?

That is why I feel so menyampah. It is so distasteful. I feel sick.

I wonder to what depths can some people plummet to in their attempts at holding onto power. I had hoped that we have moved on since 1998. Apparently, I was dead wrong.

To the unseen hands that cooked up this latest facade; shame on you.

We Malaysians have matured since 1998. If not many believed it then, even less will believe it now. Do not test our patience, please. Do not think we’re stupid.

***

Do I trust that Anwar has changed? I hope he has. I’m still reserving judgment.

Do I think Anwar is a sodomite? No.

I knew that he wasn’t in 1998 and I believe that he isn’t now.

Racist: YB Hamidah, UMNO assemblywoman 29 June 2008

Taken from the Star:

One by Hamidah Osman (BN-Sungai Rapat) particularly earned the wrath of the Pakatan Rakyat assemblymen when she asked whether Sivakumar “agreed to disagree” with the well-known fable of whether a snake or a man from a certain racial community should be killed first.

She has since apologized. Taken from Malaysiakini:

Sungai Rapat state assemblyperson Hamidah Osman, who caused a furore in the Perak legislative assembly on Friday with her racial slur, has publicly apologised for hurting the Indian community.

At a packed press conference in the Ipoh Country Club this morning, the Barisan Nasional elected representative issued the public apology before newsmen, saying that it was not her intention to hurt the Indian community with a racial slur.

“I have already retracted my statement in the House and now, I am offering my humble and sincere apology here to all Indians for uttering the racist remarks in the heat of the moment.

“I regret for saying that and promise not to repeat it anywhere anymore,” said a visibly moved Hamidah, who plans to embark on a ‘constituency road-show’ to explain and apologise over the incident to electorates in Gopeng, which encompasses Sungai Rapat.

But I’m not going to let her off the hook that easily.

Taken from the Star:

KUALA LUMPUR: Barisan Nasional has been urged to take disciplinary action against Sungai Rapat assemblyman Hamidah Osman for insulting the Indian community at the Perak state assembly on Friday.

MIC president Datuk Seri S. Samy Vellu, in making the call, said the party condemned the state assemblyman’s action.

“We urge the Barisan Nasional Supreme Council to take action against her,” he said in a statement here.

Hamidah was reported to have asked Speaker V. Sivakumar if he agreed to disagree with the well-known fable of whether a snake or a man from a certain racial community should be killed first.

For once, I agree with Mr. Samy Vellu.

Was what YB Hamidah said a spur of the moment remark? Or was it a deliberate attempt to insult the Perak assembly Speaker by his ethnicity?

If it’s the former, it shows that she’s a racist who could not control her racism. If it’s the latter, it shows that she’s a racist and a malicious one at that.

Either way, by uttering those hurtful words, YB Hamidah has proven to all Malaysians that she is detrimental to national unity. And that she’s a racist.

We definitely have no place for rascists in the Malaysia that we wish to build.

Do not ever forget what she said come next elections.

Thank you, Barisan MPs! 23 June 2008

Taken from Malaysiakini:

The government today won a crucial vote in Parliament supporting its fuel price hike, which the opposition had hoped to turn it into a no-confidence vote against Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi.

Domestic Trade and Consumer Affairs Minister Shahrir Abdul Samad kicked off the debate by tabling the motion this morning seeking support for, among others, the slashing of oil subsidies.

Coming on the heels of the 40 percent oil hike announced on June 4, the motion was hotly debated by members of parliament on both sides of the House before it went for a vote.

There are no surprises when it was put to vote at 7.10pm after six hours of debate – no BN parliamentarians voted against the government.

The final result: 129 in favour, 78 against. The motion was passed.

BN has a total of 140 members – including two Dewan Rakyat deputy speakers – in the House, of which eleven MPs were absent today from voting while the Pakatan Rakyat has a total of 82 MPs.

Among the BN absentees were the two MPs from Sabah Progressive Party (Sapp), a coalition member that dropped a bombshell last week when it called for the no-confidence vote. They were absent from Parliament after saying they had received threats.

Met at the lobby later, Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department Mohd Nazri Abdul Aziz said that the success of the motion indicated that BN backbenchers remained united.

“The opposition wanted to turn this into a motion of no-confidence against the prime minister but BN stayed united. There is no question of BN MPs wanting to jump to the other side,” he told reporters.

Thank you, all 129 of you Barisan Nasional MPs. Thank you for supporting your benefactor’s move. Thank you for not hearing our cries. Thank you for not understanding our woes. Thank you for not doing what we, the voters, want you to do.

Each time I pour petrol and lament at how little it fills my tank, I will think of all of you. Each time I shudder and hear of a crime being committed by a desperate man on the streets, I will think of all of you. Each time I struggle to affect a lifestyle change in order to cope with the realities of life, I will think of all of you.

And by God, when it comes to casting my vote in 4 years time, I will definitely think of all of you.

Forum Belia Y2Y – Education reforms: A necessity? 12 June 2008

Gerakan Belia 4B
Petaling Jaya Utara
Damansara Kim

“Education reforms: A necessity?”

Date: 21 June 2008

Time: 2.00pm to 4.30pm

Venue: Dibta Malaysia, Suite C-10-3, 10th Floor, Wisma Goshen, Plaza Pantai,
(Kerinchi LRT station)

The forum will be held for 2 hours and handled by a facilitator. It will be conducted in an informal manner between the participants. The participants will present their views and opinions on the topic discussed. The forum will be conducted both in English and Bahasa Malaysia.

In the last 30 minutes, a wrap-up session will be held to summarize what has been discussed. Views, suggestions and solutions will be sent to the necessary parties. A copy will also be sent to the Prime Minister at his website.

This forum is open to all.

For more info, please visit Gerakan Belia 4B Damansara Kim’s website/blog.

Hope to see you there!

Dismay, anger and the feeling of helplessness… 6 June 2008

Anger.

That was the general feeling amongst Malaysians at the government’s decision to increase the petrol price by 40%.

I met up with some friends at a teh tarik stall in PJ, and we were fuming. We lashed out our pent up anger and frustrations. We tried to find some justification in the government’s decision, but we found none. We thought of new ways to cope with the increase, cutting down on unnecessary expenditure, contemplating NGV as alternative fuel. We suggested ways on how to go on from here, on how to make the government realize our dissatisfaction at the whole issue.

My group of friends that night are all salarymen. We come from various profession and we draw an average salary of around RM2,300 per month and we feel the pinch. We don’t have families to feed and still we feel the increase was excessive. We could only imagine what a blue collar worker earning a salary of less than RM1,000 per month with families to feed might feel.

I do think that Malaysians understand that a price increase was necessary. Crude oil prices have skyrocketed in the past few months. We understand that the government cannot maintain the current subsidy.

What we are angry about is way in which the increase was carried out.

A gradual increase over a period of 6 months to 1 year would allow the rakyat to slowly adapt. Perhaps an immediate increase of RM0.30, followed by another increase of RM0.30 six months later, over a reasonable time period. But to increase it by 40% immediately is like yanking the subsidy from right underneath our feet.

We’ve been told that we need a lifestyle change. Yes, we will try to be better at managing our finances. But allow us time to do so. At the end of the day, fuel is fuel is fuel. We cannot run from consuming it. How big a lifestyle change that we affect, we will still feel the pinch. Why can’t our leaders be conscionable enough to ease us slowly into this reality?

At the same time, our leaders should lead by example. If you tell us to take public transport, show us the way!  Put your Mercedes in your garage and take the bus to your spiffy offices in Putrajaya. If you tell us to better manage our finances, then stop all wastages in your ministries. Shelve the numerous corridors for now, revive it later when we have the funds. Scrap the space program. Don’t send your people for the frequent lawatan sambil belajar overseas. Don’t buy submarines and jets for now.

Practice what you preach, they say.

Why were we given the impression that the fuel hike will be in August? Why was the announcement made in less than 8 hours time? Why are you flip-flopping on the issue of sale to foreign cars? Why as an oil producing country, we are paying a premium for oil? What happened to all the taxes that the government levied on oil and plantation companies? These are pertinent questions that need to be addressed by our leaders.

A drastic increase in fuel prices will result in an increase in the price of other goods. Inflation will surely follow. At the same time, our earnings do not see an increase to match. Realities of life would lead many to desperation, thus we can foresee a sharp increase in crime rate.

And to top it off, there’s not much that we can do about it. We’ve just had an elections and unless Saudara Anwar’s claims of cross-overs become a reality, we have to live with what we have. We can hold protests, but already we have been warned not to exercise our democratic right to hold peaceful assemblies. Our cries are falling upon deaf ears.

The future looks rather grim for our fair country.

A Letter to Perantau-perantau 6 June 2008

A letter via e-mail that I sent to Malaysian students in Cardiff, UK:

Salam and greetings to all,

I’m hope you are all in the best of your health, enjoying the oh-so-brisk British summer. But whilst you’re savoring the first few rays of the summer sun, I beg that you spare a thought for those of us in Malaysia.

I’m sure you’ve heard of it, but the price of fuel here has increased by 40%. We wait with bated breath for the domino effect to kick in; when everything else under the Malaysian sun will see an increase. Most of us expected the subsidy to be reduced in order to cope with spiraling global oil prices, yet it is beyond our wildest expectation that this subsidy of which we depend our livelihood upon would be yanked from right underneath our feet in less than 8 hours time.

Yes my fellow Malaysians, things are not all rosy here in our ibu pertiwi. In fact, things look rather grim over here.

A fresh graduate, with an income of around RM2,000-RM2,500 will find it difficult to survive in our cities. What more breadwinners with earnings less than that? How in the world are we supposed to make do with what we have? We have no minimum wage to fall back on. Many foresee an increase in crime rates as a direct result of this increase in the cost of living.

We have been told to change our lifesyle to adapt. Yet we look in envy and dismay at the very people who told us to change as they themselves do not practice what they preach; still living a lavish lifestyle while we struggle to make ends meet.

But I will still urge you to come home. Even if logic dictates that the British grass is way greener. Come home because you love your country, even though you feel that sometimes, your country don’t really love you all that much.

No, my dear perantau, come home and make this country better. Come home and bring change. More than ever, your tanah tumpahnya darahku needs you.

For now, spare a thought for your fellow Malaysians. All we can do right now is be thankful that we have such caring government.

Some Fuel Questions… 4 June 2008

A few questions pertaining to the government’s announcement on the increase in petrol prices:

1.
Why such a drastic increase? A 40% hike in fuel prices will affect everyone, regardless of which income group they belong to. People were expecting an increase of between 20% to 30%. Such a drastic increase would also result in the increase in the price of other goods. And this, in turn, would result in higher crime rates.

2.
Why such a sudden increase? The government should have implemented a gradual percentage increase within 6 months to 1 year, to allow the public to adopt a lifestyle change to adapt to the new pricing. Is not better gradually decrease the subsidy, rather than yanking it from right underneath our feet?

3.
Why was the announcement made less than 12 hours before its enforcement? The government should have made the announcement in view of its implementation sometime in the near future, not a sudden announcement that will foreseeably cause panic buying amongst the general public. Which in turn caused massive traffic jams throughout the country.

Let’s not be naive: it would be unreasonable to expect the government to bear the burden of increasing global fuel prices. But there is surely a better way of introducing and implementing the inevitable price increase.