DAP condemns assassination of Walid Eido

DAP joins the SI in condemning the assassination of Lebanese Parliamentarian Walid Eido. We support PSP (Progressive Socialist Party), under the leadership of Walid Jumblatt, in their efforts to deepen democracy and strengthen the process of rebuilding Lebenon.

Socialist International condemns assassination
of Lebanese parliamentarian

The Socialist International condemns in no uncertain terms the assassination of Walid Eido, Lebanese parliamentarian and strong advocate for a sovereign and democratic Lebanon.Eido is the third member of Lebanon’s pro-democracy majority in the parliament to be killed in a bombing in the past two years and the International deplores these concerted and continuing attacks clearly designed to divide the country and undermine the hopes of the Lebonese people for peace and stability.The International fully supports the United Nations Security Council resolution, which came into effect this week, to establish an international tribunal to hold accountable those responsible for the killing of Prime Minister Rafik Hariri in a car bombing in Beirut in February 2005. This is a crucial step in strengthening the democratic rule of law and and turning back those who rely solely on violence to achieve their anti-democratic political ends. The International reaffirms its full solidarity with the people of Lebanon and urges that they stand together in the face of such horrendous acts to ensure that those responsible do not succeed in their awful schemes. At the same time, it reiterates its firm support for all democratic forces in the country, including its member party, the Progressive Socialist Party, PSP, led by Walid Jumblatt, in their continuing work to deepen democracy, ensure national sovereignty and strengthen the process of rebuilding in the country. The Socialist International expresses its deepest sympathies to the Eido family in their time of mourning, for in this terrible attack they lost not only Walid Eido but also one of his sons, as well as to the families of the other victims who lost their lives or were injured in this heinous act. The situation in Lebanon continues to be of primary concern to the Socialist International and is high on the agenda of its forthcoming Council meeting to take place in Geneva on 29-30 June. 13 June 2007

For updates on all Socialist International news and activities, keep in touch with our website www.socialistinternational.org

Another year of house arrest for Aung Sun Suu Kyi

It’s too late and too little as far as support and solidarity from the world is concerned. Little wonder the Burmese junta again ignored the international call for the release of democracy icon Aung Sun Suu Kyi.

The junta, just like any other dictatorship in the world, would not respond positively unless and until the world really mount much greater pressure. It appears that the junta would put the national hero under house arrest forever if the world’s action stops at memorandum and economic sanctions.

ASEAN should have done more for the release of Suu Kyi. But the organisation can only do little or nothing as long as they stick to its so-called principles, such as ‘constructive engagement’ and ‘non-intervention in member state’s internal affairs’. (Myanmar is a member state of ASEAN)

The world community should make a stand through the United Nations, giving an ultimatum to the junta for the release of Aung Sun Suu Kyi. Give the junta a deadline or else millitary force would be used to set her free. The UN sec gen Ban Ki Moon should take the lead.

One more year of house arrest for Suu Kyi

May 26, 07 11:26am Malaysiakini

Burma’s political icon Aung San Suu Kyi has her house arrest extended for another year by the country’s military leaders, ignoring international calls for her freedom. Police sources told AFP that officials visited the Nobel Peace Prize winner at her lakeside home in Rangoon to inform her, they said. “We issued an order of further detention,” one source said.Another police source confirmed her latest period of detention, which started in May 2003 and was set to expire this weekend, was extended by a year. “We informed her about the extension,” said the source, who was among the officials who visited Aung San Suu Kyi. A Western diplomat in Rangoon also said the democracy leader’s house arrest was extended “by one year without surprise.” The decision attracted condemnation from the international community, with the United States leading the criticism. 17 years under house arrest Aung San Suu Kyi, 61, has spent most of the past 17 years under house arrest and has little contact with the outside world, apart from her live-in maid and visits from her doctor. The last time the opposition leader – the only Nobel peace laureate in detention – was able to leave her house was November 2006, when the junta allowed her to meet visiting UN envoy Ibrahim Gambari for one hour. The extension was widely expected, with observers saying the junta is fearful the hugely popular democracy leader could threaten its rule. Aung San Suu Kyi’s opposition National League for Democracy (NLD), which won a landslide victory in 1990 elections but was never allowed to govern, quickly denounced the extension. “Our government totally ignored domestic and international calls demanding her freedom,” said Myint Thein, an NLD spokesman. “We are very disappointed by this. Her detention is not good for the country,” he said. Political figures from across the world have ramped up calls for her release, with ex-US president Bill Clinton and 58 other former world leaders sending a joint letter last week to junta head General Than Shwe. Two other Nobel peace laureates – former US president Jimmy Carter and former South Korean president Kim Dae-Jung – were among those who signed the appeal. Citing Burma’s rights violations, including Aung San Suu Kyi’s detention, the United States last week renewed sanctions against the regime for another year, as did the European Union in April. ‘Detention must end’ “The United States condemns the generals of the State Peace and Development Council of Burma for the extension of the house arrest of Nobel laureate Aung San Suu Kyi,” said White House national security spokesman Gordon Johndroe. “The regime’s unjustified continued detention of Aung San Suu Kyi and repression of other democratic activists must end,” he added. UN chief Ban Ki-moon also expressed concern. “The secretary general deeply regrets the decision,” Ban’s spokeswoman Michel Montas said in a statement. “He strongly believes that the sooner restrictions on Aung San Suu Kyi and other political figures are lifted, the sooner Myanmar will be able to move toward inclusive national reconciliation, the restoration of democracy and full respect for human rights.” In the past week the junta has detained at least 60 pro-democracy activists as they went to pagodas to pray for Aung San Suu Kyi’s release, and 45 people, mostly NLD members, still remain in custody. The United Nations has estimated there are 1,100 political prisoners in the country which has been ruled by the military since 1962. - AFP

PKR Youth congress completed without incident

Apart from the four hours delay, PKR Youth congress went on smoothly without any incident. Political observers are watching the congress very closely and many of them feel that the under current was orchestrated by outside forces together with certain elements within the party. If you ask me, I would say some of them who have chosen to leave PKR at this juncture was actually a ‘blessing in disguise’ for the 8-year-old party.

The contest for the PKR Youth leadership was so intense that the result would not be out until Saturday morning. We hope Angkatan Muda Keadilan could sail through this difficult time with greater commitment, perseverance and unity. 

On the other hand, the Registrar of Society has rejected Anwar’s application for political right to hold party position. This new development has inevitably quashed a rumour which was circulated in the streets for some time(whereby Anwar will certainly get the green-light to contest because he has an understanding with Abdullah Ahmad Badawi).

For a long time, BN leaders and detractors of Anwar have been saying that the reason for Anwar not holding any significant position in PKR was simply because he still harbours hopes to rejoin Umno. Now that Anwar has chosen to contest for a seat against all odds ( to the extent of ignoring the law that bars him from contesting) , he has demonstrated that  he has chosen PKR as the only political platform for him.

Meanwhile, the mainstream media (even Internet portals like Malaysiakini was not spared) continue to discredit Anwar and his party. I believe Anwar and PKR as a whole will be strong enough to overcome all hurdles, and to emerge stronger and more united.

Dompok and Kah Kiat set fine example

First, you have Chong Kah Kiat who resigned as the Sabah deputy chief minister in protest over the stoppage of Mazhu statue in Kudat . Kah Kiat was upset by his boss Musa Aman who scrap the project without any justification. Before the Mazhu incident, Musa Aman has also interfered with Kah Kiat’s portfolio as the state tourism minister.

And now, you have Bernard Dompok who resigned as the chairman of the Parliamentary Select Committee on Integrity over the sabotage of NRD officials. Earlier, Dompok was apparently upset with Nazri Aziz and other ministers who help blocking the ACA Director General from attending the hearing by the PSCI. 

Both Dompok and Kah Kiat have set a fine example for other BN leaders who hold on to their positions shamelessly with no principle and courage whatsoever. They will be remembered as political leaders who have the courage to defend their integrity in the larger interest of the people. Incidentally, both of them hail from Sabah.

While we werte disappointed with the reaction of the Prime Minister (he remarked that Kah Kiat’s resignation has no impact with BN Sabah), we were heartened to note that the Transparency International KL Chapter and the Council of Churches in Malaysia have voiced their support with Dompok.

Kit Siang and groups support Dompok

May 19, 07 4:52pm Malaysiakini

Opposition Leader Lim Kit Siang has come out to defend Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department Bernard Dompok after he was criticised by cabinet compatriot Nazri Aziz.Lim’s response came in the wake of Dompok’s shock resignation as the head of the Parliamentary Select Committee on Integrity (PSCI) on Wednesday. However, Nazri said the resignation was seen as being influenced by the committee’s deputy chairperson which happens to be Lim. Nazri pointed out that the committee was set up to meet people, obtain feedback and formulate a programme or find ways to improve on policy, not investigate people. He also said Dompok was frustrated that Nazri had objected to the PSCI calling the then Anti-Corruption Agency (ACA) director-general Zulkipli Mat Noor to appear before the Select Committee. The committee was set to meet Zulkipli and whistleblower, former Sabah ACA chief Mohamad Ramli Manan but the meeting was eventually cancelled three times. Dompok’s decision to resign from the bi-partisan committee followed Lim’s question on why a scheduled committee meeting yesterday with National Registration Department (NRD) into a fake identity card scandal in Sabah dubbed ‘Project M’ was suddenly cancelled. Test of strength The NRD has refused to appear before the committee – a move which Nazri has supported. Lim then pointed out that this appeared to be a test of strength between Nazri and Dompok with the former having the upper hand. “Even if Dompok is prepared to reconsider his resignation as chairman of PSCI, it is not clear that the cabinet would agree to his continuing to serve in this capacity,” he said. Meanwhile. Transparency International president Ramon Navaratnam expressed regret over Dompok’s resignation and over the NRD’s refusal to comply with the committee’s request. “It is a serious matter and indicates an unbecoming attitude of an agency when a meeting called by the Parliamentary Select Committee can be rejected. “This is also disrespectful to Parliament and reflects the standard and quality of administration of this country,” Ramon said in a statement today. He also called for Dompok’sposition as chairperson of the PSCI to be reinstated and that the NRD be held accountable for the issuance of identity cards in Sabah where there is apparent widespread abuse. “Tough disciplinary action must be taken against individuals and agencies that do not heed parliamentary meetings seriously,” he added. Echoing their support for Dompok is the Council of Churches of Malaysia who is appealing to Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi to implement his stated policies of integrity, accountability and transparency by reinstating Dompok to the PSCI post. “As much as we regret his resignation, we applaud his courage based on his conviction that issues related to transparency in the government administration should not be compromised,” their statement added.

Sexist MPs ‘not man enough’ to say sorry

Sorry seems to be the hardest word for the sexist duo. The sexist MPs withdrew their apology three hours after they have told the reporter of The Star that they wished to apologise today. What a pair of real cowards! Bung Mohktar and Mohd Said, shame on you! To the minister and DPM who defended the sexist duo, a friend of of mine asked me to register her anger in my blog. She wanted me to say this to Najib and the minister, ” Tak Tahu Malu! Tak ada standard!”  Yes, please remember to attend the forum on the issue tomorrow (Thursday 17 May) at the YMCA Hall in Bricksfields Kuala Lumpur at 7.30pm. Admission is free. Speakers include Ambiga Screenevasan – Bar Council President  Maria Chin Bte Abdullah – Executive Director of Women Development    Collective (WDC)   Zainah Anwar – Executive Director of Sisters in Islam  Datin Seri Wan Azizah Wan Ismail – President of Parti KeADILan Rakyat * (To be conformed)   Lim Guan Eng – Secretary-General of DAP  YB Lim Kit Siang – Parliamentary Opposition Leader  YB Teresa Kok Suh Sim – MP for Seputeh YB Fong Po Kuan – MP for Batu Gajah Moderator: Tony Pua. Sexist MPs ‘apologise’ over remarks

May 16, 07 1:53pm Malaysiakini

updated version Kinabatangan MP Bung Mokhtar Radin and Jasin MP Mohd Said Yusof were said to have apologised today over their sexist remarks made in Parliament last week.Their apology was directed to Batu Gajah MP Fong Po Kuan and all Malaysian women, according to a report in The Star Online.However when malaysiakini contacted Mohd Said for comment, he denied making any apology.”Why should I apologise? This was a matter raised during debate in Parliament. This is usual,” he said.He also said he would meet Women, Family and Community Development Minister Shahrizat Abdul Jalil on Friday to explain his remarks.Bung Mokhtar did not pick up his telephone when contacted but was quoted in Sin Chew Daily denying issuing any apology. “No such thing,” he was quoted as saying. In a statement, Shahrizat confirmed the meeting with the duo. She said the matter had been discussed at the weekly cabinet meeting this morning and that she had been “given the mandate to follow up on the issue”. The two was supposed to call separate press conferences early this afternoon but they were hastily cancelled a few hours later. It is not clear why there appeared to have been a change of position on the issue of apology by both parliamentarians. The parliamentarians, during debate last week on the lack of maintenance resulting in leaks in the Parliament building after heavy downpours, had attacked Fong who raised the issue.  “Where’s the leak? The Batu Gajah MP leaks every month too,” Bung said referring to DAP representative of the constituency, Fong Po Kuan on Wednesday [video clip]. A motion by Fong to censure the duo was rejected by Speaker Ramli Ngah Talib the next day on the grounds that the issue was not raised at the time of the incident. Since then the two BN MPs have come under intense fire. Protest at ministry Yesterday, the Joint-Action Group for Gender Equality (JAG) organised a protest at the Women, Family and Community Development Ministry over the issue.  About 60 people, carrying placards and banners, participated in the hour-long protest. Shahrizat had said on Monday that it would be an honourable thing for the MPs to apologise. Today’s print edition of The Star reported that Mohd Said had denied making such statements, saying that the media had blown it out of proportion. According to the report, when asked if he would apologise, Mohd Said said: “Let it be. The press exaggerated it. I didn’t say it. I don’t want to comment anymore.”

DAP:EGM approved constitutional amendment

The special party EGM today agreed to postpone the party congress/conference to ONE year in view of the impending general elections which was widely predicted to be held some time end of this year.

Only six delegates disageed with the move which was largely endorsed by the party delegates all over the country. The party could now focus all its energy, finances and time in peparing for the coming general elections.

Party chairman Karpal Singh, SG Lim Guan Eng and Oppositoion Leader Lim Kit Siang spoke to the delegates on issues related to general elections and cooperation with PKR and other like-minded opposition parties and NGOs.

In the lunch-talk in the afternoon, special guest of honour (PKR’s advisor )Anwar Ibrahim thanked the DAP for going all out to help PKR in Ijok. And he streesed emphatically that what Umno fear most was opposition unity. He hopes DAP and PKR could move together closely from now on to reform Malaysia. 

Anwar cetagorically denied that he would return to Umno; he even said that Umno is the real problem in Malaysian politics; to him , MIC, Gerakan and MCA were just “small boys who listen to the big brother”. 

He spoke at length on issues such as the need to challenge SPR for electoral reforms, replacing NEP with a new Malaysian economic agenda , fair treatment for mother tongue education, freedom of religion, the jurisdiction of syariah courts, Islamic State and greater cooperation and understanding among the opposition parties.

I am reproducing DAP SG Lim Guan Eng’s speech in full here. Your comments are welcome.

Speech By DAP Secretary-General Lim Guan Eng During The DAP Special Congress On 6.5.2007 In Federal Hotel Kuala Lumpur.

Reclaiming Democracy & Restoring Bangsa
Malaysia

More than four decades ago, the DAP was formed with a singular idea of national unity through shaping a Bangsa Malaysia granting political equality and economic freedom to end social injustices. DAP believes that we can forge a great Malaysian nation by being part of Bangsa
Malaysia that  rejects racial and religious divisions. DAP’s Malaysian Malaysia resonated with Malaysians who considers themselves as Malaysian First and Malay, Chinese, Indian, Kadazan and Ibans second. 

Our courageous struggle appeared to bear fruit when former Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir adopted Bangsa Malaysia in 1991 as one the nine strategic challenges of Vision 2020 to make
Malaysia a developed nation. Mahathir defined Bangsa Malaysia as   “people being able to identify themselves with the country, speak Bahasa
Malaysia and accept the Constitution”.  Unfortunately Bangsa
Malaysia as part of national policy lasted only 15 years when Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak rejected it last year. Najib said Bangsa
Malaysia was not part of national policy but only a general concept. At a time when we are celebrating our 50^th Merdeka anniversary celebrations the country should be looking forward to the challenges of globalization and a market economy with new and current ideas of the new millennium. Instead the ruling regime continues to reach back 60 years ago to 1946 that stresses the idea of nationhood that revolves around the idea of racial dominance. 

There is neither logic nor reason in preferring racial dominance to a Malaysian race. Self-interest to preserve the ruling party is the sole reason for such emotional appeals to the baser instincts of race.   We have a historical duty to renew our struggle for a Bangsa Malaysia. However this contest must not be seen solely from the perspective of political rights or social injustices but also from the economic perspective of wealth creation and distribution. Malaysian First is a continuation of Malaysian Malaysia with equal economic opportunity as its central core. 

Equal opportunity is not just giving everyone the right to study, the right to work, right to spend what is earned, right to own property and have the state as a servant and not as a master but also about our obligation to help the needy.  No one is fated to be poor just as no one is entitled to wealth. Social justice gives everyone the opportunity to improve their standard of living.  We must free up the potential of our greatest resource – our human resources. We must empower every Malaysian with economic freedom and equal opportunity to achieve the great Malaysian Dream of success through hard work and ability. 

If we succeed, we can transform
Malaysia into a united nation identified with a common destiny sharing values of democracy, freedom, justice, integrity and human dignity. If we fail, we have a sham democracy that can not differentiate between right and wrong. Last week, Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak said that the Ijok by-election showed that democracy was “vibrantly alive” in
Malaysia because the opposition was given every opportunity to campaign. No DAP or opposition supporter would agree that we were given every opportunity to campaign when BN can employ such dirty tactics of fear, deception, money, compulsion and violence. 

Not only were DAP and PKR supporters beaten up in Machap and Ijok. Even a reporter and a photographer from Tamil newspapers were manhandled and threatened by BN leaders. No action was taken against the culprits and the victims were invariably blamed. In both Macap and Ijok by-elections, BN announced development projects of RM 30 million and RM 36 million or almost RM 3,000 per voter.   Democracy under BN is both flawed and fraudulent. Malaysians need to reclaim democracy from those who cheat, frighten and buy our votes. Failure to resist such perversions of democracy would be no different from surrendering our right to treat the government as our servant.  

Give RM 5,000 To Every Family From The Bottom 40% Of The Population Who Do Not Earn A Montly Income Of RM 3,249/-

Instead of getting a government that listens to us, delivers good governance and performs its constitutional duties in accordance with the rule of law, respects press freedom and basic human rights as well as overcome social injustices; that Confucious says “a cruel government is more rapacious than a ravenous tiger” will become a reality where -1.      Corruption becoming more rampant until Transparency International ranking for, Malaysia has declined from No. 37 in 2003 to No. 44 in 2006 shown by:-1.1.  The RM 900 million commission paid by the suppliers of war submarines and Sukhoi fighter jets to Abdul Razak Baginda and a former Melaka Chief Minister;1.2.  The ACA Director-General is himself investigated for corruption and sexual crimes or the Deputy Internal Security Minister Datuk Mohamad Johari Baharom is investigated for the RM 5.5 million “freedom for sale” scandal involving the release of 3 kingpins of black society triads, one of the three allegedly the younger brother of a MCA Deputy Minister.1.3.  The refusal of Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak to sue Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim for his alleged involvement in the murder of a Mongolian model by his close aide Datuk Abdul Razak Baginda;2.      Malaysians suffer the worst income inequality between the rich and poor in
South-East Asia with the share of income of the bottom 40% of the population declining from 14.5% in 1990 to 13.5% in 2004 whilst the share of the top 20% of the population increased from 50% in 1990 to 51.2% in 2004. 3.      Unfair contracts against national interest given to highway concessionaires where total amount of toll collections and government compensation paid of RM 62 billion far exceeds the RM 27 billion construction and maintenance cost.4.      The presence VIP politician godfathers involved in crime and the increase in crime by 10.7% for the first three months of the year thereby failing to ensure that Malaysian can live, work and study safely;5.      The failure to share Petronas’ profits of RM 500 billion in since 1974 with the people;6.      Poor delivery system with cracks on walls and ceiling collapsing in the new RM 270 million Kuala Lumpur court complex in Jalan Duta, following similar damage to other government buildings in Putrajaya. Yes, Bursa
Malaysia has risen to a record high of 1,363 points on Friday, but we are the last ones to do so in the region.  China, India, Hong Kong and
Singapore are all nearly 30% above their previous record highs achieved in the 1990s.  Even Thailand, Philippines and
Indonesia have broken their previous records many months ago.  In this globally competitive world, its not about whether you grow, its how fast you grow in relation to other countries.  And by this yardstick,
Malaysia is faring very very poorly.  In the early 1990s, our stock market capitalisation was significantly larger than
Singapore’s.  But today, in just a little more than a decade, the Singapore Exchange is now some 3 times larger than Bursa
Malaysia. 

In foreign investments, while Malaysia’s foreign direct investment has fallen from US$7.2 billion to US$3.9 billion in 2006 in 10 years,
Singapore’s FDI has increased more than 3 times from US$9.1 billion to US$31 billion within the same period. How many Malaysians have benefited from rising share prices when they find difficulty in bearing the financial hardships of inflation, rising prices coupled with no annual bonuses nor real wage increases this year? In the face of so much wealth why can’t the government follow
Singapore and  distribute RM 5,000 yearly to the 40% of Malaysian households that do not earn the average household monthly income of RM 3,249? 

Winning Together for Malaysian First.The theme of this year’s DAP Special Congress ‘Winning Together for Malaysian First’ requires us to examine the extent of our efforts in preparing for the next general election, which could be held as early as the end of this year. The CEC is concerned that party elections at both the national and state levels due at the end of the year may be severely disrupted if general elections are called then. There are already clear indications of an early poll. From Election Commission Chairman Tan Sri Abdul Rashid Abdul Rahman calling on new voters who wish to vote in the next general elections to do so by August 2007.  UMNO Youth President Datuk Hishamuddin Tun Hussein Onn that UMNO members must be prepared for a general election to be called any time or even the printing of election materials. 

As the party constitution does not allow for postponement of party polls for any period of time, any postponement in the event of general elections questions the legality and validity of our duly constituted CEC or state committees and organs. To avoid such an illegal eventuality, the CEC had decided to postpone party polls at the national and state levels for a period of 12 months. Only branch and Parliamentary liaison committee elections remain unaffected.  The CEC seeks the endorsement of all the delegates. Further, such a postponement would allow us to focus on preparation by all state committees and branches for the general election. Let me be frank by saying that all state committees are still not in FULL election mode. 

Malaysia is at a political crossroads the crossroad and to make DAP the choice of Malaysians we must present ourselves as “electable’ and fulfill high public expectations. （马来西亚处在向上提升或者继续往下沉轮的十字路口） To do so, let us all be crystal clear about this: that elections must be won by conscious effort!  Contesting 54 Parliamentary and 115 state Seats Nation-wide In the Next PollsDAP state committees have proposed contesting 54 Parliamentary seats and 115 state seats nation-wide, including Sabah and
Sarawak. While at times individual candidates may have won elections by default or due to massive protests against Barisan Nasional, there is no way the entire party is going to win by just depending on BN’s misrule and maladministration.  

In the first chapter of the much treasured Sun Zi’s treatise on war（《孙子兵法》）, Sun Zi said “The art of war, then, is governed by five constant factors, to be taken into account in one’s deliberations, when seeking to determine the conditions obtaining in the field. These are: (1) Principles; (2) Heaven (climate); (3) Earth (local factors); (4) The Commander; (5) Method and discipline.” （道、天、地、将、法）  Guided by these principles, let us ask ourselves how well are we prepared in face of the coming elections?  

First, it is our belief that the principles of Malaysian First to reclaim democracy, restore Bangsa Malaysia, fair distribution of wealth and equal opportunity is the way forward for
Malaysia. Second, the political climate appears to favour the opposition but this situation may change with the short memory of the electorate, especially when the government distributes political goodies. Third, have we measured local factors in elections? Have we done enough in tilting local factors into our favour? Fourth, are our ‘commanders’, central, state and branch leaders, prepared? Are we prepared to lead our comrades and supporters to fight a good fight?   Fifth, do we have disciplined machinery to do the job?  

While we are well ahead of our opponents in terms of upholding the principles cherished by Malaysians and there may be a swing amongst Chinese voters in our favour, we are lagging behind in terms of the last three factors. The three factors are local factors, preparedness of all level of leadership and, finally, our machinery as evidenced by the recent Machap by-election.  I urge you to take a hard look at the four bare minimum ‘Rs’ that are urgently needed to generate electoral victories. These should be our KPIs, or key performance indices, for the remainder of the year in preparation for the general elections.   1.      Registration of new voters;2.      Recruitment of volunteers and members trained not only as polling and counting agents but also as future party activists and leaders;3.      Retailing The Rocket to overcome increasing press restrictions and media ban where Freedom House ranked press freedom in Malaysia as “Not Free” deteriorating from to 141 in 2006 from 150 in 2007; and4.      Rapport with local constituents, associations and press media. 

These are the 4 areas where we have to work hard together to survive. I am always hopeful and optimistic about DAP’s election prospects but the Ijok and Machap by-elections have injected a healthy dose of realism. Unless we have our machinery in place, BN will cheat, use money to buy and frighten voters to gain their dishonourable victories. For the first time in party history, state-wide meetings shall be held in place of state conventions solely to discuss election preparation. I urge the members to remember that when you face those who assure you of glorious victories by DAP do not be too over-confident and get carried away. Be humble and gently remind everyone of the dirty tactics employed by BN to win. When facing those who dismiss and unfairly criticize the party be patient, restrained and respond by “using constructive conduct to face destructive acts”.  

6 Key Principles for Co-operationIn the coming general elections, the DAP does not walk alone.  Apart from PKR’s Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, we are willing to co-operate with all public organizations or political parties that share the common platform of respecting basic human rights. Six key principles are crucial namely:-a)      Acceptance of Bangsa
Malaysia,b)     Respecting Bahasa
Malaysia as the official language as well as promotion and fair treatment of mother-tongue education;c)     Acceptance of 1957 social contract as set out in the Merdeka Constitution that
Malaysia is not an Islamic state;d)     Replacing the corrupt New Economic Policy with a policy that combines efficiency with needs and wealth creation with wealth distribution.e)     Pursuit of excellence in education based on merit and equal opportunity; andf)      Placing environmental protection equal in importance with development.  This contest between Bangsa
Malaysia on the one hand and racial dominance on the other will decide not only the rights of all Malaysians but the destiny of our nation. Malaysians must choose between the two opposite principles of right and wrong. Racial dominance has not benefited the Malays who remain poor whilst the few BN leaders amassed huge wealth. We either prosper together as part of humanity or submit to common fears of prejudice that discriminates many to enrich the few? A million talented Malaysians have voted with their feet against BN  by emigrating overseas for the last 35 years. The time has come for a change to stop the rot. DAP comrades, Let us stand together and united to reclaim democracy and restore Bangsa
Malaysia!                                                                                                            LIM GUAN ENG 

来届大选出战54国115州 行动党修改党章展延党选

郭史光庆 07年5月6日 下午3:25 Malaysiakini

行动党秘书长林冠英（左图）今日表示，该党有意在来届大选中攻打54个国会议席和115个州议席，并把选战主力集中在槟城、霹雳以及森美兰州。惟他强调，此事依然有待与人民公正党协商后，再做出最后决定，以确保反对党能够一对一与国阵直接对垒。不过，他重申该党与回教党毫无合作关系，若面对出战选区重叠一事，行动党将不惜展开三角战。林冠英也强调，该党领导层与公正党顾问安华的合作关系成熟。事缘该党成功在依约补选中为公正党争取更多华人票，安华也因此而公开致谢行动党，相信两党的关系，并不会因为竞相争取华人票而发生冲突。林冠英拒绝透露何处上阵 林冠英今日在吉隆坡一家酒店为行动党特别党员代表大会发表政策演词时表示，该党各州委员会已经建议，要在来届大选中竞选54个国会议席和115个州议席，包括沙巴与砂拉越（惟不包括去年刚进行选举的砂拉越州议席）。 林冠英较后在记者会上表示，上述建议来自该党的各州委员会，不过目前还未获得中委会的通过。 “如果可以，我们希望能够通过他们的建议，但是我们必须先与公正党进行商讨，确保反对党与国阵一对一竞选。” 针对会否与回教党进行议席谈判的询问，林冠英表示，行动党要竞选的议席，大多是该党曾经参选过的传统选区，与回教党选区重叠的可能性非常低。 “不过若被迫与回教党展开三角战，那么也只好进行三角战，我们与回教党没有任何合作关系。” 不过，林冠英拒绝透露与公正党议席谈判的进展，以及自己将在什么选区上阵的问题，“我只能说自己肯定会参选”。 行动党在上届大选攻打44个国会议席和104个州议席，分别赢得12个国会议席和15个州议席，在加上在去年砂拉越州选举中拿下的6个州议席。不过在马口州议员林辉明跳槽马华后，目前行动党共有12个国会议席和20个州议席。 指公正党靠民行争取华裔选票 针对公正党在依约补选声称获得多达六成的华裔选民支持，以及一些政论家看好公正党有望在下届大选赢得更多华裔选票一事，是否会导致两党在争取华裔选民方面出现竞争时，林冠英强调，其实是行动党在依约补选中为公正党争取华人票。 “安华已经向行动党致谢，因为行动党在依约补选中为公正党争取华人票……我想我们应该建设性地看待此事，安华了解我们的长处，不然他不会这么说（致谢），我们不应该让这项课题影响两党的关系。” “当然一些人以为可以利用这些所谓的问题（来达到自己的目的），但是我认为行动党领导层与安华的关系已达成熟阶段。” 安华：反对党先搁置回教国课题 另一方面，行动党今日也邀请了安华（左图）前来与特大代表进行交流。而安华在交流之前也召开记者会，针对反对党之间的合作关系侃侃而谈。 “我们已经看到反对党之间拥有更好的合作关系 我们看到行动党在依约补选期间全体动员大力助选，以确保我们的候选人胜出，我们可以从这点出发，有关政党的领袖将针对各项课题的细节进行谈判与讨论。” 受询及行动党与回教党因理念相冲，尤其是回教国的课题而不咬弦，他要如何拉近这两个政党的关系时，安华对此保持乐观，表示反对党会先搁置回教国课题。 “行动党已清楚表达（针对回教国的）立场，我也传达让回教党知道，这不是一项新课题，我们也不是在这个基础上推动（反对党之间的合作）。” “我们的工作建立在公正党和行动党紧密合作的基础上，我们也开始和回教党展开更强的联系，确保有关课题不会剥削其他族群的权利，或让其他人士感到不安。” “这也包括回教国的课题，不过我们先将之搁置在一旁。目前反对党之间的关系正在向好的一方面发展，只要国营电视台RTM、第三电视和巫统的报章不要刻意炒作（回教国课题）就行。” 拒回应展延党选不当批评 行动党今日所召开的特别党员代表大会，是为了修改党章以授权中委会展延，原本预定在今年9月开始举行的党选。 不过，在今年1月遭罢免的行动党前雪州主席王志坚却不认同展延党选，并形容此举是当权派欲巩固权力的手段。 《新海峡时报》记者Chow Kum Hor今日在一篇评论中，引述行动党内部消息认为林冠英可能是因为担心在本届大选前举行的党选中得票不高，本身领导威信受打击，重演在2004年中委会选举中排名过低（在20获选中委排名第12名）的历史，所以才决定展延党选。 受询及展延党选的批评，林冠英却不愿公开回应，“我想我们不须要公开讨论此事，党内设有讨论管道，为何不在特大里提出讨论，却要从外面来丑化行动党？” 至于为何在野党之中只有行动党展延党选，林冠英解释说，有别于其他只须在中央领导层进行改选的在野党，该党是唯一须要进行州级改选的在野党，因此较长的党选期很容易与大选撞期，届时将严重影响党选的程序和大选的备战。 他解释，过去该党也曾经违章展延党选，所幸当时的社团注册局没有追究，因此此次修改党章将能够一劳永逸解决这项问题。 合作关系必须符合6大原则 另外，林冠英较早前在发表政策演词时，列出6项与其他政党和组织合作的主导原则： （一）接受马来西亚国族这个概念； （二）尊重马来语为官方语文，同时公平对待和提升母语教育； （三）接纳1957年独立宪法的社会契约，即马来西亚不是一个回教国； （四）以一个综合绩效、需求、制造财富和公平分配财富的政策来取代腐败的新经济政策； （五）追求卓越与平等机会的教育制度； （六）环境保护与发展并重。 林冠英较后在记者会上表示，“我们只与符合这6项原则的政党合作，至于那些不符合的政党，我看要合作非常困难”。 当记者询问这是否意味着回教党遭排除在合作对象之外时，他笑笑表示，“我想我们的立场已经非常清楚，不必再进一步说明吧！” 坦诚竞选机关落后，备战工作不足 此外，林冠英也在政策演词中，直指该党领袖尚未做好迎战大选的准备，“让我坦白地说，所有的州委会还没有全面备战”。 他引用《孙子兵法》的道（原则理念）、天（政治气候）、地（地方因素）、将（领袖）、法（方法和纪律）5种战略因素来分析行动党的形势。 “虽然我们在倡导马来西亚人所认同的价值观遥遥领先，以及华裔选票可能会回流给行动党，但是我们在后面三个因素落后他人。这三个因素就是地方因素、各阶层领导的准备程度和竞选机关，最近的马接补选就是最好的证明。” 因此，他提出4项备战大选的主要指标，并称之为“四广工作”或“4R工作”，即广泛登记（Registration）新选民、广泛招揽（Recruitment）自愿人士和党员、广泛销售（Retailing）《火箭报》突破新闻封锁，以及广泛推动（Rapport）与地方上的选民、社团和媒体的互动。 “虽然我对于行动党的选举展望保持希望和乐观，但是依约和马接补选却敲醒我们必须面对现实。除非我们准备齐全，要不然，国阵依然能够通过欺诈、买票和恐吓选民的方式来取胜。”

May Day Celebration in JB

DATARAN BANDARAYA JOHOR BARU BERGEMA DENGAN TUNTUTAN PEKERJA  

by Thevarajan, JERIT (Jaringan Rakyat Tertindas)

SAMBUTAN MEI 1 2007:DATARAN BANDARAYA JOHOR BARU BERGEMA DENGAN TUNTUTAN PEKERJA

1hb Mei ,Kuala Lumpur senyap sunyi akan tetapi di Dataran Bandaraya , di Johor Baru bergema laungan slogan pekerja kerana Sambutan Mei 1, buat kali pertamanya diadakan di negeri Johor. Tahun ini merupakan tahun ke -14 Sambutan Mei 1 dianjurkan oleh Jawatankuasa penganjur Mei 1. Sambutan tahun ini dianjurkan bersama oleh JERIT, SUARAM, Parti Sosialis Malaysia , DEMA, PAS, PRM , DAP, RAKAN, kumppulan Pelajar dari UTM dan ramai kumpulan lagi.

Hujan lebat pada awal pagi reda dan memberi laluan kepada sambutan hari bersejarah ini diadakan.Lebih kurang jam 9 pagi, semua bas dari Selangor tiba di tempat sambutan Mei 1, Dataran Bandaraya JB lebih awal daripada waktu sambutan iaitu 10 pagi. Ini menambahkan semangat penganjur tempatan apabila melihat banjiran kelas pekerja dari semua sektor di sana. Sebelum pukul 10 pagi, bas- bas dari Perak tiba di tempat sambutan bersejarah ini. Lebih kurang 600 orang membanjiri kawasan Dataran Bandaraya. Kerisauan dapat dilihat di muka pegawai Majlis Bandaraya Johor Bahru apabila mereka mula tercari-cari siapakah penganjur untuk hari bersejarah ini. Program dimulakan dengan ucapan alu-aluan pengerusi majlis Saudara Nazman, Saudara Letchumanan dan Saudara Nyam. Program diteruskan dengan bacaan puisi yang bertajuk Mei 1,  oleh Saudara Giman dari Parti Rakyat Malaysia (PRM) . Suasana bertambah semangat lagi apabila wakil pekerja ladang, Sdra Velayudham menegaskan bahawa pekerja ladang telah menyumbang ke arah pembangunan negara tetapi mereka masih hidup tertindas sehingga kini. Setelah 2 lagi ucapan dari wakil petani dan peneroka dari Johor, upacara pelancaran tema dan logo dijalankan. Pelancaran tema dan logo hari bersejarah ini dilakukan oleh Gabungan Anak Muda dan Pelajar(GAMP) dengan sketsa yang berlandaskan tema tahun ini “50 Tahun Merdeka, Pekerja Masih Dijajah”. Sketsa ini menggambarkan keadaan pekerja sebelum merdeka dan selepas merdeka. Lakonan menggambarkan bahawa  keadaan pekerja  sekarang serupa seperti sebelum zaman merdeka, di mana eksploitasi terhadap pekerja berleluasa dan ini diakhiri dengan para pekerja menumbangkan golongan kapitalis yang menindas mereka. Program diteruskan dengan ucapan daripada wakil peneroka Kampung Berembang. En Anizan yang berkongsi pengalaman perjuangan mereka di Kampung Berembang dan juga menegaskan bahawa peneroka bandar mempunyai hak dan tidak boleh diusir mengikut suka hati pihak pemerintah.   Wakil anak muda dan pelajar, Sdra Amin Yusof pula menyeru golongan mahasiswa untuk sentiasa bersama masyarakat dalam memperjuangkan keadilan dan hak asasi mereka. Tidak harus dilupakan, 8 jam kerja sehari yang dinikmati sekarang adalah hasil tumpahan darah perjuangan kelas pekerja pada tahun 1880-an di Amerika yang membawa kepada pengikitirafan 1 Mei sebagai hari pekerja. Sejarah perjuangan hari keramat ini dilakonkan oleh rakan- rakan aktivis dari Community Development Centre (CDC). Setelah beberapa lagi ucapan wakil pekerja, persembahan anak- anak Kg. Berembang menghiasi suasana dengan nyayian yang menceritakan perjuangan hak asasi mereka untuk rumah! Sambutan Mei 1 2007 di Johor  diakhiri dengan pembacaan deklarasi tuntutan pekerja dan nyanyian lagu Internasional. Deklarasi Mei 1 2007, disokong oleh 94 organisasi, satu jumlah yang tinggi kalau dibandingkan dengan tahun-tahun lepas.  Semasa pembacaan deklarasi Mei 1 2007, ramai yang hadir mara ke hadapan bersama- sama kain rentang yang membawa tuntutan mereka. 13 tuntutan pekerja sempena Hari Pekerja 2007 dibacakan dengan kuat dan penuh semangat. Akhirnya, lagu Internasional iaitu lagu perjuangan pekerja bergema di Dataran Bandaraya JB dengan kibaran tangan perjuangan, tidak lupa juga laungan “Hidup Pekerja”, “Hidup Perjuangan” dalam tiga bahasa Mei 1 akan sentiasa mengingatkan kelas pemerintah akan kekuatan dan semangat kelas pekerja di seluruh dunia yang telah berjaya mengalahkan kapitalis untuk mendapatkan hak mereka. Semangat dan solidariti pekerja pada Mei 1 1886 harus terus bara di jiwa setiap pekerja untuk menuntut hak mereka kerana penindasan terhadap pekerja terus berlaku sehingga hari ini.                                                                   50 Tahun Merdeka; PEKERJA MASIH DIJAJAH!  Kita  tiada apa untuk dihilangkan, hanya rantai penindasan sahaja! Kita ada seluruh dunia untuk dimenangi HIDUP PEKERJA! HIDUP PERJUANGAN!   50 TAHUN MERDEKA! PEKERJA MASIH DIJAJAH!  Tahun ini Semenanjung Malaysia akan merayakan 50 tahun kemerdekaan, 44 tahun sejak penubuhan Malaysia dan tahun ini juga adalah ulangtahun ke 121 Perayaan Hari Pekerja Antarabangsa Mei 1.   Walaupun negara telah mencapai kemerdekaan dari kuasa penjajah dan kuasa asing pada 1957 dan 1963 bagi Sabah dan Sarawak, namun warga pekerja semua kaum dan agama merasakan penjajahan masih berterusan dan penjajahan yang dimaksudkan adalah Penjajahan atas hasil usaha kaum pekerja Penjajahan atas hak berpersatuan dan hak bersuara       Penjajahan atas hak kebajikan dan kesejahteraan kaum pekerja Kami warga pekerja Malaysia yang menjadi tulang belakang kepada pembangunan Negara, amat tertekan dan tertindas oleh sistem pentadbiran Negara yang hanya mementingkan golongan kapitalis dan kroni politik daripda majoriti rakyat Negara.   Setelah 50 tahun merdeka, pemerintah yang sepatutnya menjamin Kekayaan Negara dikecapi semua warga kini melihat kehidupan warga pekerja dipinggirkan dan kerakusan kapitalisma terus bermaharajalela manakala polisi-polisi neo-liberal membanjiri agenda Negara.   Setelah 50 tahun merdeka…..   Statistik kerajaan mencatatkan bahawa 25% daripada rakyat Malaysia memperolehi pendapatan sekeluarga kurang daripada RM1,000 sebulan dan 57.2% daripada jumlah penduduk menerima gaji yang kurang dari RM 2000 sebulan . Para pekerja ditindas dan   masih dijajah oleh kapitalis atas dasar pekerja murahan. Tenaga pekerja dikerah tetapi gaji yang diterima oleh mereka adalah sangat rendah.    Setelah 50  tahun merdeka……  Negara kita masih tidak mempunyai Akta Gaji Minima. Jumlah keahlian Kesatuan semakin menurun dan undang-undang pro-majikan semakin diperkenalkan manakala harga barang-barang asas terus meningkat.      Setelah 50  tahun merdeka……... Para peneroka bandar iaitu warga pekerja yang datang pada awal 70an untuk membangunkan bandar-bandar kini mendapati diri mereka dilabel sebagai anti pembangunan dan rumah mereka diroboh melalui penggunaan undang-undang zalim dan jentera kerajaan yang rakus. Ramai daripada mereka tidak diberi rumah alternatif tetap dan bermaruah. Kini setelah 50 tahun merdeka, peneroka bandar menjadi pelarian dalam Negara sendiri.  Setelah 50  tahun merdeka………  Tanggungjawab kerajaan semakin kurang manakala kapitalis swasta terus memerintah dan pekerja dibebankan dengan polisi-polisi neo-liberal kerajaan yang memotifkan keuntungan. Air yang menjadi salah satu keperluan asas telah lama diswastakan dan   Negeri Johor merupakan mangsa penswastaan yang pertama dan harganya adalah paling tinggi berbanding negeri-negeri lain. Di samping itu, perkhidmatan kesihatan yang penting kepada warga pekerja juga telah diswastakan di mana bayaran yang tinggi dikenakan walupun tidak mampu dibayar.   Setelah 50  tahun merdeka………  Kini Malaysia bertungkus-lumus untuk menandatangani Perdagangan Bebas(FTA ) dengan Amerika Syarikat. Tidak dapat nafikan ini adalah satu lagi alat untuk menjajah penduduk melalui pintu belakang.   Setelah 50  tahun merdeka………  Projek yang menguntungkan pekerja seperti kemudahan asas, kemudahan pendidikan dan hospital kerajaan semakin mendapat kurang perhatian berbanding denagan projek raksasa yang glamour . Projek ini lebih menguntungkan pelabur dari warga pekerja.   Misalnya cadangan Kerajaan untuk melaksanakan projek Wilayah Pembangunan Iskandar di mana ia akan menjadikan Bandar Johor Bahru dan Kawasan Tanjung Pelepas sebagai Free Access Zone (FAZ).      KAMI WARGA PEKERJA MENUNTUT KEMERDEKAAN SEJATI DAN MENUNTUT PENJAJAHAN DIHENTIKAN. 13 TUNTUTAN KAUM PEKERJA SEMPENA HARI PEKERJA ADALAH:   1.      Gubal Akta Gaji Minima untuk semua pekerja dan mansuhkan polisi gaji murah. 2.      Menandatangani Konvensyen ILO berkenaan Kerja-kerja di Rumah dan juga instrumen antarabangsa yang berkaitan dengan perlindungan dan kebajikan pekerja.  3.      Pembentukan kesatuan sekerja secara automatik dan pemansuhan   undang-undang yang diskriminasi pekerja dan sebarang undang-undang baru bermotif membuang pekerja secara senang. 4.      Polisi ekonomi yang tidak berdasarkan diskriminasi kaum  dan jantina tetapi berlandaskan keperluan.  Menuntut suatu model pembangunan yang saksama, yang memberi kepentingan kepada rakyat setempat di mana segala rancangan pembangunan mestilah dibincang dan dipersetujui oleh semua. 5.      Semua Perjanjian Perdagangan  Bebas (FTA) harus disetujui oleh rakyat dan rakyat harus terlibat dalam proses membuat keputusan. 6.      Hentikan pengusiran paksa dan hormati hak perumahan peneroka bandar. Mansuhkan Ordinan Darurat Pembersihan Setinggan. Skim Perumahan Rakyat pada harga mampu dibeli, di lokasi strategik dan selesa harus diimplementasikan. 7.      Pastikan tempat kerja bebas daripada diskriminasi terhadap pekerja wanita. Gubal undang-undang Anti Gangguan Seksual. 8.      Hak saksama kepada pekerja migran dan perlindungan dari dianiyai oleh pihak majikan, polis, RELA dan imigresen. 9.      Hentikan penswastaan perkhidmatan asas seperti air dan hospital. 10.  Mansuhkan segala undang-undang yang menindas dan mendiskriminasi para pekerja, antaranya ISA,OSA, Akta Universiti & Kolej Universiti, Akta Pertubuhan, Akta Mesin Cetak dan Penerbitan. 11.  Mengubal Akta Kebebasan Maklumat. 12.  Memberi kepentingan kepada sektor pertanian dengan peruntukan tanah dan subsidi yang cukup, demi menjamin produktiviti dalam negara yang mampu menampung keperluan makanan asas rakyat. Elakkan pengkopratan sektor pertanian dan galakkan sistem koperasi petani. 13.  Menuntut suatu sistem kerajaan yang benar-benar telus, bersih, kredible dan bebas dari segala bentuk rasuah, kronisme dan penyelewengan. Menuntut pilihanraya bersih dan berkecuali dan SPR yang telus, berwibawa dan adil. Deklarasi ini disokong oleh : 1.       Alaigal 2.       Aliran Kesedaran Negara (ALIRAN) 3.        Centre for Independent Journalism 4.        Centre for Orang Asli Concerns (COAC) 5.        Child Development Initiative 6.       Chinese Students Council(UTM) CSCUTM 7.       Civil Rights Committee of The Kuala Lumpur and Selangor Chinese Assembly Hall, (CRC-KLSCAH) 8.       Community Action Network 9.       Community Development Centre 10.   ERA Consumer Malaysia 11.   Federation of Malaysian Consumer Asociations (FOMCA) 12.   Food not Bombs Kuala Lumpur 13.   Gabungan Anak Muda & pelajar, JERIT 14.   Gabungan Mahasiswa Islam Semalaysia(GAMIS) 15.   Gabungan Mansuhkah ISA (GMI) 16.   Gabungan Pekerja Kilang & Kesatuan Beranang 17.   Gabungan Pekerja Kilang dan Kesatuan, JERIT 18.   Gabungan Pekerja Kilang, Perak 19.   Gabungan Peneroka Bandar & Perumahan, JERIT 20.   Gabungan Rakyat Membantah US-Malaysia FTA 21.   Gerakan Mahasiswa Maju,UPM 22.   Group of Concerned Citizens 23.   Indigenous People Development Centre (IPDC) 24.    Inter Varsity Council (IVC) 25.   International Movement For A Just World (JUST) 26.   Jaringan Rakyat Tertindas (JERIT) 27.   Jawatankuasa Bertindak Ladang Brooklands, Banting 28.   Jawatankuasa Bertindak Ladang Sungai Rinching 29.   Jawatankuasa Bertindak Peneroka Kg. Sri Tanjung 30.   JAwatankuasa Kebajikan Mahasiswa/I, UKM 31.   Jawatankuasa Ladang Semenyih 32.   Jawatankuasa Penduduk Kg Cheppor 33.   Jawatankuasa Penduduk Kg Chubadak, KL 34.   Jawatankuasa Penduduk Kg DBI, Ipoh 35.   Jawatankuasa Penduduk Kg KTM, Ipoh 36.   Jawatankuasa Penduduk Kg KTM, Sg. Siput 37.   Jawatankuasa Penduduk Kg Saujana 38.   Jawatankuasa Penduduk Kg. Chekkadi 39.   Jawatankuasa Penduduk Kg. Fajar 40.   Jawatankuasa Penduduk Kg. Meru Tin 41.   Jawatankuasa Penduduk Kg. Rimba Jaya 42.   Jawatankuasa Penduduk Kg. Sg Nipah 43.   Jawatankuasa Penduduk Kg. Spooner 44.   Jawatankuasa Penduduk Kg. Sri Tasek 45.   Jawatankuasa Penduduk Kg. Temenggung 46.   Jawatankuasa Penghuni Flat Golden Villa 47.   Jawatankuasa Penyelesaian dan Rayuan Penduduk Kg. Berembang 48.   Jawatankuasa Sokongan Masyarakat Ladang 49.   JKB Kampung Baru Plentong Tengah 50.   Kesatuan Pekerja-Pekerja Guppy Plastic 51.   Kesatuan Hitachi Consumer, Bandar Baru Bangi 52.   Kesatuan Pekerja-Pekerja Dekor Panel , Rawang 53.   Klang Consumer Association 54.   Kuala Lumpur and Selangor Chinese Assembly Hall, Youth Section ( KLSCAH-Youth) 55.   Malaysia Youth and Student Democratic Movement (DEMA) 56.   Malaysian Catholic Student Council (MCSC) 57.   Malaysian Voters Union (MALVU) 58.   Monitoring Sustainability of Globalisation (MSN) 59.   Pahang Consumer Association (PAC) 60.   PANGGAU, Sarawak 61.    Parti Islam SeMalaysia (PAS) 62.    Parti Keadilan Rakyat 63.   Parti Rakyat Malaysia (PRM) 64.    Parti Sosialis Malaysia (PSM 65.    Parti Tindakan Demokratik (DAP) 66.    Partners of Organisation (PACOS Trust) 67.   Penang Consumer Protection Association (PCPA) 68.   Penang Office for Human Development (POHD) 69.   Penang Watch 70.   Perak Consumer Association (PCA) 71.   Persatuan Bahasa Tionghua UPM 72.   Persatuan Graduan Belia Pulau Pinang 73.    Persatuan Masyarakat Selangor Dan Wilayah  Persekutuan (PERMAS) 74.   Persatuan Sahabat Wanita Selangor 75.   Positive Malaysian Treatment Access & Advocacy Group (MTAAG+) 76.   Projek Praxis 77.   Pusat Khidmat Pekerja Tanjung 78.   Pusat Komuniti Masyarakat(KOMAS) 79.   Rakan Perjuangan Peneroka Bandar (RAKAN ) 80.   Sadia HQ 81.    Save Our School Damansara (SOS DAMANSARA) 82.   Save OurSelves (SOS) Penang 83.   Selangor & Federal Territory Consumer Association (SCA) 84.    Semparuthi Iyakkam 85.   Sisters in Islam (SIS) 86.   Solidariti Mahasiswa Malaysia (SMM) 87.   Solidariti Mahasiswa Putra 88.   Student Progresif Front, USM 89.   Suara Rakyat Malaysia (SUARAM ) 90.   Tenaganita 91.   Women Aid Organisation (WAO) 92.   Women Development Collective (WDC) 93.   Writers Alliance For Media Independence ( WAMI ) 94.   Yayasan Amal Malaysia

Ijok: Lessons for the opposition parties

LATEST: Tan Sri Khalid will be going back to Ijok to thank the people for supporting PKR at 3.30pm today. The team will be led by PKR advisor  Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, party chief Datin Seri Wan Azizah, information chief Tian Chua and others. I have accepted their invitation to join the walkabout in Pekan Ijok and Batang Berjuntai.

The writings is on the wall. BN had won 92% of the Parliamentary seats in the 2004 GE and defeated the opposition in all the five by-elections (except for Batu Talam which was contested by an Independent). We need to find a winning formula to defeat BN.

BN has been able to win big because there was no true unity among the opposition parties. There’s no true opposition unity to face the the might of BN coalition. There’s no way to beat BN if the opposition parties could not work together effectively to face their common enemy-the Umno-led BN coalition.

Yes, the people of Malaysia suffer much under the current BN administration. They hope the opposition parties could work together to pose a real challenge to the mighty Umno-led BN coalition.

The people do know that BN is corrupt to the core. They know that BN leaders abuse their power to amass wealth for themselves. They were fed up with empty promises and very disappointed with the Prime Minister who could not walk the talk. But where is the alternative? 

Please bear in mind that only the well-informed voters and hardcore supporters vote for the opposition. Voters with pro-winner mentality (commonly called lalang, fence-sitters, the silent majority etc) would only vote for the winners (or potential winners).  They would never vote for the opposition if the opposition looked set to remain as opposition. But these voters with pro-winner mentality is not a small group. And we would not be able to win their votes without presenting them a winning formula.

 Please vote for Khalid !

It’s the duty and responsibility of the opposition parties to offer a winning formula for all to see. Politics of hope is an essential ingredient that we must provide for the voters. The opposition parties must project a winning position and work towards a winning agenda. We owe it to ourselves to do it. 

Yes, the opposition parties are having opposing views on the issue of religion. But that does not mean that we could not resolve or put aside our differences.

Malaysia is rotting slowly day by day. We are facing all kinds of problems and crises. We are also losing our pace to our neighbouring countries. The answer lies in a change of government. Only a change of government could get rid of these greedy and corrupt BN politicians. What could be more important than serving the larger intertest of the people by affecting a change of government?

Ijok is a good beginning for opposition unity. Top opposition party leaders and members in general have put in serious efforts to campaign for PKR. But we were facing various problems due to a poor uncohesive campaign machinery. I personally feel that Khalid could have done better or even made it if there were greater cooperation among the opposition parties. Only true opposition unity and cohesive machinery could destroy the BTF tactics (bribes, threats and frauds) launched by the corrupt BN coalition.

I strongly suggest DAP to openly team up with PKR, and PKR to team up with Pas. And DAP and Pas must at the same time declare that their common enemy is the Umno-led BN coalition. DAP and Pas may not be allies but we are certainly friends in the opposition. It’s only natural that friends in the opposition must put aside our differences for the benefit of the rakyat. We need to help each other to challenge our common enemy.

We will never be able to convince everyone to agree with the strategic partnership among the opposition parties. But politics is about taking risks. The fear of losing seats is something we need to overcome. The ruling class and those with vested interest will be all out to discourage the opposition from achieving true unity and full cooperation. In short, they fear  opposition unity. They know if the opposition really works together, they will eventually lose their grip on power.

Dear fellow Malaysians, there’s no point crying over spilled milk. Ijok is just a temporary setback. We must not lose sight and we certainly must not lose hope. Ijok is nothing compared to the real war-general elections.

The defeat in Ijok actually gives me hope. What about you?

Source: Malaysiakini

HAPPY Labour Day! Highest tribute to all workers who contribute towards nation-building and a peaceful and prosperous society.

Ijok: Guan Eng to give a final push tonight

After a supper at the Ijok restaurant last night.

We were happy to note that the threats from the BN thugs and disruptions from the police did not dampen the spirit of the Ijok people at all. Last night, more people came to listen to Kit Saing, Anwar, Mat Sabu and other opposition heavyweights then previous nights. Thousands gathered at different ceramah points in Ijok as early as 8pm.

It’s also encouraging to note that we have a significant number of women folks and elderly citizens turned up for the ceramahs. The audience usually stay through the ceramahs except for some who “chase after ” Kit Siang and Anwar.

The Jiu Jiu Bai Xiao!!! Save Our School!!!

SOS Damansara group made its appearance at the ceramah last night. They sang the theme song-”Let’s Unite to Save Bai Xiao” - which was chosen by me when I was their adviser. Earlier, the group have distributed leaflets in Ijok to highlight their problems and expose the culprits behind the closure of their school. 

 Bandar Mahkota Cheras Open Access Road Action Committee were aslo at Ijok to highlight their problems. Samy has failed to help them as a minister. They got Khalid to endorse their cause. It’s chairman Tan Boon Wah gave a short speech at the ceramah on last Sunday.

“From an ugly duckling to a beautiful swan”

Lat night, Kit Siang has described Ijok as a swan after the BN has thrown in close to 100 million ringgit. He reminded them to “write history and create a miracle” by making Khalid the ADUN of Ijok. He once again urged everyone in Ijok to emulate Justice Bao-to differentiate between right and wrong, just and unjust- before casting their votes.

While he urged the Ijok people to give encouragement to Anwar who has the courage to admit his mistake over an old issue  some twenty years ago, he challenge the “keris-waving” Najib and MCA leaders who have betrayed the Chinese to pick up the courage to admit their mistakes in the past.  

Khalid looks very tanned after a week of intensive campaign but he was in his usual cool and steady mood. He’s not disturbed by the  “slip of tongue” which most of us do. Who would believe Khalid actually wanted the Ijok voters to vote against him? Anyway, Ijok may have two K’s to serve them after this by-elections: Khalid and Khir Toyo. Khir has set up a service centre in Ijok on Wednesday. He was rather embarrassed to see that very few Chinese (no more than 50) turned up for the opening ceremony although the centre sits in the middle of the Chinese new village.

PM@Ijok

Also yesterday, AAB came to Ijok new village for a short while (stopping over at the local MCA and Gerakan operation centres) after attending the installation ceremony of Agong in the morning. He spent 150 minutes in Ijok, visiting four different operation centres. It’s rather unusual for the PM to campaign in by-elections. To me, it says that there were serious cracks in the BN campaign and the team led by Najib is not confident at all.

In my speech last night, I invited the Ijok people, members and supporters of DAP and all the other opposition parties to canvass for Khalid on Saturday.  I urge them to turn up in full force at all the polling centres. I believe the visible presence of opposition supporters would help to encourage the Ijok voters (who were intimidated by BN thugs) to cast their votes for the candidate representing the opposition parties.

C U in Ijok tonight. And do not forget to show up on Saturday.

Ijok: BN “kiasu” (scared to lose)

 

Opposition Leader Lim Kit Siang called the BN camp “kiasu”. He made his first appearance in Ijok last night. The gentleman sitting on my left is Thomas Soo Kheng Seong. He’s a DAP state assemblyman from Ipoh. T Kannan, the deputy campaign director of Selangor DAO Campaign support Team, is standing on his right.

Many have predicted a victory for Khalid. Opposition Leader Lim Kit Siang describes the attempt to stop PKR’s ceramahs as “kiasu” (takut kalah) . He persuades the Ijok people to create history, sending Khalid to the Selangor state assembly to bring hope to Malaysian democracy. More tha 1,000 people turned up for the ceramah. The police have tried to stop the ceramahs earlier, claiming that there were no permits for these gatherings. The OCPD of Kuala Selangor tried to snatch Kit Siang’s microphone. But the election rules stated clearly that the candidate or his agent needs only to inform the police about the time and venue of the ceramah. The question of permit does not arise at all. Police must stay out of party politics. They must not take side with the ruling parties. But can they understand simple rules and regulations?

Kit Siang, Chong Eng and  Po Kuan spoke for the first time in Ijok last night. Others who spoke were Anwar, Azmin and Khalid. I have opted not to speak in order to spend some time talking to some local voters.

Khalid has slimmed down quite a fair bit after several days of intensive campaigning. We are banking on him to win Ijok for the opposition. Go, Khalid Go! Whack the BN fellows in the state assembly for all of us.

It appears to me that Khalid has an upperhand over Partiban in the Chinese areas at the moment. He himself is confident about getting the majority of the Malay votes. He even believes that he could win quite a good percentage of the Indian votes.

A reliable source says that Samy Vellu has not resolved the internal problem of his own party. His open statement about good chances of winning even without the Chinese votes (he said it in Taman Suria, Batang Berjuntai) has upset a lot of Chinese voters here.

Another source says that the local Umno MP was not in good terms with the Menteri Besar of Selangor. And the local MCA Youth members were still unhappy with the top BN leadership (incl their own President Ong ”kata nothing”) over the rubbish landfill issue (the dump site has been making the whole town stink like nobody. It was only ordered to be closed one day after the death of K Sivalingam. Before that, BN has promised to shut it down after the last general election but it has broken its promises on several occasions.) Many are now saying that the landfill will be reopened as soon as the by-election on 28 April 2007 was over.

Admirers of the opposition giant in Ijok

Pls read http://wengsan.blogspot.com/2007/04/ijok-by-election-dramatic-night-at.html

Battle for Malay votes: Umno turns to fear

Fauwaz Abdul Aziz Apr 24, 07 4:49pm Malaysiakini

Malay votes in the upcoming Ijok by-election in Selangor is crucial and Umno has launched an all-out campaign to bag support in the Malay-dominated areas.One of the targeted areas is Bukit Badong, a district of 1,900 voters which Keadilan won in the 2004 general election.However, some villagers warned that the strategy employed by the ruling coalition could backfire.According to them, the tactic of combining fear, nostalgia and the lure of a more comfortable life, could only yield short-term results. Another stumbling block for Umno and its counterparts is that many of those aged 40 and below in Bukit Badong are hardcore opposition supporters. Eighty-five percent of Bukit Badong residents are Malays, with Indian and Chinese villagers making up about 13 and two percent respectively. In the 2004 general elections, the late incumbent K Sivalingam of Barisan Nasional won in the non-Malay areas of Berjuntai Bestari, Tuan Mee, Pekan Ijok and Sungai Darah. Whereas, the opposition candidate from Parti Keadilan Rakyat Abdul Rahman Muharam won in the Malay areas of Bukit Badong and Kampung Ijuk and took half the votes in Sempang Ijok and Jaya Setia (see chart below).  The April 28 by-election will see another duel between the two parties. BN is represented by K Parthiban while PKR, Khalid Ibrahim. Doom and disorder For this election, Umno is said to be concentrating its campaign on Bukit Badong’s older generation, painting a dismal picture of doom and disorder should the opposition party win. “My peers have been told that things will revert to the days of old if we vote in the Keadilan (PKR) candidate,” Suraji Puniran, 65, told malaysiakini when met today. “It may or may not work with the older people. Many of them remember the huru-hara (chaos) of the Japanese occupation and communist insurgency,” said Suraji, who heads the PAS Bukit Badong branch. Another villager claimed that Umno workers told elderly villagers that if PKR wins, the ensuing social and economic unrest would deprive their children and grandchildren of education and stability. But is this fear tactic successful? “No!” said villager Ansor Abdullah Kamari (left). “This goes against proper Malay conduct and manners.” According to him, even the older generation of Umno members in the village are being turned off by the aggressiveness of the young campaigners. Recounting an incident that occurred last night, Ansor said elderly villagers who gathered near the PAS Bukit Badong branch for a chat were interrupted by loud young Umno workers passing in a truck. “Gempur!’ (attack!) they shouted as they passed us. It was very rude of them. Some of us sitting there were PAS (members), and some were not, but their behavior was just plain kurang ajar (rude) to all of us!” he said. Election banners Disgruntled BN supporter Azmi Atan, 52, (photo, below) said the fear tactic was also visible in some of the election banners put up in parts of the village. “Patah tak tumbuh, hilang tak berganti’ (What’s broken cannot grow back, what’s gone cannot come back’). What else is that supposed to mean?” he asked. He said the villagers could see past the carrot-and-stick approach and would not be fooled by the cosmetic display of development projects and cash payout. “The repairs to houses, roads, streetlights, and drains have all been done very quickly over the past several weeks since the by-election was announced. “But these works are already showing signs of being shoddy and low quality. Holes are already appearing in some of the roads that have recently been tarred,” he noted. Another villager, Mohd Daim Safuan said some elderly villagers were even told they would be arrested if found to have voted for PKR. “It took me a long time to convince one particular elderly couple, who are also disabled, that they need not be scared of voting for PKR,” he said.