Posts Tagged ‘discrimination’

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Kedah bans concerts

September 5th, 2008
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Malaysiakini reports that the state government had imposed an indefinite ban on rock, pop, reggae, and dangdut shows. Hmm…bad news indeed. So, no THR Raaga concert in Kedah?

According to the state government, such concerts have a negative influence on youths.The Star newspaper today quoted state executive councillor Dr Ismail Salleh as saying that the administration does not “condone any gelek-gelek (gyrations) on stage.”

Ismail said the state is currently formulating a comprehensive guideline for concerts and informed that the ban will remain until further notice.

However, he added that the state government is not opposed to entertainment but stated that concerts could have a negative influence.

But PAS Info officer Mahfuz Omar himself was in the dark about this ban.

SIS meanwhile are asking Pakatan Rakyat to state their stand. Another headache for Anwar and his team.

Ini PAS memang problem…

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The Star quiet on MCA anger

August 28th, 2008
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Surprisingly, The Star (owned by MCA) did not publish anything yet on the protest by MCA Youth over statement by Bukit Bendera UMNO division head, Ahmad Ismail who said the Chinese were “squatters” during a ceramah for Permatang Pauh by-election.

MCA youth says:

Since independence, Malaysians have worked hard to stay together as one to build the country. But now, just days ahead of Merdeka celebrations, such comments are being made. We are very disappointed, MCA Youth leader Hang Cheng Peng told reporters.

They demand an immediate apology and explanation:

MCA Youth has submitted a letter yesterday demanding an open apology,
retraction and a promise not to make similar statements in the future.

MCA Youth KL launched signature campaign to condemn Ahmad which a Deputy Minister also signed (Wee Ka Siong – going for MCA election soon).

Gerakan also do not intend to be quiet. Its Penang Youth member issued press statement asking Prime Minister and Deputy to take action (maybe he is joking!)

Note that only those “youth” fellas are making a fuss.

Anyway, this made me think. If Chinese are squatters, then Indians are…?

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Racist teacher transferred out of state while police is powerless

August 24th, 2008
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Earlier, we had the community fuming at the lackadaisical attitude shown by those responsible in punishing the teacher who insulted the Indian community. Only a warning letter was issued But today, the Star reported Deputy Education Minister Wee Ka Siong saying that the teacher will be transferred out of Selangor next week (when school reopens).

He clarified that this was past of the disciplinary measures decided upon completion of the investigation. One then has to wonder why this punishment was not revealed earlier together with the warning letter.

The teacher, who is currently suspended from school and doing
clerical work in the Selangor Education Department, has been undergoing
two-week counselling. She has been reprimanded and given a stern warning. The teacher has promised that the incident will not recur.

Not sure if this the “we will do it our way” outcome of MIC.

Meanwhile, the police admitted that they cannot act against teachers like Ms Rusitah who go about insulting the Indian community, unless they physically harmed the students.

District criminal investigations department chief Deputy Superintendent
Roslan Ibrahim said no action could be taken against a teacher accused
of verbal abuse.

“When such cases (verbal abuse) are reported, we can only forward it to the Education Department for further action,” he said.

On racial slurs, Roslan said it could be categorised as mental abuse.

“However it would be difficult to charge a teacher suspected of
racially abusing a student unless there is strong supporting evidence
and witnesses who are willing to testify in court,” he said.

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more details on missing temples in KL City Plan 2020

August 21st, 2008
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Malaysiakini provided more details on the removal of temples and crematoriums from KL Master Plan 2020 draft as highlighted by MHS yesterday. Some pertinent details of the article are reproduced below:

Vaithilingam also queried whether the move by DBKL was a plot to remove the religious sites by year 2020.

“What is of great concern to the community leaders is whether there is a plan to erase off hundreds of Hindu temples and the two crematoriums situated at Jalan Loke Yew and Sentul by the year 2020,” he said.

“When the issue rose in the meeting, many realised that their temples were not identified in the plan.

“But before we proceed with anything, the temples and crematoriums have to find out whether they are listed or not,” he said when contacted by Malaysiakini.

“Then they will have to submit protest forms to DBKL and from then on we will seek clarification on the matter from the Federal Territories Minister,” he said.

According to Vaithilingam, MHS organised a special meeting with more than 120 temple representatives on Aug 19 to bring this issue to the attention of the various temple associations that were involved.

Asked the reason for not probing the ministry earlier, Vaithilingam said that the temples were informed of the situation but did not take the matter with immediate importance.

“The temples are not bothered until the DBKL officer is in front of the temple to break it down,” he added.

Besides the crematoriums, some of the temples that are not listed in the 13-year plan are several prominent temples like the Hanuman and Krishna temples in Brickfields and Sri Nageswari Amman temple in Bangsar which celebrated its 40th anniversary recently.

Vaithilingam warned that the related authorities have to identify the location of their respective temples as soon as possible and put forward a protest form which is obtainable from DBKL and Hindu Sangam.

The deadline for the submission of these forms to the DBKL authorities is Aug 30.

“From here we will have to have discussion with the authorities and decide whether the temples will be allowed to exist or will it be provided with suitable alternatives,” said Vaithilingam.

It is stated that the temples have to send the protest form by August 30th. If the reply from DBKL says that they are listed and the plan is updated, no problem. If not, Deputy Minister Saravanan going to have a very hard time.

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Teacher who insulted Indian community just given warning

August 20th, 2008
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Ca you, the reader, honestly ask yourself that if the race of teacher and students was reversed, would the outcome be the same?The teacher was given administrative warning, meaning like a show-cause letter which will be recorded in her personal file. Future promotions and other benefits/opportunities may be restricted or denied based on the blotch on her career. In public service, there are few levels of punishment – letter, suspension of pay rise, suspension of work, demotion and finally sacking. Thus the person was given the most lenient punishment possible for a crime which threatened national harmony.

However as temporary measure, the teacher was placed in Selangor education department’s counseling unit where a counselor will be working with her (how long?).

The Star reported that “educationdirector-general Datuk Alimuddin Mohd Dom said the Selangor education
department’s disciplinary committee investigated the case by calling those involved including the teacher and students.”

Alimuddin said the Selangor education department’s disciplinary committee decided that the teacher be given the warning.

“The ministry regrets the incident which occurred during a class at the school on July 18. It also caused dissatisfaction among the parents at the school,” said Alimuddin.

The ministry, he added, regarded the case as solved and hoped all parties would not raise the issue again.

Ha! the famous words – ” regarded the case as solved and hoped all parties would not raise the issue again”. That means message to close the mouth and keep it that way.

However, I hope the parents will persist with legal action. I’m sure many people will come forward to help fund the legal costs. Anyway, I doubt lawyers from MIC/DAP/Gerakan/PKR/PAS/MCA/PPP etc would want to charge any fee. Wait a minute, no one from the political parties is representing the aggrived group? Maybe ex-MIC fellas like Vigneswaran want to grab this opportunity? 🙂

BTW, if found guilty by the court (fined or imprisoned), the teacher will be automatically sacked.

I’ll continue later.

 

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