Wishing everyone a Blessed Ramadhan
Sunday, 31 July 2011
Friday, 29 July 2011
The RCI conclusion that Teoh died by committing suicide will not please everybody
"Bagai rumah sudah siap tetapi pahat masih berbunyi", even though the RCI Report on Teoh Beng Hock death has been made public, there are still voices who are challenging the RCI conclusion that the late Teoh Beng Hock died by committing suicide.
The voices notably the Bar Council and presumably soon to be joined by lawyers acting for Teoh's family are saying that it could not be suicide.
Read the RCI Report here.
Read the Bar Council Press Release here.
The Bar seemed to agree with most of the points concluded by the RCI but remains unconvinced about the suicide finding:
"The Malaysian Bar, however, does not concur with the finding by the RCI that Teoh Beng Hock had committed suicide. Such a finding, in our view, is unsupported by the facts and the evidence"
Having read the findings of the RCI in their report in particular the FORENSIC PATHOLOGICAL ASPECT pages 38 to 45, I find that the Bar selective findings rather mind boggling. It is clear that there was no struggle before the late Teoh exited the window where he consciously jumped to his death. It is clear therefore that Teoh committed suicide.
It was noted that the RCI, in its report, established that Teoh committed suicide following an aggressive, relentless, oppressive and unscrupulous interrogation session. It also found that MACC officers had no intention and reason to kill Teoh, and had only questioned him to obtain a confession so that Teoh could become a witness in the case of alleged irregularities involving Teoh's former Boss, DAP Adun Ean Yong.
I note that while the RCI concluded that the intensive interrogation drove Teoh to commit suicide it does not however analysed why he committed suicide. I guess its not within the RCI Terms of reference.
My thoughts are:
- I agree that Teoh committed suicide.
- I wonder why he committed suicide, what was he thinking?
- MACC got nothing to gain with Teoh's death but plenty of brickbats from the public.
- Ean Yong's investigation was immediately stopped after Teoh's death, shouldn't the MACC restart the investigation?
- The MACC must go through the RCI report with a fine tooth comb to adhere to what have been recommended. The 3 identified MACC officers needs to be investigated for possible abuse of power.
- All MACC buildings must have security grill for windows and doors.
- Access to witnesses and suspect in the MACC building should be limited to the interrogation room and rest in toilets must be accompanied.
- The BN and the Government has nothing to apologize for Teoh's death by suicide.
I have no further comment on the matter for now.
Harimau Malaya is beaten, Long Live Harimau MALAYSIA
Fighting Malaysia hold Singapore to a draw but out of World Cup qualifiers
KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia tried valiantly but still came up short when it mattered most.
And the chance to make history evaporated when they could only hold Singapore to a 1-1 draw in the return leg of their Asian Zone World Cup second round qualifiers at the National Stadium in Bukit Jalil Thursday.
Singapore, who won the first-leg tie 5-3 at the Jalan Bandar Stadium last Saturday, thus qualified for the third round on 6-4 aggregate. Read more here.
KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia tried valiantly but still came up short when it mattered most.
And the chance to make history evaporated when they could only hold Singapore to a 1-1 draw in the return leg of their Asian Zone World Cup second round qualifiers at the National Stadium in Bukit Jalil Thursday.
Singapore, who won the first-leg tie 5-3 at the Jalan Bandar Stadium last Saturday, thus qualified for the third round on 6-4 aggregate. Read more here.
Syabas Harimau Malaya you did Malaysia Proud, don't worry you did not lose to the Lions you only lose to Singaimpot.
Talking about Harimau Malaya, I think the name needs a major revamp, lets change to Harimau MALAYSIA. I am sure our Sabah and Sarawak brethren will love it.
Forget the indelible ink, the time for the fingerprint biometric system has come
biometric authentication
Definition
Electronic identification of an individual on the basis of his or her unique biological or physiological characteristics (together called Biometric Signature) such as facial features, fingerprints, hand geometry, retinal patterns, voiceprint.
What are Biometrics?
Biometrics are automated methods of identifying a person or verifying the identity of a person based on a physiological or behavioral characteristic. Examples of physiological characteristics include hand or finger images, facial characteristics, and iris recognition. Behavioral characteristics are traits that are learned or acquired. Dynamic signature verification, speaker verification, and keystroke dynamics are examples of behavioral characteristics.
Types of Biometrics
Fingerprints: The patterns of friction ridges and valleys on an individual's fingertips are unique to that individual. For decades, law enforcement has been classifying and determining identity by matching key points of ridge endings and bifurcations. Fingerprints are unique for each finger of a person including identical twins. One of the most commercially available biometric technologies, fingerprint recognition devices for desktop and laptop access are now widely available from many different vendors at a low cost. With these devices, users no longer need to type passwords – instead, only a touch provides instant access. Fingerprint systems can also be used in identification mode. Several states check fingerprints for new applicants to social services benefits to ensure recipients do not fraudulently obtain benefits under fake names. New York State has over 900,000 people enrolled in such a system.
Iris Recognition: This recognition method uses the iris of the eye which is the colored area that surrounds the pupil. Iris patterns are thought unique. The iris patterns are obtained through a video-based image acquisition system. Iris scanning devices have been used in personal authentication applications for several years. Systems based on iris recognition have substantially decreased in price and this trend is expected to continue. The technology works well in both verification and identification modes (in systems performing one-to-many searches in a database). Current systems can be used even in the presence of eyeglasses and contact lenses. The technology is not intrusive. It does not require physical contact with a scanner. Iris recognition has been demonstrated to work with individuals from different ethnic groups and nationalities. Please read more here Biometric Authentication Technology: From the Movies to Your Desktop
Interesting Reads:
Surhanjaya Pilihan Raya Malaysia (SPRM) as part of their effort to achieve free and fair election will be introducing the biometric system based on MyKad fingerprint authenthication much like the existing ID/fingerprint authentication system when we do our banking transaction nowadays. Personally I believed it is a good idea and will stop some elections hanky panky like phantom voters especially.
Biometrics certainly beat the indelible ink suggested by Ambiga "Bersih2" Originally conceived as a check against phantom voters, it may be used as a tool for cheating. It is applied to the voters’ relevant finger before he/she goes to the polling area so that he will not be allowed to vote.
KUCHING: Phantom voters will no longer ‘exist’ in electoral lists once the biometric system is used to verify registered voters’ identity, said Election Commission (SPR) chairman Tan Sri Abdul Aziz Mohd Yusof.
“Over the years, SPR has been receiving allegations and accusations on the existence of phantom voters and it has never stopped.
“In fact there is no end to this. This system will demolish its existence,” he told a press conference after chairing a briefing on the biometric system, postmortem on the recently-concluded state election and SPR’s monthly meeting yesterday.
He added that the system was not a new invention as it was presently used by the Home Ministry, National Anti-Drugs Agency (AADK) Immigrations and Police.
Abdul Aziz also pointed out to claims that some voters voted more than once and allegations of the existence of dead voters’ names in the electoral roll.
Saying that SPR had tried to use indelible ink, Abdul Aziz said the move had to be shelved as the system unfortunately could not accurately determine the identity of voters.
“For SPR, we just want to see the documents, whether the bearer of the identification card (IC) is genuine, carried by the owner and not forged. Voters also cannot carry other voters’ IC and register for that matter. By this way voters cannot cheat the system,” he said.
Abdul Aziz said the system would be a standalone, whereby it would not be connected to online networking to prevent it from being sabotaged.
“The system will have no networking and stand alone. It would be very expensive to make it online as well.”
He said the introduction of the system was part of an effort mooted by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak to seek the best possible way for a fair and just election process in the country.
He added that the system was on its final phase and more trial tests and demos would be conducted to ensure its smoothness.
However, Abdul Aziz said it needed to be further enhanced before it could be used for the coming general elections, indicating a mock election would be conducted soon to test its efficiency.
To a question, he said SPR welcomed queries from individuals, groups or political parties who want to know more about the system, adding it had a fruitful meeting with Parti Islam SeMalaysia (PAS) leaders recently.
“They (PAS) are fully supporting the idea and soon more political parties will come and discuss with us,” he said.
The cost of the system has yet to be determined.
State SPR chairman Takun Sunggah was among those present during the press conference.
I am all for the voter biometric identification system using the MyKad as template base. It is almost foolproof and is a giant leap towards a free and fair election, one man one vote system.
Sunday, 24 July 2011
Guess what, after all those sad Bersih2 stories, here's happy news, WE are top 20 most peaceful nation on earth
I am very happy to learn and share that this blessed country came out tops at No.19 in the Global Peace Index 2011:
2011 Global Peace Index from Vision of Humanity on Vimeo.
2011 Global Peace Index from Vision of Humanity on Vimeo.
See the full Global Peace Index countries here our neigbors Singapore is placed No.24, Indonesia at 68 and Thailand at 107.
The Star has the news here:
Malaysia most peaceful in S-E Asia
Lets enjoy the great feeling while it last, the Tourists will be happy to come to Malaysia and pour in Billions of their money into our country.
Lets just hope the PDRM do their work to take illegal demonstrators off the streets of our cities.
Friday, 22 July 2011
RCI for Teoh Beng Hock: Its official he committed suicide
Updated 22 July 2011
More from the NST:
Read more from the NST here:
The Royal Commission of Inquiry to investigate Teoh Beng Hock's death has ruled that he committed suicide.
RCI rules Beng Hock committed suicide
"The result of the Commission’s investigations shows that TBH was not murdered but that he felt burdened and pressured by the aggressive and continuous questioning session, supported by his weak character, had caused him to commit suicide” says Minister Nazri Aziz
Read also:
Teoh committed suicide, says Inquiry Commision
More from the NST:
Read more from the NST here:
Teoh driven to suicide
Original Post:The Royal Commission of Inquiry to investigate Teoh Beng Hock's death has ruled that he committed suicide.
RCI rules Beng Hock committed suicide
There are much criticism of the MACC officers who conducted the investigation and on the conduct of the MACC interrogation as a whole. The MACC will have their work cut out now to regain their credibility and can begin by conducting an investigation of the officers involved in the TBH interrogations before he committed suicide.
Teoh committed suicide, says Inquiry Commision
| RIP |
PDRM released video to explain controversies in Bersih2 illegal demonstration
Finally after some delay the PDRM had released a video of how and where the deceased Allahyarham Baharuddin Ahmad died and showed clearly the accident which injured PAS Deputy President Mat Sabu, watch please and the truth will set you free:
This video is from The Star:
The hype and post Bersih2 stories in the internet has mostly proven to be a lot of crap designed to fool Malaysians to hate the Police and by extension the ruling BN Gomen.
Mat Sabu the PAS Deputy President has been exposed as a blatant liar, the IGP should sue the man for defamation of the good name of the PDRM.
Game Over Mat Sabu hang kena kantoi, Satu Dunia sudah tahu!
Syabas PDRM
Tuesday, 19 July 2011
Flashpoint at the South China Sea, China sailing into troubled waters
The South China Seas is a potential flash point between affected ASEAN countries and The People's Republic of China(PRC) and the ever watchful United States due to its importance in transportation of precious cargo such as crude oil and liquefied natural gas from the Middle East to China and the far East. Besides being an important navigation area there are proven and potential crude oil and natural gas reserves under ground around the Spratly Islands which sees overlapping claims by the sovereign states of Malaysia, Vietnam, The Philippines, PRC, Taiwan, and Brunei.
The PRC with its growing economic clout has started to flex its military muscle to show that they are the boss in the South China Seas and the affected ASEAN states together with the US the only superpower left on this planet are wary of the PRC's intentions.
Read here for better background :The Spratly Islands Dispute in the South China Sea:Problems, Policies, and Prospects for DiplomaticAccommodation Christopher C. Joyner, additional read here and latest here and here.
With tensions brewing all round so it is timely that things needed to be discussed among neigbors and hopefully the ASEAN 2011 Regional Forum to Prioritize South China Sea Dispute in Bali starting today 19th July 2011 will see some kind of agreement.
Mideast Oil Drives China Disputes
The PRC with its growing economic clout has started to flex its military muscle to show that they are the boss in the South China Seas and the affected ASEAN states together with the US the only superpower left on this planet are wary of the PRC's intentions.
Read here for better background :The Spratly Islands Dispute in the South China Sea:Problems, Policies, and Prospects for DiplomaticAccommodation Christopher C. Joyner, additional read here and latest here and here.
 |
| The PRC is unfairly claiming nearly all of the South China Seas rich in crude oil and gas reserves as theirs |
Asian ministers discuss South China Sea, security
Jul 19, 2011 at 12:45
By NINIEK KARMINI, AP
BALI, Indonesia (AP) — Territorial disputes and flare-ups in the South China Sea were expected to take center stage at Asia's largest security forum this week, after Vietnam and the Philippines accused China of interfering in efforts to explore for oil and gas.
President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono noted ahead of closed-door talks that it's been nine years since the 10-member Association of Southeast Asian Nations and China agreed to negotiate a code of conduct in the potentially resource-rich waterway.
"Things do not necessarily have to be this slow," he said, adding "some progress" was long-overdue.
He said ASEAN needed to send a "strong signal" to the world that the situation in the region, a strategical shipping lane, is "predictable" and "manageable."
Southeast Asian ministers — on Indonesia's resort island of Bali for their annual get-together — will be joined later in the week by officials from Asia-Pacific, Europe and the United States for the much more important ASEAN Regional Forum.
U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton, now in India, will be among those attending. So will China's foreign minister, Yang Jiechi, and Pak Ui-Chun of North Korea.
Hot topics on the table include Pyongyang's nuclear crisis, the slow pace of democratic reforms in military-dominated Myanmar and international efforts to end a border dispute between Cambodia and Thailand.
Overshadowing talks, however, will be conflicting claims in the South China Sea.
The sparring is primarily over the Spratlys, nearby Paracels and Scarborough Shoal, a slew of tiny, mostly uninhabited islands, some no more than a half-submerged coral reef and surrounding waters.
China claims the entire area, a large swath extending far from its southern coast and overlapping with the 230-mile (370-kilometer) exclusive economic zones of the Philippines and Vietnam and, to a lesser degree, of Malaysia, Brunei and Taiwan.
The smaller Southeast Asian nations often look for backing from the U.S., which is eager to protect strategic shipping lanes in the waters and deepen its own military ties in the region. That only serves to further irk China.
Clinton was expected to touch on the issue, but only indirectly, sources in Washington told reporters.
Beijing has already called recent U.S. military exercises in the region inappropriate, though they were planned well before the latest dispute.
Vietnam says on two occasions since May, China cut cables used by its ships to conduct seismic tests on the sea floor. And last week, just as it appeared that temperatures were starting to cool, a Vietnamese border official alleged that a fishing boat was chased and attacked by Chinese soldiers, who beat up the boat captain.
The Philippines has similar complaints, saying in March two Chinese naval ships threatened one of their ships exploring for gas in an area known as Red Bank.
Beijing, while denying cutting cables, acknowledges incidents took place in what it said was its waters.
Southeast Asian officials are expected to hold their first direct talks with China on Wednesday.
ASEAN, founded in 1967, groups Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam. It admitted Myanmar in 1997, despite strong opposition from Western nations. Source here.
President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono noted ahead of closed-door talks that it's been nine years since the 10-member Association of Southeast Asian Nations and China agreed to negotiate a code of conduct in the potentially resource-rich waterway.
"Things do not necessarily have to be this slow," he said, adding "some progress" was long-overdue.
He said ASEAN needed to send a "strong signal" to the world that the situation in the region, a strategical shipping lane, is "predictable" and "manageable."
Southeast Asian ministers — on Indonesia's resort island of Bali for their annual get-together — will be joined later in the week by officials from Asia-Pacific, Europe and the United States for the much more important ASEAN Regional Forum.
U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton, now in India, will be among those attending. So will China's foreign minister, Yang Jiechi, and Pak Ui-Chun of North Korea.
Hot topics on the table include Pyongyang's nuclear crisis, the slow pace of democratic reforms in military-dominated Myanmar and international efforts to end a border dispute between Cambodia and Thailand.
Overshadowing talks, however, will be conflicting claims in the South China Sea.
The sparring is primarily over the Spratlys, nearby Paracels and Scarborough Shoal, a slew of tiny, mostly uninhabited islands, some no more than a half-submerged coral reef and surrounding waters.
China claims the entire area, a large swath extending far from its southern coast and overlapping with the 230-mile (370-kilometer) exclusive economic zones of the Philippines and Vietnam and, to a lesser degree, of Malaysia, Brunei and Taiwan.
The smaller Southeast Asian nations often look for backing from the U.S., which is eager to protect strategic shipping lanes in the waters and deepen its own military ties in the region. That only serves to further irk China.
Clinton was expected to touch on the issue, but only indirectly, sources in Washington told reporters.
Beijing has already called recent U.S. military exercises in the region inappropriate, though they were planned well before the latest dispute.
Vietnam says on two occasions since May, China cut cables used by its ships to conduct seismic tests on the sea floor. And last week, just as it appeared that temperatures were starting to cool, a Vietnamese border official alleged that a fishing boat was chased and attacked by Chinese soldiers, who beat up the boat captain.
The Philippines has similar complaints, saying in March two Chinese naval ships threatened one of their ships exploring for gas in an area known as Red Bank.
Beijing, while denying cutting cables, acknowledges incidents took place in what it said was its waters.
Southeast Asian officials are expected to hold their first direct talks with China on Wednesday.
ASEAN, founded in 1967, groups Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam. It admitted Myanmar in 1997, despite strong opposition from Western nations. Source here.
I am a pessimist in this instance, I do not think any kind of talking will keep the PRC at bay, because the PRC have short, mid and long term strategic and economic objectives for control of the South China Seas and with its new found economic clout comes its military prowess which will not be afraid to take on the mighty policeman of the world the US Military if needed be. I do not think the US will stand by and watch its influence in the South China Sea being eroded by the PRC that is for sure.
Its looking like "Gajah lawan Gajah, Pelanduk yang mati"( When elephant (US) fight elephant(PRC), the mouse deer (AseanStates) will get trampled)
Additional reading:
China's heavy dependence on Middle East oil will continue to spur frictions with neighboring countries in the South China Sea, experts say.
Recent disputes with Vietnam and the Philippines about overlapping border claims have focused on rights to explore for oil and gas in offshore areas.
But relatively little attention has been paid to the large volumes of China's existing oil supplies that flow through the disputed waters of the South China Sea.
A Radio Free Asia review of China's customs data found that nearly half of the country's imported oil has come from the Middle East and North Africa this year. The proportion rises to nearly 80 percent with the inclusion of other African sources such as Angola and Sudan.
All of that oil threads through the narrow Strait of Malacca by tanker before crossing the South China Sea on its way to Chinese ports.
Detailed customs data through May suggests that some 2.8 million barrels per day may be sailing through the contested areas. That would be about 30 percent of China's total oil demand, based on Reuters estimates.
While the United Nations Law of the Sea Convention calls for freedom of navigation, the vital traffic gives the People's Liberation Army Navy (PLAN) a strategic motive to expand its presence on the route, whether new oil is discovered or not.
"Who controls those sea lanes, currently controlled by the U.S. Navy, is becoming a very important issue to China's strategic planners," said Mikkal Herberg, research director for energy security at the Seattle-based National Bureau of Asian Research.
"This helps explain at least one important reason why China is working very diligently to expand its naval capabilities, including surface ships, submarines and a new submarine base on Hainan Island," Herberg said. Read more here.
Recent disputes with Vietnam and the Philippines about overlapping border claims have focused on rights to explore for oil and gas in offshore areas.
But relatively little attention has been paid to the large volumes of China's existing oil supplies that flow through the disputed waters of the South China Sea.
A Radio Free Asia review of China's customs data found that nearly half of the country's imported oil has come from the Middle East and North Africa this year. The proportion rises to nearly 80 percent with the inclusion of other African sources such as Angola and Sudan.
All of that oil threads through the narrow Strait of Malacca by tanker before crossing the South China Sea on its way to Chinese ports.
Detailed customs data through May suggests that some 2.8 million barrels per day may be sailing through the contested areas. That would be about 30 percent of China's total oil demand, based on Reuters estimates.
While the United Nations Law of the Sea Convention calls for freedom of navigation, the vital traffic gives the People's Liberation Army Navy (PLAN) a strategic motive to expand its presence on the route, whether new oil is discovered or not.
"Who controls those sea lanes, currently controlled by the U.S. Navy, is becoming a very important issue to China's strategic planners," said Mikkal Herberg, research director for energy security at the Seattle-based National Bureau of Asian Research.
"This helps explain at least one important reason why China is working very diligently to expand its naval capabilities, including surface ships, submarines and a new submarine base on Hainan Island," Herberg said. Read more here.
Thursday, 14 July 2011
I am done with the Bersih2 illegal rally stories
Updated 19 July 2011
Here is some info - the ‘real‘ numbers of supporters for Bersih on July 9th is now down to about 2000 plus only. I know the pro Bersih and ‘anti Melayu’ folks will not like to read this but here is some info I received. Read more here by Blogger Tuan Syed: Bersih And Nat Geo.
Original Post
The Bersih2 illegal rally has come and gone leaving a trail of excuses, allegations and counter allegations. Much has been written about Bersih2 which started with noble intentions i.e asking the SPR to ensure a Free and Fair Election which in my opinion is a fair request in itself. But somehow along the way Bersih2 was hijacked by Anwar Ibrahim and the Pakatan gang and the slogan for Free and Fair election were reduced to the tired Opposition call for Change in Gomen and Reformasi etc.
Bro Jebat Must Die wrote a brilliant piece on Bersih2 - Bersih2 for Dummies which should be made reference material for the future:
excerpts from Bersih2 for Dummies:
Bersih’s call for FREE AND FAIR ELECTION is summarised in the following 8 points:
1. Clean the electoral roll
The electoral roll is marred with irregularities such as deceased persons and multiple persons registered under a single address or non-existent addresses. The electoral roll must be revised and updated to wipe out these ‘phantom voters’. The rakyat have a right to an electoral roll that is an accurate reflection of the voting population.
In the longer term, BERSIH 2.0 also calls for the EC to implement an automated voter registration system upon eligibility to reduce irregularities.
2. Reform postal ballot
The current postal ballot system must be reformed to ensure that all citizens of Malaysia are able to exercise their right to vote. Postal ballot should not only be open for all Malaysian citizens living abroad, but also for those within the country who cannot be physically present in their voting constituency on polling day. Police, military and civil servants too must vote normally like other voters if not on duty on polling day.
The postal ballot system must be transparent. Party agents should be allowed to monitor the entire process of postal voting.
3. Use of indelible ink
Indelible ink must be used in all elections. It is a simple, affordable and effective solution in preventing voter fraud. In 2007, the EC decided to implement the use of indelible ink. However, in the final days leading up to the 12th General Elections, the EC decided to withdraw the use of indelible ink citing legal reasons and rumours of sabotage.
BERSIH 2.0 demands for indelible ink to be used for all the upcoming elections. Failure to do so will lead to the inevitable conclusion that there is an intention to allow voter fraud.
4. Minimum 21 days campaign period
The EC should stipulate a campaign period of not less than 21 days. A longer campaign period would allow voters more time to gather information and deliberate on their choices. It will also allow candidates more time to disseminate information to rural areas. The first national elections in 1955 under the British Colonial Government had a campaign period of 42 days but the campaign period for 12th GE in 2008 was a mere 8 days.
5. Free and fair access to media
It is no secret that the Malaysian mainstream media fails to practice proportionate, fair and objective reporting for political parties of all divide. BERSIH 2.0 calls on the EC to press for all media agencies, especially state-funded media agencies such as Radio and Television Malaysia (RTM) and Bernama to allocate proportionate and objective coverage for all potlical parties.
6. Strengthen public institutions
Public institutions must act independently and impartially in upholding the rule of law and democracy. Public institutions such as the Judiciary, Attorney-General, Malaysian Anti-Corruption Agency (MACC), Police and the EC must be reformed to act independently, uphold laws and protect human rights.
In particular, the EC must perform its constitutional duty to act independently and impartially so as to enjoy public confidence. The EC cannot continue to claim that they have no power to act, as the law provides for sufficient powers to institute a credible electoral system.
7. Stop corruption
Corruption is a disease that has infected every aspect of Malaysian life. BERSIH 2.0 and the rakyat demand for an end to all forms of corruption. Current efforts to eradicate corruption are mere tokens to appease public grouses. We demand that serious action is taken against ALL allegations of corruption, including vote buying.
8. Stop dirty politics
Malaysians are tired of dirty politics that has been the main feature of the Malaysian political arena. We demand for all political parties and politicians to put an end to gutter politics. As citizens and voters, we are not interested in gutter politics; we are interested in policies that affect the nation.
............
Nevertheless, EC’s feedback on the 8 points presented above are as below.
1. Clean the electoral roll
One of the major concerned of BERSIH is the existence of deceased persons in the list of Malaysian voters. Since people die everyday, it is impossible to update the list on real-time basis as it is required by law that the next of kin of the deceased person to personally contact the EC to notify of the death. The EC do not, and can not have the authority to automatically wipe out the names without a formal notification by the next of kin.
Imagine if the election is today. There will still be names of dead people in the list because there are people that just died yesterday.
EC’s own improvement initiative is to continuously, and expeditiously clean the electoral list immediately after being informed of any deaths.
Another point of contention is the existence of irregularities whereby there are people registered under different address or multiple persons registered under single address.
This had also been improved by the EC when changes to the Act was made in 2002. From thereon, your place of voting is determined by your address in the IC.
The irregularities existed because previously, political parties, through agents, can register their members without the members knowing it. Hence, your voting address will be determined by the person registering it for you.
Plus, in the period before 21st century, most places in Malaysia do not have individual address to a specific home. Most mail/letters that were sent to rural or semi rural areas were sent to one specific spot and collected by the people on daily basis. These spots were mostly, some ‘kedai kopi’ in the villages, post offices, house of the village head etc.
Most people at that time have ICs that indicate addresses which have only the name of the area they live in. This was way before postcodes were invented. By the way, postcodes were only introduced in the late 80s.
Due to this predicament, the problem of specific addresses in the ICs would spill over to the problems of voters’ address in the electoral roll.
However, this was rectified in 2002 whereby voting address will have to be the same with the address appearing in your IC. Voters can at anytime check their voting status and place to vote online with the EC at www.spr.gov.my and is encourage to report to them should there be any discrepancies.
Another problem is implementation of automatic voter registration system.
It actually means, once you reach 21, you are automatically be registered by the EC to vote.
In the highly rigid Singapore, it is MANDATORY to vote. Any citizens who did not vote will be penalised by the government.
Malaysia is different in a way she gives you the democratic right of NOT to vote. As an extension, she is giving you the right not to register as a voter as well. People have the right to vote or not to vote. And this is enshrined in our Constitution. You can actually sue the EC and demand why have you been automatically registered when the Constitution does not say so?
BERSIH’s demand seemed to take away this right. EC has the view that, even though voting is very important responsibility of a Malaysian, they must be given the right not to discharge it.
Thus, the EC do not agree with this point. However, they continuously implement awareness programs to ensure that people would know the importance of registering as a voter. They are aware that if the have to impose automatic registration, the Constitution must be amended first before they can actually implement it.
2. Reform postal ballot
BERSIH has this idea that all Malaysian citizens should vote within the SAME DAY.
Due to the illogical manner and the improbability of this to happen, the EC have only to a certain extent, implement some of the changes to improve the postal ballot.
Police, military and other security forces which made up about 200,000 voters cannot vote on the same day with the rest of us due to the fact that they have to be on high alert during election day. If all military and police personnel go out to polling centres, then obviously there will be no proper security to guard our country at that time.
Imagine if all the policemen and the army queuing up for hours on election day. Who shall look after the streets and our borders?
That is why, these people will vote few days earlier than the rest of us. This is called postal voting because the voting process is done at their police or army posts. Recently, the EC had changed the name of postal voting to ‘advance voting’. The process is still the same where you queue up, show your identification, your name will be crossed out, you receive your ballot papers to tick the candidate you choose and the ballot paper will be then slipped into a transparent box. All this will be done under the watchful eye of political parties’ agents.
The votes will then be counted on the same day. No mailing of the votes involved. Perhaps that is why there was a misperception. Just because the process is called ‘postal vote’, people thought the votes will be mailed somewhere else which gave rise to the perception that it could be abused.
3. Use of indelible ink
With regards to indelible ink, it is used among countries which have no IC, such as Africa and India. It is a very low-tech approach. It is as if everyone else is using Twitter or Google+ but BERSIH still wants you to use Friendster.
The countries in Africa or even India have not reached our level yet. We only have 12 million voters. Why should we turn our system backwards when we have reached this level of technological advancement? The reason there is a push for the use of indelible ink is due to fear of double-voting, but we have an adequate system to handle voter identification and it is nearly impossible for people to register twice.
Everyone has one IC number and one identification card. This is the ultimate control system that is used to register and identify the voters. Ever heard of anyone with two ICs? No you have not.
However, to ensure even more security and to improve on voters identification, the EC is seriously considering the biometric system. This is the thumbprint scan very similar to the ones you use in the airport when your passport is scanned.
Another big risk of the indelible ink is the potential abuse. What would stop anybody from going around in rural areas with the same indelible ink and tricks some unsuspecting old grandma into using that ink BEFORE polling day? Come voting day, she will not be allowed to vote by the officers at poll centre because her finger has already been marked. It is against the Constitution to disallowed a registered voter to vote and the grandma can sue the EC for turning her away.
Hence, biometric is the way of the future because let’s face it, everyone has thumbprints.
4. Minimum 21 days campaign period
Longer campaign period is the norm in big countries with a lot of population such as Indonesia and Thailand. We simply cannot compare our country with others that have longer campaigning days. Look at how big the number of voters is in countries such as Indonesia or Thailand.
The EC has the jurisdiction to determine the number of campaign days that they see fit. Remember, the longer the campaign period, the bigger costs are involved to manage the whole election period. More resources such as police and EC officers have to be on duty. This will take a toll in the EC expenses and ultimately, the tax payers will have to pay for these incrementals.
The shortest campaign period was 8 days in the general election of 2008 while the longest was 42 days (more than one month!) back in pre-Merdeka days of 1955. Naturally, back in those days, there were no internet or TV to quickly disseminate your political manifestos. Hence, the longer campaign period for the politicians to go around the country. How things have changed.
5. Free and fair access to media
BERSIH’s whole idea of existence is to negotiate the demands with the EC. However, this particular demand is beyond EC’s jurisdiction because they do not control the media such as Malaysian Insider, Malaysiakini, Malaysia Today, Harakah Daily Utusan Malaysia, New Straits Times and The Star.
Therefore, this demand is invalid and irrelevant.
6. Strengthen public institutions
This is also not in the purview of the EC as they are not the bosses of the Judiciary, Attorney-General, MACC and the police. There is also no law for the EC to instruct any of these institutions. In other words, the EC is indeed have no power to ‘strengthen’ public institutions.
Therefore, it is simply illogical for BERSIH to make this demand in the first place. The parliament is the correct platform to do this.
7. Stop corruption
Just like point number 5 and 6 above, stopping corruption is not the responsibility of the EC. BERSIH cannot demand the EC to end all forms of corruption because simply put, eradicating corruption is not just the duty of the EC but also the duty of all Malaysians.
The Election Commission cannot be expected to apprehend people that are bribing policemen or catching some dishonest businessman who just inflated the price of his project.
Vote buying instances have been documented to be practised by both sides of the divide and those instances have been brought to courts. Again, it is not the EC’s duty to preside over fraudulent cases. That should be the matter of the courts.
8. Stop dirty politics
Perhaps the best way to stop dirty politics is for the politicians within the government and the opposition to practise a more ethical campaigning methods.
This is certainly not under the jurisdiction of the EC.
.................
Results and accomplishments:
1. The BERSIH organisers achieved their objective in mobilising thousands of people to gather illegally in the streets of Kuala Lumpur that day.
2. The BERSIH organisers failed to hand over the memorandum to the King TWICE.
3. Pakatan Rakyat succeeded in hijacking BERSIH’s call of ‘free’ and ‘fair elections’ and morphed it into ‘bring down the government’ and ‘reformasi’.
4. Pakatan Rakyat succeeded in painting a bad light to the government.
5. Government succeeded in giving itself a bad name.
6. Police managed to curb the demonstrations within 3 hours.
7. BERSIH managed to hoodwink the Malaysian public that the free and fair election tagline was actually not a really fair tagline.
8. Malaysia managed to be in the international media because somebody is sad that the EC will not put a permanent ink on your finger.
Read in Full here.
This is what the UK malaysianspectator said about Bersih2:
At the end I must say that SPR should have engaged the Bersih2 organisers in a more public way, means having a forum about their demands on TV where the general public will see both coming out with their questions and answers. SPR must engage with the public more and certainly making personal unwarranted statements against Bersih Organisers is wrong.
The Gomen also need to be decisive when dealing with people who are prepared to rally illegally in defiance of the Polis for their cause. The Government should either allow the rally with Polis permit OR not allow the rally and swiftly arrest all Bersih2 demo organisers and masterminds if they refuse to stand down. Decisive action designed to keep the peace and security of this nation will always be supported by Majority peace loving Malaysian.
Lastly a lie exposed as usual (the man's got a knack for being exposed):
Here is some info - the ‘real‘ numbers of supporters for Bersih on July 9th is now down to about 2000 plus only. I know the pro Bersih and ‘anti Melayu’ folks will not like to read this but here is some info I received. Read more here by Blogger Tuan Syed: Bersih And Nat Geo.
Original Post
The Bersih2 illegal rally has come and gone leaving a trail of excuses, allegations and counter allegations. Much has been written about Bersih2 which started with noble intentions i.e asking the SPR to ensure a Free and Fair Election which in my opinion is a fair request in itself. But somehow along the way Bersih2 was hijacked by Anwar Ibrahim and the Pakatan gang and the slogan for Free and Fair election were reduced to the tired Opposition call for Change in Gomen and Reformasi etc.
Bro Jebat Must Die wrote a brilliant piece on Bersih2 - Bersih2 for Dummies which should be made reference material for the future:
excerpts from Bersih2 for Dummies:
Bersih’s call for FREE AND FAIR ELECTION is summarised in the following 8 points:
1. Clean the electoral roll
The electoral roll is marred with irregularities such as deceased persons and multiple persons registered under a single address or non-existent addresses. The electoral roll must be revised and updated to wipe out these ‘phantom voters’. The rakyat have a right to an electoral roll that is an accurate reflection of the voting population.
In the longer term, BERSIH 2.0 also calls for the EC to implement an automated voter registration system upon eligibility to reduce irregularities.
2. Reform postal ballot
The current postal ballot system must be reformed to ensure that all citizens of Malaysia are able to exercise their right to vote. Postal ballot should not only be open for all Malaysian citizens living abroad, but also for those within the country who cannot be physically present in their voting constituency on polling day. Police, military and civil servants too must vote normally like other voters if not on duty on polling day.
The postal ballot system must be transparent. Party agents should be allowed to monitor the entire process of postal voting.
3. Use of indelible ink
Indelible ink must be used in all elections. It is a simple, affordable and effective solution in preventing voter fraud. In 2007, the EC decided to implement the use of indelible ink. However, in the final days leading up to the 12th General Elections, the EC decided to withdraw the use of indelible ink citing legal reasons and rumours of sabotage.
BERSIH 2.0 demands for indelible ink to be used for all the upcoming elections. Failure to do so will lead to the inevitable conclusion that there is an intention to allow voter fraud.
4. Minimum 21 days campaign period
The EC should stipulate a campaign period of not less than 21 days. A longer campaign period would allow voters more time to gather information and deliberate on their choices. It will also allow candidates more time to disseminate information to rural areas. The first national elections in 1955 under the British Colonial Government had a campaign period of 42 days but the campaign period for 12th GE in 2008 was a mere 8 days.
5. Free and fair access to media
It is no secret that the Malaysian mainstream media fails to practice proportionate, fair and objective reporting for political parties of all divide. BERSIH 2.0 calls on the EC to press for all media agencies, especially state-funded media agencies such as Radio and Television Malaysia (RTM) and Bernama to allocate proportionate and objective coverage for all potlical parties.
6. Strengthen public institutions
Public institutions must act independently and impartially in upholding the rule of law and democracy. Public institutions such as the Judiciary, Attorney-General, Malaysian Anti-Corruption Agency (MACC), Police and the EC must be reformed to act independently, uphold laws and protect human rights.
In particular, the EC must perform its constitutional duty to act independently and impartially so as to enjoy public confidence. The EC cannot continue to claim that they have no power to act, as the law provides for sufficient powers to institute a credible electoral system.
7. Stop corruption
Corruption is a disease that has infected every aspect of Malaysian life. BERSIH 2.0 and the rakyat demand for an end to all forms of corruption. Current efforts to eradicate corruption are mere tokens to appease public grouses. We demand that serious action is taken against ALL allegations of corruption, including vote buying.
8. Stop dirty politics
Malaysians are tired of dirty politics that has been the main feature of the Malaysian political arena. We demand for all political parties and politicians to put an end to gutter politics. As citizens and voters, we are not interested in gutter politics; we are interested in policies that affect the nation.
............
Nevertheless, EC’s feedback on the 8 points presented above are as below.
1. Clean the electoral roll
One of the major concerned of BERSIH is the existence of deceased persons in the list of Malaysian voters. Since people die everyday, it is impossible to update the list on real-time basis as it is required by law that the next of kin of the deceased person to personally contact the EC to notify of the death. The EC do not, and can not have the authority to automatically wipe out the names without a formal notification by the next of kin.
Imagine if the election is today. There will still be names of dead people in the list because there are people that just died yesterday.
EC’s own improvement initiative is to continuously, and expeditiously clean the electoral list immediately after being informed of any deaths.
Another point of contention is the existence of irregularities whereby there are people registered under different address or multiple persons registered under single address.
This had also been improved by the EC when changes to the Act was made in 2002. From thereon, your place of voting is determined by your address in the IC.
The irregularities existed because previously, political parties, through agents, can register their members without the members knowing it. Hence, your voting address will be determined by the person registering it for you.
Plus, in the period before 21st century, most places in Malaysia do not have individual address to a specific home. Most mail/letters that were sent to rural or semi rural areas were sent to one specific spot and collected by the people on daily basis. These spots were mostly, some ‘kedai kopi’ in the villages, post offices, house of the village head etc.
Most people at that time have ICs that indicate addresses which have only the name of the area they live in. This was way before postcodes were invented. By the way, postcodes were only introduced in the late 80s.
Due to this predicament, the problem of specific addresses in the ICs would spill over to the problems of voters’ address in the electoral roll.
However, this was rectified in 2002 whereby voting address will have to be the same with the address appearing in your IC. Voters can at anytime check their voting status and place to vote online with the EC at www.spr.gov.my and is encourage to report to them should there be any discrepancies.
Another problem is implementation of automatic voter registration system.
It actually means, once you reach 21, you are automatically be registered by the EC to vote.
In the highly rigid Singapore, it is MANDATORY to vote. Any citizens who did not vote will be penalised by the government.
Malaysia is different in a way she gives you the democratic right of NOT to vote. As an extension, she is giving you the right not to register as a voter as well. People have the right to vote or not to vote. And this is enshrined in our Constitution. You can actually sue the EC and demand why have you been automatically registered when the Constitution does not say so?
BERSIH’s demand seemed to take away this right. EC has the view that, even though voting is very important responsibility of a Malaysian, they must be given the right not to discharge it.
Thus, the EC do not agree with this point. However, they continuously implement awareness programs to ensure that people would know the importance of registering as a voter. They are aware that if the have to impose automatic registration, the Constitution must be amended first before they can actually implement it.
2. Reform postal ballot
BERSIH has this idea that all Malaysian citizens should vote within the SAME DAY.
Due to the illogical manner and the improbability of this to happen, the EC have only to a certain extent, implement some of the changes to improve the postal ballot.
Police, military and other security forces which made up about 200,000 voters cannot vote on the same day with the rest of us due to the fact that they have to be on high alert during election day. If all military and police personnel go out to polling centres, then obviously there will be no proper security to guard our country at that time.
Imagine if all the policemen and the army queuing up for hours on election day. Who shall look after the streets and our borders?
That is why, these people will vote few days earlier than the rest of us. This is called postal voting because the voting process is done at their police or army posts. Recently, the EC had changed the name of postal voting to ‘advance voting’. The process is still the same where you queue up, show your identification, your name will be crossed out, you receive your ballot papers to tick the candidate you choose and the ballot paper will be then slipped into a transparent box. All this will be done under the watchful eye of political parties’ agents.
The votes will then be counted on the same day. No mailing of the votes involved. Perhaps that is why there was a misperception. Just because the process is called ‘postal vote’, people thought the votes will be mailed somewhere else which gave rise to the perception that it could be abused.
3. Use of indelible ink
With regards to indelible ink, it is used among countries which have no IC, such as Africa and India. It is a very low-tech approach. It is as if everyone else is using Twitter or Google+ but BERSIH still wants you to use Friendster.
The countries in Africa or even India have not reached our level yet. We only have 12 million voters. Why should we turn our system backwards when we have reached this level of technological advancement? The reason there is a push for the use of indelible ink is due to fear of double-voting, but we have an adequate system to handle voter identification and it is nearly impossible for people to register twice.
Everyone has one IC number and one identification card. This is the ultimate control system that is used to register and identify the voters. Ever heard of anyone with two ICs? No you have not.
However, to ensure even more security and to improve on voters identification, the EC is seriously considering the biometric system. This is the thumbprint scan very similar to the ones you use in the airport when your passport is scanned.
Another big risk of the indelible ink is the potential abuse. What would stop anybody from going around in rural areas with the same indelible ink and tricks some unsuspecting old grandma into using that ink BEFORE polling day? Come voting day, she will not be allowed to vote by the officers at poll centre because her finger has already been marked. It is against the Constitution to disallowed a registered voter to vote and the grandma can sue the EC for turning her away.
Hence, biometric is the way of the future because let’s face it, everyone has thumbprints.
4. Minimum 21 days campaign period
Longer campaign period is the norm in big countries with a lot of population such as Indonesia and Thailand. We simply cannot compare our country with others that have longer campaigning days. Look at how big the number of voters is in countries such as Indonesia or Thailand.
The EC has the jurisdiction to determine the number of campaign days that they see fit. Remember, the longer the campaign period, the bigger costs are involved to manage the whole election period. More resources such as police and EC officers have to be on duty. This will take a toll in the EC expenses and ultimately, the tax payers will have to pay for these incrementals.
The shortest campaign period was 8 days in the general election of 2008 while the longest was 42 days (more than one month!) back in pre-Merdeka days of 1955. Naturally, back in those days, there were no internet or TV to quickly disseminate your political manifestos. Hence, the longer campaign period for the politicians to go around the country. How things have changed.
5. Free and fair access to media
BERSIH’s whole idea of existence is to negotiate the demands with the EC. However, this particular demand is beyond EC’s jurisdiction because they do not control the media such as Malaysian Insider, Malaysiakini, Malaysia Today, Harakah Daily Utusan Malaysia, New Straits Times and The Star.
Therefore, this demand is invalid and irrelevant.
6. Strengthen public institutions
This is also not in the purview of the EC as they are not the bosses of the Judiciary, Attorney-General, MACC and the police. There is also no law for the EC to instruct any of these institutions. In other words, the EC is indeed have no power to ‘strengthen’ public institutions.
Therefore, it is simply illogical for BERSIH to make this demand in the first place. The parliament is the correct platform to do this.
7. Stop corruption
Just like point number 5 and 6 above, stopping corruption is not the responsibility of the EC. BERSIH cannot demand the EC to end all forms of corruption because simply put, eradicating corruption is not just the duty of the EC but also the duty of all Malaysians.
The Election Commission cannot be expected to apprehend people that are bribing policemen or catching some dishonest businessman who just inflated the price of his project.
Vote buying instances have been documented to be practised by both sides of the divide and those instances have been brought to courts. Again, it is not the EC’s duty to preside over fraudulent cases. That should be the matter of the courts.
8. Stop dirty politics
Perhaps the best way to stop dirty politics is for the politicians within the government and the opposition to practise a more ethical campaigning methods.
This is certainly not under the jurisdiction of the EC.
.................
Results and accomplishments:
1. The BERSIH organisers achieved their objective in mobilising thousands of people to gather illegally in the streets of Kuala Lumpur that day.
2. The BERSIH organisers failed to hand over the memorandum to the King TWICE.
3. Pakatan Rakyat succeeded in hijacking BERSIH’s call of ‘free’ and ‘fair elections’ and morphed it into ‘bring down the government’ and ‘reformasi’.
4. Pakatan Rakyat succeeded in painting a bad light to the government.
5. Government succeeded in giving itself a bad name.
6. Police managed to curb the demonstrations within 3 hours.
7. BERSIH managed to hoodwink the Malaysian public that the free and fair election tagline was actually not a really fair tagline.
8. Malaysia managed to be in the international media because somebody is sad that the EC will not put a permanent ink on your finger.
Read in Full here.
This is what the UK malaysianspectator said about Bersih2:
Ask for support at the ballot box, not at demonstrations
After the small but intensely partisan demonstration in Kuala Lumpur recently, it has become apparent that Malaysia’s Bersih movement has been co-opted by the country’s opposition parties for their own electoral ends. Meanwhile, the vast majority of Malaysians sat out Saturday’s protests in a substantial indication of support for the reforms embraced by the ruling coalition under the leadership of Prime Minister Najib.
That a seemingly ‘independent’ protest movement has become a wholly owned subsidiary of an opposition political party is a reflection of trends seen in both the United States and the United Kingdom. In the U.S., labor unions and their allies have staged often violent demonstrations with the excuse that they are trying to protect their bargaining rights. In reality, the unions were attempting to discredit conservative Republican governors and get their leftist stooges back into power.
Similar tactics have been employed by British trade unions which have made a number of threats to disrupt the country’s transport infrastructure and other public services, in protest at the Coalition Government’s principled and necessary austerity measures. London transport works even threatened to strike on the day of the royal wedding between HRH Prince William and Kate Middleton, which showed a callous disregard for ordinary Britons trying to enjoy a national celebration. Protests organized by the National Union of Students in London earlier this year shamed the entire country as images were broadcast internationally of protestors climbing the Cenotaph—a monument honoring Britain’s war dead—and swinging off the hallowed structure.
The same is, of course, true in Malaysia where Bersih has become a political pawn for the opposition movement. This is little more than Anwar Ibrahim continuing his calculated strategy of employing a smoke-and-mirrors strategy to distract from not only his personal shortcomings, but also the electoral strength of the BN coalition government.
Bersih estimates of Saturday’s protests numbered 50,000, but this is a comically inflated figure. Independent calculations put the actual size closer to 10,000, which is even less impressive when you consider the 6,000 people who turned out at a moment’s notice the following day at a peaceful rally commissioned by Prime Minister Najib. He rightly noted that BN could have dwarfed the Bersih rally had they chose to do so, but the Prime Minister’s intention was not to match Bersih in numbers—but to make a peaceful show of strength that divisive disruption is not in the best interests of the country.
Political parties should ask people to show their support at the ballot box rather than via attention-grabbing demonstrations. However, that is hard for Anwar and Bersih since there is clearly a strong consensus among the voting public that BN’s economic reforms have Malaysia on the fast track to prosperity—an agenda which they will continue to rally behind. But these are not the people rioting in the streets; they are however, the people who will be turning out in droves to support the Najib agenda in 2012.
At the end I must say that SPR should have engaged the Bersih2 organisers in a more public way, means having a forum about their demands on TV where the general public will see both coming out with their questions and answers. SPR must engage with the public more and certainly making personal unwarranted statements against Bersih Organisers is wrong.
The Gomen also need to be decisive when dealing with people who are prepared to rally illegally in defiance of the Polis for their cause. The Government should either allow the rally with Polis permit OR not allow the rally and swiftly arrest all Bersih2 demo organisers and masterminds if they refuse to stand down. Decisive action designed to keep the peace and security of this nation will always be supported by Majority peace loving Malaysian.
Lastly a lie exposed as usual (the man's got a knack for being exposed):
And this pathetic lie:
Monday, 11 July 2011
Aftermath of Bersih2: Worst Picture Award
Please don't laugh OK, this is serious political business:
Miraculous recovery albeit with a neck brace on "Spin" Doctor advise:
And the Award for worst picture goes to:
 |
| 9 July 2011: On Hospital Bed with oxygen tube (note: no neck brace) |
 |
| 11 July 2011: On an Air Asia flight bound north |
Let us all pray to God Almighty that his miraculous recovery will continue unabated through out his sodomy trial starting this week. No more delays please. Justice delayed is Justice Denied.
Amin. Amen.
Sunday, 10 July 2011
Aftermath of the Bersih2 illegal demonstration on 9th July 2011
I am not going to dwell too deep on the illegal demonstration on 9 July 2010 which forced the PDRM to virtually lock down Kuala Lumpur. I have done much twitting on it, suffice to say that the tear gas, the anxiety the anger all those angst would not have happened if the Bersih2 organisers had accepted the Polis offer to have their demo at Stadium Melawati, but NO they still want to do it in Kuala Lumpur.
But then again it is an open secret that the illegal demo has never been about electoral reform it is just a rally to attempt to shore up Anwar's Ibrahim political fortune which has been taking heavy battering from the much delayed sodomy trial and the 99.9% authentic sex video with a sex worker. Other politicians all around the world with some conscious left would have resigned from public and political office, but no not Anwar unfortunately. He still wants to become PM, when will he and his supporters finally realise that a politician who is caught on camera with a prostitute, being charged with sodomy and has a track record of being jailed for abuse of power will never be accepted as a Prime Minister to lead this blessed nation.
Want to see a great oscar winning performance:
Kudos to the IGP and the PDRM who had worked tirelessly and selflessly to keep the peace under very difficult circumstances, they have exercised much restraint and emerged from this episode with their reputation enhanced. Read here. The day ended with a total of 1,401 detained, including 1,273 men, 115 women, 12 boys and a girl. Read here. The promised 300,000 demonstrators never materialised and Malaysiakini put the crowd at 10,000 at best, it has been one of the biggest flop in Malaysia's demonstration history.
Despite their breast beating, saying it was a victory (against what I cannot imagine) Bersih2 did not achieve anything except they have managed to piss off a lot of fence sitters and ordinary peace loving Malaysians who just want a trouble free weekend with their family and friends. I have not begun to talk about lost revenue by businesses, traders and hotesl in Kuala Lumpur that would come into millions more.
| Pic. courtesy of the NST: Frustrated and pissed off motorist at the Batu Tiga road block |
People will remember that Bersih2 was just an Anwar Ibrahim and Pakatan ploy to shore up support ahead of the General Election.
Bersih2 was a good cause which was completely hijacked by Anwar and Pakatan.
Its a great pity really for those who got gassed and water jetted by the PDRM.
This is what the NST said:
No winner in this madness
I think Dato' Wong Chun Wai says it best today thru his Column:
No winners, just losers
ON THE BEAT WITH WONG CHUN WAI
IT’S becoming tiring for many Malaysians. We are talking about our politicians and supporters regardless of their political affiliations.
Take, for example, the organisers of Bersih 2.0. They need to realise that not all Malaysians are their fans. Not all share their beliefs and decision to stage a rally in Kuala Lumpur.
Their supporters have the right to argue and convince others that it is their constitutional right to protest but, again, do not expect everyone to share their enthusiasm.
When jazz singer Datuk Sheila Majid tweeted: “I am disappointed with all political parties, NGOs and Bersih. There are better ways to approach,” she immediately received a nasty rebuke from a PKR activist who shot her down, saying he used to respect her. She probably lost a fan because of her tweet.
There are enough people who would like to tell them that their protest was illegal and that they should know this is basic law.
Protesters should know better that when you attend a demonstration, it is not going to be a picnic. One should expect to be arrested and hauled into a Black Maria, so let’s not kid ourselves into believing that the cops would give them a red carpet welcome.
Certainly, only a politically naive person, or someone in self-denial, would believe that Datuk S. Ambiga was acting on her own.
Yes, of course, it was not politically motivated. The opposition politicians just happened to be there. Yes, they just bumped into each other at KL Hilton.
In the case of the government, many are also shaking their heads at the authorities’ sledgehammer treatment of Bersih 2.0.
Just weeks ago, not many Malaysians knew who Ambiga was. Thanks to the over-excitement of the authorities, she has become an icon overnight.
And don’t blame Malaysians for being cynical over the claims that communist elements were involved in the rally. More so when those dreamer socialists were said to have T-shirts bearing the names of dead Commie leaders.
Suddenly, Che Guevera, whom many teenagers at Pertama Complex had all this while thought was Bob Marley, was declared dangerous and subversive.
Then there was the obsession with the colour yellow. By the way, there were enough Malaysians who actually believed the Digi Man was arrested by the police, although the e-mailed picture was doctored.
But it was a funny spoof, and I wish there were enough Malaysians with a sense of humour to laugh at the fat yellow man.
Arresting people who wear yellow T-shirts with the word “Bersih” is not going to help the government win votes. Something is wrong with us if we believe revolutions can be launched by wearing yellow T-shirts with the word “Bersih”.
One need not be a rocket scientist to know the political backlash of such an action, even though there may be good security measures.
And the police, trying too hard to be friendly, put on its Facebook pictures of those detained being served with a buffet meal. There were round tables covered with tablecloth. Not bad at all, man!
No wonder there are many people who think a protest in KL is really a stroll on a weekend.
And then there was Perkasa’s Datuk Ibrahim Ali. The man is really comical. After driving enough people into a frenzy with his racist tirade, he decided to stay home. At one point, he claimed he could mobilise 15,000 people. As a face-saving gesture, he declared he would take “a stroll” at Tasik Titiwangsa. It must have been a pretty long stroll. He was probably walking around in circles.
And we can assume everyone would declare themselves winners. Bersih 2.0 will say that they managed to stage a protest despite the police locking down the city.
The authorities, too, will say that they won this round by claiming that the Bersih 2.0 crowd wasn’t as massive as they had expected.
Ibrahim Ali could also declare himself a winner as he could have successfully earned a place in the Malaysian Book of Records for taking the most number of strolls at Tasik Titiwangsa.
Umno Youth’s Patriots can also claim to be winners despite walking barely 200m before being tear-gassed and arrested.
There was another record – Anwar could still post a tweet at 4.40pm that says “undergoing CT scan for injury. Wishing #Bersih all the best.”
How he could take his mobile phone into a CT scan machine is a wonder. The Opposition leader had purportedly fallen during the protest.
Either Malaysians must be very bad in Maths or they are very good at exaggerating. The police said there were only 5,000 protesters whereas Datuk A. Samad Said said 50,000 while the pro-opposition Malaysia Chronicle news portal claimed 100,000 people.
The silat exponents turned out to be a lot of hot air in the end.
The biggest losers were the public who got stuck in horrendous traffic jams. Businesses can count their losses, vendors could not distribute their newspapers, commuters found at least eight LRT stations shut, the city’s cabbies had to stay at home and, worse, terrified city dwellers had to stock up on food unnecessarily.
And taxpayers must certainly be wondering why their money is being spent on bringing so many cops into the city – and serving a buffet meal to law-breakers at Pulapol – when they should be busy catching criminals.
It must be brought to mind that not everyone who supports Bersih 2.0 are pro-opposition. Many middle class urban voters are unhappy about many issues and it won’t hurt the government to listen to them. Don’t give up on them so they won’t give up on the government. Some concerns are legitimate ones that need fixing.
Likewise, Pakatan Rakyat should not misread today’s rally as an endorsement of the Opposition.
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