Archive for January, 2010

By the Administrator

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.

Siri ceramah Ketua Umum PKR Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim di Kampung Kerinci malam tadi
kecoh ekoran polis bertindak menaiki pentas untuk memberhentikan ceramah tersebut.

Polis yang diketuai oleh Ketua Polis Daerah Brickfields ACP Wan Abdul Bari Wan Abdul
Khalid bersama-sama beberapa anggotanya bertindak menaiki pentas ceramah itu di Blok
L Flat PKNS Kampung Kerinci meminta ketua pembangkang itu berhenti menyampaikan
ceramah.

Kejadian itu berlaku kira-kira jam 11.35 malam, selepas setengah jam Anwar yang juga
ahli Parlimen Permatang Pauh memulakan ceramahnya.

Kejadian tersebut disaksikan kira-kira 500 hadirin yang hadir di situ sejak jam 8.30
malam.

Ketika itu Anwar sedang mengulas mengenai pertuduhan liwat terhadapnya serta usaha
beliau mendedahkan isu-isu antaranya seperti pembelian kapal selam, kematian Teoh
Beng Hock dan kehilangan enjin Jet.

“Sebab itulah tema ceramah saya bulan ini adalah ‘Selamatkan Malaysia’,” katanya.

Tiba-tiba beliau terdengar teriakan daripada hadirin “Polis datang”, lantas Anwar
yang menyedari kehadiran polis berkata: “Tak apa, tak apa serahkan saya.”

Selepas itu kelihatan Wan Abdul Bari bersama beberapa anggotanya menaiki pentas
meminta Anwar menghentikan ceramahnya menyebabkan para penyokong dan pengawal
peribadinya mengerumumi beliau.

Kedengaran juga teriakan daripada hadirin dan penyokong membantah tindakan polis itu.

Keadaan menjadi lebih tegang apabila Anwar cuba untuk mengakhiri ceramah dengan
bacaan doa tetapi tidak dibenarkan oleh polis.

Selepas itu kelihatan Anwar bertegang urat Wan Abdul Bari. Namun tidak dapat
dipastikan apa yang diperselisihkan pada waktu tersebut.

Kekecohan itu berlaku selama 10 minit di atas pentas tersebut.

Ekoran itu, majlis tersebut terpaksa dihentikan dan para penyokongnya membawa ketua
pembangkang itu ke dalam sebuah rumah yang terletak bersebelahan dengan pentas
tersebut.

Kemudiannya para penyokong Pakatan Rakyat pula berteriak dengan menyuruh pihak polis
yang masih berada di pentas supaya beredar dari situ.

Pihak urusetia juga bertindak menutup lampu dipentas tersebut, menyebabkan para
penyokong bersorak dan melaungkan ‘Reformasi’ kepada beberapa kali kepada anggota
polis yang masih berada di atas pentas.

Sementara itu Wan Abdul Bari ketika ditemui pemberita selepas kejadian tersebut
berkata pihaknya terpaksa memberhentikan ceramah tersebut kerana “ucapannya tidak
selaras dengan program mesra rakyat”.

“Ia adalah program perjumpaan dengan rakyat. Pada peringkat awalnya, okay, tetapi
bila beliau (Anwar) hadir, ucapan-ucapannya lebih berunsurkan politik yang tidak
selaras dengan program mesra rakyat, jadi kita terpaksa memberhentikannya, ”
katanya.

Sementara itu ahli Parlimen Pokok Sena Datuk Mahfuz Omar yang turut berceramah
ditemui pemberita mengecam tindakan polis naik ke atas pentas.

Mahfuz yang juga naib presiden PAS berkata tindakan polis itu pentas adalah “tidak
wajar”.

Ini kerana katanya tindakan itu “tidak menampakkan profesionalisme” dan “mengundang
keadaan yang lebih kecoh”.

Bagaimanapun beliau tidak mengetahui apa yang diperselisihkan oleh Anwar dan Wan
Abdul Bari kerana pada waktu itu beliau berada jauh dari pentas sewaktu dikerumuni
oleh para penyokong bekas timbalan perdana menteri itu.

Manakala ahli Parlimen Lembah Pantai Nurul Izzah Anwar turut mengecam polis tindakan
polis tersebut.

Nurul Izzah yang juga anak sulung ketua pembangkang itu berkata polis harus
menunjukkan profesionalisme mereka, lebih-lebih lagi di hadapan khalayak ramai.

Beliau juga menjelaskan pihak urusetia juga memohon permit untuk mengadakan ceramah
tersebut tetapi tidak diberikan.

Beliau juga berkata urusetia turut memohon dewan berdekatan dengan flat tersebut
tetapi tidak dibenarkan untuk menggunakannya.

Sebelum itu, sepanjang pemerhatian Malaysiakini,

Sekatan yang pertama dari arah Universiti Malaya (UM) menuju ke tempat ceramah
tersebut iaitu betul-betul di hadapan Pangsapuri Vista Angkasa,

Sekatan itu dibuat kira-kira 50 meter dari tempat ceramah itu diadakan, manakala
satu lagi sekatan dibuat dari arah Pantai Dalam, kira-kira 400 meter dari tempat
ceramah itu diadakan.

Lebih 30 anggota polis termasuk Unit Simpanan Persekutuan (FRU) kelihatan di tempat
ceramah tersebut.

Terdapat dua sekatan polis diadakan sebelum majlis ceramah itu bermula.

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)

Naib Presiden Parti Keadilan Rakyat Dr Lee Boon Chye mengatakan bahawa kenaikan
harga runcit gula bagaikan “Hadiah Tahun Baru” yang dianugerahkan kepada rakyat oleh
kerajaan Barisan Nasional.

Beliau berkata, impak daripada kenaikan harga runcit gula akan mencetuskan inflasi
naik berlaku dalam negara. Rakyat terutamanya pekerja terpaksa menanggungkan semua
kos kenaikkan tersebut tetapi bukannya pengeluar.

Beliau memberikan pandangan setelah Kementerian Perdagangan Dalam Negeri, Koperasi
dan Kepenggunaan (KPDNKK) mengumumkan kenaikan harga gula sebanyak 20 sen kepada
RM1.65 sekilogram di Semenanjung, serta RM1.75 sekilogram di Sabah dan Sarawak.

Beliau mengesyaki bahwa polisi ini dilaksanakan khususnya sebagai “Hadiah” kepada
Raja Gula yang baru di negara kita.

Lee Boon Chye, yang juga ahli Parlimen Gopeng berkata, pada tahun 2009 Menteri
Perdangangan Dalam Negeri dan Hal Ehwal Pengguna (KPDNHEP) Dato Seri Ismail pernah
berkata subsidi gula akan diperincikan, laporan penuh akan dibawakan untuk dibahas
dan diluluskan di Parlimen. Akan tetapi, pengumuman yang tergesa-gesa tersebut
ternyatanya kredibiliti kerajaan Barisan Nasional harus dipertikaikan.

“Slogan menjadi janji kosong yang mengabaikan
nasib rakyat Malaysia sahaja, kini rakyat semakin diseksakan.” Beliau berkata.

Beliau menegaskan bahawa kini kerajaan telah menaikkan salah satu harga runcit
barang kawalan, dan roti putih juga dikeluarkan daripada skim barangan kawalan
harga. Tambahan pula mekanisme baru subsidi petrol juga akan dikemukakan pada Mei
yang akan datang. Dijangkan bahawa tahun ini akan menambahkan beban rakyat kerana
mencetusnya cabaran inflasi semakin melambung naik.