A thought provoking article by Dr Firdaus Abdullah.
Kenapa DAP Takut Dengan Bayang-Bayang Sendiri?
FRIDAY, 19 NOVEMBER 2010 18:05
Datuk Dr. Firdaus Abdullah
Sekiranya Setiausaha Agung DAP Lim Guan Eng tidak tahu, maka dia perlu diberitahu bahawa selain Peristiwa 13 Mei 1969, semenjak selepas Perang Dunia Kedua, di Semenanjung Tanah Melayu ini telah berlaku beberapa peristiwa pergaduhan kaum atau dalam bahasa Inggeris sering disebut racial riots.
Peristiwa-peristiwa hitam tersebut perlulah diingat sebagai satu pengajaran agar jangan sampai berulang lagi hingga mengorbankan nyawa yang tidak berdosa dan merosakkan kerukunan hidup bernegara.
Demi mengingatkan diri untuk menghindarkan kemudaratan peristiwa-peristiwa hitam itu, maka tidaklah salah untuk menyebut atau mengingat kembali Peristiwa Berdarah 13 Mei itu seperti yang dilakukan oleh Ketua Pembangkang dalam Dewan Undang Negeri Pulau Pinang, Datuk Azhar Ibrahim beberapa minggu yang lalu. Malah peristiwa-peristiwa lain yang sejenis dengan 13 Mei itu pun tidak semestinya dilupakan.
Guan Eng jangan sampai lupa bahawa di Pulau Pinang sendiri, pada bulan November 1967 pergaduhan kaum telah meragut nyawa tak kurang daripada 23 orang. Tiga tahun sebelum itu pada tahun 1964, di Singapura (semasa negara pulau itu masih merupakan sebahagian daripada Malaysia), telah berlaku dua pergaduhan kaum masing-masing telah meragut nyawa 22 orang dalam satu peristiwa dan lapan orang lagi dalam satu peristiwa yang lain.
Dan lebih dahsyat daripada apa yang berlaku semasa "Tentera Bintang Tiga" bermaharajalela, pergaduhan kaum merebak di banyak tempat dan melibatkan bilangan (dan mangsa keganasan) yang jauh lebih ramai daripada apa yang berlaku pada 13 Mei 1969. Perbuatan "buas" dan "ganas" yang sangat sadistic sifatnya semasa "Tentera Bintang Tiga" berkuasa itu, sampai sekarang masih menjadi ingatan dendam dan kenangan pahit dan pedih oleh sebahagian anak atau cucu mereka yang menjadi mangsa.
Saya sendiri semasa remaja kira-kira 40 tahun yang lalu sering mendengar cerita kebangkitan pendekar-pendekar Melayu menentang kekejaman Tentera Bintang Tiga itu terutama di Batu Pahat, Johor (terkenal dengan Kiyai Salleh sebagai tokoh utamanya). Begitu juga berlaku penentangan di Sungai Manik, Perak.
Kemudian sepanjang minggu lalu daripada perbualan dengan beberapa orang tokoh, saya dimaklumkan beberapa nama tempat lain seperti Bekor (dekat Kuala Kangsar, Perak), Batu Kikir (Negeri Sembilan) dan banyak tempat lain yang ada kaitannya dengan pergaduhan kaum di zaman "Bintang Tiga" itu.
Jadi jelaslah bahawa pergaduhan kaum di zaman Bintang Tiga itu berlaku di banyak tempat dan dengan demikian tentu banyak individu yang terlibat. Kerana itulah agaknya maka ada yang menyifatkannya sebagai lebih dahsyat daripada "Peristiwa 13 Mei"
Malah seorang ahli sejarah yang pernah menjadi pensyarah di Universiti Sains Malaysia(USM), Pulau Pinang, iaitu Dr. Cheah Boon Kheng sampai mengambil kesimpulan: "Bila dibandingkan bilangan nyawa yang terkorban dan keluasan kawasan yang terlibat sepanjang masa peralihan (interregnum) antara penyerahan Jepun dengan kedatangan kembali tentera British tersebut, pergaduhan kaum Mei 1969 itu boleh dianggap sebagai satu peristiwa yang pudar signifikannya. Untuk penjelasan lanjut sila rujuk buku Dr. Cheah yang berjudul Red Star Over Malaya.
Perbandingan yang dibuat oleh ahli sejarah tersebut menyebabkan kita mengulang kembali satu soalan yang berulang-ulang kali ditanyakan sepanjang dua minggu yang lalu: "Kenapakah Setiausaha Agung DAP yang menjadi Ketua Menteri Pulau Pinang itu begitu mudah melenting dan melatah bila mendengar ungkapan 13 Mei itu?"
Guan Eng seperti hendak mengharamkan ungkapan "13 Mei" untuk disebut dalam Dewan Undangan Negeri Pulau Pinang. Seakan-akan ada yang hendak disembunyikannya (atau ada perkara dan peristiwa yang dia tidak mahu orang ramai mengingat) mengenai peristiwa 13 Mei itu.
Tentu dia ingin menyembunyikan (dia mahu orang ramai melupakan) bahawa sebab utama yang mencetuskan Peristiwa Berdarah 13 Mei 69 ialah provokasi penyokong-penyokong DAP dan Parti Gerakan yang sedang "mabuk kemenangan", menari dan berarak sepanjang jalan raya merayakan kemenangan mereka dalam pilihan raya umum 1969 itu.
Satu perkara lagi yang barangkali Lim mahu supaya orang ramai lupa ialah bahawa berikutan dengan kerusuhan 13 Mei 1969 itu, pihak berkuasa telah mendapati bapaknya, Lim Kit Siang sebagai salah seorang pemimpin DAP pada masa itu, terlibat dalam ucapan-ucapan menghasut dan mengapi-apikan semangat perkauman. Kerana itu telah ditahan di bawah Undang-Undang Keselamatan Dalam Negeri sehingga bulan Oktober 1970.
Akhirulkalam, saya catatkan kembali faktor-faktor yang mencetuskan kerusuhan kaum: keceluparan mulut, kesongsangan perbuatan dan kebiadapan hidup bermasyarakat serta provokasi kasar dan halus yang menyakitkan hati. Semuanya mestilah dijauhi. - Utusan Malaysia
I think PM Najib and the Malaysian Cabinet should NOT take up DAP's position on that tragic day where racism, bigotry and insanity prevailed -13 Mei 1969.
Please read here as well.
Friday, 19 November 2010
Build cemetery with modern facilities, good infrastructure #2
My very first posting in this blog is a subject dear to me but is not much talked about especially among Muslims in Malaysia.
Build cemetery with modern facilities, good infrastructure
1. I am sure most Muslims would find time at least once a year, especially during Ramadan and Hari Raya, to visit and tend the graves of our dearly departed.
2. I am writing on the state of the Muslim cemeteries in Malaysia in particular that I periodically visit in Johor Baru, like the Tanah Perkuburan Islam at Jalan Mahmmoodiah. I have nothing but praise for the immaculate work done in maintaining these cemeteries. However there are only so much that the maintenance people can do to make visiting the graves a more pleasant experience. I observed that careful planning and design of these cemeteries are severely lacking, except for the older area around the Royal Mausoleum at the Tanah Perkuburan Islam at Jalan Mahmmoodiah, which has proper roads and drains. The other areas lack these.
read the rest here.
While this post hardly qualify to be an original idea but with more reading and discussion this idea will I hope eventually catch up with the Jabatan Ugama Islam of the various States in Malaysia and the powers that be who are responsible for the planning, procuring and maintenance of Muslim cemeteries in Malaysia.
We could learn a thing or two from our Non Muslim brethrens on how they design and maintain the graves of their dearly departed superbly so that it is easy to access and visit, read:
Anyway I wrote this post to showcase a blog called The Lovely Tya. My son Arif, stumbled upon the blog post when he was surfing the net a couple of days back and told me about it, please go to this posting, don't worry its not a spooky site:
Build cemetery with modern facilities, good infrastructure
1. I am sure most Muslims would find time at least once a year, especially during Ramadan and Hari Raya, to visit and tend the graves of our dearly departed.
2. I am writing on the state of the Muslim cemeteries in Malaysia in particular that I periodically visit in Johor Baru, like the Tanah Perkuburan Islam at Jalan Mahmmoodiah. I have nothing but praise for the immaculate work done in maintaining these cemeteries. However there are only so much that the maintenance people can do to make visiting the graves a more pleasant experience. I observed that careful planning and design of these cemeteries are severely lacking, except for the older area around the Royal Mausoleum at the Tanah Perkuburan Islam at Jalan Mahmmoodiah, which has proper roads and drains. The other areas lack these.
read the rest here.
While this post hardly qualify to be an original idea but with more reading and discussion this idea will I hope eventually catch up with the Jabatan Ugama Islam of the various States in Malaysia and the powers that be who are responsible for the planning, procuring and maintenance of Muslim cemeteries in Malaysia.
We could learn a thing or two from our Non Muslim brethrens on how they design and maintain the graves of their dearly departed superbly so that it is easy to access and visit, read:
Anyway I wrote this post to showcase a blog called The Lovely Tya. My son Arif, stumbled upon the blog post when he was surfing the net a couple of days back and told me about it, please go to this posting, don't worry its not a spooky site:
Taking the fear out of May 13 by Rocky's Bru, The Malay Mail
Just hot of the press, an excellent article from the Malay Mail by Dato' Ahirudin Attan.
The good Dato' was however too kind and polite when he said that "Sometimes Najib Razak is just too decisive". I am sorry but I think in this matter the PM is being overly politically cautious such that he seemed to agree to the DAP's idea that we should not talk about May 13 as if its a taboo subject. But Why?
The PM should at least allow the public to talk rationally about the May 13 1969 incident. Except for the few childish individuals who threathens to make a Police Report everytime the word May 13 is said in public, Malaysians by and large are a mature lot, when we have a good discourse we will learn lessons from the incident, enough to make sure that actions will be taken to ensure that the tragic day in our history will never recur:
Rocky's Bru: Taking the fear out of May 13
AHIRUDIN ATTAN
Thursday, November 18th, 2010 13:12:00
"We should regard it as an event in the annals of history from which we can learn from... as a demarcation for us so that it will not recur." — Prime Minister Najib Razak ("No need to commemorate May 13 riots", NST, Nov 17, 2010).
SOMETIMES Najib Razak is just too decisive.
As in the case of whether we should or should not commemorate the day this nation went amok in the bloody racial riots of May 13, 1969, for example. The Prime Minister was too quick to rule it unnecessary to commemorate the day, as suggested by Zaini Hassan, the Utusan Malaysia deputy editor-in-chief.
He could have allowed the people to talk about the idea, at least.
Zaini's idea, which he penned in his column Cuit, published by the Bahasa Malaysia daily, is that the government should declare May 13 a 'National Unity Day'. The idea, as a colleague pointed out last night, may be a contentious one but not seditious.
And it is a timely one. Malaysians have become a strange people since Dr Mahathir Mohamad stepped down as Prime Minister after 22 years. Instead of counting our blessings, we are blaming each other for the disparities that remain in our society.
And instead of burying the one incident that nearly tore us apart more than 41 years ago, we are digging up each others' closets for skeletons and using it to blame other people for our own present day shortcomings.
Some quarters have even resorted to rewriting history. In recent published books on the riots and sold openly in major bookstores, the stories about how the disturbance broke out are distorted beyond recognition, obviously so that some political parties who sponsored these publications will gain mileage.
This has driven others to come up with their own versions of what happened in the days leading to May 13, the factors that led to the bloodshed, the exact casualties, and the consequences of the racial riots.
Most of these clashes of opinions on May 13 are still taking place in the Malaysian blogosphere.
One of the more definitive blog postings on the issue is the May 13th 1969: The Correct View, a two-part series plus an "intermission" that promises (or threatens) more sequels by anonymous blogger Jebat Must Die (jebatmustdie.wordpress.com).
The three postings garnered nearly 400 heated comments. There is talk that these postings will be published in the form of a book in response to the book by Dr Kua Kia Soong entitled: Declassified Documents on the Malaysian Riots of 1969.
JMD was concerned as readers of Kia Soong's books would be driven to conclude that:
• Tun Abdul Razak masterminded the May 13 racial riots as a form of coup d’etat against Malaysia's first Prime Minister, Tunku Abdul Rahman;
• Datuk Harun Idris led Umno Youth members to spontaneously launch an unprovoked attack against the Chinese people; and
• the racial riots were not the fault of the racist opposition or the subversive communist movement
And what would readers of JMD's upcoming book be driven to conclude of the riots? Will the book be subject to multiple police reports as Zaini is being subjected to by several politicians who claim that the journalist's article was seditious?
Yes, believe it or not, many of our politicians need to grow up and learn that making police reports against every little thing you don't agree with is a reaction that is childish.
Personally, I am all for the idea of Malaysia having a Hari Muhibbah or Unity Day and I think it would be great if the nation commemorates May 13 by promoting racial unity and organising programmes that will bring us closer to one another.
At the very least, nobody can use this day to promote their narrow, political agenda anymore. Once it is made a Hari Muhibbah, no politician may use May 13 as a fear factor.
In the discussions on blogs that followed Zaini's article, those who were not for the idea (without having to lodge any police report because they see the good intentions behind the suggestion) felt that Malaysia needed stronger fundamentals, such as a single-school system (an idea the government has also shot down, unfortunately).
One of Malaysia's neighbors has done both - it integrated the Chinese, Malay and Tamil primary schools since the late 60s after its own brush with racial riots. It has also declared Unity Day to commemorate the worst day in its racial relations.
But did the single-school system and the Unity Day work for our neighbour? Maybe, but then again Malaysia has not had a serious racial problem in the last four decades, either. The ones we encountered, such as the Kampung Medan issue and Hindraf's ridiculous allegation of ethnic-cleansing in Malaysia, were few and far between.
We need to work on becoming a united people. We have witnessed how fragile racial unity can be, even in America and Europe where things are believed to be more equal.
If helping bury the May 13 spectre by declaring the day Hari Muhibbah, we should explore it.
At the end of the day, the government will be the one that has to decide whether or not it is necessary to commemorate the racial riots of May 13. And if government politicians in the end agree with their counterparts in the DAP and other Opposition parties that May 13 is not an issue, good for them.
But the people need to be allowed to discuss such issues. We are not always right, but let's hear us out first.
Read the full article here.
DATO' AHIRUDIN ATTAN is group editorial adviser for The Malay Mail, Bernama TV and The Malaysian Reserve. He blogs at rockybru.com.my.
read also JMD latest post on the above article here.
The good Dato' was however too kind and polite when he said that "Sometimes Najib Razak is just too decisive". I am sorry but I think in this matter the PM is being overly politically cautious such that he seemed to agree to the DAP's idea that we should not talk about May 13 as if its a taboo subject. But Why?
The PM should at least allow the public to talk rationally about the May 13 1969 incident. Except for the few childish individuals who threathens to make a Police Report everytime the word May 13 is said in public, Malaysians by and large are a mature lot, when we have a good discourse we will learn lessons from the incident, enough to make sure that actions will be taken to ensure that the tragic day in our history will never recur:
Rocky's Bru: Taking the fear out of May 13
AHIRUDIN ATTAN
Thursday, November 18th, 2010 13:12:00
"We should regard it as an event in the annals of history from which we can learn from... as a demarcation for us so that it will not recur." — Prime Minister Najib Razak ("No need to commemorate May 13 riots", NST, Nov 17, 2010).
SOMETIMES Najib Razak is just too decisive.
As in the case of whether we should or should not commemorate the day this nation went amok in the bloody racial riots of May 13, 1969, for example. The Prime Minister was too quick to rule it unnecessary to commemorate the day, as suggested by Zaini Hassan, the Utusan Malaysia deputy editor-in-chief.
He could have allowed the people to talk about the idea, at least.
Zaini's idea, which he penned in his column Cuit, published by the Bahasa Malaysia daily, is that the government should declare May 13 a 'National Unity Day'. The idea, as a colleague pointed out last night, may be a contentious one but not seditious.
And it is a timely one. Malaysians have become a strange people since Dr Mahathir Mohamad stepped down as Prime Minister after 22 years. Instead of counting our blessings, we are blaming each other for the disparities that remain in our society.
And instead of burying the one incident that nearly tore us apart more than 41 years ago, we are digging up each others' closets for skeletons and using it to blame other people for our own present day shortcomings.
Some quarters have even resorted to rewriting history. In recent published books on the riots and sold openly in major bookstores, the stories about how the disturbance broke out are distorted beyond recognition, obviously so that some political parties who sponsored these publications will gain mileage.
This has driven others to come up with their own versions of what happened in the days leading to May 13, the factors that led to the bloodshed, the exact casualties, and the consequences of the racial riots.
Most of these clashes of opinions on May 13 are still taking place in the Malaysian blogosphere.
One of the more definitive blog postings on the issue is the May 13th 1969: The Correct View, a two-part series plus an "intermission" that promises (or threatens) more sequels by anonymous blogger Jebat Must Die (jebatmustdie.wordpress.com).
The three postings garnered nearly 400 heated comments. There is talk that these postings will be published in the form of a book in response to the book by Dr Kua Kia Soong entitled: Declassified Documents on the Malaysian Riots of 1969.
JMD was concerned as readers of Kia Soong's books would be driven to conclude that:
• Tun Abdul Razak masterminded the May 13 racial riots as a form of coup d’etat against Malaysia's first Prime Minister, Tunku Abdul Rahman;
• Datuk Harun Idris led Umno Youth members to spontaneously launch an unprovoked attack against the Chinese people; and
• the racial riots were not the fault of the racist opposition or the subversive communist movement
And what would readers of JMD's upcoming book be driven to conclude of the riots? Will the book be subject to multiple police reports as Zaini is being subjected to by several politicians who claim that the journalist's article was seditious?
Yes, believe it or not, many of our politicians need to grow up and learn that making police reports against every little thing you don't agree with is a reaction that is childish.
Personally, I am all for the idea of Malaysia having a Hari Muhibbah or Unity Day and I think it would be great if the nation commemorates May 13 by promoting racial unity and organising programmes that will bring us closer to one another.
At the very least, nobody can use this day to promote their narrow, political agenda anymore. Once it is made a Hari Muhibbah, no politician may use May 13 as a fear factor.
In the discussions on blogs that followed Zaini's article, those who were not for the idea (without having to lodge any police report because they see the good intentions behind the suggestion) felt that Malaysia needed stronger fundamentals, such as a single-school system (an idea the government has also shot down, unfortunately).
One of Malaysia's neighbors has done both - it integrated the Chinese, Malay and Tamil primary schools since the late 60s after its own brush with racial riots. It has also declared Unity Day to commemorate the worst day in its racial relations.
But did the single-school system and the Unity Day work for our neighbour? Maybe, but then again Malaysia has not had a serious racial problem in the last four decades, either. The ones we encountered, such as the Kampung Medan issue and Hindraf's ridiculous allegation of ethnic-cleansing in Malaysia, were few and far between.
We need to work on becoming a united people. We have witnessed how fragile racial unity can be, even in America and Europe where things are believed to be more equal.
If helping bury the May 13 spectre by declaring the day Hari Muhibbah, we should explore it.
At the end of the day, the government will be the one that has to decide whether or not it is necessary to commemorate the racial riots of May 13. And if government politicians in the end agree with their counterparts in the DAP and other Opposition parties that May 13 is not an issue, good for them.
But the people need to be allowed to discuss such issues. We are not always right, but let's hear us out first.
Read the full article here.
DATO' AHIRUDIN ATTAN is group editorial adviser for The Malay Mail, Bernama TV and The Malaysian Reserve. He blogs at rockybru.com.my.
read also JMD latest post on the above article here.
Thursday, 18 November 2010
NST: When you're a victim in China, just grin and bear it
This is an interesting article from our New Straits Times:
When you're a victim in China, just grin and bear it
IN China, victims -- whether of natural disasters, of criminals or of government malfeasance -- should always keep one thing in mind: things could get worse, much worse. If they try to seek justice by going to court, lodging a complaint or talking to the media, they are likely to be treated like criminals themselves.
Thus, parents of the thousands of children who died in poorly constructed schools during the 2008 Sichuan earthquake came under pressure to sign contracts under which they would receive compensation in return for their silence. Those who refused to sign got nothing.
A teacher, Liu Shaokun, who took photos of collapsed school buildings and put them online, was accused of disseminating rumours and destroying social order and sentenced to a year of re-education through labour, an administrative punishment.
An activist, Huang Qi, who criticised the government's response to the earthquake, was sentenced to three years in prison.
Last month, two female students at Hebei University were struck by a car driven by Li Qiming, whose father, Li Gang, is deputy director of the public security bureau.
The younger Li drove away without stopping and, when caught, said simply: "My father is Li Gang". That was all the protection he needed, a powerful father.
One of the two women, 20-year-old Chen Xiaofeng, died and her father, Chen Guangqian, now lives in fear.
"We don't have any connections," he reportedly said in an interview. "We won't be able to just find anyone we want. It's also hard for us to find evidence and information."
The Chen family has come under pressure to accept compensation -- and keep quiet. According to Chen's lawyer, Zhang Kai, a gag order has been issued and not a single witness who saw the accident has stepped forward.
Last week, Zhao Lianhai, widely considered a hero for having campaigned on behalf of the hundreds of thousands of babies sickened by drinking tainted milk -- at least six of whom died -- was sentenced to 21/2 years in prison. What was his crime?
Zhao himself was a victim. His infant son drank Sanlu Group milk, laced with the chemical melamine to make it look as though it was high in protein and, as a result, the baby developed a kidney stone in 2008.
The Beijing native, after realising that there was a huge number of victims, worked to bring them together so that they could exchange information and join forces to seek justice. He created a website called "Home for Kidney Stone Babies" and urged aggrieved parents not to accept a compensation plan endorsed by the government.
Under the plan, payments would stop when a victim turned 18. But, Zhao argued, no one knows the long-term impact of melamine poisoning. What if they should be sick after they turn 18?
Zhao organised a meeting in a restaurant for parents of afflicted children. He also took part in several protests outside courthouses when cases were heard against milk companies. He held up small signs that said "Return health to our children" and "We want justice".
It was for these activities that he was arrested. He was charged with "picking quarrels and provoking trouble".
Certainly, the Chinese government was not responsible for the Sichuan earthquake. It also cannot be held liable for traffic accidents, even when the perpetrators are children of powerful officials.
But it has a responsibility to protect the welfare of its citizens and, in the Sanlu milk case, it failed miserably. For one thing, it exempted the company from inspections. How can any responsible government do that?
Then, when victimised parents organised to protest, the government treated them as the enemy, with threats and harassment, followed by arrest and imprisonment.
It appears that any attempt to seek justice in China, no matter how valid your cause, will be opposed by the government, which sees any organised protest as a threat.
This is a government that is even-handed. It will treat criminal and victim alike, meting out stern punishment to both. Thus, it executed several people responsible for the milk scandal and threw others in prison. But it has shown that it can be similarly tough with the victims of such criminals, throwing them in prison, too, if they make too much of a fuss.
In the government's eyes, anyone with a grievance is a potential troublemaker.
So, when you're a victim in China, just grin and bear it. Remember, fighting for justice will simply make things much worse.
Read the rest here.
Over here in our blessed country there are people here who wants to collect 100,000 signatures to force the Government to call for a Royal Commission of Inquiry to investigate the death of Teoh Beng Hock even though the inquest to the cause of his death had just ended and the Coroner has yet to announce his findings, read here.
What a difference between the two countries which are poles apart on how their Government treat their citizens or rather should I say how their citizen treat their Government.
Malaysia is indeed a great place to live.
When you're a victim in China, just grin and bear it
IN China, victims -- whether of natural disasters, of criminals or of government malfeasance -- should always keep one thing in mind: things could get worse, much worse. If they try to seek justice by going to court, lodging a complaint or talking to the media, they are likely to be treated like criminals themselves.
Thus, parents of the thousands of children who died in poorly constructed schools during the 2008 Sichuan earthquake came under pressure to sign contracts under which they would receive compensation in return for their silence. Those who refused to sign got nothing.
A teacher, Liu Shaokun, who took photos of collapsed school buildings and put them online, was accused of disseminating rumours and destroying social order and sentenced to a year of re-education through labour, an administrative punishment.
An activist, Huang Qi, who criticised the government's response to the earthquake, was sentenced to three years in prison.
Last month, two female students at Hebei University were struck by a car driven by Li Qiming, whose father, Li Gang, is deputy director of the public security bureau.
The younger Li drove away without stopping and, when caught, said simply: "My father is Li Gang". That was all the protection he needed, a powerful father.
One of the two women, 20-year-old Chen Xiaofeng, died and her father, Chen Guangqian, now lives in fear.
"We don't have any connections," he reportedly said in an interview. "We won't be able to just find anyone we want. It's also hard for us to find evidence and information."
The Chen family has come under pressure to accept compensation -- and keep quiet. According to Chen's lawyer, Zhang Kai, a gag order has been issued and not a single witness who saw the accident has stepped forward.
Last week, Zhao Lianhai, widely considered a hero for having campaigned on behalf of the hundreds of thousands of babies sickened by drinking tainted milk -- at least six of whom died -- was sentenced to 21/2 years in prison. What was his crime?
Zhao himself was a victim. His infant son drank Sanlu Group milk, laced with the chemical melamine to make it look as though it was high in protein and, as a result, the baby developed a kidney stone in 2008.
The Beijing native, after realising that there was a huge number of victims, worked to bring them together so that they could exchange information and join forces to seek justice. He created a website called "Home for Kidney Stone Babies" and urged aggrieved parents not to accept a compensation plan endorsed by the government.
Under the plan, payments would stop when a victim turned 18. But, Zhao argued, no one knows the long-term impact of melamine poisoning. What if they should be sick after they turn 18?
Zhao organised a meeting in a restaurant for parents of afflicted children. He also took part in several protests outside courthouses when cases were heard against milk companies. He held up small signs that said "Return health to our children" and "We want justice".
It was for these activities that he was arrested. He was charged with "picking quarrels and provoking trouble".
Certainly, the Chinese government was not responsible for the Sichuan earthquake. It also cannot be held liable for traffic accidents, even when the perpetrators are children of powerful officials.
But it has a responsibility to protect the welfare of its citizens and, in the Sanlu milk case, it failed miserably. For one thing, it exempted the company from inspections. How can any responsible government do that?
Then, when victimised parents organised to protest, the government treated them as the enemy, with threats and harassment, followed by arrest and imprisonment.
It appears that any attempt to seek justice in China, no matter how valid your cause, will be opposed by the government, which sees any organised protest as a threat.
This is a government that is even-handed. It will treat criminal and victim alike, meting out stern punishment to both. Thus, it executed several people responsible for the milk scandal and threw others in prison. But it has shown that it can be similarly tough with the victims of such criminals, throwing them in prison, too, if they make too much of a fuss.
In the government's eyes, anyone with a grievance is a potential troublemaker.
So, when you're a victim in China, just grin and bear it. Remember, fighting for justice will simply make things much worse.
Read the rest here.
Over here in our blessed country there are people here who wants to collect 100,000 signatures to force the Government to call for a Royal Commission of Inquiry to investigate the death of Teoh Beng Hock even though the inquest to the cause of his death had just ended and the Coroner has yet to announce his findings, read here.
What a difference between the two countries which are poles apart on how their Government treat their citizens or rather should I say how their citizen treat their Government.
Malaysia is indeed a great place to live.
The DAP Pulau Pinang State Government should allow a public infrastructure project to proceed instead of finding faults to delay the project
I followed and read with great interest on the ongoing spat between the "opposition minded" CM of Pulau Pinang Guan Eng and the federal Minister of Transport Dato' Kong.
For background info please read here:
Stop-work order against rail project is for public interest, says Guan Eng
then
Penang wants Kong to vouch for rail work
then latest
Kong trades barbs over rail projects link to Kedah flooding
I do not know who advised or instigated Guan Eng to use( some say misuse) of his powers as CM to issue the stop order of a Multibillion Ringgit Infrastructure project. Unscheduled stoppage will cost the Main Contractor and the Ministry of Transport a lot of money and lost time.
Guan Eng should get his facts right first, in the last major flood in Kedah in 2005 the rainfall recorded was 119mm but in the 2010 flood the rainfall was recorded at 207mm. This is almost double from 2005. The flood is not a man made disaster it was caused by an act of God.
With that kind of rain intensity within a few days there is no way any flood mitigation even the best by the Jabatan Pengairan and Saliran and the double tracking contractor could prevent the disaster and apparently even Songkla in Thailand was inundated with flood water as well..there is NO double tracking project in Thailand as of now.
For Guan Eng to ask for guarantees that flood do not occur in Penang due to the double tracking projet is like asking the Ministry of Transport to guarantee that lightning do not strike more than 1000 times per year in Penang.....yes friends its impossible to give guarantees on acts of God. Nobody or even Government have control on how much rain could fall down in a specific area, that is the Power of GOD All Mighty.
Guan Eng is either a political shit stirrer with a big spoon or he is just a ignorant Chief Minister ill advised by half past six advisors or both. No wonder even the Melaka State DAP threw him out in the cold, lucky for junior Lim big daddy Kit Siang sent him to Pulau Pinang. Yes its who your bloodline and not what you know rules in the DAP.
Its good that Minister Dato' Kong refused to see Guan Eng unless the CM lift the stop order first. This kind of unilateral and bullying behaviour now typical of the DAP Pulau Pinang Government should not be tolerated. The MOT and the Contractor should issue an ultimatum to the DAP State Government to desist or get a court order for the Pulau Pinang State government to revoke its stop order and then claim for damages suffered due to the stop.
Guan Eng should focus on fair housing distribution and place of commerce for ALL Penangites and should concern himself with the deteriorating FDI into Pulau Pinang and the growing public resentment and demonstrations against his State Government etc. etc . He should not just live off and enjoy the accolades that the good work and policy put in place by the BN Pulau Pinang Government before March 2008, and not doing any concrete reforms promised in the DAP manifesto having taken for granted the future votes especially from the Chinese and Indians in the Pearl of the Orient.
For background info please read here:
Stop-work order against rail project is for public interest, says Guan Eng
then
Penang wants Kong to vouch for rail work
then latest
Kong trades barbs over rail projects link to Kedah flooding
I do not know who advised or instigated Guan Eng to use( some say misuse) of his powers as CM to issue the stop order of a Multibillion Ringgit Infrastructure project. Unscheduled stoppage will cost the Main Contractor and the Ministry of Transport a lot of money and lost time.
Guan Eng should get his facts right first, in the last major flood in Kedah in 2005 the rainfall recorded was 119mm but in the 2010 flood the rainfall was recorded at 207mm. This is almost double from 2005. The flood is not a man made disaster it was caused by an act of God.
With that kind of rain intensity within a few days there is no way any flood mitigation even the best by the Jabatan Pengairan and Saliran and the double tracking contractor could prevent the disaster and apparently even Songkla in Thailand was inundated with flood water as well..there is NO double tracking project in Thailand as of now.
For Guan Eng to ask for guarantees that flood do not occur in Penang due to the double tracking projet is like asking the Ministry of Transport to guarantee that lightning do not strike more than 1000 times per year in Penang.....yes friends its impossible to give guarantees on acts of God. Nobody or even Government have control on how much rain could fall down in a specific area, that is the Power of GOD All Mighty.
Guan Eng is either a political shit stirrer with a big spoon or he is just a ignorant Chief Minister ill advised by half past six advisors or both. No wonder even the Melaka State DAP threw him out in the cold, lucky for junior Lim big daddy Kit Siang sent him to Pulau Pinang. Yes its who your bloodline and not what you know rules in the DAP.
Its good that Minister Dato' Kong refused to see Guan Eng unless the CM lift the stop order first. This kind of unilateral and bullying behaviour now typical of the DAP Pulau Pinang Government should not be tolerated. The MOT and the Contractor should issue an ultimatum to the DAP State Government to desist or get a court order for the Pulau Pinang State government to revoke its stop order and then claim for damages suffered due to the stop.
Guan Eng should focus on fair housing distribution and place of commerce for ALL Penangites and should concern himself with the deteriorating FDI into Pulau Pinang and the growing public resentment and demonstrations against his State Government etc. etc . He should not just live off and enjoy the accolades that the good work and policy put in place by the BN Pulau Pinang Government before March 2008, and not doing any concrete reforms promised in the DAP manifesto having taken for granted the future votes especially from the Chinese and Indians in the Pearl of the Orient.
Tuesday, 16 November 2010
HAPPY EID AL-ADHA
Selamat Hari Raya Aidil Adha kepada semua Sahabat-Sahabat yang beragama Islam
***********
May you be guided by your faith in ALLAH & shine in his divine blessings. Wassallam.
Saya sokong jika 13 Mei 2011 dan seterusnya dijadikan Hari Muhibbah
One of my most favourite cyber-sifu, Blogger Dato' Ahirudin Attan wrote his support for Utusan Malaysia's Zaini's Hassan call to make 13 May 2011 onwards as Hari Muhibbah, read here:
I wrote a bit on facing head on the ghost of the 13 May 1969 as well read here:
After 41 years we should be able to rationally talk and discuss about the 13 May 1969 tragedy
While many reasonable and moderate Malaysians talks about what we should learn from the tragedy and what we should as a nation learn from it to avert another disastrous tragedy where racism, bigotry and insanity prevailed over tolerance and acceptance. There are unfortunately quite a few pitiful souls among us who in their political bankruptcy would prefer to use the May 13 incident to spook Malaysians by deliberately making it a taboo subject not to be discussed and preferring to blame UMNO and the Malays for that dark event in our nation's history.
For more than 40 years the DAP have used the May 13 incident to spook many non Malays especially our Chinese friends into voting for them. Just read the report from the MI here on Guan Eng's speech in Perak on 14 November 2010 read here, the speech is nothing but full of divisive fitnahs, innuendoes and unproven allegations.
In contrast to the devisive messages from DAP leaders like Lim Kit Siang and his son Guan Eng, BARISAN NASIONAL leaders from UMNO, MCA and MIC and other component parties have always consistently called for unity among races and their message has been consistent since the May 13 1969 tragedy such as these:
PM calls for unity among races
KUALA LUMPUR: Tear down the walls of suspicion and discard prejudices – this is the Hari Raya Aidilfitri message to the nation this year from Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak.
Encouraging Muslims to carry on the tradition of holding open houses, the Prime Minister said it was a unique Malaysian custom, practised nowhere else in the world, where friends of various races and religions could call on Muslims without any hindrance or apprehension.
Najib’s call for unity and solidarity among the races was echoed by his deputy Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin and Barisan Nasional leaders, including MCA president Datuk Seri Chua Soi Lek and MIC president Datuk Seri S. Samy Vellu.
Dr Chua said Malaysians should not let themselves be trapped by religious bigotry, hatred or suspicion while Samy Vellu said the celebration was a good time for people to forget their differences and renew the community spirit.
Malaysians had much to be thankful for to be able to celebrate Aidilfitri in peace and prosperity.
“We are free from wars, conflicts, oppression and natural disasters which some of our brethren elsewhere in this world suffer from,” Najib said in his Aidilfitri message yesterday.
He said the people had to be thankful to the past leadership of the country who had laid a strong foundation for Malaysia’s success today.
He said Malaysia was a democratic, cosmopolitan, multi-religious and multi-racial country with Muslims making up the majority of the population.
He added that for over five decades, Malaysians had successfully faced every challenge with excellence despite the ups and downs in racial relations, including the May 13, 1969 tragedy.
“The formula which enabled the people to face all these national challenges well was that Muslims in the country, since the advent of the religion in this region, had adopted the moderate approach in life, in accordance with the command of Allah,” he said.
Najib said it was also this moderate approach that had enabled Malaysia to emerge as one of the most developed among the Islamic nations in the world, and had placed the people and country on the right track towards becoming a developed and high-income Islamic nation by 2020.
Read the rest in TheStar here.
So between the BN led by UMNO and the Pakatan led by the divisive and chauvinist DAP who would you choose to run Malaysia? The answer is so obvious isn't it. We should choose unity, tolerance and acceptance over devisive politics and politicians.
Lets support the idea to make 13 Mei as our Hari Muhibbah.
Friday, 12 November 2010
Lim Sue Goan: Anwar's Seven Costly Mistake
An interesting Article on Anwar Ibrahim from MySichew by Lim Sue Goan:
Anwar's seven costly mistakes
Opinion 2010-11-11 18:06
By LIM SUE GOAN translated by SOONG PHUI JEE
I am not sure who is behind the "Oust Anwar” campaign" mentioned by PKR adviser Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim.
But. I do agree that Anwar is surely not truly qualified to lead the Pakatan Rakyat based on an assessment on his performance over the past two years.
Anwar has made at least seven costly mistakes.
First, he has not responded to Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak's transformation plans.
Najib has been going all out to conduct reforms since he took the office in April last year. He introduced the 1Malaysia concept, Key Performance Indicators (KPI), National Key Result Areas (NKRA), Government Transformation Plan (GTP) and Economic Transformation Programme (ETP).
As the Pakatan Rakyat supremo, Anwar should have a counter-strategy to the Najib blueprint, but he has not responded at all so far, but just let swing voters gradually lured by the BN.
Secondly, he has allowed the Pakatan Rakyat morale to sink.
Although the Pakatan Rakyat won eight of the 13 by-elections, it has been defeated in the recent ones, except in Sibu because of Chinese votes.
The Pakatan Rakyat has been facing both internal and external problems and its members have lost their high morale of the 2008 general election. Anwar has not come out with new strategies to boost morale.
Thirdly, Anwar has no plan to implement reforms.
The Pakatan Rakyat was able to gain control of five states after the 2008 general election because it has promised to carry out reforms. Anwar has apparently taken the people's support for granted and does not fulfill his election commitments, making the promised reforms remaining as mere slogans.
Fourthly, the Pakatan Rakyat is still a loose organization, and there is no effort to consolidate and strengthen the coalition.
Compared with the BN, the Pakatan Rakyat lacks an effective structure and organisation, and its discipline is in a mess.
The Pakatan Rakyat is also facing contradictions and conflicts in terms of political ideology and has failed to introduce new policies.
Fifthly, there is no no political resource intergration.
Anwar should apply his administrative experience as the deputy prime minister in integrating the resources of the four Pakatan Rakyat state governments and introducing a plan to stimulate economy in the four states. The blank in this area has caused the Pakatan Rakyat state governments to lack performance to retain confidence of their supporters.
As the economic adviser for Selangor, Anwar has shown no achievement so far.
Sixth, Anwar seems helpless to quell the PKR infighting.
Internal problems of the PKR had been started since the 2008 general election, including choosing inappropriate election candidates and resolving problems by creating by-election through resignations. The people will not be cheated again and again.
The withdrawal of Perak state assembly members from the party has caused the collapse of the Perak Pakatan Rakyat state government. A few MPs and state assembly members have also quit the party after that. Anwar claimed it as a plot by Umno, but he has never seriously put any effort in resolving the factional, personnel and power struggle problems in the party.
Eventually, it leads to the outbreak of a major crisis in the party. Again, Anwar puts the blame on a conspiracy outside the party. He is too lazy even to find a more decent reason.
Finally, Anwar lacks the ability to lead and judge: A leader should be responsible, fair and unbiased.
Anwar's stand in the party election is ambiguous.
For the direct election mechanism, even outsiders have expected problems, but why did an experienced leaders like Anwar fail to anticipate them? Isn't the situation not serious enough to cause concern when 165 complaints about unfairness of the party election had been received?
Anwar was very bold before the 2008 general election and it was he who managed to put the three parties together to form the Pakatan Rakyat. But he has changed since the sodomy charges were filed against him, and the embarrassing failure of a purported regime change scheduled for 16 September 2008.
Leaders can always be replaced and the most important thing is achieving the main goals. Replacing the leaders might bring an opportunity to change. However, the plight of the Pakatan Rakyat is that there is at present no visible suitable candidate to replace Anwar.
read the full article Sin Chew Daily here.
For Anwar Ibrahim the writing is not just on the wall it is on newsprint as well.
I doubt that he has the strength of character to let go and retire from politics to sacrifice himself for the better good. I believe his desire to become PM by any means will prevent him from doing so despite the fact that as events over the years have shown, it is almost impossible for him to be Malaysia's Prime Minister when he has nothing to offer to make Malaysia a better place for us all.
Besides that, the sodomy charge and trial against him which is hanging like an albatross around his neck will severely limit his political option, the leeway given by the judge and prosecution to him to ensure that justice is being seen to be done has made it difficult to label the trial as a conspiracy against him.
Anwar should really heed Zaid Ibrahim's recent call.
Anwar's seven costly mistakes
Opinion 2010-11-11 18:06
By LIM SUE GOAN translated by SOONG PHUI JEE
I am not sure who is behind the "Oust Anwar” campaign" mentioned by PKR adviser Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim.
But. I do agree that Anwar is surely not truly qualified to lead the Pakatan Rakyat based on an assessment on his performance over the past two years.
Anwar has made at least seven costly mistakes.
First, he has not responded to Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak's transformation plans.
Najib has been going all out to conduct reforms since he took the office in April last year. He introduced the 1Malaysia concept, Key Performance Indicators (KPI), National Key Result Areas (NKRA), Government Transformation Plan (GTP) and Economic Transformation Programme (ETP).
As the Pakatan Rakyat supremo, Anwar should have a counter-strategy to the Najib blueprint, but he has not responded at all so far, but just let swing voters gradually lured by the BN.
Secondly, he has allowed the Pakatan Rakyat morale to sink.
Although the Pakatan Rakyat won eight of the 13 by-elections, it has been defeated in the recent ones, except in Sibu because of Chinese votes.
The Pakatan Rakyat has been facing both internal and external problems and its members have lost their high morale of the 2008 general election. Anwar has not come out with new strategies to boost morale.
Thirdly, Anwar has no plan to implement reforms.
The Pakatan Rakyat was able to gain control of five states after the 2008 general election because it has promised to carry out reforms. Anwar has apparently taken the people's support for granted and does not fulfill his election commitments, making the promised reforms remaining as mere slogans.
Fourthly, the Pakatan Rakyat is still a loose organization, and there is no effort to consolidate and strengthen the coalition.
Compared with the BN, the Pakatan Rakyat lacks an effective structure and organisation, and its discipline is in a mess.
The Pakatan Rakyat is also facing contradictions and conflicts in terms of political ideology and has failed to introduce new policies.
Fifthly, there is no no political resource intergration.
Anwar should apply his administrative experience as the deputy prime minister in integrating the resources of the four Pakatan Rakyat state governments and introducing a plan to stimulate economy in the four states. The blank in this area has caused the Pakatan Rakyat state governments to lack performance to retain confidence of their supporters.
As the economic adviser for Selangor, Anwar has shown no achievement so far.
Sixth, Anwar seems helpless to quell the PKR infighting.
Internal problems of the PKR had been started since the 2008 general election, including choosing inappropriate election candidates and resolving problems by creating by-election through resignations. The people will not be cheated again and again.
The withdrawal of Perak state assembly members from the party has caused the collapse of the Perak Pakatan Rakyat state government. A few MPs and state assembly members have also quit the party after that. Anwar claimed it as a plot by Umno, but he has never seriously put any effort in resolving the factional, personnel and power struggle problems in the party.
Eventually, it leads to the outbreak of a major crisis in the party. Again, Anwar puts the blame on a conspiracy outside the party. He is too lazy even to find a more decent reason.
Finally, Anwar lacks the ability to lead and judge: A leader should be responsible, fair and unbiased.
Anwar's stand in the party election is ambiguous.
For the direct election mechanism, even outsiders have expected problems, but why did an experienced leaders like Anwar fail to anticipate them? Isn't the situation not serious enough to cause concern when 165 complaints about unfairness of the party election had been received?
Anwar was very bold before the 2008 general election and it was he who managed to put the three parties together to form the Pakatan Rakyat. But he has changed since the sodomy charges were filed against him, and the embarrassing failure of a purported regime change scheduled for 16 September 2008.
Leaders can always be replaced and the most important thing is achieving the main goals. Replacing the leaders might bring an opportunity to change. However, the plight of the Pakatan Rakyat is that there is at present no visible suitable candidate to replace Anwar.
read the full article Sin Chew Daily here.
For Anwar Ibrahim the writing is not just on the wall it is on newsprint as well.
I doubt that he has the strength of character to let go and retire from politics to sacrifice himself for the better good. I believe his desire to become PM by any means will prevent him from doing so despite the fact that as events over the years have shown, it is almost impossible for him to be Malaysia's Prime Minister when he has nothing to offer to make Malaysia a better place for us all.
Besides that, the sodomy charge and trial against him which is hanging like an albatross around his neck will severely limit his political option, the leeway given by the judge and prosecution to him to ensure that justice is being seen to be done has made it difficult to label the trial as a conspiracy against him.
Anwar should really heed Zaid Ibrahim's recent call.
Thursday, 11 November 2010
After 41 years we should be able to rationally talk and discuss about the 13 May 1969 tragedy
Updated Post:
Read here for Utusan's Zaini Hassan excellent article on the 13 May tragedy:
Original Post:
On 1st November 2010, Pulau Pinang State Opposition Leader Datuk Azhar was unjustly suspended for six months by the DAP dominated State Assembly apparently for refusing to retract alleged "seditious" remarks during a May 16 assembly. Datuk Azhar was accused of using the seditious words and issuing "May 13" threats during CM Guan Eng speech to the Assembly.
Report on the suspension in the DUN Pulau Pinang (Utusan Malaysia):
Keputusan itu dibuat pada Mesyuarat Kedua Penggal Ketiga DUN Ke-12 di sini hari ini selepas usul tersebut dibentangkan Ketua Menteri, Lim Guan Eng dan disokong Timbalan Ketua Menteri, Datuk Mansor Othman.
Usul menggantung Azhar yang juga Ahli Dewan Undangan Negeri (ADUN) Penaga dibuat oleh Jawatankuasa Hak dan Kebebasan DUN Pulau Pinang dan diluluskan selepas menerima suara majoriti.
Sejurus usul tersebut diumumkan Speaker DUN, Datuk Abdul Halim Hussain, Azhar bangun dan meninggalkan Dewan diikuti 11 ADUN Barisan Nasional (BN) yang lain.
Azhar ketika membahaskan usul tersebut menegaskan, beliau tidak akan meminta maaf atau menarik balik perkara itu kerana beliau tidak bersalah dan memberi enam sebab enggan berbuat demikian.
“Usul itu cacat kerana ia tidak pernah dibahaskan, perkataan yang dirujuk telah ditarik balik dan diterima oleh Dewan dan ia juga tidak jelas mengenai siapa yang hendak didakwa sebagai melakukan kesalahan.
“Usul tersebut juga tidak terdapat dakwaan yang spesifik dan jelas yang menunjukkan kesalahan dilakukan, usul yang dibawa adalah di luar sesi pagi dan selepas Dewan berehat dan ia satu tindakan after thought,” tegasnya.
Jawatankuasa yang dipengerusikan Abdul Halim mengadakan mesyuarat berhubung perkara tersebut sebanyak tiga kali iaitu pada 7 Jun, 3 serta 17 Ogos dan Azhar hadir memberi keterangan pada mesyuarat terakhir.
Azhar yang juga Setiausaha Badan Perhubungan UMNO negeri dirujuk ke jawatankuasa itu kerana didakwa melanggar peraturan berikutan mengeluarkan kata-kata berbaur hasutan ketika hari terakhir sidang DUN 6 Mei lalu.
Beliau dikatakan menggunakan perkataan ‘13 Mei’ ketika berlaku pertikaman lidah dengan Ketua Menteri, Lim Guan Eng pada sesi penggulungan Usul Terima Kasih Ucapan Yang Dipertua Negeri, Tun Abdul Rahman Abbas.
Usul menghadapkan beliau ke jawatankuasa itu sebelum ini telah dicadangkan oleh Jagdeep Singh Deo (DAP-Datuk Keramat).
Sementara itu, pada sidang akhbarnya di luar Dewan, Azhar berkata, penggantungan tersebut tidak betul dan yang pasti beliau ‘sakit hati’ dengan keputusan berkenaan sambil menyifatkan corak pentadbiran kerajaan negeri bersifat ‘ala Guan Eng’.
“Saya Ketua Pembangkang yang paling vokal dan selalu mengkritik pemerintahan mereka dan kes seumpama ini juga yang pertama kali berlaku dalam sejarah Pulau Pinang,” ujarnya.
Ditanya mengapa beliau enggan memohon maaf walaupun berkali-kali diminta berbuat demikian, jelasnya:
“Untuk apa saya minta maaf, saya tidak bersalah, saya teraniaya dan ini cara mereka untuk tutup mulut saya,” katanya.
read in full here.
The million dollar question is why the Chauvinist DAP is in such fear of "May 13" that even the very word could spook them so. Why are they in perpetual denial 41 years after the darkest day in our independent history? The tragic event happened because we as a nation momentarily forgot that we are tolerant and accepting of each other. It is recorded history that cannot be denied, people provoke and insult, people kill and people died and property destroyed, yes, because we lost control of ourselves at that time and racism, bigotry and insanity prevailed.
Do not read the cherry picking rubbish on May13 incident written by Kua Kia Soong, a book that should have been banned, read this excellent article by jebatmustdie who debunked the thrash written by Kua, here..The 13th May Racial Riots, The True and Fair View. Also read the National Operation Council(NOC) Report on the 13th May Tragedy here.
The Pakatan led by the DAP again created a ruckus when Utusan Malaysia Columnist Zaini Hassan wrote an article on 13Mei and his criticism of the DAP Pulau Pinang Government, excerpts here. Which of course brought about a rabid May13phobic leaden reaction from the DAP and its PKR and PAS subordinates read here and here.
I think after 41 years of the 13 May 1969 incident we should be able now to talk and discuss openly and rationally about why it happened and what we should do as a nation to prevent a recurrence which our blessed nation could ill afford. Attempts by the minority in the DAP and others to muzzle and railroad anyone who wishes to remind Malaysians of the May 13 incident should and must be discouraged. No body is on trial here!
While our politicians in power has a penchant to sweep sensitive things on race under the carpet and they were somewhat successful in the last 41 years, but in this internet age where information is downloaded and read almost instantaneously, such actions are now outdated, we must engage and inform and discuss so that the young will understand why May 13 happened and why policies are initiated to ensure that racial harmony are preserved for the future and is indeed working as we speak.
Certainly I will not call May 13 a "Hari Keramat" it should however be remembered and lessons to be learnt, I hope the new Sejarah syllabus which require a compulsory pass in the SPM will put extra attention to the events that lead to the incident and the aftermath and the policy which was designed and put in place by the wise people from the National Operations Council(NOC) or Majlis Gerakan Negara (Mageran) to ensure that there will be no repeat of the May 13 Tragedy.
Read here for Utusan's Zaini Hassan excellent article on the 13 May tragedy:
13 Mei dan 21 Julai: Fakta sejarah, mengapa perlu takut?
Original Post:
On 1st November 2010, Pulau Pinang State Opposition Leader Datuk Azhar was unjustly suspended for six months by the DAP dominated State Assembly apparently for refusing to retract alleged "seditious" remarks during a May 16 assembly. Datuk Azhar was accused of using the seditious words and issuing "May 13" threats during CM Guan Eng speech to the Assembly.
Report on the suspension in the DUN Pulau Pinang (Utusan Malaysia):
Keputusan itu dibuat pada Mesyuarat Kedua Penggal Ketiga DUN Ke-12 di sini hari ini selepas usul tersebut dibentangkan Ketua Menteri, Lim Guan Eng dan disokong Timbalan Ketua Menteri, Datuk Mansor Othman.
Usul menggantung Azhar yang juga Ahli Dewan Undangan Negeri (ADUN) Penaga dibuat oleh Jawatankuasa Hak dan Kebebasan DUN Pulau Pinang dan diluluskan selepas menerima suara majoriti.
Sejurus usul tersebut diumumkan Speaker DUN, Datuk Abdul Halim Hussain, Azhar bangun dan meninggalkan Dewan diikuti 11 ADUN Barisan Nasional (BN) yang lain.
Azhar ketika membahaskan usul tersebut menegaskan, beliau tidak akan meminta maaf atau menarik balik perkara itu kerana beliau tidak bersalah dan memberi enam sebab enggan berbuat demikian.
“Usul itu cacat kerana ia tidak pernah dibahaskan, perkataan yang dirujuk telah ditarik balik dan diterima oleh Dewan dan ia juga tidak jelas mengenai siapa yang hendak didakwa sebagai melakukan kesalahan.
“Usul tersebut juga tidak terdapat dakwaan yang spesifik dan jelas yang menunjukkan kesalahan dilakukan, usul yang dibawa adalah di luar sesi pagi dan selepas Dewan berehat dan ia satu tindakan after thought,” tegasnya.
Jawatankuasa yang dipengerusikan Abdul Halim mengadakan mesyuarat berhubung perkara tersebut sebanyak tiga kali iaitu pada 7 Jun, 3 serta 17 Ogos dan Azhar hadir memberi keterangan pada mesyuarat terakhir.
Azhar yang juga Setiausaha Badan Perhubungan UMNO negeri dirujuk ke jawatankuasa itu kerana didakwa melanggar peraturan berikutan mengeluarkan kata-kata berbaur hasutan ketika hari terakhir sidang DUN 6 Mei lalu.
Beliau dikatakan menggunakan perkataan ‘13 Mei’ ketika berlaku pertikaman lidah dengan Ketua Menteri, Lim Guan Eng pada sesi penggulungan Usul Terima Kasih Ucapan Yang Dipertua Negeri, Tun Abdul Rahman Abbas.
Usul menghadapkan beliau ke jawatankuasa itu sebelum ini telah dicadangkan oleh Jagdeep Singh Deo (DAP-Datuk Keramat).
Sementara itu, pada sidang akhbarnya di luar Dewan, Azhar berkata, penggantungan tersebut tidak betul dan yang pasti beliau ‘sakit hati’ dengan keputusan berkenaan sambil menyifatkan corak pentadbiran kerajaan negeri bersifat ‘ala Guan Eng’.
“Saya Ketua Pembangkang yang paling vokal dan selalu mengkritik pemerintahan mereka dan kes seumpama ini juga yang pertama kali berlaku dalam sejarah Pulau Pinang,” ujarnya.
Ditanya mengapa beliau enggan memohon maaf walaupun berkali-kali diminta berbuat demikian, jelasnya:
“Untuk apa saya minta maaf, saya tidak bersalah, saya teraniaya dan ini cara mereka untuk tutup mulut saya,” katanya.
read in full here.
The million dollar question is why the Chauvinist DAP is in such fear of "May 13" that even the very word could spook them so. Why are they in perpetual denial 41 years after the darkest day in our independent history? The tragic event happened because we as a nation momentarily forgot that we are tolerant and accepting of each other. It is recorded history that cannot be denied, people provoke and insult, people kill and people died and property destroyed, yes, because we lost control of ourselves at that time and racism, bigotry and insanity prevailed.
Do not read the cherry picking rubbish on May13 incident written by Kua Kia Soong, a book that should have been banned, read this excellent article by jebatmustdie who debunked the thrash written by Kua, here..The 13th May Racial Riots, The True and Fair View. Also read the National Operation Council(NOC) Report on the 13th May Tragedy here.
The Pakatan led by the DAP again created a ruckus when Utusan Malaysia Columnist Zaini Hassan wrote an article on 13Mei and his criticism of the DAP Pulau Pinang Government, excerpts here. Which of course brought about a rabid May13phobic leaden reaction from the DAP and its PKR and PAS subordinates read here and here.
I think after 41 years of the 13 May 1969 incident we should be able now to talk and discuss openly and rationally about why it happened and what we should do as a nation to prevent a recurrence which our blessed nation could ill afford. Attempts by the minority in the DAP and others to muzzle and railroad anyone who wishes to remind Malaysians of the May 13 incident should and must be discouraged. No body is on trial here!
While our politicians in power has a penchant to sweep sensitive things on race under the carpet and they were somewhat successful in the last 41 years, but in this internet age where information is downloaded and read almost instantaneously, such actions are now outdated, we must engage and inform and discuss so that the young will understand why May 13 happened and why policies are initiated to ensure that racial harmony are preserved for the future and is indeed working as we speak.
Certainly I will not call May 13 a "Hari Keramat" it should however be remembered and lessons to be learnt, I hope the new Sejarah syllabus which require a compulsory pass in the SPM will put extra attention to the events that lead to the incident and the aftermath and the policy which was designed and put in place by the wise people from the National Operations Council(NOC) or Majlis Gerakan Negara (Mageran) to ensure that there will be no repeat of the May 13 Tragedy.
Those who cannot remember the past are condemned to repeat it.
Those who cannot learn from history are doomed to repeat it.
Those who do not remember their past are condemned to repeat their mistakes.
Those who do not read history are doomed to repeat it.
Those who fail to learn from the mistakes of their predecessors are destined to repeat them.
Wednesday, 10 November 2010
US First Lady wears headscarf at mosque, that is very respectful of her
Here is something that muslim and non muslim lady politicians or political wannabee in Malaysia can learn from the United States of America First Lady, Michelle Obama:
U.S. first lady dons headscarf at Indonesian mosque
Wednesday November 10, 2010By Neil Chatterjee
JAKARTA (Reuters) - U.S. first lady Michelle Obama donned a headscarf on a visit to an mosque in Indonesia on Wednesday, not a requirement for a non-Muslim but a sign of the Obamas' efforts to show respect for the Islamic world.
Wearing a beige headscarf adorned with gold beads and a flowing chartreuse trouser suit, the first lady toured Jakarta's Istiqlal Mosque, Southeast Asia's largest, while on a short state visit to the world's most populous Muslim country.
read more here.
No ifs, no buts, just respect a place of worship for what it is..... a place of worship.
Tidak susah kan.
U.S. first lady dons headscarf at Indonesian mosque
Wednesday November 10, 2010By Neil Chatterjee
JAKARTA (Reuters) - U.S. first lady Michelle Obama donned a headscarf on a visit to an mosque in Indonesia on Wednesday, not a requirement for a non-Muslim but a sign of the Obamas' efforts to show respect for the Islamic world.
Wearing a beige headscarf adorned with gold beads and a flowing chartreuse trouser suit, the first lady toured Jakarta's Istiqlal Mosque, Southeast Asia's largest, while on a short state visit to the world's most populous Muslim country.
read more here.
No ifs, no buts, just respect a place of worship for what it is..... a place of worship.
Tidak susah kan.
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