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Subscribe in a reader | Subscribe to poobalan.com by Email the poll on NTV7 news yesterday showed 78% of the respondents said no police permit should be obtained for assembly, while 22% said a police permit should be obtained.
NTV7 seems to have a different viewers profile, since the rest of the country wants peace and harmony (and tourists' money), thus oppose assemblies.
| Subscribe in a reader | Subscribe to poobalan.com by Email This is like giving more "bullets" for Hindraf to gain support/sympathy.
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This is quite funny – "They threw bricks at his head. Do you think it will not cause death?" . Possibly the visitors to the temple were wearing night vision goggles and infrared telescopes to pinpointly aim at the someone's head. Is it more likely the head came in the way of the brick? Of course, the head being on top of a body will be hit by any object thrown hit into the air – imagine spitting into the air or watching a quarterback hurl the ball in american football. The gates are quite tall, so undoubtedly a brick can't come at a lower projectile angle. Maybe the accused can be given royal pardon and absorbed into rugby teams. Btw, I'm curious if the same charges be leveled at FRU officers who shot tear gas canisters into the crowd causing injuries? Maybe a case can be made saying the shots should be fired at a "safe" area near to the crowd, instead of firing at the crowd itself. I'm getting more and more confused……. Attempted murder charge for Hindraf protestors |
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Twenty-six Hindu Rights Action Force (Hindraf) supporters were charged with attempted murder and causing damage to public property during the mass rally in Kuala Lumpur on Nov 25. Contacted by Malaysiakini, their lawyers said the men were charged before judge Azimah Omar at the Shah Alam Sessions Court this afternoon. Attorney-General Abdul Gani Patail said the alleged victim was a policeman who received stitches to his head after protesters threw iron pipes and bricks, and that if convicted, the accused faced up to 20 years in jail. "They threw bricks at his head. Do you think it will not cause death?" he told AFP. Out of the 26, 15 were earlier charged at the Selayang Sessions Court last week for allegedly taking part in an illegal gathering under Section 27 of the Police Act and Section 141 of the Penal Code. They were subsequently released on bail. Today, they were slapped with additional charges under Section 307 of the Penal Code for alleged attempted murder and causing mischief while taking part in an unlawful assembly or riot under Section 440 of the same code.
“The protesters were alleged to have caused damages to some of the properties at the Batu Caves temple, including the front gates and cars,” said lawyer Rajpal Singh from the legal team representing the accused. In the early hours of the banned Nov 25 Hindraf rally, a crowd of 3,000 – mostly from neighbouring states – had gathered inside the Batu Caves compound to spend the night. Police used tear gas and water cannon to disperse the crowd and 69 people were arrested although 43 were let off with a warning. ‘Victimisation continues’ The court has yet to make a decision on this as the case was adjourned to tomorrow morning to allow Abdul Gani to make the submission, said another defence lawyer M Manoharan. “The group will be remanded until tomorrow morning,” he added. Manoharan – who is also a key leader in Hindraf – said the latest development showed that the alleged “victimisation and prosecution against Malaysian Indians has started again”. Under Section 307 of the Penal Code, the accused, upon conviction, are liable to a maximum of 20 years jail if hurt is caused. While under Section 440, they could face up to five years’ jail and a fine. They are also liable to a jail sentence of up to a year and maximum RM10,000 fine for the illegal gathering charge. About 30,000 people took to the streets of Kuala Lumpur on Nov 25 to protest against the marginalisation of Indian Malaysians. Many of those who were dispersed in Batu Caves earlier that morning marched all the way to town to join the rally. The police, which had denied a permit for the rally, used tear gas and water cannons to disperse the crowd. In an immediate reaction, Opposition Leader Lim Kit Siang said the attempted murder charge was "shocking" and a surprise. "All efforts should be channelled at de-escalating the atmosphere. But the reverse seems to be happening," he said, referring to the turmoil that has worsened Malaysia's already tense race relations. N Ravi, a member of the defence legal team, said the accused, aged between 19 and 46, would fight the allegations and other charges levelled against them including rioting, illegal assembly and causing damage to public property. "We can raise reasonable doubt against the charges," he said, adding that the 26 were being detained in Pudu jail in downtown Kuala Lumpur. Bersih group fails to turn up In an unrelated development, 10 protestors at the Nov 10 rally organised by polls reform group Bersih who were expected to be charged today did not show up in court. According to their lawyer Zulqarnain Lukman, the 10 were told earlier to report back to the police station on Dec 10 and this was stated in their bail. However, a police officer called them on Sunday and told them to come to the police station today as they could be charged for illegal gathering at the Kuala Lumpur Magistrate’s Court. “The group decided not to go since they were informally informed and they will stick to Dec 10 to report to the police station,” said Zulqarnain. |
| Subscribe in a reader | Subscribe to poobalan.com by Email the reality as nazri says it is in the paragraphs below. the younger generation may feel 50 years is enough and its time to look forward with a new contract. post-independence, everyone worked hard to bring malaysia to its current heights. with globalisation and borderless movement, the younger generation (born after the 70s) will question the inequality which is thrust upon them. can the malays be once more kind hearted and think of malaysia's unity and future? can there be a deadline or a milestone to mark the beginning of a new malaysia, one which is really equal to all its citizens?
Nazri: Temple demolition 'stupid, insensitive' |
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Stupidity, lack of sensitivity, and inexperience all came into play in the debacle surrounding the demolition of a 100-year-old temple in Shah Alam on the eve of Deepavali last month. And these were not the words of a non-governmental organisation or opposition party leader conveying the frustrations and bitterness within the Indian community. This was Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department Nazri Abdul Aziz’s view on the destruction of the Sri Maha Mariamman temple by Shah Alam City Council (MBSA) officers in Kampung Rimba Jaya. “It was stupid of the officials not to be considerate (and) to look into sensitive matters like this. I believe it could have been done in a better way if (the state government) had just waited a few more days. Let the Hindus celebrate their Deepavali,” he said. “Deepavali is a religious festival. It could have been handled much better and with more sensitivity (to) the feelings of the Hindus,” he added. He was speaking to reporters at the sidelines of the two-day Colloquium on Good Governance, Rule of Law and Human Rights organised by the Asean Inter-Parliamentary Caucus for Good Governance (AIPCGG) and the Regional Working Group for an Asean Human Rights Mechanism. The event was held in Parliament. Nazri was commenting on the resentment felt among Indians, many of whom say they have been discriminated and marginalised.
The Malaysia Hindu Sangam, the Malaysian Consultative Council of Buddhism Christianity, Hinduism, Sikhism and Taoism (MCCBCHST) and the Selangor Coalition of Indian Community Organisations has also voiced their anger over the incident. Even MIC had issued a statement of protest over the issue and planned a ban on Deepavali celebrations. Khir Toyo lacks experience “I think we (can) put it to experience, which he probably lacks. I agree with you that matters touching religious issues should be handled more cautiously and not in a wanton way according to individual whims and fancies,” said Nazri. However, the minister was not as acquiescing on the issue of the Hindu Rights Action Front (Hindraf) and its Nov 25 rally. Nazri said the government had always listened to the complaints of the various communities and acted on them. He cited his own decision to open Mara junior science colleges – which had previously been reserved to Malays – to Indian youths from poor families as well as the setting up of skills and training institutes exclusively for Indian youth. “(There are claims that) not enough is being done for the Kadazan, for the Iban and for the Chinese. Even among the Malays (some) have been unhappy because they feel the NEP (National Economic Policy) benefited only a few people,” he said,
Nazri said the thousands of Indians who protested on Nov 25 were “incited” to do so by Hindraf’s “lies” regarding the Malaysian government’s treatment of Indians. Nazri said Barisan Nasional component parties or their youth wings would be in the wrong if they chose to demonstrate. He admitted that he, in his youth, had also participated in demonstrations but had admitted his guilt and paid the penalty. “When I was in Umno Youth, I did this too. I was brought to court, I admitted my guilt, and I paid the fine,” he said, contrasting this with Hindraf’s leaders who are seeking to defend their actions. “Not like these ruffians, these thugs. They broke the law, but they want to defend themselves. They’re wasting court time, they’re wasting government resources and tax payers’ money,” he added. Social contract However, he said this state of affairs is due to the social contract reached 50 years ago by representatives of the racial communities who agreed that Malays would enjoy certain privileges in return for the granting of citizenship rights to members of the migrant communities. The only way such an arrangement can be changed is if future generations of Malaysians decide on revising that contract. Until then, said Nazri, the government is charged with carrying out the agreement. “If there is any unhappiness, then it is entirely up to the future generations of Malaysians, regardless of whether they are Indians, Chinese or Malays, for them to sit down (and discuss),” he said. “It’s not just about what the Indian and Chinese (youths) want. You have to ask the Malays also, whether they want the social contract to be renegotiated. It’s up to them…. As of today, I know the Malays are not prepared to renegotiate,” he added. Commenting on the request by Hindraf to meet Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi over the issue of Hindu rights, Nazri said it may happen as long as the front did not impose any conditions on the government. Nazri also said MIC president S Samy Vellu would have to be present at the meeting. |
| Subscribe in a reader | Subscribe to poobalan.com by Email
| Subscribe in a reader | Subscribe to poobalan.com by Email well, one thing that will affect us regardless of skin color and religion would be this news!
Less pay, bonuses for employees next year
PETALING JAYA: Employees may not enjoy the same salary increase and bonuses they received this year come 2008.
This was revealed in the Malaysian Employers Federation (MEF) Salary and Fringe Benefits Survey for Executives and Non-Executives 2007 here Thursday.
Speaking during a conference, MEF president Datuk Azman Shah said this was due to various uncertainties in the global market.
"Increasing oil prices and costs, coupled with business uncertainties in the global market, are making a huge impact.
"Our findings have forecast that both salary increase and bonuses for executives and non-executives may not match that of 2007," said Azman.
The survey was carried out among 233 companies nationwide who are members of the MEF.
Azman said on average, employees were looking at a 5.74% (non-executive) and 5.69% (executive) salary increase next year compared to 6.25% and 5.77% respectively this year.
"Even the average forecast bonus in 2008 for non-executives and executives is lower by 0.26 months and 0.31 months respectively compared to 2007," he said.
There was, however, some good news for employees in several industries.
The survey forecast that executives in the construction, banking, petroleum, electrical and diversified industries will receive a high salary increase, as will non-executives in diversified, wholesale, business services, electrical and petroleum industries.
Azman said the survey also found more companies adopting performance-linked wage systems, rather than just focusing on seniority.
However, he warned that a high monthly turnover of employees could be expected next year.
He attributed this to the tightening of markets, more professionals being snapped up by foreign firms and a surplus in foreign workers.
Azman later launched two MEF publications – The Analysis of Collective Agreements and Awards On Terms and Conditions of Employment 2006; and Leave and Absenteeism in Employment (Cases, Commentary and Materials).
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The remaining 11, who were in the dock for the first time, faced all four charges like the rest. 
The tearing down of the Sri Maha Mariamman temple touched a raw nerve in the Indian community not only as it occurred on the eve of Deepavali, but because it was the latest in a series of demolitions undertaken by the Selangor state government on Hindu temples in the state. 
“But that does not (have to) make them demonstrate. You want to talk about pockets of people who are not happy, there are many pockets of unhappiness among Malays and Chinese. They don’t have to demonstrate,” he added. 
"I think that even with the parameters shifting at this particular juncture, it is extremely difficult for the opposition to break the barrier of the two thirds. Period," said Bridget Welsh, a Southeast Asian expert at John Hopkins University. 
But Welsh predicted Abdullah's Umno, BN's lynchpin, could lose up to 15 parliamentary seats in upcoming polls and its senior coalition partner MCA could drop about six seats. 
The ethnic Indians are also discontented. At least 30,000 of them defied police warnings and held rare protests in Kuala Lumpur earlier this week against what they see as racial discrimination. 