Archive for the ‘BornInMalaysia’ category

« Older Entries
Newer Entries »

is it a good time to have election?

January 16th, 2008
|  Subscribe in a reader | Subscribe to poobalan.com by Email


– indian sentiments divided due to HINDRAF
– Lingam-gate
– Cost of living increasing – foodstuff/toll/raw materials
– "Free" schooling fiasco
– Increase in crime rate statistics
– Nurin and Sharlinie cases
– Chua Soi Lek DVD
– FDI behind few other countries in ASEAN
– Growth rate also behind few countries in ASEAN
– corruption issues
– racist and/or sexist MPs
– PKFTZ scandal
– Mazu statue
– Mat Rempit
– use of ISA
– banning of Catholic buletin
– "close one eye" case
– BERSIH rally
– Bar Council walk
– 3 rallies planned before end of February
– Politician assassination
– umno youth condemning indian newspaper vendors
– no bonus for civil servants (yet)
– altantuniya case

– and many more (just in the last 6 months!)

Who in their right mind will call for election now?

maybe one who knows that:

– rakyat have no (better?) choice
– rakyat only worries on local issues – fix the road, put up a surau, give out angpow (land title/house key etc)
– rakyat easily forget
– selfish mentality of individual : as long as my wellbeing is taken care, I have no worries.
– minority votes won't affect the results.

so, when is it? PM refuses to tell 🙂

Pak Lah keeps ’em guessing on elections

source

MADRID: The guessing game is still on as Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi refuses to give any clues as to when he may call the coming general election. 

“It can be between now and March and it can be between now and March 2009,” the Prime Minister said in reference to the Barisan Nasional mandate which will end in March next year.  “I am thrilled to hear that everyone seems impatient for the general election,” he told reporters accompanying him on his visit to Spain. 

Political parties have been in full gear anticipating the elections in March, with Barisan having conducted election dry runs in several states. Election pundits have been predicting the polling date as around early March as Abdullah has not made any overseas travel plans in February.  

After attending the Alliance of Civilisations Forum here this week, the Prime Minister will travel to Davos to attend the World Economic Forum at the end of this month. He told a press conference late Monday that he would attend the Organisation of Islamic Conference summit in Senegal in March as he would be handing over the chairmanship to the host country. 

Asked if the elections would be held before or after the OIC summit, Abdullah replied with a laugh: “I have not made any preparation for the general election.” 

However, the Prime Minister said everyone should be prepared for the polls. “Whatever it is, you have to prepare. Normally, you still have one year, one year before we complete the mandate, it is a full year to prepare for election. That has been the way all these years.” The coming polls will be the country’s 12th general election.

Comments Off on is it a good time to have election? »

Posted in BornInMalaysia

Tags:

MIC hotline to start in April

January 16th, 2008
|  Subscribe in a reader | Subscribe to poobalan.com by Email


One of the positive outcome from Hindraf rally is the plan by MIC to set up a hotline, which was to take 6 months to set up. No reason was given then for the extremely long during. Now, SV says its part of their modernisation of the MIC HQ as well. The call centre is expected to be ready by April.

MIC also said there will be a special committee…

By K. Harinderanharinderan@nst.com.my

source

KUALA LUMPUR: The MIC is setting up a hotline call centre at its headquarters here to address problems faced by Indians in the country.

"The centre, which will be fully operational in April, will be manned by professionals who will record and refer the problems received from the community to the relevant offices within the MIC," MIC president Datuk Seri S. Samy Vellu said yesterday. "We are modernising the MIC headquarters in line with our objective to have a new outlook in facing the general election."

He said the future for Indians was bright under the leadership of Prime Minster Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi who was receptive to problems facing the community.

He said a vote for the opposition in the general election would be detrimental to the nation's progress.

Only the MIC could cater to socio-economic needs of the Indian community and developments. Incidents in the past two months had been detrimental to the hard work and position of the Indians, he added.

Samy Vellu, who is also the works minister, said he would be asking for an allocation of RM3.8 billion for new projects this year. This is because its present allocation has run out. "The billions allocated by the government last year have been reduced to a mere RM20."

He said this after launching the 6th annual Ponggal celebration which was attended by over 800 people at Menara Kuala Lumpur. Colourful earthen pots, sugar cane and visitors in traditional Indian outfits added colour to the festivities.

Ponggal, which has been celebrated over the last 5,000 years, originated from Tamil Nadu in India and is observed by Hindus to thank God for a bountiful harvest.

"I am lucky to be here for the festival and experience first-hand a facet of the Indian culture," said Elizabeth Heise, 74, a tourist from Holland.

The event was organised by Putera MIC. Putera MIC national co-ordinator P. Kamalanathan said a similar event was organised in Chennai, India, this year under the theme "The Colours of Ponggal from Menara KL" to highlight the unity and understanding of the various races in Malaysia.

1 comment »

Posted in BornInMalaysia

Tags:

transportation cost expected to increase

January 16th, 2008
|  Subscribe in a reader | Subscribe to poobalan.com by Email


It was highlighted last year that there will be a price revision for major transportation in Klang Valley in 2008. That means more costly to use bus, rail, or taxi. So, how now? Petrol also expected to increase. Maybe next option is bicycle or motorbikes.

Operators want major fare hikes

By Minderjeet Kaurmkaur@nst.com.my

source

KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysians should prepare for higher taxi, bus and rail fares in view of calls for a hike in rates from unhappy public transport operators.

They are demanding fare hikes, claiming they could not cope with increasing fuel, labour and maintenance costs.

Among the demands were:

– Taxi owners and drivers want a starting rate of RM3, an increase of RM1 over the current rate;

– Bus operators want to charge 10 sen for every kilometre instead of the present 6.5 sen per kilometre;

– Keretapi Tanah Melayu Bhd (KTMB) wants an increase of 30 per cent for inter-city routes and up to 50 per cent for Komuter services.

Taxi Owners and Drivers Association secretary Hiew Pow Man said members also wanted the 10 sen rate for every 150 metres to be reduced to 100 metres. They feel the waiting time in traffic jams should also be shortened from 45 to 30 seconds for an additional charge.

Comments Off on transportation cost expected to increase »

Posted in BornInMalaysia

Hindraf ISA detainees stay united

January 15th, 2008
|  Subscribe in a reader | Subscribe to poobalan.com by Email


However, the statement did not mention anything (agree/deny) about the police report made by Vasantha Kumar. So, is there such a report?

Hindraf 5 deny split in ranks
http://www.malaysiakini.com/news/77057
Syed Jaymal Zahiid | Jan 15, 08 5:26pm

The five detained leaders of the Hindu Rights Action Force (Hindraf) detention have denied that there is a split in their ranks.

Malaysiakini reported yesterday that Hindraf secretary T Vasantha Kumar had lodged a police report against legal adviser P Uthayakumar over supposed allegations of misuse of funds. However, the latter’s lawyer N Surendran had urged caution over placing too much faith in such information. 
 
The two, along with V Ganabatirau, M Manoharan and R Kenghadharan, are being held under the Internal Security Act (ISA) at the Kamunting camp in Perak.

Their joint denial was issued when they met today with their lawyers – M Kula Segaran, Karpal Singh, A Sivanesan, S Ponnumugam, M Manogran, T Kumar and Ram Karpal Singh.

In a statement signed by Kula Segaran, the five said: “We are not disunited, we will continue our fight (for betterment of the Indian Malaysian community) and will fast (from Jan 21-28).” 

Specifically, the denial covers any suggestion that they are no longer on talking terms with one another or that “one or more of them will admit to (alleged terrorism charges)”.

“They are resolved to fight (on) and have not wavered in any way from their demands to the government,” Kula Segaran noted in the statement.

“Their detention without trial has put Malaysia on the world map as (a country) which does not respect human rights values. We hope the government will take steps to release (them) unconditionally as soon as possible.”

According to the statement, the ISA Advisory Board met in Kamunting today to discussion the alleged terrorism charges against the Hindraf leaders, but adjourned the hearing to Feb 12.

Yusuf Sam (whose designation was not stated), who presided over the closed- door meeting, was assisted by two assessors. The internal security ministry was represented by legal adviser Abdul Wahab, while lawyers for the Hindraf 5 were present.

Complaints about conditions

The Hindraf leaders further protested the conditions under which they are being held, calling for immediate attention to their complaints that:

• They are being locked up in their cells for nearly 16 hours daily “like common criminals”;

• The keys to their cells are kept some distance away in the administration block, thereby leading to potential delay in assistance in case of emergencies like a fire;

• They do not have access to television, computers or up-to-date books and magazines in the resource centre; and

• Vegetarians like Kengatheran do not get appropriate meals.

They also demanded more time with their families, who are only allowed a maximum of 45 minutes per visit and, even then, only in the presence of guards. Apart from wanting food from outside the camp, they want access to a temple for prayers.

The five reiterated their reasons for their forthcoming hunger strike, saying it is to protest their “unlawful and unconstitutional detention” since Dec 13, as well as to seek restoration of Indian rights and to “seek divine intervention”. 

1 comment »

Posted in BornInMalaysia

Tags:

Penang Hindu Endowments Board replies

January 15th, 2008
|  Subscribe in a reader | Subscribe to poobalan.com by Email


The Hindu Board replies to attacks on its status.

Said Kumaraendran: "The board has never been a political tool of the ruling coalition. (Its) commissioners and temple management committee-members have always been appointed based on merit and (their) credentials, (not) political affiliation as alleged."

 

They are all appointed by the state governor on the advice of the state government based on their track-record as persons of high esteem in the society.”

– wonder how they define merit and credentials. Based on the track record?

Penang Hindu Board 'not BN political tool'
http://www.malaysiakini.com/news/77039
Athi Veeranggan | Jan 15, 08 2:37pm

The Penang Hindu Endowments Board has defended itself against allegations that it has become a political tool of the MIC and Gerakan in Penang and that it is acting beyond its powers.

K Kumaraendran rebutted the claim that political considerations have been the yardstick for the appointment of commissioners and committee- members, who manage the five temples in the state. 

A commissioner and lawyer, he was commenting on a Malaysiakini report last Friday, in which United Hindu Religious Council president G Mugunthan had alleged there is rampant political meddling in the annual appointments. 

Said Kumaraendran: "The board has never been a political tool of the ruling coalition. (Its) commissioners and temple management committee-members have always been appointed based on merit and (their) credentials, (not) political affiliation as alleged.

"They are all appointed by the state governor on the advice of the state government based on their track-record as persons of high esteem in the society.”

Hindu endowments belonging to the hilltop Waterfall Temple – Sri Balathandayuthabani Kovil (photo) – Sri Ramar Kovil in Dhoby Ghaut, Sri Kunj Bihari Krishan Mandir, Sri Maha Mariamman Kovil in Lebuh Queen and Sri Maha Mariamman Kovil in Butterworth are administered by the board.

Under the Hindu Endowment Ordinance, the state governor on the advice of the state executive council appoints a board of commissioners, one of whom must be a government officer.

The board then sets up an endowment management committee consisting of members of public professing the religion applicable to the endowments – in this case, Hinduism.

'Orderly festivals'

According to Mugunthan, political-based appointments of commissioners have become a norm since the 1980s.

Even the board chairperson is a politician, he said, referring to former MIC state chairpersons T Suppiah and K Rajapathy, and current state deputy chairperson PK Subbaiyah.

Over the years many MIC division leaders and prominent Gerakan Indian leaders have been appointed as commissioners. 

Reliable sources had claimed that Penang Chief Minister Dr Koh Tsu Koon (photo ) has insisted on "his men from Gerakan" being appointed.

Kumaraendran also refuted the allegation that the board had overstepped its jurisdiction.
The board is entrusted with managing the temples and their endowments and to organise their religious festivals, he noted.

In this respect, it has a legal obligation to ensure that religious festivals are celebrated in correct and orderly manner.

This involves implementing measures to regulate tanneer panthal (refreshment booths) and installing a centralised system to control the type of music played during Thaipusam each year.

"Various quarters have commended the board for its actions to bring more order into Hindu religious festivals," he added.

Comments Off on Penang Hindu Endowments Board replies »

Posted in BornInMalaysia

Tags: