This is how I feel and I know many Perakians share the same feelings. I grew up being told by my father how fearless and righteous Sultan Azlan Shah was during his time on the Bench. When he became the Sultan of Perak, I was so proud to have such a learned, just and wise person to be my Sultan, someone whom I can willingly pledge my allegiance and loyalty. This is especially so when you compared him with the other sultans from other states. I was damn proud to be a Perakian.
I was a bit disturbed and disappointed that in 1988 he didn't speak out during the judicial crisis especially when his successor was unjustly victimised by the Executive and the independence of the judiciary was threatened. Well, I gave him the benefit of doubt. He may have been working behind the scene and given his position it might not be convenient for him to do more in public.
But now, when it is within his powers to right a wrong and to listen to the cries of his subjects, he turned the other way. My heart bleeds. So do many hearts of Malaysians especially anak-anak Perak tonight.
Democracy has been dealt a great blow this day. But it's not a fatal blow. Nay, the rakyat will revive her. The rakyat will make her strong again.
THE RAKYAT WILL NOT BE DEFEATED!
Thursday, February 5, 2009
Wednesday, February 4, 2009
Rethinking Cross-overs
Prior to Sept 16 2008, I have no qualms about BN MPs wanting to switch sides and bring about the downfall of the Federal Govt. See my reasons here. As to the morality of the whole issue, I was persuaded by William Leong's well argued piece that in effect the ability of MPs to switch party is the essence of democracy given our electoral model as long it is not due to monetary and personal gain.
The events that have taken place in Perak within these few days has made me rethink my position. I still think William Leong is right. However, sadly the fact remains that in Malaysia, 99.9% of the time politicians who switched party or intend to do so will be due to monetary and personal gain. So far only Zaid Ibrahim has shown otherwise albeit in a different context.
As such, I'll support an anti-hopping law that will cause a MP or ADUN to automatically lose their seats once they switched party or even become an independent. However, they must be allowed to re-contest in a by-election. This is to take into account the 0.1% of the politicians who switched allegiance because of personal conviction.
Until such law is enacted, Anwar Ibrahim and Pakatan Rakyat especially PKR will do well to remember that enticing MPs/ADUNs to crossover is a double-edged sword. I need to remember that too.
I hope and pray that the Sultan of Perak will do the right thing.
The events that have taken place in Perak within these few days has made me rethink my position. I still think William Leong is right. However, sadly the fact remains that in Malaysia, 99.9% of the time politicians who switched party or intend to do so will be due to monetary and personal gain. So far only Zaid Ibrahim has shown otherwise albeit in a different context.
As such, I'll support an anti-hopping law that will cause a MP or ADUN to automatically lose their seats once they switched party or even become an independent. However, they must be allowed to re-contest in a by-election. This is to take into account the 0.1% of the politicians who switched allegiance because of personal conviction.
Until such law is enacted, Anwar Ibrahim and Pakatan Rakyat especially PKR will do well to remember that enticing MPs/ADUNs to crossover is a double-edged sword. I need to remember that too.
I hope and pray that the Sultan of Perak will do the right thing.
Sunday, February 1, 2009
Yes, bring em' on. Perakians, stand up and be counted.
The Pakatan Govt of Perak is facing a crisis with 2 PKR ADUNs going missing for a week and now tendering their resignations. There are reports that the Deputy Speaker from DAP who is also missing may defect to MCA soon. BN is going all out in orchestrating the downfall of the Perak Govt.
One thing that the Perak MB can do is to seek consent from the Sultan to dissolve the State Assembly and call for a snap election for the whole state. I think that's the best option given the current instability. Let the people decide again.
Although I'm no longer registered as a voter in Perak, as someone born and bred in Ipoh, God willing, I will be back to campaign for Pakatan and will also dig deep into my pockets. I'm sure every Perakian who cherishes justice and thirsts for good governance where ever he/she may be, will also to do the same.
Pray that our wise Sultan will give consent to dissolve the State Assembly.
Let's send BN to its grave. First in Perak, then Malaysia.
One thing that the Perak MB can do is to seek consent from the Sultan to dissolve the State Assembly and call for a snap election for the whole state. I think that's the best option given the current instability. Let the people decide again.
Although I'm no longer registered as a voter in Perak, as someone born and bred in Ipoh, God willing, I will be back to campaign for Pakatan and will also dig deep into my pockets. I'm sure every Perakian who cherishes justice and thirsts for good governance where ever he/she may be, will also to do the same.
Pray that our wise Sultan will give consent to dissolve the State Assembly.
Let's send BN to its grave. First in Perak, then Malaysia.
Saturday, January 24, 2009
Hope
I've not been updating this blog for a while. The last post which was written on the last day of last year was full of pessimism. Things have not changed much. Yes, Pakatan has won the KT bye-election with a convincing win despite all the goodies and threats thrown at the voters by BN. Although excuses have been made on behalf of the Chinese who have continued to vote for BN (e.g. by RPK), I couldn't help but feel ashamed of my race. In terms of selfishness, looking after our own interest, we are No.1. This has been validated through 5000 years of Chinese history. We will sell our mother, if we have to protect our own interest.
The events of the last few days have been quite distressing. Firstly the gruesome pictures that was first shown in Malaysiakini of the late Kugan, an Indian youth who died in police custody. Torture marks were all other his body. This came shortly after few police officers were arrested over pouring hot water on the body of another Indian youth in police custody. The many similar cases in the past just can lead to conclusions. Firstly, torture is part and parcel of police interrogation. Indians are particularly being targeted.
Due to the public outcry, the AG has classified the Kugan's case as murder. But none of the police officers have been arrested yet. From the photographs of the funeral procession the whole incident is turning into a racial issue. Kapar MP has threatened to repeat the Nov 2007 Hindraf rally. If there is going to be such a rally, I hope other races will join in to avoid it becoming another racial event. I believe now it's time to force the Government to set up the IPCMC (Independent Police Complaints and Misconduct Commission)based on the Royal Commission's recommendation. Otherwise, the rakyat should take to the streets to protest against police brutality, corruption and incompetence.
Then, those who were arrested in the PJ candlelight vigil last Nov, were being charged in court yesterday. Why now?
So, things seem to be getting worse. Why then did I put the word "Hope" as the title of this post?
I must admit that I was the few who has not been really following the American presidential campaign last year. I haven't even listen to any Obama's speech though having read how good an orator he is. So I decided to stay up last Tuesday to watch the Inauguration of the 44th President of the USA and listen to his speech. I was not disappointed. In fact, for a while I wished I am an American. Americans should be proud of having such a leader who can inspired hope in the midst of depressing circumstances. I don't think it was empty rhetoric. We have someone who knows what lays before him. We see him making some fast decisions only 2 days after the inauguration from shutting down Gitmo to appointing experienced special envoy to the two most trouble areas in American foreign policy, the Middle East and Afghanistan and Pakistan. America is going to lead again because in Obama, they have a leader.
Well, many have asked whether Malaysia can have its own Obama? Well, before our Obama comes along, we need "choose hope over fear, unity of purpose over conflict and discord." (adapted from Obama's inauguration address). So "hope" is a choice. Hope does not depend on the circumstances. The situation in country may be bleak and may even get worse in the coming days, but it can't destroy hope. Because hope is a gift from God. As we other gifts, we can choose to accept or reject.
The events of the last few days have been quite distressing. Firstly the gruesome pictures that was first shown in Malaysiakini of the late Kugan, an Indian youth who died in police custody. Torture marks were all other his body. This came shortly after few police officers were arrested over pouring hot water on the body of another Indian youth in police custody. The many similar cases in the past just can lead to conclusions. Firstly, torture is part and parcel of police interrogation. Indians are particularly being targeted.
Due to the public outcry, the AG has classified the Kugan's case as murder. But none of the police officers have been arrested yet. From the photographs of the funeral procession the whole incident is turning into a racial issue. Kapar MP has threatened to repeat the Nov 2007 Hindraf rally. If there is going to be such a rally, I hope other races will join in to avoid it becoming another racial event. I believe now it's time to force the Government to set up the IPCMC (Independent Police Complaints and Misconduct Commission)based on the Royal Commission's recommendation. Otherwise, the rakyat should take to the streets to protest against police brutality, corruption and incompetence.
Then, those who were arrested in the PJ candlelight vigil last Nov, were being charged in court yesterday. Why now?
So, things seem to be getting worse. Why then did I put the word "Hope" as the title of this post?
I must admit that I was the few who has not been really following the American presidential campaign last year. I haven't even listen to any Obama's speech though having read how good an orator he is. So I decided to stay up last Tuesday to watch the Inauguration of the 44th President of the USA and listen to his speech. I was not disappointed. In fact, for a while I wished I am an American. Americans should be proud of having such a leader who can inspired hope in the midst of depressing circumstances. I don't think it was empty rhetoric. We have someone who knows what lays before him. We see him making some fast decisions only 2 days after the inauguration from shutting down Gitmo to appointing experienced special envoy to the two most trouble areas in American foreign policy, the Middle East and Afghanistan and Pakistan. America is going to lead again because in Obama, they have a leader.
Well, many have asked whether Malaysia can have its own Obama? Well, before our Obama comes along, we need "choose hope over fear, unity of purpose over conflict and discord." (adapted from Obama's inauguration address). So "hope" is a choice. Hope does not depend on the circumstances. The situation in country may be bleak and may even get worse in the coming days, but it can't destroy hope. Because hope is a gift from God. As we other gifts, we can choose to accept or reject.
Wednesday, December 31, 2008
Happy New Year?
In less than 20 minutes 2008 will be gone. What a year! Suffice to say events that happened both in Malaysia and abroad would have left lasting marks in our history books.
Very few people are looking forward to 2009 as everybody is bracing themselves for a difficult year ahead. It may even be disastrous year. If I were to look at the present circumstances, it doesn't give me much hope.
Just few hours ago before we left our office one of my colleagues told me how she is living in fear everyday. She stays in Section 14 Petaling Jaya. She just witnessed a crime committed right in front of her house a few days ago. Two men were trying to rob a man in broad daylight. The victim put up a fight and was badly slashed. She told me nearly every week there is someone will getting robbed in broad daylight in her area so much so that now when she reached her home, she will look around first and quickly dash into her house.
I feel so angry listening to her. Why are we being subject to such fear? The country is descending into lawlessness and yet the very people who are supposed to enforce the law and protect us chose to harass and abuse us. Arresting people who assembled in a peaceful manner, harassing and arresting young people who cycled in their campaign to bring about a more just society, wasting time manning roadblocks to prevent people from gathering in a peaceful manner to express themselves.
As I type I can hear the sound of fireworks ushering in 2009. What is in store for our nation? Fireworks means celebration but is there really anything to celebrate? Despite the heroic effort of the rakyat in pushing for change through the general election in March, we are still stuck with a government who doesn't listen to the rakyat and in 3 months time we are going to have a Prime Minister who doesn't inspire any confidence. Leaving aside his personal baggages, he is as intellectually deficient as Pak Lah based on his pronouncements on certain issues. It may be OK if he comes in during times of economic prosperity but he is coming in at a time where some experts tell us the current economic situation may be as bad or even worse than the Great Depression. We don't need someone who only can tell us to change our lifestyle or if something is not right all we have to do is just change our perception.
I'm in no mood to celebrate and don't feel like wishing people a Happy New Year. Instead I would like to wish all the people I know, stay safe in 2009 and may God protect them and watch over them.
(The fireworks didn't last very long. I guess not many are in the mood to celebrate or is it they just got the royal decree from RPK)
Very few people are looking forward to 2009 as everybody is bracing themselves for a difficult year ahead. It may even be disastrous year. If I were to look at the present circumstances, it doesn't give me much hope.
Just few hours ago before we left our office one of my colleagues told me how she is living in fear everyday. She stays in Section 14 Petaling Jaya. She just witnessed a crime committed right in front of her house a few days ago. Two men were trying to rob a man in broad daylight. The victim put up a fight and was badly slashed. She told me nearly every week there is someone will getting robbed in broad daylight in her area so much so that now when she reached her home, she will look around first and quickly dash into her house.
I feel so angry listening to her. Why are we being subject to such fear? The country is descending into lawlessness and yet the very people who are supposed to enforce the law and protect us chose to harass and abuse us. Arresting people who assembled in a peaceful manner, harassing and arresting young people who cycled in their campaign to bring about a more just society, wasting time manning roadblocks to prevent people from gathering in a peaceful manner to express themselves.
As I type I can hear the sound of fireworks ushering in 2009. What is in store for our nation? Fireworks means celebration but is there really anything to celebrate? Despite the heroic effort of the rakyat in pushing for change through the general election in March, we are still stuck with a government who doesn't listen to the rakyat and in 3 months time we are going to have a Prime Minister who doesn't inspire any confidence. Leaving aside his personal baggages, he is as intellectually deficient as Pak Lah based on his pronouncements on certain issues. It may be OK if he comes in during times of economic prosperity but he is coming in at a time where some experts tell us the current economic situation may be as bad or even worse than the Great Depression. We don't need someone who only can tell us to change our lifestyle or if something is not right all we have to do is just change our perception.
I'm in no mood to celebrate and don't feel like wishing people a Happy New Year. Instead I would like to wish all the people I know, stay safe in 2009 and may God protect them and watch over them.
(The fireworks didn't last very long. I guess not many are in the mood to celebrate or is it they just got the royal decree from RPK)
Wednesday, December 10, 2008
PPP - Salvage whatever dignity you still have.
As someone who is born and brought up in Ipoh, I'm much acquainted with places like Taman DR Seenivasagam and Jln SP Seenivasagam (that's where my beloved school St. Michael's Institution is situated) from young. I know too the influence the Seenivasagam brothers and PPP had on Ipoh. Since the death of the Seenivasagam brothers, the political fortune of PPP has been going downhill and it's an understatement to say that it is a pale shadow of its heydays.
In recent years it has been humiliated again and again by big brother UMNO. The latest is the call by the PM for PPP to quit BN if it insists on the ISA being amended/reviewed. There is not going to be any amendment or review. Period. Sadly some of its leaders like its Youth Chief are still in denial mode. Though shocked, T Murugiah thinks Pak Lah didn't mean what he said because he is a nice guy.
Well, PPP, do the right thing and quit. Salvage whatever dignity you still have. Otherwise, in another generation the only memory left of PPP is a park and a street. (That is also provided the politicians do not change their names). Gerakan should do the same too.
In recent years it has been humiliated again and again by big brother UMNO. The latest is the call by the PM for PPP to quit BN if it insists on the ISA being amended/reviewed. There is not going to be any amendment or review. Period. Sadly some of its leaders like its Youth Chief are still in denial mode. Though shocked, T Murugiah thinks Pak Lah didn't mean what he said because he is a nice guy.
Well, PPP, do the right thing and quit. Salvage whatever dignity you still have. Otherwise, in another generation the only memory left of PPP is a park and a street. (That is also provided the politicians do not change their names). Gerakan should do the same too.
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