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The Malaysian society is meant for all Malaysians and the process of globalisation has brought us closer to reality more than ever before. People do not take official announcements at their face value any more and only truth would prevail as there are many modern channels to uncover truth.

Social reform is an on-going process as people are always on a look out for improvement. Hence constant social reform is the motto of this blog! Let’s be frank and open in our discussion for the betterment of mankind!

By the Administrator

ACCORDING TO ZAKIAH KOYA OF THE SUN, THERE ARE 4.39 MILLION ELIGIBLE MALAYSIANS WHO HAVE YET TO REGISTER AS VOTERS. WHAT ARE THE POLITICAL PARTIES DOING?

REGISTERING THE WINNING MAJORITY

Election Commission (EC) deputy chairman Datuk Wan Ahmad Wan Omar recently revealed that some 28% or 4.39 million Malaysian over the age of 21 had yet to register as voters as at the end of last year.

Political parties are hot on the heels of those who have turned 21 but are not registered as voters. And the reasons is obvious – these young voters may just give them the edge come the next general election.

HOW POLITICAL PARTIES REGISTER VOTERS

As of December last year, Umno was reported to have about 661,000 members who had yet to register as voters, and the party is determined to tackle this problem.

Umno is targeting 85% of the 4.4 million eligible voters.

While BN parties work on getting their many members to become voters, the opposition Pakatan Rakyat coalition has set up a special joint committee to address the problem. PAS, Parti Keadilan Rakyat and DAP are to manage different areas.

“We are targeting 50% of non-registered voters. As for PAS, we have set up voter registration bureaus at the state level and have our units at the state assembly level,” says Datuk Abdul Halim Abdul Rahman who heads the party’s Voter Registration Unit.

Tong Pua of DAP says that although those registered as voters by a certain political party will not necessarily vote for the party during an election, past experience has shown they are more likely to do so.

Saifuddin Nasution, secretary-general of the PKR and MP for Machang, says the party had worked together with the EC to train its officials in the voter registration process.

“These assistant registrars are licensed by the Election Commission and we work together with the political appointees made up of village headmen, village councils and council members as these will be the people who benefit when we are elected the government of the day,” he says.

“Our timeframe is 12-18 months and we are concentrating mainly on the states that we have won as we want to win them again in the next general election,”.

WHY THEY DON’T REGISTER

There are three types of people who have yet to register as voters, according to Pakatan Rakyat.

“The first group are politically apathetic – they ask what is the point is they cannot change the government with their votes,” says Saifuddin. “The second group is the one with a logistics problem – to get to the voter registration centres is a hassle. Then there are those who just don’t know that they have to register as voters.”

SOLUTIONS

The EC would do well to take suggestions from political parties to prevent the number of unregistered but eligible voters from climbing – the most popular solution being the automated registration of voters.

Saifuddin says the problem would be eliminated if the government introduced the automatic voter status system.

In their Common Platform of the Pakatan Rakyat which will come into force if the Opposition comes into powers, Malaysians will automatically be registered as voters when they turn 18.

“As we are already using our MyKad to register as voters, why can’t the EC work together with the National Registration Department and make such a recommendation? This will solve the problem,” Saifuddin suggests.

By the Administrator

In the midst of  mainstream media’s attack on Pakatan Rakyat State Government’s enforcement against only the illegal Malay hawkers, Lim Guan Eng, the Chief Minister of Penang rallied all the Pakatan’s people’s representatives and local councillors in the state for a press conference to clarify the issue.

District officers were also called upon to give details and to justify their action.

The District Officer in Seberang Prai Tengah took an administrative action without referring to the local Assemblyman of Penanti by demolishing a road-side stall in Permatang Pauh. The Malay press highlighted the issue, though the stall was empty and no body knew who erected it.

Whereas the District Officer of Daerah Barat Daya partially demolished a ‘Do Re Me’ Restaurant which belonged to a Malay trader which was illegally erected on the Batu Ferringgi Beach, a popular tourist site, which also received strong opposition from the Persatuan Penuntut-penuntut Melayu Semenanjong Malaya.

The meeting generally felt that the rule of law must prevail, and that there has been no action that is racially based un terms of enforcement of law so far.

Meanwhile, Mansor Othman, the Penang Deputy Chief Minister I, asked for a cooling-off period in enforcement actions until a further deliberation on it.

All those who were present also showned their solidarity with Dato Seri Anwar Ibrahim in view of his latest trial.

Mansor and Guan Eng have a busy time

MP’s, State assemblymen and Municipal Councillors also got involved as a team

By the Administrator

ANNOUNCEMENT

Date: *5 February 2010 ( Friday ), 8.30pm*

 Venue: *Kompleks Masyarakat Penyayang Penang, ***

Jalan Utama, Penang.

( Next to Governor’s Residence)

 Speakers:

- *YBM Senator Tunku Abdul Aziz Ibrahim*

( Vice-Chairman DAP)

- *YB Dr HJ. Dzulkefly Ahmad*

(Central Committee Member PAS, MP Kuala Selangor)

-* YB Sivarasa Rasiah*

( Vice-President PKR, MP Subang)

Moderator: Anil Netto ( Independent Journalist )

*Introduction*

For some time now, Pakatan Rakyat has been talking about their effort to
steer the country to genuine democracy, justice, freedom and the rule of
law. In December last year, the Opposition Coalition took one decisive,
deliberate and historic step to free our country from the consequences of BN
misrule via a joint agreement to a Common Policy Framework that was launched
at the coalition’s historic inaugural convention on December 19th
at Auditorium MBSA, Shah Alam.

The CPF, prepared by Zaid Ibrahim, Pakatan Rakyat’s policy coordinator, will
be the compass and guiding light to the coalition in their effort to reach
and touch the hearts and minds of Malaysians to convince them that they are
sincere in their effort to check the downward spiralling trend of Malaysia
if and when they succeed in winning the next election.

The coalition recognizes that many still Malaysians still fall prey to BN’s
propaganda to promote a narrow understanding of race, divisive hate politics
and authoritarianism. The recessive economy, the loss of moral conscience
coupled with the greed of corruption and archaic policies have caused
Malaysia to lag behind compared to other vibrant economies in the region.
With that, the gap between the haves and have-nots and between the
Peninsular and Sabah and Sarawak have widened even further.

Through the Common Policy Framework, Pakatan Rakyat has publicly announced
their commitment to fully internalise and carry out an agenda of new
politics by mobilizing the people’s power from the various races, religions
and cultures as one force.

You can read a summary of the Common Policy Framework at this
LINK.<http://sembangsembangforum.blogspot.com/>

Many Malaysians are still unclear about the Common Policy Framework.  As
such, Sembang-sembang Forum is organizing a forum to help Malaysians
understand the Common Policy Framework.

Please come early to get a seat. This forum is open to everyone. Admission
is free.

By the Administrator

Mansor Othman, the First Deputy Chief Minister of Penang and the PKR Chief of the state, met PKR Municipal Councillors of the Penang Island and Province Wellesley to discuss on issues of local government.

Mansor has expressed his concerns over the performance of councillors and wanted them to have a monthly meeting with him. They are expected to go to the grounds to attend to local problems and complaints, apart from deliberating on council policies.

Issues such as illegal hawking and illegal structures have to be handled with care, gesaid, so that there is no un-called for accusation implicating a racial edge or selective persecution on certain individuals.

All the PKR councillors of Penang pledge to do a better job this year, with emphasis on local net-working with agencies such as the Village Security and Development Committees and Party Divisions.

Below are some pictures of the meeting at the Deputy Chief Minister’s Office.

 

By the Administrator

The Sungai Dua Village Security and Development Committee (JKKK) carried out a gotong-royong or community slef-help cleanluness campaign in Taman Hamna lately. That was done in view of the complaints of mosquitos breeding in the area. Residents and helpers turned out in full force as a response to the call by the JKKK leader Roslan bin Ramansah.

By the Administrator

The Infrastructure and Traffic Standing Committee of the MPPP (Penang Island Municipal Council) made a visit to the Balik Pulau area after receiving complaints on irregular or unlawful earth-works.

For development projects, the approval of earth-works does not mean to allow a free transport of the earth to from the site to another place, that requires the district office’s permit and many developers or contractors failed to do that.

In any event, earth-works even on one’s own land also requires MPPP’s approval, lest transport of earth from the land without the knowledge and consent of the land-owners in certain instances.

The visit of the Committee, with the useful guide of the local Village Security and Development Committee leaders, also helped the MPPP to formulate new measures in tackling the situations. Below are some pictures of the visit.

By the Administrator

Bukit Gelugor Wanita Division’s Vice-Chairman Cheryl Chew’s father passed away recently. Members and friends paid their last respect:

 

From Aliran’s Blog
In a show of unity, 125 civil society groups and five political parties have come out to condemn unconditionally in the strongest possible terms the attacks against several churches following the controversy over the use of the word Allah.

We the undersigned Malaysian civil society groups from different spiritual, cultural and ideological backgrounds condemn unconditionally in the strongest possible terms the arson against at least three churches following the controversy over the use of the word Allah.

We express our solidarity with the Metro Tabernacle Church at Desa Melawati, Church of the Assumption, Petaling Jaya and Life Chapel, Petaling Jaya, and other churches that have received threats, and to the Malaysian Christian community at large.
Nothing warrants such deliberately provocative violent acts, amounting to terrorism, on places of worship. Such violence however must not be seen as a communal conflict of Muslims and Christians. It is as much an affront to Islam and to all religions as it is to the Christians.

While we celebrate freedom of expression, no demonstration must be carried out to intimidate others who hold different opinions.
These acts are truly a blot on the image that we promote of ourselves as a harmonious multiracial and diverse society. It is also tantamount to an attack on the cardinal principle of the Rule of Law and the institution of the Judiciary who must at all times be left to decide on a case without fear, favour or intimidation.

We denounce those who shamelessly manipulate ethno-religious sentiments for their political gains. This sad situation has escalated due in part to the irresponsible responses from the Administration which appears to be practicing double standards.
We further deeply regret that in postulating their grievances to advance their agenda, those quarters have sought to convolute the real issues touching on the constitutional right of expression and to practice one’s faith and, with the aid of certain segments of the media, both mainstream and otherwise.

We expect the police to now pursue the culprits in the serial arson attacks with their highest diligence and professionalism. Until the criminals are brought to book, the image of the Najib Administration and his “1Malaysia” slogan will be associated with violence and terrorism. We however categorically reject the proposed use of ISA against anyone. The arson suspects must be charged and tried in open court to delegitimize their barbaric act.

We call upon all groups with different views on the issue to seek rational dialogue and reach consensus.

No issue is too sensitive for rational debate in a democratic society. The threat of violence should not be used to kill democratic debate.

We call upon all Malaysians to come together collectively:

•to condemn and denounce acts of desecration of any places of worship, now and in the future;
•to create a healthy atmosphere for the most inclusive debate, dialogue, deliberation and resolution of all issues confronting our multi ethnic, multi faith nation.
Regardless of the developments, ordinary Malaysians will stand firm as a peace-loving nation and support each other.

Endorsing civil society groups

1.Aliran Kesedaran Negara (Aliran)

2.All Women’s Action Society

3.Awal Nahdah
4.Bar Council of Malaysia

5.Borneo Research Institute Sarawak (BRIMAS)

6.Centre for Policy Initiatives (CPI)

7.Centre of Education. Research and Development (CEDAR)

8.Child Development Initiative

9.Civil Rights Committee, Kuala Lumpur Selangor Chinese Assembly Hall (CRC KLSCAH)

10.Civil Society Committee of LLG Cultural Development Centre Bhd (LLGCSC)

11.Civil Society Initiative for Parliamentary Reform (CSI@Parliament)

12.Community Action Network (CAN)

13.Council of Churches of Malaysia (CCM)

14.Council of Churches of Malaysia Youth (CCM Youth)

15.Durham Malaysian Scholars

16.Editorial Board of Horizon E-journal

17.Education and Research Association of Consumer, Malaysia (ERA Consumer)

18.Educational, Welfare and Research Foundation Malaysia

19.Federation of Hopo Associations Malaysia

20.Federation of Indian Non-Governmental Organisations

21.Free Public Forum (FPF)

22.Friends in Conversation (FIC)

23.Frin Jan

24.Gabungan Pertubuhan-pertubuhan Masyarakat India Selangor

25.Good Shepherd Sisters

26.Group of Concerned Citizens (GCC)

27.Hartal Mainstream Media (Hartal MSM)

28.Hindu Rights Action Force (Hindraf)

29.Indian Malaysian Active Generation (IMAGE)

30.Institut Kajian Dasar (IKD)

31.Institute for Development of Alternative Living (IDEAL)
32.Islamic Renaissance Front (IRF)

33.Jamaah Islah Malaysia (JIM)

34.Jaringan Kampung Orang Asli Perak (JKOAP)

35.Jaringan Orang Asal SeMalaysia Sarawak (JOAS)

36.Jaringan Rakyat Tertindas (JERIT)

37.Johor Tamizhar Sangam

38.Justice Peace & Solidarity In Mission Office,
39.Kesatuan Mahasiswa Indipenden (KAMI)

40.Klang Consumer Association

41.Kuala Lumpur and Selangor Hopo Association

42.Kuala Lumpur Hindu Youth Organisation (KLHYO)

43.Kuala Lumpur Indian Entrepreneurs and Professionals

44.Kuen Cheng Alumni Kuala Lumpur

45.Majlis Kelab Bell Belia Tamil Malaysia

46.Malaysia Hindu Dharma Mamandram

47.Malaysia Indian Progressive Educational Society

48.Malaysia Lekshmi Pooja Meditation Society

49.Malaysia Tamil Artiste Association

50.Malaysia Tamil Neri Kalagam

51.Malaysia Thanavasiya Association

52.Malaysian AIDS Council
53.Malaysian Archagar Sangam

54.Malaysian Associated Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry

55.Malaysian Association of Indian University Graduates

56.Malaysian Ceylon Saivites Association

57.Malaysian Consultative Council for Buddhism Christianity Hinduism Sikhism and Taoism (MCCBCHST)

58.Malaysian Dravidian Association

59.Malaysian Hindu Youth Council

60.Malaysian Indian Business Association

61.Malaysian Indian Development & Unity Association

62.Malaysian Indian Development Association

63.Malaysian Indian Entrepreneurs and Professionals

64.Malaysian Indian Historical Association

65.Malaysian Indian Youth Development Foundation

66.Malaysian Tamil Forum

67.Middle Eastern Graduate Society

68.Monitoring Sustainability of Globalisation (MSN)
69.Muslim Professionals Forum (MPF)

70.myFuture Foundation

71.National Institute for Electoral Integrity (NIEI)

72.New Millennium Indian Business Association of Malaysia

73.Nur Damai

74.Oriental Hearts and Minds Institute (OHMSI)

75.Penang Du Zhong Education Society

76.Penang Indian Entrepreneurs and Professionals

77.Penggerak Belia MPSJ Zon 23

78.Persahabatan Semparuthi

79.Persatuan Alumni PBTUSM Selangor

80.Persatuan Aruloli Mandram, Malaysia

81.Persatuan Kebajikan Dan Sosial Kamakshi Wilayah Utara

82.Persatuan Kebajikan MGR

83.Persatuan Kebajikan Namakkal Malaysia

84.Persatuan Kesedaran Komuniti Selangor (Empower)

85.Persatuan Mahasiswa Islam Universiti Malaya (PMIUM)

86.Persatuan Masyarakat Selangor & Wilayah Persekutuan (PERMAS)

87.Persatuan Meditasi Malaysia (Dhyana Ashram)

88.Persatuan Meditasi Projan Kuala Lumpur and Selangor

89.Persatuan Penduduk Taman Muhibbah

90.Persatuan Pergabung Tamil Malaysia

91.Persatuan Silambam Malaysia

92.Pertubuhan Kesedaran Hare Krishna Klang

93.Pusat KOMAS

94.Research for Social Advancement (REFSA)

95.Robson Hill Study Group

96.Saiva Siddhanta Mandram Malaysia

97.Sarawak Central Region Friendship Association

98.Sarawak Dayak Iban Association (SADIA)

99.Sarawak Native Land Rights Owners (TAHABAS)

100.Sarawak Women for Women Society

101.Sarawakians Access (SACCESS);

102.Saya Anak Bangsa Malaysia

103.Selangor and Kuala Lumpur Kwang Tung Association

104.Selangor Indian Entrepreneurs and Professionals

105.Sisters In Islam (SIS)

106.Southeast Asian Centre for e-Media (SEACEM)

107.SPNS, Bidor

108.Suara Rakyat Malaysia (SUARAM)

109.Sundararaja Perumal Devasthanam Klang

110.Tamilar Sangam, Teluk Intan

111.TENAGANITA

112.The Micah Mandate (TMM)

113.Thiruvalluvar Nanneri Mayam Cameron Highlands

114.Thiruvarul Thavaneri Mandram Malaysia

115.Universiti Terbuka Perak (Ureka)

116.Wanita Desa Sarawak (WADESA)

117.Women’s Aid Organisation (WAO)

118.World Tamil Federation – Malaysian Chapter
119.Writer Alliance for Media Independence (WAMI)

120.Yayasan Penyelidikan dan Pembangunan Pendidikan Tamil Malaysia (Tamil Foundation)

121.Youth for Change (Y4C)

122.Youth Section of Melaka Chinese Assembly Hall

123.Youth Section of Negeri Sembilan Chinese Assembly Hall

124.Youth Section of Persatuan Wui Leng Selangor dan Kuala Lumpur
125.Youth Section of Selangor and Kuala Lumpur Chinese Assembly Hall

Endorsing Political Parties

1.Democratic Action Party (DAP)
2.Parti Sosialis Malaysia (PSM)
3.Parti Islam Se-Malaysia (Pas)
4.PKR
5.Human Rights Party (HRP)

We refer to our previous statement dated 22 November 2009 pertaining to the above
matter. Biro Pemahaman dan Pemantapan Agama (BIPPA), Parti KeADILan Rakyat once
again would like to affirm our view on the issue.
It is our view that the wish of the non-Muslims to call their God as “Allah” is a
positive turn of events and should respectably be recognized. There is no necessity
for any factions in the society to take advantage of the current circumstances and
turn the dispute into a narrow political propaganda to show off as if they are
really the champion and guardian of Islam in this country.
Certainly, we view this phenomenon as a manifestation of the inherent human nature
to reckon that this universe is undoubtedly the creation of Allah.
If indeed thou ask them who it is that created the heavens and the earth, they would
be sure to say: “Allah.” … (Az Zumar 39:38)

It is without doubt that to worship and glorify Allah as the God is a fundamental
right of every person. This is parallel to the provision of the Federal
Constitution, Article 3(1) which guarantee the status of Islam as the Official
Religion of the Federation while at the same time concede that other religions may
be practiced in peace and harmony. Unmistakably, it is also consistent with the
recently affirmed Declaration of Understanding of the Pakatan Rakyat.
Additionally, we are of the opinion that the strive to advocate virtues and prevent
misdeed (amar makruf nahi mungkar) will be eased. Allah says:
Say: “O people of the Book! come to common terms as between us and you: that we
worship none but Allah; that we associate no partners with Him; that we erect not
from among ourselves Lords and patrons other than Allah.” If then they turn back,
say: ye! “Bear witness that we (at least) are Muslims (bowing to Allah’s will).”
(Ali Imran 3:64)

Therefore, to maintain harmony and peace it is crucial for all parties to resolve
the conflict by encouraging the culture of interfaith discourse with the highest
level of maturity and wisdom. Allah commands:
Invite (all) to the way of thy Lord with wisdom and beautiful preaching; and argue
with them in ways that are best and most gracious: for thy Lord knoweth, best who
have strayed from His Path, and who receive guidance. (An Nahl 16:125)
And dispute ye not with the People of the Book, except with means better (than mere
disputation) unless it be with those of them who inflict wrong (and injury): but say
“We believe in the Revelation which has come down to us and in that which came down
to you; Our God and your God is one; and it is to Him we bow (in Islam).” (Al
Ankaboot 29:46)

PROF DR MUHD NUR MANUTY
Chairman of Biro Pemahaman & Pemantapan Agama
05 January 2010