Isnin, 31 Januari 2011

Charles Santiago

Charles Santiago


Listen to the cries of the Egyptians

Posted: 31 Jan 2011 06:22 PM PST

Source :- Free Malaysia Today
January 31, 2011

The world’s super powers should stop taking upon themselves to determine a legitimate government by backing the Mubarak regime.

By Charles Santiago

Egyptians have taken to the streets calling for an end to President Hosni Mubarak's regime which is largely to be blamed to the country's economic disaster, skyrocketing food prices and spiraling unemployment.

It's however not a surprise that the US president, Barack Obama, has been passive in responding to calls urging him to ask Mubarak to throw in the towel.

Egypt is a key ally of the US in the Middle East and continues to benefit from billions of dollars of military aid. But in the context of an impending global disaster.

Obama's lukewarm stance is appalling and beneath a leader who came to power promising a foreign policy which is backed by democratic reforms.

The fall of the Tunisian regime, riots on the streets of Pakistan, Morocco and now Egypt are all fundamentally related to unfair distribution of wealth and income, spiking food and commodity prices and a staggering rise in unemployment.

In short, its the churning of the stomach which has led to the revolt and call for an end to oppressive regimes.

I pledge solidarity with the uprising in the various countries including Egypt where people are braving army tanks and live bullets to make their legitimate demands seen and heard.

At least 100 people have died in the last six days of protest.

I also convey my support to the thousands of Malaysians who would be protesting outside the US embassy, this Friday, condemning Obama's atrocious support for the Egyptian regime.

Rising food prices

The rising food prices has become a major worldwide threat, with prices in Egypt up 17 percent, primarily due to the speculation on Wall Street.

Leading media organizations have reported and held Wall Street investment banks and firms responsible for the stock market bubble, dot-com bubble and the recent US and UK housing bubbles.

As a result of their speculation on food and commodity prices, media reports say that at a time when there has been no significant change in the global food supply or demand, the average cost of buying food shot up 32 percent from June to December 2010.

And about 40 percent of Egypt's population live off less than $2 a day!

Obama, meanwhile, is certainly going down on the wrong side of history by not backing the end to Mubarak's rule. He has instead called for a smooth transition to an orderly government.

Secretary of State Hillary Clinton has hinted on the possibility of a "faux democracy" if street revolts are backed in Egypt and called for a "real democracy" and not a democracy for six months or a year, which could evolve into a military dictatorship that then replicates what is happening in Iran.

Mrs Clinton, why isn't it possible for you to understand that there is a legitimate need for democratic reforms and social justice in Egypt?

Down with a dictator

The Egyptians are on the streets to demand the stepping down of a dictator.

The struggle is about their valid need to be able to work and put food on the table for their families.

The revolution in Egypt cannot be about the US or Britain and their allies. These countries have, without any shame, given unlimited support to murdering regimes like Tunisia, Egypt and Iraq before taking up arms against Saddam Hussein.

Therefore, the US, Britain and their allies should stop determining which kind of government works in the Middle East.

The West refused to accept the victory of the Islamic movement in a democratic election in Algeria in 1991.

As a result, the country was ravaged in a decade of civil war where more than 160,000 people were killed.

So the US, UK and their allies should stop taking upon themselves to determine a legitimate government for Egypt. And Obama must speak with a political spine.

Charles Santiago is DAP's Member of Parliament for Klang


Egypt is the new Ground Zero, with the protests in Cairo having far-fetching implications globally.

Posted: 30 Jan 2011 11:48 PM PST

Egypt is the new Ground Zero, with the protests in Cairo having far-fetching implications globally.

Egyptians have taken to the streets calling for an end to President Hosni Mubarak’s regime which is largely to be blamed to the country’s economic disaster, skyrocketing food prices and spiraling unemployment.

It’s however not a surprise that the US president, Barack Obama, has been passive in responding to calls urging him to ask Mubarak to throw in the towel. c

Egypt is a key ally of the US in the Middle East and continues to benefit from billions of dollars of military aid.But in the context of an impending global disaster.

Obama’s lukewarm stance is appalling and beneath a leader who came to power promising a foreign policy which is backed by democratic reforms.

The fall of the Tunisian regime, riots on the streets of Pakistan, Morocco and now Egypt are all fundamentally related to unfair distribution of wealth and income, spiking food and commodity prices and a staggering rise in unemployment.

In short, its the churning of the stomach which has led to the revolt and call for an end to oppressive regimes.

I pledge solidarity with the uprising in the various countries including Egypt where people are braving army tanks and live bullets to make their legitimate demands seen and heard.

At least 100 people have died in the last six days of protest.

I also convey my support to the thousands of Malaysians who would be protesting outside the US embassy, this Friday, condemning Obama’s atrocious support for the Egyptian regime.

The rising food prices has become a major worldwide threat, with prices in Egypt up 17 percent, primarily due to the speculation on Wall Street.

Leading media organizations have reported and held Wall Street investment banks and firms responsible for the stock market bubble, dot-com bubble and the recent US and UK housing bubbles.

As a result of their speculation on food and commodity prices, media reports say that at a time when there has been no significant change in the global food supply or demand, the average cost of buying food shot up 32 percent from June to December 2010.

And about 40 percent of Egypt’s population live off less than $2 a day!Obama, meanwhile, is certainly going down on the wrong side of history by backing the end to Mubarak’s rule. He has instead called for a smooth transition to an orderly government.

Secretary of State Hillary Clinton has hinted on the possibility of a “faux democracy”   if street revolts are backed in Egypt and called for a “real democracy” and not a democracy for six months or a year, which could evolve into a military dictatorship that then replicates what is happening in Iran.

Mrs Clinton, why isn’t it possible for you to understand that there is a legitimate need for democratic reforms and social justice in Egypt?

The Egyptians are on the streets to demand the stepping down of a dictator.

The struggle is about their valid need to be able to work and put food on the table for their families.

The revolution in Egypt cannot be about the US or Britain and their allies. These countries have, without any shame, given unlimited support to murdering regimes like Tunisia, Egypt and Iraq before taking up arms against Saddam Hussein.

Therefore, the US, Britain and their allies should stop determining which kind of government works in the Middle East.

The West refused to accept the victory of the Islamic movement in a democratic election in Algeria in 1991.

As a result, the country was ravaged in a decade of civil war where more than 160,000 people were killed.

So the US, UK and their allies should stop taking upon themselves to determine a legitimate government for Egypt.

And Obama must speak with a political spine.

Charles Santiago
Member of Parliament, Klang


Lim Kit Siang

Lim Kit Siang


Creating a harmonious, just, democratic and competitive nation remains the single greatest challenge of Malaysians

Posted: 31 Jan 2011 07:05 PM PST

The creation of a harmonious, just, democratic and competitive nation, which is a model to the world as an united, tolerant and successful multi-racial, multi-lingual, multi-cultural and multi-religious society, remains the greatest challenge of Malaysians. Nation-building should not be a zero-sum game but must be a win-win formula for all Malaysians, regardless of race, religion [...]

Why PAS lost the battle for Tenang

Posted: 31 Jan 2011 07:00 PM PST

By Kuek Ser Kuang Keng and Regina Lee | Malaysiakini ANALYSIS Even before campaigning for the Tenang by-election started, much had been said that the Jan 30 event would serve as an important testing ground for a BN move to call for a snap general election. It was easy to see why. With the racial [...]

Enhancing Special Privileges

Posted: 31 Jan 2011 06:15 PM PST

by Bakri Musa Malaysia in the Era of Globalization #51 Chapter Six: Malaysia: Assets and Liabilities Enhancing Special Privileges To enhance the efficacy of special privileges I would first focus on the bottom 50 percent (better still, bottom 25) of Bumiputras. I agree with Grameen Bank's Muhammad Yunus who feels that development should be defined [...]

Egypt’s Class Conflict

Posted: 31 Jan 2011 04:02 PM PST

by Juan Cole January 31, 2011 The Malaysian Insider JAN 31 — On Sunday morning (January 30) there was some sign of the Egyptian military taking on some security duties. Soldiers started arresting suspected looters, rounding up 450 of them. The disappearance of the police from the streets had led to a threat of widespread [...]

MET sees non-stop rain in Johor this week

Posted: 31 Jan 2011 03:26 AM PST

By Boo Su-Lyn The Malaysian Insider KUALA LUMPUR, Jan 31 — The Malaysian Meteorological Department (MET) has forecast continuous rain in major towns in Johor throughout the week. Unrelenting rain in the southern state has forced thousands from their homes, cutting off Segamat and threatening other towns. "Tomorrow morning, we expect isolated rain over coastal [...]

In Tenang, Malay votes won the day for BN

Posted: 31 Jan 2011 03:16 AM PST

By Shannon Teoh The Malaysian Insider KUALA LUMPUR, Jan 31 — More than half of Barisan Nasional's (BN) 1,200-vote gain over PAS in Tenang was due to increased Malay support in the constituency, DAP statistics have shown. Malays who had in 2008 voted against Tun Abdullah Ahmad Badawi's stewardship of BN or abstained from the [...]

Muddy waters: Post-Tenang reflections

Posted: 31 Jan 2011 03:01 AM PST

Bridget Welsh | Jan 31, 11 4:58pm Malaysiakini COMMENT Malaysia’s 14th by-election since March 2008 scored another victory in the BN column, as they held onto their seat. This was expected, as it was home ground for Umno and the contest was purely about the winning majority. Even with the lower voter turnout, Umno did [...]

With 10% increase of Chinese voter support for Pas/PR candidate in Tenang, will Chua Soi Lek have the political courage to tell UMNO the truth?

Posted: 31 Jan 2011 12:35 AM PST

I had said at the close of the Tenang by-election campaign that Pakatan Rakyat would have cause to celebrate if it could achieve three of four aims – firstly, to debunk Deputy Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin's boast of winning 5,000 majority in Tenang which he had described as a Barisan Nasional "fortress"; secondly, [...]

Thousands leave homes as Johor braces for more rain

Posted: 31 Jan 2011 07:01 PM PST

by Shannon Teoh | The Malaysian Insider KUALA LUMPUR, Jan 31 — Unrelenting rain in Johor has forced thousands from their homes, cutting off Segamat and threatening other towns, raising fears of a repeat of floods six years which claimed six lives and inflicted more than RM1 billion in economic losses. Nearly 30,000 people have [...]

Blog@Wengsan...博客@永山

Blog@Wengsan...博客@永山


Happy Chinese New Year and a big thank you.

Posted: 31 Jan 2011 09:09 AM PST

Presentation by Cempaka kids during New Year Celebration of JKKK Chempak...

Posted: 31 Jan 2011 08:26 AM PST

Philosophy Politics Economics

Philosophy Politics Economics


Tenang Analysis: What Happened?

Posted: 31 Jan 2011 08:42 AM PST

In Tenang, Malay votes won the day for BN
By Shannon Teoh January 31, 2011

KUALA LUMPUR, Jan 31 — More than half of Barisan Nasional's (BN) 1,200-vote gain over PAS in Tenang was due to increased Malay support in the constituency, DAP statistics have shown.
Malays who had in 2008 voted against Tun Abdullah Ahmad Badawi's stewardship of BN or abstained from the general election, came out to signal its support for Datuk Seri Najib Razak's administration.

The Malays make up about 49 per cent of the 14,753 voters in Tenang. Chinese account for over 38 per cent and Indians, 12 per cent.

Umno's Azahar Ibrahim received 83.3 per cent of Malay votes, up four percentage points from Election 2008, said DAP publicity chief Tony Pua on Twitter earlier today. A Malay turnout of 81 per cent yesterday, up two points from 2008, translated to a 700-vote increase.

BN's 3,707-vote majority was also due to Chinese voters skipping yesterday's by-election.

Although Normala Sudirman managed to hold on to PAS's 64 per cent Chinese support from the 2008 general election, an 18-point fall in turnout resulted in another 300-vote gain for BN's majority.

Despite a 30 per cent increase in Indian votes for BN, less than 40 per cent turned up to vote. The lower Indian turnout meant BN only secured 200-vote increase from the hike in proportions.

Overall, Azahar polled 6,699 votes against Normala, who took 2,992 votes from the 12 polling districts.

A total of 9,833 voters or 67 per cent of the 14,753 electorate turned up to cast their ballots, nearly 1,000 fewer than in 2008.

BN had initially targeted a victory margin of 5,000 votes, similar to Election 2004.

It retained Tenang in 2008 by 2,492 votes.

Violet Yong

Violet Yong


恭贺各界:吉祥如意

Posted: 30 Jan 2011 09:28 PM PST


魏宗贤文打烟之声 Gwee Tong Hiang for Bentayan

Chong Chieng Jen's Blog

Chong Chieng Jen's Blog


恭贺各界新年快乐~

Posted: 30 Jan 2011 09:33 PM PST


Ahad, 30 Januari 2011

Lim Kit Siang

Lim Kit Siang


Imperative that the public lock horns over ‘Interlok’

Posted: 30 Jan 2011 09:40 PM PST

By K Pragalath Introduction by CPI 28 January 2011 The Star today frontpaged 'Interlok stays' as its main story and reporting Education Minister Muhyiddin Yassin as saying the contentious novel is to remain a Form 5 exam text but with amendments to several aspects "deemed sensitive by the Indian community???. A section of the Indian [...]

Biggest losers in Tenang – MCA and Chua Soi Lek

Posted: 30 Jan 2011 05:16 AM PST

Tweets :- Pakatan decries selective assistance to voters – Mkini http://bit.ly/ifO1m6 Sunday, January 30, 2011 5:28 PM Incessant rain bad flooding discriminatory govt assistance 2ferry stranded voters n low voter turnouts have messed up forecast of Tenang b/e Sunday, January 30, 2011 5:37 PM Tenang b/e – Voter turnout when polls closed @ 5pm: Total [...]

Pakatan decries selective assistance to voters

Posted: 30 Jan 2011 01:41 AM PST

Kuek Ser Kuang Keng | Jan 30, 11 4:50pm Malaysiakini The day-long downpour in Tenang had caused flooding in many areas across this rural constituency in Johor, rendering several of the 12 polling stations inaccessible to voters. Pakatan Rakyat complained that this had significantly reduced the turnout of Chinese voters, considered the ‘vote bank’ for [...]

Blog@Wengsan...博客@永山

Blog@Wengsan...博客@永山


Happy Chinese New Year to all of my friends, family members and constituents.

Posted: 30 Jan 2011 07:45 AM PST

MY VOICE FOR NATION

MY VOICE FOR NATION


Bestino- Bank Negara must act!

Posted: 30 Jan 2011 05:57 AM PST

the Chamber of Canning... 您的委托, 您的声音!

the Chamber of Canning... 您的委托, 您的声音!


桂和区火箭佳节送温情 狮美老人院乐开怀

Posted: 29 Jan 2011 03:58 PM PST

Lim Lip Eng

Lim Lip Eng


Pakatan’s eight steps for a better KL

Posted: 29 Jan 2011 10:34 PM PST

Attached is the original statement from the FT Pakatan Rakyat MPs

Source: http://thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2011/1/30/nation/7904515&sec=nation (30/1/2011)

KUALA LUMPUR: Pakatan Rakyat has outlined eight steps to create a better Kuala Lumpur.

PKR vice-president Nurul Izzah Anwar said lack of maintenance of public infrastructure, high level of income inequality and the rising crime rate had led to a deteriorating quality of life for Kuala Lumpur folk.

Nurul Izzah said that although Pakatan's manifesto was similar to Barisan Nasional's Greater KL plan, the difference was in how Pakatan would implement its promises. Pakatan's proposed measures include an initiative to revive abandoned public housing projects, introduce more business-friendly policies such as a one-stop centre for licensing to attract entrepreneurs and business owners, and forming a committee to work towards creating local government elections in Kuala Lumpur.

DAP's Segambut MP Lim Lip Eng, who was also present, said he welcomed the Federal Government's Mass Rapid Transit (MRT) project due to be built from July. "However, I was informed that none of the local councils have received (development) plans or had a formal discussion with the government regarding the construction work, so I don't think it can take off in July," he said, urging the Federal Government to work with the local authorities to ensure the project was a success.

Syndicate selling blacklisted cars uncovered

Posted: 29 Jan 2011 10:02 PM PST

Photo from Guang Ming Daily: 5 used-car dealers showing police reports and documents of the cars that were impounded by the police

News: http://thestar.com.my/news (By ALLISON LAI, 27/1/2010)
KUALA LUMPUR: Several used car dealers and middlemen have allegedly been cheated after they were sold blacklisted cars by a syndicate.

Some of the cars, which had been resold to customers for up to a year, were recently impounded by police as they were suspected to be stolen. Cheah Kuai Wah, 39, said between June and October 2009, he purchased 15 imported sedans and MPVs from three individuals and subsequently sold them to several used car dealers. "I did the relevant background checks with the Road Transport Department (JPJ), and checked with the police and insurance companies before purchasing the cars," he said at a press conference yesterday. Cheah said the vehicles also went through the compulsory inspection at Puspakom before the transfer of ownership was done. However, in mid-December 2009, Cheah said he received a call from a used car dealer that a car he had sold was impounded for suspected theft. "I received similar enquiries from other dealers questioning if I had sold them 'blacklisted' cars. "This has affected my reputation as no dealers will buy cars from me now," lamented Cheah.

Used car dealers Choo Pow Chin, 50, and her son Lee Leong Seng, 26, said three customers who purchased a Toyota Camry, Toyota Alphard and Honda City from her in late 2009 had asked for compensation after their cars were impounded by police last week. "They accused us of tampering with the cars' identification before selling to them. "But we had checked thoroughly with the authorities before making any purchase and everything was clear,'' she said, adding she had dealt with the same three individuals as Cheah.

Meanwhile, Segambut MP Lim Lip Eng said he had checked with the police and was told that a man, believed to be the syndicate's mastermind, was picked up on Tuesday night. He said police have impounded more than 50 cars since January this year. "The owners are the ones suffering the most as they still have to service their loans when their cars are impounded,'' he said.

Assault case: 'Missing' cop charged

Posted: 29 Jan 2011 09:50 PM PST

Source: http://malaysiakini.com/news/154718 (By Aidila Razak, 28/1/2011)
A police constable claimed trial today to making a false charge against businessman Chia Buang Hing on Dec 18 last year, with the intent of causing harm to Chia. Norzali Rosle was charged in a magistrate's court in Petaling Jaya with two separate offences, under Section 211 of the Penal Code, for making a false charge of an offence, made with the intention of injuring another person. Norzali, 25, is also accused of charging Chia with possession of 0.01gm of heroin and possession of a machete.
Magistrate Nor Afidah Idris set bail at RM2,200, which was posted by Norzali's mother. Deputy public prosecutor Amirah Mohamed Yusof had asked for bail to be set at RM3,000, but defence counsel Suresh Singh appealed that it be reduced to RM1,500, as the accused had been suspended from duty and that his mother was a housewife. Suresh said Norzali had already been ordered to report to the Kota Damansara police station every Monday and Thursday. Norzali, who is attached to the same police station, faces jail of up to two years or a fine, or both, if found guilty.

Accused allowed to slip out via magistrate's exit
He is among five police officers who had earlier been charged in court for assaulting Chia. A warrant of arrest was issued against Norzali for not showing up in court that day. Today, he was smartly dressed, in a striped blue shirt and seen smiling after the proceedings. His lawyer said the arrest warrant was issued at the last minute and that Norzali had already been out of Kuala Lumpur then. Norzali was later allowed to use the magistrate's entrance to exit the courtroom, while his mother went to post bail. Lim Lip Eng, who is also the MP for Segambut, is representing Chia.
Earlier, as the charge sheet was read out, a man who was seated beside Norzali's wife expressed his dissatisfaction in a loud voice. "I'm sick of this. Someone else does it and another person is blamed," he said, before being censured by a police officer on duty in the court.

Related news: Cop claims trial to false charge offence http://thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2011/1/29/courts

Sabtu, 29 Januari 2011

Lim Kit Siang

Lim Kit Siang


MCA continues to tell lies in Tenang by-election through its newspaper Star – but good luck to Chua Soi Lek continuing as MCA President!

Posted: 29 Jan 2011 10:21 PM PST

Today is polling day for the Tenang by-election, the fourteenth since the 2008 general election. The outcome of the by-election should be left to the 14,753 voters but it is most regrettable that MCA continues to peddle lies and falsehoods through its newspaper The Star. In its analysis report today headlined "Up to the voters [...]

BN to win with 700-vote boost in majority

Posted: 29 Jan 2011 10:06 PM PST

Ong Kian Ming | Jan 29, 11 Malaysiankini PREDICTION Tomorrow, Jan 30, and just four days before Chinese New Year, voters in Tenang will decide on the 14th by-election since the 2008 general election. The outcome is not in doubt. BN will win this seat. Even the opposition has conceded as much. The only question [...]

Factors that will shape tomorrow’s outcome

Posted: 29 Jan 2011 09:56 PM PST

Bridget Welsh | Jan 29, 11 Malaysiakini ANALYSIS In this semi-rural constituency, rain and floods have dampened the turnout at ceramah and made for a low-key campaign. Walkabouts and quiet face-to-face campaigning, sometimes backed by ‘gifts’, have been the norm, as the BN aims to reach the lofty target of 5,000 majority and Pakatan Rakyat [...]

MY VOICE FOR NATION

MY VOICE FOR NATION


Why the long delay in building a new Tamil school in Merlimau

Posted: 28 Jan 2011 09:38 PM PST

the Chamber of Canning... 您的委托, 您的声音!

the Chamber of Canning... 您的委托, 您的声音!


以“吉祥、家和”为题 桂和区创意口号耳目一新

Posted: 28 Jan 2011 10:48 PM PST

誓秉承多年服务精神 家和:桂和民行续作为人民喉舌

Posted: 28 Jan 2011 08:48 AM PST