Sep 29, 2008

KL Pressed to Repeal ISA

PROTEST groups and individuals are stepping up pressure on the Malaysian government to repeal harsh internal security laws, echoing the widespread outcry that marked the recent arrests under the Internal Security Act (ISA).

Last Saturday marked one of the largest protests that have taken place in recent months, as more than 2,000 Malaysians from all walks of life staged a peaceful march through the streets of Kuala Lumpur.

Organised by the Hindu Rights Action Force (Hindraf), as well as rights groups Suaram and the Abolish ISA Movement, they called for the removal of the ISA, which allows for detention without trial. They also wanted the release of 65 detainees.

Hindraf coordinator R.S. Thanenthiran said the ISA - first drafted half a century ago to fight communism - was outdated. 'If somebody has committed a crime, then they must be tried in an open court,' he told The Straits Times.

Next up, the group intends to keep up the pressure by gathering 10,000 supporters at Prime Minister Abdullah Badawi's traditional open house in Kuala Lumpur on Wednesday - the first day of Hari Raya Aidilfitri.

They are also planning to attend his open house in his Penang constituency of Kepala Batas on the second day of Hari Raya. Earlier this month, the authorities detained three people under the ISA: a reporter and a lawmaker who were later released, as well as prominent blogger Raja Petra Kamaruddin, who was sentenced to a two-year detention order in the notorious Kamunting detention centre.

Full Report HERE

Sep 25, 2008

Tour of Kamunting Detention Camp

Extract a Report from Straits Times Singapore as reported by Reme Ahmad who was given a tour of the Kamunting Detention Camp.

IN May 2004, I was among a group of some 30 journalists who were allowed into the dreaded Kamunting detention camp in remote Perak. Kamunting is a high-security prison where Internal Security Act (ISA) detainees - who can be imprisoned without trial - are often held. In Malaysia, the terms ISA and Kamunting go together. If you are arrested under the ISA, you are often first brought to Bukit Aman (ironically, Hill of Peace in Malay) headquarters of the federal police, or the Police Remand Centre for interrogation, and then onwards to Kamunting.

The latest to hit the news with his transfer from Bukit Aman to Kamunting was blogger Raja Petra Kamaruddin yesterday. He sadly joined the five leaders of the Hindu Rights Action Force (Hindraf) who were detained since December last year.

That 2004 visit was the first, and only time since, that journalists were allowed into the camp to see its living conditions. It was part of Prime Minister Abdullah Badawi's liberalisation policy - he had just won big-time in the March 2004 (yes, March 2004, not 2008) general elections and the government was full of confidence and promise. It had won 90 per cent of seats in Parliament - a record.

The visit was hosted by then-Deputy Home Minister Noh Omar who wanted to show journalists that the government had nothing to hide, despite the noise made then by the opposition, rights groups and families of the detainees that horrible things are happening inside.

I shivered as I looked around this Malaysian Alcatraz, with its trimmed lawns. This was a place where Clint Eastwood could escape from. The 114ha camp (about 140 football fields) had double security checks before anyone is allowed in or out. And if one could cut through one set of fence, there is another layer of fence to deal with.

For the Full Report go HERE.

Sep 24, 2008

Malaysia fall in the Corruption Perception Index 2008

Denmark, Sweden and New Zealand share the honour of the World's best transparent countries and our little giant neighbour Singapore is 2nd highest in terms of CPI score at 9.2 and rank fourth in the world. These are the places where officials are least likely to lined their pocket.

Malaysia fell four (4) notches to rank no. 47 in the year 2008 with a score of 5.1 which is just above the benchmark score of 5.0 for "serious corruption score" and was at rank no. 44 in year 2007 and reflect the progress of this nation of ours.

The CPI is a reflection of how corrupt a country is and as you can see in the table here is that the least corrupt countries are also the most healthiest country in terms of economic health and wealth and generally most democratic.

Transparency International (TI) also separately ranked the countries surveyed by region and Singaporec was ranked second among a total of32 Asia-Pacific countries and territories. With 22 out of the 32 countries in theAsia-Pacific scoring below 5, TI said the scores indicate a serious corruption problem in these countries’ public sectors. The watchdog added that corruption and the lack of transparency, particularlyin political financing, remain serious challenges across the Asia-Pacific region.

Prof. Johann Graf Lambsdorff of the University of Passau, who carries out the Index for TI, underscored the disastrous effects of corruption and gains from fighting it, saying, "Evidence suggests that an improvement in the CPI by one point [on a 10-point scale] increases capital inflows by 0.5 per cent of a country's gross domestic product and average incomes by as much as 4 per cent."

“Stemming corruption requires strong oversight through parliaments, law enforcement, independent media and a vibrant civil society,” said Labelle. “When these institutions are weak, corruption spirals out of control with horrendous consequences for ordinary people, and for justice and equality in societies more broadly.” - Huguette Labelle - Chair of Transparency International

Here are the Top 20 Rankings:

1. Denmark 9.3
1. Sweden 9.3
1. New Zealand 9.3
4. Singapore 9.2
5. Finland 9.0
5. Switzerland 9.0
7. I celand 8.9
7. Netherlands 8.9
9. Australia 8.7
9. Canada 8.7
11. Luxembourg 8.3
12. Austria 8.1
12. Hong Kong 8.1
14. Germany 7.9
14. Norway 7.9
16. Ireland 7.7
16. United Kingdom 7.7
18. United States 7.3
18. Japan 7.3
18. B elgium 7.3

Anwar Cautious in Power Bid

Anwar Ibrahim signalled a further delay Wednesday in his bid to oust the government, saying his alliance would avoid any 'hasty action' that could ignite instability.

Datuk Seri Anwar has claimed for months that he has convinced enough lawmakers to defect to his side to unseat Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi's administration. The ruling coalition has dismissed Mr Anwar's claim as a bluff, especially after he missed his self-declared target of Sept 16 for seizing power.

Mr Anwar said in a statement that the opposition remained 'confident that the people's desire for change shall soon be attained.' He did not set a specific new deadline.
'We will proceed cautiously towards our goals and we agreed neither to be provoked into hasty action nor to take an irresponsible approach that would lead to instability and greater uncertainty,' Mr Anwar said.

He dismissed recent reports suggesting that the opposition had started negotiations with Datuk Seri Abdullah about a voluntary power transfer.

His comments came ahead of a hearing in Kuala Lumpur's Sessions Court on Wednesday involving a charge that Anwar sodomized his 23-year-old former male aide. The court was expected to either transfer the case to a higher court or schedule trial dates.

Mr Anwar has rejected the sodomy accusation as a government conspiracy to block his political ascent after his People's Alliance coalition won an unprecedented 82 seats in the 222-member Parliament in March general elections. Government authorities deny any plot.

Prime Minister Abdullah has accused Mr Anwar of undermining the country's security and economy and has rebuffed Mr Anwar's demands over the past week to meet with opposition leaders to discuss a voluntary power hand-over or to call an emergency Parliament session.

Mr Abdullah's National Front coalition now has only a 28-seat majority. He is battling dissent within his ruling coalition from officials who want him to step down amid growing disenchantment with his leadership. -- AP

Sep 23, 2008

RPK Sent to Kamunting


Raja Petra is now in Kamunting under detention for 2 years on the ISA (Internal Security Act) and this action by the BN government has angered the people further. They seem to disregard the people and continue to punish and jail Malaysians.

And i remember the PM saying that there will not be further detention from the ISA, Mr PM, this is not a justified action of governance and how could you allow this to happen...

This is Sad day for the nation and have to calm myself down. No mood now...to ... write..


Sep 22, 2008

Guardian of the Evil - ISA

(Pic by Bodohland)

The guardian of the evil ISA speaks out in defense of its use in the Sunday Times of Malaysia and what a load of crap as he speaks against the wishes of millions of Malaysians who is against the use of the ISA and are calling for its total repeal as in the unanimous motion of the bar council and all of civil society.

And we all know that it is the home minister who evoke the unjust act against innocent Malaysians just because they speak out against the ruling government and that they use the act to impose Fear on the rakyat and a means of silencing dissenters.

Syed Hamid said that;

"The act's main element is public order and safety. What is public order and safety? Firstly, if it has to be established that the actions and behaviour of someone can pose a threat to national security and public order, such as by causing conflicts, riots and civil war.

This involves hatred, which covers religious, racial and cultural issues. Secondly, actions that can affect the national economy such as by crippling the country's economy and scaring away investors due to uncertainties."

How can the actions and behaviour of anyone pose a threat to national security? Is he trying to say that just by speaking out and writing than there will be chaos? Come on Syed Hamid, do you think that Malaysians are stupid? Even in primary school we are encourage to express our opinions and to speak out, do you mean to say that your children do not speak out or they are 100% obedient to your wishes like robots?

Do you mean to say that the reporter from Sin Chew can cause conflict and riot? or Teresa Kok can cause public disorder or Raja Petra who have been writing for years and all this while there is peace and no riots and suddenly just because you say so than there is public disorder.

And what has Sheih of Kickdefella done to merit detention for 3 days, and what is so seditious about him when all he feels is that you guys of the government is not doing a good job of managing the nation and so because of your failures he signal for distress meaning that you need help in running the nation. And for that you lock him up in detention with the use of another outdated, unjust and draconian law.

The only people that is talking about racism are those from your party umno who has incessantly one after another trying to incite racial hatred but sorry to say Malaysians today will not fall for that cheapo tricks of yours and your kind. And the best part is that these people who incite racism are walking freely and you jailed the innocent without justification.

To another question from the reporter as follows;

Q: Is the government ignoring the views of those who oppose the ISA?

A: There are two responses to the ISA. Do not think that those who oppose the ISA are the majority.

Those who oppose the ISA are very vocal groups and they express their sentiments through letters and SMSes. I have also received many letters and SMSes supporting the use of the ISA.

I think those who support the ISA do that not because of race, culture or religion but because they fear there would be violence and clashes in the country.

How is it that there is no threat if international parties have classified Malaysia as being politically unstable?

There is instability and advice is given not to invest in the country. Isn't that a threat to security?

So, police must have had grounds before they acted and used the ISA. Some say the ISA is outdated but this act has developed and its procedures have kept up with current times.

Mr home minister, please show us who supports the ISA as we have not met anyone who support this Law of Evil. Please for the sake of God and justice, lets have a public forum or debate on the use of the ISA to once and for all clear the air and proof to the nation that you are not talking shit.

And again please dont talk rubbish, if International parties have classified Malaysia as politically unstable it is because you and especially you and the government of yours is unable to run the nation efficiently and cant manage the country so please go retire back to where you came from and let others manage this beloved country of ours and not ruin our beloved nation by your gibberish talk.

I dont understand how has the ISA developed and its procedures kept up with current times? Do you mean to say that the ISA has developed that now it is used against its own people? And what procedures??? Do you mean procedures like just locking you up without proper proof and justification or do you mean the procedure like keeping you in detention and the incessant interogation to deprive you of sleep and rest or feeding you with dog food????

The Muslims Professional Forum has said that "The use of the ISA is excessive, inhumane and runs counter to islam's principle of justice".

Petubuhan Jemaah Islah Malaysia (JIM) has called "The act of throwing accusations without any proof is "HARAM" from the point of Islamic Law".

Syed Hamid, for the last time, please shut your loose gap and dont think that Malaysians are STUPID like YOU!

THE ISA MUST GO!!!! AND THAT IS WHAT ALL MALAYSIANS WANT!

FOR THE SAKE OF JUSTICE FREE ALL ISA DETAINEEES NOW!



Sep 21, 2008


Malaysian Bar Rejects ISA

(Have reproduced the entire report from Malaysiakini as requested as there were some people who could not accessed the report and also that the ISA is an important issue for all Malaysians and we need to be united towards the cause of the repeal of this draconian act.)

Report by S Pathmavathy 20 Sept 2008 for Malaysiakini :

In the end, the decision was unanimous. Malaysian lawyers stood united against the Internal Security Act and want the draconian legislation out of the way.

At its extraordinary general meeting today, held especially to condemn the abuse of the ISA, the Malaysian Bar unanimously voted for its abolishment.

The close-door meeting in Kuala Lumpur garnered a massive turnout of more than 700 participants when a quorum of only 500 is required.

The bar reiterated its stand on oppressive laws such as the ISA, Emergency Ordinance (EO) and Dangerous Drugs Act to be repealed immediately and called for the release all those detained under them.
Some of the guests at the EGM today were Seputeh MP Teresa Kok and ISA detainees’ wives S Pushpaneela and Norlaila Othman. They recounted chronicles of their sufferings and hardships faced by their families.

“We are deeply concerned by the instances shared with us by our three guests as well as other members of the bar who have had contact with detainees under the ISA, as to the manner of their treatment,” Bar Council chairperson S Ambiga told a press conference after the EGM.

“We are appalled by the manner in which the ISA detainees are being treated - six to eight (feet) cells without windows, unacceptable food, and lack of contact to the outside world and sleep deterioration,” said Ambiga.

The bar also reiterated their stand by calling for the unconditional release of Hindu Rights Action Force (Hindraf) leaders M Manoharan, P Uthayakumar, R Kengadharan, V Ganabatirau and K Vasantha Kumar.

Former Bar chairperson Sulaiman Abdullah, present at the press conference, stressed that the government should take into consideration the challenges and trauma faced by the families of detainees.

“It's about time the government repeals the ISA since it can be abused against those opposing the government,” he said.

Besides their firm declaration against the ISA, Ambiga added that the resolution also condemned the issuance of the three show-cause letters to Sin Chew Daily, theSun and PKR’s Suara Keadilan.

“The bar calls upon the government to uphold its pledges to the United Nations Human Rights Council to promote and protect human rights and fundamental freedoms and to promote a free media, including in cyberspace,” said Ambiga.

ISA abuse amounts to state terrorism

Ambiga added that the participants gave standing ovations to the guest speakers and wholly rejected all the oppressive laws.

“It amounts to an abuse of the ISA and can be termed as state terrorism".

“The authorities must be held accountable for the way in which these persons are being treated in custody,” she said.

Specifically referring to the continued detention of Malaysia Today editor Raja Petra Kamaruddin, Ambiga added that the Bar is concerned about the claims of mental torture that he is undergoing.

The latest ISA crackdown began with controversial blogger Raja Petra when he was taken into custody on Sept 12. Raja Petra’s detention was then followed by the arrest of Tan Hoon Cheng, a journalist for the Sin Chew Daily, who however, was released after 18 hours.

Matters gravitated when Teresa Kok, who is also the Selangor senior executive councillor, was picked up on the same day after attending a function.

Kok was released yesterday after seven days of detention, purportedly for interfering with matters of Islamic concerns.

Sulaiman then commended the role of the media as source information for public education and credited the release of Tan and Kok as an effort by the press.

“We acknowledge the fact that the media has credibility to educate people in understanding their freedom and rights,” said Sulaiman. “Never underestimate the power of the press,” he added.

Asked whether the resolution will be heeded by the authorities concerned or ignored like previous attempts and the Bar’s next course of action, Sulaiman said “when you bang, you bang against the wall you start making noise”.

“(And) as the noise keeps on somebody is bound to come and investigate why there is a noise and we need to keep up this noise,” he said.

“The Bar Council is the custodian of civil liberties and justice in Malaysia,” Sulaiman asserted.

Sep 20, 2008

ISA MUST GO!


ISA MUST GO!


The Bar Council has made the call for the repeal of the Internal Security Act and other related draconian laws and this is a positive move forward for all Malaysians as it had been proven again and again that the ruling government had misused and employed this act for its own political advantage and a means of FEAR Mongering (the use of fear to influence and leverage the opinions and actions of others and is often used as a political tactic to frighten its people towards a political bias). (Read More on Fear Mongering HERE)


The ISA allows for indefinite detention without trial and is a brutal and evil act that is inhumane and detainees are subjected to mental torture and trauma as they are put in poor living condition and given unhealthy food and isolated from the outside world and restrictive visits by relatives and reprieved of the legal right to defend any allegations in an open court.


The TIME and the OPPORTUNITY is NOW for all MALAYSIANS to show relentless and resolute determination towards the abolishment of this LAW OF EVIL. This is the time to SPEAK OUT and ACT OUT by participating in any way that you can in any activities that call for the abolishment of this law and do your part as a MALAYSIAN UNITED as ONE.


And as a Start Sign the Petition as called by The People’s Parliament to FREE RPK and ALL ISA DETAINEES HERE!


Remember, the ISA and other draconian laws are being used on Malaysians and you could be next or someone you know or in future maybe your children or their children or their children and in fact anyone can be a victim of this act if it is not abolished.Stand up and be counted as the generation that contributed to the repeal of the ISA.


The Malaysian Bar held an Extraordinary General Meeting today (Saturday 20th September 2008) on the Internal Security Act (1960) where the motion was unanimously agreed and they are as follows:


THE MOTION

WHEREAS

THE MALAYSIAN BAR:

(a) Outraged that the Internal Security Act 1960 ('ISA') has recently been used to arrest Raja Petra Kamaruddin (a blogger), Tan Hoon Cheng (a journalist) and Teresa Kok (a member of Parliament);


(b) Deeply concerned that at present, there are more than 60 individuals detained under the ISA;


(c) Reiterating its earlier call, by its resolution of 15 March 2008, for the immediate and unconditional release of all persons presently detained without trial, including Manoharan a/l Malayalam, Uthayakumar a/l Ponnusamy, Kengadharan a/l Ramasamy, Ganabatirau a/l Veraman and Vasantha Kumar a/l Krishnan;


(d) Asserting the importance of upholding the Rule of Law, as enshrined in the Federal Constitution and the Rukunegara;


(e) Reaffirming the Bar's continued and unequivocal opposition to the ISA and all laws that allow for the detention of persons without trial, as they are unconstitutional, oppressive and undermine the Rule of Law;


(f) Taking note that, as a member of the United Nations Human Rights Council, the Government must fulfil the pledges it made, inter alia, to "promote and protect human rights and fundamental freedoms" and to promote "a free media, including in cyberspace"; and


(g) Deeply concerned that on 11 September 2008, the Government sent show-cause letters to three newspapers namely, Sin Chew Daily, The Sun and Suara Keadilan, regarding the reporting of certain issues.


NOW RESOLVES AS FOLLOWS, THAT:


1. The Malaysian Bar strongly condemns the arrests of Raja Petra Kamaruddin, Tan Hoon Cheng and Teresa Kok and strongly calls upon the Government to immediately and unconditionally release Raja Petra Kamaruddin, who is still being detained.


2. The Malaysian Bar strongly calls upon the Government to immediately and unconditionally release all persons presently detained without trial, including Manoharan a/l Malayalam, Uthayakumar a/l Ponnusamy, Kengadharan a/l Ramasamy, Ganabatirau a/l Veraman and Vasantha Kumar a/l Krishnan, who were ordered to be detained for two years from 13 December 2007.


3. The Malaysian Bar strongly calls upon the Government to immediately repeal the ISA and all other laws that allow for the detention of persons without trial such as the Emergency (Public Order and Prevention of Crime) Ordinance 1969 and Dangerous Drugs (Special Preventive Measures) Act 1985.


4. The Malaysian Bar strongly condemns the issuance of the three show-cause letters to Sin Chew Daily, The Sun and Suara Keadilan and strongly calls upon the Government to immediately withdraw the show-cause letters.


5. The Malaysian Bar calls upon the Government to uphold its pledges to the United Nations Human Rights Council to promote and protect human rights and fundamental freedoms and to promote a free media, including in cyberspace.


6. The Malaysian Bar calls upon the Government to demonstrate its commitment to, and to uphold, the Rule of Law as enshrined in the Federal Constitution and the Rukunegara.


(For Full Report on the Bar Meeting HERE)


(Read Posting of "Stop This Evil ISA" HERE).


(Read Malaysiakini Report HERE).




Sep 17, 2008

ISA is ANTI - ISLAMIC and "HARAM"

Muslims groups and the highly regarded Mufti of Perlis (A Mufti is the highest appointed Islamic official in a state) have spoken out against the detention under the Internal Security Act (ISA), saying that religious issues were best dealt with by the religious authorities.

Two mosques have also come out on behalf of jailed opposition MP Teresa Kok, saying that she had no role and was not involved to ask them to tone down the call to prayer. Malaysiakini reported that the mosque committee leaders of Seri Serdang and Kota Damansara in Selangor have come forward to say that it was not Ms Kok who told them to tone down the volume of their loudspeakers. They said she had never set foot in the Mosque and the other Mosque stopped using loudspeakers because the system was struck by lightning.

Perlis Mufti Asri Zainul Abidin criticized the arrest of Raja Petra, Teresa Kok and Tan Hoon Cheng. "Disallowing a person the opportunity to defend himself is wrong" he told The Star on Monday.

The Muslims Professionals Forum said the authorities should counter any anti-islam arguments, and only "in the extreme, the authorities may take someone to the Syariah court". The use of the ISA is excessive, inhumane and runs counter to islam's principle of justice" it said.

One of the biggest local Muslim groups, Petubuhan Jemaah Islah Malaysia (JIM) called on the government to release Raja Petra and Teresa Kok. "The act of throwing accusations without any proof is "HARAM" from the point of Islamic Law", said JIM deputy president Syed Ibrahim Syed Noh.

FREE RAJA PETRA & TERESA KOK NOW!


Sep 15, 2008

Message to Raja Petra

Dear Pete,

I dont know whether you will get to read this message but we must at least try as you know that cyberspace works in mysterious ways as it permeates through walls and space into the hearts and souls and just maybe this message of appeal will get through to you.

You are yet again the victim of the evil that rules our land, your detention is a way of these evil people in power in trying to intimidate the nation into submission. But dont worry Pete as this evil doers are very stupid at the same time and as the saying goes "there are no medicine that can cure stupidity" and so they will do foolish acts such as this.

Please remember that you are our champion and in this short stay in the remand of evil, you must keep yourself healthy as we the people need you more than ever to help put this beloved nation of ours right again. It is a time for you to just relax and rest as much as you can, there is no need for you to fight the system while under detention, you have championed the cause of the people for long enough and this time please put your faith and trust in the people of this nation for as of NOW let us show you PEOPLE'S POWER and we will get you out from detention very soon, let the people show you that they are the master of the land and not these fakers who thinks that they own the country and the people must submit to their evils.

The people appreciates your sacrifices and this stupid action of these evil doers has elevated your cause up till the heavens, please be patience as the people congregate and demand for your immediate release and let me assure you that this shall be done and the servants of the people must obey as this is the rule of heaven and it is only this goodness that shall overcome these evils as they will flee the land.

Even their own kind have come through in demand of the abolishment of this evil act and for your release from detention, it is this time that the true hearts of the politicians are seen and of course there are those yet again who are flimsy in their call and the people know this and we will identify these pretenders and their flimsy stand on this evil act will be recorded and exposed forever into cyberspace.

One thing about the cyberspace is that it is a gift from God to be used against evil and they have continously underestimated the cyberworld, as in cyber only truth can prevail and many a turncoats have tried and failed and it is funny but true, and in cyber is where true history will come in future and cannot be manupulated and in this cyberspace is where God's "Condemnation to Eternal Punishment is achieved for their Evil Sins". Once in cyberworld it cannot be erased and is archived forever and for eternity and you can bet these stuppid idiots have not heard of the web bots or crawlers or spiders who shall condem them for eternity to come and my only pity is on their descendants as the shame and sins will be forever to be seen.

And there is no greater evil than the evil of politics where they cheat and lie to the nation and people and pit the people against each other so that they only might gain.

And so Pete please have faith in us for once as we had in you for so long and as for now we need you to be in good shape and in good health and it won't be for long and just a little bit of patience please. I promise you that if Anwar does not take over the government, we the people will get you out.




Sep 12, 2008

FREE RAJA PETRA!


SHOW SOLIDARITY FOR RAJA PETRA!
COME TO KELANA JAYA STADIUM
ON 15 SEPTEMBER AT 8 PM
COME WITH YOUR
FAMILY AND FRIENDS
SHOW THIS BULLY
OF THE UMNO GOVERNMENT
THAT THE PEOPLE OF
MALAYSIA
ARE UNITED AND
THERE ARE NO RACIAL DIVIDE
AND WE ALL
DEMAND
THE IMMEDIATE
RELEASE OF
RAJA PETRA
FROM DETENTION!




CRACKDOWN on Freedom? ISA used Again!

They used the draconian act again on the people of Malaysia again. As at 1.10 pm today there were 10 police personnel from Bukit Aman who came to their home in Sungai Buloh to arrest Raja Petra. They also confiscated a computer, some books and VCDs.

This is the second time Raja Petra, a father of five and part of the Selangor royal family, has been detained under ISA, which allows for indefinite detention without trial.

We have been callin g for the abolishment of this draconian act and yet again it is being used!

Is there no justice in this country as the government can just arrest and detain us, Malaysians at their whims and fancy.

The ISA, which human rights groups have pushed to have abolished, provides for renewable two-year periods of detention without trial and is normally used against suspected terrorists.

It has also been used to lock up opponents of the government, and last year five Hindraf leaders were detained three weeks after mounting a mammoth rally in the streets of Kuala Lumpur on Nov 25.

And earlier today the The Sun (news media), Sin Chew Daily and opposition PKR's party organ Suara Keadilan was asked to show cause for allegedly "manipulating and playing up numerous sensitive issues". Home Minister Syed Hamid Albar said that show-cause letters had been issued to several newspapers for failing to adhere to the ministry's media guidelines.

Sin Chew carried a report prominently featured on top of its page three today over the fact that it was asked to show cause by the ministry.

The daily, caught in a nationwide maelstrom, has came out strongly in defence of its reporter who stands accused of misreporting comments made by Ahmad.

The top selling Chinese paper was accused by the Umno chieftain for misconstruing portions of his campaign speech during the Permatang Pauh by-election where he was said to have allegedly called the Malaysian Chinese as squatters.

Is all this a "CRACKDOWN" on the people and the nation or is the BN government trying to use "scare" tactics?

What is the real objective as this will anger the people further and already there is so much unhappiness over the running of the country and the government.

"Why are the people Angry?
Because of injustice and you endlessly impose your oppressive laws,
That is why they can’t take anymore."

~Lao Tzu~


Read more on ISA HERE

Sep 11, 2008

The I Ching on Sept 16 - Part II






The I Ching (Part II) on Sept 16

Many questions have been posed to me of this classic of change and most thinks that it is some kind of fortune telling technique or set of ancient stories of the history of china and some affiliated it to religion like the Taoist and some thinks that it is for feng shui and some even thinks that it has got some magic spells or talismanic powers.


And all this while I thought that the i-ching is well known as it had been a subject of studies in western universities and many a thesis have been written in present times by modern scholars.


Alright we will provide a little more insight into the I-Ching or Yi Jing (pinyin) and also known as Zhou Yi with further description and links to sites for greater readings and understanding in this posting of Part II to show you the incredible science of this ancient classic which is still being studied and explored in this present modern times all throughout the world and is not only a chinese subject.


My earlier exposure on the i-ching than was in the late 70s due to an interest in the history of the middle kingdom and in the early 80s I joined a study group based in the Selangor Chinese assembly hall which is a small group of people who gather to discuss the essence of the book of change through the i-ching studies association. However I was having a difficult time in this study group as the medium used was in mandarin and me being a white Chinese (banana) soon got bored as my understanding of mandarin than was quite limited but at present has greatly improve the spoken language due to recent influx of china dolls but had never got to read or write the language. : ))


The first i-ching book I bought was in 1978 and that was the first and only book than in English by James Legge which was first published in 1964, but this type of books are quite dry for beginners and not much of comprehension could be obtained from reading it. And subsequently a few years later in the 80s I came across a seminar on the i-ching in Singapore at the hotel that I was staying conducted by a Dr. who is an adviser to the Singapore ministry of defense and that ignited my interest in this subject as through my readings of Chinese history many mention of the classic are found and especially when you come to the teachings of Confucius as he once said that if he had more life to his years he will dedicate it all to the study of the classic and as he only came to the classic of change at an age of 50. But I must say that I had never considered my self an expert ( as did Confucius says that this study is infinite) as my approach to the classic is at laissez-faire although it has been an interest for 30 years or more.


The I Ching or Yi Jing

The i-ching also called the classic of changes and book of change is the oldest texts in the world and the I ching has survived various revolutions as the Shih Huang Tee burning of books and along with the scholars who were buried alive and all this while the i-ching was spared and preserved throughout the various dynasties as it was considered to be sacred by the scholars in the emperors court.


The book is a system of symbols called the hexagram which is a combination of solid and broken lines of 2 sets of 3 lines called the trigrams together with written texts of poem and poetry by the ancient sages as well as an appendix called the ten wings by Confucius.


The i-ching is a universal laws of all sciences even on to medicine as the fame ancient medicinal doctor “Wah Tor” of the three kingdom fame ( about 2000 years ago) who was associated as the first doctor who does open surgical operations on his patients and is widely worship as the god of medicine/doctor and could be widely seen in Taiwan in hospital, clinics and pharmacist and etc. And from the i-ching comes many other philosophies which is actually the sciences in olden days like Feng Shui (geographical study of magnetic energy), accupunture and herbalist medicine and the teachings of the Taoist Lao Tze as in the Tao Te Ching, cosmology and astronomy , as well as governmetnal management and administration, startegies and warfare and more in historical china.


The i-ching is a reflection of the universe and the word “I” has three general definitions as in 1) ease and simple 2) change and transformation and 3) invariable or constant and described as the constant of change “Change is continuous and the only constant is that it is constantly changing”.

A description can be found in wikipedia here and an extract from wiki as follows;

  1. Simplicity - the root of the substance. The fundamental law underlying everything in the universe is utterly plain and simple, no matter how abstruse or complex some things may appear to be.
  2. Variability - the use of the substance. Everything in the universe is continually changing. By comprehending this one may realize the importance of flexibility in life and may thus cultivate the proper attitude for dealing with a multiplicity of diverse situations.
  3. Persistency - the essence of the substance. While everything in the universe seems to be changing, among the changing tides there is a persistent principle, a central rule, which does not vary with space and time.


Many famous western scholars of scientist, physicist, psychologist, engineers, mathematicians and all groups of sciences have studied the i-ching like Albert Einstein, Carl Gustav Jung (the swiss psychiatrist), Martin Schonberger on I ching and the DNA, Danish physicist Neils Henrik, German mathematician Gottfried Wilheim associated with the calculus and the basis of computers, Joseph Needham a British bio chemist who heads the Natural Science division in UNESCO and founded the Needham Research Institute dedicated to the study of China’s scientific history and patronized by Prince Philip the duke of edingburgh and many others which is quite impossible to describe all of them.


In his article Explication de l'Arithmétique Binaire (1703) Gottfried Leibniz writes that he has found in the hexagrams a base for claiming the universality of the binary numeral system. He takes the layout of the combinatorial exercise found in the hexagrams to represent binary sequences, so that ¦¦¦¦¦¦ would correspond to the binary sequence 000000 and ¦¦¦¦¦ would be 000001, and so forth. Gottfried who is highly famed for his founding of calculus and a discovery of the binary system (apparently from his studies of the i-ching), he occupies a grand pplace in the history of philosophy and the history of mathematics and also made major contributions to physics and technology and biology, medicine and even geology, probability theory, psychology and the list is endless as he even wrote on politics, law, ethics and theology. And all this was through his studies of the classic book of change. (Amazing!)


And yes the i-ching is so powerful that it is also considered as an oracle and can be used for divination, forecasting, prediction and problem solving.


We shall go into finer details and the approach of the gua or hexagram no.43 for greater insight for the “Sept 16” of change in Part III. (coming soon)


Links here for further readings; I Ching (The Book of Changes) and I Ching Bookmarks and The I Ching


For Part I Go Here

Sep 10, 2008

Ah Wah Ko

Ah Wah Ko

Had lunch with some Aunties and Uncles business people and as I arrived late and there was an intense conversation already going on and all in canton. Took my seat and a drink of the aromatic Chinese tea while trying to make out their dialogue and thought their discussion was on a friend of theirs as the name Ah Wah Ko was continuously mentioned. Until I heard the date of 916 (Sept 16) and went on to inquire what has Ah Wah Ko got to do with 916 and one of the aunty ask that am I not a friend (actually meaning supporter) of Ah Wah Ko?

Had a late night the previous night and was not quite alert in the head and looking a bit dumbo until another aunty exclaimed “Ah War Ko is Anwar lah! Hai Yah”.

Well looks like Anwar has quite a following on his “reformasi” cause and when these guys starts giving you names like this Ah War Ko (Big Brother Anwar) giving it a sense of intimacy and respect and you know they are and will be with you.

And their topic is on the sodomy case hearing today as they are all eager to find out the outcome and as well as the 916 event and the possibility of change that they hope could materialize.

Well Cheers to Ah War Ko and Yat Lo Soon Foong! (Smooth Sailing All The Way to 916)

Why the Frogs Jumps


Why the Frogs Jumps

Frogs also referred to as Salientia which is Latin for “to jump” and populates all corners of the earth and are sensitive to their environment in which it lives and act as an indicator towards the health of their environ as the saying goes “as goes the frog so goes the swamp”.

Frogs and Toads are different and are sometimes mistaken to be the same; Toads often have leathery and dry skin and found mostly in dry areas unlike the frog which have a thin layer of skin and is moist and is more aquatic or semi aquatic. In fact the toad doesn’t jump about too much and they also burrow into the ground.

As the frogs are sensitive to their environment and have a high level of instinct and they will jump when they sense that there is a threat and negative development in their environment for fear and in an attempt to protect and safeguard their species.

There is no distinction of morality or ethics as the frog jumps as it is a natural and just action all due to fear of the environment being destroyed so their actions are fully justified and a just action of courage as they will need to cross streams, rivers and ‘lonkangs” as well to reach a safer haven. It is a justified action as their environments were being contaminated and might be destroyed by the polluters.

Unlike the toads with their thick and leathery skins might just burrow into the ground and thought that all will be alright (like the ostrich).

Ahmad Ismail to be suspended for only 3 years!

Breaking News!

Ahmad the bigot is to be suspended from umno for 3 years as the decision from the umno supreme council emergency meeting today after 3 hours of meeting. There were about 10 supportters of the bigot protesting and shouting hidup melayu at the umno headquarters here in Kuala Lumpur.

And the police are expected to speed up their investigation on Ahmad under the Sedition Act 1948 as calls from certain quarters on the Police to act indepently and fairly and not to pratice selective persecution.

Sep 8, 2008

Gerakan To Pull Out!

Breaking News!

Gerakan will present an ultimatum to Barisan National that they will pull out of the coalition if Ahmad Ismail is not sanctioned immediately. In an emergency meeting of the Gerakan party it was unanimously agreed that this action will be taken within the next 24 hours if BN or umno takes no action against the defiant division leader.

Dr Koh had also earlier warned that Barisan may reach a “point of no return” if racist remarks and anti-social behaviour continued to tarnish its image, implicitly referring to Umno Bukit Bendera division chairman Datuk Ahmad Ismaill’s racist statements.

Sep 7, 2008

I Ching on September 16


I Ching on September 16

Have been busy this past week but the lingering quest of September 16 is constantly in mind and even in slumber this seem to occupy the consciousness and the sub conscious of the eventuality of this coming to be and in this anxiousness the thought of consulting the “I Ching” for a more profound insight of this quest came to be.

The “I Ching” or “Book of Change” is acclaimed to be the oldest classics in the world and is older than the Bible and widely regarded as a storehouse of wisdom and philosophy and have acted as a guide for the ancient Kings, Leaders and Scholars. This ancient classic of more than 5000 years old covers all areas from science, mathematics, and psychology and is the earliest binary system that today forms the basis of computing.

It is not the subject topic of this posting and we will leave details of the essence of the I Ching for later however those interested in further details can send me an e-mail.

Now on consultation from the Classic of Change it generated the Hexagram no. 43 (The text of the I Ching is a set of predictions represented by a set of 64 abstract line arrangements called hexagrams).

The Question here is “Will Anwar Ibrahim lead Pakatan Rakyat to form the new government of Malaysia by 16th September?”

The I Ching generated Hexagram no.43 (Guai) (Resoluteness, Breakthrough, and/or The Decisive) The various names in English are only attempts to append a relative title to the hexagram in accordance to its ancient text. Please remember that this is a consultation on wisdom and insight to the classic and the question will also need to be understood from a standpoint of representation, haha ok lets try to make it simple is that the dateline September 16 has a sub conscious connotation and carries with it the question of whether there is oncoming change there or thereabout.

We will attempt to go straight to the classic and interpret it as follows censoring out most of the ‘technical formula”. And the judgments will be presented here accordingly.

First the hexagram is made up of two trigram, the bottom and the top, the bottom trigram represents the Heaven and Clouds, and the top trigram represents the Swamp and Water and sum up it is the waters surging upwards. Interpreted as through the ancients symbol is that of Water surging skywards. In observing the signs the superior man will share his riches with his people and refrain from claiming all the merits.

The judgment accordingly provides you with the present scenario; The ying line (broken line) at the top symbolize the small and evil man occupying the position of the high minister lending his power to maintain a corrupt government and/or it might be a waxen old dynasty ready to vanish away. And the five undivided lines the sage saw the symbol of good order or the new dynasty inevitably to supersede the old.

The subject of the hexagram here is how bad men corrupt and yet powerful are to be put out of the way.

The sages advises that he must openly denounce the criminal in the court, seek to awaken general sympathy, and at the same time goes about his enterprise, conscious of its difficulty and danger. And he who accomplishes the task must do so by the force of his character more than by the force of arms and by producing a general sympathy on his side.

There is also a caution accordingly and that is as follows; He will eventually win, only if he is not already destroyed in the first place by his failure to take into account his varying position at the ever changing time. In the event of misjudgement of Position and Time, the more the Decisive one is, the more disastrous his defeat will be.

The classics advises that you Do not show your Anger, Do not act alone Rally people of your kind around you. Once you have built up your influence and occupy the position of the sovereign, you will win.

“The Cleansing Rain Will Come In Torrents When Enough Clouds Have Accumulated”

There are other signs and the signs are that of the “Sovereign” the Agong and the classics shows that there is significant inclination to the change and that he will be a support in the most critical moment.

(Damn! I am damn excited about this new insight and need a few drinks to calm down…. To the wharf I shall be with the swashbuckler of a guru as he will be there all un-masked merry making with the fishermen…yo..ho..ho.. and a merrily we will be hahaha…)

Part II has just been updated HERE



Last Call on Save Our Judiciary


The Petition is to be submitted to the His Majesty the Yang DiPertuan Agong by 15th September 2008 and that is just about one week from today.


This is the first step towards an independent judiciary.


Your country need you to take this simple step by singning the petition on the internet and to get some of your friends to join you.


Read Earlier Posting HERE or the call from The People's Parliament HERE.


Total signatures as at 5.48pm on today 7th September 2008 is at 23000.


GO SIGN HERE NOW!



Sep 5, 2008

Salute to Tan Sri A Samad Ismail



  • Salute to the passing of A Samad Ismail

  • 24 April 1925 ~ 4 September 2008

  • Truly a champion of the nation, he was exemplary malaysian of honor.

  • Read more Here and Here

  • Send your wishes HERE

Sep 2, 2008

STOP THIS EVIL ISA


STOP THIS EVIL ISA

The leader who comes forward to repeal this barbaric and evil law of the Internal Security Act 1960 will forever be embodied into the history book of Malaysia as the father and a champion of democracy, for giving back freedom to the people that he serves and will takes his place amongst the great and righteous leader of world history.

And in contrary those that continue to use and to misuse this evil law will eventually be known and exposed to all in this modern and fast paced world of technology where no evildoing will go unpunished. The old adage that says evil will always return to those that wield it and be upon them and unto their progenies.

We, the people feel for those that is the victim of this wicked decree that has been unjustly used by an unjust law commanded by one or few on to the people just because they stood up for their civic belief of expression and that ignited the wraith of the authority as it just displeases them and only the few of them who act as though that the people are of lesser being and that they act and behave as they are of superior beings and all are to serve and respect them through their power and use of fear.

You the leaders who are servants of the people and the nation be forewarned that this is an evil doing and most of you have come of age and thy time is near for you to return to the soil and the sufferings you impart will rebound back on you and all that is connected to you, the pain of the victims will eventually be on you and as you leave this physical world will you not repent so that the sufferings to be will be lessen unto thyself and thy progenies.


BE YE NOT AS YOUR FATHERS, UNTO WHOM THE FORMER PROPHETS HAVE CRIED, SAYING, THUS SAITH THE LORD OF HOSTS; TURN YE NOW FROM YOUR EVIL WAYS, AND FROM YOUR EVIL DOINGS: BUT THEY DID NOT HEAR, NOR HEARKEN UNTO ME, SAITH THE LORD.


You will see that these leaders were at one time against all barbaric and draconian laws but sad to say that they were not of true faith and not strong enough to overcome the evil when the power is onto their hands and they began wielding it and as such consumed by the evil.

The ISA is one of the most controversial Acts enacted under article 149 of the Malaysian Constitution. Article 149 of the Constitution of Malaysia under which a person may be detained is characterized by subjective language. Such terms as ‘substantial body’, ‘substantial number’, ‘cause to fear’, ‘excite disaffection’, ‘promote feelings of ill-will and hostility’, all embody wide areas of discretionary interpretation. (discretionary here means: up to them)

The first Prime Minister of Malaysia, Tunku Abdul Rahman, defined the purpose of the act as to "be used solely against the communists...My Cabinet colleagues and I gave a solemn promise to Parliament and the nation that the immense powers given to the government under the ISA would never be used to stifle legitimate opposition and silence lawful dissent". The third Prime Minister, Tun Hussein Onn, stated at the same time that his administration had enforced the act only with a view to curbing communist activity, and not to repress "lawful political opposition and democratic citizen activity".

The fifth Prime Minister of Malaysia, Abdullah Ahmad Badawi, went on the record in 1988 to state "If we want to save Malaysia and Umno, Dr Mahathir (then Prime Minister) must be removed. He uses draconian laws such as the Internal Security Act to silence his critics." The year before, he had also stated "Laws such as the Internal Security Act have no place in modern Malaysia. It is a draconian and barbaric law." In 2003 when he became Prime Minister, however, Abdullah called the ISA "a necessary law," and argued "We have never misused the Internal Security Act. All those detained under the Internal Security Act are proven threats to society." (proven? how? only in a court of law can it be judged)

Prior to becoming Prime Minister, Mahathir had also adhered to a critical view of the ISA. In 1966, when Mahathir spoke out in support of the Internal Security (Amendment) Bill 1966 as a backbencher, he stated that "no one in his right senses like the ISA. It is in fact a negation of all the principles of democracy." After becoming Prime Minister however the former premier had little if any hesitation using the law to suppress what he termed racialism but was seen by some as a move against his political opponents, the most notable of events being the infamous Operasi Lalang in 1987.
What is the saddest is that we have so many who volunteered to serve the nations and got elected as MPs (member of parliament) as a representative of the people and all ended up being just rubber stamps for the few who dictates all in the ruling government. Have these MPs betrayed the trust of the people by just playing along so that they get to be promoted or be given more positions? We need MPs with courage to speak up for the people and not hypocrites who thinks only of themselves.
The only thing necessary for the triumph of evil is for good men to do nothing.- - - Edmund Burke

Malaysia Insider reports (dated 29 August) that six more men have been detained under the ISA. read here.

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