Why this hypocritical noise over the sales of beer I wonder, is that really a problem, I am sixty and have Muslim friends, many Muslim friends who used to smoke, drink and make merry, they even had girlfriends they used to date freely and vice versa, today most of them have stopped drinking, today some of them smoke and most of them have kicked the habit - it's my Muslim friends I am talking about.
Today I see many Malay boys, mostly Muslim, they make up 90 percent of the drug addict population in this country, they are hooked on heroin, and from my own experience working with them in 1996 I have found out that this habit, which is the scourge of the nation is the biggest menace, not drinking and smoking or going out with your girlfriend or friends as the case may be.
In spite of the death sentence for pushers and peddlers, these boys still get their fix and the drug trade flourishes in Malaysia unabated.
In 1996, I took about a hundred boys from the Pusat Serenti in Tampin to work at the factory where I was the Head of HR. We brought them in, we placed them in hostels just by the plant, we had a warden to look after them, and besides my own personal attention and that of one of our own in house wardens, I was, I thought on a mission to get these boys to kick the habit and turn over a new leaf, I was very committed to this ideal, I was looking forward to pull this project through.
The commandant of that Pusat Serenti saw that in me, one Major Mohammed, he sat me down, and he warned me that these boys were very difficult to rehabilitate, he even told me, 'sir if you can rehabilitate at least two or three you are good, if you get one to kick the habit be very happy because that is a huge success.'
I told him off, I did not like his negativity, I told him I was shocked about his attitude, and the good Major a seasoned army man patiently continued, "you see sir" he said, "I see the enthusiasm in you, it is you, I am worried about, I do not want you to get depressed about this and this is real, take my advice, but carry on you are doing a good job."
All those who have worked with drug addicts will tell you the Major was right, he was very right, I had these boys for only a period of about six to eight months before the Home Minsitry decided to end the programme, I went there and demanded an explanation, I fought and got my boys to stay for a further three to six months as the Ministry was releasing them in stages , then as they were being released from their detention I saw with my own eyes what happens.
I'll not go into the decision of the ministry to release these boys from detention at that stage, its technical, it and it is very subjective.
The very first day the first boy in my charge was released from detention, he took a bus to KL and got his long awaited shot, he was caught on his return by the warden and was sent back to the Pusat. This chap was from Trengganu I remember, he did not know KL, but when he wanted his shot, he knew exactly where to go on the first day, and if these guys have such a powerful network what are our authorities doing? Their priority I think is to catch these boys who drink beer or go out with girlfriends, I am sure in their younger days our PM and his father included, had their time, but today these boys cant.
The children elite who are schooled in England, the States, Australia and Europe, even Singapore are free to enjoy their youth and grow up in the process, the remaining unfortunate Malay children whose parents are not rich enough to send them overseas, have to stay at home and be watched of their every move by these 'morality enforces.'
The leaders who are the elite and who know of their childrens exploits keep mum and allow the local Malay youth here to be discriminated against, only for their own political advantage.
What is the 'Mat Rempit' problem? Is it difficult to understand? Why is it growing?
These youth need the experience of growing up, they are at a stage of their lives where they need to be free to try and learn from their mistakes and experiences, stop them from what comes naturally, or what we have accepted as social norms and they'll fight you with all they have got, and that is the "Mat Rempit."
Guidance Yes!!!!!!! Enforcement No!!!!!!!!
Surprised??
No I bet not, all the UMNO big wigs know this, that is why there is no real attempt to stamp out the 'Mat Rempit,' its all political, totally political, The 'Mat Rempit' is crying out to be understood, crying out for recognition of his adulthood, his right to make choices, is crying out for his own freedom and no one cares to listen, only the suppression continues and this beer drinking accusation is but one of them
It's so political they can send battalions after battalions of Police personnel to attack innocent marchers who march for a civic and moral causes, but can't find the numbers to wipe out this scourge of drug addiction, to study in depth the 'Mat Rempit' problem and understand it to address it positively.
This Government is more interested in its political power it does not really understand the social issues it has given birth to by politicization, racialism and by inadequate and unqualified leadership and corruption.
Toffee
Saturday, August 8, 2009
Sunday, August 2, 2009
Time Kills all Kills, and the Killing goes on
Why is it the MACC swung into action so rapidly when some accusations of corruption were made against the Selangor State assemblymen?
Why was this a priority and why was Toyo, not an urgency?
Why have they not revealed the corrupt practices in the former State assembly headed by Toyo?
Remember the Istana in Klang, built by a former railway guard turned assemblyman? Was there an investigation there?
What about the association of wives of assemblymen and the funds, have the MACC made any investigations?
If they hadn't then why the haste, why this LIFO principle instead of a FIFO principle.
In my opinion there can be two reasons, one is extremely obvious, that is they are not an independent body, they are still working under the direction and control of UMNO and not even the BN, its only the UMNO big wigs that call the shots. Why am I even saying this its rather silly to try and publicize the obvious.
The next is what I see as an extremely urgent reason, so urgent that some are willing to kill.
Ong Tee Kiat has made it public knowledge that he will reveal the facts of the Price Waterhouse report in the PKFZ scandal, he has also made it public knowledge that he has been threatened, and that he had informed the police. Lim Kit Siang even suggested that he'd make a report to the police based on Ong's claims, so there are some things that are outside the realm of the MACC, they'd not be able to keep some information privy to themselves if Ong allows the beans to be spilt, and there are people in high places willing to take on Ong one way or the other and shut him up, so Ong can be managed as long as he is in the MCA, even Chua JuiMeng talked about outside interference in MCA as hsi reason to quit.
Now if anybody has been making a lot of noise about the PKFZ scandal it has been the DAP, and the MACC I believe were more concerned with what some of them knew, rather then just investigate some allegations of corruption which even the MACC knows lacks any credibility.
The MACC is looking into the PKFZ and they would not want their "findings" to be compromised by some revelations especially from the DAP, from the Lingam case we know how they workand how they skew findings to suit the requirements of their masters.
The PKFZ involves some very big personalities, it may bring the BN down to its knees, it may send some BN big wigs to prison, so the call must have been out to find out what they knew.
Teoh Beng Hock was not an assemblyman, neither was he a Parliamentarian, he was only an aide to a Politician, a former journalist, a man with quite a lot of leads out there from whom he could induce a lot of information, probably even with inside information to persons in Price Waterhouse, so what did he know.
Teoh Beng Hock could have been the target, the other assemblymen were taken to mask the entire operation, Teoh would have held fast to his knowledge, he was either prepared to share and at the same time prepared to reveal what he shared with the MACC officials, or he refused to share what he knew, and that was dangerous for the MACC and its masters, he had to go.
Why else was a "witness" treated as a suspect. Why was he questioned in the wee hours of the morning, why was a witness detained, and how did this "witness" die.
If he was indeed released, and if he was indeed only a witness, whey were his personal belongings in the hands of the ACA, why are so many questions left unanswered?
Why was the large wooden door to the MACC office closed that afternoon, the very afternoon they announced his death.
An inquest with a magistrate will not suffice, this case implicates the Government, the Police, the MACC and the attorney General, the very man who should be doing his level best to protect all citizens.
The only solution is a Royal commission of inquiry, properly and independently constituted with men whose integrity is unblemished.
Why was this a priority and why was Toyo, not an urgency?
Why have they not revealed the corrupt practices in the former State assembly headed by Toyo?
Remember the Istana in Klang, built by a former railway guard turned assemblyman? Was there an investigation there?
What about the association of wives of assemblymen and the funds, have the MACC made any investigations?
If they hadn't then why the haste, why this LIFO principle instead of a FIFO principle.
In my opinion there can be two reasons, one is extremely obvious, that is they are not an independent body, they are still working under the direction and control of UMNO and not even the BN, its only the UMNO big wigs that call the shots. Why am I even saying this its rather silly to try and publicize the obvious.
The next is what I see as an extremely urgent reason, so urgent that some are willing to kill.
Ong Tee Kiat has made it public knowledge that he will reveal the facts of the Price Waterhouse report in the PKFZ scandal, he has also made it public knowledge that he has been threatened, and that he had informed the police. Lim Kit Siang even suggested that he'd make a report to the police based on Ong's claims, so there are some things that are outside the realm of the MACC, they'd not be able to keep some information privy to themselves if Ong allows the beans to be spilt, and there are people in high places willing to take on Ong one way or the other and shut him up, so Ong can be managed as long as he is in the MCA, even Chua JuiMeng talked about outside interference in MCA as hsi reason to quit.
Now if anybody has been making a lot of noise about the PKFZ scandal it has been the DAP, and the MACC I believe were more concerned with what some of them knew, rather then just investigate some allegations of corruption which even the MACC knows lacks any credibility.
The MACC is looking into the PKFZ and they would not want their "findings" to be compromised by some revelations especially from the DAP, from the Lingam case we know how they workand how they skew findings to suit the requirements of their masters.
The PKFZ involves some very big personalities, it may bring the BN down to its knees, it may send some BN big wigs to prison, so the call must have been out to find out what they knew.
Teoh Beng Hock was not an assemblyman, neither was he a Parliamentarian, he was only an aide to a Politician, a former journalist, a man with quite a lot of leads out there from whom he could induce a lot of information, probably even with inside information to persons in Price Waterhouse, so what did he know.
Teoh Beng Hock could have been the target, the other assemblymen were taken to mask the entire operation, Teoh would have held fast to his knowledge, he was either prepared to share and at the same time prepared to reveal what he shared with the MACC officials, or he refused to share what he knew, and that was dangerous for the MACC and its masters, he had to go.
Why else was a "witness" treated as a suspect. Why was he questioned in the wee hours of the morning, why was a witness detained, and how did this "witness" die.
If he was indeed released, and if he was indeed only a witness, whey were his personal belongings in the hands of the ACA, why are so many questions left unanswered?
Why was the large wooden door to the MACC office closed that afternoon, the very afternoon they announced his death.
An inquest with a magistrate will not suffice, this case implicates the Government, the Police, the MACC and the attorney General, the very man who should be doing his level best to protect all citizens.
The only solution is a Royal commission of inquiry, properly and independently constituted with men whose integrity is unblemished.
Saturday, August 1, 2009
President of Unity Party WA to Najib Tun Razak
A letter from the Unity Party of Western Australia sent by its president Eddy Huang to Prime Minister Najib Tun Razak and copied to all major newspapers in the Asia Pacific region.
The current raging issues in Malaysia have been picked up by most foreign media..
The current raging issues in Malaysia have been picked up by most foreign media..
The Unity Party WA - a well known political party in Perth noted for its fights for human rightswrote to our new PM Datuk Seri Najib asking for his comments on Dr. M's recent claim thatthe Malays are under threat in Malaysia.
Its President sent a copy of his email to a long list of recipients shown below. It will be interestingto read of our PM's reply if he chooses to respond.
==============================
From: Unity Party WA [mailto:UnityPartyWA@westnet.
Sent: Wednesday, 8 April 2009 8:33 AM
To: DATO' SRI MOHD NAJIB BIN HAJI TUN ABDUL RAZAK
Cc: Editor-Yomiuri S.; Editor-Strait Post sg; Editor-Indomedia; Editor-Asian Tribune; Editor- Apple Daily tw; Editor - Zaobo sg; Editor - Wenxue City; Editor - United D/N Tai; Editor - The Star; Editor - The Asian Age; Editor - Taipei Times; Editor - Sohu; Editor - SingTao - fr; Editor - Singtao; Editor - Sing Tao - uk; Editor - Nihao; Editor - Malaysia Today; Editor - La Presse Chinoise; Editor - Dim Sum; Editor - ChannelnewsAsia; Editor - Brunei Times; Editor - Bangkok Post; Editor - Apple Daily; SBS Radio Perth; sbs Radio; SBS - Sydney; Editor-W.N.Wkly -Qld; Editor - WAFM1049; Editor - Saigon Post; Editor - Qld A.B. Wkly; Editor - Pacific Times; Editor - Indian; Editor - DCH Mel; Editor - Chinesent; Editor - C.M.D Mel; Editor - Aus.Chinese daily; Editor - Aus.Ch.Weekly; Editor - asiabusinessweekly; Editor - ACNW vic; Editor - ACA; Editor - A.C.Times; President - Press club NZ; Chair - CPU uk; Commission - eu; President - CJFE ca; President - NPC us; President - Press Cl ch; President - Press Cl id; President - Press cl in; President - Press cl lao; President - Press cl ma; President - Press cl nz; President - Press cl -sg1; President - Press cl sm; President - Press Cl ta; President - Press Cl ug; President - Press cl uk; President - Press Club - india; President - Press Council; Paul Murray; Manager-ABC - TV; Manager - TV/9 Perth; Manager - TV/10 Perth; Manager - Channel 7; Howard Satlier; Editor-West Australian; Editor-Sydney Morning H; Editor-Sunday Times; Editor-Courier Mail; Editor-Advertiser; Editor - Xenox; Editor - WA News; Editor - the Australian; Editor - Sun Herald; Editor - News Digital; Editor - LINKS; Editor - Jim Marrs; Editor - Heraldsun; Editor - GetUp; Editor - Crikey; Editor - AJA; Editor - AFR; Editor - 6PR; CEO - 2 UE Radio; Editor - Today Tonight; Editor - News; Hong Lim MP; Iris Wang - MP; Senator - Henry Tsang; Senator - M. Choi; Presideent - He Nan Asn; President - WHF; President - WACCC; President - SDU; President - SAWA; President - HKABA; President - He Tong Huey; President - FCMA; President - Chung Wah Asn; President - CAU; President - CAF; President - Bruni Club; President - ACMF; President - ACB/Club; Mayor - Marrickville; Mayor - Auburn; Jack Au - Auburn; Councillor - Sandra. Liu; Chang Zhidan; President - Fujian Asn; Editor - AVAAZ; Editor - AVAAZ; Editor - AVAAZ; Editor - AVAAZ; Editor - avaaz; Editor - BBC; Editor - Belgian Today; Editor - DW Radio; Editor - Enquiro; Editor - Free Press ca; Editor - Globe Mails; Editor - globeandmail.ca; Editor - Guardian; Editor - guardian uk; Editor - Gulf Times; Editor - Haaretz; Editor - Haaretz; Editor - Het Belang be; Editor - iht.com; Editor - Independent; Editor - ITV; Editor - New York Times; Editor - SF Gate; Editor - TV Be; Editor - TV7 fr; Editor - welt.de; Editor - WSJ; Editor -bpra.bund.de; Editor -political Comments; Editor-L'Humanite.fr; Editor-Toronto Star; John Pilger; Manager - TV Europe
Subject: Fw: Mamak, O Mamak ! The mamakutti
DATO' SRI MOHD NAJIB BIN HAJI TUN ABDUL RAZAK,
Malaysian Prime Minister,
admin@portal.gov.my
Dear Prime Minister,
We refer to the email below from one of our members for your information.
Would you like to comment, please?
We look forward to hearing from you in due course.
Yours respectfully,
Eddie Hwang
President
Unity Party WA
UnityPartyWA@westnet.com.au
www.unitywa.org
Mahathir claimed that the Malays are under threat. Under threat from
whom? Can the Malays be under threat:-
From a minority 35% of the population over the majority 65% which are
made up of Malays?
From a less than 10% minority in the Police, Army, Judiciary,
Attorney General Office and MACC which are predominantly filled by
Malays?
From a minority of the Members of Parliament where Malays make up
more than 60% the majority?
From a group who doesn't control the air, sea and land? These are
controlled by UMNO and its cronies such as MAS, AirAsia, MISC, Toll
Concessionaires, NAZA, Proton and Perodua.
From a group who doesn't control the supply of basic necessities such
as food, water and utilities? These are monopolised by UMNO cronies
such as Bernas (rice and flour), Water Concessionaires (SPAN, SYABAS,
etc), Telekom (telephone), Tenaga (electricity) , etc
From a group who doesn't control the main stream media. The mass
media are wholly controlled by UMNO and its cronies such as Utusan
Melayu, Berita Harian, New Straits Times, The Star, The Sun, Media
Prima (TV1, TV2, TV3, TV, TV8, TV9 and all the Radio Stations), ASTRO,
etc? Lately even Harakah and Suara Keadilan have been banned!
From a group whose mother tongue and religion aren't enshrined in the
Federal Constitution where Malay is the official language and Islam is
the official religion? Other groups can't even hold any interfaith
dialogues and use of the word of Allah without being severely
intimidated by protests, storming of conferences and warnings from
UMNO!
From a group who can't be appointed the Prime Minister, Deputy Prime
Minister and Mentri Besars and a host of high positions in the Malay
states as enshrined in the state constitution or decree by the Sultans
where only Malays from UMNO can be appointed?
From a group who are ever subjected to intimidation of arrest under
the flimsiest excuse using the ISA, the Police, MACC, etc and a myriad
of repressive laws such as the Sedition Act, Multimedia Act and
treason against the Sultans, etc? Of course UMNO are spared from such
actions and above such laws.
It is a blatant lie that the non-Malays can ever threaten the Malays.
Who is actually threatening the Malays? From the look of things, UMNO
finger prints are everywhere - UMNO Malays are actually the ones
threatening and stealing from the ordinary Malays and non-Malays.
Someone has to be the punching bag and scapegoat for UMNO's cling to
power and thievery - hence putting the blame on non-Malays!
UMNO is a racist party and it is very clear that they are separating
the Sultans from their subjects and the Malays from the non-Malays for
their own selfish ends without a thought of the consequences and our
economy!
Reports from the scene, it has begun
Gerakan Mansuhkan ISA Chairman Syed Ibrahim Syed Noh,contemplating a bigger rally soon.
Gerakan Mansuhkan ISA Chairman Syed Ibrahim Syed Noh said that they would try to hand over memorandum to Palace another day.
Rally a huge success a big hand to those who were there for you, and the next time please make sure you are here too, and counted.
If there is to be a measure of success, 157 organisers arrested prior to today's rally, (see star report today, quoting the Police) and yet about 100,00 people turned up in support of the cause, in the case of Perwaris the pro government organizers, Zero arrests and Zero turnout. Its true what the PAS, DAP and PKR claim the rally was ahuge success.
PAS Dr Mujahid Yusuf Rawa arrested, Sivarasa of PKR arrested they cops need Tien Chua to make it one Indian, one, Malay and one Chinese, so stupid these racialists.
Reports from the PAS HQ says its a stand off, the Police on the outside and the party heads on the inside, sheer provocation, as long as the cops remain outside the PAS HQ the supporters will remain on the streets, its a stand off created by the police.
The police seem to be provoking the issue, they're regrouping at Sogo, and intimidating the crowd, this may go on for hours more, this is a mixed crowd, a truly Malaysian crowd, and they are taking on the police.
This blog reported about 400 detained, jsut received from DSAI;
anwaribrahim: 200 people and may be more were detained. This is a blatant abuse of law and against the cardinal principles of democratic nation.
The police ate targetting Tien Chua at PAS HQ.
"Police trying to get into the PAS headquarters, they claim the protesters are inside they want to get at them. A classic case of ISA in action, this is whay they need the ISA to silence their critics, and not for security, for security they have to arrest BN leaders who alleged to have been involved in criminal activities, and Kugan's killers." Razak B
The other group Perwaris, comprising the Silat experts, not to be seen. Whoever this perwaris fellow is he has attempted to shame the Silat experts of this country, he forgot they are men of principles the real Silat experts and they will not fallfor his shallowness.
If there is to be a measure of success to this rally, the police have confirmed the arrest of 157 people before the rally (the Star- 3.30 pm.http://thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2009/8/1/nation/20090801100612&sec=nation) and yet the rally went on.
Kuala Krai Pas MP Hatta Ramli saved by the crowd when police were attacking him.
4.30 Police at the PAS HQ, jsut outside not gone in yet, or are they going to go In?
4.27 p.m. my sources tell me that tear gas is still being fired at the crowds in the Sogo and Raja laut areas, a police source says they have to finish the stock as the expiry date is close at hand.
Total arrests could exceed 400 people, the capital is in turmoil and the PM is in Kota Baru.
Hit by chemically laced water, me yes me, being treated by a a young Malay boy, cool man.
Cops have lost their cool even as people disperse they are attacking them.
Just when we thought it was all over, tear gas firing again, water cannon in the Sogo area. its 4.17 now.
Cops are back at the scene, they are fidgety, I think the IGP has to call them back to base, they seem to be stressed out.
"Its all over, what a shame it could have been the biggest marketing event of the year," a business proprietor tells me, "a crowd of about 50,000, what an opportunity lost, it could have been turned into sales, we do not get such opportunities for free these days, the police spoilt the event, its not easy to host such a huge event."
When asked if he does not see it as a threat, his reply "was what threat, there are threats everyday, and if the police can work as efficiently around here everyday there will be absolutely no threat at all."
"Ah you can't talk to police you know, they'll not understand."
Total crowd estimated at above 50,000.
All PKR leaders in PAS HQ, press conference to follow.
The rally is a success even without the petition handed to the King, the entire nation is now talking.
PKR leaders trying their best to make it to the PAS headquarters.
Attention shifts to the PAS headquarters, as the crowds move towards the PAS HQ, the police seem to be regrouping as well. A confrontation is brewing.
The one thing we can be proud of is, that even when faced by a brutal and provocative police force, we the people do not resort to violence.
3.37p.m
All is quiet, except for a few helicopters, are the Police taking new orders?
Police in plain clothes mingling with the crowds and arresting them at will, so far more than 100 detained.
Sivarasa PKR Vice president arrested.
Kit Siang's comment in Anil Netto's web page; limkitsiang: Effective use of water canon, FRUs & police today show if IGP focus on his job, there can be 0% crime rate in Msia. What a misplaced talent.
View http://anilnetto.com/, people on the scene are talking to him via twitter.
3.00 p.m
Police brutality in its element, you have to be here to witness it, oh what have I been missing, our cops are excellent in this area, must be the best in the world, police attacking innocent civilians, never witnessed or heard of this before.
Total crowd estimated at fifty thousand, about 20,000 at Dataran Merdeka, 20,000 at City Hall and about 10,000 at the National Mosque, more should team up again, as those who scattered from the Sogo Dang Wangi area regroup.
Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, Lim Kit Siang, Datuk Mahfuz Omar and Datuk Seri Nizar Jamaluddin are at the demonstration
The indiscriminate firing of the water cannon has begun, typical signature violent action of the Royal Malaysian Police, innocent onlookers with children are caught in this fire, and this police force does not seem to care.
There is no one from the government camp to witness these atrocities, because it is they who call for it. On my way into the thick of action I saw what looked like a dog, a pariah dog (mongrel), with its tail between its legs, running away, someone said, "Gerakan, " I wonder what it meant.
If you're not here follow me, for updates.
Even as I write more and more people are beginning to be arrested on site by the Royal Malaysian Police, the so called Police of the people whose duty it is to ensure
that the rights of the rakyat are protected, are arresting people over a peaceful demonstration of people expressing thier frustrations over the ISA, with a petition to the King.
Are the Police using this ISA to detain these people? The same police who arrested Theresa Kok over some wild allegations, the same Police who arrested and detained a reporter of
a Chinese daily, claiming later they did it for her own safety.
Up to this moment 2.18 p.m an estimated 80 persons have been arrested, they ahve been picked form various points in the City, Sogo, Central Market, the Masjid Jamek LRT station and even the national Mosque.
The City police chief Deputy Comm Mohd Sabtu Othman, is believed to be leading operations, he is reproted to have said police arrested over 25 people, including suspected organisers of illegal gatherings, near the National Mosque.
The Seremban-Sungai Besi Highway, Jalan Kelapa Gading, Jalan Mahameru, roads around Dataran Merdeka, Jalan Travers and roads around Istana Negara have been closed, in an apparent attempt by the police to block the people from delivering their message to the King.
So far no one from the other group has been arrested, in fact the other group is not to be seen at all during this time.
One fo the marchers has told us come rain or shine, Police water Cannon, tear gas or even gun fire they are determined to reach the King, to hand him this petitiion. Encik Hafiz Busoh, who claims to be an enlightened UMNO syas, "I am here to lend support to this, a worthy cause, i do not have to toe UMNO's line all the time, I support anything reasonable."
Gerakan Mansuhkan ISA Chairman Syed Ibrahim Syed Noh said that they would try to hand over memorandum to Palace another day.
Rally a huge success a big hand to those who were there for you, and the next time please make sure you are here too, and counted.
If there is to be a measure of success, 157 organisers arrested prior to today's rally, (see star report today, quoting the Police) and yet about 100,00 people turned up in support of the cause, in the case of Perwaris the pro government organizers, Zero arrests and Zero turnout. Its true what the PAS, DAP and PKR claim the rally was ahuge success.
PAS Dr Mujahid Yusuf Rawa arrested, Sivarasa of PKR arrested they cops need Tien Chua to make it one Indian, one, Malay and one Chinese, so stupid these racialists.
Reports from the PAS HQ says its a stand off, the Police on the outside and the party heads on the inside, sheer provocation, as long as the cops remain outside the PAS HQ the supporters will remain on the streets, its a stand off created by the police.
The police seem to be provoking the issue, they're regrouping at Sogo, and intimidating the crowd, this may go on for hours more, this is a mixed crowd, a truly Malaysian crowd, and they are taking on the police.
This blog reported about 400 detained, jsut received from DSAI;
anwaribrahim: 200 people and may be more were detained. This is a blatant abuse of law and against the cardinal principles of democratic nation.
The police ate targetting Tien Chua at PAS HQ.
"Police trying to get into the PAS headquarters, they claim the protesters are inside they want to get at them. A classic case of ISA in action, this is whay they need the ISA to silence their critics, and not for security, for security they have to arrest BN leaders who alleged to have been involved in criminal activities, and Kugan's killers." Razak B
The other group Perwaris, comprising the Silat experts, not to be seen. Whoever this perwaris fellow is he has attempted to shame the Silat experts of this country, he forgot they are men of principles the real Silat experts and they will not fallfor his shallowness.
If there is to be a measure of success to this rally, the police have confirmed the arrest of 157 people before the rally (the Star- 3.30 pm.http://thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2009/8/1/nation/20090801100612&sec=nation) and yet the rally went on.
Kuala Krai Pas MP Hatta Ramli saved by the crowd when police were attacking him.
4.30 Police at the PAS HQ, jsut outside not gone in yet, or are they going to go In?
4.27 p.m. my sources tell me that tear gas is still being fired at the crowds in the Sogo and Raja laut areas, a police source says they have to finish the stock as the expiry date is close at hand.
Total arrests could exceed 400 people, the capital is in turmoil and the PM is in Kota Baru.
Hit by chemically laced water, me yes me, being treated by a a young Malay boy, cool man.
Cops have lost their cool even as people disperse they are attacking them.
Just when we thought it was all over, tear gas firing again, water cannon in the Sogo area. its 4.17 now.
Cops are back at the scene, they are fidgety, I think the IGP has to call them back to base, they seem to be stressed out.
"Its all over, what a shame it could have been the biggest marketing event of the year," a business proprietor tells me, "a crowd of about 50,000, what an opportunity lost, it could have been turned into sales, we do not get such opportunities for free these days, the police spoilt the event, its not easy to host such a huge event."
When asked if he does not see it as a threat, his reply "was what threat, there are threats everyday, and if the police can work as efficiently around here everyday there will be absolutely no threat at all."
"Ah you can't talk to police you know, they'll not understand."
Total crowd estimated at above 50,000.
All PKR leaders in PAS HQ, press conference to follow.
The rally is a success even without the petition handed to the King, the entire nation is now talking.
PKR leaders trying their best to make it to the PAS headquarters.
Attention shifts to the PAS headquarters, as the crowds move towards the PAS HQ, the police seem to be regrouping as well. A confrontation is brewing.
The one thing we can be proud of is, that even when faced by a brutal and provocative police force, we the people do not resort to violence.
3.37p.m
All is quiet, except for a few helicopters, are the Police taking new orders?
Police in plain clothes mingling with the crowds and arresting them at will, so far more than 100 detained.
Sivarasa PKR Vice president arrested.
Kit Siang's comment in Anil Netto's web page; limkitsiang: Effective use of water canon, FRUs & police today show if IGP focus on his job, there can be 0% crime rate in Msia. What a misplaced talent.
View http://anilnetto.com/, people on the scene are talking to him via twitter.
3.00 p.m
Police brutality in its element, you have to be here to witness it, oh what have I been missing, our cops are excellent in this area, must be the best in the world, police attacking innocent civilians, never witnessed or heard of this before.
Total crowd estimated at fifty thousand, about 20,000 at Dataran Merdeka, 20,000 at City Hall and about 10,000 at the National Mosque, more should team up again, as those who scattered from the Sogo Dang Wangi area regroup.
Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, Lim Kit Siang, Datuk Mahfuz Omar and Datuk Seri Nizar Jamaluddin are at the demonstration
The indiscriminate firing of the water cannon has begun, typical signature violent action of the Royal Malaysian Police, innocent onlookers with children are caught in this fire, and this police force does not seem to care.
There is no one from the government camp to witness these atrocities, because it is they who call for it. On my way into the thick of action I saw what looked like a dog, a pariah dog (mongrel), with its tail between its legs, running away, someone said, "Gerakan, " I wonder what it meant.
If you're not here follow me, for updates.
Even as I write more and more people are beginning to be arrested on site by the Royal Malaysian Police, the so called Police of the people whose duty it is to ensure
that the rights of the rakyat are protected, are arresting people over a peaceful demonstration of people expressing thier frustrations over the ISA, with a petition to the King.
Are the Police using this ISA to detain these people? The same police who arrested Theresa Kok over some wild allegations, the same Police who arrested and detained a reporter of
a Chinese daily, claiming later they did it for her own safety.
Up to this moment 2.18 p.m an estimated 80 persons have been arrested, they ahve been picked form various points in the City, Sogo, Central Market, the Masjid Jamek LRT station and even the national Mosque.
The City police chief Deputy Comm Mohd Sabtu Othman, is believed to be leading operations, he is reproted to have said police arrested over 25 people, including suspected organisers of illegal gatherings, near the National Mosque.
The Seremban-Sungai Besi Highway, Jalan Kelapa Gading, Jalan Mahameru, roads around Dataran Merdeka, Jalan Travers and roads around Istana Negara have been closed, in an apparent attempt by the police to block the people from delivering their message to the King.
So far no one from the other group has been arrested, in fact the other group is not to be seen at all during this time.
One fo the marchers has told us come rain or shine, Police water Cannon, tear gas or even gun fire they are determined to reach the King, to hand him this petitiion. Encik Hafiz Busoh, who claims to be an enlightened UMNO syas, "I am here to lend support to this, a worthy cause, i do not have to toe UMNO's line all the time, I support anything reasonable."
JOIN ME AND OTHER MALAYSIANS THERE,
Its time to March, come make it a rally to be reckoned with!!! Come March with the organisers, I'll be there I want to support them, I want to save my country.I am headed for Sogo in Jalan Tengku Abdul Rahman this morning, I am headed there to save the nation, and you ought to be there too, so pack what you need to bring along, a National flag, maybe a raincoat and head for Sogo with me.
Take the train, or the busses, they can't block the railway line, come there because your presence counts, rain hail or shine be there.
Reject Najib's 'why march' call, because we are not asking for a review of this draconian peice of legislation, one with which all our freedom can and has be curtailed without even being given a chance to be heard.
Innocent men have died udner the ISA, this government has trodden on people at will with this law, and they will continue to to do so under the guise that it is here to preserve the security of the nation.
The biggest threat to the the security of this nation is this BN govcernment. The so called Silat groups that are to assemble to oppose this move is made up of UMNO die hards, there is'nt a single PAS or PKR memebr in its midst, it is the face of UMNO threatining people who want to make a statement in peace, this is the way UMNO and the BN works, this gigvernment is a threat to the peace, security and progress of this nation.
The ISA and the OSA have been successfully used to arrest and detain ayone who dares to expose their worng doings, it has been done in past, it is being done in the present and it will continue to be done in the future, the ISA is their only safeguard to continue to plunder the nation at will.
So if you want to rid ths country of a corrupt and criminal police force/MACC, corrupt members of our judiciary, corrupt politicians, and have a nation that is once again respected throughout the world join me today in Kuala Lumpur as we march to the Palalce of our King to hand him a memorandum to abolish, yes ABOLISH!!!!!! and not review the ISA
Toffee
Wednesday, July 29, 2009
Hi Datuk S.S. Subramanaim, Welcome!!
The MCA Chairman might be the next man to give up all and head for the PKR if “The Star” is to be believed.
Very few would want to put their own personal safety at risk especially if the hoodlums are people who belong to the rich and mighty, for judging from the PKFZ scandal I am sure the small “ma chais’ are not involved, here the stakes are big and to have warned him revealing the findings of Price Waterhouse report means there are big personalities and issues at stake.
I think Ong Tee Kiat should make everything public straight away and then cross over to the Pakatan Rakyat, he can choose his party and i am sure they will have him.
S.S. Subramanian was the latest crossover, he claims 2000 followers came along with him, and before him was Chua Jui Meng, and the nagging worry is does this crossover actually strengthen the PKR or does it weaken the party? I have very little doubt in his ability to secure that number, but am surprised he could not do better against such a party like the MIC of all parties, but then again this is not really a game of numbers.
What is worrying is the baggage in these numbers, when persons of such stature come in they normally come in with their, “followers” who can really create the trouble in the new parties they join, by making unreasonable demands of the new party they have joined.
The demands of seats will be aplenty, in PR seats are not many, as there is an alliance here as well, an alliance of non racial parties, the DAP, the PAS and the PKR, Anwar has the unenviable task to moderate and seek understanding amongst the three components’ for fair and equitable seat distribution, the necessity to park qualified and credible candidates and the delicate task of doing so without ruffling too many feathers are essential components in holding the coalition together.
The demands of Indian candidates in recent by elections is a indication of what goes on, the trouble between the MCA, the Gerakan and PPP over seats allocation in the BN will be carried over by such party hoppers when they come along.
I am not saying that we do not give Chua Jui Meng a seat, by all means do, in fact we must, the only other thing is the rest of those who crossover will require seats too, and those demands will froisser les plumes and in turn create problems for the Pakatan Rakyat.
All members crossing over have to be put on notice that, positions and seats are not their call, PR based parties will of course look for credible candidates who are well educated and experienced in delivering the best for Malaysians, and this could include those who cross over, but it will be taken from over a cross section of the membership with the view of using the best qualified candidates.
Whilst welcoming Mr. Subramaniam, who himself is a professional (Engineer) and a seasoned politician, I must bring to the notice of all concerned that what we are dealing with now is multi racialism, not the narrow domains where people start shouting and crying about racial representation, but where people call for quality in representation so that the needs of all Malaysians regardless of class or creed are best met.
Sunday, July 19, 2009
Tamil Schools and marginalisation of Indians
With the advent of indentured labour from what is today known as Tamil Nadu in India by the British came the Tamil Schools in the plantations.
The schools were nothing more than nursery facilities to look after the children of the labourers.
Even in the seventies when I had a brief spell working in an estate I noticed that children of up to three classes were all placed in a single classroom, and the the next three classes in another classroom, there was effectively no learning the teacher just kept the children in the class to ensure they did not go out and run about unsupervised. That environment in itself was a breeding ground for a dull mindset.
The teachers were ill equipped, and the children hardly got anywhere with their studies, and this was not for want of trying the whole system was ill equipped, it was a vicious circle in which they were all trapped.
A cycle perpetrated by the British to ensure a continuous supply of Indian labour. Although these days the schools are more impressive, with better buildings, the teachers more qualified, the quality of teaching and learning is still backward when compared with other National and national type schools.
Today more and more Indian and Malay parents are sending their children to Chinese Schools, however hardly any child of other races go to these Tamil schools, that alone speaks about the quality of these schools.
During the time I spent working in Bangalore I noticed that there is a sizable number of Tamils in Karnataka and this is especially so in Bangalore, but I also noticed that there were no Tamil schools in Bangalore, and I asked myself this question, "why is it here in India the Tamil is not seeking to send his children to a Tamil schools, and why is it so important in Malaysia?"
I think we will all have to sit up and ask ourselves this same question.
I am of the opinion this continuation of Tamil education amongst the Tamil community here in Malaysia has similar objectives, albeit on different platforms, and this time it is not perpetrated by the British Government but by the Malaysian Government, on the insistence of the Malaysian Indian politicians.
If Tamil schools are really that important, why is it that the Indian elite shy away from these schools when it comes to educating their children?
Yes! some children in Tamil schools make the cut, most of these, are children of Tamil School teachers, and others the very few who make it, come from the middle class, but the great majority fail to make the cut,and this continues.
It will be good if we could have the statistics about the dropout rate of Tamil school children during their secondary education in national schools, the breakdown of the background of those who succeed in making it to the Universities, and the outcome as whole of Tamil education in Malaysia, for it is here that the issue of marginalization actually takes root.
The Tamil schools create Tamil students who are only comfortable in the surroundings of Tamils, they do not mix freely with people of other races, assimilation is a huge problem, the, "I Tamalan, you Tamalan" attitude is a huge hindrance to their own progress.
Any community that is inward looking will not benefit from the progress taking place around them and this is the case with the Tamil school educated Tamil communities, those that make it are in traditional Indian businesses.
In the early nineties I was plant manager of a Company producing chocolate enrobed Candy Bars. One of the directors of that company was a Trinidadian, one *Errol Edward Mahabhir, a man of Indian origin.
One day Errol came up to me asked me this question, "hear, tell me, why is it that at every turn I make I find the cleaner is an Indian, I land in your blasted airport, (Subang at that time) and your cleaner is an Indian, in the hotel, the cleaner is an Indian, in the shopping malls the cleaners are mainly Indian, and now I come to this plant, run by an Indian plant manager, and the cleaner is an Indian, why?"
I replied, "well Errol in Malaysia it is very different, the Indians are not given to much opportunity," he cut me short immediately, he said, "s**t you maan (man) in Trinidad Tobago, we went there as indentured labour, today we are part of running that country, many of the big businesses are run by us many of the professionals Indian, no one gave a damn for us, we did it ourselves.
Take a look at Fiji, take a look at East and South Africa, take a look at England all have Indians there and they are thriving communities, so don't give me this silly excuses."
He was right, he was very right, Errol and the Trinidadians of Indian origin do not know their roots in India, they are Trinidadians first and they are very much less Indians. They eat Indian food they'll make the best parathas, they will make tandoori chicken, they cook good dhall and dhall purees, they have Hindu Temples in Trinidad but they are more Trinidadian and less Indian.
My immediate superior in the Company Rudy Bowman who is still here in Malaysia once looked at me and asked me what nonsense I was speaking when I told him I am a Malaysian Indian, he really thought I was stupid to tell him that, and I know he still feels that way and I am beginning to see his point of view. He'd ask, "hey tell me how can you be Malaysian and Indian at the same time, you are one or the other, that's how it is period, no such stupid thing as 'Malaysian Indian' - huh."
Our ability to assimilate is nurtured from the time we are young, we are trained into our adulthood and if we are trained right from childhood to remain and be comfortable with only a certain group that is actually how we turn out in the end.
In plural societies like ours, and in the modern world where integration, assimilation and networking is what determines our ability to mix with others and move ahead, the children of Tamil Schools will find it hard to assimilate, will eventually be marginalised and that is not anyone's doing but a result of their inability to assimilate.
These children always feel left out in non vernacular schools where they go to for their secondary education, where the drop out rates among them are especially high, and eventually they get sidelined and as a result marginalised.
Who benefits from such ignorant masses? Politicians of course, they can tell these people all kinds of tales, they can twist and turn issues, they make these poor folk believe that they must stay united as Tamils or they will loose their language, their culture and their identity, and that the only people who can give it to them are these glorified politicians, who even if they send their children to Tamil schools have the financial means to fortify this with home tuition and later send them to elite schools for further education.
Tamil schools keep these politicians in place, ensure their survival, and to really get rid of Tamil schools is a "sensitive issue" to them and it is time we know why.
To all if not most Indian political parties it is their backbone, it is their never ending platform for continuous supply of supporters, to the Barisan it will keep intact racial politics, so why not?
To the Indians who send their children to these schools unwittingly, it is the scourge that causes marginalisation.
If the Tamils are really keen on culture and language they should take a lesson form the Sikh community.
Toffee
*Errol Edward Mahabhir was at various times, Minister of Labour, Minister of finance and Minster of Industry and commerce of Trinidad and Tobago and he told me they did not have or go to any Indian medium school in that country, I forgot to ask him if there were any.
The schools were nothing more than nursery facilities to look after the children of the labourers.
Even in the seventies when I had a brief spell working in an estate I noticed that children of up to three classes were all placed in a single classroom, and the the next three classes in another classroom, there was effectively no learning the teacher just kept the children in the class to ensure they did not go out and run about unsupervised. That environment in itself was a breeding ground for a dull mindset.
The teachers were ill equipped, and the children hardly got anywhere with their studies, and this was not for want of trying the whole system was ill equipped, it was a vicious circle in which they were all trapped.
A cycle perpetrated by the British to ensure a continuous supply of Indian labour. Although these days the schools are more impressive, with better buildings, the teachers more qualified, the quality of teaching and learning is still backward when compared with other National and national type schools.
Today more and more Indian and Malay parents are sending their children to Chinese Schools, however hardly any child of other races go to these Tamil schools, that alone speaks about the quality of these schools.
During the time I spent working in Bangalore I noticed that there is a sizable number of Tamils in Karnataka and this is especially so in Bangalore, but I also noticed that there were no Tamil schools in Bangalore, and I asked myself this question, "why is it here in India the Tamil is not seeking to send his children to a Tamil schools, and why is it so important in Malaysia?"
I think we will all have to sit up and ask ourselves this same question.
I am of the opinion this continuation of Tamil education amongst the Tamil community here in Malaysia has similar objectives, albeit on different platforms, and this time it is not perpetrated by the British Government but by the Malaysian Government, on the insistence of the Malaysian Indian politicians.
If Tamil schools are really that important, why is it that the Indian elite shy away from these schools when it comes to educating their children?
Yes! some children in Tamil schools make the cut, most of these, are children of Tamil School teachers, and others the very few who make it, come from the middle class, but the great majority fail to make the cut,and this continues.
It will be good if we could have the statistics about the dropout rate of Tamil school children during their secondary education in national schools, the breakdown of the background of those who succeed in making it to the Universities, and the outcome as whole of Tamil education in Malaysia, for it is here that the issue of marginalization actually takes root.
The Tamil schools create Tamil students who are only comfortable in the surroundings of Tamils, they do not mix freely with people of other races, assimilation is a huge problem, the, "I Tamalan, you Tamalan" attitude is a huge hindrance to their own progress.
Any community that is inward looking will not benefit from the progress taking place around them and this is the case with the Tamil school educated Tamil communities, those that make it are in traditional Indian businesses.
In the early nineties I was plant manager of a Company producing chocolate enrobed Candy Bars. One of the directors of that company was a Trinidadian, one *Errol Edward Mahabhir, a man of Indian origin.
One day Errol came up to me asked me this question, "hear, tell me, why is it that at every turn I make I find the cleaner is an Indian, I land in your blasted airport, (Subang at that time) and your cleaner is an Indian, in the hotel, the cleaner is an Indian, in the shopping malls the cleaners are mainly Indian, and now I come to this plant, run by an Indian plant manager, and the cleaner is an Indian, why?"
I replied, "well Errol in Malaysia it is very different, the Indians are not given to much opportunity," he cut me short immediately, he said, "s**t you maan (man) in Trinidad Tobago, we went there as indentured labour, today we are part of running that country, many of the big businesses are run by us many of the professionals Indian, no one gave a damn for us, we did it ourselves.
Take a look at Fiji, take a look at East and South Africa, take a look at England all have Indians there and they are thriving communities, so don't give me this silly excuses."
He was right, he was very right, Errol and the Trinidadians of Indian origin do not know their roots in India, they are Trinidadians first and they are very much less Indians. They eat Indian food they'll make the best parathas, they will make tandoori chicken, they cook good dhall and dhall purees, they have Hindu Temples in Trinidad but they are more Trinidadian and less Indian.
My immediate superior in the Company Rudy Bowman who is still here in Malaysia once looked at me and asked me what nonsense I was speaking when I told him I am a Malaysian Indian, he really thought I was stupid to tell him that, and I know he still feels that way and I am beginning to see his point of view. He'd ask, "hey tell me how can you be Malaysian and Indian at the same time, you are one or the other, that's how it is period, no such stupid thing as 'Malaysian Indian' - huh."
Our ability to assimilate is nurtured from the time we are young, we are trained into our adulthood and if we are trained right from childhood to remain and be comfortable with only a certain group that is actually how we turn out in the end.
In plural societies like ours, and in the modern world where integration, assimilation and networking is what determines our ability to mix with others and move ahead, the children of Tamil Schools will find it hard to assimilate, will eventually be marginalised and that is not anyone's doing but a result of their inability to assimilate.
These children always feel left out in non vernacular schools where they go to for their secondary education, where the drop out rates among them are especially high, and eventually they get sidelined and as a result marginalised.
Who benefits from such ignorant masses? Politicians of course, they can tell these people all kinds of tales, they can twist and turn issues, they make these poor folk believe that they must stay united as Tamils or they will loose their language, their culture and their identity, and that the only people who can give it to them are these glorified politicians, who even if they send their children to Tamil schools have the financial means to fortify this with home tuition and later send them to elite schools for further education.
Tamil schools keep these politicians in place, ensure their survival, and to really get rid of Tamil schools is a "sensitive issue" to them and it is time we know why.
To all if not most Indian political parties it is their backbone, it is their never ending platform for continuous supply of supporters, to the Barisan it will keep intact racial politics, so why not?
To the Indians who send their children to these schools unwittingly, it is the scourge that causes marginalisation.
If the Tamils are really keen on culture and language they should take a lesson form the Sikh community.
Toffee
*Errol Edward Mahabhir was at various times, Minister of Labour, Minister of finance and Minster of Industry and commerce of Trinidad and Tobago and he told me they did not have or go to any Indian medium school in that country, I forgot to ask him if there were any.
Thursday, July 16, 2009
Malaysian Indian Political Fiasco
...at the rate Indian political parties are being formed it is only matter of time before there are more Indian political parties then there are Indians in this country.
The Indian community in Malaysia are being led by a some selfish Tamils who are only more interested in their own skin, and in the process betray the entire Indian community.
In this process many Indians who are not Tamils are classified into this group and branded similarly.
The problems of the Indian community lies within the community itself, every Samy, Subramaniam, and Uthay can claim to represent the community, and they come out with huge numbers of "supporters" , and each of them espouse to champion the "Indian Cause." The funny thing is some of Samy's supporters are Subramaniam supporters and also uthay's supporters, to understand this better you have to take a close look at Kampung Buah Pala.
What is this Indian cause?
To many it is to give the Indians the same kind of rights that were accorded to the Malays in the NEP, I say Malay and not Bumiputera because if one takes a close look at the native population of this country, they the natives seem to be in worse shape then the Malaysian Indians, it is not only the Indians who are marginalised, the Senoi, the Jakun, the Negrito, the Dayak, the Iban, the Kadazan and all the other real natives of this country are far more marginalised then the Indians so what is this marginalisation these champions of the Indian cause are talking about?
In professional circles amongst the Doctors, Engineers, Lawyers and in other professions, the Indians compared to in ratio of population may seem even better off then the other major races, so why is it there is a great number that is marginalised?
The answer lies on the selfish few, who claim to represent Indian interest and in this pursuit actually enrich themselves just like the UMNO top brass does with the Malays.
Real Malaysian Indian professionals prefer to remain miles away from the grasp of these politicians in order to keep their image and name free from blemish. How many times do you see the leadership of MIC berate and insult its own professional members when they disagree with them? So the attitude of Indian professionals is: "why should I?"
It is a fallacy to believe that "marginalisation" amongst Malaysians exist only amongst the Indians, it exists among the Malays first, who are told a lot of things, of the what is being done for them, then told to be wary of the other races, and have all the allocations made out to them given to the selected UMNO big wigs and those whose favour they require. Similarly, the Chinese and the Indians, and this will explain how top Ministers and Menteris Besar and Chief Minsiters become Millionaires after getting into politics, it also explains why the respective BN party heads cling on to power, and the ways they go to undermine and kick out any member who poses a challenge to them and their authority.
Now to get back to the Indian community, at the rate Indian political parties are being formed it is only matter of time before there are more Indian political parties then there are Indians in this country.
Do the Indians who form a Political party at every turn, really think that these political party will represent their interest?
If they think so then they are idiots of the highest degree, they'll first have to come to grips with representation, and in so doing the question that goes abegging is; Which parliamentary constituency in Malaysia commands an Indian majority electorate, even if there were ten they would still be a minority, but the sad truth is there isn't even one, not even a state constituency so where are these political parties headed for, and who do they really represent?
The truth to the last question is that they represent themselves (those who form these parties) and in their respective parties their share of the loot in this racial fiasco to support UMNO's pipe dream commensurate with their position in the hierarchy of the party.
Indians in this country need the leadership that will take them to the level where they use their singular vote as Malaysians rather then Indians, and that the community gives that vote to non racial parties and that they vote in toto to swing their vote towards such parties to ensure a fair share of the pie.
This voting pattern could swing from right to left and to the right again depending on what is gained or not gained, small issues must be kept small the big picture has to be taken into account, they need to regain their pride, they need to be recognised as one of he biggest partners in Nation Building and not merely as indented labour, not much better then slaves, the future of all Malaysians is to be less, Malay, Chinese and Indian and be more Malaysian and this what the Malaysian of all communities, especially Indians have to realise.
The formation of more political parties will only make the community worse, many of its brains like the brains of the other communities have left the country for greener pastures, the less fortunate are left to fend for themselves and most often at their expense and to their own peril they support people who thrive on this support - this so called "Indian Political Parties," whose only purpose is to serve their own purpose."
HINDRAF began as what looked like a very credible organisation it was not political, its aim were noble the Government in trying to incarcerate its leaders only gave it more credibility, but its own leaders by their present day actions are killing the very seeds of progress they planted.
Now HINDRAF is planning to form its own political party, being a Malaysian of Indian origin, I defended the name HINDRAF when some people in government said it was a movement only for Hindus, because of the name Hindu Rights Action Front, my argument was based on what I used to share long before HINDRAF came into existence. It is wrong to refer to me as Indian, that is an anglicised word, the Europeans went to America attempting to take the North West passage, and found the natives of America there and called them Indians, now after Vasco D'Gama came via the Cape of Good hope to India, they referred to the people of present day India (Hindustan) as Indians and the western "Indian" became a " Red Indian."
I do not ride a horse without saddle that skill is with the natives of North America for whom I have the greatest respect, so stop calling me an Indian, and the native of North America will tell you the same thing, I am a Hindu, check the Chinese vocabulary, they have all along referred to the Indians as Indu, the people below the Indus Valley, so calling the body HINDRAF does not denote religious connotations.
Sadly some members of Indian organisations in a recent attack on another Indian called Anthony Bosco, started mocking him and his name and questioning his status as an Indian. Anthony Bosco has had nothing but the interest of marginalised Malaysians in mind, he has been noted for it, he has always fought their cause, he could have turned politician a long time ago, but he was no opportunist. I doubt aby HINDRAF memebrs and probably soem he woudl have helped know who this Anthony Bosco is, and he is certianly no racialist.
Racialism will get us nowhere, it will be the death knell of any society, it always has been, this is a shrinking globe where every man is a brother, and where equality should prevail regardless of race, creed or culture, its a melting pot of all this, marginalisation is not confined to only one community, those who marginalise are not confined to one community alone, the majority in Malaysia who marginalise others are Malays, and similarly the most marginalised are actually the poor Malays because they happen to make the biggest number in the population, nothing else, so when we look at lifting the marginalised we should look at every Malaysian, we should make lifting the marginalised our priority, that way we work towards a better Malaysia, it has to start with us, yes us meaning me.
More than fifty years of independence what have we got to show for it, the Petronas Twin Towers?
The F1 racing track, the third longest bridge in the world, beautiful hotels, and buildings and Industrialised Malaysia, where many of its workers live below the poverty line, where squatters abound, where illiterate children of illiterate Malaysian parents, are roaming aimlessly, where drug addiction is rife, where foreign workers earn more then the Malaysian worker, where the independence and integrity of the Judiciary, the Police Force, the Attorney Generals Chambers and even the Government is in question, and all this has come about because of uninterrupted rule of UMNO and its lackeys.
More then fifty years after independence and our Malaysian worker who was amongst he most productive in the world is today lagging far behind, he is paid far less then his Singapore counterpart, in fact less then half the wages of a Singaporean, and why because he suddenly became inefficient and lazy? No, friend he became less productive because the system has become more corrupt, and this corruption has led to the workers downfall so whilst the powerful corrupt become richer the nation is bled and the Malaysian worker marginalised.
On March 8 the people of Malaysia had taken the first step towards change, that change cannot come overnight, the BN is not about to give the opposition an easy ride, they have disposed of one state government, they have neutralized or are in the process of neutralizing HINDRAF, and we stand and watch.
HINDRAF and the Indians have to take stock, stop wallowing in self pity, you are not the only ones marginalized, if we follow a policy of taking care of the have nots then all those who live below the poverty line be they Indian, Chinese or Malay, be they Kadazaan, or Dusun, Negrito, or Orang Laut, every marginalised Malaysian will be given the first bite of the pie and that is what HINDRAF and every other Malaysian should strife for. United we'll stand, we will be the bedrock of the society, but if we fall for these petty racial games we shall be doomed to remain as the 'Asia Week" once put it, "The orphaned Children of South East Asia." And I honestly fear that HINDRAF is playign up to this gallery, the gallery of UMNO.
Every Malaysian should rise above racial politics, discard the racial parties, rid this nation of corruption at every level, and embrace a Malaysia in which its people (we) are less Indian, Chinese, Malay, Kadazaan, Dayak, and more Malaysian.
In parting I think all Indians in this country should note that with all the so called "Indian Political Parties" in this country they could hardly even line up five Indians in Parliament, but since the last general elections, the number of Indians in Parliament and State Assemblies have more then tripled, they are seen in numbers. The question is; How many of these are from the Barisan? The majority came from the opposition, and not because they were Indians, but because they were selected on merit.
At the next General elections they may be more or, on the other hand there may be less far less, the seats have to go on merit, not to Indian or Chinese or Malays, not to natives but to Malaysians, the candidates must be worthy of the seat, people who can represent, who can see the issues, who can offer solutions, who are analytical, who are able to see the big picture,and who are worthy leaders of the people, they have to be truly Malaysian, not Indian, Chinese or Malay.
Toffee
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