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Suhakam commissioner in charge of Economic, Social and Cultural Rights Datuk Dr Denison Jayasooria was commenting on the fact that the urban poor are not being provided with financial assistance from government departments and other entities. He also said the Welfare Department should deploy more officers to do housecalls instead of waiting for the poor to approach them.

“Some of them are not aware of the assistance provided by these agencies, so it is best if the Welfare Department or other relevant agencies can go to the ground and check on these people and at the same time they can also update their data.”

He said because of the present situation many urban folk were turning anti-establishment as they felt neglected by the government.

“I have met so many of these people and they told me they are Bumiputera and yet had nothing. I thought this problem was only among the Indians, but it seems that I am wrong.”

He said the authorities such as the Welfare Department should rebuild their networks with community heads like the surau chairman for people living in these low-cost flats to use as a referrence point in order to provide assistance.

“In kampungs, the Welfare Department has a link with the village head, but for those living in urban areas they don’t have such contact. That is why it is important to have a reference point. With such a reference point, the Welfare Department can then have a liaison person to speak to and find out more about the situation on the ground.”

I’m not sure if NST quoted him correctly, but Denison seems to have admitted that the Indians have been neglected, and he now realises that the urban poor Malays are also being neglected. By the way, there are many funds and channels to help Malay Muslims - either through welfare or religious agencies. How about funds or channels to help others?

Below is the letter by Denison (published in NST):

Poverty Levels: Show them the way to a better quality of life
By : DATUK DR DENISON JAYASOORIA,
Chairman Economic, Social and Cultural Working Group, Suhakam

SITI Nurbaiyah’s report “Poor Muslims slipping through the zakat net” (NST, Sept 18) highlights the plight of 30 hardcore poor families in Taman Sentul Utama who have not been able to access welfare assistance, either through religious institutions or through the Welfare Department.

This is shocking, especially when the government has made poverty eradication its No 1 priority and also has set a target of zero hardcore poverty by 2010.

There is a major gap between policy makers, service delivery and implementation institutions on the one hand and the very poor at the bottom of society. The poor are alienated and distant from the very institutions that were established to help them.

The poverty-line income, or income measure for the hardcore poor and the poor, is unrealistic. Take the plight of the family of Rosnaini Abu Hassan, whose only income is from her son who earns RM850. This family is statistically “non-poor” and definitely not hardcore poor.

But, look at their predicament: Their house rent is RM450. She has a mother who is 88 and a son who is disabled.
By official statistics they are “non-poor”. In reality, they are very poor in an urban environment of increasing prices and rising cost of living.

This is a common problem for many low-income families living in urban areas. Their life is hard and often the opportunities to build their capability and capacity are not there.

There are similar cases, not just among poor Malays but also among many displaced Indian plantation workers.

A key issue has been why these families are unable to access the Welfare Department for direct assistance or unable to access the poverty-eradication programmes meant for the urban poor.

Access and inclusion are the keys to empowering the poor. It is not through handouts but by being shown the way to a better life that these families can break the cycle of poverty.

Why are the cries of the poor not heard or entertained? Is there some form of discrimination because they are poor or powerless? Why is this so when so much funds are being set aside, both by the public and private sector?

Suhakam calls on the relevant public sector agencies, especially the Welfare Department and the social-development section of Kuala Lumpur City Hall, to review this situation and ensure that these poor families in Taman Sentul Utama are not further marginalised.

The right to development is a fundamental right and the poor must have opportunities to enhance their economic and social rights.

Suhakam also calls on the government to immediately establish a task force, especially in the urban areas which are under the purview of local governments, to identify the poor and ensure they have access to a better quality of life.

Also, the government’s Economic Planning Unit should review the poverty line income and methodology in identifying the real poor. In addition to the income measure, other qualitative or quantitative indicators must be used to ensure greater inclusion and access.

We must establish fair and equitable mechanisms in addressing the root issues and concerns of the urban poor.

There has been repeated calls to reevaluate the poverty line because its ridiculous to set it between RM600 and RM700. The poverty index should include location, number of dependents (and their status) and income.

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The Penang Hindu Endowment Board had decided to charge RM500 for burial plots at the Batu Lanchang Hindu cemetery. Not only that, there’s a renewal fee of RM5000 to be paid after 20 years. Naturally this riles the community and some NGOs.

A group of Hindu non-governmental organisations yesterday handed a memorandum to the state government protesting a sharp rise in fees for burial plots at a cemetery here.

Hindu Action Network executive council member N. Ahilan said the board reserved the right to exhume the remains and lease the plot to others if the renewal fees were not paid within 10 years. He said that the exorbitant charges and conditions were inconsiderate.

Penang state assemblyman Rayer mentioned that Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng informed him an amicable solution would be sought, and that the issue will be discussed in the coming state executive council meeting.

Seri Delima assemblyman R.S.N. Rayer said he was informed by Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng that an amicable solution would be sought. He said the matter would be raised at next week’s state executive council meeting.

Are the members of PHEB appointed by the state goverment? Is it still under the old management? Is this proof that PHEB is acting independently of the state government or an act of disobedience (if the board members were appointed by current state goverment)?

More importantly, is the cost justified? Are there any ways to reduce the burden of the community before considering charging them for burial of the loved ones? Its a guessing game until we know the whole story.

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According to bmahendran.com, this was an unexpected crowd. Over 2,000 people managed to find time on Saturday night to spend a moment for the ISA detainees. HINDRAF contributed about 500 people while others like WAMI also come. This was a show of unity as people from all walks of life came together. The Chinese community are especially angry at the treatment of reporter Tan and politician Teresa, while others would be Raja Petra’s fans. I think by arresting these people, the goverment had led credence to the misuse of ISA. A bumbling Home Minister also does not help.

Hindraf volunteers and the PDRM did their job well, says Mahendran. I guess the presence of various groups helped in creating a more festive and relaxed atmosphere.

Let’s look at home the three media groups presented their new. Malaysiakini, The Star and NST had their own points to highlight:

Malaysiakini:

About 2,000 people staged a peaceful march through the busy streets of Kuala Lumpur tonight calling for the abolishment of Internal Security Act and freeing detainees under the Act

Initially, two separate groups - Hindu Rights Action Force (Hindraf) and coalition of NGOs led by the Writer Alliance For Media Independence (Wami) - had initially planned to hold a candlelight vigil at Dataran Merdeka at about 7.30pm.

When they came across a police cordon at Dataran Merdeka, the Hindraf-led group numbering about 500 decided to march to the temple opposite the Puduraya bus terminal about 1km away.

The crowd marched unhindered towards their destinations and gradually the crowd swelled to about 2,000 people from all walks of life, with many carrying candles.

The other group, which was in a procession holding Chinese lanterns, eventually joined up with the Hindraf group.

The police were caught off-guard by the huge turnout. Many media personnel had also remarked that the large crowd was unanticipated as past vigils had been small in number.

Shouts of “Mansuhkan ISA (Abolish the ISA)”, “Bebaskan Raja Petra (Free Raja Petra)” and “Hindraf Valga (Long live Hindraf)” were chanted by the marchers.

Eventually, the crowd gathered at the temple compound where several individuals addressed the crowd with highly charged speeches.

Hindraf national coordinator R Thanenthiran said that government should heed the protesters’ demands to free ISA detainees.

“The Home Minister Syed Hamid Albar should listen to us. He alone cannot decide what is best for the country. Tonight, we the people, are the judges,” he said.

Later, Teluk Intan MP M Manogaran told the crowd that a large gathering is being planned to commemorate the first anniversary of the ISA arrest of five Hindraf leaders currently held in the Kamunting Detention Camp.

“We will keep holding gatherings until all ISA detainees are released,” he said.

Meanwhile, the crowd was peaceful throughout and a festive atmosphere permeates in the air.

Several supporters of detained blogger Raja Petra Kamaruddin were also at hand to sing ‘Happy Birthday Raja Petra’ as today was his birthday.

By 9pm, protest leaders dispersed the crowd. There were no reports of untoward incidents.

Hindraf national coordinator Thanenthiran later told reporters that the march tonight was proof that Malaysians can gather peacefully in order to express themselves.

“If the police follows the law, we can do the same,” he said.

In a statement immediately after the crowd dispersal, Hindraf leader-in-exile P Waytha Moorthy thanked the police for allowing the march to proceed.

“The government should now accept that Malaysians have sent a loud and clear message that the use of the ISA cannot be tolerated,” he said. Meanwhile, two visually blind participants told Malaysiakini at the scene why they took part in the march.

Ramli Abu Bakar, 51, said he has been supporting the anti-ISA movement ever since it was established because “the country has achieved independence and the act is nothing but a mediaeval law”.

“We have been independent for 51 years and why would we need such a legislation now?” asked Ramli.

Ramli’s friend, Kamal Abu Bakar, 48, echoed his views, saying that the government is “stupid for not abolishing ISA as it is no longer relevant”.

There were also supporters of Raja Petra who were in high spirits in showing their support to their idol on his birthday.

For Sampa Lee, 60, he said releasing Raja Petra and other detainees would be the best birthday gift the government could ever give to them.

“It would be the best present for Raja Petra and all Malaysians as we are all against the draconian law,” said Sampa.

The Star:

Almost 2,000 people from non-governmental organisations and opposition parties took part in a peaceful gathering near Puduraya calling on the Government to abolish the Internal Security Act (ISA).

They started gathering there at 8pm last night and dispersed one hour later.

Dang Wangi police chief Asst Comm Zulkarnain Abdul Rahman said police had received information that a gathering was scheduled to be held at Dataran Merdeka.

“But we had placed our people at various roads leading to Dataran Merdeka and this had caused the group to change the location of the gathering to an area near Puduraya.
“No untoward incident happened during the gathering and no arrests were made, but it added to the traffic congestion there,” he said. - Bernama

NST:

About 2,000 people marched from Dataran Merdeka to the Hindu temple near the Puduraya bus terminal in protest against the Internal Security Act (ISA).

The crowd started marching about 8pm while carrying candles.

Dang Wangi police chief Assistant Commissioner Zulkarnain Abdul Rahman said the march was held without a permit.

“However, no arrests were made and the crowd dispersed peacefully at 9.30pm,” he said.

At least all three agreed on the crowd figures.

A photo gallery is at National Express’ Picasa.

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