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Citizen Nades on temple demolition

October 9th, 2008
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Therefore, it was a welcome relief when the chairman of the Sri Mahakaliamman temple committee pleaded that individuals do not turn the demolished temple issue into a political battleground. S. Murugiah said the day after the demolition, the temple committee, together with Lembah Jaya state assemblyman Khasim Abdul Aziz, had met with Ampang Jaya Municipal Council (MPAJ) officials.

“We met with deputy council president Hamid Hussain to complain about the demolition and showed him documents. Hamid admitted that MPAJ had made a mistake, following which Khasim and MPAJ councillors had been working on getting the temple rebuilt and registered. So, stop making more statements for or against us,” he was quoted by the NST as saying.

In short, the message to politicians was: A mistake has been made; someone has admitted to it; a solution is being worked out; in the interim period, please stay out and don’t interfere on an issue between the temple and the authorities. To put it curtly, knowing how it could be the catalyst for yet another problem, the message was crystal clear: Stay out because we know how to and will sort out the problem ourselves.

But no, politicians will not listen to temple committees because they consider it is their right to speak on behalf of God. But no, politicians can’t resist making the headlines and getting the “feel good” vibes in their system. But no, politicians will go to any lengths to tell the world that they are alive and kicking when they are on the edge of oblivion. But no, this is a godsend opportunity and by their actions, they are hoping that a hidden hand or the Almighty will resuscitate their political careers.

Read the full article at the Sun. There’s something about MIC too.

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Posted in Indian, Religion

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Malaysiakini first to report PM to quit in March

October 8th, 2008
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Well, Malaysiakini did it again. It broke the news that PM Badawi will not contest in the next UMNO elections and is quitting in March. Its insider information:

“PM to step down in March, DPM to take over. He won’t stand for Umno election,” a component party leader told Malaysiakini via an SMS message. The meeting is still underway.

It is also learnt that the BN leaders are presently thanking Abdullah for his leadership.

I was thinking that he’ll live to fight another day, but looks like he’s closing shop.

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Posted in BornInMalaysia

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Banning HINDRAF

October 8th, 2008
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How can you ban an organisation that is not registered? Obviously you can punish those who wear its emblems or symbols (quite hard to ban orange color clothing!). You can also arrest those known to be its leaders or spokesmen. Freeze the accounts of the key people. Shut down its websites. Probably stop gatherings, prayers, talks and functions held by the group. In the case of HINDRAF, it would mean that about 30 people will be arrested – including its various coordinators and Waytha’s wife.

What about “makkal sakthi”? Should the word be banned as well? Cars having “makkal sakthi” stickers stopped and driver fined? T-shirt wearers arrested?

This may force situation back to status quo – unhappy community that is unable to express itself. This unhappy will only burst again the next time, when another group of people rise to lead the community. So, ban HINDRAF. Later there will be HINDRAF 2. Ban that. After sometime, HINDRAF 3 and so on.

The Home Ministry may end up needing to build large depot to house everyone it arrests. I know many HINDRAF sympathizers (a gentler word compared to supporters or members) compared to anti-HINDRAF Indians. I guess the ratio is like 65-35 among my circle of contacts. Then, you have to consider those who symphatizers who are non-Indians. Would you arrest anyone who speaks in favor of HINDRAF? That would be a very long list indeed – PAS leader, opposition MPs, JIBA president, Samy Vellu, MHS president, Gerakan chief, bloggers, NGOs, Bar Council people, lawyers, wah…very long list.

Secretary-general Tan Sri Abdul Aziz Mohd Yusof said as Hindraf was not a registered organisation, the ministry’s legal unit would look at the technicality of disbanding the group.

He said Hindraf had on many occasions created unrest within the community, citing the recent gate-crashing of the prime minister and cabinet’s Hari Raya open house as an example.

Abdul Aziz said Hindraf’s insolence could not be tolerated as it had angered many, especially Muslims who felt Hindraf had marred the spirit of the Hari Raya.

He also said the police were looking into who were behind the incident. Speaking to the New Straits Times from Singapore, Abdul Aziz was also bemused at reports that Hindraf had lodged a police report against Home Minister Datuk Seri Syed Hamid Albar and Malay daily Utusan Malaysia, for allegedly hurting the feelings of Hindraf members in a news report. He said if the report had been made under Hindraf’s name, it would be ridiculous as the group was not even a formal entity.

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Posted in Indian

Badawi to remain as PM?

October 8th, 2008
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I had a gut feeling that PM Badawi would not let go off his post easily. He may have given indication of doing so to rat out his political enemies. According to a blog posting by UMNO’s Ruhanie Ahmad, the PM had a meeting with his staunch supporters from 11pm yesterday until 2am today morning and the decision was to remain as president of UMNO and to stand for president post in the upcoming UMNO elections. Not sure for how long. So far, no confirmation of the posting yet nor any news from Putrajaya. Today may yet turn out to be another significant day (we are having many of those this year). By the way, the meeting was attend by representatives of Ali Rustam, who is standing for vice president’s post.

UPDATE: Malaysiakini quotes an insider who says:

Confirming that the meeting did take place, an influential Umno insider however told Malaysiakini that the meeting was nothing but a “casual meeting”.

“He has made up his mind. He will step down. I don’t think Abdullah decided this morning that he would defend his post,” said the source.

The source insisted, however, that this is “most unlikely” to happen as many BN leaders are dissatisfied with his performance.

“His execution of his reform plans is slow and many BN leaders are unhappy. Like I said, he will step down as planned and not defend his post,” stressed the source.

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Posted in BornInMalaysia

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Not all chinese schools wants to be converted to government schools

October 8th, 2008
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So says Deputy Education Minister Dr Wee Ka Siong. He says the partially-aided Chinese primary schools won’t be forced to convert into fully-aided ones. It would be up to the board of governors of each school to decide.

“We will not force schools to do so. We cannot give a blanket approval. Otherwise, it will create a mess,” he said in responding to a request from the school board for the school to be converted to a government school.

According to him, the Indian community was aggreable to convert all their partially-aided schools to fully-aided ones. Well, that’s because most of the schools are in pathetic condition and “squatting” on plantation lands. Of course it will be a beneficial move. But for the Chinese schools, some of them are owners of their land and have mutli-storey buildings. They have strong financial support from the foundations and business community. Thus, they prefer to remain out of government hands. They still want to maintain their freedom.

Dr Wee said that while the Indian community was open to convert all Tamil schools in the country, the Chinese were reluctant to do so.

“While the Indian community wants to completely hand over its 374 schools, the majority of Chinese schools are not keen due to the amount they have spent, and because they still want to hold on to the land.”

He said that to date, only a handful of Chinese schools had requested conversion of their status.

The deputy minister also mentioned about the plans (STILL BEING MADE!) on conversion of those schools:

Dr Wee also noted that while plans were being made to allow the conversion of partially-aided schools under the Education Blueprint 2006-2010, there was also a need for a more balanced system of allocation distribution.

“Of course, we have to first look at our overall financial capability,” said Dr Wee, who announced an emergency allocation of RM20,000 to SJK (C) Thung Hon for classroom furniture and to build a guardhouse.

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Posted in BornInMalaysia, Tamil-Schools