Plight of the Malaysians from Singapore

(Towards the Woodlands checkpoint)
(Tens of thousands of Motorcyclist)
(Endless queue of vehicles)

We were travelling back from the Lion City on the eve of merdeka hoping to use the second link from Tuas, Singapore to Tanjung Kupang in Johor, and were met with a massive traffic jam (estimated to be more than 6 km of cars in the queue) leading to the Tuas checkpoint and on checking the time as it was about 4.45pm we decided to try the main causeway to johor bahru and that we might as well stop there for our dinner break before heading towards Kuala Lumpur.

And on towards the old causeway we were caught as expected but we were hoping for better traffic conditions, and so we reluctantly joined the very long queue of cars patiently meanwhile we see a continous flow of motorcycles passing us. And as we inch nearer after almost an hour in this traffic crawl we saw this massive columns of motorcycles.

You could see that these motorcyclist were all prepared and had expected this traffic queue towards the Singapore immigration checkpoint as some were reading a book or magazine and some busy chatting on the mobile phone and some even took the time to have some food they had brought along. We were caught in this traffic for more than 2 1/2 hours and that this is inhuman and a daily ordeal for these Malaysians working in Singapore.

This old causeway is much more older than the 51 years of Merdeka for Malaysia as it was built in the year 1923 making this an 85 yeears old land bridge. Both the second link and the old causeway is unable to cope with the high amount of traffic flow at peak hours.

Both the Malaysian government and the Singapore government should look into resolving the ordeal of these people who contributes to both the economy of this two country. These mostly Malaysians in this massive traffic crawl is also a threat to the health for being exposed to the continous exhaust of carbon monoxide from the vehicles.

There are about 400 to 500 thousand Malaysian working in Singapore and it is estimated that more than 200,000 people travels to and fro daily or weekly. These Malysians contribute to the exchange earnings for their home country and towards the economic growth, productivity an development of Singapore where they work.

Don't these people deserve more than being tormented through this daily pain of travelling through this health threatening and time consuming and frustrating ritual?

Allegation of payment made to family member of Tun Dr. Mahathir

In Indonesia, a joint-venture into a pay-TV business has turned hostile. Allegations of embezzlement and fraud, including charges that unauthorised payments were made to an unnamed family member of former Malaysian premier Mahathir Mohamad, have been levelled.

A grand alliance between two of South-east Asia's wealthiest tycoons, Malaysian T. Ananda Krishnan and Indonesian James Riady, has collapsed into an acrimonious face-off that could lock their businesses in a bitter legal battle.

Relations worsened to the point that at least three employees of Mr Ananda's business units in Jakarta had to flee Indonesia for fear of arrest by the police.

Reporting from Singapore. Read Full Report HERE.

Malaysia Today Blocked!

Malaysian Communication and Multimedia Commission has order that the Malaysia-Today website be block. This directive has been given out to all internet service provider.

"It is being blocked because we found that some of the comments on the website were insensitive, bordering on incitement," said MCMC chief operating officer Mohamed Sharil Tarmizi.

Under the Multimedia Super Corridor (MSC) Malaysia 10 Point Bill of Guarantees, the government promises to ensure no internet censorship.

This could be an infringement of basic human rights on the freedom of expression of the United Nation's Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR).

Article 19 of the UDHR. Everyone has the right to freedom of opinion and expression; this right includes freedom to hold opinions without interference and to seek, receive and impart information and ideas through any media and regardless of frontiers.

We will report on this new development later but for now our link to the site is good and can be accessed in the my link column or you can type in the malaysia-today ip address HERE.

Read full report from malaysiakini HERE

Looking Forward to September 16

(Anwar and wife with Guan Eng and other leaders after winning the by-election in Permatang Pauh)

Despite all odds fighting against the Barisan National election machinery with the use of federal and state apparatus and of government agencies and the state controlled print and broadcast media propagating relentless attack villifying the man as immoral, greed and his party as aggressive and troublemakers.

Anwar only had the alternative media of blogs and internet for support and had to campaign through his rally or ceramah as thousands swarm the numerous ceramahs held all throughout the constituency.

In his victory speech Anwar proclaimed "This is the people's victory!" "Permatang Pauh has given a clear signal to the leadership of this country: We demand change. We want freedom. We don't want to live with corruption and oppression."

With this victory his supporters can look forward to September 16, a date whereby he planned to take on the challenge of a change in government with the assistance from defectors of the BN.

"We are entering Parliament with a clear agenda, and they should wake up with the stark realities of the day," Anwar said.

Tricia Yeoh, director of the Center for Public Policy Studies, said she believed there was enough infighting and disaffection within the governing party that these defections were feasible. But Anwar's opposition movement is still young, and its unity could fray if it moves too quickly into power, she said.

"I do think they have sufficient numbers and the question is whether it is the best and most strategic move for him now." she added.

With the 8th March General Election landslide victory described as the "Tsunami" where the opposition captured 5 states and swept the seats in the capital of Kuala Lumpur already indicates that Anwar's Pakatan Rakyat has garnered the support of the people where they had taken 56% (or thereabout) of the popular votes in within the peninsular and it was only the votes from the Borneo states of Sabah and Sarawak that gave the BN its flimsy hold on to the government.

The result of 8 March coupled with this triumphant win speaks much of the peoples support for the promised change of September 16. And for any change to happen the people must demand and want it and this result clearly and precisely reflects the wishes of the people.

"One of the things that has held this country back is the issue of corruption - resources are not being distributed in a way that is fair to the vast majority of people," said Bridget Welsh, a specialist in Malaysian politics at Johns Hopkins University in Washington.

"What you're seeing now is the rise of the voice of people wanting change for a broader constituency than just the elite." said Bridget.

There is now justification for change to take place and come September 16, can we have a new Malaysia that is free of corruption and oppression!

2 Great Poster to Celebrate the Win by PKR

Reproduced here are two great poster by 2 of our best creative artist from the blogging community. Compliments to Mob's Crib and Bodohland. In celebration of the great victory in the Permatang Pauh By Election to Pakatan Rakyat.

PERMATANG PAUH BY-ELECTION - LIVE UPDATE FROM THE WHARF (live update - end)

9.55 pm : Official Results = Anwar Ibrahim 31,195 (66.64%). Arif Shah Omar 15,524 (33.16%). Hanafi Hamat 92 (0.20%). Anwar won by a majority of 15,671 votes. Increased majority from march 8 when Wan Azizzah won by 13,388 votes.

9.19 pm : unconfimed and unofficial = PKR 31,579 BN 16,045 with a majority of 15,534 votes

9.00 pm : recount in progress so far PKR 29665 BN 14340 not all votes re-counted yet.

8.45 pm : Gus reports that there is now a recount of the votes.

8.42 pm : unofficial results anwar has increased majority of 17,652 from march 8 general election when wan azizzah won by a majority of 13,400 votes.

8.36 pm : old ben reports anwar 31949 votes has won by about 70% of all votes

8.31 pm : 31,949 PKR, 14297 BN and 74 votes for Akim

8.24 pm : votes still counting

8.21pm : Unofficial votes anwar majority of 17,652 votes report from Gus at houston control

8.03pm : Viveg reporting from the counting centre
The barricade splitting the filed just off the counting centre that was supposed to separate the supporters of BN and PKR has gone.
Why?
Because there are no BN supporters there and the space was needed to accommodate the more than 15,000 PKR supporters who are on hand to receive the final result.

8.11 pm: So far total of 15 polling centres votes counted at PKR 22,659 BN 10,999

8.08 pm: Guah Perahu district = PKR 909 votes BN 726

8.06 pm : Kuala Mengkuang district of 5 centres = PKR 1207 votes BN 1062 votes

8>03pm: Gus reports that Nurrul Izzah and Ronnie Liu is now at Houston control at PP

7.58pm : Mengkuan district 4 centres = PKR 1029 votes BN 560 votes

malaysia kini reports anwar at 5398 votes arif shah 1891 votes at 7.43pm

7.48 pm : Kg. Cross district = PKR 1412 votes vs BN 180 votes

7.46 pm; so far anwar is leading in vote counts by over 70%

7.44 pm : Jalan Tuna district of 4 centers; PKR 1174 BN 549

7.40 pm: Taman Tun Hussein Onn total of 4 centres = PKR 1142 votes BN 493 votes

7.30pm: report from Gus Gan reports. Seberang Jaya district. total of 5 centres= PKR 1476 votes BN 602 votes. this is BN stronghold

7.20pm anwar leading by a mile in all centres.

7.06pm : Viveg reporting from the counting centre
Helicopter hovering over the centre.
FRU presence as not dissimilar to that on nomination day.
5,000-6000 PKR supporters present. BN supporter presence

7.10 pm : got reports news portal site inaccessible like malaysiakini and others

7.02pm : Din Merican reporting from the counting centre
Anwar has won Seberang Jaya ( Arif Shah’s stronghold ) by a huge majority. Unofficial figures in have it that Anwar garnered 5,865 votes while Arif Shah got 1,977 votes

7.05 pm : Gus reporting from PP.
in one polling station there was almost 100% votes for Anwar

7pm : update from Gus Gan.
19000 votes counted so far.

6.35pm : Update from Haris
News just in. Average voter turnout 81%.
Unofficial report from one counting centre is that Anwar garnered 80% of the votes. In one more centre, Anwar is said to have garnered 72% of the votes.

6.33pm: Estimated voter turnout at 80% ie. approx 43000 voters. and PKR exit polls show anwar leading by 63.7% approx 27000 votes with majority of just over 10000 votes.

5.52pm : Lillian reporting from the Seberang Jaya police station
Lillian reported that as she spoke to me, she was staring directly at an angry-looking FRU water cannon.
She could also see the three ‘pengundi hantu’ buses, now empty, in the police compound.
Many PKR supporters have converged on the station and are becoming increasingly patient.
YB Ronnie Liu is in the station. It is rumoured that YB Karpal Singh is also in there.
Gobalakrishnan, who is reported to have been beaten up by police, together with hiis sons, and then arrested, is also reported to be held at this station.
Word is that Gobala saw police escorting one of the buses and wanted to know why they were escorting the bus into Permatang Pauh.

6.25pm: Reporting from ground zero at PP (houston control) are zorro, haris of people's parliament, gus gan, viveg, balraj and many other anak anak bangsa malaysia.

Hello test test... calling houston control... this is wharf checkpoint.. rodger over and out.... contact established ... with houston control in PP simpang ampat.

Vote counting to start at 7pm... system standby... check check... Time check 6.05 pm

Total of 25 polling centres.

ITS ALL UP TO YOU NOW - PERMATANG PAUH

After 10 days of campaigning Anwar Ibrahim ended with an epic rally with more than 20,000 people despite the light rain as reported by Gus on ground zero.

BN side have been relatively quiet as their tactics of personal attack on the sodomy issues backfired on them and the results will show tomorrow. BN media controlled machinery was very annoying churning out Saifool's swearing on the quran incessantly and up till now on the Bernama TV they are still on the same topic and this time it is the Director General of Health Tan Sri Dr Ismail Merican trying to discredit the Pusrawi medical report. (rubbish always comes out of RUBBISH). And it was kind of silly as in all their ceramahs and operative stations they will have the Fool swearing played on TV over and over.

Allegations of BN's dirty tricks are the talk here amongst the people in Permatang Pauh and you can read more HERE and HERE. Anwar himself has called for caution, warning that more dirty tricks could surface between now and polling day. “Don’t be surprised at what else they could bring up.” He highlighted cases of certain people going around photostating and collecting the ICs of voters.

It will be a definite win for Anwar, the question is the impact of that win and if a bigger majority could be obtained over the last election of 13000 would be considered a huge success and anything from 18000 to 20000 would be construed as the Knock-Out Blow for BN . And above that number of 20000 will be the Killer Blow and you can start saying bye bye to some of those guys in putrajaya.

Well now its all up to the 58459 people of Permatang Pauh and tomorrow will be a historic day as we awaits the result in quiet anticipation.

There will be results streaming in direct from polling stations to the wharf tomorrow from 6pm onwards as the votes gets counted.

Contempt of God!

(pic curtesy of Bodohland)

They use the religion that they so professed, they use the Holy Book, they use the holy grounds and the name of the Almighty all for the sole purpose of destroying the reputation of another being just because he has offered to serve his country and in so doing challenges this dreadful government of the day. This act is despicable!

And that Anwar did not join them by swearing on the holy book as this profanity (Unholy and defile the dignity of the religion)of doing so is in contempt of God. Anwar has shown he has the dignity and respect for the religion by not stooping to such low down actions and has stood his ground and is honourable.

“They (hypocrites) have made their oaths a screen (for their misdeeds): thus they obstruct (men) from the Path of Allah: truly evil are their deeds.” (Quran: 63: 02)

(requote from Ahmad through Peoples Parliament)

They use money to coerce and can be arguably interpreted as an act of bribery or as a report from malaysiakini titled "Money and Groceries for Vote".

They use Fear by bringing the Commandos and the Special Forces (UTK) to this by election and is seen as an act of intimidation and some voters might be even scared of coming out to vote with gun carrying soldiers and special forces on the streets of Permatang Pauh.

They show their might and anger on the people by threatening police investigations on sedition an oppressive laws they constantly use or threaten the people with. And they threaten to pull back the reduction of subsidy on fuel prices just because the people ask a few more questions.

They are without compassion and will throw the people in jail with the use of another draconian law of the ISA as with the hindraf detainees to show their might, they don't care that these people has got families and children to feed and are in pain and sufferings.

They divide the people through their calls for race supremacy over others as their objective is most to hold on to the powers that is not theirs to take but it is the People's right to give. This by election shall bear witness to the Power and Wisdom of the People.

NO TRUTH IN THE SWEARING

The highest form of a government
Is that its people hardly even realize it is there.

Next is that of the sage
Who is seen, loved and respected.

Next down is the dictator
That thrives on oppression and terror.

The worst is that of those who lie and cheat
And end up being despised and rejected.

-Lao Tzu-

The sage is the epitome of truth and does not restrict its people and strives to create an environment of peace, security and prosperity and engages the assistance of the best talents and intellectuals in the implementation of this objective.

He governs with the purest of motives and he knows how things grow and that they are fed by their roots and they return to their roots to blossom, flourish and flow. He understands the principles of nurturing and through this perceptive he will govern with patience and justice.

And the root of all governance is PEOPLE and it is the people who empower the leader whom they elect to serve and the root is the source or the master of the leader that must lead with their heart (truth) and have compassion for the people they serve.

Having compassion means knowing that the people are not just numbers and statistics on a piece of paper the people are human beings and each and everyone has got a face and can feel, think and most of all they are not STUPID.

Great leaders don’t need to descend from one's level of dignity by Swearing on any book or in any temple or in any ritualistic manner from any allegations. TRUTH comes not from any swearing or testimony. In Fact it is an atrocious act and an insult to the intelligence of all mankind by the calls to swear as proof or substantiation of the truth.

Satyagraha
A term coined by Gandhi for his philosophy of non violent movement of resistance against unjust laws imposed by the British Empire. “Satya” is the Sanskrit word for truth and “Agraha” means firmness and the words combined is interpreted to be “Firmness of Truth”. Gandhi wrote that Satyagraha is a force that works silently and apparently slowly and in reality there is no force in the world that is so direct and so swift in working. These principles of truth united almost a billion people against the unjust laws of the British.

In retrospect Dishonesty, Lies and Deceit may succeed temporarily and it ultimately undermines itself and works against the propagator. “YOU CANT FOOL ALL OF THE PEOPLE ALL THE TIME”.

Ceramah at Permatang Pauh By-Election

(Title Pic by Mob's Crib)

Arrive at Permatang Pauh at about 4pm. Reviewed the ceramah schedule for both Pakatan Rakyat and Barisan National and planned our visits to the numerous ceramah coming on later tonight.

Set out for the first ceramah at Kampung Paya Tanah Liat, which is a small village in Permatang Pauh, we arrived with Raja Petra and the crowd was ecstatic on the sight of Raja Petra and people was coming on to him with warmth greetings and lining up for photo opportunity with the Hero of the Rakyat as some of them was heard shouting.

RPK was invited to talk to the crowd and there were loud cheers from the about 1000 people gathered there amidst the drizzle and as the rain got heavier the crowd cramped into the tent to listen to the Merdeka story from their hero and those in the open were sharing their umbrellas with those around. He urged the people to be united against the bullies in UMNO.

And as RPK was concluding his talk Anwar arrives to cheers of "Reformasi" and as the rain stop the crowd urged to moved back into the open ground and by than the crowd had swelled to about 2000 or so.

Anwar assured the people that there will be civic reform to the oppressive laws used by the BN government on the people and promises the Rakyat of a Malaysian Malaysia of Ketuanan Rakyat. He said he will abolish ISA, OSA, and greater liberty for a civic society as he too has been a victim of the Tyranny of UMNO. He will rid the country of corruption and create opportunities for the Rakyat and all will have the freedom for university education citing deserving students who has been denied entry into public universities. And stories of the wealth accumulated, and the rise to power of the Son In Law brought loud cheers of Reformasi from the crowd.

We than moved on to another ceramah at Penanti where there was a large gathering of more than 2500 people and as usual Raja Petra was welcomed with great excitement and we had to stop all along as we were walking towards the ceramah ground. People was requesting for their photos with RPK. Wan Azizzah was also ther in Penanti.

RPK was also ivited to talk to the crowd at Penanti and kept the crowd enthralled by his stories of UMNO's vote buying tactics and urged the crowd to turn up in full force on election day.

We pass 3 BN ceramahs and saw that there was hardly any crowd and one of the ceramahs only had maybe 50 people seated with rows and rows of empty chairs and yet the speaker was delivering his oration. We had wanted to observe a BN ceramah but the 3 ceramah we pass by had no crowd so we went for food instead.

Finally had our dinner at about 11pm.

For more reports and photos go to The People's Parliament

Muhammad Shafee Abdullah, A Champion of Human Rights?

(Pic by Bodohland)

Is this the same Muhammad Shafee Abdullah? The Human Rights Commissioner of SUHAKAM (HUMAN RIGHTS COMMISSION OF MALAYSIA).

His deeds, threats and action on Raja Petra and the commenters on the website of Malaysia-Today bring a shiver to the spine. If a commission member of the very institution that is supposes to protect its people from the foundation of basic human dignity, act in such a manner, oh' what misery it brings to this society of ours. This reminds me of the speech by Kenneth Roth, the director of the international Human Rights Watch titled “Despots Masquerading as Democrats” in one of my posting HERE.

Allow me to refresh your memory, the basic foundation on the United Nations, Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR) as adopted by SUHAKAM and recognized as International Human Rights Law is founded upon the four pillars;

The freedom from fear and want and the freedom of speech and belief.

Article 19 of the UDHR
Everyone has the right to freedom of opinion and expression; this right includes freedom to hold opinions without interference and to seek, receive and impart information and ideas through any media and regardless of frontiers.

And as a human rights defender, if Shafee thinks that he is one and I presumed that by virtue of him being a member of the commission that he is. His police report on Criminal Defamation, Sedition, and etc are the very things that Human Rights Organizations and other Institutions worldwide have campaigned against as it contravenes the basic human rights of “Freedom of Speech and Expression”. (Read earlier postings HERE).

Shafee has called Raja Petra all sorts of names like Pariah, Coward and etc and challenged him to sue. As a human rights commissioner he more than others should respect the institution that he upholds and not to lose composure and in the process blemishes the institution that he represents.

Statement from Amnesty International

"Throughout the world individuals face harassment and imprisonment as a result of exercising their right to freedom of expression. Everyone has the right to seek, receive and impart information and ideas without fear or interference.This right is important for the personal development and dignity of every individual and is vital for the fulfilment of other human rights. Freedom of expression has always been a core part of Amnesty International’s work and is closely linked to the right to hold opinions and the right to freedom of thought, conscience and religion."

Human rights are the foundation of human existence and coexistence. Human rights are universal, indivisible and interdependent. Human rights are what make us human. They are the principles by which we create the sacred home for human dignity. ~ Kofi Annan

BN on PP Nomination Day

Photo on Top are the BN side of the field and the Photo above are from Pakatan Rakyat side of the field.

Someone commentted that the Permatang Pauh nomination photos are bias and so i managed to find some photos of BN and you can make an obvious comparison that we were only reporting what we saw.

Letter to Anwar Ibrahim - Prime Minister in Waiting

(Pic from Bodohland)

JUst read a very touching letter from Haris of The People's Parliament and it sums up the nation's hope from all Anak Bangsa Malaysia.

We placed our hope upon you (Anwar Ibrahim) as you step up front in the aspiration to serve with the promise to cleanse our nation of all its ills and evil that has been cast unto this land for so long.

"This nation needs to be rid of the racist, divide and rule politics of BN. UMNO will not change, and the other component parties have shown themselves to be helplessly subservient to UMNO."

"We, too, as a nation, though, owe you and your family an apology, for all that you and your family have been through these last 10 years."

"In the run-up to polling day on the 26th, my friends and I will be in Permatang Pauh to help you in any way we can."

Extract from The People's Parliament

Read More HERE

Permatang Pauh All Fired Up! (Pictorial Journal)

(Pakatan leaders arriving at the nomination centre)

(Click on Pic to Enlarge)


Back from Permatang Pauh and still in exhiliration although that we only had about 3 hours of sleep. What a day! What an experience this has been and Yes this has all the makings of a historical event.

First some correction from the earlier posting on the electoral votes and was informed that the new electoral roll has approx. 58500 voters.

And on the turnout of supporters for Anwar Ibrahim and after much estimation and deliberation with our fellows bloggers and from both the BN and Pakatan sources, my final guess for the Pakatan crowd is at about 70000 and BN crowd at 3000.

The Pakatan supporters are all over and as the padang was jammed pack of people, tens of thousands were standing and sitting on the road and even as the afternoon sun approaches, the crowd did not budge as they wait patiently in support and anticipation of the promises of hope and reformation that their new leader can bring to them.

And as the massive crowd disperses at about 12.30 pm there was a sudden Momentus Heavy Shower of Blessings that made the event all the more memorable as we were all totally drenched.

There were various press report on the number of supporters and ah' mainstream media was all silent about the estimated numbers but the foreign press has numbers ranging from "tens of thousands" from the associated press and 30000 from channel news asia.

The pakatan supporters gathered as early as before the sun rises and at about 7.15am we were informed that the traffic jam has started and immediately began our journey to the nomination centre.


And true enough we were caught in the traffic crawl and cars were alredy parked all along the highway and had double and triple park on the expressway and we did the same triple parked and had to take a few(3-4) km walk to the centre.


And we thought we were early as nomination starts only after 9 am and it was now just before 8am and the supporters were already streaming in.
And as we got off the highway into the the main trunk road the supporters was like streams converging into a river.

As we flowed along the streams of people turns into a gushing river! Hmm.. some of these supporters looks quite familiar.
Its a tidal wave of Pakatan Rakyat's supporters everywhere and we are being push along this wave and you had to be careful of stepping into the guy in front.


Sea of Pakatan supporters everywhere you turn and finally you be able to see some BN flags at the background.

Tens of thousands of supporters on the padang of the Astaka Waja. The field at the back of the nomination centre. And more supporters are also at the front to the main gate of the Astaka Waja nomination hall.



The Astaka Waja at the background and the nomination hall. There were lion dance and the hindraf drummers moving around.

AView from the padang towards the road leading in. The padang could not accomodate everyone as it was pack jam with the Pakatan supporters.

After a long long wait the nomination were accepted but some faces don't seem too happy and the Pakatan crowd were chanting "Altantuya! Altantuya!"

And the Winner is......

Permatang Pauh Nomination Day

In a hurry so will just post a pictorial story of the nomination day here in Permatang Pauh, Penang.
We arrive late last night at about 11pm and got up this morning at 7am. The roads leading to Permatang Pauh are all jam up and we had to park a distance from the nooutmination centre.

My estimate of the crowd for the Pakatan supporters are close to 100,000 people or thereabout, there were seas of people all over and as we walk in we could not even see a single BN supporters and as we arrive at the nomination centre there were maybe about 1000 BN supporters at the padang which was partitioned off between the two group of supporters.

Will arrange and post more photos later. gotta run now.