‘To the journalists out there who continue day in day out to try and do an honest day’s work, I say now that you owe it to yourselves to think long and hard about what you can do to restore honour to your profession.
I will walk with any journalist who will begin his or her journey to ‘Dare To Be Free’."
Well, BENAR’s Birdseye and SV Singam have quietly been working.
And the walk is on!
Date : 1st June, 2008
Time : 9.00 am
Starting point : Dataran Merdeka
Destination : National Press Club
The following has been excerpted from the BENAR blog :
While we, the organisers, can direct the theme and thrust of the event, journalist participation will be determined by organisations such as the NUJ, the NPC and the various media groups. We look forward to strong support from them. This is an opportunity that they should not miss out on. Please pass the word around and tell every journalist whom you know about this event.
As to ordinary citizens and bloggers, here is your opportunity to show that you desire Media Freedom. Come and take the Walk with your journalist brethren and show your solidarity with them. We, as a people, can help to move our nation forward on the road to civil liberties.
Growth means change and growth often calls for one to leave behind zones of comfort and venture into unknown places. While some changes are slower to materialise, other changes that we can observe already taking place are truly refreshing.
One of those changes which will profoundly and positively impact democratic growth is the move towards Information Freedom.
From 9 am on Sunday the 1st of June 2008, Malaysian journalists and their fellow citizens will, together, demonstrate their keen desire for Media Freedom by taking a symbolic Walk at Dataran Merdeka.
To avoid problems with security laws, there will be NO PUBLIC GATHERING. Instead, participants are being asked to arrive on their own in ones and twos, show their respect to the National Flag at the Dataran, and then proceed immediately to the National Press Club which is just around the corner (location map and suggested walking route to be provided). Those who wish to do so are invited to wear something yellow, a reflection that this is a People’s Activity.
Underlining the importance of this initiative, YB Datuk Zaid Ibrahim has kindly consented to deliver the keynote address, explaining his views about the road to Media Freedom. Datuk Zaid is a Minister in the PM’s Department and the de facto Law Minister. From practically the first day of his appointment, he has said and done things that have pleased the people, especially the legal community, and has conveyed a very positive feeling about what he intends to accomplish.
Datuk Zaid has two requests - that journalists turn up in large numbers and that this program calls for ethics and accountability as much as it calls for freedom. Since this is the very thrust of this campaign and exactly what we are calling upon the writer community to deliver, it looks like we are very much in sync.
While we, the organisers, can direct the theme and thrust of the event, journalist participation will be determined by organisations such as the NUJ, the NPC and the various media groups. We look forward to strong support from them. This is an opportunity that they should not miss out on. Please pass the word around and tell every journalist whom you know about this event.
As to ordinary citizens and bloggers, here is your opportunity to show that you desire Media Freedom. Come and take the Walk with your journalist brethren and show your solidarity with them. We, as a people, can help to move our nation forward on the road to civil liberties.
Malaysiakini reports today that during Zaid’s speech in Parliament today, ‘new broom sweeps clean’ Mukhriz interrupted to query about Zaki Azmi’s meteoric rise to the No.2 position in the judiciary.
Yes, why indeed was Zaki appointed Court of Appeal president over the heads of so many other more experienced judges? That, too, after doing a hop, step and jump straight into the Federal Court.
Don’t ask Zaid to answer this, though. Zaki ascended to where he is now well before Zaid was appointed Law Minister.
Ask Pak Lah and Nazri Aziz.
Perhaps, though, your dad could first explain why he appointed Fairuz over the top of the head of the more senior and more experienced late Justice Abdul Malek Ahmed.
We all know your dad suffered a serious loss of memory at the RCI hearing, but he seems to have got his wits together again of late.
Do let us know if he is now able to recall his reasons for appointing Fairuz.
The rakyat have a few more pressing questions for him to answer.
Might as well get answers to these before he lapses into forgetfulness again.
(Posted by Haris Ibrahim, who heads the People's Parliament, an NGO which promotes the concept of people's power running supreme, even superior to the House of Representatives named the Parliament.)
GEORGE TOWN: The spate of mega-projects in Penang is driving citizens groups here to ask the new state government for local plans that have been long awaited for more than 20 years.
Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs) in Penang are saying that it is not enough for the state to have just a Structure Plan; the government must go beyond enforcing the Structure Plan, and draft local plans that are overdue.
To date, Penang has only one local plan - for Penang Hill - gazetted in 1997 following the popular people’s movement to protect the hill from development.
Sahabat Alam Malaysia (SAM) coordinator Mohd Nizam Mahshar said locals plans were critical as the current Structure Plan, gazetted in June last year, does not adequately address the parameters for development in specific areas.
"The Structure Plan is very vague, and it is up for interpretation," he said.
Among other things, local plans would provide very specific details on matters like land-use, environmental protection, topographical preservation, development limits and traffic management.
"We have been pushing for the local plans for years. But there is no support at all from the municipal councils."
The Structure Plan hit the spotlight recently when Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng demanded that the previous administration explain why the zoning for the area slated for the RM25 billion Penang Global City Centre had been changed from "recreation" to "new development".
Following this, the Penang Heritage Trust (PHT) called on the government to also review approval for the billion-ringgit Gurney Paragon project along Gurney Drive which comprises two blocks of 43-storey buildings and a block of 37-storey building over-shadowing heritage buildings.
The PGCC Campaign Group, a coalition of NGOs that opposed the scale and design of the PGCC, has been lobbying for local plans since last year.
Nizam said the previous state administration may have dragged its feet on the matter as it had preferred to treat the whole island’s development through one master plan.
"The local plans are more specific in detail and therefore bring limitations to development projects," he said.
"Most people do not know that the structure and local plans are legally binding. Violators can be taken to court," he added.
Penang Heritage Trust president Dr Choong Sim Poey complained that it was very difficult to obtain specific information and updates on the progress of the local plans from the government.
He said it was critical for the authorities to confer and coordinate with citizens’ groups while preparing the plans so that their views and concerns are accounted for in the final drafts.
"We would like to ensure transparency and public consultation," he said.
"The NGOs have requested for information and for us to be allowed to participate. We are still awaiting response from the government," he added.
Datuk Anwar Fazal, a former assistant secretary of the the then state municipal council and co-founder of Transparency International, said mega-projects have been "parachuted" into neighbourhoods without public consultation and feedback.
He said the situation has made it imperative for the new government to actively pursue the local plans.
"These big projects needs to be carefully reviewed before they destroy our neighbourhoods," he said, adding that that there needed to be neighbourhood advisory councils which would ensure that projects approved were in line with the local plans.
KUALA LUMPUR: The Coalition for Clean and Fair Elections (Bersih) and the National Institute for Electoral Integrity (NIEI) yesterday lodged a police report against four top government offi cials for allegedly conspiring to scrap the use of indelible ink in the last general election and for misleading voters into believing there was sabotage by certain quarters. Bersih secretariat member Faisal Mustaffa lodged the report at the Dang Wangi district police headquarters, naming Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi, Attorney-General Tan Sri Abdul Gani Patail, Inspector-General of Police Tan Sri Musa Hassan and Elections Commission (EC) chairman Abdul Rashid Abdul Rahman. He said there were contradicting versions given by the four on why and who ordered the scrapping of the use of the ink to identify those who had already voted.
"This refl ects very badly on the country now that it is clear there never was any case of anyone trying to misuse the ink. The so-called move to use the ink for a fair and transparent election was called off merely on hearsay. So we want the authorities to investigate how the IGP came up with claims that four police reports were lodged and the others for supporting the proposal to scrap the ink," he said.
NIEI executive director Amin Shah Iskandar said he had acted as an international observer of elections in a dozen countries where indelible ink was used and they never faced any problems. "Here we were told just four days before the election that the plan was being scrapped over some claim which was just hearsay. It appears there was never an intention to use the ink in the fi rst place and they have wasted RM2.4 million of taxpayers’ money," said Amin, who was an observer in Nepal’s election last month.
Amin said the ink was specially made and its sale was strictly regulated by its producers exclusively for election purposes.
On March 4 – four days before the 12th general election – Abdul Rashid, Musa and Abdul Ghani had announced the scrapping of the use of indelible ink as it may be subjected to abuse. Musa had also said four police reports were lodged and four people were questioned over the smuggling of the ink. However, last week, to a question put to him by an opposition MP, Home Minister Datuk Seri Syed Hamid Albar revealed that the scrapping of the use of indelible ink was based merely on hearsay. It was later also revealed that there were neither police reports nor any proof the ink had been smuggled in.
The issue took up time at the Dewan Rakyat yesterday, as opposition MPs asked the same questions posed by Bersih. Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department Datuk Nazri Abdul Aziz maintained that it was the EC’s decision but the MPs did not accept this because, during the press conference before the election, Abdul Rashid had announced that it was the cabinet’s decision. Nazri also said the decision was based on various grounds, but this only confused the MPs further.
Karpal Singh (DAP-Bukit Gelugor) called for Nazri to be referred to the Committee of Privileges for misleading and confusing the MPs.
Nazri said the cancellation of the ink was because it would not serve its actual objective of preventing people from voting twice.
Last week, speculation of significant crossovers to the Opposition gripped Parliament. But the real issues at stake for Sabah and Sarawak were blurred.
NERVES must have been jumping on Wednesday, the day when as many as 17 disgruntled Sabah MPs were expected to “jump ship???.
But the buzz fizzled out when it became apparent that the MPs were going to stay with the Barisan Nasional, this despite unveiled messages aired as early as the preceding week that several were ready to cross the floor to the Pakatan Rakyat (PR).
Without the basics: A squatter shack occupied by an urban-poor family in Miri. In Sarawak, only 30% of its people have access to treated water and only 65% of its towns have electricity. — Filepic
But PR de facto leader Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim was in fact away in Indonesia on that day and, as Prime Minister-in-waiting, “would not be able to receive them???, an aide pointed out on the eve.
But “saudara Anwar??? has set a new deadline for the crossover: Sept 16, the 45th anniversary of Malaysia Day, for maximum impact.
Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi swiftly moved to stem the tide by meeting individuals and groups in the run-up to D-day: Sabah Progressive Party president Datuk Yong Teck Lee met him on Tuesday as did three Bidayuh MPs from Sarawak who, just a fortnight after the March election, had fleetingly threatened to walk out.
Somehow, despite not having anything concrete in hand, Datuk Richard Riot Jaem (Serian), Datuk Dr James Dawos Mamit (Mambong) and Datuk Dr Tiki Lafe (Mas Gading) were talked out of their disenchantment.
Unfortunately, the anticipated defections overshadowed the real grouses aired by the MPs. Much of the unhappiness reverts to the famous 20-point agreement, the almost sacred treaty signed by the fathers of Malaysia.
Several of the points – such as head of state and language – have never been issues; others like immigration have been eroded in the 45 intervening years.
“Why are MPs making a noise? Because we want the Government to return to the spirit of the 20 points,??? said Deputy Speaker Datuk Ronald Kiandee.
The heart of the resentment stems from a feeling that the federal government is exercising two policies: one for the peninsula and another for Sabahans and Sarawakians.
Or as Kalabakan MP Datuk Seri Abdul Ghapur Salleh put it bluntly: “We don’t want to be second-class citizens???.
Illegal immigrants were the primary complaint among Sabah MPs. They have raised it for countless years but it has fallen on deaf ears.
The first salvo was lobbed by Kimanis MP Datuk Anifah Aman, younger brother to Sabah Chief Minister who, in using the analogy of moving from a bungalow to a terrace house, said: “What’s the point of living in a bungalow if one has to sleep beside the toilet????
Offers of RM30,000 or RM50,000 mean nothing to this suave, cigar-puffing businessman.
“Don’t insult us,??? he told The Star. “It was never meant to blackmail the Government. I was only summarising the matters that are closest to Sabah hearts.???
“Before the next election, something has to be done. Why was it so easy to set up a Judicial Appointments Commission and a Malaysian Commission on Anti-Corruption? Why not a Commission on Illegal Immigrants????
Roads are also a priority. In Sabah, less than 50% of the roads are tarred. It is worse in Sarawak where in semi-rural Julau, for instance, only about 30% of the population enjoy surfaced roads. Another 50% bump along laterite roads and 20% to 30% still resort to the rivers.
It is the same story with electricity and water. Only 65% of the towns have electricity. In the interior, 30% to 40% have to manage on their own generator sets.
In Sabah, only 60% to 65% have treated water; in Sarawak, the figure drops to 30%.
In towns, people get piped water the colour of “teh susu??? (tea with milk), said Ghapur.
For this reason, Sabah and Sarawak MPs would have been satisfied with two crucial portfolios – “minister of JKR and Rural Development???, as Ghapur put it.
Sabahans are insulted at being “put in charge of museums and clouds???, he added, referring to Datuk Shafie Apdal and Datuk Dr Maximus Ongkili respectively. Ideally, he wants four important ministerial portfolios so that the state can shape Cabinet thinking.
Ghapur gave an ultimatum for Abdullah to reshuffle his Cabinet within six months or, at the very latest, by the end of the year. “Without Sabah and Sarawak’s 54 seats, the Barisan would not have been able to form a simple majority.???
He pointed out that “one particular state has seven ministers; another state that had lost has four ministers???, referring elliptically to Johor and Selangor respectively. By comparison, Sabah has three and Sarawak has seven deputy ministers.
SAPP’s Yong took an even tougher stance – an August deadline.
RM3bil had been set aside for education under the 9MP, 18% of which is to go to Sabah, noted Kiandee. “But is that an allocation that can narrow the gap between peninsular and Sabah schools? You must look at the effect of the cumulative years, between well-equipped Selangor schools and schools in Sabah.???
“Quality is just as important as quantity,??? said Deputy Minister of Energy, Water and Communications Datuk Joseph Salang Gandum. “To be fair to the Government, there are enough schools,??? adding that his Julau constituency has 43 primary schools. “But I have yet to see the target of 20 students achieving 5As in UPSR per year. I know because I hand them RM500 each as an incentive.???
The figures tell stories of poverty. When Deputy Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department S.K. Devamany cited a national poverty index of 3.7%, Sabah MPs leapt up. Sabah suffers a poverty rate of 23% – or even worse in the interior.
All this might be resolved if Sabah earned more in oil royalties, suggested Ghapur. He proposed that the oil royalty be raised from 5% to 20%, one of the promises Anwar had made in his 2008 election manifesto.
But away from Parliament, Parti Rakyat Sarawak president Datuk Seri Dr James Masing said: “He (Anwar) can talk. Our oil reserves will finish in four years. Unless we find new oil fields, it’s gone.???
On the sidelines, Sarawak MPs maintained a more dignified reserve.
“It’s good that they voice it,??? said Salang. “Sarawakians by nature are not so outspoken.???
On May 13, Sabah Deputy Chief Minister Datuk Seri Joseph Pairin Kitingan sedately came out in support of the anti-hop law.
As president of the once-beleaguered Parti Bersatu Sabah, Pairin had been a prime victim of party hoppers who had defected to a cluster of smaller Sabah parties that exist today.
In 1992, the High Court had ruled that the law was unconstitutional as it contravened Article 10 of the Federal Constitution on freedom of association.
Amendments to that law require a two-thirds majority before it can be adopted by Parliament and, at present, neither side has the numbers.
The floor was awash with talk of money being dangled. But it is not Ringgit that will spur the jump – it will be deep frustrations.
