Archive for July, 2010

« Older Entries

Malaysian Indian political parties

July 28th, 2010
|  Subscribe in a reader | Subscribe to poobalan.com by Email


Who do we have now?

Yeah, we have plenty of political parties with Indian representation:

  • MIC (650k members)
  • PPP (250k Indian members?)
  • IPF (100k?)
  • DAP (100k?)
  • PKR (100k?)
  • HRP (Human Rights Party Malaysia)
  • MUIP (Malaysian United Indian Party)
  • PSM (Parti Sosialis Malaysia)
  • Gerakan
  • MCC (Malaysian Cylonese Congress)
  • PPM (Parti Punjabi Malaysia)
  • MMSP (Malaysian Makkal Sakthi Party)

Note: we only have about 2 million Indians, and let’s assume 70% (1.4 million) of those are aged 21 and above. From that 1.4 million, let’s estimate 70% are members of one party or another. So we have about 980,000 Indians who are members of a political party.

From the above list, only few are in serious contention at the moment: MIC, PPP, DAP, PKR and to a lesser extent, HRP.

MIC is still going on due to their presence in ruling coalition (which affords the use of government machinery), and the position of minister and deputy ministers in cabinet.

DAP and PKR are also still going strong due to the leaders and also the presence in ruling state governments.

HRP, unfortunately, is not registered even though they are active in promoting their events in cyberworld compared to the others. But then, they are focused in few areas only, and not able to make national impact.

PSM is also similar to HRP in the sense that they are focused on certain areas and certain issues only.

PPP is a black horse. Not sure how long they can sustain with just one cabinet post and nothing else.

The other parties can be safely ignored due to small numbers and for not being a member of any coalition. MUIP is one man show (Nallakarupan), while MMSP (Thanenthiran and co) has all but disappeared. Gerakan, well, still tak bergerak-gerak. MCC, PPM and KIMMA are too small a group to make any significant impact anywhere. Probably the should consider establishing a mini coalition among them.

2 comments »

Posted in Indian

cow head protestors sentence

July 27th, 2010
|  Subscribe in a reader | Subscribe to poobalan.com by Email


I was surprised to read that the cow head protestors pleaded guilty. Thought that these guys had “bertaubat” (repented)….until I read that the charges had been amended to illegal assembly instead of seditious act. Two of them were found guilty under Sedition Act and fined RM3000, and one of them have to serve 1 week jail sentence as well. The others paid RM1000 each as fine.

The 12 cow-head protesters, who pleaded guilty earlier Tuesday to a charge of illegal assembly, were fined RM1,000 each or a month’s jail in default by the Sessions Court here.

Two of the men were also fined RM3,000 each for a sedition charge, one of whom was sentenced to a week in jail as well.

Four others on the same sedition charge were given a discharge not amounting to an acquittal.

Judge Hasbi Hasan fined the 12 men after they pleaded guilty to committing the offence at the State Secretariat building on Aug 28 last year.

The 12 were Ahmad Mahayuddin Abd Manaf, 36, Ibrahim Sabri, 43, Eyzva Ezhar Ramly, 31, Mohd Azmir Mohd Zain, 35, Ahmad Suhairy Zakaria, 30, Mohd Hilmi Ni, 40,Jainuddin @ Zainuddin Md Yusuff, 67, Mohd Jurit Ramli, 39, Mohamad Nordin Zakaria, 46, Jamil Mohamad Isa, 40, Rahimuddin Md Harun, 39, and Azhari Shaari, 39.

Eyzva Ezhar and Mohd Azmir Mohd Zain were each also fined RM3,000 or three months’ jail on the sedition charge. Eyzva Ezhar was also sentenced to a week in jail.

Eyzva Ezhar was ordered to serve his week in jail after he completes his current jail time. He is currently serving time in a prison in Jelebu for a previous drug conviction that will end on Aug 4.

Four – Ahmad Suhairy, Mohd Hilmi, Ibrahim and Ahmad Mahayuddin Abd Manaf – were granted a discharge not amounting to an acquittal after the other two pleaded guilty to sedition charge.

The 12 were part of group – which brought a cow’s head to the gate of the State Secretariat building – protesting the relocation of a 150-year-old Sri Maha Mariamman Hindu temple from Section 19 to their neighbourhood in Section 23. They were all earlier charged under the Sedition Act 1948.

For me, it looks much lighter than a slap on the wrist. MHS says its warning for other possible protestors:

Hindu Sangam president Mohan Shanmugam described the fines imposed on the cow-head protestors today as “minimal” but still served as a warning to groups looking to stoke religious tension.

… “We welcome the justice,” he told The Malaysian Insider when contacted. “Although the charges are very minimal but it shows that everyone charged will be brought to justice. This is a warning for everybody.”

What do you think? Should the punishment be more harsh to show the seriousness of the issue?

Comments Off on cow head protestors sentence »

Posted in BornInMalaysia

Tags:

Teachers given green light to be active in politics

July 27th, 2010
|  Subscribe in a reader | Subscribe to poobalan.com by Email


The Chief Secretary announced that beginning August 1st this year, teachers in the DG41 and DG44 pay level can be active in politics, except those who are HMs or principals, and those who are holding administrative posts. The reason given:

He said the move was based on the fact that teachers, at one time, played an important role as community leaders in the country’s political scenario.

“The time has come for them to be allowed to be active again in politics,” he said in a statement.

I find it a lame reason. Long time ago, yes, teachers were at the forefront because the limited jobs during pre- and post-independence period. As long as you had some basic education, you can be a teacher. Teachers were the “educated” group and respected by the relatively uneducated community in the villages and towns. It was a prestigious job.  In those days, you couldn’t be a doctor or engineer easily, unless you can from the connected families and studied in the elite schools.

Now, in 2010, we have so many academically educated people in a variety of field. Sad to say, teachers level has deteriorated while others became more prominent. Those days, teachers knew many things because they could read, and they did read a lot. Nowadays, even students seem to know more facts/information than some teachers, thanks to Internet.

As it is, teachers complain about workload and pressure. If still can find time to dabble in politics, means those teachers are quite free?

If want to give permission, then should give it to all the graduates in all the schemes in the 41 to 44 range. Then only its fair.

Comments Off on Teachers given green light to be active in politics »

Posted in BornInMalaysia

Tags:

Endhiran Audio Launch in Malaysia

July 27th, 2010
|  Subscribe in a reader | Subscribe to poobalan.com by Email


I guess the whole world now knows about this mega event. Rajinikanth, AR Rahman, and Shankar are expected to attend while Aiswarya may not due to pregnancy. Sify says Amitabh Bachan may also make an appearance.

The audio launch for Enthiran is scheduled on 31st July 2010 (Saturday), 7.31pm at Putrajaya International Convention Centre (PICC). You can try your luck to get the invitation tickets. If you are a Digi subscriber, you can take part in their contest (click here). If you are not into Digi, then you can tune in to THR Raaga. They seem to be having a contest going on, but I couldn’t really understand how to take part. Visit their website for more details (click here).

And, if you think its not worth the hassle to meet some actors, music directors and movie directors, you can, like me, plan to watch the event in the comfort of your homes! Yup that’s right. Astro Vanavil (Channel 201) will air the audio launch LIVE, and for the first time you can catch it in HD too, on channel 222 (its not activated yet la!).  MyTamilChannel says the HD channel will be active from 31st July at 6am until 8th August midnight 12am.

In case you are lost, read about Endhiran in Wikipedia (click here). Its the most anticipated movie for this year in  Tamildom. Endhiran’s website is at http://www.endhiranthemovie.in/

Comments Off on Endhiran Audio Launch in Malaysia »

Posted in Events, Indian

Tony Pua on removing discount for property buyers

July 27th, 2010
|  Subscribe in a reader | Subscribe to poobalan.com by Email


Did you read about the couple whose buying a house for RM300K and hoping to get good discount for being in the privileged group? I think its something wrong. And so, I agree with Tony Pua’s suggestion. In fact I would go as far as to suggest that only residential properties for the low income category buyers (monthly income below Rm1500 in Selangor, or RM750++ elsewhere) should be given bumiputra discount as they can do much with the savings. If you can afford to buy property for more than 150k, then no special discount for you.

The responsibility of helping the poor should not be pushed to the rest of the house buyers based on their race. If you can afford it, then you should also do your part. Isn’t it fair?

PJ Utara MP Tony Pua urged the Selangor government today to slash Bumiputera discounts for luxury homes and commercial property in the state, to improve competitiveness and restore investor confidence.

“Sacred cows need to be slaughtered,” said the chief economist for the DAP.

Pua’s statement, which will raise eyebrows among the country’s Malay majority population, follows a recent United Nations report which showed that Malaysia’s Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) had plunged 81 per cent last year.

However, Pua (pic) said the seven per cent discounts enjoyed by Malays and other Bumiputeras should be retained for homes below RM500,000.

“I am not against affirmative action but not for homes that cost RM1 million or RM2 million,” said Pua.

He argues that no discounts should be given for commercial property above RM2 million.

The Oxford graduate, who was among panellists at a dialogue to discuss Selangor’s 2011 budget, pointed out that many “brokers” were taking advantage of the policy.

Pua said effectively these units are being bought by middlemen, with a seven per cent discount, and then re-sold for profit of two per cent.


Comments Off on Tony Pua on removing discount for property buyers »

Posted in BornInMalaysia

Tags: