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Pakatan state magazines come under fire

July 29th, 2008
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Penang and Perak state governments had announced the publication of magazines that various groups branded as propoganda. These groups called the the two state governments ‘hypocrites’ as they were doing the same thing as the previous governments which they had earlier criticised.

Malaysiakini carried some of the responses from these groups:

Media Watch:

Penang-based Media Watch group described Suara Rakyat, published by the DAP-led Penang government and Citra Perak in PAS-led Perak as “merely a public media tool of partisan propaganda.”“The Pakatan Rakyat governments are no different from the previous ones after all. They are hypocrites by copying BN media policy to serve their cynical self interests,” said its coordinator B K Ong, stressing Media Watch’s stand on governments to ‘stay away’ from media publications.

Even if a state government funds and publishes a state magazine, he argues it should be administrated by an independent editorial board to provide free and fair news coverage.

“But these magazines are more like mouthpieces of Pakatan Rakyat state governments than independent magazines,” he told Malaysiakini.

By following the precedent set by his predecessor, Ong said Penang Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng had proven to be a hypocrite since “he had condemned BN-controlled media all these years.”

“He should have titled the magazine as Suara Kerajaan (Government Voice) not Suara Rakyat (People’s Voice),” he said.

United Hindu Religious Council:

President G Mugunthan criticised the Pakatan Rakyat state governments of not going on an austerity drive to save government spending, more so during such difficult times for the people.“The Pakatan state governments claim to be thrifty but are wrongly spending precious government funds
on propaganda. The money could have well spent for noble causes like helping the poor and Tamil schools,” he stressed.

Aliran:

Although social reform movement Aliran is not against the government-sponsored publications, it nonetheless said that state magazines should be more for “intellectual discourse, intelligent thinking and people centric.”

Penang Heritage Trust:

Penang Heritage Trust head Dr Choon Sim Poey concurred that it would not be right for the state governments to utilise public funds for political publicity, instead of  publishing government policies and action plans for the information of the people.

Opposition Leader in Penang:

Azhar Ibrahim on Monday criticised the state government of going back on its promise to cut operational costs due to a lack of funds.“Is this what we call the ‘CAT’ government?” he asked, taking a swipe at the state government’s widely-propagated principles of competency, accountability and transparency (CAT).

it is estimated that Penang government will spent RM300,000 (20,000 copies x 3 editions) . Perak is also expected to spend same amount for 6 editions of 10,000 copies each. Suara Rakyat (52 pages), Penang’s version is in 3 languages – Malay, Mandarin, and Tamil. Citra Perak (20 pages) is in Malay only.

Previous Penang government spent nearly RM300,000 a year to publish separate Malay, Chinese and Tamil magazines in Penang. The Malay version, Wawasan Rakyat was published first in 1994, Hong Yuan in Mandarin was launched in 1999 while Makkal Madal in Tamil was started in 2003.

The previous Perak BN government only published Warta Perak in Bahasa.

The Pakatan government must be careful to ensure that they do not follow the path of those they criticised earlier. This kind of expense will not go down well with public, and will be used by opposition to attack government.

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IPF drowning?

July 29th, 2008
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after the death of Pandithan, IPF have been very quiet given that it has split into to two, which I think is not good. There was supposed to be an announcement on long term plans, but nothing so far. Calls for AGM are not heeded.

IPF Bersatu, headed by former secretary general says the party is weakening due to leadership given to Pandithan’s wife.

“She is from India and with no experience. For the party’s solidarity, Pandithan, in his dying days, should have rallied round party veterans, including those outside the party, to take over.”

He said members were unhappy with the appointment of Jayashree as acting president.
“By appointing her, it shows the late Pandithan’s self-interest in safeguarding the RM3 million building housing the party headquarters.”

He felt that the only way out for IPF was to reunite the 380,000 members and former members under one roof.

Panjamurti, who claimed to have 200,000 former IPF members in his party, said: “The members want the two factions within the party to rejoin to restore their confidence in the party’s struggle.

“IPF Bersatu extended its hand of friendship to IPF but the acting president did not respond.”

He feared that the delay might weaken the party..

Meanwhile, IPF deputy president V. Senggutuan agreed that several hundred had left the party but could not say what the exact number was. He said some had joined Parti Keadilan Rakyat, Pas and DAP.

“I am now visiting various states to register members and give them motivational talks,” he said, adding that most of them were hardcore party supporters.

He said the only way to strengthen the party was to become a member of the Barisan Nasional.

“This will give us some focus. It will also give confidence to our members, who are mostly poor Indian families still mourning Pandithan’s death.”

IPF vice-president N. Sargunan said the party’s struggle was still relevant, having survived for the past 20 years without power or media support. He hopes IPF can join BN, but I don’t MIC will appreciate that.

“Our hope is that BN leaders will see our importance and accept us into their fold.

“There is space for two Indian-based parties in BN considering that there are so many coalition parties representing the people of Sabah.”

It seems the party has been quite dormant for some time, with lack of interaction between leadership and grassroot support. The acting president, Pandithan’s widow, madam Jayashree said that a press conference will be called for announcements on the party’s future plans.

By the way, IPF is suing IPF Bersatu for RM1 million for using its name, logo and registration number. The suit says IPF Bersatu is not part of the IPF, and as such has caused confusion among party members. IPF Bersatu is headed by former IPF secretary-general K. Panjamurti. IPF was set up by Tan Sri M.G.
Pandithan in the late 1980s.

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Deepavali the Festival of Lights to be dimmer?

July 29th, 2008
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HINDRAF has called upon its supporters to celebrate Deepavali in a quite form – more to meditation and prayers, instead of joyous party mode. This is to show sign of respect and kinship with the 5 detained HINDRAF leaders.

I guess that means no open houses and spending money on food for neighbors, friends, colleagues etc. Well, usually no problem for me since my Deepavali is always a quiet affair, but this time planning for open house cum house warming function. Will see how it goes. I doubt all those Indian businesses in little Indias will be happy to hear about this 🙂

Would the community follow this suggestion, or go about their daily business during Deepavali?

Malaysiakini also picked up this news. Below is the press statement from Waytha (received via email):

26 TH JULY 2008
HINDRAF is calling upon all its supporters to celebrate Deepavali this year in quiet penance, meditation and prayers with their family and friends without the usual festive celebration in a symbolic silent protest in favour of our 5 HINDRAF brothers who are unjustly detained for championing equal rights, equal opportunity and freedom of speech and religion.

Deepavali, itself although has many versions, it is primarily celebrated when the good triumphs over the evil. The most popular version is when Narakasura, the evil and unjust ruler of Pradyoshapuram was killed by Krishna’s wife – Satyabhama.
The death of Narakasura was rejoiced by the celebration of Deepavali that signifies advent of joy, happiness and spiritual enhancement. It is celebrated as festival of lights as light depict good over darkness depicted as evil.

For the Malaysian Indian society, the darkness still prevails as basic human rights such as equal rights, equal opportunity and freedom of speech and religion is still lacking for them. HINDRAF had brought forward many issues on these aspects but it has always been side tracked and ignored for political issues and self serving agenda. HINDRAF believes that the Malaysian Indians are still in darkness in a country that we call our own although all efforts have been made to make this Government understand.

In Malaysia, the celebration of Deepavali by the Malaysian Indian does not signify the actual significance of its occasion as Malaysian Indians are still in darkness as far as their freedom and rights are forever compromised.
HINDRAF urges it’s supporters to seek the inner light, a self-luminous light of “self” that resides in their heart and soul in observing Deepavali in quite penance, meditation and prayers that will eventually shed the light of “Freedom” for our society and make this Government realise how their draconian ISA laws is opposed by the entire community.

HINDRAF has always been apolitical and will always be so as our intention is solely to defend and protect the well being of Malaysian Indians who are continuously being subjected to systematic marginalization and discrimination in a country that they call it their own. We have never asked for more than what is rightfully deserved as a Malaysian citizen respecting human rights and its truthness.

Waytha Moorthy
Hindraf- Chairman
Currently in London

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Bonded Workers

July 28th, 2008
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From time to time we read about estate workers being treated like bonded workers or forced labourers. Sometimes terms like slaves are used. I remember about a case in Melaka few years back. And recently, the case in Segamat of all place (constituent of the Human Resources Minister!).

The term bonded worker means employers or contractors who threaten and cheat their employees into working for practically pittance. The family members are also forced to work, usually to settle some “debt”. Lack of education and being illiterate is one of the reasons why this problem still occurs.

Obviously, plantation owner who close two eyes are also part of the problem. And one have to ask, why the authorities don’t know about this problem. Perhaps more Tamil speaking officers should be attached to enforcement and inspection teams who go to the grounds.

Now the ministry is launching a massive crackdown on such employers:

Its Minister Datuk Dr S. Subramaniam said the ministry’s Manpower Department had also lodged police reports against those who treated their workers as bonded labourers.

“If there is still no action taken by the respective police stations where the estates are located, we will go right up to Bukit Aman (police headquarters),” he said in a statement yesterday.

Dr Subramaniam said the ministry was aware of the matter and had identified the contractors involved. “We will get the police to take action against them,” he said.

Dr Subramaniam said the ministry would ensure that the issue of bonded labourers would be resolved.

He also instructed all estate owners and management to immediately report to the police and the ministry if they come across contractors who ill-treated their workers. “This is a very serious matter and I want all parties to take note and report the matter immediately to the authorities. I will personally look into the cases,” he said.

The ill-treatment of estate workers came to light when a group of workers and their families from an estate in Segamat, Johor reported to the ministry and the police that their contractor had been abusing them, including forcing members of their family members to work.

Following the revelation, Dr Subramaniam visited the estate and ordered officials from the ministry to lodge a police report and instructed the Manpower Department to launch a crackdown on all estates to ensure that the workers were well taken care off. He also ordered all contractors to register with the Manpower Department beginning next month.

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No evidence of Saiful’s claims says doctor report

July 28th, 2008
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Malaysiakini expands on RPK’s initial article regarding the doctor report that states no evidence of Mohd Saiful’s claims were found.

Malaysiakini went to the government-linked hospital (Pusrawi) to get more feedback, but the person they met took the copy of the medical report. The hospital will be investigating how the report was leaked out since it concern’s a individual’s privacy. Just imagine if the reports says Saiful is HIV positive, for example. It would damage the man’s life forever. Already a suspected rape victim, and now possibly branded a liar.

By the way, the doctor who examined him was a Burmese. Wonder if that has any implications. Oh ya, he’s missing as well. Not sure if he will be found in a foreign country or will be resting in pieces.

Saiful then went to a government hospital as per the first doctor’s report. No report of that is available at this time. However, RPK says that the government hospital report also matches Pusrawi’s report. No evidence found. But let us wait the report comes out.

The report indicates it is a Emergency and Accident Unit visit, since 28th June Saturday afternoon 2pm will be after office hours.

Here’s MK’s article:

There is no evidence that Mohd Saiful Bukhari Azlan was sodomised, according to the doctor who examined him four hours before he lodged a police report alleging he was sexually assaulted by PKR leader Anwar Ibrahim.

It is believed that Anwar’s former aide Saiful (left) went to two different hospitals on June 28 – the day he lodged the police report claiming that he was sodomised by his ex-boss.

He first went to Hospital Pusrawi (Pusat Rawatan Islam) in Jalan Tun Razak – a government-linked Islamic medical institution – at about 2pm.

According to a copy of the two-page medical report obtained by malaysiakini yesterday, Saiful went to the hospital complaining of ‘tenesmus’ – a medical term for difficulty and pain in passing motion.

He was examined by Dr Mohamed Osman Abdul Hamid, the medical officer on duty.

The doctor said that the patient had alleged he was assaulted by the intrusion of a piece of “plastic” in the anus.

Mohamed Osman, according to his medical report which was recorded at 2.14pm, found “zero active bleeding”, “zero ulcer or pus”, “zero tear and scar” in Saiful’s anus.

He also stated that Saiful appeared “alert”, “comfortable”, “not pale” and did not show any fever symptoms.

A senior Pusrawi official told malaysiakini this morning that the hospital had launched an internal investigation on how Saiful’s medical report was leaked, which is widely considered as a major infringement of patient privacy. When malaysiakini showed him a copy of the report, he refused to return it saying, “It’s our document.”

A check at the emergency unit where Mohamed Osman is attached revealed that he has taken leave since last week.

Meanwhile, Pusrawi general manager Wan Mahmood Wan Yaacob refused to comment on the matter.

Mohamed Osman, in his report’s concluding remarks, advised Saiful to go to a government hospital so as “to rule out” assault and sodomy. At 6pm on that day, Saiful went to Hospital Kuala Lumpur for his second medical examination. He subsequently lodged a report against Anwar at the police beat at the hospital.

According to an expert who has dealt with rape and sodomy cases, the victim must provide a second medical examination in a government hospital.

She said the court will only accept evidence from a government hospital but the first medical examination must collaborate with the second report, otherwise this could be challenged during the trial.

“From the report, the doctor had failed to find any evidence to support the patient’s complaint. That was why he asked the patient to go to a government hospital to conclusively rule out assault or sodomy,” said the expert who requested anonymity.

It is learnt that the police have recorded statements from Mohamed Osman after Saiful lodged the report against Anwar.

The doctor was said to be under tremendous stress as a result of the police interrogation and was advised by the hospital to take leave.

Mohamed Osman, a Burmese Muslim, has 20 years of experience as a doctor. He previously worked in government hospitals before joining Pusrawi about a year ago.

Efforts by malaysiakini to contact Saiful has not been successful.

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