Laundry Service (4): Niemoller Revisited

A twist to an old quote attributed to Martin Niemoller:

“First they came for those poor Parti Socialis souls, but I didn’t speak up because I was most definitely not a “communist”;

Then they came for the Bersih steering committee people who organized the roadshows, but I didn’t show up because I was not steering anything than my Potong Saga;

Then they started arresting entire committee members on the flimsiest of excuses, but I didn’t want to get involved because I was already up to my neck in all sorts of committees for all sorts of “needy” organizations;

Then they came for all those who wore yellow shirts, shoes and underwear and/or drove yellow vehicles; woe betide to them but I was not really concerned because I was not part of that “yellow culture” anyway;

Then they came for national poet laureats and public personalities who had strong views and wrote about them, but I was not really interested because where got time to read all these “puisis and pantuns” man, cari makan pun tak cukup masa!;

They kept on coming, again and again for all kinds of people from all walks of life , but I remained silent because I believed that it was wrong to rock the boat or ask questions; I believed I could have a decent half-life if I just swallowed all the news they fed me, minded my own business, worked my butt off and paid my dues; I had nothing to fear because I had kept faith with them;

But then, out of the blue, they came for me; yes me! – and I was caught with my pants down;

All of a sudden I realized there was no one around me – no one left to warn/speak up/stand up/fight/question (delete where applicable) them for me!

By then, it was too late. Way too late.

I’d lost everything that meant something to me and now I stand here in solitary confinement clutching at straws of what could have been a great moment in Malaysian history… “

A sobering reminder: ‘In politics, absurdity is not a handicap’ - Napoleon Bonaparte.

Precisely why we need BERSIH 2.0!

Laundry Service (3): Kasi Cuci Baik-baik

“Kasi cuci baik-baik ha taukeh!”  That used to be my plea to the friendly neighbourhood laundry “uncle” whenever I used his services.

So it’s kind of an oxymoron when I compare it to the Bersih 2.0  Peoples’ Rally planned for the 9th of July. Yet in many ways it makes perfect sense.

Try as I might but I still cannot comprehend just what’s so sensitive about the Bersih 2.0 intent that scares the hell out of the powers that be.

For a recap, here are the so-called “demands” made by Bersih 2.0:

• Clean the electoral roll – This is what practically every Malaysian has been asking, talking, complaining about for the past I don’t know donkey’s years. Only now, Bersih 2.0 is talking plainly.  It’s like they’ve decided “ok…no more coffee shop talk. Let’s do something that will change this.”

• Reform postal ballot – Every postal voter especially from the Armed Forces knows who he HAS to vote for. Again, this has been an open secret. Just ask Samy Velu how he survived those close calls before being unceremoniously dumped.

•  Use of indelible ink – This has been a proven and cost effective method in preventing voter fraud in many other places. During the last elections, the SPR (Elections Commission) made a lot of hoo-hah to use it, only to backtrack in the last few days citing legalities and sabotage rumours. Hmnnn I wonder who these  ”saboteurs” were… Further, they must carry a lot of clout that even the SPR is powerless! Doesn’t seem like the kind of thing that the ordinary guy on the street could have access to.

•  Minimum 21 days campaign period – A fair period so that ALL parties can effectively bring their message across to the people.  During GE 12 in 2008 – it was a record 8 days!  Even the British allowed a 42 day campaign period in the 1955 national elections. It shudders to think how much we have regressed as a “free” nation within this context.

• Free and fair access to media – The only time you can see other than BN parties and figures on national TV is when there is something bad or negative to report on them. On the other had, you can see all the “Good” the BN politicians are saying and doing. Yes, people like Ibrahim Ali and company for example.  Btw: I thought RTM meant Radio Televisyen Malaysia not Radio Televisyen Barisan Nasional. Which means that as a taxpaying citizen, I have a right to hear the voices of the Opposition too. How many times have you seen or heard Kit Siang, Anwar, Jeyakumar or Nik Aziz on “National” TV?

• Strengthen public institutions - Every Mat, Chong and Samy knows how “independent” the crucial pillars of this country are – the police, judiciary, attorney-general’s office, anti corruption agency, and yes our own SPR (Elections Commission).  Is Big Brother saying that we are ALL wrong?  That we can’t think for ourselves?

• Stop corruption - Possibly the No.1 disease the country is suffering from.  Sadly, It’s become so widespread that it’s accepted as part of the system – from “closed” tenders to hiked up profit margins for government contracts; police; judiciary; you name it, we have tainted it. Again, this is nothing new. Every resident of Bolehland can testify to this.

• Stop dirty politics – Enough said. It’s not only sex, but all kinds of dirty ongoings – kickbacks, gender bias, character assassination, spinning half-truths as complete truth, mainstream mass media control, derailing racial harmony, etc. etc.  In a nutshell, a whole load of dirty laundry waiting to be “cuci bersih”.

It’s high time for a spring cleaning of all the cobwebs of deceit, deception, lies, fears, injustices, ill-will and etc. etc. that has plagued this nation over the years.  We need a proper cleaning up from top to bottom, and between the ears too!  ”Kasi cuci baik-baik”  for me now has a new twist to it!

A. Samad Said, the national literary laureate wrote this piece below in Malaysian Insider yesterday:

“Semakin lara kita didera bara —

kita laungkan juga pesan merdeka:

Demokrasi sebenderang mentari

sehasrat hajat semurni harga diri.

Lama resah kita — demokrasi luka;

lama duka kita — demokrasi lara.

Demokrasi yang angkuh, kita cemuhi;

suara bebas yang utuh, kita idami!

Dua abad lalu Sam Adams berseru:

(di Boston dijirus teh ke laut biru):

Tak diperlu gempita sorak yang gebu,

diperlu hanya unggun api yang syahdu.

Kini menyalalah unggun sakti itu;

kini merebaklah nyala unggun itu.”

… and got promptly arrested for his efforts!  All of which makes the 8 point demand by the Bersih 2.0 ever so much more relevant today.

Soccer Scholarships & My Skills Carnival

A couple of interesting notifications from an online bulletin board:

1. ECM-Libra Royal Selangor Club (RSC) Junior Soccer Scholarship

Refer:     http://thestar.com.my/metro/story.asp?file=/2011/6/13/central/8819522&sec=central

If you are talented or know anyone who is,  and would like to apply for the scholarship contact:

Ganesan at sunshineguy35@yahoo.com

2. My Skills Carnival 2011

• It has been stated that around 8,000 Indian students obtain unsatisfactory results in the SPM every year.
• More shocking is that many of these students do not continue their education or enroll in skills training program whether in public or private institutions.
• In view of this the organizers aim to assist to place at 5,000 of these Indian youths in various government       sponsored skill training courses.
• Organized by Special Implementation Taskforce on Indian Community (PM’s Department) together with MIC, Kelab Bell Belia Tamil, Majlis Belia Hindu Malaysia and Majlis Belia India Malaysia.

Courses Available:

• CIDB (Construction Industrial Development Board), Qualifying age: 17- 35 years old
• IKBN (Institut Kemahiran Belia Negara), Qualifying age: 18 – 30 years old
• NATC (National Agriculture Training Centre), Qualifying age: below 25 years old
• SKIM PERANTISAN PSMB, Qualifying age: 16 – 25 years old
• ILP (Institut Latihan Perindustrian), Qualifying age: 17 – 30 years old
• SLDN (Skim Latihan Dual Nasional), Qualifying age: 16 – 35 years old

Fore more information, please contact:

• 03/07/11 – Dewan Tunku Canselor, Universiti Malaya, Kuala Lumpur.
• 09/07/11 – Wisma MIC, Seremban, Negeri Sembilan
• 15/07/11 – Dewan Kuil Mariamman, Buntong, Perak
• 16/07/11 – Dewan MPB Bentong, Pahang
• 23/07/11 – Dewan Serbaguna Skudai, Johor
• 24/07/11 – SJKT Saraswathy Sg. Petani, Kedah
• 06/08/11 – Dewan Hj. Ahmad Badawi, Bagan Dalam, Penang

from 10.00 am – 6.00 pm at the above venues, and also:

Sekretariat MY SKILLS CARNIVAL
Pasukan Petugas Khas Pelaksanaan (Jawatankuasa Kabinet Masyarakat India)
Jabatan Perdana Menteri
Aras 9, Block D3, Kompleks D
Pusat Pentadbiran Kerajaan Persekutuan
62530 Putrajaya
Tel.: 03-8871 1280
Fax.: 03-8890 5204

“Success starts with a dream, a thought; but that’s only the first step. Writing it down is the second step. Doing specific things to bring it about is the third step”

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Laundry Service Pt. 2

Trick Question:

Which of the following is detrimental to national security, racial harmony, inter-faith dialogue, justice and peace in the country?

1. Clean the electoral roll
The electoral roll is marred with irregularities such as deceased persons and multiple persons registered under a single address or non-existent addresses. The electoral roll must be revised and updated to wipe out these ‘phantom voters’. The rakyat have a right to an electoral roll that is an accurate reflection of the voting population.

In the longer term, BERSIH 2.0 also calls for the EC to implement an automated voter registration system upon eligibility to reduce irregularities.

2. Reform postal ballot
The current postal ballot system must be reformed to ensure that all citizens of Malaysia are able to exercise their right to vote. Postal ballot should not only be open for all Malaysian citizens living abroad, but also for those within the country who cannot be physically present in their voting constituency on polling day. Police, military and civil servants too must vote normally like other voters if not on duty on polling day.

The postal ballot system must be transparent. Party agents should be allowed to monitor the entire process of postal voting.

3. Use of indelible ink
Indelible ink must be used in all elections. It is a simple, affordable and effective solution in preventing voter fraud. In 2007, the EC decided to implement the use of indelible ink. However, in the final days leading up to the 12th General Elections, the EC decided to withdraw the use of indelible ink citing legal reasons and rumours of sabotage.

BERSIH 2.0 demands for indelible ink to be used for all the upcoming elections. Failure to do so will lead to the inevitable conclusion that there is an intention to allow voter fraud.

4. Minimum 21 days campaign period
The EC should stipulate a campaign period of not less than 21 days. A longer campaign period would allow voters more time to gather information and deliberate on their choices. It will also allow candidates more time to disseminate information to rural areas. The first national elections in 1955 under the British Colonial Government had a campaign period of 42 days but the campaign period for 12th GE in 2008 was a mere 8 days.

5. Free and fair access to media
It is no secret that the Malaysian mainstream media fails to practice proportionate, fair and objective reporting for political parties of all divide. BERSIH 2.0 calls on the EC to press for all media agencies, especially state-funded media agencies such as Radio and Television Malaysia (RTM) and Bernama to allocate proportionate and objective coverage for all potlical parties.

6. Strengthen public institutions
Public institutions must act independently and impartially in upholding the rule of law and democracy. Public institutions such as the Judiciary, Attorney-General, Malaysian Anti-Corruption Agency (MACC), Police and the EC must be reformed to act independently, uphold laws and protect human rights.

In particular, the EC must perform its constitutional duty to act independently and impartially so as to enjoy public confidence. The EC cannot continue to claim that they have no power to act, as the law provides for sufficient powers to institute a credible electoral system.

7. Stop corruption
Corruption is a disease that has infected every aspect of Malaysian life. BERSIH 2.0 and the rakyat demand for an end to all forms of corruption. Current efforts to eradicate corruption are mere tokens to appease public grouses. We demand that serious action is taken against ALL allegations of corruption, including vote buying.

8. Stop dirty politics
Malaysians are tired of dirty politics that has been the main feature of the Malaysian political arena. We demand for all political parties and politicians to put an end to gutter politics. As citizens and voters, we are not interested in gutter politics; we are interested in policies that affect the nation.

Answer to above question:  

None.  Because what’s stated above is what ALL Malaysians would want, save for those who have vested interest in its not coming to fruition. And that is what the Bersih 2.0 is asking for.  So, what’s itching those who are clamouring against these reforms?

Clean laundry anyone?

Laundry Service

No, sorry to disappoint but this has nothing much in similar to Shakira’s Laundry Service
huge hit sometime ago except the title (!) but it does come with a heartfelt message from a young Malaysian, whom I’ve got to admit have not heard about before.

Check out what  Low Weiyan  has to say:

Here’s a short take, in his own words:

"Hi, my name is Low Weiyan,
that is my real name for I have nothing to hide. Upon reading articles from 
different media sources as of late I am appalled at the current state of things 
surrounding the upcoming Bersih rally".....

For the uninitiated, an online poll by The Star pointed out that 99% of the 1 million Malaysians polled supported the Bersih Rally, which incidentally has gone missing from the People’s Paper since yesterday!! Well, this is Bolehland…. where anything can happen and now you see it, now you don’t!

Someone has also posted an “Official Bersih 2.0″ theme song on Youtube:

While it would be great if the song had been in Bahasa Malaysia, nevertheless I also learnt a long time ago from a mentor that the only language that matters is the language of Love.  In this context, it would mean love for the country.

All said and done, 99% of 1 million Malaysians want and deserve good “laundry service”.  If you want clean “underwear”. If you love this country, then you would do something positive.  If for whatever reason, you can’t be at the Bersih 2.0 Rally, then at least in spirit and word.  How? Simply by passing the message on; by praying for this nation; by lighting a candle wherever you are. Every act and thought counts.

And a reminder from the Gospel:

“Be Not Afraid” (Mark 6:51), the same quote that Pope John Paul II  exhorted against the evil of communism at the beginning of his papacy.

Our Fathers

They played this clip in church this morning:

There weren’t many dry eyes after that.  It got me thinking too.

I thought about my own father, who was in many ways my first hero and my other Father who art in heaven –  who, in spite of my doubts, fears and failures has stood by and at times has had to carry me through the storms of my life.  I remembered the many father figures who have walked through my life – among them cousins, godfathers and uncles who indulged me when I was a kid and took me to school on my first day,  showed me there was such a thing as the  BBC World Service on the short wave radio where I could listen to live broadcasts of the English 1st Division football matches.

Then there were those who introduced me to my first LP records and CCR, Bee Gees, Beatles, Dawn and so many more, from where there has been no return!  Later, came the teachers, formators and youth leaders, who taught me how to lead by word and deed.  When I moved away from home, in stepped neighbours and total strangers into my life at different times for different reasons, to keep me company so that for a little while at least, I would  be alone but not lonely.  Much later, as a young man searching for direction and meaning, I remembered the many seminarians, religious and priests, who let me into their world; who were patient with my questions and grumblings.  Among them,  a select few became close confidants and fellow travellers who encouraged and inspired me like I’ve never been inspired before.

It suddenly dawned on me how much I had a lot to be thankful for to all of these people.  And now that circle has come round – I am a father, and I too have a responsibility to my own son.  It’s to all these persons, past and present, far and near I have to look to. If I could just take a little bit from all the experiences from each of my “fathers” – and pass them on to my son – I think it would have been all worthwhile after all, which would make the following sobering thought from Charles Wadworth, a little more acceptable:

“By the time a man realizes that maybe his father was right, he usually has a son who thinks he’s wrong!” 

Thank you all you fathers – who have come into my life, whether for just a little while or otherwise.  Some of you are no longer here. Others are far away. Some, I have lost touch with.  Wherever you may be now. God bless all of you today and everyday.  I’ve been blessed by knowing you.  Happy Father’s Day!

Message from a Recyclable Bag

This particular bag is from a couple of years ago. Only today I saw the message…..

A bit late to the party perhaps but better late than never!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

But then again, take those same words and skew them a around bit and you would get this:

“The best way to destroy a friend is to make him your enemy”

Which is what those who have the clout and the audacity to do so are clamouring for all around us.  Just check out the MSM (mainstream media) for one. Then there are others who proclaim one thing but mean another.  Again, a quick scan of the local media can show up all those who peddle those kind of ideas.

Incidentally, yesterday (3/6/11) was exactly one month after World Press Freedom Day, which as almost always the case in Bolehland, came and went without any fanfare.  The Center for Independent Journalism though begs to differ and has urged us, the “have-nots”, to reclaim the media.

Coming back to the message from the recyclable plastic bag – we have two choices. Either we let ourselves be dragged down into the mud with the fellows who are hell bent on making us all enemies of one another OR we decide to to transcend these petty thinking types, say NO to their rotten agendas and keep trying to forge another path for this land of ours, one where justice and peace prevails.

Maybe Paul Simon and Art Garfunkel’s old tale of “the voice of the prophets being written on subway walls and tenement halls” still carry a message, even today, part of which goes like this:

“And in the naked light I saw Ten thousand people, maybe more. People talking without speaking, People hearing without listening, People writing songs that voices never share And no one dared Disturb the sound of silence. “Fools” said I, “You do not know Silence like a cancer grows. Hear my words that I might teach you, Take my arms that I might reach you.” But my words like silent raindrops fell, And echoed In the wells of silence.”

Isn’t  it about time we go disturb these walls of silence?

Power to the People (2)

In the light of the government announcement on the increase in electricity tariffs, read the following two articles that show up the startling power play that casts doubts on the reasons behind the removal of subsidies:

1. Kua Kia Soong‘s “Well-connected IPPS, badly conned consumers”; and

2. Tony Pua‘s take on how “Putrajaya misled public over power deals”.

There’s simply too much grey areas that casts a huge shadow over the whole privatisation of electricity generation in Malaysia. As pointed out by Dr. Kua, these government policies should have done at least the following:

i) The privatised service must be cheaper and better than that formerly provided by the state. If not, what benefit is it to the people?

(ii) The privatised service must be more efficient than that provided by the government.

(iii) The privatised industry must not have assistance from the government in order to be viable.

But it seems it has been wrong on all three points, and worse, the government is content to keep repeating the premise that “it’s powerless to do anything from a legal standpoint.”

Let’s remind them though, that they too have an agreement with us – every 5 years or so, we can boot ‘em out if they keep on screwing us like this.

“The power of the people and the power of reason are one” - Georg Buchner