tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-792270503625118512024-03-14T16:37:17.636+08:00Parliament NewsAnonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17529486333291597055noreply@blogger.comBlogger336125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-79227050362511851.post-29719380312781322602008-12-13T10:12:00.002+08:002008-12-13T10:18:21.110+08:00The political war to shape ‘intellectually weak’ Malaysian university students<div style="text-align: justify;"><a href="http://www.nst.com.my/Misc/Parliament/dispatch/story/20081211223126/Article/index1_html">NST (11/12/08)</a>: The Malaysian education “systems” (note the enhanced plurality) are a primeval sub-division for contiguous political power play in that students are not allowed to join political parties but can be politically active and run for student office. As pawns and lab rats for socio-education engineering, they are perfect foil for politicians of all stripes bidding to push their parochial agendas.<br /><br />The continuing battle to ensure dominance of languages to the grudgingly bitter acceptance of English as a crucial medium of instruction to the balkanisation of vernacular teaching guarantees that education, in whatever form necessary, is the hotbed of a nervous political war to shape the minds and mindsets of the young, in this case anyone generally below 23-years-old, the age where most students on a linear progression in life graduates from universities.<br /><br />Nothing is taken for granted when it comes to our children’s education. While the focus is always on the sacrificially aggressive parents with no qualms of mortgaging their homes to pay for their child’s expensive education, very little attention is paid on their kids’ foetal political growth. The perception is that the Universities and University Colleges Act, 1971 had successfully blunted political growth while the child is still on a fixed studying programme.<br /><br />Nevertheless, political activism in higher education is an exponential battlefield, the invasion coming from all sides of the well-intentioned to the eclectically-intent political parties to the body with the most extreme views. However you cut it, universities are a pervasive dreamscape of political manipulation and in the attitudes of politicians with the highly infectious doctrines, there is no better avenue than to influence and shape a youngster’s hungry curiosity for knowledge, expression and rebellion, as long as their learning curve is bent towards the politician’s ideology and demagoguery.<br /><br />Kids from six years on to teenagers of pubescent innocence to those with the juvenile angst, and then to the seriousness of college humdrum and mind-boggling competition, are subtly exposed to the realpolitik of how they should be taught the basics of alphabets, maths, science and life in a multitude of languages and dispensatory control. Case in point is the Chinese educationists’ threat to hold street protests if the Government continues teaching Science and Maths in English and the Malay educationists who insist on teaching the two subjects again in Bahasa Melayu.<br /><br />Officially, our students must be taught basic information from approved syllabuses but unofficially, the incessant drilling of political doctrines is widely intrusive. Some political parties have successfully drummed up abundant support among students as the cesspool for future support, votes and even candidacy.<br /><br />It would be fair to assume that not every student is susceptible to this aspect of political inducement, just the ones with the hardiest rebellious streak while the rest are content with earning their degrees unobstructed, perhaps learn a trick or two in academic acumen and then proceed to join the distressing rat race amid the severe global economic doldrums.<br /><br />This had been the mantra for students for all those 37 years since the UUCA was conceived, and it is also why the troublesome Datuk Tajuddin Rahman (BN-Pasir Salak) rose today in the House to label undergraduates as “intellectually weak”, not because of their busy politicking schedule, but because they are, not to put a fine point to it, “plain lazy”.<br /><br />While debating the Universities and University Colleges (Amendment) Bill 2008, here was how he dazzlingly characterised the “intellectually weak”: "They don't go to the libraries and pursue additional knowledge to improve their minds. They are even lazy to read reference books as it is in English. They said it is difficult, gives them a headache. They only went for exams equipped with knowledge obtained from the lecture hall.”<br /><br />And how did he arrive to this tenuous verdict? Tajuddin based his abrasive remarks on interviewing undergraduates for employment in his company. "Many had little general knowledge simply because they did not read enough," he lamented while somehow acknowledging that as political activists, our students need no prodding.<br /><br />"I am not saying politics is not important. I am saying they should concentrate on improving their minds first. This country needs engineers, accountants, industrialists, entrepreneurs," he asseverated.<br /><br />Does politics have a correlation between academic excellence and a dolt of a student who nevertheless has high political ambitions? The Oxfordian Khairy Jamaluddin (BN-Rembau) does did not think so, contending that there should not be double standards. He even espouses the ideal situation where the Government allows opposition parties to be active in local universities.<br /><br />If this is the ideal that Khairy is advocating, then it may be academic: political parties have long penetrated universities to expand their doctrinal base. The students’ rebel rousing protests against exotic female singers performing in their campuses can be regarded as proof of these parties’ triumphant reach.<br /><br />But Malaysian educators might consider Tajuddin’s brazen raking of our college boys and girls through the coals as obnoxious. Are they so I-Robot like that they are capable only of reading notes provided by lecturers or procured at tutorials as a means to progress?<br /><br />However, truth be told, even if it is spewed by politicians of Tajuddin’s ilk who are in need of buckets of mouthwash in lieu of his earlier scatological escapades in the House, it is one of the more damning observations a politician can inject during an inflective moment when the whole Malaysian education system is in peril of gross mistreatment by political marauders, opportunists and instigators looking for the next populist issue.<br /><br />But, ingratiating politicians aside, Tajuddin’s point should be contemplated as an indictment of the whole education system where rote learning, memorising and question spotting has bubbled into a vibrant industry where knowledge, understanding and enlightenment is as unthinkable as imploring our children to play professional sports.<br /><br />Tajuddin’s allegory is actually unoriginal and unsurprising: children have over the years been reduced to simply attending school and universities to only pass examinations and earn degrees. That’s why books on literature and the great knowledge have become historical dustbins. And that is why workbooks to pass examinations flourish commercially, championed and pitched by principals and teachers with an eye on their next commission.<br /><br />Malaysia upholds ban on student political activity<br /><br /><a href="http://www.mysinchew.com/node/19184?tid=14">MySinChew (12/12/08)</a>: Malaysia's Parliament has amended a law to allow university students to join social groups but still bans them from political parties, a restriction slammed by critics Friday (12 Dec).<br /><br />Lawmakers approved the amendments to the Universities and University College Act late Thursday (11 Dec) to allow students to become members of social and other groups outside campus.<br /><br />But they left untouched a clause that bans students from joining political parties, illegal groups or any other organizations that the government specifies. The law also states that students are not allowed to express support for any political party.<br /><br />The amendments need to be approved by the Senate and king before taking effect, but these steps are usually formalities.<br /><br />"In many ways there is more freedom now, except that they cannot join political parties or express support for them. But they can express their views," said Rozaid Abdul Rahman, an aide to Higher Education Minister Khaled Nordin.<br /><br />Ridzuan Mohammad, coordinator of a coalition of eight student groups that campaigned for the act to be repealed, said the ban on political activities leaves students reluctant to speak up for fear of disciplinary action.<br /><br />"Those changes are cosmetic," said the 22-year-old Universiti Malaya education student. "We want the UUCA to be abolished."<br /><br />Government officials have argued that the law _ introduced in 1971 to quell student unrest _ is necessary so students concentrate on their studies and don't get influenced by politicians.<br /><br />Opposition politicians voted against the amendments to the law, which they say restricts freedom of expression and fundamental human rights.<br /><br />"It's strange to say this is an improvement," said Tian Chua, a lawmaker with the opposition People's Justice Party. (And from <a href="http://news.google.com.my/news?ncl=1279638632&hl=en&topic=n&scoring=d">Google</a>)<br /></div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17529486333291597055noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-79227050362511851.post-65053169650583946142008-11-30T00:56:00.001+08:002008-11-30T00:59:12.573+08:00Tajuddin may get the stick<div style="text-align: justify;"><a href="http://www.mmail.com.my/Tajuddin_may_get_the_stick.aspx">Malay Mail (28/11/08)</a>: Psychoanalysts say overreaction is a trait exhibited by children. But if you follow this argument, then you would be at a loss trying to explain the behaviour of our politicians, some of whom are, figuratively speaking, older than the hills.<br /><br />When children misbehave or conduct themselves badly, adults advise or chide them to try to get them to mend their ways. Most grow out of their difficult years, but some of our politicians, unfortunately, may still be children trapped in adults’ bodies.<br /><br />Whether he is one of them is subject to debate, but one thing is for sure: Datuk Tajuddin Abdul Rahman (BN-Pasir Salak) is ultra-stubborn.<br /><br />Having earned many colourful nicknames, among them keturunan lanun (descendent of pirates), from his peers and foes alike, Tajuddin, who came under heavy fire for uttering the word "b******" in parliament recently, yet again showed his defiance to calls for gentlemanly conduct in the august house.<br /><br />Repeatedly warned by speakers and deputy speakers in the past for his penchant for vulgarities and crude behaviour, the menacing parliamentarian yesterday remained true to form as he raised his voice, volleyed abuses interjected with sexual innuendos.<br /><br />It was too much to bear, even among his Barisan Nasional colleagues, as both backbenchers and opposition rallied to keep such unparliamentary behaviour out of the House.<br /><br />This prompted Deputy Speaker Datuk Dr Wan Junaidi Tuanku Jaafar to announce that a decision would be made against Tajuddin for uttering remarks deemed suggestive in nature to Dr Mujahid Yusof Rawa (Pas-Parit Buntar) in the Dewan Rakyat on Wednesday.<br /><br />Noting that some MPs had gone overboard in using harsh language and unparliamentary words, Wan Junaidi said he would discuss with his colleague Datuk Ronald Kiandee, the Deputy Speaker in charge on Wednesday, and Speaker Tan Sri Pandikar Amin Mulia before making a ruling.<br /><br />"I was not in the House at that time. I did not watch the proceedings on the monitor and was not aware of what had happened. But I have been informed about it. And I feel sad that this has been done by an MP," Wan Junaidi said.<br /><br />"However, I can’t make a decision in haste. I will discuss it with Kiandee. But, from the information I received, it was indeed disappointing that such words were used," he said, adding he would also check the Hansard.<br /><br />Earlier, Fong Po Kuan (DAP-Batu Gajah) said that Tajuddin had used sexually offensive language against Dr Mujahid when he (Mujahid) was debating a motion tabled by Teo Nie Ching (DAP-Serdang).<br /><br />"Pasir Salak has always been using harsh words. Yesterday (Wednesday), he insulted another race. And then, he used words which berbau lucah (have sexual connotations). How can we let him repeatedly tarnish the (reputation of) Parliament? Stern action must be taken against him," said Fong.<br /><br />"Why does he continuously insult the Dewan and the MPs and gets away scot-free? Please make a decision to protect the good name of the Dewan."<br /><br />Fong was supported by M. Kulasegaran (DAP-Ipoh Barat), who called for Tajuddin to be suspended from the Dewan under Article 26(1)(h) of the Standing Order.<br /><br />He said if action was not taken against Tajuddin, the House would be practising double standards because when "Gobind Singh Deo (DAP-Puchong) used disrespectful words and he was thrown out," Kulasegaran said.<br /><br />Chong Chieng Jen (DAP-Bandar Kuching) said he witnessed the incident on Wednesday and saw Kiandee "shaking his head in disgust".<br /><br />"What Tajuddin did was humiliating."<br /><br />Datuk Seri Wilfred Bumburing (BN-Tuaran), who supported the call, said BN MPs also viewed the matter seriously. As a long-term MP, he felt the MP must be of a "higher standard" and uphold their dignity.<br /><br />The episode unfolded on Wednesday during a motion to dock RM10 from Education Minister Datuk Seri Hishamuddin Hussein’s salary when it turned into a shouting match with Tajuddin calling Kulasegaran "k*****".<br /><br />Opposition MPs demanded Tajuddin immediately withdraw the derogatory term, with Azmin Ali (PKR-Gombak) protesting to Kiandee that Tajuddin was up to his offensive name-calling tricks again and deserved a strong telling off. Kiandee agreed and asked Tajuddin to withdraw his inflammatory word.<br /><br />"I don’t want to. Why is he (Kulasegaran) allowed to say anything he wants? He is the one who’s kurang ajar (uncouth)," said the unfazed Tajuddin, which earned him a reprimand from Kiandee and a rebuke from Datuk Muhammad Aziz (BN-Sri Gading).<br /><br />Tajuddin withdrew the derogatory word he hurled at Kulasegaran but the peace was only momentary.<br /><br />A short while later, while Azmin was following-up on the RM10 ringgit motion against Hishammuddin, Tajuddin sprang to his feet and interjected Azmin’s criticism as biol (stupid).<br /><br />Azmin blurted out his annoyance: "This is too much. If it is only once or twice, it is forgivable, but everytime he opens his mouth, he has no respect for anyone."<br /><br />After prompting Kiandee to order a withdrawal, Tajuddin retracted but showed no remorse.<br /><br />"OK la, the good, smart... and interesting YB Gombak. I withdraw the word biol," he said.<br /><br />The altercations overshadowed the sexual innuendoes he earlier uttered while Dr Mujahid was speaking.<br /><br />This had not escaped Yong’s attention as she yesterday expressed her disgust with Tajuddin’s suggestive remarks.<br /><br />"His actions have affected the name of Parliament. Before this, he had used abusive words and this had hurt the people's sentiment. Are you going to allow him to repeatedly abuse the sanctity of Parliament?" she asked.<br /><br />During the entire speech by Dr Mujahid, Tajuddin kept interrupting to be allowed to interject, uttering remarks like masuk, tak masuk lagi, tak bagi masuk, main tepi saja, bila nak keluar air dia!<br /><br />And Dr Mujahid, innocently kept saying tunggulah, nantilah and sabar lah, belum lagi.</div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17529486333291597055noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-79227050362511851.post-9687795904911987002008-11-08T09:28:00.003+08:002008-11-08T09:39:57.424+08:00Doing good by PAS<div style="text-align: justify;">Dr Siti Mariah Mahmud, a first-time Member of Parliament (Kota RaJa) and a central committee member of PAS, represents the new dynamic progressive voice of the Islamic party. She spoke to Rathi Ramanathan on issues ranging from women’s issues, the NEP and homosexuality.<br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /><a href="http://sun2surf.com/article.cfm?id=26410">TheSun</a>: You were a practising medical doctor. When and what made you turn to a political career with PAS?<br />Siti Mariah: I was a practising doctor for less than three years before I joined UKM as a lecturer, in pre-clinical science. I still do a bit of clinical work like diagnosing hypertension, diabetes etc.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://sun2surf.com/images/sun2surf/articles/26410//siti3.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 153px; height: 314px;" src="http://sun2surf.com/images/sun2surf/articles/26410//siti3.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a>I joined as an ordinary member of PAS in 1993 but only became politically active in 1997 when I resigned as a lecturer from UPM. I chose PAS because of my religiosity and Islamic tendencies. Islam is a way of life, so understanding of politics is one thing, but the party reflects Islamic values. All in my family are PAS members, including my mother who rose to be deputy chief of the Muslimat (women’s wing).<br /><br />Interestingly, there are more women drawn into politics through PAS. Did your husband object to your joining PAS?<br />My husband is also a PAS member. I waited until the youngest of my six children started Standard One before I made the decision to be politically active in 1997. Before that I also had a full-time job.<br /><br />Do you miss being a doctor?<br />I do miss it as I love seeing patients. But a doctor’s job is demanding and my priority was then with my family. I was also helping my husband run his business before being elected MP.<br /><br />As a first time Member of Parliament, how are you finding public life? How has it affected your life and how are you coping?<br />I hardly have time for the family. I have to reschedule the time with my family due to my parliamentary and constituency demands. But I am enjoying these new demands because I love meeting people. Furthermore, I no longer have to worry about earning an extra income as there is more financial independence when you are an MP and it gives me the flexibility to check in on the family business when I need to but I have delegated my duties to my daughter.<br /><br />PAS appears to be reinventing itself. What can you tell us about the party’s progressive agenda?<br />It has a progressive agenda. Islam is a universal religion. In the last 10 years of engagement with the various sectors of society, we have found that Islam has been propagandised. However, when we took time to explain the universality of Islam and that Islam protects all and gives rights to all, we found non-Muslims to be very receptive.<br /><br />Race is not an issue as Islam is the overarching banner which is why we have created a new slogan – PAS for all – which communicates the message that we will fight for everyone’s right. However, PAS is an old party ... now 50 years old and we have a wide spectrum of members with intellectual and economic capacities. Our grassroots are mainly Malay rural folk and now urban and lately, we have attracted non-Muslims, too.<br /><br />We have been toying with the idea of having non-Muslims, especially the younger generation of Indians as members for the last ten years. We know we cannot be the main and dominant party without the non-Muslim support. They also want us to consider extending membership to them. Our own members consist of old-timers and non-progressives who fear that if we have non-Muslims as members our Islamic agenda will be diluted and we have conveyed that fear to our non-Muslim supporters.<br /><br />How have you attracted urban support?<br />It has been through our openness toward new ideas. When it comes to Islamic knowledge and understanding of politics, the urban members are more exposed, well-read, and intellectually stronger compared to our core rural supporters. But we still have to keep in mind our core supporters. They believe Islam is a way of life but in terms of knowledge, we base our interpretation on the Madinah (Medina) model. But we have to adapt accordingly so we have intellectuals who do this and this process in turn has attracted the urbanites.<br /><br />So would you say the road to a progressive agenda and to re-invent PAS is based on getting the non-Muslims on board or the reforms have to happen before wooing the non-Muslims?<br />I think it has to be both. You must engage the non- Muslims and also maintain your core supporters. Right now the non-Muslims are prepared to join us and have expressed that they are happy to just join as members. However, they would not have the full rights as standing members and cannot join party ranks.<br /><br />The head of the party will always be a Muslim and the ulamah will also have a final say in policy matters even if we did allow non-Muslims in as members.<br /><br />Our decisions are based on the Quran and the Sunnah and we do not make decisions without lengthy debate which needs consensus building. The party head can use veto powers but even before that, he must have consensus.<br /><br />For example, our Hindraf supporters, because they don’t belong to a party machinery, have a harder time accepting changes and understandably want to see instant improvements. So we worry also that there may be some tension within the party should they join.<br /><br />The status quo is that we would rather work on the basis of accepting our members as equals and at the same time educate our non-Muslim aspirants on our party struggle. If our core members can accept this then we will allow non-Muslims into our party, otherwise, there will be conflict.<br /><br />Is one of area of contention the Hudud laws?<br />Hudud law is only the criminal part of Islam. Until and when people can understand those laws, we will not implement them. There remains a lot of ignorance surrounding Hudud laws as we were never given the opportunity to explain. Hudud laws would apply to only criminals and the process of law is still the same as any other, only the final punishment differs. As Muslims we have to believe in the ultimate law of God and make sure it can function.<br /><br />It is not unlike what women’s groups and the civil society underwent when lobbying for the rape laws. Without proper guidance and education, there was a lot of resistance.<br /><br />We will need also to engage academicians and experts on jurisprudence before we implement the laws and then we need to train lawyers, too. Furthermore, as a member of the Pakatan, we also have to ensure that the other parties also accept the Hudud laws.If we cannot convince them, how would we be able to convince the rakyat? It is not on the top of our agenda as uppermost in our list is social justice and the welfare of the people.<br /><br />How large are the progressive voices within PAS?<br />The progressive voices are evident in the middle ranks and they are now large, and growing.<br /><br />Let’s talk about the progressive agenda of women’s rights and gender equality. What efforts has PAS made towards this end?<br />Islam itself guarantees women’s rights but it is the practices that are not in line. As far as women’s rights are concerned, we have no problem with the methodology. We do need to understand husbands’ rights and wives’ rights. And, if we are talking about rights, we also have to talk about responsibilities.<br /><br />In PAS, these things are clear, and we do not agree with the position that the party is gender biased. It is up to the women in the party to chart their role in this society.<br /><br />It is how you quote the laws as the principles are there but lawyers, jurists have to interpret them in a way that is just for both men and women.<br /><br />On the issue of polygamy, men talk about it as their right, but it is not. There are clear conditions that must be satisfied and women can refuse to allow it. If we were to remove polygamy now, women would be the victims as many marriages are not even registered. So the focus in our view is on enforcement. Are these men in fact getting their wives’ permission?<br /><br />Polygamy would not be widespread unless women have consented to it. That is why polygamy is not about your right ... it also concerns the right of the family. So we need women and men to understand the laws and issues surrounding polygamy.<br /><br />Is PAS engaging Sisters (SIS) in Islam?<br />Unfortunately, not actively. I think it is because of their image that there are problems in engaging them. SIS have done wonderful work, it is just their approach. Customs and traditions are difficult to overcome. We have our ulamah who think in a certain way. Sometimes progressive ideas are perceived to come from the West and when they fail to succeed in engaging these, the ulamah become defensive.<br /><br />Are you and other women in the Muslimat (women’s wing) pushing for a progressive agenda for women?<br />We are focusing on the role of women, yes. Ten years ago women in PAS generally were happy not to be in the front line but that view has shifted. We played an active role and demanded, in subtle ways and pushed for ourselves to participate politically, for example, in elections.<br /><br />Now we are witnessing PAS women candidates in the front line but we do not support the idea of quota, because we believe these candidates must be capable as much effort has been made in training them not to feel inferior. If we see women who are capable, we push them forward. We have seen steady progress. For example, in previous elections only 11 women were fielded and in the 2008 elections, that number rose to 13. At the state level, we have ensured that in both Kelantan and Kedah executive councils women are represented.<br /><br />Is there a ceiling for women in PAS?<br />Yes, one day, but in my life time, perhaps as high as vice-president, not president. The party is not ready for that kind of change.<br /><br />You are a member of the steering committee on the Coalition Against Health Care Privatisation? Can you explain what the coalition intends to focus on?<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://sun2surf.com/images/sun2surf/articles/26410/siti.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 150px;" src="http://sun2surf.com/images/sun2surf/articles/26410/siti.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><br />We have to press on with the "health for all" agenda and we want to protect our public health sector so that it is accessible to all citizens and non-citizens. There are new forces like health tourism which have negatively impacted on the delivery of quality health services as more doctors are drawn to higher salaries in the private sector. The extending of private wings in public hospitals is also a big worry as it cannot but have an impact on the quality of healthcare services when doctors will be overworked.<br /><br />While we understand that health tourism brings in foreign exchange, we would prefer to focus on paying the doctors and paramedics better wages, fees.<br /><br />What is PAS’s position on HIV and homosexuality? Shouldn’t the Health Ministry be concerned about sodomy laws that prevent men having sex with men to come forward for prevention, testing, care and support?<br />HIV is just like any other disease. It can easily move into an epidemic stage. Sad to say, PAS has never actively engaged itself with people living with HIV and the homosexuals. But we don’t support the Health Ministry’s position regarding distribution of condoms.<br /><br />The reason being, we worry that values are not being addressed and certain sexual practices become a norm and these practices will flourish.<br /><br />Religion is a powerful tool for behavioural change and should be part of the HIV response. We only focus on harm reduction programmes without trying to change their values. Our experience has been that religious leaders are only engaged at the end and made use of.<br /><br />So you are saying you are not involved in the policy formulation and that any consultation is tokenism?<br />Yes. Only when they want us to talk about our perspective, is our position and viewpoint asked. We don’t have a committee looking into issues of HIV, AIDS and sex workers for example unlike other areas like poverty eradication. When NGOs and other civil society groups involve us in their consultation we will direct our resources and information so that PAS can be better informed.<br /><br />However, it is clear that there is no active attempt to impart religious values. NGOs will call it indoctrination. But we need to impart values and at the same time, hold their hand. When one focuses on helping sex workers, you must also offer them real informed choices and the right support services to get them out of sex work permanently.<br /><br />Would it be because of the fear of further stigmatisation that NGOs have been reluctant to engage religious leaders and PAS members?<br />We have to train our people. For myself, there is no problem as being trained as a doctor I can hold anyone’s hand. Engagement will help us to be less judgmental. We are less judgmental now than in the past because we are engaging. We want to hear what these groups have to say. I don’t blame them from staying away and fearing PAS. For example, religion does not allow me to shake hands with men and non-Muslims when I visit my constituency but I compromise by using a glove as I know there is little time to educate them on this. After the elections, by engaging non-Muslims and talking to them they now accept why I cannot salaam them and they accept it and respect my principles. Even the issue of entering a Hindu temple ... there is nothing haram about me going into a Hindu temple but as a politician I worry because of the backlash from Muslims. However, now my Indian constituents do understand me.<br /><br />So PAS can never accept homosexuality?<br />We accept the people but we cannot accept the act. Our focus is getting them to come back to the straight path. When we engage them, our aim is to correct their values. Whether we succeed in their rehabilitation or not is not our responsibility. We give them the option of listening to our message.Whether you change or not is between you and God.<br /><br />What is PAS’s position on the NEP? Many would argue it is a form of institutionalised racism? Would you agree?<br />Initially, it was not like that when it was developed on the premise of narrowing the income gap between the Malays and non-Malays and to eradicate poverty irrespective of race and religion. But yes, it has developed to become institutionalised racism. While Malays have benefited, it is the Indians now who are impoverished.<br /><br />So NEP led to the poor condition of the Indians?<br />Yes, but I would not just blame the NEP but also the MIC leaders who have not brought up the Indian issues to the forefront. That is the role of leaders just as Umno has been strong in advocating for the Malays.<br /><br />While PAS’s position, however, is to reform the NEP, my personal position is that it being a form of institutionalised racism it is difficult to reform and must be dismantled because it is so entrenched. We have to start afresh with a new affirmative action for all who need it.<br /><br />Do you support the idea of a system that leans towards a safety net based on income levels?<br />The government has already extended its safety net programme but it has to be more than that. I have already raised in Parliament for a separate fund to be set aside so that one child per family is given the opportunity to go to university. We have learnt how powerful education can be in lifting families out of poverty. Also, we need poverty eradication to be more targeted so MPs can help families directly and not have to refer the needy to two or three ministries. PAS would also lend its support for an Anti-Discrimination Act to protect all who are discriminated based on race, religion, gender. Discrimination is happening not just at the public sector but the private sector as well. There is so much fear that if the NEP is dismantled, the Chinese and Indians will not hire the Malays. This legislation is aimed at protecting all and alleviating such fears.<br /><br />What is PAS’s position on human rights?<br />We believe in social justice and basic political and civil rights, freedom of expression, assembly, but it must be contexualised within collective rather than individual rights. The bottom line with the Islamic struggle is whatever we do, Islam is to be respected and we can practise our religion and if we are suppressed we will fight it. It is our duty to convey and spread the Islamic way of life. We do not coerce people to follow Islam. However, the principles of participation is encouraged through lengthy debates. We never come out with a position without a debate among all party ranks. We believe change has to come from the top and the bottom.</div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17529486333291597055noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-79227050362511851.post-62670769448281104752008-10-23T23:52:00.001+08:002008-10-23T23:54:14.990+08:00Tan Lian Hoe attacked by BN colleague<div style="text-align: center;"><cente><object width="425" height="344"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/u60xMnxSIMc&hl=en&fs=1"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/u60xMnxSIMc&hl=en&fs=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object><br />Courtesy of <a href="http://mediarakyat.net/">Media Rakyat</a></cente></div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17529486333291597055noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-79227050362511851.post-22796083390952121382008-10-21T02:58:00.001+08:002008-10-21T03:00:26.191+08:00Fracas in Parliament<center><object height="344" width="425"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/CYiwbz8Vczw&hl=en&fs=1"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/CYiwbz8Vczw&hl=en&fs=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowfullscreen="true" height="344" width="425"></embed></object></center><div style="text-align: center;">Courtesy of <a href="http://www.youtube.com/user/darulbayan">Darul Bayan</a></div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17529486333291597055noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-79227050362511851.post-52546920912077687692008-10-21T02:53:00.001+08:002008-10-21T02:56:45.056+08:00Budget debate: Where is the minister?!<center><object height="344" width="425"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/MVLh8ETJWmg&hl=en&fs=1"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/MVLh8ETJWmg&hl=en&fs=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowfullscreen="true" height="344" width="425"></embed></object></center>Courtesy of <a href="http://www.youtube.com/user/wancitcat">Wancitcat</a>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17529486333291597055noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-79227050362511851.post-58357573802435823542008-10-21T02:42:00.002+08:002008-10-21T02:53:53.335+08:002009 Budget or history paper?<center><object height="344" width="425"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/qNGZ40wUlgM&hl=en&fs=1"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/qNGZ40wUlgM&hl=en&fs=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowfullscreen="true" height="344" width="425"></embed></object></center><div style="text-align: center;">Courtesy of <a href="http://www.youtube.com/user/darulbayan">Darul Bayan</a></div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17529486333291597055noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-79227050362511851.post-5996142739350274412008-10-21T02:39:00.001+08:002008-10-21T02:42:19.721+08:00ISA and human right<center><object height="344" width="425"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/I82M6K7HLEs&hl=en&fs=1"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/I82M6K7HLEs&hl=en&fs=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowfullscreen="true" height="344" width="425"></embed></object></center><div style="text-align: center;">Courtesy of <a href="http://www.youtube.com/user/RealXone13">RealXone13</a></div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17529486333291597055noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-79227050362511851.post-71850211723190144542008-10-21T01:56:00.002+08:002008-10-21T02:36:21.581+08:00Lim says he has evident AG abuses power<center><object height="344" width="425"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/2SiTxpmTe2c&hl=en&fs=1"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/2SiTxpmTe2c&hl=en&fs=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowfullscreen="true" height="344" width="425"></embed></object></center><div style="text-align: center;">Courtesy of <a href="http://www.youtube.com/user/paskemaman">PAS Kemaman</a></div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17529486333291597055noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-79227050362511851.post-1874471139102499142008-10-21T01:49:00.001+08:002008-10-21T01:56:09.684+08:00Only lip service for Sabahan<center><object height="344" width="425"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/DCWs1d9gDQY&hl=en&fs=1"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/DCWs1d9gDQY&hl=en&fs=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowfullscreen="true" height="344" width="425"></embed></object></center><div style="text-align: center;">Courtesy of <a href="http://www.youtube.com/user/paskemaman">PAS Kemaman</a></div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17529486333291597055noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-79227050362511851.post-23956968514715996722008-10-19T22:44:00.003+08:002008-10-19T22:51:14.303+08:00Parlimen 16/10/08<center><object width="425" height="344"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/Lmj8b6SnNT4&hl=en&fs=1"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/Lmj8b6SnNT4&hl=en&fs=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object></center><br /><center><object width="425" height="344"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/NiIZq0qsEJM&hl=en&fs=1"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/NiIZq0qsEJM&hl=en&fs=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object></center><br /><center><object width="425" height="344"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/1cqnG8YWgKE&hl=en&fs=1"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/1cqnG8YWgKE&hl=en&fs=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object></center><br /><center><object width="425" height="344"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/jCAbSXyDMH4&hl=en&fs=1"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/jCAbSXyDMH4&hl=en&fs=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object></center><br /><div style="text-align: center;">(Courtesy of <a href="http://mediarakyat.net/">Media Rakyat</a>)</div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17529486333291597055noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-79227050362511851.post-41752405735845227492008-10-18T08:48:00.002+08:002008-10-19T22:53:02.161+08:00Parliament 15/10/08<center><object width="425" height="344"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/PZTpCE7aBA8&hl=en&fs=1"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/PZTpCE7aBA8&hl=en&fs=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object><center><br /><center><object width="425" height="344"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/AGguhyfclEk&hl=en&fs=1"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/AGguhyfclEk&hl=en&fs=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object><center><br /><center><object width="425" height="344"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/B2XqqGl31KI&hl=en&fs=1"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/B2XqqGl31KI&hl=en&fs=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object></center><div style="text-align: center;">(Courtesy of <a href="http://mediarakyat.net/">Media Rakyat</a>)</div></center></center></center></center>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17529486333291597055noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-79227050362511851.post-64702518211736913832008-10-18T08:40:00.003+08:002008-10-19T22:53:32.666+08:00Parliament 14/10/08<center><object width="425" height="344"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/qgze2AbDkGA&hl=en&fs=1"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/qgze2AbDkGA&hl=en&fs=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object></center><br /><center><object width="425" height="344"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/JXDxHGUFE1Y&hl=en&fs=1"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/JXDxHGUFE1Y&hl=en&fs=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object></center><br /><center><object width="425" height="344"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/ZNMhjou7ElY&hl=en&fs=1"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/ZNMhjou7ElY&hl=en&fs=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object></center><div style="text-align: center;">(Courtesy of <a href="http://mediarakyat.net/">Media Rakyat</a>)</div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17529486333291597055noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-79227050362511851.post-52724152934684921722008-10-18T08:25:00.002+08:002008-10-19T22:53:53.447+08:00Parliament 13/10/08<center><object width="425" height="344"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/EUZkNhziLpE&hl=en&fs=1"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/EUZkNhziLpE&hl=en&fs=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object></center><br /><center><object width="425" height="344"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/ZplWFG4Cr1A&hl=en&fs=1"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/ZplWFG4Cr1A&hl=en&fs=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object></center><br /><center><object width="425" height="344"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/q8HtZWmz5LY&hl=en&fs=1"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/q8HtZWmz5LY&hl=en&fs=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object></center><div style="text-align: center;">(Courtesy of <a href="http://mediarakyat.net/">Media Rakyat</a>)</div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17529486333291597055noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-79227050362511851.post-42070890117846673642008-10-18T08:17:00.002+08:002008-10-18T08:31:45.131+08:00Parliament 13/10/08 (Maybank)<center><object height="344" width="425"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/k0jr7DZLitM&hl=en&fs=1"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/k0jr7DZLitM&hl=en&fs=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowfullscreen="true" height="344" width="425"></embed></object></center>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17529486333291597055noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-79227050362511851.post-69033739547742084862008-08-19T03:32:00.002+08:002008-08-19T03:35:01.274+08:001,774 ATM personnel involved in UN peacekeeping missions since 2000<div style="text-align: justify;"><a href="http://www.bernama.com.my/bernama/v3/news.php?id=353416">Bernama (18/8/08)</a>: A total of 1,774 Malaysian Defence Forces (ATM) personnel have been involved in United Nations (UN) peacekeeping missions since the year 2000 until now, the Dewan Rakyat was told Monday.<br /><br />Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak said of the number, 1,185 personnel were involved in peacekeeping duties while the other 589 as mission observers or staff officers.<br /><br />Najib, who is also Defence Minister, said during the same period, 10 ATM peacekeepers were injured while three died.<br /><br />He said the ATM's involvement in the missions was beneficial to the nation and also the ATM peacekeepers.<br /><br />"Our involvement is seen as branch of our foreign policy, that is to help other nations that are facing internal or external conflicts. This benefits us in terms of image and clout.<br /><br />"From the angle of the men participating in the missions, Malaysia being a peaceful nation, it gives them invaluable experience as they have to deal with real situations of conflict. This also helps improve their professionalism," he said when replying to a question from Razali Ibrahim (BN-Muar).<br /><br />To a question from Siti Zailah Mohd Yusoff (PAS-Rantau Panjang) on the compensation scheme in case of injuries or fatalities, Najib said all ATM personnel partaking in UN peacekeeping missions were well covered.<br /><br />"In the case of Cpl Jun ak Sang, who died in Lebanon recently, the total compensation received by his family was in excess of RM500,000," he said.</div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17529486333291597055noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-79227050362511851.post-8542500915517992072008-08-19T03:28:00.002+08:002008-08-19T03:30:56.626+08:00Govt to open public debates<div style="text-align: justify;"><a href="http://www.nst.com.my/Current_News/NST/Monday/NewsBreak/20080818144153/Article/index_html">NST (18/8/08)</a>: The Information Ministry will not stifle efforts to organise public debates so long as suitable issues are chosen, said its minister Datuk Ahmad Shabery Cheek.<br /><br />He said the issues chosen should not contravene the Constitution and the principles of the Rukun Negara and must not cause the peace to be threatened.<br /><br />“The ministry believes a more open atmosphere (to discuss issues) is good to expand the thinking of Malaysians in facing the challenges of globalisation,” he said in a written reply to a question from Datuk Seri Abdul Hadi Awang (PAS-Marang) in the Dewan Rakyat today.<br /><br />Hadi had wanted to know if the government would expand the scope of such debates following the one held between Ahmad Shabery and Parti Keadilan Rakyat advisor Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim recently on the latest round of fuel price hikes.<br /><br />Ahmad Shabery said Radio Televisyen Malaysia (RTM) would also continue to air debate programes like “Bersemuka Dengan Media”, “Blog”, “60 Minit Bersama Menteri”, “What Say You”, “Fast Forward” and others based on need to give politicians, non-governmental organisations representatives and academicians to state their views on subjects of interest to the public. (Bernama)<br /></div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17529486333291597055noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-79227050362511851.post-79052722420123578032008-07-14T21:01:00.001+08:002008-07-14T21:07:01.024+08:00No-confidence motion rejected (videos)<center><object height="344" width="425"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/o9hlsuNQAec&hl=en&fs=1"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/o9hlsuNQAec&hl=en&fs=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowfullscreen="true" height="344" width="425"></embed></object></center><br /><center><object height="344" width="425"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/85aPeA41Q5I&hl=en&fs=1"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/85aPeA41Q5I&hl=en&fs=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowfullscreen="true" height="344" width="425"></embed></object></center><br /><center><object height="344" width="425"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/Ousc0AujeUQ&hl=en&fs=1"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/Ousc0AujeUQ&hl=en&fs=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowfullscreen="true" height="344" width="425"></embed></object></center><br /><center><object height="344" width="425"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/MbURH_Dkiyk&hl=en&fs=1"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/MbURH_Dkiyk&hl=en&fs=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowfullscreen="true" height="344" width="425"></embed></object></center><br /><center><object height="344" width="425"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/Cb5nLHSJxI8&hl=en&fs=1"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/Cb5nLHSJxI8&hl=en&fs=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowfullscreen="true" height="344" width="425"></embed></object></center><br /><center><object height="344" width="425"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/lonTXVxWjaY&hl=en&fs=1"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/lonTXVxWjaY&hl=en&fs=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowfullscreen="true" height="344" width="425"></embed></object></center>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17529486333291597055noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-79227050362511851.post-32946449833805508232008-07-14T13:13:00.000+08:002008-07-14T13:14:34.643+08:00No-confidence motion rejected, Opposition MPs walk out<div style="text-align: justify;"><a href="http://thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2008/7/14/nation/20080714122501&sec=nation">The Star (14/7/08)</a>: Speaker Tan Sri Pandikar Amin Mulia rejected an emergency motion of no-confidence against Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi and his Cabinet, which prompted a walkout by Opposition MPs.<br /><br />The motion was filed by Opposition Leader Datuk Seri Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail last Thursday.<br /><br />It was filed as a non-voting motion under Standing Orders 18 (1) and (2).<br /><br />The motion was rejected in the Speaker's chambers under Standing Order 18 (7). Dr Wan Azizah was informed via a letter.<br /><br />The matter was not brought up in Dewan.<br /><br />The motion was rejected by the Speaker due to the "wrong choice of words."<br /><br />The Opposition MPs walked out after their appeal for him to review his decision was rejected.<br /><br />Pakatan Rakyat leaders said they were disappointed with Pandikar Amin's rejection of their emergency motion.<br /><br />They also condemned the police roadblocks across the city, saying the action was "unjustifiable."</div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17529486333291597055noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-79227050362511851.post-75377057712150113242008-07-12T09:10:00.001+08:002008-07-12T09:12:18.303+08:00Opposition files no-confidence motion against PM, cabinet<div style="text-align: justify;"><a href="http://www.theedgedaily.com/cms/content.jsp?id=com.tms.cms.article.Article_100dd05b-cb73c03a-1b092820-489d5fe8">The Edge Daily (11/7/08)</a>: After weeks of threatening to do so, the opposition led by its leader Datin Seri Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail has submitted a motion of no confidence against Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi and his cabinet.<br /><br />Accompanied by other Pakatan Rakyat leaders, Wan Azizah filed the emergency motion under Standing Order 18(1) and (2) at the Dewan Rakyat Speaker’s office in parliament at about 3.45pm yesterday.<br /><br />Dewan Rakyat Speaker Tan Sri Pandikar Amin Mulia has up to 24 hours to decide whether to allow the motion to be debated on Monday. Even if the motion is allowed, it is unlikely to cause the government’s downfall because members of parliaments are not required to vote on motions filed under Standing Order 18(1) and (2).<br /><br />At a joint press conference with DAP supremo Lim Kit Siang and PAS secretary-general Datuk Kamaruddin Jaafar later, Wan Azizah said Pakatan Rakyat filed the motion because the people’s confidence in the government’s integrity had been eroded.<br /><br />She alleged that the Barisan Nasional achieved a slim victory due to the “manipulation” of the Election Commission and “lies”.<br /><br />“The price of oil was suddenly increased after the general election although the deputy prime minister had promised not to do so during the launch of the BN manifesto. The states governed by Pakatan Rakyat are also marginalised and this shows BN’s attitudes against the spirit of democracy and federalism,” Azizah said.<br /><br />She also said BN members who rejected their irresponsible leaders were threatened and forced not to speak up.<br /><br />Among others, she said, the people had been affected by crises such as the increasing prices of oil, food and other basic necessities, erosion of confidence in the police, attorney-general and the judiciary, rise in crime rates and corruption.<br /><br />On why Pakatan Rakyat submitted the motion now, Azizah said it was to allow MPs to discuss the matter as the situation in the country had gotten worse after the general election.<br /><br />Kit Siang said the debate itself would provide an opportunity to gauge the level of confidence that the people had in the prime minister.<br /><br />“That is why I think this opportunity should not be missed,” he added.<br /><br />When approached by the press later, Pandikar said he would mull over the matter before deciding on whether to allow the motion on Monday.<br /><br />On chances for the motion to be allowed, he said: “I don’t know. I still have a few days to think about it. I still haven’t read the motion.”<br /><br />Under normal circumstances, those who proposed an emergency motion would know the speaker’s decision within a day as to whether the motion was rejected in chamber or brought to the House and rejected there, he added.<br /><br />Pandikar also said there would be no voting on the motion even if it was allowed and he did not know the effect it would have.<br /><br />Pressed further on the effect of the motion, he said: “I don’t know how to answer you because the question doesn’t make any sense to me. How to have the motion accepted if there is no vote? Read between the line. Exercise that mind.”<br /></div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17529486333291597055noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-79227050362511851.post-4190216416258955352008-07-11T12:17:00.000+08:002008-07-11T12:18:42.937+08:00Lack of proper drainage causing floods, hardship<div style="text-align: justify;"><a href="http://www.nst.com.my/Current_News/NST/Friday/National/2290811/Article/index_html">NST (11/7/08)</a>: As a first-time member of parliament, every day is a learning process for me as I try to seek solutions to the many problems faced by my constituents in Kuala Selangor.<br /><br />I also learnt a lot while raising suggestions and proposing changes on national issues in the Dewan Rakyat.<br /><br />One of the main issues in my constituency is the need for proper infrastructure. There is poor drainage that guarantees flooding in various parts of Kuala Selangor. This causes great hardship for my constituents.<br /><br />I have a special squad of 65 volunteers who help my constituents affected by the floods. I'm very grateful for their assistance and hard work.<br /><br />There are also some parts in Kuala Selangor where the roads are not very well lit and are full of potholes. This has caused many fatal accidents.<br /><br />I hope to resolve this problem soon with help from the relevant agencies and authorities.<br /><br />I'm also concerned about the youth in my constituency, many of whom are unemployed.<br /><br />I have initiated some training and motivational activities for them. I have also encouraged them to get involved in small businesses. So far the response has been very encouraging.<br /><br />In the next few years, I would like to see progress in Kuala Selangor in terms of economic development and quality of life of my constituents.<br /><br />I believe in helping my constituents, no matter what their religion, race or political beliefs. I do not believe in discrimination, that is not what I stand for.<br /><br />My involvement in politics is because I genuinely want to make the nation a better place for everyone. (Dr Dzulkefly Ahmad)</div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17529486333291597055noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-79227050362511851.post-2094925149294788542008-07-11T10:18:00.002+08:002008-07-11T10:25:09.494+08:00Dewan Rakyat: Speaker: Decision on Monday<div style="text-align: justify;"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 200px;" src="http://www.nst.com.my/Friday/National/2290976/insidepix1" alt="" border="0" /><a href="http://www.nst.com.my/Current_News/NST/Friday/National/2290976/Article/index_html">NST (11/7/08)</a>: Dewan Rakyat Speaker Tan Sri Pandikar Amin Mulia yesterday said he would decide on Monday on an opposition motion of no-confidence in the prime minister and cabinet.<br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />Pandikar Amin said he would need a few days to consider the motion filed by opposition leader Datin Seri Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail.<br /><br />"Let me think about this. I have not even read the contents of the motion yet."<br /></div><br />Wan Azizah, accompanied by Pakatan Rakyat members, submitted the motion under standing order 18(1), which allows for a debate, but no vote to be taken.<br /><br />For the motion to be allowed, it has to meet three criteria -- it must be urgent, specific and involve public interest.<br /><br />In her motion, Wan Azizah called on the house to move a motion of no-confidence in Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi and his cabinet.<br /><br />Ministers have said a vote could not be called due to the government's solid majority in the Dewan Rakyat.<br /><br />When told that the motion would not result in a vote, Wan Azizah said the opposition was working within what was allowed by Parliament's standing orders.<br /><br />"It is another step to highlight the problem being faced by the country. Things are getting worse, particularly for the poor and something has to be done about it," she said.<br /><br />Pas secretary-general Datuk Kamaruddin Jaffar said the motion was part of the Pakatan Rakyat's continuing effort to exert pressure on the government within the context of parliamentary rules.<br /><br />DAP adviser Lim Kit Siang said he hoped the motion would be allowed as it would gauge the government's state of preparedness.<br /><br />"The people are now faced with several crises such as high fuel prices, increasing cost of food and basic necessities, eroding public confidence in the police, attorney-general and judiciary, and the increase in crime and corruption," Wan Azizah said.<br /><br />She claimed the Barisan Nasional's victory in the election was achieved through manipulation of the Election Commission.<br /><br />She also claimed that the BN MPs who stood up against "irresponsible" behaviour of the coalition's leadership were threatened and forced to keep quiet, leading to a crisis in confidence in Abdullah's leadership and his cabinet.<br /><br />On June 23, the Dewan Rakyat had endorsed the government's policies against inflation in a division, easily defeating what was billed as a proxy vote of confidence in the leadership.<br /></div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17529486333291597055noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-79227050362511851.post-37603759449843408342008-07-11T10:13:00.001+08:002008-07-11T10:16:55.060+08:00No-confidence notice filed<div style="text-align: justify;"><a href="http://thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2008/7/11/parliament/21796440&sec=parliament">The Star (11/7/08)</a>: In an unprecedented move, the Opposition has submitted a notice to the Dewan Rakyat to debate on an emergency motion of no-confidence against Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi and his Cabinet.<br /><br />Opposition Leader Datin Seri Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail filed the motion at the Speaker’s office at 3.45pm, accompanied by other Pakatan Rakyat leaders including PKR vice-president Azmin Ali, DAP adviser Lim Kit Siang and PAS secretary-general Datuk Kamaruddin Jaafar.<br /><br />Speaking to reporters later at the Parliament lobby, Dr Wan Azizah said she filed the emergency motion under Standing Orders 18 (1) and (2) because the situation in the country had “worsened”, especially for those in the poverty and low-income brackets.<br /><br />“We have to discuss the matter because of what’s happening at the moment. We want to highlight the country’s politics, economics and the situation of the rakyat, particularly with the sudden increase in fuel prices.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><img src="http://thestar.com.my/archives/2008/7/11/parliament/n_pg08azizah.jpg" alt="" width="400" height="242" /> <span class="caption"></span><br /><span class="caption"></span>Emergency motion: Dr Wan Azizah holding an envelope containing the notice to debate a motion of no-confidence as she and other Opposition MPs make their way to the Speaker’s office yesterday.<br /></div><br />“We have met with the Speaker to explain our reasons and we will leave it to him to decide on whether to allow the motion,” she said, adding that the motion would also heighten the feeling that the country needed a change.<br /><br />Dr Wan Azizah said the motion would also show voters what Pakatan Rakyat was doing for its voters under Parliamentary procedures.<br /><br />“We are also speaking on behalf of the MPs on the other side who agree with us,” she said.<br /><br />Previously PKR de facto adviser Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim had said that the Opposition would not seek a no-confidence vote against the PM.<br /><br />If allowed by the Chair, the motion, which is filed under Standing Orders 18(1) and 18(2), will be heard and decided on Monday.<br /><br />No vote will be taken as the motion would only be debated.</div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17529486333291597055noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-79227050362511851.post-18160001168518743422008-07-10T23:50:00.001+08:002008-07-10T23:51:58.698+08:00The SAPP pointman clears the political minefield for the Pakatan Rakyat army to advance<div style="text-align: justify;"><a href="http://www.nst.com.my/Current_News/NST/Thursday/Frontpage/20080710195255/Article/index_html">NST (10/7/08)</a>: It is now diaphanously settled that when the Sabah Progressive Party – for all the inflation of its Lilliputian political ambitions – threatened to file a House motion of no-confidence against the Prime Minister on June 23, it surreptitiously acted as a “pointman”, a platoon scouting for the greater army sympathetic to the Sabahans’ anti-Federal grievances, assessing and testing the battleline ahead for landmines, ambushes and potential dangers lurking in the unseen shadows of the national political discord.<br /><br />The months of Pakatan Rakyat’s teasing and cloying superseding the epiphanous March 8 Polling Day, that they will push the motion for a vote of no-confidence against Datuk Seri Abdullah Badawi, has finally ascended, the all-important document submitted by the PR generalissimo to Tan Sri Pandikar Amin Mulia at his Parliament House office at 3.30pm today.<br /><br />It can be inferred that the SAPP had acted on behalf of Pakatan Rakyat, sauntering about the House and in Sabah with their trash talk that they have the means to file the motion themselves when in reality, they detonated political landmines scattered along the path while searching for the means and ways for PR to slide the motion of such disruptive nature into a genuine political debate instead of creeping about in the gutters of rumour, speculation and promise.<br /><br />Of course, the Barisan Nasional, with its tremulous majority and a Speaker not known to be generous in allowing motions of such magnitude, will ensure that the motion will be defeated come Monday as soon as Opposition Leader Datin Seri Dr Wan Azizah Ismail finishes her last utterance of her filing, on whatever grounds the Speaker wishes to adduce. The Pakatan Rakyat MPs will no doubt stand chagrined and mewl indignantly towards the Speaker for disallowing a debate on the motion which could lead to a demand for a careful count of hands.<br /><br />It matters not if the motion filed under Standing Order 18 (1) and (2) can be converted into a main event of a heavyweight contest. Now that the Pakatan Rakyat has taken over battle strategy and operations, the minor tactic of deploying the SAPP is now concluded, the two-MP party nothing more than an irrelevant little fly on the wall. The real issue now is whether PR has succeeded in cajoling the shifty Sabahans into throwing their lot for the Opposition to trigger either a collapse in the BN Government or force the PM to call for a snap general election. Even that is a still a long shot.<br /><br />MPs had barely survived the “skirt-chasing” incident where a female member of the Press became the news, censured for wearing a skirt deemed risqué, when word spread in the late morning that Dr Wan Azizah will file the motion. Once confirmed, Dr Wan Azizah, resplendent in a green outfit and flanked by the all-male senior chieftains of PKR, DAP and Pas, marched to the Speaker’s office and filed the motion, which reads: “That this honorable House assume a no confidence towards the leadership of the Prime Minister of Malaysia and his Cabinet in carrying out the nation’s administration due to the erosion of the people’s confidence towards the Government’s integrity.”<br /><br />This time and unlike the SAPP’s insipid overture two weeks ago, this is not a David trying to sneak in a fortuitous slingshot towards Goliath’s head. This time, Goliath will meet his match and the mouth-watering prospects next week of a titanic altercation in the House is real while nationwide awe at such a heady development already reverberating.<br /><br />In the Press conference minutes later, Dr Wan Azizah repeated the Opposition mantra on why they were hell-bent on filing the emergency motion even though the earlier prospect of such motion was, at best, teasing and cloying. But the way the PR chief characterised the motion was quirky: there is a motion of no confidence against the PM and his Cabinet but the PR is “not” seeking a voting in the process.<br /><br />“We are not seeking a no-confidence vote,” her refrain went. “We are not hoping for a change in Government but to have our voices heard.” And why now and not, say, weeks before? “Because the situation in the country had worsened. This motion is simply to seek a change within the existing situation,'' she avouched, with half an eyeball acknowledging the immaculate timing of a groundswell of resentment that favoured PR.<br /><br />At best, the reason for the no-voting process was simply the PR being disingenuous, knowing that a vote plays into the hands of the BN, with their natural 140-82 majority. Right after the March 8 polls, the Opposition scooped an unprecedented haul of 80 parliamentary seats and dented the BN’s two-thirds Parliamentary majority, if not its pride and ego.<br /><br />From there, the idea of wresting the Federal Government from the BN and forming a brand new Federal powerhouse was a question of scrabbling the numbers of their own 82 against that 140, delicately deducting a disconcerting figure of 30-odd seats that Sabah BN was peddling as political poker ante if their Faustian demands for better Peninsular representation and big budget funding was as good as a Nigerian bank collateral caper.<br /><br />Then the PM decided to call the Sabahans' bet and allocated huge development funds and other pledges, thus diffusing the PR’s strategy. Then came the debilitating fuel price hike bouncing against the slew of statutory declarations pounding on the BN leadership but alleviated by a sodomy charge against Anwar Ibrahim. However, the moral momentum seemed to pivot to the PR, which tapped a growing unrest in the populace, especially the working class with diminishing purchasing power and a big chunk of beef against the Government.<br /><br />When Wan Azizah characterised the motion as another step in the Pakatan Rakyat effort to highlight the people’s problems and the motion was how the PR worked within what was allowed by the Parliament's standing orders, she revealed a PR gameplan for the ultimate powerplay. "The people are now faced with several major crises such as high fuel prices, increasing cost of food and basic necessities, eroding public confidence in the police, attorney general and the judiciary, and the increase in crime and corruption," she revealed.<br /><br />Then came her nominal slash and burn of alleged BN improprieties – polls won through manipulation, backing out of its election manifesto of not increasing fuel prices and brushing aside the five PR states as “stepchildren”, threats against BN MPs who criticised "irresponsible" behaviour of the coalition's leadership. That the PR is using the motion within the realm of democracy, as admitted by Dr Wan Azizah, is another indulgent move in the bigger scheme of things, the people’s suffering a convenient prop in the PR’s “movie-making” endeavour.<br /><br />If you were a betting person, you could distinguish the filing of the motion today as another ante upped in a long-running political poker game, the table money mountainous. Nevertheless, the crucial stakes on the table are very deceiving: Pakatan Rakyat may be holding the best hand but they may not necessarily win everything. The house of BN still looks to possess the toughest “poker face” and the ballsiest nerve to counter with a bigger bet that could either regain its losses…or break the bank.<br /></div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17529486333291597055noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-79227050362511851.post-1518754893112953192008-07-10T23:45:00.001+08:002008-07-10T23:49:34.720+08:00Encore! Encore! And the 2nd Finance Minister reappears for a return performance<div style="text-align: justify;">NST (9/7/08): What merits a return engagement to the House? An oratorical command performance by a Minister or an MP so bewitching that it pressed members to screech for more? An articulation of the issues so stirring that it provokes hard the intellect and the demand are for seconds? Or perhaps a Ministerial response replete with a myriad of unanswered questions that agitated MPs from both sides of the political partition into mewling for an encore?<br /><br />Whatever was the compulsion for Second Finance Minister Tan Sri Nor Mohamed Yakcop to invent history by returning to the House to answer for a second round? What was it in his first cycle of responses that could not fully encase all points raised during the rancorous debate on the Ninth Malaysia Plan Mid-Term Review?<br /><br />Yesterday, MPs felt justified in demanding Nor Mohamed return to reply to points raised: Wee Choo Keong (PKR-Wangsa Maju) complained about the 2nd Finance Minister’s abruptness in concluding his winding-up speech. Dr Puad Zarkashi (BN-Batu Pahat) suggested too many questions were left unanswered. Azmin Ali (PKR-Gombak) was most diplomatic in his request to the Speaker to petition the Minister back into his House seat, relishing perhaps another salvo of combative comeuppance against the Minister after a previous clash on the issue of the Maybank purchase of Bank Internasional Indonesia.<br /><br />Soon after, Speaker Tan Sri Pandikar Amin saw nothing anomalous in the MPs' request but rightly stressed that the Minister had every right to ignore the request. That was the signal for Nor Mohamed to re-appear, to his credit, for his encore, his intrepid recoil to confront not just the unctuous Opposition but also the bawling brethrens among his BN vanguard.<br /><br />Regardless of the motives of the petitioners, nothing like this had ever happened before today’s coming together of Barisan Nasional and Pakatan Rakyat MPs. And it should rightfully be recognised as one of their greatest bipartisan endeavour, notwithstanding the BN’s bitter denunciation of appointments of BN operatives to the Penang/Selangor Governments on the basis of professionalism.<br /><br />In the realms of controversy, this would fit nicely as the second that was triggered during the MTR phase, the first being the Opposition’s boorish walkout on June 30 to protest Datuk Seri Najib Razak presence as the Minister to clarify points on the Prime Minister’s MTR speech. That evening’s walkout stomped on grounds that Najib had defiled Westminster and Commonwealth conventions that made his ministerial statement improper.<br /><br />In the 2nd Finance Minister’s monotonic delivery of his Ministerial response, the words he spouted were deliberate and spartan, and it won’t weigh down on listeners to collapse in frolicsome ecstasy in the manner a firebrand Dr Martin Luther King Jr would. If brevity should be the mother of all languid House responses, then Nor Mohamed Yakcop would have embraced this concept with a singular mindfulness. But perhaps he overdid it. The MPs certainly craved for more.<br /><br />At 11.45am, before he took on all comers again, Nor Mohamed expressed the dilemma he was wedged in to make this second engagement, worrying that he would "eat" into time rendered to other Ministers. "I am of the opinion that the House is a good place to discuss government policies and obtain feedback from members, regardless of party. However, at the same time, I need to respect my fellow ministers. We have 19 other ministries that have yet to wind up their debates and we are very short of time," he said.<br /><br />Not to put a fine point to it but Nor Mohamed made it painfully clear that he did not want it to be a precedent. However, the Honourable Minister may want to read into the MPs’ minds who, no doubt, will giddily exploit this redux as a means to jolt attention into wresting answers from very reluctant Ministers.<br /><br />So, while Nor Mohamed proceeded with replies that were not forthcoming yesterday, MPs leveraged this opportune moment with a new set of queries that dived squarely into the Government's measures in restructuring the fuel subsidy system that literally drove Malaysians bonkers since it was instituted last month.<br /><br />One way to bring back some sanity to motorists already burdened by the higher cost of living was a tiered subsidy system to ensure a more effective direct disbursement of subsidies, as proposed by Fauziah Salleh (PKR-Kuantan). She suggested cards be issued to individuals and tailored according to their financial status and needs.<br /><br />Surprising or not, the Minister agreed that Fauziah’s was a very good suggestion. “I assure members that the Government is in discussions with the relevant parties towards implementing it,” he said, the monotone pronounced as he narrated the necessary measures the Government has to implement but cannot for now, because they do not have the appropriate data system in place for immediate implementation of Fauziah’s proposal.<br /><br />Azmin, to his gratification, did get another face-off time with Nor Mohamed as he called for the Government to devise ways to help Malaysians with a difficult debt burden as the credit crunch prodded by the higher fuel price hikes looms.<br /><br />“The government has already discussed with banks on the possibility of extending the repayment period and reducing the monthly installments for existing home loans. The banks have been quite receptive to this suggestion. By extending the repayment period, the monthly installments can be reduced and effectively gives the people more money to be used as disposable income," the Minister was competent to answer.<br /><br />All encores do come to a glorious end no matter how desperate the audience demands for more, so Nor Mohamed decided that lunch break was as a good time as any to end his return engagement. MPs howled for more answers but the Minister would have none of it. Nor Mohamed did agree to have one more encore but at the lobby and for the media, as he defended his organisation of answers, unsatisfactory as it may seem to the MPs.<br /><br />Not to be outstripped by the still whining MPs, Nor Mohamed persisted that his replies were adequate given the multifarious questions that he had to field. “Time was limited in answering all of them,” he explained. “I have no problem returning but what's important is to ensure that Government policies are fully understood by the people.”<br /><br />“This is the opportunity for me to explain in detail,” he said, the monotone even more pronounced. “Although there were interruptions from the Opposition, I find members accept my explanations."<br /><br />The 2nd Finance Minister finally intimated that despite the encumbrance of the issues, especially those tied to the subsidies; it was the MPs who were unable to understand the magnitude of the subject’s gravity, which was his way of saying that some MPs, the Opposition possibly, must do more reading, understanding and familiarity of economics.<br /><br />He also didn’t say it but he may have implied that MPs should acquire the book “Economics for Dummies.”<br /></div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17529486333291597055noreply@blogger.com0