Malaysian government has no plan to review the ISA, so says Abdullah Badawi

Read the extracts of the BERNAMA report below

Source HERE for full BERNAMA article.

Government Has No Plan To Review ISA At The Moment, so says PM on Saturday afternoon, 18th October 2008.

The Malaysian government has no plan to review the Internal Security Act (ISA), at least for the moment, Prime Minister Abdullah Badawi said today.

He said the law was still being used and there was no discussion pertaining to its status as yet.

He said the ISA was still relevant in today's context, and that even many other countries were also enacting similar laws now for security reasons.

"ISA is not legislation that cannot be applied. Such legislation is also applied by other countries.

"Countries which do not have the ISA now feel that it is proper to have such legislation, countries such as the United States and England," he said.


He said it was important to exercise caution in executing the law. "There has been no element of abuse of power," he said.


On the call from various quarters, including political parties, for the government to release all ISA detainees, Abdullah said the matter was under the jurisdiction of the Home Ministry.

"I have no other comments. He (Home Minister, Hamid Albar) understands the situation better, whether to release or continue with their detention," he said.

When asked if it was timely for such a move considering that he was embarking on a reform platform, Abdullah answered:


"So what? Reform is reform, law is law. Detainees are detainees. Reform does not mean we want to reform everything, everything in the law, undoing offences."


The ISA, which allows for indefinite detention without trial, has long been the subject of controversy, this was highlighted recently when several people, including a newspaper reporter, an MP and and blogger Raja Petra Kamarudin were detained under the draconian Act.

Interesting talk, but the PM is being superficial, rather shallow, seems to be insincere and is presenting incomplete arguments.

In reality, the ISA was formulated to combat armed terrorists and insurgents at the time Malaysia was under the period of confrontation from the communist threat; it is undoubtedly now being misused to oppress and to silence political opposition.


Corruptisima re publica plurimae leges



In the most corrupt state are the most laws

ANOTHER ARREST UNDER ISA - UPDATE

UPDATE:

JUSTICE IS DONE

SUARAM (Suara Rakyat Malaysia) member Cheng Lee Whee, 26, was released on Saturday 18th October 2008, after the Magistrate's Court in Kuala Lumpur rejected a police application for her remand.

Cheng had been arrested under the ISA on Friday for posting a statement on the State police web portal which allegedly could cause fear among the public.

SUARAM member has been detained under the wicked ISA over a police report regarding the demolition of a squatter colony.

Once again it appears that the ISA has been used in a minor case which could have been dealt with using laws which are far more appropriate than the draconian ISA!!!!

A lady aged 28 years has reportedly been arrested at 22:00 hours last night under Section 28 of the Internal Security Act (ISA) for allegedly disseminating false information concerning the demolition of a squatter colony in Kampung Baru Plentong Tengah, near Johor Bahru.

Section 28 of the ISA concerns the dissemination of false reports, according to this section,

“Any person who, by word of mouth or in writing or in any newspaper, periodical, book, circular or other printed publication or by any other means spreads false reports or makes false statements likely to cause public alarm, shall be guilty of an offence.”

According to lawyers, section 28 of the ISA does not empower the police to detain a suspect without trial.

The suspect must be brought to a court within 24 hours, either to be charged, or be further remanded to facilitate police investigation.

The police are expected to apply for a remand order today (Saturday 18th October 2008,) to 'facilitate their investigations'.

The woman is alleged to have lodged a false police report regarding the incident on Thursday, 16th October 2008, she also is said to have sent an e-mail, to the Johor police website, which claimed that the police had abused their powers and used water cannon to disperse the crowd who were protesting the demolition.

Initial investigations seemingly revealed that the woman, Cheng Lee Whee, was not present at the scene.

Johor State Chief Police Officer Deputy Commissioner of Police, Mokhtar Mohd Shariff has confirmed the arrest.

Once again, it appears that, the evil and draconian ISA is been utilised as a 'weapon' to try to subdue the people, and make them totally subservient to those who are in power.

In terrorem

As a warning; in order to terrify others

Recession is on the way, better pay attention Malaysia

Does the Malaysian finance minister, none other than DPM Najib Razak, realise that the proverbial shit is about to hit the fan?

Perhaps he is too pre-occupied with other matters to know, or even care?

Malaysia is certainly far from being recession-proof!

According to the government subservient main-stream media in Malaysia, 'everything in the garden in lovely'.

The Star reports Malaysia's second finance minister as saying "Malaysia unlikely to enter recession" see HERE


But what is the situation in the real world?


Click, to read what other think, HERE

EXTRACT:

"Well, if they have been reading reports closely, they would see that palm oil and crude oil prices have plunged also.

Local newspapers have not been reporting the meltdown on a big scale. The coverage is still mainly limited to the business or foreign sections, and tend to present the 'official' side of things.

In today's publication of The Star, the biggest English daily, a story on local banks focused on the positives."

For the Star story about local banks, click HERE

A fronte praecipitium a tergo lupi



A precipice in front, wolves behind

Anwar Ibrahim's Sodomy Trial, Latest News

Abdul Gani Patail, who is now Malaysia's Attorney General, is accused of trying to hide facts in the investigations into the shameful Anwar Ibrahim assault, better known as "the black eye incident".

This allegation was contained in the statement of claim filed by the then investigating officer of the case, Mat Zain Ibrahim, (who is now retired) was the Kuala Lumpur Criminal Investigations Department chief, and he was responsible for finding out who had assaulted and given Anwar a black eye). and tendered as an exhibit, in the Anwar Ibrahim sodomy case, it was read out by Anwar's lawyer Sulaiman Abdullah last Wednesday.

The statement alleged that Gani, who at that time was a senior deputy public prosecutor, had hidden facts of the investigations (tantamount to tampering with evidence?) from the then Attorney General Mohtar Abdullah.

Mat Zain also alleges that Gani had attempted to delay the investigations, whilst he (Mat Zain) was trying to complete them as soon as possible.

Mat Zain has claimed that Gani was present on the 39^th floor of the Federal police HQ at Bukit Aman. Kuala Lumpur, on 20^th September 1998, when Anwar was badly beaten by the then Inspector-General of Police, Abdul Rahim Noor.

He stated that he had submitted his investigation papers (IP) to Gani on 30^th October 1998, but one week later, the AG had issued a press statement claiming that neither he, nor any of his officers, had received the IP.

However, the AG's chambers confirmed they had received the IP on 20^th November 1998, only after Mat Zain had insisted that Gani confirm this fact.

On 6^th January 1999, the chambers concluded that Mat Zain's investigations were incomplete thus they could not identify who had assaulted Anwar.

Nevertheless, eventually, the then Inspector General of Police, Abdul Rahim Noor, was charged, on 23^rd April 1999 with assaulting Anwar Ibrahim, he subsequently pleaded guilty and was sentenced to two months imprisonment and was also fined RM2,000.

Nemo gratis mendax

'No man lies freely'. A person with no reason to lie is telling the truth

Raja Petra Sedition Trial Day 4

The prosecution is apparently in a predicament, the trial appears scuttled since the charge may be held to be defective.

See Malaysia Today HERE

and in other media The Star, has a detailed report under headline 'Raja Petra Sedition trial: "It was not C4"' HERE

'Elements in article "untrue and made up" says cop' are the headlines in The Sun HERE

The trial has been adjourned until Monday 13th October 2008.


Fallaces sunt rerum species


The appearances of things are deceptive

Anwar Ibrahim's Sodomy Trial, Gag Order Lifted

Anwar in 1998, after assault

After submissions by the defence lawyers, the Kuala Lumpur Sessions Court has lifted a gag order against publishing details of Attorney-General Abdul Gani Patail’s alleged involvement in tampering with evidence in Anwar Ibrahim’s trial 10 years ago.

Anwar has filed an affidavit to support his application opposing the prosecution’s bid to transfer his case from the Sessions Court to the High Court.

He had questioned the validity of the transfer certificate signed by AG Abdul Gani Patail when under an Anti-Corruption Agency (ACA) investigation following a police report lodged against him by Anwar over fabrication of evidence.

Anwar’s lead counsel Sulaiman Abdullah had argued before Judge S.M. Komathy Suppiah that the three exhibits [two statements of claim respectively filed by Inspector-General of Police Musa Hassan and the then investigation officer in the 1998 Anwar case Mat Zain Ibrahim and newspaper reports on that incident] had been read out in open court.

“The two statements of claim were filed in the Kuala Lumpur High Court and they become public documents and they could be published. The public has the right to know what had happened in court,” Sulaiman said.

Anwar had suffered a black eye in 1998 after he was allegedly punched in the eye by former Inspector-General of Police Rahim Noor in the police lock-up at the Malaysian National Police Headquarters in Bukit Aman, Kuala Lumpur.

Yesterday, Judge Komathy had allowed the prosecution’s application to issue a gag order to restrain the media from reporting about Abdul Gani Patail's alleged involvement as shown in the contents of the exhibits.

LET JUSTICE BE SEEN TO BE DONE

Etiam capillus unus habet umbram

Even one hair has a shadow

RPK SEDITION TRIAL: DAY 3 SOME HIGHLIGHTS

The defence team began robustly in the Raja Petra Raja Kamarudin sedition trial, when they said that the police search conducted at RPK’s house, on 2nd May 2008, had been carried out in a reckless, incorrect and unlawful manner.

On Wednesday 8th October 2008 defense lawyer Gobind Singh Deo questioned police cyber security chief Superintendent Victor Sanjos, regarding why he did not get a search warrant before going to the blogger’s house that day.

Gobind Singh asked Supt. Victor if he was familiar with the provision of the Sedition Act 1948, to which the fourth witness replied that he understood it.

When he was asked by lawyer Gobind Singh if a search warrant was required for the purpose ,unless there was reason to believe or suspect that the evidence would be disposed of, Supt. Victor said he did not need a warrant as the case was investigated under the Sedition Act, he added, “I have the power”.

This resulted in Gobind Singh firing back at the witness saying that Section 8 of the same Act clearly explained the matter.

Supt. Victor, who is attached to Police Commercial Crimes Investigations department at Bukit Aman, Kuala Lumpur, however disagreed.

Gobind Singh then suggested that the inspection conducted at Raja Petra’s house, by Supt Victor, was done with complete disregard for the law when it required him to obtain a search warrant for the purpose.

Supt Victor again denied this suggestion.

To another question, he said he did not arrest Raja Petra on the same day as he had no reason to do so.

He agreed that a special task force had been set up for the sedition case as it was “opened” at Bukit Aman with each officer playing their respective role. Supt Victor said he was appointed to take part in the task force on 1st May 2008 by his superior officer, ACP Mohd Kamaruddin Md Din where “all cases were treated with urgency”.

He said he did not feel pressured when he conducted the inspection as “it is routine” in his job.

Supt Victor said the purpose of the visit was to search and seize any evidence in relation to a police report. He said he started to search the house at 09:55 and had asked the blogger about the computer he used to access the Internet.

“He told me that he already knew that the police would be coming by and I told him to just let me do my job,” he went on to say Raja Petra, had showed him the computer located on the first floor of his house.

“I seized the central processing unit and a notebook computer from the same area,” he said, adding that he prepared a search list and gave a copy to the blogger after the accused had signed it.

He said he later lodged a police report regarding the search and the seizure of the items and handed over the personal computer as well as the portable computer to the investigating officer.

Questioned by lawyer J. Chandra, he said that ACP Mohd Kamaruddin had showed him an on-line article entitled “Let’s send the Altantuya murderers to Hell” before he had gone to Raja Petra's house.

He said he has been instructed to seize any computers and data storage devices.

He stated he had contacted Raja Petra at 15:10 on the same day asking him to come to his office where two senior officers recorded his statement.

The hearing before Sessions Court judge Rozina Ayob will continue on Thursday 9th October 2008.

Fiat justitia (et ruat caelum)

Let justice be done. (though the heavens fall)

Malaysian PM not contesting, to step down in March 2009

Outgoing PM Abdullah Badawi

Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi has decided not to defend his post as UMNO president and will quit in March 2009 when UMNO meets at its annual general assembly.

He announced this to leaders of the 13 BN component political parties this afternoon, 8^th October 2008.

Abdullah who has been under intense pressure to resign from both within is own party, and from component parties if the BN coalition, as well as from opposition parties, will step aside in under five months time.

He has been seen as weak, ineffective, indecisive, and something of a lame duck PM during the past months.

Abdullah will have been the shortest lived PM in Malaysia's history.

Now the big question is who will be the next PM, let us hope it is not Najib Razak!!!!

What Malaysia needs now is a new federal government, not the never-ending story of the UMNO / BN circus again!

The BBC news stories HERE

& HERE

Dum excusare credis, accusas

When you believe you are excusing yourself, you are accusing yourself

'Danger Money' to be paid to crews of vessels transiting the Gulf of Aden

It has been reported:-

Crews of vessels transiting the pirate infested Gulf of Aden are now entitled to receive danger money following an agreement between unions and employers signed on 7th October 2008.

This agreement comes into force with immediately.

Seafarers on ships covered by International Bargaining Agreement Forums will receive a bonus equal to 100% of their basic wage whilst the vessel is in transit.

The normal rates of death and disability compensation for seafarers will be doubled.

The accord was reached after a meeting, of the IBF Warlike Operations Areas Committee , held in Singapore, this the first time that the IBF has designated any area as being of high-risk.

Crews serving on vessels which follow the transit corridor, known as the Maritime Security Patrol Area (MPSA), will be expected to cross the Gulf.

However crew members who serve on ships that do not follow the MSPA route will be entitled to refuse to transit the Gulf of Aden and can demand to be repatriated at the shipowner's expense.

This is step in the right direction, but the world's shipping nations need to cooperate, to ensure that the pirate menace is wiped out.

If it is impossible to get agreement on this, then each nation should take whatever means are necessary to ensure that its vessels are not hijacked and held to ransom.

An 'open season' should be declared on Somali pirates, and indeed upon all pirates worldwide.

An old salt said this:

“In days gone by, when the navy would caught a pirate, they would tie his hands and feet and throw him overboard.”

Sounds like a good solution to me, it will certainly be a strong deterrent!!

Abite nummi, ego vos mergam, ne mergar a vobis

Away with you, money, I will sink you that I may not be sunk by you

Anwar Ibrahim's Sodomy Trial: The High Court Rejects Prosecution Application

The prosecution team in Anwar Ibrahim's sodomy trial suffered a setback when the High Court rejected its application to review a decision by the Sessions Court to hear the merits of a prosecution application to transfer the case to a higher court.

In gremio legis



In the protection of the law


In the same trial proceedings:

The media have been gagged from reporting about Attorney-General, Abdul Gani's alleged role.

The Kuala Lumpur Sessions Court issued a gag order , on the 8th October 2008, effectively stopping the media from publishing details of Attorney-General Abdul Gani Patail's alleged involvement in tampering evidence in Anwar Ibrahim's trial a decade ago.

Commodum ex iniuria sua nemo habere debet


No person ought to have advantage from his own wrong

Raja Petra Sedition Trial Day 2

Some Highlights from various media reports:-

Raja Petra Raja Kamarudin had told a talk show host that he had written about Mongolian Altantuya Shaariibuu two days before the programme was aired live nationwide on 27th April, the Sessions Court heard, he however stated that Raja Petra did not state the title of his article.

Hasshim Abu Hanifah, who is a host of RTM’s [GOVERNMENT RUN RADIO & TV] Blog TV talk show, said he had interviewed Raja Petra for its second episode broadcast on 27^th April 2008.

“If I am not mistaken, he mentioned that he had written about Altantuya two days before that,” he told Sessions Court judge Rozina Ayob in the packed courtroom.

Raja Petra has claimed trial to publishing a seditious article on its website on 25th April 2008.

Questioned by DPP Ishak Mohd Yusof, Hasshim, the second witness testified that Raja Petra had made such a comment when he was interviewing him under the “Keterbukaan” (openness) segment.

Hasshim then continued to testify that Raja Petra hd told him, in the Arabic language, that his (Raja Petra's) contributions as a blogger were to do good and reject bad things.

Asked by lead counsel J.Chandra, Hasshim denied that the talk show was made to “trap” the blogger.

He said he did not give any caution to Raja Petra before the show that anything he said could be used against him.

The hearing continues tomorrow, Wednesday, 8^th October 2008.

LET JUSTICE PREVAIL

Please read this article about RPK, entitled "Sleepless in Malaysia" HERE

Veritas vos liberabit

The truth will set you free

Judge rules that Anwar's sodomy case arguments to be heard in Sessions Court

Sessions Court judge SM Komathy Suppiah ruled against the prosecution's application to transfer Opposition leader Anwar Ibrahim's second Sodomy trial to the High Court. She will hear arguments regarding the application in the afternoon.

The judge said that the lower court has the jurisdiction to hear the case, regarding the transfer to a higher court, her decision is a significant victory for Anwar's defence team.

Anwar had objected to the application to transfer the case to the High Court because it was made by the Attorney-General Abdul Gani Patail, who has been accused by Anwar of evidence tampering in an earlier case.

Anwar, a former Malaysian DPM is charged with sodomising his former aide Mohd Saiful Bukhari Azlan.

The honourable judge has upheld the cause of justice in Malaysia, this is indeed a spark of hope.

Justice, democracy and human rights, which are sorely lacking under the UMNO / BN federal government, are still being kept alive until the new Pakatan Rakyat (Peoples Alliance) federal government comes to power.

UPDATE

The sessions Court will resume on Wednesday, 8th October 2008, at 11:00 when the defence will continue submissions objecting to the transfer of the sodomy case to the High Court.

In gremio legis

In the protection of the law

Malaysia Today blog website denounces money politics, ethnic polarisation and advocates transparency, accountability and justice

During his testimony on the first day of Raja Petra’s trial under the Sedition Act, Malaysian Communication and Multimedia Commission’s director for Security, Trust and Governance department Harme Mohamed said that the Malaysia Today blog website denounced money politics, ethnic polarisation and advocated transparency, accountability and justice.

The UMNO / BN Malaysian government seems not to like those who oppose money politics, ethnic polarisation and those who advocate transparency, accountability and justice, as it tries to silence patriots, like RPK, by using the Internal Security Act and the Sedition Act against them.

See news reports in The Star HERE

& in the Sun HERE

Adhuc sub iudice lis est

The case is still before the court

Raja Petra's arrival at PJ Sessions Court, video

Please view the You Tube / Malaysiakini video below.






See BBC news report HERE


See Al-Jazeera English news report HERE

The trial of RPK, on charges brought under the Sedition Act, resumes tomorrow, Tuesday 7th October 2008.

If possible, please attend to give your support to RKP, and to reinforce the efforts to get the ISA and all other draconian and unjust laws repealed.

LET JUSTICE BE DONE.


Corruptissima re publica plurimae leges


In the most corrupt state are the most laws

THE FACE OF A VICTIM THE ISA

A thin and pale RPK in handcuffs
at the courthouse in Petaling Jaya,
today, 6th October 2008

Raja Petra Kamarudin was brought from the ISA detention camp at Kemunting, Perak, at the crack of dawn, and arrived at the Sessions Court in Petaling Jaya at 08:25 for his sedition trial.

Court proceedings began at 09:00 hours, and adjorned at 13:30 for lunch, and restarted at about 14:30 hours.

RKP, who is being detained for two years without trial under the draconian and inhumana Malaysian Internal Security Act 1960, was charged on 6th May 2008 regarding on-line posting on Malaysia Today website, regarding the murder of Mongolian lady, Ms. Altantuya Shaariibuu.

RPK pleaded not guilty, and claimed trial re the publishing an allegedly seditious article on Malaysia Today, thus becoming the first blogger to be charged under the draconian, loosely worded "catch-all" Sedition Act.

He is accused of publishing the article 'Let’s send the Altantuya murderers to hell' which is alleged to contain nine paragraphs of seditious words.

He alleged to have committed the offence at his house in in Bukit Rahman Putra in Sungai Buloh, on April 25.

If convicted, RPK could be fined a maximum of RM5,000 or jailed up to three years, or both under Section 4(1)(c) of the Sedition Act.

A large number of supporters of RPK and those who are campaigning for the abolition of the ISA were at the court to express their solidarity, many wore the Support RPK and abolish ISA t- shirts.

LET JUSTICE PREVAIL.

REPEAL THE INHUMANE ISA AND OTHER ARCHAIC ANS DRACONIAN LAWS IN MALAYSIA.

FREE RPK AND ALL THOSE BEING DETAINED WITHOUT TRIAL IN MALAYSIA, AND AROUND THE WORLD.

Fortiter in re, suaviter in modo

Resolute/non-hesitant in action, gentle in manner

ARRESTING / KILLING PIRATES IS ACCEPTABLE

Don't pay them ransoms, fill 'em with lead.

I fully agree with this sensible view as reported recently:

"Shooting pirates is OK – ex-judge

SHOOTING is an acceptable response to pirates, Thomas Mensah, former presiding judge at the International Tribunal for the Law of the Sea, has declared.

He was taking part in discussion after an event last night organised by the London Shipping Law Centre and was responding to a question from the floor that proposed only two responses to pirates: “either pay them or shoot them.” Mensah said “paying them is out of the question” and offered a third option: arrest.

If that is not possible, then shooting them should be considered, if it can be done without harming the crew, he added.

It might also be considered even if there is a risk of “collateral damage” to the innocent, he suggested: “If you do it often enough, then the message will get out [to pirates] that you will be shot … and things will get a little better than now.”"

WELL SAID!

MALAYSIAN MERCHANTS OF DEATH - IN SUDAN ARMS RACE

Malaysia supplying arms to Sudan

South Sudan is not alone in seeking fresh weaponry, with the authorities in Khartoum (Northern Sudan) reported to be re-equipping their armed forces from Malaysia, China and North Korea.

Both northern and southern Sudan are reported to be building up their forces ahead of the possible independence of the south in 2011.

See BBC story HERE

Malaysian PM says release of two Malaysian tankers was God's gift!!!

PULVERISE THE SOMALI PIRATES

IT WAS NOT GOD'S GIFT, IT WAS THE POWER OF US$ 4 MILLION,

in ransoms paid to pirates.

BERNAMA REPORTS THIS:

“Release Of Pirate-held MISC Vessels God's Hari Raya Gift, Says PM

Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi Tuesday described as God's "Hari Raya" gift the release of the two MISC Berhad tankers seized by Somali pirates in the Gulf of Aden last month.

"This is a Hari Raya (Aidilfitri) gift from God to us, especially the families of the crew of MT Bunga Melati 2 and MT Bunga Melati 5," he told Bernama when commenting on the release of the two ships.

Abdullah said he was grateful for the release of MT Bunga Melati 2 yesterday and the safety of the vessel's crew. The pirates had released MT Bunga Melati 5 on Sunday.

"I am also happy to know that the Royal Malaysia Navy team we sent there has discharged its duties with dedication and good judgment. I extend my appreciation to them for having striven to secure the release of both our vessels," he said.

Both the vessels were held by Somali pirates in the Gulf of Aden for more than 40 days."

MISC Berhad chairman Hassan Marican conveyed the news of the release of MT Bunga Melati Dua, the second vessel to be released early yesterday soon after he got news of the release.

Hassan when

"Asked how much ransom was paid to the pirates for the release of the two vessels, he said: "I do not want to state the amount. Of more importance is that the negotiations were successful and the crew members have been released.”

Link HERE

The total amount paid in ransom was US $ 4 million (RM 18.8 million):

Source Lloyds List 29^th September 2008:

Both the Bunga Melati Lima and the Stella Maris and their crews were released at the weekend with ransoms totaling US $4m reported to have been paid.

A ransom of US $2m was reportedly paid for the release of the Bunga Melati Lima. As yet the shipowner MISC has made no statement on the release of the vessel.

On Saturday the Panama-flagged supramax Stella Maris and its crew of 20 Filipinos was also reported to have been released after a US $2m ransom was paid.

The other MISC tanker the Bunga Melati Dua hijacked 10-days earlier in the Gulf of Aden continues to be held by the Somali pirates and negotiations for its release are ongoing.

The chemical tanker Bunga Melati Dua hijacked in the Gulf of Aden on August 19 and its crew of 38 were freed early on Monday after MISC reportedly paid a US $2m ransom.

Lloyds List 30^th September 2008:

The remaining MISC tanker held by Somali pirates was released on Monday following a ransom payment by the shipowner.

The chemical tanker Bunga Melati Dua hijacked in the Gulf of Aden on August 19 and its crew of 38 were freed early on Monday after MISC reportedly paid a $2m ransom.

The BERNAMA story above, is a very misleading, and is seeminly based on what is a typical politically manipulative statement by the PM.

The release certainly had nothing to do with the Royal Malaysian Navy, and certainly nothing to do with God.

It was just about $$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$.

Ransoms reportedly totally US $ 4 million were paid out to the pirates, whilst it is very good news that the vessels and their crew are released, it is in my view counter productive to pay ransoms, especially to pirates.

Such hijackings should be prevented by strict coordinated naval action,;the pirates should be strictly dealt with as exactly what they are, common pirates, they should be aggressively attacked, their boats sunk, and no survivors should be taken.

Not a politically correct course of action, of course, but it will certainly be most effective, piracy in the Gulf of Aden and off the coasts of Somalia will very soon stop.

Ut humiliter opinor

In my humble opinion

Some extracts below from CPI web site (good holiday reading matter)

Please visit the Centre of Policy Initiatives (CPI) website for a wealth of information bloggers buzz, news and views and intellectual articles, and much more too, please:-

CLICK HERE for CPI English web site

& HERE for the Chinese Language web site.

Thanks so much.


QUOTE:

Ode to September
Bloggers Buzz
Written by YL Chong
Tuesday, 30 September 2008 00:40
Ode to September (2)

By Desiderata-YL Chong

Monday, September 29, 2008

Dear Raja Petra Kamarudin (and Marina and family)

It's the eve of Hari Raya Aidilfitri

A fellow blogger humbly writeth with warm wishes

And prayers for your wellbeing and safety

That you'd be secure in His abode divine

And to thy family: peace and serenity

I know thou art God-fearing and His Angels will watch o'er thee

My fellow Malaysian, this ode is in praise of thy sacrifice

Out of your deepest love for our NegaraKu

If after all human efforts fail to achieve your liberation

and that of some sixty fellow brothers giving of their life's best

I'll with other peace-loving Malaysians will not rest

We will continue the quest for thy release


We shall remember it's the kind of September ten years ago

Reformasi with thy comrades we sang our ode to freedom

In this season of goodwill

Among brothers and sisters above colour, creed and race

We will light the candle of peace

and seek the final release

From oppression of all human kind

Until everyone other chained by the Cruel one

Is release to the bosomy kiss of the Malaysian sun

and the embrace of tender September wind and showers

of blessing of love, charity and release

from all worldly bonds


Because you taught us to see the face of cruelty of Masters

of abuse, oppression and indulgence

Will one day be overcome by what is inherently Right

So well fought for by one dear to all we call Pete

One day soon, we will again celebrate


Till then, take care

Have faith, believe



Desi, 10.00PM September 29, 2008

_________________________________



An Ode to September

Cool clean showers
Kiss my body, cool my tongue
Springtime flowers
Greet with generous smiles

Temper man's tempers most vile
Making upright heavy shoulders
That innocent children's eyes can still wonder
At Nature's streaming blooms and misty veil of colours

Descending on creatures big and small
They don't bother if you're short or tall
But if you do not make foul the air
Your two fairy feet would surely dance in pair

Just as I see a September Child
Born to love, give and yet, should sigh
Cos the adults don't respond as a child
With a gifted hand, and a face sweet and mild


Go, go you silly Man
Away, away to your messy Land

Let us be as Nature lets things be for just today
Let me kiss the last strains of September
In the still of the night, we still remember
Mum's like a sublime night's bosom caress may

Find me rested, above those Adult-erated moves
This world of spring showers,I sight
As morn sinks into night
A flight of departing Doves.

These verses close all the sweet September days
All the wine, roses and singing ways.
I wait patiently for the sure cycle of eleven months
Visiting again gifting Spring flowers and wondrous Mays.

(c) YL Chong
Midnite September 29, 2005

_________________________________________

My Kind of September

I just composed a few hours ago an Ode to September dedicated to Raja Petra Kamarudin aka Pete who was recently detained under the ISA (second time around) and other 60 plus Malaysians still under detention under the oppressive Internal Security Act. I now also reprise two articles first published in malaysiakini.com where I served with pride as News Editor for a year among the pioneering group of journalists.

Try to remember,
Eight years ago.

"Be true to your work, your word, and your friend." -- Henry David THOREAU

A writer in his professional output will always look back and stand tall on certain works he has had crafted. I reprise a NUGGET to share with those not in the know, and for those who have read it before, it's a re-visit which Desi feels is worthwhile, because it is about Malaysia's important crossroads.

It was significant because I believe the nation took a quantum leap into maturing as a democracy, the main Players pursuing political agendas, yet with others pursuing their dreams, main and bit parts players, like in a Shakespearean Play, caught in the current that swept them along, some as passersby, and some as victims Desi would categorise as The Unsung Heroes. The Bard had likened the world as a stage, and all the people are the actors (actresses are contained within the 'actors':) -- Mama Mia, I hope the feminists don't get out a hitgal on Desi!:(

I just pray my EsteemedReaders won't choose to remain as mere spectators. 'Cos Malaysia belongs equally to everyone of US -- which includes You and Me. We have equal stakes in the present, and the future, in this land called MALAYSIA -- NegaraKu.

Face Off, the book (Part I)

Sept 19, 2000

RUMINATIONS
Chong Yen Long

I deliberately titled this piece thus as after reading Sabri Zain's journal of our country's traumatic times, I believe it could easily be the script for a movie too, not just a book.

Dare we dream that a Malaysian Peter Weir could emerge to give us a visual feast of FACE OFF: A Malaysian Reformasi Diary (1998-99)?

As I read over the weekend the 200-odd pages slowly, digesting it for a "review", I can't help but recall a film I had seen "The Year of Living Dangerously", in which the protagonist is also a newsman.

Sabri's chronicles benefit from his journalism background as most of his paintings and narratives were objective enough, though the choice of words, emotive and descriptive ones, clearly reflects the bent of his loyalties to the burning issue of the day: the reformation movement spawned by former deputy prime minister Anwar Ibrahim.

From the outset, I must make clear this is not the usual book review, as I take the liberty of randomly highlighting segments that to me are telling gems, and Ruminations breaks a tradition by bringing the reflection in two parts.

First, I quote from Rehman Rashid's foreword which he began with a familiar refrain: "Try to remember the kind of September" which I believe stirs a lot of nostalgia among us, of better times past?

To the romantic at heart ... if anything one expects presaged by the refrain a romantic setting of poetry and song, wine or the intoxicating journalist's brew - teh-tarik - or women in red (I prefer the word "lasses" and in blue too, but some colleagues object) lazing by a sidewalk café in Paris in the springtime, Sabri's diary is not "it".

"It" is romance of the political kind and of a higher plane ... The kind that has a bearing and great import on dear Malaysia's future for a long time yet and it is precious for all of us, Malaysians, to be involved. It is not of normal plane because this year-long sojourn does not instill just momentary pleasure, it aims to touch the inner heartstrings of Malaysians. I hope these feeling Malaysians are a majority of the 22 million here.

Also, Sabri's diary will stand up as an important historical document, with wit thrown in to dilute the reader's swelling anger perhaps, which future generations of Malaysians will treasure ... and not waste
precious time poring over reams and reams of newspaper cuttings to ever get near to any approximation of the truth of momentous history still in progress.

For those who missed the "action" where it happened, centred mainly around Dataran Merdeka (Independence Square) and its vicinity starting in September two years ago, Sabri brings the readers to the arena where the episodes of Malaysian history were played out. The writer's baptism that led him to cross Anwar's path - that Abim kid, his term of endearment - was that moment in 1974 where it started with a remonstration exactly 26 years ago - led by that "Abim kid" highlighting peasants' plight in Tasek Utara, Johor.

For whom the bell tolls

Key figures revolved around Anwar and his family and, of course, the puppet master or script writer or political conductor himself, Prime Minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad, in person, or via his proxies, and the band of Malaysians that visiting American vice-president Al Gore proudly described as "brave Malaysians". (I actually agree with him and 'em, even if you call me "unpatriotic", so be it; as a journalist, I subscribe to the motto: Don't shoot the messenger!)

Most importantly, the less heralded players, nameless yet exalted, faceless and unobtrusive yet endearing and enduring, are the ordinary Malaysians whom Sabri observed and recorded their "involvement". These bit players cared, and stood up to be counted. To me, the diarist has done them justice by his anecdotes of the true Malaysians ... the sum total of their contributions will form the substance of the reformasi, not just the rhetoric of politicians, though their roles should not be under-estimated.

In "Shopping For Justice" (Oct 10, 1998), Sabri notes:

* "Despite the attacks on demonstrators in the weeks before, despite the warnings almost every day this week that the authorities would crack down on any form of demonstration, despite the fear, despite the threats, despite the solemn pronouncements by the powers-that-be that the Reformasi ... movement is dead - tens of thousands of Malaysians came out today - defiant and free."

Sabri was more than a little astute when he made some observations in "We Don't Tell Lies ... Up To a Point"( Nov 9, 1998), viz:

* "The only memorable news about Anwar in the weeks leading up to his sacking were denials by him and Mahathir that there was a rift between them and Anwar was being called on to resign. Mahathir was even quoted as willing to "kiss him on the street" to prove the point - a very risky proposition, considering the nature of the sexual accusations that were to emerge later."

* "The news of the country losing its Deputy Prime Minister was the third or fourth segment in the TV3 news that evening - after the top news of a change in the elementary school curriculum and some insignificant official opening by some insignificant minister in some insignificant place I can't even remember."

In "Waiting For Justice" (Nov 13,1998), the introduction quoted Tun Salleh Abas, former Lord President (from the book with K Das, May Day For Justice): And justice cannot be done hastily. And justice cannot be done in the dark ..."

Sabri's diary records the dark moments in Malaysia's justice delivery system ... today it may be Anwar, but tomorrow, the question on many minds was:"For whom will the bell next toll?"

However, the consolation is that Anwar was never alone in facing his travails.

At the Kuala Lumpur High Court:

* "My little group started discussing the reasons they were here. Some of them were here for the first time, others were relative "veterans". 'I've been here almost every day since the trial began,' said the Malay gentleman in the faded batik shirt. 'Sometimes I managed to get in, but most times I can't. I'm just here to show my support for Brother Anwar ...'."

* "The (elderly Malay) lady admitted she was very confused by everything that was happening. 'I don't know if he is guilty or innocent. But even if he is guilty, I don't understand why they are treating him like this. Our leaders are coming out with so much filth in the papers. It shames his family and it shames our race.'"

In "Changing Times" (Feb 2, 1999), the uplifting observation is that the times in Malaysia, are a-changing ... for the better I believe, as denoted by the revelation that all the panelists in a political forum organised by the Selangor Chinese Assembly Hall Civil Rights Committee were all Malays, namely PRM president Dr Syed Husin Ali, PAS Youth chief Mahfuz Omar and PRM's Rustam Sani (now Barisan Alternatif Information Chief).

As recorded in the diary, Rustam noted:

* "One of the changes was that it was now a global world. 'With the Internet, people know there are much better alternatives to what you are fed in the local press! And Internet writers like Sabri Zain now have far more credibility than almost all the chief editors in our local newspapers!'"

Make no mistake, the compliment to the author was not self-trumpeted, but from a respected academician-writer himself, Rustam, whose father was the great Independence fighter Ahmad Boestamam, and whose freedom fight will assuredly continue with many of his family members after
him.

Salute to heroes

And Malaysians must always treasure another veteran freedom fighter - Syed Husin, who was quoted as saying:

* "Race has always been - and still is - used by the rich and powerful to divide and rule. The government's recent scare-mongering campaign among the Chinese community is a classic example of this divide and rule tactic. To protect itself from the wrath of the people, the government is now trying to turn Reformasi in Malaysia into a racial issue. Malays will riot, they say. Malays will burn Chinese shops, they say. Malays will rape Chinese women, they say. And their loudest message of all - remember Indonesia."

The above entry was dated Feb 2, 1999 and today, one and half years later, Syed Husin's reminder still rings true to warn us Malaysians to remain vigilant: Witness the Umno Youth's recent demonstration in front of SCAH housing Malaysian Chinese Organisations' Election Appeals Committee (Suqiu) office to demand an apology for its 17-point appeal allegedly questioning Malay special rights (Genuine appeals must gain govt's hearing: PRM, Sept 18).

In the chapter on "Heroes" (Feb 13, 1999), Sabri salutes the ordinary man in the street who shines, as Malaysia undergoes growing pains in a phase when the "worst of times frequently brings out the best in people".

At a demonstration at Jalan Tuanku Abdul Rahman on Sept 20, the day of Anwar's arrest, was recalled:

* "... an ordinary security guard became a hero to dozens of people - simply by doing his job. The security guard of a firm located on Jalan TAR allowed drenched, injured demonstrators into the building, locking the grilled gate after them - much to the annoyance of their baton-waving, red-helmeted pursuers. The FRU troopers shouted curses at the security guard, kicking the grill with their boots and demanding to be let in. The security guard - though visibly shaken and frightened - stood firm. This was private property."

"A junior supervisor refused to allow FRU personnel into a fast-food restaurant where demonstrators had sought refuge. They battered the glass door of the restaurant with their batons until it cracked - but the supervisor ensured his "customers" finished their hastily-ordered meals unmolested."

There is another episode of a Malaysian Samaritan - a retired headmaster - who stopped along Jalan Parliamen to help a young man lying on the road, and found himself "in the middle of hundreds of riot police pursuing demonstrators who had marched to the Prime Minister's official residence that night".

* "An FRU officer in full-riot gear approached him and asked if a car accident had happened! "Can't you see?! This boy's been badly beaten by your own officers!" The policeman then warned the pensioner to leave the injured man alone and let the police "deal" with him. "He's a Malay," the officer said. "You're an Indian - don't get mixed up in this."

The pensioner refused. "Are you stopping a Malaysian from helping another fellow Malaysian in need?"May there be more such God-fearing Malaysian standing tall out there - just carrying out their duties and acting human as human beings should ... We have hopes for this young nation yet.

/\__/\
o o
={_!_}=

*******

Face Off, the book (Part II)

Sept 20, 2000

RUMINATIONS
Chong Yen Long

Sept 20: Today marks the second anniversary of the arrest of former deputy prime minister Anwar Ibrahim; by natural news development, it also marks the birth of Face Off, though the budding could be traced back to that fateful day at the then Selangor Club Padang, exactly 26 years ago when providence brought the nascent author in contact with the "young kid from Abim".

Years later, the Philippines has seen the rise of Cory Aquino; maybe history will also honour Malaysia with an equally blessed first woman premier, now in the horizon (near or far), for a potential local counterpart is found in Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail. Women's groups can hasten the process by taking naturally to political waters as they take to the kitchen, PAS notwithstanding!

If Malaysians can help realise this dream, we would have proven to the world that an Asian democracy has actually blossomed and matured and arrived; until then, true and genuine Malaysian democrats must stay the fight. If September 1998 marks the leave of absence for her husband Anwar as an "active" player on the Malaysian political landscape, his significant other (using Sabri's quite unusual, fond reference) has slowly but surely risen in stature, yet with a grace and dignity that is indeed premium and prime.

To many of the Reformasi followers, Wan Azizah is the icon for their struggle - in the common pursuit of change, freedom, democratic government and, of course, justice.

I now continue with another entry from "Heroes":

* "The latest hero to have emerged recently appeared, quite unexpectedly, thousand of miles away from the courts, rallies and streets demonstrations of Kuala Lumpur - in the draughty corridors of Malaysia Hall in Bryanston Square, London. During a question-and-answer briefing on the current political crisis by Prime Minister Mahathir to Malaysian students there early this month (February, 1999), a young student stood up and suggested that Dr Mahathir Mohamad apologise to Datuk Seri Anwar and his family. The student also suggested the Prime Minister resign."
Harking back to Dr Chandra Muzaffar's laments in "All Honourable Men" (March 13, 1999), and later "The Emperor's New Clothes" (June 13, 1999), it is well appreciated that pockets of heroism sallied forth from unexpected quarters, just like Hans Christian Andersen's innocent child breaking out loud with the unexpected: "The emperor is naked!"

When a forum on ‘Public Intellectuals and Contemporary Challenges' to be held at the Universiti Malaya, the country's oldest seat of tertiary learning, was banned by the authorities, there was no outpouring of outrage and protest.

* "Why - in the midst of Malaysia's worst political crisis ever, in the face of the worst abuses in its human rights record - does there seem to be no sense of outrage at all among the country's elite - its intellectuals, its writers, its academics, its judges, its elected representatives?"

And these academics seem ready to accept little inconveniences such as suppression of freedom and are quite happy to continue, in Chandra's words, "living with a lie".

* "And it is a Big Lie that they are living. The brutal beating of street demonstrators. The absurd tragi-comedy of the Anwar trial. The indiscriminate arrests without trial. The torture and ‘turning over' of detainees. The prostitution of the media.

Often it's a case of: ‘See no evil. Hear no evil. Say no evil. And you'll keep your Volvo. But it is quite unfair to just single out academics. Other honourable men continue to live with the Lie. Not a single Member of Parliament has resigned in disgust.'"

But Sabri must surely be kidding when he added that "Not a whisper of dissent has been heard from the Umno Supreme Council."

If these councillors did not put a dagger into the victim's back, the poor "fall guy" was already blessed; more likely than not, in the cover of darkness, they will bludgeon you, blindfolded and handcuffed, to near-death. They won't want you dead for that would be martyr-creating, they relish to see you suffer, naked and helpless, preferably begging for mercy, calling out the name of the Almighty!

Here I digress by recalling a joke that Time magazine (July 3, 2000) ran to show the wit of Indonesian president Abdurrahman Wahid: "Egypt held a competition to guess the age of a mummy. France, Germany and the US sent archaeologists. Indonesia sent a military officer. The French team spent two hours with the mummy, then gave up. The Americans spent longer, but their guess was wrong. The German team estimated 3,200 years - also wrong.

"The Indonesian military officer asked if he could study the mummy in a closed room. Fifteen minutes later he emerged and said the mummy was 5,224 years, three months and seven days old. The jury was amazed - he was exactly right and won the prize. As he was leaving the Cairo airport, journalists asked him how he got the answer. ‘I hit him black and blue until he confessed.'"

Back to Sabri's diary, "The emperor realised that the people were right but could not admit to that. ‘I shall pretend that there is nothing wrong.' And though he knew that he was really naked, he thought it better to continue the procession under the illusion that anyone who couldn't see his new clothes were either stupid or incompetent."

Lives turned upside down

An important chapter, "The Accused" (March 20, 1999), pays tribute, truly deserved I believe, to a group called the OKTs.

* "But amid all the twists and turns of the Anwar trial, just across the river from the (Kuala Lumpur) High Court, another drama was unfolding - almost unnoticed, almost forgotten.

Police arrested a total of 331 people in connection with massive street demonstrations that erupted following Anwar's arrest on September 20. In a series of eight reformasi trials, these people were being charged with illegal assembly, under Section 27 of the Police Act. If found guilty, they are liable to a fine of not less than RM2,000 and up to RM10,000 - and imprisonment for up to a year.

They're known as the OKTs - Orang Kena Tuduh or the accused. Because most of them spent many traumatic days in police lock-ups before bail could be raised for them to be freed, others preferred another meaning to the acronym - Orang Kena Tahan, the detainees. One bitter cynic among them said it also stood for "Orang kena terajang" (the beaten up).

Today, the significant other and I were fortunate to join about 80 of the OKTs at a small tea party held for them at the Bar Council Auditorium. It was a humbling experience.

The first thing that struck me was the number of ladies among the OKTs - shy, demure young girls in veils whom we thought were family members were, in fact, OKTs themselves! ‘There were 17 of us from October 17!' chirped one young girl proudly, referring to the day when police unexpectedly attacked demonstrators dispersing from the Royal Palace and pursued them all the way across town to Independence Square.

As a result, many OKTs had to take no-pay leave or even leave their jobs, so they could attend court. Those who were petty traders or had their own businesses have found the situation really tough.

‘These are people who have to support families,' said one of the lawyers defending the OKTs. ‘Some have lost their jobs, seen their businesses crumble, lost friends, they cannot find jobs ... their lives are being turned upside down.'

‘The financial hardship some of them are suffering cannot be underestimated,' said another lawyer. ‘During the trials, we actually discovered OKTs who skipped lunches and would just lie in a corner at the court and sleep - they had no money for lunch.'

Despite all they had been through, not one of the OKTs I talked to had any regrets. ‘If anything the whole process has made me stronger in my commitment to seeing justice prevail,' said one OKT."

Birth of 'Justice'

In "The Eye Of Justice" (April 4, 1999), Sabri records the graduation of social justice movement ADIL into a full fledged political party - Parti Keadilan Nasional or the National Justice Party, at the Grand Ballroom of the Hotel Renaissance, Jalan Ampang, Kuala Lumpur ... the party's mission is crystal clear: to uphold truth and justice.

* "Everywhere (at the hotel) - on the walls, on tables, on posters, even along the staircase banisters - the blue-and-white "eye" of the Keadilan logo stared out at you.

Then came the moment everyone waited for. The whole room rose to its feet in wild cheers as Dr Wan Azizah walked to the podium to deliver her first-ever speech as the leader of a political party.

‘We're gathered here to fulfil a demand from the people - they are demanding justice. We are here to fulfil the demand of the Malaysian race - bangsa Malaysia. They are demanding the dignity of their race. And we are fulfilling the demands of our changing times - the time has arrived.

‘Ten years of rapid development has given us confidence. But for some, that confidence has turned to arrogance. Our economy was driven by ego and the desire to show off. Crony capitalism dominated the New Economic Policy. Corruption, cronyism and nepotism grew like an cancer. Massive mega-projects eroded our economic fundamentals and shook the stability of our banking system. The lust - nafsu - for mega-projects left our defences weak. Because of these weaknesses, the currency speculators attacked.'

She explained the party logo, which consists of a white sphere on a sky blue background, representing a pure cause, and a smaller blue sphere on the white, representing justice for all. "At first sight, you might think it looks like an eye. There are reasons for that.

‘Firstly, I am an ophthalmologist!' she quipped, to peals of laughter and applause from the crowd. ‘Secondly, it's to remind us of the infamous black eye,' she added, more seriously.

‘But it also has a deeper meaning,' Dr Wan Azizah continued. ‘It is our mata hati - our inner eye that helps us distinguish between what is right and what is wrong. It is a symbol of our quest for truth and our struggle for justice. It is the ‘eye' that seeks justice.'"

'Rainbow on the horizon'

"Anniversary Day" (Sept 19, 1999) records a Reformasi gathering of tens of thousands at the National Mosque, spilling across the road into the KL Railway Station and stretching to the Dayabumi complex.
* "And I am sure I have never before seen so many Chinese within the courtyard of the National Mosque. Today, there was a cause that transcended the racial barriers that once divided us. I suppose the tyrant's whip does not distinguish between the colour of your skin , the language you speak or the faith you hold."

Sabri's epilogue titled "Rainbow On The Horizon?" holds an optimism - hence the rainbow - tinged with some reservation as posed by the question mark. This throws a quiet challenge to Malaysians whether they are responsive and responsible enough to be moved, perhaps encouraged by his narrative of the many heroes doing their little bit, but definitely not enough to claim victory to date, to continue the quest for truth, freedom and justice.

* "We have arrived at a crossroads in the history of our country. We can keep on the familiar road of break-neck, unbridled development, at all costs, to the detriment of social justice and equality, political freedoms and basic human rights. Or we can take the road of sustained and sustainable development, where social development progresses in pace with economic development.

If Malaysians casually accept all that has happened so far without question - the climate of fear, trial by media, detention without trial, violent repression, blatant unfairness, sheeplike loyalty - then Malaysians will stomach anything.

In that case, we'd probably deserve whatever happens to us."

*****************************************************

"To all our Muslim readers/friends,
SELAMAT HARI RAYA AIDILFITRI"

:) From all of us at the Centre of Policy Initiatives
Editor, CPI
UNQUOTE